Information providing method and information providing server

Abstract

To prevent complication of display of a spot image.SOLUTION: An information providing method in an information providing system is a method for providing information on a plurality of spots to a user by a server and a terminal device. A plurality of images having mutually different sections are associated with each of the plurality of spots. The information providing method includes: a step (for example, step S122, and step S124) of specifying an object spot among the plurality of spots; and a step (for example, step S125) of selecting at least one image having the section according to the feature of the user, as an image displayed on the display of the terminal device, among the plurality of images associated with the object spot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information providing method and an information providing server, and in particular to an information providing method for providing a user with information about a plurality of spots by a computer, and an information providing server for providing a user with information about a plurality of spots. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a method for displaying spot images associated with spots on a map (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-15979 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the method of Patent Document 1, when spot images overlap, all spot images are displayed as shown in Figures 6, 7, 13, and 16 of Patent Document 1. Doing so causes a problem that the display becomes cumbersome.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an information providing method and an information providing server that can prevent the display of spot images from becoming cluttered. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information providing method disclosed herein is a method for providing a user with information about a plurality of spots by a computer. A plurality of images having different classifications are associated with each of the plurality of spots. The information providing method includes a step of identifying a target spot from among the plurality of spots, and a step of selecting at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics from among the plurality of images associated with the target spots as an image to be displayed on a display.

[0007] According to this configuration, at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics is selected as an image to be displayed on the display from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots. As a result, it is possible to provide an information providing method that can prevent the display of spot images from becoming cluttered.

[0008] The user's characteristic is the user's place of residence, and the image having a classification according to the user's characteristic may be an overhead image of the target spot if the residence is a predetermined distance or more from the target spot, and may be an image other than an overhead image if the residence is less than the predetermined distance from the target spot.

[0009] According to this configuration, from among a plurality of images corresponding to a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to whether or not the target spot is a predetermined distance or more from the user's place of residence can be selected as the image to be displayed on the display.

[0010] The user's characteristics are the user's browsing history, and the image having a classification according to the user's characteristics may be an overhead image of the target spot if the number of times the image of the target spot has been viewed is less than a predetermined number of times, and may be an image other than an overhead image if the number of times the image has been viewed is greater than or equal to the predetermined number.

[0011] According to this configuration, from among a plurality of images corresponding to a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to whether or not the user has viewed the target spot a predetermined number of times or more can be selected as the image to be displayed on the display.

[0012] The user's characteristic is the user's preference for classification of images of the spot, and the classification of images associated with the spot may include overhead images and detailed images.

[0013] According to this configuration, from among a plurality of images corresponding to a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to the user's preference for classification of images of the spot can be selected as the image to be displayed on the display.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an information providing server provides a user with information about a plurality of spots. The information providing server includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of images having different classifications in association with each of the plurality of spots, and a processor. The processor identifies a target spot from among the plurality of spots, and selects at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics from among the plurality of images associated with the target spot as an image to be displayed on the display.

[0015] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an information providing server that can prevent the display of spot images from becoming complicated. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an information providing method and an information providing server that can prevent the display of spot images from becoming complicated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a spot presentation process executed by a server of the information provision system in this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a database of images of spots in this embodiment. [Figure 4] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing an example of a transition of an image displayed on a display of an output unit of the terminal device in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of an information providing system 1 according to this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 1, the information providing system 1 includes a server 100 and a plurality of users' 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 a LAN (Local Area Network) or a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and public networks such as the Internet, a public line, or a public wireless LAN.

[0020] 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 one another by a bus 180.

[0021] The memory 120 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a working area required for the CPU 110 to execute a program, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 110. In addition, the program and data for executing a predetermined process are read from the ROM and stored in the RAM.

[0022] The storage device 150 is composed of a hard disk drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, a memory card reader / writer, etc. The storage device 150 magnetically, optically, or electrically records predetermined data or programs received from the CPU 110 on a recording medium 151, or reads the data from the recording medium 151 and transfers it to the CPU 110. Examples of the recording medium 151 include 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.

[0023] The communication unit 190 transmits and receives data to and from an external device (for example, 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, and passes data received from the outside to a device connected to the bus 180, such as the CPU 110.

[0024] CPU 110 controls memory 120, communication unit 190 and storage device 150, executes predetermined processing in accordance with the programs and data stored in memory 120, processes data input from communication unit 190 and storage device 150, and stores the processed data in memory 120, outputs the data from communication unit 190 to another device, or stores the processed data in recording medium 151 of storage device 150.

[0025] In this embodiment, server 100 does not include an operation unit and a display unit, but is not limited thereto and may include the 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 server 100 by operating the keyboard and mouse of the operation unit may be transferred to CPU 110. The display unit may include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the LCD may display an image corresponding to image data received from CPU 110.

[0026] 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. CPU 510, memory 520, operation unit 530, output unit 540, external storage device 550, and wireless communication unit 590 are connected to each other by a bus 580. CPU 510 and memory 520 are similar to CPU 110 and memory 120 of server 100, and therefore overlapping description will not be repeated.

[0027] The external storage device 550 is configured with a memory card reader / writer. The external storage device 550 electrically records predetermined data or programs received from the CPU 510 on a recording medium 551 such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or reads the data or programs from the recording medium 551 and transfers them to the CPU 510. The external storage device 550 may be configured with a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a flexible disk drive, an MO (Magneto-Optical disk) drive, a CD (Compact Disc) drive, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive.

[0028] Operation unit 530 includes a touch panel and operation buttons for inputting numbers, alphabets, and other characters such as telephone numbers and various data. Operation unit 530 may also include a portion for other operations. When operation unit 530 is operated by a user, operation signals corresponding to the operation are transmitted from operation unit 530 to CPU 510. CPU 510 controls each unit of terminal device 500 in response to the operation signals from operation unit 530.

[0029] The wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by the CPU 510 and receives wireless signals from the other terminal device 500 or landline phone of the other party via the public line and an antenna, converts the received wireless signals into audio signals, transmits the converted audio signals to the audio input / output unit, and also converts the audio signals from the audio input / output unit into wireless signals and transmits them via the antenna and the telecommunications carrier's communications equipment.

[0030] In addition, wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by CPU 510 to receive wireless signals from devices capable of data communication, such as server 100 or other terminal devices 500, via public lines and an antenna, convert the received wireless signals into data, store the converted data in memory 520, or transmit the data to output unit 540 for display, and also convert the data to be transmitted into wireless signals and transmit them to server 100 or other terminal devices 500 as the data communication destination via an antenna and the telecommunications carrier's communications facilities.

[0031] Further, wireless communication unit 590 is controlled by CPU 510 to exchange data with other devices capable of network communication, such as server 100 and other terminal devices 500, via a public wireless LAN or a private wireless LAN.

[0032] Output unit 540 includes a display and a speaker. Output unit 540 is controlled by CPU 510 to display on the display as an image and output from the speaker as sound, the image signal and sound signal obtained by converting information received by wireless communication unit 590, information stored in memory 520, or information read from recording medium 551 by external storage device 550, by CPU 510, respectively.

[0033] Although the terminal device 500 has been described as being a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, the present invention is not limited to this and may be another information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet.

[0034] It is conceivable to display spot images associated with spots on the map displayed on the display of the output unit 540 of the terminal device 500 described above. Possible spots include tourist facilities such as accommodation, dining, and entertainment, natural tourist resources such as mountains and lakes, cultural tourist resources such as temples and shrines and local landscapes, and tourist resources such as integrated tourist resources, local product stores, shops, restaurants, and service providers in the service industry. In addition, when spot images overlap, it is conceivable to display all of the spot images. However, doing so poses the problem of the display becoming cumbersome.

[0035] Therefore, it is conceivable that each of the multiple spots can be associated with multiple images having different categories, and an information provision method for providing a user with information regarding the multiple spots can include a step of identifying a target spot from the multiple spots, and a step of selecting at least one image having a category corresponding to the user's characteristics from the multiple images associated with the target spots as the image to be displayed on the display.

[0036] As a result, at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics is selected as an image to be displayed on the display from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display of the spot images from becoming cluttered.

[0037] 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of a spot presentation process executed by the server 100 of the information provision system 1 in this embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, this spot presentation process is called from a higher-level process and executed by the CPU 110 of the server 100.

[0038] The CPU 110 judges whether it is time to collect information (for example, a predetermined time such as 3:00 a.m.) (step S111). If it is judged that it is time to collect information (YES in step S111), the CPU 110 acquires new images related to the spot from another server connected to the communication network 900 or from the recording medium 151 readable by the storage device 150 (step S112).

[0039] Then, CPU 110 classifies the acquired multiple images into different categories (for example, overhead image, exterior image, detailed image, internal image, object image, and object service image) and stores each classified image in recording medium 151 of storage device 150 as an image of the classified category for each spot corresponding to the image (step S113). An overhead image is an image looking down on a spot from a high place. An exterior image is an image of a spot viewed from the outside. A detailed image is an image showing the details of a spot. An internal image is an image of the inside of a spot. An object image is an image of an item being sold or exhibited at a spot. An object service image is an image showing a service provided at a spot. Note that the categories may include categories of other images.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database of spot images in this embodiment. Referring to Fig. 3, in the database of spot images stored in recording medium 151 of storage device 150, the name of the spot, the classification of the spot image, and the data of the spot image are stored in association with each other. For example, the name of the spot "Spot A", the classification of the spot image "bird's-eye view image", and the data of the spot image "spotA1.jpg" are stored in association with each other.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of transition of an image displayed on display 541 of output unit 540 of terminal device 500 in this embodiment. With reference to Fig. 4, as shown in Fig. 4(A), a search screen of a spot presentation application program (hereinafter referred to as "spot presentation app") is displayed on display 541. The spot presentation app is an application program for displaying information related to spots by communicating with server 100 in terminal device 500. On this search screen, a recommended spot search button 5411 for searching for recommended spots, and a search window 5412 and a search button 5413 for keyword search are displayed.

[0042] When the recommended spot search button 5411 is operated on the search screen of the spot presentation app shown in Fig. 4(A), the operation is detected by the touch panel of the operation unit 530, and the detected operation content is transmitted 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 transmits information instructing the server 100 to search for recommended spots (hereinafter referred to as a "recommended spot search instruction") from the wireless communication unit 590 via the communication network 900.

[0043] 4(A) of the spot presentation app, when a keyword related to a desired spot is input in search window 5412 and search button 5413 is operated, the operation is detected by the touch panel of operation unit 530, and operation content including the detected keyword is transmitted from operation unit 530 to CPU 510. When the operation content is received from operation unit 530, CPU 510 of terminal device 500 transmits information instructing a search for spots related to the keyword (hereinafter referred to as "keyword spot search instruction") from wireless communication unit 590 via communication network 900 to server 100.

[0044] 2, if it is determined that it is not the timing to collect information (NO in step S111) and after step S113, the CPU 110 of the server 100 determines whether or not a recommended spot search instruction has been received from the terminal device 500 (step S121). If it is determined that a recommended spot search instruction has been received (YES in step S121), the CPU 110 identifies multiple target spots to be recommended to the user who sent the recommended spot search instruction from multiple spots stored in the recording medium 151 of the storage device 150 (step S122).

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that a recommended spot search instruction has not been received (NO in step S121), the CPU 110 determines whether or not a keyword spot search instruction has been received from the terminal device 500 (step S123). If it is determined that a keyword spot search instruction has been received (YES in step S123), the CPU 110 identifies a plurality of target spots that match the keyword indicated in the keyword spot search instruction from a plurality of spots stored in the database shown in Fig. 3 of the recording medium 151 of the storage device 150 (step S124).

[0046] After steps S122 and S124, CPU 110 selects at least one image in a category corresponding to the characteristics of the user from among a plurality of images stored in the database shown in FIG. 3 of recording medium 151 of storage device 150 in association with the target spot identified in step S122 or S124 as an image to be displayed on terminal device 500 (step S125).

[0047] The image of the category according to the characteristics of the user with respect to the target spot is an image of a category other than an overhead image and an exterior image (for example, a detailed image, an internal image, an object image, or an image of a target service) if the target spot is close to the user's residence (for example, the target spot is less than a predetermined distance from the user's residence). If the target spot is far from the user's residence (for example, the target spot is more than a predetermined distance from the user's residence), it is an overhead image or an exterior image. If the user's browsing history of the target spot is less than a predetermined number of times, it is an overhead image or an exterior image. If the target spot has been viewed more than a predetermined number of times, it is an image of a category other than the images included in the browsing history (or images viewed more frequently). Or, it is an image according to the user's preference, for example, if the overhead image is the user's preference (for example, if the overhead image is an image of a category in which the number of views of the overhead image is greater than that of other categories, or if the overhead image is an image of a preferred category that has been previously set by the user), it is an overhead image.

[0048] Next, the CPU 110 controls the communication unit 190 to transmit information for displaying a spot selection screen (a screen that displays the selected images on a map, or a screen that displays the selected images in a list) including the selected images for each spot to the terminal device 500 of the user (step S126).

[0049] 4, as shown in FIG. 4(B), a spot selection screen of the spot presentation app is displayed on display 541 of user's terminal device 500. On this selection screen, a map is displayed, and an overhead image 5421 of spot A is displayed at the position of spot A on the map, a detailed image 5422 of spot B is displayed at the position of spot B on the map, and a sales image 5423 of spot C is displayed at the position of spot C on the map. Note that, although FIG. 4(B) shows an example of a selection screen that displays images of target spots on a map, the present invention is not limited to this, and a selection screen that displays images of target spots arranged in a list or tiles may be used.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 2, if it is determined that a keyword spot search instruction has not been received (NO in step S123) and after step S126, CPU 110 determines whether any target spot has been selected on the selection screen transmitted to terminal device 500 in step S126 (step S131). If it is determined that any target spot has been selected on the selection screen (YES in step S131), CPU 110 controls communication unit 190 to transmit to terminal device 500 of the user a spot screen including images of multiple sections associated with the selected target spot and stored in the database shown in FIG. 3 of recording medium 151 of storage device 150 (step S132). For example, if overhead image 5421 of spot A is selected on the selection screen, a spot screen including images of multiple sections associated with spot A is transmitted to terminal device 500 of the user.

[0051] 4, as shown in Fig. 4(C), a spot screen of spot A of the spot presentation application is displayed on the display 541 of the user's terminal device 500. On this spot screen, an overhead image 5431, an exterior image 5432, an interior image 5433, a product for sale image 5434, and a provided service image 5435 of spot A are displayed.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 2, if it is determined that any target spot has not been selected on the selection screen (NO in step S131) ​​and after step S132, the CPU 110 determines whether or not one image has been selected on the spot screen transmitted to the terminal device 500 in step S132 (step S141). If it is determined that one image has been selected on the spot screen (YES in step S141), the CPU 110 controls the communication unit 190 to transmit a screen including an enlarged image of the selected image to the terminal device 500 of the user (step S142). For example, if an internal image is selected on the spot screen, a screen including an enlarged image of the internal image is transmitted to the terminal device 500 of the user.

[0053] 4, as shown in FIG. 4(D), a screen including an enlarged image 5441 of the internal image of spot A of the spot presentation application is displayed on the display 541 of the terminal device 500 of the user.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 2, if it is determined that no image is selected on the spot screen (NO in step S141) and after step S142, CPU 110 returns the process to be executed to the upper process that called this spot presentation process.

[0055] [Variations] (1) An image of a building spot may include an image of a shop or restaurant or other spot located in the building as a parent-child image, specifically, an image of a section other than an overhead image or an exterior image of the building spot, for example, an image of a section of a detailed image. An image of a facility spot may include an image of a shop or restaurant or other spot located in the facility as a parent-child image, specifically, an image of a section other than an overhead image or an exterior image of the facility spot, for example, an image of a section of a detailed image. An image of a tourist resource spot may include an image of a shop or restaurant or other spot located in the tourist resource area as a parent-child image, specifically, an image of a section other than an overhead image or an exterior image of the tourist resource spot, for example, an image of a section of a detailed image. In other words, an image of a parent spot may include an image of a child spot as an image of a section of a detailed image.

[0056] (2) When both a parent spot and its child spots are searched for in step S122 and step S124 in FIG. 2, at least one image in a category according to the user's characteristics may be selected as a display image from among both the images of the parent spot and the images of the child spot in step S125. In this case, the image in the category according to the user's characteristics for the target spot is an image in a category other than the overhead image and exterior image of the parent spot (for example, a detailed image, an internal image, an object image, an image of a target service, or an overhead image and exterior image of the child spot) if the parent spot is close to the user's residence (for example, the parent spot is a predetermined distance or more from the user's residence). If the parent spot is far from the user's residence (for example, the parent spot is a predetermined distance or more from the user's residence), it is an overhead image or exterior image of the parent spot. If the user's browsing history of the parent spot is less than a predetermined number of times, it is an overhead image or exterior image of the parent spot. If the parent spot has been viewed a predetermined number of times or more, the image is from a category other than the images included in the viewing history of the parent spot or child spot (or images viewed frequently). Or, the image is according to the preference of the user, for example, if the overhead image is the preference of the user (for example, if the overhead image is an image from a category that has been viewed more times than images from other categories, or if the overhead image is an image from a preferred category that has been previously set by the user), the image is an overhead image of the parent spot.

[0057] (3) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S113 of FIG. 2, the acquired multiple images are classified into different categories. This classification may be performed using AI (Artificial Intelligence) or manually. When an image of a parent spot includes an image of a child spot, if the parent spot and a certain spot are close to each other, the certain spot may be treated as a child spot of the parent spot, and the image of the child spot may be classified as a detailed image of the parent spot. When an image of a parent spot includes an image of a child spot, if the names of the parent spot and a certain spot are similar (for example, if the parent spot is an XX shopping mall and the name of a certain spot includes the name of the parent spot, such as XX restaurant XX shopping mall store), the certain spot may be treated as a child spot of the parent spot, and the image of the child spot may be classified as a detailed image of the parent spot.

[0058] (4) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(B), one image is displayed for each spot. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and multiple images may be displayed for each spot as long as the display does not become cluttered. In this case, it is preferable to display the multiple images without overlapping each other.

[0059] (5) The above-mentioned disclosure may be understood as disclosure of an information providing system 1, an information providing server such as server 100, or an information processing device such as terminal device 500 shown in FIG. 1, may be understood as disclosure of an information providing method executed by the information providing server and the information processing device in the information providing system 1, may be understood as disclosure of an information providing program executed by the information providing server or the information processing device, or may be understood as disclosure of a computer-readable recording medium 151, 551 having recorded thereon an information providing program such as that shown in FIG. 2.

[0060] [summary] (1) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the information providing method in the information providing system 1 is a method of providing information on a plurality of spots to a user by the server 100 and the terminal device 500. As shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of images having different classifications are associated with each of the plurality of spots. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the information providing method includes a step of identifying a target spot from among the plurality of spots (e.g., step S122, step S124), and a step of selecting at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics from among the plurality of images associated with the target spot as an image to be displayed on the display 541 of the terminal device 500 (e.g., step S125).

[0061] As a result, from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics is selected as an image to be displayed on display 541. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display of the spot images from becoming cluttered.

[0062] (2) As shown in step S125 of FIG. 2, a user feature is the user's place of residence, and the image having a classification according to the user feature may be an overhead image or an exterior image of the target spot if the residence is a predetermined distance or more from the target spot, and may be an image other than an overhead image or an exterior image if the residence is less than the predetermined distance from the target spot.

[0063] As a result, from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to whether or not the target spot is a predetermined distance or more from the user's residence can be selected as an image to be displayed on display 541. In addition, display of a familiar overhead image or exterior image can be avoided.

[0064] (3) As shown in step S125 of FIG. 2, the user's characteristics are the user's browsing history, and the image having a classification according to the user's characteristics may be an overhead image or an exterior image of the target spot if the number of times the image of the target spot has been viewed is less than a predetermined number of times, and may be an image other than an overhead image or an exterior image if the number of times the image has been viewed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of times.

[0065] As a result, from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to whether the target spot has been viewed by a user a predetermined number of times or more can be selected as an image to be displayed on display 541. It is possible to avoid displaying an overhead image or an exterior image that has been viewed many times.

[0066] (4) As shown in step S125 of FIG. 2, the user's characteristic is the user's preference for classification of images of spots, and the classification of images associated with the spots may include overhead images and detailed images.

[0067] As a result, from among a plurality of images associated with a target spot identified from among a plurality of spots, at least one image having a classification according to the user's preference for classification of images of the spot can be selected as an image to be displayed on display 541. Also, an image desired by the user for the target spot can be displayed.

[0068] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Information providing system, 100 Server, 110, 510 CPU, 120, 520 Memory, 150 Storage device, 151, 551 Recording medium, 180, 580 Bus, 190 Communication unit, 500, 500A to 500C Terminal device, 530 Operation unit, 540 Output unit, 541 Display, 550 External storage device, 590 Wireless communication unit, 900 Communication network, 5411 Recommended spot search button, 5412 Search window, 5413 Search button, 5421 Bird's-eye image of spot A, 5422 Detailed image of spot B, 5423 Sales item image of spot C, 5431 Bird's-eye image, 5432 Exterior image, 5433 Internal image, 5434 Sales item image, 5435 Provided service image, 5441 Enlarged image.

Claims

1. 1. An information providing method for providing information about a plurality of spots to a user by a computer, comprising: A plurality of images having different sections are associated with each of the plurality of spots, The information providing method includes: identifying a target spot from among the plurality of spots; An information providing method comprising a step of selecting at least one image having a classification according to the user's characteristics from among a plurality of images associated with the target spot as an image to be displayed on a display.

2. The characteristic of the user is a place of residence of the user; The information providing method of claim 1, wherein the image having a classification according to the user's characteristics is an overhead image of the target spot when the residence is a predetermined distance or more from the target spot, and is an image other than the overhead image when the residence is less than the predetermined distance from the target spot.

3. The characteristic of the user is a browsing history of the user; The information providing method of claim 1, wherein the image having a classification according to the user's characteristics is an aerial image of the target spot when the number of times the image of the target spot has been viewed is less than a predetermined number, and is an image other than the aerial image when the number of times the image has been viewed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

4. The user characteristic is the user's preference for classification of the image of the spot; The information providing method according to claim 1 , wherein the categories of images associated with the spots include an overhead image and a detailed image.

5. An information providing server that provides information about a plurality of spots to a user, The information providing server includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of images having different sections in association with each of the plurality of spots; a processor; The processor, Identifying a target spot from among the plurality of spots; An information providing server that selects at least one image classified according to the user's characteristics from among a plurality of images associated with the target spots as an image to be displayed on a display.

Images