JP3852731B2 - Map display method, map display system, and map information location management server - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map display method, a map display system, and a map information location management server.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are servers that provide map information on the Internet. The user accesses the server using a browser, searches for desired map information, obtains the map information as a result, and displays the map on the screen of the personal computer.
In this case, the server that provides the map information performs the same process for all users who have accessed, and provides the map information desired by the user.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, map information is provided only to the server that provides map information to all users, and there is a problem that server congestion is likely to occur when there are many accesses. .
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform processing distribution and load distribution for a server that provides map information.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the invention described in claim 1, when the mobile phone needs map information, the mobile phone network inquires the map information location management server that manages the location of the map information provided on the mobile phone network about the location of the predetermined map information. ,
The map information location management server responds to the inquiry from the mobile phone by referring to the history of the mobile phone switch provided in the mobile network,
Based on the answer, the mobile phone accesses a map server or other mobile phone provided in the mobile phone network that owns the predetermined map information, acquires the predetermined map information, and displays it on the display of the mobile phone. It is characterized by displaying a map.
[0005]
The invention described in claim 2 is a map server provided in a mobile phone network, a map information location management server for managing the location of map information provided in the mobile phone network, and map information received from the map server. In a map display system having a plurality of mobile phones that display a map on a display, the mobile phone that requires predetermined map information inquires of the map information location management server about the location of the predetermined map information, and Based on the response from the map information location management server obtained by referring to the history of the exchange for mobile phone provided, the map server or other mobile phone possessing predetermined map information is accessed, A predetermined map information is acquired, and a map is displayed on a display of a mobile phone that requires the predetermined map information.
[0006]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information location management server for managing the location of map information provided in a mobile phone network, wherein the map information location management server responds to an inquiry about the location of map information from a mobile phone. The answer is to access and answer the history of an exchange provided in the mobile phone network .
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a system for providing a guidance map for providing guidance to a destination by providing a map server connected to a cellular phone network on a small screen of a cellular phone.
This system includes, for example, a mobile phone network 100, content providers 101 and 102, the Internet 103, a map server 104, a database 105, a GW (gateway: gateway exchange) 107, a GW 108, mobile networks 109 and 110, and a mobile phone 111. Composed.
[0015]
The GW 108 is a gateway server (a gateway exchange station of the mobile network 109) that performs communication with the mobile phone 111, assigns a terminal ID to the request from the mobile phone 111, and sends a response to the specific terminal ID (mobile phone 111). Controls transmission to the specified terminal. Also, protocol conversion is performed, and the position information of the mobile phone 111 is inserted into the signal frame as necessary.
[0016]
For example, the GW 107 identifies the address to which the request from the mobile phone 111 is directed (for example, identifies which address is for the map server), and refers to the customer DB 106 to determine whether to allow access to the address. (For example, it is determined whether the access is from the mobile phone 111 without the access right of the map server 104). If it is not permitted, the access is denied (access from the mobile phone 111 having no access right is denied). If permitted, the gateway relays to that address.
[0017]
The response (for example, a response from the map server 104) accesses the gateway 108 by referring to the customer DB 106 the GW 108 in which the destination terminal (the mobile phone 111) is accommodated.
The customer DB 106 is a database having customer information such as server (service providing address) information that can be accessed by the mobile phone 111 and GW information currently stored.
[0018]
The map server 104 is a server that generates information such as a guide map in response to a request for a requested access to which a terminal ID is assigned, and transmits the information to the request source.
The map server 104 can also be accessed from the Internet, but the mobile phone 111 is connected via the mobile network 109, the GW 108, and the GW 107. Even if the mobile phone 111 is provided outside the mobile phone network 100, the mobile phone 111 is connected via the mobile network 109, the GW 108, and the GW 107 and is equivalent to being provided in the mobile phone network 100.
[0019]
In the present invention, the map server is a server that generates and provides predetermined map information in response to a request for map information, and is provided in the mobile phone network. Also included is a server that obtains map information from other map servers, stores it, and provides it.
The content providers CP101 and 102 are servers that generate and distribute general information. In addition, information according to the request of the GW 107 can be generated and distributed.
[0020]
The database server 105 is a database for managing a cellular phone network. In the present invention, the map information location management server may be this server.
The cellular phone 111 operates the cellular phone 111 to access the map server 104 to acquire a desired guide map and display it on the display of the cellular phone 111.
[0021]
In the present invention, the mobile phone 111 transmits the map information storage means for storing the map information obtained from the map server 104 and the map information stored in the map information storage means in response to a request from another mobile phone. Have means.
FIG. 2 shows the functions of the mobile phone 1110 and the map server (here, having a function of route guidance) 104 and the flow of processing.
[0022]
For example, a case where the mobile phone 111 acquires a guide map to the destination will be described.
(1) The mobile phone 111 uses the search condition input function 10 to input search conditions.
The mobile phone 111 is switched to the input screen after the power is turned on, and inputs the address of the map server. The home page of the map server is displayed on the screen. Press the access button to display the search display screen.
[0023]
Search conditions include current location information, destination information, requested map type (for example, specifying a type of a normal map or a simplified map), and the like. Note that the current location information does not necessarily have to be input because the location of the mobile phone is always known on the mobile phone network. When the present location information is not input, for example, the GW 108 inserts the location information of the mobile phone 111 into the search condition.
[0024]
(2) The mobile phone 111 uses the search request function 11 to transmit search conditions to the map server.
The search condition is transmitted to the map server 104 via the portable network 109, the GW 108, and the GW 107 according to a predetermined protocol.
(3) The map server 104 accepts the search request function using the search acceptance function 12.
[0025]
(4) The map server 104 uses the guide map generation function 13 to generate a guide map that matches the search conditions.
A range is determined from the current location and destination, and a guide map of a predetermined range is generated from the map database. The guide map is composed of a starting point, a destination, a route, a landmark, and the like. Since it is displayed on the mobile phone 111, an easy-to-see map is generated using icons.
[0026]
At the same time, a guide sentence is automatically created. A final guide map is generated by combining the guide map and the guide text.
(5) The map server 104 transmits the guidance map to the mobile phone 111 using the guidance map transmission function 14.
The guidance map is transmitted to the mobile phone 111 via the GW 107, the GW 108, and the mobile network 109 based on a predetermined protocol.
[0027]
(6) The mobile phone 111 uses the guidance map reception function 15 to receive the guidance map.
(7) The cellular phone 111 uses the guidance map display function 16 to display and receive the guidance map.
The mobile phone 111 displays a guide map on the display of the mobile phone 111.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 3 shows a signal flow among the mobile phone 111, the GW 108 (i-mode GW), the GW 107 (map server GW), and the map server.
(1) The mobile phone 111 transmits an information request frame composed of destination information, requested map type, and the like to the GW 108 (20).
(2) The GW 108 receives the signal transmitted from the mobile phone 111 and transmits an information request frame to which the current location information and the ID of the mobile phone 111 are added to the GW 107 (21).
[0029]
(3) The GW 107 receives the signal transmitted from the GW 108, and refers to the customer DB for the ID of the mobile phone 111 and checks whether or not there is a right to access the map server. When the mobile phone 111 has the right to access the map server, an information request frame composed of current location information, destination information, requested map type, ID of the mobile phone 111, and the like is transmitted to the map server 104 ( 22).
[0030]
Thereafter, the map server 104 generates a guidance map and a guidance sentence. The created guide map is transmitted to the mobile phone 111 in the following procedure.
(4) In the processing result notification frame, the guidance map and the guidance text, which are result products, are transmitted from the map server 104 to the GW 107 (23).
(5) In the processing result notification frame, a guidance map and a guidance sentence as a result product are transmitted from the GW 107 to the GW 108 (24).
[0031]
(6) The protocol is converted by the GW 108, and the resulting product, the guidance map and guidance text, are transmitted to the mobile phone 111 (25).
4 and 5 show examples of the guidance map.
In FIG. 4, the starting point is JR Kamakura Station and the destination is Kamakura Police. S represents the starting point and G represents the destination. (1), (2), and (3) indicate routes. There is a guide text at the bottom of the screen. The guidance text can be viewed by scrolling the screen.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a map using image icons.
By the way, in the above method, the load distribution and the process distribution are not different from the conventional example. In the present invention, load distribution and process distribution are performed as follows.
(First embodiment)
In the first embodiment, a guide map is created by a map server and a mobile phone. The map server transmits an incomplete map and map data for completing the incomplete map. The map is completed and displayed using the map data for completing the incomplete map and the incomplete map on the mobile phone.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the map displayed on the display screen includes a map portion, characters, and symbols. The map server 104 transmits map data regarding the map portion, characters, and symbols to the mobile phone 111, and the mobile phone 111 considers the size of the screen of the mobile phone 111, etc., and combines the characters and symbols with its own screen. Generate (create the size etc. according to the screen), merge with the separately received map part, and display the guidance map on the display.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows functions and processing flows of the mobile phone and the map server of this embodiment. (1) Since the search acceptance function 12 is the same as in FIG. The map server 104 accepts a search request function from the mobile phone 111 with the search acceptance function 12.
(2) The map server 104 uses the guide information component generation function 23 to generate a guide information component that matches the search condition.
[0035]
A map of a predetermined range determined from the current location and destination, and generated from a map database, and symbols such as starting point, destination, route, landmark, etc., and guidance text that are finally combined with the map Is generated.
(3) The map server 104 transmits the map information and the guidance information component to the mobile phone 111 using the map information and guidance information component transmission function 24.
[0036]
The map information and the guidance information component are transmitted to the mobile phone 111 via the GW 107, the GW 108, and the mobile network 109 based on a predetermined protocol.
This is the same function as the guide map transmission function of FIG.
(4) The mobile phone 111 uses the map information and guide information component receiving function 25 to receive the map information and the guide information component.
[0037]
This is the same function as the guide map reception function of FIG.
(5) The mobile phone 111 uses the guidance information component integration function 26 to integrate the map information and the guidance information component to generate a guidance map as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.
Specifically, the information (unfinished map) generated by performing route search or the like is attributed by the data shown in FIG. 10 and is HTML-labeled with reference to the output setting data of FIG. A map (FIG. 9: completed map) is created.
[0038]
(6) The mobile phone 111 uses the guide map display function 27 to display the guide map on the display of the mobile phone 111.
According to this embodiment, the guide map is not created only by the map server 104, but part of the process of creating the guide map is performed by the mobile phone that displays the guide map, thereby reducing the load on the map server. be able to. In addition, since the mobile phone can create a guide map in conjunction with its own display, it can be an easy-to-view screen adapted to each mobile phone.
[0039]
Further, the load on the map server is reduced, so that the map server is not congested and can be used comfortably.
(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, if there is a guide map owned by another mobile phone, the guide map can be obtained directly from the mobile phone that owns the guide map without accessing the map server of the mobile phone network. How to get.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows functions and processing flows of the mobile phone 1 and the mobile phone 2 of the present embodiment.
(1) Since the data search request function 30 is the same as that shown in FIG.
(2) Using the data search request function 30, an inquiry is made to another mobile phone as to whether or not the desired guidance map is possessed.
[0041]
Data search conditions are determined by starting point, destination address, or telephone number. The starting point may be omitted.
(3) The mobile phone 2 which is another mobile phone uses the data search request receiving function 31 to receive the search request function from the mobile phone 1.
(4) The mobile phone 2 uses the data search function 32 to perform data search based on the search conditions transmitted from the mobile phone 1.
[0042]
(5) The mobile phone 2 uses the data search result transmission function 33 to transmit the data search result to the mobile phone 1.
(6) The mobile phone 1 receives the data search result using the data search result receiving function 34.
(7) When the mobile phone 2 has the guide information, the mobile phone 2 transmits the guide information to the mobile phone 1 by using the guide information transmission function 35.
[0043]
(8) The mobile phone 1 receives the guide information using the guide information receiving function 36.
(9) The mobile phone 1 uses the guide information storage function 37 to store guide information.
(10) The mobile phone 1 uses the guide map display function 38 to display the guide map on the display of the mobile phone 1.
There are two methods for obtaining predetermined map information when a mobile phone accesses another mobile phone: a method using the same method as sending and receiving e-mails, and a method of making a search request in a wireless manner in surrounding mobile phones. is there. In the latter case, it is necessary to provide another mobile phone with a time difference between answers so that no answers are received simultaneously.
[0044]
According to this embodiment, the guidance information can be transmitted not only from the map server but also from a mobile phone that has accessed the map server and obtained the guidance map. As a result, access to the map server is reduced, and the load on the map server can be reduced.
Further, the load on the map server is reduced, so that the map server is not congested and can be used comfortably.
(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, when the mobile phone needs map information, the mobile phone makes an inquiry to the map information location management server that manages the location of the map information provided in the mobile phone network, This is a method for obtaining a guide map by accessing a map server or another mobile phone provided in a mobile phone network that possesses predetermined map information based on the answer, and acquiring the predetermined map information.
[0045]
FIG. 8 shows functions and processing flows of the mobile phone 111 and the map information location management server 43 of the present embodiment.
(1) The data search function 32 is the same as in FIG.
(2) The map information location management server 43 uses the data search function 32 to perform data search based on the search condition transmitted from the mobile phone 111.
[0046]
The map information location management server 43 searches the data by accessing the history of the GW 108 (the mobile phone switch provided in the mobile network) or the map information location management database provided in the map information location management server 43. .
In addition to the map server 104 and the mobile phone 111, the guide map information may be provided in another server for those with high demand.
[0047]
(3) The map information location management server 43 uses the location information transmission function 40 to transmit the location information to the mobile phone 111.
(4) The mobile phone 111 obtains the guide information from the map information location management server 43 or another mobile phone by using the guide information request function 42, the guide information receiving function 36, and the guide information display function 38. A guide map is displayed on the display 1.
[0048]
Since this content is the same as FIG. 2 or FIG. 7, description is abbreviate | omitted.
The figure shows a case where there is a server or a mobile phone that owns a desired map in addition to the map server 104. If there is no server or mobile phone that owns the desired map, it is necessary to access the map server 104 and acquire the desired map.
[0049]
According to this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the mobile phone can obtain the map information not only from the map server but also from the mobile phone that has accessed the map server and obtained the guidance map. it can. As a result, access to the map server is reduced, and the load on the map server can be reduced.
Further, the load on the map server is reduced, thereby eliminating the congestion of the map server and enabling comfortable use. The location management server and the map server may be the same.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, processing distribution and load distribution can be performed in providing map information.
The guide map is not created only by the map server, but a part of the process of creating the guide map is performed by the mobile phone that displays the guide map, thereby reducing the load on the map server. Further, in this case, since the mobile phone can create a guide map in conjunction with its own display, it is possible to provide an easy-to-view screen adapted to each mobile phone.
[0051]
Further, the load on the map server is reduced, so that the map server is not congested and can be used comfortably.
The mobile phone can obtain map information not only from the map server, but also from a mobile phone that has accessed the map server and obtained a guide map. As a result, access to the map server is reduced, and the load on the map server can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an entire system as a premise of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining functions and processing flows of a mobile phone and a map server, which are the premise of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a signal flow among a mobile phone, a GW 108, a GW 107, and a map server.
FIG. 4 is an example (part 1) of a guidance map.
FIG. 5 is an example (part 2) of a guidance map.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of data output by a map server for a mobile phone.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output setting data file.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of output setting data.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Map search condition input function 11 Search request function 12 Search reception function 13 Guide map generation function 14 Guide map transmission function 15 Guide map reception function 16, 27, 38 Guide map display function 23 Guide information component generation function 24 Guide information component transmission function 25 Guide information component reception function 26 Guide information component integration function 30 Data search request function 31 Data search request reception function 32 Data search function 33 Data search result transmission function 34 Data search result reception function 35 Guide information transmission function 36 Guide information reception function 37 Guide information storage function 43 Map information location management server 100 Mobile phone network 101, 102 CP
103 Internet 104 Map server 105 Database 106 Customer database 107, 108 GW
109, 110 Mobile network 111 Mobile phone

Claims (3)

When the mobile phone needs map information, it makes an inquiry to the map information location management server that manages the location of the map information provided in the mobile phone network,
The map information location management server responds to the inquiry from the mobile phone by referring to the history of the mobile phone switch provided in the mobile network ,
The mobile phone, based on the answers, accesses the map server or another mobile phone is provided to the mobile phone network to own predetermined map information, and acquiring the predetermined map information, the display of the mobile phone A map display method characterized by displaying a map. A map server provided in the mobile phone network, a map information location management server for managing the location of map information provided in the mobile phone network, and a plurality of mobile phones that receive map information from the map server and display a map on the display In a map display system having
The mobile phone that requires predetermined map information is obtained by referring to the map information location management server for the location of the predetermined map information and referring to the history of the mobile phone switch provided in the mobile network. Based on the answer from the map information location management server, the map server or other mobile phone that owns the predetermined map information is accessed, the predetermined map information is acquired, and the predetermined map information is required. A map display system that displays a map on a display of a mobile phone. In the map information location management server that manages the location of the map information provided in the mobile phone network,
The map information location management server is characterized in that a map information location management server is configured to access and answer a history of an exchange provided in a mobile phone network in response to an inquiry about the location of map information from a mobile phone. .

Images