4.2. Guide annotation series generation
The guide annotation series, is written in XML format
and comprises guide annotations of inputted navigation
routes. It is generated by the route and the guide annotation
database. The inputted route is list of node IDs. The guide
annotation series is generated as follows:
1) Separate the route into STEP sections.
2) Select paths and landmarks using node IDs in each
STEP section.
3) Obtain guide annotations for intersections and paths
according to their IDs.
4) Acquire guide annotations for landmarks at each
intersection using node and landmark IDs based on
the node landmark model.
5) Export these data to a file in XML format as guide
annotation series.
The structure of a guide annotation series is shown in
Fig. 8. This series consists of three sections: start, stepList,
and goal. The start and goal sections have information on the
departure point and destination, respectively. The stepList
section is a list of STEP sections. The STEP section consists
of path, next intersection to turn, landmarks viewed from the
path, and intersection. The intersection includes name, turn
direction, explanation, and photo. These are classified either
as dynamic or static information. Dynamic information is
generated automatically by the system depending on the
route each time; for example, turn and position. Static
information, on the other hand, is registered by users for
navigation; for example, explanation and photo.