JP5965943B2 - Information display system, server, terminal device, and information display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display system for combining and displaying current positions of a plurality of terminal devices on a map image, and more specifically, when each terminal device has different position attribute information, such as being located in a different hierarchy, The present invention relates to an information display system, a server, a terminal device, and an information display method for displaying the positional relationship of each terminal device in a different display manner in accordance with the position attribute information so that the positional relationship between the terminal devices is displayed more easily.

  When meeting at the same time with multiple friends who have a portable terminal device, it is usually possible to communicate only between two parties, so each of them contacts several times to determine the meeting place. Had to come together. In view of this, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-084560) discloses an “information display system” in which the position of the other party can be easily recognized and the two can reliably meet each other. In this information display system, the server computer collects the position information of the mobile terminal and processes the map information, and distributes and displays the map information including the position display of the mobile terminal on a predetermined display device. Thus, the user can confirm his / her current position and the other party's current position on the display device, so that the user can reliably meet each other.

  However, in this “information display system”, even when a plurality of users having terminal devices are located on different levels, for example, on the first floor and the second floor in the same building, they are displayed on the display screen. Will be displayed in the same hierarchy. This is because the hierarchical information of the terminal device is not considered when collecting the location information of the terminal device. In this case, if the users are located at different levels, even if the users are located at the same point on the map on the display screen, the users cannot meet each other because they are actually different levels.

  Incidentally, in order to accurately detect where the terminal device is located in the building, the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-111648) receives a signal including position-related information from a GPS satellite outdoors. A “position detection system and position detection device” is disclosed that detects the current position, receives infrared rays transmitted from a position ID transmitter indoors, and detects the current position from position-related information included therein.

  If hierarchical information is included in the position-related information signal transmitted from the position ID transmitter, the hierarchical information that can identify which level the terminal device owned by the user is located in the same building is transmitted. Is possible. However, when these terminal devices are displayed on the same map, not only the position on the plane of each terminal device but also the hierarchy in which the terminal device is located can be identified, None of Patent Documents 1 and 2 below discloses that the position display mode is controlled by hierarchy.

  Patent Document 3 below (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-57857) provides instructions such as clicking on the area indicated by the second (underground) map information when displaying the first (ground) map information. If there is, a “map information display method and map information distribution method” that displays the second (underground shopping area) map information in a corresponding form is disclosed. In this case, when receiving the first (ground) map information, the content ID of the second (underground) map information corresponding to this map information is received, and an icon indicating the entrance of the underground mall is designated. In addition, the content ID of the second (underground) map information is transmitted to the system, and the map information corresponding to the content ID is distributed. However, in the invention of the map information display method, the corresponding map information ID is fixedly embedded, and not only moves like a human but the corresponding map information ID dynamically changes. Map information could not be associated with the subject.

JP 2002-084560 A JP 2000-111648 A JP 2007-57857 A

  However, in Patent Documents 1 to 3, as described above, when a plurality of terminal devices are displayed on the same map image, it is identified in which hierarchy each terminal device is located in the same building. It was not disclosed to display as possible. In addition, when a plurality of terminal device positions are displayed while moving on the map image, there is no disclosure of associating dynamically changing map information IDs with the respective terminal device positions.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information display system capable of displaying the current positions of a plurality of terminal devices capable of detecting position attribute information including current position and hierarchy information on each terminal device via a server. Provided is an information display system for changing a display method of a terminal device having position attribute information different from the position attribute information of a terminal device that has made a display request when displaying the position on a map image. For the purpose.

  Furthermore, when the present invention is displaying a plurality of terminal devices on the same map image, if one of the terminal devices is selected, the map image of the position attribute information to which the terminal device belongs is acquired and switched. The purpose is to display.

In order to solve the above problems, an information display system according to claim 1 of the present invention provides:
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the first terminal device and its position attribute information, display means, and display control means for causing the display means to display a map image for displaying the current position of the first terminal device. And the first terminal device comprising control means,
A map database, a display target position database storing current position and position attribute information of each of the first terminal apparatus and at least one second terminal apparatus associated with the first terminal apparatus, and the first terminal apparatus. A server comprising: terminal position acquisition means for acquiring current position and position attribute information of at least one second terminal apparatus associated with the terminal apparatus from the display target position database; and control means. An information display system comprising:
When the control means of the first terminal device transmits a current position display request including the current position to the server, the terminal position acquisition means of the server obtains the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device. A map of an area that is acquired from the display target position database and includes the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device acquired by the control means of the server and the current position of the first and second terminal devices. An image is acquired from the map database and transmitted to the first terminal device, and the display control means of the first terminal device is configured such that the current position of the first terminal device and the second terminal device The current position is displayed on the map image with an icon having a different mode according to the position attribute information.

  An information display system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information display system according to the first aspect, wherein the display control unit determines the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device as the position attribute. It is characterized in that it is displayed as an icon whose transmittance is changed according to information or whose color is different.

  An information display system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information display system according to the first aspect, wherein the display control unit determines the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device as the position attribute. It is characterized by being displayed as an icon having a different shape according to information.

  The invention of the information display system according to claim 4 relates to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control means includes a current position of the first terminal device and a second terminal device. The present position is displayed together with the position attribute information.

  An information display system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is related to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the map database includes a map image corresponding to the position attribute information, and the control means of the server Acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device from the map database and transmits the map image to the first terminal device. The display control means of the first terminal device includes A map image corresponding to the position attribute information of one terminal device is displayed on the display means, and corresponds to any of the plurality of second terminal devices displayed on the display means in the first terminal device. When there is a request for a map image, the control means of the server acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device from the map database and transmits it to the first terminal device. The above The display control means 1 of the terminal device is characterized in that to display a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device to said display means.

  An information display system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the information display system according to the first aspect, wherein the server acquires current position and position attribute information acquired and transmitted in real time by the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Is received and stored in the display target position database.

In order to solve the above problem, a server according to claim 7 of the present invention provides:
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the first terminal device and its position attribute information, display means, and display control means for causing the display means to display a map image for displaying the current position of the first terminal device. And an information display system comprising: a first terminal device comprising: a control means; at least one second terminal device associated with the first terminal device; and a server. Said server, wherein
The server includes a map database, a display target position database that stores current position and position attribute information of each of the first terminal device and at least one second terminal device associated with the first terminal device. And terminal position acquisition means for acquiring the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device from the display target position database, and control means,
When the control means of the first terminal device transmits a current position display request including the current position to the server, the terminal position acquisition means of the server obtains the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device. A map of an area that is acquired from the display target position database and includes the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device acquired by the control means of the server and the current position of the first and second terminal devices. An image is acquired from the map database and transmitted to the first terminal device, and the display control means of the first terminal device is configured such that the current position of the first terminal device and the second terminal device The current position is displayed on the map image with an icon having a different mode according to the position attribute information.

  An invention of a server according to an eighth aspect is the invention according to the seventh aspect, wherein the map database includes a map image corresponding to the position attribute information, and the control means of the server receives the first from the map database. A map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the terminal device is acquired and transmitted to the first terminal device, and the display control means of the first terminal device includes the position attribute information of the first terminal device. When a map image corresponding to any one of the plurality of second terminal devices displayed on the display unit is displayed in the first terminal device when the corresponding map image is displayed on the display unit. The control unit of the server acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device from the map database, transmits the map image to the first terminal device, and transmits the map image of the first terminal device. Display system Means, characterized in that to display a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device to said display means.

  The invention of a server according to claim 9 is related to claim 7, wherein the server receives current position and position attribute information acquired and transmitted in real time by the first terminal device and the second terminal device. And stored in the display target position database.

In order to solve the above problem, a terminal device according to claim 10 of the present invention provides:
A first terminal device; at least one second terminal device associated with the first terminal device; a map database; at least one associated with the first terminal device and the first terminal device. Display target position database storing current position and position attribute information of each of the second terminal devices, and current position and position attributes of at least one second terminal device associated with the first terminal device A terminal device constituting an information display system comprising: a server comprising terminal position obtaining means and control means for obtaining information from the display target position database;
The first terminal device includes a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position and position attribute information thereof, a display unit, and a display that causes the display unit to display a map image that displays the current position of the first terminal device. A control means, and a control means,
When the control means of the first terminal device transmits a current position display request including the current position to the server, the terminal position acquisition means of the server obtains the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device. A map of an area that is acquired from the display target position database and includes the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device acquired by the control means of the server and the current position of the first and second terminal devices. An image is acquired from the map database and transmitted to the first terminal device, and the display control means of the first terminal device is configured such that the current position of the first terminal device and the second terminal device The current position is displayed on the map image with an icon having a different mode according to the position attribute information.

  An invention of a terminal device according to an eleventh aspect is according to the tenth aspect, wherein the display control means determines the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device as the position attribute. It is characterized in that it is displayed as an icon whose transmittance is changed according to information or whose color is different.

  An invention of a terminal device according to a twelfth aspect is according to the tenth aspect, in which the display control unit displays the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device as the position attribute information. It is characterized by being displayed as an icon having a different shape according to the above.

  The invention of the terminal device according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the display control means includes a current position of the first terminal device and a current position of the second terminal device. The position is displayed together with the position attribute information.

  An invention of a terminal device according to claim 14 is according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the map database includes a map image corresponding to the position attribute information, and the control means of the server includes: The map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device is acquired from the map database and transmitted to the first terminal device, and the display control means of the first terminal device includes the first A map corresponding to any one of the plurality of second terminal devices displayed on the display means in the first terminal device is displayed on the display means according to the position attribute information of the terminal device. When there is a request for an image, the control unit of the server acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device from the map database, and transmits the map image to the first terminal device. Said Wherein said display control means of the terminal device is characterized in that to display a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device to said display means.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an information display method according to claim 15 of the present invention includes:
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the first terminal device and its position attribute information, display means, and display control means for causing the display means to display a map image for displaying the current position of the first terminal device. And the first terminal device comprising control means,
A map database, a display target position database storing current position and position attribute information of each of the first terminal apparatus and at least one second terminal apparatus associated with the first terminal apparatus, and the first terminal apparatus. A server comprising: terminal position acquisition means for acquiring current position and position attribute information of at least one second terminal apparatus associated with the terminal apparatus from the display target position database; and control means. An information display method in the configured information display system,
(1) The control means of the first terminal device transmits a current position display request including a current position to the server;
(2) The terminal position acquisition means of the server acquires the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device from the display target position database;
(3) From the map database, the control means of the server obtains the acquired current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device and a map image of an area including the current positions of the first and second terminal devices from the map database. Obtaining and transmitting to the first terminal device;
(4) The display control unit of the first terminal device may display a current position of the first terminal device and a current position of the second terminal device with icons having different modes according to the position attribute information. And displaying on the map image.

  An information display method according to a sixteenth aspect is the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, and in the step (4), the display control means includes: a current position of the first terminal device; and the second terminal device. The current position is displayed as an icon having a changed transmittance or a different hue according to the position attribute information.

  The invention of an information display method according to claim 17 is according to claim 15, wherein, in the step (4), the display control means includes: a current position of the first terminal device; and the second terminal device. Is displayed as an icon having a different shape according to the position attribute information.

  The invention of an information display method according to claim 18 relates to any one of claims 15 to 17, and, in the step (4), the display control means determines the current position of the first terminal device. The current position of the second terminal device is displayed together with the position attribute information.

The invention of the information display method of claim 19 according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the map database comprises a map image corresponding to the position attribute information,
In the step (3), the control unit of the server acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device from the map database, and transmits the map image to the first terminal device.
In the step (4), the display control means of the first terminal device causes the display means to display a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device. When there is a request for a map image corresponding to any of the plurality of second terminal devices displayed on the display means,
(5) The control means of the server acquires a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device from the map database and transmits the map image to the first terminal device;
(6) The display control unit of the first terminal device further includes a step of causing the display unit to display a map image corresponding to position attribute information of the second terminal device.

  An information display method according to a twentieth aspect of the invention relates to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the server acquires current position and position attribute information acquired and transmitted in real time by the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Is received and stored in the display target position database.

  According to said structure, this invention can show | play the outstanding effect as shown below. That is, according to the information display system of the present invention, when the current position display request including the current position is transmitted from the first terminal device to the server, the server is registered in association with the first terminal device. The current position of the second terminal device and the position attribute information thereof are acquired and transmitted together with the map image to the first terminal device. In the first terminal device, the current position and the first position of the first terminal device are transmitted. The current position of the terminal device 2 is displayed in a different manner according to the position attribute information. Accordingly, for example, even if the first terminal device and the second terminal device are displayed so as to be located at substantially the same point in plan view, if they are displayed in different modes, different levels of the building As a result, it is possible to display the actual positional relationship more easily.

  Moreover, it is possible to perform group registration management for grasping to which terminal device each terminal device is associated using a display target database (terminal device database), and each terminal device is stored in the display target position database. By storing the current position and position attribute information, it is possible to easily obtain the current position and position attribute information of each terminal apparatus when an inquiry is made from the first terminal apparatus. Become.

  In addition, according to the invention of the information display system according to claim 2, since the icons are displayed as icons having different transmittances and hues according to the position attribute information of the terminal device, differences in transmittance and hues are different. As a result, a display that shows that the terminal device is located in a different hierarchy is performed.

  Further, according to the invention of the information display system according to claim 3, since the icons are displayed as icons having different shapes according to the position attribute information of the terminal device, the terminal devices are placed in different layers depending on the shape. A display that shows that it is located is performed.

  According to the information display system of the present invention, since the current position of the terminal device is displayed together with the position attribute information, it is possible to perform a display that allows the user to know which level the terminal device is located. become.

  According to the information display system of the present invention, when a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device is displayed on the first terminal device, the map image is displayed there. When there is a request for a map image corresponding to one of the second terminal devices, the server acquires a map image corresponding to the location attribute information of the second terminal device, transmits the map image to the first terminal device, In one terminal device, a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the selected second terminal device is displayed. As a result, even though the position of the second terminal device changes dynamically, map switching display can be performed for each terminal device.

  According to the information display system of the present invention, since the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device stored in the display target position database are updated in real time, the first terminal When there is an inquiry from the device, the latest current position and position attribute information of each terminal device can be always obtained.

  Moreover, according to the invention of the server of Claims 7-9, the server which comprises the information display system which show | plays the effect of the invention of Claim 1, 5 and 6 can be provided.

Moreover, according to invention of the terminal device of Claims 10-14, the terminal device which comprises the information display system which show | plays the effect of invention of Claims 1-5 can be provided.

  Moreover, according to invention of the information display method of Claim 15-20, the information display method in the information display system which show | plays the effect of invention of Claims 1-6 can be provided.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an information display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal block diagram of the terminal device which comprises the information display system of a present Example. It is an internal block diagram of the server which comprises the information display system of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the display object database 314 which comprises the information display system of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the display object position database 315 which comprises the information display system of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the display operation | movement of the present position of the terminal device registered into the group in the information display system of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which adds and displays map image link information to the present position of the terminal device registered into the group in the information display system of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which switches and displays a map image, when a specific terminal device is selected in the information display system of a present Example. It is an example of a display of the present position of the terminal device registered into the group in the information display system of a present Example.

  Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below illustrate and explain a navigation system as an information display system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are intended to specify the present invention in this navigation system. The present invention can be applied equally to other information display systems without departing from the technical idea shown in the claims.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an information display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information display system includes a GPS satellite 10 that transmits GPS signals to a terminal device 20 described below, and portable terminal devices 20 (20A to 20D) possessed by a plurality of users. A server 30 connected to the terminal device 20 via the network 40 is provided.

  In FIG. 1, the user A who has the terminal device 20A and the user B who has the terminal device 20B are on the first floor of the XX department store 110, and the user F who has the terminal device 20F is on the fourth floor. In addition, on the road outside the OO department store 110, there are a user C who has the terminal device 20C and a user E who has the terminal device 20E. Furthermore, there is a user D who possesses the terminal device 20D on the first floor of the ΔΔ store 120 that is located across the road from the XX department store 110. In addition, a position attribute information transmitter is installed on each floor of the XX department store 110 and the ΔΔ store 120, and transmits position attribute information to each terminal device 20.

  More specifically, a location attribute information transmitter 111 is provided on the first floor of the OO department store 110. The position attribute information transmitter 111 transmits information informing that the first floor of the XX department store 110 is in the first floor. More specifically, the position attribute information transmitter 111 includes a lamp and a position attribute information transmission unit, and is used by being inserted into a lighting socket provided on a ceiling or a wall. The position attribute information transmission unit transmits the position attribute information stored in the EEPROM by, for example, infrared communication or a communication method using Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Similarly, location attribute information transmitters 112 to 114 are provided on the 2nd to 4th floors of the XX department store 110, and location attribute information transmitters 121 and 122 are provided on the 1st and 2nd floors of the △ store 120, respectively. Each position attribute information is transmitted. The location attribute information includes the name of the building, the hierarchy (floor name), the area information on the floor, the store information, the information on the underground shopping street, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the terminal device 20 constituting the information display system of the present embodiment. The terminal device 20 includes a control unit 210, a current position acquisition unit 211 including a GPS reception unit 212 and a position attribute signal reception unit 213, a current position notification unit 214, a group terminal position display request unit 215, a map switching display request unit 216, A display control means 217, a display means 218, an input means 219, and a storage means 220 are provided.

  The control unit 210 controls and supervises the operation of each unit of the terminal device 20, and is configured by a processor including a CPU and a ROM, and operates by executing a program stored in the ROM. The GPS receiving means 212 of the current position acquiring means 211 calculates the current position by receiving GPS signals from the plurality of GPS satellites 10 shown in FIG. The position attribute signal receiving means 213 of the current position acquisition means 211 is a position attribute transmitted from the position attribute information transmitters 111 to 114, 121, 122, etc. installed in the OO department store 110 and the Δ △ store 120, respectively. Receive information and identify its location.

  The current position notifying unit 214 receives the current position and position attribute information detected by the current position acquiring unit 211 at predetermined time intervals, when requested by the server 30, or when requested by the user. To the server 30. The group terminal position display requesting unit 215 transmits a display request for displaying the current position of another terminal device 20 associated with the terminal device 20 (group registered) on the map to the server 30. . The current position display request includes the terminal device identification ID stored in the storage unit 220, the current position of the terminal device acquired by the current position acquisition unit 211, and position attribute information.

  As will be described later, when the user selects an icon of a desired terminal device in the case where an icon image indicating the current position of each terminal device is displayed on the display unit 218, the map switching display request unit 216 A map image with a position attribute is requested. Map image link information such as a URL is associated with each terminal device icon, and the map switching display requesting means 216 requests the desired map image by transmitting the map image link information to the server 30.

  The display control means 217 combines the map image received from the server 30 and the icon representing the position of each terminal device 20, and further transmits the image of each icon so as to correspond to the hierarchical information of each terminal device 20. Or an image having a different color or a different shape. The display means 218 is composed of a liquid crystal display unit or the like, and displays the map image and icon image created by the display control means 217.

  The input unit 219 includes input buttons, operation keys, and the like provided on the terminal device 20, and the user performs a selection operation of a display request for the current position, performs a selection operation of an icon displayed on the display unit 218, This is used to select a map switching display request.

  The storage unit 220 stores the current position and position attribute information detected by the current position acquisition unit 211. Further, the storage unit 220 stores the identification ID of the terminal device, the map image received from the server 30, and the map image link information associated with each icon image indicating the position of the terminal device 20.

  FIG. 3 is an internal block diagram of the server 30 constituting the information display system of this embodiment. The server 30 includes a control unit 310, a display target search unit 311, a display target position acquisition unit 312, a display map acquisition unit 313, a display target database 314, a display target position database 315, and a map database 316.

  The control unit 310 controls and supervises the operation of each part of the server 30 and is constituted by a processor including a CPU and a ROM, and operates by executing a program stored in the ROM. When receiving a display request for the current position from the terminal device 20, the display target search unit 311 refers to a display target database 314 to be described later and refers to a terminal device associated with the terminal device that has made the display request for the current position (that is, Terminal group registered). Specifically, the identification IDs of the terminal devices included in the display request for the current position are acquired, and the identification IDs of the plurality of terminal devices stored in the display target database 314 in association with the identification IDs are acquired.

  The display target position acquisition unit 312 detects the current position of each searched terminal device from the display target position database 315. Specifically, the display target position acquisition unit 312 searches the display target position database 315 based on the identification ID of each terminal device registered in the group, and associates it with the identification ID of each terminal device. The stored current position information and position attribute information are acquired.

  The display map acquisition means 313 compares the current position information and position attribute information of each terminal device that has made a display request for the current position with each terminal device associated therewith, and includes the current position of these terminal devices. Then, the map image of the position attribute at which the terminal device that made the display request for the current position is located is acquired from the map database 316 and transmitted to the terminal device that made the display request. The storage location of the map data is the map database 316 in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be another map database connected to the network.

  When the display map acquisition unit 313 further receives a map switching display request including the map image link information from the map switching display request unit 216 of the terminal device 20, the map corresponding to the map database 316 according to the map image link information. An image is acquired and transmitted to the terminal device 20 that has issued the map switching display request.

  The display target database 314 stores which terminal device each terminal device 20 is associated with, and functions as a terminal device database. These terminal devices are associated with each other by designating a terminal device with which the user is associated in advance (that is, group registration). FIG. 4 shows an example of the display target database 314. The display target database 314 includes an identification ID column for the first terminal device and an identification ID column for the second terminal device associated therewith. In FIG. 4, identification IDs “0020B” to “0020F” (FIG. 1) of the second terminal device are added to the identification ID “0020A” of the first terminal device (corresponding to the terminal device 20A possessed by the user A of FIG. 1). The terminal devices 20B to 20F possessed by the users B to F are registered in association with each other, and these six terminal devices are registered as a group.

  The display target position database 315 stores the current position and position attribute information of each terminal device 20, and functions as a terminal device position database. FIG. 5 shows an example of the display target position database 315. The display target position database 315 includes an identification ID column of the terminal device, a current position column of each terminal device, a position attribute information column at the position of each terminal device, and an area or position attribute information indicated by the position attribute information. The map image link information (URL storing the map image) field corresponding to the. The position attribute information column further includes a building ID column and a floor ID column.

  For example, in FIG. 5, the terminal device identification ID “0020A” (corresponding to the terminal device 20A possessed by the user A in FIG. 1), “35.41.33” and “139” representing the current position in latitude and longitude. .46.08 ”, and as the location attribute information of the current position, the building ID is“ XX department store ”, the floor ID is“ 1st floor ”, and the link information of the map image is stored in association therewith. Similarly, in the terminal device identification ID “0020B” (corresponding to the terminal device 20B possessed by the user B in FIG. 1), “35.41.33” and “139.46” representing the current position in latitude and longitude. .07 ”, as the position attribute information of the current position, the building ID is“ XX department points ”, the floor ID is“ first floor ”, and map image link information indicating the storage location of the map data is stored in association with each other. ing.

  In addition, when the terminal device is not located inside a specific building like the terminal device with the identification ID “0020C” (the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C in FIG. 1), the terminal device is attached to each building. The position attribute information signal from the position attribute information transmitter cannot be received. Therefore, in FIG. 5, “9999” is assigned to the building ID and the floor ID as position attribute information and stored. The terminal device in which this number “9999” is stored as the position attribute information indicates that it is located outdoors or in a building where no position information transmitter is installed.

  Note that the current position and position attribute information of each terminal device are registered in the display target position database 315 when the server 30 receives what is acquired and transmitted by each terminal device at predetermined intervals. Alternatively, the current position and position attribute information of each terminal device are the current position with respect to the terminal device for which the display target position acquisition unit 312 is specified when the target terminal device is specified by the display target search unit 311. In addition, an acquisition request for position attribute information may be made and registered in the display target position database 315. Further, the current position and position attribute information acquired and transmitted by each terminal device are transmitted to the server 30 via other external servers connected via the network, for example, a server installed by a communication carrier, It may be registered in the display target position database 315.

  The map database 316 is a database in which map information to be distributed and displayed on the terminal device 20 and map data (node data, link data, cost data) for route search are accumulated. Further, the map data includes map data indicating the inside of a structure such as an underground mall or a building that provides a map display guidance service. These map data include data such as the shape of the building, passages for each floor, stairs, elevators and escalators connecting each floor.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the display operation of the current position of the terminal device 20 registered in the group in the information display system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the display operation of the current position of the terminal device 20 registered as a group in the information display system of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of adding and displaying map image link information at the current position of the terminal device 20 registered as a group in the information display system of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of switching and displaying map images when a specific terminal device is selected in the information display system of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a display example of the current position of the terminal device 20 registered as a group in the information display system of the present embodiment.

  First, as described in FIG. 1, there are a user A who owns the terminal device 20A and a user B who owns the terminal device 20B on the first floor of the XX department store 110, and a user F who possesses the terminal device 20F on the fourth floor. On the road outside the OO department store 110, there is a user C who owns the terminal device 20C and a user E who owns the terminal device 20E, and one of the △ store 120 that is located across the road from the XX department store 110. There is a user D who possesses the terminal device 20D on the floor. These six terminal devices 20A to 20F are associated with each other and registered in the display target database 314 as a group.

  Here, a case where the position of the terminal device registered as a group is displayed from the terminal device 20A possessed by the user A will be considered. In step S601 of FIG. 6, the current position acquisition unit 211 acquires the current position of the terminal device 20A and its position attribute information. This is because the GPS receiving unit 212 receives the GPS signal to measure the latitude and longitude of the terminal device 20A, and the position attribute signal receiving unit 213 transmits the position attribute information installed on the first floor of the OO department store 110. This is performed by receiving position attribute information transmitted from the device 111.

  In step S602, the group terminal position display requesting unit 215 transmits a display request for the position of the terminal device registered in the group together with the current position and attribute information measured in the above step to the server 30.

  In the server 30, the display target search unit 311 refers to the display target database 314 and searches for a terminal device associated with the terminal device 20A. In this case, terminal devices 20B to 20F (display target IDs in FIG. 4 are 0020B to 0020F) are obtained as search results for the terminal device 20A. Therefore, the display target position acquisition unit (terminal position acquisition unit) 312 refers to the display target position database 315 and acquires the current position and position attribute information of each of the terminal devices 20B to 20F. Further, the display map acquisition unit 313 acquires a map image from the map database 316 based on the current position of the terminal device 20A and its position attribute information. The information on the terminal device registered in the group, the current position, the position attribute information, and the map image acquired in the server 30 are transmitted to the terminal device 20A that made the display request.

  If the display object does not fit in the predetermined area, the map image may be reduced and displayed, so that a wide area can be displayed by changing the scale of the map. The determination as to whether the display target fits in the predetermined area may be performed by the server 30 or the terminal device 20 that has requested display, but if the determination is made by the terminal device 20, a wide-range map is displayed. It is necessary to make an image acquisition request to the server 30 again. Further, when the display target is located in a wide range, a map image in which only the display target terminal device located in a predetermined range, for example, an area that can be displayed at a predetermined standard scale, is displayed may be acquired. Good.

  In step S603, the terminal device 20A acquires information (display target ID), current position, position attribute information, and map image of the terminal device registered as a group. These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 220.

  In step S604, the display control unit 217 causes the display unit 218 to display the map image stored in the storage unit 220.

  Next, in step S <b> 605, the control unit 210 refers to the group registered terminal device information received from the server 30 one by one. If there is no terminal device registered in the group, the process proceeds to step S611, and the current position of the terminal device 20A requested by the display control means 217 is synthesized as an icon (star in FIG. 9A) on the map image, and the display means. 218.

  In step S605, when there is a terminal device registered as a group, the process proceeds to step S606, the building ID of the terminal device is referred to, and the building ID and the building ID of the terminal device (20A) that issued the display request are referred to. Determine whether they are the same. If the building IDs are not the same, the process proceeds to step S610, and the display control means 217 displays the current position of the terminal device on the map image as an icon having a different shape, transparency, or color. Are combined and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S609.

  If it is determined in step S606 that the building IDs are the same, the process proceeds to step S607, where the floor ID of the terminal device is referred to, and this floor ID is the same as the floor ID of the terminal device (20A) that made the display request. It is determined whether or not. If the floor IDs are not the same, the process proceeds to step S610, and the display control means 217 displays the current position of the terminal device on the map image as an icon having a different shape, transparency, or color. Are combined and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S609.

  If it is determined in step S607 that the floor IDs are the same, the process proceeds to step S608, where the display control unit 217 combines the current position of the terminal device on the map image with a normal icon and displays it on the display unit 218. Display, and the process proceeds to step S609.

  In step S609, a search is made as to whether there is a next terminal device registered in the group received from the server 30, and the process returns to step S605. After displaying the current position as an icon for all the terminal devices registered in the group, in step S611, the current position of the terminal device 20A that requested the display is displayed with a different icon (star shape in FIG. 9A) and processed. Exit.

  With reference to FIG. 9A, the case where the position of the terminal device registered as a group is displayed on the display means 218 of the terminal device 20A by the above method will be described. Since the terminal device 20A possessed by the user A who made the display request is located on the first floor of the XX department store, a map showing the inside of the first floor of the XX department store is displayed on the display means 218 as a map image. . And since the terminal device 20B which the user B possesses is located on the 1st floor of the same OO department store as the terminal device 20A, the position is displayed as a normal icon. Specifically, the icon is a human-shaped icon, and is displayed in a highly colored shade (shaded doll icon).

  The icon of the terminal device 20B is provided with a balloon indicating the user and the position attribute information (in this case, the hierarchy). Specifically, a balloon “Mr. B (1F)” is provided on the icon of the terminal device 20B. Note that the balloon may be displayed only when the user selects an icon when the user moves the cursor and the icon is selected by the user. It may be displayed only when it is above.

  Since the terminal devices 20C to 20F possessed by the user C to the user F are given position attribute information different from that of the terminal device 20A, the shape, the transparent icon or the color different from the normal icon is changed. It is displayed on the map image as an icon (white doll icon). The icon indicating the position of the terminal device 20F has the same shape as the icon indicating the position of the terminal device 20B, but is displayed in a low density hue. Further, a balloon indicating the position attribute information (hierarchy) is provided on the icon of the terminal device 20F, and more specifically, a balloon “Mr. F (4F)” is provided. As a result, not only can the terminal devices 20B and 20F be located in the same building as the terminal device 20A, but also the level at which each terminal device is located can be easily grasped.

  FIG. 9B shows a case where the position of the terminal device registered as a group is displayed on the display means 218 of the terminal device 20C when a display request is made from the terminal device 20C. The display means 218 displays the outline of the XX department store, the outline of the △ store, and the surrounding roads as a map image. Since the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C who made the display request is located on the road outside the OO department store, the position of the terminal device 20C is displayed as a star on the road outside the XX department store. Yes.

  Since the terminal devices 20A, 20B, and 20F possessed by the users A, B, and F are located in the department store, position attribute information different from that of the terminal device 20C is given, and these positions are different from usual. It is displayed on the map image as an icon whose shape, transparency, or color has been changed. In FIG. 9B, the positions of the terminal devices 20A, 20B, and 20F are displayed in a humanoid shape similar to the other icons, and as low-density icons (white doll icons). Each icon is provided with a speech bubble indicating which level the terminal device is located, a speech bubble indicating “1F” is provided in the terminal devices 20A and 20B, and a speech bubble indicating “4F” is provided in the terminal device 20F. It has been.

  Further, since the terminal device 20D possessed by the user D is located in the ΔΔ store, position attribute information different from the terminal device 20C is given, so the position of the terminal device 20D is different from the normal shape. The icon is displayed on the map image as a transparent icon or an icon whose color is changed (a white doll icon). In FIG. 9B, the position of the terminal device 20 </ b> D is displayed as a low-density icon (shaded doll icon) having a humanoid shape similar to other icons.

  On the other hand, since the terminal device 20E possessed by the user E is located on the road near the ΔΔ store, the same position attribute information as that of the terminal device 20C is given, and the position of the terminal device 20E has a normal shape. Or it is displayed on the map image as a color icon. In FIG. 9B, the position of the terminal device 20 </ b> E has a humanoid shape similar to other icons, but is displayed as a highly colored icon. Thereby, the user can easily visually recognize which user is in which place and whether the user is located in the same hierarchy as the user.

  In the above, the server 30 transmits the current position of each terminal device and its position attribute information to the terminal device that has requested display, and the terminal device determines whether the position attribute information is the same or different. In addition, the case where the display mode of the icon is changed accordingly has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, the position attribute information of each terminal device is compared in the server, the comparison result is transmitted to the terminal device, The display mode of the icon may be changed based on the comparison result.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the position of the terminal device registered in the group is displayed from the terminal device 20A possessed by the user A, and subsequently the position added to the other terminal device selected by the user. A method for displaying a map corresponding to attribute information will be described. Since the processing in steps S701 and S702 is the same as that in steps S601 and S602 in FIG. 6, detailed description is omitted. However, the current position and its position attribute information are acquired and transmitted to the server, and the position of the terminal device registered as a group Make a display request.

  In the server 30, the display target search unit 311 searches the terminal device associated with the terminal device 20A with reference to the display target database 314, and obtains the terminal devices 20B to 20F as search results. Further, the display target position acquisition unit 312 refers to the display target position database 315 and acquires the current position and position attribute information of each of the terminal devices 20B to 20F. Further, the display target position acquisition unit 312 compares the position attribute information of the terminal device 20A and the position attribute information of the other terminal devices 20B to 20F. If the position attribute information is different, the display target position acquisition unit 312 displays the map from the display target position database 315. Get image link information. The map image link information is a storage location that stores map data corresponding to position attribute information (hierarchy) where each terminal device is located, such as a URL.

  In the case of the present embodiment, since the terminal device 20A and the terminal device 20B are given the same position attribute information, the map image link information corresponding to the terminal device 20B is not acquired. On the other hand, since the terminal devices 20C to 20F have position attribute information different from the terminal device 20A, the map image link information corresponding to each terminal device is acquired. Since the terminal device 20C and the terminal device 20E have the same position attribute information, the map image link information is the same.

  Moreover, the display map acquisition means 313 compares the current position information and position attribute information of the terminal device 20A and each of the terminal devices 20B to 20F registered in association therewith, and the current positions of these terminal devices are included. A map image corresponding to the location attribute of the area where the terminal device 20 </ b> A is located is acquired from the map database 316.

  The information of the terminal device registered in the group, the current position, the position attribute information, the map image, and the map image link information acquired in the server 30 are transmitted to the terminal device 20A that has made the display request.

  In step S <b> 703, the terminal device 20 </ b> A acquires from the server 30 information on the terminal device registered in the group, the current position, position attribute information, a map image, and map image link information. These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 220.

  In step S <b> 704, the display control unit 217 displays the map image stored in the storage unit 220 on the display unit 218.

  Next, in step S <b> 705, the control unit 210 refers to the group registered terminal device information received from the server 30 one by one. If there is no terminal device registered in the group, the process proceeds to step S710, and the display control means 217 displays the current position of the terminal device 20A that requested the display as an icon on the map image.

  If there is a group registered terminal device in step S705, the process proceeds to step S706 to determine whether map image link information is added to the terminal device. When the map image link information is added to the terminal device, the process proceeds to the process of step S707, and the display control means 217 changes the current position of the terminal device to an unusual shape, transparent icon or color. The image is combined on the map image and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S708.

  If it is determined in step S706 that the map image link information is not added to the terminal device, the process proceeds to step S709, and the display control means 217 displays the current position of the terminal device on the map image using a normal icon. Are combined and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, a search is made as to whether there is a next terminal device registered in the group received from the server 30, and the process returns to step S705. After displaying the current position with icons for all the terminal devices registered in the group, in step S710, the current position of the terminal device 20A that requested the display is displayed with an icon different from the others, and the process ends.

  At this time, the map image shown in FIG. 9A and the current position of the terminal device are displayed on the display means 218 of the terminal device 20A. Here, the user can select one of the icons displayed on the display unit 218 to which the map image link information is added by operating the input unit 219. The icon to which the map image link information is added is displayed as an icon having a different shape, a transparent icon, or a different color, so that the user can easily select the icon. A process when the user A selects the icon indicating the current position of the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C on the screen by operating the input unit 219 of the terminal device 20A will be described below with reference to FIG. explain. Note that the processing after step S801 in FIG. 8 is subsequent to the processing in step 710 in FIG.

  When the icon indicating the current position of the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C is selected in the terminal device 20A in step S801 of FIG. 8, the map switching display requesting means 216 of the terminal device 20A is selected in step S802. The server 30 receives a switching display request for information on the storage location of the map data indicated by the map image link information added to the icon of the terminal device 20C, the center position of the map image being displayed, and the position of the terminal device registered in the group. Send to.

  In the server 30, the display target search unit 311 searches the terminal device associated with the terminal device 20A with reference to the display target database 314, and obtains the terminal devices 20B to 20F as search results. Further, the display target position acquisition unit 312 refers to the display target position database 315 and acquires the current position and position attribute information of each of the terminal devices 20B to 20F. Further, the display target position acquisition unit 312 compares the position attribute information of the terminal device 20C with the position attribute information of the other terminal devices 20A, 20B, and 20D to 20F, and if the position attribute information is different, the display target position database The map image link information is acquired from 315.

  In this case, since the terminal devices 20A, 20B, and 20F are located in the XX department store and have different position attribute information from the terminal device 20C, the map image link information corresponding to each terminal device. Is acquired from the display target position database 315. Further, since the terminal device 20D is located in the ΔΔ store, it has position attribute information different from that of the terminal device 20C, and the map image link information corresponding to each terminal device is displayed in the display target position database 315. Obtained from. Since the terminal device 20E is located on the road near the ΔΔ store and has the same position attribute information as the terminal device 20C, the map image link information is not acquired.

  The display map acquisition unit 313 is a map image of the position attribute where the terminal device 20C is located based on the information on the center position of the map image displayed on the display unit 218 of the terminal device 20A. A map image in the same area as that displayed on the map data is acquired from the storage location of the map data indicated by the map image link information added to the switching display request. The storage location of the map data is the map database 316 in this embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be another map database connected to the network.

  The information of the terminal device registered in the group, the current position, the position attribute information, the map image, and the map image link information acquired in the server 30 are transmitted to the terminal device 20A that has made the switching display request.

  In step S <b> 803, the terminal device 20 </ b> A acquires information on the terminal device registered in the group, the current position, the position attribute information, the map image, and the map image link information from the server 30. These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 220.

  In step S804, the display control unit 217 causes the display unit 218 to display a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the terminal device 20C stored in the storage unit 220.

  In step S805, if there is a terminal device registered as a group, the process proceeds to step S806, and it is determined whether map image link information is added to the terminal device. When the map image link information is added to the terminal device, the process proceeds to step S807, and the display control unit 217 changes the current position of the terminal device to a different shape, transparent icon or color. The image is combined on the map image and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S808.

  If it is determined in step S806 that the map image link information is not added to the terminal device, the process proceeds to step S809, where the display control means 217 displays the current position of the terminal device on the map image using a normal icon. Are combined and displayed on the display means 218, and the process proceeds to step S808.

  In step S808, it is searched whether there is a next terminal device registered in the group received from the server 30, and the process returns to step S705. After displaying the current position with icons for all the terminal devices registered in the group, in step S810, the current position of the terminal device 20C selected in the terminal device 20A is displayed with an icon different from the others, and the process ends.

  When the processing from step S801 to S810 is executed, the map image and the terminal device shown in FIG. 9B are displayed from the map image shown in FIG. 9A and the display screen of the current position of the terminal device through the map image display screen shown in FIG. 9C. Is switched to the display screen of the current position. FIG. 9C shows a state where the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C is selected. In FIG. 9B, the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C is displayed as a star on the road outside the OO department store, and a map image corresponding to the position attribute information where the terminal device 20C is located (outdoors where the user C is located). A map image showing roads) is displayed. And since the terminal devices 20A, 20B, and 20F possessed by the users A, B, and F are located in the department store, position attribute information different from the terminal device 20C is given, and these positions are normal. Are displayed on the map image as icons having different shapes, transparent icons, or changed colors (in FIG. 9B, white doll icons).

  Since the terminal device 20E possessed by the user E is located on the road near the Δ △ store, the same position attribute information as that of the terminal device 20C is given, and the position of the terminal device 20E has a normal shape or color. Is displayed on the map image as an icon (shaded doll icon in FIG. 9B). Further, since the terminal device 20D possessed by the user D is located in the ΔΔ store, the terminal device 20D is given position attribute information different from that of the terminal device 20C, and this position has a shape different from normal. The icon is displayed on the map image as a transparent icon or an icon whose color is changed (a white doll icon in FIG. 9B). Thereby, the position of the user located in a different layer from the map displayed by the user and the peripheral information thereof are switched and displayed.

  Although the method for displaying the current position of the terminal device having different position attribute information has been described above, the current state of the terminal device having the same position attribute information as the terminal device that has requested display of the current position of the terminal device registered in the group is described. The position is displayed as a normal icon, and the current position of the terminal device having position attribute information different from that of the terminal device that made the display request is a map image as an icon having a different shape, transparency, or changed color. Display above. As a result, the user can easily visually recognize which user is in which place and whether the user is located in the same hierarchy as the user.

  Instead of displaying all the current positions of the terminal devices registered in the group at the same time, the current position information of the terminal devices registered in the group may be displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 9D. FIG. 9D shows a display screen displayed on the display means 218 of the terminal device 20C when the display request of the current position is made from the terminal device 20C possessed by the user C.

  On the screen, a map image (outside of each road and building) corresponding to the position attribute information of the terminal device 20C of the user C is displayed, and the position of the terminal device 20C is further displayed as a star on the road. Further, on the screen, information on the current position of the terminal device registered as a group is displayed in a list. In FIG. 9D, only the user B and the user A are displayed as a list, but when the user scrolls this list, other users registered in the group are also displayed. In FIG. 9D, user B is selected. Therefore, the current position of the terminal device 20B possessed by the user B is displayed as an icon in the XX department store.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when displaying the position of each terminal device on the map image, the position attribute information is different from the position attribute information of the terminal device that has requested display. It is possible to provide an information display system that changes the display method of the terminal device according to the hierarchy. Furthermore, when a plurality of terminal devices are displayed on the same map image, one of the terminal devices is displayed. When selected, the map image of the position attribute information to which the terminal device belongs can be acquired and switched and displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 GPS satellite 20 Terminal device 30 Server 40 Network 210 Control means 211 Current position acquisition means 212 GPS reception means 213 Position attribute signal reception means 214 Current position notification means 215 Group terminal position display request means 216 Map switching display request means 217 Display control means 218 Display means 219 Input means 220 Storage means 310 Control means 311 Display target search means 312 Display target position acquisition means 313 Display map acquisition means 314 Display target database 315 Display target position database 316 Map database

Claims (4)

An information display system configured to include a first terminal device and a second terminal device,
First terminal position acquisition means for acquiring current position and position attribute information of the first terminal device;
Second terminal position acquisition means for acquiring the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device;
The current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device are different from each other on the map image displayed on the display means of the first terminal device according to the position attribute information. display control means that presents in the form of icons,
An information display system comprising: The information display system further includes:
A map database having a map image corresponding to the previous SL location attribute information,
A map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the first terminal device is acquired from the map database and displayed on the display means, and a map image corresponding to the second terminal device displayed on the display means When there is a request, control means for acquiring a map image corresponding to the position attribute information of the second terminal device from the map database and displaying the map image on the display means;
The information display system according to claim 1, further comprising: Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position and position attribute information of the first terminal device;
Terminal location acquisition means for acquiring the current location and location attribute information of the second terminal device;
Icons of different aspects of the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device on the map image displayed on the display means outside the server according to the position attribute information display control means that presents in,
Server configured with. An information display method in an information display system configured to include a first terminal device and a second terminal device ,
(1) a step in which the first terminal position acquisition means acquires the current position and position attribute information of the first terminal device;
(2) a step in which the second terminal position acquisition means acquires the current position and position attribute information of the second terminal device;
(3) The display control means displays the current position of the first terminal device and the current position of the second terminal device on the map image displayed on the display means of the first terminal device. a method that presents a different aspect of the icons from one another according to the position attribute information,
An information display method comprising:

Images