JPH10254669A - Device and method for processing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the display of an easy-to-see map. SOLUTION: In the hard disk device 24 of a server for providing map information, map data 31, accompanying information 32, applet 33 and page information 34 are preserved. The map data 31 are the image data of topography and roads, etc., and the accompanying information 32 is provided with the set of the data of a position specified beforehand and moving image data displayed at the position. The applet 33 is a 'Java(R)' applet generated by compiling a program described by a 'Java(R)' language and is a program executed at the time of displaying the accompanying information as moving images in a terminal equipment. The page information 34 is a script described by HTML corresponding to a home page for providing the map information service. Then, in the respective terminal equipments, by using a browser and processing the information, the map information service is received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus and method for providing map information and accompanying information accompanying the map information via a predetermined computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Along with recent advances in semiconductor technology, high-performance information processing apparatuses (so-called computers) have become widespread. Many of these information processing devices can be connected to a computer network such as the Internet.

[0003] In the Internet, WWW for providing various information from information processing apparatuses arranged in a distributed manner.
(World Wide Web) is being built. In the WWW, information is often provided in the form of a so-called homepage. When browsing such information, software (a program) called a browser is used.

[0004] As one of the services provided in this way, a map information service for providing a map image and information accompanying the map image is provided. In this service, by marking a predetermined icon etc. on the map,
A place such as a pre-registered store, company building, amusement park facility, or the like is represented.

[0005] As an example of such a map information service, there is a map information service "Mapion" of Toppan (registered trademark) Printing Co., Ltd. In a terminal device connected to the Internet, use a browser to
L (Uniform Resource Locator) "http: // ma
p. toppan. (Registered trademark) co. jp / quic
k. This service can be enjoyed by accessing the home page specified by “html”.

FIG. 16 shows the URL “http: //map.toppa”.
n.co.jp/quick.html ”is an image initially displayed in a predetermined window on the display screen by the browser when accessing the homepage specified by“ n.co.jp/quick.html ”.

In this window, a mouse cursor (not shown) displayed on the screen is moved by operating a mouse, for example, and then a "search menu" 201 displayed at the bottom of the screen is clicked. FIG.
The menu screen of the map service shown in FIG.

[0008] Then, for example, when the item "Search by prefecture name" 212 in "Search for" map "by another method" in FIG. 17 is clicked, the "Search by prefecture name" shown in FIG. The screen is displayed.

The scroll bar 222 on the right side of the list 221 at the center of the screen in FIG.
After changing the displayed prefecture name (prefecture name) as appropriate, clicking one prefecture name to be searched causes the display color of that prefecture name to be inverted. Then, by clicking the button "select one from the top and press here" 223, the ward, city, and city of the selected prefecture (in the case of FIG. 18, Tokyo, for example) shown in FIG. 19 are clicked. The county search screen is displayed.

Further, a list 231 at the center of the screen in FIG.
By operating the scroll bar 232 on the right side of, and changing the displayed ward name, city name, and county name as appropriate, clicking the ward name, city name, or county name to be searched, the ward name, city name, Display color of city name or county name is reversed. afterwards,
Button "Select one from the top and press here" 23
By clicking 3, for example, the selected ward, city, or county shown in FIG. 20 (in FIG. 19, Shinjuku ward)
A list of detailed map names for each area and a list of stores and company names in which information is registered are displayed.

[0011] For example, after selecting "Nishi-Shinjuku Station" from the list 241 of detailed map names of each area, select the button "One from the top" displayed below the list.
Click here 243 to display the map near Nishi-Shinjuku Station shown in FIG.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 21, a pre-registered building (for example, “Shinjuku Island Tower”),
Companies and public institutions (for example, "Shinjuku Police Station") are displayed as predetermined marks or characters at positions corresponding to their locations.

When a predetermined area is searched in this way,
Detailed map information of the area is provided.

On the menu screen of the map service shown in FIG. 17, if the user clicks the item "Search while viewing the map" 211 of "Search for" map "by another method", the "Japan" shown in FIG. "Map" is displayed. In this Japan map, the boundaries of each prefecture are displayed, and the names of each prefecture are displayed corresponding to the display areas of the prefectures.

By clicking on an area corresponding to any of these prefectures, a map of that prefecture is displayed. For example, by clicking an area corresponding to Tokyo, a map of Tokyo shown in FIG. 23 is displayed.

In the map of Tokyo shown in FIG.
By clicking on the area corresponding to the three wards, FIG.
The map of 23 wards of Tokyo shown in FIG. This Tokyo 2
In the map of the three wards, the 23 wards are divided by a rectangular area of a predetermined size, and when any of the rectangular areas is clicked, a map corresponding to the rectangular area is displayed. . For example, when a rectangular area 251 including Shinjuku-ku, Shibuya-ku, Minato-ku, and Chiyoda-ku in the center of the map is clicked, a detailed map of the area (“Shinjuku” area map) is displayed as shown in FIG. .

Further, this detailed map ("Shinjuku" area map) is also divided into rectangular areas of a predetermined size, and clicking on any of the rectangular areas will correspond to the rectangular area. A more detailed map is displayed. For example, a rectangular area 2 including Seibu Shinjuku Station
Clicking on 61 displays a detailed map near Seibu Shinjuku Station shown in FIG.

As described above, a detailed map of a desired area can be displayed by performing a search from a large-scale map to a small-scale map.

[0019]

The images displayed by the above-mentioned services are still images, and characters corresponding to various accompanying information (shape and name of building, town name, subway, intersection name, etc.). Has been written a lot. Therefore, in order to make a mark corresponding to an important building or a pre-designated building stand out, a color greatly different from a character corresponding to other information is often used.

However, when many characters and the like are written on a map and the map is complicated, various colors are used. Therefore, a mark corresponding to an important building or a pre-designated building is used. There is a problem that characters and letters become inconspicuous, and it is difficult to instantly recognize the location of those buildings.

Further, for example, when writing a description for a predetermined road or the like, if a thin line or a small character is used,
It becomes difficult to recognize them. On the other hand, if a specific road section is made prominent using a thick line or the like, the display covers up a map image (eg, the shape of a section) around the specific road section, and it becomes difficult to provide an easy-to-view map. There is a problem that.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. By displaying an image corresponding to information accompanying map information as a moving image, a mark or the like corresponding to a predetermined building is emphasized. And to make it easier to see, for example, a description of a predetermined road or the like.

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing image data corresponding to map information; image data corresponding to accompanying information which is a moving image; A connection means for transmitting and receiving data, and controlling the connection means,
The image processing apparatus is characterized by comprising control means for transmitting image data corresponding to map information and image data corresponding to accompanying information, which is a moving image, to the device, requested by a device connected to the computer network.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising the steps of receiving a request from a device connected to a computer network, and responding to the request with image data corresponding to map information and a moving image. The method comprises the steps of reading image data corresponding to accompanying information from a predetermined storage unit, and transmitting the read image data to the device.

In the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the storage unit stores image data corresponding to map information and image data corresponding to accompanying information that is a moving image, and the connection unit connects to the computer network. Connected, performs data transmission or reception, and the control means, when a request from a device connected to the computer network is received, controls the connection means, and outputs image data corresponding to the map information and a moving image. The image data corresponding to certain accompanying information is transmitted to the device.

In the information processing method according to the ninth aspect, a request from a device connected to a computer network is received, and in response to the request, image data corresponding to map information and ancillary data as a moving image are received. The image data corresponding to the information is read from a predetermined storage unit, and the read image data is transmitted to the device.

[0027]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an information system for providing map information. In this information system, a map information homepage server (hereinafter abbreviated as a server) 1 and a user terminal device (hereinafter abbreviated as a terminal device).
3 is connected to the Internet 2. Further, another terminal device (not shown) is connected to the Internet 2.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a server 1 to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. In the server 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 (control means) performs various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 in advance.

The ROM 22 stores a program for processing corresponding to the request addressed to the server 1 transmitted via the Internet 2.

The RAM (Randam Access Memory) 23
While the processing is being performed by the CPU 21, data and programs are temporarily stored.

The hard disk drive 24 (storage means)
Data and the like required via the Internet 2 are stored. That is, the hard disk device 24 stores information necessary for a predetermined terminal device to display an image of the homepage of the map information service.

The network interface 25 (connection means) is connected to the Internet 2, receives the data addressed to the server 1 transmitted via the Internet 2, outputs the data to the CPU 21, and outputs the data supplied from the CPU 21. , TCP (Transmission Control Protoco
l) Output to the Internet 2 in accordance with / IP (Internet Protocol).

FIG. 3 shows the hard disk drive 2 of the server 1
4 shows an example of data stored. The map data 31 is image data such as terrain and roads. The accompanying information 32 has data of a position at which a moving image explaining a predetermined target on the map is displayed, and image data displayed at the position.

The applet 33 is, for example, a Java applet generated by compiling a program source described in the Java language (Java (trademark)).
This is a program executed by the browser when the terminal device 3 displays a map image and accompanying information.

The page information 34 is an HTML (HyperT) corresponding to a homepage providing this map information service.
ext Markup Language). Note that HTML is a computer language for creating a document in a hypertext format.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the terminal device 3. In the terminal device 3, the CPU 41 includes a ROM
Various processes are performed in accordance with a program recorded in advance in 42. The ROM 42 stores programs and data corresponding to various processes.

The RAM 43 temporarily stores data and programs while the CPU 41 performs processing.

The interface (I / F) 44 is connected to the mouse 45, and outputs a signal corresponding to an operation on the mouse 45 to the CPU 41.

The interface 46 is connected to a keyboard 47, and outputs a signal corresponding to an operation on the keyboard 47 to the CPU 41.

The hard disk device 48 stores an application program such as a browser, and also stores data supplied via the Internet 2 as appropriate.

The display circuit 49 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tu)
be) V having a storage area corresponding to each pixel of the 50 screen
A RAM (Video RAM) 61 is built in, and an image signal corresponding to the value of the storage area is output to the CRT 50.

The network interface 51 is connected to the Internet 2, receives data addressed to the terminal device 3 transmitted via the Internet 2,
In addition to outputting the data to U41, the data supplied from the CPU 41 is output to the Internet 2 according to TCP / IP.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the server 1 in FIG. 1 will be described.

First, at the time of startup, in step S1, the CPU 21 of the server 1 executes the server program (HTTP) recorded in the ROM
(HyperText Transfer Protocol) daemon, etc.), the network interface 25 sends the data (HTTP) addressed to the server 1 in step S2.
Waits until a command using) is received.

Then, the network interface 25
Receives the data destined for the server 1 and proceeds to step S3
In accordance with the server program, the CPU 21 reads the information 31 to 34 stored in the hard disk device 24 in response to the request (command using HTTP) included in the data, and transmits the request. Output to the network interface 25 together with the IP address of the device.

In step S 4, the network interface 25 transmits the information 31 supplied from the CPU 21.
, And generates a TCP / IP packet from the IP address and outputs the packet to the Internet 2.

Then, returning to step S2, the CPU 21
Waits until the network interface 25 receives the data addressed to the server 1 again.

As described above, when the data (command) addressed to the server 1 is supplied, the information 31 to 34 corresponding to the URL specified by the command are read from the hard disk device 24 and the Internet 2 is read. Output via

Next, the operation of the terminal device 3 of FIG. 1 when enjoying the map information service will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, in step S 21, the CPU 41 of the terminal device 3 activates the browser program stored in the hard disk device 48 in response to the operation of the mouse 45 or the keyboard 47 by the user. In this case, a browser having a built-in interpreter for executing a Java applet is used.

In step S22, in response to the URL of the homepage providing the map information service input by the user, the CPU 41 sends a request to transfer the data of the homepage corresponding to the URL in accordance with the HTTP. Via the URL
Is output to the server specified in (1) in this case.

Then, in step S23, the CPU
A network interface 51 receives data transferred from the server.

Next, in step S24, the CPU 4
1 performs a process corresponding to page information (written in HTML) of the data according to a browser program, and displays an image of a homepage of the map information service on the CRT 50 (described later). Then, in step S25, the CPU 41 waits until a predetermined operation is performed.

If a predetermined operation has been performed in step S25, the process proceeds to step S26, in which the CPU 41 determines whether or not another URL or link has been designated by the user. In this case, the process returns to step S23. The UR
Request transfer of data corresponding to L or link.

On the other hand, if the URL or link has not been specified by the user, the CPU 41 proceeds to step S27.
, A process corresponding to the operation is performed according to a browser program.

Then, returning to step S25, the CPU 4
1 stands by until the next operation is performed by the user.

In this way, the data specified by the URL is received according to the browser program, and various images are displayed on the CRT 50 in accordance with the data.

Here, the details of the processing in step S24 (the processing of displaying the homepage) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

To enjoy the map information service, the information 31 stored in the hard disk drive 24 of the server 1
Through 34 are transferred to the terminal device 3, so that step S4
In 1, the CPU 41 first performs a process corresponding to the page information 34 described in HTML according to a browser program, and displays a title of a homepage or the like. Next, the CPU 41 displays an image corresponding to the map data 31 in accordance with the page information 34 described in the HTML.

Then, in step S42, the CPU
41 executes the applet 33 in accordance with the page information 34 and displays a moving image corresponding to the accompanying information superimposed on a map image. At this time, a moving image is displayed by switching and displaying a predetermined number of still images at predetermined time intervals (described later).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the process of displaying a moving image corresponding to the accompanying information in step S42 of FIG.

In step S61, the CPU 41 determines
According to the applet 33, first, the number of types of moving images corresponding to the accompanying information of the map displayed in step S41 is substituted for a variable N, and in step S62, the initial value is set to the value of a counter i for counting the types of moving images. Set 1.

In step S63, the CPU 41
The number of still images used for the moving image corresponding to the ith accompanying information is substituted for a variable Np [i].

Then, in step S64, the CPU
41 determines whether i is the same as N. i = N
If not, in step S65,
After increasing the value of the counter i by 1, the CPU 41
Returning to step S63, the number of still images of the next accompanying information is set in a variable Np [i]. On the other hand, if it is determined that i = N, the process proceeds to step S66.

As described above, Np [1] through Np [1]
[N] stores the number of still images used for moving images corresponding to the first to N-th accompanying information.

Next, in step S66, the CPU 4
1 assigns an initial value 0 to a counter k used for switching the still image, and assigns the initial value 1 again to the counter i in step S67.

Then, in step S68, the CPU
41 is a moving image corresponding to the ith accompanying information.
((K mod Np [i]) + 1) th still image
Is displayed at a position designated in advance. Note that (n
₁ mod n_Two) Is an integer n ₁Is an integer n_TwoDivided by
Represents the remainder.

That is, when the number of still images Np [i] is, for example, three, and when the value of the counter k is a multiple of three, the first still image is displayed, and the value of k is a multiple of three. When it is larger by one, a second still image is displayed, and when the value of k is two more than a multiple of three, a third still image is displayed. Therefore, the first still image, the second still image, and the third still image are repeatedly displayed in order in accordance with the value of the counter k that increases by one.

At this time, when a plurality of display positions are specified for the i-th accompanying information, the same moving image (ie, each still image) is displayed at all of the positions. .

In step S69, CPU 41 determines
It is determined whether or not i is equal to N. If it is determined that i = N is not satisfied, in step S70, the CPU 4
After incrementing the value of the counter i by one, the process returns to step S68, and the first ((k)
mod Np [i]) + 1) -th still image is displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined that i = N, the process proceeds to step S71.

As described above, N types of accompanying information (i =
, (N) of the moving images corresponding to (1,..., N)
The mod Np [i]) + 1) th still image is displayed corresponding to the value of the counter k.

Next, in step S71, the CPU 4
1 resets a timer that measures time for switching the still image displayed in step S68.

Then, in step S72, the CPU
41 determines whether or not a predetermined operation for terminating the map image or the accompanying information image has been performed by the user, and if it is determined that such an operation has been performed, a moving image corresponding to the accompanying information is determined. The display of is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a predetermined operation for ending the map image or the accompanying information image has not been performed,
Proceeding to step S73, the CPU 41 increments the value of the counter k by one, and then in step S74, refers to the value of the above-mentioned timer, and waits until a time corresponding to a predetermined still image switching time has elapsed.

After a lapse of a predetermined still image switching time, the flow returns to step S67, and the CPU returns to step S67.
In step 41, the processes in steps S67 to S70 are performed again, and the next still image among the still images constituting the moving image corresponding to the N types of accompanying information is displayed.

As described above, the predetermined operation is performed in step S
Until the detection at 72, the still images constituting the moving image corresponding to the N types of accompanying information are sequentially and repeatedly displayed.

As described above, the server 1 provides the terminal device 3 with the map information service in which the accompanying information is displayed as a moving image.

Next, an example of accompanying information displayed as a moving image will be described. FIG. 9 shows an example of a coffee cup design icon indicating a coffee shop on a map. FIG.
The image of the icon 81 shown in FIG. 9A and the transparent image 82 shown in FIG. 9B (that is, the same image as the background map image) are alternately provided at predetermined time intervals (for example, 0.5 seconds). By displaying, the icon 81 of the picture of the coffee cup is displayed as blinking. In addition, road 86 and mark 8
7 is registered as map data and is displayed in the above-described step S41 (FIG. 7).

In this case, the above-described step S63 (FIG. 8)
, The number of still images Np [i] forming a moving image
Is set to 2 and, in step S68, FIG.
9 is alternately displayed as the first still image, and the transparent image 82 shown in FIG. 9B is alternately displayed as the second still image. That is, the image of the icon 81 is displayed every predetermined time for the predetermined time.

FIG. 10 shows another example of a coffee cup design icon indicating a coffee shop on a map. The icon 81A in FIG. 10A is an icon for displaying the entire coffee cup, and the icon 81B in FIG. 10B is an icon for displaying about three-quarters below the coffee cup. , The icon 81C in FIG.
Is an icon that displays about the lower half of the coffee cup. Then, the icon 81B in FIG.
About one quarter of the lower side of the coffee cup is an icon to be displayed, and the icon 81B in FIG. 10E is an icon in which the coffee cup is not displayed.

The icon 81E, the icon 81D and the icon 81
By repeatedly displaying these icons 81A to 81E in the order of C, the icon 81B, and the icon 81A, the coffee cup is repeatedly displayed so as to move downward from above.

In this case, the above-mentioned step S63 (FIG. 8)
, The number of still images Np [i] forming a moving image
Is set to 5, and in step S68, FIG.
The image of the icon 81E shown in FIG. 10E is displayed as a first still image, and the image of the icon 81D shown in FIG. 10D is displayed as a second still image. And FIG.
The image of the icon 81C shown in FIG. 10A is the third still image, the image of the icon 81C shown in FIG. 10B is the fourth still image, and the image of the icon 81A shown in FIG. This is displayed as the fifth still image.

The number N of still images constituting a moving image
p [i] is set to 8, the image of the icon 81E is a first still image, the image of the icon 81D is a second still image, the image of the icon 81C is a third still image, and the icon is The image 81B is set as the fourth still image, the image of the icon 81A is set as the fifth still image, the image of the icon 81B is set as the sixth still image, and the image of the icon 81C is set as the seventh still image. By setting the image of the icon 81D as the eighth still image in the still image, a moving image in which the coffee cup moves up and down is repeatedly displayed.

Further, the icons 81, 81A to 81A to 8
When 1E is clicked, an HTML script may be described so that information such as a store represented by the icon is displayed.

As one of the map information services, it is conceivable to provide information such as traffic congestion on roads.

When displaying the traffic congestion on the road, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
02 displays a moving image. FIG.
1 shows an example of a still image constituting a moving image representing the images 1 and 102. As shown in FIG.
An image 112 indicating the congestion range is displayed to the end, and a flasher unit 113 having a color different from that of the congestion range 112 is displayed in a part of the range.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C, the flasher 113
Of the flasher unit 113 in the congested area 112 by sequentially displaying a plurality of still images at different positions.
A moving image in which is moved is displayed. FIG. 12 (A),
In the order of FIG. 12B and FIG.
By displaying 2 and the flasher unit 113, the flasher unit 113 is displayed so as to move from the end A to the end B, so that traffic in the direction from the end A to the end B is congested. can do.

In this case, the above-mentioned step S63 (FIG. 8)
, The number of still images Np [i] forming a moving image
Is set to 3, and in step S68, FIG.
The image of the congestion range 112 and the flasher unit 113 shown in FIG. 12A is a first still image, and the image of the congestion range 112 and the flasher unit 113 shown in FIG. 12B is a second still image. Traffic congestion area 1 shown in FIG.
12 and the image of the flasher unit 113 are repeatedly displayed as a third still image.

The range 112 and the flasher 11
The image No. 3 can express not only traffic congestion but also other accompanying information such as a predetermined route.

In addition to such traffic congestion on the road, it is conceivable to display, for example, a so-called pedestrian paradise or the like, a vehicle entry prohibited area. In that case, as shown in FIG.
Image of a line along the road in the no-vehicles prohibited area 121 (FIG. 1)
3 (A)) and a transparent image (FIG. 13 (B)) are alternately displayed at predetermined time intervals, so that an image of a line along the road in the vehicle prohibited area 121 is blinked and displayed. .

Further, it is conceivable to display a path from a place (start point) designated in advance to another place (end point) as a moving image. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the images 123A, 123B, and 123C corresponding to the paths from the starting point to the middle point of the paths are displayed in order, so that the paths from the starting point to the ending point are represented by moving images. Is displayed. At this time, the progress of the vehicle can be expressed by scrolling the map image along the path in the direction opposite to the traveling direction.

[0092] In this way, by displaying the information on the road by the moving image, it is possible to suppress the display image from becoming complicated and to make it easier to see the map.

In FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14, only a moving image corresponding to one type of accompanying information (N = 1) is displayed. A moving image corresponding to the information (N ≧ 2) can be displayed.

[0094] In addition to expressing an object such as a road or the state of the object on the map as described above, it is possible to intuitively recognize the object on the map by using an illustration as accompanying information. it can. FIG. 15 shows an example of a map of an island using an illustration. In the island 141 of FIG. 15, volcanoes 142A to 142D and a pond 145 exist as topography.

In order to intuitively recognize the volcanoes 142A to 142D and the pond 145, illustrations 143A to 143D and illustrations 144
A to 144D are sets of the still images described above (for example, FIG.
It is displayed as a moving image as in the case of (0). For example, pond 14
By displaying the illustrations 144A to 144D of the water bird on 5, it is intuitively recognized that the place is a pond.

Further, the state of the eruption of the volcano is expressed as a moving image using four still images of the volcanoes 142A to 142D, and the illustration 143A is also displayed.
143D and 144A to 144D are used to represent a surprising animal due to an eruption as a moving image, so that the displayed mountain is intuitively recognized as a volcano.

In this manner, by using an illustration (so-called animation), which is a moving image, even a young child who does not understand map marks can understand the contents of the map.

In the above embodiment, a Java applet is used as an applet. For example, a program generated by using other software such as Shockwave (trademark) is supplied to a terminal device as an applet. You may. In that case, the program is executed by incorporating an interpreter corresponding to the program into the browser or adding the interpreter to the browser as plug-in software.

[0099]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect and the information processing method according to the ninth aspect,
In response to a request from a device connected to the computer network, image data corresponding to the map information and image data corresponding to the accompanying information that is a moving image are transmitted to the device, so that easy-to-view map information is transmitted. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information system that provides map information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a map information homepage server to which the information processing device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a hard disk device 24 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a user terminal device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the map information homepage server of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the user terminal device of FIG. 4 when enjoying the map information service.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process in step S24 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process of displaying a moving image corresponding to accompanying information in step S42 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a set of still images constituting a moving image corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a set of still images forming a moving image corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a set of still images constituting the moving image of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another example of a set of still images constituting a moving image corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing still another example of a set of still images constituting a moving image corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a set of still images constituting a moving image using an illustration corresponding to accompanying information.

FIG. 16 is a photograph of a halftone image displayed on a display as an example of a WWW homepage that provides a conventional map information service.

FIG. 17 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a search menu in the map information service provided by the homepage of FIG. 16 is displayed on a display.

FIG. 18 is a photograph of a halftone image displaying an example of a search menu using a list of area names on a display.

FIG. 19 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a detailed search menu next to the search menu of FIG. 18 is displayed on a display.

20 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a detailed search menu next to the search menu of FIG. 19 is displayed on a display.

FIG. 21 is a photograph of a halftone image displaying an example of a map on a display.

FIG. 22 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a search menu using a map image is displayed on a display.

FIG. 23 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a detailed search menu next to the search menu of FIG. 22 is displayed on a display.

FIG. 24 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a detailed search menu next to the search menu of FIG. 23 is displayed on a display.

FIG. 25 is a photograph of a halftone image displaying another example of a map on a display.

26 is a photograph of a halftone image in which an example of a detailed map corresponding to a partial area of the map of FIG. 25 is displayed on a display.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 map information homepage server, 2 internet, 3 user terminal device, 21 CPU (control means), 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 hard disk device (storage means), 25 network interface (connection means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FIG06F 15/62 335

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for providing map information and accompanying information accompanying the map information as image data via a predetermined computer network, comprising: an image data corresponding to the map information; Storage means for storing image data corresponding to the information; connection means connected to a predetermined computer network for transmitting or receiving data; controlling the connection means to request from a device connected to the computer network An information processing apparatus, comprising: an image data corresponding to the map information; and a control unit configured to transmit the image data corresponding to the accompanying information, which is a moving image, to the apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits image data corresponding to the map information and image data corresponding to the accompanying information, which is a moving image, according to a hypertext transfer protocol. Information processing device. 3. The storage unit further stores a script described in a hypertext markup language corresponding to a homepage having the map information and the accompanying information, and the control unit includes an image corresponding to the map information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a script described in a hypertext markup language corresponding to the homepage is transmitted together with data and image data corresponding to the accompanying information that is a moving image. 4. The storage means further stores a program described in a predetermined computer language corresponding to the moving image processing of the accompanying information, and the control means, together with the image data corresponding to the accompanying information, 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a program described in a predetermined computer language is transmitted. 5. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined computer language is Java.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the program written in the a language, and the program described in the predetermined computer language is a Java applet. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving image of the accompanying information repeatedly displays a predetermined number of still images while switching at predetermined time intervals. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accompanying information includes data of a moving image of an illustration explaining the contents of the map information. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined computer network is the Internet, and the connection unit transmits or receives data according to a transmission control protocol and an Internet protocol. 9. An information processing method for providing map information and accompanying information associated with the map information as image data via a predetermined computer network, wherein a request from a device connected to the computer network is received. Reading the image data corresponding to the map information and the image data corresponding to the accompanying information, which is a moving image, from a predetermined storage unit in response to the request. Transmitting the information to an information processing method.