JP2008071206A - Map display system, map distribution server and map display terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make each of a plurality of individual objects existing in the same facility, selectable on an object set image displayed on a map image. <P>SOLUTION: This map display system comprises a map database 38 storing map data 381 and object data 382. As to an object set consisting of a plurality of individual objects with the same position information, object information on the individual objects is stored in association with positions on the object set image. When the object set is selected by a cursor to carry out operation of specifying a position on the object set by an operation/input means 24, an operation/input control means 28 specifies the position on the object set based on the operation quantity of the operation/input means, and an object display control means extracts object information of the individual object corresponding to the specified position on the object set, and displays it on a display means 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a map display system, a map distribution server, and a map display terminal that display a map image on a display unit. In this type of map display system, an object image indicating an object such as a store or a facility is displayed on a map image, and detailed information about the object is obtained by moving the cursor on the displayed object image and performing a click operation. A window to display is opened.
In the map display system as described above, when a plurality of objects exist within the same object having the same position information (latitude / longitude), the plurality of objects are displayed as a collective object image, and the collective object image is displayed by a mouse wheel. The present invention relates to a map display system, a map distribution server, and a map display terminal that specify a vertical position in (icon image) and display guidance information of an object corresponding to the vertical position.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices and navigation systems that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure point to a destination using map data and road data are known. Such navigation devices and navigation systems are known. As a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a communication type that uses a mobile phone as a navigation terminal to send a route search request to the route search server, receives the result, and receives route guidance Navigation systems have been put to practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  A route search system that searches for routes that use transportation is a database of operation time data of each transportation based on route search conditions such as departure date, departure location, destination, arrival time specified by the user. It has a time database and data that makes the traffic network a database based on this. Then, referring to these databases, each available means of transportation (individual trains and route buses) connecting the departure point and destination, including connections (transfers), is sequentially traced to meet the route search conditions. It is configured to present one or a plurality of candidates for a guide route (departure station, destination station, route, train, etc.). As route search conditions, it is generally possible to specify conditions such as required time, number of transfers, and fares.

  In addition, as a system for conducting searches and guidance related to transportation facilities, a terminal device such as a mobile phone is connected to an information distribution server for guiding route information and timetable information of transportation facilities, and a desired departure station, departure time, destination station, etc. There is also provided a guidance system that can specify information, receive information on routes, trains, trains and other transportation means that can be boarded, and display them on a terminal device. In general, when such use is performed from a terminal device, address information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a domain name for specifying a location where information to be downloaded exists is input to the terminal device and specified by the address. The information distribution server (information site) is accessed to download desired information.

  The route search data in the navigation system for route search and route guidance using the transportation system is the same as the road network data in the in-vehicle navigation system and the pedestrian navigation system. In addition to data networked as a two-way link, the operation time and required time of each link are added as link cost data for each means of transportation operated on each traffic route. Furthermore, there is a system in which fare data is added and the fare of the searched guide route is guided together.

  In recent years, mobile terminals such as mobile phones are equipped with browsers and can access the Internet to receive desired information. In such a system, the user operates a mobile terminal, finds a desired site using a search engine provided in the server, downloads the content of the site, and browses the content with a browser. ing. The content includes information belonging to various categories, and includes information on stores and events, provision of railway timetables, and train transfer guidance.

  In providing information on stores and events, a user operates a mobile terminal to input a store or event category and an area to be searched for a search request. The server searches for stores and events that fall into the specified category and exist in the area, and the information is distributed to the mobile terminal device. In providing the timetable, when the user operates the mobile terminal to designate a route, the timetable of the route is presented on the screen of the display device of the mobile terminal. Further, in the transfer guidance, the recommended route is presented by the user specifying the departure place and the destination.

  In addition, connect to a map server on the Internet from a terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone, and enter the desired location, facility, store address, name, telephone number, etc. to determine the location of the location, facility, or store. It is also possible to display a map image on a display device by downloading map data within a predetermined range.

  The map display in the terminal device used for each system as described above is performed as follows. That is, in this type of map display device, an object image indicating an object such as a store or a facility is also displayed on the map image displayed on the display screen. The user can open a window that displays detailed information about the object by moving the cursor on the object image displayed on the display screen and performing a click operation. As a result, the user can select the object image that he / she is interested in from the object images displayed on the map and know the detailed information of the object.

  For example, in the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-254761), facility information (object information) is obtained, and a facility icon (at a position corresponding to the location of the facility on the map displayed on the display device). In a navigation device that displays an icon image), a facility designation means for designating a facility icon, and a designated facility route guidance means for performing route guidance to a facility when a facility designation operation is performed by the facility designation means A navigation device including the above is disclosed.

  Further, the map display system disclosed in the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-337041) reads map data and facility data stored in an information storage unit via an I / O circuit, and is read. It is an image representing the result of the aggregation of the facility data aggregated by the aggregation processing while performing the aggregation processing for aggregating a plurality of facility data from the facility data and drawing the read map data in the VRAM. It is configured to draw using the aggregate facility icon and display it on the monitor. By selecting the aggregate facility icon, the user can display a list of facilities included in the aggregate icon and select a desired facility.

  In the following Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-317955), when icons indicating facilities such as landmarks are displayed on a map, a plurality of icons are displayed when the icons must be displayed in an overlapping manner. For a plurality of icons displayed at the same position or a part of which overlaps, a map display device configured to sequentially switch and display the foremost icon displayed as a whole at predetermined time intervals is disclosed. The user can refer to the detailed explanation about the icon by selecting the icon when the desired icon is displayed in the foreground of the display.

  Furthermore, the following Patent Document 5 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-47147) includes facility information such as the URL of each facility and an icon corresponding to each genre. Create a digital watermark icon embedded in the corresponding icon and display it on the map. There has been disclosed a navigation device configured such that when a user images a digital watermark icon displayed on a map with a mobile phone, the mobile phone extracts facility information embedded in the captured image and displays it on the screen.

JP 2001-165681 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-254761 (FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-337041 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 7) JP 2001-317955 A (FIG. 5) JP 2006-47147 A (FIGS. 1 and 3)

  As described above, an object image such as an icon image indicating the location of a facility or POI is drawn on a map image based on position information (latitude, longitude) where the facility is located. By the way, in many facilities such as large buildings, a plurality of tenants often have stores. However, in this case, when individual objects such as POIs existing in the same facility have the same position information and individual object images are displayed, a plurality of object images overlap at the same point on the map image. There is a problem that it is difficult to select an object image using a cursor or the like.

  That is, in the map display methods as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 5, the facilities are indicated by a single icon image. Therefore, a plurality of objects existing in the facility are individually selected. There is a problem that it is difficult to display the detailed information.

  The inventor of the present application has made various studies to solve the above-described problems, and as a result, it is noted that the rotation operation of the mouse wheel can be detected as the vertical position on the display screen, and the position information (latitude / longitude) is the same. When there are multiple objects in the object, the object image is displayed as a collective object image, the mouse wheel operation is detected as the vertical position of the object image (icon), and the individual object corresponding to the vertical position is displayed. The inventors have conceived that the above problems can be solved if specified, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above problems, and each of a plurality of individual objects existing in a facility having the same position information can be selected on a collective object image displayed on a map image. An object of the present invention is to provide such a map display system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
Map data, a map database that stores object data in which object position data, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, display means for displaying the map image, and the map image according to the location of the object An object display control means for displaying an object image on a map display system for displaying object information regarding the object when an operation for moving the cursor over the desired object image and selecting the object image is performed.
The object includes a collective object including a plurality of individual objects having the same position information, and object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image. ,
The map display system further includes an operation / input means for specifying a position on the collective object image, and an operation / input control means.
When a collective object is selected by the cursor and an operation for designating a position on the collective object is performed by the operation / input unit, the operation / input control unit performs the collective object based on an operation amount of the operation / input unit. The upper position is specified, and the object display control means extracts the object information of the individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object and displays it on the display means.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
The object display control means displays an information window in a balloon in accordance with the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, and displays object information of the corresponding individual object in the information window. And

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
The object display control means displays the collective object image in a predetermined display form, and changes the display form of the corresponding part of the collective object image based on the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means. The display is performed in a display mode different from the predetermined display mode.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
The operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image is an operation means for designating a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image, and the operation / input control means is the operation means. The operation amount is detected, and the vertical position on the display screen on the collective object image is specified based on the operation amount.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 4,
The operation means is a mouse wheel, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the mouse wheel and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. Features.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 4,
The operation means is a jog dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the jog dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. To do.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 4,
The operation means is a volume dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the volume dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. Features.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is
The map data includes a map database that stores map data and object data in which position information, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, and the map data together with a predetermined range of map data requested from the map display terminal. In a map display terminal connected to a map distribution server that distributes object data of objects located in an area corresponding to
The object includes a collective object including a plurality of individual objects having the same position information, and object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image. ,
The map display terminal includes a display means for displaying a map image, an object display control means for displaying an object image on the map image according to the location of the object, and an operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image. And an operation / input control means,
When an operation for moving the cursor over a desired object image and selecting the object image is performed, object information regarding the object is displayed.
When a collective object is selected by the cursor and an operation for designating a position on the collective object is performed by the operation / input unit, the operation / input control unit performs the collective object based on an operation amount of the operation / input unit. The upper position is specified, and the object display control means extracts the object information of the individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object and displays it on the display means.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 8,
The object display control means displays an information window in a balloon in accordance with the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, and displays object information of the corresponding individual object in the information window. And

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 8,
The object display control means displays the collective object image in a predetermined display form, and changes the display form of the corresponding part of the collective object image based on the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means. The display is performed in a display mode different from the predetermined display mode.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 8,
The operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image is an operation means for designating a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image, and the operation / input control means is the operation means. The operation amount is detected, and the vertical position on the display screen on the collective object image is specified based on the operation amount.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 11,
The operation means is a mouse wheel, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the mouse wheel and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. Features.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 11,
The operation means is a jog dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the jog dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. To do.

The invention according to claim 14 of the present application is the map display terminal according to claim 11,
The operation means is a volume dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the volume dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. Features.

The invention according to claim 15 of the present application is
An operation for displaying a map image and an object display control unit for displaying the object image on the map image according to the location of the object, and selecting the object image by moving the cursor on the desired object image In the map distribution server that distributes the map data and the object data to the map display terminal that displays the object information related to the object when
The map distribution server includes a map database storing map data and object data in which position information, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, and the objects have the same position information. The object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image, and includes a predetermined range requested from the map display terminal. The object data of the object located in the area corresponding to the map data together with the map data is distributed to the map display terminal.

The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is the map distribution server according to claim 15,
The map display terminal includes an operation / input unit for designating a position on the collective object image, and an operation for selecting the collective object by the cursor and designating a position on the collective object by the operation / input unit is possible. A map display terminal,
The map distribution server detects an operation amount based on an operation of designating a position on the collective object by an operation / input means in the map display terminal, and specifies a position on the collective object based on the operation amount; Object information of an individual object corresponding to the position on the specified collective object is extracted and displayed on the display unit of the map display terminal via a browser.

  In the invention according to claim 1, in the collective object composed of a plurality of individual objects having the same position information, the object information of the individual object is stored in association with the position on the collective object image. When the operation / input means selects the position on the collective object, the operation / input control means specifies the position on the collective object based on the operation amount of the operation / input means. The object display control means extracts the object information of the individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object and displays it on the display means.

  According to such a configuration, the position on the collective object image displayed on the map image can be specified by a simple operation, and detailed object information of the individual objects included in the collective object can be displayed. Will be able to.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the object display control means balloons an information window in accordance with the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, The object information of the corresponding individual object is displayed in the information window.

  According to such a configuration, since the image of the information window displayed on the map image is displayed only when displaying detailed information of the object, the image of the information window does not hinder the observation of the map image, The user can easily observe the map image.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 1, the object display control means displays the collective object image in a predetermined display mode, and the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means. The display mode of the corresponding part of the collective object image is displayed in a display mode different from the predetermined display mode based on the position of.

  According to such a configuration, since the corresponding position on the collective object image is highlighted and displayed in a display manner different from other parts based on the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, The person can easily determine whether or not a desired position on the collective object image is designated.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 1, the operation / input means for specifying the position on the collective object image specifies the vertical position on the display screen on the object image. The operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the operation means, and specifies a vertical position on the display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount.

  According to such a configuration, the user can easily set a desired position on the collective object image using the operation means that is provided in the operation / input means and designates the vertical position on the display screen on the collective object image. Can be specified, and detailed information of individual objects included in the collective object can be known.

  In the invention according to claims 5 to 7, in the invention according to claim 4, the operation means is a mouse wheel, a jog dial or a volume dial, so that a mobile phone, a portable information terminal or a personal computer is used as a map display terminal. Will be able to use.

  Moreover, in the invention concerning Claims 8-14, the map display terminal which comprises the map display system concerning Claims 1-7 can be provided, respectively, In the invention concerning Claim 15, The map distribution server which comprises the map display system concerning Claim 1 can be provided now.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the map distribution server according to the fifteenth aspect, the map distribution server performs an operation based on an operation of designating a position on the collective object by an operation / input means in the map display terminal. Detecting the amount, specifying the position on the collective object based on the operation amount, extracting the object information of the individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object, and via the browser, the map display terminal Is displayed on the display means.

  According to such a configuration, the map display terminal can display a map image using the browser of the map distribution server, specify a position on the collective object, and display object information of an individual object corresponding to the position. become able to.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a map display system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention as the map display system of this embodiment. However, the present invention is equally applicable to the map representation system of other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a map display system 10 including a map display terminal 20 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the map display system 10 includes a map display terminal 20 connected via a network 12 and a map distribution server 30 having a navigation function. Therefore, this map display system 10 also functions as a navigation system.

  The map display system 10 also includes a POI information distribution server 50 that provides POI information such as the location of POIs belonging to various categories and service contents, and an information distribution server 51 that provides contents such as music and various images. It is configured. The map distribution server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information distribution server 50 or another information distribution server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information distribution server 50 or another information distribution server 51 to obtain a desired search result.

  The map display system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the map distribution server 30 may be a map distribution server that does not have a navigation service function, and the map display terminal 20 also has a mobile phone. It can be used, and may be a portable device such as a PDA or a music player, or a personal computer (PC). Further, a stand-alone type system such as an in-vehicle navigation system in which the map display terminal 20 and the map distribution server 30 are integrated may be used.

  The map display terminal 20 designates the current position and a desired point, requests the map distribution server 30 for map information in a predetermined range centered on the current position and the desired point, and the map distributed from the map distribution server 30 A map image can be displayed on the display means based on the information. Further, the map display terminal 20 requests the map distribution server 30 to search for a desired location of interest (POI), designates an arbitrary POI from the POI search result returned from the map distribution server 30, and It is also possible to request map information including a point where an arbitrary POI exists and display the map image on the display means.

  Further, the map display terminal 20 designates a desired departure place and destination, requests the map delivery server 30 to search for an optimum route from the departure place to the destination and several candidate routes, and from the map delivery server 30, Map information including a guide route can be received as a result of route search, and a map image can be displayed on the display means.

  The map data distributed to the map display terminal 20 by the map distribution server 30 includes not only roads and routes of transportation, but also facilities and buildings existing at each point on the map, such as banks, post offices, government agencies, land Information on objects indicating marks, various POIs, and the like is included. When a map image is displayed on the display unit, an object image such as an icon indicating these objects is displayed on the map image. The user can know where the object is located on the map by referring to the object image in the map image displayed on the display means.

  In addition, a cursor can be displayed on the display means in the map display terminal 20, and an arbitrary object image can be selected by moving the cursor to an object image on the displayed map image and performing a click operation. When an object image is selected, an information window regarding the corresponding object is opened, and detailed information regarding the object, for example, when the object is a restaurant, detailed information such as business hours, service contents, and charges can be displayed.

  In order to respond to various requests from the map display terminal 20, the map distribution server 30 includes a map database 38 and a search network database 35 for route search. Since the map data stored in the map database 38 draws (displays) an object image such as an icon on the electronic map, it is optimal to use the map data in the vector format as the map data type. In addition, this map data is made up of unit map data divided into meshes in units of predetermined latitude and longitude, and when a map is requested from the map display terminal 20 such as a mobile phone, the current position or designated point is displayed. The map data of nine mesh units that are adjacent in the up, down, left, and right and diagonal directions is distributed to the mobile phone (map display terminal) with the mesh unit map data included in the center.

  Further, the search network database 35 for route search uses roads (routes) as nodes and node points as inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, node data, link data, and all links. It is composed of link cost data, which is cost information (distance and required time), and is made into a database. The network data for transportation is also stored as link cost data, with stations as nodes, links between stations, and timetable data (departure time, arrival time, required time) of each vehicle such as trains. is there.

  When the current position is specified from the map display terminal 20 or a desired point is specified and a distribution request for a map including the point is received, the map distribution server 30 reads out the corresponding map data from the map database 38, and the map display terminal. Deliver to 20. Along with this map data, data indicating POIs such as various facilities, buildings and landmarks located on the map are distributed, and the map display terminal 20 displays a map image on the display means and various objects on the map image. Draw an image.

  When the map distribution server 30 receives a POI search request from the map display terminal 20, the map distribution server 30 refers to a POI database (not shown) and searches for the corresponding POI. Then, POI guidance information such as the position and name of the corresponding POI is distributed to the map display terminal 20. Further, when a map request including the POI position is received based on the POI guidance information, the corresponding map data is distributed to the map display terminal 20 with reference to the map database 38.

  Further, when a route search to the POI is requested by designating the current position from the map display terminal 20 or by designating a desired point, the map distribution server 30 refers to the search network database 35 and connects the two points. The candidate route is searched, and map data including the candidate route as the guide route is distributed to the map display terminal 20.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map distribution server 30 shown in FIG. The map distribution server 30 includes control means 31, distribution data editing means 32, communication means 34, route search means 33, search network database 35, POI search means 36, map database 38, and the like. The search network database 35 stores road network data 351 for searching for routes for walking and automobiles, and traffic network data 352 for searching for routes using transportation facilities.

  Although not shown, the control unit 31 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor, and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 34 is an interface for communicating with the map display terminal 20 and the POI information distribution server 50 that provides various POI information via the network 12. The distribution data editing means 32 is for editing the results of route search and POI search into data for distribution to the map display terminal 20. The map distribution server 30 collects POI information from various POI information distribution servers 50 via the network 12 and updates or expands the object data 382 and aggregated object data 383 stored in the map database 38. be able to.

  As described above, an object (facility) such as POI has position information that represents its geographical position by latitude and longitude, and object data located in a map area of a predetermined area is map data of that area. At the same time, it is delivered to the map display terminal 20. When a map image is displayed, each object is displayed as an object image such as an icon image at a corresponding position on the map image based on the position information. By selecting a desired object image, it is possible to display detailed object information such as sales information such as the name and telephone number of the object.

  In a general map display system, an object is defined for each facility such as a building, and each store in the building is not handled as an individual object. This is because when many stores in a building are handled as individual objects, the number of objects becomes enormous, and the number of object images displayed on a map image also becomes enormous. In addition, since the latitude and longitude of the individual objects have the same position information as the latitude and longitude of the building in which those individual objects exist, the object images overlap and are displayed densely on the map image. This is because it is difficult to observe the original map image.

  In the present invention, a facility such as a large building in which a plurality of objects having the same position information exists is treated as a collective object, and individual object data of a plurality of individual objects in the collective object are converted to vertical positions on the collective object image. And store them in the database. In FIG. 2, the collective object data 383 of the map database 38 is data accumulated in this way.

  And in this invention, when selecting the collective object image displayed on the map image, it is comprised so that the position of the up-down direction of the display screen of the object image can be designated by operating means, such as a cursor and a mouse | mouth. With this configuration, the object corresponding to the position can be identified based on the position on the object image designated by the operation means, and the detailed information of the object can be extracted from the collective object data and displayed. Become. Details of this will be described later. As the operation means, a mouse wheel, a jog dial, a volume dial for operating a volume, and the like can be used.

  The POI search means 36 includes a POI database. When a search condition such as a POI category or region is specified by the map display terminal 20, the POI search means 36 searches the POI database for the corresponding POI information and distributes it to the map display terminal 20. When map data including the location of the POI searched by the POI search means 36 is requested from the map display terminal 20, object data such as various facilities, buildings, landmarks, etc. existing on the map based on the corresponding map data. The aggregate object data is extracted and distributed to the map display terminal 20 together with the map data.

  Various information and data sent to the map display terminal 20, for example, map data, object data, POI guidance information, guidance route information, etc. are edited by the distribution data editing means 32 as necessary, and are sent to the map display terminal 20. be delivered.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the map display terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a GPS processing unit 22, a processing request unit 23, an operation / input unit 24, a display unit 25, a cursor control unit 26, an object display control unit 27, an operation / input unit. An input control means 28 and the like are provided. The GPS processing means 22 includes a GPS receiver, receives and processes GPS satellite signals, and measures the current position of the map display terminal 20 using latitude and longitude. The control means 21 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM.

  The processing request means 23 is for editing the POI search conditions and the route search conditions inputted via the menu screen displayed on the operation / input means 24 and the display means 25 and requesting the processing to the map distribution server 30. Is. Map data distributed by the map distribution server 30 according to the request, POI search results according to the POI search request, POI information as a result of route search, guide route information, etc. are temporarily stored in a storage means (not shown). Distribution data such as map data, POI information, and guide route information stored in the storage means is read out as necessary and displayed on the display means 25.

  The operation / input means 24 is for operation / input including numeric keys, alphabet keys, cursor operation keys, other function keys, selection keys, scroll keys, and the like, and is displayed on the display means 25 as output means. The user selects a desired menu from the menu screen or performs various input operations by operating keys. Accordingly, the display unit 25 also functions as a part of the operation / input unit 24. The operation / input means 24 is provided with operation means such as a mouse.

  This operation means is for selecting a desired object image by moving the cursor in order to select an object image displayed on the map image. In particular, when the object image to be selected is a collective object image, By placing the cursor on the object image and operating the mouse wheel, the position in the vertical direction (vertical direction of the display screen) on the collective object image can be designated. Such an operation means is configured to specify a position in the vertical direction (vertical direction of the display screen) on the collective object image using a volume dial for operating a jog dial, volume, etc. in addition to a mouse having a mouse wheel. You can also

  As shown in FIG. 4, the map data stored in the map database 38 is divided into map areas in units of predetermined latitude and longitude, and is composed of mesh unit map data M11 to M33. When this map data is distributed to the map display terminal 20, the unit map data adjacent to the unit map data M22 including the current position PP of the map display terminal 20 in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction. A total of nine unit maps of M21, M23, M12, M32, M11, M13, M31, and M33 are distributed. When the map display terminal 20 moves and the map data is insufficient, the map distribution server 30 distributes the insufficient unit map data based on the moving direction of the map display terminal 20. The same applies when the map display terminal 20 requests the distribution of map data by designating a specific point or POI position.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data format of commonly used vector map data. As shown in FIG. 5, the vector map data is composed of areas of a data header DH, a vector map data main body MPD, and additional data AD. A mesh number of the unit map is set in the data header DH, and road data and polygon data for drawing a road are recorded in the vector map data main body MPD. The road data is data representing each road link as a vector, and includes data indicating road attributes such as road type (type of highway or national road).

  The additional data AD includes character information used in map drawing, objects representing various objects, and information on aggregate objects. The information of the object and the collective object includes their position information (latitude, longitude), the ID of the corresponding object image, object information (text data) indicating the detailed information of the object, and the like. The map display terminal 20 receives such map data and displays a map image and an object image on the display means 25.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the object data 382 stored in the map database 38. As shown in FIG. The data of each object includes an ID number (No.) for identifying the object, center coordinates (latitude / longitude) indicating the location of the object, and a palette image number indicating the object image. When the object is a collective object, the flag “1” is recorded in the F column when the object is a normal (single) object. The position information in the detailed information table of the accumulated object data 383 accumulated is stored in the detailed TB column.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the aggregate object data 333. As illustrated in FIG. Each collective object has, for each detailed TB, an ID of an individual object located in the collective object, a floor, a position on the collective object image (vertical direction of the collective object image to be displayed, that is, a vertical position on the display screen), Detailed information such as the individual object name, telephone number, and sales information is accumulated.

  For example, in FIG. 7, the individual object “M1” in the collective object “*** 01” is located on the first basement “B1F”, and the position on the collective object image is “000”. Show. Therefore, if this collective object image is designated with the cursor and the mouse wheel is operated to designate the vertical position “000” on the collective object image, the detailed information of the individual object “M1” can be specified. Detailed information can be displayed in text in the information window.

  The map image and the object image are displayed on the map display screen of the display means 25 of the map display terminal 20. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a browser screen for displaying a map. As shown in FIG. 8, a map display area 210 for displaying a map is provided on the browser screen, and a scroll bar 212 is displayed on the upper right portion of the map display area 210. In addition, a “menu” 220 that is a button for displaying a menu, a “route search” 221 that is a button for specifying a route search, and a POI around the map displayed in the map display area 210 are searched. A “peripheral search” 222 which is a button is displayed. “Route search” 221 and “Peripheral search” 222 are displayed when the map distribution server 30 has a route search function and a POI search function.

  Of course, the map distribution server 30 may be a server that does not have a route search function or a POI search function but provides a search service for only map information. In addition, the route search or POI search may be requested by the map distribution server 30 requesting the POI information distribution server 50 or a route search server (not shown) to obtain the result. Further, the map display screen is not configured to use the browser screen shown in FIG. 8 provided from the map distribution server 30, but is configured to display a map image or the like using a unique map display screen prepared in the map display terminal 20. It can also be.

  The browser screen also displays an input box 230 for searching the map, and a “search” button 231 for instructing the map distribution server 30 to perform a map search under the conditions input in the input box 230. A banner advertisement display area 250 for displaying advertisements is set. When the map display terminal 20 specifies a desired POI and specifies a map, an object image (icon image) indicating the POI is displayed at the position of the corresponding POI, and the user clicks this object image. When selected, an information window is opened, and object information such as POI name, address, telephone number, business hours and business contents is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the collective object image MI (icon image) indicating the collective object. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a mouse 241 used as an operation unit included in the operation / input unit 24. As is well known, the mouse 241 has a trackball on the lower surface, and by moving the mouse, the cursor displayed on the display screen is moved according to the moving amount and moving direction of the rotating trackball. Any position on the screen can be selected.

  When the mouse wheel 242 provided on the mouse 241 is rotated at the cursor position moved by rotating the trackball, the amount of vertical movement can be determined according to the amount of rotation. Accordingly, the mouse 241 is operated to move the cursor to the collective object image MI shown in FIG. 9 displayed on the map image, and the mouse wheel 242 is rotated on the collective object image, so that a desired position on the collective object image is obtained. Can be specified. Note that the mouse 241 may be an optical mouse. In this case, the movement amount of the mouse 241 is detected optically, not the configuration in which the movement amount of the mouse 241 is determined by the rotation of the trackball.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map image displayed on the map display screen. In FIG. 11, a road RD1 and a road RD2 are displayed, and three collective objects of the collective object images MI1 to MI3 are respectively displayed at locations on the map image. A cursor 244 is displayed on the map image. By operating the mouse 241, the cursor 244 can be moved to a desired position, and various objects displayed on the screen can be selected. In a normal map display system, the initial position where the cursor 244 is displayed is the center of the display screen, and generally a map image is displayed with the center of the display screen as the current position of the map display terminal 20. When map data is requested based on the position of a specific POI, a map image is displayed centering on the location of the specific POI.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display image when the collective object MI2 is selected by operating the mouse 241 on the map image display screen of FIG. The cursor 244 is positioned on the collective object image MI2 by the operation of the mouse 241. By rotating the mouse wheel 242 in this state, the position in the vertical direction (vertical direction of the display screen) on the collective object image MI2 is designated. At this time, when the image at the corresponding position on the collective object image MI2 that changes according to the rotation of the mouse wheel is highlighted in a color different from the other parts, it is determined which part on the image is designated by the user. It becomes easy to do.

  When the cursor 244 is moved onto the collective object image MI2 and the mouse wheel 242 is rotated, the operation / input control means 28 (see FIG. 3) detects the amount of rotation of the mouse wheel 242, and the vertical direction on the collective object image MI2 The position on the collective object image MI2 is specified in terms of the movement amount. The object display control means 27 changes the display color of the part. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the amount of rotation of the mouse wheel 242 designates the first floor portion of the building image of the collective object image MI2, and the individual located in the portion corresponding to the first floor of the collective object data according to this positional information. Detailed object information (see FIG. 7) is identified and displayed in text in the information window WIN.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a display image when the collective object MI2 is selected by operating the mouse 241 on the map image display screen of FIG. The cursor 244 is positioned on the collective object image MI2 by the operation of the mouse 241. If the position corresponding to the 25th floor on the collective object image MI2 is specified by rotating the mouse wheel 242 in this state, the position corresponding to the 25th floor of this building, which is the collective object, is indicated as shown in the information window WIN0. Detailed information of individual objects is displayed. Further, when the mouse wheel 242 is rotated and the position corresponding to the first basement floor (B1F) of the collective object image MI2 is specified, the part corresponding to the first basement floor (B1F) of this building, which is the collective object, as shown in the information window WIN. The individual object detailed information of the individual object located in is displayed.

  At this time, the position where the individual object detailed information is displayed may be displayed in a balloon from a certain image position of the collective object image MI2, and on the collective object image MI2 as in the information windows WIN0 and WIN shown in FIG. It is also possible to display a balloon from the image position of the portion corresponding to the 25th floor or the portion corresponding to the first basement. If displayed in this way, the user can also confirm the position on the collective object image MI2 specified by operating the mouse wheel.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of map image display processing in the map display system 10 according to the present invention described above. When display of a map image is requested by designating a desired point from the map display terminal 20, the map distribution server 30 reads the map information, object data, and aggregate object data requested from the map display terminal 20 from the map database 38. And delivered to the map display terminal 20. The map display terminal 20 displays a map image using the browser screen shown in FIG. 8 in the process of step S101.

  Next, in the process of step S102, the object display control means 27 draws and displays the object image and the collective object image at respective positions on the map image displayed on the browser screen. In the process of step S103, the cursor control means 26 determines whether or not a specific object image (including a collective object image) displayed on the map image has been selected by operating the mouse 241. If no object image is selected, the process proceeds to step S109.

  If it is determined in step S103 that one of the object images displayed on the map image has been selected by moving the cursor, the cursor control means 26 determines that the object image selected by the cursor 244 is the collective object in step S104. Whether it is an image or not is discriminated. If the object image selected by the cursor 244 is not a collective object, the process proceeds to step S107, and object detailed data is read from the memory based on the object data corresponding to the selected object image. The memory here is a memory that temporarily stores map data (including object data) received by the map display terminal 20 from the map distribution server 30.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the object image selected by the cursor 244 is a collective object image, in step S105, the operation / input control means 28 determines whether or not the mouse wheel 242 has been operated. Is determined. If the mouse wheel 242 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S109. In this case, a comment may be displayed to the effect that the object image selected before proceeding to the process of step S109 is a collective object image, and detailed information of individual objects in the building is displayed by operating the mouse wheel 242.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the mouse wheel 242 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S106, where the operation / input control means 28 determines the amount of rotation of the mouse wheel 242, and the group object image is displayed. Specify the vertical position of. In this case, in the initial state in which the collective object image is selected with the cursor 244, the initial value of the mouse wheel is set to the lowest position of the collective object image, and the position on the image is set according to the operation direction and the rotation amount of the mouse wheel 242. Configure to calculate.

  When the vertical position on the collective object image is specified in the process of step S106, the detailed object data of the individual object corresponding to the position is read from the memory. In the process of step S108, the object display control means 27 opens the information window WIN and displays the detailed information of the object (individual object in the case of a collective object) as text (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the map display is ended in the process of step S109. If there is a map display end process, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S101. During this time, if the displayed map image is scrolled, the process returns to step S101, and the map image is scroll-displayed.

  In the above embodiment, as a configuration for displaying a map image, a configuration using the browser screen shown in FIG. 8 provided from the map distribution server 30, or a unique map display prepared in the map display terminal 20 Although the case where it is the structure which displays a map image etc. using a screen was demonstrated, in this case, the map display terminal 20 should just be provided with the means to detect the moving amount | distance of the mouse wheel 242.

  In addition to the above configuration, in the case of a configuration using a browser screen provided from the map distribution server 30, Java implemented in a web browser called Ajax (registered trademark) (Ajax: Asynchronous Java (registered trademark) Script + XML). Using the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) communication function of (registered trademark), the operation amount of the mouse wheel 242 is asynchronously transmitted from the map display terminal 20 to the map distribution server 30, and the map image is displayed on the map distribution server 30. And it can also comprise so that this may be displayed on the browser screen of the map display terminal 20. FIG.

  Conventionally, in a web application using a web browser, in order to notify the server of data and obtain a processing result, the entire page has to be reloaded, and it has been difficult to obtain operability like a native application. . Ajax uses a function to read an XML document from a specified URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and communicates with the server asynchronously in parallel with user operations and screen drawing, making it possible to feel the existence of the server. Without this, a seamless web application can be realized.

  FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration in which the configuration of the client / server system in which the above-mentioned Ajax engine is mounted as an XML asynchronous communication means is applied to the map display system according to the present invention. FIG. -It is a sequence diagram which shows the concept of the communication procedure between the client and server in a server system.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a web browser (WEB browser) 141 is installed in the map display terminal 20, and a user interface 142 is displayed by display means for displaying a web page by the web browser 141 and input means such as a keyboard and a mouse. The user specifies a desired server through the user interface 142 and downloads a web page provided on the map distribution server 30. The web page display image displayed on the display means 25 (see FIG. 3) is operated by the operation / input means 24 to send a desired request to the server and receive the processing result from the server. The map display terminal 20 is equipped with an Ajax engine 143 as XML asynchronous communication means.

  The map display terminal 20 displays the downloaded web page on the display means 25, designates the displayed object image, inputs a search condition, and transmits an HTTP request to the map distribution server 30. The map distribution server 30 performs processing based on the HTTP request transmitted from the map display terminal 20 and returns an HTTP response to the map display terminal 20. In the HTTP response, the result processed by the map distribution server 30 in response to the HTTP request is sent to the map display terminal 20. The map distribution server 30 includes a controller 151 mainly composed of a processor, and executes processing requested from the map distribution server 30.

  FIG. 16 shows a concept of a communication procedure between such a map display terminal 20 and the map distribution server 30. In FIG. 16, the horizontal axis indicates time t, A indicates processing of the map display terminal 20, and B indicates processing of the map distribution server 30. A user action (user operation) is performed using the web browser 141 on the map display terminal 20, and an HTTP request is transmitted to the map distribution server 30. The map distribution server 30 performs server processing (server process) in accordance with the HTTP request, and returns an HTTP response to the map display terminal 20 when the requested processing is completed.

  Until the HTTP response is received from the map distribution server 30, the map display terminal 20 uses the Ajax engine 143 at the time indicated by Xt in FIG. eXtensible Markup Language) format data can be exchanged to proceed. That is, the map display terminal 20 can communicate with the map distribution server 30 asynchronously.

  In this way, an application equipped with an Ajax engine can communicate with the map distribution server 30 in the background while receiving user actions on the map display terminal 20 side. This is a technique called asynchronous communication, which enables processing that does not require the waiting time of the map display terminal 20 unlike a conventional web browser. In the present invention, the detected position of the mouse wheel in the map display terminal 20 can be transmitted to the map distribution server 30 using such asynchronous communication.

  In addition, the HTTP communication function itself of JavaScript (registered trademark) is compatible with both synchronous communication and asynchronous communication, and since the data format to be received can be selected from both XML and plain text, the conventional type that performs plain text synchronous communication. It is also possible to realize the web application without page transition.

  As described above, according to the map display system of the present invention, each of the plurality of individual objects existing in the same facility is associated with the position on the collective object image displayed on the map image, and the mouse wheel It is possible to specify the position on the collective object image with the operation means such as, and display the detailed information of the individual object corresponding to the position, which contributes to the development of services provided by the new map site on the Internet become able to.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system including a map display device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the map delivery server connected to the map display apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the map display apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the unit map (area) in general map data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data format of general vector map data. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of a structure of object data. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of a structure of aggregate | assembly object data. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map display screen displayed on the display means of a map display terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the aggregate object image which shows an aggregate object. It is an external view of a mouse used as an operation means included in the operation / input means. It is a figure which shows an example of the map image displayed on the map display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image when a collective object image is selected. It is a figure which shows another example of the display image when a collective object image is selected. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the display process of the map image in the map display system concerning this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the client server system which mounted the Ajax engine as an XML asynchronous communication means. It is a sequence diagram which shows the concept of the communication procedure between the client and server in the client server system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map display system 12 ... Network 20 ... Map display terminal 21 ... Control means 22 ... GPS processing means 23 ... Processing request means 24 ... Operation / input means 25 ... Display means 26 ... Cursor control means 27 ... Object display control means 28 ... Operation / input control means 30 ... Map distribution server 31 ... · Control means 32 ··· Distribution data editing means 33 ··· Route search means 34 ··· Communication means 35 ··· Network database for search 351 ··· Road network data 352 ··· Traffic network data 36 ··· POI search means 38 ··· Map database 381 ··· Vector map data 382 ··· Object data 383 ··· Collected object data

Claims (16)

Map data, a map database that stores object data in which object position data, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, display means for displaying the map image, and the map image according to the location of the object An object display control means for displaying an object image on a map display system for displaying object information regarding the object when an operation for moving the cursor over the desired object image and selecting the object image is performed.
The object includes a collective object including a plurality of individual objects having the same position information, and object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image. ,
The map display system further includes an operation / input means for specifying a position on the collective object image, and an operation / input control means.
When a collective object is selected by the cursor and an operation for designating a position on the collective object is performed by the operation / input unit, the operation / input control unit performs the collective object based on an operation amount of the operation / input unit. A map display system characterized in that an upper position is specified, and the object display control means extracts object information of an individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object and displays it on the display means.   The object display control means displays an information window in a balloon in accordance with the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, and displays object information of the corresponding individual object in the information window. The map display system according to claim 1.   The object display control means displays the collective object image in a predetermined display form, and changes the display form of the corresponding part of the collective object image based on the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein the display is performed in a display mode different from the predetermined display mode.   The operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image is an operation means for designating a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image, and the operation / input control means is the operation means. 2. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein an operation amount is detected, and a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image is specified based on the operation amount.   The operation means is a mouse wheel, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the mouse wheel and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display system according to claim 4, wherein   The operation means is a jog dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the jog dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display system according to claim 4.   The operation means is a volume dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the volume dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display system according to claim 4, wherein The map data includes a map database that stores map data and object data in which position information, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, and the map data together with a predetermined range of map data requested from the map display terminal. In a map display terminal connected to a map distribution server that distributes object data of objects located in an area corresponding to
The object includes a collective object including a plurality of individual objects having the same position information, and object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image. ,
The map display terminal includes a display means for displaying a map image, an object display control means for displaying an object image on the map image according to the location of the object, and an operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image. And operation / input control means,
When an operation for moving the cursor on a desired object image and selecting the object image is performed, object information related to the object is displayed.
When a collective object is selected by the cursor and an operation for designating a position on the collective object is performed by the operation / input unit, the operation / input control unit performs the collective object based on an operation amount of the operation / input unit. A map display terminal characterized in that an upper position is specified, and the object display control means extracts object information of an individual object corresponding to the specified position on the collective object and displays the object information on a display means.   The object display control means displays an information window in a balloon in accordance with the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means, and displays object information of the corresponding individual object in the information window. The map display terminal according to claim 8.   The object display control means displays the collective object image in a predetermined display form, and changes the display form of the corresponding part of the collective object image based on the position of the collective object image specified by the operation / input control means. The map display terminal according to claim 8, wherein the display is performed in a display mode different from the predetermined display mode.   The operation / input means for designating a position on the collective object image is an operation means for designating a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image, and the operation / input control means is the operation means. 9. The map display terminal according to claim 8, wherein an operation amount is detected, and a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image is specified based on the operation amount.   The operation means is a mouse wheel, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the mouse wheel and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display terminal according to claim 11, wherein   The operation means is a jog dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the jog dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display terminal according to claim 11.   The operation means is a volume dial, and the operation / input control means detects an operation amount of the volume dial and specifies a vertical position on a display screen on the collective object image based on the operation amount. The map display terminal according to claim 11, wherein An operation for displaying a map image and an object display control unit for displaying the object image on the map image according to the location of the object, and selecting the object image by moving the cursor on the desired object image In the map distribution server that distributes the map data and the object data to the map display terminal that displays the object information related to the object when
The map distribution server includes a map database storing map data and object data in which position information, object image data, and object information are recorded for each object, and the objects have the same position information. The object information of each individual object included in the collective object is stored as the object data in association with the position of the collective object image, and includes a predetermined range requested from the map display terminal. A map distribution server that distributes object data of an object located in an area corresponding to the map data together with the map data to the map display terminal. The map display terminal includes an operation / input unit for designating a position on the collective object image, and an operation for selecting the collective object by the cursor and designating a position on the collective object by the operation / input unit is possible. A map display terminal,
The map distribution server detects an operation amount based on an operation of designating a position on the collective object by an operation / input means in the map display terminal, and specifies a position on the collective object based on the operation amount; 16. The map distribution server according to claim 15, wherein object information of an individual object corresponding to a position on the specified collective object is extracted and displayed on a display unit of the map display terminal via a browser.

Images