Display device, display system and program

Abstract

To provide a display device and the like that are equipped with a function capable of guiding to a destination, and can suppress costs required for implementation.SOLUTION: A display device 1 comprises: a display part 11; a current place detection unit 14; and a display control unit 173. The display part 11 is composed of two or more pixels. The display control unit 173 is configured to cause, by controlling a color for each pixels, a map 104 composed of a map element graphic 105 representing at least a road and a background graphic 106 serving as a background of the map element graphic 105 to be displayed on the display part 11. The display control unit 173 is configured to: determine the pixel corresponding to a past position of a user detected by the current place detection unit 14 of the pixels as a color of the map element graphic 105; and determine a remaining pixel as a color of the background graphic 106.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, a display system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique that utilizes a route guidance program that provides route guidance to a target destination (Patent Document 1). The route guidance program disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays the location from the current location to the target destination on Google (registered trademark) maps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-156642 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is implemented, map data including detailed road information and POI (Point Of Interest) information, such as Google Maps, is required. To use map data including detailed information, it is necessary to purchase the map data from a company that provides the map data, or to pay a usage fee to a company that provides the map data. Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the cost required for implementation is likely to be high.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device, a display system, and a program that are provided with a function for guiding a user to a destination and that can reduce the costs required for implementation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display unit, a current location detection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit is composed of two or more pixels. The current location detection unit detects the user's location at a predetermined time interval. The display control unit controls the color of each pixel to display a map on the display unit. The map is composed of a map element figure and a background figure. The map element figure represents at least a road. The background figure forms a background for the map element figure. The display control unit sets pixels corresponding to the user's past location detected by the current location detection unit to the color of the map element figure, and sets the remaining pixels to the color of the background figure.

[0007] The display device can create a map using the current location detection unit, so that a function for guiding a user to a destination can be realized at low cost.

[0008] A display device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a display unit, a current location detection unit, and a display control unit. The display unit displays a map including road figures representing roads. The current location detection unit detects the user's location at a predetermined time interval. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the map when a location that the user has visited is set as a destination. The map is displayed based on the user's past locations detected by the current location detection unit in the vicinity of the location set as the destination. The map displays roads that the user has traveled among roads existing in the vicinity of the destination using road figures.

[0009] The display device can create a map using the current location detection unit, so that a function for guiding a user to a destination can be realized at low cost.

[0010] In any of the above display devices, preferably, a storage unit is further provided. The storage unit stores two or more pieces of location data corresponding to the location detected by the current location detection unit as history information corresponding to the history of the user's movements. When a request is made to register a place visited by the user, the storage unit stores the place visited by the user in association with the history information.

[0011] The display device allows the user to register places that he or she wishes to revisit.

[0012] In any of the above display devices, preferably, the display device further includes a position data processing unit. When the first position and the other first position are offset from each other in the width direction of the road, the position data processing unit stores the second position data in the storage unit as position data. The first position is a position of the user moving along the road detected by the current location detection unit. The other first position is a first position behind the first position. The second position data is position data indicating a second position between the first position and the other first position.

[0013] The display device can mitigate errors in the first position.

[0014] A display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes two or more display devices and a server. The server communicates with each of the two or more display devices. A first display device, which is one of the display devices, includes a current location detection unit. The current location detection unit detects the user's location at a predetermined time interval. The server has a storage unit. The storage unit stores history information. The history information corresponds to a history of the user's movements. The history information is generated based on the user's past locations. The user's past locations are detected by the current location detection unit. The second display device is a device different from the first display device among the display devices. The second display device includes a display unit and a display control unit. The display unit is composed of two or more pixels. The display control unit controls the color of each pixel to display a map on the display unit. The map is composed of a map element figure and a background figure. The map element figure at least represents a road. The background figure becomes the background of the map element figure. The display control unit sets pixels corresponding to the user's past locations detected by the current location detection unit among the pixels to the color of the map element figure, and sets the remaining pixels to the color of the background figure.

[0015] According to the above display system, since a map can be created using the current location detection unit, a display device having a function for guiding a user to a destination can be realized at low cost.

[0016] A display system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes two or more display devices and a server. The server communicates with each of the two or more display devices. A first display device, which is one of the display devices, includes a current location detection unit. The current location detection unit detects the location of the user at a predetermined time interval. The server has a storage unit. The storage unit stores history information. The history information corresponds to a history of the user's movements. The history information is generated based on the user's past locations. The user's past locations are detected by the current location detection unit. The second display device is a display device that is different from the first display device. The second display device includes a display unit and a display control unit. The display unit displays a map. The map includes a road figure representing a road. When a location that the user has visited is set as a destination, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the map. Based on the history information, the map represents roads that the user has traveled among roads existing around the location set as the destination with road figures.

[0017] According to the above display system, since a map can be created using the current location detection unit, a display device having a function for guiding a user to a destination can be realized at low cost. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The present invention can provide a function for guiding a user to a destination at low cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a personal map displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a process performed by a first position data processing unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a process for generating second position data by a first position data processing unit. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the process of generating second position data by the first position data processing unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the process of generating second position data by the first position data processing unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the process of generating second position data by the first position data processing unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a method for drawing road figures. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another method for creating a personal map. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another method for creating a personal map. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing another method for drawing road figures. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of collecting history information. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of registering history information in a server. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying a personal map using a server. [Figure 16] 6 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying a personal map showing the user's current location and its surroundings on a display unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a display system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 5 is a flowchart showing a cooperation process between the display device and the in-vehicle device. [Figure 19] 6 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying a personal map by an in-vehicle device using a server. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a display device according to an embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a server according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1, a display system 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a display device 1 and a server 2. In this embodiment, the display system 4 includes two or more display devices 1. The two or more display devices 1 are owned by different users. As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 1 generates a map 104, such as a simplified map composed of simple figures. This map 104 represents roads with road figures 104a. The road figures 104a are shapes corresponding to the history of the user's movements. The map 104 does not represent roads that the user has not traveled, but represents roads that the user has traveled with the road figures 104a. The map 104 does not basically show places that have not been registered by the user, but shows places that have been registered by the user. Such a personalized map 104 is referred to as a "personal map 104" in this specification in order to distinguish it from a general map. A general map is generated based on map data including, for example, detailed road information and POI information. A program that generates the personal map 104 in the display device 1 and displays it on the display unit 11 is referred to in this specification as a "map content creation application" or simply as an "application."

[0021] 1, the display device 1 includes a display unit 11, an input unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a current location detection unit 14, a first storage unit 15, a first communication unit 16, and a first control unit 17. The first control unit 17 includes a first position data processing unit 171, a first history information acquisition unit 172, and a display control unit 173. In this embodiment, the display device 1 is a smartphone. The display device 1 may be, for example, a tablet, a mobile terminal, or the like.

[0022] The server 2 includes a second storage unit 25, a second communication unit 26, and a second control unit 27. The second control unit 27 includes a second position data processing unit 271 and a second history information acquisition unit 272.

[0023] The road figure 104a is a linear figure having a predetermined width. The road figure 104a has a diagonal line drawn inside in FIG. 2 and the like. The width of the road figure 104a is, for example, 5 mm or more and 1 cm or less. It is more preferable that the width of the road figure 104a is 7 mm or more and 8 mm or less. The personal map 104 shows the user's past route by the road figure 104a. The road figure 104a corresponds to the map element figure 105. It can be said that the personal map 104 is composed of the map element figure 105 and a background figure 106 that forms the background of the map element figure 105.

[0024] In this embodiment, the personal map 104 further indicates the user's current location and destination. The personal map 104 indicates the user's current location with, for example, an arrow-shaped current location mark 104d. The personal map 104 indicates the destination with, for example, a star-shaped icon 104b.

[0025] The personal map 104 indicates a location registered by the user with, for example, a square icon 104c. The square icon 104c is, for example, about the same size as the star icon 104b. The square icon 104c is an image of a building. In this embodiment, when two or more square icons 104c are included in the personal map 104, they all have the same shape, size, and color, but are not limited to this configuration. The location registered by the user is assumed to be, for example, a store or facility. When a location without buildings, such as a park or a beach, is registered by the user, the personal map 104 may also indicate the location without buildings with a square icon 104c. In this embodiment, the map element figure 105 further includes a current location mark 104d, a star icon 104b, and a square icon 104c. In other embodiments of the present invention, the map element figure 105 may include icons, marks, figures, etc. other than those described above.

[0026] In this embodiment, the display device 1 generates a personal map 104 based on the user's travel history, without using general map data in which a road network is represented by links and nodes. The personal map 104 is not a detailed map that covers almost all roads, including roads that the user has not traveled. The personal map 104 represents only those roads that the user has traveled among existing roads, using road figures 104a. Even if the personal map 104 represents a place where a building exists, the personal map 104 does not represent the building unless the place is registered by the user. In this embodiment, the personal map 104 does not represent natural objects such as rivers, oceans, and mountains. Such a personal map 104 shows a route from the user's current location to the destination using road figures 104a between a current location mark 104d and a star-shaped icon 104b. The personal map 104 shows the user's past route as a route from the user's current location to the destination. The display device 1 can guide the user to the destination by displaying the personal map 104 on the display unit 11.

[0027] In this embodiment, the display unit 11 displays a menu icon 101 while the app is running. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the menu icon 101 is displayed, for example, in the upper right corner of the display unit 11. When the user taps the menu icon 101, the display unit 11 displays a menu screen 102 as shown in Fig. 3. The menu screen 102 includes command buttons 102a to 102c on which the words "Register as favorites," "Share registered information," and "Search for destination" are displayed, respectively.

[0028] The display unit 11 is composed of two or more pixels. A pixel is the minimum unit that constitutes the screen of the display unit 11. When the user taps the command button 102a for "Register as favorite", the display unit 11 displays, for example, a registration screen 103 as shown in FIG. 2. The registration screen 103 includes command buttons 103a to 103e on which the characters "Favorite", "Store name", "Photo", "Memo", and "Genre" are respectively displayed. In this embodiment, the display device 1 registers the user's current location when the command button 103a for "Favorite" is tapped by the user as a place that the user likes. The registration is to store position data indicating the user's current location in the first storage unit. In this specification, the position data of the registered location is also called "registration information". In other words, the registration information includes position data indicating the user's current location when the above-mentioned registration operation is performed. The user's current location is detected by the current location detection unit 14. The position data acquired by the current location detection unit 14 is also called "first position data" in this specification. The display device 1 may be configured to correct or adjust the first position data to prepare the position data as the registration information.

[0029] The personal map 104 shows the places registered in this way with a square icon 104c. That is, the square icon 104c shows a place where the user has performed a predetermined registration action among the places the user has visited. For example, the display device 1 can register a store or the like that the user happens to come across while walking around town as the user's favorite place. The display device 1 can be used as a memorandum of stores or facilities that the user wants to visit again.

[0030] When the command button 103b, 103d, or 103e for the store name, memo, or genre is tapped, the display unit 11 displays a screen keyboard (not shown). The screen keyboard is used to input the name of a registered place, or a user's memo regarding the registered place. Character data input by the user from the screen keyboard is stored in the first storage unit 15. When the command button 103c for the photo is tapped, the first control unit 17 starts up the imaging unit 13. In this embodiment, the subject photographed by the imaging unit 13 is assumed to be, for example, the exterior and interior of a store or the like, as well as offered products, etc.

[0031] In this embodiment, the registration information further includes character data indicating the name of the registered location, the user's notes about the registered location, and the genre of the registered location, as well as photo data. The name is, for example, a store name, a facility name, or a tourist attraction name. The genre is, for example, food and drink, clothing, beauty, or a tourist facility. If the registered location is a restaurant, the genre may be, more specifically, the name of a dish such as ramen or sushi. The user's notes are information that the user wants to remember about the registered location.

[0032] The display device 1 is not limited to a configuration in which registration information is generated by a user's registration operation, but may be configured to automatically generate registration information for all stores, facilities, tourist spots, and other locations visited by the user.

[0033] The display device 1 can transmit the registration information to the server 2 shown in FIG. 1 by a user operation. For example, when the user taps the command button 102b of "Share Registration Information" shown in FIG. 3, the display device 1 transmits the registration information to the server 2. The server 2 can aggregate and register the registration information from each of two or more display devices 1. The display device 1 can also obtain the aggregated registration information from the server 2 and generate a personal map 104. Therefore, the personal map 104 can show all the places registered in the display device 1 or the server 2.

[0034] A destination is selected by the user from among the places registered in at least one of the display device 1 and the server 2. When the command button 102c for "search for destination" is tapped, the display unit 11 displays a screen (not shown) that allows the user to select whether to search for a destination from among the places registered in the display device 1 or the places registered in the server 2. After either the display device 1 or the server 2 is selected, the display unit 11 displays, for example, a list of names of places registered in the selected one. This list presents destination candidates to the user. This enables the selection of a destination. The list is generated, for example, by using the registration information. The list may display the genre, photo data, memos, etc. of the registered places in association with the names of the registered places. The display unit 11 displays a personal map 104 in which the destination selected by the user is indicated by a star-shaped icon 104b as shown in FIG. 2. When the display unit 11 is displaying the personal map 104, if the location indicated by the square icon 104c is set as the destination, the square icon 104c changes to a star icon 104b.

[0035] For example, when the personal map 104 is displayed on the display unit 11, the destination may be selected by the user tapping the square icon 104c. That is, the destination may be selected by the user from one or more registered places shown on the personal map 104. Also, destination candidates may be filtered from the registered places by a selection condition specified by the user and presented to the user. The selection condition is, for example, one or more candidates are presented on the display unit 11, and the user selects one from the candidates. The list or personal map 104 may show only the places filtered by the selection condition as destination candidates. The selection condition is, for example, a place registered in the server 2 as a favorite by a predetermined number or more users who use the display system 4. A place registered by a predetermined number or more users is presumed to be popular. The display unit 11 can preferentially show, for example, popular places as destination candidates by setting the selection condition. In this way, the display system 4 can filter the registration information stored in the display device 1 or the server 2 for destination search to narrow down the number of destination candidates.

[0036] If a destination is not set, the personal map 104 may not include the star icon 104b, and may be configured with a current location mark 104d, a road figure 104a, and a background figure 106. In this embodiment, the personal map 104 is set as the default screen of the application. Therefore, the display unit 11 displays the personal map 104 immediately after the application is started. If a destination is not set, the personal map 104 immediately after the application is started represents a predetermined range based on the user's current location with the current location mark 104d and the road figure 104a. Note that the display device 1 may be configured to generate a personal map 104 that shows a predetermined range including an arbitrary point designated by the user, rather than a predetermined range including the user's current location.

[0037] The input unit 12 transmits a user request to the first control unit 17 through an input operation by the user. The input unit 12 transmits request information corresponding to the user request to the first control unit 17. In this embodiment, the display unit 11 and the input unit 12 are configured with a touch panel having a display function and an input detection function. The touch panel is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input unit 12 detects an input by detecting a position where the user's finger or the like touches or is in close proximity. For example, when the user taps the "Register as favorite" command button 102a, the input unit 12 transmits a request to register a place the user is visiting to the first control unit 17. This enables the display unit 11 to display a registration screen 103.

[0038] The input unit 12 can transmit the selection conditions to the first control unit 17 by the user's input operation. The first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires the registration information that meets the selection conditions from the first storage unit 15. This allows the display unit 11 to display a list showing the names of places filtered by the selection conditions, or a personal map 104 showing the places filtered by the selection conditions with a square icon 104c. In addition, when a destination is selected based on the selection conditions from the places registered in the server 2, the first history information acquisition unit 172 first transmits condition information showing the selection conditions to the server 2. The second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires the registration information that meets the selection conditions from the second storage unit 25. This allows the server 2 to transmit the registration information and history information that meet the selection conditions to the display device 1. The display unit 11 can display a list showing the names of candidates for the destination, or a personal map 104 showing the places of the candidates for the destination with a square icon 104c, based on the registration information and history information transmitted from the server 2.

[0039] The imaging unit 13 is, for example, a camera that captures an image of a subject to obtain photographic data. The imaging unit 13 includes a lens, an imaging element, and a signal processing circuit. The imaging unit 13 forms an image of the subject through the lens on the light receiving surface of the imaging element, and obtains photographic data by converting a signal obtained by the imaging element. The photographic data is stored in the first storage unit 15.

[0040] The current location detection unit 14 detects the current location of the user holding the display device 1. Such a current location detection unit 14 acquires first location data indicating the past location of the user. The current location detection unit 14 acquires the first location data at a predetermined time interval while the application is launched. In this embodiment, the first location data is data indicating latitude and longitude. Hereinafter, the location indicated by the first location data is also referred to as the "first location". In this embodiment, the current location detection unit 14 is configured to include a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. The current location detection unit 14 acquires time data indicating the date and time when the first location data was acquired together with the first location data. In this embodiment, the time data is acquired from the GPS sensor. The time data may be acquired from an internal timer (not shown) provided in the display device 1. Note that the current location detection unit 14 is not limited to a configuration including a GPS sensor, and may be configured to detect the user's location. The current location detection unit 14 may be configured to further acquire speed data indicating the speed at which the user moves.

[0041] The first storage unit 15 stores various types of information. The first storage unit 15 is configured with a storage device. The storage device is, for example, at least one of a flash memory, a removable microSD card with a built-in flash memory, and the like.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first storage unit 15 stores various programs and the like executed by the display device 1. The programs include a map content creation application.

[0043] The first storage unit 15 stores two or more pieces of first position data acquired by the current location detection unit 14. The first storage unit 15 stores the first position data in association with time data. The two or more pieces of first position data and the time data indicate a trajectory traveled by the user. The first storage unit 15 may be configured to further store speed data.

[0044] The display system 4 of this embodiment is not intended to provide route guidance to a user who moves by a mobile object. The mobile object is, for example, a train, a car, a two-wheeled vehicle, a bicycle, a ship, an airplane, etc. The display system 4 of this embodiment is intended to provide route guidance to a user who moves on foot. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first control unit 17 is configured not to store in the first storage unit 15 the first position data acquired when the user is moving at a predetermined speed or higher. The first control unit 17 determines whether or not the user is moving at a predetermined speed or higher, for example, based on the speed data acquired from the current location detection unit 14. The first control unit 17 determines whether or not the user is moving at a predetermined speed or higher, for example, based on the first position data and other first position data acquired immediately before. Thereby, the first storage unit 15 can store only the first position data acquired when the user is moving at less than the predetermined speed. Note that the display system 4 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured to store in the first storage unit 15 the first position data acquired when the user is moving at a predetermined speed or higher.

[0045] The first position detected by the current location detection unit 14 may deviate from the actual location of the user. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first position data processing unit 171 generates second position data based on the first position data. The second position data is data in which an error in the first position data acquired by the current location detection unit 14 is corrected or suppressed. As shown in FIG. 5, the second position 202 indicates, for example, an average position of two or more first positions 201 in the width direction 220b of the road 220. The second position 202 indicates, for example, a position between two or more first positions 201 in the width direction 220b of the road 220. The second position data indicates the second positions 202 scattered between the two or more first positions 201 in the extension direction 220a of the road 220.

[0046] In addition, even if the road is the same, the current location detection unit 14 is likely to obtain different first position data each time the user passes through. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user passes through an end 221 of a road 220, the current location detection unit 14 detects two or more first positions 201 scattered in the extension direction 220a at the end 221 of the road 220, as shown by the two-dot chain line. On the other hand, when the user passes through a center 222 of the road 220, the current location detection unit 14 detects two or more first positions 201 scattered in the extension direction 220a at the center 222 of the road 220, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4. The personal map 104 generated based on these first position data may actually represent one road 220 with two or more road figures 104a parallel to each other. To draw the road figure 104a, one set of position data indicating positions scattered in the extension direction 220a of the road 220 is sufficient for one road. The first position data processing unit 171 collects two or more sets of a series of first position data to generate one set of a series of second position data. A specific example of a method for generating the second position data by the first position data processing unit 171 will be described later.

[0047] The series of second position data corresponds to the history of the user's movement. Hereinafter, the series of second position data is also referred to as "history information". The history information is stored in the first storage unit 15. The display device 1 can transmit the history information to the server 2 in the same manner as the registration information. The server 2 can aggregate and register the history information stored in two or more display devices 1. The display device 1 can also generate a personal map 104 by acquiring the aggregated history information of two or more different users from the server 2. Note that the display device 1 may be configured not to generate the second position data. That is, the history information may be a series of first position data. Such history information may be changed to the second position data after being transmitted to the server 2. In this case, the second position data is generated by, for example, the second position data processing unit 271.

[0048] The first communication unit 16 communicates with the server 2. The first communication unit 16 can transmit history information and registration information to the server 2. The first communication unit 16 can receive the history information and registration information registered in the second storage unit 25 from the server 2. The first communication unit 16 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like.

[0049] The first control unit 17 controls each component included in the display device 1. In this embodiment, the first control unit 17 controls the display unit 11, the input unit 12, the imaging unit 13, the current location detection unit 14, the first storage unit 15, and the first communication unit 16. For example, when the command button 102b of "Share registered information" shown in FIG. 3 is tapped, the first control unit 17 causes the first communication unit 16 to transmit the history information and registered information stored in the first storage unit 15 to the server 2.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first position data processing unit 171 can generate a collection of second position data in which the displacement in the direction intersecting the main moving direction is reduced by performing a predetermined process on the collection of first position data. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user passes through a road 220, the current location detection unit 14 detects the first position 201. Since the position of the first position 201 may be shifted depending on the accuracy of the current location detection unit 14, the first position 201 may be detected as being different from the position actually passed. Therefore, in order to generate second position data indicating the second position 202 corresponding to the predetermined first position 201, the first position data processing unit 171 performs a calculation to obtain a predetermined weighted average based on the user's traveling direction 223 and about 5 to 10 other first positions 201 before and after the first position 201. In this way, even if a position shift occurs due to the accuracy of the current location detection unit 14, a collection of second position data indicating the second positions 202 continuing in a straight line or a smooth curved line can be generated. The coefficient used in the weighted average may be set arbitrarily, or a simple average may be calculated with the coefficient set to 1.

[0051] The first position data processing unit 171 is not limited to a configuration that generates the second position data by the above processing. The first position data processing unit 171 may be configured to generate the second position data based on the first position data indicating the first position 201a, the first position data indicating the first position 201b, and the first position data indicating the first position 201c, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The current location detection unit 14 detects each first position 201 in the order of the first positions 201a, 201b, and 201c. That is, the first position data indicating the first position 201a is data acquired before the first position data indicating the first position 201b. More specifically, the first position data indicating the first position 201a is data acquired immediately before the first position data indicating the first position 201b. Hereinafter, the first position 201a and its first position data will also be referred to as the other first position 201a or the other first position data in order to distinguish it from the first position 201b and its first position data. The other first position 201a is located behind the first position 201b with respect to the user's traveling direction 223. The first position 201b and the other first position 201a are shifted from each other in the width direction 220b of the road 220.

[0052] 6, the first position data processing unit 171 generates a virtual rectangle 203a having a first position 201b and another first position 201a as diagonals, and obtains the intersection of the diagonals 203b of this rectangle 203a as the second position 202. The second position data indicating the second position 202 obtained in this manner is data in which an error in the first position data indicating the first position 201b has been corrected or suppressed.

[0053] When the current position detection unit 14 further acquires the first position data, the first position data processing unit 171 newly generates a virtual rectangle 204a having the first position 201c and the first position 201b as diagonal corners, and obtains the intersection of the diagonals 203b of the rectangle 204a as the tentative position 204b. The first position data processing unit 171 further generates a virtual rectangle 205a having the first position 201c and the previously obtained second position 202 as diagonal corners, and obtains the intersection of the diagonals 203b of the rectangle 205a as the second tentative position 205b. The first position data processing unit 171 newly generates a virtual rectangle 206 having the two tentative positions 205b and 204b as diagonal corners, and obtains the intersection of the diagonals 203b of the rectangle 206 as the second position 202. The second position data indicating the second position 202 thus obtained is data in which the error of the first position data indicating the first position 201c is corrected or suppressed.

[0054] In addition, the first position data processing unit 171 is not limited to a configuration using the virtual rectangles 203a, 204a, 205a, and 206 in the process of obtaining the second position 202, but may be configured to use a polygon. The polygon may be, for example, any triangle or quadrangle.

[0055] The first position data processing unit 171 may perform processing to determine the midpoint between the first position 201b and another first position 201a as the second position 202 for two first positions 201 acquired consecutively, without using the virtual rectangles 203a, 204a, 205a, and 206 in the processing. Also, for three first positions 201 acquired consecutively, processing may be performed to determine the center of gravity of a triangle having these first positions 201 as vertices as the second position 202. Similarly, processing may be performed to determine the center of gravity of a polygon formed with four or more first positions 201 acquired consecutively as vertices as the second position 202. Also, processing may be performed to determine the second position 202 by calculating a weighted average using a predetermined coefficient for two or more first positions 201 acquired consecutively.

[0056] Furthermore, the first position data processing unit 171 may be configured to obtain a second position 202a between the first position 201b and the other first position 201a in the width direction 220b of the road 220, as shown in FIG. 7. The first position data processing unit 171 determines the second position 202a on a virtual line 210a extending from the first position 201b in the width direction 220b of the road 220 or around this line 210a. In this embodiment, the periphery of the virtual line 210a is within a range of a predetermined length from the line 210a. The predetermined length is, for example, a value of 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the length between the first position 201b and the other first position 201a in the extension direction 220a of the road 220. The width direction distance d1 between the second position 202a and the other first position 201a is shorter than the width direction distance d between the first position 201b and the other first position 201a. In this embodiment, the second position 202a is on the virtual line 210a and is intermediate between the first position 201b and another first position 201a in the width direction 220b of the road 220. That is, in this embodiment, the width direction distance d1 between the first position 201b and the second position 202a is equal to the width direction distance d2 between the second position 202a and another first position 201a. The second position data indicating the second position 202a obtained in this manner is data in which the error of the first position data indicating the first position 201b is corrected or suppressed in the width direction 220b of the road 220. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first position data processing unit 171 is configured not to set the second position 202 on a line extending from the first position 201 indicated by the first position data to be corrected in the extension direction 220a of the road 220.

[0057] In addition, the first position data processing unit 171 is not limited to a configuration that uses other first position data acquired immediately before to generate the second position data, but may be configured to use the first position data acquired two or three data before that, etc.

[0058] When the current position detection unit 14 further acquires the first position data, the first position data processing unit 171 generates the second position data in the same manner. In this case, the first position data processing unit 171 obtains the second position 202b on the imaginary line 210b extending from the first position 201c in the width direction 220b of the road 220 or around this line 210b. The second position 202b is between the first position 201c and the first position 201b. Alternatively, the first position data processing unit 171 obtains the second position 202c on the imaginary line 210b extending from the first position 201c in the width direction 220b of the road 220 or around this line 210b. The second position 202c is between the first position 201c and another first position 201a. The second position data indicating the second position 202b or 202c is data obtained by correcting or suppressing an error in the first position data indicating the first position 201c. The first position data processing unit 171 determines the extension direction 220a of the road 220 based on, for example, two or more pieces of first position data acquired continuously at a predetermined time interval. The width direction 220b of the road 220 is a direction perpendicular to the extension direction 220a of the road 220.

[0059] The first position data processing unit 171 can update the history information stored in the first storage unit 15 based on the first position data newly acquired by the current location detection unit 14. For example, when the user is going to pass a certain road again, the first storage unit 15 may already store the second position data generated when the user passed that road before. In FIG. 8, the second position 202e indicated by the second position data already stored in the first storage unit 15 is surrounded by a two-dot chain line. When the current location detection unit 14 newly acquires the first position data, the first position data processing unit 171 determines whether the first position 201 indicated by the first position data is included in a first predetermined range 230 based on the second position 202e. The first predetermined range 230 is set, for example, centered on the second position 202e. When the first position 201 is included in the first predetermined range 230, the first position data processing unit 171 obtains a new second position 202f between the second position 202e indicated by the second position data stored in the first storage unit 15 and the first position 201 in the first predetermined range 230. The new second position 202f is between the first position 201 and the second position 202e in the width direction 220b of the road 220. The new second position 202f is on a virtual line 210c extending from the first position 201 in the width direction 220b of the road 220 or in the vicinity of this line 210c. In this embodiment, the new second position 202f is on the virtual line 210c and is intermediate between the first position 201 and the other second position 202e in the width direction 220b of the road 220. The first position data processing unit 171 stores second position data indicating the newly obtained second position 202f in the first storage unit 15. In this embodiment, the first position data processing unit 171 overwrites the second position data already stored in the first storage unit 15 with the newly generated second position data. This updates the second position data stored in the first storage unit 15.

[0060] The first predetermined range 230 is preferably set in consideration of, for example, the width of the actual road 220. For example, the first predetermined range 230 has a length in the width direction of the road 220 of 1 m or more and 10 m or less. It is more preferable that the first predetermined range 230 has a length in the width direction of the road 220 of 3 m or more and 5 m or less. The first predetermined range 230 may be set in a length in the extension direction 220a of the road 220 based on the second position data stored in the first storage unit 15. For example, the first predetermined range 230 is set in a length in the extension direction 220a of the road 220 so as to be equal to the distance between the adjacent second positions 202e.

[0061] When the first position 201 indicated by the first position data newly acquired by the current position detection unit 14 is outside the first predetermined range 230, the first position data processing unit 171 judges whether the first position 201 is within the second predetermined range 231. The second predetermined range 231 is set, for example, with the second position 202e as the center. The second predetermined range 231 has a greater length in the width direction of the road 220 than the first predetermined range 230. For example, the second predetermined range 231 has a length in the width direction of the road 220 of 2 m or more and 12 m or less. It is more preferable that the second predetermined range 231 has a length in the width direction of the road 220 of 5 m or more and 7 m or less. In this embodiment, the second predetermined range 231 has a length in the extension direction 220a of the road 220 equal to that of the first predetermined range 230. If the first position 201 indicated by the newly acquired first position data is outside the first predetermined range 230 and within the second predetermined range 231, the first position data processing unit 171 determines that the first position data is invalid data with a large error, and does not generate or update second position data using the first position data.

[0062] When the first position 201 indicated by the first position data newly acquired by the current location detection unit 14 is outside the second predetermined range 231, the first position data processing unit 171 stores the first position data as valid first position data in the first storage unit 15. That is, the first position data processing unit 171 treats the first position data indicating the first position 201 outside the second predetermined range 231 as data acquired when the user is passing through the road 220 for the first time. The first position data processing unit 171 treats the first position data indicating the first position 201 outside the second predetermined range 231 as data corresponding to a road 220 different from the first position data and second position data already stored in the first storage unit 15. The first position data processing unit 171 newly generates second position data by the above-mentioned processing method using two or more first position data indicating the first position 201 outside the second predetermined range 231. The first position data processing unit 171 stores history information consisting of a series of generated second position data in the first storage unit 15.

[0063] In this way, the first position data processing unit 171 generates the second position data from the first position data. By generating the second position data, the first position data processing unit 171 can aggregate two or more sets of a series of first position data into one set of a series of second position data. The first position data processing unit 171 can generate one set of a series of second position data for each road 220 by suppressing the generation of two or more sets of a series of second position data for one road 220.

[0064] Based on the request information or the selection condition, the first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires history information, or history information and registration information, from the first storage unit 15. For example, when a destination is set, the first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires all history information and registration information from the first storage unit 15. Alternatively, when a destination is set, the first history information acquisition unit 172 may selectively acquire, from the first storage unit 15, history information and registration information corresponding to a predetermined range including the user's current location and the destination.

[0065] For example, when the first storage unit 15 stores history information and registration information, the first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires history information and registration information from the first storage unit 15 when request information for displaying the personal map 104 on the display unit 11 is input to the first control unit 17. For example, when the first storage unit 15 stores history information but not registration information, the first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires history information from the first storage unit 15 when request information for displaying the personal map 104 on the display unit 11 is input to the first control unit 17. In this way, the first history information acquisition unit 172 can acquire history information for generating the personal map 104 even when there is no place registered by the user. In this case, the display unit 11 displays the personal map 104 that does not include the icon 104c representing a building and is composed of the road figure 104a and the background figure 106. The above process may be performed based on history information and registration information within the range of the personal map 104 displayed on the display unit 11.

[0066] In this embodiment, for example, when a destination is selected from places registered in the server 2, the first history information acquisition unit 172 requests the server 2 to transmit the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25. Based on this request, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires the history information and registration information from the second storage unit 252. The second history information acquisition unit 272 causes the second communication unit 26 to transmit the acquired history information and registration information to the display device 1.

[0067] The display control unit 173 controls the display unit 11. The display control unit 173 controls the display unit 11 to display, for example, the menu screen 102, the screen keyboard, the registration screen, and the personal map 104 shown in FIG.

[0068] The display control unit 173 lights up each pixel of the display unit 11 in a color based on the map image information. The map image information includes information specifying the color of each pixel of the display unit 11. The colors of the map element graphic 105 and the background graphic 106 are each determined in advance. In this embodiment, the color of the background graphic 106 is different from the color of the map element graphic 105. In this embodiment, the color of the background graphic 106 is one color. However, the color of the background graphic 106 is not particularly limited as long as the map element graphic 105 and the background graphic 106 can be visually distinguished from each other. The map element graphic 105 and the background graphic 106 may each be a single color or multiple colors.

[0069] The display control unit 173 generates map image information for the personal map 104 based on at least one of the history information and registration information acquired by the first history information acquisition unit 172 and the user's current location detected by the current location detection unit 14. In this embodiment, the map image information includes information for changing pixels corresponding to the road graphic 104a to the color of the road graphic 104a. The map image information includes, for example, information for changing pixels corresponding to a star-shaped icon 104b representing a destination to the color of the icon 104b. The map image information includes, for example, information for changing pixels corresponding to a square icon 104c representing a building to the color of the icon 104c. The map image information includes, for example, information for changing pixels corresponding to a current location mark 104d to the color of the current location mark 104d. The map image information includes, for example, information for changing pixels corresponding to a background graphic 106 to the color of the background graphic 106.

[0070] For example, when a destination is selected, the display control unit 173 lights up pixels corresponding to two or more second positions 202 in the color of the road graphic 104a based on the history information in order to indicate the positions of roads 220 around the destination that the user has traveled in the past. The display control unit 173 lights up pixels corresponding to the first position data of the destination in the color of a star-shaped icon 104b based on the registration information. The display control unit 173 lights up pixels corresponding to the user's current location in the color of the current location mark 104. The display control unit 173 lights up pixels corresponding to the first position data of a registered location in the color of a square icon 104c based on the registration information. The display control unit 173 lights up pixels that do not correspond to the map element graphic 105 in the color of the background graphic 106. In this way, the personal map 104 is displayed on the display unit 11.

[0071] When the display control unit 173 displays the road graphic 104a on the display unit 11, the display control unit 173 draws a rectangle 240 centered on a position 202A corresponding to each of the two or more second positions 202, as shown in FIG. 9(a). In this embodiment, the rectangle 240 is a square. The length L of one side 240a of the rectangle 240 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 1 cm or less. It is more preferable that the length L of one side 240a is 7 mm or more and 8 mm or less. In this embodiment, the rectangles 240 are drawn at the same angle. That is, the side 240a of the rectangle 240 is parallel or perpendicular to the side 240a of the other rectangle 240. When the vertices 240b of the rectangle 240 that are adjacent to the other rectangle 240 do not match the vertices 240b of the other rectangle 240, the display control unit 173 draws a line segment 241 connecting the vertices 240b.

[0072] In this manner, the display control unit 173 draws a road figure 104a in the shape of two or more rectangles 240 connected together as shown in FIG. 9(b). In FIG. 9(b), the edge 242 of the road figure 104a is indicated by a dotted line. The display control unit 173 sets the pixels in the range between the rectangle 240 and the line segments 241 facing each other to the color of the road figure 104a, and draws the road figure 104a. The edge 242 of the road figure 104a is formed by the side 240a of the rectangle 240 or the line segment 241. The display control unit 173 can display the road figure 104a of a uniform width on the display unit by adjusting the size of each rectangle 240 or using the line segment 241. The road figure 104a of a uniform width as shown in FIG. 9(b) can be obtained, for example, by adjusting the distance between the line segments 241 extending parallel to each other so that it is the same distance as one side of the rectangle 240. It is also possible to adopt a method of making the width of the road graphic 104a uniform by adjusting the length of the sides 240a of the rectangle 240 that forms the road graphic 104a.

[0073] The display control unit 173 can further draw a square icon 104c representing a building at a position corresponding to the first position data included in the registration information. The display control unit 173 can further draw a star-shaped icon 104b at a position corresponding to the destination. The display control unit 173 can further draw a current location mark 104d based on the current location of the user detected by the current location detection unit 14. In this way, the display control unit 173 can draw a personal map 104 showing roads 220 that the user has traveled, registered places, the destination, and the current location of the user. Unlike a map generated based on general map data, such a personal map 104 has a background graphic 106 at a position corresponding to a road 220 that the user has not traveled. Note that the display control unit 173 is not limited to a configuration that uses second position data to draw the road graphic 104a. When the history information is a series of first position data, the display control unit 173 may be configured to use the first position data to draw the road graphic 104a.

[0074] In this embodiment, the display control unit 173 draws the road figure 104a with a uniform width regardless of the type of the road 220. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the display control unit 173 may be configured to change the width of the road figure 104a depending on the type of the corresponding road 220. The display control unit 173 may also be configured to change the width or color of the road figure 104a depending on the type of the corresponding road 220. The personal map 104 may also include an icon of a building that serves as a landmark around a location that represents an intersection. For example, when the personal map 104 is displayed on the display unit 11, the display control unit 173 may be configured to be able to draw an icon of a landmark at a position tapped by the user. The icon of the landmark is, for example, a post office, a police station, or a convenience store. For example, two or more types of the icon of the landmark are displayed in a list at a position tapped by the user, and the icon of the landmark is selected by the user. The display control unit 173 may also obtain position data of the buildings that serve as landmarks and image data representing those buildings from a server other than the server 2, and draw the personal map 104 including the icon of the landmark. The other server is, for example, a server operated by a store or facility such as a convenience store.

[0075] When creating the road graphic 104a, the display control unit 173 may draw a rectangle 243 that is centered on the position 202A corresponding to the second position 202 and tilted according to the adjacent position 202A, as shown in Fig. 12. The rectangle 243 has the same size as the rectangle 240, but the angle is changed according to the position of the adjacent position 202A. For example, the rectangle 243 is drawn so as to have sides along the straight lines connecting the two positions 202A adjacent to the second position 202.

[0076] The display system 4 is not limited to the configuration of generating the personal map 104 based on the history information and registration information stored in the first storage unit 15 or the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25, as in the present embodiment. The display system 4 may generate the personal map 104 by merging the history information and registration information stored in the first storage unit 15 and the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25.

[0077] For example, a case where the display system 4 generates a personal map 104 with a location registered in the server 2 as a destination will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The display device 1 stores, in the first storage unit 15, history information and registration information corresponding to a road 220 from the user's current location to the registered location, as shown in FIG. 10(a), for example. The first storage unit 15 does not store registration information and history information corresponding to the destination. The server 2 stores, in the second storage unit 25, history information and registration information corresponding to the destination and roads 220 around it, as shown in FIG. 10(b), for example. In this case, the first history information acquisition unit 172 requests the server 2 to transmit the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25, and acquires the history information and registration information from the server 2. The display control unit 173 causes the display unit 11 to display a personal map 104 showing places registered in the display device 1, places registered in the server, a destination, and the user's current location, as shown in Fig. 10(c), based on the history information and registration information stored in the first storage unit 15 and the history information and registration information acquired from the server 2. This personal map 104 includes a road graphic 104a representing a road 220 connecting these locations. Therefore, the personal map 104 can show a route from the user's current location to the destination.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the history information stored in the first storage unit 15 overlaps with the history information acquired from the server 2, the display control unit 173 preferentially uses the history information acquired from the server 2. In this embodiment, overlapping history information means, for example, that the second position indicated by each piece of history information is within the above-mentioned second predetermined range 231. Similarly, when the registration information overlaps, the display control unit 173 preferentially uses the registration information acquired from the server 2.

[0079] Next, for example, a case where the user attempts to display the personal map 104 on the display unit 11 with a location registered in the display device 1 as a destination, but history information for a part of the route from the current location to the destination is insufficient, will be described with reference to FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the display device 1 stores in the first storage unit 15 history information corresponding to the road 220 around the destination, registration information corresponding to the destination, and registration information corresponding to the registered location. The first storage unit 15 does not store history information corresponding to the relationship between the current location mark 104e and the end 104f of the road figure 104a corresponding to the road 220 around the destination. In this case, the first history information acquisition unit 172 requests the server 2 for history information corresponding to at least the relationship between the current location mark 104e and the end 104f of the road figure 104a. At this time, the first history information acquisition unit 172 transmits, for example, current location data indicating the current location of the user and second position data corresponding to the end 104f of the road figure 104a to the server 2. The server 2 transmits history information corresponding to this request to the display device 1. Based on the history information and registration information stored in the first storage unit 15 and the history information transmitted from the server 2, the display control unit 173 can display on the display unit 11 a personal map 104 showing a route from the user's current location to the destination by road graphics 104a as shown in Fig. 11(b).

[0080] In this way, the display system 4 can reduce the amount of data transmitted from the server 2 to the display device 1 by transmitting to the display device 1 only the history information and registration information that are insufficient for creating the desired personal map 104. Alternatively, the display system 4 may transmit history information and registration information corresponding to roads, etc. from the user's current location to the destination from the server 2 to the display device 1. This allows the display system 4 to use more accurate history information stored in the server 2, and to display landmarks to the destination based on registration information that is not in the first storage unit 15.

[0081] The functions of the first control unit 17 are realized by software. The software is written as a program and stored in the first storage unit 15. A CPU (not shown) reads out and executes the program stored in the first storage unit 15 to realize each function of the first control unit 17.

[0082] The second communication unit 26 communicates with the display device 1. In response to a user request, the second communication unit 26 transmits the history information and the registration information stored in the second storage unit 25 to the display device 1. The second communication unit 26 receives the history information and the registration information from the display device 1. The second communication unit 26 is realized by, for example, a NIC or the like.

[0083] The second storage unit 25 stores various types of information. The second storage unit 25 is realized by a storage device. The storage device is, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk. In this embodiment, the second storage unit 25 stores history information and registration information.

[0084] The second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires history information and registration information from the second storage unit 25 based on request information transmitted from the display device 1. The second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires history information and registration information corresponding to, for example, a user's current location, a destination, a potential destination, or a range of a predetermined radius from an arbitrary point designated by the user based on the request information. The second history information acquisition unit 272 transmits the history information and registration information acquired from the second storage unit 25 to the display device 1 via the second communication unit 26.

[0085] The second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires history information and registration information from the second storage unit 25 based on the condition information transmitted from the display device 1. For example, when a store in a specific genre is set as a selection condition, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires registration information corresponding to the store in that genre from the second storage unit 25. For example, when a store that has been highly rated by a predetermined number or more of users is set as a selection condition, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires registration information corresponding to the store that meets that condition from the second storage unit 25. The predetermined number is, for example, 10%, 20%, or 50% of all users.

[0086] The second history information acquisition unit 272 may acquire, based on the request information and the condition information, history information and registration information that are within a predetermined radius from the user's current location or an arbitrary point designated by the user and that meets the selection condition, from the second storage unit 25. The predetermined radius may be designated by the selection condition.

[0087] The second position data processing unit 271 processes the first position data or the second position data in the same manner as the first position data processing unit 171. Since the display device 1 is a smartphone or the like owned by an individual, the first position data processing unit 171 basically processes log information obtained by one user walking. In contrast, the server 2 does not detect the current location by itself, but processes the first position data or the second position data transmitted from multiple display devices 1. The second position data processing unit 271 processes the first position data or the second position data obtained by two or more users walking, respectively.

[0088] The second position data processing unit 271 aggregates history information transmitted from two or more display devices 1, and stores the aggregated history information in the second storage unit 25. For example, when the second position indicated by each piece of history information is included in the first predetermined range 230 described above, the second position data processing unit 271 determines a new second position by the processing method described above, and stores second position data indicating the newly determined second position in the second storage unit 25.

[0089] The second position data processing unit 271 checks whether there is a problem with the registration information transmitted from the display device 1 before storing the registration information in the second storage unit 25. For example, the second position data processing unit 271 checks whether a POI such as a store or facility exists at the first position 201 indicated by the registration information. For example, the second position data processing unit 271 accesses a map data service on the Internet and checks whether a store or facility actually exists at the first position indicated by the registration information. If it is not confirmed that a store or facility exists at the first position 201, the second position data processing unit 271 does not store the registration information in the second storage unit 25. Alternatively, the second position data processing unit 271 includes, in the registration information, warning information indicating that there is a possibility that a facility or store does not exist at the first position 201. The warning information can be used to generate the personal map 104. For example, the display control unit 173 displays, on the display unit 11, the personal map 104 indicating the warning information in association with a square icon 104c representing a building. The second position data processing unit 271 may determine that there is no problem with the registration information indicating the same first position 201 as the registration information transmitted from another display device 1. In other words, the second position data processing unit 271 may determine that there is no problem with two or more pieces of registration information indicating the same first position 201, among the pieces of registration information respectively generated by two or more users.

[0090] [History information collection process] The process of collecting history information in the display device 1 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 13. Note that the specific contents of each process will not be described in detail for those that have already been described.

[0091] In step S1, the first control unit 17 starts the application when request information for starting the application is input to the input unit 12. At this time, the first control unit 17 reads out the program of the application from the first storage unit 15 and executes it.

[0092] In step S2, the current location detection unit 14 acquires the first position data and the time data.

[0093] In step S3, the first position data processing unit 171 generates second position data based on the first position data acquired in step S2, and stores the second position data in the first storage unit 15.

[0094] In step S4, the first control unit 17 proceeds to processing in step S5 if request information for favorite registration is input from the input unit 12. If the first control unit 17 does not want to register the favorite, the first control unit 17 proceeds to processing in step S6.

[0095] In step S5, the first control unit 17 causes the first storage unit 15 to store the registration information.

[0096] In step S6, if the application is not to be terminated, the first control unit 17 returns to step S2 and repeats the process, thereby generating history information.

[0097] [Registration process of history information and registration information to the server] The process of registering the history information and the registration information to the server 2 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14. The process of registering to the server 2 is started, for example, when the user taps the command button 102b of "Share registered information" shown in Fig. 3. Note that in the display system 4 of this embodiment, only either the history information or the registration information may be registered to the server 2.

[0098] In step S11, the first control unit 17 detects that request information for sharing the history information and the registration information with the server 2 has been input from the input unit 12.

[0099] In step S12, the first history information acquisition unit 172 acquires the history information and the registration information from the first storage unit 15.

[0100] In step S13, the first control unit 17 controls the first communication unit 16 to transmit to the server 2 the history information and registration information acquired in step S12.

[0101] When the second communication unit 26 receives the history information and the registration information in step S14, in step S15, the second position data processing unit 271 checks the registration information received in step S14.

[0102] In step S16, the second position data processing unit 271 determines whether or not there is a problem with the registration information checked in step S15. If there is a problem with the registration information, the second position data processing unit 271 advances the registration process to the server 2 to step S18. If there is no problem with the registration information, the second position data processing unit 271 advances the registration process to the server 2 to step S17.

[0103] In step S17, second position data processing unit 271 stores the history information and registration information received in step S14 in second storage unit 25. Second position data processing unit 271 may update the history information stored in second storage unit 25 based on the history information received in step S14.

[0104] In step S18, second position data processing unit 271 stores the history information received in step S14 in second storage unit 25. Based on the history information received in step S14, second position data processing unit 271 may update the history information stored in second storage unit 25. This completes the registration process to server 2.

[0105] [Map display processing using a server] The map display process using the server 2 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 15. This display process is started when a place registered in the server 2 is set as a destination.

[0106] In step S21, the first control unit 17 detects that a selection condition for a destination has been input from the input unit 12.

[0107] In step S22, the first control unit 17 controls the first communication unit 16 to transmit to the server 2 condition information indicating the selection condition detected in step S21.

[0108] When the second communication unit 26 receives the condition information in step S23, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires, from the second storage unit 25, the history information and the registration information that match the selection condition indicated by the condition information in step S24.

[0109] In step S25, the second control unit 27 controls the second communication unit 26 so as to transmit to the display device 1 the history information and registration information acquired in step S24.

[0110] When the first communication unit 16 receives the history information and the registration information in step S26, the display control unit 173 generates map image information based on the history information and the registration information in step S27.

[0111] In step S28, the display control unit 173 causes the display unit 11 to display the personal map 104 based on the map image information generated by the display control unit 173 in step S27. This ends the display process of the personal map 104 using the server 2.

[0112] [Display process of personal map 104 around the user's current location] The display process of the personal map 104 around the user's current location is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0113] In step S31, the first control unit 17 detects that a request for displaying the personal map 104 of the user's current location and its surroundings has been input to the input unit 12.

[0114] In step S32, the current location detection unit 14 acquires first location data indicating the current location of the user. The first history information acquisition unit 172 controls the first communication unit 16 to transmit the first location data to the server 2.

[0115] When the second communication unit 26 receives the first location data in step S33, in step S34, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires history information around the user's current location from the second storage unit 25 based on the first location data.

[0116] In step S35, the second control unit 27 controls the second communication unit 26 to transmit the history information acquired in step S34 to the display device 1.

[0117] When the first communication unit 16 receives the history information in step S36, the display control unit 173 generates map image information based on the history information in step S37.

[0118] In step S38, the display control unit 173 causes the display unit 11 to display the personal map 104 based on the map image information generated by the display control unit 173 in step S37. This ends the display process of the personal map 104 around the user's current location.

[0119] As described above, the display device 1 of the present embodiment includes the display unit 11, the current location detection unit 14, and the display control unit 173. The display unit 11 is composed of two or more pixels. The display unit 11 displays the personal map 104. The current location detection unit 14 detects the user's current location at a predetermined time interval. The display control unit 173 controls the color of each pixel. The display control unit 173 causes the display unit 11 to display the personal map 104 composed of the map element figure 105 representing at least the road 220 and the background figure 106. The background figure 106 is the background of the map element figure 105. The display control unit 173 sets the pixel corresponding to the user's past first position 201 detected by the current location detection unit 14 to the color of the map element figure 105. The display control unit 173 sets the remaining pixels to the color of the background figure 106. In this way, when a place that the user has visited is set as the destination, the display control unit 173 causes the display unit 11 to display a personal map 104 in which roads 220 around the destination that the user has traveled are represented by road figures 104a based on the user's past first position 201 detected by the current location detection unit 14 around the location set as the destination.

[0120] When a destination is a place that the user or another user has visited, the display device 1 can display a personal map 104 to the destination on the display unit 11 without using detailed general map data that represents a road network with links and nodes. Therefore, the display device 1 can reduce the cost required to implement the function of guiding to the destination.

[0121] Second Embodiment A display system 4A according to a second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes an in-vehicle device 3. In the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of configurations and processes similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0122] 17, the in-vehicle device 3 includes a third display unit 31, a third input unit 32, a third current location detection unit 34, a third storage unit 35, a third communication unit 36, and a third control unit 37. The third control unit 37 includes a third display control unit 373 and a third linkage unit 374. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 3 is a navigation device mounted on a moving body. In this embodiment, the moving body is a vehicle.

[0123] The display device 1 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first control unit 17 includes a first linking unit 174. The first display unit 11, the first input unit 12, the first current location detection unit 14, and the first display control unit 173 are simply named differently to differentiate them from the components of the in-vehicle device 3, and have the same configuration as those of the first embodiment. The third display unit 31, the third input unit 32, the third current location detection unit 34, the third storage unit 35, the third communication unit 36, and the third control unit 37 of the in-vehicle device 3 have similar functions to the first display unit 11, the first input unit 12, the first current location detection unit 14, the first storage unit 15, the first communication unit 16, and the first control unit 17 of the display device 1, respectively, and some of the descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0124] The third display unit 31 displays a map on the basis of map data in which a road network is represented by links and nodes. This map data is stored in the third storage unit 35. The third input unit 32 receives a request from the user. In this embodiment, the third display unit 31 and the third input unit 32 are configured with a touch panel. The touch panel is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The user's request indicates, for example, that a map to the destination be displayed on the third display unit 31. In this embodiment, the third display unit 31 displays a map of the area up to the destination, such as parking lots in the vicinity of the destination.

[0125] The third current location detection unit 34 detects the current location of the mobile body equipped with the in-vehicle device 3. The third current location detection unit 34 detects the current location of the user using the mobile body. The third current location detection unit 34 acquires position data indicating the position of the in-vehicle device 3. The position data indicates the position of the user using the mobile body. The third current location detection unit 34 acquires the position data at a predetermined time interval. In this embodiment, the position data is data indicating latitude and longitude. In this embodiment, the third current location detection unit 34 is a GPS sensor. The third current location detection unit 34 may be configured to acquire time data indicating the date and time when the position data is acquired together with the position data.

[0126] The third storage unit 35 stores various types of information. The third storage unit 35 is realized by a storage device. Examples of the storage device include a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.

[0127] The third communication unit 36 ​​communicates with the first communication unit 16 and the second communication unit 26, respectively.

[0128] The third linking unit 374 acquires the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25 from the server 2. When a request to display destination candidates on the third display unit 31 is input to the third input unit 32, the third linking unit 374 notifies the server 2 of the selection conditions. The second history information acquiring unit 272 acquires registration information that matches the selection conditions from the second storage unit 25. The second history information acquiring unit 272 transmits the registration information to the in-vehicle device 3 via the second communication unit 26. As a result, the third display unit 31 filters and displays destination candidates that satisfy the selection conditions.

[0129] The third linking unit 374 and the first linking unit 174 link the in-vehicle device 3 and the display device 1. When the moving object arrives in the vicinity of the destination, the third linking unit 374 transmits the position and destination of the moving object to the display device 1 via the third communication unit 36. The position data indicating the position of the moving object is referred to as "moving object position data" in this specification.

[0130] The first display control unit 173 causes the display control unit 173 to display a personal map 104 to the destination on the first display unit 11 based on the moving object position data, history information, and registration information received from the in-vehicle device 3.

[0131] In this embodiment, the display device 1 can be used in combination with an in-vehicle device 3. The display device 1 can display a personal map 104 of the last mile from when the user gets off the mobile body to the destination on the first display unit 11. The last mile is a relatively short section that can be traveled on foot. The personal map 104 of the last mile may be generated by merging the history information and registration information stored in the first storage unit 15 and the history information and registration information stored in the second storage unit 25, respectively.

[0132] [Coordination with in-vehicle devices] The cooperation process between the display device 1 and the in-car device 3 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 18. The cooperation process is performed when both the display device 1 and the in-car device 3 are up and running.

[0133] In step S41, the third link portion 374 detects that a selection condition has been input to the third input portion 32.

[0134] In step S42, the third link unit 374 controls the third communication unit 36 ​​to transmit the condition information to the server 2.

[0135] When the second communication unit 26 receives the condition information in step S43, the second history information acquisition unit 272 acquires the history information and registration information that meets the selection condition in step S44.

[0136] In step S45, the second control unit 27 controls the second communication unit 26 to transmit the history information and the registration information to the in-vehicle device 3.

[0137] When the third communication unit 36 ​​receives the history information and the registration information in step S46, the third control unit 37 determines in step S47 whether or not a destination has been selected by the third input unit 32. If a destination has been selected, the third control unit 37 advances the linking process to step S48.

[0138] In step S48, the third display control unit 373 causes the third display unit 31 to display a detailed map to the destination based on the map data stored in the third storage unit 35.

[0139] In step S49, the third collaboration unit 374 determines whether or not there has been a request to share the user's current location and destination with the display device 1. If there has been a request to share the user's current location and destination with the display device 1, the third collaboration unit 374 advances the collaboration process to step S50.

[0140] In step S50, the third link unit 374 controls the third communication unit 36 ​​to transmit to the display device 1 the moving object position data indicating the user's current location, the history information, and the registration information.

[0141] When the first communication unit 16 receives the location data indicating the current location of the in-car device 3 and the destination information in step S51, the first display control unit 173 causes the first display unit 11 to display a map to the destination in step S52.

[0142] [Map display processing using a server onboard device] The in-vehicle device 3 can display a map and a route to a destination using the registration information registered in the server 2 without cooperating with the display device 1. The display of the map on the in-vehicle device 3 using the server 2 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Fig. 19. That is, the process of displaying the map on the in-vehicle device 3 can be performed by the processes of S41 to S48 in the above-mentioned process of cooperation between the display device 1 and the in-vehicle device 3.

[0143] <Hardware implementation example> The display device 1 is realized by a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 20. The display device 1 includes a CPU 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a touch panel 54, a storage device 55, an SD host module 56, an audio output unit 57, a first communication unit 16, a camera 59, a GPS sensor 60, and a bus 61. These components are realized by one or more pieces of hardware such as a semiconductor integrated circuit, but are not limited to this.

[0144] The CPU 51 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device. The CPU 51 controls the overall operation of the display device 1 according to various programs. The CPU 51 executes various programs stored in the ROM 52, using the RAM 53 as a working area. The CPU 51 functions as the first control unit 17 of the display device 1 by executing the programs.

[0145] The ROM 52 stores programs and calculation parameters used by the CPU 51. The ROM 52 stores, for example, programs executed by the first control unit 17. The ROM 52 is a part of the first storage unit 15 of the display device 1.

[0146] The RAM 53 temporarily stores a program used when the CPU 51 executes control. The RAM 53 also temporarily stores variables and the like that change appropriately when the CPU 51 executes control. The RAM 53 is a part of the first storage unit 15 of the display device 1.

[0147] The touch panel 54 functions as both a display unit that displays an image and an input unit that accepts input from the user. The touch panel 54 is the display unit 11 and the input unit 12 of the display device 1.

[0148] The storage device 55 is realized by, for example, a magnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or a magneto-optical storage device. The storage device 55 stores the programs executed by the CPU 51 and various data including data acquired from the outside. The storage device 55 is a part of the first storage unit 15 of the display device 1.

[0149] The SD host module 56 reads and writes information from and to an SD card, which is an inserted recording medium. The SD host module 56 outputs information read from the recording medium to the RAM 53, for example.

[0150] The audio output unit 57 outputs audio based on the input audio data. The audio output unit 57 is a speaker.

[0151] The first communication unit 16 communicates with the server 2 and other devices. The communication by the first communication unit 16 is mainly wireless communication, but may be wired communication. The first communication unit 16 may also communicate by short-range wireless communication.

[0152] The camera 59 includes a lens, an image sensor, and an image processing device, and captures an image of a subject. The camera 59 is the imaging unit 13 of the display device 1.

[0153] The GPS sensor 60 receives radio waves transmitted from a GPS satellite to obtain data on the latitude and longitude of the current location of the GPS sensor 60. The GPS sensor 60 may further obtain time data. The GPS sensor 60 is the current location detection unit 14 of the display device 1.

[0154] The bus 61 connects the various components of the display device 1. This allows the various components of the display device 1 to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0155] The in-vehicle device 3 has the same hardware configuration as the display device 1 except that, compared to the display device 1, the in-vehicle device 3 does not include a camera 59. Therefore, a detailed description of each element will be omitted.

[0156] The server 2 is realized by a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 21. The server 2 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a storage device 55, a second communication unit 26, and a bus 61. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the storage device 55 of the server 2 have the same configuration as the display device 1, and therefore a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0157] The CPU 51 executes a program to function as the second control unit 27. The ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the storage device 55 are each a part of the second storage unit 25.

[0158] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the device configuration, control method, and the like are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0159] For example, the display device 1 may be configured to use position data associated with photo data when generating registration information.

[0160] For example, the display device 1 may be configured so that the contents displayed on the display unit 11 can be customized to suit the user's preferences.

[0161] Various modifications other than those described above are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The above-described embodiments and modified configurations may be combined. Embodiments obtained by appropriately modifying these embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0162] 1... display device, 11... display unit, first display unit, 12... input unit, first input unit, 13... imaging unit, 14... current location detection unit, first current location detection unit, 15... first storage unit, 16... communication unit, first communication unit, 17... first control unit, 171... first position data processing unit, 172... first history information acquisition unit, 1 73...display control unit, first display control unit, 174...first linkage unit, 2...server, 25...second storage unit, 26...second communication unit, 27...second control unit, 271...second position data processing unit, 272...second history information acquisition unit, 3...vehicle-mounted device, 31...third display unit, 32...third input unit, 34...third current location detection unit, 35...third storage unit, 36...third communication unit, 37...third control unit, 373...third display control unit, 374...third linkage unit, 4...display system, 105...map element figure, 106...background figure

Claims

1. a first storage unit configured to store history information that is a history of movements of a user and includes two or more pieces of position data; an input unit that receives a first request, which is a request to share the history information with a server, and receives a second request, which is a request to display a map of a predetermined range including a specified point; A first communication unit that communicates with the server; a first control unit that performs a process of causing the first communication unit to transmit the history information to the server when the first request is received, a process of causing the first communication unit to transmit request information to the server requesting history information including location data within the predetermined range when the second request is received, and a process of causing the first communication unit to receive from the server the history information including the location data within the predetermined range that is shared by the server; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a personal map including road figures drawn using the history information stored in the first storage unit and / or the position data included in the history information received from the server, without using map data in which a road network is represented by links and nodes; A display device comprising:

2. A display system including a plurality of display devices and a server communicating with each of the display devices, Each of the display devices is a first storage unit configured to store history information that is a history of movements of a user and includes two or more pieces of position data; an input unit that receives a first request that is a request to share the history information with the server, and receives a second request that is a request to display a map of a predetermined range including a specified point; A first communication unit that communicates with the server; a first control unit that performs a process of causing the first communication unit to transmit the history information to the server when the first request is received, a process of causing the first communication unit to transmit request information to the server requesting history information including location data within the predetermined range when the second request is received, and a process of causing the first communication unit to receive from the server the history information including the location data within the predetermined range that is shared by the server; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a personal map including road figures drawn using the history information stored in the first storage unit and / or the position data included in the received history information, without using map data in which a road network is represented by links and nodes; The server, a second communication unit that receives the history information and the request information transmitted by each of the display devices; A second storage unit that consolidates and stores the received plurality of pieces of history information; a second history information acquisition unit that acquires history information including position data of the predetermined range from the second storage unit based on the request information, The second communication unit transmits the acquired history information to the display device that transmitted the request information. Display system.

3. A program for causing a computer having a storage unit, an input unit, a communication unit, and a display unit to execute a display control process for displaying a personal map, The display control process includes: storing history information, which is a history of user movements and includes two or more pieces of position data, in the storage unit; a step of receiving a first request by the input unit, the first request being a request to share the history information with a server; a step of receiving, by the input unit, a second request for requesting display of a map of a predetermined range including a specified point; when the first request is received, causing the communication unit to transmit the history information to the server; when the second request is received, causing the communication unit to transmit request information to the server, the request information requesting history information including position data of the predetermined range; receiving, from the server, history information including the location data of the predetermined range shared by the server; displaying on the display unit a personal map including road figures drawn using the history information stored in the storage unit and / or the position data included in the history information received from the server, without using map data in which a road network is represented by links and nodes; Programs including.

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