JP4999960B2 - Route information providing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route information providing apparatus that provides route information relating to a route from a starting point to a terminal point through a relay point, and in particular, route information that can enhance the convenience of a user and also increase the effect of attracting customers at a store. The present invention relates to a providing device.

  Conventionally, a route information providing service for searching for a route from a departure point to an end point and displaying it on a user terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a portable terminal is provided.

  In addition, in this route information providing service, not only the departure point and end point, but also the route to the end point via the relay point by letting the user specify the relay point that you want to stop on the way to the end point A service for searching is also provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in recent years, the information dissemination site where store owners and store staff who manage stores, managers and employees of factories and agriculture, members of various organizations, etc. disclose information on their stores such as business hours, location or time sale. Is also being established.

JP 2002-206943 A

  However, conventional route information providing services have not provided users with information such as popular stores located along the route.

  For this reason, when a user travels along the created route, there is a possibility that the presence of a popular store in the region may be overlooked. In addition, when the user wants to drop in at any store along the route, it is necessary to refer to an information transmission site from the store separately, which is inconvenient.

  On the other hand, there has been a demand for the store side to increase the effect of attracting customers by allowing more people to know their store.

  For these reasons, it has become a big issue how to realize a route information providing apparatus that can enhance the convenience for users and also increase the effect of attracting customers in stores.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and provides a route information providing apparatus that can enhance the convenience of a user and also increase the effect of attracting customers in a store. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a route information providing device that provides route information about a route from a start point to a destination point through a relay point, and responds to an input operation from a user. Determination means for determining the start point, the end point, and the relay point; and an information acquisition means for acquiring the opening time and closing time of the facility from a facility information providing device that provides information on a facility that can be selected as the relay point; The relay order pattern of each relay point that is optimal according to a predetermined condition is specified, and when the estimated arrival time at each relay point is earlier than the opening time of the relay point, the relay of the relay point in the relay order pattern When the expected arrival time at the relay point is later than the closing time of the relay point, the relay order of the relay point in the relay order pattern And corrected to bring forward, the relay sequence pattern specifying means for specifying a relay sequence pattern of each relay point, a route creation means for creating the route based on the relay sequence pattern identified by said relay sequence pattern specifying means, said characterized by comprising a store information providing means for providing store information of stores located within a predetermined range from the route for the route information including the route created by the route creation means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the convenience for the user and to increase the customer attracting effect of the store.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a route information providing method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network environment to which the route information providing server according to the first embodiment is connected. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the route information providing server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of pre-registration information. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure executed between the user terminal and the route information providing server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a tourist facility list screen and a display example of a start / end point selection screen. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of route creation processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the route screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the sightseeing information providing server and the store information providing server. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sightseeing information table and a store information table. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure executed between the trader terminal and the store information providing server. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing procedure of the pre-registration processing. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the route information providing server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of route correction processing. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the route screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure of the route creation processing. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another operation example of the route information providing server.

  Exemplary embodiments of a route information providing apparatus to which a route information providing method according to the present invention is applied will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the concept of the route information providing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and then an embodiment to which the route information providing method according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. And

  First, prior to detailed description of the embodiment, the concept of the route information providing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a concept of a route information providing method according to the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, a user first selects a start point, an end point, and a relay point (see (1) in the figure). For example, the user sequentially adds tourist facilities that are candidates for the start point, end point, or relay point from the tourist facility list screen, and then designates the tourist facility that is the start point and the tourist facility that is the end point.

  Here, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, in cooperation with a tourist information providing site that provides information on tourist facilities existing in a specific area, information on the tourist facilities is acquired from the tourist information providing site to the user. We are going to provide it.

  Here, the starting point and the ending point are also selected from the tourist facility list screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the starting point and the ending point may be a home, a current location, a main station, or the like.

  Subsequently, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, an optimum route is automatically created ((2) in the figure). Specifically, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, the relay order of the relay points selected by the user is rearranged according to a predetermined condition.

  For example, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, the relay points are rearranged so that the route from the start point to the end point through the relay point is the shortest. Here, as shown in the figure, the relay points selected in the order of tourist facility A → tourist facility C → tourist facility F are rearranged in the order of tourist facility C → tourist facility F → tourist facility A. .

  In the route information providing method according to the present invention, the relay order can be rearranged in addition to the conditions such as the opening time and closing time of the tourist facility or the average staying time at the tourist facility. This point will be described later in the embodiment.

  Subsequently, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, store information around the route is added to the created route (see (3) in the figure). Specifically, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, store information of stores located within a predetermined range is extracted from the created route and displayed on the route screen. As a result, as shown in the figure, stores 1 and 2 which are stores located around the route can be raised on the route screen.

  In the route information providing method according to the present invention, in cooperation with a store information providing site that provides information on stores in a specific area, store information such as store name and new arrival information is acquired from the store information providing site, and the route information is displayed on the route screen. It is supposed to be displayed.

  As described above, in the route information providing method according to the present invention, the start point, the end point, and the relay point are determined according to the input operation from the user, the relay order of the relay points is rearranged according to a predetermined condition, Store information around the route is given to the route created according to the relay order.

  For this reason, after selecting a plurality of tourist facilities, the user can obtain the optimum route with a simple operation by simply specifying the start point and the end point. Moreover, since it is possible to obtain not only information on tourist facilities but also store information around the route at the same time, it is necessary for the user to bother to go to the store information providing site etc. and investigate the stores around the route. Absent.

  On the other hand, for stores that are affiliated with the store information providing site, their own stores can be displayed on the route created by the route information providing method according to the present invention, thereby increasing the visibility of their own stores. . In particular, according to the route information providing method according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the degree of popularity for tourists visiting from other areas.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the convenience for the user and also increase the effect of attracting customers at the store.

  Below, the Example about the route information provision apparatus to which the route information provision method demonstrated using FIG. 1 is applied is described in detail. In the following, the route information providing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a route information providing server that provides the user with route information about a tourist facility in a specific area (for example, within one prefecture). The case will be described.

  First, a network environment to which the route information providing server according to the first embodiment is connected will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network environment to which the route information providing server according to the first embodiment is connected.

  As shown in the figure, the route information providing server 1 according to the first embodiment includes a tourist information providing server 2, a store information providing server 3, a map information providing server 4, an environment information providing server 5, user terminals 6a to 6m, and It connects with the dealer terminals 7a to 7n via a network such as the Internet.

  The tourism information providing server 2 is a server that provides a function of publishing tourism information regarding tourism facilities in a specific area for promotion. The tourist information providing server 2 distributes the tourist information to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1. The contents of the tourist information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The store information providing server 3 is a store owner and store clerk who manages the store, managers and employees of factories and agriculture, members of various organizations, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “traders”) and publishes information on their stores etc. It is a server that provides the function to perform. The store information providing server 3 distributes store information to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1. The contents of the store information will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The map information providing server 4 is a server that provides a function of disclosing map information. The map information providing server 4 distributes map information and route information to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1. The route information is information indicating a route between any two points.

  The environment information providing server 5 is a server that provides a function of disclosing environment information. Here, the environmental information is information including weather, sunrise time, and sunset time. The environment information providing server 5 distributes environment information to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1.

  The user terminals 6a to 6m are terminal devices such as PCs used by users. Further, the vendor terminals 7a to 7n are terminal devices such as PCs used by vendors. In the following, arbitrary user terminals 6a to 6m among user terminals 6a to 6m will be simply referred to as “user terminal 6”, and arbitrary vendor terminals 7a to 7n among vendor terminals 7a to 7n will be described. It is simply described as “commercial terminal 7”.

  Next, the configuration of the route information providing server 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the route information providing server 1 according to the first embodiment. Here, only the components considered necessary for explaining the feature points of the route information providing server 1 are shown.

  As shown in the figure, the route information providing server 1 includes a network IF unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The storage unit 12 stores pre-registration information 12a and created route information 12b. Moreover, the control part 13 is provided with the prior registration part 13a, the route creation part 13b, the shop information provision part 13c, and the route screen transmission part 13d. The network IF unit 11 performs various controls for communicating with other devices via the network.

  The storage unit 12 is a storage unit that stores various data. The pre-registration information 12 a holds tourism information acquired from the tourism information providing server 2, store information acquired from the store information providing server 3, and road information acquired from the map information providing server 4.

  Here, the contents of the pre-registration information 12a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pre-registration information 12a. Note that (A) in the figure shows the contents of each item included in the pre-registration information 12a, and (B) in the figure shows the specific contents of the route information.

  As shown to (A) of the figure, the prior registration information 12a includes sightseeing information, store information, and route information. Here, the tourist information is information including items such as tourist facility name, location, stay time, or opening time. The store information is information including items such as store name, location, stay time, business hours, or new arrival information. Details of the sightseeing information and the store information will be described with reference to FIG.

  The road information is information including a road between each tourist facility, a road between each store, and a road between each tourist facility and each store. Specifically, as shown in (B) of the figure, the route information holds a route between other tourist facilities and a route between each store for each tourist facility. Similarly, the route information holds a route between other stores for each store.

  For example, in the figure, the distance between “tourism facility A” and “tourism facility B” is “1 Km”, and the distance between “tourism facility A” and “store A” is “0.5 Km”. It is shown that.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the created route information 12b will be described. The created route information 12b holds the route information of the route created by the route creating unit 13b in association with predetermined identification information.

  The control unit 13 is a control unit that controls the entire route information providing server 1. The pre-registration unit 13a acquires tourism information, store information, and route information from the tourism information providing server 2, the store information providing server 3, and the map information providing server 4 at predetermined timings, and stores them in the storage unit 12 as pre-registration information 12a. A processing unit for storing. The specific processing procedure of the pre-registration information 12a will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The route creation unit 13b determines the start point, end point, and relay point according to the input operation acquired from the user terminal 6, rearranges the relay points while referring to the pre-registration information 12a, and then selects the relay points from the start point. It is a processing unit that creates a route to the end point. The route creation unit 13b also performs a process of storing route information including display data (route screen) and the like of the created route in the storage unit 12 in association with predetermined identification information as the created route information 12b.

  The store information adding unit 13c is a processing unit that adds store information around the route to the route information of the route created by the route creating unit 13b. Specifically, when receiving the route information from the route creating unit 13b, the store information adding unit 13c extracts store information of stores located within a predetermined range from the route from the pre-registration information 12a and the extracted store Information is added to the route display data.

  The route screen transmission unit 13d is a processing unit that transmits display data (route screen) of the route to which the store information is given by the store information addition unit 13c to the user terminal 6 via the network IF unit 11. As a result, a route screen including store information around the route is displayed on the user terminal 6. A display example of the route screen will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, a processing procedure executed between the user terminal 6 and the route information providing server 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure executed between the user terminal 6 and the route information providing server 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a tourist facility list screen and a display example of a start / end point selection screen.

  As shown in the figure, when the route information providing server 1 receives a tourist facility list screen request from the user terminal 6 (step S101), the route information providing server 1 takes out tourist information from the pre-registration information 12a, and uses the extracted tourist information for sightseeing. A facility list screen is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 6 (step S102).

  Here, a display example of the tourist facility list screen is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the tourist facility list screen displays the name, location, opening time, etc. of the tourist facility included in each piece of tourist information extracted from the pre-registration information 12a. In addition, on the tourist facility list screen, selection buttons 60a to 60e are displayed in association with each tourist facility name. The tourist facility list screen also displays a “next” button 61 that is pressed by the user who has finished selecting the tourist facility.

  Subsequently, when the user terminal 6 acquires a tourist facility selection operation by the user (step S103), the user terminal 6 transmits a tourist ID corresponding to the selected tourist facility to the route information providing server 1 (step S104). . Further, the route information providing server 1 registers such a sightseeing ID (step S105), and transmits a registered notification to the user terminal 6 (step S106).

  Subsequently, the user terminal 6 determines whether or not the selection operation has been completed (step S107). Specifically, the user terminal 6 determines whether or not the “Next” button 61 has been pressed. In this process, when the selection operation is not completed (that is, when the “Next” button 61 is not pressed) (No at Step S107), the user terminal 6 moves the process to Step S103. The process from step S103 to step S107 is repeated with the route information providing server 1.

  On the other hand, when the user terminal 6 determines that the selection operation has been completed (that is, when the “next” button 61 is pressed) (Yes in step S107), the user terminal 6 starts from the route information providing server 1. Send an end point selection screen request (step S108).

  Here, the user's operation in the processing from step S103 to S107 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown to (A) of the figure, if there is a tourist facility that the user wishes to visit while referring to the explanation of each tourist facility included in the tourist facility list screen, the user selects a selection button 60a corresponding to the tourist facility. ˜60e is pressed using an input device such as a mouse and added to the list. When the user finishes selecting all the tourist facilities that he / she wants to drop in, the user presses the “Next” button 61.

  Subsequently, when the route information providing server 1 receives the start / end point selection screen request from the user terminal 6, the route information providing server 1 generates a start / end point selection screen based on the sightseeing ID registered in step S <b> 105 to the user terminal 6. (Step S109).

  In addition, when the user terminal 6 obtains the selection operation of the start point and the end point on the start point / end point selection screen (step S110), the tourist ID of the tourist facility selected as the start point and the tourist ID of the tourist facility selected as the end point Is transmitted to the route information providing server 1 (step S111).

  Here, a display example of the start / end point selection screen is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the tourist facility name and description of the tourist facility selected by the user on the tourist facility list screen are displayed on the start / end point selection screen. In addition, the start point / end point selection screen displays check boxes for the start point and the end point in association with each tourist facility. In addition, on the start point / end point selection screen, a “sort by optimum route” button 63 that is pressed by the user who has finished selecting the start point and the end point is displayed.

  On the start / end point selection screen, the user selects check boxes for the tourist facility that is the starting point of the route and the tourist facility that is the end point. Here, “XX Memorial Hall” is selected as the start point, and “Michi-no-Eki“ XX ”” is selected as the end point. When the user finishes selecting the start point and the end point, the user presses the “sort by optimum route” button 63. As a result, a route creation request is transmitted from the user terminal 6 to the route information providing server 1.

  Subsequently, when receiving the route creation request from the user terminal 6, the route information providing server 1 executes route creation processing (step S112). The specific contents of the route creation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, in the route information providing server 1, when the route creation processing is completed, the route screen transmission unit 13d transmits the route screen to the user terminal 6 (step S113), and the user terminal 6 displays the received route screen. Is displayed (step S114), and the process ends.

  Next, specific contents of the route creation processing in step S112 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of route creation processing.

  As shown in the figure, in the route information providing server 1, the route creation unit 13b determines a tourist facility that has not been selected as a start point or an end point as a relay point, and then generates a total rearrangement pattern of relay points ( Step S201). For example, when tourist facility A, tourist facility B and tourist facility C are relay points, “A → B → C”, “A → C → B”, “B → A → C”, “B → C” → A ”,“ C → A → B ”, and“ C → B → A ”are generated as the rearrangement pattern.

  Subsequently, the route creation unit 13b calculates the total distance from the start point to the end point corresponding to each rearrangement pattern using the route information included in the pre-registration information 12a (Step S202), and the total distance is the shortest. Sightseeing order information is generated using the replacement pattern (step S203). For example, when the tourist facility A, the tourist facility B, and the tourist facility C are relay points, and the pattern passing through in the order of A → C → B is the shortest, “start point → A → C → B → end point” The tourist order information corresponding to the tourist order of “is generated.

  Subsequently, the route creation unit 13b transmits the generated sightseeing order information to the map information providing server 4 (step S204), and receives a route screen based on the sightseeing order information from the map information providing server 4 (step S205). In addition to the route screen, the route information providing server 1 receives location information of each point on the route from the map information providing server 4.

  Subsequently, in the route information providing server 1, the store information providing unit 13c uses the location information of each point on the route to extract store information of stores located within a predetermined range from the route from the pre-registration information 12a. (Step S206), the extracted store information is added to the route screen (Step S207), and the process ends. The store information added to the route screen includes new information on the store in addition to the store location information and store name.

  Here, a display example of the route screen is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the route screen according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, on the route screen, the shortest route from the start point to the end point via the relay point is displayed together with the stores around the route.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), at the stage where the tourist facility is selected from the tourist facility list, “XX Park” → “XXX Temple” → “Sightseeing Product Center“ XXX ” The relay points arranged in the order of "" are rearranged in the order shown in the route screen shown in FIG. 8 in the order of "tourist product building" XXX "" → "XXX temple" → "XXX park". I understand that. In other words, the user can obtain the route screen of the shortest route even if the user selects a tourist facility without being aware of the order of sightseeing.

  In addition, store information of stores extracted as neighboring stores is also displayed on the route screen. On the route screen, a pin indicating the position of each peripheral store, a store name of each peripheral store, and new arrival information are displayed. In this way, not only static information such as store names of neighboring stores but also dynamic information such as new arrival information is displayed on the route screen, so that it is possible to provide more useful information for the user. it can.

  In FIG. 7, a case has been described in which a rearrangement pattern having the shortest total distance is selected and the shortest route is selected after generating all relay point rearrangement patterns, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the route creation unit 13b may determine the shortest route by searching each time for a relay point with the shortest distance from the start point or the relay point.

  Specifically, the route creation unit 13b first selects the relay point having the shortest distance from the start point as the first relay point. Subsequently, when there is another relay point, the route creation unit 13b selects the relay point with the shortest route to the tourist facility selected as the first relay point as the next relay point. And the route preparation part 13b will produce | generate the sightseeing order information which passes a relay point in the selected order, after selecting all the relay points.

  Next, the structure of the sightseeing information provision server 2 and the store information provision server 3 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sightseeing information providing server 2 and the store information providing server 3. 1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the tourism information providing server 2, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the store information providing server 3. As shown in FIG.

  First, the configuration of the tourism information providing server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3A, the tourism information providing server 2 includes a network IF unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. Moreover, the memory | storage part 22 memorize | stores the sightseeing information table 22a, and the control part 23 is provided with the sightseeing information transmission part 23a. The network IF unit 21 performs various controls for communicating with other devices via the network.

  The tourism information table 22a is a table in which tourism information is stored. The contents of the tourist information will be described with reference to FIG. The tourist information transmitting unit 23 a is a processing unit that transmits the tourist information stored in the tourist information table 22 a to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1.

  It continues and demonstrates the structure of the shop information provision server 3 using (B) of the figure. As shown in FIG. 5B, the store information providing server 3 includes a network IF unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. In addition, the storage unit 32 stores a supplier authentication table 32a and a store information table 32b, and the control unit 33 includes an authentication unit 33a, a store information registration unit 33b, and a store information transmission unit 33c. The network IF unit 31 performs various controls for communicating with other devices via the network.

  The vendor authentication table 32a is a table that stores information necessary for vendor authentication such as a user ID and a password. The store information table 32b is a table in which sightseeing information is stored. The contents of the store information will be described with reference to FIG.

  The authentication unit 33a is a processing unit that authenticates a trader using the trader authentication table 32a. The store information registration unit 33b is a processing unit that updates store information of a merchant when the store information is received from the merchant authenticated by the authentication unit 33a. The store information transmission unit 33 c is a processing unit that transmits the store information stored in the store information table 32 b to the route information providing server 1 in response to a request from the route information providing server 1.

  Here, the contents of the tourism information table 22a and the store information table 32b will be described with reference to FIG. Note that (A) in the figure shows an example of the tourism information table 22a, and (B) in the figure shows an example of the shop information 32b.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the tourist information table 22a includes a “tourist ID” item, a “tourist facility name” item, a “description” item, a “location” item, an “average stay time” item, an “opening” It includes a “time” item, a “genre” item, a “keyword” item, and an “update date / time” item, and a record is registered for each tourist facility.

  The “tourist ID” item is an item in which a tourist ID that is identification information for identifying a tourist facility is stored. The “tourist facility name” item is an item in which the name of the tourist facility is stored. The “explanation” item is an item in which a description of the tourist facility is stored. The “location” item is an item in which the location of the tourist facility is stored, and specifically, latitude and longitude are stored.

  The “average stay time” item is an item in which an average stay time required for sightseeing in the tourist facility is stored. The “opening time” item is an item in which the opening time and closing time of the tourist facility are stored. The “genre” item is an item in which the genre of the tourist facility is stored. The “keyword” item is an item in which a keyword related to a tourist facility is stored. The “update date / time” item is an item in which the update date / time of the corresponding record is stored.

  In addition to the items shown in (A) of the figure, the tourist information may include items for storing the address, telephone number, photograph, URL of the blog RSS, and the like of the tourist facility.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the store information table 32b includes a “store ID” item, a “commercial ID” item, a “store name” item, a “description” item, a “location” item, an “average” It includes the “stay time” item, “business hours” item, “priority” item, “new arrival information” item, “genre” item, “keyword” item, and “update date” item, and a record is registered for each store. The

  The “store ID” item is an item in which a store ID that is identification information for identifying a store is stored. The “trader ID” item is an item in which a trader ID that is identification information for identifying a trader is stored. The “store name” item is an item in which the name of the store is stored. The “explanation” item is an item in which a description of the store is stored. The “location” item is an item in which the location of the store is stored, and specifically, latitude and longitude are stored.

  The “average stay time” item is an item in which an average stay time in the store is stored. The “business hours” item is an item in which store opening time and closing time are stored. The “priority” item is a numerical value determined according to the number of reviews and evaluations for the store, the degree of billing for the store information providing service, and the like. The higher the value, the higher the priority.

  The “new arrival information” item is an item in which new arrival information such as time sale information and limited-time discount information is stored. The “genre” item is an item in which a store genre is stored. The “keyword” item is an item in which keywords related to the store are stored. The “update date / time” item is an item in which the update date / time of the corresponding record is stored.

  Next, the procedure of the store information update process executed between the trader terminal 7 and the store information providing server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure executed between the trader terminal 7 and the store information providing server 3.

  As shown in the figure, when the merchant terminal 7 obtains a login operation to the store information providing server 3 from the merchant (step S301), the merchant terminal 7 transmits an authentication request including a user ID and a password to the store information providing server 3. (Step S302). Subsequently, in the store information providing server 3, the authentication unit 33a performs an authentication process (step S303).

  Specifically, the authentication unit 33a determines whether or not the combination of the user ID and password received from the supplier terminal 7 matches the combination of the supplier ID and password stored in the supplier authentication table 32a. If so, authenticate the vendor.

  Subsequently, in the store information providing server 3, when the authenticating unit 33a authenticates the merchant, an initial screen is transmitted to the merchant terminal 7 (step S304). In addition, when the merchant terminal 7 obtains a transition operation to the store information registration screen in a state where the initial screen is displayed (step S305), the store information providing server 3 issues a store information registration screen request including the merchant ID and the user ID. (Step S306). Further, the store information providing server 3 transmits a store information registration screen in response to a request from the trader terminal 7 (step S307).

  Subsequently, when the store information input operation is acquired in the merchant terminal 7 (step S308), the store information is transmitted to the store information providing server 3 (step S309), and the store information providing server 3 stores the store information registration unit 33b. However, the store information table 32b is updated using the received store information (step S310). Then, the store information providing server 3 transmits a store information screen including the updated store information to the merchant terminal 7 (step S311), and the merchant terminal 7 displays the received store information screen (step S312). Finish the process.

  Next, the processing procedure of the pre-registration process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing procedure of the pre-registration processing.

  As shown in the figure, in the route information providing server 1, the pre-registration unit 13a determines whether or not the update timing has arrived (step S401), and if it has arrived (step S401, Yes), first, A tourism information request is transmitted to the tourism information providing server 2 (step S402). In the tourist information providing server 2, the tourist information transmitting unit 23a transmits the tourist information to the route information providing server 1 (step S403). In the route information providing server 1, the pre-registration unit 13a receives the received tourist information. The “tourist information” item of the pre-registration information 12a is updated by using (Step S404).

  Subsequently, the route information providing server 1 transmits a store information request to the store information providing server 3 (step S405). In the store information providing server 3, the store information transmitting unit 33c transmits the store information to the route information providing server 1 (step S406). In the route information providing server 1, the pre-registration unit 13a receives the received store information. The “store information” item of the pre-registration information 12a is updated by using (Step S407).

  Subsequently, the route information providing server 1 transmits a route information request including the location of each tourist facility and each store to the map information providing server 4 (step S408). The map information providing server 4 generates route information based on the location of each tourist facility and each store (step S409) and transmits it to the route information providing server 1 (step S410). The route information providing server 1 The pre-registration unit 13a updates the “distance information” item of the pre-registration information 12a using the received road information (step S411).

  When the process of step S411 is completed, or when the update timing has not come in step S401 (step S401, No), the pre-registration unit 13a repeats the process of step S401.

  In addition, although the case where the tourism information providing server 2 and the store information providing server 3 each distribute information in response to a request from the route information providing server 1 has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tourist information providing server 2 and the store information providing server 3 may transmit the updated tourist information and store information to the route information providing server 1 each time the tourist information and store information are updated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the route creation unit 13b determines a start point, an end point, and a relay point according to an input operation from the user, rearranges the relay order of the relay points according to a predetermined condition, and rearranges the relay point. Create a route based on the relay order. And in Example 1, store information grant part 13c decided to give store information on a store located in a predetermined range from a route to route information containing a route created by route creation part 13b. Therefore, it is possible to increase the customer attracting effect while improving convenience for the user.

  In Example 1, store information grant part 13c acquires new arrival information of a store located in a predetermined range from a route from store information offer server 3 which provides new arrival information provided from each store, and acquisition The store information further including the newly arrived information is added to the route information. Therefore, it is possible to provide highly useful information for the user.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the store information does not contribute to the route creation itself has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the route creation may be performed in consideration of the store information. Below, Example 2 in such a case will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a neighboring store extraction unit 13e and a route correction unit 13f.

  The neighboring store extraction unit 13e is a processing unit that extracts stores located within the first distance range from the route created by the route creation unit 13b.

  The route correction unit 13f is a processing unit that corrects the route created by the route creation unit 13b based on the store information of the stores extracted by the neighboring store extraction unit 13e. Specifically, the route correction unit 13f corrects the route so as to pass through a store satisfying a predetermined condition among stores not extracted by the neighboring store extraction unit 13e.

  That is, the route correction unit 13f first extracts stores located within a second distance range wider than the first distance range from stores whose distance from the route is outside the first distance range. Then, the route correction unit 13 f generates new sightseeing order information in which the extracted store is added to the sightseeing order, and acquires the corrected route screen from the map information providing server 4.

  The store located in the first distance range is, for example, a store located along the route and can be easily visited without correcting the route. In addition, the stores located in the second distance range are not located along the route, and are stores that cannot be stopped by other routes.

  The store information adding unit 13c adds the store information of the stores extracted by the peripheral store extracting unit 13e to the route information including the corrected route screen acquired from the route correcting unit 13f.

  Next, the processing procedure of the route correction processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of route correction processing. Note that the route correction process shown in the figure is performed following the processes of steps S201 to S205 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment, when the route screen is received from the map information providing server 4, the neighboring store extracting unit 13e uses the position information of each point on the route, Store information of stores located within the first distance range from the top is extracted from the pre-registration information 12a (step S501).

  Subsequently, the route correction unit 13f extracts stores that are not extracted by the neighboring store extraction unit 13e and are located within the second distance range from the route created by the route creation unit 13b (step S502). ).

  Subsequently, the route correction unit 13f determines whether or not there are a plurality of stores of the same genre among the stores extracted in steps S501 and S502 (step S503).

  Then, when there are a plurality of stores of the same genre (step S503, Yes), the route correction unit 13f performs a priority display process according to the priority included in each store information (step S504). For example, the route correction unit 13f rearranges the display order of the stores of the same genre on the route screen in descending order of priority, or arranges and displays the display order on the route screen so that the stores with higher priority stand out more. Or change it. Note that the route correction unit 13f may exclude stores with low priority from display target stores when stores of the same genre cannot be displayed on the route screen at a time.

  Thus, when there are a plurality of stores of the same genre, the user can preferentially obtain information on stores with high popularity by extracting preferentially from stores with high priority.

  Subsequently, the route correction unit 13f newly generates sightseeing order information obtained by adding the store extracted in step S502 as a relay point (step S505). Further, the route correcting unit 13f transmits the newly generated sightseeing order information to the map information providing server 4 (step S506), and receives a route screen corresponding to the transmitted sightseeing order information from the map information providing server 4 (step S506). S507).

  Subsequently, the store information assigning unit 13c assigns the store information of the store extracted in step S506 and the store information of the store extracted in step S507 to the route screen (step S508), and ends the process.

  Here, a display example of the route screen is shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the route screen according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the route screen created by the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment includes stores that are not selected on the route screen according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 8) The store 4) is newly selected, and the route is corrected so as to pass through the peripheral store 3 and the peripheral store 4.

  In this way, by extracting not only stores located along the route but also stores located at a distance from the route, the effect of attracting customers only on stores along roads (such as national highways) that are easily selected as routes In addition, it is possible to increase the effect of attracting customers at stores located along roads (alleys, etc.) that are difficult to select as routes.

  Moreover, since the store information of the peripheral store 3 and the peripheral store 4 is not simply displayed, the route is corrected and displayed so as to pass through the peripheral store 3 and the peripheral store 4, so that the user visits these stores. The possibility can be further increased.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the neighboring store extracting unit 13e extracts a store located within a predetermined range from the route created by the route creating unit 13b, and the route correcting unit 13f is used by the neighboring store extracting unit 13e. The route created by the route creation unit 13b is corrected based on the store information of the stores extracted by the above. Therefore, it is possible to increase the customer attracting effect while improving convenience for the user.

  In the second embodiment, the neighboring store extracting unit 13e extracts a store located within the first distance range from the route created by the route creating unit 13b, and the route correcting unit 13f is used by the neighboring store extracting unit 13e. Extracting a store other than the extracted stores that is located within the second distance range from the route created by the route creating unit 13b and correcting the route so as to pass through the extracted store; did. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further enhanced, and the effect of attracting customers at the store can be further enhanced.

  By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where relay points are rearranged so that the total distance from the start point to the end point via the relay point has been described. It is not limited. For example, the rearrangement may be performed in consideration of the opening time of a tourist facility serving as a relay point.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the route creation processing in such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure of the route creation processing. It is assumed that the process shown in the figure is continued from the process of step S201 and step S202.

  As shown in the figure, when the route creation unit 13b calculates the total distance corresponding to each rearrangement pattern in step S202 and specifies the relay order in which the total distance is the shortest, the expected arrival time is determined for each relay point. It is determined whether or not it is earlier than the opening time (step S601).

  Here, it is assumed that the route information providing server 1 specifies the scheduled departure time of the user by inputting the scheduled departure time when the route is created. Further, the route information stored as the pre-registration information 12a includes not only the route between the tourist facilities but also the time required for movement between the tourist facilities. The route creation unit 13b calculates the estimated arrival time at each relay point using the estimated departure time of the user and the time required for movement between the tourist facilities.

  In such a process, when there is a relay point whose predicted arrival time is earlier than the opening time (Yes in step S601), the route creation unit 13b relays such that the predicted arrival time at the corresponding relay point is later than the opening time. The point relay order is lowered (step S602). As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user arrives before the tourist facility is opened, and a useless time must be spent until the opening time.

  On the other hand, when there is no relay point whose expected arrival time is earlier than the opening time (No in step S601), the route creation unit 13b determines whether there is a relay point whose predicted arrival time is later than the closing time ( Step S603). If there is a relay point whose estimated arrival time is later than the closing time (step S603, Yes), the route creation unit 13b relays the predicted arrival time at the corresponding relay point so that it is earlier than the closing time. The order is advanced (step S604). As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the user arrives after the tourist facility is closed and becomes useless.

  On the other hand, when there is no relay point whose estimated arrival time is later than the closing time (No in step S603), the route creation unit 13b determines that the difference between the closing time and the estimated arrival time (that is, the stayable time) is the average stay time. It is determined whether or not there is a relay point that is shorter than (step S605). If there is a relay point at which the stayable time is shorter than the average stay time (step S605, Yes), the route creation unit 13b performs the corresponding relay so that the stayable time becomes longer than the average stay time. The point relay order is advanced (step S604). As a result, even if the user can arrive before the tourist facility is closed, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user does not have enough staying time and feels regrettable.

  When the processes of steps S602 and S604 are completed, or when there is no relay point in which the stayable time is shorter than the average stay time in step S605 (No in step S605), the route creation unit 13b performs step S602 or step Sightseeing order information corresponding to the relay order rearranged in the process of S604 or the like is generated (step S606). Then, the route generation unit 13b transmits the generated sightseeing order information to the map information providing server 4 (step S607), receives a corresponding route screen from the map information providing server 4 (step S608), and ends the process.

  In this way, the pre-registration unit 13a acquires the opening time and closing time of each tourist facility from the tourist information providing server 2 that provides information related to facilities that can be selected as relay points, and the route creation unit 13b moves to the relay point. If the expected arrival time of the relay point is earlier than the opening time of the relay point, the relay order of the relay point is deferred, and if the expected arrival time at the relay point is later than the closing time of the relay point, It was decided to advance the relay order. Therefore, it is possible to provide a route that allows the user to perform sightseeing more smoothly.

  Further, when the pre-registration unit 13a further acquires the average stay time at each tourist facility from the tourism information providing server 2, and the route creation means 13b has an estimated arrival time at the relay point earlier than the closing time of the relay point In addition, when the difference between the closing time of the relay point and the estimated arrival time is shorter than the average stay time at the relay point, the relay order of the relay point is advanced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a route that can more reliably secure the staying time at the tourist facility.

  Note that the processing procedure shown in FIG. 16 can be executed by both the route information providing server 1 according to the first embodiment and the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment. In addition, as in the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment, when a route is created in consideration of store information, the relay order of the stores may be changed based on the business hours of the stores.

  Further, in the route information providing server 1 according to the second embodiment, the relay order of stores may be rearranged using a combination of business hours and genres. In other words, when relaying a store whose genre is “eating” (that is, a restaurant), the route creation unit 13b rearranges the relay order so that it arrives at the store during lunch or dinner. It is good.

  Specifically, when the route correction unit 13f is a store belonging to a predetermined genre (for example, “eating”), the store extracted by the neighboring store extraction unit 13e or the store extracted by the route correction unit 13f The route is corrected so that the estimated arrival time at the store is included in a time zone (for example, a time zone for lunch or dinner) according to the corresponding genre. This makes it possible to provide route information that is more useful to the user.

  The route creating unit 13b may rearrange the relay order using the environment information provided from the environment information providing server 5 (see FIG. 2). For example, when a tourist facility such as an observatory where a beautiful sunset can be seen is selected as a relay point, the route creation unit 13b uses environmental information and passes through such a tourist facility during a time zone when the sunset can be seen. The relay order may be rearranged as described above.

  Further, the route creation unit 13b may change the relay point according to the weather on the day of travel. Specifically, the route creation unit 13 b acquires information on the planned travel date from the user, and acquires environmental information including the weather on the planned travel date from the environment information providing server 5. In addition, the route creation unit 13b can be enjoyed indoors when the weather on the scheduled travel date is rainy and the outdoor tourist facilities are included in the tourist facilities selected as relay points. A tourist facility is extracted from the tourist facility list and replaced with an outdoor tourist facility. As a result, it is possible to propose to the user a route via the tourist facility that matches the weather on the day of the trip.

  By the way, the route information providing server 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment introduces, as a recommended store, a store where a user who has taken the same route actually visited the user who created the route. It is good.

  Hereinafter, such a case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another operation example of the route information providing server 1.

  When the user selects any of the neighboring stores on the route screen, the user can obtain a screen on which the coupon 100 as shown in FIG. The coupon 100 is a dedicated coupon provided only for a user who has created a route with the route information providing server 1.

  Here, as shown to (A) of the figure, the QR code 110 is displayed on the coupon 100. FIG. The QR code 110 includes sightseeing order information created by the route creation unit 13b.

  As shown in (B) of the figure, when the user actually visits a store (for example, “Café XX”) displayed on the route screen, the user presents the coupon 100 to the supplier. The tourist order information is read from the QR code 110 using a trader terminal 7 (here, a mobile phone with a barcode reader) (see (B-1) in the figure).

  Further, when the QR code 110 is read, the trader terminal 7 transmits the read sightseeing order information together with the trader ID to the route information providing server 1 (see (B-2) in the figure). In addition, the route information providing server 1 specifies the same sightseeing order information as the sightseeing order information received from the trader terminal 7 among the sightseeing order information stored as the created route information 12b, and uses the specified sightseeing order information. On the other hand, the contractor ID received from the contractor terminal 7 is associated and updated (see (B-3) in the figure).

  In the route information providing server 1, when the route creation unit 13b creates the same sightseeing order information as the sightseeing order information included in the created route information 12b, the trader ID associated with the sightseeing order information is extracted. . Further, the store information adding unit 13c extracts store information corresponding to the supplier ID from the pre-registration information 12a, and adds the extracted store information to the route screen as recommended store information.

  As a result, as shown in (C) of the figure, a store on which a user who has passed through the same route in the past actually stopped is displayed as a recommended store on the route screen. Here, “Café OO” is displayed as a recommended store. In this way, by using the results of other users, the user can be more interested in the store.

  As described above, the route information providing apparatus according to the present invention is useful when it is desired to enhance the convenience of the user and also increase the effect of attracting customers at the store. In particular, the route information providing route information about a plurality of tourist facilities is provided. Suitable for providing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Route information provision server 11 Network IF part 12 Memory | storage part 12a Pre-registration information 12b Created route information 13 Control part 13a Pre-registration part 13b Route creation part 13c Store information provision part 13d Route screen transmission part 13e Neighboring store extraction part 13f Route correction Part 2 Sightseeing information provision server 21 Network IF part 22 Storage part 22a Sightseeing information table 23 Control part 23a Sightseeing information transmission part 3 Store information provision server 31 Network IF part 32 Storage part 32a Merchant authentication table 32b Shop information table 33 Control part 33a authentication Unit 33b Store information registration unit 33c Store information transmission unit 4 Map information providing server 5 Environmental information providing server 6a-6m User terminal 7a-7n Trader terminal

Claims (3)

A route information providing device that provides route information about a route from a start point to a destination point via a relay point,
Determining means for determining the start point, the end point and the relay point according to an input operation from a user;
Information acquisition means for acquiring the opening time and closing time of the facility from a facility information providing device that provides information on the facility that can be selected as the relay point;
If the relay order pattern of each relay point that is optimal according to a predetermined condition is specified, and the expected arrival time at each relay point is earlier than the opening time of the relay point, the relay order of the relay point in the relay order pattern If the predicted arrival time at the relay point is later than the closing time of the relay point, the relay order pattern of each relay point is corrected by correcting the relay order of the relay point in the relay order pattern. A relay order pattern identifying means to identify ;
Route creating means for creating the route based on the relay order pattern identified by the relay order pattern identifying means ;
Store information giving means for giving store information of a store located within a predetermined range from the route to route information including the route created by the route creating means;
Route information providing apparatus characterized by comprising a. The store information giving means
While acquiring new arrival information of stores located within a predetermined range from the route from the information transmission device that transmits new arrival information provided from each store, store information further including the acquired new arrival information is obtained for the route information. The route information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the route information providing device is provided. The information acquisition means includes
Further obtaining an average stay time at the facility from the facility information providing device,
The relay order pattern specifying means includes
The estimated arrival time at the relay point is earlier than the closing time of the relay point, and the difference between the closing time of the relay point and the estimated arrival time is shorter than the average stay time at the relay point The route information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay order of the relay points in the relay order pattern is advanced.

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