Guide information service system, guide information service program, and course creation program

Abstract

To provide a guide information service system that can serve not only a route search but also course information and guide information for sightseeing etc. and can easily add other guide information later.SOLUTION: A guide information service system 1 sets and navigates a course for visiting a predetermined destination and stopovers in a predetermined order, and serves guide information corresponding to a guide information service area when a mobile body is located in the guide information service area. A course information management unit 110 outputs the predetermined stopovers or destination in the predetermined order as a navigation destination to a navigation management unit 14. A guide information management unit 120 has a location determination unit 121 different from a location information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14, and serves the guide information corresponding to the guide information service area when the location determination unit 121 determines that the mobile body is currently located in the guide information area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide information providing system, a guide information providing program, and a course creation program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a navigation system that provides navigation (route guidance) toward a predetermined destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The conventional navigation system searches for a travel route to the predetermined destination, provides route guidance along the travel route, and provides navigation information (information on right turns, left turns, etc.) when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling within a predetermined guidance section and has reached a guidance point.

[0003] Fig. 14 is a block diagram shown to explain a conventional navigation system. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, a conventional navigation system is considered to include an input unit 912 for inputting a destination, a location information acquisition unit 913 for acquiring current location information, a navigation management unit 914 for outputting the destination and current location to a navigation unit 920 via a communication unit 915 and outputting navigation information generated by the navigation unit 920 to a display unit 916, and a display unit 916 for displaying a travel route. Note that the navigation management unit 914 has a location information management unit 917. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-190979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional navigation systems only provide route guidance, which can result in users missing tourist spots other than the destination entered into the navigation system or taking inefficient routes, placing a heavy burden on the user. Therefore, there was a need for a guide information provision system that not only searches for routes but also provides course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc.

[0006] It is also possible to provide both navigation information and sightseeing guide information to existing car navigation systems, but because it is an integrated system, there is a problem in that it is cumbersome to add guide information for tourist spots, etc. later.

[0007] Furthermore, there was a demand for a guide information provision system that could grasp not only travel history but also user trends, such as which tourist spots users stayed at and how long they stayed there, and provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, content, etc.).

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a guide information providing system that is capable of not only route searching but also appropriately providing course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and that makes it easy to add guide information later. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a guide information providing program to be used in such a guide information providing system. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a course generation program for creating such course information and guide information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The guide information providing system of the present invention is a guide information providing system that sets a course that goes around a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, performs navigation, and provides guide information corresponding to a guide information providing area when the vehicle is located within a predetermined guide information providing area, the guide information providing system having a position information acquisition unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information providing unit, and a display unit, the position information acquisition unit acquires current position information and outputs it to the course information providing unit and the navigation management unit, the navigation management unit has a position information management unit that generates position information for navigation based on the current position information, outputs the position information for navigation generated by the position 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 navigation unit and generates navigation information based on the navigation destination and the navigation position information and outputs it to the navigation management unit, the course information providing unit has a course information management unit and a guide information management unit, the course information management unit outputs preset 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 providing area and 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, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area, the display unit displays the navigation information, and at least the position information acquisition unit, the navigation management unit, the display unit and the course information providing unit are arranged on the same terminal, and the range of the guide information providing area is a range that takes into account an error between the position information determined by the position determination unit and the actual position.

[0010] A first guide information provision program of the present invention is a guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to a navigation unit and sets a course that goes around a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to a guide information provision area when the vehicle is located within a predetermined guide information provision area, the guide information provision program causing a computer to execute a course information management process that outputs the predetermined waypoints and destination to the navigation unit as a navigation destination in a predetermined order, and a guide information management process that sets the guide information provision area and, when it is determined that the current position is located within the guide information provision area, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.

[0011] The second guide information providing program of the present invention is a guide information providing program that is an additional application program that is downloaded to and used on a terminal that is a computer having a display unit, and is characterized in that the terminal functions as a guide information providing means that includes a location information processing means that identifies the location of the terminal, a navigation means that includes a control means that searches for a route from a departure point or a current location to a destination and provides guidance, and another location information processing means that is different from the location information processing means that identifies the location of the terminal, and that provides predetermined guide information during the guidance.

[0012] The course creation program of the present invention is a course creation program that creates a course that visits preset waypoints and a destination in a predetermined order, a guide information providing area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area, and causes a computer connected to a display unit to execute a map information display process that displays map information on the display unit, a destination and waypoint input process that accepts input of positions of a predetermined destination and a plurality of waypoints and the order in which to visit the waypoints and the destination based on the map information, a guide information providing area input process that sets the position and range of the guide information providing area that provides guide information based on the map information, and a guide information input process that inputs guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area, and is characterized in that in the guide information provision area input process, an area display unit that indicates the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the area display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the guide information provision program and guide information provision system of the present invention, the course information management unit outputs preset 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 and has a position determination unit that is different from the position information management unit of the navigation management unit, and when the position determination unit determines that the current position is within the guide information area, it provides guide information that corresponds to the guide information provision area, making it possible to not only search for routes but also provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc. Furthermore, since navigation is provided by outputting the navigation destination to the navigation management unit and navigation unit, it is easy for the service provider to add guide information such as tourist spots that they would like to recommend later while utilizing the existing navigation system as is. Furthermore, since the navigation management unit, navigation unit, and course information provider operate almost entirely independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, the course information provider can control and manage the guide information. This makes it easy to understand the user's trends, such as how long they stayed at which tourist spots, and based on this information, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, content, etc.).

[0014] Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally thought that an integrated program combining navigation processing and guide information providing means is created, and that the navigation processing and guide information providing processing are executed using information from a single position information processing means. According to the guide information providing program of the present invention, the terminal is made to function as navigation means including position information processing means that identifies the position of the terminal, and guide information providing means that includes other position information processing means different from the position information processing means of the navigation means and provides predetermined guide information during guidance. Therefore, unlike when the navigation processing and guide information providing processing are executed using information from a single position information processing means, a simple and convenient guide information providing program can be created by, for example, using an existing navigation and retrofitting a guide information providing unit.

[0015] According to the course creation program of the present invention, in the guide information provision area input process, an area display section indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the area display section, so it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and to create a course to which guide information can be easily added later. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a guide information providing system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]1 is a block diagram showing a terminal 10 and a course information providing unit 100. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of the guide information providing system 1 at the start. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for providing navigation when moving. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when positioned within a guide information providing area. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when the vehicle deviates from the course. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a course is created by setting waypoints and a destination. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how a guide information providing area is set; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the size of a guide information providing area. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the degree of congestion in the height direction of a guide information providing area and the size of the guide information providing area. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a guide information setting area and a screen for setting guide information. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a guide information providing program (course information providing unit 101) according to Modification 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a guide information providing program (course information providing unit 102) according to a second modification. [Figure 14] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional navigation system, in which reference numeral 915 denotes a communication unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The guide information providing system, guide information providing program, and course creation program of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to 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.

[0018] [Embodiment] 1. Course in the embodiment Before describing the guide information providing system according to the embodiment, the "course" and "navigation" in the embodiment will be described.

[0019] In this embodiment, a "course" refers to a route that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order. The "destination" here refers to the end point of the course, and for example, if the user returns via multiple tourist spots, the start 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, i.e., a route that allows the user to set a destination and reach that destination via the shortest distance, etc.

[0020] In addition, in the embodiments, "navigation" refers to guiding a user to a predetermined navigation destination and providing route guidance, which differs from the provision of guide information, which will be described later. Navigation is included in existing car navigation systems or in navigation information generated by a navigation management unit, which will be described later in the embodiments. In the embodiments, the navigation destination is output from a course information providing unit 100, which will be described later.

[0021] Furthermore, "guide information" refers to audio, video, etc. that is output when the vehicle is located within a specified guide information provision area, and includes, for example, information on tourist spots and scenery, as well as information on shops and restaurants.

[0022] 2. Overall configuration of guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a guide information providing system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment includes a terminal (on-board terminal) 10, a navigation unit 20, a backend 30, and a management unit 40. The guide information providing system according to the embodiment performs navigation by setting a course that goes around a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area when the vehicle is located within a predetermined guide information providing area.

[0023] The terminal 10 (vehicle-mounted terminal) is, for example, a device that is placed inside a moving body 11 (for example, an automobile) and provides navigation, course information, and guide information to a user (for example, a driver, a passenger, etc.). A smartphone or a mobile phone can be used as the terminal 10. In this case, the terminal 10 can be used not only inside the moving body 11 but also outside the moving body 11. Note that the terminal 10 can also be a built-in terminal or other appropriate terminal. The specific configuration of the terminal 10 will be described later.

[0024] The navigation unit 20 (navigation means) receives signals (current position information and information related to the navigation destination) from the terminal 10, generates map information and navigation information to the navigation destination, and transmits them to the terminal 10. An existing car navigation system can be used as the navigation unit 20, or a new navigation unit may be introduced.

[0025] The backend 30 is accessed from the terminal 10 to acquire course information (including information on waypoints and destinations, guide area providing areas, and guide information). It also acquires information on whether the terminal 10 (mobile body 11) has passed through a predetermined guide information providing area, information on whether guide information has been provided, etc. This can be used as a reference when improving or adding courses, guide information, guide information providing areas, etc., or when creating new courses.

[0026] The guide information may be audio information of a tourist guide, or may be information on shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. In addition to audio information, it may also include videos, images, etc. 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 has been broadcast or the number of times the guide information provision area has been passed through, which may be used, for example, to set advertising fees according to the number of times.

[0027] The management unit 40 manages the entire guide information providing system. For example, it can create courses, create guide information providing areas and guide information, register vehicle information, and display the real-time location of vehicles. It can also handle troubles that occur by calling the terminal.

[0028] 3. Configuration of terminal (vehicle-mounted terminal) 10 Next, the configuration of the terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the terminal 10 and the course information providing unit 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 10 has an input unit 12, a position information acquiring unit 13, a navigation management unit 14, a communication unit 15, a course information providing 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. The position information acquiring unit 13, the navigation management unit 14, and the course information providing unit 100 (the course information management unit 110 and the guide information management unit 120) are realized by causing the terminal, which is a computer, to execute a program, but may also be realized by a logic circuit or the like.

[0029] The input unit 12 accepts input of a course selection from the user. Specifically, one or more course selection screens are displayed on the display unit 16 (display screen), and the user taps on a desired course to accept the course selection input. Information on the selected course is output to the course information providing unit 100. Note that a method of course selection may also be to press a separately provided button. Also, in the embodiment, a service provider provides a course set in advance. However, for example, a desired destination (waypoint) may be displayed on the display unit 16, and the user may tap to select it to set a course around the desired destination. Alternatively, when a course is provided, waypoints may be displayed, and the user may select to skip a certain waypoint by tapping, etc., and select a course that skips the waypoint.

[0030] The location information acquisition unit 13 acquires current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit 100 and the navigation management unit 14. For example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) function provided in a mobile phone, a smartphone, etc. can be used as the location information acquisition unit 13. Coordinates of longitude and latitude can be used as the location information.

[0031] The navigation management unit 14 has a position information management unit 17 that generates navigation position information based on current position information, and outputs the navigation position information generated by the position information management unit 17 and a navigation destination output from a course information management unit 110 (described later) to the navigation unit 20 via the communication unit 15. The navigation information output from the navigation unit 20 is output to an output unit (not shown) such as a display unit 16 or a speaker to perform navigation. Examples of navigation information include information such as route search and route guidance to the navigation destination. The navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20 form a navigation system.

[0032] The location information management unit 17 generates navigation location information including information such as the direction of travel and speed based on the current location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 13. The navigation location information may include information about roads, road conditions (traffic jams, construction, etc.), and the like.

[0033] The communication unit 15 communicates between the terminal 10 and the navigation unit 20 and back end 30. The communication unit 15 may use a telephone line, a wireless line, or any other appropriate line.

[0034] The display unit 16 is the terminal screen of the terminal 10, and displays a selection screen for course selection, navigation information, part of guide information, and the like.

[0035] The course information providing unit 100 exists as an application in the terminal 10. That is, the course information providing unit 100 is a guide information providing program that outputs a navigation destination to a navigation management unit that performs route guidance to a predetermined point on a map, sets a course that goes around the predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to a predetermined guide information providing area when the vehicle is located within a predetermined guide information providing area. The guide information providing program is realized by having a terminal (computer) execute a guide information providing program that causes a computer to execute a course information management process that outputs the predetermined waypoints and destination as a navigation destination to the navigation unit 20 in a predetermined order, and a guide information management process that sets a guide information providing area and, when it is determined that the current position is located within the guide information providing area, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area. The process performed by the navigation management unit 14 may be included in the guide information providing program, or the process performed by the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20 may be included in the guide information providing program.

[0036] In other words, the guide information providing program may be a guide information providing program that is an additional application program that is downloaded to and used in terminal 10, which is a computer having display unit 16, and that causes terminal 10 to function as guide information providing means that includes location information processing means that identifies the location of terminal 10, navigation means that includes control means that searches for a route from the departure point or current location to the destination and provides guidance, and other location information processing means that is different from the location information processing means of the navigation means, and that provides predetermined guide information during guidance.The guide information providing program may be executed by the terminal (computer).

[0037] In the guide information providing program, each means may cause the terminal to function as follows. That is, when the guide information providing means determines by another position information processing means (corresponding to the position determination unit) that the terminal is located within a predetermined guide information providing area, the guide information providing means provides (causes the terminal to function to provide) guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area. Also, when the guide information providing means determines that the terminal is located within a predetermined guide information providing area, the guide information providing means provides the guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area. Also, the guide information providing area is preset to the minimum size that allows the other position information processing means to determine that the terminal is always located. Also, the position of the terminal determined by the position information means (corresponding to the position information management unit) in the navigation means is displayed on the display unit 16 together with a map. Also, the guide information providing means does not refer to map information. In addition, the control means in the navigation means has a re-search means that, when it is determined by the position information means that the terminal has deviated from the route from the starting point or current position that was initially set to the destination, searches again for a route from the determined position of the terminal to the destination and provides guidance, and when the re-search is performed by the re-search means, a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 16 for selecting whether or not to follow the route that has been guided by the re-search.

[0038] The course information providing unit 100 includes a course information management unit 110 and a guide information management unit 120 .

[0039] The course information management unit 110 outputs information about the course to the guide information management unit 120. The course information management unit 110 also outputs preset waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit 14 as navigation destinations in a predetermined order. Numbers are set in advance for the waypoints and destinations of the course, and the one with the lowest order is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the first navigation destination. Then, when it detects that the user has arrived at the navigation destination, it outputs the waypoint (destination) with the number next to the number of the waypoint set as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. Then, when it detects that the user has arrived at the destination, it terminates the guide information provision system.

[0040] 7 is set, when the guide information providing system 1 is started, waypoint A1 is output as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14. Then, when the current navigation destination (waypoint A1) is reached, waypoint A2, the next waypoint after waypoint A1, is output as the navigation objective to the navigation management unit 14. This process is repeated, and when the destination A11 is reached, the guide information providing system is terminated.

[0041] Furthermore, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course, it displays a selection screen for prompting the user to select whether to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. Specifically, it displays a selection screen for prompting the user to select whether to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. The selection screen may display a button to continue navigation to the "current navigation destination" and a button to skip, or it may display only buttons to continue or cancel, and automatically cancel or continue after a certain period of time has elapsed. Note that as a means for prompting the user to select whether to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination, the selection screen may be displayed on the display unit 16, or the user may be prompted to make a selection by audio information or other appropriate means.

[0042] In addition, as a method of detecting that the current position is off the course, the navigation unit 20 may detect it by performing a route search again, or the course information management unit 110 may manage the course information and detect whether or not the current position has deviated from the course.

[0043] The guide information management unit 120 has a position determination unit 121 different from the position information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14, and a guide information output unit 122. The guide information management unit 120 sets a guide information providing area (see G1, G2, etc. in FIG. 8), and when the position determination unit 121 determines that the current position is located within a predetermined guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area.

[0044] The position determination unit 121 determines whether or not the current position information (for example, latitude and longitude) is included in the guide information providing area. If the current position information is included in the guide information providing area, it causes the guide information output unit 122 to function. The position determination unit 121 may determine the position by controlling a program that determines a geofence built into the terminal, and execute the guide information output unit 122 in response to the result of the determination.

[0045] When the position determination unit 121 determines that the current position information is included in the guide information providing area, the guide information output unit 122 provides the user with guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area via the display unit 16 or an output unit (not shown).

[0046] A "guide information provision area" is an area having a predetermined range, and when it is detected that the current position is located within the guide information provision area, guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area is output. The guide information provision area includes in-course guide information provision areas, which have a predetermined order, and out-of-course guide information provision areas, which have no predetermined order. The in-course guide information provision areas have a predetermined order, and it is possible to set a trigger under a predetermined condition, for example, such that guide information is not provided unless the user has passed through the guide information provision areas in a predetermined order. Furthermore, by setting an out-of-course guide information provision area, for example, even if the user cannot reach a predetermined point by mobile vehicle and needs to walk to the point, guide information can be provided when the user carries a terminal and reaches the guide information provision area on foot.

[0047] The range of the guide information providing area is set in consideration of at least one of the error between the position information determined by the position determining unit 121 and the actual position, the time for providing the corresponding guide information, and the actual environment in the height direction in the area. In particular, the range of the guide information providing area is set so as to minimize the error between the position information determined by the position determining unit 121 and the actual position. The size of the range of the guide information providing area will be described later. In addition, the size of the guide information providing area is set in consideration of the actual environment in the height direction in the area.

[0048] 4. Operation of the guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment Next, the operation of the guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, excluding cases where the user deviates from the course, the description will be given taking as an example the course (waypoints, destination, and guide information providing area) shown in Figs. 7 and 8, which will be described later. As shown in Fig. 7, the illustrated course is set to go around waypoints A1 to A10 and destination A11 in this order, and as shown in Fig. 8, guide information providing areas G1 to G7 are set. Note that A0 in Fig. 7 indicates the current location at the start. The guide information providing area includes in-course guide information providing areas G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, which have a predetermined order, and an off-course guide information providing area G7, which has no predetermined order.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the guide information provision area is a circle centered on a predetermined point, but it may also be a section along a road, or any other suitable shape that allows for a range to be set.

[0050] (1) At the start 3 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 at the start. The guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment performs the following processing at the start (point A0 in FIG. 7).

[0051] First, the user selects a course according to the selection screen displayed on the display unit 16 (see step S11 in FIG. 3).

[0052] Next, based on the selected course, the first waypoint A1 (see waypoint A1 in FIG. 7), which is the waypoint with the lowest number in the pre-set order, is output as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (see step S12 in FIG. 3). Also, guide information provision areas G1 to G7 linked to the selected course are set (see step S13 in FIG. 3).

[0053] Next, the position information acquisition unit 13 acquires position information of the current position (point A0 in FIG. 7) (see step S14 in FIG. 3). Next, the navigation management unit 14 outputs the navigation destination (waypoint A1) and the current position information to the navigation unit 20 (see step S15 in FIG. 3). The navigation unit 20 generates navigation information to the navigation destination (first waypoint A1) based on the navigation destination and the current position information (see step S16 in FIG. 3), and outputs the navigation information to the navigation management unit 14. The navigation management unit 14 outputs the navigation information to the display unit 16 to perform navigation (navigation from point A0 to waypoint A1) (see step S17 in FIG. 3).

[0054] (2) When traveling 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when moving. The guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment performs the following processing when moving.

[0055] (2-1) Normal time While moving, the location information acquisition unit 13 acquires 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), navigation information is generated by the navigation unit 20 and output via the display unit 16 (see step S28 in Figure 4).

[0056] (2-2) When you reach your navigation destination The position information acquisition unit 13 acquires current position information (see step S21 in FIG. 4), and determines whether the current position information indicates arrival at the navigation destination (see step S23 in FIG. 4). 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 route or destination in the order of the route of the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (see step S24 in FIG. 4).

[0057] 7 and 8 is set as the navigation destination, and the current location acquired by the position information acquisition unit 13 is the location of the waypoint A2, which is the navigation destination, the navigation unit 20 ends 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, the reached navigation destination, as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (navigation destination update; see step S24 in FIG. 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 FIG. 4). Note that if the navigation destination is destination A11, and the user arrives at the navigation destination, the provision of guide information and navigation end.

[0058] (2-3) When you go off course For ease of explanation, the case where the vehicle deviates from the course will be described using Fig. 4 and Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram shown to explain the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when the vehicle deviates from the course. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle deviates from the course while traveling toward waypoint A2, which is the navigation destination.

[0059] If the navigation destination has not been reached (see "NO" in step S23 of FIG. 4), it is determined whether the current position is off the course (see step S25 of FIG. 4), and when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current position is off the course (see "YES" in step S25), a selection screen for whether to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is displayed on the display unit 16, and the user selects a course (see step S26 of FIG. 4).

[0060] Then, when the user selects to skip the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) (see "YES" in step S26 of FIG. 4), navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is stopped, and the next waypoint (waypoint A3) in the order of the waypoint 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 FIG. 6 and step S27 of FIG. 4), and navigation to the waypoint A3 is started.

[0061] If the user selects not to stop navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2), navigation to waypoint A2 continues (a route search is performed again and navigation to waypoint A2 is performed) (see "NO" in step S26 of FIG. 4).

[0062] (2-4) When the current location is in the guide information provision area A case where the current position is located in a guide information providing area will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when the current position is located within a guide information providing area.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 8, guide information providing areas G1 to G7 are set on the course shown as an example, but guide information providing areas G5 and G6 are triggered by guide information providing area G4 (see Fig. 11 for guide information providing area G6). Therefore, even if you pass through guide information providing area G6 when moving along the course from waypoint A4 to waypoint A5, guide information for guide information providing area G4 is not provided, and therefore, even if your current location is located within the area of ​​guide information providing area G6, no guide information is provided.

[0064] On the other hand, after passing through the route points A7 to A9 and the guide information providing area G4, guide information for the guide information providing area G6 is provided when heading from the route point A9 to the route point A10.

[0065] This will be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 5. The current position is acquired (see step S21 in Fig. 5), and it is determined whether or not the current position is located within the guide information providing area G6 (see step S29 in Fig. 5). If it is detected that the current position is located within the guide information providing area G6, it is determined whether or not the trigger number set in the guide information providing area G6, that is, whether or not the vehicle has passed through the in-course guide information providing area G4 (see step S30 in Fig. 5).

[0066] After passing through guide information providing area G4 (if the trigger number is cleared, see "YES" in step S30 in FIG. 5), guide information corresponding to that guide information providing area G6 is provided (see step S35 in FIG. 4). At this time, if navigation is being performed (see steps S31 and S32 in FIG. 4) or if other guide information is being provided (see steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 4), the navigation and other guide information are stopped, and the guide information corresponding to guide information providing area G6 is provided.

[0067] If the guide information providing area G4 has not yet been passed (if the guide information providing area with the number corresponding to the trigger has not been passed, see "NO" in step S30 in FIG. 5), the process returns to step S21 where the current position information is acquired again.

[0068] It should be noted that the fact that guide information in guide information providing area G6 has been provided is stored, and if it triggers another guide information providing area, the guide information in that guide information providing area is made available for provision.

[0069] 5. Course Creation Program According to the Embodiment The course creation program according to the embodiment is a program that creates a course that travels around preset waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information providing area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing how a course is created by setting waypoints and a destination. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing how a guide information providing area is set. Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing how a guide information providing area is set on map information M1, and Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing how the guide information providing area looks when the map information is reduced (map information M1').

[0070] The course creation program according to the embodiment creates a course as follows. First, a map information display process is executed to display map information M1 (see FIG. 7) on the display unit of a computer connected to a display unit (not shown). Next, a destination and route point input process is executed to accept input of the locations of a predetermined destination A11 and multiple route points A1 to A10, and the order in which the route points A1 to A10 and destination A11 will be visited, based on the map information M1. Here, it is set that A1 to A11 will be visited in this order.

[0071] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(a), a guide information providing area input process is executed to set the position and range of guide information providing areas G1 to G7 for providing guide information based on map information M1. Specifically, an area display section indicating the guide information providing area is created on the map information (map) displayed on the display section. The area display section is a circle indicating the guide information providing area that has not yet been determined, and can be moved by dragging and its size can be changed by clicking. The guide information providing area can be set by changing and determining the position and range of this area display section. The position and size of the guide information providing area after it has been set can also be changed by dragging or clicking.

[0072] The range (size) of the guide information providing area may be represented by a minimum circle taking into consideration the error between the position information determined by the position determining unit 121 and the actual position. Fig. 9 is a diagram shown to explain the size of the guide information providing area. Fig. 9(a) shows the position of the moving object 11 and the guide information providing area determined in a place where positional deviation is small, and Fig. 9(b) shows the position of the moving object 11 and the guide information providing area determined in a place where positional deviation is likely to occur.

[0073] The position information detected by the position information detection unit (GPS) or the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 is influenced by the local environment, the accuracy of the GPS, etc. Therefore, as shown by the moving body 11 drawn with a solid line in Fig. 9(a), not only is there a case where the current position is displayed without any deviation from the original position (on the road), but also, as shown by the moving body 11 drawn with a dashed line in Fig. 9(b), there are cases where the moving body is determined to be in a position deviated from the original position (on the road). If, in the case of Fig. 9(b), the guide information providing area is set only on the road, there is a risk that the moving body will be determined to be in a position outside the guide information providing area due to deviation in position determination, and guide information will not be provided.

[0074] In the guide information providing system according to the embodiment, the guide information providing area is represented by a minimum circle that takes into consideration the error between the position information determined by the position determining unit and the actual position, and in places where the position determination error is unlikely to occur, the guide information providing area may be narrowed as shown in Fig. 9(a), and in places where the position determination error is likely to occur, the guide information providing area is widened as shown in Fig. 9(b). This makes it possible to prevent guide information from being unavailable due to the accuracy of the GPS or the accuracy of the position determining unit.

[0075] Since a difference in the environment in the height direction can be considered as a cause of deviation in position determination, the range of the guide information providing area may be sized taking into consideration the actual environment in the height direction in that area. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the congestion level in the height direction of the guide information providing area and the size of the guide information providing area. Fig. 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing an environment when there is an obstacle in the height direction, Fig. 10(b) is a diagram showing the size of the guide information providing area when there is an obstacle in the height direction, Fig. 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing an environment when there are no (few) obstacles in the height direction, and Fig. 10(d) is a diagram showing the size of the guide information providing area when there are no (few) obstacles in the height direction.

[0076] As shown in Figure 10(a), when there is thick foliage growing vertically, when there is a towering wall, or when there is a valley, the sensitivity of the GPS used to determine location may decrease and positional deviation may occur, so the range of the guide information provision area is made relatively wide, as shown in Figure 10(b).

[0077] On the other hand, when there are few obstacles in the vertical direction, as shown in Figure 10(c), the sensitivity of the GPS used to determine the position is maintained and positional deviation is less likely to occur, so the range of the guide information provision area is made relatively narrow, as shown in Figure 10(d).

[0078] The range of the guide information providing area may be set to a size that takes into consideration the time for providing the corresponding guide information. Specifically, the range may be set so that the provision of the guide information ends within the guide information providing area, taking into consideration the expected moving speed of the moving object and the time for providing the guide information.

[0079] The guide information providing areas are set on the course and include in-course guide information providing areas G1 to G6, which are set in order beforehand, and an out-of-course guide information providing area G7, which is not set in order. Note that out-of-course guide information providing areas, which are not set in order, may also be set on the course.

[0080] Furthermore, the course creation program causes the computer to execute processing to change the scale of the area display section indicating the guide information provision area set in the guide information provision area input processing in response to changing the scale of the map information in the map information display processing. Specifically, after setting the waypoints, destination, and guide information provision area at a scale as shown in Fig. 8(a), when the scale of the map information is reduced (see symbol M1') to display a wider range, the circle indicating the guide information provision area also becomes smaller at the same scale (see Fig. 8(b)).

[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen for setting a guide information setting area and guide information. Next, a guide information input process is executed to input guide information corresponding to the guide information providing areas G1 to G7 (see FIG. 11). Examples of information to be input include the number (order) of the guide information providing area, the title of the guide area, guide information (audio, video, video, etc.), trigger conditions, etc. At this time, a trigger corresponding to the guide information providing area is also input. It is preferable to set an output time for the guide information so that it is included within the range of the guide information providing area, taking into consideration the size of the guide information providing area and the moving speed of the moving object.

[0082] After that, the trigger, order, and order of the waypoints in the guide information provision area are adjusted and registered as one course. In this way, a course can be created. The created course can be accessed from the terminal 10 via the backend 30, and necessary information about the course can be provided to the terminal 10, allowing the guide information provision system to be executed.

[0083] Note that once the guide information provision area, guide information, and information about the course are set, they can be reused when creating another course. Also, the order in which the guide information provision area, guide information, and information about the course are created is arbitrary.

[0084] 6. Effects of the guide information providing system 1 according to the embodiment According to the guide information provision system 1 and guide information provision program of the embodiment, the course information management unit 110 outputs preset 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 position determination unit 121 that is different from the position information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14, and when the position determination unit 121 determines that the current position is located 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 the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20, it becomes easy for the service provider to add guide information such as tourist spots that they want to recommend later while utilizing the existing navigation system as is. Furthermore, since the navigation management unit 14, navigation unit 20, and course information providing unit 100 operate almost independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, control and management of guide information can be performed by the course information providing unit 100. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the user's staying habits, such as how long they stayed at which tourist spots, and it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, content, etc.) based on this information.

[0085] Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally considered that an integrated program combining navigation processing and guide information providing means is created, and that the navigation processing and guide information providing processing are executed using information from a single position information processing means. According to the guide information providing program of the embodiment, the terminal functions as a navigation means including a position information processing means that identifies the position of the terminal, and a guide information providing means that includes another position information processing means different from the position information processing means of the navigation means and that provides predetermined guide information during the guidance. Therefore, unlike when the navigation processing and the guide information providing processing are executed using information from a single position information processing means, a simple and convenient guide information providing program can be created by, for example, using an existing navigation and retrofitting a guide information providing unit.

[0086] According to the guide information providing system 1 of the embodiment, when it is detected that the user has arrived at the navigation destination, the course information management unit 110 outputs the next route or destination in the order of the route to the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14, so that the user can visit the set route and destination in a predetermined order and set a course.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the guide information providing system 1 of the embodiment, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current position is off the course, a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 16 to prompt the user to select whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. If the user selects to cancel navigation, navigation to the current navigation destination is canceled, and the next waypoint or destination in the order of the waypoint or destination corresponding to the current navigation destination is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. Therefore, even if the mobile object deviates from the course, the mobile object can flexibly navigate the course in accordance with the user's wishes.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of the embodiment, the guide information provision area includes an in-course guide information provision area where an order is set in advance, and an out-of-course guide information provision area where an order is not set, so that not only can the user travel around a pre-set course, but even if the user strays from the course, guidance such as tourist guides and shop introductions can be provided, making it possible to provide courses and guide information that will highly satisfy the user.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of the embodiment, when it is determined that the current position is located within a guide information area, the guide information management unit 120 does not provide guide information until after passing through the guide information provision areas within the course in a predetermined order. Therefore, for example, in the case of a course that makes a round trip to a predetermined point, it is possible to provide guide information on the return journey rather than the outbound journey, and it is possible to provide guide information in a desired situation.

[0090] According to the course creation program of the embodiment, in the guide information provision area input process, an area display section indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the area display section, so it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and create a course to which guide information can be easily added later.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the course creation program of the embodiment, in the map information display process, the scale of the area display section indicating the guide information provision area set in the guide information provision area input process is changed in response to a change in the scale of the map information, so that the guide information provision area can be set in accordance with the scale of a database that provides map information, etc.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0093] (1) The positions, connections, numbers, etc. described in the above embodiments (including each modified example; the same applies below) are examples and can be changed within the scope that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0094] (2) In the above embodiment, the moving body is an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to bicycles, motorcycles, and other suitable vehicles, and the moving body can also be applied to the human body, i.e., while walking.

[0095] (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 is applied as the guide information provision program, but the present invention is not limited to this. As the guide information provision program, 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 FIG. 12. Guide information provision program according to Modification 1 (course information provision unit 101)) may be applied, or as the guide information provision program, 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 FIG. 13. Guide information provision program according to Modification 2 (course information provision unit 102)) may be applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1...guide information providing system, 10...terminal, 11...mobile body, 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 providing unit, 110...course information management unit, 120...guide information management unit, 121...position determination unit, 122...guide information output unit, A1 to A11...waypoints, G1 to G7...guide information providing area, M1...map information

Claims

1. A guide information providing system that sets a course to go around a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, performs navigation, and when the vehicle is located within a predetermined guide information providing area, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area, the guide information providing system includes a location information acquiring unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information providing unit, and a display unit; the location information acquisition unit acquires 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 location information for navigation based on the current location information, outputs the location information for navigation generated by the location information management unit and a navigation destination output from the course information providing 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 position information, and outputs the generated navigation information to the navigation management unit; the course information providing unit includes a course information management unit and a guide information management unit, the course information management unit outputs preset waypoints and destinations as the navigation destinations to the navigation management unit in a predetermined order; the guide information management unit sets the guide information providing 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, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information providing 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 arranged in the same terminal, The guide information providing system is characterized in that the range of the guide information providing area is a range that takes into consideration an error between the position information determined by the position determining unit and an actual position.

2. When it is detected that the user has arrived at the navigation destination, The guide information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the course information management unit outputs, to the navigation management unit, as the navigation destination, a route or destination that is next in order after a route of the navigation destination at which the user has arrived.

3. When it is detected that the current position is off the course, the user is prompted to select whether or not to stop the navigation to the current navigation destination; 3. The guide information providing system according to claim 1, wherein, when a user selects to cancel the navigation, navigation to the current navigation destination is canceled, and a route or destination that is next in order to a route corresponding to the current navigation destination is output to the navigation management unit as the navigation destination.

4. The guide information providing area includes a guide information providing area within a course, the order of which is set in advance, The guide information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when it is determined that the current position is located within the in-course guide information providing area, the guide information management unit does not provide guide information until after the in-course guide information providing area has passed through a predetermined order of the in-course guide information providing areas.

5. A guide information providing program that outputs a navigation destination to a navigation unit to set a course that goes around a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and that provides guide information corresponding to a predetermined guide information providing area when the vehicle is located within the guide information providing area, On the computer, a course information management process for outputting preset waypoints and destinations to the navigation unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order; a guide information management process for setting the guide information provision area and, when it is determined that the current position is located within the guide information provision area, providing guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.

6. A guide information providing program that is downloaded to a terminal having a display unit and used, The terminal, a navigation means including a location information processing means for processing location information of the terminal, and a control means for searching for and providing guidance on a route from a departure point or a current location to a destination; A guide information providing program including another position information processing means different from the position information processing means of the navigation means, and causing the other position information processing means to function as guide information providing means for providing predetermined guide information during the guidance.

7. A course creation program that creates a course that travels around preset waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information providing area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area, The computer connected to the display unit a map information display process for displaying map information on the display unit; a destination and route point input process for receiving input of the positions of a predetermined destination and a plurality of route points and an order of visiting the route points and the destination based on the map information; a guide information providing area input process for setting the position and range of a guide information providing area in which guide information is to be provided based on the map information; executes a guide information input process for inputting guide information corresponding to the guide information providing area; In the guide information provision area input process, an area display section indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the area display section.

8. 8. The course creation program according to claim 7, wherein, in the map information display process, in response to changing the scale of the map information, the scale of an area display section indicating the guide information provision area set in the guide information provision area input process is also changed.

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