Display control method, display control program, and display control system

Abstract

To solve the problem in prior arts for displaying stores on a map, that it is hard to say that demands of users are truly satisfied and it has not been able to completely eliminate the anxiety about unrestrained leakage of privacy and personal information.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A display control method or the like is proposed which causes a computer to execute: a position selection reception step of receiving selection of a prescribed position on a map from a user; a facility extraction step of extracting one or more facilities existing within a prescribed range from the position on the basis of operation information being information about operation of the user; and a display control step of controlling map display on a terminal managed by the user on the basis of an extraction result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control method for providing benefits to specific people involved in social life. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technology for displaying information about various stores at predetermined positions on a map on a terminal. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a function for displaying store-related information such as business hours, coupon information, and store photos in a switchable manner with an icon of the store.

[0003] In addition, the technology described in the document involves recording the customer demographic that each store targets in advance, and when it is determined that a user who owns a terminal and is judged to be related to the customer demographic is present within a certain range of the store, a matching process is performed and display control is carried out according to the results of the process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-142019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is merely a mechanism for controlling the display of users' devices from the perspective of store marketing, and it is difficult to say that it is a technology that truly meets user needs. Furthermore, from the user's perspective, this technology is premised on providing information about the user's preferences to the store, and it has not been possible to completely eliminate concerns about privacy and the uncontrolled leakage of personal information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a display control method in which a computer executes the following steps: a location selection receiving step for receiving a user's selection of a predetermined location on a map; a facility extraction step for extracting one or more facilities located within a predetermined range from the location based on operation information, which is information related to the user's operations; and a display control step for controlling the map display on a terminal managed by the user based on the extraction results.

[0007] In addition, with regard to the above invention, a configuration is also proposed that makes it possible to display information about benefits available at the facility.

[0008] In addition, in relation to the above invention, we also propose a display control method in which the display control step further includes an attribute-dependent display substep that controls the display of facilities extracted in the facility extraction step in different modes depending on the operation information.

[0009] In relation to the above invention, the present invention also proposes a display control method in which the display control step further includes an external information utilization sub-step of controlling the display in accordance with external information.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention also proposes inventions relating to programs and systems related to the above methods. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention, which is mainly configured as described above, allows the terminal display to be controlled using information regarding operating conditions that the user can control himself, making it possible to provide useful information to the user with peace of mind. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an overview of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a mobile terminal that performs display control using the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a database for managing user IDs used in the system of embodiment 1. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a database for managing consumer IDs used in the system of embodiment 1. [Figure 4C] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of information recorded in a database for managing facility IDs used in the system of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the functional components of the system according to the first embodiment are integrated and realized as a single piece of hardware. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the system of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the system of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in the system of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] First, Fig. 1 is shown. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the present invention can be realized through appropriate online / offline information transmission and reception between facility terminals, which are terminals managed by businesses 0111, 0112, 0113 that manage facilities that provide products and services such as food and beverages and entertainment, consumer terminals 0121, 0122, 0130 that are terminals managed by consumers who are the recipients of the supply of those products and services, and user terminals, which are terminals managed by users 0120 who benefit from the operations of some of the consumers, and one or a plurality of server computers 0101, 0102.

[0014] Specifically, each of the above terminals may send and receive information via a web-based system, or may install an application program for sending and receiving information with this system and send and receive information through the execution of that program.

[0015] The server computer is composed of a service providing server 0101 having various functions for displaying and providing map information, a display information recording server that acquires various information to be displayed on the map from outside or generates it internally and stores it, and a management server 0102 that manages the various information to be displayed so that it can be accessed by a management company of the facility to be displayed. Each of these servers does not need to be centrally managed by a single company, and may of course be provided by an external company as appropriate, and may be configured to be connected via a network for appropriate transmission and reception of information.

[0016] Incidentally, there are no particular limitations on the types of terminals connected to the server computer that realizes the present invention. In addition to terminals such as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers, it is entirely conceivable that smart devices such as smartwatches may also be used.

[0017] Incidentally, in Fig. 1, a restaurant 0111, a movie theater 0112, and a spa 0113 are shown as examples of facilities that provide goods and services. There are no particular limitations on the type, business type, size, etc. of facilities that can utilize the present invention, and these business types shown in Fig. 1 are merely examples. Note that in this specification and Fig. 2 and subsequent figures, explanations will be given based on the types of facilities shown in Fig. 1.

[0018] Next, Fig. 2 is shown. This figure shows an example of the display of a mobile terminal (smartphone) 0200 that performs display control using the present invention. As shown in this figure, a map screen of a predetermined position is displayed on a display 0201, with an icon 0202 indicating the user's current location roughly at the center, and pins 0211, 0212, 0213, 0221, and 0222 are displayed at locations on the map where various facilities are located. There are two types of pins: pins 0211, 0212, and 0213 that are associated with predetermined icons, and pins 0221, 0222, etc. that do not display any particular icons.

[0019] The bottom of the figure displays information about coupons that can be used at various facilities. That is, from the left side of the figure, information about three coupons is displayed: a coupon 0231 for 150 yen off an A set that can be used by user △◇, who works at a fast food restaurant "ABC Burger Shibuya Branch," at restaurants; a coupon 0232 for 400 yen off a movie ticket that can be used at movie theaters; and a coupon 0233 for a free 60-minute massage course that can be used at spas.

[0020] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the relationship between the embodiments and the claims is as follows: First, embodiment 1 mainly corresponds to claims 1, 2, 5, 6, etc.; embodiment 2 mainly corresponds to claim 3, etc.; embodiment 3 mainly corresponds to claim 4, etc. However, the technical features described in each embodiment can also be used in combination with the technical features described in other embodiments.

[0021] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms within the scope of the technical ideas described in each claim in accordance with common technical knowledge and without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0022] <<Embodiment 1>> <Summary> 3 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the display control system of this embodiment. As shown in the diagram, the “display control system” 0300 of this embodiment has a “location selection receiving unit” 0301, a “facility extraction unit” 0302, and a “display control unit” 0303.

[0023] The display control system described in detail below can be configured to realize one or more of its functions using multiple devices, and its functional blocks can all be realized as hardware or software. Examples of a display control system using a computer include a CPU, main memory, GPU, TPU, image memory, bus, secondary storage device (hard disk or non-volatile memory), various input devices such as a keyboard, microphone, touch panel, and electronic pen for touching the touch panel, speakers, displays, and various other output devices, as well as hardware components such as a GPS sensor and other external peripheral devices, interfaces for the external peripheral devices, communication interfaces, driver programs for controlling the hardware, and other application programs.

[0024] Then, through arithmetic processing according to the program deployed on the main memory, data input from input devices or other interfaces and stored in the memory or hardware is processed and stored, and instructions for controlling the hardware and software are created. Here, the above program may be realized as multiple modularized programs, or two or more programs may be combined into one program using cloud computing or other methods.

[0025] <Functional configuration> The "location selection receiving unit" 0301 is configured to receive a selection of a predetermined map location from the user. The map location to be selected may be a predetermined location on an image already displayed as a map, or may be a location specified by receiving input of text indicating the location of an address, facility, store, etc. The selection receiving process may also be a process of obtaining information about the user's current location using an external function such as a GPS provided on the consumer terminal. By adopting a configuration that allows the selection receiving process to be performed without placing any particular burden on the user by using other functions in addition to the user's active selection receiving operation, it is possible to provide opportunities for using a variety of functions.

[0026] The "facility extraction unit" 0302 is configured to extract one or more facilities located within a predetermined range from the location based on operation information, which is information about the operation of the user. The operation information here may include information about the employer or a similar user in relation to the user, such as the name of the business to which the user provides labor, the location of operation (store, work site, etc.), and contact information. Note that this information may also be obtained through linkage with the user ID, which will be described later. Other information included in the operation information may include information about the user's type of operation (official employee, part-time worker, contract worker, etc.) and historical information about the operation status in relation to multiple users.

[0027] Here, we will explain the process of acquiring or generating operation information, assuming that the operation information will be used in association with a user. When a user wishes to use this system, they are first required to register their own ID (consumer ID) and all or part of the operation information with this system. In some cases, the system will accept registration of operation information from the user themselves, and in other cases, the system will accept registration of operation information of users related to the user through the user.

[0028] Once the user registration process is complete, when the user subsequently uses the system, the user is prompted to log in to the system by entering the consumer ID used during registration, and after completing the login process, the user can use various functions, such as location selection processing, in the location selection reception unit. After user registration, data on the user's usage history of the system is appropriately recorded in the system and may be used in different processes depending on the history content. For example, the system may count the number of logins and use this data in reward processing for users who have logged in a predetermined number of times or more, or record information on the use of benefits corresponding to the display control processing in the display control unit (described below) and share the use status of the benefits with the user.

[0029] After the operation information is registered, it can be changed at any time. For example, when a user resigns from a registered employer (company), starts working at a new part-time job, or the operating environment at the workplace changes (e.g., moving from part-time to full-time employment), a request to change the operation information can be received from the user or employer, and change processing can be performed according to the changes. The operation information can be displayed together with a map on the consumer terminal at any time and in any manner. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the benefits obtained by the user using the present invention correspond to the latest operating status.

[0030] Incidentally, just as users use their consumer IDs to perform the registration process, users also register their own ID (user ID) along with their business name, operating location (store, operating site, etc.), contact information, etc. prior to use of this system. The user then registers a specific facility in association with the operating information of the person (consumer) who will be using the facility. More specifically, the facility name, the control mode for displaying the facility on a map, and the operating information required for the display control are registered in association with an ID (facility ID) for identifying the facility.

[0031] A facility ID may be registered by receiving a registration input from the facility to be identified by the ID, or may be registered in response to a registration request from a business operator wishing to be associated. Even if a registration request is received, the registration may be approved without review, or the registration may be approved upon receiving information from the facility that approves the registration. In this way, the process of linking and registering a user and a facility may be performed in either a manner in which a processing request is received from the user side or a processing request is received from the facility side.

[0032] Figures 4A to 4C are shown here. These figures are diagrams showing examples of data configurations in various databases used in this system. In this system, multiple businesses can register various facilities through the registration process described above, so a database for managing user IDs as shown in Figure 4A, a database for managing consumer IDs as shown in Figure 4B, and a database for managing facility IDs as shown in Figure 4C exist both inside and outside the system, and the information stored in each database can be associated in an appropriate manner to make it possible to understand the mutual relationships between them.

[0033] The above figures will be explained in more detail. First, Figure 4A shows an example of information for "ABC Burger Shibuya" (user ID: AAA323) recorded in the user database. As shown in the figure, consumers 0411 linked to facilities can be viewed at a glance, and links 0412 to corresponding areas in the consumer database where operation information for each consumer is stored are provided. Facilities that are subject to display control can also be viewed at a glance, and in particular, an overview of display control for individual facilities can be displayed in this database, and links 0413 to corresponding areas in the facility database where information for each facility is stored can also be provided.

[0034] Next, Figure 4B is a diagram showing an example of information about "△◇Taro" (consumer ID: 123456) recorded in the consumer database. In addition to displaying operation information 0421 about the consumer, a link 0422 to a corresponding area in the user database where information about the user who is the object of the operation in the operation information is stored is provided.

[0035] Next, Figure 4C shows an example of information about "MLN Cinema Shibuya" (facility ID: S4023592) recorded in the facility database. A link 0431 to the website published by the facility and business operators (users) 0432 that are linked with the facility, such as those identified as targets of display control, can be viewed at a glance. In particular, an overview of display control performed in relation to individual users can be displayed on this database, and a link 0433 to the corresponding area of ​​the user database where information about each facility is stored can also be provided. Note that only information that is subject to display control in relation to users is not necessarily displayed here; if display control for general users is also specifically set, a display 0434 corresponding to the display control may be displayed.

[0036] In each of the above figures, the initial information registration date and the most recent update date may also be displayed, and the update history may also be displayed. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which the frequency and manner of display control for each update timing can be compiled, quantified, and provided to users and facilities. Adopting such a configuration would enable the usage status of various benefits to be grasped at appropriate times, contributing to the planning of policies aimed at providing more optimal benefits. In any case, by adopting such a configuration, for example, the system would be able to execute processing such as "when consumer A, who works for user B, uses the system, the display of facility C on the map is controlled."

[0037] Returning to the explanation of the function of the facility extraction unit, the facility extraction unit may extract facilities based on user operation information according to specific conditions set by the user or facility. For example, the facility extraction unit may determine whether certain conditions are met, such as whether the operation information contains specific content, or whether the values ​​of temporal elements (operation time, operation hours, employment period, etc.) and operation rates (salary, remuneration, etc.) included in the operation information exceed a predetermined threshold, and extract one or more facilities that satisfy the conditions. Since the conditions can be set arbitrarily, for example, even if multiple users working for the same user are located on the same map, certain facilities may or may not be extracted if the content of each user's operation information differs depending on their relationship with the user. By adopting this configuration, specifically, processing such as "if a user is currently working for business operator A, extract facilities X, Y, and X" can be performed.

[0038] The extraction process extracts only facilities that are located within a predetermined range from a predetermined position on the map. A possible configuration is to extract only facilities that are located within a predetermined concentric range centered on a terminal (consumer terminal) managed by the user using GPS or the like. As mentioned above, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which a user inputs a predetermined address and searches, and only facilities that are located within a predetermined concentric range centered on the address are extracted.

[0039] The "display control unit" 0303 is configured to control the map display on the terminal managed by the user based on the extraction result. Specifically, it controls the display of one or more extracted facilities, but the control mode can also change depending on the mode of conventional map display. For example, if various facility names are displayed even on conventional maps, the display control unit can perform display control to distinguish the extracted facilities from other facilities.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 2, extracted facilities such as shops and spas are displayed in a way that makes them relatively easier to see, unlike facilities not included in the extraction, by displaying an icon indicating the facility or displaying it in a larger shape than other facilities. By adopting this configuration, it becomes easier for users as consumers to understand the facilities that are extracted, and it becomes easier for facilities to attract users to their own facilities depending on their operating status.

[0041] Other possible display control methods include, when multiple facilities to be extracted are included in a nearby area, displaying them together (displaying the number "2" for all two facilities), flashing the extracted facility, or displaying it in a different color from the other facilities. Display control that provides guidance on the user's current location and the route to the facility may also be used. In any case, as long as the display control can motivate the user to visit the facility, any type of display control can be permitted and selected as a function of the display control unit.

[0042] The display control unit may be configured to control the display so as to display information about benefits available at the facility. As shown in Figure 2, if benefits available at the facility subject to the display control are preset, such as discounts on services or free provision of specific services, these settings may be displayed as one aspect of the display control. Information about these benefits may be preset by the business operator or facility, and the usage status of the benefits may be linked to a consumer ID and recorded in a consumer database.

[0043] In relation to this benefit display, if a benefit has a usage limit, the remaining time until the limit can be measured and displayed in real time. If a limit on the number of uses is set, the remaining number of uses available to the user can be displayed. Furthermore, if multiple facilities are selected as targets for display control, the display can be made in order, starting with the facility with the shortest remaining time or the benefits associated with that facility, or the benefits associated with the facility with the most / least remaining uses. Furthermore, if multiple benefits are available at a single facility, the display can be made to display each benefit in an order according to the limit.

[0044] In consideration of the fact that the above display is made on the consumer terminal, it is also possible to configure the terminal to display code information associated with the contents of each benefit. In this case, when a consumer visits a facility and wishes to use a benefit, the consumer presents the code information to the facility, and the facility terminal reads and processes the code information, thereby recording the fact that the user visited the facility and used the benefit.

[0045] <Specific configuration> Here, Fig. 5 is shown. This figure is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration when each functional component of the display control system of this embodiment is integrated and realized as a single piece of hardware. Each device is equipped with a "CPU" 0501 for executing various arithmetic processes, a "storage device (storage medium)" 0502, a "main memory" 0503, an "input / output interface" 0504, and a "network interface" 0505, and transmits and receives information to and from external peripheral devices such as a "keyboard" 0506 via the input / output interface.

[0046] Furthermore, the display control system of this embodiment can transmit and receive information to and from external devices such as a plurality of "consumer terminals" 0507, "user terminals" 0508, or "facility terminals" 0509 via a network interface. The specific form of this network interface can be wired or wireless, and the communication method can be direct or indirect between the two terminals. Therefore, it is also possible to adopt a so-called cloud computing format in which information is transmitted and received between a specific external device or a server managed by a third party linked to the user of that device.

[0047] The storage device stores various programs as described below, and the CPU reads, develops, and executes these programs in the work area of ​​the main memory. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" 0599, and transmit and receive information and perform processing (the basic configuration described above is the same for all of the other devices described below).

[0048] (Specific configuration of the location selection reception unit) The location selection receiving unit is composed of a computer program and computer hardware, and specifically, the CPU reads the "location selection receiving program" 0510 from the storage device into the main memory and executes it to receive the user's selection of a location on a predetermined map. Note that, as a prerequisite, a predetermined map is displayed and output on the consumer terminal managed by the user.

[0049] (Specific configuration of facility extraction unit) The facility extraction unit is composed of a computer program and computer hardware, and specifically, the CPU reads the "facility extraction program" 0520 from the storage device into the main memory and executes it, reads out operation information, which is information on the user's operations stored at a predetermined address in the main memory, and extracts one or more facilities that are present within a predetermined range from the position on the map whose selection has been accepted by executing the position selection acceptance program, based on the operation information.

[0050] (Specific configuration of the display control unit) The display control unit is composed of a computer program and computer hardware, and specifically, the CPU reads out the "display control program" 0530 from the storage device into the main memory and executes it, and performs processing to control the map display on the terminal managed by the user based on the extraction results obtained by executing the facility extraction program.

[0051] <Processing flow> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the display control system of this embodiment. The processing flow in this diagram consists of the following steps. First, in step S0601, it is determined whether a map is displayed on the consumer terminal. If a map is displayed, it is determined in step S0602 whether a predetermined location on the map has been selected by the user who manages the consumer terminal (location selection reception step). If the determination result here is that a location has been selected, in step S0603, one or more facilities located within a predetermined range from the location are extracted based on operation information, which is information related to the user's operations (facility extraction step). Thereafter, in step S0604, the map display on the consumer terminal is controlled based on the extraction result (display control step).

[0052] <Effects> By using a display control system that adopts the above configuration, the terminal display can be controlled using information about operating conditions that the user can control themselves, allowing the user to feel at ease and be provided with useful information.

[0053] <<Embodiment 2>> <Summary> The display control system of this embodiment basically has the same technical features as the display control system described in embodiment 1, but has an additional feature in that it has the function of controlling the display of extracted facilities in different ways depending on the operation information.

[0054] <Functional configuration> 7 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the display control system of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the "display control system" 0700 of this embodiment has a "location selection receiving unit" 0701, a "facility extraction unit" 0702, and a "display control unit" 0703, and the display control unit further has an "attribute-dependent display means" 0713. Since the basic configuration is the same as the display control system described using FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, the function of the "attribute-dependent display means" 0713, which is the difference, will be described below.

[0055] The "attribute-dependent display means" 0713 is configured to control the display of the facilities extracted by the facility extraction unit in different modes depending on the operation information using a display control unit. As mentioned in the explanation of the first embodiment, the operation information recorded in the present invention may include information such as the user's operation mode and operation history. In the first embodiment, an example was mentioned in which information related to benefits was or was not displayed depending on the presence or absence of specific operation information, but here, an example in which different display control is performed depending on the operation information will also be mentioned.

[0056] Specifically, if there is a user AA who works at a specific facility (for example, a fast-food restaurant 0211 shown in Figure 2) and a user AB who does not work at that facility, when AA's consumer terminal attempts to display a map of the location corresponding to Figure 2, benefits (coupons) available only to employees at the fast-food restaurant will be displayed, and when AB's consumer terminal attempts to display a similar map, benefits available to a wide range of users will be displayed. It is also conceivable that AA's consumer terminal can be controlled to display either of the two types of benefits selectably. By adopting this configuration, users with specific operation information can easily see the benefits available to them according to their own operation status, which will also lead to increased motivation to work.

[0057] In addition to the above examples, it is also possible to consider a configuration in which the display mode for a facility is controlled depending on whether it is an affiliated facility of an operating facility (such as a directly managed facility or a franchise facility).By providing flexible display control for each facility, it is possible to provide convenience for users while also realizing diverse display control according to the relationship between the user and the facility.

[0058] <Specific configuration> The hardware configuration of each device constituting the display control system of this embodiment is basically the same as the hardware configuration of the display control system of embodiment 1 described using Fig. 5. Therefore, the following describes specific processing of the "attribute-dependent display means" that has not been described so far.

[0059] (Specific Configuration of Attribute-Dependent Display Means) The attribute-dependent display means is specifically composed of a computer program and computer hardware, and when the CPU executes the display control program from the storage device, it reads an "attribute-dependent display subprogram" into the main memory and executes it, and performs processing to control the display of facilities extracted by execution of the facility extraction program in different modes depending on the operation information.

[0060] <Processing flow> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the display control system of this embodiment. The processing flow in this figure consists of the following steps. First, in step S0801, it is determined whether a map is displayed on the consumer terminal. If a map is displayed, it is determined in step S0802 whether a predetermined location on the map has been selected by the user who manages the consumer terminal (location selection reception step). If the determination result here is that a location has been selected, in step S0803, one or more facilities located within a predetermined range from the location are extracted based on operation information, which is information related to the user's operations (facility extraction step). Thereafter, in step S0804, the map display on the consumer terminal for the facilities extracted based on the extraction result is controlled in different modes depending on the operation information (attribute-dependent display step).

[0061] <Effects> By using the display control system of this embodiment, it becomes possible to satisfy the needs of a wider variety of consumer users than when the display control system of the first embodiment is used.

[0062] <<Embodiment 3>> <Summary> The display control system of this embodiment basically has the same technical features as the display control system described in embodiment 1, but has an additional feature in that when controlling map display, the display is controlled in accordance with external information.

[0063] <Functional configuration> 9 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the display control system of this embodiment. As shown in the diagram, the "display control system" 0900 of this embodiment has a "location selection receiving unit" 0901, a "facility extraction unit" 0902, and a "display control unit" 0903, and the display control unit further has an "external information utilization means" 0913. Since the basic configuration is the same as the display control system described using FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, the function of the "external information utilization means" 0913, which is the difference, will be described below.

[0064] The "external information utilization means" 0913 is configured to control the display in the display control unit in accordance with external information. The external information here is information not included in the above-mentioned operating information, and includes information whose content is not directly determined by the user or the user's involvement, such as time and calendar information, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and event / activity status. For example, the display mode may be controlled in the morning, daytime, evening, or night, or in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, or only when it is raining, or in accordance with the road congestion status at a specified location, or when a large-scale event is being held nearby.

[0065] Some of this external information can be linked to the mode of display control to be performed and specific content can be recorded in advance (for example, date and time, calendar, etc.), while other information satisfies conditions for display control to be performed at a predetermined timing (for example, weather, traffic conditions, etc.).For the latter external information, it is possible to determine at an appropriate timing whether or not the display control should be performed through sending and receiving information with sensors or external servers.By adopting this configuration, it is possible to provide consumer users with appropriate information according to various situations.

[0066] It is possible to accept the setting and registration of the external information and the display control mode through the user terminal and the facility terminal. More specifically, a configuration is desirable in which a setting and registration application is accepted from one of the above terminals and an approval of the application is accepted from the other terminal. If a configuration is adopted in which display control is performed using external information in addition to operation information, it becomes possible to perform flexible processing such as, for example, "displaying a special coupon offering a meal at a special price to a consumer user who worked at a specified time and place at a restaurant located on the consumer user's way home." This is not only convenient for the consumer user, but also makes it easier for users to cooperate with each facility to provide welfare benefits that would be difficult for them to provide themselves.

[0067] <Specific configuration> The hardware configuration of each device constituting the display control system of this embodiment is basically the same as the hardware configuration of the display control system of embodiment 1 described using Fig. 5. Therefore, the following describes specific processing of the "external information utilization means" that has not been described so far.

[0068] (Specific configuration of external information utilization means) The external information utilization means is specifically composed of a computer program and computer hardware, and when executing the display control program, the CPU reads the "external information utilization subprogram" from the storage device into the main memory, executes it, and controls the display according to the external information.

[0069] <Processing flow> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the display control system of this embodiment. The processing flow in this diagram consists of the following steps. First, in step S1001, it is determined whether a map is displayed on the consumer terminal. If a map is displayed, it is determined in step S1002 whether a predetermined location on the map has been selected by the user who manages the consumer terminal (location selection reception step). If the determination result here is that a location has been selected, in step S1003, one or more facilities located within a predetermined range from the location are extracted based on operation information, which is information related to the user's operations (facility extraction step). Thereafter, in step S1004, the map display on the consumer terminal is controlled based on the extraction result and external information (external information use display control step).

[0070] <Effects> By using the display control system of this embodiment, it becomes possible to provide information that is more convenient for individual consumers and users than when the display control system of the first embodiment is used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 0300: Display control system, 0301: Location selection reception unit, 0302: Facility extraction unit, 0303: Display control unit

Claims

1. a location selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a predetermined location on the map from a user; a facility extraction step of extracting one or more facilities present within a predetermined range from the location based on operation information that is information regarding the user's operation; a display control step of controlling a map display on a terminal managed by the user based on the extraction result; A display control method for causing a computer to execute the above.

2. 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the display control step further comprises a benefit display substep of displaying information about benefits available at the facility.

3. 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the display control step further comprises an attribute-dependent display substep of controlling display of the facilities extracted in the facility extraction step in different modes depending on the operation information.

4. 2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the display control step further comprises an external information utilization substep of controlling the display in accordance with external information.

5. a location selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a predetermined location on the map from a user; a facility extraction step of extracting one or more facilities present within a predetermined range from the location based on operation information that is information regarding the user's operation; a display control step of controlling a map display on a terminal managed by the user based on the extraction result; A display control program for enabling the above to be executed on a computer.

6. a location selection receiving unit that receives a selection of a predetermined location on a map from a user; a facility extraction unit that extracts one or more facilities that exist within a predetermined range from the location based on operation information that is information about the user's operation; a display control unit that controls map display on a terminal managed by the user based on the extraction result.

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