JP6333119B2 - Information terminal and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information terminal including an input device, an output device, a communication device, a positioning device, and a control device, and an information processing system including a support server having a mutual communication function with the information terminal.

  When an icon representing the location of a facility such as a restaurant or a store around the host vehicle is superimposed on the map and displayed on the output device, there is a high probability that the visibility will be reduced due to an excess of display icons. In order to avoid such a situation, a technique for adjusting the number of icons superimposed and displayed on the map by automatically adjusting the scale of the map has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-163738 A

  However, when the scale of the map displayed on the output device is automatically adjusted, there is a high probability that the visibility of information such as the layout of roads and facilities on the map will be reduced.

  Therefore, the present invention aims to improve the visibility of an icon representing the location of a facility that is highly useful to the user regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map while maintaining the visibility of information on the map. An object is to provide a portable information terminal or the like.

An information terminal according to the present invention is an information terminal including an input device, an output device, a positioning device, and a control device, wherein the control device has a current location of the information terminal measured by the positioning device and the input device. A first calculation processing element configured to recognize a plurality of facilities existing around at least one of the designated points through the information, and the information among the plurality of facilities recognized by the first calculation processing element A first icon representing the location of the first facility included in the designated area determined according to at least one of the current location of the terminal and the designated location, and a second icon representing the location of the second facility outside the designated location. and 2 icons, in a visually identifiable form, together with the displays on the output device superimposed on the map scale predetermined display on the output device A requirement that the first icon is selected through the input device and that the current location of the information terminal is included in a first designated area determined according to the location of the first facility. as, example Bei and a second arithmetic processing element that is configured to display the designated image constituting an input interface to the output device in association with the first icon, the first processing element, said specified According to the present invention, it is configured to execute designated calculation processing related to the first facility in response to an input through an input interface constituted by images .

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, the first icon and the second icon are superimposed and displayed on the map in a form that can be distinguished from each other in the output device. The “first icon” is highly likely to represent a facility (first facility) that is highly useful for the user of the information terminal in view of at least one of the current location and the designated location of the information terminal. The scale of the map is determined in advance, and is controlled regardless of the number of icons (one or more first icons and one or more second icons) displayed superimposed thereon. The “predetermined scale” is a concept that includes not only a default scale prepared by the application of the information terminal but also a scale set by the user through the input device. By adopting the scale set last by the user as the “predetermined scale”, it is not necessary to force the user to perform an input operation for returning the map scale to the original. The scale of the map on which the first icon and the second icon are displayed in a superimposed manner may then be changed according to the user's intention through the input device.

  Therefore, while maintaining the visibility of information on the map, it represents the location of a facility that is highly useful to the user in view of at least one of the current position and the designated point regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. The visibility of the icon can be improved. There is no need (or little) for the input operation for changing the scale of the map for easy identification of the first icon and the second icon. For example, even when the density of icons superimposed on a map of a predetermined scale is high, the user can select the first icon from the icons without changing the map scale from “predetermined scale”. It becomes easy to visually recognize selectively.

  Note that the “recognition” of information by the component of the present invention means that the information is received or detected through a sensor, the information is read or searched from a storage device or a database, received, detected or searched, etc. It is a concept including all operations or arithmetic processes for acquiring the information, such as deriving the target information by executing a predetermined arithmetic process on the basic information.

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, on the condition that the first icon is selected through the input device, the designated image is displayed in association with the first icon on the output device. “Association” means a certain relative arrangement relationship such as adjacent images, connection or overlap, or surrounding of one image by another image. And the designation | designated calculation process regarding a 1st plant | facility is performed by the input to the information terminal by the user through the input interface comprised by a designated image. Therefore, the visibility of the first icon representing the location of the first facility can be appropriately improved from the viewpoint of improving the convenience of input for causing the information terminal to execute the designated calculation processing related to the first facility.

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, the first designated image is displayed in the output device in association with the first icon on the condition that the user is in the first designated area together with the information terminal. Therefore, the visibility of the first icon representing the location of the first facility can be appropriately improved from the viewpoint of improving the convenience of input for causing the information terminal to execute the designated calculation processing related to the first facility.

  The first arithmetic processing element according to a correlation between the position of the information terminal measured by the positioning device and the position of the first facility when there is an input through an input interface configured by the designated image. It is preferable that the designated calculation process with different contents is executed.

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, the visibility of the first icon representing the location of the first facility is appropriate from the viewpoint of improving the convenience of input for causing the information terminal to execute the specified calculation processing related to the first facility. Improvement is achieved.

  The first calculation processing element is configured to recognize a route connecting a current point of the information terminal or a starting point as the designated point and a destination point as the designated point, and the second calculation processing element is A first icon representing the location of the first facility included in the designated area as at least a part of the area extending in a strip shape along the route recognized by the first arithmetic processing element; The second icon representing the location of the second facility outside the designated area is displayed in the output device in a form that can be visually identified and superimposed on a predetermined scale map together with the route. It is preferable that

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, the “first icon” is a facility (first facility) that is highly useful for the user of the information terminal in view of the current location and the destination location of the information terminal, and the route connecting the two locations. ) Is highly probable. The scale of the map is determined in advance and is controlled regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. Therefore, while maintaining the visibility of the information on the map, the visibility of the icon representing the location of the facility that is highly useful to the user in view of the route as the guidance index regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map Can be improved.

  The second arithmetic processing element displays the first icon and the second icon on the output device in a form that allows the first icon and the second icon to be visually identified by making the size of the first icon larger than the size of the second icon. It is preferable that it is comprised so that it may make it.

  It is preferable that the second arithmetic processing element is configured to display a single first icon on the output device.

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, even when the density of icons displayed on the output device is high, identification of the first icon from the icons is facilitated.

  An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing system configured by the information terminal and a support server having a mutual communication function with the information terminal, wherein the support server includes the positioning device. Receiving from the information terminal location information representing at least one of the current location of the information terminal and the designated location through the input device, and surrounding the at least one of the current location of the information terminal and the designated location A plurality of facilities existing in the facility are searched, and facility information representing the locations of the plurality of facilities is transmitted to the information terminal.

  According to the information processing system of the first aspect of the present invention, in view of at least one of the current position and the designated point regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map while maintaining the visibility of information on the map. Thus, the visibility of an icon representing the location of a facility that is highly useful to the user can be improved.

  An information processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including an information terminal and a support server having a mutual communication function with the information terminal. Receiving point information representing the current point or departure point and the destination point from the information terminal, searching for a support route connecting the current point or departure point of the information terminal represented by the point information and the destination point; Route information representing at least a part of the support route is transmitted to the information terminal, and the information terminal is predetermined as a route by reproducing the support route based on the route information. It is configured to be displayed on an output device by being superimposed on a scale map.

  According to the information processing system of the second aspect of the present invention, it is useful for the user in view of the route as the guidance index regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map while maintaining the visibility of information on the map. It is possible to improve the visibility of an icon representing the location of a highly functional facility.

1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Functional explanatory diagram of an information processing system as a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing regarding the display form of the output device in 1st Embodiment. Functional explanatory drawing of the information processing system as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing regarding the display form of the output device in 2nd Embodiment. Illustration of the designated area. The illustration of a 1st and 2nd designated area.

(Constitution)
The information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of information terminals 1 and a support server 2 that can communicate with each other via a network. The support server 2 has a mutual communication function with a plurality of facilities or POIs (Point of Interest) or devices existing in the facilities via a network.

  The information terminal 1 is composed of any information terminal such as a tablet-type terminal or a smartphone that is designed in size, shape, and weight so that it can be carried by a user. The information terminal 1 includes an input device 11, an output device 12, a communication device 13, a positioning device 14, and a control device 15.

  The input device 11 is configured by a position input device that constitutes the touch panel 10. The input device 11 may additionally be constituted by a voice input device (microphone). The input device 11 may be configured by a detection device that detects a mode of a user input operation (speech content or gesture) by a non-contact method such as an imaging device. The output device 12 is constituted by a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL constituting the touch panel 10. The output device 12 may additionally be constituted by an audio output device (speaker). The information terminal 1 has a function of transmitting / receiving various types of information to / from the support server 2 and each facility through the communication device 13. The positioning device 14 includes a GPS and a gyro sensor as necessary, and the information terminal 1 has a function of positioning the current point (latitude and longitude).

  The control device 15 is configured by a computer (comprising an arithmetic processing device and a storage device). The control device 15 includes a first arithmetic processing element 151 and a second arithmetic processing element 152 that are configured to execute arithmetic processing described later.

  In addition to the server communication device 20, the support server 2 includes a first server arithmetic processing element 21 and a second server arithmetic processing element 22 configured to execute arithmetic processing described later. The support server 2 has a function of transmitting / receiving various types of information to / from the information terminal 1 and each facility (to be precise, a computer having a communication function included in or present) by the server communication device 20.

  The constituent elements of the present invention are configured to execute information arithmetic processing when the arithmetic processing device that is a constituent element of the control device reads an app and necessary information from a storage device (memory) and Therefore, it means that the information calculation processing is designed or programmed.

  The support server 2 may be composed of a plurality of servers that can communicate with each other. Part or all of the support server 2 may be configured by a device (such as an electronic control unit or a computer) mounted on the vehicle.

(Function (first embodiment))
The function of the information processing system as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An application (software) such as a navigation application installed in the information terminal 1 is activated in response to an input in a predetermined mode through the input device 11 (FIG. 2 / STEP 102). In response to this, the first calculation processing element 151 transmits “point information” representing the current point P1 of the information terminal 1 to the support server 2 (FIG. 2 / arrow X11).

  After the application is activated, point information representing the positioning point P1 at that time may be transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2 according to one or a plurality of trigger actions such as an operation through the touch panel 10.

  The facility is searched from the server storage device according to the “point information” by the first server calculation processing element 21 (FIG. 2 / STEP 202). For example, a facility existing in a certain range based on the current point P1 of the information terminal 1 represented by the point information is searched from the facility population. The server storage device stores one or more longitudes and latitudes representing points of each facility.

  Note that category information indicating the category of the facility to be searched may be transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2, and the facility belonging to the category may be searched by the first server calculation processing element 21.

  The first server computation processing element 21 transmits “facility information” representing the locations of the searched plural facilities to the information terminal 1 (FIG. 2 / arrow X12). The facility information includes one or a plurality of longitudes and latitudes representing points of each facility.

  The facility information is received by the first arithmetic processing element 151, and is included in the designated area S0 determined according to the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 among the plurality of facilities represented by the facility information by the second arithmetic processing element 152. The “first facility” is discriminated from the “second facility” outside the designated area S0 (FIG. 2 / STEP 104). As the designated area S0, for example, a circular area as shown in FIG. 6 (a) having a radius of about several tens to several hundreds of meters centered on the current point P1 of the information terminal 1 or the same side length. A rectangular region as shown in FIG.

  The discrimination between the first facility and the second facility may be executed by the support server 2 (first server arithmetic processing element 21), and the discrimination result may be transmitted from the support server 2 to the information terminal 1.

  The second arithmetic processing element 152 displays a map of a predetermined scale on the output device 12, and a plurality of icons representing the locations of the first facility and the second facility are superimposed on the map (FIG. 2). / STEP 106). Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a map is displayed on the output device 12, and the current location P1, the first icon M1, and the second icon M2 of the information terminal 1 are superimposed on the map. Is displayed.

  As the predetermined scale, for example, the default scale of the application is adopted, but when the user changes the scale immediately after the application is activated, the latest scale after the change is adopted. Good. The map is stored in a storage device that constitutes the information terminal 1.

  At this time, a “first icon” representing the location of the first facility and a “second icon” representing the location of the second facility are displayed on the output device 12 in a visually identifiable form. In addition to a static design represented by a color, shape (including size) or pattern or a combination thereof, a dynamic design whose color changes in a time-series manner is differentiated, so that the first icon and A second icon can be visually identified. In the example of FIG. 3A, although the single first icon M1 and the plurality of second icons M2 are both substantially teardrop-shaped, the size of the first icon M1 is displayed larger than the size of the second icon M2. Thus, the first icon M1 and the second icon M2 can be visually identified.

  The second arithmetic processing element 152 determines whether or not the first icon M1 has been selected (FIG. 2 / STEP 108). For example, when the touch panel 10 is tapped at the display position of the first icon M1, the first icon M1 is selected. If the first icon M1 is not selected (FIG. 2 / STEP108... NO), it is determined whether or not the application operation has ended. If the application operation continues, whether or not the first icon M1 has been selected continues. It is determined (FIG. 2 / STEP 108). When the first icon M1 is selected (FIG. 2 / STEP108... YES), the second calculation processing element 152 causes the “first facility information” representing the first facility represented by the first icon M1 to be sent to the support server 2. (FIG. 2 / arrow X13).

  The first server calculation processing element 21 specifies the facility represented by the first facility information (FIG. 2 / STEP 204) and transmits an “output information request” to the facility (FIG. 2 / arrow X14). The corresponding facility designates output information accordingly (FIG. 2 / STEP 302), and transmits the designated output information to the support server 2 (FIG. 2 / arrow X15). The designated output information is transmitted to the information terminal 1 by the first server arithmetic processing element 21 (FIG. 2 / arrow X16).

  The second calculation processing element 152 determines whether or not the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the “first designated area S1” determined according to the position of the first facility (FIG. 2 / STEP 110). As the first designated area S1, for example, a site of the first facility or a neighboring area spreading on the basis thereof is adopted. If the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is out of the first designated area S1 (FIG. 2 / STEP 110... NO), it is determined whether or not the application operation has ended, and if the application operation continues, the information terminal 1 It is continuously determined whether or not the current location P1 is included in the first designated area S1 (FIG. 2 / STEP110).

  When it is determined that the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the first designated area S1 (FIG. 2 / STEP110... YES), the “designated image W” corresponding to the designated output information is associated with the first icon M1. And displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 111). The designated image W is an image constituting an input interface for causing the information terminal 1 to execute “designated calculation processing” related to the first facility. A message representing the contents of the service or event at the first facility may be included in the designated image.

  As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the designated image W ballooned from the first icon M1 is displayed on the output device 12. The designated image W includes a message for inquiring whether or not the first facility (XX parking lot) is used or not, and two buttons for selecting affirmative (yes) and negative (no) according to the message. ing. The two buttons constitute an input interface.

  Note that when the designated area S0, which is the discrimination criterion for the first facility and the second facility, and the first designated area S1 at least partially overlap or are close to each other, the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is the first location. The determination of whether or not it is included in the designated area S1 (see FIG. 2 / STEP 110) is omitted, and the designated image W is unconditionally sent to the output device 12 in accordance with the selection of the first icon (see FIG. 2 / STEP 108). May be displayed.

  The first arithmetic processing element 151 determines whether or not there is an input through the input interface constituted by the designated image W (FIG. 2 / STEP 112). In the example of FIG. 3B, a tap on the touch panel 10 in the “Yes” button or the “No” button corresponds to the input. When it is determined that the input has been made (FIG. 2 / STEP 112... YES), the first calculation processing element 151 executes a specified calculation process corresponding to the presence or absence of the input or the content (FIG. 2 / STEP 114). The designated calculation process may be a calculation process involving mutual communication with the first facility, or may be a calculation process not involving the mutual communication. The designated calculation process may be a calculation process based on the designated output information that has been received. The contents of the designated calculation process may be differentiated according to the positioning point P1 of the information terminal 1 at the time of the input.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 3B, if “Yes” is selected, the electronic money of the information terminal 1 is obtained through direct mutual communication with the first facility or through the support server 2. Designated calculation processing for payment of a consideration (parking fee) associated with the use of the facility (parking lot) is executed. On the other hand, when “No” is selected, the history of the information terminal 1 existing in the first designated area is transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2, and the history is stored in the server storage device in a cumulative manner. Is done. The selected button may be displayed such that the color or shape is at least temporarily differentiated from the non-selected button.

  The contents of the designated image W (see FIG. 3B) constituting the input interface may be variously changed according to the contents of the corresponding designated calculation process. For example, when the designated calculation processing includes menu selection, a pull-down menu including a plurality of menus may be included in the designated image. In the case where the corresponding designated calculation processing includes charging and payment of electronic money, in addition to a plurality of numeric buttons “0” to “9” for inputting the amount, “Yes” button and “No” for confirming settlement A button may be included in the designated image.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no input (FIG. 2 / STEP 112... NO), it is determined by the first arithmetic processing element 151 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the designated image was displayed on the output device 12. (FIG. 2 / STEP 116). When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (FIG. 2 / STEP 116... NO), the presence / absence of input through the input interface constituted by the designated image is continuously determined (FIG. 2 / STEP 112). On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has passed (FIG. 2 / STEP 116... YES), the designated image is erased or hidden from the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 118), and it is determined whether or not the operation of the application has ended. When the operation of the application continues, the process after the transmission of the point information (FIG. 2 / arrow X11) is repeated.

(Operational effect (first embodiment))
According to the information processing system as the first embodiment of the present invention, the first icon M1 and the second icon M2 are superimposed and displayed on the map in a form that can be distinguished from each other in the output device 12 (see FIG. 3A). ). On the condition that the first icon M1 is selected through the input device 11, the designated image W is displayed on the output device 12 in association with the first icon M1 (see FIG. 3B). And the designation | designated calculation process regarding a 1st plant | facility is performed by the input to the information terminal 1 by the user through the input interface comprised by the designation | designated image W (refer FIG. 2 / STEP114).

  The first icon M1 has a high probability of representing a facility (first facility) that is highly useful for the user of the information terminal 1 in view of the current point P1 of the information terminal 1. The scale of the map is determined in advance and is controlled regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. By adopting the scale set last by the user as the “predetermined scale”, it is not necessary to force the user to perform an input operation for returning the map scale to the original.

  Therefore, while maintaining the visibility of information on the map, the first icon M1 representing the location of the facility that is highly useful for the user in view of the current position P1 regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. In addition, it is possible to improve the convenience of input for causing the information terminal 1 to execute the designated calculation process related to the first facility. There is no need (or almost no) input operation for changing the scale of the map for easy identification of the first icon M1 and the second icon M2.

(Function (second embodiment))
The function of the information processing system as the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An application (software) such as a navigation application installed in the information terminal 1 is activated in response to an input in a predetermined mode through the input device 11 (FIG. 4 / STEP 120). In response to this, a map is displayed on the output device 12, and the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is superimposed on the map (see FIG. 5A).

  The first arithmetic processing element 151 determines whether or not the destination point is set (FIG. 4 / STEP 122). For example, when an arbitrary place on the map is tapped on the touch panel 10, it is confirmed that a point (destination point candidate) corresponding to the tapped place is set as the destination point as shown in FIG. In addition to a message to the effect (do you want to set it as a destination point), an image W0 including intention display buttons “Yes” and “No” is displayed on the output device 12. Then, when “Yes” is selected by tapping the corresponding part of the touch panel 10 or by voice input, the point is set as the destination point P2. Also in the second embodiment, the button selected in the same manner as in the first embodiment may be displayed so that the color or shape is at least temporarily differentiated from the non-selected button.

  In addition, the intention confirmation accompanied with button operation may be abbreviate | omitted, and the point corresponding to the tapped location may be set as the destination point P2 as it is. The destination point P2 or its candidate may be set based on the place name or facility name recognized from the input voice to the information terminal 1.

  If it is determined that the destination point has not been set (FIG. 4 / STEP 122... NO), it is determined whether or not the application operation has ended. If the application operation continues, it is determined whether or not the destination point has been set. (FIG. 4 / STEP 122). When it is determined that the destination point has been set (FIG. 2 / STEP 122... YES), the first calculation processing element 151 supports the destination point P2 and “point information” representing the current point P1 of the information terminal 1 at the time of setting. It is transmitted to the server 2 (FIG. 4 / arrow X20).

  The facility is searched from the server storage device according to the “point information” by the first server calculation processing element 21 (FIG. 4 / STEP 222). For example, a facility existing in a certain range based on at least one of the current point P1 and the destination point P2 of the information terminal 1 represented by the point information is searched from the facility population. The server storage device stores one or more longitudes and latitudes representing points of each facility.

  Note that category information indicating the category of the facility to be searched may be transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2, and the facility belonging to the category may be searched by the first server calculation processing element 21.

  The server route connecting the current point P1 and the destination point P2 represented by the point information is searched for by the second server calculation processing element 22 (FIG. 4 / STEP 224). When searching for a server route, in addition to the server map stored in the server storage device, the latest road traffic information acquired from an external server is used as necessary.

  “Facility information” indicating the location of the searched plurality of facilities is transmitted to the information terminal 1 by the first server computation processing element 21, and at least a part of the server route is transmitted by the second server computation processing element 22. Is transmitted to the information terminal 1 (FIG. 4 / arrow X21). The facility information includes one or a plurality of longitudes and latitudes representing points of each facility. The route information includes a link identifier for identifying a plurality of links or road elements constituting at least a part of the server route. The route information may include longitude and latitude of a plurality of points on the server route.

  Route information is received by the first arithmetic processing element 151, and a route connecting the current point P1 and the destination point P2 of the information terminal 1 is searched based on the route information by the second arithmetic processing element 152 (FIG. 4 / STEP123). ). For example, a map stored in the storage device is used, and a route including a plurality of links identified by link identifiers included in the route information is searched. This route may not be exactly the same as the server route. Each link constituting the road in the map can be identified by a link identifier having a common or constant correlation with the server route.

  Facility information is received by the first arithmetic processing element 151, and a designated area determined by the second arithmetic processing element 152 according to at least one of the current location P1 and the destination location P2 among the plurality of facilities represented by the facility information The “first facility” included in S0 is discriminated from the “second facility” outside the designated area S0 (FIG. 4 / STEP124). As the designated area S0, for example, as indicated by hatching in FIG. 6 (c) or 6 (d), a belt-like shape extending along the route R and having a width of about several tens to several hundreds of meters. A part of the region (see the lattice location) is adopted. A rectangular region having a radius of about several tens to several hundreds of meters or having a similar side length, centered on one or both of the current point P1 and the destination point P2 of the information terminal 1 The area may be adopted as the designated area S0 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

  The discrimination between the first facility and the second facility may be executed by the support server 2 (first server arithmetic processing element 21), and the discrimination result may be transmitted from the support server 2 to the information terminal 1.

  In the area extending along the route R, when the intermediate portion between the current point P1 and the destination point P2 of the information terminal 1 is defined as the designated area S0, the user of the information terminal 1 moves according to the route R. A facility that can be visited on the way is determined as the first facility.

  The second arithmetic processing element 152 displays a map of a predetermined scale on the output device 12, and in addition to the route R, a plurality of icons M representing the locations of the first facility and the second facility are displayed on the map. It is displayed in a superimposed manner (FIG. 4 / STEP 126). Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the output device 12, in addition to the current point P1, the destination point P2 of the information terminal 1, and the route R connecting them, the first icon M1 and the second icon An icon M2 is superimposed on the map.

  As the predetermined scale, for example, the default scale of the application is adopted, but when the user changes the scale immediately after the application is activated, the latest scale after the change is adopted. Good.

  At this time, a “first icon” representing the location of the first facility and a “second icon” representing the location of the second facility are displayed on the output device 12 in a visually identifiable form. In addition to a static design represented by a color, shape (including size) or pattern or a combination thereof, a dynamic design whose color changes in a time-series manner is differentiated, so that the first icon and A second icon can be visually identified. In the example of FIG. 5B, both the single first icon M1 and the plurality of second icons M2 have a substantially teardrop shape, but the size of the first icon M1 is displayed larger than the size of the second icon M2. Thus, the first icon M1 and the second icon M2 can be visually identified.

  The second arithmetic processing element 152 determines whether or not the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the “first designated area S1” determined according to the position of the first facility (FIG. 4 / STEP 128). As the first designated area S1, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, an annular area that exceeds the first designated distance D1 and is equal to or less than the second designated distance D2 with respect to the first facility is employed. The first designated distance D1 may be smaller than the deviation D2-D1 between the first designated distance D1 and the second designated distance D2 (for example, 1/10 or less). The second designated distance D2 may be a distance that is predicted based on traffic information so that the estimated required time until the user of the information terminal 1 arrives at the first facility is less than a certain time (for example, 30 minutes). .

  When the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is out of the first designated area S1 (FIG. 4 / STEP128... NO), it is determined whether or not the application operation has ended, and if the application operation continues, the information terminal 1 It is continuously determined whether or not the current location P1 is included in the first designated area S1 (FIG. 4 / STEP128). When it is determined that the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the first designated area S1 (FIG. 4 / STEP128... YES), the first facility represented by the first icon M1 by the second arithmetic processing element 152 “First facility information” is transmitted to the support server 2 (FIG. 4 / arrow X22).

  The first server computing element 21 identifies the facility represented by the first facility information (FIG. 4 / STEP 226), and a “first output information request” is transmitted to the facility (FIG. 4 / arrow X23). . In response, the facility designates the first output information (FIG. 4 / STEP 322), and transmits this first designated output information to the support server 2 (FIG. 4 / arrow X24). This first designated output information is transmitted to the information terminal 1 by the first server arithmetic processing element 21 (FIG. 4 / arrow X25).

  The second calculation processing element 152 displays the “first designated image W1” corresponding to the first designated output information on the output device 12 in association with the first icon M1 (FIG. 4 / STEP 130). The first designated image W1 is an image constituting an input interface for causing the information terminal 1 to execute the “first designated calculation process” related to the first facility. A message indicating the contents of the service or event in the first facility may be included in the first designated image W1.

  As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first designated image W1 ballooned from the first icon M1 is displayed on the output device 12. In the first designated image W1, a message for inquiring whether or not the first facility (XX restaurant) needs to be reserved or whether or not there is a future use schedule, and affirmative (yes) and negative (no) corresponding to this message are selected. The two buttons are included. The two buttons constitute an input interface.

  The first arithmetic processing element 151 determines whether or not there is an input through the input interface constituted by the first designated image W1 (FIG. 4 / STEP 132). In the example of FIG. 5C, a tap on the touch panel 10 in the “Yes” button or the “No” button corresponds to the input. When it is determined that the input has been made (FIG. 4 / STEP132... YES), the first calculation processing element 151 executes a first designated calculation process corresponding to the presence or content of the input (FIG. 4 / STEP134). The first designated calculation process may be a calculation process involving mutual communication with the first facility, or may be a calculation process not involving the mutual communication. The first designation calculation process may be a calculation process based on the first designation output information that has been received.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 5C, when “Yes” is selected, for the service reservation of the first facility through direct mutual communication with the first facility or through the support server 2. The first designated calculation process is executed. On the other hand, when “No” is selected, a history or the like that the information terminal 1 exists in the first designated area S1 is transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2, and the history or the like is accumulated in the server storage device. Saved.

  The contents of the first designated image W1 (see FIG. 5C) constituting the input interface may be variously changed according to the contents of the first designated calculation process. For example, when the first designated calculation process includes detailed information display of a service or event in the first facility, a button for requesting the detailed information may be included in the first designated image W1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no such input (FIG. 4 / STEP 132... NO), the first predetermined time is displayed without any input after the first designated processing element 151 displays the first designated image W1 on the output device 12. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP 138). If it is determined that the first predetermined time has not elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP138... NO), it is continuously determined whether there is an input through the input interface constituted by the first designated image W1 (FIG. 4 / (STEP 132). On the other hand, when it is determined that the first predetermined time has elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP138... YES), the first designated image W1 is erased or hidden from the output device 12 (FIG. 4 / STEP140), and the operation of the application is performed. Whether or not to end is determined, and if the operation of the application continues, it is determined whether or not the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the second designated area S2 (FIG. 4 / STEP 136).

  After execution of the first designated calculation process (see FIG. 4 / SSTEP 134), the second calculation processing element 152 includes the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 in the “second designated area S2” determined according to the position of the first facility. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (FIG. 4 / STEP 136). As the second designated area S2, for example, a circular area that is equal to or less than the first designated distance D1 with respect to the first facility as shown in FIG. 7 is employed. When the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is out of the second designated area S2 (FIG. 4 / STEP 136... NO), it is determined whether or not the application operation has ended, and if the application operation continues, the information terminal 1 It is continuously determined whether or not the current location P1 is included in the second designated area S2 (FIG. 4 / STEP 136).

  When it is determined that the current location P1 of the information terminal 1 is included in the second designated area S2 (FIG. 4 / STEP136... YES), the first facility represented by the first icon M1 by the second arithmetic processing element 152 “First facility information” is transmitted to the support server 2 (FIG. 4 / arrow X26).

  The first server calculation processing element 21 specifies the facility represented by the first facility information (FIG. 4 / STEP 228), and transmits the “second output information request” to the facility (FIG. 4 / arrow X27). . The corresponding facility designates the second output information accordingly (FIG. 4 / STEP 324), and transmits this second designated output information to the support server 2 (FIG. 4 / arrow X28). The second designated output information is transmitted to the information terminal 1 by the first server arithmetic processing element 21 (FIG. 4 / arrow X29).

  The “second designated image W2” corresponding to the second designated output information is displayed on the output device 12 in association with the first icon M1 by the second arithmetic processing element 152 (FIG. 4 / STEP 142). The second designated image W2 is an image constituting an input interface for causing the information terminal 1 to execute the “second designated calculation process” related to the first facility. A message indicating the contents of the service or event at the first facility may be included in the second designated image W2.

  As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 5D, the second designated image W2 ballooned from the first icon M1 is displayed on the output device 12. The second designated image W2 includes a message for inquiring whether or not the menu of the first facility (XX restaurant) is necessary, and two buttons for selecting affirmative (yes) and negative (no) according to this message. Yes. The two buttons constitute an input interface.

  The first arithmetic processing element 151 determines whether or not there is an input through the input interface constituted by the second designated image W2 (FIG. 4 / STEP 144). In the example of FIG. 5D, a tap on the touch panel 10 in the “Yes” button or the “No” button corresponds to the input. When it is determined that the input has been made (FIG. 4 / STEP 144... YES), the first calculation processing element 151 executes the second designation calculation process according to the presence or content of the input (FIG. 4 / STEP 146). The second designated calculation process may be a calculation process involving mutual communication with the first facility, or may be a calculation process not involving the mutual communication. The second designation calculation process may be a calculation process based on the first designation output information or the second designation output information that has already been received.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 5D, when “Yes” is selected, the menu display of the first facility is performed through direct mutual communication with the first facility or through the support server 2, and In the menu, a second selection calculation process is performed to select a menu from the menu by the user and, if necessary, for payment by electronic money for a dish of the selected menu. On the other hand, when “No” is selected, the history etc. that the information terminal 1 existed in the second designated area S2 is transmitted from the information terminal 1 to the support server 2, and the history etc. is accumulated in the server storage device. Saved.

  The contents of the second designated image W2 (see FIG. 5D) constituting the input interface may be variously changed according to the contents of the second designated calculation process. For example, when the second designation calculation process includes menu selection, the second designation image W2 may include a pull-down menu including a plurality of menus or an image representing the contents of each menu and a selection button. When the second designated calculation process includes charging of electronic money and payment thereof, in addition to a plurality of numeric buttons “0” to “9” for inputting an amount, a “Yes” button for confirming payment and “No” "Button may be included in the second designated image W2.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no such input (FIG. 4 / STEP 144... NO), the second predetermined time is displayed without any input after the first calculation processing element 151 displays the second designated image W2 on the output device 12. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP 148). If it is determined that the second predetermined time has not elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP 148... NO), the presence / absence of input through the input interface constituted by the second designated image W2 is continuously determined (FIG. 4 / (STEP 144). On the other hand, if it is determined that the second predetermined time has elapsed (FIG. 4 / STEP 148... YES), the second designated image W2 is erased or hidden from the output device 12 (FIG. 4 / STEP 150), and the operation of the application is performed. When the presence / absence of the end is determined and the operation of the application continues, the process after the determination of the presence / absence of the destination point setting (FIG. 4 / STEP 122) is repeated.

(Operational effect (second embodiment))
According to the information processing system as the second embodiment of the present invention, the first icon M1 and the second icon M2 are superimposed and displayed on the map in a form that can be distinguished from each other in the output device 12 (see FIG. 5B). ). On condition that the first icon M1 is selected through the input device 11, the output device 12 displays the first designated image W1 and the second designated image W2 in association with the first icon M1 (FIG. 5 (c). (See (d)). And each of the 1st designation | designated calculation process regarding a 1st facility and the 2nd designation | designated calculation process by the input to the information terminal 1 by the user through the input interface comprised by each of 1st designation | designated image W1 and 2nd designation | designated image W2 It is executed (see FIG. 4 / STEP 134 and STEP 146).

  The first icon M1 has a high probability of representing a facility (first facility) that is highly useful for the user of the information terminal 1 in view of the current point P1 of the information terminal 1. The scale of the map is determined in advance and is controlled regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. By adopting the scale set last by the user as the “predetermined scale”, it is not necessary to force the user to perform an input operation for returning the map scale to the original.

  Therefore, while maintaining the visibility of information on the map, the first icon M1 representing the location of the facility that is highly useful for the user in view of the current position P1 regardless of the number of icons superimposed on the map. In addition, it is possible to improve convenience and improve convenience of input for causing the information terminal 1 to execute the specified calculation processing related to the first facility. There is no need (or almost no) input operation for changing the scale of the map for easy identification of the first icon M1 and the second icon M2.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In the first or second embodiment, a plurality of (for example, 2 to 10) first icons M1 representing the locations of the plurality of first facilities may be displayed.

  In the first embodiment, use of at least some of the functions of the support server 2 may be omitted. The corresponding facility may be searched from among a plurality of facilities stored in the storage device by the first arithmetic processing element 151 (see FIG. 2 / STEP 202). The output information request may be transmitted directly from the information terminal 1 (without going through the support server 2) to the first facility (FIG. 2 / arrow X14). When the designated output information is stored in the storage device of the information terminal 1, communication for obtaining the designated output information may be omitted (see FIG. 2 / arrows X13 to X16).

  In the second embodiment, use of at least some of the functions of the support server 2 may be omitted. The corresponding facility may be searched from among a plurality of facilities stored in the storage device by the first arithmetic processing element 151 (see FIG. 4 / STEP 222). The route R connecting the current point P1 and the destination point P2 may be searched based on the map stored in the storage device by the second arithmetic processing element 152 (see FIG. 4 / STEP 224 and FIG. 5B). One or both of the first output information request and the second output information request may be directly transmitted from the information terminal 1 (without going through the support server 2) to the first facility (FIG. 4 / arrow X23). And X27). When the first designated output information is stored in the storage device of the information terminal 1, the communication for obtaining the first designated output information may be omitted (see FIG. 4 / arrows X22 to X25). When the second designated output information is stored in the storage device of the information terminal 1, communication for obtaining the second designated output information may be omitted (see FIG. 4 / arrows X26 to X29).

  In the first embodiment, both the selection of the first icon M1 and the inclusion of the current location P1 in the designated area S0 are the display requirements for the designated image W (FIG. 2 / STEPs 108 and 110 and FIG. 2). 3 (b)), only that the current location P1 is included in the designated area S0 may be a display requirement for the designated image W.

  In the second embodiment, the display requirement of the first designated image W1 is that the current location P1 is included in the first designated area S1 (see FIG. 4 / STEP 128 and FIG. 5C), but additional or Alternatively, selection of the first icon M1 may be a display requirement for the first designated image W1. Although the display requirement of the second designated image W2 is that the current location P1 is included in the second designated area S2 (see FIG. 4 / STEP 136 and FIG. 5D), the first icon is additionally or alternatively. Selection of M1 may be a display requirement for the second designated image W2.

  Regarding the second facility represented by the second icon M2 selected from among the plurality of second icons M2 displayed on the output device 12, the same designated calculation processing, first calculation processing and The second calculation process may be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information terminal, 2 ... Support server, 11 ... Input device, 12 ... Output device 125 ... Control device, 151 ... 1st arithmetic processing element, 152 ... 2nd arithmetic processing element.

Claims (7)

An information terminal comprising an input device, an output device, a positioning device and a control device,
The control device is
A first arithmetic processing element configured to recognize a plurality of facilities existing around at least one of a current location of the information terminal measured by the positioning device and a designated location through the input device;
A first representing the location of the first facility included in the designated area determined according to at least one of the current location of the information terminal and the designated location among the plurality of facilities recognized by the first arithmetic processing element. The icon and the second icon representing the location of the second facility that is out of the designated area are visually identifiable in a form that is superimposed on a predetermined scale map and displayed on the output device , In the first designated area where the first icon is selected through the input device among the plurality of icons displayed on the output device, and the current location of the information terminal is determined according to the location of the first facility. It is necessary that the designated image constituting the input interface is displayed on the output device in association with the first icon. A second arithmetic processing element is, the Bei example,
The information terminal, wherein the first calculation processing element is configured to execute a specified calculation process related to the first facility in response to an input through an input interface including the specified image . The information terminal according to claim 1,
The first arithmetic processing element according to a correlation between the position of the information terminal measured by the positioning device and the position of the first facility when there is an input through an input interface configured by the designated image. An information terminal configured to execute designated calculation processing with different contents . In the information terminal according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The first arithmetic processing element is configured to recognize a route connecting a current point of the information terminal or a starting point as the designated point and a destination point as the designated point;
The location of the first facility included in the designated area as at least a part of the area extending in a strip shape along the route recognized by the first arithmetic processing element is the second arithmetic processing element. The first icon to be displayed and the second icon representing the location of the second facility that is out of the designated area are visually identifiable and superimposed on a predetermined scale map together with the route. An information terminal configured to be displayed on a device. In the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The second arithmetic processing element displays the first icon and the second icon on the output device in a form that allows the first icon and the second icon to be visually identified by making the size of the first icon larger than the size of the second icon. An information terminal characterized by being configured to cause In the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The information terminal, wherein the second arithmetic processing element is configured to display a single first icon on the output device . An information processing system comprising the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a support server having a mutual communication function with the information terminal,
The support server receives from the information terminal point information representing at least one of a current point of the information terminal measured by the positioning device and a designated point through the input device,
It is configured to search for a plurality of facilities existing around at least one of the current location and the designated location of the information terminal, and transmit facility information representing the location of the plurality of facilities to the information terminal. An information processing system characterized by An information processing system comprising the information terminal according to claim 3 and a support server having a mutual communication function with the information terminal,
The support server receives point information representing the current point or departure point of the information terminal and a destination point from the information terminal,
Searching for a support route connecting the current location or departure point of the information terminal represented by the location information and the destination location, and transmitting route information representing at least a part of the support route to the information terminal Configured,
The information terminal is configured to superimpose a result of reproducing the support route based on the route information on a map of a predetermined scale as a route and to display the result on an output device. system.