JP2009289227A - Road information distribution system and terminal equipment of traveling object - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a driver grasp a route (location or direction where the driver should turn) which road the driver should intuitively adopt even if an actual scenery is changed, and put in situations different from those of an originally prepared three-dimensional image. <P>SOLUTION: When terminal equipment 108 and 111 of a traveling object loaded on vehicles 105 and 109 specify photographic object locations, and transmit an image transmission request to a server 116 for updating and storing images obtained by photographing such a photographic object as an intersection, a diverging point and a junction at a prescribed photographic object locations by a camera 102 loaded on a vehicle 101 in association with the photographic object location, a photographic image photographed by the camera 102 loaded on the vehicle 101, and associated with the specified photographic object location is distributed from the server 116 to the terminal equipment 108 and 111 of the traveling object which has transmitted the image transmission request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a road information distribution system and a mobile terminal device, and more particularly to a technique for acquiring newer road information.

Conventionally, as a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, one that performs route guidance to a destination is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In such a navigation device, the user uses a point database stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk device, or calculates a route by setting a destination from a point on the map arbitrarily set by the user. Map matching between the obtained guidance route and the vehicle position obtained by self-contained navigation using a gyroscope or vehicle speed pulse, or the vehicle position estimated from radio navigation using GPS (Global Positioning System) or FM multiplex broadcasting While displaying on the display screen, route guidance is performed.
By the way, in the conventional navigation device described above, image display has been advanced, and for example, it is practical to display route guidance information on a bird's eye view three-dimensional image (for example, a three-dimensional image such as an intersection). (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). As a result, the driver can more intuitively recognize the route guidance information, for example, by displaying the route guidance information such as an arrow indicating a course in accordance with an intersection represented by a three-dimensional image, The driver (driver) was able to easily and intuitively recognize the position and direction to bend.
JP 2008-052671 A JP 2007-102238 A

However, in the conventional navigation device described above, the data for displaying the three-dimensional image is data stored in a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, or hard disk, so the number of lanes increases as a result of widening work or the like. If the scenery changes because the building is being rebuilt or the building has been rebuilt, there is a problem that it is difficult for the driver to grasp the position and direction to turn.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to determine the course (position and direction to bend) that the driver should intuitively take even when the actual landscape changes and the situation is different from the originally prepared 3D image. The object is to provide a road information distribution system and a mobile terminal device capable of providing road information that can be grasped.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that an image obtained by photographing a photographing target such as an intersection, a branch point, or a merging point at a predetermined photographing target position by a camera mounted on a moving body is used as the photographing target position. When the mobile terminal device mounted on any mobile body transmits the image transmission request to the server that stores the image while associating and updating it, the mobile body that has transmitted the image transmission request The terminal device is characterized in that a photographed image taken by a camera mounted on another moving body and corresponding to the identified photographing target position is distributed from the server.
According to the above configuration, when a mobile terminal device mounted on any mobile body specifies an imaging target position and transmits an image transmission request, the mobile terminal device that transmitted the image transmission request Images taken by the camera mounted on the moving body and the shot images corresponding to the specified shooting target position are distributed from the server, so a newer one can be acquired as the shooting image corresponding to the shooting target position. Can easily move according to the road conditions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the mobile terminal device directly designates the photographing target position, or designates the photographing target position by designating a route including the photographing target position. Identify.
Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain a photographed image at a desired photographing dealing position.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the mobile terminal device specifies the photographing target position by designating a self-position of the mobile terminal device.
According to the above configuration, a captured image corresponding to Shoichi Nagashiro Shoichi near the moving object can be acquired without any processing by the user.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, when the self-position changes under a predetermined condition, the image transmission request is transmitted together with the latest self-position.
According to the said structure, it becomes possible to acquire the newest information according to the change state of the self-position of a mobile terminal device.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect to the fourth aspect, when there are a plurality of specified photographing target positions, a movement that transmitted an image transmission request among a plurality of corresponding photographed images. Only an image photographed in the traveling direction of a mobile object equipped with a body terminal device is distributed.
According to the above configuration, since only the photographed image corresponding to the photographing target position located in the direction in which the moving body travels is distributed, the photographed image distributed more effectively can be used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an image obtained by photographing a photographing target such as an intersection, a branch point, or a merging point at a predetermined photographing target position by a camera mounted on a moving body is updated in association with the photographing target position. A mobile terminal device that is connected to a storage server via a communication network and is mounted on a mobile body, the image transmission request unit that specifies the shooting target position and transmits an image transmission request, and the image transmission request An image receiving unit that receives a captured image that is captured from the server by a camera mounted on another moving body and that corresponds to the identified position to be captured, and an image that is received by the image receiving unit. And a display unit for displaying.
According to the above configuration, in the image transmission request unit, the mobile terminal device transmits an image transmission request together with its own position.
As a result, the image receiving unit receives a captured image captured by the camera mounted on the other moving body from the server based on the image transmission request, and corresponding to the specified shooting target position, and the display unit Since the image received by the image receiving unit is displayed, a newer photographed image corresponding to the position to be photographed can be acquired, and movement according to actual road conditions can be easily performed.

  According to the present invention, when the mobile terminal device specifies a shooting target position and transmits an image transmission request, a shot image corresponding to the shooting target position shot and specified by a camera mounted on another mobile body is obtained. Since it is distributed from the server, even if the actual landscape changes and the situation is different from the originally prepared 3D image, the course that should be taken intuitively (position and direction to bend) Can be grasped.

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a road information distribution system.
Road information distribution system 100 is broadly divided into vehicle 101 that is a moving body, mobile terminal device 104 that has camera unit 102 and communication antenna 103 as separate bodies, and vehicle 105 that is a moving body. A mobile terminal device 108 having a camera unit 106 and a communication antenna 107 as separate bodies and a mobile terminal device 111 mounted on a vehicle 109 as a mobile body and having a communication antenna 110 as a separate body are provided. Here, the mobile terminal devices 104, 108, and 111 are configured as navigation devices, and display a pre-stored three-dimensional image such as a predetermined intersection on a display screen to provide route guidance and to determine the self position. A GPS positioning device (GPS unit) for measurement is provided.

In addition, the road information distribution system 100 receives information about a captured image and a shooting position from a mobile terminal device having a camera unit (in the case of FIG. 1, the mobile terminal device 104 and the mobile terminal device 108) via the communication antenna 115 ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as shooting position information (for example, latitude / longitude coordinates), and stores mobile terminal devices (104, 108, 111) mounted on any mobile body from any mobile terminal device. When the image transmission request is transmitted by specifying the shooting target position, the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the image transmission request is photographed and specified by the camera mounted on the other mobile body. A server 116 that distributes a photographed image corresponding to the photographing target position is provided.
Here, the photographing target position is a position where a desired intersection, a road branching point, and a merging point are provided. For example, in FIG. 1, it is an intersection CR1 where a traffic light SG is provided.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal device and the server.
In FIG. 2, the mobile terminal device 104 and the mobile terminal device 111 are shown as mobile terminal devices for the sake of simplicity of explanation.
The mobile terminal device 104 captures an image around the vehicle 101 (particularly in front of the vehicle) and outputs captured image data DG, and a communication unit 121 that performs communication between the server 116 via the communication antenna 103. A positioning unit 122 that measures the self position and outputs the positioning data DP1, a storage that stores the captured image data DG corresponding to the captured image captured by the camera unit 102, and the positioning data DP1 corresponding to the captured position of the captured image. Part 123.
The mobile terminal device 111 includes a communication unit 131 that performs communication with the server 116 via the communication antenna 110, a positioning unit 132 that measures its own position and outputs positioning data DP 2, and a captured image acquired from the server 116. A display unit 133 that displays a captured image corresponding to the data DG and a shooting target position specifying unit 134 that outputs shooting target position specifying data DP3 for specifying the shooting target position are provided.

On the other hand, the server 116 associates and stores the captured image data DG received from the mobile terminal device 104 via the communication antenna 115 and the positioning data DP1 as the capturing position information corresponding to the captured image data DG. A database (DB) 141 is included.
Here, the outline operation will be described.
The mobile terminal device 104 mounted on the vehicle 101 captures the surroundings of the vehicle 101 with the camera unit 102 and stores the obtained captured image data DG in the storage unit 123. At the same time, the mobile terminal device 104 outputs positioning data DP corresponding to the shooting position of the shot image by the positioning unit 122 and stores it in the storage unit 123.
As a result, when there is new captured image data DG at a predetermined transmission timing, the communication unit 121 transmits the captured image data DG and corresponding positioning data DP1 to the server 116 via the communication antenna 103. To do.

As a result, the server 116 stores positioning data DP1 corresponding to the received captured image data DG.
Thereafter, when the mobile terminal device 111 mounted on the vehicle 109 transmits an image transmission request together with the shooting target position specifying data DP3 to the server 116 via the communication antenna 110, the server 116 refers to the image DB 141 and stores the image DB 141 in the image DB 141. The stored positioning data DP1 is read out, and when there are one or more photographed image data DG photographed at the photographing target position corresponding to the photographing target position specifying data DP3, they are extracted and stored in the mobile terminal device 111. On the other hand, the data is transmitted via the communication antenna 115. Further, when there is no photographed image data DG photographed at the photographing target position, the server 116 notifies the mobile terminal device 111 to that effect.

Specifically, when the shooting position of the shot image shot by the mobile terminal device 104 corresponds to the shooting target position corresponding to the shooting target position specifying data DP3, the camera unit of the mobile terminal device 104 The photographed image data DG photographed by the above is read and distributed to the mobile terminal device 111.
Accordingly, the communication unit 131 of the mobile terminal device 111 receives the captured image data DG captured at a position corresponding to the capturing target position corresponding to the capturing target position specifying data DP3 via the communication antenna 110, and the display unit In 133, a photographed image corresponding to the photographed image data DG is displayed instead of or in addition to the three-dimensional image stored in advance as road information.

In this case, since the captured image as road information effective in the vehicle 109 on which the mobile terminal device 111 is mounted is a captured image captured in the traveling direction or traveling path of the vehicle 109, the server 116 does not It is possible to extract a photographed image or to extract such a photographed image when the mobile terminal device 111 has a navigation function.
As a result, the driver of the vehicle 109 on which the mobile terminal device 111 is mounted travels at a predetermined position a certain distance ahead of the traveling direction of the own vehicle, specifically, an intersection, a branch point, a merging point, or the like. It is possible to easily grasp the latest state of a place where it is required to determine the direction to be performed.

A specific embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram when the mobile terminal device is configured as a portable navigation device.
The navigation device 10 is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and has a navigation function for guiding the route of the vehicle and a facility search function.
The navigation apparatus 10 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 11 having an absolute position and direction detection function, a gyro unit 12 having a relative direction detection function, a vehicle speed detection unit 13, an FM reception unit 14, and a beacon reception unit 15. Display unit 16, instruction input unit 17, user interface unit 18, control unit 20, information storage unit 21, recording medium reading unit 22, communication control unit 23, memory unit 25, and camera unit 26 And a wireless communication device 40 and an audio reproduction unit 41.

The GPS unit 11 has a GPS receiver (not shown), receives GPS radio waves from GPS satellites via the GPS antenna 11A, and from a GPS signal superimposed on the GPS radio waves, the vehicle on which the navigation device 10 is mounted. The position coordinates (latitude / longitude coordinates) indicating the current location and the traveling direction are obtained by calculation, and the date / time information (year, month, day, date) in the current location of the vehicle from the date / time information included in the GPS signal and the time difference between the current location of the vehicle. Hour, minute, etc.) is obtained by calculation, and this information is output to the control unit 20.
The gyro unit 12 detects the relative azimuth of the vehicle with a gyro sensor and outputs it to the control unit 20.
The vehicle speed detection unit 13 calculates the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed pulse PS input from the vehicle side via a predetermined input terminal, and outputs the vehicle speed to the control unit 20.

The FM receiver 14 receives the FM multiplex broadcast wave via the FM antenna 14A, acquires traffic information (VICS [registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System] information) superimposed on the FM multiplex broadcast wave, Processing is performed and output to the control unit 20.
The beacon receiving unit 15 receives the beacon information via the beacon antenna 15A, performs a predetermined process, and outputs it to the control unit 20.

  As the display unit 16, for example, a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel (= function as the instruction input unit 17) is applied, and various information is displayed under the control of the control unit 20. The instruction input unit 17 includes an operation detection unit that detects operations of various operators and a touch panel included in the navigation device 10, a reception unit that receives a transmission signal from a remote controller (not shown), and the like. Various instructions are output to the control unit 20. The user interface unit 18 is an I / O control circuit, a driver, or the like, and is an interface that connects the display unit 16, the instruction input unit 17, and the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 controls the entire navigation device 10 and is composed of a CPU and its peripheral circuits. The CPU of the control unit 20 is a control program stored in a ROM 30 that constitutes a memory unit 25 described later. Various data are read out, and a control process of each unit of the navigation apparatus 10 is performed in accordance with a user instruction input via the instruction input unit 17 using a DRAM 31 constituting a memory unit 25 described later as a work area.

The information storage unit 21 is a storage unit that stores various data such as map data and music data. Specifically, each of the above-described information stored in a disk-shaped recording medium such as a hard disk device, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM. A reading device or the like that can read data is used.
The recording medium reading unit 22 records / reads data to / from an external recording medium connected to the navigation device 10 under the control of the control unit 20, and the external recording medium is, for example, a memory stick (registration). Trademark), memory card, and CF card (registered trademark).
Under the control of the control unit 20, the communication control unit 23 accesses an information center and the Internet via a wireless communication device (for example, a mobile phone) 40 connected to the navigation device 10, and takes a picture via a wireless communication network. Various information including image data DG is received.

  When the user is instructed to shift to the navigation mode as the operation mode, the control unit 20 executes a navigation program by the CPU and displays a map or the like on the display unit 16. More specifically, the control unit 20 specifies the current location and traveling direction of the vehicle based on the detection results of the GPS unit 11 and the gyro unit 12, and displays a map around the current location. In addition, when the destination is set, the control unit 20 functions as a route guidance unit that calculates an optimum route to the destination, displays it on the display map, and executes route guidance processing to the destination.

In this navigation mode, when it becomes necessary to display a 3D image at an intersection, a road junction, a junction, or the like, the control unit 20 performs display based on the 3D image data read from the information storage unit 21. However, in this case, when the captured image data DG corresponding to the intersection, the road branch point, and the junction can be acquired via the wireless communication network, the image is converted into a three-dimensional image based on the three-dimensional image data. Instead, a captured image based on the captured image data DG is displayed on the display unit 16 in addition to the 3D image based on the 3D image data.
Further, when various types of traffic information are input from the FM receiver 14 or the beacon receiver 15, the control unit 20 performs a process of displaying the information (for example, a process of displaying traffic information and the like in characters, simple graphics, or a map). Do.
In addition, when the user is instructed to shift to the search mode as the operation mode, the control unit 20 executes a search control program, and the facility (tourist attraction, sightseeing spot, hot spring, A search process for searching a convenience store, a parking lot, etc.) is executed.
The memory unit 25 stores a variety of data such as a control program in a nonvolatile manner, a DRAM 31 that temporarily stores various data as a work area and the like, a temporary storage of various data as a work area and the like, and a vehicle The SRAM 32 is backed up by a battery or the like and retains the memory contents even when the main power source such as the accessory power source is off, and the VRAM 33 in which display data of the display unit 16 is stored. .

The camera unit 26 includes an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, converts an image to be photographed into an electrical signal, generates photographing data, and outputs the photographing data to the control unit 20.
The wireless communication device 40 is, for example, at least a so-called WiFi communication device corresponding to IEEE802.11a / IEEE802.11b, which is a wireless LAN standard, a Bluetooth communication device conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, or a mobile phone terminal device. It is configured as a device that realizes any one of the communication functions, and is connected to the server 116 via an external communication network such as the Internet indirectly or directly via the communication antenna 40A, and the communication result is transmitted to the control unit 20. Output to.
The sound reproduction unit 41 includes a speaker device, an amplifier, and the like, and reproduces and outputs various sounds such as navigation sound or input instruction sound for the user under the control of the control unit 20.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a processing timing chart of a specific embodiment.
In the following description, a case where a captured image captured by the mobile terminal device 104 is used by the mobile terminal device 108 will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 20 of the mobile terminal device 104 receives position coordinates (latitude / longitude coordinates) indicating the current location (self-position) of the vehicle 101 on which the mobile terminal device 104 is mounted from the GPS unit 11 at a predetermined image capturing timing. ) Is obtained by calculation as positioning data DP1, and the direction of travel of the vehicle 101, and hence the direction corresponding to the shooting direction, is obtained from the gyro unit 12 as direction data DD (step S11) and stored in the DRAM 31.
Next, the control unit 20 controls the camera unit 26 to perform photographing to acquire photographed image data DG (step S12), and stores photographing date / time data DT indicating photographing time in the DRAM 31.

Next, the control unit 20 of the mobile terminal device 104 reads the captured image data DG and the positioning data DP1 corresponding to the captured image data DG from the DRAM 31, and the communication control unit 23, the wireless communication device 40, the communication antenna 40A, the Internet, and the like. Is connected to the server 116 via an external communication network, and image upload processing for uploading the captured image data DG, the positioning data DP1, the orientation data DD, and the captured date / time data DT corresponding to the captured image data DG is performed (step S13). ).
The series of processing in steps S11 to S13 is performed at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined time intervals in the mobile terminal device 104, and the server 116 always stores captured image data DG corresponding to the latest situation. Will be.
On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 104 uploads the captured image data DG, the positioning data DP1, the orientation data DD, and the captured date / time data DT corresponding to the captured image data DG, the server 116 associates them. Store in the image DB 141.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the data format of the image database.
The image database 141 stores a name when there is a name (for example, Ginza 4-chome intersection, Nishi-Shinjuku junction, etc.) at the shooting position corresponding to the shot image data DG transmitted from the mobile terminal device (104, 108). Name data storage unit 142, positioning data storage unit 143 that stores positioning data DP (DP1) transmitted from mobile terminal device (104, 108), and direction transmitted from mobile terminal device (104, 108) From the azimuth data storage unit 144 that stores the data DD, the captured image data storage unit 145 that stores the captured image data DG transmitted from the mobile terminal device (104, 108), and the mobile terminal device (104, 108). A shooting date / time data storage unit 146 for storing the transmitted shooting date / time data DT. For example, the intersection P1 is located at east longitude (E) XX degrees XX minutes XX seconds, north latitude (N) XX degrees XX minutes XX seconds, and a captured image corresponding to the captured image data DG1. Is taken in the north (N) direction, and the shooting date and time is 10:10 on April 7, 2008.

  Therefore, the server 116 stores the photographed image data DG uploaded by the mobile terminal device 104 in the photographed image data storage unit 145 while maintaining the correspondence between the data, and the positioning data corresponding to the photographed image data DG. An image saving process is performed in which DP1 is stored in the positioning data storage unit 143 and the shooting date / time data DT is stored in the shooting date / time data storage unit 146 (step S21).

On the other hand, in the mobile terminal device 108, when an instruction for specifying the shooting target position is given via the instruction input unit 17 by the driver who is a user, the control unit 20 of the mobile terminal device 108 causes the instruction input unit 17. The position coordinates (latitude / longitude coordinates) indicating the shooting target position specified via the image and the traveling direction are generated as shooting target position specifying data DP3 (step S31) and stored in the DRAM 31.
Specifically, the instruction for specifying the shooting target position can be specified by directly clicking on an intersection on the guidance map screen, specifying a route for route guidance, or direct position coordinates (latitude / longitude). Or enter. Here, when a route for route guidance is designated, there may be a plurality of shooting target positions such as a plurality of intersections, branch points, and junctions.

Subsequently, the control unit 20 of the mobile terminal apparatus 108 is connected to the server 116 via the communication control unit 23, the wireless communication device 40, the communication antenna 40A, and an external communication network such as the Internet, and together with the shooting target position specifying data DP3. Image acquisition request processing for transmitting an image transmission request to the server 116 is performed (step S32).
Upon receiving this image transmission request, the server 116 refers to the image DB 141, and within a predetermined distance range (for example, within a radius of 50 m, within a radius of 100 m, etc.) such as a distance set in advance by the user from the position corresponding to the shooting target position specifying data DP3. Image extraction processing is performed to extract a captured image captured at a capturing target position existing within the range (step S22).
The distance range can be specified so that the radius is 50 m or more and the radius is within 100 m.

Further, in addition to specifying a predetermined distance range, it is also possible to specify a range of ± 45 [°] in the left-right direction with respect to the traveling direction (0 [°] direction). This is to provide a captured image that is more useful to the driver (driver) of the vehicle 105 on which the mobile terminal device 108 that has requested image transmission is mounted.
Further, a predetermined number of photographed images may be re-extracted from newer photographed images with reference to the photographed date / time data DT of the photographed images extracted. Furthermore, when the number of captured images after extraction exceeds a predetermined number (predetermined capacity), it may be configured to appropriately select the predetermined number (predetermined capacity) or less in order to reduce communication traffic. Is possible.

Here, the relationship between the instruction | indication for specifying an imaging | photography object position and the picked-up image extracted is demonstrated.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a guidance map screen for explaining a relationship between an instruction for specifying a photographing target position and a photographed image to be extracted.
For example, when the user clicks the vicinity of the intersection P1 via the touch panel on the guidance map screen displayed on the display unit 16, the latest photographed image corresponding to the intersection P1 is extracted.
In addition, in FIG. 6, when the route guidance route indicated by the broken-line arrow is designated, the latest captured images corresponding to the intersections P1, P2, P3, and P5 are once extracted. Since it has passed, this is excluded, and the latest photographed images corresponding to the intersections P1, P2, and P3 are extracted. In this case, for each of the intersections P1, P2, and P3, there is a possibility that a plurality of images having different traveling directions, that is, photographing directions may be extracted, but the direction data DD corresponding to the case of traveling along the guide route Only the captured image associated with is an extraction target.

Further, when the host vehicle position mark MP is simply designated, the shooting target position specifying data DP3 corresponds to the current position of the host vehicle, and is within a predetermined distance range (in the circle CL represented by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 6). The captured images corresponding to the located intersections P1 to P9 are to be extracted.
Then, the server 116 transmits the captured image data DG corresponding to the extracted one or a plurality of captured images together with the corresponding name data, positioning data DP, and orientation data DD via the communication antenna 115 and an external communication network. Transmit to the requesting mobile terminal device 108 (step S23).

As a result, the control unit 20 of the mobile terminal device 108 receives the captured image data DG, name data, positioning data DP, and orientation data DD via the communication antenna 40A, the wireless communication device 40, and the communication control unit 23 (step S33). ).
As a result, the control unit 20 of the mobile terminal device 108 determines which one of the received captured image data DG corresponding to one or a plurality of captured images and the corresponding positioning data DP (DP1) depending on the route guidance state or the like. Such a photographed image is displayed on the display unit 16 in place of the already stored three-dimensional image display or selected to be added to the display.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a display example on the display unit.
The display screen 16A of the display unit 16 includes a title bar display unit 16B on which various icons are displayed, a map display unit 16C on which a map for route guidance is displayed, and a captured image that displays a captured image received from the server 116. A display unit 16D and a reproduction information display unit 16E on which reproduction information related to music currently being reproduced is displayed. The display units 16B to 16E are not fixedly displayed, and are configured to display only one of the display units in an enlarged or reduced manner, or to display only a part of the display units. It is also possible to do.

In FIG. 7, various icons relating to the current time and the operation state are displayed on the title bar display unit 16 </ b> B.
On the map display portion 16C, the vehicle position mark MP is displayed on the map MAP, and is displayed in a state in which it is possible to easily grasp the situation where the vehicle is traveling along the predetermined guide route RT. ing.
An icon having a camera shape representing the image shooting position at a position corresponding to the positioning data DP (DP1) corresponding to the received captured image data DG is ahead of the actual distance L range of the road RD from the own vehicle position. CM is displayed.

On the other hand, an image corresponding to the intersection P1 (shooting target position) transmitted from the server 116 is displayed on the captured image display unit 16D, and the latest situation of the intersection P1 is displayed.
Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 105 can reliably grasp, for example, buildings around the intersection P1 and road conditions by referring to the photographed image displayed on the photographed image display unit 16D, and temporarily changes the course at the intersection P1. Even if it does, it becomes possible to cope with it without making a mistake with other intersections.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the navigation apparatus can easily and reliably grasp the latest situation at important positions where three-dimensional images such as intersections, road junctions, and junctions are displayed. be able to. That is, when the actual situation of the intersection, road junction, and junction corresponding to the 3D image has been changed with respect to the point in time when the 3D image was created, for example, the number of lanes is changed, and a one-way path is newly established. It is possible to easily grasp the current situation, including whether the building is demolished, newly constructed, or seasonal changes (such as the presence or absence of leaves of deciduous trees).
Therefore, in situations where it is necessary to quickly determine the course to be changed and the course to be selected, such as intersections, junctions, and junctions, it is possible to accurately grasp the road conditions and take the most appropriate measures for more comfortable driving. It can be carried out.

  In the above description, the case of a still image as a captured image has been described, but a short-time moving image can also be used as the captured image. By adopting such a configuration, the driver can accurately determine the direction in which the vehicle can travel.

It is a general | schematic block diagram of a road information delivery system. It is a functional block diagram of a mobile terminal device and a server. It is a general | schematic structure block diagram at the time of comprising a mobile terminal device as a portable navigation apparatus. It is a processing timing chart of concrete embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the data format of an image database. It is explanatory drawing of the guidance map screen for demonstrating the relationship between the instruction | indication for specifying an imaging | photography object position, and the extracted captured image. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display in a display part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Navigation apparatus 11 GPS unit 16 Display part 16A Display screen 16B Title bar display part 16C Map display part 16D Captured image display part 16E Playback information display part 17 Instruction input part 18 User interface part 20 Control part 21 Information storage part 22 Recording medium reading Unit 23 Communication control unit 25 Memory unit 26 Camera unit 40 Wireless communication device 40A Communication antenna 100 Road information distribution system 101, 105, 109 Vehicle 102, 106 Camera unit 103, 107, 110 Communication antenna 104, 108, 111 Mobile terminal device 115 Communication antenna 116 Server 121, 131 Communication unit 122, 132 Positioning unit 123 Storage unit 133 Display unit 141 Image database 142 Name data storage unit 143 Positioning data storage unit 144 Direction data storage Part 145 photographed image data storage unit 146 photographing date data storage unit DP3 shooting target position identification data

Claims (6)

  For a server that saves an image obtained by capturing an image of an imaging target such as an intersection, a branch point, or a merging point at a predetermined imaging target position with a camera mounted on a moving body while updating the image in association with the imaging target position. When the mobile terminal device mounted on the mobile body specifies the shooting target position and transmits an image transmission request, the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the image transmission request is sent to a camera mounted on another mobile body. A road information distribution system, wherein a photographed image corresponding to the identified photographing target position is distributed from the server. In the road information distribution system according to claim 1,
The road information distribution system, wherein the mobile terminal device specifies the shooting target position by directly specifying the shooting target position or by specifying a route including the shooting target position. In the road information distribution system according to claim 1,
The road information distribution system, wherein the mobile terminal device specifies the photographing target position by designating a self-position of the mobile terminal device. In the road information distribution system according to claim 3,
A road information distribution system that transmits the image transmission request together with the latest self-position when the self-position changes under a predetermined condition. In the road information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When there are a plurality of specified shooting target positions, only the images shot in the traveling direction of the moving body on which the mobile terminal device that has transmitted the image transmission request is mounted among the corresponding shooting images are distributed. A road information distribution system characterized by that. Via a communication network to a server that saves an image obtained by photographing an imaging target such as an intersection, a branch point, or a junction at a predetermined imaging target position by a camera mounted on a moving body while updating the image in association with the imaging target position A mobile terminal device connected and mounted on a mobile body,
An image transmission request unit for specifying the shooting target position and transmitting an image transmission request;
An image receiving unit that receives a captured image that is captured by a camera mounted on another moving body from the server based on the image transmission request and that corresponds to the identified capturing target position;
A display unit for displaying an image received by the image receiving unit;
A mobile terminal device comprising:

Images