Abstract:
Provided is a Web bulletin board system ( 10 ) capable of lessening the burden in forming a travel plan when a group of people plan a trip. This Web bulletin board system ( 10 ) comprises a center server ( 20 ) which deems character strings indicated by predetermined symbols in messages in a chat to be destinations and automatically generates a list of destinations.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a technique for assisting a travel planning prepared by more than one person. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-179147 filed on Jul. 31, 2009, and in the designated countries where incorporation of documents by reference is approved, the content described in the specification of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated into the present patent application by reference. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Patent Document 1 described below discloses a travel assisting system which registers from a user terminal, information such as a destination point, an arrival time, and a via-point, in a travel assist server via a network, thereby allowing the travel assist server to make a search for a guidance route, and when a navigation device is activated, the guidance route being retrieved is transmitted to the navigation device, thereby achieving a setting of information such as the destination point and the guidance route in the navigation device, without directly manipulating the navigation device. 
       PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-143358 
       
     
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problem to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0004]    In the meantime, when more than one person makes a travel plan, in some cases, multiple persons have a discussion on a chat line or the like, to determine the travel plan. When a destination point, a via-point, and the like, are finally determined, any one of the persons intending to go traveling is required to set those information items in the navigation device. However, in the case where there are multiple via-points, it may take time to configure the settings for the navigation device in certain instances. 
         [0005]    Sometimes, it is not possible to know the time when the via-point is passed until a route is actually drawn, and it may be necessary to receive approval again from other person intending to go traveling, after drawing the route in the navigation device, in order to ultimately determine the travel plan. The technique described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1 allows setting information such as the destination point and the guidance route in the navigation device, without direct manipulation of the navigation device, but it does not reduce a burden in travel planning which is prepared by more than one person. 
         [0006]    The present invention has been made considering the situation above, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the burden in making a travel plan according to more than one person. 
       Means to Solve the Problem 
       [0007]    In order to solve the problem above, a first aspect of the present invention provides, for example, a Web bulletin board system, having a navigation device, multiple user terminals, and a center server for communicating with the navigation device and the multiple user terminals via a communication network, wherein, the center server includes, a positional information storage for storing information indicating a current position of the navigation device, a symbol information storage for storing a symbol representing a destination point, a map database for storing positional information of a point in association with a character string indicating the point, a destination point information storage for storing the positional information of the point indicated by the character string, together with the character string being associated, in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, a positional information updater for updating the information in the positional information storage, to information indicating the current position of the navigation device being received, upon receipt from the navigation device, of the information indicating the current position thereof, a chat service part for managing an ID of a user logging in a chat, and upon receipt of a message from a user terminal used by the user logging in the chat, transmitting the message being received to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, a symbol processor for extracting from the map database, the positional information of the point associated with the character string designated by the symbol, when the symbol representing the destination point exists in the message that the chat service part received from the user terminal, and a destination point information updater for additionally storing in the destination point information storage, the character string and the positional information extracted by the symbol processor, sorting the character strings in the destination point information storage in ascending order of distance of the associated positional information from the current position of the navigation device, and transmitting to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, the character strings being sorted, respectively in association with numbers in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, 
         [0008]    the user terminal includes, a chat client part for transmitting to the center server, a message inputted according to a manipulation by the user, and displaying the message transmitted from the center server, and a destination point information display part for displaying the character strings transmitted from the center server, being sorted in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, and 
         [0009]    the navigation device includes, a current position calculation part for calculating the current position of the navigation device, and a current position transmitter for transmitting to the center server, the current position calculated by the current position calculation part at a predetermined timing. 
         [0010]    A second aspect of the present invention provides a travel planning assist method in a Web bulletin board system having a navigation device, multiple user terminals, and a center server for communicating with the navigation device and the multiple user terminals via a communication network, wherein, 
         [0011]    the center server executes a positional information updating step for updating information indicating a current position of the navigation device stored in a positional information storage, to information being received indicating the current position of the navigation device, upon receipt from the navigation device, of the information indicating the current position thereof, a chat service step for managing an ID of a user logging in a chat, and upon receipt of a message from a user terminal used by the user logging in the chat, transmitting the message being received to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, a symbol processing step for extracting from a map database, the positional information of a point associated with a character string designated by a symbol, when the symbol representing a destination point exists in the message received from the user terminal in the chat service step, the map database storing the positional information of the point in association with the character string indicating the point, and a destination point information updating step for additionally storing in a destination point information storage for storing the positional information of the point indicated by the character string together with the character string being associated, the character string and the positional information extracted in the symbol processing step, sorting the character strings in the destination point information storage in ascending order of distance of the associated positional information from the current position of the navigation device, and transmitting to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, the character strings being sorted, respectively in association with numbers in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, 
         [0012]    the user terminal executes a chat client step for transmitting to the center server, a message inputted according to a manipulation by the user, and displaying the message transmitted from the center server, and a destination point information display step for displaying the character strings transmitted from the center server, being sorted in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, and 
         [0013]    the navigation device executes a current position calculating step for calculating the current position of the navigation device, and a current position transmitting step for transmitting to the center server, the current position calculated in the current position calculating step at a predetermined timing. 
         [0014]    A third aspect of the present invention provides a center server for communicating with a navigation device and multiple user terminals via a communication network, the center server including, a positional information storage for storing information indicating a current position of the navigation device, a symbol information storage for storing a symbol representing a destination point, a map database for storing positional information of a point, in association with a character string indicating the point, a destination point information storage for storing the positional information of the point indicated by the character string, together with the character string being associated, in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device, a positional information updater for updating the information in the positional information storage, to information indicating the current position of the navigation device being received, upon receipt from the navigation device, of the information indicating the current position thereof, a chat service part for managing an ID of a user logging in a chat, and upon receipt of a message from a user terminal used by the user logging in the chat, transmitting the message being received to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, a symbol processor for extracting from the map database, the positional information of the point associated with the character string designated by the symbol, when the symbol representing the destination point exists in the message that the chat service part received from the user terminal, and a destination point information updater for additionally storing in the destination point information storage, the character string and the positional information extracted by the symbol processor, sorting the character strings in the destination point information storage in ascending order of distance of the associated positional information from the current position of the navigation device, and transmitting to the user terminal of the user logging in the chat, the character strings being sorted, respectively in association with numbers in ascending order of distance from the current position of the navigation device. 
       Effect of the Invention 
       [0015]    According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a burden of travel planning, when more than one person prepares a travel plan. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram showing a configuration of a Web bulletin board system  10  relating one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a hardware block diagram showing one example of configuration of a navigation device  30 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing one example of functional configuration of the navigation device  30 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a data structure of a link table  330  stored in a link data storage  33 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing one example of operation of the navigation device  30 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  conceptually illustrates one example of display screen  50  displayed on a display  106  of the navigation device  30 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  50  displayed on the display  106  of the navigation device  30 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing one example of functional configuration of a user terminal  40 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing one example of operation of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  conceptually illustrates one example of a display screen  60  displayed on a display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the display unit  45  of the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing one example of functional configuration of a center server  20 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a positional information storage  200 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 19  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a destination point information storage  201 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure of a point information table  2020  stored in a map DB  202 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 21  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in an ID information storage  203 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 22  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a route information storage  204 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 23  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a meeting place information storage  205 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 24  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a symbol information storage  212 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 25  conceptually illustrates one example of data structure stored in a command information storage  213 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing one example of operation of the center server  20 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  is a flowchart showing one example of a symbol process (S 320 ) executed by the center server  20 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  conceptually illustrates one example of the display screen  60  displayed on the user terminal  40 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 29  is a flowchart showing one example of a route searching process (S 340 ) executed by the center server  20 ; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 30  is a hardware block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a computer  70  for implementing functions of the center server  20  or the user terminal  40 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings; 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram showing a configuration of a Web bulletin board system  10  relating one embodiment of the present invention. The Web bulletin board system  10  is provided with a center server  20 , a navigation device  30 , and user terminals  40 . The center server  20  and the navigation device  30  are connected to a communication line  11 , and they are communicated with each other via the communication line  11 . 
         [0048]    The navigation device  30  is mounted on a vehicle  13  and connected to a communication unit  14 . The communication unit  14  establishes communication with a nearest base station  12  according to a wireless transmission method, such as WCDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) and PHS (Personal Handyphone System). The navigation device  30  sends and receives data, by communicating with the center server  20 , via the communication unit  14  and the base station  12 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is a hardware block diagram showing one example of configuration of the navigation device  30 . The navigation device  30  incorporates an arithmetic processing unit  100 , a storage unit  107 , an audio input and output unit  108 , an input unit  111 , an ROM unit  114 , a vehicle speed sensor  115 , a gyro sensor  116 , a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver  117 , an FM multiplex broadcasting receiver  118 , and a beacon receiver  119 . 
         [0050]    The arithmetic processing unit  100  is a main unit for performing various processing. By way of example, the arithmetic processing unit  100  detects a current position of the navigation device  30 , based on information outputted from various sensors (the vehicle speed sensor  115  and the gyro sensor  116 ), the GPS receiver  117 , the FM multiplex broadcasting receiver  118 , and the like. On the basis of the current positional information being obtained, the arithmetic processing unit  100  reads out from the storage unit  107  or from the ROM unit  114 , map data necessary to create a display. 
         [0051]    The arithmetic processing unit  100  graphically expands the map data being read out, and displays a mark indicating the current position on the display  106  in such a manner as superimposing thereon. The arithmetic processing unit  100  uses the map data, and the like, stored in the storage unit  107  or in the ROM unit  114  to search for an optimum route (recommended route) connecting a departure place (or a current position) with a destination designated by the user. It further uses the speaker  110  and the display  106  to guide the user. 
         [0052]    The arithmetic processing unit  100  of the navigation device  30  has a configuration that connects each device via a bus  105 . The arithmetic processing unit  100  incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  101  for executing various processes such as numerical processing and control of each device, RAM (Random Access Memory)  102  for storing map data, operation data, and the like, read out from the storage unit  107 , ROM (Read Only Memory)  103  for storing programs and data, and an I/F (interface)  104  for establishing connection between various hardware and the arithmetic processing unit  100 . 
         [0053]    The display  106  is a unit for displaying the graphics information generated by the arithmetic processing unit  100 , and the like. The display  106  is made up of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The storage unit  107  is made up of a storage medium at least readable and writable, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a non-volatile memory card. This storage medium stores a link table, and the like, being the map data (including link data of links constituting roads on a map) which is necessary for a typical route searching apparatus. 
         [0054]    The audio input and output unit  108  is provided with a microphone  109  and the speaker  110 . The microphone  109  captures sounds made by a passenger such as a driver. The speaker  110  outputs a message to the user in the form of an audio signal, generated by the arithmetic processing unit  100 . The microphone  109  and the speaker  110  are separately mounted on predetermined portions of the vehicle  13 . It is to be noted that an enclosure may accommodate these elements in an integrated manner. The navigation device  30  may be provided with multiple microphones  109  and multiple speakers  110 , respectively. 
         [0055]    The input unit  111  is a unit for accepting an instruction from the user, via a manipulation by the user. The input unit  111  is made up of a touch panel  112 , a dial switch  113 , and other hard switches (not illustrated). 
         [0056]    The touch panel  112  is mounted on a display screen side of the display  106 , being a transparent to make the display screen visible. The touch panel  112  is used to specify a touch position in association with XY coordinates of the image displayed on the display  106 , convert the touch position to coordinates, and output the coordinates. The touch panel  112  is made up of pressure-sensitive type or electrostatic type input detecting elements, or the like. 
         [0057]    The dial switch  113  is constructed in rotatable manner, both in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction, issues a pulse signal according to a rotation by a predetermined angle, and outputs the pulse signal to the arithmetic processing unit  100 . The arithmetic processing unit  100  obtains a rotation angle based on the number of the pulse signals. 
         [0058]    The ROM unit  114  is made up of a storage medium, at least readable, such as an ROM (Read Only Memory) including a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. This storage medium stores video data, audio data, and the like, for instance. 
         [0059]    The vehicle speed sensor  115 , the gyro sensor  116 , and the GPS receiver  117  are used to detect a current position by the navigation device  30 . The vehicle speed sensor  115  is a sensor for outputting a value that is used to calculate a vehicle speed. The gyro sensor  116  is made up of an optical fiber gyroscope, a vibrating gyroscope, or the like, to detect an angular rate according to a rotation of a moving object. 
         [0060]    The GPS receiver  117  receives a signal from a GPS satellite, measures a distance between the moving object and the GPS satellite, and a rate of change of the distance, with respect to at least three satellites, thereby obtaining the current position, a travelling speed, and traveling azimuth of the moving object. 
         [0061]    The FM multiplex broadcasting receiver  118  receives an FM multiplex broadcasting signal that is transmitted from an FM multiplex broadcasting station. The FM multiplex broadcasting information includes brief current traffic information, information on restrictions, SA/PA (service area/parking area) information, parking lot information, weather information, and the like, according to the VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System: registered trademark), and character information and the like, provided by a radio station as FM multiplex general information. 
         [0062]    The beacon receiver  119  receives the VICS information and the like, including brief current traffic information, information on restrictions, SA/PA (service area/parking area) information, parking lot information, weather information, emergency alert, and the like. By way of example, it is a unit to receive an optical beacon for optical communication, a radio beacon for radio communication, or the like. 
         [0063]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing one example of a functional configuration of the navigation device  30 . The navigation device  30  incorporates a current position calculation part  31 , a positional information transmitter  32 , a link data storage  33 , a route guiding part  34 , a message transmitter and receiver  35 , an audio converter  36 , and a text converter  37 . 
         [0064]    The link data storage  33  stores, a link table for storing information relating to links representing roads, map data, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, the link table  330  stores data relating to links, in the form of mesh data  331  with respect to each predetermined map area. Each item of the mesh data  331  includes following elements, such as a mesh ID  332  for identifying each mesh, and link data  333  being the data relating to the links within the mesh. 
         [0065]    Each item of the link data  333  stores in advance a link ID  334  for identifying each link, a start node coordinate  335  of the link, an end node coordinate  336  of the link, a road type  337  of the link, a link length  338 , a start connection link  339  being identification information of other link connected to the start node of the link, an end connection link  340  being identification information of other link connected to the end node of the link, a name of the road  341  associated with the link, and the like. 
         [0066]    The current position calculation part  31  refers to the information within the link data storage  33  at a predetermined timing, based on the vehicle speed sensor  115 , the gyro sensor  116 , the GPS receiver  117 , and the like, calculates the current position of the navigation device  30 , and passes the current position thus calculated to the positional information transmitter  32  and the route guiding part  34 . The positional information transmitter  32  transmits the current positional information received from the current position calculation part  31  to the center server  20  via the communication unit  14 . 
         [0067]    Next, with reference to the flowchart as shown in  FIG. 5 , an explanation will be made as to the processing of the route guiding part  34 , the message transmitter and receiver  35 , the audio converter  36 , and the text converter  37 . By way of example, power activation triggers the navigation device  30  to start the operation indicated by the flowchart. 
         [0068]    Firstly, the message transmitter and receiver  35  logs in a chat service of the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 100 ). The message transmitter and receiver  35  uses for the login, an ID of a user who uses the navigation device  30 , as well as an ID of the navigation device  30 . Here in the present embodiment, a chat bulletin board is provided with respect to each navigation device  30 , and the ID of the navigation device  30  is used to identify which bulletin board is logged in or to which bulletin board posting is performed. Therefore, when the user ID is used for the login, the message transmitter and receiver  35  informs the center server  20  of the ID of the navigation device  30  as well. 
         [0069]    Next, the route guiding part  34  determines whether or not any route information is received from the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 101 ). If the route information is not received (S 101 : No), the text converter  37  executes the process as shown in the step S 105 . If the route information is received (S 101 : Yes), the route guiding part  34  displays on the display  106 , a message inquiring whether or not the route information being received is to be set (S 102 ). As shown in  FIG. 6  by way of example, the route guiding part  34  displays a setting confirmation message in the form of a pop-up  53  on the display screen  50  of the display  106 . 
         [0070]    Next, the route guiding part  34  determines whether or not setting of the route information is permitted by the user via the input unit  111  (S 103 ). If setting of the route information is not permitted (S 103 : No), the route guiding part  34  discards the route information being received, and the text converter  37  executes the processing shown in the step S 105 . 
         [0071]    On the other hand, if setting of the route information is permitted (S 103 : Yes), the route guiding part  34  sets the route information being received, and starts route guidance, based on the data within the link data storage  33  and the current position being calculated by the current position calculation part  31  (S 104 ). During the route guidance, the route guiding part  34  displays on the display  106 , an image representing the route being set and outputs from the speaker  110 , a voice for guidance at an intersection on the route being set. 
         [0072]    Next, the text converter  37  determines whether or not the user has sent a message to be posted in the chat (S 105 ). By way of example, if a voice generated by the user is accepted via the microphone  109 , while a switch (not illustrated) is in the state of pressed for instructing an input of a message to be posted in the chat, the text converter  37  determines that the user has sent the message to be posted in the chat. 
         [0073]    If the user has sent the message to be posted in the chat (S 105 : Yes), the text converter  37  converts the voice of the user into a text file by using a speech recognition technique, and transmits the chat message being converted into the text file to the message transmitter and receiver  35 . The message transmitter and receiver  35  transmits the chat message received from the text converter  37 , in association with the user ID and the ID of the navigation device  30 , to the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 106 ), and the text converter  37  executes again the processing shown in the step S 105 . 
         [0074]    On the other hand, if the user does not send a message to be posted in the chat (S 105 : No), the message transmitter and receiver  35  determines whether or not a chat message is received from the center server  20 , via the communication unit  14  (S 107 ). Upon receipt of the chat message (S 107 : Yes), the message transmitter and receiver  35  displays the chat message being received on the display  106 , and further transfers the chat message to the audio converter  36 . 
         [0075]    For example, if the chat message is received while the display screen  50  of the display  106  is in the state as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ), the message transmitter and receiver  35  divides the display screen  50  into two regions as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ). Then, the contents shown before are continuously displayed in one region  51 , and in the other region  52 , the chat message being received is displayed.  FIG. 7(   b ) illustrates a display example when the chat message from a user “Kenji” is received. On this occasion, it is preferable that past chat messages having been received since the time when the navigation device  30  was started are displayed to the extent possible. 
         [0076]    Next, the audio converter  36  reads out the chat message received from the message transmitter and receiver  35 , by the use of synthesized voice according to the TTS (Text-To-Speech), and outputs the voice via the speaker  110  (S 108 ), and the text converter  37  executes again the processing shown in the step S 105 . 
         [0077]    In the step S 107 , if a chat message is not received (S 107 : No), the route guiding part  34  determines whether or not the status of the vehicle  13  on which the navigation device  30  is mounted is changed (S 109 ). The status change of the vehicle  13  includes following cases, for example; a change of the current position of the navigation device  30  by a distance equal to more than a predetermined distance, a change of required time until arriving a destination point by a time equal to or longer than a predetermined period of time, a change of congestion state on a traveling road, and the like. 
         [0078]    If the status of the vehicle  13  is changed (S 109 : Yes), the route guiding part  34  sends information indicating the status of the vehicle  13  to the message transmitter and receiver  35 . The message transmitter and receiver  35  transmits via the communication unit  14 , the status information received from the route guiding part  34  to the center server  20  as a chat message, together with the ID of the navigation device  30  (S 110 ), and the text converter  37  executes again the processing shown in the step S 105 . It is also possible to configure such that even though there is no change in the status of the vehicle  13 , the message transmitter and receiver  35  periodically transmits the status information of the vehicle  13  as a chat message, to the center server  20 . 
         [0079]    In the step S 109 , if there is no change in the status of the vehicle  13  (S 109 : No), the message transmitter and receiver  35  determines whether or not a command is received from the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 111 ). The command transmitted from the center server  20  may be a command inquiring the status of the vehicle  13  on which the navigation device  30  is mounted, and for example, it may be a command for inquiring a current position, a destination point, a scheduled arrival time, a congestion state of the traveling road, or the like. 
         [0080]    Upon receipt of the command (S 111 : Yes), the message transmitter and receiver  35  transfers the received command to the route guiding part  34 . The route guiding part  34  executes the processing associated with the command received from the message transmitter and receiver  35 , and returns a result of the execution to the message transmitter and receiver  35 . The message transmitter and receiver  35  transmits the result of the command execution as a chat message, together with the ID of the navigation device  30 , to the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 112 ), and the text converter  37  executes again the processing shown in the step S 105 . 
         [0081]    In the step S 111 , if there is no command being received (S 111 : No), the route guiding part  34  determines whether or not the power of the navigation device  30  is shut off (S 113 ). If the power of the navigation device  30  is shut off (S 113 : Yes), the positional information transmitter  32  operates by the use of power feeding from a secondary battery or the like, and transmits the current position of the navigation device  30  the most recently calculated by the current position calculation part  31 , together with the ID of the navigation device  30 , to the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 114 ). 
         [0082]    Next, the message transmitter and receiver  35  operates by the use of power feeding from the secondary battery or the like, transmits a logout request including the IDs of both the user and the navigation device  30 , to the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 115 ), and the navigation device  30  terminates the operation shown in the flowchart. 
         [0083]    In the step S 113 , if the power of the navigation device  30  is not shut off (S 113 : No), it is determined whether or not the route guiding part  34  has received new route information from the center server  20  via the communication unit  14  (S 116 ). If new route information is received (S 116 : Yes), the route guiding part  34  executes again the processing shown in the step S 102 . On the other hand, if new route information is not received (S 116 : No), the text converter  37  executes the processing shown in the step S 105 . 
         [0084]    It is to be noted that each functional block within the aforementioned navigation device  30  is established when the CPU  101  in  FIG. 2  reads and executes predetermined programs. Therefore, the RAM  102  stores programs to implement the processing of each functional part. 
         [0085]    Furthermore, each of the above constitutional elements is obtained by categorization on the basis of major processing details, in order to easily understand the configuration of the navigation device  30 . Therefore, the present invention is not restricted according to a manner how to categorize the constitutional elements or their names. The configuration of the navigation device  30  may be categorized into much more constitutional elements, depending on processing details. It is further possible to categorize in such a manner that one constitutional element executes much more processing. 
         [0086]    In addition, each functional part may be established by hardware (ASIC, GPU, or the like). A piece of hardware may execute the processing of each functional part, or multiple pieces of hardware may execute the same. 
         [0087]    Next, an explanation will be made as to the user terminal  40 .  FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing one example of the functional configuration of the user terminal  40 . The user terminal  40  incorporates a chat client part  41 , a destination point information display part  42 , and a route search instruction part  43 . The user terminal  40  is connected to an input unit  44  and a display unit  45 . 
         [0088]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 9 , an operation of the user terminal  40  will be explained.  FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing one example of the operation of the user terminal  40 . By way of example, power is activated, and the user terminal  40  transmits a login request with the use of the user ID to the center server  20 , the request including the user ID, an ID of the navigation device  30 , and a password. When the login is successful, the user terminal  40  starts the operation as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0089]    Firstly, the chat client part  41  displays on the display unit  45 , a display screen  60  as shown in  FIG. 10  (S 200 ). The display screen  60  is provided with display areas with respect to each service type  61 . In the display area  62  associated with the chat service, there are displayed an area  620  for displaying a list of the destination point, an area  621  for displaying a chat message, an area  622  for displaying an image of a meeting place, an area  623  for displaying predetermined symbols, an area  624  for writing a chat message, a send button  625  for sending the chat message being written in the area  624 , and a logout button  626  for sending a logout request to the center server  20 . 
         [0090]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , in the area  63  associated with a route setting service, there are displayed, for instance, an area  630  for displaying a list of the destination point, an area  631  for displaying an overview of the route being decided, an area  632  for setting the order of passing the destination points and a departure time, a route search button  633  for giving a route search instruction to the center server  20 , and a send route button  634  for sending the route information being decided to the navigation device  30 . It is to be noted that in the area  630 , there is displayed information similar to the information in the area  620 . 
         [0091]    With reference to  FIG. 9  again, an explanation will be continued. The chat client part  41  determines whether or not a chat message is received from the client server  20  via the communication line  11  (S 201 ). Upon receipt of the chat message ( 5201 : Yes), for example as shown in  FIG. 12 , the chat client part  41  displays the chat message being received in the area  621  (S 202 ), and executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0092]    On the other hand, if the chat message is not received (S 201 : No), the char client part  41  determines whether or not the send button  625  has been pressed according to a manipulation of the input unit  44  by the user, thereby determining whether or not there is provided an instruction for sending the chat message (S 203 ). If the instruction for sending the chat message is provided (S 203 : Yes), the chat client part  41  transmits the text inputted in the area  624  as a chat message together with the IDs of both the user and the navigation device  30 , to the center server  20  via the communication line  11  (S 204 ), and executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0093]    It is to be noted that the user manipulates the input unit  44  to select a symbol within the area  623 , allowing the symbol to be embedded within the text in the area  624 . The chat client part  41  converts in advance the symbol embedded in the area  624  into a symbol ID assigned to this symbol, and transmits the symbol ID to the center server  20 . 
         [0094]    If the instruction for sending of the chat message is not provided in the step S 203  (S 203 : No), the destination point information display part  42  determines whether or not destination point information is received (S 205 ). Here, the destination point information corresponds to at least one character string which is associated with a number. 
         [0095]    If the destination point information is received (S 205 : Yes), the destination point information display part  42  displays the destination point information being received in the area  620  and in the area  630  (S 206 ), and the chat client unit  41  executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , by way of example, the destination point information display part  42  arranges in a line, the information items with respect to each of the character strings included in the destination point information, in ascending order of the numbers respectively associated therewith, from the nearest to the farthest, starting from the car mark representing the vehicle current position. 
         [0096]    It is to be noted that upon receipt of a departure time from the center server  20 , the destination point information display part  42  displays the departure time being received next to the car mark displayed in the area  620  shown in  FIG. 12 . In addition, when a character string included in the destination point information is associated with information indicating that the point is a meeting place, the destination point information display part  42  displays a symbol representing the meeting place on the side of the character string. 
         [0097]    In the step S 205 , if the destination point information is not received (S 205 : No), the route search instruction part  43  determines whether or not the route search button  633  is pressed according to a manipulation of the input unit  44  by the user, thereby determining whether or not an instruction for searching for a route is provided (S 207 ). If the instruction for searching for a route is provided (S 207 : Yes), the route search instruction part  43  provides a route search instruction to the center server  20  via the communication circuit  11 , based on the descriptions set in the area  632 , and the chat client part  41  executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0098]    For example, if the route search button  633  is pressed while the display screen  60  is in the state as shown in  FIG. 13 , the route search instruction part  43  specifies the character string being associated with each number displayed within the square in the area  632 , and provides an instruction to the center server  20  for searching for a route which passes the points sequentially from the point of the character string associated with the square being the nearest the car mark. In the example of  FIG. 13 , the squares in the area  632  are displayed respectively including the numbers “1”, “2”, and “3”, in ascending order of distance from the car mark, and therefore, the route search instruction part  43  provides an instruction to the center server  20 , to search for a route which passes the points in order of the followings; “Kenji&#39;s home”, “Setagaya-ku***4-2-5”, and “Enoshima”. 
         [0099]    In the example shown in  FIG. 13 , the descriptions displayed in the area  630  are automatically displayed in the area  632 , and the user is allowed to freely change the sequence of the passing points according to the manipulation via the input unit  44 . The departure time within the area  632  is similarly modifiable, according to the manipulation of the input unit  44  by the user. In addition, the user manipulates the input unit  44  to delete any of the number indicating the destination place, being displayed in the area  632 , thereby allowing a search for a route that does not pass the destination point corresponding to the deleted number. 
         [0100]    After transmitting the route search instruction to the center server  20 , the route search instruction part  43  receives a search result from the center server  20 , and displays the search result being received on the display screen  60  in a pop-up  636 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , for instance. The user manipulates the input unit  44  to check a radio button  637  associated with one route in the search result, and press the decision button  638 , thereby selecting one route out of a plurality of routes being retrieved. The route search instruction part  43  transmits the ID of the selected route to the center server  20 , and displays information of the selected route in the area  631 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , for instance. 
         [0101]    In the step S 207 , if the route searching is not instructed (S 207 : No), the route search instruction part  43  determines whether or not there is received information of the route selected by other user (S 209 ). If the information of the route selected by other user is received (S 209 : Yes), the route search instruction part  43  displays the information of the route being received in the area  631  as shown in  FIG. 15 , for instance (S 210 ), and the chat client part  41  executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0102]    If the information of the route selected by other user is not received (S 209 : No), the chat client part  41  determines whether or not meeting place information is received (S 211 ). The meeting place information represents an image being associated with the number indicating a via-point, the image showing a meeting spot at the via-point. 
         [0103]    If the meeting place information is received (S 211 : Yes), the chat client  41  establishes association between the received image showing the meeting place and the number assigned to the character string indicating the corresponding point, and as shown in  FIG. 16 , for example, displays the image in the area  622  (S 212 ). The chat client part  41  executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0104]    If the meeting place information is not received in the step S 211  (S 211 : No), the chat client part  41  determines whether or not the logout button  626  is pressed according to the manipulation of the input unit  44  by the user, thereby determining whether or not the logout is instructed (S 213 ). If the logout is instructed (S 213 : Yes), the chat client part  41  transmits a logout request including the IDs of both the user and the navigation device  30  to the center server  20 , and terminates the operation shown in the flowchart. 
         [0105]    If the logout is not instructed (S 213 : No), the chat client part  41  determines whether or not there are any other manipulations via the input unit  44  by the user (S 214 ). If there are not any other manipulations (S 214 : No), the chat client part  41  executes again the processing shown in the step S 201 . 
         [0106]    If there are other manipulations (S 214 : Yes), the chat client part  41  makes a display according to the manipulations. It is to be noted that if the send route button  634  is pressed in the route setting screen, according to the manipulation of the input unit  44  by the user, the route search instruction part  43  transmits to the center server  20 , a send-route instruction for sending the route information to the navigation device  30 , the route information including the navigation ID and being displayed in the area  631 . 
         [0107]    Next, an explanation will be made as to the center server  20 .  FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the center server  20 . The center server  20  incorporates a positional information storage  200 , a destination point information storage  201 , a map DB (database)  202 , an ID information storage  203 , a route information storage  204 , a meeting place information storage  205 , a positional information updater  206 , a destination point information updater  207 , a symbol processor  208 , a chat service part  209 , a route search part  210 , a meeting place information provider  211 , a symbol information storage  212 , and a command information storage  213 . 
         [0108]    As shown in  FIG. 18 , for example, the positional information storage  200  stores, in association with the navigation ID  2000  for identifying each of the navigation devices  30 , positional information  2001  of the navigation device  30 , an address  2002  of the navigation device  30 , and an update date and time  2003  indicating the date and time when the positional information  2001  is updated for the last time. An IP address represents the address  2002 , for instance. 
         [0109]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , for example, the destination point information storage  201  stores a destination point table  2011  with respect to each navigation ID  2010 . Each destination point table  2011  stores, in association with each destination point table  2011  representing a destination point, positional information  2013  of the point, and a meeting place flag  2014  indicating whether or not the point serves as a meeting place. The meeting place flag  2014  stores “1” when the associated point is designated as a meeting place, whereas it stores “0” when the associated point is not designated as a meeting place. 
         [0110]    The map DB  202  stores in advance a point information table  2020  as shown in  FIG. 20 . The point information table  2020  stores, in association with multiple character strings  2021  representing points, positional information  2022  of the point, and a facility name  2023  located at the point. 
         [0111]    The ID information storage  203  stores a table  2031  with respect to each navigation ID  2030 , as shown in  FIG. 21 , for instance. Each table  2031  stores, in association with the user ID  2032  for identifying each user, a password  2033  used for authentication of the user, a status  2034  indicating whether or not the user logs in the chat, and an address  2035  of the user terminal  40  which the user is using. The status  2034  stores “1” when the user being associated is in the state of login, whereas it stores “0” when the user being associated is not in the state of login. In the present embodiment, the navigation device  30  is allowed to participate in the chat as a user. Therefore, predetermined data items are stored also for the navigation device  30 , respectively serving as the user ID, the password, and the like. 
         [0112]    The route information storage  204  stores route information  2041  with respect to each navigation ID  2040 , as shown in  FIG. 22 , for instance. The route information  2041  stores positional information of the departure point, a departure clock time, positional information of a destination point, a scheduled arrival time at the destination point, positional information of via-points to be passed between the departure point and the destination point, the clock time when each via-point is passed, a link ID to be passed between each of the points, and the like. 
         [0113]    The meeting place information storage  205  stores a meeting place information table  2051  with respect to each facility name  2050 , as shown in  FIG. 23 , for instance. Each meeting place information table  2051  stores in advance, an image  2054  representing a recommended meeting spot, with respect to each pair of a road name  2052  and a traveling direction  2053 . With reference to the meeting place information storage  205 , it is possible to obtain an image representing a spot suitable for meeting, depending on which direction the user goes on the road passing near a particular facility. 
         [0114]    As shown in  FIG. 24 , for instance, a symbol information storage  212  stores a symbol  2121  and a meaning  2122  of a text represented by the symbol  2121 , in association with the symbol ID  2120  for identifying each symbol. The command information storage  213  stores in advance, in association with a command  2130 , multiple character strings  2131  indicating the command  2130 , as shown in  FIG. 25 , for instance. 
         [0115]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 26 , an operation of the center server  20  will be explained.  FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing one example of the operation of the center server  20 . Here, in the present embodiment, a chat bulletin board is provided for each navigation device  30 , and each chat bulletin board is identified by the ID of the navigation device  30 . By way of example, if there is a login request from the user terminal  40 , to the chat bulletin board associated with a particular navigation device  30 , the center server  20  starts the operation as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0116]    The chat service part  209  receives the login request including the navigation ID, user ID, and password, and specifies a table associated with the navigation ID included in the received login request, within the ID information storage  203 . Then, the chat service part  209  determines whether or not the password in the table being specified, which is associated with the user ID included in the login request being received, matches the password included in the login request, thereby authenticating the user (S 300 ). 
         [0117]    When authentication is successful, the chat service part  209  registers the source address from which the login command is transmitted in the ID information storage  203 , and modifies the state of the sending source to be a value indicating a login state. Then, the chat service part  209  determines whether or not the navigation ID included in the login request matches the user ID, thereby determining whether or not the login source is a navigation device  30  (S 301 ). If this login source is not a navigation device  30  (S 301 : No), the chat service part  209  executes the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0118]    If the login source is a navigation device  30  (S 301 : Yes), the chat service part  209  notifies the route search part  210  of the navigation ID. The route search part  210  refers to the route information storage  204  and determines whether or not there exists route information  2041  which is associated with the navigation ID received from the chat service part  209  (S 302 ). If the route information  2041  associated with the navigation ID received from the chat service part  209  does not exist in the route information storage  204  (S 302 : No), the chat service part  209  executes the processing shown in the S 304 . 
         [0119]    If the route information  2041  associated with the navigation ID received from the chat service part  209  exists (S 302 : Yes), the route search part  210  acquires from the ID information storage  203 , the address of the navigation device  30  being the sending source of the login request, and transmits the associated route information to the navigation device  30  via the communication line  11  (S 303 ). Then, the route search part  210  deletes the route information transmitted to the navigation device  30  from the route information storage  204 . 
         [0120]    Next, the chat service part  209  determines whether or not a chat message is received together with both the navigation ID and the user ID via the communication line  11  (S 304 ). Upon receipt of the chat message (S 304 : Yes), the chat service part  209  refers to the table within the ID information storage  203 , the table being associated with the navigation ID received with the chat message, and transmits via the communication line  11 , the received chat message with the user ID, to the addresses stored in the table, corresponding to the addresses of users in the login status (S 305 ). 
         [0121]    When the chat message is transmitted, the user terminal  40  displays the chat message in the area  621 , together with a display name associated with the user ID as shown in  FIG. 12 , for instance. It is to be noted if the navigation device  30  is in the login status, the chat message is transmitted also to the navigation device  30 , and it is displayed as shown in  FIG. 7(   b ), for instance. 
         [0122]    Next, the chat service part  209  sends to the symbol processor  208 , the received chat message together with the navigation ID. The symbol processor  208  determines whether or not a symbol registered in the symbol information storage  212  is included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 306 ). If a predetermined symbol is not included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 306 : No), the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0123]    On the other hand, if a predetermined symbol is included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 306 : Yes), the symbol processor  208  executes a symbol processing described below (S 320 ), and the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0124]    In the step S 304 , if the chat message is not received (S 304 : No), the route search part  210  determines whether or not there is received a route search instruction via the communication line  11 , the route search instruction including a navigation ID, a character string, passing order of each character string, a departure time, a search condition, and the like (S 307 ). Upon receipt of the route search instruction (S 307 : Yes), the route search part  210  executes the route searching process described below (S 340 ), and the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0125]    In the step S 307 , if the route search instruction is not received (S 307 : No), the route search part  210  determines whether or not a send-route instruction including the navigation ID is received from the user terminal  40  (S 308 ). Upon receipt of the send-route instruction (S 308 : Yes), the route search part  210  refers to the route information storage  204 , and acquires the route information which is calculated in the step S 340  described below and stored in the route information storage  204  in association with the navigation ID. Then, the route search part  210  transmits the acquired route information to the navigation device  30  associated with the navigation ID included in the send-route instruction (S 309 ), and the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0126]    It is to be noted that if the navigation device  30  is activated and receives successfully the route information being transmitted, the route search part  210  deletes the route information being transmitted from the route information storage  204 . If the navigation device  30  is not activated, and fails to normally receive the route information being transmitted, the route search part  210  does not delete the route information from the route information storage  204  until the navigation device  30  is activated. 
         [0127]    In the step S 308 , if the send-route instruction is not received (S 308 : No), the positional information updater  206  determines whether or not positional information is received together with the navigation ID via the communication line  11  from the navigation device  30  (S 310 ). If the positional information is received together with the navigation ID (S 310 : Yes), the positional information updater  206  refers to the positional information storage  200 , updates the positional information associated with the received navigation ID, to the received positional information, and updates the update date and time (S 311 ), and the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . 
         [0128]    If the positional information is not received together with the navigation ID in the step S 310  (S 310 : No), the chat service part  209  determines whether or not a logout request including the navigation ID and the user ID is received (S 312 ). Upon receipt of the logout request (S 312 : Yes), the chat service part  209  specifies within the ID information storage  203 , a table associated with the navigation ID included in the received logout request. 
         [0129]    Then, the chat service part  209  updates the state being associated with the user ID included in the received login request, to the information indicating not being in the login state (S 313 ), and determines whether or not all the users registered in the table are in the state of logout (S 314 ). If a user in the login state exists (S 314 : No), the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 304 . If all the users are in the state of logout (S 314 : Yes), the center server  20  terminates the operation as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0130]    In the step S 312 , if a logout request is not received (S 312 : No), the chat service part  209  determines whether or not a new login request is received (S 315 ). If a new login request is received (S 315 : Yes), the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the step S 300 . On the other hand, if a new login request is not received (S 315 : No), the chat service part  209  executes again the processing shown in the S 304 . 
         [0131]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 27 , the symbol processing in the step S 320  will be explained. 
         [0132]    Firstly, the symbol processor  208  refers to the symbol information storage  212 , and determines whether or not a symbol representing a destination point or a meeting place point is included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 321 ). If neither a symbol representing the destination point nor a symbol representing the meeting place point is included in the chat message (S 321 : No), the symbol processor  208  executes the processing shown in the step S 328 . 
         [0133]    If either a symbol representing the destination point or a symbol representing the meeting place is included in the chat message (S 321 : Yes), the symbol processor  208  extracts a character string indicated by the symbol from the chat message. In the present embodiment, the symbol processor  208  assumes a character string sandwiched by the symbols as the character string indicating the destination point or the meeting place, and extracts this character string. Then, the symbol processor  208  acquires positional information of the point associated with the character string being extracted, from the point information table  2020  within the map DB  202  (S 322 ). 
         [0134]    Next, the symbol processor  208  transfers the extracted positional information, together with the character string and the navigation ID received from the chat service part  209 , to the destination point information updater  207 . The destination point information updater  207  refers to the destination point information storage  201 , and stores the character string received from the symbol processor  208 , in association with positional information, in the destination point table associated with the navigation ID received from the symbol processor  208  (S 323 ). 
         [0135]    Next, the destination point information updater  207  determines whether or not the character string received from the symbol processor  208  corresponds to the character string designated by the symbol representing a meeting place (S 324 ). If the character string is the one designated by the symbol representing a destination point (S 324 : No), the destination point information updater  207  executes the processing shown in the step S 326 . 
         [0136]    If the character string is the one designated by the symbol representing a meeting place (S 324 : Yes), the destination point information updater  207  sets “1” in the meeting place flag associated with the character string, in the destination point table associated with the navigation ID received from the symbol processor  208  (S 325 ). Then, the destination point information updater  207  acquires the positional information associated with the navigation ID received from the symbol processor  208  from the positional information storage  200 , and based on the positional information of each character string within the destination point table associated with the navigation ID, sorts the character strings in ascending order of distance from the navigation device  30  (S 326 ). 
         [0137]    Next, the destination point information updater  207  assigns numbers in ascending order of distance from the navigation device  30  respectively to the sorted character strings. Then, the destination point information updater  207  refers to a table associated with the navigation ID received from the symbol processor  208 , within the ID information storage  203 , and transmits via the communication line  11  to the address of the user in the login state, the address being stored in the table, the character string indicating the destination point, together with the assigned number (S 327 ). It is to be noted that as for the character string indicating the meeting place, the destination point information updater  207  transmits information indicating that it is the meeting place, in association with the character string. 
         [0138]    Next, the symbol processor  208  refers to the symbol information storage  212 , and determines whether or not a symbol representing a departure time is included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 328 ). If the symbol representing a departure time is not included in the chat message (S 328 : No), the symbol processor  208  executes the processing shown in the step S 330 . 
         [0139]    If the symbol representing the departure time is included in the chat message (S 328 : Yes), the symbol processor  208  extracts a character message indicated by the symbol from the chat message, and transmits the time associated with the extracted character string to the address of the user in the login state, via the communication line  11  (S 329 ). 
         [0140]    Next, the symbol processor  208  refers to the symbol information storage  212 , and determines whether or not a symbol representing a command for controlling the navigation device  30  is included in the chat message received from the chat service part  209  (S 330 ). If the symbol representing the command is not included in the chat message (S 330 : No), the symbol processor  208  terminates the operation as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0141]    If the symbol representing a command is included in the chat message (S 330 : Yes), the symbol processor  208  extracts a character string indicated by the symbol, and acquires a command associated with the extracted character string, referring to the command information storage  213 . Then, the symbol processor  208  transmits the command being acquired to the navigation device  30  via the communication line  11  (S 331 ), the symbol processor  208  terminates the operation as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0142]    By way of example, as shown in  FIG. 28 , in the case where the user “Hiroshi” sends the character string indicating “Where are you now?” in association with the symbol representing the command for controlling the navigation device  30 , the symbol processor  208  transmits to the navigation device  30 , a control command associated with the character string (in this example, a command for notification of the current position, the congestion state, and the arrival time). The navigation device  30  transmits a result obtained by executing the control command to the center server  20 , in the form of a chat message, and the chat message received by the chat service part  209  is transmitted to each of the user terminal  40  as a posting from the navigation device  30 . Then, each of the user terminals  40  displays the chat message received from the navigation device  30 , in the area  621  of the display screen  60 . 
         [0143]    Next, with reference to  FIG. 29 , a route searching process in the step S 340  will be explained. 
         [0144]    Firstly, the route search part  210  extracts from the destination point information storage  201 , a destination point table associated with the navigation ID included in the route search instruction being received, and acquires from the extracted destination point table, the positional information associated with each character string included in the received route search instruction. Then, the route search part  210  refers to the positional information storage  200 , the destination point information storage  201 , and the map DB  202 , and searches for a route which passes the positional information being acquired, in the passing order included in the route searching instruction, starting from the current position of the navigation device  30  associated with the navigation ID included in the route searching instruction, based on the departure time also included in the route searching instruction. 
         [0145]    Then, the route search part  210  assigns a route ID to at least one route being retrieved, and transmits to the user terminal  40  of the user who sends the route searching instruction, an overview of each route being retrieved together with the route ID (S 341 ). The user terminal  40  displays the overview of the route being received, in the pop-up  636  as shown in  FIG. 14 , for instance. 
         [0146]    Next, upon receipt of the route ID from the user terminal  40 , the route search part  210  transmits an overview of the route associated with the route ID being received, to the user terminal  40  of the user in the login state (S 342 ). Then, the route search part  210  stores route information indicating details of the route associated with the received route ID in the route information storage  204 , in association with the navigation ID (S 343 ). 
         [0147]    Next, the route search part  210  determines whether or not a character string as to which the meeting place flag “1” is set exists within the destination point table extracted from the destination point information storage  201  (S 344 ). If the character string with the meeting place flag being set as “1” does not exist (S 344 : No), the route search part  210  terminates the route searching process as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0148]    If the character string with the meeting place flag being set as “1” exists (S 344 : yes), the route search part  210  refers to the point information table  2020  within the map DB  202 , and determines whether or not the character string is associated with a name of facility (S 345 ). If the character string is associated with a name of facility (S 345 : Yes), the route search part  210  transfers information to the meeting place information provider  211 , the information indicating the number representing the order for passing the facility being associated, as a via-point, a name of road used for passing through the facility, and a traveling direction on the road used for passing through the facility. 
         [0149]    The meeting place information provider  211  refers to the meeting place information storage  205 , to acquire a meeting place information table associated with the facility name received from the route search part  210 . Then, the meeting place information provider  211  acquires from the meeting place information table being acquired, an image showing the meeting place which is associated with the road name and the traveling direction received from the route searching part  210 . The meeting place information provider  211  transmits the image being acquired to the address of the user in the login state via the communication line  11  (S 348 ), and terminates the route searching process as shown in the flowchart. 
         [0150]    In the step S 345 , if the character string with the meeting place flag being set as “1” is not associated with a name of facility (S 345 : No), the route search part  210  transfers information regarding the positional information associated with the character string, to the meeting place information provider  211 , the information including the number of the order for passing through the point indicated by the positional information as a via-point, a name of a road used for passing through the point, and a traveling direction on the road used for passing through the point. 
         [0151]    The meeting place information provider  211  refers to the map DB  202 , and generates an image representing a location preferable as a meeting place, in the case of traveling in the traveling direction received from the route search part  210 , on the road associated with the road name received from the route search part  210 , in the vicinity of the point received from the route search part  210  (S 347 ), and executes the processing shown in the step S 348 . The location preferable as the meeting place indicates, for instance, a point which is on the left side of the traveling direction on the road passing in the vicinity of the meeting place, and it is at least a predetermined distance away from a bus stop or an intersection. 
         [0152]      FIG. 30  is a hardware block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a computer  70  to implement the functions of the center server  20  or the user terminal  40 . The computer  70  incorporates a CPU  71 , RAM  72 , ROM  73 , HDD  74 , a communication interface (I/F)  75 , an I/O interface (I/F)  76 , and a media interface (I/F)  77 . 
         [0153]    The CPU  71  operates on the basis of the programs stored in the ROM  73  or in the HDD  74 , and performs control of each part. The ROM  73  stores a boot program executed by the CPU  71  upon starting the computer  70 , and programs and the like which depend on the hardware of the computer  70 . 
         [0154]    The HDD  74  stores programs executed by the CPU  71 , and data and the like used by those programs. The communication interface  75  receives data from other equipment via the communication line  11  and sends the data to the CPU  71 , and also transmits the data generated by the CPU  71  to other equipment via the communication line  11 . 
         [0155]    The CPU  71  controls via the I/O interface  76 , the output unit such as a display and a printer, and the input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse. The CPU  71  acquires data from the input unit via the I/O interface  76 . In addition, the CPU  71  outputs generated data to the output unit via the I/O interface  76 . 
         [0156]    The media interface  77  reads a program or data stored in the recording medium  78 , to provide the program or data to the CPU  71  via the RAM  72 . The CPU  71  loads the program from the recording medium  78  on the RAM  72  via the media interface  77 , and executes the loaded program. The recording medium  78  is an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a PD (Phase change rewritable Disk), an optical magnetic recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like. 
         [0157]    When the computer  70  functions as the center server  20 , the CPU  71  of the computer  70  executes the programs loaded on the RAM  72 , thereby implementing each of the functions of; the positional information storage  200 , the destination point information storage  201 , the map DB  202 , the ID information storage  203 , the route information storage  204 , the meeting place information storage  205 , the positional information updater  206 , the destination point information updater  207 , the symbol processor  208 , the chat service part  209 , the route search part  210 , the meeting place information provider  211 , the symbol information storage  212 , and the command information storage  213 . 
         [0158]    The HDD  74  stores data within the positional information storage  200 , the destination point information storage  201 , the map DB  202 , the ID information storage  203 , the route information storage  204 , the meeting place information storage  205 , the symbol information storage  212 , and the command information storage  213 . 
         [0159]    When the computer  70  functions as the user terminal  40 , the CPU  71  of the computer  70  executes the programs loaded on the RAM  72 , thereby implementing each of the functions of the chat client part  41 , the destination point information display part  42 , and the route search instruction part  43 . 
         [0160]    The CPU  71  of the computer  70  reads the aforementioned programs from the recording medium  78  and executes the programs. As an alternative example, those programs may be acquired from other device via the communication line  11 . 
         [0161]    As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been explained. 
         [0162]    As obvious from the aforementioned explanations, according to the Web bulletin board system  10  of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce a burden of travel planning, when more than one person prepares a travel plan. 
         [0163]    It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, and the disclosed embodiment is susceptible of changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0164]    By way of example, in the embodiment described above, special symbols different from a text are used to designate a destination point, a meeting place, a departure time, a command, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the destination point and the like may be designated by using predetermined text characters (e.g., “@”, “#”, and the like), or a predetermined arrangement of text characters. 
         [0165]    In addition, in the embodiment described above, the chat message received from the user terminal  40  includes a symbol designating a character string indicating any of the destination point, the meeting place, the departure time, and the command. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The chat message received from the user terminal  40  may additionally include a symbol designating the character string which indicates an arrival time or the like. 
         [0166]    Further in the embodiment described above, as explained with reference to  FIG. 13 , only when the user decides the arrival sequence, it is determined which point is the final destination point, among the destination points extracted from the chat message, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. By way of example, two types are prepared as the symbol representing the destination point, and it may be configured such that one type defines a passing point, and the other defines a final destination point. With this configuration, it is possible to know which is the final destination point among the destination points extracted from the chat message, before the user decides the arrival sequence. 
         [0167]    Therefore, at the time when the chat message designates the final destination point, the center server  20  is allowed to automatically search for the shortest route which passes through all the via-points and arrives at the final destination point, and provide the route to the user terminal  40  of each user terminal  40 . This allows the Web bulletin board system  10  to support the travel planning more efficiently when more than one person prepares a travel plan. 
       EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES 
       [0168]    10 . . . WEB BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM,  100  . . . ARITHMETIC PROCESSING UNIT,  101  . . . CPU,  102  . . . RAM,  103  . . . ROM,  104  . . .  105  BUS,  106  . . . DISPLAY,  107  . . . STORAGE UNIT,  108  . . . AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT UNIT,  109  . . . MICROPHONE,  110  . . . SPEAKER,  111  . . . INPUT UNIT,  112  . . . TOUCH PANEL,  113  . . . DIAL SWITCH,  114  . . . ROM UNIT,  115  . . . VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR,  116  . . . GYRO SENSOR,  117  . . . GPS RECEIVER,  118  . . . FM MULTIPLEX BROADCASTING RECEIVER,  119  . . . BEACON RECEIVER,  11  . . . COMMUNICATION LINE,  12  . . . BASE STATION, VEHICLE,  14  . . . COMMUNICATION UNIT,  20  . . . CENTER SERVER,  200  . . . POSITIONAL INFORMATION STORAGE,  201  . . . DESTINATION POINT INFORMATION STORAGE,  202  . . . MAP DB,  203  . . . ID INFORMATION STORAGE,  204  . . . ROUTE INFORMATION STORAGE,  205  . . . MEETING PLACE INFORMATION STORAGE,  206  . . . POSITIONAL INFORMATION UPDATER,  207  . . . DESTINATION POINT INFORMATION UPDATER,  208  . . . SYMBOL PROCESSOR,  209  . . . CHAT SERVICE PART,  210  . . . ROUTE SEARCH PART,  211  . . . MEETING PLACE INFORMATION PROVIDER,  212  . . . SYMBOL INFORMATION STORAGE,  213  . . . COMMAND INFORMATION STORAGE,  30  . . . NAVIGATION DEVICE,  31  . . . CURRENT POSITION CALCULATION PART,  32  . . . POSITIONAL INFORMATION TRANSMITTER,  33  . . . LINK DATA STORAGE,  34  . . . ROUTE GUIDING PART,  35  . . . MESSAGE TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER,  36  . . . AUDIO CONVERTER,  37  . . . TEXT CONVERTER,  40  . . . USER TERMINAL,  41  . . . CHAT CLIENT PART,  42  . . . DESTINATION POINT INFORMATION DISPLAY PART,  43  . . . ROUTE SEARCH INSTRUCTION PART,  44  . . . INPUT UNIT,  45  . . . DISPLAY UNIT,  50  . . . DISPLAY SCREEN,  53  . . . POP-UP,  60  . . . DISPLAY SCREEN,  70  . . . COMPUTER,  71  . . . CPU,  72  . . . RAM,  73  . . . ROM,  74  . . . HDD,  75  . . . COMMUNICATION INTERFACE,  76  . . . I/O INTERFACE,  77  . . . MEDIA INTERFACE,  78  . . . RECORDING MEDIUM