JP2002170127A - Image display method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately display a map of the desired kind at a desired position or output it as printed matter without requiring complex procedures. SOLUTION: An image display system includes a first-layer map folder 28 storing general map data about a first layer consisting of a general map; a second-layer data folder 29 storing polygon data which indicates the contour of an image including a map or photography of a predetermined kind and matches a position in the map of the first layer; a third-layer data folder 31 storing image data about a third layer consisting of an assembly of such images that show the interior of each polygon in the second layer; an image forming part 35 for forming at least map images based on general map data; a second layer specifying part 33 for specifying the polygons about the second layer; and a third layer searching part 34 for taking out of the third layer folder 31 the images about the third layer which correspond to the polygons specified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for displaying map data, and more particularly to a system capable of displaying or outputting a map of a desired type near a desired point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, maps have been digitized and CD-ROMs have been used.
It is common to display a map near a desired point on a screen of a display device by storing the data in a medium such as a personal computer, reading the CD-ROM, and reading the CD-ROM. When searching for a desired point,
Landmarks such as lot numbers, station names, and facility names can be entered. In such an electronic map (electronic map), when an address, a station name, or the like is input, position data such as the latitude and longitude is found, and a map including the position data can be extracted. ing.

[0003]

On the other hand, in public institutions such as government offices and the Legal Affairs Bureau, various legal and regulatory maps other than ordinary maps, such as public maps (cadastral maps) and road ledger maps, are used.
For example, in the Legal Affairs Bureau, the work of searching for a public map including the address based on the address has become routine. However, the task of searching for a public map from an address is very complicated due to the difference between the actual address and the lot number on the public map.
In other words, identify the number of the public map from the address, extract the corresponding public map, ask the person who needs it for confirmation,
If the drawings are different, another public figure is repeatedly extracted to finally obtain a desired figure.

[0004] Similar problems may arise with other types of diagrams (legal regulation diagrams). Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system that can appropriately display a map of a desired type at a desired position or output a printed matter without a complicated procedure.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image display method for displaying a specific type of image based on a map image, wherein a first layer comprising a general map corresponding to a normal map is provided. Providing general map data relating to a second layer comprising a set of polygons each indicating an outline related to an image including a map or a photograph of a predetermined type, wherein the polygon data includes at least a first layer of the polygon. Providing polygon data to which the position is associated with, and providing image data relating to a third layer consisting of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon included in the second layer. The first
Displaying a map image based on general map data relating to the layer, identifying a polygon relating to the second layer, extracting image data relating to a third layer corresponding to the polygon, and outputting this. And an image display method comprising the steps of:

According to the present invention, for example, any one of the polygons in the second layer is specified based on a predetermined position specified by an operator or the like, and an appropriate polygon belonging to the third layer corresponding to the polygon outline is specified. You can take out the perfect image. Therefore, a desired image can be obtained without complicated procedures and operations. This image includes a special map such as a public map (cadastral map), a road ledger map, a land use map, a waterworks ledger map, a sewer ledger map, and an aerial photograph. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first
And displaying a polygon related to the second layer on the map image related to the second layer. This makes it easy for the user to specify the position.

[0007] In a further preferred aspect, the step of specifying a polygon related to the second layer includes the step of specifying a position on the first layer and the first layer.
Determining which of the polygons of the second layer the position in the layer is located in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image display method for displaying an image relating to a predetermined position in response to reception of information specifying the predetermined position, the method comprising a general map corresponding to an ordinary map. Providing general map data for one layer; and polygon data for a second layer consisting of a collection of polygons showing contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, and Providing polygon data whose positions in one layer are associated with each other; and providing image data on a third layer consisting of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer; Receiving the information specifying the predetermined position, specifying a position in the first layer corresponding to the position, the position in the first layer, Determining which of the polygons of the second layer is present in the polygon; extracting image data relating to the third layer corresponding to the polygon based on the determination result and outputting the image data; And an image display method comprising the steps of: According to the present invention, when a certain position in the first layer is specified, the outline in the second layer including the position can be easily specified, and the positions of the second layer and the first layer can be specified. The data structure can be simplified.

Another object of the present invention is an image display method for displaying an image of a specific type on a display device of a client computer based on a map image. Providing general map data relating to a first layer comprising a map, and polygon data relating to a second layer comprising a set of polygons each showing an outline related to an image including a map or a photograph of a predetermined type, at least Providing polygon data associated with the position of the polygon in the first layer; displaying at least a map image based on general map data relating to the first layer; Identifying the client computer; and
A server connectable via a communication line,
Providing image data relating to a third layer consisting of a collection of the images such as to indicate inside each polygon of the layer of
The information indicating the polygon specified by the client computer is received, and a third corresponding to the polygon is received.
Extracting image data for the layers of
This is achieved by an image display method wherein the extracted image data is transmitted to a client computer via a communication line. here,
The server can be constituted by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider).

In another embodiment, an image display method for displaying an image related to a predetermined position on a display device of a client computer in response to reception of information indicating a predetermined position includes connecting the client computer to the client computer via a communication line. Providing, in a possible first server, general map data for a first layer comprising a general map corresponding to a normal map, and a set of polygons showing contours associated with an image containing a predetermined type of map or photograph Providing polygon data associated with at least the position of the polygon in the first layer, the polygon data being related to a second layer comprising: a second layer according to information from the client computer. Identifying a polygon for the client computer Providing, in another server connectable via a communication line, image data relating to a third layer composed of a collection of the images indicating inside each polygon of the second layer; Receiving information indicating a polygon relating to the second layer specified by the server, and extracting image data relating to the third layer corresponding to the polygon, wherein the extracted image data is transmitted via a communication line. , And transmitted to the client computer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a step of superimposing and displaying a general map indicated by general map data on the first layer and a polygon indicated by polygon data on the second layer. It has.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the polygon relating to the second layer in the first layer is specified by a vector constituting the contour. The position in the first layer is desirably various geodetic coordinates, for example, coordinates consisting of latitude and longitude.
Further, the third layer may be an aggregate of legal and regulatory maps such as a public map or a land register map.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image display system for displaying an image of a specific type based on a map image, wherein the general map data relating to a first layer comprising a general map corresponding to a normal map is provided. And a polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a set of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a map or a photograph of a predetermined type, at least in a first layer of the polygon. A polygon data file storing polygon data associated with the position in the image data file, and an image data file storing image data relating to a third layer composed of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer Polygon specifying means for specifying a polygon related to the second layer; and an image related to a third layer corresponding to the specified polygon. The also achieved by an image display system characterized by comprising an image pickup means for outputting removed from the image data file.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises image generating means for generating an image in which a map image relating to the first layer and a polygon relating to the second layer are superimposed, and the superimposed image is displayed on a display device. Is displayed. Further, the polygon specifying means is configured to determine, based on the position specified in the first layer, which of the polygons of the second layer the position is located in. It is desirable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image display system for displaying an image relating to a predetermined position in response to reception of information specifying the predetermined position, the image display system comprising a general map corresponding to a normal map. A general map data file storing general map data relating to one layer, and polygon data relating to a second layer comprising a set of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, and at least: A polygon data file storing polygon data associated with the positions of the polygons in the first layer, and an image related to a third layer consisting of a collection of the images showing the inside of each polygon of the second layer Receiving an image data file storing data and information indicating the predetermined position, and specifying a position in the first layer corresponding to the position A position specifying unit that, the position in the first layer, of the polygon about the second layer,
A polygon specifying means for determining which polygon exists in the image, and an image for extracting and outputting image data relating to a third layer corresponding to the polygon from the image data file based on a result of the determination by the polygon specifying means. The present invention is also achieved by an image display system including a data extracting unit. Further, the object of the present invention is also achieved by a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the above method.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a map display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the map display system according to the present embodiment. The map display system 10 can be realized by a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the map display system includes a CPU 12 and a ROM storing programs and the like.
14 and a RAM 16 used as a work area or the like
, A CD-ROM driver 18 for controlling reading of a CD-ROM, a hard disk device 20, an input device 22 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device 2 such as a CRT.
4 and a printer 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, the map display system 10 having such a hardware configuration has a first-layer map folder 28 storing map data of a general map, as shown in FIG.
Based on position designation data such as an address input from the input device 22, a position specifying unit 30 for specifying a position on coordinates such as its latitude and longitude, and a position specifying unit 30 specified by an operation of the input device 22.
A type specifying unit 32 for specifying a type of a legal regulation map or the like to be displayed or output, a second layer data folder 29 storing data relating to polygons indicating the outlines of the various legal regulation diagrams,
A second-layer specifying unit 33 for specifying a polygon in the second layer including the position specified by the position specifying unit 30; a third-layer data folder 31 storing data of various legal and regulatory maps;
An image is generated from a third layer search unit 34 for searching a legal regulation diagram corresponding to the polygon specified by the layer specifying unit 33 from the third layer data folder, and data read from the folders 28, 29, and 31. And an image generation unit 35.

In the first embodiment, for example,
The folders 28, 29 and 31 are stored in the hard disk device 20.
Is realized by: Alternatively, the map data may be stored in a CD-ROM and read out by the CD-ROM driver 18. The software for operating the map display system 10 is a CD-ROM.
The data may be read from the ROM and stored in the hard disk device 20, or may be downloaded from the outside via a communication interface (not shown) using the Internet or the like. Further, the position specifying unit 30, the type specifying unit 32, the second layer specifying unit 33, the third layer searching unit 34, and the image generating unit 35 are realized by the operation of the CPU 12.

In the present embodiment, a law and regulation diagram such as a road register map and a public map is displayed on the screen of the display device 24 or output as a printed matter to the printer 26. FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment according to the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the data of a layer and the 2nd layer schematically. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, the first layer 3 of a normal map (referred to as a “general map”) is used.
01 and individual road ledger maps (for example, reference numerals 302 and 30).
2) A second layer 304 composed of polygons indicating the contour of
And These first layer 301 and second layer 30
4 is related as described later, and by specifying a position in the first layer 301, a polygon including the position is specified. Further, data of a special map indicating the inside of the polygon is obtained from the third layer data folder 31, and is output. As a result, a desired road ledger map can be immediately specified. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), another second layer 307 comprising polygons (for example, reference numerals 305, 306) indicating the outlines of the respective public maps associated with the first layer is provided. ing.

For example, general map data is described in a general-purpose map data format. Further, in general map data, predetermined landmarks such as addresses and buildings, and absolute position information composed of these latitudes and longitudes are associated with each other. The configuration is such that a point or area can be specified. The data of the second layer such as a road ledger map will be briefly described. As shown in FIG.
Each of the road ledger maps included in the layer 304 includes data indicating the absolute position of the road ledger map, such as the vertex latitude and longitude, associated with the number (road ledger number) specifying the road ledger. The same applies to the other second layers 307.

The map display system 1 thus configured
The operation of 0 is explained below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the map display system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when the system is started, the first-layer map folder 28 is read out, and the general map set by default is displayed on the display device 24.
(Step 501). When the operator operates the input device 22 to select a desired special map type (step 502), the second layer specifying unit 33
Reads a polygon indicating the outline of the selected type of special map from the second layer data folder 29 (step 5).
03), which is given to the image generation unit 35. The image generating unit 35 generates an image in which the general map and the polygon are superimposed, whereby the general map on which the polygon indicating the contour of the special map is superimposed is displayed on the screen of the display device (step 504). ). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image on which polygons are superimposed in this manner. Here, a polygon indicating the outline of the official map as the second layer is superimposed on the general map.

Subsequently, when the operator operates the input device 22 to input a required address (step 505), the position specifying unit 30 specifies an absolute position in the first layer (step 506), The second layer specifying unit 33 specifies a polygon indicating the contour of the special map including the position (step 507). The information of the specified polygon is transmitted to the third layer search unit 34, and the third layer search unit 34 stores the special map data indicating the inside of the polygon in the third layer data folder 31.
And retrieves it (step 508). The read special map data is transmitted to the image generation unit 35. The image generator 35 generates an image based on the data and outputs the image to the display device 24 (step 50).
9). Thereby, a special map such as a road register map or a public map can be displayed on the screen of the display device 24. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a road ledger map displayed on the screen of the display device 24. In this way, if the operator operates the input device 22 and inputs a desired address, a special map of a desired type including the address can be obtained.

Step 507 will be described in more detail. In this step, the absolute position of the address input in step 505 is compared with the absolute position of the polygon vector for the second layer, and the absolute position of the input address is
Determine which polygons are included. For example, FIG.
In (a), the position of the input address (reference numeral 310)
Is compared with the absolute position of the vector point constituting each polygon, the area 31 on the first layer is obtained.
1 is found to include the above address, and as a result,
The polygon 303 relating to the second layer can be specified. After that, the third layer search unit 34 stores the road ledger map having the specified road ledger number in the third layer data folder 31.
And displays it on the screen of the display device 24 (step 509).

If necessary, the operator may operate the input device 22 to input a print command to print the road ledger map or official map read from the third layer data folder 31.

According to this embodiment, it is determined which of the drawings of the predetermined polygon in the second layer contains the input position such as the address, and the legal regulation corresponding to the predetermined polygon in the second layer is determined. It is configured to output special maps such as diagrams. Therefore, it is possible to quickly obtain a drawing of a desired type with a simple operation.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, but a special map is displayed in a procedure different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the map display system 10 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, after the display of the general map (step 801), the operator operates the input device 22 to input an address (step 802), and the position specifying unit 30
Retrieves a general map including the input address from the first-layer map folder 28 (step 804), and the retrieved data is transmitted to the image generation unit 35 and displayed on the screen of the display device as a general map image. Is displayed (step 80
5).

Next, when the operator operates the input device 22 to specify the type of the special map (step 806), the second layer is specified by the second layer specifying unit 33 (step 807) and specified. The polygon of the second layer is
It is displayed superimposed on the general map (step 80)
8). Further, by specifying a polygon (step 809), the third layer search unit 34 searches for data of a special map in the polygon from the third layer data folder 31 (step 810), and retrieves the searched data. Output to the image generation unit 35. Thereby, the image of the special map can be displayed on the screen of the display device 24 (step 8).
11).

Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. For example, in a special map such as an aerial photograph, a part of each image is superimposed. As shown in FIG. 9, the image 901 partially overlaps the image 902 adjacent to the upper side, and the image 902 partially overlaps the image 903 adjacent to the upper side. This overlapping may occur not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the third embodiment is configured to select the optimum image even when the selected address or the like is located in the overlapped portion.

Also in the third embodiment, the configuration of the system is the same as that of the first embodiment, and its operation is the same as that of the first or second embodiment except for a part. is there. In the third embodiment, step 5 in FIG.
07 or step 809 in FIG. 8, a process as shown in FIG. 10 is executed to select an optimal image. That is, the second layer specifying unit 33 specifies one or more polygons including the input position (step 100).
1) If there are two or more polygons, the distance between the center of the area defined by each polygon and the input position is calculated (step 1002). Then the second
The layer specifying unit 33 compares these distances and specifies a polygon having a center having the shortest distance (Step 1).
003). For example, in FIG. 9, if the input position corresponds to the point 904, the center 906 of the area 901
The distance A between the point 904 and the distance A between the center 905 of the area 902 and the point 904 are compared, and “A>
As a result of the determination of "B", the area 902 is selected. Thus, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to specify an appropriate polygon in the second layer.

Next, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
Description will be added with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the folders 28 and 29 of the first and second layers and the elements for reading and displaying these folders are the system 1.
00, and a third-layer data folder 131 relating to the special map is stored in an ASP (application service
(Provider) 114 via the Internet 112. The ASP 114 is connected to a third layer data folder 131 relating to a special map, and reads a predetermined type of special map data from the third layer data folder in response to a command via the Internet.
This can be returned to the sender.

The map display system 100 according to this embodiment includes an input device 22, a display device 24, a printer 2
6. First layer map folder 28, second layer data folder 2
9, position specifying unit 30, type specifying unit 32, second layer specifying unit 3
3 and the image generation unit 35, the Internet 112
It has a communication control unit 110 for controlling communication with the device. In this embodiment, the processing of steps 501 to 507 in FIG. When a polygon in the second layer is specified in step 507, the ASP 114 is transmitted via the communication control unit 110.
Request a search for a special map corresponding to the specified polygon of a predetermined map type, and in response,
4 searches the third layer data folder 131 and reads the map data of the special map. The read special map data is transmitted to the map display system 100, and a predetermined special map is displayed on the screen of the display device 24.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the AS
By using the P, even if not all data and application software are necessarily stored on the map display system side, for example, even if data on the third layer is not stored, a desired special map can be stored. It becomes possible to acquire.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system using the Internet according to another embodiment. FIG.
2 (a), the client computer 120
Is connected to the Internet 112. An ASP 122 is connected to the Internet 112 and A
The SP 122 is connected to a first layer map folder 124, a second layer data folder 126, and a third layer data folder 128. The ASP 122 can perform the functions of a position specifying unit, a type specifying unit, a second layer specifying unit, and a third layer searching unit. Therefore, when the client computer 120 gives a command to the ASP 122, the ASP executes processing equivalent to that shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, and a desired special map is given to the client computer 120. I have.

In FIG. 12B, an ASP 132 connected to the first layer map folder 134 and the second layer data folder 136 and another ASP 138 connected to the third layer data folder 140 are provided. Also in this example, the ASP 132 accesses the first layer map folder 134 and the second layer data folder 136.
Is used, and another ASP 138 is used for accessing the third layer data folder 140.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, which are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, this is done. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a road ledger map or a public map is used as the drawing of the third layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It goes without saying that any special map, such as a map, a power line map, an underground ledger map, a city planning map, or any other legal map different from a general map, can be used.

In the above embodiment, the operator inputs the address, but the position is not limited to this. For example, the location may be specified by the name of a public facility, the name of a tourist attraction, a telephone number, a postal code, a station name, or the like. Alternatively, the position may be specified by directly inputting the latitude and longitude. Further, the position specification is not limited to the input using the keyboard, and it is needless to say that the position can be realized by clicking a specific position using a mouse.

Further, in the above embodiment, first, an image of a general map is displayed (see step 501 in FIG. 5). However, it is not limited to such a procedure. For example, first, a map type may be input together with or subsequent to the input of an address, and then an image of a general map may be displayed.

In the fourth embodiment or the other embodiments, the ASP is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
Of the map folder may be executed, and another ASP may execute the process of accessing the second layer data folder and the third layer data folder.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the third-layer data folder 31 stores special map data indicating a land register map, a public map, and the like, but is not limited thereto. Needless to say, other types of images (for example, pictorial diagrams) may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the image stored in the data folder 31 of the third layer may be associated with another format, for example, a sheet in a form, as data of the fourth layer or lower. In this specification, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[0041]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system which can appropriately display a desired type of map at a desired position or output it as a printed matter without requiring complicated procedures. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a map display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the map display system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining layers of map data according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining map data of a second layer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the map display system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagram displayed on a screen of a display device of the map display system according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diagram displayed on a screen of a display device of the map display system according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the map display system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a special map according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the map display system according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 map display system 22 input device 24 display device 26 printer 28 first layer map folder 29 second layer data folder 30 position specifying unit 31 third layer data folder 32 type specifying unit 33 second layer specifying unit 34 third layer specifying unit 35 image Generator

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB03 HB08 HB31 HC13 HC21 HC23 5B050 BA17 EA19 FA02 FA19 GA08 5B075 KK07 KK13 KK33 KK37 MM02 MM11 ND03 ND06 ND22 ND23 ND35 NR03 NR12 PQ02 PQ13 PQ69 U

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image display method for displaying an image of a specific type based on a map image, comprising: providing general map data on a first layer including a general map corresponding to a normal map; Polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a collection of polygons each representing an outline related to an image including a type of map or photograph, wherein at least the polygon data associated with the position of the polygon in the first layer Providing; and providing image data on a third layer comprising a set of the images such as to show inside each polygon included in the second layer; and providing at least general map data on the first layer Displaying a map image based on the polygon, a step of specifying a polygon related to the second layer, and a third step corresponding to the polygon. Retrieves image data regarding the image display method characterized by comprising the step of outputting the same. 2. The image display method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying a polygon related to the second layer, superimposed on a map image related to the first layer. 3. The step of specifying a polygon related to the second layer, the step of specifying a position on the first layer, and the step of specifying a position on the first layer, 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining which polygon is present in the polygon. 4. An image display method for displaying an image related to a predetermined position in response to reception of information specifying a predetermined position, the general map relating to a first layer including a general map corresponding to a normal map. Providing data; and polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a collection of polygons each representing an outline related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, wherein at least the position of the polygon in the first layer is determined. Providing associated polygon data; providing image data for a third layer comprising a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer; identifying the predetermined position Receiving the received information, and specifying a position in the first layer corresponding to the position, wherein the position in the first layer relates to the second layer. Determining which of the polygons is present in the polygon, and extracting the image data on the third layer corresponding to the polygon based on the determination result and outputting the image data. An image display method comprising: 5. An image display method for displaying an image of a specific type on a display device of a client computer based on a map image, wherein the first layer of the client computer includes a general map corresponding to a normal map. Providing general map data relating to a second layer comprising a set of polygons each showing an outline related to an image including a map or a photograph of a predetermined type, wherein the polygon data includes at least a first layer of the polygon. Providing polygon data associated with the position in the above, displaying at least a map image based on general map data relating to the first layer, and specifying a polygon relating to the second layer. And a server connectable to the client computer via a communication line. Providing image data relating to a third layer composed of a collection of the images such as to indicate the inside of each polygon of the second layer; and receiving information indicating the polygon specified by the client computer, The third corresponding to the polygon
Retrieving image data relating to the layer of the image data, wherein the retrieved image data is transmitted to a client computer via a communication line. 6. An image display method for displaying an image related to a predetermined position on a display device of a client computer in response to reception of information specifying a predetermined position, the image display method being connectable to the client computer via a communication line. Providing a general map data relating to a first layer composed of a general map corresponding to a normal map; and a set of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph. Providing polygon data that is associated with at least the position of the polygon in the first layer, the polygon data being related to the second layer according to information from the client computer. Identifying a polygon, communicating with the client computer In another server connectable via a line, a step of providing image data on a third layer composed of a collection of the images so as to indicate the inside of each polygon of the second layer; Receiving information indicating a polygon related to the specified second layer and extracting image data related to the third layer corresponding to the polygon, wherein the extracted image data is transmitted to the client via a communication line. An image display method configured to be transmitted to a computer. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of superimposing and displaying a general map indicated by general map data on the first layer and a polygon indicated by polygon data on the second layer. The image display method according to claim 4. 8. The image display method according to claim 1, wherein the position in the first layer is represented by coordinates including latitude and longitude. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the second layer is an aggregate of polygons indicating the outline of a predetermined regulatory map, and the third layer is an aggregate of legal maps. Claim 1
9. The image display method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. An image display system for displaying an image of a specific type based on a map image, wherein general map data storing general map data relating to a first layer comprising a general map corresponding to a normal map. File and polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a collection of polygons each representing an outline related to an image including a map or a photograph of a predetermined type, wherein at least a position of the polygon in the first layer is associated with the file. A polygon data file storing polygon data of the second layer, an image data file storing image data of a third layer composed of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer, A polygon specifying means for specifying a polygon related to the layer; and an image related to a third layer corresponding to the specified polygon, Image display system characterized by comprising an image pickup means for outputting removed from the datafile. 11. An image generating means for generating an image in which a map image relating to the first layer and a polygon relating to the second layer are superimposed, wherein the superimposed image is displayed on a display device. The image display system according to claim 10, wherein: 12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the polygon specifying means determines, based on the position specified in the first layer, which of the polygons of the second layer the position is located in. The image display system according to claim 10, wherein the image is displayed. 13. An image display system for displaying an image related to a predetermined position in response to reception of information specifying a predetermined position, the general map relating to a first layer including a general map corresponding to a normal map. Polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a set of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, and at least a first map of the polygon. A polygon data file storing polygon data associated with positions in layers, and image data storing image data relating to a third layer consisting of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer A file and position specifying means for receiving information indicating the predetermined position and specifying a position in the first layer corresponding to the position; A polygon specifying means for determining which of the polygons of the second layer has a position in the first layer, and a polygon corresponding to the polygon based on a result of the determination by the polygon specifying means. An image display system comprising: image data extracting means for extracting image data relating to a third layer from the image data file and outputting the image data. 14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for displaying a specific type of image based on a map image, wherein the first layer comprises a general map corresponding to a normal map. Polygon data relating to a second layer composed of a collection of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, and
It manages polygon data to which the position of the polygon in the first layer is associated, and image data relating to a third layer composed of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer. Displaying a map image based on at least the general map data relating to the first layer; identifying a polygon relating to the second layer; and outputting image data relating to a third layer corresponding to the polygon. A storage medium readable by a computer, wherein the storage medium stores a program. 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for displaying an image related to a predetermined position in response to reception of information specifying a predetermined position, the general map corresponding to a normal map. And polygon data relating to a second layer consisting of a set of polygons indicating contours related to an image including a predetermined type of map or photograph, and
It manages polygon data to which the position of the polygon in the first layer is associated, and image data relating to a third layer composed of a collection of the images indicating the inside of each polygon of the second layer. Receiving information indicating the predetermined position, and specifying a position in the first layer corresponding to the position; and determining a position in the first layer from among polygons in the second layer. A step of determining which polygon is present in the polygon; and a step of extracting image data of a third layer corresponding to the polygon based on the result of the determination and outputting the image data. Storage medium readable by a computer that stores a program to be executed.