JP2000194714A - Browser device and storage medium stored with browser program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To directly read out a home page by designating a map mark on a map by registering the home page to be made correspond to the place on the map. SOLUTION: In this browser device 10 provided with map mark function, the information of a place related to the downloaded home page and the kind of contents of the home page are retrieved and a mark corresponding to the kind of the home page is displayed at a position corresponding to the retrieved information of the place while adding the mark on the map by executing a browser program 30 stored in a program storage area 27 of a memory 26 through a CPU 20. In this case, the information (such as URL address) related to the downloaded home page is registered to be made correspond to the mark to be displayed on the map.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a browser device for displaying a homepage downloaded via a network, and a storage medium storing a browser program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet has been widely used, and by using a WWW (World Wide Web) browser, a homepage (WWW) registered on a WWW server located all over the world connected via a network.
eb page is generically referred to) and can be displayed on the screen.

In a WWW browser (hereinafter simply referred to as a browser), simply specifying a position (jump command position) at which a link to another page in a home page is set, the page at which the link is set is immediately browsed by the browser. It can be displayed on the screen. By performing this operation one after another, so-called net surfing can be realized.

In general browsers, when surfing the homepage, register a URL (uniform resource locator) address of a page that the user likes, and thereafter directly specify the URL address by specifying this URL address. There is a registration function that can jump to the homepage.

[0005] However, if the number of registrations increases, it becomes difficult to search for a desired URL address from among them. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to consciously manage such as categorizing and registering.

[0006] By the way, homepages often contain information about places. For example, a homepage that introduces restaurants includes information on the location of the restaurant. For this reason, in recent years, an information search system (search engine) for searching resources on the Internet has begun to provide a service that can search a homepage by linking to a position on a map. Here, a mark indicating the content of the homepage is attached on the map, and by specifying this mark, a homepage linked to the marked position is displayed.

[0007]

However, in the conventional browser, even if the above-described information retrieval system is used, it is only possible to designate a mark provided on a map prepared in advance by the system. The homepage that can be specified by this method was limited.

[0008] Therefore, even if the user registers as a frequently downloaded homepage by the registration function, it is not possible to directly download and display an arbitrary homepage desired by the user by designating the map.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a browser apparatus which can register a homepage in association with a location on a map and can directly read out the homepage by instructing the map, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium storing a browser program for realizing a browser device.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a browser apparatus for displaying homepage information downloaded via a network, a location determining means for determining location information based on the downloaded homepage information, and a downloaded homepage information. A type judging means for judging the type of the content of the information, and a mark corresponding to the type judged by the type judging means is added to the map at a position on the map according to the information of the place judged by the place judging means. And a registration means for registering the information on the downloaded homepage in association with the mark on the map displayed by the map display means.

In other words, the location information and the type of content are determined from the downloaded home page and can be displayed by a mark on the map, and the information on the downloaded home page (URL address or the like) is associated with the mark on the map. ) Can be registered. Therefore, by specifying the mark displayed on the map, the information for downloading the homepage can be obtained, and thereby the homepage can be directly downloaded by specifying the map.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a browser device 10 having a map mark function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Browser device 10 with map mark function
Is constituted by a computer which reads programs recorded on various storage media and whose operation is controlled by the read programs.

The browser device 10 with a map mark function is connected to another computer 14, for example, a server device that provides a home page, via a network 12 such as the Internet, and downloads and displays an arbitrarily specified home page. be able to. In addition, the browser device 10 with a map mark function searches the downloaded homepage for a location related to the homepage and the type of content disclosed by the homepage,
Information related to the mark displayed on the map, the homepage, and the mark displayed on the map,
For example, it can be registered in association with a URL (uniform resource locator) address.

As shown in FIG. 1, the browser device 10 with a map mark function includes an input unit 21 and a display unit 2 as shown in FIG.
2, communication unit 23, storage medium reading unit 24, and memory 26
And are interconnected.

The CPU 20 controls the overall operation of the browser device 10 with a map mark function, and executes various processes by executing a program stored in the memory 26. The CPU 20 executes the browser program to download and display the homepage according to an arbitrary specification via the network 12, and displays a mark corresponding to the location and the type of the content searched from the homepage on a map. Thus, a browser process for registering the mark on the map in association with the information on the homepage can be executed.

The input unit 21 includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and is used to input data and various instructions.

The display unit 22 is for displaying various kinds of information, and displays a homepage downloaded by executing a browser program, a map to which a mark associated with information related to the homepage is added, and the like.

The communication unit 23 controls communication with another computer 14 via the network 12 under the control of the CPU 20.

The storage medium reading unit 24 has a storage medium 25 in which programs, data, and the like are recorded in advance.
This storage medium 25 is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 25 is fixedly provided in the recording medium reading unit 24 or is detachably mounted. The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 25 may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device having a storage medium may be provided on another device side, and the program and data stored in the storage medium may be used via a communication line.

The memory 26 stores information on programs and data accessed by the CPU 20, and is provided with a program storage area 27 and a data storage area 28 as necessary.

FIG. 2 shows details of information stored in the memory 26. As shown in FIG. 2A, the program storage area 27 stores, for example, a browser program 30 that implements a browser process capable of registering a downloaded homepage in association with a mark on a map.

The data storage area 28 stores various data used when executing the browser processing, that is, the browser program 30, the URL address 32 of the page at the start, the URL address 33 of the current page, and the map image data 34. (Japan map data 341, map data by prefecture 342), place name / map image position data table 36 (prefecture name table 361, municipal name table 3)
62), a mark / keyword table 38, a registered map mark table 40, various flags 42, and homepage data 43 are stored.

URL address of page at start 32
Stores a preset URL address of a home page to be downloaded and displayed first when the browser program 30 is activated.

The URL address 33 of the current page stores the URL address of the home page currently being displayed.

The map image data 34 is data for displaying a map, and includes Japan map data 341 for displaying the whole of Japan and map data 342 for each prefecture for displaying a map for each prefecture. Have been. In FIG.
An example of a map displayed based on the map image data 34 is shown. FIG. 3A is a Japanese map displayed based on the Japanese map data 341, and each position on the map can be indicated by a coordinate point in the XY coordinate system. FIG.
(B) is a map of, for example, Tokyo, displayed based on the map data 342 for each prefecture.
Each position on the map can be indicated by a coordinate point in the coordinate system.

Place name / map image position data table 36
Is data referred to for searching for a place related to the homepage from the downloaded homepage, and includes a place name and coordinates indicating a reference position on a map displayed based on the map image data 34 corresponding to the place name. Values are registered in association with each other. The place name / map image position data table 36 includes a prefecture name table 361 in which the place names and coordinate values of each prefecture are registered, and a municipal name table 362 in which each municipal name and coordinate values within each prefecture are registered. include. FIG. 4A shows a prefecture name table 3
61 shows an example, and FIG. 4B shows an example of a municipal name table 362 in Tokyo. Each data of the prefecture name table 361 is indicated by a prefecture number. For example, the data of "Hokkaido" is referred to by prefecture number 1 and the data of "Aomori" is referred to by prefecture number 2. Similarly, each data of the municipal name table 362 is indicated by the municipal number. For example, in the example of “Tokyo” shown in FIG.
The data of “Tokyo” is referred to by municipal number 1, and the data of “Mitaka” is referred to by municipal number 2. The place names registered in the place name / map image position data table 36 are not limited to place names based on administrative divisions, and may be used to specify places such as generally used local names, regional names, and names representing specific areas. If possible, various names can be used.

The mark / keyword table 38 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (d), data (keyword) referred to search for the type of content disclosed from the downloaded homepage and a mark (mark figure) to be displayed on a map according to the type of content of the homepage ) Is registered. FIG. 5 shows an example of data registered in the mark / keyword table 38.
Each data of the mark / keyword table 38 is represented by a mark number (1, 2, 3,...).
For example, for mark number 1, a figure representing "Takoyaki" is registered as a keyword, and a figure representing "octopus" is registered as a mark figure. The information registered in the mark / keyword table 38 can be arbitrarily set by a mark editing process (FIG. 8) described later.

The registered map mark table 40 relates to a location related to the homepage searched from the downloaded homepage, a mark displayed on a map according to the type of contents disclosed by the homepage, and a homepage related to the homepage. The information is registered in association with the information, and is registered by a map registration process (FIGS. 9 and 10) described later in accordance with an instruction from the user. FIG. 6 shows an example of information registered in the registered map mark table 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the registered map mark table 40 includes, for each registered map mark number (1, 2, 3,...), The URL address of the page to be registered and the mark figure registered in the mark / keyword table 38. And a mark type No. (number) designating a keyword, a frame shape used to display the mark figure indicated by the mark type No., and a frame shape and a mark for displaying the frame shape and the mark to the prefectures on the Japan map. Japan map position (XY coordinate value) indicating the position, prefecture name retrieved from the homepage as a place to which a mark should be added, and frame shape and mark for municipalities on the prefectural map indicated by this prefecture name And the map of the prefectures and the names of cities and villages (narrow and narrow) extracted from the text data of the homepage in the area (wide area) indicated by the names of prefectures Region) and is registered in association with each other. By using the information registered in the registered map mark table 40, the corresponding homepage can be directly displayed according to the instruction for the mark displayed on the map.

The various flags 42 are data temporarily used when performing various processes.

The homepage data 43 stores homepage data downloaded after the browser program 30 is started, and is stored until the browser processing is completed.

The memory 26 is provided with a work area for temporarily storing work data as required.

Next, the operation of the browser device 10 with a map mark function of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 and browser screen examples shown in FIGS. 13 to 25.

First, the browser processing (overall processing) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The browser processing is performed by the browser program 30 stored in the program storage area 27 by the CPU 20.
It is started by starting.

When the browser program 30 is started,
The CPU 20 determines the UR of the page at the start of the memory 26.
The URL address of the home page to be downloaded at the start which is stored in the L address 32 and set at the start is set to the URL address 33 of the current page (step A1).

The CPU 20 downloads a homepage according to the URL address stored in the URL address 33 of the current page and stores it in the homepage data 43 (step A2). The CPU 20 displays the data on the browser screen set in the display screen of the display unit 22 based on the data stored in the homepage data 43 (step A3).

Here, in the displayed homepage,
If a position (jump command position) indicating that a link to another page has been set is specified by operating the input unit 21 (mouse or the like) (step A4), the CPU 2
0 sets the URL address of the jump instruction at the designated position to the URL address 33 of the current page (step A).
5) Download the homepage indicated by the URL address (step A2).

In the same manner, the web surfing is executed by designating the jump command position set in the homepage and displaying the homepage repeatedly one after another (steps A2 to A5).

FIG. 13 shows an example of a browser screen displayed by jumping to a desired homepage by surfing the Internet. As shown in FIG. 13, on the browser screen, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of buttons for instructing commands, that is, "return", "stop", "map display", "map display by mark", "map registration" Each button of “mark edit” is provided (details of a process executed by an instruction to each button will be described later). In addition, a URL address display area for displaying a URL address indicating the currently displayed page is provided. Each button and URL address display area are, for example,
As shown in FIG. 13, it is provided above a page display area for displaying a page.

In addition to the method of specifying the jump instruction position set in the home page as described above,
By specifying a jump destination URL address in the RL address display area, a desired homepage can be displayed. When the URL of the jump destination is specified (step A6), the CPU 20 inputs the URL address of the jump destination, sets it in the URL address 33 of the current page (step A8), and displays the home page indicated by this URL address. Download and display (step A2).

On the other hand, on the browser screen, various processes as described below can be executed. That is, by selecting the "mark edit" button provided on the browser screen (step A9), the mark edit processing can be executed (step A10), and by selecting the "map registration" button (step A10). Step A11), a map registration process can be executed (step A12), and by selecting a "map display" button (step A13),
A map display process can be executed (step A1).
4) Further, by selecting a button of "map display by mark" (step A15), a map display process by mark can be executed (step A16). Further, by selecting another command button (step A1).
7) Other processing can be executed (step A18). Hereinafter, each of the mark editing process, the map registration process, the map display process, and the map display process for each mark will be described in detail.

First, the mark editing process will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the "mark edit" button is selected on the browser screen, the CPU 20 inputs a mark number designating a processing target from data stored in the mark / keyword table 38 as shown in FIG. B1). Next, the CPU 20 displays, for example, a menu for selecting one of the editing processing and the deletion processing in order to specify whether to perform the editing processing or the deletion processing on the specified data. .

Here, when the deletion process is designated,
The CPU 20 stores the mark figure and the keyword data of the designated mark number in the mark / keyword table 38.
, And the data registered in the subsequent mark numbers are edited so as to be shifted forward so as to correspond to the new mark numbers (step B3).

On the other hand, when an editing process is instructed,
20 edits the data stored in the mark / keyword table 38 according to the data input from the input unit 21. That is, when a keyword for the designated mark number, that is, character string data is input, the CPU 20 edits the keyword according to the input character string data (step B4). If graphic data for the specified mark number is entered,
The CPU 20 updates the mark figure according to the input instruction and the image data. For inputting the graphic data, a graphics editing function may be provided to allow the current mark graphic to be edited therein, or graphic data separately prepared in the storage medium 25 or the like may be read.

When the editing of both the keyword and the mark figure is completed (step B6), the CPU 20 changes the mark figure and the keyword of the mark number designated as the processing target to the contents designated for editing (step B7). ).

If the mark number to be processed in the editing process has not been registered, it is set in the mark / keyword table 38 as new data.

In this mark editing process, a mark figure according to the user's preference can be stored in the mark / keyword table 38, so that the user's mark figure is used in map display processing and mark-by-mark map display processing described later. Map display becomes possible. Also, since the keyword can be arbitrarily specified, it is possible to freely set what kind of content is disclosed in association with the mark displayed on the map.

Next, the map registration processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In this map registration processing, a mark on a map is designated in a map display processing or a mark-by-mark map display processing described later by registering a currently displayed home page in association with a mark displayed on the map. This is a process for directly displaying the home page when the user has made a request.

First, the CPU 20 increases the variable T indicating the registered map mark number by 1 in order to secure a position where new data is registered in the registered map mark table 40 shown in FIG. 6 (step C1).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the URL address 33 of the current page as the URL address of the registered position corresponding to the registered map mark number T (step C).
2).

Next, in order to perform a search process using the keyword registered in the mark / keyword table 38 for the text data of the currently displayed home page, the CPU 20 sets a pointer indicating a data position to be processed. Is set to the first word of the homepage data (step C3).

Here, the CPU 20 extracts one word to be processed from the position indicated by the pointer (step C).
4) The variable value n indicating the mark number in the mark / keyword table 38 is set to 1 (step C5), and the word extracted from the homepage is compared with the keyword of the mark number 1 to determine whether or not they match. (Step C6).

If they do not match, the variable value n is increased by 1 (step C8). As a result, the variable value n exceeds the maximum value of the mark number whose data is registered in the mark / keyword table 38. If not (Step C
9) Compare the word extracted from the homepage data with the keyword of the next mark number (step C)
6).

In the same manner, while sequentially updating the variable value n, it is determined whether or not any of the words extracted from the homepage data matches any of the keywords registered in the mark / keyword table 38. (Steps C6, C8, C9).

As a result, if the keyword does not match any of the keywords, the CPU 20 sets the pointer to the next word in the homepage data (step C10), and if there is a next word (step C11), One word indicated by the pointer is taken out, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated (steps C4 to C6, C8 to C11).

As a result of repeatedly executing the above processing, if a keyword cannot be searched from the target homepage data, data indicating no mark is replaced with the mark of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value T of the registered map mark table 40. The type is set to No (step C12).

On the other hand, if the word extracted from the home page data matches the keyword registered in the mark / keyword table 38 (step C6), the CPU
Reference numeral 20 denotes the mark number of the matching keyword, and the mark type No. indicated by the variable value T in the map registration mark table 40.
(Step C7).

Through the above processing, the type of the content of the home page is determined, and which mark figure is to be displayed on the map is determined.

Next, in order to determine at which position on the map the mark graphic is to be displayed, a character string of the place name is searched from the homepage data as follows.

First, the CPU 20 sets a pointer indicating the data position to be processed to the first word of the homepage data (step C13), and extracts one word indicated by the pointer (step C14).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the variable value n indicating the prefecture number in the prefecture name table 361 to 1 (step C15), and the word extracted from the home page data and the prefecture name indicated by the prefecture number 1 Is determined (step C16).

If they do not match, n is incremented by 1 (step C18). As a result, the variable value n exceeds the maximum value of the prefecture name numbers registered in the prefecture name table 361. If not (step C19),
The word extracted from the homepage data is compared with the prefecture name indicated by the next prefecture name number (step C16).

In the same manner, while sequentially updating the variable value n, it is determined whether or not there is a word extracted from the homepage data that matches the prefecture name registered in the prefecture name table 361. Determine (Step C1)
6, C18, C19).

Here, when the word extracted from the homepage data matches the prefecture name registered in the prefecture name table 361 (step C16), the CPU 2
0 sets the matching prefecture name in the work area of the memory 26 (step C17). Note that there may be multiple prefecture names in the homepage,
In this embodiment, it is assumed that only the prefecture name detected first is set.

When the determination based on the prefecture name for the word extracted in step C14 is completed, the CPU
20 sets the variable value m indicating the municipal name number in the municipal name table 362 to 1 (step C20), and determines whether the word extracted from the homepage data matches the municipal name indicated by the municipal name number 1. (Step C2
1). Note that the variable value m indicates a municipal name registered in all municipal name tables 362 corresponding to each prefecture.

If they do not match, m is incremented by 1 (step C23). As a result, the variable value m must not exceed the total value of all municipalities of each prefecture registered in the municipal name table 362. If it is (step C24), the word extracted from the homepage data is compared with the municipal name indicated by the next variable value m (step C21).

In the same manner, while sequentially updating the variable value m, it is determined whether or not there is any word extracted from the homepage data that matches the municipal name registered in the municipal name table 362. (Step C21,
C23, C24).

As a result, if the name does not match any of the municipalities, the CPU 20 sets the pointer to the next word in the homepage data (step C25), and if there is a next word as a result (step C26). , Step C
Returning to the process of step 14, the one word indicated by the pointer is extracted, and the same process as described above is repeated (step C).
14-C26).

On the other hand, when the word extracted from the homepage data matches the municipal name registered in the municipal name table 362 (step C 21), the CPU 20
The matching municipalities are set in the work area of the memory 26 (step C22). In addition, in the homepage,
Although there is a possibility that a plurality of municipalities exist, in this embodiment, only the first detected municipalities are set.

In this way, if the name of the prefecture and the municipalities have been retrieved from the home page data, or if the processing for all the words in the home page data has been completed (step C26), the CPU 20 sets the frame shape for displaying the mark on the map. The process proceeds to a process of determining

The CPU 20 determines whether or not the data of the name of the prefecture and the data of the name of the municipalities are set in the work area of the memory 26 by the processing described above (steps C27, C29, C31, C32).

If the data of both the prefecture name and the municipal name are not set (step C27), the CPU 20
Registers a frame with a smooth curve (hereinafter, referred to as a specific frame) as the frame shape at the registration position of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value T, and does not register anything as a prefecture name or a municipal name (blank) ) (Step C28).

Also, the data of the prefecture name is set,
When the data of the municipal name is not set (step C29), the CPU 20 registers the specific frame as the frame shape at the registration position of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value T,
No name is registered for the prefecture name and city name set in the work area as the prefecture name (blank)
(Step C30).

Further, when the data of the prefecture name is not set and only the data of the municipal name is set (step C31), the data of both the prefecture name and the municipal name are set. If this municipal name (narrow area) exists in the set prefectures (wide area) (step C32), the CPU 20 sets the frame shape at the registration position of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value T. Is registered, and the name of the municipalities set in the work area as the names of municipalities and the name of the prefecture including the municipalities set as the names of the prefectures are registered (step C33).

Steps C27, C29, C31,
If none of the conditions of C32 is satisfied, the CPU 20
Is a frame having a fine smooth curve as a frame shape at the registration position of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value T (hereinafter, referred to as a frame shape).
A concept frame) is registered, the prefecture name set in the work area is registered as a prefecture name, and nothing is registered as a municipal name (blank) (step C34).
Further, the CPU 20 registers a rectangular frame (hereinafter, referred to as a location frame) as a frame shape at the registered position of the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value (T + 1), and the municipalities set in the work area as municipal names. Register your name,
A prefecture name including the municipalities set in the work area as the prefecture names is registered (step C3).
5).

Steps C34 and C35 assume the following situation. In other words, when information of multiple places by prefecture name and municipal name is searched as information related to the homepage, the information of those places is indirectly related to the information of the place directly related to the contents of the homepage. This is the case where the information is information of a place to be performed.

For example, assuming that the homepage has a restaurant (in this case, a ramen shop), the name of this shop is “Kyushu Ramen Shinjuku”, which indicates the location where the ramen shop actually exists. It includes "Shinjuku" which is directly related, and "Kyushu" which is indirectly related to the conceptual area name.

Assuming that a user downloads a home page by designating a mark on a map, there may be a case where the conceptual “Kyushu” is designated on the map or a case where the actual location is designated as “Shinjuku”. is there. Therefore, when the conceptual location and the location location are different, the frame shapes (conceptual frame, location frame, etc.) of different forms are used so that they can be distinguished as conceptual locations or location locations. )
Is used to display a mark and to wear it by selection.
In general, the name of the concept place often indicates a wider range than the name of the place where the place is located. Is referred to as a “location frame”.

When the registration of the frame shape is completed, the CP
U20 reads a coordinate value indicating a reference position registered in the prefecture name table 361 or the municipal name table 362 in association with each name according to the prefecture name and the municipal name registered in the registered map mark table 40. (See FIG. 4), the position where the frame and the mark graphic are to be displayed on the map is calculated and obtained, and is registered in the registered map mark table 40 in association with the name of the prefecture or the name of the city (step C36). In the present embodiment, the position at which the frame and the mark graphic are displayed is set to a position that does not overlap with the corresponding area on the map, so that the instruction for the mark and the instruction for a specific area on the map can be reliably identified. I do.

Here, the CPU 20 executes the map image data 3
4 (Japanese map data 341) to display a Japanese map on the browser screen, and add a mark display based on each information registered in the registered map mark table 40 (step C37).

The CPU 20 displays a confirmation screen for confirming the registered contents together with the map of Japan (step C38). The details of this confirmation screen will be described later (FIG. 14).

When an instruction of registration "OK" is input to this confirmation screen, CPU 20 finalizes registration in registered map mark table 40 and ends the map registration process (step C39). On the other hand, registration "N
When the instruction “O” is input, the CPU 20 deletes the data registered at the positions of the variable values T and T + 1 in the registered map mark table 40, and decrements the variable value T by 1 for the next map registration process. The map registration process ends (step C3)
9).

In this way, the map registration process
From the downloaded homepage, a location related to the homepage and a type of content disclosed by the homepage are searched and displayed by a mark on a map, and information related to the mark to be displayed on the map and the homepage, for example, a URL address And can be registered.

Here, a specific example of the browser screen when executing the map registration processing will be described.

For example, it is assumed that the “map registration” button is selected when the homepage as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and the map registration processing is executed. The homepage shown in FIG. 13 introduces Takoyaki-ya, and includes a character string of “Takoyaki” and a character string of an address indicating the location. Therefore, the type of the content of the homepage is searched by the keyword “Takoyaki” of the mark number 1 in the mark / keyword table 38, and the prefecture name “Osaka” is searched by the search based on the prefecture name table 361.
(Character string of Osaka Prefecture), then municipal name table 362
The municipal name “Osaka” (character string of Osaka City) is searched by the search based on.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, a map of Japan with a mark added thereto and a confirmation screen are displayed (FIG. 10, FIG.
Step C38). In the confirmation screen display, a mark with a frame to be displayed on the map and a keyword indicating the content of the mark are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the keyword “Takoyaki” is displayed in the specific frame along with the “Takoyaki” mark figure.
Is displayed.

Further, on the confirmation display screen, a character string of "Osaka City" representing a narrow area name as a location and a prefecture name "Osaka Prefecture" including Osaka City are displayed. A region name, that is, a character string of “Osaka Prefecture” representing a wide range of region names is displayed. Further, “YES” and “NO” buttons for inputting a registration confirmation instruction are provided.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the framed mark in the Japan map shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the mark of "Takoyaki" with a frame is
It is added at a position that does not overlap with the area representing “Osaka Prefecture” on the map. Thus, it is possible to reliably separate the instruction for the mark and the instruction for a specific area in the map.

In the confirmation screen display shown in FIG. 14, if the "YES" button is selected after the registered contents are confirmed, the browser screen returns to the home page shown in FIG.

A case where the map registration processing is executed when the homepage shown in FIG. 17 is displayed will be described. The homepage shown in FIG. 17 introduces a ramen shop. In addition to the character string “Ramen”, “Ichi Kumamoto”
And character strings related to the location of "Hachioji".
Therefore, the type of the contents of the homepage is searched by the keyword “Ramen” of the mark number 2 in the mark / keyword table 38, and the prefecture name table 361 is searched.
Is searched based on the prefecture name “Kumamoto”, and the municipal name “Hachioji” is searched based on the municipal name table 362.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, a map of Japan with a mark added to the area of Kumamoto prefecture and the area of Tokyo including Hachioji city and a confirmation screen are displayed. In this case, on the confirmation screen display, the character string of the keyword “Ramen” is displayed in the specific frame along with the mark graphic of “Ramen”.

On the confirmation display screen, a conceptual area name as an imagination, that is, a character string of “Kumamoto Prefecture” representing a wide range area name searched from the homepage is displayed, and a narrow area searched from the homepage as the location is displayed. A character string of "Hachioji City" representing the name of the region and the name of the prefecture "Tokyo" including the city of Hachioji are displayed (FIG. 10, steps C34 and C35).

In this case, the prefecture name “Kumamoto” and the municipalities name “Hachioji” are searched from the homepage. However, since Hachioji city is not included in Kumamoto prefecture (step C32), “Ramen with a conceptual frame as an imagination” is used. And a figure mark of "Ramen" with a location frame as a location are presented as marks to be displayed on the map.

In the confirmation screen display shown in FIG. 18, if the "YES" button is selected after the registration contents are confirmed, the browser screen returns to the browser screen displaying the home page shown in FIG.

Next, the map display processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the map display processing, a mark is added to the map based on the data registered in the registered map mark table 40 by the map registration processing and displayed, and the mark is associated with the mark in accordance with the designation of the mark on the map. This is a process for displaying a home page based on data on the registered home page.

First, when the "map display" button is selected and the map display processing is started, the CPU 20 displays a Japanese map on the browser screen based on the Japanese map data 341 (step D1).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the variable value n indicating the registered map mark number in the registered map mark table 40 to 1
(Step D2), a mark to be displayed on the Japan map is created and displayed based on the data registered in the registered map mark number 1 (Step D3). That is, CPU
Reference numeral 20 denotes a mark pattern indicated by the mark type No. registered in the registered map mark table 40, which is read from the mark / keyword table 38 and set in the registered frame shape to generate a mark pattern. It is added to the position on the map according to the position (XY coordinate value) and the name of the prefecture.

For example, in the case of the data of the registered map mark number 1 shown in FIG. 6, the mark figure of "Takoyaki" registered in the mark / keyword table 38 is set in a specific frame, and the same as that shown in FIG. And display it near the Osaka area on the Japan map.

Here, the variable value n is incremented by one. As a result, if the variable value n does not exceed the maximum value of the registered map mark number whose data is registered in the registered map mark table 40 (step D5), the same applies. Then, a mark to be displayed on the map of Japan is created and displayed based on the data registered in the registered map mark number indicated by the variable value n (step D3).

In the same manner, marks are added on the Japan map in accordance with each data registered in the registered map mark table 40.

FIG. 20 shows a registered map mark table 40.
3 shows an example of a Japanese map in which a mark in which a mark figure is set in a predetermined frame shape is added to each location based on data corresponding to a plurality of registered map mark numbers registered in the map. As shown in FIG. 20, each mark is added so as not to overlap with the corresponding prefecture area.

Here, when the position of the Japanese map displayed on the browser screen is specified by, for example, the input unit 21 (click of a mouse), the CPU 20 determines whether the specified position is for a specific prefecture ( Step D
6) Alternatively, it is determined whether the mark is for a mark added to the map (step D7). For example, if a designation within a predetermined range is specified from the coordinate value indicating the reference position of each prefecture name registered in the prefecture table 361, it is determined that the designation is a prefecture position, and the registration map mark table 40 If it is specified within a predetermined range from the coordinate value of the Japan map position, it is determined that the specification is for a mark.

Here, if it is determined that the designation is for the mark position (step D7), the CPU 20 replaces the URL address registered in the registered map mark table 40 corresponding to the designated mark with the URL of the current page. It is set to the address 33 (step D16), and the URL
Download and display the homepage indicated by the address.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the designation is for the prefecture position (step D6), the CPU 20 converts the map data of the designated prefecture into the map data for each prefecture.
42 and display it on the browser screen (step D8).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the variable value n indicating the registered map mark number in the registered map mark table 40 to 1
(Step D9), the data registered in the registered map mark number 1, that is, the data of the mark type No., the frame shape, the name of the prefecture, the map position of the prefecture, and the name of the municipalities are read (Step D10).

The CPU 20 executes the registration map mark table 4
It is determined whether or not the prefecture name registered in “0” matches the prefecture-specific map currently being displayed (step D11). If the map matches, the mark figure indicated by the mark type No is determined. A mark pattern is generated by reading from the mark / keyword table 38 and setting it in the registered frame shape.
(Coordinate value) and a position on the map corresponding to the name of the city (step D12).

On the other hand, if the prefecture names do not match, the mark does not need to be displayed on the currently displayed map for each prefecture, so the variable value n is incremented by 1 and the processing of the next data is started ( Step D13).

If the variable value n does not exceed the maximum value of the registered map mark number whose data is registered in the registered map mark table 40 as a result of increasing the variable value n by 1 (step D14), the variable value If the names of the prefectures match based on the data registered in the registered map mark number indicated by n, a mark to be displayed on the map for each prefecture is created and displayed (steps D10 to D12).

In the same manner, only the marks to be displayed on the prefectural map are added according to the respective data registered in the registered map mark table 40.

Here, the designation of the position with respect to the displayed prefectural map is performed by, for example, the input unit 21 (click of a mouse).
, The CPU 20 determines whether the designated position is for the mark added to the map (step D15). For example, if the data to be displayed in the registered map mark table 40 is specified within a predetermined range from the coordinate value of the prefectural map position, it is determined that the specification is for the mark.

Here, if it is determined that the designation is for the mark position (step D15), the CPU 20 proceeds to the registration map mark table 40 corresponding to the designated mark.
URL address registered in the URL of the current page
The address is set to 33 (step D16), and this UR
Download and display the homepage indicated by the L address.

In this way, a mark is added and displayed on the map based on the data registered in the registered map mark table 40 by the map registration process, and by specifying the position of the mark, the home page corresponding to the mark is designated. Can be displayed directly. In addition, by specifying a prefecture arbitrarily from a Japan map, a prefectural map to which a mark is added can be displayed, and similarly, a home page can be displayed by specifying a position with respect to the mark.

Next, the mark-by-mark map display processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the mark map display processing, based on the data registered in the registered map mark table 40 by the map registration processing, only an arbitrarily designated mark is added to the map and displayed. This is a process of displaying a homepage based on data on a registered homepage in association with a mark according to designation.

First, when the “map display by mark” button is selected to start the map display processing by mark, the CPU 2
0 inputs an instruction to select a mark type to be displayed on the map (step E1). For example, a list of mark figures corresponding to the mark type Nos. Registered in the registered map mark table 40 is displayed, and any mark is selected from the list, or all marks to be displayed are selected.
Note that a mark figure registered in the mark / keyword table 38 may be selected instead of a mark figure corresponding to the mark type No. registered in the registered map mark table 40.

Next, the CPU 20 sets the Japan map data 34
A map of Japan is displayed on the browser screen on the basis of 1 (step E2).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the variable value n indicating the registered map mark number in the registered map mark table 40 to 1
Then, the data registered in the registered map mark number 1, that is, the data of the mark type No., the frame shape, the map position in Japan, and the name of the prefecture are read out (step E4).

The CPU 20 executes the registration map mark table 4
It is determined whether the mark indicated by the mark type No. registered in 0 matches the mark type selected in step E1 (step E5).

If they match, the CPU 20 reads the mark graphic indicated by the mark type No. from the mark / keyword table 38 and generates a mark pattern by setting it in the registered frame shape. It is added to the map position corresponding to the Japan map position (XY coordinate values) and the name of the prefecture (step E6).

On the other hand, if the mark types do not match, the CPU 20 increments the variable n by 1 and proceeds to the processing of the next data because the mark does not need to be displayed on the currently displayed Japan map ( Step E7).

If the variable value n does not exceed the maximum value of the registered map mark number whose data is registered in the registered map mark table 40 as a result of increasing the variable value n by 1 (step E8), the variable value Based on the data registered in the registered map mark number indicated by n, a mark to be displayed on the Japan map is created and displayed only when the mark types match (steps E4 to E8).

FIG. 21 shows a display example of a map of Japan when "all" is selected as a mark to be displayed on the map. "YES" on the display screen shown in FIG.
When the button is selected, a map to which each mark for which the selection of the mark type has been determined is added is displayed. Note that "N
When the "O" button is selected, the map type can be displayed again by selecting the mark type.

FIG. 22 shows a display example of a Japan map when “Ramen” is selected as the mark type. As shown in FIG. 22, by selecting the mark type, it is possible to display only a specific mark on the map and narrow down the selection.

Here, if the position of the Japan map displayed on the browser screen is specified by, for example, the input unit 21 (click of a mouse), the CPU 20 determines whether the specified position is for a specific prefecture ( Step E
9) Alternatively, it is determined whether the mark is for a mark added to the map (step E10). For example, if a designation within a predetermined range is specified from the coordinate value indicating the reference position of each prefecture name registered in the prefecture table 361, it is determined that the designation is a prefecture position, and the registration map mark table 40 If it is specified within a predetermined range from the coordinate value of the Japan map position, it is determined that the specification is for a mark.

If it is determined that the designated mark position has been designated (step E10), the CPU 20 proceeds to the registered map mark table 40 corresponding to the designated mark.
URL address registered in the URL of the current page
The address is set to 33 (step E19),
Download and display the homepage indicated by the L address.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the designation is for the prefecture position (step E9), the CPU 20 converts the map data of the designated prefecture into the map data for each prefecture.
42 and display it on the browser screen (step E11).

Here, the CPU 20 sets the variable value n indicating the registered map mark number in the registered map mark table 40 to 1
Then, the data registered in the registered map mark number 1, that is, the data of the mark type No., the frame shape, the name of the prefecture, the map position of the prefecture, and the name of the municipalities are read (step E13).

The CPU 20 executes the registration map mark table 4
It is determined whether or not the prefecture name registered in 0 matches the map for each prefecture currently displayed and the mark type selected in step E1 (step D11). If they match, the mark figure indicated by the mark type No is read from the mark / keyword table 38 and set in the registered frame shape to generate a mark pattern, and the prefectural map position (XY coordinates) Value) and the position on the map corresponding to the name of city, town and village (step E15).

On the other hand, if at least one of the prefecture name and the mark type does not match, the mark does not need to be displayed on the currently displayed prefecture-specific map, so the variable value n is increased by one. The process moves to the next data (step E16).

If the variable value n does not exceed the maximum value of the registered map mark number whose data is registered in the registered map mark table 40 as a result of increasing the variable value n by 1 (step E17), the variable value is similarly set. If the names of prefectures match based on the data registered in the registered map mark number indicated by n, a mark to be displayed on a map for each prefecture is created and displayed (steps E13 to E17).

In the same manner, in accordance with each data registered in the registered map mark table 40, only marks of the selected mark type to be displayed on the prefectural map are added.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a browser screen on which a map of Tokyo with the area of “Tokyo” designated and marked on the Japan map shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 23 (FIG. 24 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 23), two marks added to Tokyo in the map of Japan are registered in association with “Hachioji” and “Mitaka”. You can be sure that. Therefore, by specifying the ramen mark at the position of “Hachioji-shi” on the map of Tokyo, the homepage of the ramen shop in Hachioji can be directly downloaded as shown in FIG. Since the frame shape of the ramen mark is a location frame, it can be determined from the mark that a homepage of a ramen shop in Hachioji can be obtained.

Here, the position of the displayed map for each prefecture is specified, for example, by the input unit 21 (mouse click).
, The CPU 20 determines whether the designated position is for the mark added to the map (step E18). For example, if the data to be displayed in the registered map mark table 40 is specified within a predetermined range from the coordinate value of the prefectural map position, it is determined that the specification is for the mark.

If it is determined that the designated mark position has been designated (step E18), the CPU 20 proceeds to the registered map mark table 40 corresponding to the designated mark.
URL address registered in the URL of the current page
The address is set to 33 (step E19),
Download and display the homepage indicated by the L address.

As described above, by selecting the type of mark to be displayed on the map, only a specific mark is added on the map based on the data registered in the registered map mark table 40 by the map registration process for each mark. Displayed as
By specifying the position of the mark, the home page corresponding to the mark can be directly displayed.
Accordingly, the homepage to be downloaded can be narrowed down by selecting the mark type, and the homepage can be displayed by specifying the position with respect to the mark, so that the desired homepage can be downloaded more efficiently.

In the present embodiment, the location information and the type of content are determined by searching the content of the downloaded home page. However, the location information and the content type are added to each home page in advance as additional information. Alternatively, the location information and the type of content may be determined by examining the additional information of the downloaded homepage.

[0141]

As described above, according to the browser apparatus of the present invention, the location information and the type of contents can be retrieved from the downloaded home page and displayed on the map by the mark. Information on the homepage downloaded in association with the mark (U
RL address, etc.) can be registered. Therefore, by specifying the mark displayed on the map, the information for downloading the homepage can be obtained, and thereby the homepage can be directly downloaded by specifying the map.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of a browser device with a map mark function 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of information stored in a memory 26;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a map displayed based on map image data 34;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information registered in a place name / map image position data table 36;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data registered in a mark / keyword table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information registered in a registered map mark table 40.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing browser processing (overall processing).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a mark editing process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of a map registration process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of a map registration process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a map display process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a map display process for each mark.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a homepage is displayed.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a map of Japan is displayed.

15 is a partially enlarged view of the map of Japan shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a homepage is displayed.

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a homepage is displayed.

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a map of Japan is displayed.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a homepage is displayed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a browser screen on which a map of Japan is displayed.

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a map of Japan is displayed.

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a map of Japan is displayed.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a browser screen on which a prefectural map (Tokyo) is displayed.

FIG. 24 is a partially enlarged view of the map for each prefecture shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a browser screen on which a homepage is displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Browser device with map mark function 12 Network 20 CPU 21 Input unit 22 Display unit 23 Communication unit 24 Storage medium reading unit 25 Storage medium 26 Memory 27 Program storage area 28 Data storage area

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A browser device for displaying homepage information downloaded via a network, a location determining means for determining location information based on the downloaded homepage information, and a type determination for determining a type of content of the downloaded homepage. Means, a map display means for adding a mark corresponding to the type determined by the type determination means on a map at a position on the map corresponding to the information of the place determined by the location determination means, and displaying the mark. A browser device, comprising: registration means for registering information on a downloaded homepage in association with a mark on a map displayed by the map display means. 2. The browser device according to claim 1, wherein the location determining means determines location information by searching downloaded homepage information based on information of a predetermined location. 3. The type judging means judges the type of content of the homepage by searching downloaded homepage information based on information related to the type of content of the predetermined homepage. Claim 1
Browser device as described. 4. The information used for searching the homepage by the type judging means and a mark to be added to the map when the type of the content of the homepage is judged based on this information can be arbitrarily set. The browser device according to claim 3, wherein 5. When the information of a plurality of places is judged by the place judging means, the map display means displays the information on a map corresponding to the information of each place in a different form in a different form. The browser device according to claim 1, wherein: 6. When the information of a plurality of determined places indicates a narrow area and a wide area, the place determining means regards the narrow area as the same place when the narrow area is included in the wide area. 6. The browser device according to claim 5, wherein when the area is not included in the wide area, the information of the place is determined by regarding the area as different. 7. A storage medium having a computer-readable program code for displaying homepage information downloaded via a network, wherein the computer determines location information based on the downloaded homepage information. Location determining means, type determining means for determining the type of the content of the downloaded home page, and a position on a map corresponding to the information of the location determined by the location determining means, a type determined by the type determining means Map display means for adding and displaying a corresponding mark on a map, and registering means for registering information on the downloaded homepage in association with the mark on the map displayed by the map display means. Computer readable program code Storage medium in which the browser program is stored for.