JP7739251B2 - Application program, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an application program, an information processing system, and an information processing method.

Technology for displaying dynamic tourist information on a map is known. For example, a mobile communication terminal has been proposed that displays static tourist information such as images of tourist spots, as well as dynamic tourist information such as posted comments that are updated in real time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-053002

However, while the mobile communication terminal described in Patent Document 1 allows posts to be made in association with tourist spots, there are cases in which posts cannot be made in association with arbitrary locations on a map.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an application program, information processing system, and information processing method that allows posts to be made in association with any location on a map.

One aspect of the present invention is an application program that causes a terminal device to perform the following processes: acquire map information from an information processing device; display a map on a display unit of the terminal device based on the map information; accept posted content from a user who owns the terminal device; register posted information that associates the posted content with location information of the terminal device at the time the post was made; acquire the posted information around the current location of the terminal device; display an icon indicating the existence of the posted content at the location on the map where the post was made based on the acquired posted information; and, in response to the user selecting an icon, display the posted content corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit.
is.

According to one aspect of the present invention, posts can be made in association with any location on a map.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of map information 171. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a navigation process performed by the information processing system 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of user information 272. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of spot information 172. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of posted information 173. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen of a navigation application 271. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recommendation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of cards displayed in a first card display area 281. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the terminal device 200 is located in the vicinity of the user's home. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the terminal device 200 is located in the vicinity of a workplace. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the terminal device 200 is not located near the home or workplace. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen for recommended information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recommendation map. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a traffic map. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a gourmet map. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen for a hash search. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying posted content executed by the terminal device 200.

Embodiments of the application program, information processing system, and information processing method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the application program will be described as a navigation application that displays a route from the current location to a destination, but it may be any application other than a navigation application that displays a map.

<1. System Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 100 and a terminal device 200. The information processing device 100 and the terminal device 200 communicate via a network NW. The network NW includes, for example, some or all of a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a provider device, a wireless base station, a dedicated line, and the like. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 1 shows the terminal device 200 and the information processing device 100 as separate devices. However, some of the functions of the information processing device 100 described below may be provided by the terminal device 200.

The terminal device 200 is a mobile phone such as a smartphone or a tablet device used by a user. The terminal device 200 functions as a navigation device when a navigation application (navigation program) 271 that works in conjunction with the information processing device 100 is launched. Note that although only one terminal device 200 is shown in FIG. 1, multiple terminal devices 200 may be connected to the network NW.

The information processing device 100 is a computer that provides route information indicating a route to a destination to the terminal device 200. The information processing device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a route search unit 120, and a storage unit 170.

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 110 is, for example, a network interface card.

The route search unit 120 is realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). The route search unit 120 may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or by a combination of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance on a storage device (a storage device with a non-transitory storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, or it may be stored on a removable storage medium (a non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed on the storage device by inserting the storage medium into a drive.

The storage unit 170 is a HDD, flash memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 170 may also be a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that the information processing device 100 can access via the network NW. The storage unit 170 stores information such as map information 171, spot information 172, and posted information 173. In addition to this information, the storage unit 170 also stores weather information including information on rain clouds and precipitation amounts. Details of the map information 171, spot information 172, and posted information 173 will be described later.

The terminal device 200 includes a communication unit 210, a display unit 220, an operation unit 230, a positioning unit 240, a control unit 250, and a memory unit 270.

The communication unit 210 is a wireless communication module that performs wireless communication with a wireless base station connected to the network NW. The display unit 220 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The operation unit 230 is a device that accepts operation instructions from the user. Note that the display unit 220 and the operation unit 230 may be configured as touch panel displays.

The positioning unit 240 is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The positioning unit 240 performs positioning based on radio waves received from satellites to determine the location of the terminal device 200 (i.e., the user's location). The terminal device 200 may also estimate its location from the location of a wireless base station with which the communication unit 210 can communicate.

The control unit 250 is realized by a processor such as a CPU executing an application program stored in the storage unit 270. Note that the control unit 250 may be realized by hardware such as an LSI, ASIC, or FPGA that has the same functions as a processor executing a program, or may be realized by software and hardware working together.

The storage unit 270 is realized, for example, by RAM, ROM, HDD, flash memory, or a hybrid storage device that combines two or more of these. The storage unit 270 stores a navigation application 271 and user information 272. Details of the processing by the navigation application 271 and the user information 272 will be described later.

The terminal device 200 periodically (e.g., every few seconds) transmits the location of the terminal device 200 identified by the positioning unit 240 to the information processing device 100 as current location information. The terminal device 200 also transmits destination information set by the user to the information processing device 100 and obtains route information from the information processing device 100.

In FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 performs a route search in response to a request from the terminal device 200 and transmits route information to the terminal device 200. The map information 171 stored in the storage unit 170 of the information processing device 100 is, for example, information that represents roads as a collection of links.

Figure 2 shows an example of map information 171. Map information 171 is information in which information such as the coordinates of both ends of a link, connecting links, and the number of lanes is associated with a link ID, which is identification information for the link.

The information processing device 100 extracts map information (partial map information) of an area centered on the position of the terminal device 200 received from the map information 171, and transmits the extracted partial map information to the terminal device 200.

The control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 performs link matching processing on the partial map information received from the information processing device 100. The link matching processing is processing to determine which of the links included in the partial map information corresponds to the road along which the terminal device 200 is traveling (i.e., which link the user is traveling on). Therefore, the link matching processing associates the position of the terminal device 200 (the user's position) with one of the links. The link matching processing is performed, for example, based on selecting the link closest to the position of the terminal device 200, while taking various factors into consideration. The control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 generates a navigation screen based on the partial map information received from the information processing device 100 and the results of the link matching processing. The control unit 250 also displays the generated navigation screen on the display unit 220.

<2. Navigation Processing>
3 is a sequence diagram showing the navigation process performed by the information processing system 1. First, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 starts the navigation application 271, and the operation unit 230 accepts a destination setting by the user (S1). The terminal device 200 transmits current location information indicating the location of the terminal device 200 (hereinafter referred to as "current location") identified by the positioning unit 240, destination information indicating the destination, and a user ID to the information processing device 100 (S2). The user ID is identification information for identifying the user who uses the terminal device 200 and is included in the user information 272. The user ID is also obtained by user authentication.

The route search unit 120 of the information processing device 100 performs a route search using the current location information, destination information, and map information 171 (S3). The communication unit 110 transmits the route information obtained as a result of the search and partial map information for the area centered on the current location of the terminal device 200 to the terminal device 200 (S4).

The control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 performs link matching processing on the current location information and the links included in the partial map information, and generates a navigation screen based on the results of the link matching processing (hereinafter referred to as the "link matching result") and the partial map information. The control unit 250 displays the generated navigation screen on the display unit 220 (S5).

The communication unit 210 of the terminal device 200 periodically transmits current location information and link matching results to the information processing device 100 (S6). The communication unit 110 of the information processing device 100 transmits partial map information corresponding to the current location information received from the terminal device 200 to the terminal device 200 (S7).

In this manner, the processes of S5 to S7 are repeatedly executed. The control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 determines whether the user has arrived at the destination based on the current location identified by the positioning unit 240. Note that the terminal device 200 may also determine that the user has arrived at the destination based on input from the user.

When the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 determines that the user has arrived at the destination, it sends a destination arrival notification to the information processing device 100 (S8). When the information processing device 100 receives the destination arrival notification from the terminal device 200, it ends the series of operations shown in FIG. 3.

<3. Various information>
The terminal device 200 of this embodiment displays not only a map but also a sheet containing information to be provided to the user. Various types of information used when displaying a sheet will be described below.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of user information 272. User information 272 is information about the user who uses terminal device 200. User information 272 is stored in the memory unit 270 of terminal device 200. User information 272 includes a user ID, user name, home location, workplace location, search history, purchase history, reservation history, and visit history.

The user ID is identification information used to identify the user. The user name is information indicating the user's name. The home location is information indicating the location of the user's home. The workplace location is information indicating the location of the user's workplace. This information is set in advance by the user.

Search history is information about the history of strings searched by the user, such as the names of spots on a map. Purchase history is information about the purchase history of items purchased by the user, such as tickets for public transportation (airplanes, bullet trains, etc.). Reservation history is information about the history of reservations made by the user, such as restaurant reservations. Visit history is information about the history of places and spots the user has visited.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of spot information 172. Spot information 172 is stored in the storage unit 170 of the information processing device 100. Spot information 172 is information about spots (shops, stations, parks, etc.) on a map. Spot information 172 includes a spot ID, spot name, location information, genre, spot image, and rating information.

The spot ID is identification information for identifying the spot. The spot name is information indicating the name of the spot. The location information is information indicating the location of the spot on a map. The genre is information indicating the genre of the spot (cafe, restaurant, etc.). The spot image is information about the image of the spot. For example, the spot image may be the address of the image data. The rating information is information about the rating given by the user to the spot. For example, the user may give the spot a score out of 5, and the rating information may be the average of the scores given to the spot by multiple users.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of posted information 173. Posted information 173 is stored in the storage unit 170 of the information processing device 100. Posted information 173 is information related to the content of posts posted by users. Posts may be made in association with a specific spot, or in association with location information. Posts may also include text and images. Posted information 173 includes a post ID, a user ID, a spot ID, location information, text information, and image information.

The post ID is identification information used to identify the post. The user ID is information used to identify the user who made the post, and is similar to the user ID included in user information 272. The spot ID is information used to identify the spot to which the post was made, and is similar to the spot ID included in spot information 172. Location information is information related to the location from which the post was made. When a user posts in association with a spot, the spot ID is included in post information 173, but when a user posts in association with a location where no spot exists, the location information is included in post information 173.

Text information is character information included in the content posted by a user. Image information is information related to images included in the content posted by a user. Image information may be a still image or a video. Furthermore, both text information and image information may be included in posted information 173, or either text information or image information may be included in posted information 173.

<4. Main screen>
7 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen of the navigation application 271. When the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 reads out and executes the navigation application 271 from the storage unit 270, a map 293 centered on the location of the terminal device 200 is displayed on the display unit 220. A sheet 280 including information to be provided to the user is also displayed on the display unit 220 together with the map 293. As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal device 200 displays the map 293 in a first area 291 at the top of the display unit 220, and displays the sheet 280 in a second area 292 at the bottom of the display unit 220.

The sheet 280 includes a first card display area 281, a second card display area 282, and a search area 283. The search area 283 is an area where the user inputs a search string. When a search string is input into the search area 283, multiple spots related to the input string are displayed on the map 293. When the user sets one of the multiple spots as a destination and instructs route guidance, the navigation process described in Figure 3 is executed.

The first card display area 281 and the second card display area 282 display multiple cards for selecting information to provide to the user. The user can scroll through the multiple cards by swiping their finger left or right across the first card display area 281 and the second card display area 282.

By selecting (tapping) one of the multiple cards displayed in the first card display area 281 or the second card display area 282, the user can display information corresponding to the selected card on the display unit 220. For example, when the user selects (tap) the recommended information card 284 in the second card display area 282, the terminal device 200 displays a recommendation screen on the display unit 220 that includes popular spots near the current location.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a recommendation screen. The recommendation screen includes information about recommended spots in an area including the current location of the terminal device 200 (in the example of Figure 8, ●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture). Current location information of the terminal device 200 is acquired by the positioning unit 240 of the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 transmits the current location information to the information processing device 100. Based on the current location information received from the terminal device 200, the information processing device 100 acquires information about spots in the vicinity of the current location of the terminal device 200 from the spot information 172. The information processing device 100 also transmits information about recommended spots in the vicinity of the current location of the terminal device 200 to the terminal device 200. For example, the information processing device 100 may transmit to the terminal device 200 spot information with a high rating score included in the spot information 172 as recommended spot information. The terminal device 200 displays the recommended spot information received from the information processing device 100 on the recommendation screen on the display unit 220.

The user can check information about recommended spots near the current location of the terminal device 200 from the recommendation screen shown in FIG. 8. Information about recommended spots includes spot images, spot names, rating information, and distance from the current location. The user can scroll the recommendation screen by swiping their finger up or down on the recommendation screen. Information located at the top of the recommendation screen is displayed preferentially on the recommendation screen. Furthermore, as the user scrolls the recommendation screen, information located at the bottom is displayed.

The terminal device 200 may rearrange the information included in the recommendation screen according to the search history included in the user information 272. For example, the terminal device 200 may refer to the user information 272 and preferentially display information in a genre that is frequently searched for by the user on the recommendation screen. Specifically, if the user frequently searches for the genre "yakiniku," the terminal device 200 may preferentially display spots related to yakiniku restaurants on the recommendation screen. This allows the user to efficiently grasp information about spots in a genre that interests them.

Furthermore, although the recommendation screen is assumed to include information about recommended spots near the current location of the terminal device 200, other information may also be included. For example, the terminal device 200 may receive weather information about the area around the current location (●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture in the example of FIG. 8) from the information processing device 100, and if there are rain clouds near the current location, a rain cloud radar for the area around the current location may be displayed on the recommendation screen. In other words, the recommendation screen may include any information that is useful to the user at the current location of the terminal device 200.

In this way, the terminal device 200 displays recommended information for the area including the current location of the terminal device 200 on the display unit 220. By checking the recommendation screen, the user can efficiently grasp information such as recommended spots in the area.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of multiple cards displayed in the first card display area 281. The first card display area 281 displays multiple cards related to the user's behavioral history. For example, the user's behavioral history may be search history, purchase history, reservation history, visit history, etc.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first card display area 281 may display cards for displaying reserved spots (stores), cards for displaying recently searched spots, cards for displaying information about purchased items (e.g., tickets), etc. The first card display area 281 may also display cards for registering the location of the user's home or workplace. The user can scroll through multiple cards by swiping their finger left or right across the first card display area 281.

Figures 10 to 12 are diagrams showing examples of multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282. For example, each of the multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 may be a recommended information card 284 (Figure 7) for displaying popular spots in the vicinity of the current location as recommended information, a spot card for displaying information about spots of a specific genre in the vicinity of the current location, a route guidance card for displaying route guidance to the destination, a timetable card for displaying public transportation timetables, an operation information card for displaying public transportation operation information, a raincloud card for displaying raincloud radar in the vicinity of the current location, a crime prevention card for displaying information about crime prevention in the vicinity of the current location, or a thematic map card for instructing the display of a list of thematic maps related to a specific theme, such as a fireworks map.

The terminal device 200 determines the content and layout of the multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 based on the current time, the current location of the terminal device 200, and user information 272 (home location, workplace location, etc.). For example, the terminal device 200 determines the content and layout of the multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 based on whether the current time is morning, afternoon, or evening, and whether the current location of the terminal device 200 is near home or workplace. This point will be explained in more detail below.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the current location of the terminal device 200 is in the vicinity of home. As shown in Figure 10, when the terminal device 200 is located in the vicinity of home, the terminal device 200 changes the arrangement of multiple cards between morning, noon, and evening. Cards arranged on the left side in Figure 10 are preferentially displayed in the second card display area 282. Furthermore, when the user scrolls the second card display area 282, cards arranged on the right side in Figure 10 are displayed.

For example, if it is currently morning, it is likely that the user is about to leave for work or other reasons. For this reason, the terminal device 200 preferentially displays route guidance cards, timetable cards, and operation information cards in the second card display area 282.

For example, if the current time is noon, it is likely that the user will soon have lunch. For this reason, the terminal device 200 preferentially displays spot cards in the second card display area 282 that display spots such as lunch spots and cafes near the current location.

For example, if the current time is evening, it is likely that the user will soon have dinner. For this reason, the terminal device 200 will preferentially display spot cards in the second card display area 282 that display spots such as restaurants and cafes near the current location.

If rain clouds are present near the current location of the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 may preferentially display a rain cloud card in the second card display area 282. In this case, the terminal device 200 may acquire weather information from the information processing device 100 and determine whether or not rain clouds are present near the current location of the terminal device 200 based on the acquired weather information.

Figure 11 shows an example of multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the current location of the terminal device 200 is near the workplace. As shown in Figure 11, even when the current location of the terminal device 200 is near the workplace, the terminal device 200 changes the arrangement of multiple cards between morning, noon, and evening.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of multiple cards displayed in the second card display area 282 when the current location of the terminal device 200 is neither near the home nor near the workplace. As shown in Figure 12, even when the current location of the terminal device 200 is neither near the home nor near the workplace, the terminal device 200 changes the arrangement of multiple cards between morning, noon, and evening.

The terminal device 200 may preferentially display, among multiple cards, cards that are frequently used by the user on the sheet 280. For example, the terminal device 200 may count the number of times each card is selected (tapped) by the user, and preferentially display cards with high counts in the second card display area 282.

However, it may be inconvenient for the user if the layout of multiple cards changes every time the navigation app 271 is launched. For this reason, the terminal device 200 may allow the user to specify one of the multiple cards, and fix the order of the cards specified by the user to a specific position. For example, the terminal device 200 may display a card placement setting screen on the display unit 220, and fix the order of the cards specified by the user on the placement setting screen to the position specified by the user. This makes it possible, for example, to always place the route guidance card at the left edge of the second card display area 282.

<5. Recommended information notification screen>
13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen for recommended information. For example, when a user visits an area including the current location of the terminal device 200 for the first time, the terminal device 200 displays a notification screen for recommended information for that area on the display unit 220. The terminal device 200 determines whether the user has visited the area including the current location (●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture in the example of FIG. 13) for the first time based on the current location information acquired by the positioning unit 240 and the visit history included in the user information 272. When the terminal device 200 determines that the user has visited the area including the current location for the first time, it displays the notification screen shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 220.

For example, the notification screen of FIG. 13 displays a window 285 notifying the user that it is their first time visiting the area (●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture) that includes their current location. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a message such as "This is your first time visiting '●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture'" is displayed in window 285. When the user taps window 285, the terminal device 200 displays the recommendation screen shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 220. By checking the recommendation screen, the user can efficiently learn information such as recommended spots in an area, even if it is their first time visiting that area.

The notification screen is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 13. For example, when the user visits an area including the current location of the terminal device 200 for the first time in a long time, the terminal device 200 may display a notification screen of recommended information for that area on the display unit 220. In this case, the window 285 may display a message such as "It's been a long time since I last visited '●● City, ◆◆ Prefecture'."

<5. Map display screen>
When the user wants to check the map 293 on the display unit 220, the user swipes the sheet 280 downward with a finger on the main screen shown in Fig. 7 described above. This widens the first area 291, which is the area where the map 293 is displayed. The map display screen displayed in the first area 291 can switch between various types of maps 293, such as a recommended map, a transportation map, a gourmet map, and the like.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a recommended map. The recommended map displays a switch button 286 for switching the type of map 293. The user can switch the type of map 293 displayed on the map display screen by tapping the switch button 286. For example, when the user selects "Recommended" by tapping the switch button 286, the terminal device 200 displays a recommended map.

Specifically, when the terminal device 200 receives a switch instruction indicating that the map type should be switched to a recommended map, it acquires spot information 172 related to recommended spots in the vicinity of the current location from the information processing device 100. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays icons of the recommended spots on the map (recommended map) based on the acquired spot information 172.

Recommended spots around the current location are displayed as icons on the recommendation map. The recommended spots shown on the recommendation map may be the same as the recommended spots included on the recommendation screen of FIG. 8. When the user taps an icon on the recommendation map, the terminal device 200 displays a details screen for the spot corresponding to the tapped icon on the display unit 220. For example, the details screen for the spot may display detailed information about the spot, such as opening hours and the address of the official website, as well as user reviews.

For example, the recommended map displays restaurant icons that indicate cafes, restaurants, and other eating and drinking spots. The restaurant icons include pictures of things like cakes and coffee cups, so users can easily understand what type of restaurant it is. The recommended map also displays event icons that indicate spots where events are being held. Users can easily find out where the event is being held by checking the location of the event icon. The recommended map also displays shared spot icons that indicate spots shared with other users, such as family and friends. Users can easily find out the locations of spots that are of interest to other users, such as family and friends, by checking the location of the shared spot icons.

Figure 15 shows an example of a transportation map. When the user selects "Transportation" by tapping the switch button 286, the terminal device 200 displays the transportation map.

Specifically, when the terminal device 200 receives a switch instruction to switch the map type to a transportation map, it acquires spot information 172 related to transportation facilities in the vicinity of the current location from the information processing device 100. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays icons for transportation-related spots on the map (transportation map) based on the acquired spot information 172.

The transportation map displays transportation spots around the current location as icons. For example, the transportation map displays bus stop icons, train station icons, bicycle parking lot icons, and parking lot icons. By checking the location of these icons, users can easily understand the locations of bus stops, train stations, bicycle parking lots, and parking lots.

Figure 16 shows an example of a gourmet map. When the user selects "Gourmet" by tapping the switch button 286, the terminal device 200 displays the gourmet map.

Specifically, when the terminal device 200 receives a switch instruction to switch the map type to a gourmet map, it acquires spot information 172 related to restaurants in the vicinity of the current location from the information processing device 100. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays spot icons related to restaurants on the map (gourmet map) based on the acquired spot information 172.

The Gourmet Map displays icons related to restaurants near the current location. For example, the Gourmet Map displays store icons for cafes, restaurants, and other establishments. By checking the location of these icons, users can easily find the locations of cafes, restaurants, and other establishments.

As described above, the terminal device 200 accepts a switch instruction indicating that the type of map should be switched. The switch instruction is issued by the user operating the switch button 286. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 changes the spot icons displayed on the map based on the current time, the current location of the terminal device 200, and user information, depending on the type of map indicated by the switch instruction. This makes it possible to dynamically change the type of icons displayed on the map depending on the situation of the user who owns the terminal device 200.

<6. User Submissions>
A post button 287 is displayed at the bottom of Fig. 16. When the user taps the post button 287, the terminal device 200 displays a post screen on the display unit 220. When the user selects (tap) one of the multiple spots on the map 293 and taps the post button 287, the terminal device 200 displays a post screen on the display unit 220 for posting a review or the like for the selected spot. On the post screen, the user can input text information and image information.

The terminal device 200 transmits the user ID, the spot ID of the selected spot, and the text information and image information entered on the posting screen to the information processing device 100. When the information processing device 100 receives the user ID, spot ID, text information, and image information from the terminal device 200, it issues a new posting ID to identify this post. The information processing device 100 then adds the posting ID, user ID, spot ID, text information, and image information to the posting information 173.

The terminal device 200 may display the posted content for a spot as a word-of-mouth review on the spot's details screen. For example, when a user selects (tap) one of multiple icons displayed on the map 293, the terminal device 200 may display a details screen for the spot corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit 220. The terminal device 200 may also receive the posted content for the selected spot from the information processing device 100 and display it as a word-of-mouth review on the spot's details screen.

The user can also post information relating to a location where no spots exist. For example, if the user taps the post button 287 without selecting (tapping) any of the multiple spots on the map 293, the terminal device 200 displays a posting screen on the display unit 220 for posting reviews and other comments about the current location. The user can input text information and image information on the posting screen.

The terminal device 200 transmits the user ID, the location information (latitude, longitude) of the current location acquired by the positioning unit 240, and the text information and image information entered on the posting screen to the information processing device 100. When the information processing device 100 receives the user ID, location information (latitude, longitude), text information, and image information from the terminal device 200, it issues a new posting ID to identify this post. The information processing device 100 then adds the posting ID, user ID, location information (latitude, longitude), text information, and image information to the posting information 173.

The terminal device 200 may display posted content associated with location information (latitude, longitude) on the map 293. For example, the terminal device 200 may display an icon (pin) indicating the presence of posted content at a position on the map 293 corresponding to the posted location information (latitude, longitude). Furthermore, in response to a user selecting (tapping) this icon, the terminal device 200 may receive the posted content corresponding to the selected icon from the information processing device 100 and display it on the display unit 220.

For example, when a user goes mountain climbing, spots such as mountain peaks and rest areas may exist on map 293, but spots related to view spots along the mountain trail may not exist on map 293. Even in such cases, the user can post information including a photo image taken at the view spot or text such as "The view from here is amazing" by associating it with the location information (latitude, longitude) of the user's current location. In other words, according to this embodiment, even if a spot does not exist, the user can post information by associating it with location information (latitude, longitude), so that posted content for a place where no spot exists can be shared among multiple users.

The terminal device 200 may display an icon indicating the presence of posted content on the map in a different format from the icon relating to the spot on the map. For example, the icon relating to the spot on the map may be an icon with a predetermined image, while the icon indicating the presence of posted content may be an icon showing image information included in the posted content. This allows the user to easily distinguish the icon indicating the presence of posted content from among multiple icons on the map.

Furthermore, the terminal device 200 may display a posted map in addition to the recommended map, transportation map, and gourmet map. For example, when the user selects "Posted" by tapping the switch button 286, the terminal device 200 may display a posted map.

Specifically, when the terminal device 200 receives a switch instruction to switch the map type to a posted map, it acquires posted information 173 related to posts in the vicinity of the current location from the information processing device 100. Furthermore, based on the acquired posted information 173, the terminal device 200 displays an icon on the map (posted map) indicating the presence of posted content.

The post map displays user posts near the current location as icons. By checking the location of these icons, users can easily determine the location where the user post was made.

User posts can also be searched from within the app. When searching, you can also perform a hash search using hashtags.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a hash search screen. For example, when a user enters hashtags such as "#greatview" and "#spiritual" into the search area 283 (Figure 7) and performs a search, the hash search search screen shown in Figure 17 is displayed. A map 293 centered on the current location of the terminal device 200 is displayed at the top of the search screen. Icons (pins) corresponding to posts found in the search are displayed on the map 293. The size of the icons may be larger the more "likes" a post has.

In addition, concentric circles are drawn on the map 293 at positions 5 km and 10 km from the current location. This allows the user to easily grasp the approximate distance from their current location to the location where the user post was made.

A sheet 280 is displayed at the bottom of the search screen. The sheet displays a list of images found as search results in the hash search. When the user taps an image, the terminal device 200 displays the post content corresponding to the tapped image on the display unit 220.

The terminal device 200 may display a thematic map related to the hashtag on the sheet 280 as a search result. For example, if the search word "#spiritual" is entered, the terminal device 200 may display a thematic map such as "Spiritual map around ◆◆ prefecture" on the sheet 280 as a search result.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform a hash search using a hashtag. In a hash search, it is possible to search for posts associated with location information (latitude, longitude). Specifically, the terminal device 200 acquires a search word that includes a hashtag, acquires posted information 173 that includes the hashtag from posted information 173 related to posts around the current location, and displays an icon corresponding to the acquired posted information 173 on a map. In this way, the terminal device 200 of this embodiment can display search results that are appropriate for the user's mood or the words that come to mind.

Furthermore, the higher the rating of the posted content, the larger the icon indicating the presence of the posted content will be displayed by the terminal device 200. For example, the terminal device 200 may determine that the higher the number of "likes" a post has, the higher the rating of the posted content. This allows the user to easily identify highly rated posts on the map.

<7. Display process of posted content>
18 is a flowchart showing the process of displaying posted content executed by the terminal device 200. The process of this flowchart is repeatedly executed at regular intervals after the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 starts up the navigation application 271.

First, the terminal device 200 acquires map information from the information processing device 100 (S10). Specifically, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 controls the communication unit 210 to send a map information request to the information processing device 100. At this time, the terminal device 200 also transmits current location information indicating the location of the terminal device 200 to the information processing device 100. Meanwhile, when the information processing device 100 receives the map information request and current location information from the terminal device 200, it reads map information centered on the current location of the terminal device 200 from the storage unit 170 and transmits the read map information to the terminal device 200. This allows the terminal device 200 to acquire the map information.

Next, the terminal device 200 displays the map information acquired from the information processing device 100 on the display unit 220 (S11). Thereafter, the terminal device 200 accepts content to be posted from the user (S12). For example, if the user taps the post button 287 without selecting (tapping) any of the multiple spots on the map 293, the terminal device 200 displays a posting screen on the display unit 220 for posting reviews and other comments about the current location. On the posting screen, the user inputs the content to be posted (at least one of text information and image information). This allows the terminal device 200 to accept the content to be posted from the user.

Next, the terminal device 200 registers posted information 173 that associates the location information of the terminal device 200 at the time the post was made with the posted content (S13). Specifically, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 controls the communication unit 210 to transmit the user ID, location information of the terminal device 200, and posted content to the information processing device 100. Meanwhile, when the information processing device 100 receives this information from the terminal device 200, it adds the user ID, location information of the terminal device 200, and posted content to the posted information 173 in the storage unit 170. This allows the terminal device 200 to register the posted information 173 in the information processing device 100.

Next, the terminal device 200 acquires posted information 173 around the current location of the terminal device 200 from the information processing device 100 (S14). Specifically, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 controls the communication unit 210 to transmit location information indicating the current location of the terminal device 200 to the information processing device 100. Meanwhile, upon receiving the location information from the terminal device 200, the information processing device 100 reads posted information 173 around the current location of the terminal device 200 from the storage unit 170 and transmits the read posted information 173 to the terminal device 200. This allows the terminal device 200 to acquire posted information 173 around the current location from the information processing device 100.

Next, the terminal device 200 displays an icon (pin) indicating the presence of posted content at the location on the map where the post was made, based on the acquired post information 173 (S15). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 displays an icon (pin) indicating the presence of posted content at a location on the map that corresponds to the location information included in the post information 173.

Then, the terminal device 200 determines whether the icon has been selected (tapped) by the user (S16). If the terminal device 200 determines that the icon has not been selected (tapped) by the user, it terminates the processing according to this flowchart. On the other hand, if the terminal device 200 determines that the icon has been selected (tapped) by the user, it displays the posted content corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit 220 (S17), and terminates the processing according to this flowchart. As described above, the processing according to this flowchart is executed repeatedly at regular intervals.

As described above, the navigation app (application program) 271 of this embodiment causes the terminal device 200 to execute the following processes: acquire map information from the information processing device 100; display a map 293 on the display unit 220 of the terminal device 200 based on the map information; accept posted content from the user who owns the terminal device 200; register posted information 173 that associates the posted content with the location information of the terminal device 200 at the time the post was made; acquire posted information 173 around the current location of the terminal device 200; display an icon indicating the presence of posted content at the location on the map where the post was made based on the acquired posted information 173; and, in response to an icon being selected by the user, display the posted content corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit 220. This allows posts to be made in association with any location on the map.

In this embodiment, the navigation application 271 has been described as an example of an application program that displays the map 293 on the terminal device 200, but the present invention may be applied to any application that has the function of displaying the map 293.

The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is in no way limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Information processing system 100 Information processing device 110 Communication unit (transmission unit)
170 Storage unit 171 Map information 172 Spot information 173 Posted information 200 Terminal device 210 Communication unit 220 Display unit 230 Operation unit 240 Positioning unit 250 Control unit 270 Storage unit 271 Navigation application 272 User information

Claims (7)

To the terminal device,
A process of acquiring map information from an information processing device;
a process of displaying a map on a display unit of the terminal device based on the map information;
A process of accepting content posted by a user who owns the terminal device;
a process of registering posted information in which location information of the terminal device at the time of posting is associated with the posted content;
A process of acquiring the posted information related to posts in the vicinity of a current location of the terminal device;
a process of displaying an icon indicating the presence of the posted content at a position on the map where the post was made, based on the acquired posted information;
a process of displaying the posted content corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit in response to the icon being selected by the user;
A process of obtaining search words including hashtags;
A process of searching for posted information including the hashtag from the posted information related to posts around the current location;
a process of displaying, on the map, the icons corresponding to the posted information found in a search using the hashtag;
a process of displaying on the display unit a sheet including a list of images found as search results in a search using the hashtag and a theme map related to the hashtag;
An application program that runs The terminal device
The application program according to claim 1 , further comprising a process of displaying the icon indicating the presence of the posted content on the map in a manner different from an icon relating to a spot on the map. The terminal device
A process of accepting an instruction to switch the map type;
a process of changing an icon to be displayed on the map based on the current time, the current location of the terminal device, and user information that is information about the user, in accordance with the type of the map instructed by the switching instruction;
2. The application program according to claim 1, further comprising: The terminal device
When the switch instruction indicating that the type of map is to be switched to a posted map is received, a process of acquiring the posted information related to posts in the vicinity of the current location;
a process of displaying the icon indicating the presence of the posted content on the map based on the acquired posted information;
4. The application program according to claim 3, further comprising: The terminal device
The application program according to claim 1 , further comprising a process of displaying an icon indicating the existence of the posted content larger as the posted content has a higher rating. An application program according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
an information processing device capable of communicating with the terminal device;
An information processing system comprising:
The information processing device includes:
a storage unit that stores the map information;
a transmitting unit that transmits the map information stored in the storage unit to the terminal device;
An information processing system comprising: A terminal device that executes an application program,
Obtaining map information from an information processing device;
displaying a map on a display unit of the terminal device based on the map information;
Accepting posting content from a user who owns the terminal device;
registering posted information in which location information of the terminal device at the time of posting is associated with the posted content;
Acquire the posted information related to posts in the vicinity of the current location of the terminal device;
based on the acquired posting information, displaying an icon indicating the presence of the posting content at the position on the map where the posting was made;
In response to the user selecting the icon, displaying the posted content corresponding to the selected icon on the display unit;
Get search terms that include hashtags,
Searching for posted information including the hashtag from the posted information related to posts around the current location;
displaying, on the map, the icons corresponding to the posted information found in the search using the hashtag;
a sheet including a list of images found as search results in a search using the hashtag and a theme map related to the hashtag is displayed on the display unit;
Information processing methods.