JP2010276364A - NAVIGATION INFORMATION CREATION DEVICE, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, NAVIGATION INFORMATION CREATION METHOD, AND NAVIGATION METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that flexible route guidance such as the route guidance using a shortcut known only to specific individuals or a path that is difficult to be displayed on a display or the route guidance to a place known only to specific individuals cannot be performed, because a conventional navigation system adds an image of an arrow or the like indicating the traveling direction on the basis of route information prepared in advance. <P>SOLUTION: In the communication between two parties of a questioner of route information and an answerer, the answerer adds an image such as an arrow indicating the traveling direction to a navigation image obtained in advance in a navigation information creation device, and transmits it to a navigation information utilization device of the questioner. The navigation information utilization device receives and stores the navigation image, and extracts a proper image from the stored navigation images in accordance with the current position and orientation of the questioner, and displays the image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation information creation device, a navigation system, a navigation information creation method, and a navigation method that provide route information to a destination.

  In recent years, a function of acquiring geographic information by GPS (Global Positioning System) and a function of displaying a map are generally implemented in a mobile phone, and the mobile phone has come to be used as a route guidance tool. As a result, a number of navigation systems have been developed that automatically present a route from the current location to the input destination when the user inputs the name of the place he / she wants to go on a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone.

  However, the previous navigation system is based on a two-dimensional map, and such a navigation system has a problem that the route guidance information cannot accurately reflect the real world geographical situation. For example, there has been a problem that it is impossible to present a course inside a building such as a station. In addition, there is a difference between the scenery that the user sees in front of the information on the two-dimensional map, and in areas with complicated geographical structures such as intersections and subway exits, the destination of the map There were also problems such as making it difficult to determine where to go.

  In order to deal with such problems, as a conventional navigation system, a three-dimensional image of a specific place (for example, an easily stray place such as an intersection) is prepared. There is a navigation system that guides the correct direction by presenting an original image or providing voice guidance. Furthermore, there is a navigation system in which an image such as an arrow indicating the direction of travel is added to a landscape image in front of the user taking a picture with his / her mobile communication terminal and displayed on a display (for example, a patent) Literature 1, Patent Literature 2).

JP 2006-194665 A JP 2006-101013 A

However, in the navigation systems disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, images such as arrows are added based on route information prepared in advance, so that shortcuts and displays known only to a specific individual are displayed. It was impossible to provide route guidance using difficult-to-display roads, route guidance to places known only to specific individuals, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to realize a communication type navigation system capable of providing more flexible route guidance to a user of the navigation system.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is information that associates image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and azimuth information of the point. The point information holding means for holding certain point information and the information to be added to the image information and indicating the direction to go to the destination are accepted, and the generated information is received. Proposed is a navigation information creating apparatus having instruction information generating means for holding instruction information and first transmission means for transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device.

  According to this configuration, the user of the navigation information creation device (hereinafter referred to as “navigation information creator”) uses the navigation information creation device of the present invention to display an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the navigation information user should proceed for navigation. It can be added to an image and transmitted to a terminal or the like of a navigation information user. More specifically, in the communication between the questioner and the respondent of the route information, an image such as an arrow indicating how to proceed to the navigation image acquired by the respondent in advance by photographing with the navigation information creation device Is sent to the questioner's terminal. Then, the questioner's terminal or the like receives and holds the navigation image to which the arrow or the like is added, and the current position and orientation of the questioner (that is, the current position and orientation of the questioner's terminal or the like). ), An appropriate image is extracted from the stored navigation image and displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform more flexible route guidance than in the case of performing route guidance based on route information prepared in advance as in the conventional navigation system. In addition, since it is not necessary to store the route information in advance, the storage capacity consumed by the navigation information creation device can be reduced. In addition, when the storage capacity of the navigation information creation device is small, there is a method of storing the route information in another device on the network and downloading it when using the route information. It takes communication time.

In addition, when the instruction information generation unit generates new instruction information, there is image information associated with position information that substantially matches the position information of the point information that is the target of the new instruction information. In this case, the new instruction information may be generated based on the instruction information added to the image information.
According to this configuration, when the navigation information creator performs an operation of adding an image such as an arrow to the navigation image, it is possible to set an arrow or the like using an image such as an already created arrow. Setting work can be simplified. For example, if a navigation information creator takes a plurality of photographs from different angles at a certain point, obtains a navigation image, and draws and adds an arrow indicating the direction of travel on any one of them. Based on the identity of points, the directions of arrows on other images can be automatically calculated and added by the navigation information creation device. Thereby, the trouble of creating instruction information can be saved.

  Further, the present invention is a navigation system having a navigation information creation device that provides an image related to a route to a predetermined destination, and a navigation information utilization device that displays the image acquired from the navigation information creation device. The navigation information generation device holds point information that holds point information that is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on the route, position information of the point, and direction information of the point. And an instruction to receive the input for generating the instruction information indicating the direction in which the user of the navigation information using apparatus is to proceed, and to hold the generated instruction information. Information generating means, and first transmitting means for transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information using device, wherein the navigation information using device is A receiving means for receiving the point information to which the information is added, and the position information received by the receiving means and associated with the position information and the direction information, which substantially matches the position information and the direction information of the own device. And a display means for extracting and displaying the image information. A navigation system is proposed.

  According to this configuration, the navigation information creator can add an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the user of the navigation information utilization device (hereinafter referred to as “navigation information user”) should travel to the navigation image. . More specifically, in the communication between the questioner and the respondent of the route information, an image such as an arrow indicating how to proceed to the navigation image acquired by the respondent in advance by photographing with the navigation information creation device Is added to the questioner's navigation information utilization device. The navigation information utilization device receives and holds the navigation image to which the arrow or the like is added and stores it in the current position and orientation of the questioner (that is, the current position and orientation of the navigation information utilization device). In response, an appropriate image is extracted from the stored navigation image and displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform more flexible route guidance than in the case of performing route guidance based on route information prepared in advance as in the conventional navigation system. In addition, since it is not necessary to store the route information in advance, the storage capacity consumed by the navigation information creation device can be reduced. In addition, when the storage capacity of the navigation information creation device is small, there is a method of storing the route information in another device on the network and downloading it when using the route information. It takes communication time.

The navigation information utilization device further includes second transmission means for transmitting the spot information to the navigation information creation device, and the spot information holding means is the spot information transmitted from the second transmission means. You may come to hold.
According to this configuration, for example, the navigation information user captures an image such as an arrow with respect to an image of the landscape by photographing the landscape in front of the eye and transmitting it to the navigation information creation device together with the position information and the direction information. It can be added. As a result, if the route cannot be found according to the navigation image that has already been received and held, or if the current position is on the correct route, the navigation information creator is confirmed and the subsequent direction of travel is indicated by an arrow or the like. It can be shown.

  The present invention also stores point information, which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and direction information of the point. A point information storage step, and an instruction to receive input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction to go to the destination, and holding the generated instruction information Proposed is a navigation information creation method including an information generation step and a first transmission step of transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device.

  According to this configuration, the navigation information creator adds an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the navigation information user should travel to the navigation image and transmits it to the navigation information user's terminal or the like by the navigation information creation method of the present invention. It is possible to do. More specifically, in the communication between the questioner of the route information and the respondent, an image such as an arrow indicating how to proceed to the navigation image acquired by the respondent in advance by photographing with his / her terminal etc. Is sent to the questioner's terminal. Then, the questioner's terminal or the like receives and holds the navigation image to which the arrow or the like is added, and the current position and orientation of the questioner (that is, the current position and orientation of the questioner's terminal or the like). ), An appropriate image is extracted from the stored navigation image and displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform more flexible route guidance than in the case of performing route guidance based on route information prepared in advance as in the conventional navigation system. Further, since it is not necessary to store the route information in advance, the storage capacity consumed by the navigation information creator's terminal can be reduced. In addition, when the storage capacity of the navigation information creator's terminal or the like is small, there is a method of storing the route information in other devices on the network and downloading the route information when using it. Communication costs and communication time are required.

  The present invention also stores point information, which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and direction information of the point. A point information storage step, and an instruction to receive input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction to go to the destination, and holding the generated instruction information An information generating step; and a first transmission step of transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device. From the information, the image information associated with the position information and the azimuth information that substantially matches the position information and the azimuth information of the device that received the point information is extracted and displayed. That in the proposed navigation information creation method according to claim.

  According to this configuration, the navigation information creator adds an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the navigation information user should travel to the navigation image and transmits it to the navigation information user's terminal or the like by the navigation information creation method of the present invention. It is possible to do. More specifically, in the communication between the questioner of the route information and the respondent, an image such as an arrow indicating how to proceed to the navigation image acquired by the respondent in advance by photographing with his / her terminal etc. Is sent to the questioner's terminal. Then, the questioner's terminal or the like receives and holds the navigation image to which the arrow or the like is added, and the current position and orientation of the questioner (that is, the current position and orientation of the questioner's terminal or the like). ), An appropriate image is extracted from the stored navigation image and displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform more flexible route guidance than in the case of performing route guidance based on route information prepared in advance as in the conventional navigation system. Further, since it is not necessary to store the route information in advance, the storage capacity consumed by the navigation information creator's terminal can be reduced. In addition, when the storage capacity of the navigation information creator's terminal or the like is small, there is a method of storing the route information in other devices on the network and downloading the route information when using it. Communication costs and communication time are required.

  Further, the present invention is a navigation method executed by a navigation information creation device that provides an image relating to a route to a predetermined destination, and a navigation information utilization device that displays the image acquired from the navigation information creation device. In the navigation information creation device, a point that stores point information that is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on the route, position information of the point, and direction information of the point And an information storage step, wherein the navigation information creation device accepts an input for generating instruction information that is information to be added to the image information and indicates a direction in which the user of the navigation information utilization device is to proceed. An instruction information generation step for holding the instruction information, and the navigation information generation device, wherein the point information to which the instruction information is added is A first transmission step of transmitting to the information utilization device, wherein the navigation information utilization device receives the point information to which the instruction information is added, and the navigation information utilization device includes the reception step. A display step of extracting and displaying the image information associated with the position information and the azimuth information, which substantially matches the position information and the azimuth information of the own device from the point information received in A feature navigation method is proposed.

  According to this configuration, the navigation information creator can add an arrow or the like indicating the direction in which the navigation information user should travel to the navigation image. More specifically, in the communication between the questioner and the respondent of the route information, an image such as an arrow indicating how to proceed to the navigation image acquired by the respondent in advance by photographing with the navigation information creation device Is added to the questioner's navigation information utilization device. The navigation information utilization device receives and holds the navigation image to which the arrow or the like is added and stores it in the current position and orientation of the questioner (that is, the current position and orientation of the navigation information utilization device). In response, an appropriate image is extracted from the stored navigation image and displayed.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform more flexible route guidance than in the case of performing route guidance based on route information prepared in advance as in the conventional navigation system. In addition, since it is not necessary to store the route information in advance, the storage capacity consumed by the navigation information creation device can be reduced. In addition, when the storage capacity of the navigation information creation device is small, there is a method of storing the route information in another device on the network and downloading it when using the route information. It takes communication time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide more flexible route guidance to the user of the navigation system. Specifically, for example, route guidance using a shortcut known only by a specific individual or a path difficult to display on a display, or route guidance to a location known only by a specific individual is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of a navigation system. It is a figure which shows the specific example of point information and instruction information. It is a figure which shows the usage example of instruction information. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an instruction information input screen. It is a figure which shows the specific example of an arrow setting screen. It is a figure explaining the setting method of the advancing direction. It is a figure explaining the automatic setting method of an arrow. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the reduction display of the image for navigation. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the enlarged display of the image for navigation. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a navigation system. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a navigation information production apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a navigation information utilization apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a navigation information creation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a navigation information utilization apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of navigation system)
First, the configuration of the navigation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system.
The navigation system shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation information creation device 100 and a navigation information utilization device 200. The navigation information creation device 100 is a device that provides a navigation image relating to a route to a predetermined destination. The navigation information utilization device 200 is a device that displays the navigation image acquired from the navigation information creation device 100 and provides route guidance to the navigation information user.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the navigation information creation device 100 and the navigation information utilization device 200 are portable communication terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and notebook computers. However, the navigation information creation device 100 may be a communication terminal such as a stationary personal computer. Hereinafter, the configuration of each device will be described in detail.
(Configuration of navigation information creation device)
First, the configuration of the navigation information creation device 100 will be described. The navigation information creation device 100 includes a spot information holding unit 110, an instruction information generation unit 120, and a first transmission unit 130. Each configuration will be described below.

(Point information holding means)
The spot information holding unit 110 holds spot information in which image information relating to a predetermined spot existing on the route, position information, and azimuth information are associated with each other. Here, “image information relating to a predetermined point” specifically corresponds to image information constituting a navigation image. This image information is captured by an imaging unit (not shown) such as a camera provided in the navigation information creation device 100, downloaded from an Internet website, or received from another device. Or get by. Further, the spot information holding unit 110 can hold a plurality of pieces of image information having different shooting directions at the same spot.

  “Position information” is information indicating the position of the point where the image information is acquired. Specifically, the position information corresponds to information indicating the longitude and latitude of the point. The position information is acquired by acquiring the image information with the GPS function of the navigation information creation device 100 when the image information is captured by the camera of the navigation information creation device 100 or the like. For example, a method of acquiring position information as well as image information is assumed. Further, the position information may be acquired by accepting manual input from the navigation information creator.

  The “azimuth information” is information indicating the shooting direction of the image at the point where the image information is acquired. Specifically, the azimuth information corresponds to an azimuth angle represented by an angle in which the north is 0 °, the east is 90 °, the south is 180 °, and the west is 270 °. The direction information acquisition method is such that when image information is captured by a camera or the like of the navigation information creation device 100, the image information is acquired by an electronic compass of the navigation information creation device 100, or the image information is acquired from an Internet website or the like. For example, a method of acquiring azimuth information together with image information is assumed. In addition, the direction information may be acquired by accepting manual input of the navigation information creator.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of point information and instruction information. In the information 250, “point ID” is identification information given to uniquely identify each image information stored in a storage device (not shown) of the navigation information creation device 100. “Position information” and “azimuth” respectively indicate position information and azimuth information at the point where the image information identified by the point ID is acquired. That is, the image information with the spot ID separately stored in the storage device or the like of the navigation information creating apparatus 100 and the information indicated by “position information” and “direction” of the information 250 correspond to the spot information. In the “location information”, latitude is represented as “lat” and longitude is represented as “lng”. Further, the value stored in “azimuth” is a value representing the absolute azimuth when north is 0 °.

  More specifically, the navigation information creation device 100 stores information 250 as a database or the like in its own storage device or the like. Then, when image information of a predetermined point is acquired by taking an image with the camera of the own device or the like, this image information is stored in the storage device or the like of the own device, a new point ID is generated, and new information 250 is added. Add a record. Then, the generated point ID is stored as “point ID” data of the new record, and the longitude and latitude and the azimuth obtained by the GPS function and the electronic compass are respectively stored as “position information” and “direction” data. save. Thereby, the point information is held in the navigation information creation device 100. Note that “route direction”, “comment”, and “parent point ID” in the information 250 will be described later.

(Instruction information generation means)
Returning to FIG. 1, the instruction information generation unit 120 accepts an input for generating instruction information indicating a direction in which the navigation information user should proceed, and holds the generated instruction information. The instruction information corresponds to image information of an arrow indicating a traveling direction of the navigation information user, text information of a sentence indicating a traveling direction such as “to the central ticket gate”. Here, “indicating the direction of travel of the navigation information user” may indicate the direction of travel along the route or the direction in which the destination exists regardless of the route. Also good.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the instruction information. In FIG. 3, the navigation image 300 has an arrow 310 indicating the direction of travel at the bottom center of the image, and character information 320 indicating the direction of travel in more detail at the top center of the image. By adding such instruction information 310 and 320 to the navigation image 300, a navigation information user who uses the navigation image 300 can clearly grasp the direction in which he / she should proceed.

  Next, a method for setting instruction information will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an instruction information input screen that receives input of instruction information. In this screen, when the navigation information creator selects by clicking the “comment input” button 410 or the like, a comment input screen for inputting a comment is displayed (not shown). This comment input screen provides a text-based comment input function, and the input comment is stored as “comment” data of the information 250 shown in FIG. Examples of comments include “turn right from intersection”, “as indicated by arrow”, and the like. When the comment creation is completed, the screen returns to the previous screen (that is, the screen of FIG. 4).

(Arrow setting)
Further, when the navigation information creator clicks and selects an “arrow input” button 420 on the screen shown in FIG. 4, the screen transitions to an arrow setting screen for setting an arrow. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the arrow setting screen. As shown in FIG. 5A, on the arrow setting screen, the direction of the arrow is adjusted by a left / right button of the navigation information creating apparatus 100 or a drag operation on the end point of the arrow symbol 510 on the arrow setting screen. That is, the direction can be set by fixing the start point of the arrow symbol 510 at the center and turning the end point in the direction of travel. After confirming the direction of the arrow symbol 510, as shown in FIG. 5B, the start point of the arrow symbol 510 is moved to an appropriate position by a drag operation and then clicked on the “confirm” button 520 to select it. , Arrow setting is completed.

  In this way, when the navigation information creator sets the arrow, the setting of the arrow direction is realized by drawing the arrow with the coordinates of the designated start point and end point. First, the start point position is the center of the arrow setting screen in the initial setting, and can be determined by the relative position with respect to the coordinates of the screen center. As for the end points, all the trajectories of circles with a constant radius (that is, the length of the radius has been determined in advance) centered on the start point are candidates for the end point. One point is selected from the end point candidates, and the end point position is determined. Thus, when the navigation information creator determines the positions of the start point and end point, the coordinates of the start point and end point are determined, and an arrow can be drawn.

  Next, a process of calculating the traveling direction of the navigation information user based on the arrow symbol set by the navigation information creator and holding it as point information will be described. After the navigation information creator sets the direction of the arrow, the instruction information generation unit 120 first calculates the angular difference between the setting direction of the arrow and the shooting direction of the image. Using this angle difference, the traveling direction can be calculated.

(Setting the direction of travel)
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of setting the traveling direction. A solid line arrow 610 illustrated in FIG. 6 is an arrow that is perpendicular to the bottom of the arrow setting screen and indicates the shooting direction of the navigation image. A broken line arrow 620 is an arrow indicating the direction of the arrow symbol set by the navigation information creator. Here, an angle between the solid line arrow 610 and the broken line arrow 620 is defined as α. α is not always a positive number, and is a positive number when the dashed arrow 620 is set within 180 ° clockwise from the position of the solid arrow 610, and is a negative number when set within 180 ° counterclockwise. Become. Here, when the shooting direction is β, the traveling direction is the sum of α and β (that is, α + β). When the sum of α and β is a negative number, an angle obtained by adding 360 ° to the sum is an angle in the traveling direction.

  More specifically, the sum of α and β is calculated as follows. First, β is a shooting direction when a navigation image is shot and is known. Α can be obtained by vector calculation. That is, if the solid line arrow 610 and the broken line arrow 620 are used as vectors and the inner product of both is divided by the product of both lengths, the cosine value of α is calculated. Therefore, α can be calculated from the cosine value. Note that the inner product of the solid line arrow 610 and the broken line arrow 620 can be calculated based on the coordinates of the start point and the end point of the solid line arrow 610 and the broken line arrow 620. The sum of α and β calculated using the values of α and β obtained in this way is indicated by a dashed arrow 620 (that is, an arrow indicating the direction of the arrow symbol set by the navigation information creator). This is the true direction of the traveling direction, and this value is stored in the “path direction” of the information 250 shown in FIG.

  As described above, the set arrow and comment are reflected in the navigation image and stored in the storage device or the like of the navigation information creation device 100, whereby one navigation image with instruction information is completed. Note that the navigation image and the arrow or comment image may be held as separate images and displayed in a superimposed manner when the navigation information utilization device 200 displays the navigation image. Alternatively, the images may be combined and held as one image data.

  By the way, when the navigation information creation apparatus 100 captures and acquires a navigation image, there are cases where a plurality of images are captured at a certain point instead of only one image. For example, when photographing a landscape in front of the ticket gate, one image is taken in the direction of travel (that is, the front direction), then another image is taken at an angle of 60 ° from the front direction to the left, and further in the front direction. Take another shot at an angle of 60 ° to the right. There are many ticket gates in the station premises, and there are many cases where the scenery is monotonous. For such places where it is difficult to grasp the features, multiple navigation images with different shooting angles can be presented to the navigation information user. The navigation information user can recognize the traveling direction more accurately and easily.

(Automatic arrow setting)
Here, when a plurality of navigation images are created for the same point, a method for automatically setting arrows using the relevance of images at the same point will be described. With this creation method, when an arrow is set for one navigation image at a certain point, and the arrow is set for another image acquired by shooting at the same point, the arrow setting is automatically set. Can be done.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an automatic arrow setting method. In FIG. 7, arrows 710, 720, and 730 are arrows indicating the shooting direction of each image when three images are acquired at the point 750. Here, referring to FIG. 9 again, navigation images 920, 910, and 930 are images taken in the directions indicated by arrows 710, 720, and 730 in FIG. 7, and each navigation image 920, 910, 930, The case where arrows Y710, Y720, and Y730 indicating the traveling direction are attached on 930 will be described below. A broken line arrow 700 is an arrow indicating the absolute direction of the traveling direction. Further, as a premise for the following description, it is assumed that an arrow Y720 indicating the traveling direction has already been set by the navigation information creator on the navigation image 910 whose shooting direction is the arrow 720. That is, for the navigation image 910, it is assumed that the azimuth value in the traveling direction calculated by the above-described method is stored in the “direction azimuth” of the point ID “2” in the information 250 of FIG. In addition, navigation images 920 and 930 whose shooting directions are arrows 710 and 730 are navigation images with point IDs “1” and “3”, respectively, and “track direction” is not set for these ( That is, the arrows Y710 and Y730 are not set).

  In such a state, for example, when the navigation information creator starts the arrow setting screen shown in FIG. 5 for the navigation image 920 with the spot ID “1”, the navigation information creating apparatus 100 has the spot ID “2”. Based on the value of “azimuth”, the inclination angle of the arrow Y710 drawn on the navigation image 920 (that is, the inclination angle with respect to the front direction) is estimated, and the arrow Y710 is drawn together with the navigation image 920 on the arrow setting screen. If the navigation information creator sets the arrow automatically drawn as it is, the “route direction” of the spot ID “1” is estimated based on the information of the spot ID “2”. The spot ID “2” is defined as the parent spot of the spot ID “1”. Further, in order to represent such a parent-child relationship, “2” is stored in the “parent point ID” of the point ID “1” in the information 250 of FIG. That is, the role of the “parent point ID” is to indicate a reference destination in calculating an inclination angle with respect to the front direction of an arrow automatically drawn on each navigation image. Similarly, the inclination angle of the arrow Y730 with respect to the front direction can be calculated for the navigation image 930 having the point ID “3” in the same manner.

  More specifically, the instruction information generation unit 120 estimates the inclination angle of the arrow before the navigation information creator operates to change to the arrow setting screen of the navigation image 920 whose shooting direction is the arrow 710. Reference is made to the information 250 of FIG. Then, the position information “(lat1, lng1)” is acquired from the record of the point ID “1” whose shooting point is the point 750, and the point ID having the same position information as this position information is searched. Here, “location information” is the same not only when the “location information” of both points match, but also when the difference between them is within a certain range, both locations have the same “location information”. Judge that there is.

  However, after searching for a spot ID having the same “position information”, the value of the “parent spot ID” of the record included in the search result is confirmed. And if a value has already been entered in “Parent point ID”, this record is calculated based on the “azimuth” of another record and is a child record. It is outside.

  As a result of searching for the spot ID having the same position information in this way, the instruction information generating unit 120 extracts the spot ID “2” of the navigation image 910 taken at the same spot as the spot 750. Then, the course direction “36 °” of the point ID “2” is acquired, and the difference between this value and the azimuth representing the shooting direction of the navigation image 920 being edited (ie, the direction indicated by the arrow 710) is calculated. To do. This calculation can be realized by a process reverse to the process of calculating the true direction of the traveling direction described above. Based on this calculation result, an arrow Y710 is automatically generated and displayed on the arrow setting screen of the navigation image 920. Also, the arrow Y730 can be automatically generated and displayed on the arrow setting screen of the navigation image 930 in the same manner.

  In addition, the navigation information creator can arbitrarily adjust the angles of the automatically generated arrows 710 and 730. When the arrows 710 and 730 are saved without adjustment, the point ID “2” as the reference destination is stored in the “parent point ID” of the record corresponding to each arrow in the information 250 of FIG. When a plurality of spot IDs are extracted as a result of searching for spot IDs having the same position information, several arrows are drawn on the arrow setting screen, and the navigation information creator selects them. The “parent point ID” is determined.

When the creation of the comment and the arrow is completed as described above, the navigation information creator selects the navigation information by clicking the “new” button 430 or the “end” button 440 on the instruction information input screen of FIG. The creation apparatus 100 saves navigation image data, point information, and instruction information to which an arrow or the like is added.
Thereafter, when the navigation information creator selects the “new” button 430, it is possible to create instruction information for another navigation image. When the navigation information creator selects the “end” button 440, the point information and the instruction information are transmitted to the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 by the first transmission unit 130 described later.

(First transmission means)
The first transmission unit 130 transmits the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information utilization device 200. In the present embodiment, as described above, when the navigation information creator selects the “end” button 440, the first transmission unit 130 sends the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information utilization apparatus 200. Trying to send. However, immediately after the creation, the location information is not transmitted to the navigation information utilization device 200, but the created location information is stored in the storage device of the navigation information creation device 100, and at some other timing. A plurality of pieces of point information may be transmitted together. For example, the navigation information creator may transmit the point information to the navigation information utilization device 200 at an arbitrary timing, or may transmit the point information in response to a transmission request from the navigation information utilization device 200. May be.

(Configuration of navigation information utilization device)
Next, returning to FIG. 2, the configuration of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 will be described. The navigation information utilization apparatus 200 includes a reception unit 210, a display unit 220, and a second transmission unit 230. Each configuration will be described below.
(Receiving means)
The receiving unit 210 receives the spot information to which the instruction information transmitted from the first transmitting unit 130 of the navigation information creating apparatus 100 is added. The received location information may be stored in a storage device (not shown) of the navigation information utilization device 200 or may be displayed by the display unit 220 described later in a streaming format.

(Display means)
In the display unit 220, image information associated with the position information and the direction information that substantially matches the position information and the direction information of the navigation information utilization device 200 is extracted from the point information received by the reception unit 210 and displayed. . That is, when the navigation function is activated in the navigation information utilization device 200 and the position of the navigation information utilization device 200 changes due to the movement of the navigation information user carrying the navigation information utilization device 200, the display means 220 automatically The position and azimuth | direction of an own apparatus are acquired with the GPS function with which the apparatus is equipped, or an electronic compass. Then, the navigation information utilization device 200 refers to the information 250 shown in FIG. 2 received by the receiving means 210, and the “location information” and “azimuth” of the information 250 are the same as the longitude and latitude of the current device. Search and extract a record. Then, a navigation image corresponding to the record is extracted from the navigation images received by the receiving unit 210 together with the information 250 and displayed. Here, the longitude and latitude are the same, not only when the longitude and latitude are the same, but also when the difference between the two is within a certain range, the position and orientation of the own device and the position of the reference destination It is determined that the information and direction are the same.
When there are a plurality of records included in the search results, the navigation images corresponding to each record are reduced in a line from the left to the right according to the shooting direction in the lower part of the display of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200. Is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the reduced display of the navigation image. In FIG. 8, three navigation images 810, 820, and 830 taken at the same point are reduced and displayed in one line. The navigation image 810 is a navigation image in which the shooting direction and the traveling direction in which the navigation information user should proceed are substantially the same. The navigation image 820 is a navigation image photographed at an angle that is 60 degrees to the left from the photographing direction of the navigation image 810 at the same point as the photographing point of the navigation image 810. The navigation image 830 is It is a navigation image photographed at an angle of 60 ° rightward from the photographing direction of the navigation image 810. In addition, the navigation information user can enlarge the display by clicking and selecting each of the navigation images 810, 820, and 830 displayed in a reduced size.
In addition to the method in which the navigation information user manually selects a navigation image to be enlarged and displayed, the display unit 220 automatically selects an appropriate navigation image according to the direction in which the navigation information utilization device 200 is currently facing. You may have the function to display an image.

  Specifically, first, the current orientation of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 is acquired by an electronic compass, and compared with the photographing orientation of each navigation image listed at the bottom of the navigation screen. Then, the difference between the direction of the navigation information utilization device 200 and the shooting direction of each navigation image is calculated. The navigation image in which the calculated difference is within a certain range can be determined to have been taken in the same direction as the direction in which the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 is currently facing, so the enlarged image is automatically It appears on the display. That is, every time the orientation of the navigation information utilization device 200 changes, the navigation image enlarged on the display also changes. When the navigation information user intends to end the navigation function due to reasons such as arrival at the destination, the navigation function is ended by clicking the “end” button 840 or the like.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of the enlarged display of the navigation image. In FIG. 9, an enlarged image 910 of the navigation image 810 taken in the same direction as the direction in which the navigation information utilization device 200 is currently facing is displayed. Further, in order to show that there are navigation images 920 and 930 photographed leftward and rightward from the direction in which the navigation information utilization device 200 is currently facing, the navigation information utilization device 200 is displayed on both sides of the enlarged navigation image 910. Triangular symbols 940 and 950 indicating that are displayed. When the navigation information user selects the triangle symbol 940 or 950 by clicking or the like, the navigation image 920 or 930 is enlarged and displayed on the display.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the own device is operated according to the movement of the navigation information user carrying the navigation information utilization device 200 until the navigation information user finishes the navigation function. The navigation image corresponding to the current location is extracted from the navigation images stored in the, and the display means 220 continues to update the display on the display. When the navigation information user intends to end the navigation function for reasons such as arrival at the destination, the navigation function is ended by clicking the “end” button 840 or the like.

(Second transmission means)
Returning to FIG. 2, the second transmission unit 230 has a function of transmitting the point information to the navigation information creating apparatus 100. With this function, for example, when the navigation information user cannot find a course even in accordance with the navigation image displayed by the display means 220, the navigation information creator is confirmed whether the current position is on the correct route. The subsequent direction of travel can be indicated by an arrow or the like.

  Specifically, for example, a landscape in front of the user is photographed by an imaging unit (not shown) such as a camera of the navigation information utilization device 200, and the current position of the device is directed by a GPS function and an electronic compass. The direction (that is, the shooting direction) is acquired. Then, the acquired position information and azimuth information and the landscape image acquired by photographing are transmitted to the navigation information creating apparatus 100 by the second transmission means 230 as point information. The navigation information creating apparatus 100 holds the received spot information in the spot information holding means 110, and adds instruction information such as an arrow to the spot information. The landscape image, the position information, and the direction information may be acquired by downloading from a website on the Internet or receiving from another device.

The navigation information utilization apparatus 200 receives the image to which the instruction information is added as a navigation image by the reception unit 210 and displays the image on the display by the display unit 220, so that the landscape image in front of the eyes is displayed. The navigation image to which an arrow or the like is added can be browsed. As a matter of course, the navigation image received in this way can be used when the navigation function is used next time.
More specifically, the navigation system according to the present embodiment can be configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the navigation system.
The navigation system is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in that the navigation system includes a navigation information creation device 100 and a navigation information utilization device 200. Hereinafter, the configuration of each device will be described in detail.

(Configuration of navigation information creation device)
The navigation information creating apparatus 100 includes a photo providing unit 101, a first geographic information providing unit 102, a first spot information storage unit 103, a geographic information display unit 104, a comment input unit 105, an arrow creating unit 106, An automatic arrow generation unit 107 and a transmission unit 108 are included.
Here, the photo providing unit 101, the first geographic information providing unit 102, and the first point information storage unit 103 in FIG. 10 correspond to the point information holding unit 110 in FIG. Further, the geographic information display unit 104, the comment input unit 105, the arrow creation unit 106, and the arrow automatic generation unit 107 correspond to the instruction information generation unit 120 in FIG. The transmission unit 108 corresponds to the first transmission unit 130 in FIG.

The photo providing unit 101 has a function of providing a photo of each point. The photo providing unit 101 requests the first point information storage unit 103 to store the acquired photo. When a photograph is taken by an imaging unit (not shown) such as a camera, the first geographic information providing unit 102 records the latitude and longitude of the shooting location and stores it together with the photo. This photo is a photo that will be used later as a navigation image.
The first spot information storage unit 103 has a function of managing spot information using the first spot information storage table 109. That is, the information 250 shown in FIG. 2 is managed as the first point information storage table 109.

In addition, the first point information storage unit 103 transmits a point ID and photo data in order to request the geographic information display unit 104 to provide instruction information. In the spot information display unit 104, the photographic data received from the first spot information storage unit 103 is displayed as a navigation image on a display device (not shown) such as a display.
The comment input unit 105 has a function of causing the navigation information creator to input a comment for the navigation image displayed by the geographic information display unit 104.

  In addition, the arrow creation unit 106 has a function of causing the navigation information creator to input an arrow indicating the traveling direction for the navigation image displayed by the geographic information display unit 104. However, the arrow creation unit 106 first requests the arrow automatic generation unit 107 to estimate the arrow direction. When the arrow automatic generation unit 107 receives a request for arrow position estimation from the arrow creation unit 106, the arrow automatic generation unit 107 transmits the point ID of the displayed navigation image to the first point information storage unit 103.

Then, the first point information storage unit 103 refers to the first point information storage table 109 using the received point ID as a key, and the value of the tilt angle of the arrow automatically drawn on the arrow setting screen shown in FIG. Is calculated. The arrow automatic generation unit 107 transmits the calculated tilt angle of the arrow to the arrow creation unit 106, and the arrow creation unit 106 draws the arrow on the navigation image based on this information.
When the navigation information creator selects the “end” button 440 on the instruction information input screen shown in FIG. 4, the transmission unit 108 stores the point information stored in the first point information storage unit 103 and The instruction information is transmitted to the navigation information utilization apparatus 200.

(Configuration of navigation information utilization device)
The navigation information utilization apparatus 200 includes a first receiving unit 201, a second geographic information providing unit 202, a second spot information storage unit 203, a display content detection unit 204, and a navigation information display unit 205.
Here, the first receiving unit 201 corresponds to the receiving unit 210 in FIG. The second geographic information providing unit 202, the second point information storage unit 203, the display content detection unit 204, and the navigation information display unit 205 correspond to the display unit 220 in FIG.

The first reception unit 201 receives the spot information and the instruction information transmitted from the transmission unit 108 of the navigation information creation device 100 and stores them in the second spot information storage table 206 of the second spot information storage unit 203. When the navigation information user intends to use the navigation function, the navigation information display unit 205 is activated.
Then, with the movement of the navigation information user carrying the navigation information utilization device 200, the display content detection unit 204 informs the second geographic information provision unit 202 about the current position information and direction of the navigation information utilization device 200 at regular intervals. Request to send information.

  The second geographic information providing unit 202 includes a GPS function and an electronic compass, and returns position information and direction information in response to a request from the display content detection unit 204. The display content detection unit 204 transmits the position information and direction information received from the second geographic information providing unit 202 to the second point information storage unit 203. The second point information storage unit 203 refers to the second point information storage table 206 using the received position information and direction information as keys, extracts an appropriate navigation image, and transmits it to the navigation information display unit 205.

As described above, the display content detection unit 204 extracts the navigation image to be displayed according to the movement of the navigation information user carrying the navigation information utilization device 200 until the navigation information user finishes the navigation function. The navigation information display unit 205 is repeatedly requested to update the display contents.
Next, more specific configurations of the navigation information creation device 100 and the navigation information utilization device 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The block diagrams shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG.

(Specific configuration of navigation information creation device)
First, a more specific configuration of the navigation information creation device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the navigation information creation device 100. The navigation information creation device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101, a nonvolatile storage device 1102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1103, a wireless communication interface 1104, an antenna 1105, a display device 1106, an imaging unit 1107, an electronic compass 1108, and the like. It has.

  The nonvolatile storage device 1102 holds an instruction information generation module 1110 and a first transmission module 1120. The instruction information generation module 1110 and the first transmission module 1120 are modules for realizing the instruction information generation unit 120 and the first transmission unit 130, respectively. The point information is held in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 or the RAM 1103 (not shown). In this case, the point information holding unit 110 is realized by the nonvolatile storage device 1102 or the RAM 1103.

  The wireless communication interface 1104 is an interface for performing processing for extracting point information from radio waves transmitted from the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 by the antenna 1105. The extracted point information is stored in the RAM 1103 and the nonvolatile storage device 1102 (not shown). The wireless communication interface 1104 also has a function of receiving GPS radio waves and extracting information on the longitude and latitude of the navigation information creation device 100. The extracted longitude and latitude information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 as part of the point information. In addition, the wireless communication interface 1104 has a function for placing point information stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 on a radio wave and transmitting it to the navigation information utilization device 200.

The display device 1106 is a device that realizes a function of displaying the instruction information input screen and the like shown in FIG.
In addition, the imaging unit 1107 includes an imaging element and has a function of imaging a landscape around the navigation information creation device 100 as a navigation image. The captured video is converted into image information and stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 as part of the point information.

In addition, the electronic compass 1108 has a function of measuring a shooting direction (that is, a direction in which the navigation information creation device 100 is directed) when the image capturing unit 1107 images a landscape. Information on the measured orientation is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 as part of the point information.
In such a configuration, the instruction information generation module 1110, the first transmission module 1120, the point information, etc. stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1102 can operate the RAM 1103 as necessary as with a general computer. Various processes are performed by expanding the areas and executing them by the CPU 1101.

(Specific configuration of navigation information utilization device)
Next, a more specific configuration of the navigation information utilization device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the navigation information utilization device 200. The navigation information utilization device 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1201, a nonvolatile storage device 1202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1203, a wireless communication interface 1204, an antenna 1205, a display device 1206, an imaging unit 1207, an electronic compass 1208, and the like. It has.
The non-volatile storage device 1202 holds a reception module 1210, a display module 1220, and a second transmission module 1230. The reception module 1210, the display module 1220, and the second transmission module 1230 are modules for realizing the reception unit 210, the display unit 220, and the second transmission unit 230, respectively.

  The wireless communication interface 1204 is an interface for performing processing for extracting point information to which instruction information is added from radio waves transmitted from the navigation information creating apparatus 100 through the antenna 1205. The extracted point information is stored in the RAM 1203 and the nonvolatile storage device 1202 (not shown). The wireless communication interface 1204 also has a function of receiving GPS radio waves and extracting information on the longitude and latitude of the navigation information utilization device 200. The extracted longitude and latitude information is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1202 as part of the point information. The wireless communication interface 1104 also has a function for placing the GPS radio wave, the imaging unit 1207, and the spot information obtained from the electronic compass 1108 on the radio wave and transmitting them to the navigation information creating apparatus 100.

The display device 1206 is a device that realizes a function of displaying the navigation screen shown in FIG.
In addition, the imaging unit 1207 includes an imaging element and has a function of imaging a landscape around the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 as a navigation image. The captured video is converted into image information and stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1202 as part of the spot information.
In addition, the electronic compass 1208 has a function of measuring a shooting direction (that is, a direction in which the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 is directed) when the image capturing unit 1207 images a landscape. Information on the measured orientation is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 1202 as part of the point information.
In such a configuration, as with a general computer, the reception module 1210, the display module 1220, the second transmission module 1230, the point information, and the like stored in the non-volatile storage device 1202 are used as necessary. The RAM 1203 is expanded as a work area, and these are executed by the CPU 1201 to perform various processes.

(Navigation system operation)
Next, the operation of the navigation system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation information creation apparatus 100. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200.
(Operation of navigation information creation device)
First, the operation of the navigation information creation device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The navigation information creating apparatus 100 acquires image information of a predetermined point (S1301), and further acquires position information and direction information of this point (S1302). Image information, position information, and direction information may be acquired by an imaging unit such as a camera of the navigation information creation apparatus 100, a GPS function, or an electronic compass, respectively, but are transmitted from the second transmission unit 230 of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200. Sometimes you get to be. The navigation information creating apparatus 100 associates the image information acquired in this way, the position information, and the azimuth information, and stores them as spot information in the spot information holding unit 110 (S1303).

Next, in creating the instruction information, the instruction information generating unit 120 determines whether or not the instruction information at the same point is stored (S1304). When the instruction information of the same point is stored, the arrow is automatically generated based on the stored instruction information (S1305), and the correction process for the automatically generated arrow and the creation of the comment are executed. (S1306). If the instruction information for the same point is not stored, a comment and an arrow are created and stored (S1306).
When the generation of the instruction information is to be ended (S1307), the process returns to step S1301 and is repeated. When the generation of the instruction information is to be ended (S1307), the first transmission unit 130 transmits the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information utilization device 200 (S1308).

(Operation of navigation information utilization device)
Next, the operation of the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
The navigation information utilization apparatus 200 receives the point information to which the instruction information is added at the receiving unit 210 (S1401). And a navigation function is started by reception of the instruction | indication input from a navigation information user (S1402).
Along with the movement of the navigation information utilization device 200 (S1403), the display means 220 determines whether or not the location information regarding the current location of the navigation information utilization device 200 exists (S1404). When the point information regarding the current point exists, the point information regarding the current point is displayed on the display (S1405). If there is no point information regarding the current point, the process returns to step S1403, and the process of step S1404 is repeated as the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 moves (S1403).

If the navigation function is not terminated (S1406), the process returns to step S1403 and is repeated. When the navigation function is to be ended (S1406), the processing in the navigation information utilization device 200 is ended.
Although not shown in FIG. 14, the navigation information utilization device 200 is obtained by image information obtained by photographing with an imaging unit, a GPS function, an electronic compass, and the like according to an instruction from the navigation information user. A process of transmitting the position information and the azimuth information as point information to the navigation information creating apparatus 100 by the second transmission unit 230 is appropriately executed.

(Correspondence between Terms in Embodiment and Terms in Claims)
In this embodiment, step S1303 in FIG. 13 corresponds to the “point information storage step” in the present invention. Steps S1304, S1305, and S1306 in FIG. 13 correspond to the “point information generation step” in the present invention. Step S1308 in FIG. 13 corresponds to the “first transmission step” in the present invention.
Step S1401 in FIG. 14 corresponds to the “reception step” in the present invention. Steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 14 correspond to the “display step” in the present invention.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, both the comment and the arrow are added to the navigation image as the instruction information, but only one of them may be added.
In the above-described embodiment, the comment and the arrow indicating the traveling direction are described as specific examples of the instruction information. However, the content may not be the content indicating the traveling direction directly. For example, the navigation information user may be notified of landmarks useful for determining the direction in which the navigation information user should proceed, such as “There is a building with XX on the right hand side in the direction of travel”.
In the above embodiment, the instruction information is image data. However, the instruction information may be realized by other modes. For example, if the instruction information is audio data and the navigation information utilization apparatus 200 displays a navigation image, the instruction information added to the navigation image may be output from a speaker or the like by voice. Good.

(Summary)
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide more flexible route guidance to the user of the navigation system. Specifically, for example, route guidance using a shortcut known only by a specific individual or a path difficult to display on a display, or route guidance to a location known only by a specific individual is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation information creation apparatus 101 Photo provision part 102 1st geographic information provision part 103 1st spot information storage part 104 Spot information display part 104 Geographic information display part 105 Comment input part 106 Arrow creation part 107 Arrow automatic generation part 108 Transmission part 109 First point information storage table 110 Point information holding means 120 Instruction information generating means 130 First transmitting means 200 Navigation information utilization device 201 First receiving part 202 Second geographical information providing part 203 Second point information storing part 204 Display content detecting part 205 Navigation Information Display Unit 206 Second Point Information Storage Table 210 Receiving Means 220 Display Means 230 Second Sending Means 300 Navigation Image 310, 320 Instruction Information 810, 820, 830 Navigation Image (Reduced Image)
910, 920, 930 Navigation image (enlarged image)

Claims (7)

Point information holding means for holding point information, which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and direction information of the point;
Instruction information generating means for accepting an input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction to proceed with respect to the destination, and holding the generated instruction information;
First transmission means for transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device;
A navigation information creation device having   When the instruction information generation means generates new instruction information, there is image information associated with position information that substantially matches the position information of the point information that is the target of the new instruction information. The navigation information creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new instruction information is generated based on the instruction information added to the image information. A navigation system comprising: a navigation information creation device that provides an image relating to a route to a predetermined destination; and a navigation information utilization device that displays the image acquired from the navigation information creation device,
The navigation information creation device includes:
Point information holding means for holding point information which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on the route, position information of the point, and direction information of the point;
Instruction information generating means for accepting an input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction in which the user of the navigation information using apparatus should proceed, and holding the generated instruction information When,
First transmission means for transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information utilization device,
The navigation information utilization device includes:
Receiving means for receiving the point information to which the instruction information is added;
Display means for extracting and displaying, from the point information received by the receiving means, the image information associated with the position information and the azimuth information that substantially matches the position information and azimuth information of the device itself; A navigation system comprising: The navigation information utilization device further includes second transmission means for transmitting the spot information to the navigation information creation device,
The navigation system according to claim 3, wherein the spot information holding unit holds the spot information transmitted from the second transmission unit. A point information storage step for storing point information, which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and direction information of the point;
An instruction information generation step for receiving input for generating instruction information that is information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction to go to the destination, and holding the generated instruction information;
A first transmission step of transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device;
A method for creating navigation information. A point information storage step for storing point information, which is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on a route to a predetermined destination, position information of the point, and direction information of the point;
An instruction information generating step of receiving an input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction to go to the destination, and holding the generated instruction information; A first transmission step of transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to an external device, and
In the apparatus that has received the point information to which the instruction information is added, the position information is associated with the position information and the direction information that substantially match the position information and direction information of the apparatus that has received the point information. A navigation information creating method, wherein the image information is extracted and displayed. A navigation method executed by a navigation information creation device that provides an image related to a route to a predetermined destination, and a navigation information utilization device that displays the image acquired from the navigation information creation device,
In the navigation information creation device, a point information storage step of storing point information that is information relating image information relating to a predetermined point existing on the route, position information of the point, and direction information of the point When,
In the navigation information creating apparatus, the instruction information generated by receiving an input for generating instruction information indicating information to be added to the image information and indicating a direction in which a user of the navigation information using apparatus should proceed An instruction information generation step for holding
A first transmission step of transmitting the point information to which the instruction information is added to the navigation information utilization device in the navigation information creation device;
In the navigation information utilization device, a reception step of receiving the point information to which the instruction information is added;
In the navigation information utilization device, the image information associated with the position information and the direction information that substantially matches the position information and the direction information of the own device is extracted from the point information received in the reception step. A display step to display;
A navigation method characterized by comprising:

Images