Map information providing system, map information providing method, and map information providing program

Abstract

To provide a user with information with little deviation from a current state.SOLUTION: The map information providing system permits input of information of an object on a map by using information of an administrator, stores terminal information in which information for specifying an on-site terminal that transmits information including a detection result of a state of a place in a real space corresponding to the object and information for specifying the object corresponding to the place in the real space are associated with each other, and specifies the object associated with the on-site terminal in the terminal information by using the information transmitted by the on-site terminal. The detection result transmitted by the on-site terminal is stored as status information, the display of the object in the map is determined by using the status information, and the map including the object of the determined display is displayed on the terminal of the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a map information providing system, a map information providing method, and a map information providing program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known technology for displaying various information about facilities, disasters, etc., on a terminal together with a map. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent No. 4711577) below describes that a facility symbol is displayed on a map image, and that clicking on the symbol displays detailed information about the facility. Patent Document 2 (JP Patent No. 6084190) below describes a notification system that aims to quickly and intuitively transmit disaster information, etc. It is desirable that the information provided to the user be as close to the current situation as possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4711577 specification [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6084190 specification Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information providing system for controlling the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, the map information providing system comprising: an administrator information storage unit that stores information of an administrator who has authority to generate objects; a generation permission unit that uses the administrator information to permit input of object information to be used in generating the object; a local terminal information storage unit that stores terminal information that associates information identifying a local terminal that transmits information including detection results of the state of a location in real space that corresponds to the object with information identifying the object that corresponds to the location in real space; a location identification unit that uses the information transmitted by the local terminal to identify an object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information; a status information storage unit that stores the detection results transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the object identified by the location identification unit; a display determination unit that uses the status information stored in the status information storage unit to determine the display of objects on a map; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the objects whose display has been determined by the display determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] According to the present invention, the display of objects is automatically determined based on the detection results transmitted from the local terminal, allowing users to be provided with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation. For example, the present invention can provide real-time information such as the availability of various facilities, contributing to the achievement of Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation." For example, the present invention can provide real-time information regarding disasters, contributing to the achievement of Goal 11 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable." [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image of type management according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image for object management according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image for creating an object according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image of status management according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for determining display of an object according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a UI image for device management according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image for user management according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a UI image for managing posts according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI image for user management according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to the embodiment. The map information providing system 1 provides a service for displaying a map on a terminal (referred to as a map display service as appropriate). The map display service is used, for example, to notify users of water supply stations and their status when water supply is cut off due to an accident or disaster.

[0008] The service manager Q1 in FIG. 1 is, for example, a person in charge of a waterworks bureau. The service manager Q1 logs in to a map display service using, for example, terminal 2 and registers a water station as an object on the map. Terminal T1 is a device (appropriately referred to as a local terminal) that transmits information including detection results obtained by detecting the status of a predetermined location A1 (e.g., a water station). Terminal T1 includes, for example, a sensor that is installed at the predetermined location A1. The sensor repeatedly detects the status of the water station periodically or aperiodically, and terminal T1 repeatedly transmits the status of the water station obtained from the detection results of the sensor. For example, terminal T1 transmits the results of detecting the remaining water level and the degree of congestion at the water station to the map information providing system 1 as the status of the water station.

[0009] The map information providing system 1 controls the display mode of objects included in a map displayed on the display unit 4A of the terminal 4 of user Q3. Elements of the display mode of an object include, for example, at least one of color, brightness, shape, whether or not it is displayed, and whether or not it blinks. The map information providing system 1 acquires the detection result transmitted from terminal T1 as information indicating the status of the water station, and uses this information to determine the display mode of the water station on the map. The map information providing system 1 displays a map including the water station in the determined display mode on the terminal 4 of user Q3. For example, the map information providing system 1 acquires map data including geospatial information from an external system 5, and generates a map for a specified purpose by placing objects on the map indicated by the map data.

[0010] The external system 5 includes, for example, a server or database external to the map information providing system 1. The geospatial information includes one or both of information indicating the position of a specific point in space (hereinafter referred to as point information, as appropriate) and information indicating the position of a specific area in space (hereinafter referred to as area information, as appropriate). In the following description, a point or an area will be referred to as a location as appropriate. In the following description, a "location" may be a point or an area.

[0011] The geospatial information may include information associated with point information or area information. The geospatial information may be base map data. The base map includes, for example, at least one of information on topography, roads, and administrative boundaries. The external system 5 may be operated by a public institution, a company or other organization, or an individual. The map information providing system 1 may have at least some of the functions of the external system 5. The map information providing system 1 may store map data including geospatial information and may not need to acquire geospatial information from the external system 5.

[0012] User Q3 is a viewer who views the map displayed on terminal 4. User Q3 is, for example, a resident of the local government to which service manager Q1 belongs. In the following description, any user who uses the map display service will be referred to as an unspecified user as appropriate. User Q3's terminal 4 displays map M1 on its display unit 4A. On map M1, water stations are indicated by, for example, icon R1, which indicates that the resident is in a state where it is easy to receive water. Residents can know in real time whether the water station they plan to use is in a state where it is easy to receive water. Residents can check the status of the water station and head to the water station.

[0013] In the map information providing system 1, status information indicating the status of a predetermined location A1 (e.g., a water station) is updated according to information acquired from the terminal T1. When an actual water station becomes congested or the water level becomes low, the map information providing system 1 determines the water station to be displayed on the map as icon R2. Icon R2 indicates that it is difficult for residents to receive water. The terminal 4 of user Q3 displays a map M2 on its display unit 4A. On map M2, the water station is indicated by icon R2. Residents can know in real time if the water station they plan to use is in a difficult state to receive water. Residents can check the status of the water station and wait for the water station to be replenished or find another water station.

[0014] The status manager Q2 is, for example, a worker, an activist, a person in charge, or the like who performs activities such as supplying water to residents at an actual water station. For example, the status manager Q2 grasps the status of the water station while working at the water station. The status manager Q2, for example, carries a portable terminal 3 and can input the water station's congestion level, remaining water amount, etc. into the terminal 3 as the status of the water station. The map information providing system 1 may acquire information input into the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 and use this information to determine the display form of an object on the map. For example, the map information providing system 1 may determine the display form of an object using information sent by the terminal T1 and information input into the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2.

[0015] The map display service may be used in emergencies such as accidents or disasters, or in normal times, or may be used in both emergencies and normal times. For example, terminal T1 may be installed in a commercial facility as a predetermined location A1 and transmit information indicating whether the commercial facility is open for business as the status of the commercial facility. For example, terminal T1 may include a sensor that detects whether the power supply used when the commercial facility is open is on or off, and transmit a detection result indicating that the power supply is on as information indicating that the commercial facility is open for business. In normal times, map information providing system 1 may use the information transmitted from terminal T1 to select an icon indicating that the commercial facility is open for business or an icon indicating that the commercial facility is preparing to open as the display format of an object representing the commercial facility.

[0016] The above-mentioned commercial facility is used, for example, as a supply base for supplies in an emergency. The status manager Q2 is, for example, a person in charge of the supply base, and inputs information into the terminal 3 indicating whether the commercial facility has sufficient supplies as its status. In an emergency, the map information providing system 1 may use the information input into the terminal 3 to select an icon indicating that supplies are sufficient or an icon indicating that supplies are insufficient as the display format for an object representing the commercial facility. For example, the map information providing system 1 may provide the user with an icon indicating an object in an emergency by placing it on the same map as in normal times. In this case, the user can know the status of the facility, etc., even in an emergency, using the map display service that the user is familiar with in normal times. Furthermore, by providing a map display service in normal times, the map information providing system 1 is expected to routinely check for system failures and malfunctions, thereby providing stable information in an emergency.

[0017] The map display service is provided, for example, by a web application. User Q3's terminal 4 accesses a site provided by the map display service and displays the map. A uniform resource locator (referred to as a URL as appropriate) that transitions to the site provided by the map display service is provided, for example, by a link on a website. This URL may be provided as a code that can be read by the displaying terminal, such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)), or may be provided by some other method.

[0018] An object on a map corresponds to an object or area whose position in real space can be identified (e.g., predetermined location A1 in FIG. 1). For example, the object on the map has a fixed position and includes objects that correspond to at least one of commercial facilities, public facilities, residences, buildings, evacuation shelters, other facilities, tourist spots, squares, and other areas in real space. The object on the map may include an object that corresponds to a moving body whose position can be identified by GPS or the like, and may include objects that correspond to at least one of vehicles that travel on roads, such as buses and ambulances, vehicles such as trains that travel on tracks, aircraft (including drones), and ships.

[0019] Next, each part related to the map information providing system 1 will be described. Terminal T1 transmits information including the detection result of detecting the state of a predetermined location. The predetermined location is a location that is the subject of status monitoring, for example, a water supply station. In the following description, the detection result of detecting the state of the predetermined location will be referred to as the state detection result as appropriate. The state detection result may be output data (e.g., detected value) from a sensor that detects the state of the predetermined location, or may be the processing result of processing the output data.

[0020] The terminal T1 is connected to, for example, a sensor that detects the state of a predetermined location A1, and acquires the detection results of the sensor. The terminal T1 is, for example, a computer or a communication repeater (e.g., a gateway). The terminal T1 may be a device with a communication function, such as a smartphone or a tablet, and the sensor may be communicatively connected (e.g., paired) with the terminal T1 via infrared communication or the like. The terminal T1 may be equipped with a sensor that detects the state of the predetermined location A1. The terminal T1 and the sensor may be included in a single system (appropriately referred to as a local system). Information transmitted by the terminal T1 (appropriately referred to as a report) includes information (appropriately referred to as a device ID) that identifies the sensor or the terminal T1 that detects the state of the predetermined location A1, and the state detection results.

[0021] A sensor according to an embodiment is installed at a predetermined location A1 (e.g., a water station). The sensor may include, for example, a water level sensor, and detect the water level in a water tank as a physical quantity indicating the amount of water remaining at the water station. The sensor may include, for example, a camera, and photograph the water station. The image captured by the sensor is, for example, processed and used to detect the number of people appearing in the image. The sensor may be, for example, an AI camera, and may perform the image processing. The image processing may be performed by a device different from the sensor, or may be performed by the terminal T1, or by the map information providing system 1 or a system external to the map information providing system 1. The sensor periodically or irregularly repeatedly detects the status of the predetermined location A1 (e.g., a water station), and the terminal T1 repeatedly transmits a report indicating the status of the water station obtained from the sensor's detection results. The terminal T1 transmits, for example, the amount of water remaining at the water station and the degree of congestion as the status of the water station.

[0022] The type of the sensor is selected depending on the item to be detected. The sensor detects at least one of a mechanical quantity (e.g., pressure, mass, length, position, velocity, acceleration), a thermodynamic quantity (e.g., temperature), an optical quantity (e.g., light intensity, wavelength), an electromagnetic quantity (e.g., current, voltage, resistance, magnetic force), and a chemical quantity (e.g., concentration). The sensor may be a distance sensor, a positioning sensor, a chemical sensor that detects chemical substances (e.g., CO2) or their concentrations, or any other sensor. The sensor is positioned so that the detection target is present within its detectable range. The sensor may be positioned at a location away from the predetermined location A1. For example, the sensor may be a camera that captures an image of the predetermined location A1 from a location away from the predetermined location A1. The sensor that detects the state of one predetermined location A1 may be one type or multiple types. The sensor that detects the state of one predetermined location A1 may be one type or multiple types.

[0023] The sensor may detect the operating status of a device installed in the facility. The sensor may detect whether a lighting fixture in the facility is on or off, and the map information providing system 1 may determine that the facility is closed if the sensor's detection result indicates that the lighting fixture is off. The sensor may detect whether the facility is locked, and the map information providing system 1 may determine that the facility is closed if the sensor's detection result indicates that the facility is locked.

[0024] The status detection result includes, for example, a detected value of a sensor or a value calculated from the detected value, and information on the detection time. The detection time may be output by the sensor, or may be output by a device or system different from the sensor. The detection result and the detection time may be associated by the sensor, or may be associated by a device or system different from the sensor. For example, the terminal T1 may be a repeater (e.g., a gateway) on the communication path between the sensor and the map information providing system 1, and may use the time when the detected value is obtained from the sensor as the detection time. The terminal T1 may generate a report by combining a timestamp indicating the detection time with the detected value. The status detection result does not have to include the detection time, and the map information providing system 1 may use the time when the report is received from the local terminal as the detection time.

[0025] When the sensor outputs its own identification information, terminal T1 uses the sensor's identification information as a device ID and generates a report by pairing the sensor's identification information with a detection value. Terminal T1 may use the sensor's identification information as a device ID and generate a report by pairing the terminal T1's identification information with a detection value. The identification information of the sensor or terminal T1 may be a MAC address, an IP address, or a pre-assigned unique code. The sensor does not need to output its own identification information, and terminal T1 may determine the type of sensor using the format of the data output by the sensor. For example, when the data output by the sensor is in image data format, terminal T1 may determine that the detection item corresponding to this sensor is "congestion level."

[0026] One local terminal may be provided for one sensor, or one for multiple sensors. When a local terminal is provided for multiple sensors, the sensor identification information is used as the device ID. The local terminal may transmit reports for multiple detection items. In this case, the local terminal may transmit a report for each detection item, or may transmit a report including status detection results for two or more detection items. When transmitting a report for multiple detection items, the local terminal includes detection item information in the report indicating which detection item the status detection result belongs to. For example, the detection item information includes sensor identification information and is indicated in the header of the status detection result. The detection item information does not have to include sensor identification information, and may include information specifying the detection item, such as "occupancy level" or "remaining water supply amount." When a human detects the status of a predetermined location A1, the human's user ID may be used instead of the sensor identification information.

[0027] The above sensor may be part of the terminal T1 or may be a device external to the terminal T1. The detection of the location status may be performed by a sensor or by a human. For example, the status manager Q2 may detect (e.g., count) the number of people waiting for water as the location status and input this detection result into the terminal T1. If the location status is detected by a human, the above sensor does not need to be provided. The terminal T1 may be part of the map information providing system 1 or may be a device external to the map information providing system 1. The above sensor may be part of the map information providing system 1 or may be a device external to the map information providing system 1.

[0028] 1 includes an administrator information storage unit (e.g., storage unit 11), a generation permission unit 12, a worker information storage unit (e.g., storage unit 11), a local terminal information storage unit (e.g., storage unit 11), an input permission unit 13, a display determination unit 14, a display control unit 15, a posting permission receiving unit 16, and a location identification unit (e.g., processing unit 17). At least a part of the map information providing system 1 is realized by a computer executing processing according to a program.

[0029] The storage unit 11 stores service administrator information D1. The service administrator information D1 includes information about an administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1) who has the authority to create objects. The service administrator information D1 includes information necessary for the service administrator Q1 to use the map display service provided by the map information providing system 1. The service administrator information D1 includes, for example, information used for user authentication when the service administrator Q1 logs in to an account for the map display service. The service administrator information D1 includes, for example, an ID and password for the account for the map display service. Any method of user authentication in the map display service may be used. The method of user authentication in the map display service may be a method in which the user inputs an ID and password, a method that uses authentication from another service (e.g., single sign-on), or another method such as biometric authentication.

[0030] The service manager information D1 is stored in the storage unit 11, for example, by a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. For example, the service manager Q1 applies to the system administrator for use of the map display service and provides the system administrator with the email address of the service manager Q1 as at least a part of the service manager information D1 (for example, an account ID). The system administrator stores the service manager information D1 including the email address of the service manager Q1 in the storage unit 11.

[0031] When a user logs in to the map display service, the map information providing system 1 displays a user interface image on the user's terminal. In the following description, the user interface image is referred to as a UI image as appropriate. The user inputs information required for logging in (referred to as login information or login authentication information as appropriate) on the UI image at the time of login. For example, the map information providing system 1 authenticates the user using SSO with the processing unit 17, and the login information includes the email address of the user of the map display service. When the login information is input, the processing unit 17 accepts a request to log in to the map display service. The processing unit 17 performs user authentication using the login information. For example, if the login information input by the user is consistent (for example, matches) with the login information stored in the storage unit 11, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a pre-registered user.

[0032] 2 is a diagram showing a UI image provided by the map information providing system according to the embodiment. The UI image 21 is sometimes called a home screen. The UI image 21 visually represents functions provided to the service manager Q1, for example, using a browser. The UI image 21 has a "Type Management" icon 22, an "Object Management" icon 23, a "Status Management" icon 24, a "User Management" icon 25, a "Post Management" icon 26, and a "Device Management" icon 27 arranged thereon.

[0033] Each of the icons 22 to 27 is assigned a function provided by the map information providing system 1. By selecting (e.g., pressing) one of the icons 22 to 27, the service administrator Q1 can use the function assigned to the selected icon. Each of the icons 22 to 27 is associated in advance with a command that causes the map information providing system 1 to execute a predetermined process. The map information providing system 1 detects that an icon has been selected, and executes the process corresponding to the command associated with that icon. The map information providing system 1 includes a computer, and provides various functions by the computer executing processes according to a program.

[0034] The map information providing system 1 provides a type management function to a user authenticated as a service manager. For example, the processing unit 17 compares login information entered into the user's terminal with the service manager information D1 to determine whether the logged-in user is a service manager. For example, if the login information entered by the user matches the login information stored in the storage unit 11, the processing unit 17 permits the user to log in. For a user whose login has been permitted, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a service manager if the login information stored in the storage unit 11 includes information (e.g., a flag) indicating that the user is a service manager.

[0035] When it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the generation permission unit 12 displays a type management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a type management UI image according to an embodiment. The type management UI image 31 is displayed on the user's terminal, for example, when the user selects the "type management" icon 22 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] The type management UI image 31 includes a list 32 of object types. The list 32 corresponds to a list of registered object types. The list 32 includes a "Name" field and a "Description" field. The list 32 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which "Name" information is placed and a column in which "Description" information is placed. The "Name" information and "Description" information placed in the same row correspond to each other. The information placed in one row corresponds to one object type.

[0037] The information displayed in the "Name" field includes information that distinguishes (e.g., identifies) the type of object. Information that distinguishes the type of object includes, for example, tourist attraction, bus stop, bus, shelter, water level observation point, and water station. The information displayed in the "Name" field is information input by, for example, the service manager Q1. The information displayed in the "Description" field includes a comment about the type of object. For example, the type of object in the first line of list 32 in Figure 3 has the name "tourist attraction" and the comment "object for tourist map." "Description" is information input by, for example, the service manager Q1. The information that distinguishes the type of object is not limited to the information shown in Figure 3. The information that distinguishes the type of object may not include at least a portion of the information shown in Figure 3 (e.g., from "tourist attraction" to "water station"), or may include at least a portion of the information shown in Figure 3 (e.g., from "tourist attraction" to "water station").

[0038] The type management UI image 31 may include information different from both the information in the "Name" field and the information in the "Description" field. For example, the list 32 may include images (e.g., thumbnails) corresponding to sample icons that represent various objects on a map. The type management UI image 31 may include information different from the information entered by the service administrator Q1. For example, the type management UI image 31 may include information registered by the system administrator (e.g., default object type). For example, the type management UI image 31 may include information imported from outside the map information providing system 1.

[0039] The type management function includes a function for creating a new object type. Object types are arbitrarily defined by the service administrator Q1. When the generation permission unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the generation permission unit 12 provides the user with a function for creating a new object type. For example, the UI image 31 includes a “Create New” icon 33. When the “Create New” icon 33 is selected, the generation permission unit 12 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as a “type registration screen”) for accepting input of an object name and description on the user's terminal. The type registration screen includes, for example, a text box for accepting text input of the object name, a text box for accepting text input of the object description, and a “Confirm” icon assigned with a function for confirming the input. When the “Confirm” icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the information entered in the object name text box with the information entered in the object description text box, and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11.

[0040] The type management function includes a function to edit an object type and a function to delete an object type. The function to edit an object type is a function to specify an object type and change at least a portion of the information associated with this object type. For example, the function to edit an object type is a function to change one or both of the information in the "Name" field and the information in the "Description" field for an object type specified by the user. The function to delete an object type is a function to exclude a specified object type from registered object types.

[0041] The UI image 31 includes an "edit" icon 34. In the UI image 31, the "edit" icon 34 is arranged in a position aligned with each row of the list 32. When the user selects the "edit" icon 34, the type of object arranged in the row direction of the list 32 relative to this icon 34 is designated as the object to be edited. For example, if it is detected that the icon 34 aligned with the row named "tourist attraction" has been pressed down, the object type "tourist attraction" is designated as the object to be edited.

[0042] When the type of object to be edited is specified, the generation permission unit 12 displays a type registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "OK" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the information entered in the object name text box with the information entered in the object description text box, and updates the object type information stored in the storage unit 11. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the type registration screen, the generation permission unit 12 deletes the information on the specified object type from the storage unit 11.

[0043] When a request is made to display a type management UI image 31, the generation permission unit 12 generates a list 32 using object name information and description information stored in the storage unit 11. The display control unit 15 shown in Fig. 1 displays the UI image 31 including the list 32 generated by the generation permission unit 12 on the user's terminal.

[0044] If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the type management function, the generation permission unit 12 does not provide the user with the function of creating a new object type, the function of editing an object type, and the function of deleting an object type. For example, if the generation permission unit 12 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the type management function, the generation permission unit 12 sets the “Create New” icon 33 and the “Edit” icon 34 to a state where the user cannot select them. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may change the display form of the icons 33 and 34 and disable designation of the icons 33 or 34 with a pointer. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may set the icons 33 and 34 to a hidden state. If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the type management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the type management UI image 31.

[0045] The map information providing system 1 provides object management functions to a user authenticated as a service administrator. When it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the generation permission unit 12 displays an object management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an object management UI image according to an embodiment. For example, the object management UI image 35 is displayed on the user's terminal when the user selects the "object management" icon 23 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] The object management UI image 35 includes a list 36 of objects. The list 36 corresponds to a list of registered objects. The list 36 includes a "display state" item, a "type" item, and a "name" item. The list 32 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which "display state" information is placed, a column in which "type" information is placed, and a column in which "name" information is placed. The "display state" information, "type" information, and "name" information placed in the same row correspond to each other. The information placed in one row corresponds to one object.

[0047] The information displayed in the "Type" field in list 36 includes information that distinguishes (e.g., identifies) the type of object. The information displayed in the "Type" field is selected from information registered as information that distinguishes the type of object. The information that distinguishes the type of object is registered, for example, by the type management function described in FIG. 3.

[0048] The information displayed in the "Name" field in list 36 includes information that distinguishes (e.g., identifies) the object. The information displayed in the "Name" field may be a proper noun or nickname of a facility in real space that corresponds to the object, or the name of an area in real space that corresponds to the object (e.g., a place name). For example, multiple object types are registered in the map information providing system 1, and multiple objects that correspond to one object type are registered. The "type" of an object is information that identifies the object type, and the "name" of an object is information that identifies each object within a specific object type. Each object is identified, for example, by a combination of the object's "type" and "name." For example, the object in the first row and the object in the second row of list 36 have the same name, "Shirahama Beach," but are distinguished by their different types, "tourist attraction" and "bus stop."

[0049] The information displayed in the "display state" field in list 36 is setting information indicating whether each object is to be displayed on the map. The processing unit 17 shown in FIG. 1 generates map data to be displayed on the user's terminal by arranging on the map icons representing objects whose display state is set to "display" and not arranging on the map icons representing objects whose display state is set to "hide." For example, in list 36 in FIG. 4, the object in the first row is of type "tourist attraction," has the name "Shirarahama Beach," and has the display state set to "display." The object in the second row is of type "bus stop," has the name "Shirarahama Beach," and has the state set to "hide." In this case, the processing unit 17 generates map data that includes an icon representing "Shirarahama Beach" as a "tourist attraction," but does not include an icon representing "Shirarahama Beach" as a "bus stop."

[0050] The user can extract objects to be included in the list 36 from multiple registered objects. The UI image 35 includes an input window 37 into which object extraction conditions are input and a "search" icon 38. The input window 37 is, for example, an area into which text indicating the extraction conditions is input. The information input into the input window 37 may include at least a portion of information identifying the type of object, or may include at least a portion of information identifying the object (e.g., name). A command for executing extraction (e.g., search) is assigned to the "search" icon 38. When the generation permission unit 12 detects that the icon 38 has been pressed, the generation permission unit 12 uses the text input into the input window 37 to extract information about objects that match the extraction conditions from the storage unit 11. The generation permission unit 12 reads information about the extracted objects from the storage unit 11 and generates a list 36 indicating the information about the extracted objects.

[0051] The UI image 35 includes icons (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e, and 39f) used to narrow down the objects. Each of the icons 39a to 39f is associated with an object type. When at least one of the icons 39a to 39f is selected, the generation permission unit 12 extracts an object that corresponds to the object type associated with the selected icon. The generation permission unit 12 generates a list 36 that shows information about the extracted objects.

[0052] The object management function includes a function to create a new object. Objects are arbitrarily defined by the service administrator Q1. When the creation permission unit 12 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it provides the user with a function to create a new object. For example, the UI image 35 includes a "Create New" icon 40. When the "Create New" icon 40 is selected, the creation permission unit 12 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as an object registration screen) on the user's terminal that accepts input of various information about the object. The various information about the object includes, for example, information identifying the type of object, information indicating the name of the object, information indicating the position of the object, and status information indicating the status of the object.

[0053] The object registration screen includes, for example, a drop-down list showing candidate object types, a text box for accepting text input of the object name, and a "Confirm" icon assigned with the function of confirming the input. The drop-down list is sometimes called a "pull-down." When the drop-down list is selected, the generation permission unit 12 generates, for example, a list of registered object types. The generation permission unit 12 displays the generated list on the object registration screen. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the object type selected from the drop-down list with the information entered in the object name text box, and stores them in the storage unit 11.

[0054] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing UI images for creating an object according to an embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 5A, the generation permission unit 12 receives a user's designation of the position of an object using an image including icons indicating candidate objects. The generation permission unit 12 displays a map image 45 including candidate objects on the user's terminal. In FIG. 5A, symbols 46a to 46e are icons indicating candidate objects.

[0055] The object candidates include, for example, facilities included in a range specified by the user on the map. Information about the object candidates is included, for example, in geospatial information. The information about the object candidates may include information associated with point information or area information. For example, the generation permitting unit 12 extracts information about locations (e.g., facilities) included in a range specified by the user from the geospatial information. For example, the user adjusts the map displayed on the terminal by changing one or both of the latitude and longitude of the center of the map and the scale of the map so that locations corresponding to the objects are included in the map. The generation permitting unit 12 defines the range of the map adjusted by the user as a specified range and extracts object candidates from this range. The generation permitting unit 12 generates a map image 45 including icons indicating each of the extracted facilities. The generation permitting unit 12 displays a UI image including the generated image 45 on the user's terminal.

[0056] The user can operate the pointer 47 on the image 45 to select one icon representing a candidate object. The generation permission unit 12 acquires location information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the facility corresponding to the selected icon from the geospatial information. The generation permission unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the location information acquired from the geospatial information, and stores this in the storage unit 11 as one piece of object information.

[0057] In the process shown in FIG. 5B, the generation permission unit 12 provides a UI that allows a user to draw a figure representing an object on a map image and accepts the designation of the object's position. For example, the generation permission unit 12 generates a map image 48 of a range designated by the user. The user can designate a line by operating a pointer on the image 48. For example, the user designates a line 50 by pointing a pointer 49a at an arbitrary position on the image 48 to designate the start point, and by pointing a pointer 49b at an arbitrary position on the image 48 to designate the end point. The generation permission unit 12 acquires the positions of the start point and the end point of the line 50 in the image. The generation permission unit 12 converts the positions of the start point and the end point of the line 50 in the image into position information in real space, respectively, thereby acquiring position information in real space of the object corresponding to the line 50. The generation permission unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the position information in real space and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11 as a single piece of object information.

[0058] In the process shown in FIG. 5(C), the generation permission unit 12 provides a UI that allows a user to draw a figure representing an object on a map image and accepts a designation of the object's position. For example, the generation permission unit 12 generates a map image 51 of a range designated by the user. The user can designate an area enclosed by lines by manipulating a pointer on the image 51. For example, the user manipulates a pointer 52 on the image 51 to draw a line and designate a figure 53 enclosed by the line. The generation permission unit 12 acquires the position of the figure 53 on the image and converts the position of the figure 53 into position information in real space, thereby acquiring position information in real space of the object corresponding to the figure 53. The generation permission unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the position information in real space, and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11 as a single piece of object information.

[0059] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, the object management functions include a function to edit object information and a function to delete object information. The function to edit object information is a function to specify an object and change at least part of the information (e.g., state, type, name, location) of the specified object. The function to delete object information is a function to specify an object and exclude the information of that object from registration.

[0060] The UI image 35 includes an "edit" icon 41. In the UI image 35, the "edit" icon 41 is positioned in line with each row of the list 36. When the user selects the "edit" icon 41, the information of the object positioned in the row direction of the list 36 relative to this icon 41 is designated as the object to be edited. For example, if the "edit" icons 41 are lined up next to the list 36 and it is detected that the top icon 41 has been pressed down, the object designated as the object to be edited is an object whose "display state" is "display," whose "type" is "tourist attraction," and whose "name" is "Shirahama Beach."

[0061] When an object to be edited is designated, the generation permission unit 12 displays an object registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "OK" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the type of object selected from the drop-down list with the information entered in the object name text box, and updates the object information stored in the storage unit 11. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the object registration screen, the generation permission unit 12 deletes the information of the designated object from the storage unit 11.

[0062] If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the generation permission unit 12 does not provide the user with the function of creating a new object, the function of editing object information, and the function of deleting object information. For example, if the generation permission unit 12 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the generation permission unit 12 sets the "Create New" icon 40 and the "Edit" icon 41 to a state where the user cannot select them. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may change the display form of the icons 40 and 41 and disable designation of the icons 40 or 41 with a pointer. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may set the icons 40 and 41 to a hidden state. If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the object management UI image 35.

[0063] The map information providing system 1 provides a status management function to a user authenticated as a status manager. The status management function includes a function to change at least a portion of the status information of a specified object. The status information includes, for example, information input by the user as the state of a facility in real space corresponding to the object. For example, if the login information input by the user matches the login information stored in the memory unit 11, the processing unit 17 allows the user to log in. The memory unit 11 stores information about status managers who have the authority to change the status information. In the following description, the information about the status manager will be referred to as status manager information D2 as appropriate. If information indicating that the user is a status manager is included in the status manager information D2, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a status manager.

[0064] When it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service has authority for status management, the input permission unit 13 displays a UI image for status management on the user's terminal. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a UI image for status management according to an embodiment. The UI image 55 for status management is displayed on the user's terminal, for example, when the user selects the "status management" icon 24 in the UI image 21 shown in Fig. 2.

[0065] The status management UI image 55 includes an input window 56 into which an object type is input and an input window 57 into which an object name is input. The input window 56 is, for example, a drop-down list. For example, when the input permission unit 13 detects that the input window 56 has been selected, it generates a list of registered object types. The input permission unit 13 displays the generated list of object types as a list of candidates on the UI image 55. The input window 56 displays the object type selected by the user from the candidates. The input window 57 is, for example, a drop-down list. For example, when the input permission unit 13 detects that the input window 57 has been selected, it generates a list of registered object names that are the object type displayed in the input window 56. The input permission unit 13 displays the generated list of object names as a list of candidates on the UI image 55. The input window 57 displays the name of the object selected by the user from the candidates.

[0066] The status management UI image 55 includes areas (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d) in which status information of an object is displayed. The status information includes, for example, information associated with location information or area information. The status information includes, for example, information indicating the status of a facility in real space associated with location information or area information. The status information includes, for example, multiple items. In FIG. 6, areas 58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d are each an area in which one item of status information is displayed. The information in each item of status information is sometimes referred to as attribute information. The information in at least one item of status information includes, for example, information representing a state that changes over time. The information in at least one item of status information includes information representing a state that changes due to natural or man-made factors. The items of status information are set in advance according to the type of object.

[0067] In this embodiment, the status information is represented by information selected from a plurality of options. For example, each area displaying the status information displays text indicating the content of the item, status options, check boxes for the options, and a mark indicating which check box is selected. The text indicating the content of the item is information indicating the status of the object. For example, in area 58a representing one item of the object's status, the text indicating the content of the item is "Please select the operation status." The text in area 58a is information indicating that this item represents the status related to the operation of the object. The status options for this item are represented by the text "Open" and the text "Closed." A check box 59a is placed next to "Open," and a check box 59b is placed next to the text "Closed." A mark 60 is placed in check box 59a. In this example, the status of an object called "Shirahama Second Elementary School," which is a "water station," is indicated as "Open" in the "Operation Status" item.

[0068] The user can update the information indicating the status of this object by selecting one of the options for each item in the status management UI image 55. The input permission unit 13 monitors the user's input in the UI image 55 and detects that the status information has been changed. For example, the input permission unit 13 detects that a change has been made to a check box (e.g., check box 59a or check box 59b) in which a mark 60 is placed in an area (e.g., area 58a) where the status information is displayed. When the input permission unit 13 detects that the status information has been changed, it updates the status information of the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 (see FIG. 1 ) to the changed status information in the UI image 55.

[0069] If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the status management function, the input permission unit 13 does not provide the user with the function to change at least a portion of the status information. For example, if the input permission unit 13 determines that the user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the status management function, the input permission unit 13 disables an input to change the option in which the mark 60 is placed in an area (e.g., area 58a) where each item of status information is displayed. For example, the input permission unit 13 hides the check boxes 59a and 59b and displays the mark 60 fixedly relative to the option indicated by the current status information. The input permission unit 13 may display the option indicated by the current status information for each item of status information and hide other options and the mark 60. If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the status management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the status management UI image 55. The service administrator Q1 may or may not have the authority to use the status management function.

[0070] The display determination unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 determines the display of objects on a map using status information. In this embodiment, the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the input permission unit 13 displays an image (e.g., UI image 55 in FIG. 6) on the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 that allows the user to select status information from a plurality of candidates. The display determination unit 14 determines the display of objects on a map using the status information that is input by selecting from a plurality of candidates on the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process for determining the display of an object according to the embodiment. In this embodiment, each of the multiple items of status information (see FIG. 6) includes information selected from multiple pre-registered candidates. The display form of the object on the map displayed on the user's terminal is pre-associated with a combination of options for the multiple items of status information. The display determination unit 14 determines the display form of the object to be a display form corresponding to the combination of options for the status information input by the user.

[0072] In FIG. 7, the symbol D4 indicates display form information. The display form information D4 is information that indicates multiple display forms of an object. The display form information D4 in FIG. 7 includes data on multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) that indicate objects on a map. Each of the multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) has a different display form from the other icons. Elements of the display form of an icon include, for example, at least one of color, brightness, shape, whether or not it is displayed, and whether or not it blinks.

[0073] The multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) in FIG. 7 are all used to display objects of the object type "water station." The multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) have different levels indicating how easily water can be received. For example, icon D4a represents a water station that is at the highest level of ease of receiving water. Icon D4b represents a water station that is at a lower level of ease of receiving water than icon D4a. Icon D4c represents a water station that is at a lower level of ease of receiving water than icon D4b. Icon D4b represents a water station that is open but is not able to receive water.

[0074] The symbol D5 in FIG. 7 indicates correspondence information. The correspondence information D5 is information that associates a combination of information selected from multiple candidates for multiple items of status information with one of multiple display formats. The correspondence information D5 in FIG. 7 is expressed in a table format. This correspondence information D5 is information that associates a combination of information on the status information item "remaining water supply" and information on the status information item "congestion level" with multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) that represent objects. The information on the item "remaining water supply" is, for example, information selected from three candidates, "sufficient," "low level," and "none," in area 58c of the status management UI image 55 shown in FIG. 6. The information on the item "congestion level" is, for example, information selected from three candidates, "pleasant," "slightly congested," and "congested," in area 58b of the status management UI image 55 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, there are nine possible combinations of information for the "remaining water supply" item and information for the "level of congestion" item, and each combination is associated with one of a number of icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d). For example, if the information for the "remaining water supply" item is "sufficient" and the information for the "level of congestion" item is "plenty," icon D4a of display form information D4 is assigned to this combination.

[0075] The status information of the object information D3 includes, for example, information on items that are set according to the type of object. The items of the status information differ when the type of object is a first type and when the type of object is a second type that is different from the first type. For example, the items of the status information differ when the type of object is a "tourist attraction" and when the type of object is a "water station."

[0076] The display form information D4 includes, for example, information on a plurality of candidate display forms for an object. The plurality of candidate display forms for an object are set for each type of object. The candidate display forms for an object differ when the type of object is a first type and when the type of object is a second type different from the first type. For example, the candidate display forms for an object differ when the type of object is a "tourist attraction" and when the type of object is a "water station."

[0077] The correspondence information D5 associates, for example, at least one candidate item of information selected from the status information items set for each type of object with a candidate display form of the object set for each type of object. Correspondence information D5 for an object differs from correspondence information D5 for an object of a second type, which is different from the first type. For example, in Fig. 6, the type of object is "water station," and the status information items are four items: "operation status," "congestion level," "remaining water supply," and "expected arrival of water truck." Correspondence information D5 in Fig. 7, which corresponds to Fig. 6, associates a combination of a candidate for "remaining water supply" and a candidate for "congestion level," out of the four items of status information for the "water station," with a display form.

[0078] In correspondence information D5, the number of items selected from the status information items is two in FIG. 7, but it may be one, or three or more. At least one item of status information in object information D3 may be common to two or more types of objects. At least one candidate for the display form of an object may be common to two or more types of objects. One candidate for the display form of an object may be associated with one candidate for status information, or may be associated with multiple candidates for status information.

[0079] The display mode information D4 is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 by, for example, a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. The display mode information D4 may be stored in the storage unit 11 by a user different from the system administrator (for example, a service administrator Q1). The storage unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a display mode storage unit that stores the display mode information D4. The display mode storage unit may be a storage area of ​​a storage unit different from the storage unit 11. The correspondence information D5 is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 by, for example, a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. The correspondence information D5 may be stored in the storage unit 11 by a user different from the system administrator (for example, a service administrator Q1). The storage unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a display mode storage unit that stores the correspondence information D5. The display mode storage unit may be a storage area of ​​a storage unit different from the storage unit 11.

[0080] When the map information providing system 1 receives a request to display a map, the display determination unit 14 determines the display form of an object. For example, the display determination unit 14 compares the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 with the correspondence information D5 for the object to be displayed to determine the display form of the object. For example, the display determination unit 14 identifies the correspondence information D5 corresponding to the type of object to be displayed. For each object to be displayed, the display determination unit 14 extracts information on items defined in the correspondence information D5 from the status information. For the information on the items extracted from the status information of each object to be displayed, the display determination unit 14 identifies display form candidates associated by the correspondence information D5 and determines the identified candidates as the display form. For example, the object shown in the UI image 55 of FIG. 6 is a "water station," and the display determination unit 14 acquires the correspondence information D5 corresponding to the "water station" from the storage unit 11. The display determination unit 14 identifies "remaining water supply amount" and "congestion level" as items of status information defined in the correspondence information D5 corresponding to the "water station." 6, "slightly crowded" is selected as the "congestion level" of the status information, and "low level" is selected as the "remaining water supply" of the status information. The display determination unit 14 determines icon D4c of display form information D4 as the display form when the "remaining water supply" is "low level" and the "congestion level" is "slightly crowded" in the corresponding information D5 shown in FIG.

[0081] The map information providing system 1 provides device management functions to a user who has been authenticated as a device administrator. In this embodiment, the service administrator has the authority of a device administrator. For example, when the processing unit 17 in FIG. 1 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it displays a device management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a device management UI image according to this embodiment. For example, the device management UI image 81 is displayed on the user's terminal when the user selects the "Device Management" icon 27 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0082] The device management UI image 81 includes a list 82 of registered devices as local terminals. One of the registered local terminals is, for example, terminal T1 in FIG. 1. The list 82 includes a "Status" item, a "Device ID" item, an "Installation Location" item, and a "Detected Item" item. The list 82 is, for example, in a table format, with information for each item arranged in a column. Information for each item arranged in one row is information about one device. Information arranged in one row is information associated with each other. Various information about the local terminal (e.g., the original data of the list 82) is included in the terminal information D10 stored in the memory unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. The processing unit 17 generates the list 82 using the terminal information D10 and displays it on the user's terminal.

[0083] The information displayed in the "Device ID" field is, for example, information that specifies (e.g., identifies) a local terminal (e.g., terminal T1 in Figure 1). The information that specifies a local terminal is, for example, a device ID sent from the local terminal. The device ID includes, for example, a MAC address and / or an IP address. The information displayed in the "Device ID" field is, for example, information entered by service administrator Q1.

[0084] The information displayed in the "Installation Location" field is information (referred to as "Object ID" as appropriate) that identifies an object in real space that corresponds to the status of the object being monitored. For example, in list 82, for a local terminal whose "Device ID" is "BBB," the object that corresponds to the status of the object being monitored is "Shirahama Second Elementary School." The information displayed in the "Installation Location" field may include, for example, the name of the object shown in FIG. 4. The object ID may be information that pairs the type and name of the object shown in FIG. 4, or may be identification information that is assigned to multiple objects without duplication. The information displayed in the "Installation Location" field may be information that identifies a predetermined location A1 (e.g., a point, area) in real space. For example, the information displayed in the "Installation Location" field may include location information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the predetermined location A1 in real space.

[0085] The information displayed in the "Detection Item" field indicates the type of status of the monitored object. The information displayed in the "Detection Item" field indicates the correspondence between status information items and local terminals. The information displayed in the "Detection Item" field is, for example, an item indicating the type of detection result obtained by detecting the status of a predetermined location A1. For example, in list 82, a local terminal with a "Device ID" of "BBB" has a "Detection Item" of "Remaining Water Supply." For example, the predetermined location A1 corresponding to "Shirahama Second Elementary School" is used as a water supply station, and a local terminal with a "Device ID" of "BBB" is defined as a terminal that transmits information regarding the remaining water supply as the status of the water supply station. This local terminal transmits, for example, the detection result of a water level sensor installed in the water supply station as data indicating the remaining water supply. In list 82, a local terminal with a "Device ID" of "CCC" has a "Detection Item" of "Congestion Level." A local terminal with a "Device ID" of "CCC" is defined as a terminal that transmits the congestion level as the status of the water supply station. This local terminal transmits, for example, image data output by a camera capturing an image of the water station as data indicating the degree of congestion.

[0086] The information displayed in the "Status" field indicates whether the terminal is valid or invalid. The information displayed in the "Status" field indicates, for example, whether information transmitted by the terminal is reflected in the status information. For example, in the list 82, the "Status" of a local terminal having a "Device ID" of "AAA" is "Invalid," and the map information providing system 1 does not reflect information transmitted from this local terminal in the status information. For example, in the list 82, the "Status" of a local terminal having a "Device ID" of "BBB" is "Valid," and the map information providing system 1 reflects information transmitted from this local terminal in the status information. The information displayed in the "Status" field may also indicate whether the local terminal is in a state where it can execute a predetermined process. For example, the map information providing system 1 (e.g., the processing unit 17) transmits a Ping command to the terminal T1 and uses the response to determine whether the local terminal is in a state where it can execute a predetermined process. The map information providing system 1 (for example, the processing unit 17) may determine the information to be displayed in the "status" of the list 82 using the result of determining whether the local terminal is in a state where it can execute a predetermined process.

[0087] The device management function includes a function to register information about a local device, a function to edit information about a local device, and a function to delete the registration of a local device. The function to register information about a local device is a function to newly register information about a local device. When the processing unit 17 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a device administrator, it provides the user with a function to register a local device. For example, the UI image 81 includes a "Create New" icon 83. When the "Create New" icon 83 is selected, the processing unit 17 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as a device registration screen) on the user's device that accepts input of various information about the local device.

[0088] The various information of the local terminal includes information that identifies the local terminal (e.g., "Device ID" in list 82). The device registration screen includes, for example, a text box into which information that identifies the local terminal is input, and a "Confirm" icon to which the function of confirming the input is assigned. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the processing unit 17 stores the information input in the text box in the storage unit 11 as part of the terminal information.

[0089] The various information of the local terminal includes information that identifies the monitoring target of the local terminal (e.g., "Installation location" in list 82). The device registration screen includes, for example, list 36 of objects shown in FIG. 4, and the user can specify the monitoring target of the local terminal by selecting an object from list 36. Processing unit 17 stores information that identifies the object specified as the monitoring target of the local terminal (e.g., the name of the object) in storage unit 11 as part of the terminal information.

[0090] The various information of the local terminal includes information indicating the correspondence between the information transmitted by the local terminal and the status information items (e.g., "detected items" in list 82). The device registration screen includes, for example, a list of status information items as shown in FIG. 6. The user can specify the status information item corresponding to the information transmitted by the local terminal by selecting an item from this list. For example, the processing unit 17 identifies the type of object specified as the object to be monitored, and displays a list of status information items preset for this type on the user's terminal. The processing unit 17 stores information indicating the specified status information item in the memory unit 11 as part of the terminal information.

[0091] When the processing unit 17 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a device administrator, it provides the user with a function to edit local device information and a function to delete the registration of the local device. For example, the processing unit 17 displays information about a local device designated by the user on the user's device and accepts input specifying an item to be changed among the local device information and an input of the change content. For example, if the user suspects a malfunction of a registered local device, the user can change the status of the local device from "enabled" to "disabled." The function to delete the registration of a local device is a function to specify a registered local device and remove it from the list of registered local devices. When the information of terminal T1 is edited or deleted, the processing unit 17 updates the terminal information D10 stored in the storage unit 11.

[0092] The processing unit 17 shown in FIG. 1 uses the information transmitted by the local terminal to identify an object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information. For example, the processing unit 17 identifies a device ID included in a report transmitted by the terminal T1. The processing unit 17 compares the identified device ID with the terminal information D10 to identify an object associated with the device ID. For example, if the device ID included in the report is "BBB" (see FIG. 8), the processing unit 17 identifies the object associated with the local terminal that transmitted this report as "Shirahama Second Elementary School." The processing unit 17 uses the information transmitted by the local terminal to identify an item of status information corresponding to the local terminal. For example, if the device ID included in the report is "BBB" (see FIG. 8), the processing unit 17 identifies the item of status information corresponding to the local terminal that transmitted this report as "remaining water supply amount." The processing unit 17 updates the information of the identified item in the status information of the identified object using the status detection result included in the report. For example, if the device ID included in the report is "BBB" (see Figure 8), the processing unit 17 updates the information in the "remaining water supply" item of the status information for the object "Shirahama Second Elementary School" using the status detection result included in the report.

[0093] The status information in this embodiment includes information selected from multiple pre-registered candidates (see FIG. 6). For example, areas 58a to 58d each correspond to one item of status information. Area 58c is an area where the remaining water supply item is located, with multiple candidates such as "sufficient," "low level," and "none." In list 82 shown in FIG. 8, a device with a "device ID" of "BBB" is defined as a local terminal that provides status detection results regarding the "remaining water supply" of "Shirahama Second Elementary School." This local terminal provides, for example, the water level in the water tank as a status detection result.

[0094] The processing unit 17 calculates a parameter (e.g., an index) indicating the remaining amount of water supply using, for example, the status detection result provided by the local terminal. For example, the processing unit 17 calculates the ratio of the water level indicated by the status detection result to the water level when full. For example, if the water level when full is 1000 mm and the water level indicated by the status detection result is 250 mm, the processing unit 17 calculates the parameter indicating the remaining amount of water supply as 250 / 1000 (25%).

[0095] In the status information items that use the state detection results, parameter thresholds (e.g., upper and lower limits of the range) are set in advance for each of the multiple candidates. For example, in the item of remaining water supply, the parameter range (appropriately referred to as the set range) of 30% to 100% is set for one candidate, "sufficient," the set range of 5% to less than 30% is set for another candidate, "low remaining," and the set range of 0% to less than 5% is set for another candidate, "none."

[0096] The processing unit 17 selects a candidate whose remaining water supply amount parameter calculated from the status detection result is within a set range as the status information for this item. For example, if the remaining water supply amount parameter calculated from the status detection result is 25%, the processing unit 17 selects "low remaining" as the status information for the remaining water supply amount. The processing unit 17 stores the status information selected from the multiple candidates in the storage unit 11. For example, if the remaining water supply amount indicated by the previous status detection result was "sufficient" and the remaining water supply amount indicated by the current status detection result is "low remaining," the processing unit 17 updates the information indicating the remaining water supply amount from "sufficient" to "low remaining." The display determination unit 14 determines the display form of the object using the status information, as described in FIG. 7.

[0097] In this embodiment, the detection result includes a detection value of a sensor that detects the state of a place in real space, a parameter range corresponding to the sensor detection value is set for each of the multiple display forms, and the display determination unit 14 determines, as the display form of the object, a display form in which the sensor detection value is within the parameter range from among the multiple display forms.The display determination unit 14 determines, as the display form of the object, a display form that is associated with information selected from multiple candidates by the correspondence information using information including the detection result of the state of the place transmitted from the local terminal.

[0098] In this embodiment, the display form information D4 shown in Fig. 4 indicates a plurality of display forms of the object, and the state detection result includes a detection value of a sensor that detects the state of a location in real space. The display determination unit 14 in Fig. 1 compares the detection value with a setting range set for the display form, and determines one of the plurality of display forms as the display of the object.

[0099] The map information providing system 1 uses the report sent by the local terminal to update the status information stored in the storage unit 11. When a request for map display (e.g., new display, display update) is received from the terminal 4 of user Q3, the map information providing system 1 determines the display format by the display determination unit 14 using the latest status information stored in the storage unit 11, and displays the map on the terminal 4 of user Q3 by the display control unit 15. For example, on the map displayed on the terminal 4, objects are shown in a display format that reflects the latest status information, allowing user Q3 to grasp the latest status of the objects.

[0100] The status manager Q2 in FIG. 1, for example, works at a facility in real space that corresponds to an object on the map. The status manager Q2 grasps the status of the facility through his / her activities. In the map information providing system 1, the status manager Q2 is registered as a user who can use the status management function, and can input status information (see FIG. 6) using the terminal 3. The status manager Q2 may input status information for items different from the status information items corresponding to the report provided by the local terminal. For example, the local terminal may provide information regarding the remaining water supply to the map information providing system 1, and the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 may provide information regarding the congestion level to the map information providing system 1.

[0101] The status manager Q2 may input status information for the same items of status information as those corresponding to the report provided by the local terminal. For example, the local terminal and the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 may each provide information regarding the congestion level to the map information providing system 1. The map information providing system 1 may determine the display of objects using the latest status information based on the information provided by the local terminal or the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2. The map information providing system 1 may compare the information provided by the local terminal with the information provided by the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 for one item of status information. For example, if the difference between the information provided by the local terminal and the information provided by the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 exceeds a threshold (e.g., a tolerance range), the map information providing system 1 may output information (e.g., an alert) indicating this.

[0102] The map information providing system 1 does not have to accept status information from the terminal of the status manager Q2. For example, the status manager Q2 may have the authority to view the status management UI image 55 in Fig. 6 but may not have the authority to edit the status information. Furthermore, the map information providing service can be operated even if the status manager Q2 is not present.

[0103] The map information providing system 1 provides user management functions to a user who has been authenticated as a user administrator. In this embodiment, the service administrator has user administrator authority. For example, when the processing unit 17 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it displays a user management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a user management UI image according to this embodiment. For example, the user management UI image 61 is displayed on the user's terminal when the user selects the "user management" icon 25 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0104] The user management UI image 61 includes a list 62 of registered users. The list 62 includes items for "status," "name," "email address," and "user group." The list 62 is, for example, in a table format, with information for each item arranged in columns. Information for each item arranged in one row is information about one user.

[0105] The information displayed in the "Name" field is the name of the user used in the map display service. The information displayed in the "Name" field is information entered by, for example, service administrator Q1. The information displayed in the "Email Address" field is information used for authentication when the user logs in to the map display service. The information displayed in the "User Group" field is the name of the user's permission pattern.

[0106] A user whose "user group" is "service administrator" can use the functions defined as authorized in the permission pattern named "service administrator." For example, the information "service administrator" in the "user group" indicates that the user has authorization to use the type management function, object management function, status management function, user management function, and post management function. For example, in list 62, a user whose "name" is "Yoichi" has the "user group" of "service administrator," and a user who logs in as "Yoichi" can use the above-mentioned functions. For example, the service administrator information D1 in Figure 1 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "service administrator."

[0107] A user whose "user group" is "status administrator" can use the functions defined as having authority in the authority pattern named "status administrator." For example, the information "status administrator" for "user group" indicates that the user has authority to use the status management function, but does not have authority to use the type management function, object management function, user management function, or post management function. For example, in list 62, a user whose "name" is "Taro" has a "user group" of "status administrator," and a user who logs in as "Taro" can use the status management function. For example, the status administrator information D2 in Figure 1 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "status administrator."

[0108] The information displayed in the "Status" field indicates whether or not the user's authority is restricted. The information "Enabled" displayed in the "Status" field indicates that there are no usage restrictions on each authority in the authority pattern indicated by the "User Group" for this user. The information "Disabled" displayed in the "Status" field indicates that there are usage restrictions on at least some of the authorities in the authority pattern indicated by the "User Group" for this user.

[0109] The user can extract objects to be included in the list 62 from multiple registered users. The UI image 61 includes an input window 64 into which the user's extraction conditions are input and a "search" icon 65. The input window 64 is, for example, an area into which text indicating the extraction conditions is input. The information input into the input window 64 may include at least a portion of information identifying an authorization pattern or at least a portion of information identifying the user. The "search" icon 63 is assigned a command for executing extraction (e.g., search). When the processing unit 17 detects that the icon 63 has been pressed, it uses the text input into the input window 37 to extract user information matching the extraction conditions from the storage unit 11. The processing unit 17 reads the extracted user information from the storage unit 11 and generates a list 62 showing the extracted user information. The UI image 35 includes an icon 65 used to narrow down the users to be displayed in the list 62. The icon 65 includes a drop-down list showing candidate authorization patterns. When it is determined that the icon 65 has been pressed, the processing unit 17 generates a list of registered "user groups." The processing unit 17 places the generated list of "user groups" on the UI image 61. The processing unit 17 creates a list of users corresponding to the "user group" selected from the list of "user groups" and updates the created list as a list 62.

[0110] The user management function includes a function for registering a user. When the processing unit 17 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the processing unit 17 provides the user with a function for registering the user. For example, the UI image 61 includes a “user registration” icon 66. When the “user registration” icon 66 is selected, the processing unit 17 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as a “user registration screen”) on the user's terminal, which accepts input of various user information. The various user information includes, for example, the user's name used in the map display service (e.g., “Name” in the list 62), information used for user authentication (e.g., “Email address” in the list 62), information indicating the user's authority (e.g., “User group” in the list 62), and information indicating restrictions on the user's authority (e.g., “Status” in the list 62). The user registration screen includes, for example, text boxes into which the various user information is input and a “Confirm” icon to which the function for confirming the input is assigned. When the “Confirm” icon is selected, the processing unit 17 assembles the various user information input in the text boxes into a set and stores the set in the storage unit 11.

[0111] The user management function includes a function to edit user information and a function to delete a user's registration. The function to edit user information is a function to specify a user and change at least some of the various information about that user. The function to delete a user's registration is a function to specify a user and remove that user from the registered users.

[0112] The UI image 61 includes an "Edit" icon 67. In the UI image 61, the "Edit" icon 67 is positioned in line with each row of the list 62. When the user selects the "Edit" icon 67, the information of the user positioned in the row direction of the list 62 relative to this icon 67 is designated as the target for editing. For example, when it is detected that the icon 67 aligned with the row containing the name "Yoichi" is pressed down, the user named "Yoichi" is designated as the target for editing. When the target for editing is designated, the processing unit 17 displays a user registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the processing unit 17 updates the various user information stored in the storage unit 11 to the various user information entered in the text box. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the user registration screen, the processing unit 17 deletes the various user information designated from the storage unit 11.

[0113] The map information providing system 1 provides a posting function to users of the map display service. Users of the map display service include viewers of maps that the map information providing system 1 displays on the user's terminal. Users of the map display service include, for example, unspecified users. For example, unspecified users can use specific functions provided by the map information providing system 1 without logging in to the map display service. The specific functions are, for example, a display function of a map including objects and a posting function. The posting function is a function for specifying a location (e.g., a point or area) on a map and posting information about the specified location.

[0114] The map information providing system 1 provides a posting management function to a user authenticated as a posting manager. The posting management function includes, for example, a function for setting whether or not information posted by unspecified users is to be made public to other users. In this embodiment, the service manager has the authority of a user manager. For example, when the posting permission receiving unit 16 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service manager, it displays a posting management UI image on the user's terminal.

[0115] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a function related to posting in this embodiment. FIG. 10(A) is a diagram showing a UI image of the posting function according to this embodiment. The UI image 71 includes an icon 72 indicating a location and an information window 73. The map information providing system 1 displays an image showing location candidates on a map (for example, image 45 in FIG. 5(A)) on the user's terminal. The user specifies the location to be posted by selecting the location to be posted from the location candidates displayed on the terminal. The method of specifying the location to be posted is arbitrary, and may be, for example, the method described in FIG. 5(B) or FIG. 5(C).

[0116] The map information providing system 1 displays, on the user's terminal, an information window 73 including attribute information of the object corresponding to the selected location (e.g., the name, position, and status of the location). The information window 73 includes an input window 74, an input window 75, and a "Post" icon. The input window 74 is, for example, an area where the title of the post is entered as text. The input window 75 is, for example, an area where the content of the post is entered as text. The user can post information by entering text in the input window 74 and the input window 75 and selecting the "Post" icon. When the map information providing system 1 detects that the "Post" icon has been selected, it acquires the information entered in the input window 74 and the information entered in the input window 75. The map information providing system 1 associates the information acquired from the user's terminal with information about the object corresponding to the icon 75 and the time (e.g., a timestamp) at which the "Post" icon was selected, and stores them in the memory unit 11.

[0117] 10(B) is a diagram showing a UI image of the post management function according to the embodiment. The post management UI image 75 is displayed on the user's terminal when the user selects the "Post Management" icon 26 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2, for example. The post management UI image 75 includes a list of posts 76 and an icon 77.

[0118] The list 76 corresponds to a list of posts stored in the memory unit 11. The list 76 includes a "status" item, a "title" item, a "post content" item, and a "post date and time" item. The list 76 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which information for one item is arranged. Information arranged in one row corresponds to one post. The information in the "status" item, the information in the "status" item, the information in the "title" item, the information in the "post content" item, and the information in the "post date and time" item arranged in one row correspond to each other.

[0119] The information displayed in the "Title" field is intended to indicate the theme of the post. The information displayed in the "Post Content" field is the main information that the poster wants to communicate. The information displayed in the "Post Date" field is information that indicates the time the post was made. "Status" is information that indicates the status of each post. For example, if the "Status" field is "Public," this indicates that the post can be viewed by any user using the map display service. If the "Status" field is "Private," this indicates that the post cannot be viewed by users other than those who have permission to view the post. If the "Status" field is "Under Review," this indicates that it has not yet been determined whether the "Status" is "Public" or "Private."

[0120] Icon 77 is used to filter posts. Icon 77 is assigned a function for specifying the conditions for posts to be included in list 76. For example, icon 77 includes a drop-down list and accepts an input specifying the "status" of a post as a condition for inclusion in the list. When icon 77 is selected, processing unit 17 displays a list of options (e.g., "public," "private," and "under review") pre-registered as the status of a post on the user's terminal. Processing unit 17 extracts posts that match the conditions specified by the user from memory unit 11 and generates list 76. The condition for filtering posts does not have to be "status," and may be, for example, a condition on the characters contained in the post or a condition on the posting date and time.

[0121] The post management function includes a function for setting the status of a post (e.g., changing it). For example, the post permission receiving unit 16 receives an input specifying a post and an input specifying the status of the post from the terminal of a user authorized to manage posts. For example, the service manager Q1 uses the terminal 2 to select a post to be specified from a list 76 in a UI image 75 for post management displayed on the terminal 2. When an input specifying a post is input to the terminal 2, the post permission receiving unit 16 displays an information window for receiving input of the status of the post on the terminal 2 and acquires the information entered in the information window from the terminal 2. The post permission receiving unit 16 updates the information indicating the status of the post stored in the memory unit 11 to the information acquired from the terminal 2 as the status of the specified post. For example, when a new post is registered by the terminal of an unspecified user, the map information providing system 1 sets the status of the registration to “under review.” A user authorized to manage posts displays posts with the status “under review” in the list 76 in the UI image 75 for post management. A user with post management authority can check the content of a post that is in the "under review" state and change the state of the post to "public" or "private."

[0122] When a post associated with an object is stored in the storage unit 11, the map information providing system 1 displays the post on the terminal of an unspecified user in response to a request to display the post from the terminal of the unspecified user. For example, when a map object displayed on the user's terminal is selected and there is information with a status of "public" as a post associated with this object, the map information providing system 1 places an icon "Display post" in an information window that displays attribute information of this object. When the map information providing system 1 detects that the "Display post" icon has been selected, it reads out the information of the post associated with this object from the storage unit 11 and displays it on the terminal of the unspecified user.

[0123] If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, the post permission accepting unit 16 does not provide the post management function to this user. For example, if it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, the post permission accepting unit 16 does not provide a UI for changing the status of posts to this user's terminal. If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the post management UI image 75 to this user.

[0124] Next, a map information providing method according to an embodiment will be described based on the configuration and operation of the above-described map information providing system 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the map information providing method according to an embodiment. In step S1, the map information providing system 1 stores information about a service manager in the storage unit 11. For example, the system manager registers information about a user designated by an applicant for the map display service in the map information providing system 1 as information about the service manager.

[0125] In step S2, the map information providing system 1 accepts object information from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1 (see FIGS. 2 to 5). For example, the generation permission unit 12 provides the object management UI image 35 shown in FIG. 4 to the terminal 2 of the user authenticated as the service administrator Q1 and accepts the object information. In step S3, the map information providing system 1 stores the object information input from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1 in the storage unit 11.

[0126] In step S4, the map information providing system 1 accepts input of terminal information D10 from the terminal of the device administrator. For example, the service administrator Q1 has authority as a device administrator, and the processing unit 17 provides a device management UI image 81 to the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1. The processing unit 17 accepts input of information identifying a local terminal that transmits information including a detection result of the state of a place in real space that corresponds to an object, and information identifying an object that corresponds to a place in real space. The information identifying the local terminal is, for example, the "device ID" in the list 82 of FIG. 8. The information identifying the object is, for example, the "installation location" in the list 82 of FIG. 8. In step S5, the map information providing system 1 stores the terminal information input from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1 in a local terminal information storage unit (e.g., the storage unit 11).

[0127] In step S6, the map information providing system 1 acquires (e.g., receives) a report sent by a local terminal (e.g., terminal T1 in FIG. 1). In step S7, the map information providing system 1 identifies an object associated with the terminal in the terminal information. For example, the processing unit 17 identifies a device ID included in the terminal information that matches the device ID included in the report. The processing unit 17 identifies an object and a detection item associated with the identified device ID in the terminal information D10. For example, as described in FIG. 8, if the device ID included in the report is "BBB," the processing unit 17 identifies the object corresponding to this report as "Shirahama Second Elementary School" and the detection item as "remaining water supply."

[0128] In step S8, the map information providing system 1 updates the status information of the object identified in step S7 using the report acquired in step S6. For example, the processing unit 17 calculates parameters for the identified detection item of the identified object using the state detection results included in the report. For the identified detection item, the processing unit 17 determines, from among multiple status information candidates, a candidate whose calculated parameters are within a set range as the status information for that item. The processing unit 17 stores the determined status information in the storage unit 11.

[0129] For example, when a map display is requested from an unspecified user's terminal, the map information providing system 1 determines the display mode of the object by the display determination unit 14. For example, in step S9, the display determination unit 14 compares the status information of the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 with the display mode information D4 and correspondence information D5 shown in FIG. 7 to determine the display mode of the object. The processing unit 17 places the object in the display mode determined by the display determination unit 14 on a map generated using map data acquired from the external system 5, and generates a map including the object. In step S10, the display control unit 15 displays the map generated by the processing unit 17 on the terminal 4 of user Q3.

[0130] The map information providing system 1 according to the embodiment described above permits the input of object information using administrator information, stores terminal information associating a local terminal with an object, identifies an object associated with the local terminal using information transmitted by the local terminal, stores the detection results transmitted by the local terminal as status information for the identified object, determines how the object is displayed on the map using the status information, and displays a map including the determined displayed object on the user's terminal. The map information providing system 1 can update the status information based on the information transmitted by the local terminal to information that is less inconsistent with the current situation, and the display determination unit automatically determines how the object is displayed using this status information, thereby displaying the object in a manner that is less inconsistent with the current situation over time. In this way, the map information providing system 1 can provide the user with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation.

[0131] In this embodiment, the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates. The map information providing system includes a display form storage unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms of an object, and a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates the information selected from the plurality of candidates with one of the plurality of display forms. The display determination unit determines, as the display of the object, the display form associated with the information selected from the plurality of candidates by the correspondence information. In this case, since the information selected from the plurality of candidates is pre-associated with one of the plurality of display forms, the processing load is reduced and the time lag between the current state and the display is reduced.

[0132] Note that the display form of an object does not have to be associated with information selected from multiple candidates. For example, at least a portion of the status information may be input as a numerical value, and the map information providing system 1 may determine the display form of the object based on a gradation value calculated from the status information. For example, the object may correspond to a water station, and the number of people waiting to receive water at the water station may be input as the status information. The map information providing system 1 may determine a gradation value indicating the degree of congestion from the number of people waiting to receive water, and use this gradation value to determine the display form of the object.

[0133] A map information display system according to an embodiment is a map information providing system that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a terminal, and may include: a memory unit that stores login information used when a user logs in to a service provided by the map information providing system and authority information indicating whether the user identified by the login information has a first authority and whether the user has a second authority; a generation permission unit that allows a terminal of a first user, whose authority information indicates that the user has the first authority, to input object information used to generate an object; an input permission unit that allows a terminal of a second user, whose authority information indicates that the user has the second authority, to input status information indicating the status of the object; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the terminal of the second user; and a display control unit that causes a map including the objects whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on a terminal of an unspecified user.

[0134] A map information display system according to an embodiment is a map information providing system that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a terminal, and includes: a storage unit that stores login information used when a user logs in to a service provided by the map information providing system and authority information indicating whether or not the user identified by the login information has a first authority and a second authority; a generation permission unit that permits input of object information used to generate an object to a terminal of a first user authenticated as having the first authority; an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of the object to a terminal of a second user authenticated as having the second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the terminal of the second user; and a display control unit that causes a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on a terminal of an unspecified user.

[0135] The first authority is, for example, the authority to use the object management function shown in Fig. 4. The authority information indicating whether or not the first authority is present corresponds, for example, to the service manager information D1 in Fig. 1. The second authority is, for example, the authority to use the status management function shown in Fig. 6. The authority information indicating whether or not the second authority is present corresponds, for example, to the status manager information D2 in Fig. 1.

[0136] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0137] The map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment accepts registration of object information D3 from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 and the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The limited administrator Q4 is, for example, a person in charge of the waterworks department of a local government, and provides object information of objects whose object type is "water supply station" explained in FIG. 3 to the map information providing system 1 via the terminal 6. The limited administrator Q6 is, for example, a person in charge of the tourism department of a local government, and provides object information of objects whose object type is "tourist destination" explained in FIG. 3 to the map information providing system 1 via the terminal 8.

[0138] The map information providing system 1 permits input to edit or delete object information registered by the first limited administrator on the terminal of a user authenticated as the first limited administrator. The map information providing system 1 does not permit input to edit or delete object information registered by the first limited administrator on the terminal of a user authenticated as a user other than the first limited administrator. For example, limited administrator Q4 (e.g., a waterworks bureau employee) has the authority to edit or delete object information of an object of type "water supply station," but does not have the authority to edit or delete object information of type "tourist attraction." Limited administrator Q6 (e.g., a tourism department employee) has the authority to edit or delete object information of type "tourist attraction," but does not have the authority to edit or delete object information of type "water supply station."

[0139] The map information providing system 1 receives information to register a local terminal (e.g., terminal T1) from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4. Terminal T1 is, for example, a terminal that transmits detection results of detecting the status of a water station. Terminal T1 transmits status detection results corresponding to status information in object information (e.g., information about a water station) provided from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 to the map information providing system 1. Using the report transmitted by terminal T1, the map information providing system 1 updates the status information of the object registered by the limited administrator Q4 by the method described in the first embodiment.

[0140] The map information providing system 1 receives information to register a local terminal (e.g., terminal T2) from the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. Terminal T2 is, for example, a terminal that transmits detection results of the status of a tourist spot. Terminal T2 transmits status detection results corresponding to status information in object information (e.g., tourist spot information) provided to the map information providing system 1 from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q6. The map information providing system 1 uses the report transmitted by terminal T2 to update the status information of the object registered by the limited administrator Q6 by the method described in the first embodiment.

[0141] The map information providing system 1 accepts information for changing the status information of object information registered by the first limited administrator from a local terminal registered by the first limited administrator. The map information providing system 1 does not permit input for changing the status information of object information registered by the first limited administrator from a terminal of a service administrator designated by a second limited administrator different from the first limited administrator and a local terminal designated by the second limited administrator. For example, the terminal of a water station status administrator and the local terminal can provide the map information providing system 1 with information used to change the status information in the object information of an object of the type "water station." The terminal of the water station status administrator and the local terminal are restricted from providing the map information providing system 1 with information for changing the status information in the object information of the type "tourist destination." The terminal of the tourist destination status administrator and the local terminal can provide the map information providing system 1 with information used to change the status information in the object information of the type "tourist destination." The terminal of the status manager of the tourist spot and the local terminal are restricted from providing the map information providing system 1 with information for changing the status information in the object information of the type "water station".

[0142] The map information providing system 1 updates the status information of a first object (e.g., a water station) using a report provided from a terminal T1 registered by the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4, and determines the display format of the first object registered by the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4. The map information providing system 1 updates the status information of a second object (e.g., a tourist attraction) using a report provided from a terminal T2 registered by the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6, and determines the display format of the second object registered by the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The map information providing system 1 displays a map including the first object and the second object on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. For example, an icon R1 indicating a water station and an icon R3 indicating a tourist attraction are placed on the map M3 displayed on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. When the status information of the tourist attraction is updated by the report sent by the terminal T2, the display format of the icon indicating the tourist attraction is determined using the updated status information. When the map displayed on the terminal 4 of the user Q3 is updated, an icon R1 indicating a water station and an icon R4 indicating a tourist attraction are placed on the updated map M4. Icon R4 has been changed to a different icon from icon R3 based on the latest status information of the tourist spot.

[0143] Each unit of the map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the map information providing system according to this embodiment. The map information providing system 1 provides user management functions to a user authenticated as a user administrator. In this embodiment, the service administrator has user administrator authority. For example, when the processing unit 17 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it displays a user management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a user management UI image according to this embodiment.

[0144] As shown in the list 62 of the UI image 61, the "user group" indicating the permission pattern includes a "first limited administrator." The map information providing system 1 provides a function to a user whose "user group" is "service administrator" (e.g., service administrator Q1) to specify a user and set the "user group" of this user to "first limited administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input from a user authenticated as a user administrator to specify a user and set the "user group" of this user to "first limited administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input to set the "user group" using the function for editing user information described in FIG. 9.

[0145] For example, a user who logs in as "Yoichi" operates his / her own terminal to input an input to set the "user group" of a user whose name is "Taro" to "first limited administrator." The processing unit 17 acquires the information input to the terminal of the user who logs in as "Yoichi," updates the "user group" of the information of the user whose name is "Taro" to "first limited administrator," and stores the information in the storage unit 11 of FIG. 13. The limited administrator information D6 stored in the storage unit 11 includes information indicating whether the user who logs in to the map display service is a limited administrator. For example, the limited administrator information D6 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "first limited administrator."

[0146] The generation permission unit 12 in FIG. 13 provides the object management function described in FIG. 4 to a user authenticated as a limited administrator. The generation permission unit 12 accepts input of object information from the terminal 6 of a user authenticated as a limited administrator Q4. The generation permission unit 12 stores first object information D3a in the storage unit 11 based on the information input to the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4. The first object information D3a is information in which the object information input to the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 is associated with the administrator information of the limited administrator Q4. This administrator information is information indicating the attribution of authority to edit or delete the first object information D3a. For example, the administrator information of the first object information D3a includes information identifying the "user group" of the user who generated (e.g., registered) the first object information D3a (e.g., "first limited administrator" in FIG. 14). For example, the generation permission unit 12 permits a user authenticated as a "first limited administrator" to input to edit or delete the first object information D3a. For example, the creation permission unit 12 does not permit a user who has been authenticated as a user of a "user group" different from the "first limited administrator" to make an input to edit or delete the information D3a of the first object.

[0147] As shown in the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 14, the "user group" indicating the authority pattern includes a "first status administrator." The "first status administrator" is an authority pattern set by a user whose "user group" is the "first limited administrator." The map information providing system 1 provides a user whose "user group" is the "first limited administrator" (e.g., limited administrator Q4) with a function to specify a user and set the "user group" of this user to the "first status administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input from a terminal of a user authenticated as the first limited administrator to specify a user and set the "user group" of this user to the "first status administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input to set the "user group" using the function for editing user information described in FIG. 9.

[0148] For example, a user logged in as "Taro" operates his / her terminal to input information to set the "user group" of a user with the name "Jiro" to "first status manager." The processing unit 17 acquires the information input to the terminal of the user logged in as "Taro," updates the "user group" of the information of the user with the name "Jiro" to "first status manager," and stores the information in the storage unit 11 of FIG. 13. The status manager information D2 stored in the storage unit 11 includes information indicating whether the user logging in to the map display service is a status manager designated as a limited administrator. For example, the status manager information D2 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "first status manager."

[0149] 13 provides a user authenticated as a status manager designated by a limited administrator with a status management function related to object information registered by the limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 provides a user authenticated as a "first status manager" with a function to change at least a portion of the status information in the first object information D3a. The status management function provided by the input permission unit 13 is the same as the function described in FIG. 6.

[0150] In the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 14, a user whose "Name" is "Hanako" is in the "User Group" of the "Second Limited Administrator." The "Second Limited Administrator" is a different authority pattern for limited administrators from the "First Limited Administrator." A user whose "Name" is "Hanako" is, for example, the limited administrator Q6 in FIG. 13. The generation permission unit 12 in FIG. 13 provides the object management function described in FIG. 4 to a user authenticated as the limited administrator Q6. The generation permission unit 12 accepts input of object information from the terminal 8 of the user authenticated as the limited administrator Q6. The generation permission unit 12 stores second object information D3b in the storage unit 11 based on the information input to the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The second object information D3b is information in which the object information input to the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6 is associated with the administrator information of the limited administrator Q6. This administrator information is information indicating the attribution of authority to edit or delete the second object information D3b. For example, the administrator information of the information D3b of the second object includes information (e.g., "second limited administrator" in FIG. 14) that identifies the "user group" of the user who generated (e.g., registered) the information D3b of the second object. The generation permission unit 12, for example, permits a user authenticated as the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete the information D3b of the second object.

[0151] For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a user authenticated as a user of a "user group" different from the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3b of the second object. For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a limited administrator Q4 authenticated as the "first limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3b of the second object. For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a limited administrator Q6 authenticated as the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3a of the first object.

[0152] In the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 14, a user whose "Name" is "Naoko" has a "User Group" of "Second Status Manager." The "Second Status Manager" is an authority pattern of a status manager set by a "Second Limited Administrator." A user whose "Name" is "Naoko" is, for example, status manager Q7 in FIG. 13. The input permission unit 13 in FIG. 13 provides a user authenticated as a status manager designated by a limited administrator with a status management function related to object information registered by this limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 provides a user authenticated as a "Second Status Manager" with a function to change at least a portion of the status information in the second object information D3b. The status management function provided by the input permission unit 13 is the same as the function described in FIG. 6.

[0153] The input permission unit 13 does not provide a user authenticated as a user different from the status manager designated by the limited administrator with the function of status management regarding the object information registered by this limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 does not permit a status manager authenticated as a "first status manager" to input to change the status information in the information D3b of the second object. For example, the creation permission unit 12 does not permit a status manager authenticated as a "second status manager" to input to change the status information in the information D3a of the first object.

[0154] The map information providing system 1 according to the present embodiment described above can provide users with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation. The map information providing system 1 can allocate status management among multiple status managers. The map information providing system 1 does not provide status management functions to users who are authenticated as users other than the status manager designated by the limited manager. Therefore, for example, an unin charge status manager is prohibited from intentionally or accidentally changing the status information, and information that is less inconsistent with the current situation can be provided to users.

[0155] In this embodiment, the map information providing system 1 accepts the designation of a limited administrator from the service administrator, but the limited administrator may be set by other methods. For example, the limited administrator may correspond to the service administrator in the first embodiment. For example, the limited administrator may apply to use the service to a system administrator of the map display service, and the system administrator may register the limited administrator in the map information providing system 1.

[0156] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment will now be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified. In this embodiment, the display control unit 15 displays a first map M5 on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. The first map M5 includes a first object (e.g., icon R1) created by a first administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1). The display control unit 15 displays a second map M6 on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. The second map M6 includes a second object (e.g., icon R3) created by a second administrator (e.g., service administrator Q8) different from the first administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1), and is different from the first map M5. The display control unit 15 displays a third map M7 including the first object (e.g., icon R1) and the second object (e.g., icon R3) on the terminal 4 of the user Q3.

[0157] The service administrator Q1 is, for example, a local government official. The service administrator Q1 registers, for example, objects corresponding to public facilities in the map information providing system 1. The service administrator Q8 is, for example, a company official. The service administrator Q8 registers, for example, objects corresponding to commercial facilities in the map information providing system 1. The map information providing system 1 provides, for example, a map M5 that includes information on public facilities but does not include information on commercial facilities to the user Q3. The map information providing system 1 provides, for example, a map M6 that includes information on commercial facilities but does not include information on public facilities to the user Q3. The maps M5 and M6 are provided to the terminal 4, for example, by a web application. The user Q3 can switch between the displayed maps M5 and M6 by switching the URL. The user Q3 may want to view a map that includes information on public facilities and commercial facilities. The map information providing system 1 of this embodiment arranges multiple object information registered by different administrators on a single map and displays it on the terminal 4 of the user Q3.

[0158] Each unit of the map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. The storage unit 11 stores multiple pieces of tenant information (D8, D9). The tenant information D8 includes information managed by a user authenticated as the service manager Q1. The tenant information D8 includes service manager information D1, terminal information D10, and object information D3. The tenant information D9 includes information managed by a user authenticated as the service manager Q8. The tenant information D9 includes service manager information D11, terminal information D12, and object information D13. The service manager information D11, terminal information D12, and object information D13 are respectively similar to the service manager information D1, terminal information D10, and object information D3 described in FIG. 1.

[0159] The processing unit 17 permits input to change tenant information D8 on the terminal of a user authenticated as service administrator Q1, and prohibits input to change tenant information D9. The processing unit 17 permits input to change tenant information D9 on the terminal of a user authenticated as service administrator Q8, and prohibits input to change tenant information D8.

[0160] The map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a consent control unit 18 and an object management unit 19. The consent control unit 18 receives information (e.g., a command or a message) requesting at least a portion of the object information D13 managed by the service administrator Q8 from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1. For example, the service administrator Q1 can display a map M6 on the terminal 2 in the same way as an unspecified user. The service administrator Q1 inputs, for example, information about an area that includes the object information that the service administrator Q1 wishes to obtain and the type of object of the object information that the service administrator Q1 wishes to obtain into the terminal 2.

[0161] When a request for object information D13 is received from terminal 2, consent control unit 18 identifies service manager Q8 using service manager information D11 in tenant information D9 including object information D13. The consent control unit 18 displays a UI image on terminal 10 of service manager Q8 that prompts the service manager Q8 to select whether or not to consent to the provision of object information D13. This UI image includes, for example, information indicating that the object information D13 has been requested, information about service manager Q1 who made the request (e.g., the name of the local government or company to which service manager Q1 belongs), and an icon (e.g., "Yes" or "No") prompting the service manager Q8 to select whether or not to provide object information D13. When information indicating consent to the provision of object information D13 is input on terminal 10 of service manager Q8, consent control unit 18 prompts object management unit 19 to execute processing related to object information D13.

[0162] The object management unit 19 identifies the requested information based on the request for object information provided from terminal 2. The object management unit 19 extracts the requested information from object information D13 in tenant information D9. The object management unit 19 adds information indicating the location of the extracted information to object information D3 in tenant information D8. When a request to display map M7 is made from the terminal of user Q3, the processing unit 17 uses the information on the location of the object information in the tenant information D8 to acquire this object information and generate data for map M7 including icon R3.

[0163] 16 is a diagram showing a computer according to an embodiment. This computer 100 is used, for example, as at least one of the information processing device and terminal according to the embodiment. The computer 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a bus 104, an input unit 105, an output unit 106, a storage unit 107, a communication unit 108, and a drive 109. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other via the bus 104. The input unit 105, the output unit 106, the storage unit 107, the communication unit 108, and the drive 109 are connected to the bus 104.

[0164] The CPU 101 includes a central processing unit. The ROM 102 includes a read-only memory. The RAM 103 includes a random-access memory. The CPU 101 executes various processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 102 or programs loaded from the storage unit 107 into the RAM 103. The RAM 103 also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various processes.

[0165] The input unit 105 includes, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and a touchpad. The input unit 105 accepts input of various information when operated by a user. The input unit 105 may include a microphone or the like that accepts audio input. The output unit 106 includes, for example, a display device (e.g., a display) that outputs images. The output unit 106 may include a speaker that outputs audio. The input unit 105 and the output unit 106 may include a touch panel in which a transparent touchpad is superimposed on a display unit.

[0166] The storage unit 107 includes, for example, at least one of a hard disk, a solid state drive, and a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 107 stores at least some of various data input to the computer 100 from outside, various data used in processing by the computer 100, and various data generated by the computer 100. The communication unit 108 controls communication with other devices via a network.

[0167] Removable media 110 is appropriately attached to the drive 109. The removable media 110 includes, for example, a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. The drive 109 reads information from the removable media 110. The information read from the removable media 110 is stored in the storage unit 107. For example, the drive 109 reads a program stored in the removable media 110, and the program is installed in the computer 100.

[0168] Note that the computer 100 may not include one or both of the input unit 105 and the output unit 106. For example, the output unit 106 may be an external device attached to the computer 100, and the computer 100 may include an interface to which the output unit 106 can be connected.

[0169] In the above-described embodiment, the map information providing system includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system includes one or more computers. The computer system may include a cloud computer. The computer system reads a program stored in a storage device and executes various processes in accordance with the program. The program causes a computer included in the computer system to store information about an administrator who has authority to create an object, use the administrator information to permit input of object information used to create the object, store terminal information that associates information identifying a local terminal that transmits information including detection results of the state of a location in real space corresponding to the object with information identifying the object corresponding to the location in real space, identify an object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information using the information transmitted by the local terminal, store the detection results transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the identified object, store the detection results transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the object corresponding to the identified location in real space, determine how the object should be displayed on a map using the stored status information, and display a map including the determined object on a user's terminal. The program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0170] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the aspects described in the above-mentioned embodiments. One or more of the requirements described in the above-mentioned embodiments may be omitted. The requirements described in the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, to the extent permitted by law, the disclosures of all documents cited in the above-mentioned embodiments are incorporated by reference and are included as part of the description in this document.

[0171] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on the user's terminal, wherein the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates, and the input permission unit displays an image on the second user's terminal that allows the user to select status information from the plurality of candidates, and the display determination unit determines the display of the object on the map using the status information input by selecting from the plurality of candidates on the worker's terminal.

[0172] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit, wherein the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates; a display form memory unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms of the object; and a correspondence information memory unit that stores correspondence information that associates the information selected from the plurality of candidates with one of the plurality of display forms, and the display determination unit may determine, as the display of the object, a display form that is associated by the correspondence information with the information selected from the plurality of candidates on the second user's terminal.

[0173] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit. The display control unit may cause the user's terminal to display a first map including a first object created by a first administrator, cause the user's terminal to display a second map that is different from the first map and includes a second object created by a second administrator different from the first administrator, and cause the user's terminal to display a third map including the first object and the second object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0174] 1. Map information provision system T1 local terminal T2 local terminal 11 Storage section 12 Generation permission section 13 Input permission section 14 Display determination section 15 Display control unit 16. Submission Permission Department 17 Processing section

Claims

1. A map information providing system that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, an administrator information storage unit that stores information about an administrator who has authority to create the object; a generation permission unit that uses the administrator information to permit input of object information used in generating the object; a local terminal information storage unit that stores terminal information that associates information specifying a local terminal that transmits information including a detection result of a state of a place in real space that corresponds to the object with information specifying the object that corresponds to the place in real space; a location identification unit that identifies the object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information by using the information transmitted by the local terminal; a status information storage unit that stores the detection result transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the object identified by the location identification unit; a display determination unit that determines how the object is displayed on the map using the status information stored in the status information storage unit; a display control unit that displays, on a user's terminal, a map including the object in the display determined by the display determination unit.

2. the status information includes information on a plurality of items, the terminal information includes setting information indicating a correspondence relationship between any of the plurality of items and the detection result, a processing unit that stores the detection result transmitted by the local terminal in the status information storage unit as information on an item in the corresponding relationship indicated by the setting information among the plurality of items, The map information providing system according to claim 1 .

3. the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates, a display form storage unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms of the object; a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates information selected from the plurality of candidates with one of the plurality of display modes, the display determination unit determines, as a display form of the object, a display form associated with the information selected from the plurality of candidates by the correspondence information using information including a detection result of the state of the location transmitted from the local terminal; 3. The map information providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display control unit Displaying a first map including the first object created by the first administrator on a user terminal; displaying, on the user's terminal, a second map that includes the second object and is different from the first map and is created by a second administrator different from the first administrator; displaying a third map including the first object and the second object on a user terminal; The map information providing system according to claim 1 .

5. The generation permission unit restricting input for changing the object information of the second object to the terminal of the first administrator; restricting an input for changing the object information of the first object to the terminal of the second administrator; 5. The map information providing system according to claim 4.

6. The object information includes information about the location of the object and the status information. The map information providing system according to claim 1 .

7. the information on the position of the object includes at least one of position information of a point in real space corresponding to the object, information on a line connecting points in real space corresponding to the object, and information on an area surrounded by lines connecting points in real space corresponding to the object; 7. The map information providing system according to claim 6.

8. a posting reception unit that receives posts from users' terminals; a posting permission receiving unit that receives an input of permission to display the posting on the user's terminal; The map information providing system according to claim 1 .

9. A map information providing method for controlling display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, comprising: The computer storing information about an administrator who has authority to create the object; using the administrator information to allow input of object information to be used in generating the object; storing terminal information that associates information specifying a local terminal that transmits information including a detection result of a state of a place in real space that corresponds to the object with information specifying the object that corresponds to the place in real space; using information transmitted by the local terminal to identify the object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information; storing the detection result transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the identified object; using the stored status information to determine the display of the object on the map; and displaying a map including the object in the determined display on the user's terminal.

10. A map information providing program that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, On the computer, storing information about an administrator who has authority to create the object; using the administrator information to allow input of object information to be used in generating the object; storing terminal information that associates information specifying a local terminal that transmits information including a detection result of a state of a place in real space that corresponds to the object with information specifying the object that corresponds to the place in real space; using information transmitted by the local terminal to identify the object associated with the local terminal in the terminal information; storing the detection result transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating the status of the identified object; storing the detection result transmitted by the local terminal as status information indicating a status of the object corresponding to the identified location in the real space; using the stored status information to determine the display of the object on the map; displaying a map including the object in the determined representation on the user's terminal; A map information providing program that executes the above.

Images