JP2004037839A - Map picture distribution device and distribution method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently distribute a map picture provided with a route from a starting point to a destination, and to increase distribution speed of the map picture. <P>SOLUTION: In a map picture distribution method, a map picture where a starting point, a destination, and a route connecting them are set is divided into the predetermined number of blocks (S120), and the blocks in which the route exists and the blocks adjacent thereto are set as unchanged blocks, and the blocks except the unchanged blocks are adjusted to those with a small amount of data (S130, S140). Then, the unchanged blocks and the small data amount blocks are distributed to a client computer as a map picture (S150). As a result, the map picture added with the route from the starting point to the destination can be efficiently distributed at high speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map image distribution device, a distribution method therefor, and a program used therefor, and more particularly, to a map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network, a distribution method therefor, and a program used therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of map image distribution device, a route connecting a departure point and a destination input from a client computer is set in a map image according to a predetermined rule, and the map image with this route is distributed to the client computer. Things have been suggested. In this device, the entire map expressed at a predetermined scale is transferred as image data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a map image distribution apparatus generally requires a long time for data transfer because of a large amount of image data. Also, depending on the size and scale of the map image, a portion with a route may be a part of the entire map, and in this case, image data of an unnecessary portion will also be transferred. As a result, useless data transfer occurs, and the distribution speed of the map image is reduced.
[0004]
It is an object of the map image distribution device and the distribution method of the present invention to efficiently distribute a map image with a route from a departure place to a destination. Another object of the present invention is to increase the map image distribution speed.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
The map image distribution apparatus and distribution method thereof according to the present invention and the program used therein employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above object.
[0006]
A first map image distribution device of the present invention is:
A map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network,
Route setting means for setting a departure place and a destination on the map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination,
Image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
Among the divided blocks, the block where the path exists is set as an unchanged block that does not change, and the block where the path does not exist is adjusted to a block having a smaller data amount than the block. Block adjustment setting means for setting as an amount block;
Delivery means for delivering a map image composed of the set unchanged blocks and the small data amount blocks to the client computer;
The gist is to provide
[0007]
In the first map image distribution device of the present invention, a map image in which a route connecting a departure point and a destination is set is divided into predetermined blocks, and blocks having no route are adjusted to blocks having a small data amount. To distribute to client computers. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the data amount of a portion where the route does not exist in the entire map image. As a result, the map image can be efficiently distributed and the distribution speed can be increased.
[0008]
In the first map image distribution device according to the present invention, the block adjustment setting unit sets, as the small data amount block, a block in which the route does not exist, and a block adjusted to only data indicating only a predetermined trunk line. Means for setting a block adjusted to blank data as the small data amount block for a block where the path does not exist, and for a block where the path does not exist. May be a means for setting a block having a data amount of 25% as the small data amount block.
[0009]
In the first map image distribution device of the present invention, the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block where the departure place or the destination exists as the unchanged block. Or a means for setting a block adjacent to the block where the path exists as the unchanged block, or a block adjacent to the block where the path exists and including predetermined landmark information. It may be a means for setting as a change block. This makes it easy for the user to grasp the route from the departure place to the destination. The “landmark” includes stations, bus stops, public facilities, and the like.
[0010]
A second map image distribution device of the present invention includes:
A map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network,
Route setting means for setting a departure place and a destination on the map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination,
Image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
Distribution block setting means for setting, as a distribution block, a block including a block in which the route exists among the divided blocks;
Position information in the map image of the distribution block, and reproduction information setting means for setting reproduction information for reproducing the distribution block as a reproduction map by the client computer based on the position information;
Distribution means for distributing the distribution block, the position information, and the reproduction information to the client computer;
The gist is to provide
[0011]
In the second map image distribution device of the present invention, a map image in which a route connecting a departure point and a destination is set is divided into predetermined blocks, and only the blocks where the route exists are included in the client computer together with position information and reproduction information. Deliver to. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data transfer for a block having no path. As a result, the map image can be efficiently distributed and the distribution speed can be increased.
[0012]
In the second map image distribution device of the present invention, the distribution block setting unit may be a unit that sets a block adjacent to the block where the destination or the departure place exists as the distribution block, A means for setting a block adjacent to a block where a route exists as the distribution block, or a means for setting a block adjacent to a block where the route exists and including a predetermined landmark as the distribution block It can also be. This makes it easy for the user to grasp the route from the departure place to the destination. The “landmark” includes stations, bus stops, public facilities, and the like.
[0013]
The gist of the program for a map image distribution device of the present invention is to cause a computer to function as the first or second map image distribution device of the present invention in any of the above-described embodiments. That is, the program for a map image distribution device of the present invention is a map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network as a basic first map image distribution device. Route setting means for setting a place and a destination and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination; image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks; A block in which the path exists is set as an unchanged block that does not change, and a block in which the path does not exist is set as a small data amount block that is adjusted to a block having a smaller data amount than the block. Setting means, and a map image comprising the set unchanged blocks and small data amount blocks A map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network as a basic second map image distribution device; A route setting means for setting a departure place and a destination on a map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination, and an image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks. Distribution block setting means for setting, as a distribution block, a block including the block in which the route is present among the divided blocks; position information of the distribution block in the map image; and the distribution block based on the position information. To set reproduction information for reproducing a map as a reproduction map by the client computer. A distribution setting means, a distribution means for distributing the distribution block and the position information and the reproduced information to the client computer, causes the computer to function as the map image delivery apparatus comprising a.
[0014]
According to the program for a map image distribution device of the present invention, a computer is caused to function as the first or second map image distribution device of the present invention in any of the above-described embodiments. Advantages of the image distribution device, such as an effect of efficiently distributing a map image and an effect of increasing a distribution speed, can be achieved.
[0015]
A first map image distribution method according to the present invention includes:
A map image delivery method for delivering a map image to a client computer via a network,
(A) setting a departure place and a destination in a map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination;
(B) dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
(C) Of the divided blocks, a block having the path is set as an unchanged block that does not change, and a block having no path is adjusted to a block having a smaller data amount than the block. Set as a small data amount block,
(D) The gist of the invention is to distribute a map image including the set unchanged blocks and the small data amount blocks to the client computer.
[0016]
In the first map image distribution method of the present invention, a map image in which a route connecting a departure point and a destination is set is divided into predetermined blocks, and a block having no route is adjusted to a block having a small data amount. To distribute to client computers. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the data amount of a portion where the route does not exist in the entire map image. As a result, the map image can be efficiently distributed and the distribution speed can be increased.
[0017]
A second map image distribution method according to the present invention includes:
A map image delivery method for delivering a map image to a client computer via a network,
(A) setting a departure place and a destination in a map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination;
(B) dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
(C) setting, as a distribution block, a block including the block in which the route exists among the divided blocks,
(D) setting position information of the distribution block in the map image and reproduction information for reproducing the distribution block as a reproduction map by the client computer based on the position information;
(E) Distributing the distribution block, the position information, and the reproduction information to the client computer.
[0018]
According to the second map image distribution method of the present invention, a map image in which a route connecting a departure point and a destination is set is divided into predetermined blocks, and only the blocks where the route exists are provided together with position information and reproduction information together with position information and reproduction information. Deliver to. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data transfer for a block having no path. As a result, the map image can be efficiently distributed and the distribution speed can be increased.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a system configuration including a map image distribution server 20 functioning as a map image distribution device as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment distributes a map image with a route from a departure place to a destination based on a request from a client computer 40 connected via the Internet 50 as a Web page. And is provided with a map image database 22 and a map image processing unit 30.
[0020]
The map image database 22 stores general map information including image data and coordinate data, and information on landmarks such as stations, bus stops, and public facilities in a format that can be read by the map image distribution processing unit 30. . The map image distribution processing unit 30 includes a route setting unit 32 that sets a route connecting the input departure point and destination based on a predetermined rule, and an image division that divides a map image on which a route is set into a predetermined number of blocks. And a distribution unit 38 for distributing the map image with the adjusted data amount to the client computer 40. The block adjustment unit 36 adjusts the data amount of the map image for each divided block. Execute each process. The map image distribution processing unit 30 is shown as a functional block. Actually, hardware such as a CPU and a ROM (not shown) of the map image distribution server 20 and software such as a program stored in advance on a hard disk are included. It is realized as one.
[0021]
The client computer 40 is configured as a general computer mainly including a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, and an input / output device (not shown). As shown in the figure, a browser 42 capable of displaying a Web page is installed in the client computer 40, and displays a Web page provided from the map image distribution server 20.
[0022]
Next, an operation of the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment configured as described above, particularly a process of distributing the map image will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a map image distribution process executed by the map image distribution server 20 according to the embodiment when a map image distribution request is issued from the client computer 40.
[0023]
In the map image distribution processing, first, an input of a departure place and a destination is received from the client computer 40 (step S100). In this embodiment, the input of the departure place and the destination is performed in such a manner that the departure place and the destination inputted from the client computer 40 via the Web page displayed on the client computer 40 are received.
[0024]
Next, based on the accepted departure point and destination, a route connecting these is set, and the set route is displayed on the map image (step S110). In the embodiment, the setting of the route connecting the departure point and the destination is performed by executing a route setting routine (not shown) to give priority to a predetermined rule, for example, a rule for setting the distance of the route to be the shortest or a main trunk line. Routes are set based on rules that are selectively selected and set. Since the route setting method does not form the core of the present invention, further detailed description will be omitted. In the embodiment, the map including the departure point and the destination is displayed in a predetermined size (for example, 500 × 300 pixels) and a reduced scale (for example, 1/6500) in the embodiment. The represented map image is read from the map image database 22, and the starting point, the destination, and the route are displayed on the read map image. FIG. 3 shows an example of a map image on which a departure place, a destination, and a route are displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, the route from the departure place S to the destination G is indicated by an arrow.
[0025]
When the route connecting the starting point and the destination is displayed on the map image, the map image is divided into a predetermined number of blocks (step S120). In the embodiment, the map image is divided into 20 blocks of 4 blocks vertically and 5 blocks horizontally in the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of the divided map image. The divided map image is divided into 20 blocks of equal size as shown in the figure. Note that the number of blocks to be divided is not limited to 20, and may be, for example, 25 blocks of 5 vertical blocks × 5 horizontal blocks.
[0026]
Next, of the divided blocks, a block having a path and a block adjacent thereto are set as unchanged blocks that are not changed (step S130), and the other blocks are small data having a small data amount. It is adjusted to a quantity block (step S140). In the embodiment, the adjustment to the small data amount block is adjusted to a block displaying only the main line. FIG. 5 shows an example of the map image after the adjustment to the small data amount block. As shown in the drawing, the map image after the adjustment to the small data amount block is adjusted to a small data amount block having a small data amount for displaying only the main road, except for the unchanged block. In the embodiment, the information on the main line in the map image is stored in advance in the map image database 22 as one of the map information.
[0027]
When the adjustment to the small data amount block is performed in this way, the map image including the unchanged blocks and the small data amount block is distributed, and the map image distribution processing ends (step S150). In this embodiment, the map image is distributed to the client computer 40 by incorporating a map image including an unchanged block and a small data amount block into a Web page. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a Web page displayed by the browser 42 of the client computer 40. As shown in the drawing, the Web page displayed by the browser 42 has a map image including an unchanged block and a small data amount block incorporated into the Web page and displayed.
[0028]
According to the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment described above, the map image is divided into blocks, and the blocks other than the block having the route and the blocks adjacent thereto are adjusted to the small data amount blocks having a small data amount. To the client computer 40. As a result, the map image can be efficiently distributed and the distribution speed can be increased.
[0029]
In the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment, the block where the route exists and the block adjacent thereto are set as the unchanged blocks. Only blocks where landmarks such as facilities are present may be set as unchanged blocks. FIG. 7 shows an example of the map image after setting the unchanged blocks in this case. In the illustrated map image, as can be seen from the comparison with FIG. 5, only the block where the station A or the park C is present among the blocks adjacent to the block where the route exists is set as the unchanged block. Further, a block adjacent to a block where a route exists and a block where a departure place or a destination exists may be set as an unchanged block. Further, only the block in which the path exists may be set as the unchanged block.
[0030]
In the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment, the adjustment to the small data amount block is adjusted to the block displaying only the main line. However, any adjustment may be performed to the block having the reduced data amount. Adjustment may be made to a block of blank data, or to a block with a data amount of 25%. 8 and 9 show examples of the map image after the adjustment to the small data amount block in this case. As can be seen from the comparison with FIG. 5, the map image shown in FIG. 8 is adjusted to blank data blocks in which no blocks other than the unmodified blocks have no map information, and the map image shown in FIG. The blocks other than the unchanged blocks are adjusted to blocks in which the data amount of the map information has been reduced to 25%.
[0031]
In the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment, the map image distribution server 20 is configured to function as a Web server, and provides a Web page incorporating a map image via the Internet 50, but via a network. It is only necessary that the map image can be delivered to the connected client computer 40. For example, the map image may be transferred from the map image distribution server 20 configured to function as an FTP server to the client computer 40 connected via a LAN.
[0032]
In the map image distribution server 20 of the embodiment, the map image is divided into blocks, and blocks other than the unchanged blocks are adjusted to small data amount blocks and distributed, but blocks corresponding to the unmodified blocks are distributed. Blocks may be set, and only this distribution block may be distributed as a map image. In this case, the flowchart of FIG. 10 may be used instead of the map image distribution processing illustrated in FIG. That is, after dividing the map image into blocks (step S120), distribution blocks to be distributed are set (step S130), and information on the relative position of each distribution block and the distribution blocks are reproduced as a map image by the client computer 40. It is sufficient to set the reproduction information to perform the distribution (step S140), and to distribute the distribution block, the position information, and the reproduction information (step S150). Here, the reproduction information includes, for example, information on the physical position of each block in a map image to be reproduced. The distribution block is set in the same manner as the setting of the unchanged block in the embodiment. For example, only a block having a route is set as a distribution block, or a block having a route and a block adjacent thereto are set as a distribution block. Or a block where a landmark exists among blocks where a route exists and blocks adjacent to the block may be set as a distribution block. FIG. 11 shows an example of a Web page displayed by the browser 42 of the client computer 40 in this case. The illustrated Web page reproduces the map information of the distribution block as a map image based on the distributed position information and the reproduction information of the distribution block.
[0033]
In the embodiment, the map image distribution server 20 that distributes the map image to the client computer 40 via the Internet 50 has been described. It may be in the form of a program that functions as the image distribution server 20, or in the form of a program for performing a distribution method of distributing a similar map image using a computer. In the case of a program form, each step of the map image distribution process illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10 may be programmed using an appropriate programming language.
[0034]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described using the examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Obviously you can get it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including a map image distribution server 20 functioning as a map image distribution device as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a map image distribution process.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image when step S110 ends.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a map image when step S120 is completed.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image when step S140 ends.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a Web page displayed on a browser 42 of a client computer 40.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image when step S130 of the modification is completed.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image when step S140 of the modification is completed.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image when step S140 of the modification is completed.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a map image distribution process according to a modified example.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on a browser of a client computer according to a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 map image distribution server, 22 map image database, 30 map image distribution processing unit, 32 route setting unit, 34 image division unit, 36 block adjustment unit, 38 distribution unit, 40 client computer, 42 browser, 50 Internet.

Claims (15)

A map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network,
Route setting means for setting a departure place and a destination on the map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination,
Image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
Among the divided blocks, the block where the path exists is set as an unchanged block that does not change, and the block where the path does not exist is adjusted to a block having a smaller data amount than the block. Block adjustment setting means for setting as an amount block;
Delivery means for delivering a map image composed of the set unchanged blocks and the small data amount blocks to the client computer;
A map image distribution device comprising: 2. The map image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is configured to set, as the small data amount block, a block in which the route does not exist, and a block adjusted to only data indicating only a predetermined trunk line. . 2. The map image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjusted to blank data as the small data amount block for a block where the route does not exist. The map image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block having a data amount of 25% for the block where the route does not exist as the small data amount block. The map image distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block where the departure place or the destination exists as the unchanged block. The map image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block where the route exists as the unchanged block. The map image distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the block adjustment setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to the block where the route exists and including predetermined landmark information as the unchanged block. . A map image distribution device that distributes a map image to a client computer via a network,
Route setting means for setting a departure place and a destination on the map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination,
Image dividing means for dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
Distribution block setting means for setting, as a distribution block, a block including a block in which the route exists among the divided blocks;
Position information in the map image of the distribution block, and reproduction information setting means for setting reproduction information for reproducing the distribution block as a reproduction map by the client computer based on the position information;
Distribution means for distributing the distribution block, the position information, and the reproduction information to the client computer;
A map image distribution device comprising: 9. The map image distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the distribution block setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block where the destination or the departure place exists as the distribution block. 10. The map image distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the distribution block setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block in which the route exists as the distribution block. 10. The map image distribution device according to claim 8, wherein the distribution block setting unit is a unit that sets a block adjacent to a block where the route exists and including a predetermined landmark as the distribution block. 12. The map image distribution device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined landmark information is information including at least one of a station, a bus stop, and a public facility. A program for causing a computer to function as the map image distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A map image delivery method for delivering a map image to a client computer via a network,
(A) setting a departure place and a destination in a map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination;
(B) dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
(C) Of the divided blocks, a block having the path is set as an unchanged block that does not change, and a block having no path is adjusted to a block having a smaller data amount than the block. Set as a small data amount block,
(D) A map image distribution method for distributing a map image composed of the set unchanged blocks and small data amount blocks to the client computer. A map image delivery method for delivering a map image to a client computer via a network,
(A) setting a departure place and a destination in a map image and setting a route connecting the departure place and the destination;
(B) dividing the map image into predetermined blocks,
(C) setting, as a distribution block, a block including the block in which the route exists among the divided blocks,
(D) setting position information of the distribution block in the map image and reproduction information for reproducing the distribution block as a reproduction map by the client computer based on the position information;
(E) A map image distribution method for distributing the distribution block, the position information, and the reproduction information to the client computer.

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