JP5273610B2 - Map server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map server device for providing guidance information together with a map by which the map and the guidance information can be displayed simultaneously on a display of a terminal device without impairing the visibility of the displayed map. <P>SOLUTION: The map server device is provided, wherein the map is displayed on the map window of the display of the terminal device and guidance information is superposedly displayed on the edge areas along the frame of the map window in such a manner wherein the longitudinal direction is along the map window frame. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map server device that outputs a map to a terminal device via the Internet. More specifically, the map server displays map-related information such as advertisements on a terminal device together with a map without impairing the visibility of the map. Relates to the device.

  In recent years, electronic maps have been provided via the Internet. A user can access a map server device on the Internet using a terminal device such as a PC or a mobile phone, receive a map of a predetermined area, and display the map on a display of the terminal device.

  In the service for providing a map as described above, a map of a predetermined area of a predetermined scale according to a user input is not only displayed on the display of the terminal device, but also an object (store) in the displayed map. , Facilities, companies, etc.) such as advertisements (hereinafter referred to as “guidance information”) are displayed together with the map. In the service, the guidance information displayed together with the map of the predetermined area is information that is highly likely to be of interest to a user browsing the map of the predetermined area, and the service can be expected to have a high advertising effect. As a technique for realizing such a service, for example, there is a technique as described in Patent Document 1.

  However, the technique for displaying guidance information together with the map as described above has the following problems.

  For example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 16, the map and the guidance information are displayed side by side on the display of the terminal device, so the display area of the displayed map is inevitably small. turn into. In such a case, there arises a problem that a map within a predetermined area desired by the user cannot be displayed at a time on the display of the terminal device at a map scale desired by the user. As a result, the user has to browse the map while scrolling, which is very troublesome. In addition, the same problem may occur when a map and guidance information are displayed side by side.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, there is a technique in which guidance information is superimposed on a map displayed on a display of a terminal device as shown in FIG. 17 (in the case of the figure, guidance information is displayed in a predetermined area from the left side of the map). Is superimposed). However, as shown in FIG. 17, most of the superimposed display in the prior art narrows the area for displaying a map and superimposes and displays guidance information. For example, in the case of FIG. 17, the left-right direction of the displayed map is narrowed by superimposing and displaying the guidance information on a predetermined area from the left side of the displayed map. Therefore, in such a case as well, the display area of the displayed map is reduced.

  In general, when a map is displayed on a display of a terminal device, the most important point (such as a point where an object searched by a user exists) in the displayed map is displayed. For example, when a user performs a map search by inputting a keyword “Roppongi Station”, a map of a predetermined area centered on Roppongi Station is displayed. In the case of such a display form, as shown in FIG. 18, in the map displayed on the display of the terminal device, the center (1801) is the place displaying the most important information, and from there to the end. Therefore, the importance is thought to decline. However, as shown in FIG. 17, when the guidance information is superimposed and displayed on a predetermined area from an arbitrary end of the map displayed on the display of the terminal device, a map of a relatively high importance location is superimposed and displayed. The inconvenience of being hidden by information occurs. As a result, the user has to scroll the map to display a map with a relatively high importance, which is very troublesome.

JP-A-11-296540

  Therefore, in the present invention, a map server device that provides guidance information together with a map, and can display the map and the guidance information on the display of the terminal device at the same time without impairing the visibility of the displayed map. It is an issue to provide.

  As means for solving the above-mentioned problem, a map server device is provided that displays guidance information superimposed on an end region of a map window displaying a map on a display of a terminal device so that the longitudinal direction is along the map window frame. .

  The following invention is also provided.

  In the first invention, a map information transmitting unit for transmitting map information to the terminal device, a guide information holding unit for holding the guide information related to the object on the map in association with the position on the map, and displaying the guide information on the terminal device Guidance area information acquisition unit for acquiring the guidance area information indicating the area where the object on the map to be present exists, and guidance information for extracting the guidance information on the map object in the area indicated by the acquired guidance area information from the guidance information holding unit A map server having an extraction unit and a guidance information transmission unit for transmitting the extracted guidance information so as to be superimposed on the end region of the map window for displaying a map in the terminal device so that the longitudinal direction is along the map window frame Providing equipment.

  In the second invention, the map server device is based on the first invention, and further includes a first acquisition means for acquiring a map region displayed in the map window of the terminal device as guide region information. I will provide a.

  The third invention is based on the first invention, and the guidance area information acquisition unit is a rectangular map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device, and has a triangular shape 4 divided by a diagonal line. Provided is a map server device having second acquisition means for acquiring one map area as guide area information.

  The fourth invention is based on the first invention, and the guide area information acquisition unit displays four rectangular maps that are displayed in the map window of the terminal device and are located around the map area. Provided is a map server device having third acquisition means for acquiring a map area as guide area information.

  The fifth invention is based on any one of the first invention to the fourth invention, and the guide information extracting unit is for extracting a part of the guide information from the guide information holding unit holding a plurality of guide information. A take-out rule holding means for holding a guide information take-out rule, and a partial take-out means for taking out a part of the guide information from the plurality of guide information using the guide information take-out rule held in the take-out rule holding means. Provided is a map server device.

  In the sixth invention, based on any one of the first invention to the fifth invention, a guide information input receiving unit that receives input of guide information, and an update that updates the guide information holding unit with the newly received guide information A map server device having a section is provided.

  The seventh invention is based on any one of the first to sixth inventions, and further stores a program executed by the terminal device for displaying the guidance information superimposed on the map window of the terminal device. And a program transmission unit that transmits the program stored in the storage unit to the terminal device in order to cause the terminal device to execute the program. The program includes a reception step for receiving guide information, and a longitudinal direction. A map server that is a program for causing a terminal device to execute a configuration step that configures a bar-shaped icon displayed along each side of a map window frame and a display step that displays received guidance information on the bar-shaped icon Providing equipment.

  The eighth invention is based on the seventh invention, and the program further replaces the guide information to be displayed on the bar icon with different guide information over time when a plurality of guide information is received. A map server device is provided.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map providing method for a map server device for holding guide information related to an object on a map in association with a position on the map, a map information transmitting step for transmitting map information to the terminal device, and a terminal device. Guide area information acquisition step for acquiring guide area information indicating an area where an object on the map on which the guide information is to be displayed exists, and guide information for extracting the guide information on the map object in the area indicated by the acquired guide area information A map server having an extraction step and a guidance information transmission step for transmitting the extracted guidance information so as to be superimposed and displayed on an end region of a map window for displaying a map in a terminal device so that the longitudinal direction is along the map window frame A method for providing a map of an apparatus is provided.

  According to the map server device and the map providing method of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously display a map and guidance information related to the map on the display of the terminal device without impairing the visibility of the map that the user desires to browse. .

Example 1 of Interface Displayed on Display of Terminal Device by Map Server Device of Embodiment 1 Functional block diagram of the map server device of Embodiment 1 An example of a table that associates the location on the map with the guidance information An example of an interface that accepts input on guidance Example of general map display interface Example 2 of Interface Displayed on Display of Terminal Device by Map Server Device of Embodiment 1 Example of hardware diagram of map server device of embodiment 1 The flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process of the map server apparatus of Embodiment 1. The figure for demonstrating the concept of the guidance area | region in Embodiment 2. FIG. Functional block diagram of the map server device of Embodiment 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a guide area in the third embodiment. Functional block diagram of the map server device of Embodiment 3 The figure for demonstrating the means to calculate the guidance area | region in Embodiment 3. Functional block diagram of the map server device of Embodiment 4 Functional block diagram of the map server device of Embodiment 5 FIG. 1 for explaining the prior art for simultaneously displaying a map and guidance information FIG. 2 for explaining the prior art for simultaneously displaying a map and guidance information The figure for demonstrating the premise concept of this invention The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the terminal device of Embodiment 4. The figure for demonstrating the premise concept of this invention FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the guide area in the third embodiment.

Examples of the present invention will be described below. The relationship between the embodiments and the claims is as follows. The first embodiment mainly relates to claims 1, 2, 6, 9 and the like, the second embodiment mainly relates to claim 3, etc., the third embodiment mainly relates to claim 4, etc., and the fourth embodiment mainly claims. The fifth embodiment mainly relates to claims 7 and 8. In addition, this invention is not limited to these Examples at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.
<< Embodiment 1 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 1>

  When the map server device of the present embodiment displays guidance information such as advertisements related to the region along with a map of a predetermined region in response to user input, the map server device displays them in a style different from the conventional one. It is characterized by displaying. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, guidance information (0102) such as advertisements is displayed in the end area of the area (0101) displaying the map secured on the display of the terminal device, and the map is displayed in the longitudinal direction. The image is superimposed and displayed along the peripheral frame constituting the area (0101) to be displayed.

As a result, it is possible to display guidance information such as advertisements related to the displayed map without impairing the visibility of the map displayed on the display of the terminal device.
<Functional configuration of Embodiment 1>

  An example of functional blocks of the map server device of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the “map server device” (0200) of the present embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit” (0201), a “guidance information holding unit” (0202), and a “guidance area information acquisition unit”. (0203), a “guidance information extraction unit” (0204), and a “guidance information transmission unit” (0205). Note that the map server device of the present embodiment may include a “guidance information input reception unit” (0206) and an “update unit” (0207). The “guidance area information acquisition unit” (0203) may include a “first acquisition unit”.

  2 shows that the map server device (0200) is configured by one server device, it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. You may comprise a "map server apparatus" (0200). When the map server device (0200) is configured by a plurality of server devices, naturally, the plurality of server devices are configured to be able to communicate with each other by wire and / or wireless. The premise is the same in all of the following embodiments.

  Here, the functional blocks of the present device (content display device, digital television display device) can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a RAM, a bus, or a secondary storage device (a storage medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and a read drive for the medium) ), Hardware components such as printing devices, display devices, and other external peripheral devices, I / O ports for the external peripheral devices, driver programs for controlling these hardware, other application programs, and information input User interface.

  In addition, these hardware and software process the programs developed on the RAM with the CPU, and process, store, and output data stored on the memory and hard disk, and data input via the interface. Or used to control each hardware component. In addition, the present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software, and a storage medium in which the product is fixed to a storage medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout this specification). Is).

  Hereinafter, the “map information transmission unit” (0201), “guidance information holding unit” (0202), “guidance area information acquisition unit” (0203), and “guidance information extraction” of the “map server device” (0200) of this embodiment Part "(0204)," guidance information transmission part "(0205)," guidance information input reception part "(0206)," update part "(0207), and" first acquisition of guidance area information acquisition part "(0203) The functional configuration of “means” will be described in detail.

  The “map information transmitting unit” (0201) is configured to transmit map information to the terminal device. Specifically, map information of a predetermined area at a predetermined scale is extracted from map information stored for each predetermined scale in the map server device (0200) in advance according to user input information. Then, the extracted map information is transmitted to the terminal device that has transmitted the user input information. The transmitted map information consists of a plurality of map images, etc., and the terminal device that has received the map information generates a map layer that constitutes a map of a predetermined area of a predetermined scale by pasting the plurality of map images in a tile shape, etc. The map is displayed on the display.

  Here, the “user input information” is information for specifying a map to be displayed on the display of the terminal device. For example, an area name (eg, Roppongi, Ginza), an address, a postal code, a building name ( For example, keywords such as XX building) and facility names (example: Tokyo Tower, Ginza Station) can be considered. Further, input information for scrolling a map displayed on the display of the terminal device may be considered. The above list is merely an example, and other information may be used as long as it is information that can specify a map displayed on the display of the terminal device.

  Means for receiving input of information as described above from the user, means for specifying a map to be displayed on the display of the terminal device based on the user input information that has received the input, means for extracting map information of the specified area, etc. Since it is realizable according to a prior art, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The “guidance information holding unit” (0202) is configured to hold the guidance information related to the object on the map in association with the position on the map. Here, the “object on the map” corresponds to any object displayed on the map, for example, a building, a facility, a road, a river, the sea, or the like. The on-map object is displayed on the map as a plane figure, as an aerial photograph taken actually, or as a three-dimensional figure.

  Next, the “guidance information regarding the object on the map” is information regarding the object on the map, and in the present embodiment, displayed on the display of the terminal device together with the map. The content of the guidance information related to the map object is not particularly limited. For example, in the building or facility displayed on the map as a map object or the building or facility displayed on the map as a map object It may be information about existing stores or companies. Specifically, the advertisements such as the name, address, telephone number, homepage URL, etc. of the facility and the like, event information being held at the facility, and the like can be considered. Or the information regarding the road, a bridge, etc. which are displayed as an object on a map may be sufficient. Specifically, construction information, closed information, etc. can be considered. Or the information regarding the sea displayed as an object on a map may be sufficient. Specifically, tsunami information can be considered. The enumeration of the guide information is merely an example, and other information may be used.

  Here, the guidance information holding unit (0202) holds the guidance information related to the map object in association with the position on the map. The “position on the map” may be an arbitrary position on the map received from the user who has registered the guide information, or may be a position on the map of an object on the map related to the guide information. Good. “The position on the map of the object on the map” is expressed as, for example, “latitude / longitude” of a point (hereinafter referred to as “representative point”) characteristically representing the position on the map where the object on the map exists. can do. The method of determining the representative point is an arbitrary design item. For example, a point approximately at the center of the object on the map may be used as the representative point.

  For reference, FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of a table in which the guide information holding unit (0202) holds guide information related to objects on the map in association with positions on the map. Here, the table shown in FIG. 3 is a table that directly associates the guidance information with the position (latitude / longitude) on the map. However, the table in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and holds two tables, for example, a table that associates “guidance information with objects on the map” and a “table that associates objects on the map with positions on the map”. In addition, the guide information and the position on the map may be indirectly associated using the two tables.

  The map server device (0200) includes a “guidance information input receiving unit” (0206) and an “update unit” (0207), and the guidance information related to the on-map object held by the guidance information holding unit (0202). You may comprise so that the content of the table (refer FIG. 3) which linked | related and the position on a map can be updated.

  The “guidance information input receiving unit” (0206) is configured to receive an input of guidance information. As a specific means for accepting the input of the guide information, for example, an interface screen for accepting the input of the guide information as shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the terminal device, and the input is accepted from the interface screen displayed on the display of the terminal device. Also good. The interface screen may be transmitted via the Internet or a means such as mail may be used.

  Here, the guidance information input acceptance interface screen shown in FIG. 4 accepts the input of advertising advertisements, profiles, etc. as guidance information from the guidance information input field (for example, “a free beer full service from 17:00 to 18:00”), The period for which the advertisement is posted (eg, “July 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008”), and the time of day during which the advertisement is posted (eg, “16:00 to 18:00”) ) Etc. are also accepted. Note that the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and in the present embodiment, whether or not to accept the input of the information other than the guidance information is an arbitrary design matter.

  Further, the guidance information input acceptance interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is configured to accept input of information for specifying a position on a map to which the accepted guidance information is associated.

  Specifically, from the “location information input field”, for example, the name of the object on the map (facility name, building name, etc.), address, representative point, or the name or address of a store or the like existing in the object on the map , Configured to accept phone numbers and other input. When an input of information specifying one map object is received by the means, for example, a representative point of the specified map object may be specified as a position on the map to which the received guidance information is associated.

  In addition to the input from the “position information input field”, the guidance information input reception interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is also displayed on the map from the map displayed in the lower right area of the guidance information input reception interface screen. It is configured to accept an input of information for specifying (such as a left click with the cursor position and pressing of the enter button. A flag may be set at the position where the input is accepted). Note that the input means may be configured to select the map object itself by an operation such as a left click with the cursor position aligned. Then, the representative point of the selected map object may be specified as a position on the map to which the received guidance information is associated.

  Note that the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and information for specifying the “position on the map to which the received guidance information is associated” may be acquired by other means.

  The “update unit” (0207) is configured to update the guide information holding unit (0202) with the newly received guide information. That is, when the update unit (0207) obtains the guidance information received by the guidance information input reception unit (0206), the update unit (0207) stores the obtained guidance information on the map object in the table as shown in FIG. It is recorded in association with the position.

  When performing the recording, the guidance information input reception unit (0206) receives the registration information registration date (in the case of the interface screen of FIG. Date) may be recorded as the update date. The updating unit (0207) registers the newly received guidance information in the guidance information holding unit (0202) as described above, and deletes the guidance information past the posting period from the guidance information holding unit (0202). You may comprise.

  The “guidance area information acquisition unit” (0203) is configured to acquire guidance area information indicating an area (hereinafter referred to as “guidance area”) where a map object on which guidance information is to be displayed exists in the terminal device. . The “guidance area information” is information for specifying a predetermined area on the map, and the guidance information associated with the position on the map in the specified area is “guidance information” described below. It is taken out by the “extraction unit” (0204).

  Here, the guide area indicated by the guide area information acquired by the guide area information acquisition unit (0203) is, for example, a map area (map display area) displayed in the map window of the terminal device as shown in FIG. (Map area displayed in (0501)). The “map window of the terminal device” is a window area secured by a map application that displays a map on the display of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 5, the map window includes a map display area (0501) reserved for displaying a map and a map window frame (0502) constituting the map display area (0501). The “map window frame” (0502) is a frame configured on the map window, and is a frame for configuring the map display area (0501). That is, according to this concept, the area other than the map display area (0501) on the map window becomes the map window frame (0502). Note that an interface for inputting a keyword for searching a map to be displayed is displayed on the map window frame (0502) (other information may be displayed).

  The process of acquiring the map area displayed in the map window as the guide area is realized by “first acquisition means” described below.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the guidance area acquired by the guidance area information acquisition unit (0203) may be a peripheral area (shaded area in the drawing) of the map display area. This hatched area is a map area that is not displayed in the map window of the terminal device. Furthermore, the guidance area acquired by the guidance area information acquisition unit (0203) may be a map area that combines the map display area and the peripheral area.

  The guide area information indicating the guide area as described above can be expressed using, for example, latitude and longitude. Specifically, when the guidance area is a polygon such as a rectangle or a pentagon, the guidance area information can be expressed by the latitude and longitude of the vertex of the polygon.

  Here, the specific means for the guide area information acquisition unit (0203) to acquire the guide area information may be realized by receiving the guide area information from the terminal device, or from the terminal device, for example. You may implement | achieve by calculating based on the keyword for the received map search, the vector information which scrolls the map to display, etc.

  As specific processing of the calculation, for example, (1) information (latitude / longitude) indicating the center point of the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) is acquired. And (2) You may implement | achieve by acquiring the information (latitude / longitude) of the point corresponding to four vertices of the rectangle of the predetermined magnitude | size centering on the said center point.

  The means for acquiring “(1) information (latitude / longitude) indicating the center point of the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5)” may be the following means. Good. For example, by accepting an input of a keyword for a map search from the user and displaying a map of the search result on the map window of the terminal device, by acquiring the center point of the map displayed on the map window of the terminal device as the search result It may be realized.

  Further, when the map displayed on the map window of the terminal device is scrolled in accordance with a user operation, vector information indicating the direction and amount of the scrolling movement is acquired from the terminal device. Based on the previously identified “information indicating the central point of the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) (latitude / longitude)” and the acquired vector information, The center point of may be calculated.

  Further, means for acquiring “(2) information (latitude / longitude) of points corresponding to four vertices of a rectangle having a predetermined size centered on the central point” is as follows. Also good. First, a rectangle having a predetermined size is determined based on the size, aspect ratio, and the like of a map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) in a map window held in advance. For example, a rectangle in which the size of the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) is 0.5 times or 2.0 times is determined while the aspect ratio is constant. Then, it is realized by acquiring the point (latitude / longitude) corresponding to the four vertices of the determined rectangle centered on the “center point (latitude / longitude) of the map area” acquired by the means (1). May be.

  Here, the guidance area information acquisition unit (0203) may include a “first acquisition unit” in order to acquire the map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device as the guidance area information.

  The “first acquisition means” is configured to acquire a map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device as guide area information.

  Here, the specific means by which the first acquisition means acquires the guidance area information can be realized according to the guidance area information acquisition means by the guidance area information acquisition unit (0203). That is, when “(1) Information (latitude / longitude) indicating the center point of the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5)” is acquired in the same manner as the above process, the process of (2) above is performed. In FIG. 5, a rectangle is determined by multiplying the size of the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) by 1.0 while the aspect ratio of the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) remains constant. Then, it is realized by acquiring the point (latitude / longitude) corresponding to the four vertices of the determined rectangle centered on the “center point (latitude / longitude) of the map area” acquired by the means (1). can do.

  The “guidance information extraction unit” (0204) is configured to extract, from the guidance information holding unit (0202), the guidance information related to the map object in the area indicated by the acquired guidance area information. Specifically, the “map position” (see FIG. 3) associated with the guidance information held by the guidance information holding unit (0202) is used, and the “map” in the area indicated by the guidance area information is used. Guidance information associated with “upper position” may be taken out. Alternatively, the guidance information may be associated with each map image mesh according to the position on the associated map, and the guidance information associated with the map image mesh in the area indicated by the guidance area information may be extracted. Or you may take out guidance information using a space search.

  The guidance information extraction unit (0204) may be configured to extract all the guidance information regarding the map object in the area indicated by the guidance area information, or may be configured to extract a part. Also good. In a case where a part is extracted, the guidance information extraction unit (0204) may include “extraction rule holding unit” and “partial extraction unit”. The specific configurations of the “takeout rule holding unit” and the “partial takeout unit” will be described in the fourth embodiment below.

  The “guidance information extraction unit” (0204) extracts the guidance information for each area specified by each guidance area information when the guidance area information acquisition unit (0203) acquires a plurality of pieces of guidance area information. You may comprise as follows. An embodiment configured in this manner will be described in the following Embodiment 2 or 3.

  The “guidance information transmission unit” (0205) transmits the extracted guidance information so as to be superimposed on the end region of the map window for displaying the map in the terminal device so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the map window frame. Composed. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device that has received the guidance information displays guidance information (0102) in the end region of the map window (0101) so that the longitudinal direction is along the frame of the map window (0101). A guidance information layer is generated and superimposed on the generated map layer based on the received map information.

  Here, the “end area of the map window” is an area of a predetermined size along the four sides constituting the map window frame in the map display area (0101) of the map window. The size (area) of the edge region of the map window is a concept that can be arbitrarily designed according to the amount of guidance information to be superimposed and the size of characters. However, it is desirable to make it as small as possible without impairing the visibility of the guidance information. By designing in this way, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the visibility of the map in which the guide information is displayed in the map window is impaired.

  The amount of guidance information (number of characters) to be displayed is an arbitrary design matter, but it is desirable to reduce it as much as possible within a range where the content of the guidance information can be understood to some extent. By designing in this way, the display area of the guidance information can be reduced, and the inconvenience of impairing the visibility of the map in which the guidance information is displayed in the map window can be avoided. As shown in FIG. 1, the superimposition display of the guidance information displays a bar icon (in the case of the figure, a long round bar icon) in the end area of the map window, and the guidance information is displayed on the bar icon. You may implement | achieve by displaying, You may superimpose and display character information directly on a map. The shape of the bar-shaped icon is not limited to the long round shape as shown in FIG. 1, and may be other shapes such as a rectangle. The bar icon may be translucent.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 1, four pieces of guidance information are superimposed and displayed, but the number is an arbitrary design matter. For example, only one piece of guidance information may be superimposed and displayed along the upper side of the map window frame, or two pieces of guidance information may be superimposed and displayed along the upper side of the map window frame. Further, two pieces of guidance information may be superimposed and displayed along the upper side and the lower side of the map window frame, respectively, and one piece of guidance information may be superimposed and displayed along the left side and the right side of the map window frame.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the interface in which the guidance information (0102) is superimposed and displayed on the edge area of the map window (0101), an input for selecting one guidance information (decision to match the cursor position to one guidance information) When receiving an input, a left click with the pointer position aligned with the guidance information, etc.), detailed guidance information related to the selected guidance information may be displayed on the screen. That is, only the guide information headline may be displayed on the bar-shaped icon, and detailed guide information may be displayed on the screen by accepting a selection input of the guide information.

  Further, when the display position of the cursor or pointer (0103) is on the display area of one guide information (0102), the position on the map associated with the guide information may be displayed in an identifiable manner. Good. As such an identification display, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the position may be indicated by an arrow (0603) extending from the guidance information (0602) to which the position of the pointer (0601) is aligned, or A mark such as a star or flag may be displayed at that position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide information (0102) displayed superimposed on the end region of the map window (0101) may be replaced with different guide information as time passes. Specifically, the guidance information may be displayed as a telop, or the guidance information displayed every predetermined time may be sequentially replaced. When a plurality of guidance information is displayed in the map window (0101), the display style may be changed for each guidance information. For example, the guidance information along the upper side of the map window frame may be displayed as a telop, and the guidance information along other sides may be sequentially replaced and displayed every predetermined time.

  Here, the guide information transmitting unit (0205) may transmit all the extracted guide information to the terminal device, or may transmit a predetermined number of guide information extracted from the extracted guide information. Alternatively, only the number of guidance information to be displayed on the map window may be extracted and transmitted. A means for extracting a predetermined number of pieces of guidance information to be transmitted from the plurality of pieces of guidance information is not particularly limited, and for example, a predetermined number of pieces of guidance information may be extracted in order from the latest update date and time.

The terminal device receives the map information transmitted by the map information transmission unit (0201) and the guidance information transmitted by the guidance information transmission unit (0205), and processes the information as shown in FIG. A map display specific to the present embodiment is realized. The processing performed by the terminal device will be described in the fifth embodiment below.
<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment 1>

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration when the functional configuration of the map server device of the present embodiment is realized as hardware.

  Hereinafter, an example of means for realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to the hardware diagram of FIG. As shown in the figure, the “map server device” of this embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit”, a “guidance information holding unit”, a “guidance area information acquisition unit”, a “guidance information extraction unit”, and “guidance information transmission”. "CPU" (0701), "main storage device" (0702), which constitutes "first acquisition means" of "part", "guidance information input reception part", "update part", "guidance area information acquisition part", etc. , “Program storage device” (0703), “secondary storage device” (0704), “Internet I / F” (0705), “HDD” (0706), “bus” (0707), and the like.

  The main storage device (0702) is a storage device capable of dynamically rewriting data during program execution. The main storage device (0702) provides work areas such as a stack and a heap necessary for executing a map providing program, a map information output program, a guidance information output program, and the like stored in the program storage device (0703). Further, the main storage device (0702) takes out map specifying information (keyword for map search, etc.) for specifying the map to be output received from the terminal device, and HDD (0706) for transmission to the terminal device. The map information of the predetermined area of the predetermined scale, the guide area information indicating the area where the object on the map on which the guide information is to be displayed, and the guide taken out from the HDD (0706) to be superimposed on the map are displayed. Data such as a map display interface for displaying information, map information, guidance information, etc. on the display of the terminal device or accepting an input of a keyword for searching the map is held.

  The secondary storage device (0704) is a storage device that can dynamically rewrite data during program execution. Even if the power of the device is turned off, stored data is not erased. The secondary storage device (0704) holds map display interface data for displaying map information, guidance information, etc. on the display of the terminal device, and accepting input of keywords for searching the map.

  The HDD (0706) holds map information composed of a plurality of map images and the like, guidance information associated with positions on the map, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the map search device of the present embodiment receives input of user input information from a certain terminal device via the Internet I / F (0705), and based on the received user input information, maps information and guidance information are received. An example of processing to extract and transmit to the terminal device will be described.

  First, in accordance with a map providing program developed in the work area of the main storage device (0702), as map specifying information from a terminal device (PC, mobile phone, etc.) of a user via the Internet I / F (0705). When the keyword for searching the map is received, the received map specifying information (keyword) is stored in the data area of the main storage device (0702). Thereafter, according to the map information output program developed in the work area of the main storage device (0702), the map specifying information (keyword) is used to specify a point on the map, and the map information including the specified point is stored in the HDD. The data is extracted from (0706) and stored in the data area of the main memory (0702).

  Further, according to the guidance information output program developed in the work area of the main storage device (0702), the guide area information is acquired based on the extracted map information and stored in the data area of the main storage device (0702). Then, the guidance information associated with the point in the area indicated by the guidance area information is extracted from the HDD (0706) and stored in the data area of the main storage device (0702).

  Thereafter, the map information stored in the data area of the main storage device (0702) and the guidance information stored in the data area of the main storage device (0702) are transmitted to the terminal device via the Internet I / F (0705). Send to.

In the above description, the example in which the map server device receives map specifying information such as a keyword from the terminal device and transmits the map information and the guidance information by synchronous communication between the map server device and the terminal device has been described. Through communication, it receives input information for the map server device to scroll from the terminal device, request information for map information required for scroll movement, map area displayed in the map window after scroll movement, etc. Accordingly, the case where the map information and / or the guidance information is transmitted from the map server device to the terminal device is also realized in accordance with the above.
<Processing flow of Embodiment 1>

  An example of the processing flow of the map providing method of the map server device of this embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the map server device receives a request for map information from the terminal device (PC, mobile phone, etc.) via the Internet (S0801), the map server device extracts map information of a predetermined area at a predetermined scale according to the received information (S0801). S0802). Reception in step S0801 may be either synchronous communication or asynchronous communication.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S0803, where guidance area information indicating an area where a map object on which guidance information is to be displayed exists is acquired. The guidance area information is acquired by calculating based on the map information extracted in step S0802 and the size of the map window displayed on the display of the terminal device, or the display map received from the terminal device. It can be realized by calculating based on input information for scroll movement or the like, or can be realized by receiving information indicating the map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device after the scroll movement from the terminal device.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S0804, and the guidance information is obtained using the guidance area information acquired in step S0803. Specifically, the guide information associated with the position in the area indicated by the guide area information is taken out.

In order to display the map information extracted in step S0802 on the map window displayed on the display of the terminal device, the guidance information extracted in step S0804 is displayed on the end of the map window displayed on the display of the terminal device. In order to superimpose and display the area in the longitudinal direction along the map window frame, it is transmitted to the terminal device (S0805).
<Effect of Embodiment 1>

With the map server device of this embodiment, it is possible to display guidance information such as advertisements related to the displayed map without impairing the visibility of the map displayed on the display of the terminal device.
<< Embodiment 2 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 2>

  The map server device of this embodiment is based on a part of Embodiment 1 and differs in the following points.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the map server device according to the present embodiment displays the map regions displayed in each of the four triangular regions obtained by dividing the rectangular map region displayed in the map window of the terminal device into four diagonal lines. Get as.

  And guidance information is acquired for every area | region shown by each guidance area | region information, and the acquired guidance information is displayed on the "edge area of a map window" in each area | region.

  That is, the guide information indicated by 0901 is guide information related to the map object in the guide area indicated by (1) in the figure, and the guide information indicated by 0902 is within the guide area indicated by (2) in the figure. The guidance information indicated by 0903 is guidance information related to the map object in the guidance area indicated by (3) in the figure, and the guidance information indicated by 0904 is indicated by ( 4) Guidance information related to objects on the map in the guidance area indicated by 4).

By configuring in this way, a user viewing a map can intuitively grasp the approximate position on the map such as a store or a company where guidance information superimposed on the map is posted. It becomes.
<Functional configuration of Embodiment 2>

  An example of the functional block of the map server apparatus of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the “map server device” (1000) of the present embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit” (1001), a “guidance information holding unit” (1002), and a “guidance area information acquisition unit”. (1003), a “guidance information extraction unit” (1004), and a “guidance information transmission unit” (1005), and the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1003) includes “second acquisition means”.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the “second acquisition unit” of the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1003) of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Regarding the functional configuration of the “map information transmitting unit” (1001), the “guidance information holding unit” (1002), the “guidance information extracting unit” (1004), and the “guidance information transmitting unit” (1005) Since it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The “second acquisition means” of the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1003) is a rectangular map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device, and is a triangular map obtained by dividing the map area by diagonal lines. The area is configured to be acquired as guide area information. "Four triangular map areas obtained by dividing a rectangular map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device with diagonal lines" means two rectangular map areas displayed in the map window as shown in FIG. It is a map area displayed in each of four triangular areas (indicated by (1) to (4) in the figure) divided by the diagonal line. That is, the second acquisition unit acquires four pieces of guide area information.

  When the second acquisition unit of the guidance area information acquisition unit (1003) acquires four pieces of guidance area information, the guidance information extraction unit (1004) uses all the guidance area information and is indicated by each guidance area information. Guidance information is extracted for each area. And the guidance information taken out for every area | region shown by each guidance area | region information is superimposed and displayed in the area | region shown by each guidance area | region information. That is, the guidance information on the map object in the guidance area indicated by (1) in FIG. 9 is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 0901, and on the map in the guidance area indicated by (2) in the figure. Guidance information related to the object is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 0902, and guidance information related to the object on the map in the guide area indicated by (3) in the figure is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 0903. Then, the guidance information related to the map object in the guidance area indicated by (4) in the figure is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 0904.

Here, in order to realize the display as described above, the guidance information transmission unit (1005) is configured to transmit the guidance information to be transmitted in an identifiable manner based on which guidance area information is extracted. Also good. For example, identification information such as “U” or “1” is attached to the guidance information extracted from the area (1) in FIG. 9 and transmitted, and “L” is displayed for the guidance information extracted from the area (2). Alternatively, identification information such as “2” is attached and transmitted, and guidance information extracted from the area of (3) is transmitted with identification information such as “D” or “3”, and the area of (4) Identification information such as “R” or “4” may be added to the guidance information extracted from the information and transmitted. The terminal device that has received the guidance information assigned with the identification information as described above displays the received guidance information on a bar-shaped icon corresponding to the given identification information.
<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment 2>

The configuration when the functional configuration of the map server device of the present embodiment is realized as hardware can be realized according to the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Processing flow of Embodiment 2>

The processing flow of the map providing method of the map server device of the present embodiment can be realized according to the map providing method of the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Effect of Embodiment 2>

With the map server device and the map providing method according to the present embodiment, the user can intuitively determine the approximate position on the map such as a store or a company where the guide information (such as advertisements) superimposed on the map is posted. It becomes possible to grasp it.
<< Embodiment 3 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 3>

  The map server device of this embodiment is based on a part of Embodiment 1 and differs in the following points.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the map server device of the present embodiment displays four map regions (in the figure) positioned around the rectangular map region in a state where a map is displayed in the rectangular map display region of the map window of the terminal device. , (1) to (4) are obtained as guide area information. Note that the shapes (trapezoids) of the four map areas shown in the figure (hatched areas indicated by (1) to (4) in the figure) are merely examples.

  A rectangular map display area constituting one side of each guide area (shaded area indicated by (1) to (4) in the figure) is displayed for the guide information on the map object in the guide area indicated by each guide area information. It is displayed in the “edge area of the map window” along the edge of.

  That is, the guide information indicated by 1101 is guide information related to the object on the map in the guide area indicated by (1) in the figure, and the guide information indicated by 1102 is within the guide area indicated by (2) in the figure. The guide information related to the object on the map is indicated by 1103. The guide information indicated by 1103 is the guide information related to the object on the map within the guide area indicated by (3) in the figure. The guide information indicated by 1104 is indicated by ( 4) Guidance information related to objects on the map in the guidance area indicated by 4).

With this configuration, a user who browses a map can acquire guide information such as a store located in the vicinity of the displayed map area. Then, it is expected that the user will be interested in browsing the map for the area around the currently displayed map area.
<Functional configuration of Embodiment 3>

  An example of the functional block of the map server apparatus of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the “map server device” (1200) of this embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit” (1201), a “guidance information holding unit” (1202), and a “guidance area information acquisition unit”. (1203), a “guidance information extraction unit” (1204), and a “guidance information transmission unit” (1205), and the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1203) includes “third acquisition means”.

  Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the “third acquisition unit” of the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1203) of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Regarding the functional configuration of the “map information transmission unit” (1201), the “guidance information holding unit” (1202), the “guidance information extraction unit” (1204), and the “guidance information transmission unit” (1205) Since it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The “third acquisition unit” of the “guidance region information acquisition unit” (1203) displays four map regions located around the map region in a state where the rectangular map region displayed in the map window of the terminal device is displayed. Is obtained as guide area information. The concept of “the map area displayed in the rectangular map window of the terminal device” is the same as the “map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device” described in the “first acquisition means” of the first embodiment. Since it is a concept, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Here, “four map areas located around the map area in a state where the rectangular map area displayed in the map window of the terminal device is displayed” is, for example, (1) to (4 in FIG. The four shaded areas shown in FIG. That is, it is a map area around the map area displayed in the rectangular map display area of the map window, and is an area located within a predetermined area from each side of the rectangular map display area. Note that the size of the predetermined area is an arbitrary design matter. In addition to the trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. 11, the shape is also an arbitrary design matter, as shown in FIG. 20, which is a triangle (four hatched areas indicated by (1) to (4) in the figure). Alternatively, it may be a rectangle, a square, or the like.

  In addition, about the specific means for the third acquisition means to acquire the area as the guidance area information, for example, when the four hatched areas shown in (1) to (4) of FIG. 11 are acquired as the guidance area information. Is information indicating the map area displayed in the map window in accordance with the “guidance area information acquisition unit” or “first acquisition means” of the first embodiment (“latitude / longitude corresponding to the four vertices of the rectangular map display area” Can be easily calculated according to a predetermined rule using the information. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the four vertices (A, B, C, D) of the rectangular map display area are acquired, the latitude and longitude of the rectangular central point are calculated, and the central point and each vertex are connected. The latitude and longitude of the previous position (A ′, B ′, C ′, D ′) obtained by extending the line segment at a predetermined ratio are calculated. Then, the latitude / longitude of the four vertices (A, B, C, D) of the rectangular map display area and the latitude / longitude of the calculated position (A ′, B ′, C ′, D ′) are used. Thus, the guidance area information can be acquired. For example, the latitude and longitude of the four positions “A, B, B ′, A ′” are acquired as the guide area information of the guide area indicated by (1).

  Even when an area having another shape is acquired as the guidance area information, it can be easily realized by using the above-described means and the conventional technique.

  Here, when the third acquisition unit of the guidance area information acquisition unit (1203) acquires four pieces of guidance area information, the guidance information extraction unit (1204) uses all the guidance area information to indicate each guidance area information. The guidance information is taken out for each guidance area. The guidance information extracted for each guidance area indicated by each guidance area information is superimposed and displayed on the “edge area of the map window” along the side of the rectangular map display area constituting one side of each guidance area. That is, the guidance information regarding the object on the map in the guidance area indicated by (1) in FIG. 11 is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 1101, and on the map in the guidance area indicated by (2) in the figure. Guidance information relating to the object is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 1102, and guidance information relating to the object on the map in the guidance area indicated by (3) in the figure is indicated in the end area of the map window indicated by 1103. Then, the guidance information regarding the map object in the guidance area indicated by (4) in the figure is displayed in the end area of the map window indicated by 1104. Even when the guide area information as shown in FIG. 20 (the four triangular hatched areas indicated by (1) to (4) in the figure) is acquired, the relationship between the guide information according to the above and each guide area is maintained. Be drunk. In order to realize the display as described above, the guide information transmitting unit (1105) may be configured to transmit the guide information to be transmitted in an identifiable manner based on which guide area information is extracted. Good. The specific means can be realized according to the second embodiment.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case where guide information such as a store located outside the map area displayed in the map window is displayed on the map in a superimposed manner, as shown in FIG. (Arrows displayed at the beginning and end of each guide information (1101 to 1104) in the figure) may be identified.

When receiving an input for selecting one piece of guide information (such as a decision input with the cursor position aligned with the guide information, or a left click with the pointer position aligned with the guide information), detailed guide information related to the selected guide information May be displayed on the screen, and the map display may be switched so that the position on the map with which the guide information is associated becomes the center of the map window. Further, when the display position of the cursor or pointer is on the display area of one guide information (1101 to 1104), the map is displayed so that the position on the map associated with the guide information is displayed in the map window. The display may be switched. Then, when the display position of the cursor or pointer is shifted from the display area of the guidance information (1101 to 1104), the original map area may be displayed.
<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment 3>

The configuration when the functional configuration of the map server device of the present embodiment is realized as hardware can be realized according to the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Processing flow of Embodiment 3>

The processing flow of the map providing method of the map server device of the present embodiment can be realized according to the map providing method of the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Effect of Embodiment 3>

With the map server device and the map providing method of the present embodiment, the user can acquire guide information such as a store located in the vicinity of the displayed map area. Then, it is expected that the user will be interested in browsing the map for the area around the currently displayed map area.
<< Embodiment 4 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 4>

  The map server device of the present embodiment is based on part or all of the first to third embodiments, and further holds a rule for extracting a part of the guide information from a plurality of held guide information, Guide information extracted in accordance with the rules is transmitted to the terminal device.

As the rule, for example, the guide information (such as advertisements) is held in association with the time of day (eg, “16:00 to 18:00”) in which the guide information is posted (superimposed on the map). The rule may be configured such that only the guidance information whose time zone matches the current time is extracted.
<Functional Configuration of Embodiment 4>

  An example of functional blocks of the map server device of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the “map server device” (1400) of the present embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit” (1401), a “guidance information holding unit” (1402), and a “guidance area information acquisition unit”. (1403), “guidance information extraction section” (1404), and “guidance information transmission section” (1405). “Guidance information extraction section” (1404) includes “extraction rule holding means” and “partial extraction section”. Means ".

  Hereinafter, functional configurations of “extraction rule holding unit” and “partial extraction unit” of the “guidance information extraction unit” (1404) of this embodiment will be described in detail. The functional configuration of the “map information transmission unit” (1401), the “guidance information holding unit” (1402), the “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1403), and the “guidance information transmission unit” (1405). Since this is the same as in the first, second, and third embodiments, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The “extraction rule holding means” of the “guidance information extraction unit” (1404) holds a guidance information extraction rule for extracting a part of the guidance information from the guidance information holding unit (1402) holding a plurality of guidance information. It is configured as follows. That is, the take-out rule holding means holds a guide information take-out rule for taking out part of the guide information from the guide information taken out by the guide information take-out unit (1404) using the guide area information.

  The content of the guidance information extraction rule is not particularly limited, and any rule can be considered. For example, guide information (such as advertisements) is held in association with a time period (eg, “16:00 to 18:00”, “all day”) during which the guide information is posted (superimposed on a map). In such a configuration, the rule may be such that only the guidance information whose time zone matches the current time is taken out. Or the rule which takes out a part of guide information of predetermined quantity (arbitrary design matter) in order from the guide information with the short guide information publication time slot | zone linked | related further to the said rule may be added. Or, in order to display the guide information on the map, if a fee is collected from the publisher of the guide information, a predetermined quantity (arbitrary design matters) in order from the guide information of the publisher who pays the highest fee ) May be a rule that extracts a part of the guide information. Alternatively, the rule may be such that a part of guide information of a predetermined quantity (arbitrary design matter) is taken out in order from the latest guide information registered in the guide information holding unit (1402). Or the number of times the user has operated to see the detailed information of the guidance information superimposed on the map (decision input with the cursor position aligned with the guidance information, left click with the pointer position aligned with the guidance information, etc.) It may be a rule that a part of guide information of a predetermined quantity (arbitrary design matter) is taken out in order from a large amount of guide information. Alternatively, a rule may be such that a part of guide information of a predetermined quantity (arbitrary design matter) is extracted in order from the guide information that is displayed in a superimposed manner on the map. Alternatively, when a user who browses a map is logged in to a site where the map server device of the present embodiment provides a map and can identify user information such as the gender, age, and preference of the user, the user information It may be a rule to take out guidance information suitable for. Note that the above is an example, and the take-out rule holding means may hold guide information take-out rules with other contents.

The “partial extraction means” of the “guidance information extraction unit” (1404) extracts a part of the guidance information from the plurality of guidance information using the guidance information extraction rules held in the extraction rule holding means. It is configured. The guidance information transmission unit (1405) transmits the guidance information extracted by the partial extraction unit to the terminal device.
<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment 4>

The configuration when the functional configuration of the map server device of the present embodiment is realized as hardware can be realized according to the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Processing Flow of Embodiment 4>

The processing flow of the map providing method of the map server device of the present embodiment can be realized according to the map providing method of the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Effect of Embodiment 4>

  The map server device and map providing method of the present embodiment can select guide information to be superimposed and displayed on a map according to a predetermined rule. As a result, it is possible to display guidance information with a higher advertising effect. Alternatively, all guide information can be displayed equally.

As a result, it is expected that the number of users who display guidance information on the map will increase.
<< Embodiment 5 >>
<Outline of Embodiment 5>

  The map server device according to the present embodiment is based on part or all of Embodiments 1 to 4, and further stores a program executed by a terminal device to superimpose and display guidance information on a map. It transmits to a terminal device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

As a result, it is possible to display a “screen in which guidance information is superimposed on a map” as shown in FIG. 1 on the display of the terminal device.
<Functional Configuration of Embodiment 5>

  An example of functional blocks of the map server device of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the “map server device” (1500) of this embodiment includes a “map information transmission unit” (1501), a “guidance information holding unit” (1502), and a “guidance area information acquisition unit”. (1503), a “guidance information extraction unit” (1504), a “guidance information transmission unit” (1505), a “storage unit” (1508), and a “program transmission unit” (1509).

  The functional configurations of the “storage unit” (1508) and “program transmission unit” (1509) of this embodiment will be described in detail below. It should be noted that a “map information transmission unit” (1501), a “guidance information holding unit” (1502), a “guidance area information acquisition unit” (1503), a “guidance information extraction unit” (1504), and a “guidance information transmission unit” ( Since the functional configuration of 1505) is the same as that of the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The “storage unit” (1508) is configured to store a program executed by the terminal device in order to superimpose and display the guidance information on the map window of the terminal device. The program includes a “reception step”, a “configuration step”, and a “display step”. A “replacement step” may be included.

  The “reception step” is a step for receiving guidance information. This step is a step executed when the terminal device receives guidance information from the map server device (1500) by synchronous communication or asynchronous communication. For example, it is executed when the terminal device receives guidance information from the map server device (1500) in response to a user operation such as scrolling the map displayed in the map window.

  The “configuration step” is a step of configuring a bar-like icon displayed so that the longitudinal direction is along each side of the map window frame. Specifically, a layer for superimposing and displaying a bar-shaped icon in the map window displayed on the display of the terminal device so that the longitudinal direction extends along each side of the map window frame is generated.

  The “display step” is a step of displaying the received guide information on the bar icon. That is, the guide information received in the reception step is displayed on the bar-shaped icon configured in the configuration step. When this step is executed, a screen on which guidance information (0102) is superimposed and displayed at a predetermined position (an end area of the map window) of the map displayed in the map window (0101) as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display of the device.

  In the display step, when a plurality of guidance information is received, “(1) Which guidance information among the plurality of guidance information received in the reception step is displayed on the bar icon” and / or Or, it may have a determination display sub-step for determining on which bar-shaped icon the guidance information received in the reception step is displayed, and displaying the guidance information according to the determination result. Good.

  For example, as described in the first embodiment, the determination display sub-step “(1) Which guidance information among the plurality of guidance information received in the reception step is displayed on the bar-shaped icon” is described as follows. This may be executed when the guidance area information acquisition unit is configured to acquire “the map area and the peripheral area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) of the map window” as the guidance area information. Specifically, in the determination display sub-step, the map area displayed in the map display area of the map window of the terminal device is identified, and the plurality of guidance information received in the reception step is included in the identified map area. Only the guidance information associated with the position may be extracted and displayed on the bar icon.

  Further, in the determination display step, “(2) on which bar-shaped icon the guidance information received in the reception step is displayed” is determined by, for example, displaying the guidance information as described in the second or third embodiment. This is executed when the “edge region of the map window” to be performed (along the upper side of the map window frame, along the lower side of the map window frame, along the left side of the map window frame, along the right side of the map window frame, etc.) is determined. Specifically, a rectangular map area displayed in the map display area of the map window of the terminal device is identified, and thereafter, four map areas divided by two diagonal lines of the rectangular map display area are identified. Then, the guidance information associated with the position in each of the four map areas is extracted from the plurality of guidance information received in the receiving step in association with each map area. Then, the extracted guidance information is displayed on a bar-shaped icon superimposed on each map area.

  The “replacement step” is a step of replacing the guide information displayed on the bar icon with different guide information as time passes when a plurality of guide information is received. Specifically, the acquired guidance information is displayed as a telop on a bar-shaped icon, or the guidance information displayed at predetermined time intervals (arbitrary design items) is sequentially replaced. Note that the display order when a plurality of guidance information is replaced and displayed is an arbitrary design matter, but the display order may be determined as follows. For example, as described in the fourth embodiment, when the guide information is extracted according to the guide information extraction rule, a predetermined amount of the information is stored in a predetermined order (eg, the order newly registered in the guide information holding unit). When extracting the guidance information, the information may be displayed in the order of extraction.

The “program transmission unit” (1509) is configured to transmit the program stored in the storage unit (1508) to the terminal device in order to cause the terminal device to execute the program. The program transmission unit (1509) transmits a program in response to a request from the terminal device. The request for the program may be made simultaneously with a request for a map interface (see FIG. 3) for displaying a map.
<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment 5>

The configuration when the functional configuration of the map server device of the present embodiment is realized as hardware can be realized according to the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.
<Processing Flow of Embodiment 5>

  The processing flow of the map providing method of the map server device of the present embodiment can be realized according to the map providing method of the map server device of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.

  Here, the flow of processing performed by a terminal device that has received a program, guidance information, and the like from the map server device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Specifically, the map information and the guidance information are received from the map server device, the guidance information is displayed on the map window of the display together with the map, and the map is displayed on the display map window from the user. The flow of processing for receiving an operation for scrolling the map and displaying the map and guidance information after scrolling the display map according to the operation will be described.

  First, in step S1901, when a terminal device transmits a map request for a predetermined area to the map server device, the terminal device receives map information and guidance information as a response to the request. For example, when a map search keyword and a map search instruction input are received from the user, a map request matching the keyword is transmitted to the map server device. And the map information of the predetermined area | region of the predetermined scale which is the search result of the said keyword, and the guidance information taken out according to the map area of the search result are received.

  In step S1902, a bar icon for displaying the guidance information received in step S1901 is configured. For example, it is a bar-shaped icon having a long round shape, and a bar-shaped icon that is displayed so that its longitudinal direction follows each side of the map window frame is configured.

  In step S1903, guidance information to be displayed on the bar icon is extracted from the plurality of guidance information received in step S1901. For example, the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) on the map window is identified, and the guidance information associated with the position in the identified map area is extracted.

  In step S1904, the guidance information extracted in step S1903 is displayed on the bar icon configured in step S1902. By executing this step, the guidance information is superimposed and displayed on the map window.

  In step S1905, an input of an operation for scrolling the map displayed in the map window is received.

  When a scroll operation is accepted in step S1905, in step S1906, vector information indicating the direction and distance of scroll movement is acquired, and map information of the map area after scroll movement and / or guidance information to be displayed together with the map area is acquired. However, it is determined whether the information currently held in the terminal device is sufficient.

  If it is determined in step S1906 that the information currently held in the terminal device is sufficient, the process proceeds to step S1909, and the guide information displayed on the bar icon from the plurality of guide information received in step S1901. To extract. For example, after the scroll movement, the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) on the map window is identified, and the guidance information associated with the position in the identified map area is extracted.

  In step S1910, the guidance information extracted in step S1909 is displayed on the bar icon configured in step S1902.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1906 that the information currently held in the terminal device is insufficient, the process advances to step S1907 to request the map server device for insufficient map information and / or guidance information.

  In step S1908, guidance information, which is a response to the request in step S1907, is received. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1909, and the guide information to be displayed on the bar icon is extracted from the plurality of guide information received in step S1901 and the plurality of guide information received in step S1908. For example, after the scroll movement, the map area displayed in the map display area (0501 in FIG. 5) on the map window is identified, and the guidance information associated with the position in the identified map area is extracted.

In step S1910, the guidance information extracted in step S1909 is displayed on the bar icon configured in step S1902.
<Effect of Embodiment 5>

  With the map server device and map providing method of the present embodiment, it is possible to display a “screen on which guidance information is superimposed on a map” as shown in FIG. 1 on the display of the terminal device.

  As a result, the user can acquire guide information such as advertisements related to the displayed map without impairing the visibility of the map displayed on the display of the terminal device.

0200 Map server device 0201 Map information transmission unit 0202 Guidance information holding unit 0203 Guidance area information acquisition unit 0204 Guidance information extraction unit 0205 Guidance information transmission unit 0206 Guidance information input reception unit 0207 Update unit

Claims (9)

A map information transmitter for transmitting map information to the terminal device;
A guidance information holding unit that holds guidance information that is an advertisement related to an object on the map in association with a position on the map together with the posting date and time ,
A guidance area information acquisition unit that acquires guidance area information indicating an area where an object on the map on which guidance information is to be displayed in the terminal device is present;
Guidance information regarding a map object in the area indicated by the acquired guidance area information, and a guidance information extraction unit that extracts from the guidance information holding unit guidance information whose publication date matches the current time ;
A guide information transmitting unit for transmitting the extracted guide information so as to be superimposed on the end region of the map window for displaying the map in the terminal device so that the longitudinal direction is along the map window frame, and
The guidance area information acquisition unit is a rectangular map area displayed in a map window of the terminal device, and acquires four triangular map areas obtained by dividing the map area by diagonal lines as second acquisition information. Having means,
The guide information transmitting unit maps the guide information extracted corresponding to each of the guide area information indicating the four triangular map areas to a side other than the dividing line of the corresponding triangular map area. A map server device that transmits in order to superimpose on a map so that its longitudinal direction follows the frame. The guidance information is text information,
The guide information transmitting unit transmits the guide information so that it is displayed as vertical text if the longitudinal direction of the map window frame on which the guide information is superimposed is displayed in the vertical direction, and as horizontal text if the longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction. Item 2. The map server device according to Item 1.   The map server apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guidance area information acquisition unit includes first acquisition means for acquiring a map area displayed in a map window of the terminal device as guidance area information. Guidance information retrieval department
A take-out rule holding means for holding a guide information take-out rule for taking out part of the guide information from the guide information holding unit holding a plurality of guide information;
A partial take-out means for taking out a part of the guide information from the plurality of guide information using a guide information take-out rule held in the take-out rule holding means;
The map server device according to claim 1, comprising: A guidance information input receiving unit for receiving guidance information;
An update unit for updating the guide information holding unit with the newly received guide information;
The map server device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: A storage unit for storing a program executed by the terminal device in order to superimpose and display the guidance information on the map window of the terminal device;
A program transmission unit that transmits the program stored in the storage unit to the terminal device in order to cause the terminal device to execute the program,
The program is
A receiving step for receiving the guidance information;
Configuration steps for configuring a bar-like icon displayed so that the longitudinal direction is along each side of the map window frame;
The map server device according to claim 1, wherein the map server device is a program for causing a terminal device to execute a display step of displaying the received guidance information on a bar-shaped icon. The program is
A designation accepting step for accepting a designation operation input to the guidance information displayed on the bar icon;
The map server apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a designated map object display step for displaying the position of the map object related to the designated guidance information so as to be identifiable on the map.   The map server according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a replacement step of replacing the guide information to be displayed on the bar icon with different guide information as time passes when a plurality of guide information is received. apparatus. A map providing method of a map server device for holding guide information, which is an advertisement related to an object on a map, in association with a position on the map together with a posting date ,
A map information transmission step of transmitting map information to the terminal device;
A guidance area information acquisition step for acquiring guidance area information indicating an area where an object on the map on which guidance information is to be displayed in the terminal device is present;
A guide information extracting step for extracting guide information related to an object on the map in the area indicated by the acquired guide area information, and for which the posting date of the guide information matches the current time ;
A guide information transmitting step for transmitting the extracted guide information so as to superimpose the longitudinal direction along the map window frame on the end region of the map window for displaying the map in the terminal device;
And having
The guidance area information acquisition step is a rectangular map area that is displayed in a map window of the terminal device, and acquires four triangular map areas obtained by dividing the map area by diagonal lines as second acquisition information. Including steps,
The guide information transmitting step includes a map window that overlaps the guide information extracted in correspondence with each of the guide area information indicating the four triangular map areas with sides other than the dividing line of the corresponding triangular map area. A map providing method for a map server device, which is transmitted so as to be superimposed on a map so that its longitudinal direction follows the frame.

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