Information providing method and information providing server

Abstract

The invention relates to an information providing method and an information providing server. The information providing method in an information providing system provides information related to a plurality of places to a user through a server and a terminal device. A plurality of images different from each other are associated and distinguished at each of the plurality of locations. The information providing method includes: a step of specifying a target location from among a plurality of locations (for example, steps S122, S124); and a step (for example, step S125) for selecting, as an image to be displayed on a display of the terminal device, at least one image having a distinction corresponding to the user's characteristics from among the plurality of images associated with the target location (for example, step S125). The display of a place image is not tedious.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure relates to an information providing method and an information providing server, and in particular, to an information providing method for providing information related to a plurality of locations to a user via a computer, and an information providing server for providing information related to a plurality of locations to a user. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a method of displaying a location image associated with a location on a map (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-15979).

[0003] In the method of Patent Document 1, when the location images overlap, all the location images are displayed as shown in FIG. 6 , FIG. 7 , FIG. 13 , and FIG. 16 of Patent Document 1. This causes a problem that the display becomes complicated. Summary of the invention

[0004] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the disclosure is to provide an information providing method and an information providing server that can make the display of a spot image less complicated.

[0005] The information providing method disclosed herein is a method for providing information related to a plurality of spots to a user by means of a computer. A plurality of images that are distinguished from each other are associated with each of the plurality of spots. The information providing method includes: a step of determining a target spot from the plurality of spots; and a step of selecting at least one image that is distinguished from the plurality of images associated with the target spot and that corresponds to a feature of the user as an image to be displayed on a display.

[0006] According to such a configuration, at least one image having a distinction corresponding to the user's characteristics is selected from among a plurality of images associated with a target location identified from a plurality of locations as an image to be displayed on a display. As a result, an information providing method can be provided that does not make the display of location images complicated.

[0007] The user's characteristic may be the user's residence, and the differentiated image corresponding to the user's characteristic is an overhead image of the object location when the residence is more than a specified distance from the object location, and is an image other than the overhead image when the residence is less than the specified distance from the object location.

[0008] According to this configuration, at least one image having a distinction according to whether the distance from the user's residence to the target point is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance can be selected as an image to be displayed on the display from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from among the plurality of points.

[0009] The user's characteristic may be the user's browsing history, and the image having distinction corresponding to the user's characteristic is an overhead image of the target location when the number of views of the image of the target location is less than a specified number, and is an image other than the overhead image when the number of views is greater than a specified number.

[0010] According to this configuration, at least one image having a distinction according to whether the user has viewed the target point a predetermined number of times or more can be selected as an image to be displayed on the display from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from among the plurality of points.

[0011] The user's characteristic may be the user's preference for the classification of images, and the classification of images includes the classification of bird's-eye view images and the classification of detailed images.

[0012] According to such a configuration, at least one image having a classification corresponding to the user's preference for classification of images can be selected as an image to be displayed on the display from among a plurality of images associated with the target point identified from among a plurality of points.

[0013] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an information providing server provides information related to a plurality of locations to a user. The information providing server includes: a storage unit that associates a plurality of images that are mutually different in distinction with each of the plurality of locations and stores the images; and a processor. The processor determines a target location from the plurality of locations, and selects at least one image that has a distinction corresponding to a feature of the user from the plurality of images associated with the target location as an image to be displayed on a display.

[0014] According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide an information providing server that can display a spot image without being complicated.

[0015] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the information providing system according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flowchart showing the flow of a location presentation process executed by the server of the information providing system in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a database of images of places in the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4This is a diagram showing an example of transition of an image displayed on a display of an output unit of a terminal device in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0021] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an information providing system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 The information providing system 1 includes a server 100 and a plurality of user's terminal devices 500A to 500C (hereinafter, representatively referred to as "terminal devices 500"). The server 100 and the terminal devices 500 can communicate with each other via a communication network 900. The communication network 900 includes private networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and VPN (Virtual Private Network) and public networks such as the Internet, public lines, and public wireless LANs.

[0022] The server 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110 , a memory 120 , a storage device 150 , and a communication unit 190 . The CPU 110 , the memory 120 , the storage device 150 , and the communication unit 190 are connected to each other via a bus 180 .

[0023] The memory 120 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for executing programs in the CPU 110 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs to be executed in the CPU 110. Programs and data for executing predetermined processes are read from the ROM and stored in the RAM.

[0024] The storage device 150 is composed of a hard disk drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, or a memory card reader / writer. The storage device 150 records the specified data or program received from the CPU 110 in a recording medium 151 in a magnetic, optical, or electrical manner, or reads the data from the recording medium 151 and transfers it to the CPU 110. The recording medium 151 includes a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), a memory card, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0025] The communication unit 190 transmits and receives data to and from an external device (e.g., the terminal device 500) via the communication network 900. The communication unit 190 transmits data received from a device connected to the bus 180, such as the CPU 110, to the outside, or transfers data received from the outside to a device connected to the bus 180, such as the CPU 110.

[0026] CPU 110 controls the memory 120, the communication unit 190, and the storage device 150, performs prescribed processing according to the program and data stored in the memory 120, processes the data input from the communication unit 190 and the storage device 150, stores the processed data in the memory 120, or outputs it from the communication unit 190 to other devices, or stores it in the recording medium 151 of the storage device 150.

[0027] In addition, in this embodiment, the server 100 does not include an operation unit and a display unit, but is not limited thereto, and may include a configuration of an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit may include a keyboard and a mouse, and an operation signal indicating the operation content input to the server 100 by operating the keyboard and the mouse of the operation unit is transferred to the CPU 110. The display unit includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the LCD may display an image corresponding to the image data received from the CPU 110.

[0028] The terminal device 500 includes a CPU 510, a memory 520, an operation unit 530, an output unit 540, an external storage device 550, and a wireless communication unit 590. The CPU 510, the memory 520, the operation unit 530, the output unit 540, the external storage device 550, and the wireless communication unit 590 are connected to each other via a bus 580. Since the CPU 510 and the memory 520 are the same as the CPU 110 and the memory 120 of the server 100, the repeated description will not be repeated.

[0029] The external storage device 550 is composed of a memory card reader / writer. The external storage device 550 electrically records the specified data or program received from the CPU 510 in a recording medium 551 such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or reads it from the recording medium 551 and transfers it to the CPU 510. In addition, the external storage device 550 can be composed of a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, an MO (Magneto-Optical disk) drive, a CD (Compact Disc) drive, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive.

[0030] The operation unit 530 includes a touch panel and operation buttons for inputting numbers, letters, other characters, etc. such as telephone numbers and various data. In addition, the operation unit 530 may include a part for other operations. The operation unit 530 is operated by the user, so that an operation signal corresponding to the operation is sent from the operation unit 530 to the CPU 510. The CPU 510 controls each part of the terminal device 500 according to the operation signal from the operation unit 530.

[0031] The wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by the CPU 510, receives wireless signals from the other terminal device 500 or the landline telephone of the other party of the call via the public line and the antenna, converts the received wireless signals into sound signals, sends the converted sound signals to the sound input and output unit, and converts the sound signals from the sound input and output unit into wireless signals, and sends them to the other terminal device 500 or the landline telephone of the other party of the call via the antenna and the communication equipment of the telecommunications operator.

[0032] In addition, the wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by the CPU 510 to receive wireless signals from a device capable of data communication, such as a server 100 or other terminal device 500, via a public line and an antenna, and converts the received wireless signal into data, stores the converted data in the memory 520, or sends it to the output unit 540 for displaying the data, and converts the data to be sent into a wireless signal and sends it to the server 100 or other terminal device 500 that is the data communication target via an antenna and the communication equipment of the telecommunications operator.

[0033] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by the CPU 510 to exchange data with other network-communicable devices such as the server 100 and other terminal devices 500 via a public wireless LAN or a wireless LAN of a private network.

[0034] The output unit 540 includes a display and a speaker. The output unit 540 is controlled by the CPU 510, and displays the information received by the wireless communication unit 590, the information stored in the memory 520, or the image signal and the sound signal obtained by the CPU 510 converting the information read from the recording medium 551 by the external storage device 550 as an image on the display and outputs it as sound from the speaker.

[0035] In addition, the terminal device 500 is described assuming that it is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, but is not limited to this, and may also be other information processing devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet computer.

[0036] Consider the case where a location image associated with a location on a map displayed on the display of the output unit 540 of the terminal device 500 is displayed. As the location, tourist facilities such as accommodation, food, and entertainment, natural tourist resources such as mountains and lakes, cultural tourist resources such as temples and shrines, local landscapes, and tourist resources such as complex tourist resources, specialty stores, shops, restaurants, and service providers of the service industry can be considered. In addition, in the case where the location images overlap, it is considered to display all the location images. In this way, there is a problem that the display becomes complicated.

[0037] In view of this, it can be considered that a method for providing information that distinguishes a plurality of images that are different from each other in each association with a plurality of locations and provides information related to the plurality of locations to a user includes: a step of determining a target location from among the plurality of locations; and a step of selecting at least one image having a distinction corresponding to a feature of the user from among the plurality of images associated with the target location as an image to be displayed on a display.

[0038] Thus, at least one image having a segmentation corresponding to the user's characteristics is selected from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from the plurality of points as an image to be displayed on the display. As a result, the display of the point image can be made less complicated.

[0039] Figure 2 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of a location presentation process executed by the server 100 of the information providing system 1 in this embodiment. Figure 2 The location prompting process is called from the upper processing by the CPU 110 of the server 100 and executed.

[0040] CPU 110 determines whether it is a timing for information collection (e.g., a predetermined time such as 3 a.m.) (step S111). If it is determined to be a timing for information collection ("yes" in step S111), CPU 110 obtains a new image related to the location from another server connected to communication network 900 or recording medium 151 readable by storage device 150 (step S112).

[0041] Furthermore, CPU 110 classifies the obtained multiple images into different distinctions (e.g., bird's-eye view images, exterior images, detailed images, interior images, object images, and object service images), and stores each of the classified images as classified distinction images for each location corresponding to the image in recording medium 151 of storage device 150 (step S113). Bird's-eye view images are images of a location viewed from a high altitude. Exterior images are images of a location viewed from the outside. Detailed images are images showing details of the location. Interior images are images of the interior of the location. Object images are images of items sold or displayed at the location. Object service images are images showing services provided at the location. In addition, distinctions may include distinctions of other images.

[0042] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a database of images of places in this embodiment. Figure 3 The name of the spot, the image distinction of the spot, and the image data of the spot are associated and stored in the database of the image of the spot stored in the recording medium 151 of the storage device 150. For example, the name of the spot "spot A", the image distinction of the spot "bird's-eye view image", and the image data of the spot "spotA1.jpg" are associated and stored.

[0043] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing an example of transition of an image displayed on the display 541 of the output unit 540 of the terminal device 500 in this embodiment. Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown in (A), a search screen of a location prompt application (hereinafter referred to as "location prompt application") is displayed on a display 541. The location prompt application is an application used in the terminal device 500 to communicate with the server 100 to display information related to a location. In the search screen, a recommended location search button 5411 for searching for recommended locations, and a search window 5412 and a search button 5413 for performing a keyword search are displayed.

[0044] Tips for applying in location Figure 4 In the search screen shown in (A) of FIG. 5 , if the recommended place search button 5411 is operated, the operation is detected by the touch panel of the operation unit 530, and the detected operation content is sent from the operation unit 530 to the CPU 510. When the operation content is received from the operation unit 530, the CPU 510 of the terminal device 500 sends information indicating the search of recommended places (hereinafter referred to as "recommended place search instruction") from the wireless communication unit 590 to the server 100 via the communication network 900.

[0045] Tips for applying in location Figure 4In the search screen shown in (A) of FIG. 5 , if a keyword related to a place desired by the user is input into the search window 5412 and the search button 5413 is operated, the operation is detected by the touch panel of the operation unit 530, and the operation content including the detected keyword is sent from the operation unit 530 to the CPU 510. Upon receiving the operation content from the operation unit 530, the CPU 510 of the terminal device 500 sends information indicating the search for a place related to the keyword (hereinafter referred to as a “keyword place search instruction”) from the wireless communication unit 590 to the server 100 via the communication network 900.

[0046] Back to Figure 2 When it is determined that it is not the time to collect information (No in step S111) and after step S113, CPU 110 of server 100 determines whether a recommended spot search instruction is received from terminal device 500 (step S121). When it is determined that a recommended spot search instruction is received (Yes in step S121), CPU 110 determines a plurality of target spots recommended to the user who sent the recommended spot search instruction from a plurality of spots stored in recording medium 151 of storage device 150 (step S122).

[0047] On the other hand, if no recommended spot search instruction is received ("No" in step S121), CPU 110 determines whether a keyword spot search instruction is received from terminal device 500 (step S123). If it is determined that a keyword spot search instruction is received ("Yes" in step S123), CPU 110 selects the recommended spot search instruction from the recording medium 151 of storage device 150. Figure 3 A plurality of target spots suitable for the keyword indicated by the keyword spot search instruction are determined from the plurality of spots stored in the database (step S124).

[0048] After step S122 and step S124, CPU 110 stores the data in recording medium 151 of storage device 150 in association with the target point identified in step S122 or step S124. Figure 3 At least one image of a segment corresponding to the feature of the corresponding user is selected from among the plurality of images stored in the database as an image to be displayed on the terminal device 500 (step S125).

[0049] The segmented images corresponding to the features of the corresponding user involved in the target location are segmented images other than the bird's-eye view image and the exterior image (e.g., detailed image, internal image, object image, target service image) when the target location is close to the residence of the corresponding user (e.g., the target location is less than a specified distance from the residence of the corresponding user). When the target location is far from the residence of the corresponding user (e.g., the target location is more than a specified distance from the residence of the corresponding user), it is a bird's-eye view image or an exterior image. When the viewing history of the corresponding user of the target location is less than a specified number of times, it is a bird's-eye view image or an exterior image. When the viewing number of the target location is more than a specified number of times, it is a segmented image other than the image included in the viewing history (or an image with a large number of views). Alternatively, it is an image corresponding to the hobby of the corresponding user, for example, when the bird's-eye view image is a favorite of the corresponding user (e.g., when the bird's-eye view image is a segmented image with a larger number of views than other segmented images, when the bird's-eye view image is a segmented image whose preferences are set in advance by the corresponding user), it is a bird's-eye view image.

[0050] Next, CPU 110 controls communication unit 190 in a manner that sends information for displaying a location selection screen (a screen that displays selected images on a map, or a screen that displays selected images arranged in a list) including images selected for each location to the terminal device 500 of the corresponding user (step S126).

[0051] Enter to Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown in (B) of FIG. 5 , a location selection screen of the location prompt application is displayed on the display 541 of the user's terminal device 500. In the selection screen, a map is displayed, and an overhead image 5421 of location A is displayed at the location of location A on the map, a detailed image 5422 of location B is displayed at the location of location B on the map, and a sales product image 5423 of location C is displayed at the location of location C on the map. Figure 4 (B) of FIG. 1 shows an example of a selection screen in which images of target points are displayed on a map, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the selection screen may be a selection screen in which images of target points are displayed in a list or in a block.

[0052] Back to Figure 2In the case where it is determined that no keyword location search instruction has been received ("No" in step S123) and after step S126, CPU 110 determines whether any target location has been selected in the selection screen sent to terminal device 500 in step S126 (step S131). When it is determined that any target location has been selected in the selection screen ("Yes" in step S131), CPU 110 stores the data stored in recording medium 151 of storage device 150 in association with the selected target location. Figure 3 The communication unit 190 is controlled in such a manner that the location screen of the plurality of differentiated images in the database shown is sent to the terminal device 500 of the corresponding user (step S132). For example, when the bird's-eye view image 5421 of location A is selected in the selection screen, the location screen including the plurality of differentiated images associated with location A is sent to the terminal device 500 of the corresponding user.

[0053] Enter to Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown in (C), the location screen of location A of the location presentation application is displayed on the display 541 of the user's terminal device 500. The location screen displays an overhead image 5431, an exterior image 5432, an interior image 5433, a sales product image 5434, and a provided service image 5435 of location A.

[0054] Back to Figure 2 When it is determined that no object location is selected in the selection screen ("No" in step S131) ​​and after step S132, CPU 110 determines whether one image is selected in the location screen sent to terminal device 500 in step S132 (step S141). When it is determined that one image is selected in the location screen ("Yes" in step S141), CPU 110 controls communication unit 190 in such a manner that a screen including an enlarged image of the selected image is sent to terminal device 500 of the corresponding user (step S142). For example, when an internal image is selected in the location screen, a screen including an enlarged image of the internal image is sent to terminal device 500 of the corresponding user.

[0055] Enter to Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown in (D) of FIG. 1 , a screen of the location presentation application including an enlarged image 5441 of the interior image of the location A is displayed on the display 541 of the user's terminal device 500 .

[0056] Back to Figure 2When it is determined that no image is selected in the location screen (NO in step S141) and after step S142, CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the upper-level process of the calling source of the location suggestion process.

[0057] [Modifications]

[0058] (1) The image of the location of a building may include an image of a location such as a store or restaurant located in the building as an image of parent-child relationship, specifically, an image of differentiation other than an overhead view image or an exterior image of the location of the building, such as a differentiated image of a detailed image. The image of the location of a facility may include an image of a location such as a store or restaurant existing in the facility as an image of parent-child relationship, specifically, an image of differentiation other than an overhead view image or an exterior image of the location of the facility, such as a differentiated image of a detailed image. The image of the location of a tourist resource may include an image of a location such as a store or restaurant existing in the area of ​​the tourist resource as an image of parent-child relationship, specifically, an image of differentiation other than an overhead view image or an exterior image of the location of the tourist resource, such as a differentiated image of a detailed image. That is, the image of the parent location may include an image of the child location as an image of differentiation of the detailed image.

[0059] (2) When Figure 2 In the case where both the parent site and the child site of the parent site are retrieved in step S122 and step S124, at least one differentiated image corresponding to the user's characteristics may be selected as a display image from the images of the parent site and the images of the child site in step S125. In this case, the differentiated image corresponding to the characteristics of the corresponding user involved in the target site is a differentiated image other than the bird's-eye view image and the exterior image of the parent site when the parent site is close to the residence (for example, the parent site is less than a predetermined distance from the residence of the corresponding user) (for example, a detailed image, an internal image, an object image, an object service image, or a bird's-eye view image and exterior image of the parent site). In the case where the parent site is far from the residence of the corresponding user (for example, the parent site is more than a predetermined distance from the residence of the corresponding user), it is an bird's-eye view image or exterior image of the parent site. In the case where the viewing history of the corresponding user of the parent site is less than a predetermined number of times, it is an bird's-eye view image or exterior image of the parent site. In the case where the viewing number of the parent site is more than a predetermined number of times, it is a differentiated image other than the images included in the viewing history of the parent site or the child site (or images with a large number of views). Alternatively, it is an image corresponding to the preference of the corresponding user, for example, in the case where the overhead image is the preference of the corresponding user (for example, in the case where the overhead image is a differentiated image that has been viewed more times than other differentiated images, in the case where the overhead image is a differentiated image that has been pre-accepted from the preferences set by the corresponding user), it is an overhead image of the mother location.

[0060] (3) In the above-mentioned embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown in step S113, the obtained multiple images are classified into different categories. This classification can be performed using AI (Artificial Intelligence) or by human hands. In the case where the image of the parent location includes the image of the child location, the certain location can be treated as a child location of the parent location when the distance between the parent location and the certain location is extremely close, and the image of the child location can be classified as a detailed image of the parent location. In the case where the image of the parent location includes the image of the child location, when the name of the parent location and the certain location are similar (for example, when the parent location is ○○ shopping center, when the name of a certain location includes the name of the parent location such as □□ restaurant ○○ shopping center store), the certain location can be treated as a child location of the parent location, and the image of the child location can be classified as a detailed image of the parent location.

[0061] (4) In the above-mentioned embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown in (B), one image is displayed for each location. However, this is not limited to this, and multiple images can also be displayed for each location within a range that does not make the display complicated. In this case, it is preferred to display the multiple images without overlapping.

[0062] (5) The above disclosure can be understood as Figure 1 The disclosure of the information providing system 1 shown, the information providing server such as the server 100, or the information processing device such as the terminal device 500 can be understood as the disclosure of the information providing method executed by the information providing server and the information processing device in the information providing system 1, can be understood as the disclosure of the information providing program executed by the information providing server or the information processing device, can be understood as the recording of Figure 2 The computer-readable recording medium 151, 551 of the information providing program shown is disclosed.

[0063] [Summarize]

[0064] (1) Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the information providing method in the information providing system 1 is a method for providing information related to a plurality of places to a user through the server 100 and the terminal device 500. Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of images that are distinguished from each other are associated with each of the plurality of locations. Figure 2 as well as Figure 4As shown, the information providing method includes: a step of determining an object location from a plurality of locations (for example, step S122, step S124); and a step of selecting at least one image having a distinction corresponding to a feature of a user from a plurality of images associated with the object location as an image displayed on the display 541 of the terminal device 500 (for example, step S125).

[0065] Thus, at least one image having a segmentation corresponding to the user's characteristics is selected from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from among the plurality of points as an image to be displayed on the display 541. As a result, the display of the point image can be made less complicated.

[0066] (2) You can Figure 2 As shown in step S125, the user's characteristic is the user's residence, and the differentiated image corresponding to the user's characteristic is an overhead image or an appearance image of the object location when the residence is more than a specified distance from the object location, and is an image other than an overhead image and an appearance image when the residence is less than a specified distance from the object location.

[0067] Thus, at least one image having a distinction according to whether the distance from the user's residence to the target location is greater than a predetermined distance can be selected from among a plurality of images associated with the target location identified from a plurality of locations as an image to be displayed on the display 541. In addition, the display of common bird's-eye view images or exterior images can be avoided.

[0068] (3) You can also Figure 2 As shown in step S125, the user's characteristic is the user's viewing history, and the image having distinction corresponding to the user's characteristic is an overhead image or an appearance image of the object location when the number of views of the image of the object location is less than a prescribed number, and is an image other than the overhead image and the appearance image when the number of views is greater than a prescribed number.

[0069] Thus, at least one image having a distinction according to whether the user has viewed the target point more than a predetermined number of times can be selected from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from the plurality of points as an image to be displayed on the display 541. The display of an overhead image or an exterior image that has been viewed multiple times can be avoided.

[0070] (4) You can also Figure 2 As shown in step S125 , the user's characteristic is the user's preference for image classification, and the image classification includes classification of bird's-eye view images and classification of detailed images.

[0071] Thus, at least one image having a classification corresponding to the user's preference of classification of images can be selected from among the plurality of images associated with the target point identified from the plurality of points as an image to be displayed on the display 541. In addition, an image desired by the user can be displayed for the target point.

[0072] The embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of the technical solution, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the technical solution.

Claims

1. An information providing method for providing information related to a plurality of locations to a user via a computer, wherein: A plurality of images that are distinguished from each other are associated with each of the plurality of locations, The information providing method comprises: A step of determining a target location from among the plurality of locations; and A step of selecting at least one image having a segment corresponding to the feature of the user from among the plurality of images associated with the target point as an image to be displayed on a display.

2. The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein: The characteristic of the user is the residence of the user, The image having distinctions corresponding to the user's features is an overhead image of the target location when the residence is at a predetermined distance or more from the target location, and is an image other than the overhead image when the residence is at a predetermined distance or less from the target location.

3. The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein: The characteristic of the user is the browsing history of the user, The image having the distinction corresponding to the user's feature is an overhead image of the target location when the number of views of the target location image is less than a predetermined number, and is an image other than the overhead image when the number of views is greater than the predetermined number.

4. The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein: The user feature is a preference of the user that distinguishes the image, The image classification includes classification of bird's-eye view images and classification of detailed images.

5. An information providing server that provides information related to a plurality of locations to a user, wherein: The information providing server has: a storage unit for storing a plurality of images that are distinguished from each other in association with each of the plurality of locations; and processor, The processor specifies a target point from among the plurality of points, and selects at least one image having a segment corresponding to a feature of the user from among the plurality of images associated with the target point as an image to be displayed on a display.

Images