JP2006112981A - Information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus in which a user can easily acquire information related to a set destination by a simple operation.
When a user designates a desired information source related to a destination, the navigation device converts the URL of the designated information source and the position coordinates of the destination into a two-dimensional bar code and displays it on the display device. indicate. When the displayed two-dimensional barcode is picked up by a mobile phone, the mobile phone analyzes the picked-up two-dimensional barcode and obtains original information (location coordinates of destination, URL, etc.). As a result, the user can browse information about the desired information source or contact the user via a mobile phone.
[Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, for example, an information processing apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and provides information to a mobile terminal or the like equipped with an imaging unit such as a mobile phone.

The navigation device mounted on the vehicle also functions as an information processing device, so that it can provide not only guidance on the route to the destination but also facility information such as hotels that exist in the route as information on the route / map. It has become.
For example, in the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, a selection menu for selecting a specific facility from a plurality of facilities is displayed on the display device, and facility information relating to the selected facility is displayed on the display device. ing.

JP 2000-66584 A

However, when information is provided by a conventional navigation device, the user needs to perform an operation such as displaying and selecting a selection menu in order to display facility information on the screen. During this operation, route guidance by the navigation device needs to be interrupted.
For example, route guidance to a restaurant found with a navigation device is possible, but reservations to the restaurant, weather forecast when the restaurant arrives, confirmation of availability (forecast) at the arrival times of nearby parking lots, etc. It was impossible or complicated.

In addition, the facility information provided to the user is limited to information stored in advance in the case of a navigation device that does not have a communication function, and the latest information cannot be provided. In order to obtain, it was necessary to have a communication function.
Moreover, the facility information provided by the conventional navigation device can be confirmed only within the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted, and the facility information and the latest information regarding the facility cannot be obtained outside the vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus in which a user can easily acquire information related to a set destination by a simple operation.

(1) In the first aspect of the invention, destination setting means for setting a destination, calculation means for calculating an estimated time of arrival at the set destination, and information on the set destination are provided. An acquisition means for acquiring an address for communication with the information center from the storage means, a conversion means for converting the acquired communication address and the calculated predicted time into one encoded image by a predetermined conversion method, The information processing apparatus includes display means for displaying the converted encoded image to achieve the object.
(2) In the invention described in claim 2, destination setting means for setting a destination, calculation means for calculating an expected time of arrival at the set destination, and mail address of the set destination Acquisition means for acquiring from the storage means, conversion means for converting the acquired mail address and the calculated estimated time into one encoded image by a predetermined conversion method, and a display for displaying the converted encoded image Means for achieving the above object.
(3) In the invention described in claim 3, the storage means for storing the communication address of the information center for calculating the estimated arrival time to the destination, the current position detecting means for detecting the current position, the destination Destination setting means for setting, conversion means for converting the detected current position, the set destination and the stored communication address into one encoded image by a predetermined conversion method, and the converted encoding The information processing apparatus includes display means for displaying an image to achieve the object.

  According to the present invention, the position coordinates of the destination and the communication address of the information source are converted into an encoded image by a predetermined conversion method and displayed, so that the user can encode with an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone, for example. By capturing an image and analyzing the original information, it is possible to easily acquire information related to the destination.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
(1) Outline of Embodiment The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized by a navigation device that provides facility information to a user.
The navigation device stores facility information such as position coordinates, name, genre, URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and mail address for each facility to be set as a destination.
The navigation device also provides communication addresses of desired information sources related to the destination, for example, communication addresses of a weather forecast distribution center, a parking lot empty information distribution center, and a destination arrival prediction time distribution center. Remember.
When the user designates a desired information source in relation to the destination, the navigation apparatus displays the URL (or mail address) of the designated information source, the position coordinates of the destination, and destination information and routes as necessary. The information is converted into a two-dimensional barcode (encoded image by a predetermined conversion method, which may be a digital watermark) and displayed on the display device.

Here, the destination information corresponds to facility information excluding location coordinates such as a destination name, a telephone number, and a communication address (URL, mail address).
The route information includes the current position of the vehicle, the travel route to the destination by route search, the estimated arrival time at the destination, and the like.

When the user captures the displayed two-dimensional barcode with a mobile phone, the mobile phone analyzes the captured two-dimensional barcode to obtain original information (destination position coordinates, URL, etc.).
As a result, the user can browse information about the desired information source or contact the user via a mobile phone.

For example, when the user designates destination information as an information source, in addition to the destination coordinates and the URLs of both the weather forecast distribution center and the parking lot empty information distribution center, the destination name and the estimated arrival time are two-dimensional. It is converted into a bar code and displayed on the screen on the navigation device.
When the user images the two-dimensional barcode with a mobile phone, the mobile phone analyzes the original information expressed by the two-dimensional barcode and displays it on the screen.

  When the user designates the URL of the weather forecast distribution center on this display screen, the mobile phone connects to the weather forecast distribution center and transmits the coordinates of the destination and the estimated arrival time, thereby obtaining the weather forecast information near the destination. Obtain and display on screen. In addition, when a parking lot availability information distribution center is selected, it is connected to the center, and the coordinates of the destination and the estimated arrival time are transmitted, thereby obtaining an estimate of the congestion state at the estimated arrival time of the parking lot around the destination. Display on the screen.

Further, when the user selects contact with the destination as an information source, the URL or mail address of the destination itself is converted into a two-dimensional barcode. As a result, if the destination is an accommodation facility or restaurant, the user can make a reservation, communicate with the estimated arrival time, etc. from the mobile phone.
Also, the estimated arrival time (date and time) is predicted by the navigation device according to the travel route searched for the destination, but when the user specifies the estimated arrival time as an information source when the user wants to know a more accurate time, the coordinates of the destination In addition, the travel route and the like are converted into a two-dimensional barcode. The user can know a more accurate arrival time from the mobile phone by photographing this.

(2) Details of Embodiment FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a navigation device that functions as an information processing device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus includes a CPU 10 that controls the entire navigation apparatus according to various programs and data. The CPU 10 includes a current position detection device 11, a storage device 12, a display device 13, an input device 14, An audio output device 15 and other devices (such as a clock as a time measuring means) are connected.

  The current position detection device 11 is for detecting the current position (absolute coordinate value consisting of latitude and longitude) of a vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted, and is a GPS (measurement of vehicle position using artificial satellites). One or more of a global positioning system (receiver 111), a geomagnetic sensor 112, a gyro sensor 113, a vehicle speed sensor 114, and the like that detect geomagnetism and determine the direction of the vehicle are used.

The storage device 12 functions as various storage means such as facility information storage means, communication address storage means, and travel route storage means, and stores various programs and data.
The storage device 12 includes a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape, a semiconductor recording medium such as a memory chip and an IC card, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a PD (phase change rewritable optical disk). Recording media on which information is optically read, and recording media on which computer programs and data are recorded by various methods.
Different recording media may be used depending on the recording contents.

  The storage device 12 stores a map database (DB) 121, an encoded image conversion program 122, a route guidance program 123, a POI (facility information) DB 124, a server URL DB 125, and other various programs and data.

  The map DB 121 relates to various maps and roads such as map information for displaying various maps and roads around the current location of the vehicle and around the destination on the display device 13 and road information used for route search to the destination. A database that stores data.

The encoded image conversion program 122 displays identifiable information sources such as destination information, contact with the destination, and estimated arrival time on the display screen of the navigation device (information source identifying means). This is a program for converting and displaying converted source coordinates corresponding to an information source into an encoded image.
The encoded image conversion program 122 functions as conversion means in the present embodiment in cooperation with the CPU 10.
In the present embodiment, a two-dimensional barcode is used as the encoded image.

The original information to be converted into the encoded image includes destination information or destination information and route information.
The destination information is composed of the position coordinates of the destination, the URL of the specified information source, the name of the destination, and the address of the destination. Note that one or both of the name and address can be omitted.

The route information includes the current position of the vehicle, the travel route to the destination searched by the route search processing, the estimated arrival time (date and time) of the destination calculated from the distance and road type of the searched travel route, the number of signals, etc. Etc., and is converted into an encoded image according to the information source specified by the user.
For example, if the specified information source is destination information, the estimated arrival time is the target. If the destination is contacted, the current position of the vehicle is the target. The route is the target.

Two-dimensional barcodes are either “stacked two-dimensional codes” in which normal barcodes with information in only one direction are stacked or “matrix-type two-dimensional codes” shaped like a grid. It is also possible to adopt a format.
Creation and analysis of a two-dimensional barcode is realized by various well-known methods described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2004-164532, 2002-137394, 10-55420, and 11-306272. .

  The route guidance program 123 is a destination setting process (functioning as a destination setting means) based on user input, and a process for searching for a travel route to a destination set using road data stored in the map DB 121 ( Function as route search means), calculation processing of expected arrival time (function as expected arrival time calculation means) from the travel route searched and road data (road width, limit vehicle speed, presence / absence of traffic light, etc.) of the route, This is a program for displaying the searched travel route on a map (functioning as a map display means), guiding the travel route by voice, and performing various processes necessary for guidance (functioning as route guidance means).

The POI (facility information) DB 124 is a database in which facility information for each facility is stored.
FIG. 2 conceptually shows facility information stored in the POI (facility information) DB 124.
As shown in FIG. 2, the POI (facility information) DB 124 includes facility information numbers, names, genres, telephone numbers, addresses, position coordinates, e-mail addresses, mobile site URLs (hereinafter simply referred to as URLs), and the like. Stored for each facility.

In addition to the facility information registered in advance, new facility information is added to the facility information from outside via communication or a storage medium.
In addition, facility information can be newly created and registered when the user designates a registered point by a point registration process and inputs a corresponding name, genre, telephone number, address, e-mail address, URL, and the like. .

In FIG. 1, the server URL database (DB) 125 stores communication addresses of information sources and functions as an address storage means.
The server URL DB 125 stores, as information sources, URLs of information distribution centers that distribute various information such as a weather forecast distribution center, a parking lot empty information distribution center, and a destination arrival prediction time distribution center.

In addition to the URL of each information distribution center, the e-mail address and telephone number may also be stored and used as an encoded image conversion target.
In this case, the mail address and telephone number are to be converted into encoded images together with the URL of each information distribution center.

The display device 13 includes a map around the vehicle and the searched travel route, a searched route, and an encoded image created by the present embodiment (hereinafter, the two-dimensional barcode will be described in the description of the present embodiment). Is displayed.
Further, the display device 13 displays a map around the destination to be a route search target and an information source specifying button (key) for the user to specify the information source.

As the display device 13, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display device and a CRT are used.
The display device 13 may have a function as the input device 14 such as a touch panel.

The input device 14 is used when designating the current location (starting point), destination (arrival point), and information source at the start of traveling in the navigation processing.
As the input device 14, various devices such as a touch panel (functioning as a switch), a keyboard, a mouse, a light pen, a joystick, an infrared remote controller, and a voice recognition device can be used.

  The voice output device 15 includes a plurality of speakers arranged in the vehicle, and outputs voice controlled by the voice control unit, for example, guidance voice when performing route guidance by voice. The audio output device 15 may also be used as an audio speaker.

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of a mobile phone as an example of the mobile terminal device.
This mobile phone includes a CPU 30, a storage device 31, a display device 32, an imaging device (camera) 33, a voice input device 34, a voice output device 35, an input device 36, a communication device 37, and other devices (a clock as a time measuring means, etc. ).
The CPU 30 controls the entire telephone according to various programs and data stored in the storage device 31.

  The storage device 31 is composed of a ROM, a RAM, or a semiconductor storage device depending on the case, and stores an encoded image recognition program 311, a communication program 312, and other programs and data.

The encoded image recognition program 311 is a program that recognizes original information by analyzing a two-dimensional barcode imaged by the imaging device and displays the screen on the display device 32.
In accordance with the encoded image recognition program 311, the CPU 30 analyzes the two-dimensional barcode by a method corresponding to various methods used when a two-dimensional barcode is created by the encoded image conversion program of the navigation device.

The communication program 312 is a program having a browser function and a mail function based on the URL and mail address included in the original information displayed on the screen.
When the URL included in the original information is selected, the browser function transmits the position coordinates, the travel route, etc. of the destination included in the original information to the information distribution center of the corresponding URL from the corresponding information distribution center. The necessary contents are received and displayed on the display device 32.

  Although various display devices can be used as the display device 32, in this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display, or the like is used, and the facility information, the content of the home page specified by the URL, the content of the transmitted / received mail, Various information such as a telephone number is displayed.

The imaging device (camera) 33 functions as an imaging means, and is configured by a camera including a CCD (charge coupled device) for capturing an image.
The imaging device 33 captures images, external scenery, and the like. In the present embodiment, it is used for imaging a two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device.

  The voice input device 34 and the voice output device 35 function as a voice input / output device when using a call function as a mobile phone.

The input device 36 includes various input keys such as a numeric keypad. The input device 36 is used for inputting a telephone number, inputting text when using the mail function, and selecting an e-mail address or URL displayed on the display device 32. Used when.
The communication device 37 performs communication when using the mobile phone function and various data communication between a target specified by a URL or a mail address by connecting to a communication network such as the Internet.

4 to 6 show the configuration of an information distribution center that distributes various types of information as information sources to the mobile phone according to the present embodiment.
4 shows an arrival place weather forecast server (weather forecast distribution center), FIG. 5 shows a parking lot fullness prediction server (parking lot availability information distribution center), and FIG. 6 shows an expected arrival time correction server (predicted arrival arrival time at destination). This is a functional representation of the configuration of the center.

  Each of these servers (information distribution centers) is composed of a server system including a CPU and various storage devices. The communication device 41 for mobile phones and the communication for external IP for acquiring the content of information to be distributed from the outside. The apparatus 42 includes a program and a storage unit for realizing a function corresponding to the information content to be distributed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the arrival place weather forecast server (weather forecast distribution center) includes a weather forecast search program 44, and cooperates with the CPU from a mobile phone via the mobile phone communication device 41. The weather forecast at the coordinate position at the predicted time is detected from the estimated arrival time and the position coordinates received.

That is, the arrival place weather forecast server obtains a weather forecast corresponding to the corresponding position and time from an external IP such as a public weather forecast agency, for example, via a communication device 42 for external IP (Information Provider) (reference numeral 43). It is supposed to be.
The weather forecast detected according to the weather forecast search program 44 is transmitted from the mobile phone communication device 41 to the mobile phone.

The parking lot availability prediction server (parking lot availability information distribution center) includes a parking lot search program 46 and a full availability prediction program 47 as shown in FIG.
The parking lot search program 46 searches for a parking lot around the position from the position coordinates received from the mobile phone via the mobile phone communication device 41 in cooperation with the CPU. Although the number of parking lots to be searched is one in this embodiment, a plurality of parking lots may be used.

Next, the full space prediction program 47 cooperates with the CPU, and acquires the full space information of each parking lot in real time from the external IP such as the parking lot management center via the external IP communication device 42 (reference sign). 45) and the time and the like are stored.
Then, the availability of the searched parking lot at the expected time received from the cellular phone is predicted, and the parking lot and its availability information (predicted result) are transmitted from the cellular phone communication device 41 to the cellular phone. .
In addition, the parking lot search program 46 and the full space prediction program 47 predict the empty state of other parking lots when there is another parking lot when it is predicted that the vehicle is full at the estimated arrival time. , One that is more likely to be free is sent to the mobile phone.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the estimated arrival time correction server (estimated arrival time distribution center) is provided with an estimated arrival time calculation (route search) program 49 for the mobile phone in cooperation with the CPU. A more accurate estimated arrival time is calculated from the current position of the vehicle, the destination coordinates, and the travel route received from the mobile phone via the communication device 41.

In other words, the estimated arrival time correction server acquires the received traffic information on the travel route in real time from the external IP such as the VICS center via the communication device 42 for external IP (Information Provider) (reference numeral 48).
Then, a more accurate predicted arrival time at the destination is calculated from the current vehicle position, travel route, traffic jam information, and current time, and is transmitted from the mobile phone communication device 41 to the mobile phone.

Next, the operation of the system that acquires various information from the information source desired by the user using the mobile phone from the navigation apparatus configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 7 shows a state in which the information source button specified by the user is displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a screen during route guidance by the route guidance program 123, and the display device 13 displays a map around the current vehicle location and the current location of the vehicle (displayed by a triangle and a dotted circle at the approximate center of the screen). Is displayed.
Three information source buttons 131 are displayed at the upper right of the screen. The information source button 131 includes a “destination information” button 131a, a “contact destination” button 131b, and an “estimated arrival time” button 131c.
By specifying (selecting) one of the information source buttons 131, the user can display the two-dimensional barcode of the corresponding information (original information corresponding to the information source including the coordinates of the destination) on the screen as described later. Is displayed.

In the present embodiment, the three information source buttons 131a to 131c are always displayed while route guidance is being performed. However, since the display area of the map and the travel route is reduced, it is not normally displayed. Also good.
Instead, the information source call button may be displayed small on the display screen.
When this information source call button is selected, as shown in FIG. 7, the three information source buttons 131a to 131c are displayed on the screen.

Hereinafter, the processing operation of the navigation device and the processing operation by the mobile phone when the three information source buttons 131a to 131c are selected will be described.
FIG. 8 shows operations of the navigation device and the mobile phone when the “destination information” button 131a is selected.
When the user selects the “destination information” button 131a of the information source buttons 131, the CPU 10 acquires (reads out) the original information to be converted in accordance with the encoded image conversion program 122, and creates a two-dimensional barcode. To do.

That is, as source information, the CPU 10 uses destination information such as the destination name, coordinates, and address from the facility information DB 124, and the weather forecast distribution center URL and the parking space vacant information distribution center URL from the server URL DB 125 in the route guidance process described later. The calculated estimated arrival date and time (time) at the destination is read from the RAM.
Then, a two-dimensional barcode 132 is created from the read original information and displayed on the display device 13 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8A, the two-dimensional bar code 132 is displayed at the center of the screen, but it is small within a range that can be recognized by the mobile phone, such as below the information source button 131, at a position shifted from the center of the screen. You may make it display. This prevents the display area of the map screen from being temporarily reduced.

  When the user selects the “destination information” button 131a, the selected button is converted into a “return” button 131a ′. When the “return” button 131a ′ is selected, the screen returns to the original screen from the state in which the two-dimensional barcode 132 is displayed, and returns to the original “destination information” button 131a.

In a state where the two-dimensional barcode 132 is displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device, when the user takes an image with a mobile phone having an imaging function (FIG. 8B), the CPU 30 of the mobile phone uses the captured image data. Is stored in the RAM.
Next, the CPU 30 analyzes the original information of the two-dimensional barcode 132 from the image data stored in the RAM, temporarily stores it in the RAM, and displays the original information on the display device 32.

FIG. 8C exemplifies a state in which the original information analyzed after imaging the two-dimensional barcode 132 created by the navigation device corresponding to the “destination information” button 131 a is displayed on the display device 32. It is.
As shown in FIG. 8C, the following items are displayed.
“Restaurant Aoyama”: Name of destination set by user “<weather upon arrival>” ... Display of information source corresponding to “display destination” button 131a 1
“Http://www.otenki.co.jp/”…URL of the weather forecast distribution center (arrival destination weather forecast server)
“Nl = 35.40.30.597”: North latitude coordinates “&” of destination coordinates “el”: “el = 139.44.13.030”: East longitude coordinates “&” of destination coordinates ... Data delimiter "time = 2003.11.11.19.50" ... Estimated arrival time at destination "<parking lot upon arrival>" ... Display of information source corresponding to "Destination information" button 131a 2
“Http: //www.parking..co.jp/”… URL of the parking lot availability information distribution center (parking lot availability forecast server)
“Nl = 35.40.30.597” and below are the same as above.

The user selects a URL corresponding to a person who wants to check <weather on arrival> or <parking on arrival> from the above information displayed on the screen of the display device 32 of the mobile phone.
The CPU 30 is connected to a selected server of the arrival place weather forecast server (FIG. 4) or the parking lot availability forecast server (FIG. 5), transmits the coordinates of the destination and the expected arrival time, and the weather at that time. The forecast / parking lot and vacancy information are received and displayed on the display device 32.

FIG. 8D shows a display screen of the mobile phone corresponding to the weather forecast information “sunny” transmitted from the arrival place weather forecast server.
The weather forecast information “sunny” received by the mobile phone is the weather forecast information at the same estimated arrival time around the destination transmitted from the mobile phone.
The display device 32 displays characters of the received weather forecast information “sunny” and a star that displays sunny. The star is a display in which the estimated arrival time is set to 19:50, and a sun mark is displayed in the daytime.

  In addition, the CPU 30 applies the original information analyzed from the two-dimensional bar code to “the weather around ○ at the time of ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ min” and “at around 19:50 on October 11, 2003 Create a weather near Ristorante Aoyama and display it at the top of the screen.

  Through the above operation, as shown in FIG. 8D, the user disconnects the desired information, that is, the weather forecast at the predicted arrival time at the destination, from the navigation device regardless of the presence or absence of the communication function of the navigation device. And can be confirmed easily.

Next, route guidance processing and encoded image conversion processing in the navigation device of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the route guidance process.
The CPU 10 of the navigation device performs destination setting processing based on the user's selection (step 21).
In the destination setting process, the CPU 10 reads out the names of destinations that can be set from the facility information DB 124 and displays the names on the display device 13 as a list. The names of destinations are displayed in a list in various orders such as genre order, aiueo order, and region order according to the user's selection.
The user selects a desired destination from the displayed list, and the CPU 10 stores the facility information of the selected destination in the RAM, thereby completing the destination setting process.
When a specific point is specified on the map by the user's selection, it is also possible to read out facilities existing around the specified point from the facility information DB 124 and select one of them.

Next, the CPU 10 performs a route search process to the set destination (step 22).
That is, the CPU 10 stores the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection device 11 in the RAM as a departure point, and uses the road data in the map DB 121 to determine the travel route from the current position of the vehicle to the set destination. Search and store in RAM.

When the travel route to the destination is determined by the route search, the CPU 10 calculates the expected travel time from the distances, legal speeds, road widths, presence / absence of signals, etc. of the roads constituting the determined travel route.
Then, the CPU 10 calculates the time after the estimated travel time has elapsed as the predicted arrival date and time (time) from the input departure time when the departure time is input, and the current time when the departure time is not input, The estimated travel time and the estimated arrival date and time are stored in the RAM (step 23).

  In addition, although the calculation process of the above estimated arrival date is performed after a route search process is complete | finished, you may make it process in parallel with the route guidance process based on the searched driving | running route after that.

The CPU 10 displays a map around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 13 according to the traveling of the vehicle, displays the traveling route and the current position of the vehicle on the map, and if necessary, makes a route by voice at a route change point such as an intersection. The change direction is guided (step 24).
The route guidance CPU 10 monitors whether or not the information source button 131 (see FIG. 7) has been specified (selected) (step 25).

  When any of the three information source buttons 131a to 131c is specified (step 25; Y), the CPU 10 follows the encoded image conversion program 122 and the two-dimensional bar corresponding to the specified information source buttons 131a to 131c. A code creation process (described later) is performed (step 26).

After the two-dimensional barcode creation process is completed or when the information source button is not specified (step 25; N), the CPU 10 includes whether the route guidance is completed (including whether the destination has been reached). ) Is determined (step 27).
If the two-dimensional barcode creation process has not been completed after completion of the two-dimensional barcode creation process (step 27; N), the process returns to step 24 to continue monitoring the route guidance process and the information source button, and if completed (step 27; Y), the process ends.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the two-dimensional barcode creation processing and the processing operation of the mobile phone when the “destination information” button 131a is specified.
The two-dimensional barcode creation process shown in FIG. 10 is executed at step 26 in the route guidance process of FIG. This also applies to FIGS. 12 and 14 described later.

First, the two-dimensional barcode creation process in the in-vehicle device (navigation device) will be described.
The CPU 10 of the navigation device determines the specified information source button 131, and if it is the “destination information” button (step 30; Y), the destination information (name of property or parking lot, The coordinates and address are read (step 31).
Here, a property or a parking lot is a facility set as a destination.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the destination address is read as the destination information. However, as described with reference to FIG.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the reading is successful (step 32). If the reading is not successful (step 32; N), the CPU 10 displays a reading error on the display device 13 (step 33), and the main routine. Return to
Here, when the reading is not successful, the case where the user sets a facility or point other than the facility registered in the facility information DB 124 as the destination in the destination setting process corresponds.

Note that the determination of whether or not the reading has succeeded and the reading error display processing in the case of unsuccessful reading can be omitted in the same manner as the processing described in FIG.
In this case, the name of the destination is not subject to conversion to the two-dimensional barcode, and the name of the destination is not displayed in the analysis result even on the mobile phone, but the name is not displayed because it is the destination originally set by the user. It seems that the problem by is not so great.
The above is also true for the processing of FIG.

On the other hand, when the destination information has been successfully read (step 32; Y), the CPU 10 reads the expected arrival date and server URL (step 34).
Here, the predicted arrival date is calculated by the predicted arrival date calculation process (step 23; FIG. 9), and the estimated arrival date stored in the RAM is read.
In addition, the server URL reads the URL of the weather forecast distribution center (arrival place weather forecast server) and the URL of the vacant information distribution center (parking lot fullness forecast server) of the parking lot from the server URL DB 125.

Then, the CPU 10 creates a two-dimensional barcode using the read name, coordinates, address, estimated arrival time, and server URL as original information, and displays it on the display device 13 (step 36).
FIG. 8A shows a state in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the display device 13.
Further, the original information for creating the two-dimensional barcode in step 36 is the information arrangement as shown in FIG.

The CPU 10 monitors whether or not the “return” button 131a ′ (see FIG. 8A) is operated by the user from the state where the two-dimensional barcode is created and displayed, and if there is no operation (step 36; N). ) Return to step 35 to continue displaying the two-dimensional barcode.
If the “return” button 131a ′ is operated (step 36; Y), the CPU 10 returns to the main routine.

Next, processing of the mobile phone will be described.
When the two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device in step 35 (FIG. 8A), the user takes a picture of the displayed two-dimensional barcode using the camera function of the mobile phone ( Step 41, FIG. 8 (b)).
When the two-dimensional barcode is photographed, the CPU 30 of the mobile phone decodes the captured image and displays the analysis result on the display device 32 (step 42, FIG. 8C).

  When the user selects one of the displayed URLs in this state (here, it is assumed that the user has selected <weather on arrival>), the CPU 30 connects to the server of the selected URL, Destination information and estimated arrival date and time are transmitted (step 43).

  Then, the CPU 30 acquires the weather forecast at the estimated arrival date and time around the destination, which is transmitted from the transmitted arrival location weather forecast server, and the weather acquired together with the destination and date and time as shown in FIG. A forecast is displayed (step 44), and the process is terminated.

Next, a flow when the “contact with destination” button 131b is specified by the user on the display screen during route guidance shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The basic flow is the same as the flow described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 when the “destination information” button 131a is selected.
Therefore, the differences will be mainly described below.

  The CPU 10 of the navigation device determines the specified information source button 131, and if it is a “contact destination” button (step 40; Y), reads the mail address of the destination from the facility information DB 124 (step 41). ).

Next, if the reading is not successful (step 42; N), the CPU 10 displays a reading error on the display device 13 (step 43) and returns to the main routine.
On the other hand, when the destination information has been successfully read (step 32; Y), the CPU 10 reads the expected arrival date and time (step 44).

Then, the CPU 10 creates a two-dimensional barcode using the read mail address, estimated arrival date and time, and mail creation command as original information, and displays it on the display device 13 (step 45).
Here, the mail creation command is a command for automatically enabling the mail function included in the communication program 312 of the mobile phone.

FIG. 11A shows a state in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the display device 13.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the position of the “contact destination” button 131b selected on the display screen of FIG. 7 is changed to the “return” button 131b ′ in the same manner as described in FIG. Be changed.

The CPU 10 monitors whether or not the “return” button 131b ′ (see FIG. 11A) is operated by the user from the state in which the two-dimensional barcode is created and displayed, and if there is no operation (step 46; N). ) Return to step 45 to continue displaying the two-dimensional barcode.
If the “return” button 131b ′ is operated (step 46; Y), the CPU 10 returns to the main routine.

Next, processing of the mobile phone will be described.
The user takes a picture of the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device in step 45 using the camera function of the mobile phone (step 51, FIG. 11 (b)).

When the two-dimensional barcode is photographed, the CPU 30 of the mobile phone decodes the captured image and displays the analysis result on the display device 32 (step 52).
At that time, the CPU 30 enables the mail function of the communication program 213 based on the decoded mail creation command, enables the mail text to be input, and analyzes the predicted arrival date and time as shown in FIG. Display the mail creation form with the text filled in.

  In this state, the user inputs an additional text, for example, “Reserve for 4 non-smoking seats” as illustrated in FIG. 11D, and selects a mail transmission button (not shown) on the mobile phone. Then, the CPU 30 transmits the created mail to the decrypted mail address (step 53), and returns to the main routine.

Next, a flow when the “estimated arrival time” button 131c is specified by the user on the display screen during route guidance shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The basic flow is the same as the flow described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, and the differences will be mainly described.

  The CPU 10 of the navigation device determines the specified information source button 131, and if it is the “estimated arrival time” button 131c (step 60; Y), the original information (current location coordinates, destination coordinates, destination name, travel route) , Server URL) is read (step 61).

  Here, the CPU 10 reads the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection device 11 and stored in the RAM, and the destination name reads the name corresponding to the set destination from the facility information DB 124. The route reads the travel route searched for the destination by the route search processing from the RAM, and the server URL reads the URL of the estimated arrival time correction server (estimated arrival time distribution center of the destination) from the server URL DB 125.

The travel route in this case does not need to read all the travel route information from the departure point to the destination, and is the travel route information from the current vehicle position to the destination.
In this embodiment, all the travel route information from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is read. For example, the information of the route change point such as an intersection, that is, the information more than the minimum information that can specify the travel route in the server. You may make it read limitedly.

In the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 12, it is determined whether or not the reading is successful. For example, when the user sets a facility or point not stored in the facility information DB 124 as the destination, the reading cannot be performed. An error occurs.
On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, if the reading is unsuccessful, the destination name is excluded from the reading target.
However, the determination as to whether or not the reading is successful and the display in the case of unsuccess may be performed in the same manner as in FIGS.

  Then, the CPU 10 creates a two-dimensional barcode from the read original information and displays it on the display device 13 (step 62).

FIG. 13A shows a state in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the display device 13.
As shown in FIG. 13A, the position of the “estimated arrival time” button 131c selected on the display screen of FIG. 7 is changed to the “return” button 131c ′ in the same manner as described in FIG. The

The CPU 10 monitors whether or not the “return” button 131c ′ (see FIG. 13A) is operated by the user from the state in which the two-dimensional barcode is created and displayed, and if there is no operation (step 63; N). ) Return to step 62 to continue displaying the two-dimensional barcode.
If the “return” button 131c ′ is operated (step 63; Y), the CPU 10 returns to the main routine.

Next, processing of the mobile phone will be described.
The user photographs the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 13 of the navigation device in step 62 using the camera function of the mobile phone (step 71, FIG. 13B).

  When the two-dimensional barcode is photographed, the CPU 30 of the mobile phone decodes the captured image and displays the analysis result on the display device 32 (step 72, FIG. 13 (c)).

As shown in FIG. 13 (c), when the two-dimensional bar code created and displayed by selecting the “estimated arrival time” button 131c is analyzed by a mobile phone, the following items of the analyzed original information are displayed on the display device. 32.
“Restaurant Aoyama”: destination name set by the user “<accurate arrival time” ... information source display 1 corresponding to the destination information source button 131c
“Http://www.arrival.co.jp/” URL of the estimated arrival time correction server (estimated arrival time distribution center at the destination)
“To? Nl = 35.40.30.597 & el = 139.44.13.030” ... the position coordinates of the destination (nl = below latitude value, el = below east longitude value)
“& From? Nl = 35.41.56.992 & el = 139.46.11.099”: Current position coordinates of the vehicle (nl = north latitude, el = below east longitude)

  Of the original information, the travel route information from the current vehicle position to the destination is stored in the RAM, but is not displayed on the display device 32 due to the large amount of information.

  When the user instructs transmission by selecting the displayed URL, the CPU 30 connects to the server of the displayed URL and transmits original information (including travel route information) (step 43).

Then, the CPU 30 receives the predicted arrival time from the destination, which is transmitted from the estimated arrival time correction server that transmitted the original information, and the added road information if added, and FIG. As shown in d), a more accurate estimated arrival time is displayed on the display device 32 (step 74), and the process returns to the main routine.
In addition, in FIG.13 (d), the text explaining the traffic jam by an event is displayed as additional road information.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
(1) In a navigation device, destination information (for example, name, telephone number, e-mail address, URL, etc.), route information (for example, current position, journey, estimated arrival time, etc.), and access to an information source from a mobile phone The URL is converted into a two-dimensional bar code that can be recognized and decoded by a mobile phone, and displayed on the display device of the navigation device.
(2) The user can send destination information, route information, URL, etc. to the mobile phone by a simple operation of shooting a two-dimensional barcode with a camera attached to the mobile phone.
(3) The user can use a mobile phone to make a reservation at a restaurant or browse a weather forecast when the restaurant arrives.

In this way, even for navigation devices that do not have a communication function, various information related to the destination can be obtained by simply utilizing an information portable terminal having a photographing function such as a mobile phone that has already been widely used. Can be acquired or sent.
That is, according to the present embodiment, no special hardware for communication is used in the navigation device, and no complicated mobile phone operation is required, and information transmission from the navigation device to the mobile phone can be performed with simple user operation. Can be realized.

Although one embodiment of the information processing apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in each claim. .
For example, in the embodiment described above, the case where a two-dimensional barcode is created as a coded image created from original information by a coded image conversion program has been described. However, a digital watermark is created as another coded image. Also good.

In this case, various well-known digital watermark techniques such as a direct embedding method and a frequency component embedding method can be used for the digital watermark icon in this case.
The direct embedding method uses the characteristic that humans are difficult to recognize dark pixels near bright pixels, and embeds facility information in sample values (icons) of data, dividing the pixels into multiple blocks, This is a method of embedding a watermark by directly processing bit information representing luminance. In the present embodiment, this direct embedding method is adopted because of the advantage that processing time is short.
On the other hand, the frequency component embedding method, as represented by Fourier transform (FET), spread spectrum, discrete cosine transform (DCT), etc., converts the image data into frequency components and does not affect the image quality. This is a method of embedding watermark information.

It is a block diagram of the navigation apparatus which functions as an information processing apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. This is a conceptual representation of facility information stored in a POI (facility information) DB. It is a block diagram of the mobile telephone as an example of a portable terminal device. It is a block diagram of an arrival place weather forecast server (weather forecast distribution center). It is a block diagram of a parking lot full prediction server (parking lot availability information distribution center). It is a block diagram of an estimated arrival time correction server (estimated arrival time distribution center at the destination). It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the information source button which a user specifies was displayed on the display apparatus of the navigation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing showing operation | movement of a navigation apparatus and a mobile telephone when the "destination information" button is selected. It is a flowchart showing the processing operation of route guidance processing. It is a flowchart showing the operation of the two-dimensional barcode creation processing and the processing operation of the mobile phone when the “destination information” button is specified. It is explanatory drawing showing operation | movement of a navigation apparatus and a mobile telephone when the "contact to the destination" button is selected. It is a flowchart showing the operation of the two-dimensional barcode creation process and the processing operation of the mobile phone when the “contact to destination” button is specified. It is explanatory drawing showing operation | movement of a navigation apparatus and a mobile telephone when the "estimated arrival time" button is selected. It is a flowchart showing the operation of the two-dimensional barcode creation process and the processing operation of the mobile phone when the “estimated arrival time” button is specified.

Explanation of symbols

10 CPU
11 Current position detection device 12 Storage device 121 Map DB
122 Coded image conversion program 123 Route guidance program 124 POI (facility information) DB
125 Server URLDB
13 Display device 14 Input device 15 Audio output device

Claims (3)

Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Calculating means for calculating an estimated time of arrival at the set destination;
An acquisition means for acquiring from a storage means an address for communication with an information center providing information on the set destination;
Conversion means for converting the acquired communication address and the calculated predicted time into one encoded image by a predetermined conversion method;
Display means for displaying the converted encoded image;
An information processing apparatus comprising:
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Calculating means for calculating an estimated time of arrival at the set destination;
An acquisition means for acquiring the mail address of the set destination from a storage means;
Conversion means for converting the acquired email address and the calculated estimated time into a single encoded image by a predetermined conversion method;
Display means for displaying the converted encoded image;
An information processing apparatus comprising:
Storage means for storing a communication address of an information center for calculating an estimated arrival time to the destination;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Conversion means for converting the detected current position, the set destination, and the stored communication address into one encoded image by a predetermined conversion method;
Display means for displaying the converted encoded image;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

Images