JP2002304396A - Method and device for supplying advertizing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rapidly provide proper information for a user without being influ enced on communication speed or display capability. SOLUTION: In the step Sa4, an information terminal is requested to input a search condition. In the step Sa5, a database is searched according to the search condition. In the step Sa6, the search result is transmitted. In the step Sa7, the search result is displayed on an information terminal and the selection of desired information is furthered. In the step Sa9, a map corresponding to the selection result and expressed in a character style is generated. In the step Sa10, the generated map is transmitted to the information terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the provision of advertisement information capable of quickly and accurately providing desired advertisement information to an information terminal, especially a portable information terminal which is limited in screen size and resolution. Method and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, there are a large number of services for providing various information to terminals in addition to a desired map via the Internet or a commercial network. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-179277, entitled "Advertising Information Supply Method and Registration Method", displays an iconized advertising object on a map for a terminal connected via the Internet, When a user designates the icon by clicking or the like, advertisement information associated with the icon is provided.

On the other hand, recently, with the miniaturization of computers, the spread of mobile communication has been remarkable. For example, a simple type mobile phone (PHS) has been remarkably multifunctional, and a type that is capable of not only displaying various messages but also transmitting and receiving e-mails is also appearing. Also,
The so-called PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and notebook personal computers have also been significantly reduced in size and performance. For this reason, using these information terminals, connection to the Internet, a commercial network, or the like from outside is frequently performed.

[0004]

However, it should be noted that the above-mentioned services do not always provide a comfortable environment for the user in view of the map display. The first reason is that the communication speed of a public line or a dedicated line is not sufficiently high for transfer of map data having a huge capacity. For example, even when the fastest dedicated line (128 kbps) is used, it takes several seconds to several tens of seconds to transfer the map data. Furthermore, when a general public line, particularly a mobile communication line, is used, even in a normal case, it takes several times to several tens times as long as a dedicated line. Further, in a public line, when traffic is concentrated, the communication speed is reduced. So, in fact,
It takes an extremely long time to transfer the map data, resulting in a slow response, which is considered to be inconvenient for the user. The second reason is that the display capability of the information terminal is low in the first place. That is,
It is thought that a general stationary computer can display a map without any problem.However, an information terminal, particularly a portable information terminal having a small screen size and a low resolution, cannot display a map as it is or only a part of the map. Cannot be displayed,
it is conceivable that.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to quickly obtain accurate information for a user without being affected by communication speed, display capability, and the like. To provide a method and apparatus for supplying advertisement information.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention described in claim 1, the server comprises:
A first step of transmitting screen data for prompting a part or all of a telephone number or a postal code to an information terminal connected via a network to display an input screen on the information terminal; A second step in which the server searches the database to obtain advertisement information corresponding to part or all of the telephone number or the postal code input by the information terminal; and And a third step of outputting advertisement information. In the invention described in claim 2, claim 1
In the second step of the invention described in (1), the advertisement information obtained by the server includes information on a map and coordinate information indicating a position of a store, and in the third step, the server The information terminal displays the map based on the acquired information and the position of the store at a point on the map corresponding to the acquired coordinate information. In the invention described in claim 3, claim 2
In the invention described in (1), the map is shown in a character format. In the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 3, the information on the map is information on a map number of a map for displaying a store, and the information after the second step. And the third
The server further searches the database to obtain a map file corresponding to the map number, and the server further generates a character-format map from the obtained map file. It is characterized by. According to the invention described in claim 5, screen data for prompting input of a part or all of a telephone number or a postal code is transmitted to an information terminal connected via a network, Means for displaying an input screen, means for searching a database, and means for obtaining advertisement information corresponding to part or all of a telephone number or a postal code input by the information terminal, And means for outputting the advertisement information.

[0007]

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

<1: First Embodiment> First, the first embodiment of the present invention
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The information server 10 on the AN 1 (local area network) is connected to the Internet 3 via a route control device (router) 2. Information terminals 201, 202,... Can be connected to the Internet 3. In the present invention, it is not always necessary to use the Internet. For example, a configuration in which the information terminals 201, 202,... In short, the information server 10
. And the information terminals 201, 202,...

<1-1: Configuration of Information Server> Here, a detailed configuration of the information server 10 will be described. FIG. 2 (a)
Is a block diagram showing the configuration. As shown in this figure, the information server 10 mainly includes an information database (D
B) 11, map database 12, control system 13,
It comprises a storage unit 14 and an input / output control unit 15. Among them, the information database 11 is a database that stores advertisement information about stores that provide various services such as restaurants, movie theaters, and parking lots. Here, the advertisement information will be described with reference to FIG.
There is store information. The store information indicates, for example, a store name, a zip code, an address, a telephone number, a facsimile number, a process from the nearest station to the store, a business type, a link indicating a reference destination when linking with other information, and advertisement contents of the store. Various kinds of information about the store, such as an advertisement message. The advertisement information also includes a map number of a map on which the store is displayed, and coordinate information (x, y) indicating the position of the store on the map. Such advertisement information is configured so that the business as the advertiser or the administrator of the information server 10 can change the advertisement information in real time.

Next, the map database 12 is a file for converting map data in a bitmap format or a vector format into a file and storing it as a map file. Here, the map data in the bitmap format is data obtained by converting a map of a reduced scale according to the purpose of use into a bitmap image. On the other hand, vector format map data is a set of vector data from the start point to the end point for each coordinate of a road, a railroad, a river, and the like. Here, if map data is stored in a vector format, it must be expanded to a designated size each time it is displayed, but the amount of data at the time of storage may be smaller than that of a bitmap format map file. There is. Also, each map file is
It has a hierarchical structure like a nationwide map, a map for each prefecture, and a municipal map. Further, one map file is composed of layers such as roads, blocks, rivers, railways, and buildings. In addition, each map file is assigned a unique map number. In the case of bitmap format,
In accordance with the information density of the advertising information in each region, it is necessary to create a detailed map file in advance such as a scale of 1 / 10,000 or a scale of 1/1000.

On the other hand, the control system 13 executes various processes according to various programs stored in the storage unit 14. Specifically, the control system 13
According to the control program, control each unit, display various guide screens and input screens on the display unit provided in the information terminal, execute temporary storage of data, and according to the search program, The database management / search is executed, and a map represented in a character format is executed from a map file stored in the map database 12 according to a generation program. The details of these operations will be described later.

<1-2: Configuration of Information Terminal> Next, the configuration of the information terminals 201, 202,.
1 will be described as an example. The information terminal 201 is, for example,
As shown in FIG. 3, a portable mobile computer 211 having a dot matrix type display unit D1 capable of color display, and a mobile phone or a simple mobile phone in which a modem or the like is connected to the computer 211 ( PH
S) and other mobile terminals 221. With such a configuration, the information terminal 201 connects to the information server 10 by dial-up connection to the Internet 3.
It is possible to send and receive digital information, e-mail, etc. The computer 211 and the mobile terminal 22
The mobile terminal 221 does not need to be individual, and the mobile terminal 221 may have the function of the computer 211 incorporated therein to be integrated. Also, the information terminals 201, 202,... Do not necessarily need to be mobile and portable, but may be general installation terminals. Here, the display unit D1 of the information terminal 201 when it is movable
In general, the screen size is smaller and the resolution is lower than that of a stationary computer. These points are the same for the other information terminals 202,....

<1-3: Operation> Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a description will be given assuming that the user uses the information terminal 201. First, the user proceeds to step S
In a1, the user operates the computer 211 to make a dial-up connection to the Internet 3 and set the information server 10 to a state where digital information can be exchanged with the information server 10. On the other hand, the control system 13 of the information server 10
01 is connected, in step Sa2, a predetermined collation such as a user ID and a password is executed, and then a connection is established. In step Sa3, the start-up screen data and Send screen data to enter search conditions.

As a result, in the information terminal 201, in step Sa4, for example, a startup screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit D1, and subsequently, for example, a search condition as shown in FIG. Is displayed, and the user is prompted to input search conditions. Here, the search condition input screen is a screen for inputting items such as the store location, budget, type, and characteristics desired by the user as search conditions as shown in the figure. Can be specified. For example, the button 4 displayed in the area 41 for inputting a place
6 is pressed by the user with a mouse, a pen, or the like.
As shown in (b), each prefecture is displayed as a large item, and a specific area specified by the large item is displayed as a small item. Then, the specific area designated by this pull-down menu is automatically input to the area 41.

The same applies when a button 44 displayed in an area 43 for inputting a budget or a button 46 displayed in an area 45 for inputting the type of store is pressed. For example, the button 46 is pressed. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the items classified according to the type of store are displayed in a pull-down manner, and the type of store specified by the “レ” mark is automatically input to the area 45. Also, an area 4 for inputting store characteristics
7, a plurality of conditions can be input. For example,
When a button 48 displayed in the area 47 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6D, items in which the characteristics of the store are classified are displayed in a pull-down manner. Here, when the user designates one or more desired features with a “レ” mark, the designated features are automatically entered in the area 47, separated by “,” indicating a logical product of search conditions. Will be done. Of course, these search conditions may be manually input directly into the corresponding area.

When the input of the search condition is completed on the input screen, the user presses the button 49 using a mouse, a pen, or the like, and instructs a transition to the next stage. As a result, the input search condition is transmitted to the information server 10 as inquiry information. On the other hand, when canceling the input search condition, the user presses the button 50. As a result, the input search condition is cleared. When the information terminal 201 transmits the inquiry information to the information server 10 or the like, the format of the transmission is not particularly limited. For example, the format may be a general electronic mail format or a special format determined in advance between the information terminal 201 and the information server 10.

When the input of the search condition is completed in the information terminal 201, the control system 13 of the information server 10 determines in step Sa5 that the advertisement information corresponding to the search condition is stored in the search program stored in the storage unit 14. Is retrieved from the information database 11 according to the above. Then, in step Sa6, the control system 13 lists the extracted advertisement information for each store and transmits the list to the information terminal 201. At this time, the control system 13
The data of the selection screen is also transmitted.

As a result, in the information terminal 201, for example, a screen showing a search result as shown in FIG.
(Step Sa7). On the display screen of this search result, as shown in the figure, store names of store information corresponding to the search conditions, telephone numbers, map numbers, features, and the like are listed and displayed for each store. The user is prompted to select a store that wants to display the map.
Therefore, the user selects desired store information with a pointer P such as a mouse or a pen, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, and then presses the button 51 (step Sa8). As a result, information from the information terminal 201 requesting generation of a map indicating the selected store is transmitted to the information server 10.
Will be sent.

The control system 13 having received this information,
In step Sa9, first, a map file corresponding to the map number of the store requested to generate a map is searched from the map database 12 according to the search program, and second, from the map file according to the generation program. The map in character format is generated in consideration of the coordinate information (x, y) of the store. Step S
In a8, when a plurality of desired shops are selected, a map in character format is generated for the shops.

Here, the map in the character format may be, for example, as shown in FIG.
(Plus), “-” (minus), “◆ □ ■” (square mark), “○ ●” (circle mark), “☆ ★” (star mark), “→ ← ↑
The map is represented using characters (characters) such as "↓" (arrow), "*" (US mark), and ruled line characters.A method of generating the map will be described later.
Transmits the generated map data to the information terminal 201 in step Sa10.

On the other hand, the information terminal 20 receiving the map data
In FIG. 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a character map in which the position of the store desired by the user is described is displayed on the display unit D.
1 (step Sa11). The map in the character format can be scrolled up and down by buttons 53 and 54, and left and right by buttons 55 and 56, respectively. On the other hand, if a plurality of desired stores are selected in step Sa8, the character-format maps are transmitted for the stores, so that the buttons 57 and 58 are used to select the map to be displayed among the plurality of maps. It can be arbitrarily selected. Here, displaying the map in the character format is as follows.
Since it is exactly the same as displaying a character string, the information server 10 transmits a map in a character format by e-mail, and the information terminal 201 opens the e-mail and displays the map. Is desirable.

Subsequently, the information terminal 201 displays a screen prompting the user to input whether or not to continue the processing (step Sa12). Here, if "continue" is instructed, the processing procedure returns to step Sa4 again. on the other hand,
If "end" is instructed, this is transmitted to the information server 10 in Sa13. Then, in step Sa14, the control system 13 of the information server 10 executes a process of disconnecting the connection with the information terminal 201. As a result, the connection between the information terminal 201 and the information server 10 is disconnected.

<1-3-1: Operation for Generating Character-Format Map> Here, the operation for generating the character-format map in step Sa9 will be described in detail.

A map shown in a raw map file state is as shown in FIG. 13, and a target point on the map is described as P. First, the control system 13
The map file requested to be created is cut out in a size corresponding to the coordinate information (x, y) of the store requested by the request and the distance to the nearest station of the store, and a layer indicating the block is extracted ( FIG. 11A). next,
In the layer indicating the block, the control system 13 recognizes the road portion by filling the closed space and then inverting it, or simply fills the open space, and obtains the road width of each portion (FIG. 11B )reference). Further, the control system 13 converts the recognized road into a halftone dot (FIG. 11).
(C)). At this time, the control system 13 stores information on each road width, road information, and the like as separate information.
Then, the control system 13 associates the halftone-dotted roads with different information such as information on each road width and road (see FIG. 11D).

Next, the control system 13 thins out unnecessary roads from among the halftone roads (see FIG. 12A). Here, as conditions for thinning, roads on the road from the nearest station to the store are left with the highest priority by referring to the road information (not omitted), and roads with names (such as Hibiya Road and Sotobori Road) ) Is left with priority, roads having road target targets are left with priority, and wide roads are left with priority. Further, the control system 13 creates a summary map by giving road widths to the thinned roads and adding major landmarks including railways, rivers, and selected stores (FIG. 12B )reference). In addition, the control system 13 rotates the created summary map to an easy-to-view angle, or rotates the road or railroad vertically or horizontally (see FIG. 12C). Then, the control system 13 replaces the rotated summary map with the character (see FIG. 10).

As described above, the control system 13 refers to not only the map file of the map number for which the creation of the map is requested but also the coordinate information (x, y) of the store and the process information related to the request. A map indicating the location of the store is generated in a character format. In the above-described embodiment, the information terminal 201 is configured to narrow down (select) search results. However, it is a matter of course that this process may be omitted.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
When a user of the information terminal 201 requests display of a map, a map in a character format is displayed on the information terminal. Therefore, even if the display unit is subject to restrictions such as the size and resolution of the display unit. Can be sufficiently recognized as a map. The character map is J
Since it is composed of the characters specified by the character codes of the code system such as IS, shift JIS, kuten, and Unicode, the amount of data required for display is reduced by about 1/10 compared to a map such as a bit map format. (1/10 depending on the map
0). As a result, the time for transmitting the map data from the information server 10 to the information terminal 201 is drastically shortened, so that the user is free from the discomfort of “waiting” and can quickly obtain accurate information. Can be obtained.

<2: Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information server 10 according to the present embodiment. The difference between this figure and FIG.
The point is to have. This postal code database 16
The seven-digit postal code is stored in association with a map number of a map that displays an area corresponding to each postal code. Here, in particular, the reason why the postal code and the map number are associated with each other and made into a database is that the postal code is 7 since February 1998.
This is because it is possible to directly specify the municipalities by the postal code using digits. For example, "101-002
From the postal code “4”, “Kanda Izumi-cho, Chiyoda-ku”, which is the applicant's address in the present case, can be specified.

Here, the operation of the present embodiment is as shown in FIG. That is, in the information terminal 201,
In step Sb4, a post code input screen is displayed, and the post code is input as a search condition. On the other hand, in step Sb5, the control system 13 of the information server 10 first searches and extracts from the information database 11 a store whose address is the municipalities corresponding to the input postal code, and secondly, The map number corresponding to the postal code,
A search is made from the postal code database 16. Then, in step Sb6, the control system 13 generates, in a character format, a map covering the municipalities corresponding to the zip code using the map file corresponding to the map number, and stores the store information extracted in step Sb7. And the generated map data are transmitted to the information terminal 201.

As a result, the information terminal 201 can obtain a map of a region corresponding to the postal code and information of stores existing in the region. At this time, it is needless to say that it is desirable to display the location of the store on a map, as in the first embodiment. Further, other search conditions may be weighted in addition to the postal code. Here, it is not necessary to input all seven digits of the postal code, but may be a part of them. This is because, depending on the location, the target area may be narrowed down to some extent even with the postal code of the upper few digits. As search information for directly specifying a purpose, a telephone number in addition to a postal code can be considered. When using a phone number, when searching for the store of the phone number uniquely,
There are two cases, that is, a case where a store in the area corresponding to the area code is searched extensively.

According to the second embodiment, the user is prompted to input information for directly specifying the destination, such as a postal code or a telephone number, and the purpose is determined based on the input information. Since the information on the store and the map shown in the character format are displayed on the information terminal, it is possible for the user to obtain accurate information more quickly with less search conditions.

<3: Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the present embodiment. This figure is different from FIG. 1 in that a third party other than the user who inputs the search condition intervenes. For convenience of explanation, the information terminals operated by the third party are denoted by 202, 203, and 204, respectively. I do. here,
Information terminals 202, 203, and 204 operated by third parties include a kiosk 201 installed on a street as shown in FIG. 17A and a PDA as shown in FIG.
202, an information terminal 203 of an in-vehicle navigation system as shown in FIG. 1C, and the like, all of which can receive an e-mail and digital information from the information server 10 via the Internet 3. .

The information server 10 according to the present embodiment
Has a position management database 17 as shown in FIG. This position management database 17
The coordinate information (x, y) indicating the location of the store on the map and its map number are managed in association with the latitude and longitude (altitude if necessary). On the other hand, in the information terminal 201 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the computer 211 and the mobile terminal 221, a GPS device 231 is provided as needed. Where GP
The S device 231 receives signals from a plurality of artificial satellites, obtains the distance from the receiving location to each satellite by triangulation, and calculates two (3) -dimensional positional information of the latitude and longitude (altitude) of the receiving location. Is what you do. Such a GPS device 231 does not need to be individual as shown in the figure, and may be a type incorporated in one of the computer 211 and the mobile terminal 221 or a type in which all three are integrated. May be.

Here, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment up to step Sa11 (see FIG. 4), but the subsequent operation is based on whether or not the information terminal 201 has the GPS device 231 (is functioning). As a result, the process is divided into the flowchart shown in FIG. 20 or FIG. Therefore, first, an operation when the information terminal 201 includes the GPS device 231 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the information terminal 201, when a map in the form of a character describing the position of the store desired by the user is displayed on the display unit D1 (step Sa11), the information terminal 201 further proceeds to step Sc1 to display the information terminal. The user is asked whether or not to redisplay the map to which his or her own position has been assigned.

At this time, if the user performs an operation indicating that he does not wish to redisplay the map, the processing procedure proceeds to step Sc.
If the user skips to step 13 and performs an operation indicating that the user wants to redisplay the map, a request to redisplay the map is made to the information server 10 in step Sc2. Information server 10 receiving this request
The control system 13 determines whether or not the information terminal 201 includes the GPS device 231 in step Sc3. This determination can be made, for example, by transmitting information about the own system that the information terminal 201 has in advance and making a determination based on this information by the information server 10 or by the information server 10 It is possible to make an inquiry and make a judgment based on this response.

Here, the control system 13 controls the information terminal 2
01 is provided with the GPS device 231, step S
At c4, the information terminal is requested for its current position, and data on various inquiry screens and input screens is also transmitted.

On the other hand, in response to this request, the information terminal 20
1 transmits the latitude and longitude calculated by its own GPS device to the information server 10 as position information (step Sc5). In step Sc6, the control system 13 of the information server 10 that has received this position information determines whether the first
First, a map number associated with the latitude and longitude is retrieved from the position management database 17 according to a retrieval program, and second, a map file corresponding to the map number is retrieved from the map database 12 and retrieved. Next, in step Sc7, the control system 13 firstly generates a character-format map from the map file in accordance with the generation program, centering on a point determined by the latitude and longitude. On the map, an identifier corresponding to the user is assigned to a position associated with the latitude and longitude. Then, the control system 13 transmits the character-format map data to which the identifier has been added to the information terminal 201 in step Sc8.

On the other hand, the information terminal 20 receiving the map data
For example, as shown in FIG. 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, a map in a character format in which an identifier corresponding to the user is provided substantially at the center is displayed on the display unit D1 (step Sc9). Here, since the identifier is assigned in accordance with the current position of the user, the user has obtained a peripheral map centering on the current position of the user. When such a map is displayed, the display unit D1 asks the user whether to distribute a map in which his / her current position is assigned by an identifier to a third party (step Sc10).

When the user performs an operation for distributing the map, a screen for inputting an information terminal to be a distribution destination is displayed, and the designation of the distribution destination is prompted (step Sc11). Here, when the distribution destination is specified by the user, information indicating the distribution destination is transmitted to the information server 10. The control system 13 of the information server 10 transmits, to the information terminal corresponding to the distribution destination, the map data in the character format to which the identifier is added, which is the map data generated in the previous step Sc7.

As a result, in the display unit of the information terminal designated as the distribution destination, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, a character format in which an identifier indicating the current position of the user on the information terminal 201 is provided substantially at the center is provided. A map is displayed. At this time, the user of the information terminal 201 determines in step S
In c11, in addition to the designation of the distribution destination, a simple message may be inputted, and the message may be transmitted to the distribution destination information terminal together with the map data in the character format. According to such a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the message is displayed in addition to the map in the character format on the display unit of the information terminal that is the distribution destination. Therefore, the user of the information terminal designated as the distribution destination can simultaneously obtain information other than the map, and can cope with various situations.

The user designated as the distribution destination is:
It is possible to directly transmit the map to which the identifier has been added to a user of another information terminal by e-mail or the like. For example, a user whose information terminal 202 is designated as the distribution destination can receive the map to which the identifier of the information terminal 201 has been added, and then transmit the map to another information terminal 203.

On the other hand, if the user performs an operation not to distribute the map in step Sc10, the designation of the distribution destination in step Sc11 is skipped.
Note that the screen data transmitted in step Sc4 by the information server 10 is used for the screen in steps Sc10 and Sc11. Then, in step Sc13, as in the other embodiments, a screen for prompting the user of the information terminal 201 to input whether or not to continue the processing is displayed. The procedure returns to step Sa4 again. On the other hand, if "end" is instructed, the fact is transmitted to the information server 10 in step Sc14. In step Sc15, the control system 13 of the information server 10 executes a process of disconnecting the connection with the information terminal 201. As a result, the connection between the information terminal 201 and the information server 10 is disconnected.

Next, the information terminal 201 is connected to the GPS device 231.
The case in which is not provided will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the procedure from step Sc1 to Sc3 is the same as the case where the GPS device 231 is provided. GPS device 231
Is not provided, the control system 13 of the information server 10
Requests the information terminal to specify its current position in step Sc104,
It also transmits data about various inquiry screens and input screens.

Thus, in the information terminal 201, the map displayed in the previous step Sa11 (see FIG. 10)
Is prompted to specify a desired position (step Sc105). Here, the desired position is not limited to the current position of the user, but may be any position associated with the user. Then, when the user specifies the position with a pen, a mouse, or the like, the information terminal 201 transmits the position information of the specified position to the information server 10. Since this designation is a designation of a position in a map represented in a character format, it is sufficient for the position information to be information indicating a row and a column of the portion. When the position is specified in this way, the display unit D1 asks the user whether to distribute a map in which the specified position is assigned an identifier to a third party (step Sc106).
Here, when the distribution destination is designated by the user, information indicating the distribution destination is transmitted to the information server 10.

On the other hand, the control system 13 of the information server 10 having received the position information of the designated position,
In 109, an identifier corresponding to the user is assigned to the position indicated by the position information on the map generated in the previous step Sa10. And the control system 13
When the information indicating the distribution destination of the map is received, step S
In c110, to the information terminal corresponding to this distribution destination,
The character-format map data to which the identifier is assigned is transmitted.

The subsequent operation is the same as the case where the information terminal 201 includes the GPS device 231. Here, when the GPS device 231 is not provided, unlike the case where the GPS device 231 is provided, the reason for not inquiring whether or not to distribute to a third party is that the act of designating the position on the map is indicated by the position. This is because it is premised on distributing the provided map to third parties. In addition, the reason that the map with the identifier is not transmitted to its own information terminal is that the necessary map is already displayed in the previous step Sa11, and those who can specify the position on the map are at least Because he is bright in the surrounding geography. Of course, a configuration in which a map is generated and transmitted to the information terminal may be adopted.

In the third embodiment, the information terminal 2
When 01 has the GPS device 231, the identifier indicates the current position. However, as in the case where the GPS device 231 is not provided, the identifier may be assigned to a position designated by the user. Further, the information server 10 is a GPS device 2
After recognizing the current position of the information terminal 201 by the designation of the user 31 or the user, information based on the current position of the information terminal 201 may be input as a location search condition. For example, as shown in FIG. 24A, store information existing within 3 km from the current position may be used as the search condition. Note that the distance can be input in various modes such as a pull-down menu as shown in FIG. Similarly, instead of setting the distribution destination of the map to which the identifier is assigned to a specific information terminal, the map may be transmitted to all information terminals located within 3 km from the current position, for example, based on the current position of the user. good.

According to the third embodiment, if the information terminal 201 is provided with the GPS device 231, the user of the information terminal can quickly display the peripheral map to which his / her current position is assigned as the identifier. Obtainable. Further, regardless of whether or not the information terminal 201 includes the GPS device 231, it is possible to transmit a peripheral map in which the identifier is attached to the current position or the position designated by the user to a third party other than the user. Therefore, various information exchanges using the map can be performed between users of the information terminals, and various uses for meeting, business negotiation, and the like can be achieved.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, accurate information can be promptly obtained without being affected by the communication speed, display capability, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information server according to the embodiment; FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating advertisement information in the information database;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the information terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a display unit of the information terminal.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams each illustrating an example of a display screen on a display monitor of the information terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a display unit of the information terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a display unit of the information terminal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on a display unit of the information terminal.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a map shown in a character format.

FIGS. 11A to 11D are diagrams for explaining operations when generating a map in a character format.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are diagrams for explaining operations when generating a map in a character format;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a map based on a map file used when generating a map in a character format.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information server according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information server according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17A to 17C are diagrams each illustrating a configuration example of another information terminal.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information server according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of the information terminal according to the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... information server, 11 ... information database, 12
…… Map database, 13 …… Control system, 14…
... Storage unit, 16... Zip code database, 17... Location management database, 201, 202, 203, 204
…… Information terminal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toshio Takeda 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeru Shimada 1-280, Higashi-Koigabo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Michio Morioka 4-6-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi, Ltd. (Reference) 5B075 KK33 KK39 ND02 PQ02 UU13

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A server transmits screen data for prompting an input of a part or all of a telephone number or a postal code to an information terminal connected via a network, and displays an input screen on the information terminal. A first step of displaying, a second step in which the server searches a database to obtain advertising information corresponding to part or all of the telephone number or the postal code input by the information terminal; And a third step of outputting the acquired advertisement information to the information terminal. 2. The advertisement information acquired by the server in the second step includes information on a map,
In the third step, the server sends the information terminal a map based on the acquired information and a point on the map corresponding to the acquired coordinate information. The advertisement information supply method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the store is displayed on the display. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the map is displayed in a character format. 4. The information relating to the map is information relating to a map number of a map for displaying a store. After the second step and before the third step, the server searches a database. The advertisement information according to claim 3, further comprising: acquiring a map file corresponding to the map number; and generating a character-format map from the acquired map file by the server. Supply method. 5. A means for transmitting screen data for prompting a part or all of a telephone number or a postal code to an information terminal connected via a network, and displaying the input screen on the information terminal. Means for searching a database to obtain advertising information corresponding to part or all of a telephone number or a postal code input by the information terminal; and means for outputting the obtained advertising information to the information terminal. An advertisement information supply device, comprising: