JP2007328704A - Method, server and program for transmitting background data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for efficiently providing background data satisfying user needs to a user via a communication network. <P>SOLUTION: In the server 10, a map table is referred in response to reception of data specifying latitude/longitude data and requesting transmission of map data from a user terminal when the user refers to retrieve background data, the map data is read out on the basis of the latitude/longitude data, the read map data is transmitted to the user terminal. A background table is referred in response to reception of data specifying the latitude/longitude data determined by receiving specification of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data, and requesting transmission of background data from the user terminal. The background data is extracted on the basis of the latitude/longitude data, and the extracted background data is transmitted to the user terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method, a server, and a program for transmitting background data. In particular, the present invention relates to a method, a server, and a program for transmitting background data to a terminal connected to a communication network.

  With the spread of the Internet to the society, not only passive users who browse information on the network, search, or purchase products, but also users themselves as information senders on the Web The number of users who take active actions such as publishing a simple diary (so-called blog) or forming a community with people with similar preferences is rapidly increasing.

  In particular, the background of the rapid spread of blogs over the past few years is thought to be largely due to the contribution made by blog editors, which even beginners of the Internet can easily register and send texts and photos on their homepages.

  And the spread of such blogs to society is another one in which the society on the network (so-called network community) that was not considered in the era when the information was browsed simply by the terminal that can be connected to the communication network is different from the actual society. It has emerged and shows that it is developing rapidly.

  Under such circumstances, an increasing number of users utilize “avatars” as symbols representing the users themselves on the network. An avatar that means “another” is a so-called character that is specifically represented by image data, video data, audio data, etc., but expresses itself in a network community that exists separately from the real society, and others In various activities such as interacting with, sympathizing with and discussing with other users, and expanding friendships that are similar to each other, it has increased its significance as a pseudo-acting subject.

  Specifically, for example, when publishing a blog, by using an avatar in the screen, the user can be intuitively expressed by character data separately from the document written by the user. Viewers can feel as if their alternation exists on the network, and can strongly support communication in the network community.

  In fact, coordinating items such as the avatar's hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and accessories itself is one of the important activities in the network community in order to appeal the user's own senses and preferences. For this reason, the user purchases such an item for a fee or presents it to a friend, and the coordination of the avatar is also an object of economic activity.

  Therefore, as with buying clothes in the real world and coordinating accessories and accessories, avatar coordination activities determine user preferences on the network and capture trends and changes in the network community. It is also an important analysis target.

  In such a situation, in response to accepting a selection from the user, by introducing a layer exclusion rule, the problem of unnatural protrusion or overlapping that occurs when a dress-up image is superimposed on a character on the screen is introduced. A technique to be solved is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, even when various dress-up images are selected by the user, the screen is generated by generating a natural character image while suppressing unnatural protrusion and overlapping problems. It is thought that there is a possibility that it can be displayed.
JP 2003-256862 A

  However, even with the technique of Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement in the user environment for coordinating the character data as the avatar described above. More specifically, when the user coordinates an item with his / her avatar, the background data of the avatar image cannot be efficiently found separately from the item of the avatar itself.

  For example, when entering a blog, when writing about the day you went to golf, you can express the contents intuitively by making your own avatar appear in the background data of the golf course. it can. Alternatively, when writing events at the ski resort, the background of the ski resort is necessary, and when writing about enjoying the beautiful night view, the background of the night view is necessary.

  As mentioned above, the coordination of the avatar's clothes, hairstyles, accessories, etc., can be used to accumulate the selection of items from the usual, but the background data needs are often limited, and the user collects them in advance. It is also assumed that it is practically difficult to leave.

  Thus, a system that can easily and efficiently search for background data for combination with an avatar is desired.

  Therefore, the present inventors have conducted intensive research and completed the present invention for the purpose of providing a method for efficiently presenting background data that matches user needs to a user via a communication network. . More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

In the present invention, a server (server 10) connected to a user terminal (terminal 20) via a communication network (communication network 30) is combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user. A method of transmitting background data (background entity data 2092),
The server stores map data (map image data or map vector data) 2082 in association with latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2081a and longitude data 2081b) as a map table (map DB 208), and the background data (background A storage unit (storage unit 200) that stores entity data 2092) as a background table (background DB 209) in association with latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b);
Map data (map image data or map data) is specified by specifying latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2081a and longitude data 2081b) from the user's terminal (terminal 20) for reference by the user when searching for background data. In response to receiving data requesting transmission of vector data 2082, the map data is referred to based on the latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2081a and longitude data 2081b) with reference to the map table (map DB 208). Reading (map image data or map vector data) 2082,
Transmitting the read map data (map image data or map vector data) 2082 to the user terminal (terminal 20);
By designating latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b) determined by receiving designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the user terminal, the background data (background entity data 2092) is designated. The background data (background entity data 2092) is referred to based on the latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b) by referring to the background table (background DB 209) in response to receiving data requesting transmission of Extracting the
Transmitting the extracted background data (background entity data 2092) to the terminal (terminal 20) of the user.

According to such a configuration, a server connected to a user terminal via a communication network transmits background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user.
Map data is associated with latitude / longitude data and stored as a map table, and the background data is associated with latitude / longitude data and stored as a background table.
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. Then, the map data is read based on the latitude / longitude data,
The read map data is transmitted to the user terminal,
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Refer to the background table, extract the background data based on the latitude / longitude data,
There is an effect that the extracted background data can be transmitted to the terminal of the user.

  Accordingly, the server transmits map data to the user's terminal so that the user can refer to the user when searching for background data. Based on the latitude / longitude determined by receiving the designation, the background data associated with the latitude / longitude can be transmitted to the user terminal.

  As a result, the server transmits map data to the user's terminal for reference when the user searches for background data, for example, at a predetermined position of the map data displayed on the user's terminal. The latitude / longitude can be determined by receiving a mouse click operation for designation, and background data can be extracted based on the determined latitude / longitude and transmitted to the user terminal.

  In this way, the user searches for background data based on the position where the click operation is performed by performing a simple operation of clicking the mouse at an arbitrary position on the displayed map data. be able to.

  Specifically, for example, when a position near the beach is clicked, a background image of the sandy beach can be transmitted, and when a position near the golf course is clicked, the background image of the golf course is displayed. It is possible to send.

  In this way, according to the present invention, the user can visually understand the map and search for the background image he / she wants using a medium that is easy to search.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the step of extracting background data (background entity data 2092) based on the latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b), the server (server 10) is configured such that the user terminal ( It is further desirable to further receive data specifying the season from the terminal 20), refer to the background table (background DB 209), and extract background data (background entity data 2092) based on the data specifying the season.

  According to such a configuration, in the step of extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying a season from the user's terminal, refers to the background table, There is an effect that the background data can be extracted based on the received data specifying the season.

  Accordingly, the server can further receive data specifying the season from the terminal of the user, and more accurately extract background data based on the received data specifying the season.

  As a result, for example, even if a position near the same sandy beach is specified, even if the background data appropriate for summer and winter is different, the user can specify the season data more precisely by simply specifying the season. You can search.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the step of extracting background data (background entity data 2092) based on the latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b), the server (server 10) is configured such that the user terminal ( It is further desirable to further receive data specifying time from the terminal 20), refer to the background table (background DB 209), and extract background data (background entity data 2092) based on the data specifying time.

  According to such a configuration, in the step of extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying time from the user terminal, refers to the background table, There is an effect that the background data can be extracted based on the received data specifying the time.

  Thus, the server can further receive data specifying the time from the user's terminal, and more accurately extract the background data based on the received data specifying the season.

  As a result, for example, even if a location near the same port is specified, even if the background data appropriate for day and night is different, the user can specify background data more accurately by simply specifying the time. You can search.

Further, according to the present invention, the storage unit (storage unit 200) receives a user's operation at the user terminal (terminal 20), thereby allowing a predetermined display on a map displayed on the user terminal (terminal 20). When a latitude / longitude position is specified, a program for displaying a thumbnail of a background associated with the predetermined latitude / longitude is further stored, and thumbnail data (thumbnail entity data 209S2) indicating the thumbnail is stored as latitude In association with longitude data (latitude data 209S1a and longitude data 209S1b), it is further stored as a thumbnail table (thumbnail DB 209S),
In the step of transmitting the map data (map image data or map vector data) 2082 to the user terminal (terminal 20), the server (server 10) displays a thumbnail of the background data (background entity data 2092). A thumbnail program (thumbnail entity data 209S2) associated with latitude / longitude data included in the display range of the map data to be transmitted is extracted with reference to the thumbnail table (thumbnail DB 209S). Further, it is further desirable to transmit to the user terminal (terminal 20).

According to such a configuration, when the position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is specified on the map displayed on the user's terminal, the storage unit receives the user's operation at the user's terminal. A program for displaying a thumbnail of a background associated with the predetermined latitude / longitude is further stored, and thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail is further stored as a thumbnail table in association with the latitude / longitude data,
In the step of transmitting the map data to the user terminal, the server transmits a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background, and is associated with latitude / longitude data included in a display range of the map data to be transmitted. It is possible to extract background thumbnail data by referring to the thumbnail table and further transmit it to the user terminal.

  Thus, the user terminal can display the background thumbnail corresponding to the predetermined latitude / longitude when the position of the predetermined latitude / longitude is designated on the displayed map.

  As a result, for example, when the user operates the mouse on the map displayed on the terminal and positions the mouse pointer at a predetermined position, the user can check the background thumbnail display corresponding to the position. .

  As described above, the user confirms the background data included in the display range of the displayed map data through the thumbnail display only by moving the mouse pointer before performing the search by clicking the mouse. be able to.

  In this way, after displaying the map data, the user can search the background data more efficiently without inquiring the server again.

Further, the present invention is a server that is connected to a user terminal via a communication network and transmits background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user,
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. Means for reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the read map data to the user terminal;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Means for referring to a background table and extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the extracted background data to the terminal of the user.

  According to the present invention, the means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data further receives data designating a season from the user's terminal, refers to the background table, and designates the season. It is further desirable to extract background data based on.

  Further, according to the present invention, the means for extracting the background data based on the latitude / longitude data further receives data specifying time from the user terminal, refers to the background table, and specifies the time. It is further desirable to extract background data based on.

In the present invention, the storage unit receives the user's operation at the user's terminal, whereby the predetermined latitude / longitude position is specified on a map displayed on the user's terminal. Further storing a program for displaying thumbnails of the background data corresponding to the latitude and longitude, and further storing thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail in association with latitude and longitude data as a thumbnail table;
The means for transmitting the map data to the user terminal transmits a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background data, and the background thumbnail associated with the latitude / longitude data included in the display range of the transmitted map data More preferably, the data is extracted with reference to the thumbnail table and further transmitted to the user terminal.

Further, the present invention provides a user terminal connected via a communication network, a server that transmits background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user to the user terminal, A system comprising:
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. Means for reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the read map data to the terminal of the user,
The user terminal displays the transmitted map data for the user to refer to when searching for background data;
Means for determining latitude / longitude data by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the displayed map data from the user;
Means for specifying the determined latitude / longitude data, and transmitting data requesting transmission of the background data to the server,
The server designates the determined latitude / longitude data from the terminal of the user and refers to the background table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data, and the latitude / longitude Means for extracting background data based on the data;
Means for transmitting the extracted background data to the terminal of the user.

Further, according to the present invention, the user terminal accepts input of data specifying a season of the background data;
Means for transmitting data specifying the accepted season to the server, and
In the means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying the season from the user terminal, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the season It is further desirable to extract background data.

Further, according to the present invention, the user terminal accepts an input of data specifying a time of the background data;
Means for transmitting data specifying the accepted time to the server,
The server further receives data specifying time from the user terminal in means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the time It is further desirable to extract background data.

Further, according to the present invention, in the storage unit, a position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is designated on a map displayed on the user terminal by receiving the user operation at the user terminal in the storage unit. A program for displaying a thumbnail of the background data corresponding to the predetermined latitude / longitude, and a thumbnail table indicating the thumbnail is further stored as a thumbnail table in association with the latitude / longitude data. ,
The means for transmitting the map data to the terminal of the user transmits a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background data, and displays the thumbnail data of the background data included in the display range of the map data to be transmitted in the thumbnail table. Extract by reference, and further send to the user's terminal,
The terminal of the user executes the transmitted program, receives the user's operation, and the position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is designated on the map displayed on the user's terminal. It is further desirable to include means for displaying a thumbnail of the background data corresponding to a predetermined latitude / longitude.

Further, the present invention is a program for transmitting background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user to a server connected to the user terminal via a communication network,
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by specifying latitude / longitude data from the terminal of the user to the server for the user to refer to when searching for background data, Referring to a map table, and reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the read map data to the terminal of the user;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Referencing a background table and extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the extracted background data to the user's terminal.

  According to the present invention, the server transmits map data to the user's terminal for reference when the user searches for background data. For example, the server transmits predetermined map data displayed on the user's terminal. The latitude / longitude can be determined by accepting a mouse click operation for specifying the position, and background data can be extracted based on the determined latitude / longitude and transmitted to the terminal of the user. Furthermore, the server can further receive data specifying a season from the user terminal, and more accurately extract background data based on the received data specifying the season. Furthermore, the server can further receive data specifying the time from the terminal of the user, and more accurately extract the background data based on the received data specifying the time. Furthermore, the user's terminal can display a thumbnail of the background associated with the predetermined latitude / longitude when the position of the predetermined latitude / longitude is designated on the displayed map.

An example of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.
[System overall configuration]

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a computer system 1 and a functional configuration of a server 10 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The server 10 and its terminal 20 are connected via a communication network 30. Here, there is no restriction | limiting in the number of the servers 10, You may comprise by 1 or multiple as needed. Further, the server 10 may be configured to include a Web server, a DB server, and an application server as necessary, and may be configured with one server or different servers.

  The server 10 is configured as an avatar management device that manages at least a character as an avatar, and the storage unit 200 stores an avatar DB 201, an item DB 202, a map DB 208, and a background DB 209.

Further, the control unit 100 controls the entire server 10 and constitutes at least a map data transmission unit 105, a position data extraction unit 106, a background data extraction unit 107, and a background data transmission unit 108.
[Background data transmission main processing]

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing background data transmission main processing by the server 10 according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 100 waits for a map data transmission request from the user's terminal 20 (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 100 waits for data requesting transmission of map data associated with latitude / longitude data. Here, the data for requesting transmission of the map data includes, for example, latitude / longitude data at the center of the map data and data for specifying a display range (latitude / longitude range or distance range, etc.). It's okay. Alternatively, the map data to be displayed may include upper left latitude / longitude data and lower right latitude / longitude data. In addition, the data requesting transmission of the map data may include data that can determine the range of the map data to be displayed. Here, when the transmission request | requirement of the map data from the said user's terminal 20 is received, the control part 100 moves a process to step S12. If this is not the case, the control unit 100 continues the process of step S11.

Next, the control unit 100 (map data transmission unit 105) refers to the map DB 208, reads out the map data to be displayed based on the latitude / longitude data specified by the data, and transmits it to the user's terminal ( Step S12).
[Map DB]

  Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a map DB 208 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 200 stores map entity data 2082 using latitude data 2081a and longitude data 2081b as keys.

  For example, “M123.GIF” is stored as map entity data 2082 in association with latitude data 2081a of “26 ° 00 ′” and longitude data 2081b of “136 ° 00 ′”.

  As described above, the map DB 208 manages the map entity data 2082 in association with the latitude data 2081a and the longitude data 2081b.

  Here, in this embodiment, the latitude data 2081a and the longitude data 2081b represent the latitude and longitude of the center position of the map data to be transmitted, but the latitude and longitude of the upper left and lower right positions of the map data to be transmitted. It may be. In addition, any data may be used as long as it includes information necessary for reading map data to be transmitted and can be transmitted from the terminal 20 of the user.

  In this embodiment, GIF image data is stored as the map entity data 2082, but image data having other formats may be used. Further, vector map data for managing data with vector values may be used.

  Thus, the format of the data constituting the map entity data 2082 may be appropriately selected according to the environment of the communication network 30, the hardware requirements of the user terminal 20, and other specifications.

Next, the control unit 100 waits for a background data transmission request from the user's terminal 20 (step S13). Specifically, the control unit 100 waits for data requesting transmission of background data associated with latitude / longitude data. Here, the data requesting the transmission of the background data is, for example, data indicating the coordinate position (pixel position) on the screen where the user clicked with the mouse pointer on the terminal 20 of the user displaying the map data. You may comprise. In addition, the data requesting transmission of the background data may include data that can specify latitude / longitude data associated with the background data to be displayed.
[Avatar background search screen]

  Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit (display device 1022) of the user terminal 20 after step S12 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 20 displays an avatar on the left side of the screen and designates a search condition on the right side in the “avatar background search screen” in order to accept input of search conditions for the avatar background data. The column is displayed. In the search condition designation field, the transmitted map data is displayed, and items such as “season” and “time” can be selected and input by a list box below the map data.

  On this screen, the terminal 20 accepts a mouse click operation on the map and a selection input of a list box from the user, and then accepts pressing of a transmission button. The data for requesting transmission of background data is transmitted to the server 10 by specifying the search condition, and the server 10 receives the data (step S13). In this embodiment, the vicinity of the beach is clicked on the map with the mouse, "season" is designated as "summer", "time" is designated as "daytime", and background data search conditions are designated. .

  Thus, the user's terminal 20 accepts background data search conditions such as designation of a position on the map, designation of season, designation of time, etc. from the user.

Here, an avatar combined with the background data and items constituting the avatar will be described.
[Avatar DB]

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an avatar DB 201 according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage unit 200 stores item ID data 2012 according to the major classification 2023a such as “face”, “hairstyle”, “clothes”, and “bottoms” using the user ID data 2011 as a key. .

  For example, for a user whose user ID data 2011 is “ABC12”, the storage unit 200 displays “D678” for “face”, “B898” for “hairstyle”, “C1120” for “clothes”, and “ “A178” is stored in association with “ABC12”.

As described above, the avatar DB 201 manages the item ID data 2012 based on the coordination by the user at that time in association with the user ID data 2011.
[Item DB]

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the item DB 202 according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  Using item ID data 2012 as a key, item entity data 2022, major classification 2023a, minor classification 2023b, attribute 1 (2024a), attribute 2 (2024b), and the number of times selected by the user are stored as the number of uses 2025.

  For example, an item whose item ID data 2012 is “C1120” indicates that the item entity data 2022 is “Suit1. GIF image data, major category 2023a is “clothes”, minor category 2023b is “suit”, attribute 1 (2024a) is “spring”, attribute 2 (2024b) is “gray”, and number of uses 2025 is It can be read that there were 1,000 times.

  Here, the item entity data 2022 is image data in the above example, but is not limited thereto, and may be moving image data such as MPEG, FLASH (registered trademark), 3GP, or audio data such as WAV or MP3. It may be. In the present invention, everything that can be handled as data constituting a part of the avatar that is finally transmitted to the terminal 20 of the user is included.

  As described above, the background entity data 2092 according to the present invention is applied to the avatar constituted by the combination of the item entity data 2022 managed for each user ID data 2012.

  Here, returning to FIG. 2 again, the description of the item data transmission main process will be continued. Next, when the background data transmission request from the user terminal 20 is received, the control unit 100 moves the process to step S14 (step S13). If this is not the case, the control unit 100 continues the process of step S13.

  In step S14, if the control unit 100 (position data extraction unit 106) is the received data indicating the coordinate position (pixel position) on the screen, the control unit 100 (position data extraction unit 106) performs latitude / latitude data based on the data indicating the coordinate position. (Latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b) are calculated.

  Specifically, for example, when the latitude / longitude of the upper left position of the rectangular map displayed on the terminal 20 of the user and the scale (pixel / distance) of the map are known, the upper left position is set to (0, 0) If the information that the pixel value at the position where the user clicked with the mouse is (123, 48) or the like is known, the latitude and longitude of the position of the origin and the scale information are combined with the mouse. The latitude and longitude of the clicked position can be calculated.

Next, the control unit 100 (background data extraction unit 107) refers to the background DB based on the calculated latitude / longitude data (latitude data 2091a and longitude data 2091b), and determines background data (background entity data 2092). Extract (step S15).
[Background DB]

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the background DB 209 according to an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the storage unit 200 uses the latitude data 2091a and the longitude data 2091b as keys, “background image / spring / day / 1”, “background image / summer / day / 1”, “background image / autumn”. Background entity data 2092 such as “/ day / 1” is stored.

  For example, “sunama11.GIF” is used as background entity data of “background image / spring / day / 1” corresponding to the case where “spring” is designated as “season” and “day” is designated as “time”, and “season” is designated as “season”. “Sunama21.GIF” as the background entity data of “background image / summer / day / 1” corresponding to “summer” and “time” specifying “daytime”, “season” is “autumn”, “time” "Sunama31.GIF" as background entity data of "background image / autumn / day / 1" corresponding to when "day" is designated, "25 ° 51 '" as latitude data 2091a and "25 ° 51'" as longitude data 2091b 135 ° 50 ′ ”and stored in association with each other.

  In this way, the background DB 209 manages a plurality of background entity data 2092 in association with the latitude data 2091a and the longitude data 2091b.

  Here, the background entity data 2092 is image data in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be moving image data such as MPEG, FLASH (registered trademark), 3GP, or WAV, MP3, etc. Audio data may be used. Alternatively, a combination thereof (for example, a combination of image data and audio data) may be used. In the present invention, everything that can be handled as data constituting a part of the avatar that is finally transmitted to the terminal 20 of the user is included.

  Here, in this embodiment, the latitude data 2091a and the longitude data 2091b are stored in only one place, respectively. For example, the latitude data 2091a is 25 ° 49 ′ to 25 ° 53 ′, and the longitude data 2091b is 135. It may have a predetermined range of width, such as 48 ° to 135 ° 52 ′. Or you may memorize | store the inside of a polygon as an area | region according to the area | region which the said facilities etc. occupy on a map on actual maps, such as a sandy beach and a golf course.

  As described above, the latitude / longitude data may be adjusted by appropriately setting the range according to the situation. Therefore, when the user inputs the latitude / longitude to be specified by moving the mouse pointer on the map, it should be set appropriately so that it is not too narrow and not too wide so as to improve usability. Can do.

Here, returning to FIG. 2 again, the description of the background data transmission main process will be continued. Next, the control unit 100 (background data transmission unit 108) transmits the extracted background data to the user terminal (step S16).
[Avatar background search result screen]

  Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit (display device 1022) of the user terminal 20 after step S16.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the display unit (display device 1022) of the terminal 20 displays a list of backgrounds extracted based on the search conditions specified by the user on the “avatar background search result screen”.

  In the example of FIG. 9, as a search condition, when “location” designates a location near the beach of the beach, “season” is “summer”, and “time” is “daytime”, the display unit ( The display device 1022) displays a list of sand beach background images including “sand mountain”, “palm tree”, and “deck chair and beach umbrella”.

  Thereafter, the terminal 20 accepts a selection operation such as a click operation from the user, thereby applying these backgrounds to the avatar and applying the background accepted the selection operation to the avatar and displaying the image.

Next, the control unit 100 repeats a series of processes from step S11 to step S17 until receiving an instruction from the administrator or the like that these series of processes may be terminated (step S17).
[Another embodiment]

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an avatar background search screen according to another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the user's terminal 20 receives the user's mouse pointer movement operation so that the user's mouse pointer is positioned at a position corresponding to the latitude and longitude for which background data is set. If set, a thumbnail of the set background data is displayed. Here, a thumbnail is a small image of an image or document file data displayed on a computer. In this embodiment, the user terminal 20 displays a small image of background data, and the background data itself is displayed. Before the display, the contents are displayed for the user to confirm.

  Such a display technique can be realized by a Web data transmission protocol or the like by XML known as “Ajax”. Specifically, when the map data is transmitted from the server 10 to the user terminal 20, the thumbnail data of the background data set in the latitude / longitude range of the map data to be transmitted is simultaneously transmitted. Then, the terminal 20 receives the user's operation and transmits it in advance from the server 10 when the mouse pointer is set to the pixel position corresponding to the latitude / longitude position for which the background data is set. The thumbnail data that has been displayed is displayed on the screen.

Accordingly, the terminal 20 can display a thumbnail image of searchable background data on the screen before accepting a search request from the user by pressing the “send” button.
[Thumbnail DB]

  Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a thumbnail DB 209S according to another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 200 uses the latitude data 209S1a and the longitude data 209S1b as keys, and thumbnail entities such as “thumbnail image spring day 1”, “thumbnail image summer day 1”, and “thumbnail image autumn day 1”. Data 209S2 is stored. Here, the thumbnail entity data 209S2 is image data in this embodiment, similar to the background entity data 2092 described above, but is not limited to this, and is moving image data such as MPEG, FLASH (registered trademark), and 3GP. Alternatively, audio data such as WAV and MP3 may be used. Alternatively, a combination thereof (for example, a combination of image data and audio data) may be used.

  For example, “sunama11_S.GIF” is used as thumbnail entity data of “thumbnail image spring day 1” corresponding to the case where “season” is designated “spring” and “time” is designated “daytime”, and “summer” is “summer”. , “Sunama21_S.GIF” as the thumbnail entity data of “thumbnail image summer day 1” corresponding to the case where “day” designates “daytime”, “season” is “autumn”, and “time” is “daytime”. As the thumbnail entity data of “thumbnail image autumn day 1” corresponding to the designated case, “sunama31_S.GIF” is associated with “25 ° 51 ′” for latitude data 209S1a and “135 ° 50 ′” for longitude data 209S1b. I remember it.

  As described above, the thumbnail DB 209S manages a plurality of thumbnail substance data 209S2 in association with the latitude data 209S1a and the longitude data 209S1b.

  In this embodiment, the latitude data 209S1a and the longitude data 209S1b are stored as absolute values. For example, the latitude data 209S1a is 25 ° 49 ′ to 25 ° 53 ′, and the longitude data 209S1b is 135 °. It may have a predetermined range of width, such as 48 ′ to 135 ° 52 ′. Or you may memorize | store the inside of a polygon as an area | region according to the area | region which the said facilities etc. occupy on a map on actual maps, such as a sandy beach and a golf course.

As described above, the latitude / longitude data may be adjusted by appropriately setting the range according to the situation. Therefore, when the user inputs the latitude / longitude to be specified by moving the mouse pointer on the map, it should be set appropriately so that it is not too narrow and not too wide so as to improve usability. Can do.
[Hardware configuration of server]

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server 10 described in FIG. The server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1010 (a plurality of CPUs such as a CPU 1012 may be added in a multiprocessor configuration), a bus line 1005, a communication I / F 1040, a main memory 1050, a BIOS ( (Basic Input Output System) 1060, USB port 1090, I / O controller 1070, and input means such as a keyboard and mouse 1100 and a display device 1022.

  Storage means such as a tape drive 1072, a hard disk 1074, an optical disk drive 1076, and a semiconductor memory 1078 can be connected to the I / O controller 1070.

  The BIOS 1060 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1010 when the server 10 is started up, a program depending on the hardware of the server 10, and the like.

  The hard disk 1074 constituting the storage unit 200 stores various programs for the server 10 to function as a server and programs for executing the functions of the present invention, and various databases can be configured as necessary.

  As the optical disc drive 1076, for example, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or a CD-RAM drive can be used. In this case, the optical disk 1077 corresponding to each drive is used. A program or data can be read from the optical disk 1077 by the optical disk drive 1076 and provided to the main memory 1050 or the hard disk 1074 via the I / O controller 1070. Similarly, the tape medium 1071 corresponding to the tape drive 1072 can be used mainly for backup.

  The program provided to the server 10 is provided by being stored in a recording medium such as the hard disk 1074, the optical disk 1077, or a memory card. The program may be installed in the server 10 and executed by being read from the recording medium via the I / O controller 1070 or downloaded via the communication I / F 1040.

  The aforementioned program may be stored in an internal or external storage medium. Here, in addition to the hard disk 1074, the optical disk 1077, or the memory card, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, or a tape medium can be used as the storage medium constituting the storage unit 200. Further, a storage device such as a hard disk 1074 or an optical disk library provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication line or the Internet may be used as a recording medium, and the program may be provided to the server 10 via the communication line.

  Here, the display device 1022 displays a screen for accepting data input to the user, or displays a screen of a calculation processing result by the server 10, and includes a cathode ray tube display device (CRT) and a liquid crystal display device (LCD). ) And the like.

  Here, the input means accepts input by the user, and may be constituted by a keyboard, a mouse 1100, and the like.

  The communication I / F 1040 is a network adapter for enabling the server 10 to be connected to a terminal via a dedicated network or a public network. The communication I / F 1040 may include a modem, a cable modem, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) adapter.

In the above example, the server 10 has been mainly described. However, the functions described above can also be realized by installing a program in a computer and operating the computer as a server device. Therefore, the functions realized by the server described as an embodiment in the present invention can be realized by executing the above-described method by the computer, or by introducing the above-mentioned program into the computer and executing it. It is.
[Device hardware configuration]

  The terminal 20 also has the same configuration as the server 10 described above. In the above-described example, an example realized by a so-called computer has been described. Furthermore, as long as the principle of the present invention is applicable, it can be realized by various terminals such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), and a game machine. It's okay.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a computer system 1 and a functional configuration of a server 10 according to an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the background data transmission main process by the server 10 which concerns on an example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which the display part (display apparatus 1022) of a user's terminal 20 displays before step S13. It is a figure which shows avatar DB which concerns on an example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows item DB which concerns on an example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows map DB which concerns on an example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows background DB which concerns on another example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows thumbnail DB which concerns on another example of suitable embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which the display part (display apparatus 1022) of a user's terminal 20 displays after step S16. It is a figure which shows another example of the screen which the display part (display apparatus 1022) of a user's terminal 20 displays before step S13. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 10. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 10 Server 20 User terminal 30 Communication network 105 Map data transmission part 106 Location data extraction part 107 Background data extraction part 108 Background data transmission part 201 Avatar DB
202 Item DB
208 Map DB
209 Background DB
209S Thumbnail DB

Claims (13)

A method of transmitting background data for combination with character data stored in association with a user ID of a user connected to a user terminal via a communication network,
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. And reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the read map data to the terminal of the user;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Referring to a background table and extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the extracted background data to the user terminal.   In the step of extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying a season from the terminal of the user, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the season The method according to claim 1, wherein background data is extracted.   In the step of extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying time from the terminal of the user, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the time The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the background data is extracted. The storage unit is associated with the predetermined latitude / longitude when a position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is specified on a map displayed on the user's terminal by receiving the user's operation at the user's terminal. Further storing a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background, and further storing the thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail in association with the latitude / longitude data as a thumbnail table;
In the step of transmitting the map data to the user terminal, the server transmits a program for displaying a thumbnail of the background data, and is associated with latitude / longitude data included in a display range of the map data to be transmitted. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thumbnail data of a background is extracted with reference to the thumbnail table and further transmitted to the user terminal. 5. A server that is connected to a user terminal via a communication network and transmits background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user,
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. Means for reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the read map data to the user terminal;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Means for referring to a background table and extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the extracted background data to the terminal of the user.   The means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data further receives data specifying a season from the terminal of the user, refers to the background table, and obtains background data based on the data specifying the season. The server according to claim 5 to be extracted.   The means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data further receives data specifying time from the user's terminal, refers to the background table, and extracts background data based on the data specifying the time. The server according to claim 5 or 6 to be extracted. The storage unit accepts the user's operation at the user's terminal, and corresponds to the predetermined latitude / longitude when a position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is specified on a map displayed on the user's terminal. Further storing a program for displaying thumbnails of the background data, associating the thumbnail data indicating the thumbnails with latitude / longitude data, and further storing them as a thumbnail table;
The means for transmitting the map data to the user terminal transmits a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background data, and the background thumbnail associated with the latitude / longitude data included in the display range of the transmitted map data The server according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein data is extracted by referring to the thumbnail table and further transmitted to the user terminal. A system comprising: a user terminal connected via a communication network; and a server for transmitting background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user to the user terminal. Because
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
Refer to the map table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by designating latitude / longitude data for reference from the user terminal when the user searches for background data. Means for reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Means for transmitting the read map data to the terminal of the user,
The user terminal displays the transmitted map data for the user to refer to when searching for background data;
Means for determining latitude / longitude data by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the displayed map data from the user;
Means for specifying the determined latitude / longitude data, and transmitting data requesting transmission of the background data to the server,
The server designates the determined latitude / longitude data from the terminal of the user and refers to the background table in response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data, and the latitude / longitude Means for extracting background data based on the data;
Means for transmitting the extracted background data to the terminal of the user. Means for accepting input of data specifying a season of the background data;
Means for transmitting data specifying the accepted season to the server, and
In the means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, the server further receives data specifying the season from the user terminal, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the season The system according to claim 9, wherein background data is extracted. Means for accepting an input of data specifying a time of the background data;
Means for transmitting data specifying the accepted time to the server,
The server further receives data specifying time from the user terminal in means for extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data, refers to the background table, and based on the data specifying the time The system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the background data is extracted. The server receives the user's operation at the user's terminal in the storage unit, and when the position of the predetermined latitude / longitude is specified on the map displayed on the user's terminal, the predetermined latitude A program for displaying a thumbnail of the background data corresponding to longitude is further stored, and thumbnail data indicating the thumbnail is further stored as a thumbnail table in association with latitude / longitude data,
The means for transmitting the map data to the terminal of the user transmits a program for displaying the thumbnail of the background data, and displays the thumbnail data of the background data included in the display range of the map data to be transmitted in the thumbnail table. Extract by reference, and further send to the user's terminal,
The terminal of the user executes the transmitted program, receives the user's operation, and the position of a predetermined latitude / longitude is designated on the map displayed on the user's terminal. 12. The system according to claim 9, further comprising means for displaying a thumbnail of the background data corresponding to a predetermined latitude / longitude. A program for transmitting background data to be combined with character data stored in association with the user ID of the user to a server connected to the user terminal via a communication network,
The server includes a storage unit that stores map data in association with latitude / longitude data as a map table, and stores the background data in association with latitude / longitude data as a background table;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of map data by specifying latitude / longitude data from the terminal of the user to the server for the user to refer to when searching for background data, Referring to a map table, and reading the map data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the read map data to the terminal of the user;
In response to receiving data requesting transmission of the background data by designating latitude / longitude data determined by accepting designation of a predetermined position of the transmitted map data from the terminal of the user, Referencing a background table and extracting background data based on the latitude / longitude data;
Transmitting the extracted background data to the user's terminal.

Images