JP6379647B2 - Information guidance system, information guidance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information guidance system, an information guidance method, and a computer program for guiding information related to a specific area.

  Conventionally, various information terminals (hereinafter referred to as navigation devices, etc.) such as in-vehicle navigation devices, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, personal computers, etc. store information on map images and points in various storage devices, Alternatively, it can be obtained by downloading from a server or the like and provided to the user. Moreover, as the information regarding the location, it is possible to provide information regarding the name, location, business hours, usage fee, and the like regarding stores and public facilities, for example.

  Moreover, when providing the user with information on the map image and the location, only information necessary for the user is extracted and guided. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-25675 displays a map image around the current position of the user on a display and displays a tourist facility icon indicating a tourist facility on the map when the user is located within a predetermined tourist area. In addition, it is described that the distance to the tourist facility and the required time are guided.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-25675 (page 8-9, FIG. 9)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, information about a tourist facility in the tourist area is guided by the user entering the tourist area, so that a map image of an arbitrary area away from the current position of the user I was unable to provide information about the location. In addition, it has been conventionally performed to input information about a map image or a point in a region away from the current position of the user by inputting search conditions such as the name and address of the point. It could not be a search condition.

  Recently, there are many symbols associated with regions such as “Yuru Chara (registered trademark)” and “Local Character (registered trademark)”, which have gained a name recognition. As a result, there are many cases where the user recognizes the symbol but does not recognize the name or address of the area where the symbol is used. In such a case, in the case of such a case, even when the user desires information about a map image or a location of a region using a symbol of interest, the corresponding information can be appropriately extracted and guided. There wasn't.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an information guidance system, an information guidance method, and a computer program that enable a user to appropriately guide regional information using a symbol of interest. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the information guidance system (1) according to the present invention acquires symbol-related information that associates a region and a symbol of the region for each region that represents an administrative district where the symbol is registered or used. An information acquisition means (11), a list display means (11) for displaying a list (38) of symbols associated with each area, and a list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation A symbol selection means (11) for selecting a symbol from the inside, and a map image (32) of a region associated with the selected symbol which is the selected symbol when the symbol selection means selects the symbol Map display means (11) for displaying on the device (18).
The “region” includes, in addition to administrative divisions such as prefectures and municipalities, a region (for example, a shopping street or a town) that is more limited than the administrative division.
“Symbol” is a symbol registered or used in the above region (for example, prefectural chapter, prefectural bird, city flower, etc.), as well as regional promotion (advertising advertisement) of the above region regardless of whether it is authorized or not. Mascot characters (referred to as Yuru-chara (registered trademark) and local characters (registered trademark)) used for special products and tourism PR.

In addition, the information guidance method according to the present invention includes a step in which the information acquisition means acquires symbol related information that associates each region with the symbol of the region for each region that represents the administrative district where the symbol is registered or used The list display means displays a list (38) of symbols associated with each region, and the symbol selection means selects from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation. A step of selecting a symbol, and a map display means, when the symbol selection means selects the symbol, displays a map image (32) of a region associated with the selected symbol which is the selected symbol. And 18) a step of displaying.

Further, the computer program according to the present invention, the computer, the information acquisition means for acquiring the symbol related information that associates the region and the symbol of the region for each region representing the administrative division where the symbol is registered or used , List display means for displaying a list (38) of symbols associated with each region; symbol selection means for selecting a symbol from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation; Map display means for displaying, on the display device (18), a map image (32) of a region associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol when the symbol selection means selects the symbol; It is made to function.

According to the information guidance system, the information guidance method, and the computer program according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a list of symbols registered or used in each area representing an administrative district is displayed, and symbols are displayed from the displayed list. When selected, the map image of the area associated with the selected symbol is displayed, so that only the information related to the area related to the symbol that the user is interested in can be appropriately extracted and guided. . Further, even when there are a large number of symbols, it is possible to appropriately select a symbol that the user is interested in from the list. In addition, it is possible to guide the user's desired information with an easy operation of selecting a symbol from the list, so there is no need for the user to perform complicated operations such as inputting search conditions and the operability is also improved. It becomes possible to make it.

It is a schematic structure figure showing an information guidance system concerning this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the symbol relevant information memorize | stored in symbol information DB of an information management center. It is a block diagram which shows typically the control system of the communication terminal which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the area information guidance processing program which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the navigation screen displayed on a display. It is the figure which showed the symbol list displayed on a display. It is the figure shown about the identification method of the area of the map image used as a display object, when a symbol is selected from a symbol list. It is the figure which showed the image of the symbol displayed on a display. It is the figure which showed the genre selection screen displayed on a display. It is the figure which showed an example of the guidance mode of area information. It is the figure which showed an example of the guidance mode of area information. It is the figure which showed an example of the guidance mode of area information.

  Hereinafter, based on one embodiment which materialized the information guidance system concerning the present invention, it explains in detail, referring to drawings. First, a schematic configuration of the information guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an information guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information guidance system 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information guidance system 1 according to the present embodiment basically includes an information server 3 included in an information management center 2 and a communication terminal 5 owned by a user 4. The communication terminal 5 includes a navigation device as a vehicle-mounted device mounted on a vehicle, a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and the like. The user 4 may be moving by a moving means such as a vehicle, or may be in a state of not moving. Further, the information management center 2 and the communication terminal 5 are configured to be able to transmit / receive electronic data to / from each other via the communication network 6.

  Here, the information server 3 stores, in the symbol information DB 7, symbol related information that associates the region with the symbol of the region for each region in the country where the symbol exists. In addition, for each region in the country, the region information DB 8 stores region information regarding facilities in the region and events held in the region. And it is a server apparatus which provides the symbol relevant information and area information which were memorize | stored in DB according to the request | requirement of the communication terminal 5. FIG. The “region” includes not only administrative divisions such as prefectures and municipalities, but also more limited regions (for example, shopping streets and towns) than the administrative divisions. “Symbol” is a symbol registered or used in the above region (for example, prefectural chapter, prefectural bird, city flower, etc.), as well as regional promotion (advertising advertisement) of the above region regardless of whether it is authorized or not. Mascot characters (referred to as Yuru-chara (registered trademark) and local characters (registered trademark)) used for special products and tourism PR.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbol related information stored in the symbol information DB 7 of the information server 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the symbol-related information is stored in association with a region, the type of symbol existing in the region (including the name if the symbol has a name), and a symbol image. For example, the prefecture chapter of A prefecture is stored in association with the symbol of A prefecture, and the symbol of B city in A prefecture is stored in association with “XX-kun”, which is a mascot character used for regional promotion of B city. As a symbol of C city in A prefecture, “Tulip” which is a flower of C city is stored in association with it, and as a symbol of D city in A prefecture, “XX-chan” is a mascot character used for regional promotion of D city. ] Is stored in association with each other. In the present embodiment, one symbol is basically associated with one region. Further, a symbol is associated with a region (a region associated with a symbol) is a region that is more limited than the administrative division (for example, a shopping street) in addition to administrative divisions such as prefectures and municipalities. , In the area of the town) is the area related to the symbol, and when the symbol is associated with the area, the information in the area related to the symbol is the information about the display target area It will be.

  Moreover, about the area | region where the mascot character used for area | region promotion exists, it is comprised so that a mascot character may be linked | related preferentially as a symbol. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 2, prefecture A and city B have no mascot character used for regional development, so the prefecture emblem or city flower is associated as a symbol. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which associates only the mascot character used for area promotion as a symbol. In that case, since there is no mascot character used for regional promotion in A prefecture and B city, it is an area where no symbol is associated.

  On the other hand, the regional information stored in the regional information DB 8 of the information server 3 is classified for each region in the country, and various types of information (name, genre, location, Business hours, usage charges, etc.) are stored. Also, a facility or event related to a symbol associated with a region in particular (for example, a shop that sells a product related to a symbol, or an event or official character where a mascot character appears when the symbol is a mascot character) In this case, the city hall, etc.) is stored separately from other information.

  On the other hand, the communication terminal 5 has a function for specifying the current position of the communication terminal 5 such as GPS (that is, the current position of the user 4), a map image of the area around the current position of the user 4 or an arbitrary point designated by the user 4. An information communication terminal provided with a function for displaying is used, for example, a navigation device, a mobile phone, a PDA, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Note that a navigation application is installed especially for the communication terminals 5 other than the navigation device. For example, the navigation application is an application that executes a navigation function (hereinafter referred to as a navigation function) in the communication terminal 5.

  The communication terminal 5 is connected to the communication network 6 via a transmission / reception circuit unit (RF) 13 described later, and is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with the information management center 2. When symbol related information is received from the information management center 2, a list of symbols and a symbol image are displayed on the display of the communication terminal 5 based on the received symbol related information as will be described later (FIG. 6, FIG. 8). When the area information is received from the information management center 2, the received area information is displayed on the display of the communication terminal 5 as described later for guidance (see FIG. 12). Details of the communication terminal 5 will be described later.

The communication network 6 includes a large number of base stations arranged in various parts of the country and a communication company that manages and controls each base station. The base station and the communication company are connected to each other by wire (optical fiber, ISDN, etc.) or wirelessly. It is configured by connecting.
Here, the base station has a transceiver (transmitter / receiver) for communicating with the communication terminal 5 and an antenna. The base station performs wireless communication between the communication companies, and at the end of the communication network 6, the base station communicates with the information management center 2 within the range (cell) within which the radio waves of the base station can reach. Have a role to relay.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the communication terminal 5 owned by the user 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the communication terminal 5 according to the present embodiment. In the following example, a case where the communication terminal 5 is a smartphone will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 5 has a data bus BUS, a CPU 11, a memory 12 storing user information (user ID, name, etc.), map information, etc. regarding the user 4 who owns the communication terminal 5, a communication network A transmission / reception circuit unit (RF) 13 that transmits / receives signals to / from a base station of the network 6, converts an RF (Radio Frequency) signal received by the transmission / reception circuit unit 13 into a baseband signal, and converts the baseband signal into an RF signal An input operation including a baseband processing unit 14 for conversion to an input / output unit 17, an input / output unit 17 serving as an interface with a microphone 15, a speaker 16, and the like, a display 18 including a liquid crystal display panel, and a touch panel and operation buttons. The unit 19 and the GPS 20 are connected to each other.

  Here, the CPU 11 built in the communication terminal 5 is a control unit of the communication terminal 5 that executes various operations according to the operation program stored in the memory 12, and constitutes the communication terminal ECU 21 together with the memory 12. Various processing contents of the communication terminal ECU 21 are displayed on the display 18 as necessary. The communication terminal ECU 21 constitutes various means as processing algorithms. For example, the information acquisition unit acquires symbol related information in which each region where the symbol exists is associated with the symbol of the region. The list display means displays a list of symbols associated with each region. The symbol selection means selects a symbol from the displayed list of symbols based on a user operation. When the symbol is selected by the symbol selection unit, the map display unit displays a map image of the area associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol on the display 18.

  The memory 12 includes user information (user ID, name, etc.) and map information related to the user 4 who owns the communication terminal 5, application programs such as installed navigation applications, and an area information guidance processing program described later (FIG. 4). Is a storage medium in which is stored.

  Here, the map information stored in the memory 12 includes, for example, link data relating to roads (links), node data relating to node points, intersection data relating to each intersection, facility data relating to facilities, map display data for displaying a map, It consists of search data for searching for routes, search data for searching for points, and the like. The map information may be acquired by communication from an external server (for example, the information management center 2) without being stored in the memory 12. The memory 12 may be configured by a hard disk, a memory card, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD, and the like.

  The display 18 is disposed on one surface of the housing, and a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like is used. Then, a top screen for executing various applications installed in the communication terminal 5, screens related to the executed applications (Internet screen, mail screen, navigation screen, etc.), and various information such as images and videos are displayed. Is done. In particular, on the navigation screen displayed when the navigation application is executed, map images including roads, traffic information, guidance routes from the departure point to the destination (scheduled movement route), guidance information along the guidance route, etc. Is displayed. Further, in the present embodiment, a list of symbols in each region in the country is also displayed in response to a user request. In addition, when a symbol is selected from the list, an image of the selected symbol is also displayed. Further, when a symbol image displayed as described later is operated by the user, information on the area (facility, event information, etc.) associated with the symbol is also displayed.

  The input operation unit 19 is configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the display 18. Then, the communication terminal ECU 21 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on an electrical signal output by pressing the touch panel or the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, when starting and operating various application programs, when scrolling or changing the scale of a map image displayed on the display 18, when selecting a symbol desired by the user from a list of symbols, This is used when manipulating an image of a symbol displayed together with the image. The input operation unit 19 can also be constituted by various keys such as a number / character input key, a cursor key for moving a cursor for selecting displayed contents, and an enter key for confirming selection.

  The GPS 20 can detect the current position and the current time of the communication terminal 5 (that is, the user 4) by receiving radio waves generated by the artificial satellite. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with other apparatuses (for example, gyro sensor etc.) for detecting the present position and direction of the communication terminal 5 besides GPS20.

  The transmission / reception circuit unit 13 is configured to be able to communicate with the information management center 2 via the communication network 6. Then, a request for symbol related information and area information stored in the DB of the information management center 2 is transmitted to the information management center 2, and symbol related information and area information extracted from the DB in response to the request are transmitted. Used to receive. It is also possible to acquire traffic information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, traffic accident information, etc. via an external traffic information center (for example, VICS (registered trademark) center) not shown.

  Next, a regional information guidance processing program executed in the communication terminal 5 constituting the information guidance system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the regional information guidance processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the area information guidance processing program is a program that is executed after the navigation application is activated in the communication terminal 5 and provides information related to the area desired by the user in accordance with the user's operation. Note that the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 below is stored in the memory 12 or the like included in the communication terminal 5 and is executed by the CPU 11.

  First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in the regional information guidance processing program, the CPU 11 displays a navigation screen including a map image of an arbitrary area on the display 18.

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the navigation screen 31 displayed on the display 18. As shown in FIG. 5, a map image 32 around the user 4 and a current position mark 33 indicating the current position specified on the map of the user 4 are displayed on the navigation screen 31. Further, various operation buttons 34 to 36 operated when performing point registration or route search are also displayed. On the map image, icons indicating the type and position of the facility, traffic information, and the like are also displayed. Further, when a guide route to the destination is set in the communication terminal 5, a guide route line drawn along the guide route on the map image and a destination mark indicating the position of the destination are also displayed. Is done. The user can grasp the road shape around the user, the facility, the route to the destination, and the like by referring to the navigation screen 31 displayed on the display 18.

  Further, the area that is the display target of the map image on the navigation screen 31 is configured to be changeable in accordance with the operation of the user 4 or the movement of the current position of the user 4. For example, when the user 4 moves, the area to be displayed of the map image changes according to the position of the moving user 4. Specifically, in order to display a map image around the user 4, the map image is scrolled so that the current position of the user 4 is always located at a predetermined position (for example, near the center) of the map image. On the other hand, when the user 4 performs a flick operation or a drag operation on the map image, the map image scrolls in the flick direction or the drag direction, and the display target area of the map image changes. Furthermore, when the user 4 performs a pinch operation (pinch-in, pinch-out) on the map image, the scale of the map image is changed.

  Next, in S <b> 2, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a request to display a list of symbols existing in each region of the country (hereinafter referred to as a symbol list). For example, in the present embodiment, it is determined that there is a request to display a symbol list particularly when the operation button 36 displayed on the navigation screen 31 is touched. Note that it may be determined that there is a request to display a symbol list when a predetermined time comes or when a predetermined time elapses after the navigation application is activated.

  When it is determined that there is a request to display the symbol list (S2: YES), the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no request to display the symbol list (S2: NO), the process returns to S1 and the map image is continuously displayed.

  In S <b> 3, the CPU 11 acquires symbol related information from the information server 3 of the information management center 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the symbol related information is information associating the region and the symbol of the region for each region in the country where the symbol exists. The symbol-related information also includes information on the type of symbol (including the name if the symbol has a name) and the symbol image.

  Next, in S4, the CPU 11 displays a symbol list created based on the symbol related information acquired in S3 on the display 18. The symbol list may be created and stored in advance in the information server 3 or the communication terminal 5 instead of being created in S4.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a symbol list 38 displayed on the display 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the symbol list 38 includes a symbol image, a symbol type (including a name if the symbol has a name), and a region associated with the symbol (that is, a region where the symbol is used). ) And, respectively. The region associated with the symbol includes a region (for example, a shopping street or a town) that is more limited than the administrative division in addition to the administrative division such as a prefecture or a municipality. The symbol arrangement order is basically the order of the administrative code of the area where the symbol is associated, but may be the order of the area closer to the current position of the user, the order of the symbol name and the name of the area. In addition, the symbol list 38 may be arranged in an order that prioritizes symbols that have been frequently selected by the user in the past. Furthermore, the mascot characters used for regional development may be arranged in order of priority over other symbols.

  Thereafter, in S5, the CPU 11 determines whether any symbol is selected from the symbol list displayed in S4. For example, in the present embodiment, it is determined that the symbol is selected particularly when the image or name of any symbol displayed in the symbol list is touched by the user.

  If it is determined that any symbol is selected from the symbol list (S5: YES), the process proceeds to S6. On the other hand, if it is determined that no symbol is selected from the symbol list (S5: NO), the process waits until it is selected.

  In S <b> 6, the CPU 11 displays a map image of a region associated with a symbol selected from the symbol list (hereinafter referred to as a selected symbol) on the display 18. Specifically, the CPU 11 first acquires the coordinates of the area associated with the selected symbol.

  Here, the coordinates of the area associated with the selected symbol may be the coordinates of the center point of the area, or if the area is a prefecture, the prefectural office, and if the area is a city, the municipal office. It is good also as a coordinate, and is good also as a coordinate of a center city area or a station. In particular, in the present embodiment, the coordinates of the area associated with the selected symbol are the coordinates of the point associated with the selected symbol. If the area is a prefecture, the prefectural office, and if the area is a city, the municipal office. The coordinates of

  Next, a map image of the area including the coordinates of the acquired area is displayed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the area 41 that is the display target of the map image in the communication terminal 5 is set so that the coordinates of the acquired area coincide with the center point X of the map image displayed on the communication terminal 5. Set. As a result, a map image of an area including a point associated with the selected symbol in the area associated with the selected symbol is displayed on the display 18. For example, when a symbol associated with D city is selected in the symbol list, a map image 32 centered on D city office is displayed on the display 18 as shown in FIG.

  When the map image is displayed on the display 18 in S6, the map image is displayed with the scale changed to a predetermined scale. Note that the predetermined scale can be understood by the user as to the location related to the selected symbol included in the map image (for example, the city hall), and the situation around the location related to the selected symbol is also to some extent the user. For example, 1/10000 to 1 / 30,000.

  Subsequently, in S7, the CPU 11 displays an image of the selected symbol on the display 18 together with the map image displayed in S6 based on the symbol related information acquired from the information server 3 in S3.

  Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the navigation screen 31 after the symbol D is selected in the symbol list. As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the map image 32 of D city, a symbol image 42 associated with D city is displayed on the navigation screen 31. The symbol image 42 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the map image 32 at a position that does not interfere with the visual recognition of the map image 32 (for example, the lower left corner).

  Next, in S <b> 8, based on the signal transmitted from the input operation unit 19, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a user operation on the image of the selected symbol displayed on the display 18 in S <b> 7 has been accepted. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a touch operation for touching the image of the selected symbol has been received. In addition, it is good also as a structure which determines whether operation other than touch operation (For example, the touch operation, flick operation, drag operation which continued for 1 second or more) was received.

  If it is determined in S7 that the user's operation on the image of the selected symbol displayed on the display 18 has been received (S8: YES), the process proceeds to S9. On the other hand, if it is determined in S7 that the user's operation on the selected symbol image displayed on the display 18 is not accepted (S8: NO), the display of the map image and the selected symbol image is continued. Do it.

  In S <b> 9, the CPU 11 displays a genre selection screen on the display 18. Here, the genre selection screen is a screen for selecting a genre of information to be guided. In the genre selection screen 45 shown in FIG. 9, three types of “all”, “event”, “see / play”, and “eat” are displayed as selectable genres. When “all” is selected, the information regarding the area associated with the selected symbol operated by the user is set as a guidance target regardless of the genre, as will be described later. In addition, when “event” is selected, only information related to an event (for example, a festival, a fireworks display, etc.) among the information related to the area associated with the selected symbol operated by the user as described later is provided. set to target. In addition, when “view / play” is selected, as will be described later, it is related to a specific facility or event that can be purchased or toured among information related to the area associated with the selected symbol operated by the user. Only information is targeted for guidance. In addition, when “eat” is selected, only information related to eating and drinking facilities among the information related to the area associated with the selected symbol operated by the user as described later is targeted for guidance.

  Next, in S10, based on the signal transmitted from the input operation unit 19, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the user's operation for selecting any genre on the genre selection screen displayed on the display 18 in S9 has been accepted. judge.

  And when it determines with having received the user's operation which selects any genre on the genre selection screen displayed on the display 18 (S10: YES), it transfers to S11. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user's operation for selecting any genre on the genre selection screen displayed on the display 18 is not accepted (S10: NO), the process waits until any genre is selected. To do.

  In S <b> 11, the CPU 11 acquires area information from the information server 3 of the information management center 2. Here, the regional information is information in which various information (name, genre, location, business hours, usage fee, etc.) relating to facilities, events, tourist attractions, etc. located in the region are associated with each region in the country. The area information to be acquired in S11 may be area information for each area in the country, area information related to the area associated with the selected symbol operated by the user, or area information of the genre selected by the user. It is good also as a structure which extracts only and acquires.

  After that, in S12, the CPU 11 guides information on the genre selected by the user among the information related to the region (hereinafter referred to as the selected region) associated with the selected symbol operated by the user. As an information guide mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, various information (name, genre, position, business hours, usage fee, etc.) related to the facility and the event are displayed in a list form on the display 18. It is good also as a structure which displays the information list 46 newly, and as shown in FIG. 11, it superimposes on the map image 32 displayed on the display 18, and the point marks 50-53 which show the position of an applicable facility or event are displayed. You may comprise as follows. In addition, the point marks 50-53 are displayed with respect to the point where the applicable facility and event on the map image 32 are held. And when the point marks 50-53 are displayed, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user selects one of the displayed point marks 50-53, it corresponds to the selected point marks 50-53. An information window 54 that displays detailed information (name, genre, position, business hours, usage fee, etc.) regarding the facility or event is newly displayed. As a result, the user can acquire information related to the region associated with the selected symbol selected from the symbol list.

  In addition, in the structure which displays the point marks 50-53 as shown in FIG. 11, after one of genres is selected on the genre selection screen 45 shown in FIG. The area which is the display target of the map image is changed so as to include at least a part of. Note that the scale of the map image may be changed. For example, the area that is the display target of the map image is changed so as to include a predetermined number or more (for example, three or more) points where facilities or events to be guided are held.

  In addition, the information to be guided in S12 is information related to an event or facility related to the selected symbol in the information related to the selected area (for example, a shop selling products related to the selected symbol, and the selected symbol is a mascot character. In some cases, it may be limited to an event in which a mascot character appears, or in the case of an official character, a city hall or the like. In this case, even if the information is related to the display target area, the information on the event or facility that is not related to the symbol operated by the user is not the information to be guided.

  And based on the information regarding the selected area guided in S12, the user can set an arbitrary point as a destination from the guided facilities and events and perform a route search, or can communicate with the communication terminal 5. It can be transmitted as a destination to the connected navigation device.

  As described above in detail, the information guidance system 1, the information guidance method by the information guidance system 1, and the computer program executed in the information guidance system 1 display a list of symbols associated with each region. (S4) When a symbol is selected from the list of symbols displayed based on the user's operation, the map image 32 of the region associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol is displayed on the display 18. Since (S6), it is possible to appropriately extract and guide only information related to the area related to the symbol that the user is interested in. Further, even when there are a large number of symbols, it is possible to appropriately select a symbol that the user is interested in from the list. In addition, it is possible to guide the user's desired information with an easy operation of selecting a symbol from the list, so there is no need for the user to perform complicated operations such as inputting search conditions and the operability is also improved. It becomes possible to make it.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the communication terminal 5 executes the processing of S1 to S12 of the area information guidance processing program (FIG. 4), but the information server 3 may be configured to execute part or all of the processing. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, when a symbol is selected from the symbol list, a prefectural office if the region associated with the selected selection symbol is a prefecture, or a municipal office if the region is a municipality. However, it is also possible to display a map image in which a point other than the prefectural office or the municipal office is located at the center. For example, the station in the area associated with the selected symbol, the main building, the shop that sells the product related to the symbol, and if the symbol is a mascot character, the event venue where the mascot character appears appears The map image to be displayed may be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol list displayed in S4 is configured to display symbols present in each region of the country, but the symbol list may be configured to display only specific symbols. For example, only a mascot character used for regional promotion may be used, or only a symbol of a region within a predetermined distance from the current position of the user may be used.

  In this embodiment, one symbol is basically associated with one region, but a plurality of symbols may be associated with one region. In that case, the symbol list may display all of the associated symbols, or only a part of the symbols may be displayed. In addition, when displaying only an image of a part of the symbols, it is desirable that the symbols to be displayed can be switched based on the user's operation and the elapsed time.

  In this embodiment, the information guidance system 1 is composed of the communication terminal 5 and the information management center 2 (information server 3). However, the information guidance system 1 can be composed of only the communication terminal 5. In that case, the communication terminal 5 has the symbol information DB 7 in which the symbol related information is stored and the regional information DB 8 in which the regional information is stored. In S3 and S11, the symbol related information and the regional information are read from the DB and acquired. To be configured.

  Moreover, although the embodiment which actualized the information guidance system according to the present invention has been described above, the information guidance system can also have the following configuration, and in that case, the following effects can be obtained.

For example, the first configuration is as follows.
For each user's operation, an information acquisition unit that acquires symbol-related information that associates the region with the symbol of the region for each region where the symbol exists, a list display unit that displays a list of symbols associated with each region, Based on the symbol selection means for selecting a symbol from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means, and when the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means, the selected symbol is the selected symbol. Map display means for displaying a map image of the associated area on a display device.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, a list of symbols associated with each region is displayed, and when a symbol is selected from the displayed list, a map image of the region associated with the selected symbol Therefore, it is possible to appropriately extract and guide only information related to a region related to a symbol that the user is interested in. Further, even when there are a large number of symbols, it is possible to appropriately select a symbol that the user is interested in from the list. In addition, it is possible to guide the user's desired information with an easy operation of selecting a symbol from the list, so there is no need for the user to perform complicated operations such as inputting search conditions and the operability is also improved. It becomes possible to make it.

The second configuration is as follows.
The map display means displays a map image of an area including a point associated with the selected symbol in an area associated with the selected symbol.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, a map image around a point highly related to a symbol that the user is particularly interested in among the regions associated with the selected symbol is displayed. It becomes possible to preferentially display a map image of a highly specific area.

The third configuration is as follows.
Based on the coordinates of the region acquired by the symbol coordinate acquisition unit when the symbol is selected by the symbol selection unit, the symbol coordinate acquisition unit acquires the coordinates of the region associated with the selected symbol. A map image of the area is displayed.
According to the information guidance system having the above-described configuration, it is possible to appropriately display the map image of the area associated with the selected symbol.

The fourth configuration is as follows.
When the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means, the map image of the area is displayed by changing to a predetermined scale around the coordinates of the area acquired by the symbol coordinate acquisition means. .
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, it is possible to display the map image of the area associated with the selected symbol at an appropriate scale. As a result, it is possible to grasp information on facilities and events in the area while grasping the shape and road network of the area associated with the selected symbol.

The fifth configuration is as follows.
Symbol display means for displaying the image of the selected symbol together with the map image on the display device, and when the image of the selected symbol displayed by the symbol display means is operated by the user, And an area information guide means for guiding information related to the selected area, which is an area associated with the selected symbol.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, when a symbol is selected from the symbol list, the symbol image is displayed together with the map image, and the symbol image is operated when the displayed symbol image is operated. Since the information on the area associated with the symbol is guided, it is possible to appropriately extract and guide only the information on the area related to the symbol that the user is interested in. On the other hand, if the user is not interested in the displayed symbol, information on the area related to the symbol is not provided unless the displayed symbol is operated, thereby preventing provision of information unnecessary for the user. it can. In addition, since the user's desired information can be guided by an easy operation of manipulating the displayed symbol image, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations such as allowing the user to input search conditions, and operability is improved. Can be improved.

The sixth configuration is as follows.
The area information guide means includes genre selection means for selecting a genre of information to be guided by the area information guide means, and the area information guide means displays information on the genre selected by the genre selection means in the information on the selected area It is characterized by guiding.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, since information on a genre selected by the user is targeted for guidance, the information on the genre desired by the user is selected without too much information being targeted for guidance. It is possible to guide.

The seventh configuration is as follows.
The area information guide means guides information on an event or facility related to the operated selected symbol among information on the selected area.
According to the information guidance system having the above-described configuration, information highly related to the selected symbol operated by the user is targeted for guidance. Therefore, when the user is interested in the displayed symbol, the information related to the symbol is related. It is possible to select and guide high information (for example, a store where a product related to the symbol can be purchased, an event where the symbol can be seen, etc.).

The eighth configuration is as follows.
The area information guidance means guides a point in the selected area, and when the image of the selected symbol displayed by the symbol display means is operated by the user, at least one of the spots to be guided The map image displayed on the display device is changed so as to include a part thereof.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, by appropriately changing the map image displayed on the display device, even when there are a plurality of points to be guided, the point can be appropriately guided on the map image. Is possible.

The ninth configuration is as follows.
The symbol is a mascot character used for regional development, and the region associated with the symbol is a region where regional promotion is performed by the mascot character.
According to the information guidance system having the above configuration, a list of mascot characters used for regional promotion in each region is displayed, and when a mascot character is selected from the displayed list, the list is associated with the selected mascot character. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately extract and guide only information related to the area related to the mascot character that the user is interested in. Further, even when there are many mascot characters, it is possible to appropriately select a mascot character that the user is interested in from the list. In addition, since it is possible to guide the user's desired information with an easy operation of selecting a mascot character from the list, it is not necessary to make the user perform complicated operations such as inputting search conditions, and operability is also improved. It becomes possible to improve.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information guidance system 2 Information management center 3 Information server 4 User 5 Communication terminal 7 Symbol information DB
8 area information DB
11 CPU
12 memory 21 communication terminal ECU
32 Map image 38 Symbol list 42 Symbol image

Claims (11)

Information acquisition means for acquiring symbol related information that associates the region with the symbol of the region for each region representing the administrative division in which the symbol is registered or used ;
List display means for displaying a list of symbols associated with each region;
Symbol selection means for selecting a symbol from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation;
Map display means for displaying, on a display device, a map image of a region associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol when the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means. Guidance system.   The information display system according to claim 1, wherein the map display unit displays a map image of an area including a point associated with the selected symbol in an area associated with the selected symbol. Symbol coordinate acquisition means for acquiring the coordinates of the region associated with the selected symbol;
The map image of the area is displayed based on the coordinates of the area acquired by the symbol coordinate acquisition means when the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means. Information guidance system described in 1.   When the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means, the map image of the area is displayed by changing to a predetermined scale around the coordinates of the area acquired by the symbol coordinate acquisition means. The information guidance system according to claim 3. Symbol display means for displaying an image of the selected symbol together with the map image on the display device;
Area information guidance means for guiding information related to a selected area, which is an area associated with the operated selection symbol, when an image of the selected symbol displayed by the symbol display means is operated by the user; The information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the information guidance system is provided. Genre selection means for selecting a genre of information to be guided by the regional information guidance means,
6. The information guidance system according to claim 5, wherein the area information guidance means guides information on a genre selected by the genre selection means among information on the selected area. The regional information guide means
The information guidance system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein information on an event or facility related to the operated selection symbol is guided among the information on the selected area. The regional information guide means
Guidance of points in the selected area,
When the image of the selected symbol displayed by the symbol display means is operated by the user, the map image displayed on the display device is changed so as to include at least a part of the spot to be guided. The information guidance system according to claim 5, wherein:   The symbol is a mascot character used for regional development, and the region associated with the symbol is a region where regional promotion is performed by the mascot character. 8. The information guidance system according to any one of 8. An information acquisition means for acquiring symbol related information that associates the area with a symbol of the area for each area that represents an administrative division in which the symbol is registered or used ;
A list display means displaying a list of symbols associated with each region;
A step of selecting a symbol from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation;
The map display means includes a step of displaying a map image of a region associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol on a display device when the symbol is selected by the symbol selecting means. Information guidance method. Computer
Information acquisition means for acquiring symbol related information that associates the region with the symbol of the region for each region representing the administrative division in which the symbol is registered or used ;
List display means for displaying a list of symbols associated with each region;
Symbol selection means for selecting a symbol from the list of symbols displayed by the list display means based on a user operation;
Map display means for displaying, on a display device, a map image of a region associated with the selected symbol that is the selected symbol when the symbol is selected by the symbol selection means;
Computer program to make it function.

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