JP6286471B2 - Information distribution server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution server that distributes various types of information including map information.

  Conventionally, there have been devices and systems that display a map and guide a user. For example, in a car navigation system, the coordinates of the current location are acquired by GPS or the like, and the surrounding map is displayed according to the coordinates. In recent years, with the development of networks, various types of map information have been provided via the network, and a desired range of maps can be displayed on a terminal device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2002-228480 A JP 2007-206297 A

  Conventional car navigation devices and the like display the current location and points searched in the past, but other various feature information is also displayed at the same time. For this reason, not only information on the feature desired by the user but also information not interested or interested is displayed, and it is difficult to find the feature desired by the user and information on the feature, There was a high possibility of misunderstanding.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution server that can easily provide a feature desired by a user and information related to the feature. .

  The first feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
  Connected to the network for transmitting information to be displayed on a display unit of an external terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users through the network to the terminal device in response to input by the user to the terminal device A communication circuit,
  Base point information storage means storing base point attribute information that changes over time, including store opening time, closing time, and real-time inventory information in point-of-sale information management, and base point basic information indicating coordinates of the store point , Including.
  A registration area for each of the plurality of users, user A, user B,..., User N, is formed, and in each user's registration area, the corresponding user identification information and the user identification information are stored. User registration information storage means for storing and rewriting registration base point information that is registered in association with each other and can be individually registered for each user,
  And an information distribution server characterized by comprising: control means for executing the following processing.
  A process of reading base attribute information and base basic information from the base information storage means and determining display setting information indicating a display map range to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device based on the input of the user,
  A process of determining base basic information to be displayed in the display map range based on the base attribute information in order to generate map data corresponding to the display map range.

  The second feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
  Theme information storage means for storing theme information related to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users in association with the base point information having the base point attribute information and the base point basic information. ,
  The control means further executes the following processing.
  Processing for reading theme information from the theme information storage means and transmitting it to the terminal device;
  Processing for receiving selected theme information indicating a theme selected by a user in the terminal device based on the theme information transmitted to the terminal device;
  A process of selecting base point information associated with the received selection theme information, reading out the base point information from the base point information storage means, and transmitting it to the terminal device.

  A third feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
  The control means further executes the following processing.
  Processing for associating information on a product selected by the user with the terminal device with user identification information and registering it in the user registration information storage means;
  Of the base points determined to be displayed in the display map range, the store opening time, the store closing time, and the real-time inventory information included in the base point attribute information corresponding to the base point are the user registration information. Processing for selecting base point information of a base point that matches the product information registered in the storage means and transmitting the selected base point information to the terminal device.

  The feature desired by the user and information related to the feature can be provided in an easily visible manner.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information delivery server 10 by this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the information delivery system 100 of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information distribution server 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a terminal device 50. FIG. It is a subroutine which shows the process for registering a user's profile data in a profile database. It is a figure which shows the example of the profile database produced by the profile data creation process shown in FIG. This is a subroutine for displaying various information on the terminal device 50 using profile data registered in the profile database. It is a figure which shows the example of the display map (user corresponding browsing map) displayed on the display apparatus 510 of the terminal device 50 by the process of FIG.

Features according to another embodiment of the present invention include:
An information distribution server for transmitting user-compatible distribution information including display map data for display on a display unit of an external terminal device connected to be communicable through a communication line, to the terminal device,
Reference map information including feature coordinate information, browsing map information including feature coordinate information and used for browsing by the user on the display unit of the terminal device, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing map Map information storage means for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates;
Base point information storage means for storing base point information that is base point information related to a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users and includes information on coordinates of the base point;
User registration information storage means for storing user registration information registered by a user via the terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
Control means for executing the following processing.
(1-1) Processing for reading base point information from the base point information storage means and transmitting the base point information to the terminal device;
(1-2-1) For identifying the terminal device, the base information regarding the base that is a feature unique to the user, and the registered base information indicating the user input base input by the user at the terminal device or A process of storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage means in association with user identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device;
(1-2) Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device, registration base point information indicating a user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device is used for identifying the terminal device or of the terminal device A process of storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage means in association with user identification information for identifying a user;
(1-3) Display setting information indicating a display map range in which the browsing map is displayed on the terminal device is determined based on the coordinates of the user input base and the coordinates of the user selection base point, and the display setting information is A process for storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage means;
(1-4) Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range as the display map data from the browsing map information,
(1-5) Referencing the coordinate correspondence information, a process of converting the coordinates of the user input base and the coordinates of the user selection base point from the reference map to the browsing map,
(1-6) The display map data generated by the process (1-4), the coordinates of the user input base and the coordinates of the user selection base point converted by the process (1-5), A process of transmitting to the terminal device as the user-compatible distribution information according to user identification information;
The process (1-2) further includes
(1-10-1) The first registration base point information indicating a predetermined user selection base point selected by a first user among the plurality of users as the first user registration information, the user registration information storage unit. Processing to be stored in
(1-10-2) Second registration base point information indicating the predetermined user selection base point selected by a second user different from the first user among the plurality of users, Storing in the user registration information storage means as registration information,
The processing of (1-6) above is further performed.
(1-11) When both the first registration base point information and the second registration base point information indicating the predetermined user selection base point are stored in the user registration information storage unit, the predetermined user selection point Both the first and second user registration information including the coordinates of the base point are used as the user corresponding distribution information common to the first and second users, and the terminal device of the first user and the second user Processing to be displayed at the same time with other terminal devices.
According to this configuration, the feature desired by the user and information related to the feature can be easily provided, and the base point and the base point information can be shared among a plurality of users, and the base point registration work can be made more efficient. Can be planned.
The characteristics according to still another embodiment of the present invention are as follows:
An information distribution server for transmitting user-compatible distribution information including display map data for display on a display unit of an external terminal device connected to be communicable through a communication line, to the terminal device,
Reference map information including feature coordinate information, browsing map information including feature coordinate information and used for browsing by the user on the display unit of the terminal device, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing map Map information storage means for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates;
Base point information storage means for storing base point information that is base point information related to a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users and includes information on coordinates of the base point;
User registration information storage means for storing user registration information registered by a user via the terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
Control means for executing the following processes (4-1) to (4-6).
(4-1) Processing for reading base point information from the base point information storage means and transmitting it to the terminal device;
(4-2) Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device, registration base point information indicating a user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device is used for identifying the terminal device or of the terminal device A process of associating with user identification information for identifying a user and storing it as the user registration information in the user registration information storage means for each classification information designated by the user at the terminal device;
(4-3) Display setting information indicating a display map range for displaying the map for browsing on the terminal device is determined for each classification information based on the coordinates of the user selection base point, and the display setting information is registered in the user A process of storing the information as the user registration information in an information storage means;
(4-4) Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range from the browsing map information as the display map data for each classification information,
(4-5) A process of referring to the coordinate correspondence information and converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the reference map to the browsing map for each classification information,
(4-6) The display map data generated by the process (4-4) and the coordinates of the user-selected base point converted by the process (4-5) according to the user identification information. The process which transmits to the said terminal device for every said classification information as user corresponding | compatible delivery information.
According to this configuration, the feature desired by the user and information related to the feature can be provided in an easy-to-view manner, and can be used in common by a plurality of users and a base that is a “place” for human and daily use. Since the base point which is a possible “place” can be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, the base point related to the base used by the user personally and on a daily basis can be provided to the user and displayed.
The characteristics according to still another embodiment of the present invention are as follows:
An information distribution server for transmitting user-compatible distribution information including display map data for display on a display unit of an external terminal device connected to be communicable through a communication line, to the terminal device,
Reference map information including feature coordinate information, browsing map information including feature coordinate information and used for browsing by the user on the display unit of the terminal device, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing map Map information storage means for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates;
Base point information storage means for storing base point basic information that does not change with time with respect to a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users, and base point attribute information that changes with time with respect to the base point,
User registration information storage means for storing user registration information registered by a user via the terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
And control means for executing the following processes (3-1) to (3-6).
(3-1) Processing for reading the basic point basic information from the basic point information storage means and transmitting the basic point information to the terminal device;
(3-2) Registration base point information indicating a user selection base point selected by a user at the terminal device based on base point basic information transmitted to the terminal device, or for identifying the terminal device or the terminal device A process of storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage means in association with user identification information for identifying the user,
(3-3) Display setting information indicating a display map range for displaying the browsing map on the terminal device is determined based on the coordinates of the user selection base point, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage unit. Processing to store as user registration information,
(3-4) processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range as the display map data from the browsing map information;
(3-5) Processing for converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the reference map to the browsing map with reference to the coordinate correspondence information,
(3-6) Display map data generated by the process of (3-4), coordinates of the user-selected base point converted by the process of (3-5), and base point attributes corresponding to the user-selected base point Processing for transmitting information to the terminal device as the user-corresponding distribution information according to the user identification information.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<<< Features of Embodiment >>>
<< First feature >>
The outline of the first feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that a base point common to a plurality of users is determined and stored in the information distribution server so that the user can share the base point information. That is, the user can register with the server only by designating and selecting a base point of interest or interest without inputting information related to the base point, for example, a position or name. By doing in this way, the operation | work and process which register a base point can be made easy and simple.

  Registration to the server preferably uses base point identification information for identifying the base point. That is, it is preferable that the base point identification information for identifying the base point is selected by the user selecting the base point, and the selected base point identification information is registered in the server. Since the base point identification information only needs to be stored in the server, the information distribution server can be configured without increasing the storage area of the server.

  The base point information can be distributed to the user by transmitting the base point information selected and registered by the user from the information distribution server to the terminal device used by the user. Further, the map data generated using the browsing map information is transmitted from the information distribution server to the terminal device together with the base point information. The map data generated using the browsing map information is map data for displaying the user corresponding browsing map on the display unit of the terminal device. The terminal device receives the base point information transmitted from the information distribution server and the map data of the user-compatible browsing map. When the terminal device displays the base point information together with the user-compatible browsing map on the display unit, the user can view the base point information together with the user-compatible browsing map. By doing in this way, the user can recognize the position of the base point and the base point information of the base point.

More specifically, the first feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
An information distribution server 10 that transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to be displayed on a display unit 52 of an external terminal device 50 that is communicably connected via a communication line 60 to the terminal device 50,
Reference map information including the coordinate information of features, browsing map information including the coordinate information of features and used for browsing by the user on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing Map information storage means 22 for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates in a map;
A base point information storage unit 24 that stores base point information that is base point information related to a base point that is a feature common among a plurality of users and that also includes coordinate information of the base point;
User registration information storage means 28 for storing user registration information registered by the user via the terminal device 50 corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
And control means 40 that executes the following processes (1-1) to (1-6).
(1-1) Processing for reading base point information from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(1-2) Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, registered base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) in association with user identification information for identifying the terminal device 50 or for identifying a user of the terminal device 50. Storing the user registration information as
(1-3) Display setting information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) indicating the display map range for displaying the browsing map on the terminal device 50 ) Is determined based on the coordinates of the user-selected base point, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as the user registration information.
(1-4) Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range as the display map data from the browsing map information,
(1-5) A process of converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the reference map to the browsing map with reference to the coordinate correspondence information,
(1-6) The display map data generated by the process (1-4) and the coordinates of the user-selected base point converted by the process (1-5) according to the user identification information. The process which transmits to the said terminal device 50 as user corresponding | compatible delivery information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution server 10 includes a map information storage unit 22, a base point information storage unit 24, a user registration information storage unit 28, and a control unit 40. The map information storage unit 22, the base point information storage unit 24, and the user registration information storage unit 28 constitute a storage unit 20. A terminal device 50 is communicably connected to the information distribution server 10 through a communication line 60. The terminal device 50 has a display unit 52. A display map is displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The information distribution server 10 transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to the terminal device 50.

  The map information storage means 22 stores reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information. The reference map information is map information including coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature. The browsing map information includes coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature, and is map information used by the user for browsing on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The coordinate correspondence information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the coordinates on the reference map and the coordinates on the browsing map. These reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information will be described in detail later.

  The base point information storage unit 24 is a storage unit that stores base point information related to the base point. The base point is a feature common among a plurality of users. The base point information is preferably stored in advance in the base point information storage unit 24. The base point information is preferably composed of base point basic information and base point attribute information described later. Further, if the information distribution server 10 is configured so that the same base information can be transmitted to different terminal devices 50, the same base information can be shared among a plurality of users. It is not necessary to transmit the same base point information to different terminal devices 50 at the same time.

  The base point information storage means 24 preferably stores base point identification information assigned to each base point together with the base point information in order to identify each base point (see the base point information storage means 24 in FIG. 1). Specifically, it is preferable that base point information (for example, base point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information. That is, when handling a plurality of base points, base point information (for example, basic point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information for each of all the base points. Specifically, as information on the i-th base point i, base point information i (base point basic information i and base point attribute information i) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i. As the base point information i + 1, base point information i + 1 (base point basic information i + 1 and base point attribute information i + 1) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i + 1. In this way, by searching the base point information storage unit 24 using one base point identification information indicating one base point, base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) of one base point is stored as base point information. It can be read from the means 24.

  The user registration information storage means 28 stores user registration information corresponding to each of a plurality of users. A terminal device 50 possessed by each of a plurality of users is connected to the information distribution server 10 for communication. The user registration information is registered in the user registration information storage unit 28 according to the user's operation of the terminal device 50. The user registration information itself may be not only information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 but also information stored in a storage unit such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. Any information stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 when the user operates the terminal device 50 may be used.

  For example, in order to identify each of a plurality of users, it is preferable to store the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28 using the user identification information assigned to each of the plurality of users (the user registration in FIG. 1). See information storage means 28). Specifically, the user registration information is preferably stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the user identification information. In this way, the user registration information of one user can be read from the user registration information storage unit 28 by searching the user registration information storage unit 28 using one user identification information indicating one user. it can. The user identification information may be any information that can identify the user, and information such as a serial number assigned in advance to each terminal device 50 used by the user and an e-mail address used by the terminal device 50 is used as the user identification information. It is good.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information stored in a storage unit such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. In this case, information stored in various storage units of the information distribution server 10 is read from these storage units, and the read information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, the user can omit the operation | work which inputs by operating the input means 54 and the auxiliary input means 56 of the terminal device 50, and can make registration work easy and simple. Moreover, since the information memorize | stored in a memory | storage means can be used by several users, the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage means can be utilized.

  In particular, it is preferable to use the base point identification information as one of the user registration information. In this case, for example, the base point identification information can be used when the user registers the base point. Specifically, the following processing can be performed.

  When the user desires to register the base point, the information distribution server 10 reads the base point identification information and the base point information (base point basic information) from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the terminal device 50.

  Next, a symbol indicating the base point is displayed on the display unit 52 using the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50. The user operates the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user. The information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By transmitting only the base point identification information to the information distribution server 10, the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 can be reduced, and communication can be speeded up. Further, since only the base point identification information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  By storing the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the information distribution server 10 can distribute base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the user using the base point identification information. . Specifically, when the user desires to obtain information on the base point, the information distribution server 10 first searches the user registration information storage unit 28 using the user identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50. When the user registration information corresponding to the transmitted user identification information is stored in the user registration information storage means 28, the information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information that is the registration base point information of the user registration information. read out. Next, the information distribution server 10 searches the base point information storage unit 24 using the read base point identification information, and reads base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) corresponding to the read base point identification information. Next, the information distribution server 10 transmits the read base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the terminal device 50. The terminal device 50 receives the base point information transmitted from the information distribution server 10.

  As will be described later, the base point basic information of the base point information is information that information provided to the user basically does not change with time. For example, the base point basic information includes coordinates indicating the base point and the name of the base point. Using the coordinates indicating the base point, an image of the symbol indicating the base point can be displayed on the user-corresponding browsing map, and the position of the base point can be visually recognized by the user. In addition, the base point attribute information of the base point information includes store opening and closing times, information on time sales in stores, information such as the period during which an event is held, the date and place where an artist performs a concert, etc. . By displaying these base point attribute information distributed from the information distribution server 10 on the terminal device 50, the user can acquire various types of information regarding the base point.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10. For example, the user registration information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 includes various character information input by the user operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. The character information includes, for example, user memo information such as a shopping list and a schedule. Such various character information can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, various character information can be read from the user registration information storage means 28 at a timing desired by the user and displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, and the information distribution server 10 can be used as a memo pad or schedule. It can function like a table. Note that not only character information but also image information, moving image information, audio information, and the like may be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. In any case, various information transmitted from the terminal device 50 by the user's operation can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  The control means 40 executes processes (1-1) to (1-6) described later.

  The process (1-1) is a process of reading the base point information from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50. As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 also stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points. Therefore, in the process (1-1), it is preferable to transmit the base point identification information from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the base point information. Further, as will be described later, the base point information includes base point basic information and base point attribute information. The basic point basic information is information in which information provided to the user basically does not change with time, and includes, for example, coordinates indicating the basic point and the name of the basic point. In the process (1-1), it is more preferable to transmit the base point identification information together with the base point basic information from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50.

  This process (1-1) corresponds to steps S564 and S566 described later.

  The process (1-2) associates registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc. shown in FIG. 1) with user identification information. This is processing to be stored in the user registration information storage means 28. The registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. The registration base point information is information regarding the user selection base point selected by the user in the terminal device 50.

  First, base point information is read from the base point information storage unit 24, and the read base point information is transmitted to the terminal device 50. The base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50 includes information on a plurality of base points. In the terminal device 50, the transmitted base point information is used, and the user operates the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user from among the plurality of base points. The number of base points that can be selected by the user is at least one. The base point selected by the user is the user-selected base point. Information indicating the user-selected base point is registered base point information.

  The terminal device 50 transmits registration base point information to the information distribution server 10 together with user identification information. The information distribution server 10 receives the registration base point information transmitted from the terminal device 50 together with the user identification information. The information distribution server 10 stores the received registration base point information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with the user identification information. At this time, the registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points together with the base point information. Therefore, the process (1-2) can be performed as follows.

  First, base point identification information is received together with base point information (for example, base point basic information) transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50. Next, the base point is displayed on the display unit 52 using the received base point information (for example, base point basic information). In this way, the user can visually recognize the base point displayed on the display unit 52.

  Next, among the base points displayed on the display unit 52, the base point desired by the user is selected by operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. In the process (1-1) described above, the information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By storing only the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  The above-described user identification information is information for identifying the terminal device 50 or information for identifying the user of the terminal device 50. In any case, the user identification information only needs to be information that can identify the difference between the terminal devices 50 connected to the information distribution server 10 or the user, and is assigned in advance to each of the terminal devices 50 used by the user. Information such as a serial number and a mail address used in the terminal device 50 may be used as user identification information.

  The above-described process (1-2) corresponds to step S569 described later.

  The process (1-3) is a process for determining the display map range and registering it in the user registration information storage means 28. The display map range is a map range or area in which the browsing map is displayed on the terminal device 50. The display map range is determined based on the coordinates of the user-selected base point. The coordinates of the user-selected base point are included in the base point information (for example, base point basic information) transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50, and the coordinates of the user-selected base point can be acquired from the received base point information. .

  For example, as described above, the base point identification information indicating the user selection base point can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). In this case, the base point information storage unit 24 is searched using the base point identification information indicating the user-selected base point, and base point information (for example, base point basic information) corresponding to the base point identification information is read from the base point information storage unit 24. . The display map range can be determined using the coordinates of the base point including the base point basic information.

  The display map range may be determined using not only the coordinates of the user-selected base point but also the scale of the browsing map, the number of user-selected base points, and the resolution of the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The display setting information is information indicating a display map range, and is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. The display map range may be determined by calculation processing in the information distribution server 10 or by calculation processing in the terminal device 50. If determined by the terminal device 50, the result may be transmitted to the information distribution server 10 and stored as user registration information in the user registration information storage unit 28.

  The above-described process (1-3) corresponds to step S569 described later.

  The process (1-4) is a process for generating map data corresponding to the display map range. This map data is generated using browsing map information. The map data generated in this way is for display as a user-corresponding browsing map on the display unit 52 of the user terminal device 50.

  The process (1-4) described above corresponds to step S576 described later.

  The process (1-5) is a process for converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the coordinates on the reference map to the coordinates on the browsing map. That is, it is a process of converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the coordinate system of the reference map to the coordinate system of the browsing map. This conversion is performed with reference to the coordinate correspondence information.

  As described above, the base point identification information indicating the user selection base point can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). Therefore, the process (1-5) can also be performed as follows. First, the base point information storage unit 24 is searched using the base point identification information indicating the user-selected base point, and base point information (for example, base point basic information) corresponding to the base point identification information is read from the base point information storage unit 24. Next, the coordinates of the user-selected base point are converted from the coordinate system of the reference map to the coordinate system of the map for browsing using the base point coordinates including the base point basic information.

  The above-described process (1-5) corresponds to step S576 described later.

  In the process (1-6), the display map data and the coordinates of the user-selected base point are transmitted to the terminal device 50 as user-corresponding distribution information. The display map data is generated by the process (1-4) described above. The coordinates of the user-selected base point are converted by the process (1-5) described above. The information distribution server 10 transmits these as user-corresponding distribution information to the terminal device 50 according to the user identification information. That is, the information distribution server 10 can transmit the coordinates of the user-selected base point and the map data of the user-compatible browsing map to the user terminal device 50. By doing in this way, terminal unit 50 displays the image of the symbol which shows a user selection base point so that it may be superimposed on the map for user correspondence, so that the position of the user selection base point is displayed on the user correspondence view map. Can be shown.

  The above-described process (1-6) corresponds to step S576 described later.

  In this manner, the user-operated browsing map and the user selection base point can be provided to the user who operates the terminal device 50. The display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 can display the user-selected base point (image thereof) so as to be visible to the user so as to be superimposed on the user-corresponding browsing map. As described above, since the user-corresponding browsing map is generated based on the browsing map, it is a map that is easy for the user to visually recognize, and it is easy to visually recognize the feature and the user-selected base point. It can be displayed on the part 52.

  As described above, a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users is determined and stored in the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10, and the user arbitrarily selects the base point and sets the base point information to the user. Can be shared.

  For example, the base point information storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 1 stores base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) related to the base point α that can be selected by either the user A or the user B in advance. As shown in FIG. 1, the base point information storage unit 24 also stores base point identification information for identifying the base point. As shown in FIG. 1, the base point information storage unit 24 stores base point identification information, base point basic information, and base point attribute information. These are information about a plurality of base points. That is, base point identification information is assigned to each of a plurality of base points, and the base point basic information and base point attribute information of the base point are stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information. By searching the base point information storage unit 24 with the base point identification information for identifying the base point, the base point basic information and the base point attribute information corresponding to the base point can be read from the base point information storage unit 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the user registration information storage means 28 has a storage area divided for each user identification information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, registration areas corresponding to user A, user B,..., And user N are formed. User A can store user registration information in a registration area corresponding to user A, user B in a registration area corresponding to user B, and user N in a registration area corresponding to user N. In the registration area of user A, user identification information A for identifying user A is stored. Registration base information A-1 registered in the registration area of user A by searching with user identification information A Such registration information can be stored and read out. The same applies to the user B and the user N, and various types of registration information registered in a registration area corresponding to the user can be stored or read by searching with the user identification information B or the user identification information N. .

  By configuring the information distribution server 10 with such a configuration, the user A can perform the above-described processing (1-1) and processing (1-2) by using the base point information stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in advance. The base point α can be selected by operating the terminal device A (50) of the user A, and the base point α selected by the user A can be registered in the user registration information storage unit 28 as registration base point information A-1.

  Base point registration processing can be performed using the base point identification information for identifying the base point. When the base point identification information is used, the following process may be performed. The base point identification information α indicating the base point α selected by the user A is transmitted from the terminal device A (50) to the information distribution server 10, and the information distribution server 10 receives the transmitted base point identification information α and receives the base point identification information. α is registered in the user registration information storage means 28 as registration base point information A-1.

  When the user A desires to display the user corresponding browsing map including the base point α in the display range after the base point α is stored and registered in the user registration information storage unit 28, first, the request information is set to the user identification information. A is transmitted to the information distribution server 10 together with A. Next, the information distribution server 10 searches the user registration information storage unit 28 using the user identification information A transmitted from the terminal device A (50). Next, when the user registration information corresponding to the user identification information A is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28, the information distribution server 10 reads the registration base point information. Specifically, the information distribution server 10 reads out the base point identification information α (registered base point information A-1) indicating the base point α among the registration base point information. Next, the information distribution server 10 searches the base point information storage unit 24 using the read base point identification information α, and generates base point information (base basic information and base point attribute information) corresponding to the read base point identification information α. ).

  Further, the display setting information A-1 stored in the user registration information storage means 28 is read out, and map data of a user-corresponding browsing map is generated according to the display setting information A-1. Next, the information distribution server 10 transmits the base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) and map data of the read base point α to the terminal device 50. The terminal device 50 can display the base point α on the display unit 52 by superimposing the base point α on the user-corresponding browsing map based on the base point information (the coordinates of the base point α) of the base point α that is transmitted. Since the base point information includes base point basic information and base point attribute information, not only the base point α but also various information related to the base point α such as the name and opening time of the base point α can be displayed on the display unit 52. .

  As described above, since the coordinates of the base point included in the base point basic information are on the reference map, when the symbol image indicating the base point is displayed over the browsing map, the processing (1- 5) is executed and converted into coordinates on the browsing map.

  Furthermore, by executing the above-described processing (1-1) and processing (1-2) for the user B different from the user A, the user B is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in advance. Among the plurality of base points, the same base point α can be registered in the user registration information storage unit 28 as registration base point information B-1. In this way, different users A and B can share the same base point α in the registration area corresponding to each user in the base point information storage means 24 and register them.

  When the user B also desires to display a user-compatible browsing map including the base point α in the display range, the same base point α is superimposed on the user-compatible browsing map and displayed by performing the same processing as the user A. It can be displayed on the part 52. As described above, since the information on the base point α is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 so that it can be shared by different users, the common base point α (base point identification information α) is shared by the user of the user registration information storage unit 28. Each registration area can be registered separately. Since the base point α can be separately registered in this way, both the display unit 52 of the terminal device A (50) of the user A and the display unit 52 of the terminal device B (50) of the user B are simultaneously related to the same base point α. Information can be displayed. By doing in this way, while sharing a base point and base point information among several users, efficiency of the registration process of a base point can be achieved.

  Furthermore, a predetermined base point may be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 by default without the user performing an operation of selecting or registering the base point. Since it is pre-configured so that multiple users can display commonly known base points (stores, stations, famous public facilities, etc.), the base point that the information distribution server provides to users May be selected under a predetermined condition, and the base point selected by the information distribution server may be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. For example, when configured to display only the base points individually registered by the user, at the initial stage when the user starts to use, the user-compatible browsing map with no base points or the user-compatible browsing points with few base points The map is displayed, and there is a possibility that it does not serve as a user-corresponding browsing map. Such a problem can be solved by adopting a configuration in which the base point can be shared among a plurality of users and the information distribution server can separately select the base point to be provided to the user.

  In addition to the registration base point information A-1, each of the registration base point information A-1, A-2, A-3,... Shown in FIG. , A-2, A-3,..., A plurality of pieces of base point information can be registered in association with each other. For example, the registration base point information A-1 includes the first base point base point information A-1 (1), the second base point base point information A-1 (2),..., The Mth base point registration information A. -1 (M) can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 so that the base point information of M base points is associated with the registration base point information A-1.

In the first feature described above,
The process of (1-2) is (1-2-1) Base information about a base that is a feature unique to the user, and registered base information indicating a user input base input by the user at the terminal device 50 ( A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) for identifying the terminal device 50 or for identifying the user of the terminal device 50 A process of storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with information,
(1-2-2) Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, registered base point information (A-1, A-2, A-) indicating the user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) in association with the user identification information, and stored as the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28,
The process (1-3)
(1-3-1) Display setting information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-) indicating the display map range in which the terminal device 50 displays the browsing map. 3)) based on the coordinates of the user input base and the coordinates of the user selection base point, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage means 28 as the user registration information.
The process (1-5)
(1-5-1) Referring to the coordinate correspondence information, the process includes converting the coordinates of the user input base and the coordinates of the user selection base point from the reference map to the browsing map,
The process (1-6)
(1-6-1) Display map data generated by the process (1-4), coordinates of the user input base converted by the process (1-5-1), and coordinates of the user selection base point Is preferably made up of a process of transmitting to the terminal device 50 as the user-corresponding distribution information in accordance with the user identification information.

  The above-described processing (1-3-1) is processing for storing the base information as registered base information in the user registration information storage unit 28. The base information is information regarding a base that is a feature unique to the user. This base and base information are, in principle, information unique to each user, and are information input by each user on the terminal device 50. The base and base information will be described in detail later.

  In this way, not only the base point common to a plurality of users but also the information about the bases unique to each user is stored in the user registration information storage means 28 of the information distribution server 10 in the registered base information A-1, A- 2, B-1, B-2, etc. can be registered, and both the base point and the base (symbol image, etc.) can be superimposed on the user terminal device 50 and displayed. It is possible to provide information closer to the user's life to the user.

  Since the base is often a feature unique to the user, unlike the base point that can be registered in the user registration information storage means 28 if selected, each user inputs the base coordinates, name, etc. Information is registered in the user registration information storage means 28 as information.

Furthermore, in the first feature described above,
Theme information storage means 26 in which theme information relating to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users is stored in association with the base point information;
The process (1-1)
(1-1-1) processing for reading theme information from the theme information storage means 26 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(1-1-2) Processing for receiving selection theme information indicating a theme selected by the user on the terminal device 50 based on the theme information transmitted to the terminal device 50;
(1-1-3) A process of selecting the base point information associated with the received selected theme information, reading out the base point information from the base point information storage unit 24, and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(1-1-4) Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, registered base point information (A-1, A-2, A-) indicating the user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 3, B- 1, B- 2, B- 3, etc.) are preferably included in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with the user identification information and stored as the user registration information.

  The information distribution server 10 includes theme information storage means 26. The theme information storage means 26 stores various theme information. The theme information is various pieces of information related to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users. The theme information storage means 26 stores not only the theme information but also identification information for identifying each of the theme information in association with each of the theme information.

  In this way, when the user selects the base point, the user is made to select the theme of interest or interest of the user in advance, the base point related to the theme is transmitted to the terminal device used by the user, and the base point is set to the user. To select. By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent the user from being provided with a base point that the user is not interested in at all, to facilitate the determination of the user to select the base point, and to simplify the base point selection process. In addition, it is possible to introduce a user to a base point that the user does not know in accordance with the user's interest and the theme of interest, and it can also serve as an advertisement for the base point.

  As described above, the theme information storage unit 26 can store theme information and theme identification information associated with the theme information. In this case, the above-described process (1-1-1) can be a process for transmitting both the theme information and the theme identification information to the terminal device 50. Moreover, the process of (1-1-2) can be set as the process which transmits the theme identification information which shows the theme selected by the user to the information delivery server 10. By doing in this way, the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 can be reduced, and communication can be speeded up.

  The theme selected by the user may be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registered theme information). By doing in this way, the information delivery server 10 can discriminate | determine the theme with a high frequency selected by a user, the theme which many users select. In this way, the information distribution server 10 can collect information on which the user is interested and interested, and therefore accurately determines whether or not to add or update the base point information in the base point information storage unit 24. can do. Thereby, the base point information in the base point information storage unit 24 can be maintained in an appropriate state corresponding to the user.

  Furthermore, as described above, the information distribution server 10 can discriminate the user's interests and themes they are interested in. Therefore, information similar to them can be provided to the user, or client information related to the theme, such as advertisement information, can be provided to the user. Can be provided. In this way, an advertising fee can be collected from the administrator of the information distribution server 10 or the client of the owner.

  Further, as described above, only the theme identification information indicating the theme can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registered theme information). By doing so, the storage area required by the user registration information storage means 28 can be reduced.

  As described above, the user A can register a plurality of pieces of base point information in association with each of the registration base point information A-1, A-2, A-3,. For example, the registration base point information A-1 includes base point information A-1 (1) of the first base point, base point information A-1 (2) of the second base point,..., Base point information A of the Mth base point. -1 (M) can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 so that the base point information of M base points is associated with the registration base point information A-1. In this way, a plurality of pieces of base point information can be registered in correspondence with each of the registration base point information A-1, A-2, A-3,.

  Similarly, the user A can also register a plurality of pieces of base information corresponding to each of the registered base information A-1, A-2, A-3,. For example, the registered base information A-1 includes base information A-1 (1) of the first base, base information A-1 (2) of the second base,..., Base information A of the Mth base. -1 (M) can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 so that the base information of M bases is associated with the registered base information A-1. By doing in this way, each base information A-1, A-2, A-3, ... can be registered in association with a plurality of base information.

  By doing in this way, in each user, a plurality of registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3,...) And a plurality of registration base information (A-1, A-2, A -3, ...) can be stored in the user registration information storage means 28. For example, the user A has registered base point information A-1, registered base point information A-2, registered base point information A-3,..., Registered base point information A-1, registered base point information A-2, registered base point information A-. 3, ... can be registered. Similarly, user B has registered base point information B-1, registered base point information B-2, registered base point information B-3,..., Registered base point information B-1, registered base point information B-2, and registered base point information B. -3, ... can be registered.

  Depending on the user's purpose of use, for example, the user may want to separately register a base point or base required for commuting and a base point or base that he / she wants to use privately (hobby or friend). As described above, by configuring the user registration information storage unit 28, for example, in the case of the user A, the registration base point information A-1 and the registration base point information A-1 as a plurality of base points and bases necessary for commuting. Can be registered. Also, registered base point information A-2 and registered base point information A-2 can be registered as a plurality of base points and bases used for hobbies. Furthermore, registration base point information A-3 registration base information A-3 is registered as a plurality of base points and bases used when going to play with friends. Thus, each user can register a plurality of registered base point information and registered base information according to the purpose of use of the user.

  Thus, when a user registers a plurality of registration base point information, it is necessary to determine that all of them are the user and to provide the registration base point information desired by the user. For example, registration information identification information for identifying user identification information and registration base point information and registration base point information can be added and registered in the user registration information storage means 28. As the registered information identification information, for example, a database record number or uniquely determined information can be used. By searching the user registration information storage unit 28 using the user identification information indicating one user and the one registration information identification information, the desired registration base point information can be read out.

  Further, when the user newly registers registration base point information, user registration related information may be generated or updated and stored in the information distribution server 10. Specifically, when one user newly registers registration base point information, it is searched whether or not the user has already registered registration base point information. As a result of the search, if the user has already registered the registration base point information, the user identification information of the user and the registration information identification information are associated with each other and stored in the information distribution server 10 as user registration related information. As described above, as the registered information identification information, a record number of the database, uniquely determined information, or the like can be used. Specifically, the first record number is assigned to the registration base point information A-1 and registration base point information A-1 of the user A, and the second point is assigned to the registration base point information A-2 and the registration base point information A-2. If the record number is assigned, the registration base point information and the registered base information can be designated by the record number. The user registration related information is stored in the information distribution server 10 when the user registration related information does not exist, the user registration related information is newly generated. When the user registration related information already exists, the user registration related information is registered. Relevant information may be updated.

  For example, user registration related information storage means (not shown) may be provided in the information distribution server 10 to store user registration related information. By searching for user registration related information using the user identification information of one user, it is possible to designate and read out one registration base point information among a plurality of registration base point information registered by the one user. By doing in this way, even when each of the users registers a plurality of registration base point information, one registration base point information of one user can be designated and read accurately and quickly.

Furthermore, in the first feature described above,
The process of (1-2)
Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, the registration base point information indicating at least one user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 is used to identify the terminal device 50 or the terminal device It is preferable that the process includes processing for associating with user identification information for identifying 50 users and storing the user registration information in the user registration information storage unit 28 for each classification information designated by the user on the terminal device 50.

  The classification information can be specified by the user operating the terminal device 50. The classification information is used when user registration information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28. The classification information may be presented from the predetermined information distribution server 10 and selected by the user, or may be newly input by operating the terminal device 50 by the user. In any case, any information that can be determined so that the control means 40 of the information distribution server 10 can classify the user registration information may be used.

  In this way, the user registration information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 according to the classification information. For example, classification information includes information such as commuting routes, hobbies, and friends. Specifically, in the case of the user A shown in FIG. 1, the user A operates the terminal device A (50), and the first user selection base point (registered base point information A-1 in FIG. 1) 2 user selection base points (registration base point information B-1 in FIG. 1) and the like are transmitted from the terminal device A (50) to the information distribution server 10. The first user selection base point is stored in the area of the first classification information of the user A in the user registration information storage unit 28 according to the first classification information (commuting route), and the second user selection base point is the second user selection base point According to the classification information (hobby), it can be stored in the second classification information area of the user A in the user registration information storage means 28.

  According to one classification information, not only one user selection base point but also a plurality of user selection base points can be stored in the user registration information storage means 28 as one registration base point information. Specifically, the first to i-th plurality of user selection base points can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as the first registration base point information A-1 according to the first classification information (commuting route). The i + 1 to kth user selection base points can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as the second registration base point information A-2 according to the second classification information (hobby).

  Further, when the classification information is used in this way, the processing of (1-6) is the map data for display generated by the processing of (1-4) and the above-mentioned processing converted by the processing of (1-5). The coordinates of the user selection base point are preferably transmitted as the user-corresponding distribution information to the terminal device 50 according to the classification information. By doing in this way, the user corresponding | compatible delivery information required at the time of commuting and the user corresponding | compatible delivery information required at the time of a hobby can be delivered and provided to the terminal device 50, for example.

  By doing in this way, the display map data and the user selection base point according to the classification information can be transmitted to the terminal device and displayed. That is, one user can register a plurality of user registration information (user selection base points). For example, one user refers to at least one user registration information (user selection base point) to be referred to when commuting, to refer to for a hobby on a holiday, or to act with a friend as classification information. It can be registered in the user registration information storage means 28 every time. In this way, the display map data and the user selection base point can be provided to the user in correspondence with the user's usage, preference and lifestyle.

Further, the base point information storage unit 24 stores base point information regarding a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users, and base point identification information for identifying the base point,
The process (1-2)
Based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, the base point identification information indicating the user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 is used to identify the terminal device 50 or the user of the terminal device 50 It is preferable that the process be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as the user registration information in association with user identification information for identifying the user ID.

  In this way, by using the base point identification information for identifying the base point, the storage area necessary for the user registration information storage unit 28 is reduced, or the amount of information between the information distribution server 10 and the terminal device 50 is reduced. And can communicate quickly.

<< Second feature >>
Apart from the first feature, the outline of the second feature is that the map display range is determined so that the base point and the base are included, and the base point and the base can be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. It is. As will be described later, the base is, as a rule, a feature unique to each user, and is a point indicating a “place” that the user uses personally and on a daily basis. In this way, the base that is a “place” for personal and daily use and the base point that is a “place” that can be used in common by multiple users can be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. , It is possible to provide the user with a base point related to the base used by the user personally and on a daily basis and display it.

  As for the base point, as in the first feature, registration of the base point to the server preferably uses base point identification information for identifying the base point. That is, it is preferable that the base point identification information for identifying the base point is selected by the user selecting the base point, and the selected base point identification information is registered in the server. Since the base point identification information only needs to be stored in the server, the information distribution server can be configured without increasing the storage area of the server.

  The base point information and the base point information by transmitting the base point information selected and registered by the user and the base point information of the base entered and registered by the user from the information distribution server to the terminal device used by the user. Can be delivered to the user. Further, the map data generated using the browsing map information is transmitted from the information distribution server to the terminal device together with the base point information and the base information. The map data generated using the browsing map information is map data for displaying the user corresponding browsing map on the display unit of the terminal device. The terminal device receives the base point information and the base information transmitted from the information distribution server and the map data of the user corresponding browsing map. By displaying the base point information and the base information together with the user-compatible browsing map on the display unit, the user can visually recognize the base point information and the base information together with the user-compatible browsing map. By doing in this way, the user can recognize the position of the base point and the base, the base point information of the base point, and the base information of the base.

More specifically, the second feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:
An information distribution server 10 that transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to be displayed on a display unit 52 of an external terminal device 50 that is communicably connected via a communication line 60 to the terminal device 50,
Reference map information including the coordinate information of features, browsing map information including the coordinate information of features and used for browsing by the user on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing Map information storage means 22 for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates in a map;
A base point information storage unit 24 that stores base point information that is base point information related to a base point that is a feature common among a plurality of users and that also includes coordinate information of the base point;
User registration information storage means 28 for storing user registration information registered by the user via the terminal device 50 corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
And control means 40 for executing the following processes (2-1) to (2-7).
(2-1) For identifying the terminal device 50, registered base information indicating a user input base input by the user in the terminal device 50, which is base information on a base that is a feature unique to the user, or Processing associated with user identification information for identifying a user of the terminal device 50 and stored as the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28;
(2-2) Processing for reading base point information from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmitting the base point information to the terminal device 50;
(2-3) On the basis of the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50, registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) associated with the user identification information and stored as the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28,
(2-4) Display setting information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) indicating a display map range for displaying the map for browsing on the terminal device 50 ) Is determined based on predetermined coordinates of the user selection base point and predetermined coordinates of the user input base, and the display setting information is stored as the user registration information in the user registration information storage unit 28;
(2-5) Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range as the display map data from the browsing map information;
(2-6) Referencing the coordinate correspondence information, a process of converting the coordinates of the user selection base point and the coordinates of the user input base from the reference map to the browsing map,
(2-7) The display map data generated by the process (2-5), the coordinates of the user selection base point and the coordinates of the user input base converted by the process (2-6) A process of referring to the identification information and transmitting to the terminal device 50 as the user-corresponding distribution information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution server 10 includes a map information storage unit 22, a base point information storage unit 24, a user registration information storage unit 28, and a control unit 40. The map information storage unit 22, the base point information storage unit 24, and the user registration information storage unit 28 constitute a storage unit 20. A terminal device 50 is communicably connected to the information distribution server 10 through a communication line 60. The terminal device 50 has a display unit 52. A display map is displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The information distribution server 10 transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to the terminal device 50.

  The map information storage means 22 stores reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information. The reference map information is map information including coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature. The browsing map information includes coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature, and is map information used by the user for browsing on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The coordinate correspondence information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the coordinates on the reference map and the coordinates on the browsing map. These reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information will be described in detail later.

  The base point information storage unit 24 is a storage unit that stores base point information related to the base point. The base point is a feature common among a plurality of users. The base point information is preferably stored in advance in the base point information storage unit 24. The base point information is preferably composed of base point basic information and base point attribute information described later.

  The base point information storage means 24 preferably stores base point identification information assigned to each base point together with the base point information in order to identify each base point (see the base point information storage means 24 in FIG. 1). Specifically, it is preferable that base point information (for example, base point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information. That is, when handling a plurality of base points, base point information (for example, basic point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information for each of all the base points. Specifically, as information on the i-th base point i, base point information i (base point basic information i and base point attribute information i) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i. As the base point information i + 1, base point information i + 1 (base point basic information i + 1 and base point attribute information i + 1) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i + 1. In this way, by searching the base point information storage unit 24 using one base point identification information indicating one base point, base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) of one base point is stored as base point information. It can be read from the means 24.

  The user registration information storage means 28 stores user registration information corresponding to each of a plurality of users. A terminal device possessed by each of a plurality of users is connected to the information distribution server 10 for communication. The user registration information is registered in the user registration information storage unit 28 according to the user's operation of the terminal device 50. The user registration information itself may be not only information transmitted from the terminal device to the information distribution server 10 but also information stored in a storage unit such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. Any information stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 when the user operates the terminal device 50 may be used.

  For example, in order to identify each of a plurality of users, it is preferable to store the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28 using the user identification information assigned to each of the plurality of users (the user registration in FIG. 1). See information storage means 28). Specifically, the user registration information is preferably stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the user identification information. In this way, the user registration information of one user can be read from the user registration information storage unit 28 by searching the user registration information storage unit 28 using one user identification information indicating one user. it can. The user identification information may be any information that can identify the user, and information such as a serial number assigned in advance to each terminal device 50 used by the user and an e-mail address used by the terminal device 50 is used as the user identification information. It is good.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information stored in a storage unit such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. In this case, information stored in various storage units of the information distribution server 10 is read from these storage units, and the read information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, the user can omit the operation | work which inputs by operating the input means 54 and the auxiliary input means 56 of the terminal device 50, and can make registration work easy and simple. Moreover, since the information memorize | stored in a memory | storage means can be used by several users, the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage means can be utilized.

  In particular, it is preferable to use the base point identification information as one of the user registration information. In this case, for example, the base point identification information can be used when the user registers the base point. Specifically, the following processing can be performed.

  When the user desires to register the base point, the information distribution server 10 reads the base point identification information and the base point information (base point basic information) from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the terminal device 50.

  Next, a symbol indicating the base point is displayed on the display unit 52 using the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50. The user operates the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user. The information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By transmitting only the base point identification information to the information distribution server 10, the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 can be reduced, and communication can be speeded up. Further, since only the base point identification information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  By storing the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the information distribution server 10 can distribute base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the user using the base point identification information. . Specifically, when the user desires to obtain information on the base point, the information distribution server 10 first searches the user registration information storage unit 28 using the user identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50. When the user registration information corresponding to the transmitted user identification information is stored in the user registration information storage means 28, the information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information that is the registration base point information of the user registration information. read out. Next, the information distribution server 10 searches the base point information storage unit 24 using the read base point identification information, and reads base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) corresponding to the read base point identification information. Next, the information distribution server 10 transmits the read base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the terminal device 50. The terminal device 50 receives the base point information transmitted from the information distribution server 10.

  As will be described later, the base point basic information of the base point information is information that information provided to the user basically does not change with time. For example, the base point basic information includes coordinates indicating the base point and the name of the base point. Using the coordinates indicating the base point, an image of the symbol indicating the base point can be displayed on the map, and the position of the base point can be visually recognized by the user. In addition, as will be described later, the base attribute information includes store opening time and closing time, information related to time sale at the store, period of event, date and place where an artist performs a concert, etc. There is. By displaying these base point attribute information distributed from the information distribution server 10 on the terminal device 50, the user can acquire various types of information regarding the base point.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10. For example, the user registration information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 includes various character information input by the user operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. The character information includes, for example, user memo information such as a shopping list and a schedule. Such various character information can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, various character information can be read from the user registration information storage means 28 at a timing desired by the user and displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, and the information distribution server 10 can be used as a memo pad or schedule. It can function like a table. Note that not only character information but also image information, moving image information, audio information, and the like may be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. In any case, various information transmitted from the terminal device 50 by the user's operation can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  The control unit 40 executes processes (2-1) to (2-7) described later.

  The process (2-1) is a process in which the registered base information A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2 and the like are stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information in association with the user identification information. It is. The registered base information is base information regarding a base that is a feature unique to the user. In principle, the registered base information is information that is input when the user operates the terminal device 50. Since the base point described later is a feature that can be shared by a plurality of users, each user can select the base point that the user needs by registering the base point in advance in the information distribution server 10. it can. On the other hand, the base is a feature that is used personally and on a daily basis by the user, and is often a feature that cannot be shared in principle. For this reason, since there are many cases where a base cannot be registered in advance in the information distribution server 10, the base is input by the user operating the terminal device 50. Some bases can also be shared. In such a case, the base point registered in the information distribution server 10 may be selected.

  The user identification information is information for identifying the terminal device 50 or information for identifying the user of the terminal device 50. In any case, the user identification information only needs to be information that can identify the difference between the terminal devices 50 connected to the information distribution server 10 or the user, and is assigned in advance to each of the terminal devices 50 used by the user. Information such as a serial number and a mail address used in the terminal device 50 may be used as user identification information.

  The process (2-2) is a process of reading the base point information from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50. As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 also stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points. Therefore, in the process (2-2), the base point identification information is preferably transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the base point information. Further, as will be described later, the base point information includes base point basic information and base point attribute information. The basic point basic information is information in which information provided to the user basically does not change with time, and includes, for example, coordinates indicating the basic point and the name of the basic point. In the process of (2-2), it is more preferable to transmit the base point identification information from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the base point basic information.

  The processing of (2-3) associates registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc. shown in FIG. 1) with user identification information. This is processing to be stored in the user registration information storage means 28. The registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. The registration base point information is information regarding the user selection base point selected by the user in the terminal device 50.

  First, base point information is read from the base point information storage unit 24, and the read base point information is transmitted to the terminal device 50. The base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50 includes information on a plurality of base points. In the terminal device 50, the transmitted base point information is used, and the user operates the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user from among the plurality of base points. The number of base points that can be selected by the user is at least one. The base point selected by the user is the user-selected base point. Information indicating the user-selected base point is registered base point information.

  The terminal device 50 transmits registration base point information to the information distribution server 10 together with user identification information. The information distribution server 10 receives the registration base point information transmitted from the terminal device 50 together with the user identification information. The information distribution server 10 stores the received registration base point information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with the user identification information. At this time, the registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points together with the base point information. Therefore, the process (2-3) can be performed as follows.

  First, base point identification information is received together with base point information (for example, base point basic information) transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50. Next, the base point is displayed on the display unit 52 using the received base point information (for example, base point basic information). In this way, the user can visually recognize the base point displayed on the display unit 52.

  Next, among the base points displayed on the display unit 52, the base point desired by the user is selected by operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. In the above-described process (2-2), the information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By storing only the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  The process (2-4) is a process for determining the display map range and registering it in the user registration information storage means 28. The display map range is a map range or area in which the browsing map is displayed on the terminal device 50. The display map range is determined based on the coordinates of a predetermined user selection base point and the coordinates of a predetermined base. The coordinates of the user-selected base point are included in the base point information (for example, base point basic information) transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50, and the coordinates of the user-selected base point can be acquired from the received base point information. . Similarly, the base coordinates are included in the registered base information transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50, and the base coordinates can be acquired from the received registered base information.

  The predetermined user selection base point is at least one base point among base points selected by the user. In particular, the predetermined user selection base points are preferably all base points selected by the user. The predetermined base is at least one of the bases input by the user. The predetermined bases are preferably all bases input by the user. In this way, by determining the display map range based on all the base points selected by the user and all the bases input by the user, all the base points selected by the user and all of the base points input by the user The base can be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, and all the information required by the user can be provided to the terminal device.

  Further, as described above, the base point identification information indicating the user selection base point can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). In this case, the base point information storage unit 24 is searched using the base point identification information indicating the user-selected base point, and base point information (for example, base point basic information) corresponding to the base point identification information is read from the base point information storage unit 24. . The display map range can be determined using the coordinates of the base point including the base point basic information.

  The display map range is determined using not only the coordinates of the user-selected base point and the coordinates of the base, but also the scale of the browsing map, the number of user-selected base points, the number of bases, and the resolution of the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. Also good. The display setting information is information indicating a display map range, and is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. The display map range may be determined by calculation processing in the information distribution server 10 or by calculation processing in the terminal device 50. If determined by the terminal device 50, the result may be transmitted to the information distribution server 10 and stored as user registration information in the user registration information storage unit 28.

  The process (2-5) is a process for generating map data corresponding to the display map range. This map data is generated using browsing map information. The map data generated in this way is for display as a user-corresponding browsing map on the display unit 52 of the user terminal device 50.

  The process (2-6) is a process of converting both the coordinates of the user-selected base point and the base point coordinates from the coordinates on the reference map to the coordinates on the browsing map. That is, it is a process of converting both the coordinates of the user-selected base point and the base point coordinates from the reference map coordinate system to the browsing map coordinate system. This conversion is performed with reference to the coordinate correspondence information.

  As described above, the base point identification information indicating the user selection base point can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). Therefore, the process (2-6) can also be performed as follows. First, the base point information storage unit 24 is searched using the base point identification information indicating the user-selected base point, and base point information (for example, base point basic information) corresponding to the base point identification information is read from the base point information storage unit 24. Next, the coordinates of the user-selected base point are converted from the coordinate system of the reference map to the coordinate system of the map for browsing using the base point coordinates including the base point basic information.

  In the process (2-7), the display map data, the coordinates of the user-selected base point, and the coordinates of the base are transmitted to the terminal device 50 as user-corresponding distribution information. The display map data is generated by the process (2-5) described above. The coordinates of the user-selected base point and the coordinates of the base are converted by the process (2-6) described above. The information distribution server 10 transmits these as user-corresponding distribution information to the terminal device 50 according to the user identification information. That is, the information distribution server 10 can transmit the coordinates of the user-selected base point, the coordinates of the base, and the map data of the user-corresponding browsing map to the user terminal device 50. In this way, the terminal device 50 displays the image of the symbol indicating the user-selected base point and the base so as to be superimposed on the user-corresponding browsing map, so that the position of the user-selected base point and the position of the base are displayed to the user. It can be shown to the user on the corresponding browsing map.

  In this manner, the user-operated browsing map, the user selection base point, and the base can be provided to the user who operates the terminal device 50. The display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 can display the user-selected base point and the base (image thereof) so as to be visible to the user so as to be superimposed on the user-corresponding browsing map. As described above, since the user-corresponding browsing map is generated based on the browsing map, it is a map that is easy for the user to visually recognize, and the terminal device 50 can easily recognize the feature, the user-selected base point, and the base. Can be displayed on the display unit 52.

  As described above, a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users is determined and stored in the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10, and the user arbitrarily selects the base point and sets the base point information to the user. Can be shared. In addition, the base point, which is a common feature among a plurality of users, can be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 together with a base that is a “place” that the user uses personally and on a daily basis.

  Therefore, for example, the base point information storage unit 24 shown in FIG. 1 stores base point basic information and base point attribute information related to the base point α that can be selected by either the user A or the user B in advance. Note that bases Φ and Ω, which will be described later, are information input by the user A and the user B in principle, and thus are stored in a storage unit that can be shared by users, such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. It is not information. The bases Φ and Ω are stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 shown in FIG.

  A base point α (for example, registration base point information A-1) is stored and registered in the user registration information storage means 28 by the operation of the user A as a base point to be registered, and a base Φ (for example, registered base point information A−) is registered as a base to be registered. 1) is registered in the user registration information storage means 28 by the operation of the user A. Thereafter, according to the selection operation of the user A, an image indicating the registered base point α and the base Φ can be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device A (50) together with the user A user corresponding browsing map.

  Further, the same base point α (for example, registration base point information B-1) as the base point to be registered is stored and registered in the user registration information storage means 28 by the operation of the user B, and the base Ω (different from the base Φ) is registered as the base to be registered. For example, the registered base information B-1) is stored in the user registration information storage means 28 by the operation of the user B and registered. Thereafter, according to the selection operation of the user B, an image indicating the registered base point α and the base Ω can be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device B (50) together with the user B viewing map.

  In this way, both the user A and the user B can register the common base point α as the registration base point information A-1 and the registration base point information B-1, and the display unit 52 of the terminal device A (50). And the image which shows the base point (alpha) can be simultaneously displayed on both the display parts 52 of terminal device B (50). Further, the user A can store and register the base Φ as the registered base information A-1, and an image indicating the base Φ is displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device A (50) of the user A together with the user A user corresponding browsing map. Can be displayed. The user B can store and register the base Ω (a base different from the base Φ) as the registered base information B-1, and an image indicating the base Ω is displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device B (50) of the user B. Can be displayed with a corresponding browsing map. By doing so, it is possible to share the base point among a plurality of users and to increase the efficiency of the registration work of the base point.

  Furthermore, a predetermined base point may be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 by default without the user performing an operation of selecting or registering the base point. Since it is pre-configured so that multiple users can display commonly known base points (stores, stations, famous public facilities, etc.), the base point that the information distribution server provides to users May be selected under a predetermined condition, and the base point selected by the information distribution server may be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. For example, when configured to display only the base points individually registered by the user, at the initial stage when the user starts to use, the user-compatible browsing map with no base points or the user-compatible browsing points with few base points The map is displayed, and there is a possibility that it does not serve as a user-corresponding browsing map. Such a problem can be solved by adopting a configuration in which the base point can be shared among a plurality of users and the information distribution server can separately select the base point to be provided to the user.

  Further, since the display map range is determined based on the coordinates of the predetermined user-selected base point and the coordinates of the predetermined base, the display range so that the predetermined user-selected base point and the predetermined base are included in the user-corresponding browsing map. The user-corresponding browsing displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 is prevented by preventing the predetermined user-selected base point and the predetermined base from being located outside the display range of the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. A predetermined user selection base point and a predetermined base can be displayed so as to be surely located in the work map.

  For example, in a conventional car navigation apparatus or the like, usually, the destination is controlled so as to be located at the center of the display. However, since the information distribution server of the present invention can display a predetermined number (for example, all) of bases and base points so as to be included in the user-compatible browsing map, depending on the positions of the bases and base points, It may be displayed in the corner. Even in such a case, since the base operated and input by the user himself / herself and the selected base point are displayed, it can be provided to the user as a user-friendly browsing map that is easy for the user to visually recognize.

Furthermore, in the second feature described above,
Theme information storage means 26 in which theme information relating to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users is stored in association with the base point information;
The process (2-2) is as follows.
(2-2-1) Processing for reading theme information from the theme information storage means 26 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(2-2-2) Processing for receiving selection theme information indicating a theme selected by the user on the terminal device 50 based on the theme information transmitted to the terminal device 50;
(2-2-3) Processing for selecting the base point information associated with the received selected theme information, reading out the base point information from the base point information storage unit 24, and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(2-2-4) Registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-) indicating the user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 based on the base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50 3, B- 1, B- 2, B- 3, etc.) are preferably included in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with the user identification information and stored as the user registration information.

  The information distribution server 10 includes theme information storage means 26. The theme information storage means 26 stores various theme information. The theme information is various pieces of information related to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users. The theme information storage means 26 stores not only the theme information but also identification information for identifying each of the theme information in association with each of the theme information.

  In this way, when the user selects the base point, the user is made to select the theme of interest or interest of the user in advance, the base point related to the theme is transmitted to the terminal device used by the user, and the base point is set to the user. To select. By doing in this way, it is possible to prevent the user from being provided with a base point that the user is not interested in at all, to facilitate the determination of the user to select the base point, and to simplify the base point selection process. In addition, it is possible to introduce a user to a base point that the user does not know in accordance with the user's interest and the theme of interest, and it can also serve as an advertisement for the base point.

  As described above, the theme information storage unit 26 can store theme information and theme identification information associated with the theme information. In this case, the above-described process (2-2-1) can be a process for transmitting both the theme information and the theme identification information to the terminal device 50. Moreover, the process of (2-2-2) can be set as the process which transmits the theme identification information which shows the theme selected by the user to the information delivery server 10. By doing in this way, the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 can be reduced, and communication can be speeded up.

  The theme selected by the user may be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registered theme information). In this way, the information distribution server 10 can collect information that the user is interested in and can determine the base information that should be added or updated. Appropriate state can be achieved. Further, it is possible to provide the user with information similar to the user's interest and the theme of interest, or to provide client information regarding the theme, for example, advertisement information, to the user. In this way, an advertising fee can be collected from the administrator of the information distribution server 10 or the client of the owner. Further, only the theme identification information indicating the theme can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registered theme information). By doing so, the storage area required by the user registration information storage means 28 can be reduced.

<< Third feature >>
Apart from the first feature or the second feature, the third feature is that the base point basic information that does not change with time with respect to the base point and the base point attribute information that changes with time with respect to the base point are delivered to the user. It is. That is, the basic point basic information is information that information provided to the user basically does not change with time. On the other hand, the base point attribute information is information in which information provided to the user changes with time.

  As in the first feature, registration to the server preferably uses base point identification information for identifying the base point. That is, it is preferable that the base point identification information for identifying the base point is selected by the user selecting the base point, and the selected base point identification information is registered in the server. Since the base point identification information only needs to be stored in the server, the information distribution server can be configured without increasing the storage area of the server.

  By transmitting the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information of the base point selected and registered by the user from the information distribution server to the terminal device used by the user, the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information can be distributed to the user. . Further, the map data generated using the browsing map information is transmitted from the information distribution server to the terminal device together with the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information. The map data generated using the browsing map information is map data for displaying the user corresponding browsing map on the display unit of the terminal device. The terminal device receives the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information and the map data of the user-compatible browsing map transmitted from the information distribution server. The terminal device displays the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information together with the user-compatible browsing map on the display unit, so that the user can visually recognize the basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information together with the user-compatible browsing map. By doing in this way, the user can recognize the position of the base point, the base point basic information and the base point attribute information of the base point.

More specifically, the third feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
An information distribution server 10 that transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to be displayed on a display unit 52 of an external terminal device 50 that is communicably connected via a communication line 60 to the terminal device 50,
Reference map information including the coordinate information of features, browsing map information including the coordinate information of features and used for browsing by the user on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing Map information storage means 22 for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates in a map;
A base point information storage unit 24 that stores base point basic information that does not change with time with respect to a base point that is a common feature among a plurality of users, and base point attribute information that changes with time with respect to the base point;
User registration information storage means 28 for storing user registration information registered by the user via the terminal device 50 corresponding to each of a plurality of users;
And control means 40 for executing the following processes (3-1) to (3-6).
(3-1) A process of reading the base point basic information from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50;
(3-2) Registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3) indicating the user selection base point selected by the user at the terminal device 50 based on the base point basic information transmitted to the terminal device 50 , B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) in association with user identification information for identifying the terminal device 50 or for identifying a user of the terminal device 50. 28 to store the user registration information in 28,
(3-3) Display setting information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc.) indicating a display map range for displaying the map for browsing on the terminal device 50 ) Is determined based on the coordinates of the user-selected base point, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as the user registration information.
(3-4) processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range as the display map data from the browsing map information;
(3-5) Processing for converting the coordinates of the user-selected base point from the reference map to the browsing map with reference to the coordinate correspondence information,
(3-6) Display map data generated by the process of (3-4), coordinates of the user-selected base point converted by the process of (3-5), and base point attributes corresponding to the user-selected base point Information is transmitted to the terminal device 50 as the user-corresponding distribution information according to the user identification information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution server 10 includes a map information storage unit 22, a base point information storage unit 24, a user registration information storage unit 28, and a control unit 40. The map information storage unit 22, the base point information storage unit 24, and the user registration information storage unit 28 constitute a storage unit 20. A terminal device 50 is communicably connected to the information distribution server 10 through a communication line 60. The terminal device 50 has a display unit 52. A display map is displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The information distribution server 10 transmits user-compatible distribution information including display map data to the terminal device 50.

  The map information storage means 22 stores reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information. The reference map information is map information including coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature. The browsing map information includes coordinate information indicating the coordinates of the feature, and is map information used by the user for browsing on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50. The coordinate correspondence information is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the coordinates on the reference map and the coordinates on the browsing map. These reference map information, browsing map information, and coordinate correspondence information will be described in detail later.

  The base point information storage unit 24 is a storage unit that stores base point basic information and base point attribute information regarding the base point. The base point is a feature common among a plurality of users. The basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information are preferably stored in advance in the storage unit. The base point basic information is information that does not change with time with respect to the base point. The base point attribute information is information that changes with time with respect to the base point. The basic point basic information and the basic point attribute information will be described in detail later.

  The base point information storage means 24 preferably stores base point identification information assigned to each base point together with the base point information in order to identify each base point (see the base point information storage means 24 in FIG. 1). Specifically, the base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) is preferably stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information. That is, when handling a plurality of base points, the base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information for each of the base points. Specifically, as information on the i-th base point i, base point information i (base point basic information i and base point attribute information i) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i. As the base point information i + 1, base point information i + 1 (base point basic information i + 1 and base point attribute information i + 1) is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information i + 1. In this way, by searching the base point information storage unit 24 using one base point identification information indicating one base point, base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) of one base point is stored as base point information. It can be read from the means 24.

  The user registration information storage means 28 stores user registration information corresponding to each of a plurality of users. A terminal device 50 possessed by each of a plurality of users is connected to the information distribution server 10 for communication. The user registration information is registered in the user registration information storage unit 28 according to the user's operation of the terminal device 50. The user registration information itself may be not only information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 but also information stored in the storage unit 20 such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. Any information stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 when the user operates the terminal device 50 may be used.

  For example, in order to identify each of a plurality of users, it is preferable to store the user registration information in the user registration information storage means 28 using the user identification information assigned to each of the plurality of users (the user registration in FIG. 1). See information storage means 28). Specifically, the user registration information is preferably stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the user identification information. In this way, the user registration information of one user can be read from the user registration information storage unit 28 by searching the user registration information storage unit 28 using one user identification information indicating one user. it can. The user identification information may be any information that can identify the user, and information such as a serial number assigned in advance to each terminal device 50 used by the user and an e-mail address used by the terminal device 50 is used as the user identification information. It is good.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information stored in a storage unit such as the base point information storage unit 24 of the information distribution server 10. In this case, information stored in various storage units of the information distribution server 10 is read from these storage units, and the read information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, the user can omit the operation | work which inputs by operating the input means 54 and the auxiliary input means 56 of the terminal device 50, and can make registration work easy and simple. Moreover, since the information memorize | stored in a memory | storage means can be used by several users, the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage means can be utilized.

  In particular, it is preferable to use the base point identification information as one of the user registration information. In this case, for example, the base point identification information can be used when the user registers the base point. Specifically, the following processing can be performed.

  When the user desires to register the base point, the information distribution server 10 reads the base point identification information and the base point information (base point basic information) from the base point information storage unit 24 and transmits it to the terminal device 50.

  Next, the base point information (base point basic information) transmitted to the terminal device 50 is used to display a symbol indicating the base point on the display unit 52. The user operates the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user. The information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information (base point basic information) to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By transmitting only the base point identification information to the information distribution server 10, the amount of information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 can be reduced, and communication can be speeded up. Further, since only the base point identification information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  By storing the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the information distribution server 10 can distribute base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the user using the base point identification information. . Specifically, when the user desires to obtain information on the base point, the information distribution server 10 first searches the user registration information storage unit 28 using the user identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50. When the user registration information corresponding to the transmitted user identification information is stored in the user registration information storage means 28, the information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information that is the registration base point information of the user registration information. read out. Next, the information distribution server 10 searches the base point information storage unit 24 using the read base point identification information, and reads base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) corresponding to the read base point identification information. Next, the information distribution server 10 transmits the read base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) to the terminal device 50. The terminal device 50 receives the base point information transmitted from the information distribution server 10.

  As will be described later, the base point basic information of the base point information is information that information provided to the user basically does not change with time. For example, the base point basic information includes coordinates indicating the base point and the name of the base point. Using the coordinates indicating the base point, an image of the symbol indicating the base point can be displayed on the user-corresponding browsing map, and the position of the base point can be visually recognized by the user. In addition, the base point attribute information of the base point information includes store opening and closing times, information on time sales in stores, information such as the period during which an event is held, the date and place where an artist performs a concert, etc. . By displaying these base point attribute information distributed from the information distribution server 10 on the terminal device 50, the user can acquire various types of information regarding the base point.

  As described above, the user registration information can be information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10. For example, the user registration information transmitted from the terminal device 50 to the information distribution server 10 includes various character information input by the user operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. The character information includes, for example, user memo information such as a shopping list and a schedule. Such various character information can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. By doing in this way, various character information can be read from the user registration information storage means 28 at a timing desired by the user and displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50, and the information distribution server 10 can be used as a memo pad or schedule. It can function like a table. Note that not only character information but also image information, moving image information, audio information, and the like may be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. In any case, various information transmitted from the terminal device 50 by the user's operation can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  The control means 40 performs processes (3-1) to (3-6) described later.

  The process of (3-1) is a process of reading the basic point basic information from the basic point information storage unit 24 and transmitting it to the terminal device 50. As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 also stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points. Therefore, in the process of (3-1), it is preferable that the base point identification information is transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the base point information. The base point information includes base point basic information and base point attribute information. The basic point basic information is information in which information provided to the user basically does not change with time, and includes, for example, coordinates indicating the basic point and the name of the basic point. In the process of (3-1), it is more preferable to transmit the base point identification information from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50 together with the base point basic information.

  In the process (3-2), the registration base point information (A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, etc. shown in FIG. 1) is associated with the user identification information. This is processing to be stored in the user registration information storage means 28. The registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information. The registration base point information is information indicating a user selection base point selected by the user in the terminal device 50.

  First, base point information is read from the base point information storage unit 24, and the read base point information is transmitted to the terminal device 50. The base point information transmitted to the terminal device 50 includes information on a plurality of base points. In the terminal device 50, the transmitted base point information is used, and the user operates the terminal device 50 to select a base point desired by the user from among the plurality of base points. The number of base points that can be selected by the user is at least one. The base point selected by the user is the user-selected base point. Information indicating the user-selected base point is registered base point information.

  The terminal device 50 transmits registration base point information to the information distribution server 10 together with user identification information. The information distribution server 10 receives the registration base point information transmitted from the terminal device 50 together with the user identification information. The information distribution server 10 stores the received registration base point information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in association with the user identification information. At this time, the registration base point information is stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information.

  As described above, the base point information storage unit 24 stores base point identification information for identifying each of the base points together with the base point information. Therefore, the process (3-2) can be performed as follows.

  First, base point identification information is received together with base point information (for example, base point basic information) transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device 50. Next, the base point is displayed on the display unit 52 using the received base point information (for example, base point basic information). In this way, the user can visually recognize the base point displayed on the display unit 52.

  Next, among the base points displayed on the display unit 52, the base point desired by the user is selected by operating the input unit 54 and the auxiliary input unit 56 of the terminal device 50. In the process of (3-1) described above, the information distribution server 10 preferably transmits the display map data generated based on the reference map information together with the base point identification information and the base point information to the terminal device 50. By doing in this way, a base point can be displayed on the display part 52 so that a base point may overlap with a map, and the operation | work which a user selects a base point can be made easy.

  Next, the terminal device 50 transmits base point identification information indicating the base point selected by the user to the information distribution server 10. The information distribution server 10 stores the base point identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information, specifically, as registration base point information. In this way, base point identification information indicating a base point desired by the user can be stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information (registration base point information). By storing only the base point identification information in the user registration information storage unit 28 in this way, the base point desired by the user can be registered, so that the storage area required by the user registration information storage unit 28 can be reduced.

  The above-described user identification information is information for identifying the terminal device 50 or information for identifying the user of the terminal device 50. In any case, the user identification information only needs to be information that can identify the difference between the terminal devices 50 connected to the information distribution server 10 or the user, and is assigned in advance to each of the terminal devices 50 used by the user. Information such as a serial number and a mail address used in the terminal device 50 may be used as user identification information.

  The processes (3-3) to (3-5) are the same as the processes (1-3) to (1-5) in the first feature described above.

  In the process (3-6), the display map data, the coordinates of the user-selected base point, and the base point attribute information are transmitted to the terminal device 50 as user-corresponding distribution information. The map data for display is generated by the process (3-4) described above. The coordinates of the user-selected base point are converted by the above-described process (3-5). The information distribution server 10 transmits these as user-corresponding distribution information to the terminal device 50 according to the user identification information. That is, the information distribution server 10 can transmit the coordinates of the user-selected base point and the map data of the user-compatible browsing map to the user terminal device 50. By doing in this way, terminal unit 50 displays the image of the symbol which shows a user selection base point so that it may be superimposed on the map for user correspondence, so that the position of the user selection base point is displayed on the user correspondence view map. Can be shown.

  The base point attribute information is information read from the base point information storage unit 24 corresponding to the user-selected base point. These are transmitted to the terminal device 50 according to user identification information as user corresponding distribution information. By doing in this way, the user corresponding browsing map, the user selection base point, and the base point attribute information can be provided to the user who operates the terminal device 50. The display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 can display the user selection base point and the base point attribute information (image thereof) so as to be visible to the user so as to be superimposed on the user-corresponding browsing map. As described above, since the user-corresponding browsing map is generated based on the browsing map, it is a map that is easy for the user to visually recognize, and the feature, the user-selected base point, and the base point attribute information are easily visible. It can be displayed on the display unit 52 of the device 50.

  As described above, the user selection base point and the base point attribute information are displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 so as to be superimposed on the user correspondence browsing map. This base point attribute information is information that changes with time with respect to the base point. As will be described later, the base point attribute information is information in which information provided to the user changes with time. For example, in addition to opening time and closing time of a store, there are information on time sale in the store, information such as a period during which an event is held, a date and place where an artist performs a concert, and the like.

  For example, by registering a predetermined store as a base point (user selection base point) in the information distribution server 10 and registering a general name (shampoo, beer, etc.) of a product that the user desires to purchase in the information distribution server 10 When the store that sells the product is included in the user selection base point, the user selection base point can be displayed on the display unit 52 of the terminal device 50 so as to be superimposed on the display map. . In the above-described process (3-2), the user selects the user selection base point by the user in the terminal device, and matches the user desired information indicating the information desired by the user (product, concert ticket, etc.) to the user selection base point. Input. Further, in the process (3-2), these user selection base point and user desired information are stored in the user registration information storage unit 28 as user registration information in association with the user identification information. By doing in this way, the name etc. of the goods which the user desires to purchase can be registered in the information distribution server 10.

  Furthermore, the information distribution server 10 is configured so that various information such as a plurality of store points, position information, a handling product list (real-time inventory information), and selling prices can be obtained from a required POS (sales point-of-sale information management). In some cases, store point and location information can be stored in the base point information storage means 24 as base point basic information, and a handling product list (real-time inventory information), selling price, and the like can be stored as base point attribute information. By doing in this way, among stores (user selection base points) along the user's travel route (for example, commuting route / return home route), the store that sells the registered product can be further changed. It is possible to display stores that are open in time.

  Furthermore, in the process of (3-2), when the user registers not only the general name of the product but also the brand of the product, the store is the base point (user selection base point) registered by the user. When the brand is sold out, the brand similar to that brand is read from the base point information storage means 24, and the brand desired by the user is sold out at the user selected base point (store) and the user selected base point (store ) Is transmitted from the information distribution server 10 to the terminal device as base attribute information. By doing in this way, the brand, sales situation, etc. of a certain product can be provided to the user from the information distribution server 10 as the base attribute information. In this case, the base point information storage means 24 may store the similar information of products, the similar information of brands, the information of preference of a plurality of users (preference information), and the like as the base point attribute information. These information may be stored in the base point information storage unit 24 along with the advertisement / advertisement information of the product, provided by the manufacturer or the seller of the product.

  In addition, by setting not only user preference information but also priority based on preference information, it is possible to meet the needs of users who are stubborn in preference. At that time, if the advertising product information of the sponsor information registered in advance matches the target product, the advertising information of the product may be displayed together with the display map and the base attribute information. It can also have an advertising function.

<< Concepts used in features according to embodiments of the invention >>

<Reference map / reference map information>
The reference map is a map used when a base point or a base described later is determined and registered in the information distribution server. By displaying the reference map on the display unit of the terminal device and specifying the displayed reference map by the user, the base point can be selected or the base can be input, and the base point selected by the user (user-selected base point) Alternatively, the input base (user input base) can be stored and registered in the user registration information storage means of the information distribution server.

  The reference map information is information for configuring a reference map. The reference map information includes information about the feature such as the coordinates, shape and size of the feature. Information on features in the reference map information, for example, the coordinates, shape and size of the features in the reference map information are set to a predetermined scale with respect to the coordinates, shape and size of the actual features. , Has been determined. Therefore, with the exception of exceptions due to data processing and the like, in principle, the features in the reference map information have a similar relationship with the actual features.

  The reference map information is stored in the storage means of the information distribution server that can communicate with the terminal device used by the user. As described above, the coordinates, shape, size, and the like of the feature in the reference map information are determined to have a predetermined scale with respect to the coordinates, shape, size, etc. of the actual feature. The reference map information includes a plurality of scale corresponding reference map information corresponding to each of the plurality of scales. Scale corresponding reference map information is generated in advance and stored in the storage means of the information distribution server so that one scale corresponding reference map information corresponds to one scale. Each of the scale-corresponding reference map information is created in advance for a predetermined range, for example, all over Japan and stored in the storage means of the information distribution server so as to be readable. When reading from the storage means of the information distribution server, it is only necessary to read only map information of a necessary range, for example, map information of a limited range such as Kanto region, Nagano prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu city.

  When a predetermined request command is transmitted from the terminal device to the information distribution server, one scale is selected according to the request command, and the range corresponding to the request command among the scale corresponding reference map information corresponding to the one scale The scale-corresponding reference map information of (region) is read from the storage means as reference map information. The read reference map information is converted into image data and transmitted to the terminal device. By doing in this way, the reference map information of a predetermined range (region) of a predetermined scale is converted into image data and transmitted to the terminal device. By displaying the image data on the display unit (display) of the terminal device, a map that can be visually recognized by the user can be provided.

  As described above, the reference map information is map information that is referred to in order to determine a base point or a base. When determining the base point or base required by the user, as described above, the map (image data) is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user, and the position on the map is designated by the user. The base point and base can be determined. In the terminal device, the base point or base designated by the user can be registered in the information distribution server by acquiring the coordinate specified by the user and transmitting the acquired coordinate to the information distribution server.

  In this way, the user can specify the base point and base on the map converted to image data from the reference map information generated at a predetermined scale. Can be registered in the information distribution server.

<Browsing map / Browsing map information>
The browsing map is a map for the user to browse on the display unit of the terminal device used by the user. Specifically, the map is used when the user browses on the display unit of the terminal device, together with the base point, base, and various types of distribution information registered in the information distribution server. The reference map described above is a map used when a base point and a base are determined and registered. On the other hand, the browsing map is a map used when the user browses on the display unit of the terminal device together with various information such as registered base points and bases.

  The browsing map information also includes information on features such as the coordinates, shape, and size of the features. For the information on these features, information in which information such as coordinates, shape, and size is appropriately changed is used in order to make it easy for the user to visually recognize the information on the display unit (display) of the terminal device. To change information about this feature, change the position, length, angle, size, shape, curvature, area occupied by the feature, replace the curve with a straight line, or omit the specified feature. There is processing such as doing. In any case, it may be a change to make it easy for the user to visually recognize. In particular, it is preferable that information that is easily visualized by the user and that is substantially mapped (simplified) is “browsing map information”. It is preferable to extract the features constituting the schematic map that are common to the majority of users such as roads, railroad tracks, and rivers.

  This browsing map information is also stored in the storage means of the information distribution server that can communicate with the terminal device used by the user, like the reference map information. The browsing map information is preferably generated from the reference map information by a certain rule, for example, a conversion method such as predetermined coordinate conversion. Furthermore, in addition to simply generating map information for browsing by coordinate conversion, processing such as changing the coordinates and size of the feature may be performed in order to make it easier to view. In addition to using the information generated and stored in advance, it may be generated from the above-mentioned “reference map information” whenever necessary.

  The browsing map information also includes a plurality of scale-compatible browsing map information corresponding to each of a plurality of scales. As described above, the browsing map information is map information that has been subjected to processing such as changing the coordinates and size of the feature for easy viewing, and therefore does not have a constant scale in every region. . Therefore, the scale in the browsing map information refers to an approximate scale. For example, as an approximate scale, one determined from the overall size of the browsing map information, for example, an average scale may be used. On the other hand, in the case of the reference map information described above, the scale-corresponding reference map information corresponding to one scale is, as a general rule, a constant scale in every region.

  The browsing map information includes a plurality of scale-compatible browsing map information corresponding to each of a plurality of scales (approximate scales). Scale-compatible browsing map information is generated in advance and stored in the storage means of the information distribution server so that one scale-compatible browsing map information corresponds to one scale. In the present specification, the browsing map information is also simply expressed as a scale, but in the case of the browsing map information, it is an approximate scale as described above. Each of the scale-compatible browsing map information is also created in advance for a predetermined range, for example, all over Japan and stored in the storage means of the information distribution server so as to be readable. As with the scale-compliant reference map information, when reading from the storage means of the information distribution server, only the required map information, for example, the limited map information such as Tohoku, Niigata, Koshigaya, etc. Can be read out.

  When a predetermined request command is transmitted from the terminal device to the information distribution server, one scale is selected according to the request command, and the map corresponding to the one scale is selected according to the request command. The scale-corresponding browsing map information in the range (region) is read from the storage means as browsing map information. The read map information for browsing is converted into image data and transmitted to the terminal device. By doing in this way, the browsing map information in a predetermined range (region) of a predetermined scale is converted into image data and transmitted to the terminal device. By displaying the image data on the display unit of the terminal device, it is possible to provide a browsing map that can be visually recognized by the user.

  As described above, the browsing map information is browsing map information used when browsing together with various distribution information related to the registered base point, base, and base point. On the display unit of the terminal device, a map converted into image data from the browsing map information, an image of a symbol indicating a base point or a base, and distribution information such as character information about the base point are displayed so as to overlap. If it is difficult to view the character information related to the base point on the display unit of the terminal device, the character information related to the base point is displayed in a window (such as a pop-up window) separate from the map. May be.

  In the example described above, the browsing map information is created in advance and stored in the information distribution server. However, the browsing map information is not limited to such a configuration, and the browsing map is obtained from the reference map information according to a user request. Information may be generated each time. For example, even if the request command is transmitted from the terminal device to the information distribution server for the area required by the user, the reference map information is subjected to predetermined processing to generate the browsing map information. Good.

  In this way, it is not necessary to create browsing map information in advance for the entire country of Japan, and the required storage capacity of the information distribution server can be reduced. In particular, it is not necessary to create and store browsing map information in advance for areas that are less popular or interesting to the user, and the storage capacity of the information distribution server can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to save the trouble of creating the browsing map information in advance, and the preparation of the information distribution server can be simplified.

  In addition, when browsing map information is created for a certain area in accordance with an instruction from at least one user, the created browsing map information is assumed to be used by another user thereafter. You may make it memorize | store and memorize | store in the memory | storage means of a delivery server. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the time required for creating the browsing map information for the area for another user thereafter, simplify the processing, and lighten the burden on the information distribution server. can do.

  Furthermore, as described above, after the created browsing map information is temporarily stored in the storage means of the information distribution server, the browsing map information stored by other users is not used even after a certain period of time. In such a case, the created browsing map information may be deleted from the information distribution server. By doing in this way, the memory capacity which memorize | stores the map information for browsing can be made small, and the memory | storage means of an information delivery server can be utilized effectively.

  The browsing map information is preferably created by coordinate conversion processing using a predetermined conversion formula using the reference map information. By doing so, it is possible to simplify the creation of the browsing map information while keeping the ease of viewing the browsing map information constant.

  In addition, map information for browsing is created in advance for an area that is highly popular and interested for a large number of users and stored in the information distribution server, and an area that is less popular and interested is each time the user requests it. The browsing map information may be created from the reference map information. Whether or not the area is highly popular or interested can be determined by the number, frequency, and frequency with which the user requests the area. Even in this case, the size of the storage area of the storage means for the browsing map information can be reduced, and the time for providing the browsing map information to the user is shortened in areas where popularity and interest are high. be able to.

  Furthermore, as described above, by determining according to the number, frequency, and frequency requested by the user for a predetermined area, the area where the user's popularity and interest are high can be obtained, and the base information to be described later should be enhanced. It is easy to judge.

<Coordinate correspondence information>
As described above, the reference map information is map information constituting a map used when a base point or a base is determined and registered in the information distribution server. Therefore, the coordinates in the reference map are coordinates that can specify the exact coordinates corresponding to the position of the actual feature at a certain scale. The browsing map information is browsing map information used when the user browses with the terminal device. The browsing map is a map determined by focusing on the user's visibility, and the coordinates in the browsing map are coordinates that do not accurately correspond to the position of the actual feature.

  Thus, since the coordinates of the base point and the base are determined using the coordinates in the reference map, in order to display the base point and the base (such as an image of a symbol thereof) on the browsing map, the coordinates on the reference map are set. It cannot be used as it is. For this reason, in order to display the base and the base point on the display unit of the terminal device, it is necessary to convert the coordinates in the reference map into the coordinates in the browsing map. The coordinate correspondence information is information that is referred to when this conversion process is performed, and is information that indicates the correspondence between the coordinates on the reference map and the coordinates on the browsing map. The coordinate correspondence information is stored in advance in the map information storage means.

  For example, in order to display a base or a base point (image thereof), coordinates can be converted from a reference map to a browsing map by affine transformation. In this case, for the affine transformation, the coordinates of the predetermined reference position (pre-conversion coordinates) in the standard map and the coordinates (post-conversion coordinates) in the browsing map corresponding to the reference position are used. Then, the coordinates of the base point and the base are converted from the reference map to the browsing map according to the coefficient. In such a case, the coordinates before conversion in the reference map and the coordinates after conversion in the browsing map become the coordinate correspondence information. The reference position can be determined according to the area displayed on the browsing map, and the pre-conversion coordinates and the post-conversion coordinates can be stored in advance. By doing in this way, a reference position and its number can be defined according to the feature of a feature, for example, the number and density of a track, a road, and a river, the bending condition, the way of intersection, the approach distance, etc. By appropriately determining the reference positions and the number thereof, affine transformation can be performed appropriately, and the base point and base symbols can be displayed at positions that are easy for the user to visually recognize on the browsing map.

  In the above-described example, the reference position and the number thereof are determined according to the features of the feature, and the coefficient for affine transformation is calculated. Coordinate conversion may be performed. By doing in this way, since it is not necessary to calculate the coefficient of a coordinate conversion type | formula, a conversion process can be simplified. In this case, the coefficient of the coordinate conversion formula becomes the coordinate correspondence information and is stored in advance in the map information storage means.

  Note that the coordinate transformation is not limited to the affine transformation described above, and any coordinate transformation can be used as long as the coordinates can be transformed from the first coordinate system to the second coordinate system.

<Map data for display>
The display map data is map data to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device. Specifically, it is map data obtained by converting the above-described reference map information and browsing map information into a predetermined data format so as to be compatible with the processing of the terminal device and the configuration of the display unit. In other words, the map data is obtained by converting the reference map information and the browsing map information into data so that the user can visually recognize it via the display unit of the terminal device. By converting the reference map information into display map data and displaying it as display map data on the display unit of the terminal device, the user can set or input a base or base point in the terminal device. In addition, by converting the map information for viewing into display map data and displaying it as display map data on the display unit of the terminal device, the user can have the base point and the base registered in the terminal device and various distribution information related to the base point. You can browse.

  In particular, when the user selection base point is set, the display map range is determined based on the coordinates of the user selection base point. Map data is generated using the browsing map information so as to correspond to the determined display map range. This map data is for displaying a user-compatible browsing map on the display unit of the user's terminal device. By doing in this way, the information distribution server can transmit the base information of a user selection base point and the map data of the user corresponding browsing map to the user terminal device. The terminal device can display the position of the user-selected base point to the user on the user-compatible browsing map by displaying a symbol image indicating the user-selected base point so as to be superimposed on the user-compatible browsing map.

  The data conversion into a predetermined data format is preferably data converted from display map information into image data. Any map data suitable for display may be used, and a combination of a plurality of types of characters (fonts) may be used for map display.

<Feature>
A feature means the concept of an object that exists on the ground, whether natural or artificial, and exists in the real world, such as rivers, mountains, plants, bridges, railways, buildings, and the administrative world. Given to things.

<Base (anchor)>
The base is a point that can be set and registered for each user who uses the information distribution server of the present invention, and means a point indicating a “place” that the user uses personally and on a daily basis. For example, there are a user's house, a workplace, a house of relatives and best friends. Therefore, the base is basically information unique to each user that is different for each user, but may be information that is common. For example, if you live with your family, your home will be the same. Also, users living in housing estates and apartments have the same home as a base. Furthermore, the workplace as a base for users who work for the same company or work for a company in the same building is the same. The site is registered in the information distribution server when the user inputs the site information, as will be described later.

  By using the bases registered by the user, it is possible to limit a range for searching for a base point, which will be described later, and a base point for display on the user terminal device. By registering the base, the user can provide the user with a base point closely related to the user's daily life and information about the base point. Examples of the base point closely related to the user's daily life include a station near the user's home or work place, and a convenience shop on the way to work. Further, the information regarding the base point closely related to the user's daily life includes, for example, the timetable of the user's home or the nearest station of the workplace.

<Location information>
The base information is information unique to the base such as the coordinates of the base and the name of the base. As described above, the base is basically a point indicating a unique “place” of the user such as a home. Therefore, the base information is information input by the user himself / herself operating an input means such as a keyboard of the terminal device.

  A terminal device used by a user is connected to an information distribution server via a communication line so that communication is possible. The terminal device has input means for inputting characters such as a keyboard. When inputting the coordinates of the base, a numerical value may be directly input, but the processing becomes complicated. Therefore, first, the reference map information converted into image data is received from the information distribution server and displayed as a map on the display unit of the user terminal device. Auxiliary input means such as a touch panel is provided on the display unit of the terminal device so as to overlap the display unit. The user can input the coordinates of the base by designating a desired position on the touch panel in the map displayed on the display unit of the terminal device.

  Further, the user can input character information such as the name of the base by operating an input means such as a keyboard of the terminal device. For example, the first base is “home”, the second base is “workplace”, the third base is “relative house”, and the fourth base is “friend's house” (“Mr. X's home”). Character information such as can be entered. Note that a keyboard image may be displayed on the display unit without providing a keyboard so that the user can input characters using the touch panel as a virtual keyboard.

  The terminal device is connected to the information distribution server via a communication line so that communication is possible. The base information such as the coordinates of the base and the name of the base described above is transmitted to the information distribution server and stored in the storage unit of the information distribution server, so that the base can be registered in the information distribution server.

  Since the base is information unique to the user, the base information is often not stored in advance in a storage means such as an information distribution server in principle. However, a large apartment or a predetermined company may be included in the base point information of the base point described later. In such a case, the base point information is read from the information distribution server, the base point information is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device, and the base point information is selected by the user operating the input unit or auxiliary input unit of the terminal unit. Then, an apartment can be registered as a base indicating a home, or a predetermined company can be registered as a base indicating a workplace.

  When the user sets a base and registers it in the information distribution server, a range for searching for a base point to be described later and a base point for display on the terminal device of the user can be limited. That is, when a user registers a base and selects only a base point close to the base, information on a base point and a base point closely related to the daily life of the user (base point basic information and base point attribute information described later) can be provided to the user. it can. The base points closely related to the user's daily life include, for example, the user's home, the nearest station to the workplace, various stores, and various venues.

  The user's moving means may be used as a reference for selecting a base point close to the base. There are various types of user moving means such as walking, private cars, and public transportation. Similarly to the case where the user operates the input unit of the terminal device and inputs the base, the user's moving unit is input or selected by the user's input operation, and information indicating the moving unit is displayed. What is necessary is just to transmit and register to a delivery server.

<Base point>
The base point is a feature or point common to users who use the browsing map of the present invention, and means a point indicating a “place” that may be used by a plurality of users. For example, there are railway stations, bus stops, highway service areas and parking areas, convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, concert halls, public halls, temples, shrines, churches, There are river bridges. All of these pieces of information are common to users who use the browsing map information of the present invention.

  As described above, it is a common feature or point for the user. Therefore, unlike the base, base point information to be described later is stored in advance in the storage means of the information distribution server, and the user does not need to input the coordinates and name of the base point. If the base information desired by the user does not exist in the information distribution server, the information distribution server administrator is notified of the fact, and the information distribution server administrator confirms the existence of the base point. New base point information is stored in the information distribution server.

<Base point information>
The base point information is stored in advance in storage means such as an information distribution server. The base point information includes base point basic information and base point attribute information. Basic point basic information is information that information provided to a user basically does not change with time. For example, the base point basic information includes coordinates indicating the base point and the name of the base point. If the base point is a store, etc., it may be moved or the name may be changed, but basically it is information that does not assume that it will change with time, and the position of the base point The coordinates shown and the name of the base point are handled as base point basic information.

  In particular, coordinates indicating the position of the base point included in the base point basic information are transmitted to the terminal device and used when the base point is selected by the user on the display unit of the terminal device. Also, the coordinates indicating the position of the base point included in the base point basic information are transmitted to the terminal device, and are used when the symbol image of the base point is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device together with the browsing map. Furthermore, it is also used when calculating the display map range or performing coordinate conversion. When the base point identification information indicating the base point is used, the base point basic information (coordinates indicating the position of the base point) is read out and used based on the base point identification information.

  On the other hand, the base point attribute information is information in which information provided to the user changes with time. For example, in addition to opening time and closing time of a store, there are information on time sale in the store, information such as a period during which an event is held, a date and place where an artist performs a concert, and the like. Thus, the base point attribute information is information that changes according to the date and time (timing) provided to the user. For example, if the timing to provide to the user is during the day, the store is open, so the closing time of the store is provided to the user. On the other hand, if the timing to provide to the user is nighttime, the store is closed, so the opening time of the store is provided to the user. Thus, the base point attribute information is information in which information provided to the user changes with time. The length of this time does not matter. For example, information that changes in units such as day, month, and year is included in the base attribute information as long as the information is assumed to change.

  The base attribute information is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device together with the browsing map and the base point, and is browsed by the user. By doing in this way, the base point attribute information corresponding to various base points can be provided to the user.

  In addition, the base points include both those that can be registered by the user's own intention and those that are not registered by the user but are provided to the user from the information distribution server. For example, there is a base point provided from the information distribution server with reference to a base point registered by the user so far. Further, when a later-described theme is selected by the user, the information distribution server can select a base point related to the theme and present it to the user. The user can register a part of the presented base points with his / her own intention. Moreover, the information distribution server may register a part of the base points related to the theme separately from the user's intention. When registered separately from the user's intention, it is possible to provide the user with base points and base point information that the user does not know within the scope of the user's interests and interests.

  Base point information (base point basic information and base point attribute information) is stored in advance in base point information storage means of the information distribution server. When there is a desired base point, the user can register the base point as the user's base point by selecting the base point stored in the information distribution server.

  In order to provide the latest information to the user, the base point and the base point information stored in the base point information storage unit of the information distribution server are updated at a predetermined frequency.

<Theme>
A theme is a matter, content, or problem that may be of common interest among multiple users. Specifically, it may be a matter, content, or problem such as a product, event, store, venue, facility, leisure, daily use, practical use, vacation, person, hobby, idea, medium, etc. is there.

  These themes are classified in advance and stored in the theme information storage means so as to be readable for each theme classification. Information provided to the user is mainly classified into a theme (subject) and needs. For example, articles that are generally not frequently purchased, such as clothing and non-daily necessities such as DVDs and personal computers, do not need to specify and store specific clothing characteristics. In contrast, goods that are frequently purchased, such as daily necessities such as food and medicine, must be stored in a store unless you specify and store specific product names, numbers, and quantities. There is a high possibility that something will be forgotten to be purchased. From this point of view, the theme has a hierarchy, content, and number of themes.

  First, a user selects a theme of interest and interest, and selects and registers a base point corresponding to the selected theme, so that various types of information of interest and interest of the user can be provided to the user. it can. Moreover, since the base point based on one's own interest and the theme of interest is registered, it is possible to provide the user with necessary information while reducing the user's search operation. Information that the user wants can be provided to the user without learning the search technique or allowing the user to search many times.

  As described above, the base point information selected based on the theme that directly reflects the user's preferences can be provided to the user via the browsing map. In addition, the base point information selected based on the theme that indirectly reflects the user's preference may be provided to the user via the browsing map. The theme that directly reflects the user's preference is a theme that is selected or input by the user operating the terminal device. That is, the theme is selected or input according to the user's intention. On the other hand, the theme that indirectly reflects the user's preference is a theme that is determined and selected by the information distribution server based on the theme that directly reflects the user's preference. That is, it is a theme that indirectly reflects the user's intention. By doing in this way, the theme which the user did not know can be acquired.

<<< Information distribution system 100 >>>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the information distribution system 100 of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information distribution system 100 includes an information distribution server 10, a network 600, and a terminal device 50. A base station 610 is connected to the network 600. Various desired communications can be performed between the information distribution server 10 and the terminal device 50 via the network 600 and the base station 610. A network 600 corresponds to the communication line 60.

  The terminal device 50 has a communication function. The terminal device 50 is connected to the information distribution server 10 via the network 600 and the base station 610 so as to be able to communicate various pieces of desired information such as text information, image information, and voice information as necessary. The terminal device 50 is preferably a personal computer, in particular, a notebook computer or a mobile phone, as well as various portable information terminals and personal information terminals.

<< Information Distribution Server 10 >>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the information distribution server 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the information distribution server 10 includes a communication circuit 102. The communication circuit 102 is communicably connected to the network 600. In this way, the information distribution server 10 can communicate with the terminal device 50 via the network 600.

  The information distribution server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 108. The CPU 104 performs various arithmetic processes. Specifically, the CPU 104 executes processing of a subroutine shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 described later. The ROM 106 stores data such as various constants and character information. Specifically, the ROM 106 stores data used when executing the subroutines shown in FIGS. The RAM 108 temporarily stores various variable values. Specifically, the RAM 108 stores the program itself and variable values used when the program is executed in order to execute the subroutines shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

  The information distribution server 10 also has an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 110. The HDD 110 stores a program for executing the subroutine shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 in advance. In the execution of these subroutines, in response to an instruction from the CPU 104, a program is read from the HDD 110 and is developed in the RAM 108 so as to be executable.

  Further, the HDD 110 stores various information and data. Various types of information and data stored in the HDD 110 are configured in a database so that data can be easily searched, newly created, and updated. The database includes a map information database, a base point information database, a theme information database, and a profile database. The HDD 110 corresponds to the storage unit 20. The map information database corresponds to the map information storage means 22, the base point information database corresponds to the base point information storage means 24, the theme information database corresponds to the theme information storage means 26, and the profile database corresponds to the user registration information storage means 28. To do.

<< Terminal Device 50 >>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the terminal device 50. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal device 50 includes a communication circuit 502. The communication circuit 502 is communicably connected to the network 600. In this way, the terminal device 50 can communicate with the information distribution server 10 via the network 600.

  The terminal device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 504, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 506, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 508. The CPU 504 performs various arithmetic processes. Specifically, the CPU 504 executes a subroutine process shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 described later. The ROM 506 stores a program for executing the subroutine shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 in advance. In the execution of these subroutines, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504, a program is read from the ROM 506 and loaded into the RAM 508 so as to be executable. The ROM 506 also stores data such as various constants and character information. Specifically, the ROM 506 stores data used when executing the subroutines shown in FIGS. The RAM 508 temporarily stores values of various variables. Specifically, the RAM 508 stores the program itself and variable values used when the program is executed in order to execute the subroutines shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

  The terminal device 50 includes a display device 510 (display). The display device 510 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and displays various character information and image information. For example, the user correspondence distribution information transmitted from the information distribution server 10 is displayed on the display device 510. The display device 510 corresponds to the display unit 52.

  The terminal device 50 includes an input device 512 such as a keyboard. Various character information is input by the user operating the input device 512. Character information input from the input device 512 is temporarily stored in the RAM 508 and processed by the processing of the CPU 504 or transmitted to the information distribution server 10. The input device 512 corresponds to the input unit 54.

  The terminal device 50 also has an auxiliary input device 514 such as a touch panel. The auxiliary input device 514 is provided on the display surface of the display device 510. When the user presses the auxiliary input device 514, a signal indicating the pressed position is output from the auxiliary input device 514. In this way, the user can press the auxiliary input device 514 in accordance with the image displayed on the display device 510. For example, when an image showing a map is displayed on the display device 510, the user presses a predetermined position of the auxiliary input device 514, so that a map desired by the user is obtained from a signal output from the auxiliary input device 514. You can specify the top coordinates. The auxiliary input device 514 corresponds to the auxiliary input unit 56.

<< Profile data creation process >>
FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing a process for registering user profile data in the profile database. The flowchart on the right side of FIG. 5 shows processing executed in the information providing server 10. The flowchart on the left side of FIG. 5 shows processing executed in the terminal device 50. The profile data corresponds to the above-described user registration information (registration base point information, registered base information, display setting information) (see FIG. 1).

  First, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 displays a menu screen for creating profile data on the display device 510 (display unit 52) of the terminal device 50 (step S500). The user operates the input device 512 (input means 54) or the auxiliary input device 514 (auxiliary input means 56) according to the displayed menu. The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 transmits a profile data creation request to the information providing server 10 in accordance with a user operation (step S502).

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives the profile data creation request transmitted from the terminal device 50 (step S550), and the user registration information is already registered in the profile database (user registration information storage means 28) on the HDD 110. It is determined whether or not (step S552). When determining that the user registration information has already been registered in the profile database (YES), the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 secures an additional area in the storage area of the profile database (step S554). On the other hand, when the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 determines that the user registration information is not yet registered in the profile database (NO), it reserves a new area in the storage area of the profile database (step S556).

  After executing step S554 or S556 described above, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 reads the theme information from the theme information database (theme information storage means 26), and transmits the theme information to the terminal device 50 (step S558).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the theme information transmitted from the information providing server 10 and executes theme selection processing (step S504). As described above, this theme is a matter, content, or problem that may be of interest among a plurality of users. By selecting this theme, the number of base points that can be selected by the user can be limited. In this way, by limiting the number of base points, the base point that the user wants to select can be easily found. The user can select a theme by operating the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50. The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 transmits the theme selected by the user to the information providing server 10 as the selected theme (step S506). Specifically, the theme identification information indicating the selected theme is transmitted to the information providing server 10 as the selected theme. The theme identification information is identification information assigned in advance for identifying each of the theme information stored in the theme information storage means 26. The theme information is stored in the theme information storage means 26 in association with the theme identification information.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives the selected theme transmitted from the terminal device 50, stores the selected theme in the profile database (user registration information storage means 28), and registers it (step S560). Specifically, the theme identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 is stored in the profile database.

  Next, when the user operates the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50, the base is input (step S508). Next, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 transmits the base input by the user as the input base to the information providing server 10 (step S510). As described above, since the base is often user-specific information that is different for each user, the user operates the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 to input information such as the coordinates and name of the base. To do.

  In addition, before executing step S508 described above, display map data generated based on the reference map information is received from the information providing server 10, and the display map is displayed on the display device 510. Also good. The user can input the coordinates of the base by designating the display map displayed on the display device 510 with the auxiliary input device 514. By doing in this way, the operation | work which inputs the coordinate of a base can be made easy and simple.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives the input base transmitted from the terminal device 50 (step S562). The received input base is registered in the profile database (step S563). The input base registered in the profile database corresponds to “registered base information”. Based on the selection theme received in step S560 and the input base received in step S562, the base point information database (base point information storage means 24) is searched to select base point data (base point information) (step S564).

  The search of the base point data based on the selected theme searches for a base point corresponding to or associated with the selected theme. In the base point information database, information on the correspondence with the selected theme and information on the degree of association (similarity, etc.) are also registered. Is called. In this way, not only the theme selected by the user but also related themes can be included in the search range, and the number of base points provided to the user can be increased. In this way, it is possible to make the user aware of the base point that the user does not know and to be interested.

  Further, the search for the base point data by the input base preferably searches for a base point existing at a position close to the input base. A search is performed by comparing the coordinates of the base point and the coordinates of the input base to determine whether there is a base point within a predetermined distance (a base point included in an area within a predetermined radius). Similarly to the input of the base in step S508, the user's moving means is input by the user operating the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50, and the moving means is input to the profile database (user registration information storage). It can be registered in the means 28) as registered moving means information. Examples of the user's moving means include walking, private cars, and public transportation.

  By determining the type of moving means in this way, for example, the area, region, and range for searching for the base point can be expanded in the order of walking, bicycle, bus, private car, and train. If it is a private car or train, the search range (region) can be widened, and if it is walking or bicycle, the search range (region) can be narrowed. In addition, a base point existing in a predetermined radius range (region) is searched so that the position of the base (anchor) is the center. The length of the radius may be appropriately determined according to the type of the main moving means described above.

  In the above-described example, the base point is searched according to the selected theme and the input base. However, the base point may be searched using only one of the selected theme and the input base. Alternatively, either one may be prioritized and when the number of searched base points exceeds a predetermined number, the number of base points may be reduced by searching on the other side. For example, first, a search is performed according to the selected theme, and when the number of base points as a result is a predetermined number or more, the search may be further performed at the input base so that the number of base points is less than the predetermined number. Thus, by reducing the number of base points, the number of base points to be presented to the user when the user selects the base point can be reduced in the processing of S512 described later, and the determination to be made by the user is facilitated. The selection process can be simplified.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 transmits the selected base point data to the terminal device 50 after executing the process of step S564 described above (step S566).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the base point data transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays the base point on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50. The user selects a desired one of the base points displayed on the display device 510 by operating the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50. In this way, the process of selecting the base point by the user is executed (step S512), and information indicating the selected base point selected by the user is transmitted to the information providing server 10 (step S514). The selection base point selected by the user corresponds to the “user selection base point”.

  Specifically, the base point identification information indicating the selected base point is transmitted to the information providing server 10 as the selection base point. The base point identification information is identification information assigned in advance to identify each piece of base point information stored in the base point information storage unit 24. The base point information is stored in the base point information storage unit 24 in association with the base point identification information.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 determines the scale of the map to be displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 and the range, region or area in which the map is to be displayed according to the input base and the selection base point transmitted from the terminal device 50. (Display range) is determined (step S568). Specifically, the scale of the map and the display range are determined based on the coordinates of a predetermined base point among the selected base points and the coordinates of a predetermined base point among the input base points. In this way, the scale that can be displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 and the display range thereof are determined.

  For example, the display range and its scale are determined so that all the selection base points and all the input bases are included based on the coordinates of all the selection base points and the coordinates of all the input bases. In this way, display map data can be generated so that all selected base points and all input bases are displayed. Further, only the features included in the display range determined in this way are selected from the reference map information, and display map data is generated. Therefore, all the selected base points and all the input bases can be displayed on the display map, and the features included in the display range can be displayed on the display map.

  Next, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 stores and registers the selected base point, input base, map scale, map display range, and selected theme in the profile database (user registration information storage means 28) (step S569). . As the profile data, for example, various types of data as shown in FIG. 6 are registered in a database. As described above, the base point identification information is transmitted from the terminal device 50 as the selection base point, and the theme identification information is transmitted from the terminal device 50 as the theme information. Therefore, the base point identification information is stored in the profile database for the selected base point, and the theme identification information is stored in the profile database for the theme information.

  Further, it is preferable that the selection base point, the input base, the map scale, the map display range, and the selected theme are stored in the profile database in accordance with the user identification information. The user identification information is information for identifying each of a plurality of users and may be any information that can identify the user. The user identification information may be a serial number assigned in advance to each terminal device 50 used by the user, or a terminal device. Information such as an e-mail address used in 50 may be used as user identification information.

  For example, when the user registers a plurality of profile data (registration base point information, etc.) in the profile database, it is preferable to associate the plurality of profile data with the user identification information. The association of a plurality of profile data of one user can be managed by the user registration related information described above. As described above, the user registration related information is information in which the user identification information of the user is associated with the registration information identification information. The user registration related information may be stored in the information distribution server 10 by providing user registration related information storage means (not shown).

  Specifically, when one user newly registers profile data (registration base point information or the like), it is searched whether or not the user has already registered profile data. As a result of the search, if the user has already registered the profile data, the user identification information of the user and the profile data are associated and stored in the information distribution server 10 as user registration related information.

  Further, by searching for user registration related information using the user identification information of one user, it is possible to designate and read one profile data among a plurality of profile data registered by the one user. In this way, even when each user registers a plurality of profile data, it is possible to designate and read one profile data of one user accurately and quickly.

  Further, according to the classification information, the selected base point, the input base, the map scale, and the map display range may be registered in the profile database. Classification information can be determined by the user, and types of classification information include information such as commuting routes, hobbies, and friends. In this way, the first selection base point, the input base, the scale of the map, and the display range of the map are set according to the first classification information (commuting route) in the area of the first classification information of the user A of the profile data. Can be registered. Further, the second selection base point, the input base, the scale of the map, and the display range of the map can be registered in the area of the second classification information of the user A of the profile data according to the second classification information (hobby). .

  A classification ID (classification identification information) is assigned to each classification information, and the selection base point, the input base, the scale of the map, and the display range of the map are registered in the profile data by specifying the classification ID. For the first classification information (commuting route), a classification ID is assigned such as classification ID = 0001, and for the second classification information (hobby), classification ID = 0002. By generating profile data in this way, even when one user generates profile data corresponding to a plurality of classification information, by selecting a classification ID, a selected base point registered corresponding to the classification ID Only the input base, the map scale, and the map display range can be read from the profile database. For example, in the above-described example, only the selected base point, the input base, the map scale, and the map display range registered according to the first classification information (commuting route) can be read.

  In the above-described determination processing in step S552, it is determined whether or not the profile database (user registration information storage unit 28) has already been registered. If the profile database has already been registered, it has already been registered. When the same classification information is determined, new profile data is added in the same classification information profile database. When different classification information is registered from the already registered one, a different classification information profile database is created. In addition, new profile data is registered in the profile database.

  Next, after executing the processing of step S569, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 extracts the display range portion of the reference map information corresponding to the determined map scale from the map information database (map information storage means 22). The data is read out, converted into image data, and transmitted to the terminal device 50 as display map data (step S570). The map information database stores reference map information and browsing map information. In the process of step S570, the reference map information is used, map data for display is generated and transmitted to the terminal device 50.

  As described above, when determining the scale and display range of a map, it is also possible to use some selected base points and some input bases instead of using all selected base points and input bases. . For example, the selection of the base point and the base used for determination may be determined by the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 by appropriately setting the priority order. For example, with regard to the bases, those at home and work place are given top priority, and other bases are set as the next candidates. As for the base point, the base point close to the home or work place is given the highest priority, and the other base points are set as the next candidates. By doing in this way, the scale of a map and the display range can be determined using some selection base points and some input bases. As described above, when the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 selects a part of the selection base points and a part of the input bases, in the process of step S570, along with the reference map information, a part of the part selected by the information providing server 10 is selected. It is preferable to transmit the selected base point and some input bases to the terminal device 50. In this way, the user can be made aware of some selection base points and some input bases selected by the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10.

  Note that the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 may determine the scale and the display range by acquiring the resolution of the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 and the size of the display surface of the display device 510 in the process of step S568. By doing so, a scale and a display range suitable for the resolution of the display device 510 and the size of the display surface can be determined, and a map that can be easily viewed by the user can be displayed on the display device 510.

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the display map data transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays the display map on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 (step S516). As described above, since the information providing server 10 generates the display map data using the reference map information according to the determined display range, the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 includes one reference map. The part is displayed as a display map. Further, in the process of step S516, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 displays the selected base point and the input base on the display device 510 so as to be superimposed on the reference map.

  By displaying on the display device 510, the user can visually recognize the display map (part of the reference map), the selected base point, and the input base. The user can confirm again whether the display range of the display map is desired by the user, and whether the selected base point or input base is desired. In this process, since the base point and the base are displayed on the display map generated using the reference map, the base point and the base are displayed at an accurate position on the display map according to the scale. By doing so, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the position of the base point or the base is appropriate, and whether or not the base point or the base is what the user desires.

  When the range of the display map, the base point, the location of the base, or the like is not what the user desires, the user operates the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50 to confirm that it is not desired. The information shown is transmitted to the information providing server 10 (step S516). At this time, it is preferable that information such as whether the user desires a wider map or a narrower map is also transmitted to the information providing server 10. Based on these pieces of information, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 can determine whether to widen or narrow the display range and determine a more appropriate map scale and display range. Information on whether a wider map or a narrower map is desired can be input by the user operating the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 of the terminal device 50.

  When the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives from the terminal device 50 information indicating that it is not desired by the user, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 again determines the map scale and display range that can be displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50. According to the determined scale and display range, the reference map information is read from the map information database (map information storage means 22), display map data is generated, and transmitted to the terminal device 50 (step S570).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the display map data transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays it again on the display device 510 so that the selected base point and the input base are superimposed on the reference map. By doing in this way, a user can judge again whether it is a desired reduced scale and a display range, and transmits the judgment result to the information provision server 10. FIG. By executing this processing, it is possible to determine the scale of the map desired by the user and the display range of the map.

  When the map scale or map display range desired by the user is reached, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 displays a message on whether or not to add a base point on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50, and the input device 512 or auxiliary The user is caused to select whether or not to add a base point by operating the input device 514 (step S518). When adding a base point (YES), a request to add a base point is transmitted to the information providing server 10 (step S520), and the process returns to step S504 described above.

  When a request for adding a base point is transmitted from the terminal device 50, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 returns the process to step S558 described above (step S572), and executes the above-described processes after step S558.

  Each of the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 and the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 performs the above-described processes again, thereby adding a base point and storing and registering in the user registration information storage unit 28 of the information providing server 10. be able to. Thus, not only one base point desired by the user but also a plurality of base points are registered in the profile database as registration base point information, and the registered base points are displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50. be able to.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 selects a sample base point according to the selected theme and the selected base point, and transmits the sample base point to the terminal device 50 (step S574).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the sample base point transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays it on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 (step S522). The sample base point is not registered in the profile database by the user's own operation, but is provided to the user by the determination of the CPU 104 of the information distribution server 10. By providing such sample base points to the user, it is possible to provide the user with base points and base point information that the user does not know within the scope of the user's interests and the selection theme that interests them, or within a similar range. Information can be provided to stimulate the user. Further, when the number of base points registered by the user's own operation is small, the appearance of display on the terminal device 50 can be improved. Further, by providing the sample base point to the user, it is also possible to provide the user with advertisement information related to the sample base point (client), and the administrator and owner of the information providing server 10 are the administrator and owner of the information providing server 10. You can collect advertising fees by including information about the client's client.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 executes the processing of step S574 described above, and then selects a portion corresponding to the display range in the map information for browsing corresponding to the scale of the determined map as a map information database (map information storage means 22). ) To generate image data, and display map data is generated, and the generated display map data is transmitted to the terminal device 50 (step S576). As described above, the map information database stores reference map information and browsing map information. In the process of step S576, browsing map information is used. The browsing map information is map information created by changing the position of a feature so that the user can visually recognize it.

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the display map data transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays a display map (part of the browsing map corresponding to the display range) on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50. (Step S524).

  By executing the profile data creation process shown in FIG. 5, the profile data (registration base point information, registration base information, etc.) is stored and registered as user registration information in the profile database (user registration information storage means 28). Can do. By using the profile data registered in this manner, the base point selected by the user and the input base can be superimposed on the display map and displayed on the terminal device 50.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a profile database created by the profile data creation process shown in FIG.

  The theme selected by the user (theme identification information), the base information input by the user (registered base information), and the base point identification information (registered base point information) indicating the base point selected by the user are stored as a profile database. The

  Furthermore, memo information input by the user, for example, various character information such as a purchase planned item and a schedule can be stored. The information providing server 10 can refer to such memo information, determine that a predetermined character string exists, and provide the user with theme information and base point information.

  Furthermore, information such as a display range and a scale for generating display map data which is a display map (a part of a browsing map corresponding to the display range) is also stored. In addition, information on moving means serving as a reference for a range for selecting a base point is also stored. The profile database shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the user registration information storage means 28.

<< Information display process >>
FIG. 7 is a subroutine for displaying various information on the terminal device 50 using profile data (registration base point information, registered base information, etc.) registered in the profile database (user registration information storage means 28). Similarly to FIG. 5, the flowchart on the right side of FIG. 7 shows processing executed in the information providing server 10. The flowchart on the left side of FIG. 7 shows processing executed in the terminal device 50.

  First, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 displays a menu screen for displaying various types of information on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50. The user operates the input device 512 or the auxiliary input device 514 according to the displayed menu. The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 transmits an information display request together with user identification information to the information providing server 10 in accordance with a user operation (step S1300).

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives the information display request and user identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 (step S1350). Next, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 determines whether or not the user indicated by the user identification information has registered a plurality of profile data in the profile database (user registration information storage unit 28) (step S1352). As described above, when one user registers a plurality of profile data, it is preferable to associate a plurality of profile data with the user identification information. This association is preferably managed by user registration related information. The user registration related information is stored in user registration related information storage means (not shown) in the information distribution server 10.

  When the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 refers to the user registration related information and determines that one user has registered a plurality of profile data (YES), the profile data identification for identifying the plurality of profile data Information (registered information identification information) is transmitted to the terminal device 50 (step S1354).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 determines whether or not profile data identification information for identifying a plurality of profile data has been received (step S1302). When it is determined that the profile data identification information for identifying a plurality of profile data has been received, the profile data identification information for identifying the plurality of profile data received is displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50, and the input device 512 or auxiliary input is displayed. The user operates the device 514 to cause the user to select profile data identification information corresponding to one profile data (step S1304), and the information providing server 10 supplies the profile data identification information corresponding to one profile data selected by the user. (Step S1306).

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 receives the profile data identification information transmitted from the terminal device 50 (step S1356).

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 searches the profile database according to the received profile data identification information (step S1358).

  Next, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 reads the profile data from the profile database when it is determined that one user has not registered a plurality of profile data (NO), or when the process of step S1358 is executed. The selection base point, the input base, the map scale, and the map display range are acquired (step S1360). If it is determined in step S1352 that one user has not registered a plurality of profile data, only one profile data is registered in the profile database. Therefore, in step S1360, the registration is performed. One profile data is read from the profile database, and a selection base point, an input base, a map scale, and a map display range may be acquired.

  The CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 generates display map data from the portion corresponding to the scale and the display range in the browsing map information, and transmits the generated display map data to the terminal device 50 (step S1362). . The browsing map information is stored in the map information database. The scale and the display range are read from the profile database. In this way, a part of the browsing map corresponding to the scale and the display range is generated as the display map.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 determines that profile data identification information for identifying a plurality of profile data has not been received in the determination process of step S1302 (NO), or when the process of S1306 is executed, the information provision The display map data transmitted from the server 10 is received, and the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 displays the display map (a part of the browsing map) on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 (step S1308). By doing in this way, the display map produced | generated by the browsing map information is displayed on the display apparatus 510 of the terminal device 50 as a user corresponding browsing map. For this reason, the display map (user corresponding browsing map) that can be easily recognized by the user can be displayed on the display device 510.

  CPU104 of the information provision server 10 performs the process of a sample base point, after performing the process of step S1362 (step S1364). This process is the same as the process of step S574 described above. The sample base point is a base point provided to the user by the determination of the CPU 104 of the information distribution server 10 separately from the user's intention.

  Next, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 determines the coordinates of the map for browsing from the coordinate system of the reference map using the coordinates of the selected base point and the input base acquired in step S1360 and the coordinates of the sample base point selected in step S1364. Conversion to a system is performed (step S1366). By doing in this way, a selection base point, an input base, and a sample base point can be accurately positioned and displayed at a position that can be easily viewed on the browsing map.

  Next, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 transmits the selected base point, the input base, and the sample base point to the terminal device 50 together with the converted coordinates (step S1368).

  The CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the selection base point, the input base, and the sample base point transmitted from the information providing server 10 after executing the process of step S1308, and displays the selection base point, the input base, and the sample base point. Is displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 so as to overlap the display map (step S1310).

  As described above, the display map is a map (part of the browsing map) generated from the browsing map information, and the coordinates of the selection base point, the input base, and the sample base point are converted according to the browsing map information. Yes. By doing in this way, while being able to display the map which a user can visually recognize easily on the display apparatus 510, the symbol image which shows a selection base point, an input base, and a sample base point in the exact position which is easy to visually recognize can be displayed. In addition, by displaying the sample base point on the display map, it is possible to provide the user with a base point that the user does not know within the range of the selected theme of interest or interest of the user or a similar range.

  After executing the process of step S1368, the CPU 104 of the information providing server 10 reads the base point attribute information corresponding to the selected base point and the sample base point from the base point information database (base point information storage unit 24) (step S1370). The attribute information is transmitted to the terminal device 50 (step S1372).

  After executing the processing of step S1310, the CPU 504 of the terminal device 50 receives the base attribute information transmitted from the information providing server 10 and displays it on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 (step S1312). The base point attribute information may be displayed near the image of the symbol indicating the base point or may be displayed on a separate window.

  The base attribute information is information in which information provided to the user changes with time. For example, in addition to opening time and closing time of a store, there are information on time sale in the store, information such as a period during which an event is held, a date and place where an artist performs a concert, and the like. By displaying such information on the display device 510, it can be provided to the user.

  Not only the base point attribute information of the base point selected by the user but also the base point attribute information of the sample base point is displayed on the display device 510. Thus, by providing the user with the base attribute information of the sample base point, new information can be provided to the user to stimulate the user. Furthermore, by providing the user with the base attribute information of the sample base point, it is also possible to provide the user with advertisement information regarding the sample base point (client), and the administrator or owner of the information providing server 10 Advertising fee can be collected by including the information of the client of the manager and the owner in the base attribute information of the sample base point.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display map (user-corresponding browsing map) displayed on the display device 510 of the terminal device 50 by the processing of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, two railway lines are displayed as features by broken lines and straight lines. In addition, a symbol image indicating a base station, a store, a temple, or the like is displayed. Further, a symbol (H) indicating a home which is one of the bases and a symbol (W) indicating a workplace which is one of the other bases are also displayed. In this way, the symbol indicating the selected base point selected by the user or the input base input by the user can be displayed so as to be superimposed on the display map (user-specific browsing map). When displaying the selected base point or the input base, the display map (the user-friendly browsing map) is used by using the base point coordinates included in the base base information and the base coordinates (coordinates after coordinate conversion) included in the base basic information. ).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the base point attribute information is also displayed near the displayed base point. The base attribute information is information in which information provided to the user such as opening time and closing time changes with time. By doing in this way, base point attribute information can also be displayed so that it may be superimposed on a display map (user correspondence browsing map). In this way, the information distribution server 10 can distribute various types of information to the terminal device 50 through the display map (user-compatible browsing map).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information distribution server 20 Storage means 22 Map storage means 24 Base point information storage means 26 Theme information storage means 28 User registration information storage means 40 Control means 50 Terminal apparatus 52 Display part 60 Communication line 100 Information distribution system

Claims (4)

Connected to the network for transmitting information to be displayed on a display unit of an external terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users through the network to the terminal device in response to input by the user to the terminal device A communication circuit,
Opening hours and store base point attribute information that changes over time, including a closing time, and a base point information storage means for storing base basic information indicating the coordinates of the store location,
A registration area for each of the plurality of users, user A, user B,..., User N, is formed, and in each user's registration area, the corresponding user identification information and the user identification information are stored. User registration information storage means for storing and rewriting registration base point information that is registered in association with each other and can be individually registered for each user,
Theme information storage means in which theme information related to a theme that may be of interest among a plurality of users is stored in association with the base point information having the base point attribute information and the base point basic information;
And an information distribution server characterized by comprising: control means for executing the following processing.
A process of reading base attribute information and base basic information from the base information storage means and determining display setting information indicating a display map range to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device based on the input of the user,
In order to generate map data corresponding to the display map range, based on the store opening time and the store closing time of the base attribute information, the store at the store opening time is determined as basic point basic information to be displayed in the display map range And determining the store at the closing time as basic point basic information not displayed in the display map range ,
Processing for reading theme information from the theme information storage means and transmitting it to the terminal device;
Processing for receiving selected theme information indicating a theme selected by a user in the terminal device based on the theme information transmitted to the terminal device;
A process for storing the received selected theme information in the user registration information storage means as registered theme information;
Based on the registered theme information stored in the user registration information storage means, a process for determining a theme with a high selection frequency or a theme selected by many users,
Processing for adding and updating the base point information based on the determined result;
A display map range for selecting the base point information associated with the received selection theme information and reading the base point attribute information and the base point basic information of the base point information from the base point information storage means and displaying on the display unit of the terminal device The display setting information indicating is determined based on the input of the user.   Connected to the network for transmitting information to be displayed on a display unit of an external terminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of users through the network to the terminal device in response to input by the user to the terminal device A communication circuit,
  Base point attribute information that changes the passage of time including the opening time of the store and the closing time, and base point information storage means that stores basic point basic information indicating the coordinates of the store point,
  A registration area for each of the plurality of users, user A, user B,..., User N, is formed, and in each user's registration area, the corresponding user identification information and the user identification information are stored. User registration information storage means for storing and rewriting registration base point information that is registered in association with each other and can be individually registered for each user,
  Reference map information including feature coordinate information, browsing map information including feature coordinate information and used for browsing by the user on the display unit of the terminal device, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing map Map information storage means for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates;
  And an information distribution server characterized by comprising: control means for executing the following processing.
  A process of reading base attribute information and base basic information from the base information storage means and determining display setting information indicating a display map range to be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device based on the input of the user,
  In order to generate map data corresponding to the display map range, based on the store opening time and the store closing time of the base attribute information, the store at the store opening time is determined as basic point basic information to be displayed in the display map range And determining the store at the closing time as basic point basic information not displayed in the display map range,
  Processing for storing the registration base point information in the user registration information storage means for each movement route designated by the user in the terminal device;
  Display setting information indicating a display map range in which the browsing map is displayed on the terminal device is determined for each movement route based on the coordinates of the registration base point information, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage unit. Processing,
  Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range for each travel route as display map data from the browsing map information;
  A process of referring to the coordinate correspondence information and converting the coordinates of the registration base point information from the reference map to the browsing map for each movement route;
  A process of transmitting the display map data generated for each travel route and the coordinates of the registration base point information converted for each travel route to the terminal device for each travel route as user-corresponding distribution information. The base point information storage means further has information of a default base point displayed on the terminal device by default without registration by the user,
The information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes a process of determining the default base point to be displayed in the display map range determined based on the input of the user. Reference map information including feature coordinate information, browsing map information including feature coordinate information and used for browsing by the user on the display unit of the terminal device, coordinates in the reference map, and browsing map Map information storage means for storing coordinate correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship with coordinates,
The information distribution server according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit further executes the following processing.
Processing for storing the registration base point information in the user registration information storage means for each movement route designated by the user in the terminal device;
Display setting information indicating a display map range in which the browsing map is displayed on the terminal device is determined for each movement route based on the coordinates of the registration base point information, and the display setting information is stored in the user registration information storage unit. Processing,
Processing for generating map data corresponding to the display map range for each travel route as display map data from the browsing map information;
A process of referring to the coordinate correspondence information and converting the coordinates of the registration base point information from the reference map to the browsing map for each movement route;
A process of transmitting the display map data generated for each travel route and the coordinates of the registration base point information converted for each travel route to the terminal device for each travel route as user-corresponding distribution information.

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