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

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a navigation system that performs navigation (route guidance) toward a predetermined destination has been known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The conventional navigation system searches for a moving route to a predetermined destination, performs route guidance along the moving route, and determines that it is moving through a preset guidance section and has reached a guidance point, and provides navigation information (such as information on turning right or left).

[0003] FIG. 14 is a block diagram shown to explain a conventional navigation system. The conventional navigation system is considered to include, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, an input unit 912 for inputting a destination, a position information acquisition unit 913 for acquiring current position information, a navigation management unit 914 that outputs the destination and the current position to a navigation unit 920 via a communication unit 915 and outputs the navigation information generated by the navigation unit 920 to a display unit 916, and a display unit 916 for displaying a moving route. Note that the navigation management unit 914 has a position information management unit 917.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, conventional navigation systems only provide route guidance, which can lead to users missing tourist attractions other than the entered destination or taking inefficient routes, thus increasing the burden on the user. Therefore, there was a need for a guide information system that provides not only route search but also information on sightseeing courses and guide information.

[0006] Furthermore, while it is conceivable to provide both navigation information and guide information such as sightseeing guides to existing car navigation systems, there is a challenge in that, because it is an integrated system, adding guide information such as sightseeing spots later on is cumbersome.

[0007] Furthermore, there was a need for a guide information system that could not only track travel history but also understand user trends, such as how long users stayed at each tourist spot, and provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, and content, etc.).

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a guide information provision system that can appropriately provide not only route search but also sightseeing course information and guide information, and that makes it easy to add guide information later. Furthermore, it aims to provide a guide information provision program to be used in such a guide information provision system. Moreover, it aims to provide a course generation program for creating such course information and guide information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides a guide information provision system that sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and provides navigation, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, the guide information provision system comprises a location information acquisition unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information provision unit, and a display unit, the location information acquisition unit acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit and the navigation management unit, the navigation management unit has a location information management unit that generates navigation location information based on the current location information, outputs the navigation location information generated by the location information management unit and the navigation destination output from the course information management unit to the navigation unit, and outputs the navigation information output from the navigation unit to the display unit to perform navigation, the navigation unit The navigation information provision unit generates navigation information based on the navigation destination and the navigation location information and outputs it to the navigation management unit. The course information provision unit comprises a course information management unit and a guide information management unit. The course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order. The guide information management unit sets a guide information provision area and has a location determination unit different from the location information management unit of the navigation management unit. When the location determination unit determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The display unit displays the navigation information. At least the location information acquisition unit, the navigation management unit, the display unit, and the course information provision unit are arranged in the same terminal. The range of the guide information provision area is a range that takes into account the error between the location information determined by the location determination unit and the actual location.

[0010] The first guide information provision program of the present invention is a guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to the navigation unit and sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, characterized in that the computer is made to execute a course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, and a guide information management process that sets the guide information provision area and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area.

[0011] The second guide information providing program of the present invention is a guide information providing program as an additional application program to be downloaded and used on a terminal which is a computer having a display unit, characterized in that the terminal is made to function as a guide information providing means for providing predetermined guide information during the guidance, which includes navigation means including location information processing means for identifying the location of the terminal and control means for searching for a route from a starting point or current location to a destination and providing guidance, and other location information processing means different from the location information processing means for identifying the location of the terminal.

[0012] The present invention is a course creation program that creates a course that visits pre-set waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information provision area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, wherein the program causes a computer connected to a display unit to perform a map information display process that causes the display unit to display map information, a destination and waypoint input process that accepts input of the locations of a predetermined destination and a plurality of waypoints, and the order in which the waypoints and destination are visited, based on the map information, a guide information provision area input process that sets the location and range of the guide information provision area that provides guide information based on the map information, and a guide information input process that inputs guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, wherein in the guide information provision area input process, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the location and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the location and range of the region display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the guide information provision program and guide information provision system of the present invention, the course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, the guide information management unit sets a guide information provision area, has a location determination unit different from the location information management unit of the navigation management unit, and when the location determination unit determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, making it possible to provide not only route search but also course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc. Furthermore, since navigation is provided by outputting navigation destinations to the navigation management unit and the navigation unit, it becomes easy to add guide information such as recommended tourist spots later on, while still utilizing the existing navigation system. Furthermore, since the navigation management unit and the navigation unit and course information provision unit operate almost independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, the course information provision unit can control and manage guide information. Therefore, it is easier to understand the user's stay patterns, such as how long they stayed at each tourist spot, and based on this information, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, and content, etc.).

[0014] Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally thought that an integrated program is created that combines navigation processing and guide information provision means, and that navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means. According to the guide information provision program of the present invention, the terminal functions as navigation means including location information processing means that identify the terminal's location, and guide information provision means that includes other location information processing means different from the location information processing means of the navigation means and provides predetermined guide information during the guidance. Therefore, unlike when navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means, for example, a guide information provision unit can be retrofitted using existing navigation to create a simple and convenient guide information provision program.

[0015] According to the course creation program of the present invention, in the input process for the guide information provision area, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the region display unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and it is possible to create a course that makes it easy to add guide information later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the guide information provision system 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2]It is a block diagram showing the terminal 10 and the course information providing unit 100. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 at the start. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the processing of providing navigation during movement. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when located within the guide information providing area. [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram shown to explain the processing of the guide information providing system 1 when deviating from the course. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a state of setting a via point and a destination to create a course. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a state of setting the guide information providing area [Figure 9] It is a diagram shown to explain the size of the guide information providing area. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the degree of indentation in the height direction of the guide information providing area and the size of the guide information providing area. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing the guide information setting area and the screen for setting guide information. [[ID=二十九]] [Figure 12] It is a block diagram showing the guide information providing program (course information providing unit 101) according to the first modification. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing the guide information providing program (course information providing unit 102) according to the second modification. [Figure 14] It is a block diagram shown to explain a conventional navigation system. Note that reference numeral 915 indicates a communication unit.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The guide information provision system, guide information provision program, and course creation program of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the figures. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

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

[0019] In this embodiment, "course" refers to a route that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order. Here, "destination" refers to the end point of the course. For example, if the route goes via multiple tourist spots and returns, the starting point of the course may overlap with the destination (navigation destination). Therefore, the "course" in this embodiment is completely different from routes provided by existing car navigation systems, that is, routes that allow the user to set a destination and reach that destination via the shortest distance, etc.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, "navigation" refers to guiding the user toward a predetermined navigation destination and providing directions, and differs in content from the provision of guide information described later. Navigation is included in existing car navigation systems or navigation information generated by the navigation management unit described later in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the navigation destination is output from the course information provision unit 100 described later.

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

[0022] 2. Overall configuration of the guide information provision system 1 according to the embodiment Figure 1 is a diagram showing the guide information provision system 1. The guide information provision system 1 according to this embodiment comprises a terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10, a navigation unit 20, a backend 30, and a management unit 40, as shown in Figure 1. The guide information provision system according to this embodiment sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and performs navigation, and when the vehicle is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area.

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

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

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

[0026] Furthermore, guide information can include not only audio information from tourist guides, but also information on shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. In addition to audio information, videos and images can also be included. When using information on shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. as guide information, it is possible to obtain information such as the number of times the guide information was played and the number of times the guide information area was passed through, and this information can be used, for example, to set advertising fees based on these numbers.

[0027] The management unit 40 manages the entire guide information provision system. For example, it can create courses, guide information provision areas and guide information, register vehicle information, and display the real-time location of vehicles. It can also respond to problems that occur through communication with terminals.

[0028] 3. Configuration of the terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10 Next, the configuration of the terminal (in-vehicle terminal) 10 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the terminal 10 and the course information provision unit 100. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal 10 has an input unit 12, a location information acquisition unit 13, a navigation management unit 14, a communication unit 15, a course information provision unit 100, and a display unit 16. If the terminal 10 is a smartphone, the input unit 12 and the display unit 16 are integrated, and input is performed by tapping the displayed screen. In addition, the location information acquisition unit 13, the navigation management unit 14, and the course information provision unit 100 (course information management unit 110 and guide information management unit 120) are implemented by having a computer terminal execute a program, but they may also be implemented using logic circuits, etc.

[0029] The input unit 12 accepts course selection input from the user. Specifically, it displays one or more course selection screens on the display unit 16 (display screen), and accepts course selection input when the user taps the desired course. Information of the selected course is output to the course information provision unit 100. Alternatively, course selection may be made by pressing a separately provided button. In this embodiment, the service provider provides a course set in advance, but for example, the display unit 16 may display the desired destination (waypoint), and the user may tap to select it to set a course that goes around the desired destination. Alternatively, when providing a course, waypoints may be displayed, and the user may tap to select to skip a predetermined waypoint, and the course that skips the waypoint may be selected.

[0030] The location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit 100 and the navigation management unit 14. The location information acquisition unit 13 can use, for example, the GPS (Global Positioning System) function built into a mobile phone or smartphone. The location information can be longitude and latitude coordinates.

[0031] The navigation management unit 14 has a location information management unit 17 that generates navigation location information based on the current location information. The navigation location information generated by the location information management unit 17, and the navigation destination output from the course information management unit 110 (described later), are output to the navigation unit 20 via the communication unit 15. Navigation information output from the navigation unit 20 is output to output units (not shown), such as the display unit 16 and speakers, to perform navigation. Navigation information includes information such as route search and route guidance to the navigation destination. The navigation system is composed of the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20.

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

[0033] The communication unit 15 communicates with the terminal 10, the navigation unit 20, and the backend 30. The communication unit 15 can use telephone lines, wireless lines, or other lines as appropriate.

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

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

[0036] In other words, the guide information provision program is an additional application program downloaded and used on a terminal 10, which is a computer having a display unit 16. The terminal (computer) may be made to execute the guide information provision program, which includes navigation means that includes location information processing means for identifying the location of the terminal 10, and control means for searching for a route from the starting point or current location to the destination and providing guidance, as well as other location information processing means different from the location information processing means of the navigation means, and which functions as guide information provision means for providing predetermined guide information during guidance.

[0037] Furthermore, in the guide information provision program, each means may cause the terminal to function as follows: That is, when the guide information provision means determines, by other location information processing means (corresponding to the location determination unit), that the terminal is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area (causes the terminal to function to provide it). Also, when the terminal is determined to be located within a pre-set guide information provision area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. Furthermore, the guide information provision area is pre-set to the minimum size in which the location information means (corresponding to the location information management unit) of the navigation means can always determine the location of the terminal. Furthermore, the location of the terminal determined by the location information means (corresponding to the location information management unit) of the navigation means is displayed on the display unit 16 together with the map. Furthermore, the guide information provision means does not refer to map information. Furthermore, the control means in the navigation means includes a re-search means that, when the location information means determines that the terminal has deviated from the route from the initially set starting point or current location to the destination, re-searches and guides the terminal to the destination from the identified location of the terminal, and a selection screen is displayed on the display unit 16 for the user to choose whether or not to follow the route guided by the re-search means.

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

[0039] The course information management unit 110 outputs course information to the guide information management unit 120. The course information management unit 110 also outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations as navigation destinations to the navigation management unit 14 in a predetermined order. The waypoints and destinations of the course are assigned numbers in advance, and the one with the lowest number is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the first navigation destination. When it is detected that the user has arrived at a navigation destination, the next numbered waypoint (destination) after the number of the waypoint set as the navigation destination is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. When it is detected that the user has arrived at the destination, the guide information provision system is terminated.

[0040] Specifically, when a course like the one shown in Figure 7 is set, the navigation information system 1 outputs waypoint A1 as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 when it is started. Then, when the current navigation destination (waypoint A1) is reached, the next waypoint A2 is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. This is repeated until destination A11 is reached, at which point the guide information system is terminated.

[0041] Furthermore, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course, it displays a screen prompting the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. Specifically, it displays a screen prompting the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. The selection screen can display buttons to continue navigation to the "current navigation destination" and buttons to skip, or it can display only buttons to continue or cancel, and automatically cancel or continue after a certain period of time has elapsed. In addition to displaying the selection screen on the display unit 16, the user may also be prompted to make a choice by voice information or other appropriate means.

[0042] Furthermore, the method for detecting that the current location is off the course may be to perform a route recalculation by the navigation unit 20, or the course information management unit 110 may manage the course information and detect whether or not the location has deviated from the course.

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

[0044] The position determination unit 121 determines whether the current position information (e.g., latitude and longitude) is included in the guide information provision area. If the current position information is included in the guide information provision area, the guide information output unit 122 is activated. The position determination unit 121 may also control a program built into the terminal to determine the geofence, and then execute the guide information output unit 122 based on the result.

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

[0046] The "guide information provision area" is an area with a predetermined range, and when it is detected that the current location is within the guide information provision area, it outputs guide information corresponding to that area. The guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course with a predetermined order and guide information provision areas outside the course with no predetermined order. The guide information provision areas within the course have a predetermined order, and triggers can be set to not provide guide information unless a predetermined condition is met, for example, after passing through the guide information provision areas in the predetermined order. In addition, by setting an outside-course guide information provision area, for example, even if a destination cannot be reached by a mobile device and must be reached on foot, if the user carries a terminal and reaches the guide information provision area on foot, guide information can be provided.

[0047] The range of the guide information provision area is determined by considering at least one of the following: the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position, the time for providing the corresponding guide information, and the actual height environment within that area. In particular, the range of the guide information provision area is set to minimize the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position. The size of the guide information provision area will be described later. Furthermore, the size of the guide information provision area is determined considering the actual height environment within that area.

[0048] 4. Operation of the guide information provision system 1 according to the embodiment Next, the operation of the guide information provision system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, except when the user deviates from the course, the course (waypoints, destination, and guide information provision area) shown in Figures 7 and 8, which will be described later, will be used as an example. The example course, as shown in Figure 7, is set to visit waypoints A1 to A10 and destination A11 in that order, and as shown in Figure 8, guide information provision areas G1 to G7 are set. Note that A0 in Figure 7 indicates the current location at the start. The guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6 within the course, which have a predetermined order, and guide information provision area G7 outside the course, which has no predetermined order.

[0049] In the example provided, the guide information area is a circle centered on a predetermined point, but it may also be a section along the road, or any other shape that allows for the definition of an area.

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

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

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

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

[0054] (2) When moving Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 during movement. The guide information provision system 1 according to this embodiment performs the following processing during movement.

[0055] (2-1) Normal time While in motion, the location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit 100 and the navigation management unit 14 (see step S21 in Figure 4). If the current location is not the navigation destination and the vehicle is not off course (see "NO" in steps S23 and S25 in Figure 4), the navigation unit 20 generates navigation information and outputs it via the display unit 16 (see step S28 in Figure 4).

[0056] (2-2) When you reach your navigation destination The location information acquisition unit 13 acquires the current location information (see step S21 in Figure 4), determines whether the current location information has arrived at the navigation destination (see step S23 in Figure 4), and if it detects that the navigation destination has been arrived (see "YES" in step S23), the course information management unit 110 outputs the next waypoint or destination after the waypoint to the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 (see step S24 in Figure 4).

[0057] For example, if waypoint A2 in Figures 7 and 8 is set as the navigation destination, and the current location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 13 is the location of waypoint A2, the navigation unit 20 completes the navigation to the navigation destination (waypoint A2), and the course information management unit 110 outputs waypoint A3, which is the next waypoint after waypoint A2 of the reached navigation destination, to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination (navigation destination update; see step S24 in Figure 4). The navigation management unit 14 outputs waypoint A3 as the navigation destination to the navigation unit 20, and the navigation unit 20 generates navigation information with waypoint A3 as the navigation destination and provides the navigation information to the user (see step S28 in Figure 4). If the navigation destination was destination A11, and the navigation destination is reached, the provision of guide information and navigation will end.

[0058] (2-3) When you go off course To simplify the explanation, Figures 4 and 6 will be used to describe what happens when the user deviates from the course. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing of the guide information system 1 when the user deviates from the course. Here, we assume a scenario where the user was moving towards waypoint A2 as the navigation destination but deviated from the course.

[0059] If the navigation destination has not been reached (see "NO" in step S23 of Figure 4), the system determines whether the current location is off the course (see step S25 of Figure 4). If the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course (see "YES" in step S25), the display unit 16 displays a screen allowing the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2), and the user selects a course (see step S26 of Figure 4).

[0060] Then, when the user chooses to skip the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) (see "YES" in step S26 of Figure 4), navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is stopped, and the next waypoint (waypoint A3) corresponding to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2) is output to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination (see the dashed line in Figure 6 and step S27 of Figure 4), and navigation to waypoint A3 is started.

[0061] If you choose not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination (waypoint A2), navigation to waypoint A2 will continue (a route recalculation will be performed and navigation to waypoint A2 will be carried out) (see "NO" in step S26 of Figure 4).

[0062] (2-4) When the current location is within the guide information provision area The case where the current location is within the guide information provision area will be explained using Figures 5 and 8. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the guide information provision system 1 when the location is within the guide information provision area.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8, the example course has guide information provision areas G1 to G7, but guide information provision areas G5 and G6 are triggered by guide information provision area G4 (see Figure 11 for guide information provision area G6). Therefore, even if you pass through guide information provision area G6 when moving along the course from waypoint A4 to waypoint A5, guide information will not be provided even if your current position is within the area of ​​guide information provision area G6, because guide information from guide information provision area G4 is not provided.

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

[0065] This will be explained in detail using Figure 5. The current position is obtained (see step S21 in Figure 5), it is determined whether the current position is within the guide information provision area G6 (see step S29 in Figure 5), and if it is detected that the current position is within the guide information provision area G6, it is determined whether the trigger number set for that guide information provision area G6, i.e., whether the in-course guide information provision area G4 has been passed (see step S30 in Figure 5).

[0066] If the guide information provision area G4 has been passed (if the trigger number has been cleared, see "YES" in step S30 of Figure 5), guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area G6 is provided (see step S35 of Figure 4). At this time, if navigation is being performed (see steps S31 and S32 of Figure 4) or if other guide information is being provided (see steps S33 and S34 of Figure 4), navigation and other guide information are stopped, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area G6 is provided.

[0067] If the guide information provision area G4 has not yet been passed (if the guide information provision corresponding to the trigger number has not been passed, see "NO" in step S30 of Figure 5), the process returns to step S21 to acquire the current location information again.

[0068] Furthermore, the system will remember that guide information has been provided in guide information provision area G6, and if this has triggered another guide information provision area, it will make the system capable of providing guide information in that area.

[0069] 5. About the course creation program according to the embodiment The course creation program according to this embodiment is a program that creates a course that visits pre-set waypoints and destinations in a predetermined order, a guide information provision area that provides guide information, and guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. Figure 7 shows how to create a course by setting waypoints and destinations. Figure 8 shows how to set the guide information provision area. Figure 8(a) shows how to set the guide information provision area on map information M1, and Figure 8(b) shows the state of the guide information provision area when the map information is reduced (map information M1').

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

[0071] Next, as shown in Figure 8(a), a guide information provision area input process is executed to set the position and range of guide information provision areas G1 to G7, which provide guide information, based on the map information M1. Specifically, a region display area indicating the guide information provision area is created on the map information (map) displayed on the display unit. The region display area is a circle that indicates the guide information provision area, which is not yet determined, and can be moved by dragging and its size can be changed by clicking. The guide information provision area can be set by changing and confirming the position and range of this region display area. The position and size of the guide information provision area after setting can also be changed by dragging and clicking.

[0072] The range (size) of the guide information provision area may be represented by the smallest possible circle that takes into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit 121 and the actual position. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the size of the guide information provision area. Figure 9(a) shows the position of the moving body 11 and the guide information provision area when positional deviation is small, and Figure 9(b) shows the position of the moving body 11 and the guide information provision area when positional deviation is likely to occur.

[0073] The location information detected by the location information detection unit (GPS), or the location information determined by the location determination unit 121, is affected by the local environment and the accuracy of the GPS. Therefore, as shown by the solid line moving object 11 in Figure 9(a), the current location is displayed without any discrepancy from the actual location (on the road), but as shown by the dashed line moving object 11 in Figure 9(b), the moving object may be determined to be in a location that is different from its actual location (on the road). For example, in the case of Figure 9(b), if the guide information provision area is set to only be on the road, the discrepancy in location determination may cause the system to determine that the object is outside the guide information provision area, and guide information may not be provided.

[0074] In the guide information provision system according to this embodiment, the guide information provision area is represented by the smallest possible circle that takes into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit and the actual position. In places where position determination errors are unlikely to occur, the guide information provision area may be narrowed as shown in Figure 9(a), and in places where position determination errors are likely to occur, the guide information provision area is widened as shown in Figure 9(b). This prevents the failure to provide guide information due to the accuracy of GPS or the accuracy of the position determination unit.

[0075] Since differences in the environment in the height direction are considered to be the cause of positional detection errors, the range of the guide information provision area may be set to a size that takes into account the actual environment in the height direction within that area. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the density of the guide information provision area in the height direction and the size of the guide information provision area. Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing the environment when there are obstacles in the height direction, Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing the size of the guide information provision area when there are obstacles in the height direction, Figure 10(c) is a schematic diagram showing the environment when there are no (or few) obstacles in the height direction, and Figure 10(d) is a diagram showing the size of the guide information provision area when there are no (or few) obstacles in the height direction.

[0076] As shown in Figure 10(a), when there is dense foliage in the vertical direction, when there is a towering wall, or when there is a valley, the sensitivity of the GPS used for position determination decreases, which may cause positional errors. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(b), the range of the guide information provision area is made relatively wide.

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

[0078] Furthermore, the size of the guide information provision area may be determined considering the time required to provide the corresponding guide information. Specifically, the guide information provision area may be set so that the provision of guide information is completed within the guide information provision area, taking into account the expected movement speed of the moving object and the time required to provide the guide information.

[0079] The guide information provision area includes in-course guide information provision areas G1 to G6, which are set on the course and have a predetermined order, and off-course guide information provision area G7, which does not have a predetermined order. Note that off-course guide information provision areas without a predetermined order may also be set on the course.

[0080] Furthermore, the course creation program instructs the computer to change the scale of the area display unit indicating the guide information provision area, which is set in the guide information provision area input process, in response to the change in the map information scale during the map information display process. Specifically, after setting waypoints, destinations, and guide information provision areas at the scale shown in Figure 8(a), if the map information scale is reduced (see symbol M1') to display a wider area, the circle indicating the guide information provision area will also shrink by the same scale (see Figure 8(b)).

[0081] Figure 11 shows the guide information setting area and the screen for setting guide information. Next, the guide information input process is executed to input guide information corresponding to the guide information provision areas G1 to G7 (see Figure 11). The information to be input includes the number (order) of the guide information provision area, the title of the guide area, guide information (audio, video, etc.), trigger conditions, etc. At this time, the trigger corresponding to the guide information provision area is also input. As for the guide information, it is preferable to set the output time so that it is included within the range of the guide information provision area, taking into account the size of the guide information provision area and the movement speed of the moving object.

[0082] Subsequently, the triggers, order, and waypoint order of the guide information provision area are adjusted and registered as a single course. In this way, a course can be created. The created course can be accessed from terminal 10 via backend 30, allowing terminal 10 to be provided with the necessary information about the course and enabling the guide information provision system to run.

[0083] Furthermore, once you have set up the guide information provision area, guide information, and course information, you can reuse it when creating another course. Also, the order in which you create the guide information provision area, guide information, and course information is arbitrary.

[0084] 6. Effects of the Guide Information Provision System 1 According to the Embodiment According to the guide information provision system 1 and guide information provision program of the embodiment, the course information management unit 110 outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit 14 as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, and the guide information management unit 120 sets a guide information provision area and has a location determination unit 121 different from the location information management unit 17 of the navigation management unit 14. When the location determination unit 121 determines that the current location is within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, making it possible to provide not only route search but also course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc. Furthermore, since navigation is provided by outputting the navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 and the navigation unit 20, it becomes easy to add guide information such as recommended tourist spots later on, while still utilizing the existing navigation system. Furthermore, since the navigation management unit 14, the navigation unit 20, and the course information provision unit 100 operate almost independently except for the exchange of navigation destinations, the course information provision unit 100 can control and manage guide information. Therefore, it is easier to grasp the user's stay patterns, such as how long they stayed at each tourist spot, and based on this information, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate courses and guide information (location, range, and content, etc.).

[0085] Incidentally, when providing guide information such as tourist information, it is generally thought that an integrated program is created that combines navigation processing and guide information provision means, and that navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means. According to the guide information provision program of the embodiment, the terminal is made to function as a guide information provision means to provide predetermined guide information during the guidance, which includes navigation means that includes location information processing means that identifies the location of the terminal, and other location information processing means different from the location information processing means of the navigation means. Unlike the case in which navigation processing and guide information provision processing are executed using information from a single location information processing means, a simple and convenient guide information provision program can be created, for example, by retrofitting a guide information provision unit using an existing navigation system.

[0086] According to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, when it detects that the navigation destination has been reached, the course information management unit 110 outputs to the navigation management unit 14 the next waypoint or destination after the waypoint of the reached navigation destination as the navigation destination, so that the set waypoints and destinations can be visited in a predetermined order and a course can be set.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, when the course information management unit 110 detects that the current location is off the course, it displays a screen on the display unit 16 allowing the user to choose whether or not to cancel navigation to the current navigation destination. If the user chooses to cancel navigation, it cancels navigation to the current navigation destination and outputs the next waypoint or destination corresponding to the current navigation destination to the navigation management unit 14 as the navigation destination. This allows the system to flexibly follow the course according to the user's wishes even when the moving object deviates from the course.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of this embodiment, the guide information provision area includes a guide information provision area within a course with a predetermined order and a guide information provision area outside of the course with no predetermined order. Therefore, it is possible to provide guides such as tourist guides and shop introductions not only when following a predetermined course, but also when users deviate from the course, thereby providing courses and guide information that result in high user satisfaction.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the guide information provision system 1 of the embodiment, when the guide information management unit 120 determines that the current position is within the guide information area, it does not provide guide information until after passing through the guide information provision areas within the course in a predetermined order. For example, in the case of a course that goes back and forth to a predetermined point, guide information can be provided on the return trip instead of the outward trip, and guide information can be provided in the desired situation.

[0090] According to the course creation program of this embodiment, in the guide information provision area input process, a region display unit indicating the guide information provision area is displayed on the displayed map, and the position and size of the guide information provision area can be changed by changing the position and range of the region display unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide course information and guide information for sightseeing, etc., and it is possible to create a course that makes it easy to add guide information later.

[0091] Furthermore, according to the course creation program of the embodiment, in the map information display process, the scale of the area display unit indicating the guide information provision area set in the guide information provision area input process is also changed in accordance with the change in the scale of the map information. Therefore, the guide information provision area can be set in accordance with the scale of the database or other data that provides the map information.

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

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

[0094] (2) In the above embodiments, the invention was applied to an automobile as the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be used for bicycles, motorcycles and other suitable vehicles, and the vehicle can also be the human body, i.e., while walking.

[0095] (3) In the above embodiment, a program that causes the course information management unit 110 and the guide information management unit 120 to execute processing was applied as the guide information provision program, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A program that causes the navigation management unit 14, the course information management unit 110 and the guide information management unit 120 to execute processing (see Figure 12. Guide information provision program according to Modification 1 (course information provision unit 101)) may be applied as the guide information provision program, or a program that causes the navigation management unit 14, the navigation unit 20, the course information management unit 110 and the guide information management unit 120 to execute processing (see Figure 13. Guide information provision program according to Modification 2 (course information provision unit 102)) may be applied as the guide information provision program. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1...Guide information provision system, 10...Terminal, 11...Mobile unit, 12...Input unit, 13...Location information acquisition unit, 14...Navigation management unit, 15...Communication unit, 16...Display unit, 17...Location information management unit, 20...Navigation unit, 30...Backend, 40...Management unit, 100,101,102...Course information provision unit, 110...Course information management unit, 120...Guide information management unit, 121...Location determination unit, 122...Guide information output unit, A1~A11...Waypoints, G1~G7...Guide information provision area, M1...Map information

Claims

1. A guide information provision system that sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order and provides navigation, and when the user is located within a pre-defined guide information provision area, provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area, The aforementioned guide information provision system includes a location information acquisition unit, a navigation management unit, a navigation unit, a course information provision unit, and a display unit. The location information acquisition unit acquires the current location information and outputs it to the course information provision unit and the navigation management unit. The navigation management unit has a location information management unit that generates navigation location information based on the current location information, outputs the navigation location information generated by the location information management unit and the navigation destination output from the course information provision unit to the navigation unit, and outputs the navigation information output from the navigation unit to the display unit to perform navigation. The navigation unit generates navigation information based on the navigation destination and the navigation location information, and outputs it to the navigation management unit. The aforementioned course information provision unit comprises a course information management unit and a guide information management unit. The course information management unit outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation management unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order. The guide information management unit sets the guide information provision area, has a position determination unit different from the position information management unit of the navigation management unit, and when the position determination unit determines that the current position is located within the guide information area, it provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The display unit displays the navigation information, At least the location information acquisition unit, the navigation management unit, the display unit, and the course information provision unit are located in the same terminal. The range of the guide information provision area is a range that takes into account the error between the position information determined by the position determination unit and the actual position. The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined. The guide information provision system is characterized in that, when the guide information management unit determines that the current location is within the guide information provision area within the course, it will not provide guide information until the guide information provision area within the course has passed through in a predetermined order.

2. When it is detected that the destination has been reached, The guide information provision system according to claim 1, characterized in that the course information management unit outputs to the navigation management unit the next waypoint or destination following the waypoint of the arrived navigation destination as the navigation destination.

3. When it is detected that the current location is outside the course, the user is prompted to choose whether or not to cancel the navigation to the current navigation destination. The guide information provision system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the user chooses to cancel the navigation, the navigation to the current navigation destination is canceled, and the next waypoint or destination corresponding to the current navigation destination is output to the navigation management unit as the navigation destination.

4. A guide information provision program that outputs a navigation destination to the navigation unit and sets a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the vehicle is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, On the computer, A course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation unit as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, The system sets the guide information provision area, and when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area, it executes a guide information management process that provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined. The guide information management process is a guide information provision program characterized in that, when it is determined that the current location is within the course guide information provision area, it does not provide guide information until after passing through a predetermined sequence of course guide information provision areas.

5. A guide information provision program that is downloaded to and used on a terminal having a display unit, outputs a navigation destination to a navigation means to set a course that visits a predetermined destination and waypoints in a predetermined order, and provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area when the user is located within a pre-set guide information provision area, The aforementioned terminal, Navigation means including location information processing means for processing the location information of the terminal, and control means for searching for and guiding a route from the starting point or current location to the destination, The navigation means includes other location information processing means different from the location information processing means, and functions as a guide information providing means to provide predetermined guide information during the guidance process. A course information management process that outputs pre-set waypoints and destinations to the navigation means as navigation destinations in a predetermined order, The system sets the guide information provision area, and when it is determined that the current location is within the guide information area, it executes a guide information management process that provides guide information corresponding to the guide information provision area. The aforementioned guide information provision area includes guide information provision areas within a course whose order is predetermined. The guide information management process is a guide information provision program characterized in that, when it is determined that the current location is within the course guide information provision area, it does not provide guide information until after passing through a predetermined sequence of course guide information provision areas.

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