JP7840071B2 - Guide information provision system, guide information provision program, and course creation program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a guide information provision system, a guide information provision program, and a course creation program.

Conventional navigation systems that provide navigation (route guidance) to a predetermined destination are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Conventional navigation systems search for a travel route to a predetermined destination, provide route guidance along that route, and, when it is determined that the user is traveling within a pre-set guidance section and has reached a guidance point, provide navigation information (such as information on turning right or left).

Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional navigation system. A conventional navigation system, for example, as shown in Figure 14, is thought to comprise an input unit 912 for inputting a destination, a location information acquisition unit 913 for acquiring current location information, a navigation management unit 914 that outputs the destination and current location to a navigation unit 920 via a communication unit 915 and outputs navigation information generated by the navigation unit 920 to a display unit 916, and a display unit 916 for displaying the travel route. The navigation management unit 914 includes a location information management unit 917.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-190979

However, conventional navigation systems only provide route guidance, which can lead to users missing tourist attractions other than the entered destination or taking inefficient routes, thus increasing the user's burden. Therefore, there was a need for a guide information system that provides not only route search but also information on sightseeing courses and guides.

Furthermore, while it's conceivable to provide both navigation information and tourist guide information to existing car navigation systems, the challenge lies in the fact that adding tourist spot guide information later is cumbersome due to the integrated nature of the system.

Furthermore, there was a need for a guide information system that could not only track travel history but also understand user stay patterns, such as how long users spent at each tourist spot, and provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, scope, and content, etc.).

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a guide information provision system that can appropriately provide not only route search but also sightseeing course information and guide information, and that allows for easy addition of guide information later. Furthermore, it aims to provide a guide information provision program for use in such a guide information provision system. And even further, it aims to provide a course generation program for creating such course information and guide information.

The present invention provides a guide information provision system that sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and provides navigation, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area. The guide information provision system comprises a location information acquisition unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information provision unit, and a display unit. The location information acquisition unit acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit and the navigation management unit. The navigation management unit has a location information management unit that generates navigation location information based on the current location information. The navigation management unit outputs the navigation location information generated by the location information management unit and the navigation destination output from the course information management unit to the navigation unit, and outputs the navigation information output from the navigation unit to the display unit to perform navigation. The system generates navigation information based on the navigation destination and the navigation location information, and outputs it to the navigation management unit. The course information provision unit comprises a course information management unit and a guide information management unit. The course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as the navigation destination in a predetermined order. The guide information management unit sets a guide information provision area and has a location determination unit different from the location information management unit of the navigation management unit. When the location determination unit determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The display unit displays the navigation information. At least the location information acquisition unit, the navigation management unit, the display unit, and the course information provision unit are located in the same terminal, and the range of the guide information provision area is a range that takes into account the error between the location information determined by the location determination unit and the actual location.

The first guide information provision program of the present invention is a guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to the navigation unit and sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, characterized in that the computer is made to execute a course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, and a guide information management process that sets the guide information provision area and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area.

The second guide information provision program of the present invention is a guide information provision program as an additional application program downloaded and used on a terminal which is a computer having a display unit, characterized in that the terminal is made to function as a guide information provision means for providing predetermined guide information during the guidance, including navigation means including location information processing means for identifying the location of the terminal and control means for searching for a route from the starting point or current location to the destination and providing guidance, and other location information processing means different from the location information processing means for identifying the location of the terminal.

The present invention provides a course creation program that creates a course that visits pre-set waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information provision area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The program causes a computer connected to a display unit to perform the following steps: a map information display process that causes the display unit to display map information; a destination and waypoint input process that accepts input of the locations of a predetermined destination and multiple waypoints, as well as the order in which the waypoints and destination are visited, based on the map information; a guide information provision area input process that sets the location and range of the guide information provision area based on the map information; and a guide information input process that inputs guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. In the guide information provision area input process, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the location and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the location and range of the region display unit.

According to the guide information provision program and guide information provision system of the present invention, the course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, the guide information management unit sets a guide information provision area, has a location determination unit different from the location information management unit of the navigation management unit, and when the location determination unit determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, making it possible to provide not only route search but also course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc.
Furthermore, since navigation is provided by outputting navigation destinations to the navigation management unit and the navigation unit, it becomes easy to add guide information such as recommended tourist spots later on, while still utilizing the existing navigation system.
Furthermore, since the navigation management unit and the navigation unit and course information provision unit operate almost independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, the course information provision unit can control and manage guide information. Therefore, it becomes easier to understand user stay patterns, such as how long users stayed at each tourist spot, and based on this information, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, and content, etc.).

Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally thought that a single integrated program is created that combines navigation processing and guide information provision means, and that navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means. However, according to the guide information provision program of the present invention, the terminal functions as navigation means including location information processing means that identifies the terminal's location, and guide information provision means that includes other location information processing means different from the location information processing means of the navigation means and provides predetermined guide information during the guidance process. Therefore, unlike the case where navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means, it is possible to create a simple and highly convenient guide information provision program by, for example, retrofitting a guide information provision unit to an existing navigation system.

According to the course creation program of the present invention, in the guide information provision area input process, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map. By changing the position and range of the region display unit, the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and to create courses where guide information can be easily added later.

This figure shows the guide information provision system 1 according to Embodiment 1. This is a block diagram showing terminal 10 and course information provision unit 100. This is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 at the start of the process. This flowchart shows the process of providing navigation during travel. This flowchart shows the processing of the guide information provision system 1 when the user is located within the guide information provision area. This is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of the guide information system 1 when the user deviates from the course. This diagram shows how to create a route by setting waypoints and destinations. This diagram shows how to set up the guide information provision area. This diagram illustrates the size of the guide information provision area. This figure shows the relationship between the density of the guide information area in the vertical direction and the size of the guide information area. This diagram shows the guide information setting area and the screen for setting guide information. This is a block diagram showing the guide information provision program (course information provision section 101) related to the first variation. This is a block diagram showing the guide information provision program (course information provision section 102) related to variation 2. This is a block diagram illustrating a conventional navigation system. Reference numeral 915 indicates the communication unit.

The guide information provision system, guide information provision program, and course creation program of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the figures. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[Embodiment]
1. Courses in the Embodiments Before describing the guide information provision system according to the embodiment, the "courses" and "navigation" in the embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, "course" refers to a route that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order. Here, "destination" refers to the end point of the course. For example, if the route includes multiple tourist spots before returning, the starting point of the course may overlap with the destination (navigation destination). Therefore, the "course" in this embodiment is completely different from routes provided by existing car navigation systems—that is, routes where the user sets a destination and reaches it via the shortest distance, etc.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, "navigation" refers to guiding the user toward a predetermined navigation destination and providing directions, and differs in content from the provision of guide information described later. Navigation is included in existing car navigation systems or in navigation information generated by the navigation management unit described later in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the navigation destination is output from the course information provision unit 100 described later.

Furthermore, "guide information" refers to audio, video, etc., output when the user is located within a designated guide information provision area. This includes, for example, information about tourist spots and scenery, as well as information about shops and restaurants.

2. Overall Configuration of the Guide Information Provision System 1 According to the Embodiment Figure 1 is a diagram showing the guide information provision system 1. As shown in Figure 1, the guide information provision system 1 according to the embodiment comprises a terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10, a navigation unit 20, a backend 30, and a management unit 40. The guide information provision system according to the embodiment sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and performs navigation, and when the vehicle is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.

Terminal 10 (in-vehicle terminal) is a device installed inside a vehicle, such as a mobile vehicle 11 (e.g., an automobile), that provides navigation, course information, and guide information to the user (e.g., driver, passengers, etc.). A smartphone or mobile phone can be used as Terminal 10. In this case, Terminal 10 can be used not only inside the mobile vehicle 11 but also outside of it. Alternatively, a built-in terminal or other appropriate terminal can be used as Terminal 10. The specific configuration of Terminal 10 will be described later.

The navigation unit 20 (navigation means) receives signals from the terminal 10 (current location information and information regarding the navigation destination), generates map information and navigation information to the navigation destination, and transmits it to the terminal 10. The navigation unit 20 can utilize an existing car navigation system, or a new navigation unit may be introduced.

The backend 30, accessed from the terminal 10, acquires course information (including information on waypoints and destinations, guide area provision areas, and guide information). It also acquires information such as whether the terminal 10 (mobile device 11) has passed through a predetermined guide information provision area, and whether guide information has been provided. This information can be used as a reference when improving or adding to courses, guide information, guide information provision areas, etc., or when creating new courses.

Furthermore, guide information can include not only audio information from tourist guides, but also information on shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. In addition to audio information, videos and images can also be included. When using information on shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc., as guide information, it is possible to obtain information such as the number of times the guide information was played and the number of times the guide information area was passed through. This information can then be used, for example, to set advertising rates based on these counts.

The management unit 40 manages the entire guide information provision system. For example, it can create courses, guide information provision areas and guide information, register vehicle information, and display the real-time location of vehicles. It can also handle troubleshooting via communication with terminals.

3. Configuration of the Terminal (In-Vehicle Terminal) 10 Next, the configuration of the terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the terminal 10 and the course information provision unit 100. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal 10 has an input unit 12, a location information acquisition unit 13, a navigation management unit 14, a communication unit 15, a course information provision unit 100, and a display unit 16. If the terminal 10 is a smartphone, the input unit 12 and the display unit 16 are integrated, and input is performed by tapping the displayed screen. In addition, the location information acquisition unit 13, the navigation management unit 14, and the course information provision unit 100 (course information management unit 110 and guide information management unit 120) are implemented by having a computer terminal execute a program, but they may also be implemented using logic circuits, etc.

The input unit 12 receives course selection input from the user. Specifically, one or more course selection screens are displayed on the display unit 16 (display screen), and the user taps the desired course to receive course selection input. Information on the selected course is output to the course information provision unit 100. Alternatively, course selection may be done by pressing a separately provided button. In this embodiment, the service provider provides a pre-set course, but for example, the desired destination (waypoint) could be displayed on the display unit 16, and the user could tap to select a course that goes around the desired destination. Alternatively, when providing a course, waypoints could be displayed, and the user could tap to select to skip a predetermined waypoint, and the system could then select a course that skips those waypoints.

The location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit 100 and the navigation management unit 14. The location information acquisition unit 13 can, for example, use the GPS (Global Positioning System) function built into mobile phones or smartphones. The location information can be longitude and latitude coordinates.

The navigation management unit 14 includes a location information management unit 17 that generates navigation location information based on the current location information. The navigation location information generated by the location information management unit 17, along with the navigation destination output from the course information management unit 110 (described later), is output to the navigation unit 20 via the communication unit 15. The navigation information output from the navigation unit 20 is then output to output units (not shown), such as the display unit 16 and speakers, to perform navigation. Navigation information includes route search and route guidance information to the navigation destination. The navigation system is comprised of the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20.

The location information management unit 17 generates navigation location information, including information such as direction of travel and speed, based on the current location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 13. The navigation location information may also include information about roads, road conditions (traffic congestion, construction, etc.), etc.

The communication unit 15 communicates with the terminal 10, the navigation unit 20, and the backend 30. The communication unit 15 can use telephone lines, wireless lines, or other appropriate lines.

The display unit 16 is the terminal screen of terminal 10, and displays the course selection screen, navigation information, and some of the guide information.

The course information provision unit 100 exists as an application within the terminal 10. Specifically, the course information provision unit 100 is a guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to the navigation management unit, which provides route guidance to a predetermined point on the map, setting a course that visits the predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order. It also provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-defined guide information provision area. This guide information provision program is implemented by having the terminal (computer) execute a guide information provision program that causes a computer to perform a course information management process that outputs pre-defined waypoints and destinations as navigation destinations to the navigation unit 20 in a predetermined order, and a guide information management process that sets a guide information provision area and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area. The processing performed by the navigation management unit 14 may be included in the guide information provision program, or the processing performed by both the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20 may be included in the guide information provision program.

In other words, the guide information provision program is an additional application program downloaded and used on a terminal 10, which is a computer having a display unit 16. The terminal (computer) may be made to execute the guide information provision program, which includes navigation means (including location information processing means for identifying the terminal 10's location and control means for searching for and guiding a route from the starting point or current location to the destination) and other location information processing means different from those of the navigation means, to function as a guide information provision means for providing predetermined guide information during guidance.

Furthermore, in the guide information provision program, each means may cause the terminal to function as follows: That is, when the guide information provision means determines, by other location information processing means (corresponding to the location determination unit), that the terminal is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area (causing the terminal to function to provide it). Also, when the terminal is determined to be located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The guide information provision area is pre-set to the minimum size in which the location information means (corresponding to the location information management unit) can always determine the location of the terminal. In addition, the location of the terminal determined by the location information means (corresponding to the location information management unit) in the navigation means is displayed on the display unit 16 together with the map. Furthermore, the guide information provision means does not refer to map information. Furthermore, the control means in the navigation system includes a re-search means that, when the location information means determines that the terminal has deviated from the route from the initially set starting point or current location to the destination, re-searches and guides the terminal to the destination from the identified terminal location. Following this re-search by the re-search means, a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 16 for the user to choose whether or not to follow the route guided by the re-search.

The course information provision unit 100 includes a course information management unit 110 and a guide information management unit 120.

The course information management unit 110 outputs course information to the guide information management unit 120. The course information management unit 110 also outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations as navigation destinations to the navigation management unit 14 in a predetermined order. Each waypoint and destination on the course is assigned a number, and the one with the lowest number is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the first navigation destination. When arrival at a navigation destination is detected, the next numbered waypoint (destination) after the previously designated waypoint is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. Finally, upon detecting arrival at the destination, the guide information provision system terminates.

Specifically, when a course like the one shown in Figure 7 is set, the navigation information system 1 outputs waypoint A1 as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 upon startup. Then, upon arrival at the current navigation destination (waypoint A1), the next waypoint, A2, is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. This process is repeated until destination A11 is reached, at which point the guide information system terminates.

Furthermore, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course, it displays a selection screen prompting the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. Specifically, it displays a selection screen asking whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. The selection screen could display buttons to continue navigation to the "current navigation destination" and buttons to skip, or it could display only the continue or cancel buttons, automatically canceling or continuing after a certain period of time. In addition to displaying the selection screen on the display unit 16, the user may also be prompted to make a choice by voice information or other appropriate means.

Furthermore, the method for detecting that the current location has deviated from the course may be to perform a route recalculation by the navigation unit 20, or the course information management unit 110 may manage the course information and detect whether or not the location has deviated from the course.

The guide information management unit 120 has a position determination unit 121 and a guide information output unit 122, which are different from the position information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14. The guide information management unit 120 sets a guide information provision area (see G1, G2, etc. in Figure 8), and when the position determination unit 121 determines that the current position is within a predetermined guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to that guide information provision area.

The position determination unit 121 determines whether the current position information (e.g., latitude and longitude) is included in the guide information provision area. If the current position information is included in the guide information provision area, the guide information output unit 122 is activated. The position determination unit 121 may also control a geofence determination program built into the terminal to perform the position determination, and then execute the guide information output unit 122 based on the result.

When the position determination unit 121 determines that the current position information is included in the guide information provision area, the guide information output unit 122 provides the user with the corresponding guide information provision area via the display unit 16 or output unit (not shown).

The "Guide Information Provision Area" is an area with a predetermined range. When the system detects that the current location is within this area, it outputs guide information corresponding to that area. The Guide Information Provision Area includes both in-course guide information provision areas with a predetermined order and out-of-course guide information provision areas without a predetermined order. The in-course guide information provision areas have a predetermined order, and triggers can be set to prevent the provision of guide information unless a predetermined condition is met, such as passing through a guide information provision area in a predetermined order. Furthermore, by setting out-of-course guide information provision areas, even if a location is inaccessible by mobile means and requires walking to reach a predetermined point, guide information can be provided if the user reaches the guide information provision area on foot by carrying a device.

The range of the guide information provision area is determined by considering at least one of the following factors: the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position, the provision time of the corresponding guide information, and the actual height environment within that area. In particular, the range of the guide information provision area is set to minimize the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position. The size of the guide information provision area will be described later. Furthermore, the size of the guide information provision area takes into account the actual height environment within that area.

4. Operation of the Guide Information Provision System 1 According to the Embodiment Next, the operation of the guide information provision system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, except in cases where the course is deviated from, the course (waypoints, destination, and guide information provision area) shown in Figures 7 and 8, which will be described later, will be used as an example. The example course, as shown in Figure 7, is set to visit waypoints A1 to A10 and destination A11 in this order, and as shown in Figure 8, guide information provision areas G1 to G7 are set. Note that A0 in Figure 7 indicates the current location at the start. The guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 within the course, whose order is set in advance, and guide information provision area G7 outside the course, whose order is not set.

In the example provided, the guide information area is a circle centered on a predetermined point. However, it can also be defined as a section along the road, or as any other shape that allows for the definition of a range.

(1) Start Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 at the start. The guide information provision system 1 according to this embodiment performs the following processing at the start (point A0 in Figure 7).

First, the user selects a course according to the selection screen displayed on the display unit 16 (see step S11 in Figure 3).

Next, based on the selected course, the navigation management unit 14 outputs the first waypoint A1 (see waypoint A1 in Figure 7), which is the waypoint with the lowest number in the pre-set sequence, as the navigation destination (see step S12 in Figure 3). Also, the guide information provision areas G1 to G7 associated with the selected course are set (see step S13 in Figure 3).

Next, the location information acquisition unit 13 acquires location information for the current location (point A0 in Figure 7) (see step S14 in Figure 3). Then, the navigation management unit 14 outputs the navigation destination (waypoint A1) and current location information to the navigation unit 20 (see step S15 in Figure 3). The navigation unit 20 generates navigation information to the navigation destination (first waypoint A1) based on the navigation destination and current location information (see step S16 in Figure 3), and outputs this navigation information to the navigation management unit 14. The navigation management unit 14 outputs the navigation information to the display unit 16 and performs navigation (navigation from point A0 to waypoint A1) (see step S17 in Figure 3).

(2) During movement Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 during movement. The guide information provision system 1 according to this embodiment performs the following processing during movement.

(2-1) During normal operation, the location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit 100 and the navigation management unit 14 (see step S21 in Figure 4). If the current location is not the navigation destination and the vehicle is not off course (see "NO" in steps S23 and S25 in Figure 4), the navigation unit 20 generates navigation information and outputs it via the display unit 16 (see step S28 in Figure 4).

(2-2) When the navigation destination is reached, the location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information (see step S21 in Figure 4), determines whether the current location information has arrived at the navigation destination (see step S23 in Figure 4), and when it is detected that the navigation destination has been reached (see "YES" in step S23), the course information management unit 110 outputs the next waypoint or destination after the waypoint of the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (see step S24 in Figure 4).

For example, if waypoint A2 in Figures 7 and 8 is set as the navigation destination, and the current location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 13 is the location of waypoint A2, the navigation unit 20 completes navigation to the navigation destination (waypoint A2), and the course information management unit 110 outputs waypoint A3, which is the next waypoint after waypoint A2, as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (navigation destination update; see step S24 in Figure 4). The navigation management unit 14 outputs waypoint A3 as the navigation destination to the navigation unit 20, and the navigation unit 20 generates navigation information with waypoint A3 as the navigation destination and provides the navigation information to the user (see step S28 in Figure 4). Note that if the navigation destination was destination A11, and the user arrives at the navigation destination, the provision of guide information and navigation ends.

(2-3) When you go off course To simplify the explanation, we will use Figures 4 and 6 to describe what happens when you go off course. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram to show how the guide information provision system 1 processes when you go off course. Here, we assume that you were moving towards waypoint A2 as your navigation destination when you went off course.

If the navigation destination has not been reached (see "NO" in step S23 of Figure 4), the system determines whether the current location is off the course (see step S25 of Figure 4). If the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course (see "YES" in step S25), the display unit 16 displays a screen allowing the user to choose whether to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2), and the user selects a course (see step S26 of Figure 4).

Then, when the user chooses to skip the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) (see "YES" in step S26 of Figure 4), navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is stopped, and the next waypoint (waypoint A3) corresponding to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination (see the dashed line in Figure 6 and step S27 in Figure 4), and navigation to waypoint A3 is started.

If you choose not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2), navigation to waypoint A2 will continue (a route recalculation will be performed, and navigation to waypoint A2 will be carried out) (see "NO" in step S26 of Figure 4).

(2-4) When the current location is within the guide information provision area The case when the current location is within the guide information provision area will be explained using Figures 5 and 8. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 when the current location is within the guide information provision area.

As shown in Figure 8, the example course has guide information provision areas G1 to G7, but guide information provision areas G5 and G6 are triggered by guide information provision area G4 (see Figure 11 for guide information provision area G6). Therefore, even if you pass through guide information provision area G6 when moving along the course from waypoint A4 to waypoint A5, guide information is not provided because guide information from guide information provision area G4 is not provided. Even if your current position is within the area of guide information provision area G6, no guide information will be provided.

On the other hand, after passing through transit points A7 to A9 and the guide information provision area G4, guide information for the guide information provision area G6 is provided when traveling from transit point A9 to transit point A10.

This will be explained in detail using Figure 5. The current position is acquired (see step S21 in Figure 5), and it is determined whether the current position is within the guide information provision area G6 (see step S29 in Figure 5). If it is detected that the current position is within the guide information provision area G6, it is determined whether the trigger number set for that guide information provision area G6, i.e., the course guide information provision area G4, has been passed (see step S30 in Figure 5).

If the guide information provision area G4 has been passed (if the trigger number has been cleared, see "YES" in step S30 of Figure 5), guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area G6 is provided (see step S35 of Figure 4). At this time, if navigation is being performed (see steps S31 and S32 of Figure 4) or if other guide information is being provided (see steps S33 and S34 of Figure 4), navigation and other guide information are stopped, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area G6 is provided.

If the system has not yet passed through the guide information provision area G4 (if the guide information provision corresponding to the trigger number has not been passed, see "NO" in step S30 of Figure 5), the system returns to step S21 to acquire the current location information again.

Furthermore, the system will remember that guide information has been provided in guide information provision area G6, and if this triggered another guide information provision area, it will make the guide information for that area available.

5. About the course creation program according to the embodiment The course creation program according to the embodiment is a program that creates a course that visits pre-set waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information provision area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. Figure 7 is a diagram showing how to create a course by setting waypoints and destinations. Figure 8 is a diagram showing how to set the guide information provision area. Figure 8(a) shows how to set the guide information provision area on map information M1, and Figure 8(b) shows the state of the guide information provision area when the map information is reduced (map information M1').

The course creation program according to this embodiment creates a course as follows.
First, a map information display process is executed to display map information M1 (see Figure 7) on the display unit (not shown) of a computer connected to the display unit. Next, a destination and waypoint input process is executed to accept input of the locations of a predetermined destination A11 and multiple waypoints A1 to A10, as well as the order in which waypoints A1 to A10 and destination A11 are visited, based on the map information M1. Here, A1 to A11 are set to be visited in this order.

Next, as shown in Figure 8(a), a guide information provision area input process is executed to set the position and range of guide information provision areas G1 to G7, which provide guide information, based on the map information M1. Specifically, a region display area indicating the guide information provision area is created on the map information (map) displayed on the display unit. The region display area is a circle that indicates the guide information provision area, which is not yet determined. It can be moved by dragging and its size can be changed by clicking. By changing and confirming the position and range of this region display area, the guide information provision area can be set. The position and size of the guide information provision area after setting can also be changed by dragging or clicking.

Furthermore, the range (size) of the guide information provision area may be represented by the smallest possible circle, taking into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the size of the guide information provision area. Figure 9(a) shows the position of the moving object 11 and the guide information provision area when positional deviation is small, and Figure 9(b) shows the position of the moving object 11 and the guide information provision area when positional deviation is likely.

The location information detected by the location information detection unit (GPS), or the location information determined by the location determination unit 121, is affected by the local environment and GPS accuracy. Therefore, as shown by the solid line moving object 11 in Figure 9(a), the current location may be displayed without any discrepancy from its actual location (on the road). However, as shown by the dashed line moving object 11 in Figure 9(b), the moving object may also be determined to be at a location different from its actual location (on the road). For example, in the case of Figure 9(b), if the guide information provision area is set to only the road, a discrepancy in location determination may cause the system to determine that the object is outside the guide information provision area, potentially resulting in the lack of guide information.

In the guide information provision system according to this embodiment, the guide information provision area is represented by a minimum circle that takes into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit and the actual position. In locations where position determination errors are unlikely, the guide information provision area may be narrowed, as shown in Figure 9(a), while in locations where position determination errors are likely, the guide information provision area is widened, as shown in Figure 9(b). This prevents the failure to provide guide information due to GPS accuracy or the accuracy of the position determination unit.

Since differences in the environment in the height direction are considered to be the cause of positional detection errors, the range of the guide information provision area may be sized to take into account the actual environment in the height direction within that area. Figure 10 shows the relationship between the density of the guide information provision area in the height direction and the size of the guide information provision area. Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the environment when there are obstacles in the height direction, Figure 10(b) shows the size of the guide information provision area when there are obstacles in the height direction, Figure 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing the environment when there are no (or few) obstacles in the height direction, and Figure 10(d) shows the size of the guide information provision area when there are no (or few) obstacles in the height direction.

As shown in Figure 10(a), in cases where tree leaves are densely growing vertically, where there are towering walls, or where there is a valley, the sensitivity of the GPS used for position determination may decrease, potentially causing positional errors. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(b), the range of the guide information provision area is made relatively wide.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10(c), when there are few obstacles in the height direction, the sensitivity of the GPS used for position determination is maintained, and positional errors are less likely to occur. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(d), the range of the guide information provision area is made relatively narrow.

Furthermore, the scope of the guide information provision area may be sized to take into account the time required to provide the corresponding guide information. Specifically, the guide information provision area may be set so that the provision of guide information is completed within the area, considering the expected movement speed of the moving object and the time required to provide the guide information.

The guide information provision area includes course-specific guide information provision areas G1 to G6, which are set on the course and have a predetermined order, and off-course guide information provision area G7, which does not have a predetermined order. Note that off-course guide information provision areas without a predetermined order may also be set on the course.

Furthermore, the course creation program instructs the computer to change the scale of the area display unit indicating the guide information provision area, which is set in the guide information provision area input process, in response to the change in the map information scale during the map information display process. Specifically, after setting waypoints, destinations, and the guide information provision area at the scale shown in Figure 8(a), if the map information scale is reduced (see symbol M1') to display a wider area, the circle indicating the guide information provision area also shrinks by the same scale (see Figure 8(b)).

Figure 11 shows the guide information setting area and the screen for setting guide information. Next, the guide information input process is executed to input guide information corresponding to guide information provision areas G1 to G7 (see Figure 11). The information to be input includes the guide information provision area number (order), guide area title, guide information (audio, video, etc.), trigger conditions, etc. At this time, the trigger corresponding to the guide information provision area is also input. Regarding the guide information, it is preferable to set the output time so that it falls within the range of the guide information provision area, taking into account the size of the guide information provision area and the movement speed of the moving object.

Subsequently, the triggers, order, and waypoint order of the guide information provision area are adjusted and registered as a single course. In this way, a course can be created. The created course becomes accessible from terminal 10 via backend 30, allowing terminal 10 to receive necessary course information and run the guide information provision system.

Furthermore, the guide information provision area, guide information, and course information that have been set up can be reused when creating another course. Also, the order in which the guide information provision area, guide information, and course information are created is arbitrary.

6. Effects of the Guide Information Provision System 1 According to the Guide Information Provision System 1 and Guide Information Provision Program according to the embodiment, the course information management unit 110 outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit 14 as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, and the guide information management unit 120 sets a guide information provision area and has a location determination unit 121 different from the location information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14. When the location determination unit 121 determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. Thus, it is possible to provide not only route search but also course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc.
Furthermore, since navigation is provided by outputting the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20, it becomes easy to add guide information such as recommended tourist spots later on, while still utilizing the existing navigation system.
Furthermore, since the navigation management unit 14, the navigation unit 20, and the course information provision unit 100 operate almost independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, the course information provision unit 100 can control and manage guide information. Therefore, it is easier to grasp the user's stay patterns, such as how long they stayed at each tourist spot, and based on this information, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, and content, etc.).

Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally thought that an integrated program combining navigation processing and guide information provision means is created, and that navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means. According to the guide information provision program of this embodiment, the terminal is made to function as a guide information provision means, which includes navigation means including location information processing means for identifying the terminal's location, and other location information processing means different from the navigation means's location information processing means, in order to provide predetermined guide information during the guidance. Therefore, unlike the case where navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means, it is possible to create a simple and highly convenient guide information provision program by, for example, retrofitting a guide information provision unit to an existing navigation system.

According to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, when the arrival of a navigation destination is detected, the course information management unit 110 outputs the next waypoint or destination after the waypoint of the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14. Therefore, the set waypoints and destinations can be visited in a predetermined order, and a course can be set.

Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course, it displays a screen on the display unit 16 allowing the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. If the user chooses to cancel navigation, the system cancels navigation to the current navigation destination and outputs the next waypoint or destination corresponding to the current navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. Therefore, even if the moving object deviates from the course, it can flexibly follow the course according to the user's wishes.

Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, the guide information provision area includes a guide information provision area within a pre-set course and a guide information provision area outside the course where no order is set. Therefore, it is possible to provide guides such as tourist guides and shop introductions not only when following a pre-set course, but also when users deviate from the course, thereby providing courses and guide information that result in high user satisfaction.

Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, the guide information management unit 120 does not provide guide information until, after determining that the current position is within the guide information area, a predetermined sequence of guide information provision areas within the course has been passed. Therefore, for example, in the case of a course that goes back and forth to a predetermined point, guide information can be provided on the return journey rather than the outward journey, allowing guide information to be provided in the desired situation.

According to the course creation program of this embodiment, in the guide information provision area input process, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map. By changing the position and range of the region display unit, the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and to create courses where guide information can be easily added later.

Furthermore, according to the course creation program of this embodiment, in the map information display process, the scale of the area display unit indicating the guide information provision area, which is set in the guide information provision area input process, is also changed in accordance with the change in the map information scale. Therefore, the guide information provision area can be set in accordance with the scale of the database or other data providing the map information.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

(1) The positions, connections, numbers, etc., described in each of the above embodiments (including each modified example; the same applies hereinafter) are illustrative and can be changed within the scope that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

(2) In the above embodiment, the invention was applied to an automobile as the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be used for bicycles, motorcycles, and other suitable vehicles, and the vehicle can also be the human body, i.e., used while walking.

(3) In the above embodiment, a program that executes the processing of the course information management unit 110 and the guide information management unit 120 was applied as the guide information provision program, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A program that executes the processing of the navigation management unit 14, the course information management unit 110, and the guide information management unit 120 (see Figure 12; guide information provision program according to Modification 1 (course information provision unit 101)) may be applied as the guide information provision program, or a program that executes the processing of the navigation management unit 14, the navigation unit 20, the course information management unit 110, and the guide information management unit 120 (see Figure 13; guide information provision program according to Modification 2 (course information provision unit 102)) may be applied as the guide information provision program.

1…Guide information provision system, 10…Terminal, 11…Mobile unit, 12…Input unit, 13…Location information acquisition unit, 14…Navigation management unit, 15…Communication unit, 16…Display unit, 17…Location information management unit, 20…Navigation unit, 30…Backend, 40…Management unit, 100, 101, 102…Course information provision unit, 110…Course information management unit, 120…Guide information management unit, 121…Location determination unit, 122…Guide information output unit, A1-A11…Waypoints, G1-G7…Guide information provision area, M1…Map information

Claims (5)

A guide information provision system that sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and provides navigation, and when the user is located within a pre-defined guide information provision area, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area,
The aforementioned guide information provision system includes a location information acquisition unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information provision unit, and a display unit.
The location information acquisition unit acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit and the navigation management unit.
The navigation management unit has a location information management unit that generates navigation location information based on the current location information, outputs the navigation location information generated by the location information management unit and the navigation destination output from the course information provision unit to the navigation unit, and outputs the navigation information output from the navigation unit to the display unit to perform navigation.
The navigation unit generates navigation information based on the navigation destination and the navigation location information, and outputs it to the navigation management unit.
The aforementioned course information provision unit comprises a course information management unit and a guide information management unit.
The course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order.
The guide information management unit sets the guide information provision area, has a position determination unit different from the position information management unit of the navigation management unit, and when the position determination unit determines that the current position is located within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.
The display unit displays the navigation information,
At least the location information acquisition unit, the navigation management unit, the display unit, and the course information provision unit are located in the same terminal.
The range of the guide information provision area is a range that takes into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit and the actual position.
The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined.
The guide information provision system is characterized in that, when the guide information management unit determines that the current location is within the guide information provision area within the course, it will not provide guide information until the guide information provision area within the course has passed through in a predetermined order . When it is detected that the destination has been reached,
The guide information provision system according to claim 1, characterized in that the course information management unit outputs to the navigation management unit the next waypoint or destination following the waypoint of the arrived navigation destination as the navigation destination. When it is detected that the current location is outside the course, the user is prompted to choose whether or not to cancel the navigation to the current navigation destination.
The guide information provision system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the user chooses to cancel the navigation, the navigation to the current navigation destination is canceled, and the next waypoint or destination corresponding to the current navigation destination is output to the navigation management unit as the navigation destination. A guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to the navigation unit and sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the vehicle is located within a pre-set guide information provision area,
On the computer,
A course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order,
The system sets the guide information provision area, and when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area, it executes a guide information management process that provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area .
The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined.
The guide information management process is a guide information provision program characterized in that, when it is determined that the current location is within the course guide information provision area, it does not provide guide information until after passing through a predetermined sequence of course guide information provision areas. A guide information provision program that is downloaded to and used on a terminal having a display unit, outputs a navigation destination to a navigation means to set a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area ,
The aforementioned terminal,
Navigation means including location information processing means for processing the location information of the terminal, and control means for searching for and guiding a route from the starting point or current location to the destination,
The navigation means includes other location information processing means different from the location information processing means, and functions as a guide information providing means to provide predetermined guide information during the guidance process.
A course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation means as navigation destinations in a predetermined order,
The system sets the guide information provision area, and when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area, it executes a guide information management process that provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.
The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined.
The guide information management process is a guide information provision program characterized in that, when it is determined that the current location is within the course guide information provision area, it does not provide guide information until after passing through a predetermined sequence of course guide information provision areas.