JP2013152500A - Navigation system, information processing apparatus, information processing server, navigation method and navigation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present point information having a high possibility that a user wants as a superior candidate.SOLUTION: A navigation system 100 includes: a first storage section 20 which is a database storing point information; a second storage section 30 which is a database capable of outputting the number of results matching an inputted search term as a search result; an input section 10 for inputting a point name according to an instruction from a user; a first search section 41 which acquires the point information matching the inputted point name by searching the first storage section 20, and acquires a list of the acquired search results as a first search result; a second search section 42 which searches the second storage section 30 by using each point information included in the first search result as the search term, and acquires each number of results matching each piece of point information as a second search result; a sort section 43 which creates a presenting list made by sorting the point information included in the first search result, in a descending order of the number of results matching in the second search result; and an output section 50 which displays the presenting list.

Description

  The present invention relates to navigation technology for performing route guidance to a destination point, and more particularly to a display order for displaying a search result in searching for a destination point.

  In recent years, navigation devices have been actively used to guide vehicles and people to destination points. In the destination search of the navigation device, spot information corresponding to a search word (for example, the name of a spot such as a facility) input by the user is displayed as a list of candidate destination points, and the user can select a desired destination from the list display. The destination is selected.

  Regarding the destination search of such a navigation device, for example, in Patent Document 1, the input registration point reading is converted into a predetermined character string, and the registered point of the name including the converted character string is stored in a database. A navigation device that searches from a stored registration point and displays the searched registration point in a list on a display unit is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a display control device that compares the number of characters in an input character string with the number of characters in the name of the retrieved data and displays the name of the data in the order in which the number of characters matches in the search result list. It is disclosed.

JP-A-10-111141 JP 2000-257417 A

  Unlike a search using an information processing terminal such as a PC, a navigation device destination search has many elements that are subject to restrictions such as the communication environment, device performance, and search keys, so that a user can be presented with a desired point with fewer operations. Is essential.

  In this regard, in Patent Document 1, since the search results are displayed in the reading order of 50 sounds, there is a problem that the search results that completely match the input character string are not displayed at the top of the list.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a search result that completely matches the input character string is displayed at the top, but the input character string is a part of the desired destination name, and many search results are displayed. In such a case, there is a problem that the destination name desired by the user is not always displayed at the top.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an example of the problem is to provide a search and display technique that can present point information that is highly likely to be desired by a user as a high-order candidate.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 stores a first storage means that is a database storing point information, information including at least the point information, and the point information. Second storage means that is a database that can output the number of records corresponding to the search results, input means for inputting a spot name in accordance with an instruction from the user, and spot information corresponding to the spot name input by the input means. , Corresponding to the first search result acquisition means obtained from the first storage means and the list of the obtained search results as the first search result, and each piece of point information included in the first search result Second search result acquisition means for acquiring the number of each case as a second search result from the second storage means, and point information included in the first search result are included in the second search result. A list creation means for creating a presentation list arranged in number of descending order that a navigation system, characterized in that it comprises display means for displaying a list for presentation created, a by said list creating means.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus in a navigation system including an information processing apparatus and an information processing server that can communicate with the information processing apparatus. A first storage means which is a database storing information, and a second database which stores information including at least the spot information and can output the number of cases corresponding to the spot information as a search result Storage means, and the information processing apparatus receives from the first storage means input means for inputting a spot name according to an instruction from a user, and spot information corresponding to the spot name input by the input means. A first search result acquisition means that acquires the first search result as a list of the acquired search results, and each point included in the first search result Second search result acquisition means for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the information as the second search result from the second storage means, and the point information included in the first search result, A list creation unit that creates a list arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the search result as a presentation list, and a display unit that displays the presentation list created by the list creation unit.

  The invention according to claim 5 includes an information processing apparatus that inputs a search term according to a user instruction and displays the search processing result, and an information processing server that can communicate with the information processing apparatus. The information processing server in a navigation system, wherein the navigation system stores first storage means that is a database storing point information, and information including at least the point information, and the point information A second storage unit that is a database capable of outputting the number of records corresponding to the search result as a search result, wherein the information processing server receives a spot name transmitted from the information processing device, and the reception unit The point information corresponding to the point name received by the above is acquired from the first storage means, and the list of the acquired search results is the first search. A first search result acquisition means that obtains the result, and a second search result that is obtained from the second storage means as a second search result, corresponding to the number of pieces of location information included in the first search result. Search result acquisition means, list creation means for creating a list in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result, and the list creation means Transmitting means for transmitting the presentation list created in step (1) to the information processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 8 stores the first storage means that is a database storing point information and information including at least the point information, and searches for the number of cases corresponding to the point information. A navigation method in a navigation system comprising a second storage means that is a database that can be output as a result, an input step for inputting a spot name in accordance with an instruction from a user, and a spot name input by the input step Is acquired from the first storage means, a first search result acquisition step using the acquired search result list as the first search result, and each included in the first search result A second search result acquisition step of acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a second search result from the second storage means; A list creation step for creating a presentation list in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result, and a presentation list created by the list creation step are displayed. And a display step.

  The invention according to claim 9 stores the first storage means, which is a database storing point information, and information including at least the point information, and retrieves the number of cases corresponding to the point information. A navigation program in a navigation system comprising a second storage means that is a database that can be output as a result, an input step for inputting a point name in accordance with an instruction from a user, and a point name input by the input step Is acquired from the first storage means, a first search result acquisition step using the acquired search result list as the first search result, and each included in the first search result The second search result acquisition step for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the point information as the second search result from the second storage means. A list creation step of creating a presentation list in which the location information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result, and the presentation list created by the list creation step And a display step of displaying the information.

It is a functional block diagram of the high-order conceptual navigation system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the search process of the navigation system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for specifically explaining a first search process, a second search process, and a sort process shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for specifically explaining a modification of the first search process, the second search process, and the sort process shown in FIG. 2. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the search process of the navigation system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the navigation system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the navigation apparatus which is an example of the information processing terminal which comprises the navigation system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the search process of the navigation system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the navigation system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Conceptual diagram of navigation system>
FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a superordinate navigation system 100 according to the present invention. The navigation system 100 is a navigation system that performs route guidance to a destination point, and receives point information (information including at least a point name of a facility, etc.) corresponding to a search word (for example, a point name of the facility, etc.) input by the user. It has a function to display a list of destination point candidates. The navigation system 100 can communicate with, for example, a navigation device that can be mounted on a vehicle or carried by a user, an information processing device such as a PND (Portable Navigation Device), a mobile phone, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and the information processing device. It consists of a server device such as an information processing server.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the navigation system 100 includes an input unit 10, a first storage unit 20, a second storage unit 30, a control unit 40, and an output unit 50.

  The input unit 10 is a device for inputting a search word (a keyword such as a site name such as a facility. The keyword includes a part or all of a user-desired site name) under a user operation. . Specifically, the information processing apparatus includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like. The user sets a destination point via the input unit 10.

  The first storage unit 20 is a database that stores point information of facilities and the like. More specifically, map data, road data, point data of facilities, etc., navigation data necessary for route search, route guidance The display / sound guidance data necessary for the storage is stored. Specifically, the first storage unit 20 is configured by an information processing device or an auxiliary storage device (such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk) of an information processing server.

  The second storage unit 30 stores at least point information such as facilities stored in the first storage unit 20, and is a database and search engine that can output the number of hits that match the input search word. is there. For example, a database and a search engine for web search on the Internet represented by Google (registered trademark) and the like can be mentioned. Specifically, the second storage unit 30 is configured by an information processing apparatus or an auxiliary storage device (magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) of the information processing server.

  The control unit 40 is a device that controls the entire system, and is a device that searches for spot information corresponding to the input search word and controls the display order of the spot information that matches the search word. More specifically, the control unit 40 includes a first search unit 41 that executes a first search process based on the search term input by the input unit 10 and the spot information stored in the first storage unit 20. The second search unit 42 that executes the second search process based on the respective point information and the second storage unit 30 included in the result of the first search process, and the first based on the result of the second search process A sort unit 43 that executes a sort process for rearranging the search process results.

  Here, the first search process refers to a search process for searching for point information that matches the search word from the first storage unit 20 using the input search word. At this time, the search result is output based on the order of predetermined display order logic (for example, the display order logic described in Patent Document 1 or 2 described in the background art). That is, the first search process is a search process using a search technique of an existing navigation system.

  Further, the second search process is to search the second storage unit 30 using each piece of point information obtained by the first search process as a search word, and match each piece of point information (preferably complete match). A search process that obtains the number of hits to be performed. That is, the second search process is a process for acquiring the number of hits of the web page in the web search for each piece of point information obtained by the first search process. It can be said that it is a barometer that shows the trend and popularity of.

  The sort process is a process of rearranging each piece of point information included in the result of the first search process in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process. In other words, the sort process is a process for sorting the result list of the first search process in descending order of the number of hits of the web page in the web search. It can also be said to be a process of rearranging the spot information in the order in which it goes. As a result of the sorting process, the obtained presentation list is output to the user via the output unit 50.

  Specifically, the control unit 40 includes a central processing unit (CPU) having a calculation function and a control function of the information processing apparatus or information processing server, a ROM having a function of storing programs and data, a RAM, and the like. This is realized by a main memory (memory). A program for executing various processes (for example, the first search process, the second search process, and the sort process described above) in the navigation system 100 is stored in the main storage device described above, a hard disk, a flexible disk, It can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, MO, DVD-ROM, or distributed via a communication network.

  The output unit 50 is a device for outputting search results searched by the control unit 40. Specifically, the information processing apparatus includes a display device that displays characters and images to the user, such as a liquid crystal display. In the present embodiment, the user can obtain a presentation list having a high possibility that a desired destination point is displayed at the top via the output unit 50. This is because the presentation list is obtained by rearranging a plurality of pieces of point information that match the search term input by the user in the descending order of the number of hits in the web search. This is because the navigation system 100 regards the spot information that everyone wants as the spot information that the user wants.

  Next, the search operation of the navigation system 100 will be described using FIG. 2 and FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of search processing executed by the control unit 40 of the navigation system 100, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for specifically explaining the first search processing, the second search processing, and the sort processing. .

  When a search word is input via the input unit 10 according to an instruction from the user (step S10), the control unit 40 first executes a first search process (step S20). In the first search process, a search process for searching for relevant point information from the first storage unit 20 is executed using the input search word. For example, when “Disney” is input as a search word, the display order and search results shown in FIG. Note that the display order shown in FIG. 3A is based on an existing predetermined display order logic.

  Next, the control unit 40 executes a second search process (step S30). In the second search process, the search result obtained by the first search process is used as a search word, the second storage unit 30 is searched, and a search process for obtaining the number of hits matching each search word is executed. . For example, when each of the search results shown in FIG. 3A is used as a search word, the number of hits (the number of exact matches) shown in FIG. 3B is obtained as the search result.

  Next, the control part 40 performs a sort process (step S40). In the sort process, the search results obtained by the first search process are sorted in descending order of the number of hits obtained by the second search process. For example, when the search results of FIGS. 3A and 3B are obtained by the first search process and the second search process, they are rearranged in the order shown in FIG.

  Finally, the control unit 40 displays the search result via the output unit 50 (step S50). Specifically, the presentation list according to the display order obtained by the sorting process is output to the output unit 50. For example, when “Disney” (registered trademark) is input as a search term, “Tokyo Disneyland” (registered trademark) and “Tokyo DisneySea” (registered trademark) are searched as shown in FIG. As a top candidate.

  As described above, in the navigation system 100, first, using the search term input by the user, the first search process for searching for the point information matching the search term from the first storage unit 20 is executed, and then The second storage unit 30 is searched using each piece of point information obtained by the first search process as a search word, and the second search process is performed to obtain the number of hits that match each piece of point information. In addition, a sorting process for rearranging each point information included in the result of the first search process in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process is performed, and the presentation obtained by this sort process is performed. Since the user list is presented to the user, it is possible to present the point information that the user is likely to desire as a high-order candidate.

  In addition, in the case of a point name where a plurality of search terms (names of destination points) input by the user exist, the number of hits obtained in the second search process will be the same. For this reason, display order superiority or inferiority cannot be assigned to such search terms in the sorting process. Therefore, in consideration of such a case, not only the point name but also an address (for example, a prefecture name), a genre (facility genre), and the like may be added as search terms in the second search process. The address (for example, the prefecture name) and the genre (facility genre) are data held in the first storage unit 20 and are obtained as a result of the first search process together with the point name.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining the first search process, the second search process, and the sort process when a prefecture name is added to the search term of the second search process in addition to the location name. FIG. 4 shows a case where “Kasumigaseki” is input as a search term via the input unit 10, and the spot name “Kasumigaseki” includes Kasumigaseki in Tokyo and Kasumigaseki in Saitama Prefecture. Exists.

  First, in the first search process, when “Kasugagaseki” is input as a search term, the display order and search results shown in FIG. 4A are obtained. Note that the display order shown in FIG. 4A is based on an existing predetermined display order logic.

  Next, in the second search process, when the search result (point name and prefecture name) shown in FIG. 4A is used as a search word, the number of hits shown in FIG. 4B is obtained as the search result. . That is, even if there are a plurality of spot names “Kasumigaseki Station”, the number of hits for each spot can be obtained.

  Next, when the search results of FIGS. 4A and 4B are obtained by the first search process and the second search process, the sort process is performed in the order shown in FIG. 4C. It is done.

  As described above, in the modified example of the navigation system 100, in consideration of the case where there are a plurality of the same spot names, in addition to the spot names, attribute information (address, genre, current location, travel route, etc.) related to the spot names. Information) is added and the second search process is executed, so that the display order of the list for presentation can be given superiority or inferiority, and the point information that the user is likely to desire can be presented as an upper candidate.

  The system configuration of the navigation system 100 can have various forms depending on whether the information processing apparatus or the information processing server is responsible for each function of the navigation system 100 described above. Hereinafter, each form is demonstrated. Note that parts having the same functions as the parts of the navigation system 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the navigation system 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 101 includes an information processing terminal 1, an information processing server 2, a search server 3, and a communication network 4 that enables the above devices to communicate with each other. In the navigation system 101 according to the first embodiment, the functions of the input unit 10 and the output unit 50 of the navigation system 100 are handled by the information processing terminal 1, and the first storage unit 20 of the navigation system 100, the first search The information processing server 2 is responsible for the functions of the unit 41, the second search unit 42, and the sorting unit 43, and the search server 3 that is different from the information processing server 2 is responsible for the function of the second storage unit 30 of the navigation system 100.

  The information processing terminal 1 is preferably an information processing device such as a mobile phone or PDA carried by the user, and includes an input unit 10, an output unit 50, a communication unit 60 that transmits and receives data to and from the information processing server 2, and information A control unit 70 that controls the entire processing terminal 1 is provided. The user inputs a search term via the information processing terminal 1 and receives a search result display.

  The information processing server 2 is a server that performs a first search process, a second search process, and a sort process based on a search term transmitted from the information processing terminal 1, and includes a first storage unit 20, an information processing terminal 1 includes a communication unit 80 that transmits / receives data to / from 1 and a control unit 90 that controls the entire information processing server 2. The control unit 90 further includes a first search unit 41, a second search unit 42, and a sort unit 43.

  Next, the search operation of the navigation system 101 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing search processing of the navigation system 101.

  In response to an instruction from the user, the information processing terminal 1 inputs a search word via the input unit 10 (step S10), and transmits the input search word to the information processing server 2 via the communication unit 60. .

  Next, when the information processing server 2 receives the search word transmitted from the information processing terminal 1 via the communication unit 80, the information processing server 2 executes a first search process (step S20). In the first search process, a search process for searching for corresponding point information from the first storage unit 20 in the information processing server 2 is executed using the received search word.

  Next, the information processing server 2 executes a second search process (step S30). In the second search process, each search result obtained by the first search process is used as a search word, and a search is requested to the search server 3 via the communication unit 80, and the search result is obtained from the search server 3. is there. Upon receiving the search request, the search server 3 searches the second storage unit 30 and obtains the number of hits that completely match each search word as the search result, and transmits this search result to the information processing server 2.

  Next, when the information processing server 2 receives a search result from the search server 3 via the communication unit 80, the information processing server 2 executes a sort process (step S40). In the sort process, the search results obtained by the first search process are rearranged in descending order of the number of hits obtained by the second search process to create a presentation list.

  Next, the information processing server 2 transmits the presentation list created by the sort process to the information processing terminal 1 via the communication unit 80.

  Finally, the information processing terminal 1 receives the presentation list via the communication unit 60 and outputs the received presentation list to the output unit 50.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the main functions of the navigation system 100 (the first search unit 41 as the control function, the second search unit 42 and the sort unit 43, and the first storage as the data storage function). Since the external server is responsible for the unit 20 and the second storage unit 30), the processing load on the information processing terminal 1 can be reduced, and a general-purpose information processing device that does not have a navigation function can be processed. It can be used as the terminal 1.

  In the first embodiment, the search server 3 different from the information processing server 2 is responsible for the function of the second storage unit 30, but the information processing server 2 is responsible for the function of the second storage unit 30. May be. Further, in the first embodiment, the information processing server 2 is responsible for the function of the first storage unit 20. However, the external server other than the information processing server 2 may be responsible for the function of the first storage unit 20. Good.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the navigation system 102 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 102 is configured to include an information processing terminal 1A, a search server 3, and a communication network 4 that enables the above devices to communicate with each other. In the navigation system 102 according to the second embodiment, the input unit 10, the first storage unit 20, the first search unit 41, the second search unit 42, the sort unit 43, and the output unit 50 of the navigation system 100. The information processing terminal 1 is responsible for the function, and the search server 3 is responsible for the function of the second storage unit 30 of the navigation system 100.

  The information processing terminal 1A is preferably an information processing device such as a navigation device or PND (Portable Navigation Device) that can be mounted on the vehicle or carried by the user, and includes an input unit 10, a first storage unit 20, and an output unit 50. A communication unit 60 that transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as the search server 3, and a control unit 110 that controls the entire information processing terminal 1. The control unit 110 further includes a first search unit 41, a second search unit 42, and a sort unit 43. The user inputs a search term via the information processing terminal 1A and receives a search result display.

  Here, a hardware configuration of the navigation device 200 which is an example of the information processing terminal 1A will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation device 200. The navigation device 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a magnetic disk drive 204, a magnetic disk 205, an optical disk drive 206, an optical disk 207, an audio I / F (interface) 208, a speaker 209, and an input device. 210, a video I / F 211, a display 212, a communication I / F 213, a GPS unit 214, and various sensors 215. Each component 201-215 is connected by a bus.

  The CPU 201 governs overall control of the navigation device 200. The ROM 202 stores a program for executing the first search process, the second search process, and the sort process, which is a feature of the present embodiment, in addition to the boot program and the data update program. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. That is, the CPU 201 controls the entire navigation device 200 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 202 while using the RAM 203 as a work area. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 correspond to the control unit 110 in FIG.

  The magnetic disk drive 204 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 205 according to control of CPU201. The magnetic disk 205 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 204. As the magnetic disk 205, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disc drive 206 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disc 207 according to the control of the CPU 201. The optical disk 207 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 206. As the optical disk 207, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 207, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  Examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 205 and the optical disk 207 include map data and function data. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is composed of multiple data files divided by district. ing. The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The functional data is recorded in association with the map data, and is three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map data. Map data and function data are recorded in blocks divided by district or function. Specifically, for example, the map data is recorded in a state where each block can be divided into blocks such that each represents a predetermined district on the map displayed on the display screen. Further, for example, the function data is recorded in a state where each function can be divided into a plurality of blocks so as to realize one function.

  The function data is data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, etc. in addition to the above-described three-dimensional data and character data. Each of the map data and the function data is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each district or each function.

  The navigation device 200 may include a flash memory, although not shown. The flash memory is a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and reads / writes data under the control of the CPU 201. As the flash memory, for example, a NAND flash memory or a NOR flash memory can be used. Examples of information recorded in the flash memory include the above-described video information, audio information, character information, map information, function data, and the like. Further, the flash memory may have a function as the ROM 202. That is, the flash memory may record the above-described programs.

  The above-described magnetic disk drive 204, magnetic disk 205, optical disk drive 206, and optical disk 207 correspond to the first storage unit 20 in FIG.

  The audio I / F 208 is connected to a speaker 209 for audio output. The speaker 209 outputs a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 208.

  Examples of the input device 210 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like.

  The input device 210 corresponds to the input unit 10 in FIG.

  The video I / F 211 is connected to the display 212. Specifically, the video I / F 211 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 212, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 212 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 212 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 212, the map data described above is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. The map data displayed on the display 212 can be displayed with a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 200 is mounted. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 201.

  As the display 212, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 313 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example.

  Note that the audio I / F 208, the speaker 209, the video I / F 211, and the display 212 correspond to the output unit 50 in FIG.

  The communication I / F 213 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 200 and the CPU 201. The communication I / F 213 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 201.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 213 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (registered trademark) / Vehicle Information and Communication System (BEA) / beacon receiver, a wireless navigation device, and other navigation devices. Road traffic information such as traffic regulations. VICS is a registered trademark. The communication I / F 213 is configured by an in-vehicle wireless device that performs two-way wireless communication with a wireless device installed on the roadside when, for example, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) is used. Traffic information and map information Get various information. A specific example of DSRC is ETC (non-stop automatic fee payment system).

  The GPS unit 214 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 214 is used when the CPU 201 calculates the current position of the vehicle together with output values of various sensors 215 described later. The information indicating the current position is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The communication I / F 213 and the GPS unit 214 correspond to the communication unit 60 in FIG.

  The various sensors 215 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 215 are used for the calculation of the current position of the vehicle by the CPU 201 and the amount of change in speed and direction.

  Next, the search operation of the navigation system 102 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing search processing of the navigation system 102.

  In response to an instruction from the user, the information processing terminal 1 inputs a search word via the input unit 10 (step S10), and first executes a first search process (step S20). In the first search process, a search process for searching for relevant point information from the first storage unit 20 in the information processing terminal 1 is executed using the input search word.

  Next, the information processing terminal 1 requests the search server 3 to execute the second search process via the communication unit 60, and sends the search result of the second search process via the communication unit 60. Obtained from the search server 3 (step S30). In the second search process, the search result obtained by the first search process is used as a search word, the second storage unit 30 is searched, and a search process for obtaining the number of hits that completely match each search word is executed. To do.

  Next, when the information processing terminal 1 obtains the search result of the second search process from the search server 3, it executes a sort process (step S40). In the sort process, the search results obtained by the first search process are sorted in descending order of the number of hits obtained by the second search process.

  Finally, the information processing terminal 1 displays the search result via the output unit 50 (step S50). Specifically, the presentation list that is the search result of the first search process according to the display order obtained by the sort process is output to the output unit 50.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, some of the main functions of the navigation system 100 (the first search unit 41, the second search unit 42, the sort unit 43, and the data as a control function) are added to the information processing terminal 1A. In addition to holding the first storage unit 20) as a storage function and holding the second storage unit 3 that is expected to be difficult to mount in an external server, the conventional navigation device or PND can be used. It can be used as the information processing terminal 1A.

  In the second embodiment, the information processing terminal 1A is responsible for the function of the first storage unit 20, but an external server other than the information processing terminal 1A may be responsible for the function.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the navigation system 103 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 103 includes only the information processing terminal 1B. In the information processing terminal 1 </ b> B constituting the navigation system 103 according to the third embodiment, the input unit 10, the first storage unit 20, the second storage unit 30, the first search unit 41, the first of the navigation system 100. The information processing terminal 1 </ b> B has the functions of the search unit 42, the sort unit 43, and the output unit 50.

  The information processing terminal 1B is an information processing device such as a navigation device or a PND (Portable Navigation Device) that can be mounted on a vehicle or carried by a user, and includes an input unit 10, a first storage unit 20, and a second storage unit. 30, the output part 50, and the control part 120 which controls the information processing terminal 1B whole are provided. The control unit 120 further includes a first search unit 41, a second search unit 42, and a sort unit 43. The user inputs a search term via the information processing terminal 1B and receives a search result display.

  In the present embodiment, since the second storage unit 30 is provided in the information processing terminal 1B, there is no need to communicate with the search server 3.

  However, the information processing terminal 1B is provided with a communication unit 60 that transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as the search server 3, and performs processing for updating the second storage unit 30 by appropriately communicating with the search server 3. You may do it. In this case, when the information processing terminal 1B requests the search server 3 to perform a search process using each piece of point information stored in the first storage unit 20 as a search word, the search server 3 receives the search request. Since the number of hits that match each point information (preferably complete match) is transmitted to the information processing terminal 1B, the information processing terminal 1B performs a process of reflecting this number of hits in the second storage unit 30, The second storage unit 30 is updated as needed. As a result, the second storage unit 30 is a database in which each piece of point information stored in the first storage unit 20 is associated with the number of hits.

  The search operation of the navigation system 103 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the navigation system 102 according to the second embodiment except that the location of the second storage unit 30 is different. Description is omitted.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the processing load on the information processing terminal 1B increases, but the second search process can be executed within the own apparatus.

<Summary of Embodiment>
According to the above-described embodiment, the first storage means (for example, the first storage unit 20) which is a database storing point information, and information including at least the point information are stored. And a second storage means (for example, the second storage unit 30) which is a database capable of outputting the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result, and an input means (for example, a point name according to an instruction from the user) , Input unit 10) and the point information corresponding to the point name input by the input unit is acquired by searching the first storage unit, and the list of acquired search results is used as the first search result. The first search result acquisition unit (for example, the first search unit 41) and the number of cases corresponding to each piece of point information included in the first search result are stored in the second storage unit from the second storage unit. As a search result A list for presentation in which second search result acquisition means (for example, second search unit 42) to be acquired and spot information included in the first search result are arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result. A navigation system including a list creation unit (for example, a sorting unit 43) for creating a display and a display unit (for example, the output unit 50) for displaying a presentation list created by the list creation unit. A system (for example, navigation system 100).

  According to this navigation system, the first search process for searching for point information matching the search word from the first storage means is executed using the search word input by the user, and then the first search Using each point information obtained by the search process as a search word, the second storage means is searched, a second search process is performed to obtain the number of hits that match each point information, and finally the first A sort process for rearranging each piece of point information included in the search process result in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process is executed, and the presentation list obtained by the sort process is displayed to the user. Since it presents, the point information with high possibility that a user desires can be presented as a high-order candidate.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the navigation provided with information processing apparatus (for example, information processing terminal 1A, 1B) and the information processing server (for example, search server 3) which can mutually communicate with the said information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus (for example, information processing terminals 1A and 1B) in a system (for example, navigation systems 102 and 103), wherein the navigation system is a first storage unit (database that stores point information). For example, the first storage unit 20) and at least information including the spot information is stored, and the second storage means (for example, a database that can output the number of cases corresponding to the spot information as a search result) A second storage unit 30), and the information processing device (for example, the information processing terminals 1A and 1B) is in accordance with an instruction from a user. An input means (for example, input unit 10) for inputting a point name, and spot information corresponding to the spot name input by the input means are acquired from the first storage means, and a list of the acquired search results is obtained. The first search result acquisition means (for example, the first search unit 41) that is one search result and the number of cases corresponding to each piece of location information included in the first search result are Second search result acquisition means (for example, the second search unit 42) that acquires the second search result from the storage means, and the point information included in the first search result in the second search result A list creating means (for example, the sorting unit 43) for creating a list arranged in descending order of the number of cases as a presentation list; a display unit (for example, the output unit 50) for displaying the list for presentation created by the list creating means; The basic structure comprise a.

  According to this information processing apparatus, the first search process for searching for point information matching the search word from the first storage means is executed using the search word input by the user, and then the first The second storage means is searched by using each point information obtained by the above search processing as a search word, and the second search processing is performed to obtain the number of hits matching the respective point information. Sort processing for rearranging each point information included in the search processing result in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search processing, and the list for presentation obtained by this sort processing is executed by the user Therefore, it is possible to present point information that is highly likely to be desired by the user as an upper candidate.

  In addition, it is preferable that the information processing apparatus includes the first storage unit in the own apparatus, and the information processing server includes the second storage unit.

  In this case, the search function of the present invention can be realized using a conventional navigation device or PND.

  In addition, according to the above embodiment, an information processing device (for example, the information processing terminal 1) that inputs a search word according to a user instruction and displays the search processing result, and information that can communicate with the information processing device. The information processing server (for example, information processing server 2) in a navigation system (for example, navigation system 101) provided with a processing server (for example, information processing server 2), wherein the navigation system stores point information. 1st storage means (for example, the 1st storage part 20) which is the database which is carrying out, the information containing at least the point information is memorized, and the number of cases corresponding to the point information can be outputted as a search result Second storage means (for example, the second storage unit 30), which is a simple database, and the information processing server (e.g., , The information processing server 2) receives reception information (for example, the communication unit 80) that receives the point name transmitted from the information processing device, and the point information corresponding to the point name received by the reception unit. A first search result acquisition unit (for example, the first search unit 41) that uses the list of acquired search results as a first search result, and each included in the first search result. Second search result acquisition means (for example, the second search unit 42) for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the spot information as the second search result from the second storage means, and the first search Created by the list creation means (for example, the sort unit 43) for creating a list in which the location information included in the result is arranged as the number of cases in the second search result as the presentation list, and the list creation means Transmitting means for transmitting serial presentation wrist to the information processing apparatus (e.g., the communication unit 80) and, a basic structure that comprises a.

  According to this information processing server, using the search term transmitted from the information processing device, the first search process for searching for point information that matches the search term from the first storage means is executed, Using each point information obtained by the first search process as a search term, the second storage means is searched, and a second search process is performed to obtain the number of hits matching each point information. Finally, A list for presentation obtained by executing a sort process for rearranging each piece of point information included in the result of the first search process in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process. Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus can present point information that is highly likely to be desired by the user as an upper candidate.

  The information processing server may include the first storage unit in its own device.

  In this case, the processing load on the information processing apparatus can be reduced, and a general-purpose information processing apparatus that does not have a navigation function can be used.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the 1st memory | storage means which is the database which has memorize | stored point information, the information containing at least the said point information are memorize | stored, and the number of cases corresponding to the said point information is searched. A second storage means that is a database that can be output as a navigation method in a navigation system comprising: an input step of inputting a point name in accordance with an instruction from a user; and the point name input by the input step Corresponding point information is acquired from the first storage means, and a first search result acquisition step using a list of acquired search results as a first search result, and each of the search results included in the first search result A second search result acquisition step of acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a second search result from the second storage means; A list creation step of creating a list for presentation in which the location information included in the first search result is rearranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result; and the presentation list created by the list creation step. The basic configuration is that a display step for displaying is provided.

  According to this navigation method, the first search process for searching for point information matching the search word from the first storage means is executed using the search word input by the user, and then the first search Using each point information obtained by the search process as a search word, the second storage means is searched, a second search process is performed to obtain the number of hits that match each point information, and finally the first A sort process for rearranging each piece of point information included in the search process result in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process is executed, and the presentation list obtained by the sort process is displayed to the user. Since it presents, the navigation method which presents the point information with high possibility that a user desires as a high-order candidate can be provided.

  Moreover, according to the said embodiment, the 1st memory | storage means which is the database which has memorize | stored point information, the information containing at least the said point information are memorize | stored, and the number of cases corresponding to the said point information is searched. A second storage means that is a database that can be output as a navigation program in a navigation system, an input step of inputting a spot name in accordance with an instruction from a user, and a spot name input by the input step Corresponding point information is acquired from the first storage means, and a first search result acquisition step using a list of acquired search results as a first search result, and each of the search results included in the first search result A second search result acquisition step for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a second search result from the second storage means. A list creation step of creating a presentation list in which the location information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result, and the presentation list created by the list creation step The basic configuration is to cause a computer to execute a display step of displaying

  According to this navigation program, using the search term input by the user, the first search process for searching for point information that matches the search term from the first storage means is executed, and then the first search processing is performed. Using each point information obtained by the search process as a search word, the second storage means is searched, a second search process is performed to obtain the number of hits that match each point information, and finally the first A sort process for rearranging each piece of point information included in the search process result in descending order of the number of hits obtained as a result of the second search process is executed, and the presentation list obtained by the sort process is displayed to the user. Since it presents, the navigation program which presents the point information with high possibility that the user desires as an upper candidate can be provided. As a result, the present invention can be preferably applied particularly when an information processing apparatus such as a mobile phone or a PDA has a navigation function.

  In the navigation system, information processing server, information processing apparatus, navigation method, and navigation program described above, the point information may include at least the address or genre of the point in addition to the point name.

  In this case, even if there are a plurality of the same spot names, the display order of the list for presentation can be given superiority or inferiority. Can do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications and changes can be made, and those accompanying such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1, 1A, 1B Information processing terminal 2 Information processing server 3 Search server 4 Communication network 10 Input unit 20 First storage unit 30 Second storage unit 40, 70, 90, 110, 120 Control unit 50 Output unit 41 First Search unit 42 Second search unit 43 Sort unit 60, 80 Communication unit 100, 101, 102, 103 Navigation system

Claims (9)

First storage means which is a database storing point information;
Second storage means that is a database that stores information including at least the point information and can output the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result;
An input means for inputting a point name according to an instruction from the user;
First search result acquisition means for acquiring spot information corresponding to the spot name input by the input means from the first storage means, and using the acquired search result list as a first search result;
Second search result acquisition means for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to each piece of location information included in the first search result as a second search result from the second storage means;
List creation means for creating a list for presentation in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result;
Display means for displaying the list for presentation created by the list creation means;
A navigation system comprising: An information processing device;
An information processing server capable of mutual communication with the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus in a navigation system comprising:
The navigation system includes:
First storage means which is a database storing point information;
Second storage means that is a database that stores information including at least the point information and can output the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result;
With
The information processing apparatus includes:
An input means for inputting a point name according to an instruction from the user;
First search result acquisition means for acquiring spot information corresponding to the spot name input by the input means from the first storage means, and using the acquired search result list as a first search result;
Second search result acquisition means for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to each piece of location information included in the first search result as a second search result from the second storage means;
A list creation means for creating a list in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in the descending order of the number of cases in the second search result as a list for presentation;
Display means for displaying the list for presentation created by the list creation means;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus includes the first storage unit, and the information processing server includes the second storage unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the point information includes at least a point address or genre in addition to the point name. An information processing device for inputting a search word according to a user instruction and displaying the search processing result;
An information processing server capable of mutual communication with the information processing apparatus;
The information processing server in a navigation system comprising:
The navigation system includes:
First storage means which is a database storing point information;
Second storage means that is a database that stores information including at least the point information and can output the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result;
With
The information processing server
Receiving means for receiving the location name transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
First search result acquisition means for acquiring spot information corresponding to the spot name received by the receiving means from the first storage means, and using a list of acquired search results as a first search result;
Second search result acquisition means for acquiring the number of cases corresponding to each piece of location information included in the first search result as a second search result from the second storage means;
A list creation means for creating a list in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in the descending order of the number of cases in the second search result as a list for presentation;
Transmitting means for transmitting the presentation list created by the list creating means to the information processing apparatus;
An information processing server comprising:   6. The information processing server according to claim 5, further comprising the first storage unit in the own apparatus.   7. The information processing server according to claim 5, wherein the point information includes at least an address or genre of the point in addition to the point name. First storage means which is a database storing point information;
A navigation method in a navigation system comprising: at least information including the point information; and a second storage unit that is a database capable of outputting the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result,
An input step of inputting a point name according to an instruction from the user;
A first search result acquisition step of acquiring point information corresponding to the point name input in the input step from the first storage means, and using the acquired search result list as a first search result;
A second search result acquisition step of acquiring the number of cases corresponding to each piece of point information included in the first search result from the second storage means as a second search result;
A list creation step of creating a list for presentation in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result;
A display step for displaying the list for presentation created by the list creation step;
A navigation method characterized by comprising: First storage means which is a database storing point information;
A navigation program in a navigation system comprising: at least information including the point information; and a second storage unit that is a database capable of outputting the number of cases corresponding to the point information as a search result,
An input step of inputting a point name according to an instruction from the user;
A first search result acquisition step of acquiring point information corresponding to the point name input in the input step from the first storage means, and using the acquired search result list as a first search result;
A second search result acquisition step of acquiring the number of cases corresponding to each piece of point information included in the first search result from the second storage means as a second search result;
A list creation step of creating a list for presentation in which the point information included in the first search result is arranged in descending order of the number of cases in the second search result;
A display step for displaying the list for presentation created by the list creation step;
A navigation program characterized by causing a computer to execute.

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