JP2004021548A - Information providing system using real time information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing system using real time information capable of distributing real time information, and letting a user easily recognize the newness of information according to the change of the display of a facility icon or a facility list. <P>SOLUTION: This information providing system is provided with a display unit for displaying an icon corresponding to a registered facility, store or mobile on a map, and for displaying the home page of the facility, store, or mobile when the icon is selected. The icon is displayed with the real time information of the facility, store, or mobile included. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing system using real-time information, and more particularly to an information providing system using real-time information that can search for information based on a displayed map.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, many information providing systems using the Internet have been devised, and there are websites for transmitting various contents and services on the Internet. 2. Description of the Related Art When searching for contents or websites that a user wants to search on the Internet, a search engine (a search-only system used when searching necessary information from a vast amount of information) is widely used.
[0003]
With search engines, if you want to know the location of a company, store, facility, etc., even if you find the site from the search engine, the map is posted on the last page by tracing the page hierarchically from the top page In many cases, the operation is complicated.
[0004]
Also, if you go to a downtown area and play, if you know in advance the stores such as entertainment facilities, shopping, meals, etc., you can search on the Internet, but not so, what kind of facilities and stores are vague Search sites are unsuitable when you want to find out.
[0005]
Furthermore, with such a search engine, if you want to search for a hospital in a certain area, you have to search for and find each hospital using the municipalities as keys, and then check the location of each and every site. There are points.
[0006]
In order to solve the above problems, it is possible to search for restaurants, facilities, companies, etc. by combining the electronic map and the search function, and to display the location on the map with icons (functions, instructions, messages, etc. There is a map search engine that is a map information search service that includes facility information indicated by a symbol represented by.
[0007]
In the map search engine, for example, a map of Japan is displayed on a display screen, and a pointer (a symbol indicating a position on the screen) is positioned at a place to be searched on the map of Japan, and clicked (pressing a mouse button). Then, an enlarged map centered on the clicked position is displayed. In addition, by positioning the pointer at the place where you want to search for the enlarged map and clicking, the enlarged map is displayed, and by performing the operation several times, icons are displayed at the positions of multiple facilities and stores The displayed map is displayed. Then, by placing a pointer on an icon corresponding to the facility or store desired to be searched and clicking on the icon, information on the facility or store is displayed.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an information providing system for map search, the detailed information of each facility or store is registered at the time of the first facility information registration. The information content is mainly static information (facility name, contact information, catch phrase, etc.), and there is no problem if the purpose is to provide only such information that does not change semi-permanently. However, when there is a need to provide real-time information to the information registration requester, it is necessary to call an update page in order to correct and register the information. Updating of information, the number of people waiting, the number of remaining goods, the vehicle position, and the like is enormous, and it is difficult to provide the latest information on facilities in real time.
[0009]
Among the static information that has already been registered, there are data such as business hours, weekly replacement doctors, scheduled data represented by a timetable, etc., date and time, environment, etc. based on the weather etc. , It is possible to provide information in real time. However, with these static information registered in the past, the corresponding information does not always match the current situation.
[0010]
In addition, no matter how much effort is made to update the detail page, no changes appear on the icons on the map screen, so the user can use real-time information in the "map information search service including facility information". There is no way to know the newness of the information from the icon images displayed on the map, etc. when trying to obtain the information. I had to open and browse.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to distribute real-time information, and to easily recognize the newness of information by changing the display of a facility icon or a facility list. And providing an information providing system using real-time information.
[0012]
Means and action for solving the problem
An information providing system using real-time information according to the present invention is configured as follows to achieve the above object.
[0013]
An information providing system using first real-time information (corresponding to claim 1) displays an icon corresponding to a registered facility, store, or moving object on a map, and selects the icon to select the facility, store, or mobile terminal. An information providing system including a display device on which a homepage of a mobile is displayed, wherein the icons are characterized by being displayed including real-time information of facilities, stores, or the mobile.
[0014]
According to the information providing system using the first real-time information, an icon corresponding to a registered facility, store, or mobile is displayed on a map, and the homepage of the facility, store, or mobile is displayed by selecting the icon. An information providing system including a display device to be displayed, wherein the icons are displayed including real-time information of facilities, stores, or moving objects, so that real-time information can be delivered and display of facility icons and facility lists. , The user can easily recognize the newness of the information.
[0015]
The information providing system using the second real-time information (corresponding to claim 2) is an information input terminal provided for a registered facility, store, or mobile body, and an icon corresponding to the facility, store, or mobile body on a map. , A display device on which a homepage of a facility, store or mobile is displayed by selecting an icon, a user terminal device having an input device for selecting an icon, a plurality of maps, a plurality of stores, and a plurality of stores. A server provided with a database for registering information on facilities forms a network, and the server is characterized by including a real-time information collecting means, a data managing means, and an information providing means. Thus, real-time information can be distributed, and the user can easily recognize the newness of the information based on a change in the display of the facility icon or the facility list.
[0016]
An information providing system using third real-time information (corresponding to claim 3) is characterized in that, in the above configuration, preferably, the real-time information collecting means is means for accumulating real-time information sent from the information input terminal. Attached. Thereby, real-time information can be reliably stored in the server.
[0017]
In the information providing system using fourth real-time information (corresponding to claim 4), in the above configuration, preferably, the data management means displays on a map based on the real-time information collected by the real-time information collecting means. This is a means for setting parameters corresponding to the icon and the facility list to be performed, and updating the parameters in consideration of the input information and the elapsed time from the last update time. Thus, since the parameters are updated based on the real-time information, the updated information based on the parameters can be put on an icon or the like displayed on a map.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing system using the real-time information, the information providing means preferably includes a facility icon and a facility changed based on parameters set by the data management means. It is characterized by being a means for displaying a list on an electronic map. Thereby, the user can easily grasp the real-time information.
[0019]
The sixth information providing system using real-time information (corresponding to claim 6) is characterized in that, in the above configuration, preferably, the parameter is in the form of an icon. Here, the form of the icon is, for example, the size, color, shape, and pattern of the icon.
Further, an information providing system using the seventh real-time information (corresponding to claim 7) is characterized in the above configuration, preferably, in that the parameter is a display priority of the facility in the facility list.
As described above, the real-time information can be associated with, for example, a change in the size of the icon or the display priority of the facility in the facility list, and the real-time information can be easily grasped.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an information providing system using real-time information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an information providing system using real-time information includes a real-time information providing site computer system (server) 100 and a user browsing device (user terminal device) 200 or a user browsing device (user terminal device) 300. , 400 + n (n is a natural number) and a plurality of information input terminals 500, 501,... 500 + n are connected by a network 600. The real-time information providing site computer system 100 includes an information processing unit 16 including a real-time information collection unit 10, a data management unit 11, a request processing unit 12, a map database processing unit 13, a distribution processing unit 14, and a facility database processing unit 15, and a map. It comprises a database 17, a facility database 18, a communication processing unit 19, a memory unit 20, a time management unit 21, and a timer processing unit 22. An information providing unit 23 includes the request processing unit 12, the map database processing unit 13, the distribution processing unit 14, the facility database processing unit 15, the map database 17, and the facility database 18. The user viewing device 200 includes an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a control unit 26, and a communication processing unit 27. The user viewing device 300 includes an input unit 28, a display unit 29, a control unit 30, a communication processing unit 31, and a wireless processing unit 32. The existing site computer system 400 includes a request processing unit 33, a distribution processing unit 34, a database processing unit 35, a database 36, and a communication processing unit 37. The information input terminals 500, 501,... 500 + n transmit real-time information to the real-time information providing site computer system 100 through a communication line (network 600). The user browsing device 200 is a personal computer or a telephone equipped with a browser, and the user browsing device 300 is a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, or a car navigation system. Here, the existing site computer systems 401,..., 400 + n have the same configuration as the existing site computer system 400, and thus description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
The real-time information providing site computer system 100, the user browsing device 200, the user browsing device 300, the plurality of existing site computer systems 400, 401,... 400 + n and the information input terminals 500, 501,. Transfer of information via
[0023]
The real-time information collecting unit 10 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 temporarily stores the real-time information sent from the information input terminals 500, 501,... 500 + n in the memory unit 20, and the facility database via the facility database processing unit 15. 18 and updates the data.
[0024]
The data management unit 11 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 compares the parameters with the parameters stored in the facility database 18 based on the real-time information collected by the real-time information collection unit 10 and temporarily stored in the memory unit 20. , The parameters corresponding to the facility list and the parameters are updated, the parameters are updated in consideration of the input information and the elapsed time from the last update time, and the parameters are updated to the facility database 18 via the facility database processing unit 15. Is stored.
[0025]
That is, the data management unit 11 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 sets parameters such as the size, color, shape, and pattern of the icon image or the display priority on the facility list every time the real-time information is input. Then, the information is stored in the facility database 18 together with the registration information. The icon image parameter is used when selecting a facility icon created for each rank, and the display priority parameter is used when deciding the priority order when displaying a list of facilities. .. 500 + n, the parameter decreases every time after the last information update from the information input terminals 500, 501,..., 500 + n. Icon disappears.
[0026]
The information providing unit 23 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 displays a facility icon and a facility list on an electronic map based on the set parameters. That is, when there is a map display request from the user, the designated map and the facilities included on the map are searched, and the facility icon of the corresponding rank is selected by the icon image parameter of each facility, and the facility icon is displayed on the electronic map. In addition to the arrangement, the list is displayed in consideration of the display priority parameters of the included facilities.
[0027]
The request processing unit 12 of the information providing unit 23 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 transmits the request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300 in order to constantly monitor whether there is a map page request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300. It is determined whether or not there is a request for a map page. If there is no request for a map page from the user browsing devices 200 and 300, the determination as to whether or not there is a request for a map page is repeatedly executed. When there is a map page request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300, it is determined whether the map page request is a request specifying a prefecture / city / town / village code as a parameter or a request specifying a latitude / longitude as a parameter. to decide.
[0028]
The map database processing unit 13 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 searches the map database 17 for the latitude and longitude corresponding to the specified prefecture / city / town / village code. Further, based on the latitude and longitude, the national map is divided into meshes from the map database 17 and divided, and mesh IDs including the latitude and longitude are searched and specified from among mesh IDs assigned to the respective maps. Further, map data corresponding to the specified mesh ID is extracted from the map database 17.
[0029]
The map database 17 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 is a database that stores, as data, a plurality of maps obtained by partitioning a nationwide map with a mesh of a specific size. FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of data stored in the map database 17. The map data includes, for each segmented map data, the mesh ID, scale, latitude 1 which is the latitude of the northernmost point of the mesh, latitude 2 which is the latitude of the southernmost point of the mesh, longitude 1 which is the longitude of the easternmost point of the mesh, Longitude 2, which is the westernmost longitude of the mesh, a data file consisting of a map image, the name of the prefecture and the latitude of the location of the prefecture, the local government, the prefectural government, the location of the prefecture, the longitude and the prefecture code, the name of the district and village, and the latitude of the government office, It consists of longitude, prefecture code, and municipal code.
[0030]
The distribution processing unit 14 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 sends the extracted map data to the user browsing devices 200 and 300, and sends the number of facilities in a specific area to the user browsing devices 200 and 300. Then, the stored facility icon data (name, position, icon image, URL, etc.) is transmitted to the user browsing devices 200 and 300.
[0031]
The facility database processing unit 14 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 operates when the real-time information and parameters temporarily stored in the memory unit 20 and the facility database 18 are stored and updated. Further, it is determined whether or not all the facilities in the specific area have been searched from the facility database 18, and the facilities existing in the specific area are searched based on the parameters related to the coordinates such as the latitude and longitude of the facility database 18. Furthermore, all searched records and the number of counted facilities are stored. Further, it is determined whether or not all the facilities in the specific area have been searched from the facility database 18.
[0032]
The facility database 18 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 is a database relating to information on facilities nationwide. FIG. 3 shows a data configuration diagram of the facility database 18. The facility data includes, for each facility data, a name, a facility ID, an address, a prefecture code, a municipal code, a latitude, a longitude, an icon image code, an icon parameter, a last update time, a URL, an image file, a voice file, and a non-display code. , Data of an icon image code, a description of each icon (whether open or closed, congestion or vacancy, etc.), and an icon file. Here, the name refers to the name of the facility, the facility ID refers to the ID of the facility, the address refers to the location of the facility, and corresponds to the latitude and longitude data. The prefecture code means the code of the prefecture, the city code means the code of the city, the latitude means the coordinates of the facility, and corresponds to the display coordinates of the icon. The longitude means coordinates of the facility and corresponds to the display coordinates of the icon. The icon image code means a corresponding code of the icon image table. The icon parameter means a code corresponding to the display state of the icon, that is, a code corresponding to the size or expression method. The last update time means the last update time of the real-time data. The URL indicates a link to which the user jumps when clicking the icon. The image file means the file name called when the icon is clicked. The sound file means the file name that is called when the icon is clicked. The non-display code means a code for determining whether to display the facility icon.
[0033]
The communication processing unit 19 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 receives the request data from the user browsing device 200 or the user browsing device 300, and also receives the real-time information from the information input terminals 500, 501,. And a process of transmitting information from the real-time information providing site computer system 100.
[0034]
The memory unit 20 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 temporarily stores real-time information. The time management unit 21 updates the last update time, which is the time when updating the data in the facility database 18. The timer processing unit 22 performs a process for reading the time from a built-in timer.
[0035]
The input units 25 and 29 of the user browsing devices 200 and 300 are provided by the user from a database of a map page created for each predetermined area in which the latitude and longitude and the names of prefectures, cities, towns and villages are registered as parameters. When requesting the map page to be displayed from the browsing devices 200 and 300, the user can input the latitude / longitude or the name of the prefecture / city / town / village, or select an arbitrary position from the smallest scale map already displayed on the display unit. Used when requesting by specifying the pointer by clicking on the mouse with the mouse.
[0036]
The display units 25 and 29 of the user browsing devices 200 and 300 display the map data, display the number of each facility in the specific area received, and further, based on the received all facility icon data, Display the facility icon above. Further, the received Web page is displayed.
[0037]
The control units 26 and 30 of the user browsing devices 200 and 300 control the input units 24 and 28, the display units 25 and 29, and the communication processing units 27 and 31.
[0038]
The communication processing units 27 and 31 of the user browsing devices 200 and 300 perform processing of transmitting request data and receiving information from the real-time information providing site computer system 100 or the existing site computer system 400.
[0039]
The wireless processing unit 32 of the user browsing device 300 performs a process of mounting data to be transmitted by the communication processing unit 31 on a carrier wave that is a radio wave, extracting data from the carrier wave that is the radio wave carrying the data, and sending the data to the communication processing unit 31. .
[0040]
The request processing unit 33 of the existing site computer system 400 determines whether there is a request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300, and if there is no request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300, repeats the determination. If there is a request from the user browsing devices 200 and 300, a Web page is sent.
[0041]
The database processing unit 35 of the existing site computer system 400 performs a process of reading information on the existing site from the database, and performs a process of newly storing information in the database.
[0042]
The distribution processing unit 34 of the existing site computer system 400 performs a process of distributing the information read by the database processing unit 35 to the requesting user viewing device.
[0043]
The database 36 of the existing site computer system 400 stores data such as information on the existing site.
[0044]
The communication processing unit 37 of the existing site computer system 400 receives the request data from the communication processing units 27 and 31 of the user browsing devices 200 and 300 and performs a process of transmitting information from the existing site computer system.
[0045]
The information input terminals 500, 501,... 500 + n acquire real-time information manually or automatically as described later in detail, and transmit the information to the information providing site computer system 100.
[0046]
Next, examples of information types and real-time information (real-time content) that can be used in the present system will be described.
[0047]
The facilities and stores for which it is important to determine whether or not the business is open as real-time information include gas stations, dentists, hospitals, and the like. At a gas station, in addition to information on whether or not the station is open, real-time information on real-time prices, maintenance congestion such as car washing, and the like is also provided. In the dentist, in addition to the information on whether or not the business is open, an empty information search and a reservation system are important information. In a hospital, the subject to be examined and the schedule of the attending physician are important real-time information in addition to whether the business is open.
[0048]
As real-time information, facilities and stores for which it is important to determine whether or not crowded are movie theaters, barbers, taverns, car supply stores, and the like. In a movie theater, information such as a reservation status and a discount coupon other than the congestion status can also be real-time information. In a barber, in addition to the congestion status, the status of business and reservation status is real-time information. In a izakaya, in addition to the congestion status, information on the sale status, discount coupons, and the presence or absence of regular customers becomes real-time information. At a car supply store, maintenance congestion status such as tire changes, oil changes, and various types of installations become real-time information.
[0049]
As real-time information, there is a mobile body in which positional information is important, and the mobile body includes a taxi, a stand, selling poles only, a mobile service vehicle such as a newspaper exchange car, a garbage truck, and the like. In a taxi, the current position of a nearby taxi, the current position of a rider, and the reservation status are real-time information. In addition to the current location of the mobile service vehicle, the reservation status, menu, and travel itinerary become real-time information. In a garbage truck, the estimated time of arrival at the collection site other than the current position is real-time information.
[0050]
Sale information is important as real-time information in retail stores such as fishmongers and greengrocers, and restaurants such as restaurants and cafes. At a retail store, in addition to sale information, time sale information and discount coupon information are real-time information. At restaurants, in addition to sale information, menus such as daily menus and lunch menus, and discount coupon information are real-time information.
[0051]
Next, the information input terminals 500, 501,... 500 + n will be described in detail. There are the following three types of information input terminals. (1) Information input by a human hand represented by a keyboard input, a button press, and the like. (2) Automatic input in which data is input by automatically pressing a switch or button, or detecting data from a sensor that monitors a certain event. (3) There is always input which is an input means that can continuously send data, such as video or image data captured by a camera or audio data collected by a microphone.
[0052]
First, as an example of the information input terminal, an example of the keyboard / button (1) will be described. The congestion status is input using the keyboard shown in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4B, an icon on which the congestion status is marked is displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 25 of the user browsing device. The user can grasp the congestion status at a glance by looking at the icons. In addition, the user can see the corresponding homepage by clicking the displayed icon.
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the information input terminal. The information input terminal includes an information control unit 50, an input processing unit 51, an output processing unit 52, a memory unit 53, and a communication processing unit 54, which are connected to a communication line (network 600). The information control unit 50 controls an input processing unit 51, an output processing unit 52, a memory unit 53, and a communication processing unit 54. The input processing unit 51 inputs a congestion state or the like using a keyboard. The output processing unit 52 is configured by a display device or the like, and displays input characters and the like. The memory unit 53 stores information input by the input processing unit 51. The communication processing unit 54 transmits the input and stored information.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart when data is input using the keyboard. First, a person inputs data such as the congestion state by the input processing unit 51 based on some information (step ST10). The memory unit 53 stores the current input data (step ST11). The communication processing unit 54 connects to the server 100 and transmits an ID for authentication (step ST12). On the server 100 side receiving the ID, the communication processing unit 19 authenticates the information input terminal (step ST13). The server 100 determines whether the connection is permitted (step ST14). If there is no connection permission, a connection rejection signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST15), and the process ends. If the connection is permitted, a connection permission signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST16). The information input terminal determines whether the connection has been permitted (step ST17). When receiving the connection disapproval signal, the output processing unit 52 outputs error information (step ST18). The memory unit 53 stores the error log (step ST19) and ends. When receiving the connection permission signal, the information control unit 50 transmits update data (step ST20). The information processing section 16 of the server that has received the update data acquires the terminal ID and the update data (step ST21). The information processing section 16 updates the record of the real-time data corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST22). The time management unit 21 updates the record of the last update time corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (Step ST23). The information processing section 16 transmits the registration completion data to the information input terminal (step ST24). The information input terminal determines whether registration completion data has been obtained (step ST25). If the registration completion data is not obtained, step ST20 is executed again. When the registration completion data is obtained, the communication processing unit 54 disconnects the communication (step ST26) and ends.
[0055]
As a specific example of the information input terminal, an example in which the state of the sensor / switch of (2) is to be monitored each time will be described. FIG. 7A shows display lamps 60 and 61 provided at the entrance of a store and the like, and shows an information detecting unit for detecting energization by providing a sensor in this power supply. In, a touch sensor is installed at a receiving portion of the goodwill 62 provided at the entrance of the store, and an information detection unit that detects a state by turning on and off a physical switch is shown, or by a wireless sensor such as an infrared ray, There is an information detection unit that detects a state such as the congestion degree or the presence of an object. By automatically inputting the status by these information detection units, information such as congestion status, business hours, and holidays is displayed on icons. FIG. 7B shows a display screen actually displayed on the display unit of the user viewing device. By looking at the icons as shown in the figure, the situation can be grasped at a glance.
[0056]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the information input terminal. The information input terminal includes an information control unit 63, an information detection unit (data detection unit) 64, a memory unit 65, a communication processing unit 66, and a timer processing unit 67, which are connected to a communication line (network 600). . The information control unit 63 controls the data detection unit 64, the memory unit 65, and the communication processing unit 66. The data detection unit 64 receives an input from the above-described sensor. The memory unit 65 stores the data input by the data detection unit 64. The communication processing unit 66 transmits the input and stored data.
[0057]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission. The timer processing section 67 starts a fixed-cycle processing timer (step ST30). The state is monitored by the data detection unit 64 such as a sensor (step ST31). It is determined whether data has been detected (step ST32). If no data is detected, the status is constantly monitored. That is, steps ST30 and ST31 are executed. If data is detected, the data detection unit 64 acquires the data (step ST33). The memory unit 65 stores the current input data (step ST34). The communication processing unit 66 connects to the server 100 and transmits an ID for authentication (step ST35). On the server 100 side receiving the ID, the communication processing unit 19 authenticates the information input terminal (step ST36). It is determined whether connection is permitted (step ST37). If there is no connection permission, a connection rejection signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST38), and the process ends. If the connection is permitted, a connection permission signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST39). The information input terminal determines whether the connection is permitted (step ST40). If a connection disapproval signal has been received, the memory unit 65 stores an error log (step ST41) and ends. When receiving the connection permission signal, the information control unit 63 transmits update data (step ST42). The information processing unit 16 of the server 100 that has received the update data acquires the terminal ID and the update data (step ST43). The information processing section 16 updates the record of the real-time data corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST44). The time management unit 21 updates the record of the last update time corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST45). Information processing section 16 transmits the registration completion data to the information input terminal (step ST46). The information input terminal determines whether registration completion data has been obtained (step ST47). If the registration completion data is not obtained, step ST42 is executed again. When the registration completion data is obtained, the communication processing unit 66 disconnects the communication (step ST48) and ends.
[0058]
The output from the sensor, the update of the data in the facility database, and the time change of the icons displayed on the screen of the user viewing device in this process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows the passage of time along the horizontal direction. With the passage of time, a frame L10 shows real-time information received from the sensor, a frame L11 shows information sent from the information input terminal to the server, and a frame L12. Indicates a change in the icon image code in the facility database of the server, a frame L13 is a description of the code, a frame L14 indicates a time when a user's display request is made, and a frame L15 is a current time. 4 shows an image of a displayed icon. Before the start of business is detected by the sensor, the icon image code of the server is closed for 111. Thereafter, when the sensor detects the start of business, the sensor sends a terminal ID and data. At this time, the icon image code 110 is sent. In the server, the icon image code is updated to 110 and the server is in business. At this time, on the display screen of the user, the icon is changed to a display during business operation as shown in the figure. When the sensor detects the sky, the sensor sends the ID and 121, and the data in the database of the server is updated to 121. The icon on the display screen is a display indicating the sky as shown in the figure. When the sensor detects congestion, fullness, or closing of business, data is sent to the server 100 as shown in FIG. 10, and the facility database 18 of the server 100 is updated. At this time, on the display screen of the user viewing device 200, an icon indicated by a frame L15 is displayed on a map as shown in FIG. When the user clicks the icon, the home page of the corresponding facility is displayed.
[0059]
As a specific example of the information input terminal, there is shown an example in which it is desired to view integrated data and the like obtained by monitoring the sensor / switch at a fixed period in (2). The accumulated data includes rainfall, snowfall, popularity, number of visitors, and congestion. There are a snow gauge that measures the amount of snow at a ski resort, a sensor attached to a gate to detect the number of visitors to an amusement park, and a vehicle passing sensor attached to the side of a road to detect the amount of road congestion. By automatically inputting the status by these information detection units, information such as the snow status, the number of visitors, and the amount of congestion is displayed on the icon. FIG. 12 shows a display screen actually displayed on the display unit of the user viewing device. By looking at the icons as shown in FIG. 12, the situation of snow cover can be grasped at a glance.
[0060]
In the processing in this example, first, the state is monitored by an information detection unit such as a sensor. Next, data is detected and integrated at regular intervals. If data is detected, the state is constantly monitored. If it is time to transmit the data, the integrated data is stored in the storage unit. Subsequent processing is the same as the above-described automatic data transmission processing, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0061]
As a specific example of the information input terminal, an example in which it is desired to monitor the position and state of the moving object in (2) will be described. FIG. 13A shows a position detecting device 70 for detecting the position of a moving object. The position detecting device 70 is an antenna 71 that receives a signal from the GPS, and a position detecting unit 72 that determines a position based on a signal from the GPS. By automatically inputting the position status by the position detecting section 72, an icon is displayed at a corresponding position on the map based on the position information. FIG. 13B shows a display screen actually displayed on the display unit 25 of the user viewing device 200. By looking at the icons as shown in the figure, the position of the moving object can be grasped at a glance.
[0062]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the information input terminal. The information input terminal includes an information control unit 80, a position detection processing unit 81, a memory unit 82, and a communication processing unit 83, which are connected to a communication line (network 600). The information control unit 80 controls the position detection processing unit 81, the memory unit 82, and the communication processing unit 83. The position detection processing unit 81 receives an input from the above-described position detection device. The memory unit 82 stores information input by the position detection processing unit 81 and the input processing unit 84. The communication processing unit 84 transmits the input and stored information.
[0063]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission. The timer processing unit starts a fixed-cycle processing timer (step ST50). The position detection is performed by the position detection processing section 81 (step ST51). It is determined whether data has been acquired (step ST52). If data has not been acquired, step ST50 is executed. If the data has been obtained, the memory unit 82 stores the obtained position data (step ST53). The communication processing unit 83 connects to the server 100 and transmits an ID for authentication (step ST54). On the server 100 side receiving the ID, the communication processing unit 19 authenticates the information input terminal (step ST55). It is determined whether connection is permitted (step ST56). If there is no connection permission, a connection rejection signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST57), and the process ends. If the connection is permitted, a connection permission signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST58). The terminal determines whether the connection is permitted (step ST59). When receiving the connection rejection signal, the output processing unit outputs error information (step ST60). The memory unit 82 stores the error log (step ST61) and ends. When receiving the connection permission signal, the information control unit transmits update data (step ST62). The information processing unit 16 of the server 100 that has received the update data acquires the terminal ID and the update data (step ST63). The information processing section 16 updates the record of the real-time data corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST64). The time management unit 21 updates the record of the last update time corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (Step ST65). Information processing section 16 transmits the registration completion data to the terminal (step ST66). The terminal determines whether registration completion data has been acquired (step ST67). If registration completion data has not been acquired, step ST62 is executed again. When the registration completion data is obtained, the communication processing unit disconnects the communication (step ST68) and ends. The period for sending this position information can be set arbitrarily.
[0064]
The output from the sensor, the update of the data in the database, and the time change of the icon displayed on the screen of the user viewing device in this process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows the passage of time along the horizontal direction. With the passage of time, a frame L20 shows real-time information received from the sensor, a frame L21 shows information sent from the information input terminal to the server, and a frame L22. Indicates a change in latitude and longitude in the facility database of the server, a frame L23 indicates when a user's display request is made, and a frame L24 indicates a position of an icon image displayed at that time. Before the coordinates (latitude, longitude) of (X0, Y0) are detected by the sensor, the latitude and longitude of the server are (X0, Y0). Thereafter, when the sensor detects the coordinates (X1, Y1), the sensor sends a terminal ID and data. At this time, the latitude and longitude (X1, Y1) are sent. In the server, the latitude and longitude are updated to (X1, Y1). At that time, an icon is displayed at coordinates (X1, Y1) on the display screen of the user. When the coordinates (X2, Y2) are detected from the sensor, the ID and (X2, Y2) are sent from the sensor, and the latitude and longitude data in the server database is updated to (X2, Y2). On the display screen, an icon is displayed at coordinates (X2, Y2). If the sensor similarly detects another coordinate, the data is sent to the server as shown, and the server database is updated. At this time, icons are displayed on a map as shown in FIG. 17 on the display screen of the user terminal.
[0065]
As an example of the information input terminal, an example of the camera / microphone of (3) is shown. FIG. 18A shows a microphone / camera in a store. The information is sent by constantly transmitting the image from the camera and the sound from the microphone, and the information is sent. By clicking the icon as shown in FIG. You can listen and see the images in real time.
[0066]
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the information input terminal. The information input terminal includes an information control unit 90, a camera / microphone 91, a memory unit 92, and a communication processing unit 93, which are connected to a communication line (network 600). The information control unit 90 controls the camera / microphone 91, the memory unit 92, and the communication processing unit 93. The camera / microphone 91 inputs images and sounds. The memory unit 92 stores information input by the camera / microphone. The communication processing unit transmits the input and stored information.
[0067]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission. The video data is shot by a camera and transmitted, and is always captured as data. It is executed until there is an end command. If there is an end command, the process ends. The sound is collected by a microphone, and the sound data is sent out, and is always taken in as data. It is executed until there is an end command. If there is an end command, the process ends (step ST70). The memory unit 92 stores the current input data (step ST71). The communication processing unit connects to the server and transmits an ID for authentication (step ST72). On the server 100 side that has received the ID, the communication processing unit 16 authenticates the terminal (step ST73). It is determined whether connection is permitted (step ST74). If there is no connection permission, a connection rejection signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST75), and the process ends. If the connection is permitted, a connection permission signal is transmitted to the terminal (step ST76). The terminal determines whether or not the connection is permitted (step ST77). If a connection disapproval signal has been received, the memory unit 92 stores an error log (step ST78) and ends. When receiving the connection permission signal, the information control unit transmits update data (step ST79). The information processing unit of the server that has received the update data acquires the terminal ID and the update data (step ST80). The information processing section 16 updates the record of the real-time data corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST81). The time management unit 21 updates the record of the last update time corresponding to the terminal ID in the facility database 18 (step ST82). Information processing section 16 transmits registration completion data to the terminal (step ST83). The terminal determines whether or not registration completion data has been acquired (step ST84). If registration completion data has not been acquired, step ST79 is executed again. When the registration completion data is obtained, the communication processing unit 93 disconnects the communication (step ST85) and ends.
[0068]
Next, a pattern of the information update procedure will be described with reference to FIG. This information updating procedure includes the following three methods. Method 1 is a method in which the information input terminal sends the ID and the update data of the automatic terminal to the server periodically or as needed, and the server manages the data using a database. In this method, data is exchanged as shown in FIG. This method has the advantages that the terminal does not need to be managed by the server, and communication can be performed without update information, so that the communication load can be reduced. However, since the information in the database of the server is the latest data, it may not be the latest data for the facility depending on the update timing.
[0069]
Method 2 is a method in which the server periodically queries each information input terminal for the presence or absence of update information and updates the data in the database. FIG. 21B shows data exchange. This method has an advantage in that the load on the terminal is low because it is not necessary to update information in the terminal itself and communicate until receiving an inquiry from the server. However, since the server must manage each terminal and listen in order, the communication load of the server is high, and the information from the server inquiry to the terminal to the next inquiry is the latest data in the server. Therefore, depending on the update timing, the data may not be the latest data for the facility.
[0070]
Method 3 is a method in which, when a map display request is made by a user, the server inquires the corresponding information input terminal for the latest information and collects data. FIG. 21C shows data exchange. This method has the advantages that the latest information at the terminal can be obtained and communication is minimal. However, since the response of the user becomes poor and each terminal must be managed by the server, the communication load of the server is high.
[0071]
Next, the data update processing in the data management unit will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0072]
A timer is started (step ST90), and it is determined whether or not the time is up (step ST91). If the time is up, icon parameter value subtraction processing is performed (step ST92), and facility display determination processing is performed (step ST93). If the time is not up, the real-time information database shown in FIGS. 9, 15, and 19 is updated (step ST94), and it is determined whether the data has been updated (step ST95). If the data is not updated, it is determined again whether the time is up. When the data is updated, an icon parameter value addition process is performed (step ST96), and a facility display determination process is performed (step ST93).
[0073]
FIG. 22B is a flowchart of the facility display determination process. A parameter value is obtained (step ST97), and it is determined whether rn is greater than ra (step ST98). If so, move on to the next step. If smaller, a facility information non-display warning is transmitted (step ST99). Next, it is determined whether or not there is a non-display flag (step ST100). If there is no non-display flag, the non-display flag is set (step ST101), and the process proceeds to the next step. If there is a non-display flag, the parameter value is set to non-display (step ST102), and the process proceeds to the next step.
[0074]
After step ST93, the icon image parameter value database is updated (step ST103), the timer is reset (step ST104), and the process ends.
[0075]
Here, a specific example of a parameter calculation method and a display effect will be described.
[0076]
The case where the parameter of the icon image is the radius of the icon will be described as an example. It is assumed that the initial value of the radius of the icon is r0, and the radius is decremented by one every day. If the information is updated once a day, the value returns to the initial value. As an example 1, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), when r0 is 10 in rM, the value is 10 when updated on the first day, is 10 when updated on the second day, and is updated on the third day. Since it was not performed, it is decremented by one, becomes nine, is updated on the fourth day, and changes to be ten. FIG. 23B shows the change in the radius. The horizontal axis indicates the date, and the vertical axis indicates the radius.
[0077]
When the information is continuously updated as in Example 1, the radius of the information is updated to 10 when the information is updated. When the information is updated in this manner, the radius rn of the icon is maintained at r0, and the icon display on the map can be maintained. However, as in Example 2 shown in FIG. 24A, if information is not updated, the radius of the icon gradually decreases, and the icon displayed on the map becomes smaller. If no input is made for n days, the radius of the icon becomes 0 when r0 becomes n or less, and the icon on the map disappears.
[0078]
By using this method, information on facilities that have been closed can no longer be updated, so that information on facilities can be deleted from the map without maintenance by the service provider.
[0079]
In these Examples 1 and 2, it is assumed that the initial value of the radius of the icon is r0, and the radius is decremented by one every day, and is incremented by one if the information is updated. As shown in FIG. 3, r0 can be made smaller than rn by changing the condition to plus 2 if the information is updated or plus 2 if the information is updated twice or more a day. According to this method, the icon becomes larger each time information is updated, and the user's own icon becomes more prominent than other facilities, so that the information registration requester can be encouraged to actively input information.
[0080]
As described above, by actively updating the information by the information requester, the icon displayed on the map becomes larger, and it becomes easier for the user to find the facility information. At the same time, service operators can collect highly fresh information.
[0081]
As described above, by using the information providing method, the operator of the map information search service including the facility information can collect information with higher freshness, and the maintenance of the information can be further reduced. In addition, the information registration requester can arrange icon images that can be easily found by the user on the map by actively updating the facility information, so that differentiation from other facilities can be achieved.
[0082]
Although the description has been made using the parameter of the radius of the icon for easy understanding, it is also possible to set not only the size but also the parameters for determining the color and the shape. When color is used as a parameter, colors that are inconspicuous to the base color of the map have low ranks, and colors are set in stages. Set. When shading is used as a parameter, a light color is set for a low rank, and a dark color is set for a high rank. When a shape is used as a parameter, the shape is a triangle at a low rank, and the number of strokes increases along a circumscribed circle as the rank increases. In a high rank, it becomes a circle. When a pattern is used as a parameter, the pattern is changed according to the rank. In gradation, the gradation is low in the low rank, and the number of gradation colors is increased according to the rank. For changing the effect, for example, there are blinking, rotating, and shaking as parameters. The higher the rank, the greater the number of blinks, rotations, and fluctuations. In the display restriction for each scale, the scale at which the icons are displayed is changed. At a low rank, icons are displayed only on a detailed map, and at a high rank, icons are displayed at all scales. As an example in which the parameter is the display priority, when the list is displayed, the display priority and the display restriction for each scale are changed by the display priority parameter.
[0083]
Next, the overall processing in the information providing system using real-time information according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 26A shows the processing of the user browsing device 200, and FIG. 26B shows the processing of the real-time information providing site computer system (server) 100. The process of the user browsing device 300 is the same as the process of the user browsing device 200, and thus the description is omitted.
[0084]
Since the processing of the real-time information providing system is performed by the real-time information providing site computer system 100 and the user browsing device 200 communicating with each other, the processing of each computer system and the user browsing device will be described independently. Instead, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of the processing flow in the entire information providing system with reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B described above.
[0085]
In the processing of the information providing system according to the present embodiment, first, the user registers the latitude and longitude of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 and the names of prefectures, municipalities, and municipalities through the input unit 24 of the user viewing device 200 as parameters. A request is made for a map page to be displayed from the display unit 25 of the user viewing device 200 from the map database 17 of the created map page for each predetermined area (step ST200). At this time, the user inputs the latitude / longitude or the name of the prefecture / city / town / village from the user browsing device 200 from the input unit, or selects an arbitrary position from the minimum scale map already displayed on the display unit. May be specified and requested by clicking the mouse.
[0086]
This map page request is transmitted by the communication processing unit 27 of the user browsing device 200, and is transmitted from the user browsing device 200 to the real-time information providing site computer system 100.
[0087]
The communication processing unit 19 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 receives request data from the user viewing device 200.
[0088]
The map database processing unit 13 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 sends the latitude / longitude data corresponding to the designated prefecture / city / town / village code to the map database 17 (step ST201). Based on the latitude / longitude, a mesh ID of a mesh including the latitude / longitude is searched and specified from the map database 17 (step ST202).
[0089]
The map database processing unit 13 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 extracts map data corresponding to the mesh ID specified in step ST202 from the map database 17 (step ST203). Thereafter, the map data extracted by the communication processing unit 19 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 is sent to the user viewing device 200 (step ST204).
[0090]
The user viewing device 200 that has received the map data by the communication processing unit 27 of the user viewing device 200 displays the map data on the display unit 25 (step ST205).
[0091]
Next, the display range displayed on the display screen is calculated (step ST206). The data is sent to the facility database 18 as display range data calculated by two-dimensional plane coordinates in which the longitude on the map is the X coordinate and the latitude is the Y coordinate (step ST207).
[0092]
The facility database processing unit 15 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 searches for facilities existing within the display range of the facility based on parameters related to coordinates such as latitude and longitude of the database (step ST208). All facility data is transmitted (step ST209). Next, an icon image corresponding to the icon parameter is selected (step ST210).
[0093]
The communication processing unit 16 of the real-time information providing site computer system 100 transmits all facility icon data (name, position, icon image, URL, etc.) selected in step ST210 to the user terminal device (step ST211). In the user browsing device 200, the communication processing unit 27 of the user browsing device 200 displays the facility icon on the map on the display unit 25 of the user browsing device 200 based on the received all facility icon data (step ST212). .
[0094]
Next, FIG. 27 shows a flowchart of the map page automatic updating process. When the user makes a map page request (step ST220), the server performs a map page transmission process (step ST221), determines whether or not the real-time data has been updated (step ST222). Transmission processing is performed (step ST221), the map page is transmitted, and a map and facility icons are displayed (step ST223). Thereby, it can be confirmed that the information has been updated, and the updated information can be viewed.
[0095]
As described above, regarding the facility icon, for example, if the icon image becomes larger as the rank becomes higher, by updating the information, an icon image larger than other facilities can be displayed on the map, and further continuously. By updating the information, the size of the icon image on the map can be maintained. As for the facility list, if the information is listed in a new order, the information can be updated and displayed higher than other facilities. By giving a display effect to the information update in this way, an advertising effect such that the user can easily find the information can be added. Further, the user merely looks at the size of the icons on the map or in the order of the facility list, and serves as a guide for comparing the newness of the information of each facility, thereby improving the convenience of the electronic map.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.
[0097]
An information providing system including a display device on which a registered facility, a store or an icon corresponding to a moving body is displayed on a map, and a homepage of the facility, the store or the moving body is displayed by selecting the icon, Icons are displayed including real-time information of facilities, stores, or moving objects, so that real-time information can be distributed and the user can easily recognize the newness of information by changing the display of facility icons and facility lists. Can be. Further, since the parameter is updated based on the real-time information, the updated information based on the parameter can be put on an icon or the like displayed on a map.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information providing system using real-time information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of data stored in a map database.
FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of a facility database.
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of an information input terminal, in which FIG. 4A is a keyboard, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an information input terminal.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart when data is input using a keyboard.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are specific examples of the information input terminal, in which FIG. 7A illustrates a sensor unit, and FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a display screen.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an information input terminal.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output from a sensor, updating of data in a facility database, and a change over time of an icon displayed.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen.
13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of an information input terminal, wherein FIG. 13A illustrates a position detection device, and FIG. 13B illustrates an example of a display screen.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an information input terminal.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an output from a sensor, updating of data in a facility database, and a time change of an icon displayed.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display screen.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific example of an information input terminal, (a) showing a microphone / camera, and (b) showing an example of a display screen.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an information input terminal.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of automatic data transmission.
21A and 21B are diagrams for explaining a pattern of an information update procedure, wherein FIG. 21A illustrates method 1, FIG. 21B illustrates method 2, and FIG.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a data update process in the data management unit, (a) is a main flowchart, and (b) is a flowchart of a facility display determination process.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a change in a parameter of an icon image.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a change in a parameter of an icon image.
FIG. 25 is a diagram for describing changes in parameters of an icon image.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart of an overall process in the information providing system according to the present embodiment, in which (a) is a flowchart of a process in a user browsing device, and (b) is a flowchart of a process in an information providing site computer system. .
FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a map page automatic update process.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Real-time information collection unit
11 Data Management Department
12 Request processing unit
13 Map database processing unit
14 Distribution processing section
15 Facility database processing section
16 Information processing unit
17 Map Database
18 facility database
19 Communication processing unit
20 Memory section
21 Time Management Department
22 Timer processing unit
23 Information Provision Department
100 Real-time information providing site computer system
200 User browsing device
300 User browsing device
400, 401,... 400 + n Existing site computer system
500, 501,... 500 + n Information input terminal
600 Network

Claims (7)

An information providing system including a display device that displays an icon corresponding to a registered facility, store, or mobile on a map, and displays a home page of the facility, the store, or the mobile by selecting the icon. An information providing system using real-time information, wherein the icon is displayed including real-time information of the facility, the store, or the moving object. An information input terminal provided for a registered facility, store or mobile,
A display device that displays an icon corresponding to the facility, the store or the moving object on a map, and displays a homepage of the facility, the store or the moving object by selecting the icon,
A user terminal device comprising an input device for selecting the icon,
A server having a database for registering information of a plurality of maps, a plurality of stores, and a plurality of facilities forms a network,
An information providing system using real-time information, wherein the server includes a real-time information collecting unit, a data managing unit, and an information providing unit. 3. The information providing system using real-time information according to claim 2, wherein said real-time information collecting means is means for storing real-time information sent from said information input terminal. The data management unit sets an icon displayed on a map and a parameter corresponding to a facility list based on the real-time information collected by the real-time information collection unit, and determines input information and an elapsed time from a last update time. 3. An information providing system using real-time information according to claim 2, wherein the information updating means is a means for updating the parameter in consideration of the parameter. The real-time information according to claim 2, wherein the information providing means is means for displaying a facility icon and a facility list changed on the basis of a parameter set by the data management means on an electronic map. Information providing system. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the parameter is in the form of the icon. 6. The information providing method using real-time information according to claim 4, wherein the parameter is a display priority of a facility in the facility list.

Images