Information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method capable of further improving the convenience for users.SOLUTION: An information processing program causes a computer to execute: a first display processing process of causing a display unit to display map content and a modal window in which layer content associated with specific information is arranged in accordance with operation of a user; a receiving process of receiving a selection of layer content selected by a user; and a second display processing process of displaying information based on the specific information associated with the selected layer content received by the receiving process, on the map content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing device, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for displaying information about facilities and the like on map content. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for adjusting the type and amount of information about a location displayed on map content according to the distance from a reference position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-134357 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional technology adjusts the type and amount of information about a location displayed on map content depending on the distance from a reference location, so the information displayed does not necessarily match the user's desire, and there is room for further improvement in terms of user convenience.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide an information processing program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can further improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing program of the present application causes a computer to execute a first display processing procedure that displays map content and a modal window in which layer content linked to specific information is arranged in response to a user's operation on a display unit, a reception procedure that receives a user's selection of layer content, and a second display processing procedure that displays, on the map content, information based on the specific information linked to the layer content whose selection was received by the reception procedure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an effect is achieved in that the convenience for users can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information providing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen displayed on the display unit by a first display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen displayed on the display unit by the first display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen on which a location icon is displayed on the display unit by a second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen on which a location icon is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing yet another example of a map application screen in which location icons are displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen on which layer content candidates are displayed on the display unit by a third display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen on which layer content candidates are displayed on the display unit by the third display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of how a location icon highlighted by a second display processing unit in a display processing unit of a terminal device according to the embodiment is changed by a scroll operation of explanation content. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen on which a category list is displayed on the display unit by a fifth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of candidate list information provided to the terminal device by the providing unit in the processing unit of the information providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of layer content group information provided to a terminal device by a providing unit in a processing unit of an information providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layer content candidate process performed by the processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a search process by the processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layer content candidate process performed by the processing unit of the information providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the terminal device and the information providing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, the information processing program, information processing device, and information processing method according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments can be appropriately combined as long as the processing content is not contradictory. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [1. An example of information processing] First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining information processing according to the embodiment.

[0011] A map application is installed on the terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the map application provides various functions such as a designated position display function, a search function, a navigation function, and a location information providing function to a user U of the terminal device 1. The map application is an example of an information processing program. The terminal device 1 is an example of an information processing device. Hereinafter, the map application may be referred to as a map app.

[0012] The specified location display function is a function that displays map content, which is content including a map of an area centered on the current location or a location designated by the user U, on the terminal device 1. The search function is a function that searches for a desired location using an address, store name, facility name, etc., and displays the search results on the map content.

[0013] The navigation function presents the optimal route from the set destination and departure point, and provides navigation such as voice guidance, and provides navigation according to the means of transportation, such as walking, cycling, car, and public transportation.

[0014] The location information providing function is a function that displays location information (for example, icons according to the type of location) of stores, facilities, etc. on the map content, and displays detailed information of a location selected by the user U.

[0015] The terminal device 1 executes the map application when an instruction to start the map application is given by the user U. Due to the function of the map application, a map application screen is displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 1 as shown in Fig. 1 (step S1).

[0016] The map application screen includes map content and a modal window that displays multiple layer contents that are superimposed on the map content and linked to specific information (e.g., information on multiple locations). The layer contents are content for displaying information based on the linked specific information on the map content, and include GUI buttons.

[0017] Each layer content is arranged in a modal window in response to an operation by the user U. For example, the user U can select one or more layer content candidates from a plurality of layer content candidates by operating the terminal device 1, and the terminal device 1 arranges a modal window with the layer content candidates selected by the user U as layer content.

[0018] The area of ​​the map content displayed on the terminal device 1 is, for example, an area centered on the current location of the user U or a location specified by the user U. The user U can change the area of ​​the map content displayed on the map content by operating the terminal device 1.

[0019] The map application screen also has a search box. User U can enter the name of a desired store or facility into the search box, and the map content will display a map of the area centered around the store or facility whose name User U entered.

[0020] The modal window has the map content as its parent window and is superimposed on the map content. The modal window contains multiple layer contents, each of which is linked to specific information (for example, information on multiple locations), and the user U can operate the terminal device 1 to select a desired layer content from the multiple layer contents.

[0021] Each of the plurality of layer contents is associated with specific information that is different from one another. The specific information is information that is stored in the terminal device 1 together with the information on the layer contents, but may also be information that is stored in the information providing device 2 shown in FIG.

[0022] Examples of specific information include, but are not limited to, location information, weather information, etc. Examples of locations include, but are not limited to, the location of a facility, a parking lot, a park, a tourist attraction, a famous building, a monument, an event venue, etc. Examples of weather information include, but are not limited to, information on rain cloud distribution, temperature distribution, and fog distribution.

[0023] The types of facilities include, for example, commercial facilities such as stores, shopping malls, and hotels, public facilities such as city halls, police stations, and libraries, educational facilities such as universities and vocational schools, medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics, art galleries, museums, and sports facilities. The types of stores include, for example, retail stores, restaurants, beauty salons, dry cleaners, game centers, and gas stations.

[0024] The location information includes information indicating the location of the location, information indicating the category of the location, information indicating a description of the location (including, for example, text information and image information related to the location), information indicating an evaluation of the location, etc. The location information is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude of the location.

[0025] The multiple layer contents shown in Figure 1 include gourmet layer content, rain cloud layer content, gas station layer content, parking lot layer content, etc. The gourmet layer content is layer content linked to information on multiple restaurants. The rain cloud layer content is layer content linked to information on rain cloud distribution.

[0026] The gas station layer content is layer content to which information on multiple gas stations is linked. The parking lot layer content is layer content to which information on multiple parking lots is linked. The layer content shown in FIG. 1 includes GUI (Graphical User Interface) buttons, but is not limited to this example and may include other GUIs such as check boxes.

[0027] The terminal device 1 accepts the user U's selection of one or more layer contents from among the plurality of layer contents arranged in the modal window using the map application function (step S2). The user U selects the layer contents by operating the terminal device 1.

[0028] The terminal device 1 displays, on the map content, information based on the specific information linked to the layer content selected in step S2 (step S3). The specific information is stored in the terminal device 1 as described above, but if it is stored in the information providing device 2, the terminal device 1 acquires the specific information from the information providing device 2 through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the information providing device 2.

[0029] For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 1, when the specific information linked to the layer content is location information, the terminal device 1 displays an icon indicating the location as information based on the location information at a position on the map content indicated by the location information. This allows the terminal device 1 to display information about a location desired by the user U on the map content, thereby improving convenience for the user U. The icon is also called a pin or a marker.

[0030] For example, assume that the layer content selected in step S2 is a gourmet layer content. In this case, the terminal device 1 displays a restaurant icon as information based on specific information at a position on the map content of a restaurant indicated by information about the restaurant (including a food retailer) linked to the gourmet layer content. The restaurant icon is an icon that includes a picture or symbol indicating the restaurant. Hereinafter, the restaurant icon may be referred to as an icon corresponding to the gourmet layer content.

[0031] Also, assume that the layer content selected in step S2 is rain cloud layer content. In this case, the terminal device 1 displays a layer image on the map content as information based on specific information, in which the density of the rain clouds indicated by the information on the rain cloud distribution linked to the rain cloud layer content is indicated by color differences or dot sizes.

[0032] If the layer content arranged in the modal window is linked to location information, the terminal device 1 can display a location icon before the layer content arranged in the modal window is selected. The location icon is an icon that indicates, on the map content, the location whose information is linked to the layer content.

[0033] In this case, when one layer content arranged in the modal window is selected, the terminal device 1 highlights the location icon corresponding to the selected layer content more than the location icons corresponding to the other layer contents. For example, the terminal device 1 can highlight the location icon corresponding to the selected layer content by making it larger, blinking, or darker in color than the other location icons. The other location icons are icons that indicate the positions of locations associated with layer contents not selected by the user U among the multiple layer contents arranged in the modal window.

[0034] The terminal device 1 can also highlight a location icon corresponding to layer content by touching or being close to the location icon and displaying an information icon in a speech bubble that shows information including a description of the location.

[0035] In this way, the terminal device 1 can display location icons, which are information based on location information linked as specific information to layer content whose selection was accepted in step S2, on the map content in a more emphasized state than other location icons, which are information based on location information linked as specific information to layer content whose selection was not accepted in step S2.

[0036] This allows the terminal device 1 to highlight the location icon of the layer content selected by the user U while displaying the location icon of each layer content on the map content, thereby improving convenience for the user U.

[0037] In addition, the terminal device 1 can enlarge the layer content whose selection was accepted in step S2, thereby allowing the user U to easily distinguish between the layer content whose selection was accepted in step S2 and the layer content whose selection was not accepted in step S2.

[0038] The information providing device 2 shown in Figure 1 has multiple layer content candidates, which are candidates for layer content to be placed in a modal window, and by displaying the multiple layer content candidates on the terminal device 1, the user U is presented with multiple layer content candidates to select from.

[0039] The information providing device 2 can provide information on a layer content candidate selected by the user U from among a plurality of layer content candidates to the terminal device 1. In the terminal device 1, the layer content selected by the user U is arranged in the above-mentioned modal window.

[0040] Some of the layer content candidates are, for example, content linked to information on a group of places including a plurality of places selected by a selector C.

[0041] Furthermore, the terminal device 1 can also place in a modal window layer content linked as specific information to information about a location searched for by the user U. For example, when the user U searches for a facility using a search box, the terminal device 1 places in a modal window layer content linked as specific information to information about the facility.

[0042] Furthermore, when the user U searches for a specific place using a web search application, the terminal device 1 can also place layer content linked to information about the specific place as specific information in a modal window. The map application is linked to the web search application, and acquires information about the specific place included in the search query entered by the user U using the web search application.

[0043] The terminal device 1 also superimposes on the map content an explanation content that is content that shows, in a list format, information that shows descriptions of multiple places associated with the layer content selected in step S2 (step S4). The explanation content is a modal window in which information that shows descriptions of multiple places is arranged in a list format, as shown in (a) of Fig. 1, but is not limited to this example.

[0044] In the explanatory content shown in Fig. 1, card UIs (User Interfaces) are arranged vertically for each location, and each card UI contains information indicating the name of the location and information indicating a description of the location. The information indicating the description of the location includes image information related to the location. The card UIs are formed in a rectangular shape.

[0045] The terminal device 1 displays, on the map content, a location icon indicating the location of the location indicated by the card UI selected by the user U from among the multiple card UIs in the explanation content displayed in step S4. Furthermore, when other location icons are displayed on the map content, the terminal device 1 displays, on the map content, the location icon indicating the location of the location indicated by the card UI selected by the user U in an emphasized manner compared to location icons indicating the locations of locations indicated by card UIs not selected by the user U.

[0046] Furthermore, when the user U performs a scroll operation on the explanation content, the terminal device 1 can display on the map content location icons indicating the locations of card UIs included in the display area, which is the area of ​​the explanation content displayed on the terminal device 1, in a more emphasized manner than location icons indicating the locations of card UIs not included in the display area. Note that when there are multiple card UIs included in the display area, the terminal device 1 displays on the map content location icons indicating the locations of the card UIs that are at the top (highest) position in a more emphasized manner than location icons indicating the locations of card UIs that are not at the top (highest) position.

[0047] The terminal device 1 can also superimpose a category list, which is a list of categories of places linked to the layer content selected in step S2, on the map content. If the place linked to the layer content is a gas station, the category of the gas station is, for example, the operating company of the gas station. If the place linked to the layer content is a restaurant, the category of the restaurant is, for example, Japanese food, Western food, Chinese food, etc., but may also be further subdivided categories.

[0048] The user U can select a desired category from among the multiple categories included in the category list displayed on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 accepts the user U's selection of a category from among the multiple categories included in the category list. In this case, the terminal device 1 displays, on the map content, location information of the category selected by the user U from the location information of the multiple locations linked to the layer content selected by the user U, in an emphasized manner compared to location information of categories not selected by the user U. This allows the terminal device 1 to improve convenience for the user U.

[0049] The information providing device 2 accepts registration of each location group selected by the selector C and displayed on the map by the user U on the terminal device 1 (step S5). By operating the terminal device 3, the selector C can transmit information about the location group selected by the selector C from the terminal device 3 to the information providing device 2, and the information providing device 2 accepts the registration of the location group, for example, by accepting information about the location group. The terminal device 1 is an example of an information processing device and a user terminal. Hereinafter, the location group selected by the selector C may be referred to as a selected location group.

[0050] The selected location group may be, for example, a restaurant group including a plurality of recommended restaurants, a tourist spot group including a plurality of recommended tourist spots in a particular tourist destination, a facility group including a plurality of recommended outdoor facilities, a store group including a plurality of recommended types of stores, etc. The selected location group may be, for example, a group of locations selected within a particular area, or may be a group of locations including a plurality of locations nationwide.

[0051] For example, the selected location group may be a variety of location groups, such as a facility group including multiple restroom facilities, a restaurant group including multiple restaurants that have been featured on television, a ramen restaurant group including multiple ramen restaurants that have high ratings, or a restaurant group including multiple restaurants that have long lines.

[0052] In step S5, the information providing device 2 receives, as information on the selected location group, information including information indicating the position of each location included in the selected location group and information indicating a description of each location included in the selected location group.

[0053] The information indicating the location of a place is, for example, information indicating latitude and longitude, but may also be information indicating a location other than latitude and longitude. The information indicating a description of a place includes, for example, information indicating the name of the place, information indicating the category of the place, information indicating the characteristics and details of the place, etc. In step S5, the information providing device 2 receives, for example, information related to a group of places, thereby receiving information including information indicating the location of each place included in the selected group of places and information indicating a description of each place included in the selected group of places.

[0054] In step S5, the information providing device 2 accepts registration of layer content linked to information on the selected location group. For example, the information providing device 2 accepts registration of each of the information on the selected location group and the layer content by accepting a registration request including the information on the selected location group and the layer content. The layer content includes, for example, a GUI icon including the name of the selected location group.

[0055] The information on the selected location group may also include information indicating the name of the selected location group. In this case, the information providing device 2 can generate layer content based on the information indicating the name of the selected location group.

[0056] The information providing device 2 generates a layer content group, which is a group of layer contents linked to information on a place group that satisfies a predetermined condition among information on a place group that was accepted for registration in step S5 (step S6). In this case, the information providing device 2 can generate information indicating the name of the layer content group based on information indicating the names of the place groups linked to the layer contents.

[0057] The information providing device 2 identifies information on two or more place groups that satisfy a predetermined condition from the information on the plurality of place groups whose registration was accepted in step S5. The information on two or more place groups that satisfy the predetermined condition is, for example, information on a place group linked to the top m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 2) layer contents selected (popularity) by the user U, information on two or more place groups corresponding to a specific theme, etc. The specific theme is, for example, traveling to a specific area, shopping in a specific area, etc., but is not limited to such examples.

[0058] If the specific theme is travel to a specific area, the two or more groups of places corresponding to the specific theme may include, for example, a tourist spot group including a plurality of recommended tourist spots in the specific area, a restaurant group including a plurality of recommended restaurants in the specific area, etc.

[0059] Also, if the specific theme is shopping in a specific area, the two or more groups of places corresponding to the specific theme may include, for example, a group of facilities including multiple toilet facilities in the specific area, a group of restaurants including multiple types of stores that have been featured on television in the specific area, etc.

[0060] The information providing device 2 can determine two or more groups of selected locations that satisfy predetermined conditions using a generation AI (Artificial Intelligence). The generation AI is, for example, a text generation AI. The text generation AI is, for example, a large-scale language model trained to estimate and output the next token from an input token sequence, such as a transformer-based model or an RNN (Recurrent Neural Network)-based model, or a hybrid model of these. The text generation AI may also be a composite system combined with an identifier to prevent fraudulent use.

[0061] Examples of the transformer-based model include, but are not limited to, GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) (registered trademark), PaLM2 (Pathways Language Model Version 2), and LLaMA (Large Language Model Meta AI). Examples of the RNN-based model include, but are not limited to, RWKV (Receptance Weighted Key Value).

[0062] It is desirable that the generation AI be trained so as not to include personal information in the generated results. The generation AI is placed in an external information processing device, and the information providing device 2 uses the generation AI via an API, but the generation AI may also be placed within the information providing device 2.

[0063] The information providing device 2 inputs information including information on a plurality of selected location groups and instruction information instructing the generation AI to identify information on two or more selected location groups that satisfy a specific theme, and can cause the generation AI to identify two or more selected location groups that satisfy the specific theme. For example, if the specific theme is shopping in Shibuya, the instruction information can be, but is not limited to, a character string such as "Each of the plurality of given location groups is a location group that can be displayed on the map content. Of these plurality of selected location groups, please identify two or more location groups that are useful for shopping in Shibuya."

[0064] The generative AI may be a multimodal generative AI, etc. The multimodal generative AI is, for example, a generative AI that can generate text and images from text and images, etc. Examples of the multimodal generative AI include, but are not limited to, GPT-4 Turbo with vision, Gemini, and CM3Leon (Chameleon Multimodal Model).

[0065] The specific theme may also be a group of selected locations in the same area. In this case, the information providing device 2 may determine, for example, two or more groups of selected locations in the same area as two or more groups of selected locations that satisfy the specific theme.

[0066] Furthermore, the information providing device 2 can also use an image generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group including two or more layer contents corresponding to information on two or more selected location groups that satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0067] For example, the information providing device 2 inputs information including information on two or more selection location groups that satisfy predetermined conditions and instruction information instructing the image generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group that includes two or more layer contents corresponding to the information on the two or more selection location groups that satisfy the predetermined conditions, thereby allowing the information providing device 2 to cause the generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group that includes two or more layer contents corresponding to the information on the two or more selection location groups that satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0068] Image generation AI is AI that generates images from text, and includes, but is not limited to, StackGAN (Generative Adversarial Networks), AttnGAN, T2I (Text-to-Image) with Transformers, and Diffusion models. Diffusion models include, for example, DALL-E and Stable-Diffusion.

[0069] Next, the information providing device 2 accepts the candidate information provision request transmitted from the terminal device 1 (step S7). The user U can cause the terminal device 1 to transmit the candidate information provision request to the information providing device 2 by operating the terminal device 1.

[0070] When the information providing device 2 receives the candidate information provision request in step S7, it provides candidate list information including, as a plurality of layer content candidates, a plurality of layer contents each associated with information on a corresponding selection location group among information on a plurality of selection location groups (step S8). In step S8, the information providing device 2 transmits the candidate list information to the terminal device 1 to provide the candidate list to the user U.

[0071] The information providing device 2 can provide, as candidate list information, ranking information in which a plurality of layer contents linked to information on corresponding location groups among the information on the plurality of location groups registered in step S5 are arranged as a plurality of layer content candidates according to predetermined ranking conditions. This allows the information providing device 2 to improve convenience for the user U.

[0072] The predetermined ranking conditions are, for example, a condition that the layer content with a higher number of selections (popularity) by user U will be ranked higher, and a condition that the layer content with a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by user U will be ranked higher, but are not limited to such examples.

[0073] The predetermined ranking condition may be set for each attribute of the user U (for example, for each gender, or for each combination of gender and age, etc.). In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer content with a higher number of selections (popularity) by users U with the same attribute is ranked higher, or a condition that the layer content with a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by users U with the same attribute is ranked higher, but is not limited to such examples.

[0074] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking condition may be set for each characteristic of the user U classified by the movement history of the user U. In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer content having a higher number of selections (popularity) by users U having the same characteristic is placed in a higher position, or a condition that the layer content having a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by users U having the same characteristic is placed in a higher position, but is not limited to such examples.

[0075] The characteristics of the user U to be classified include, but are not limited to, the movement patterns of the user U, the preferences of the user U, etc. The information providing device 2 can classify the characteristics of the user U using, for example, a classification model. The classification model can be, for example, a regression model, a GBDT (Gradient Boosting Decision Tree), a neural network, etc., but is not limited to, these examples.

[0076] The information providing device 2 can also classify the characteristics of user U using, for example, a generation AI. In this case, the information providing device 2 inputs information to the generation AI, including, for example, user U's movement history, instruction information indicating an instruction to classify user U's characteristics from user U's movement history, and information indicating the taxonomic group of user U's characteristics, and causes the generation AI to output information indicating user U's characteristics. The instruction information includes, for example, a character string such as "Based on the given movement history of user U, identify user U's characteristics from the multiple classifications indicated by the following taxonomic group," but is not limited to this example.

[0077] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking conditions may be set for each combination of the attribute and characteristic of the user U, for example.

[0078] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking condition may be set for each combination of layer contents arranged in a modal window displayed on the terminal device 1 of the user U. In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the higher the number of selections (popularity) by the user U of each combination of layer contents arranged in a modal window, the higher the position of the layer contents, or a condition that the higher the rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by the user U of each combination of layer contents arranged in a modal window, the higher the position of the layer contents, but is not limited to such examples.

[0079] The candidate list information is not limited to ranking information, and may include, as multiple layer content candidates, multiple layer contents each linked to the corresponding location group information among the multiple location group information accepted for registration in step S5.

[0080] In addition, the information providing device 2 can also provide information that further includes, for example, layer content candidates that are candidates for layer content to be placed in a modal window, where the layer content is linked to information on the location searched for by the user U as specific information.

[0081] For example, the information providing device 2 acquires information about locations searched for by the user U using a search box, information about locations searched for by the user U using a web search application, etc., and provides layer content linked to the acquired location information as layer content candidates.

[0082] The terminal device 1 acquires the candidate list information transmitted from the information providing device 2, and displays a plurality of layer content candidates based on the acquired candidate list information, as shown in (b) of Fig. 1. The user U operates the terminal device 1 to select one or more layer content candidates from the plurality of layer content candidates displayed on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits selection information including information indicating the one or more layer content candidates selected by the user U to the information providing device 2.

[0083] The information providing device 2 receives the selection information transmitted from the terminal device 1, thereby receiving the selection of one or more layer content candidates by the user U (step S9). The information providing device 2 transmits the one or more layer content candidates whose selection has been received and information on one or more location groups linked to the one or more layer content candidates to the terminal device 1 (step S10).

[0084] The terminal device 1 acquires information on one or more layer content candidates and one or more location groups linked to the one or more layer content candidates transmitted from the information providing device 2. Based on the one or more layer content candidates, the terminal device 1 arranges the one or more layer content candidates as one or more layer contents in a modal window on the map application screen.

[0085] Furthermore, when a layer content is selected by the user U, the terminal device 1 displays, on the map content, information indicating the places included in the place group based on the information of the place group linked to the selected layer content.

[0086] In this way, the terminal device 1 places, in the modal window, as layer content, a layer content candidate selected by the user U from among a plurality of layer content candidates that are candidates for layer content to be placed in the modal window. This allows the terminal device 1 to improve convenience for the user U.

[0087] It should be noted that the information providing device 2 may not transmit information on one or more groups of places linked to one or more layer content candidates in step S10. In this case, when a layer content is selected, the information providing device 2 provides the terminal device 1 with information on the group of places linked to the selected layer content.

[0088] The information providing device 2 can also receive a request for collective acquisition of multiple layer contents from the user U. In this case, the information providing device 2 provides the multiple layer contents indicated in the received collective acquisition request to the terminal device 1. This allows the information providing device 2 to improve the convenience for the user U.

[0089] The information providing device 2 awards a reward to a selector C who registers information on a group of locations linked to a layer content selected by a user U from a plurality of layer contents each linked to information on a corresponding group of selected locations among the information on a plurality of selected group of locations accepted for registration in step S5 (step S11).

[0090] The reward given to the selector C may be, for example, electronic money, points, cash, or various benefits. Points are a value that can be used to purchase products or use services on an online site, for example. Benefits may be, for example, coupons, gift certificates, service vouchers, etc., but are not limited to these examples.

[0091] In the above-described example, when a candidate information provision request is sent from the terminal device 1 to the information providing device 2 by the user U operating the terminal device 1, the information providing device 2 sends one or more layer content candidates to the terminal device 1, but this example is not limited to this.

[0092] For example, when the user U searches for a location such as a facility, the terminal device 1 can transmit a candidate information provision request including information on the location searched for by the user U to the information providing device 2. In this case, the information providing device 2 can provide the terminal device 1 with information on layer content candidates linked to the location information included in the candidate information provision request.

[0093] Furthermore, the terminal device 1 can transmit a candidate information provision request to the information providing device 2, for example, when the user U starts a map application or when the user U keeps the map application displayed for a predetermined period of time or longer. In this case, the information providing device 2 provides the above-described candidate list information to the terminal device 1.

[0094] The terminal device 1 also has a navigation function that performs navigation using map content, presents a route to a set destination and a starting point on the map content, and guides the user U to the destination with audio guidance. The terminal device 1 can also display layer content according to the navigation as layer content candidates.

[0095] The layer content according to the navigation is layer content linked to specific information of the area on the route, for example, if the distance between the departure point and the destination is equal to or greater than a threshold, it may be gas station layer content, gourmet layer content, etc.

[0096] Furthermore, the layer content according to the navigation may be a parking lot layer content or a toilet layer content if the destination is an urban area, or a rain cloud layer content if the destination is a park. The toilet layer content is layer content linked to a facility group including multiple toilet facilities.

[0097] In this way, the map application (an example of an information processing program) displays a modal window in which map content and layer content associated with specific information are arranged, accepts selection of layer content, and causes the terminal device 1 (an example of a computer) to execute a process of displaying information based on the specific information associated with the selected layer content on the map content. In this way, the map application can improve convenience for the user U.

[0098] Furthermore, the information providing device 2 accepts registration of a group of places selected by the selector C and linked to layer content, the group of places having information displayed on the map content when the user U of the terminal device 1 (user terminal) selects layer content, and provides information on the group of places whose registration has been accepted and the layer content linked to the information on the group of places to the terminal device 1. This allows the information providing device 2 to accept from the selector C a plurality of layer contents linked to information on various groups of places and provide them to the user U, thereby improving convenience for the user U.

[0099] The configuration of the information providing system 100 including the terminal device 1, the information providing device 2, and the terminal device 3 that perform such processing will be described in detail below.

[0100] 2. Configuration of Information Providing System 100 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information providing system 100 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information providing system 100 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 1, an information providing device 2, and a plurality of terminal devices 3.

[0101] The multiple terminal devices 1 are used by different users U. The multiple terminal devices 3 are used by different selectors C. Each terminal device 1 and each terminal device 3 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, etc., but is not limited to these examples.

[0102] The terminal device 1, the information providing device 2, and the terminal device 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network N, either wired or wirelessly. Note that the information providing system 100 shown in FIG. 2 may include a plurality of information providing devices 2.

[0103] The network N includes, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet and a mobile communication network such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), and 5G (5th Generation: 5th generation mobile communication system).

[0104] Each of the terminal devices 1 and 3 can connect to the network N via short-range wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) and communicate with the information providing device 2.

[0105] 3. Configuration of Terminal Device 1 Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a display unit 11, an input unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a sensor group 14, a storage unit 15, and a processing unit 16. Although not shown, the terminal device 1 is also provided with a speaker and the like.

[0106] [3.1. Communication Unit 10] The communication unit 10 is realized by, for example, a network interface card (NIC), etc. The communication unit 10 is connected to a network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from the information providing device 2 via the network N.

[0107] [3.2. Display section 11] The display unit 11 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0108] [3.3. Input section 12] The input unit 12 includes, for example, a keyboard including keys for inputting letters, numbers, and spaces, an enter key, arrow keys, etc., a mouse, a power button, etc. If the display unit 11 is a touch panel compatible display, the input unit 12 includes a touch panel.

[0109] [3.4. Imaging unit 13] The imaging unit 13 is an image sensor (camera) that captures an image of a subject. For example, the imaging unit 13 is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor. Note that the imaging unit 13 is not limited to a built-in camera, and may be an external camera such as a wireless camera or a web camera that can communicate with the communication unit 10.

[0110] [3.5. Sensor Group 14] The sensor group 14 includes, for example, a positioning sensor, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, and a gyro sensor. The positioning sensor is a position sensor that detects the position of the terminal device 1. The microphone is a sensor that detects sounds around the terminal device 1. The acceleration sensor is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the terminal device 1. The gyro sensor is a sensor that detects the attitude of the terminal device 1, such as tilt and rotation.

[0111] [3.6. Storage section 15] The storage unit 15 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0112] The storage unit 15 stores, for example, information transmitted from the information providing device 2 and acquired by the processing unit 16 via the network N and the communication unit 10, and detection information which is information detected by the sensor group 14, etc.

[0113] [3.7. Processing Unit 16] The processing unit 16 is a controller, and is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 1 using RAM as a working area.

[0114] The processing unit 16 may be partially or entirely realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). A map application (an example of an information processing program) is installed in the processing unit 16 as a dedicated application program that runs on an OS (Operating System). As a result, the processing unit 16 functions as a functional unit including an acquisition unit 20, a reception unit 21, and a display processing unit 22.

[0115] [3.7.1. Acquisition part 20] The acquisition unit 20 acquires various pieces of information. For example, the acquisition unit 20 acquires various pieces of information from an external device such as the information providing device 2 via the network N and the communication unit 10. For example, the acquisition unit 20 acquires various pieces of information from the information providing device 2 through an API.

[0116] The acquisition unit 20 also stores information acquired from an external device such as the information providing device 2 in the storage unit 15. The acquisition unit 20 also acquires information stored in the storage unit 15.

[0117] The acquisition unit 20 acquires, for example, the layer content and specific information linked to the layer content from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15.

[0118] The map application also works in conjunction with a web search application, and the acquisition unit 20 uses the web search application to acquire information about a specific location included in a search query entered by the user U. The acquisition unit 20 can also acquire information about a specific location included in a search query entered by the user U from an external search server.

[0119] The acquisition unit 20 can send a candidate information provision request to the information providing device 2 and acquire layer content candidates from the information providing device 2 when the user U launches the map application or when the user U continuously displays the map application for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0120] When the reception unit 21 receives a selection by the user U of one or more layer content candidates from among a plurality of layer content candidates, the acquisition unit 20 transmits the selection information to the information providing device 2 and acquires selection corresponding information, which is information corresponding to the selection information, from the information providing device 2.

[0121] The selection information includes information indicating one or more layer content candidates selected by the user U. The selection correspondence information includes information on one or more layer content candidates whose selection has been accepted and one or more location groups linked to the one or more layer content candidates.

[0122] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 20 acquires the plurality of layer contents indicated by the batch acquisition request.

[0123] [3.7.2. Reception Unit 21] The reception unit 21 receives various operations by the user U via the input unit 12. For example, the reception unit 21 receives a selection by the user U of layer content arranged in a modal window displayed on the display unit 11.

[0124] The reception unit 21 also receives a selection by the user U of a card UI included in the explanatory content displayed on the display unit 11. The reception unit 21 also receives a scroll operation by the user U of the explanatory content displayed on the display unit 11.

[0125] The reception unit 21 also receives operations on the map content by the user U. For example, the reception unit 21 receives operations such as changing, enlarging, or reducing the area of ​​the map content displayed on the display unit 11 as the operation selection of the user U on the map content.

[0126] The reception unit 21 also receives an operation by the user U on an icon arranged on the map content. The reception unit 21 also receives a selection of a layer content candidate displayed on the display unit 11. The reception unit 21 also receives a selection of a category by the user U from among a plurality of categories included in the category list displayed on the display unit 11.

[0127] In addition, the reception unit 21 receives registration of a group of locations selected by a selector C and linked to layer content, and information of which is displayed on the map content when a user U of the terminal device 1 selects layer content, for each group of locations.

[0128] For example, the reception unit 21 receives a registration request including the information on the selected location group and the layer content, thereby receiving registration of each of the information on the selected location group and the layer content. The registration request is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the information providing device 2, for example, by an operation of the selector C.

[0129] The layer content includes, for example, a GUI icon including the name of the selected location group. The information about the selected location group may also include information indicating the name of the selected location group. In this case, the information providing device 2 can generate the layer content based on the information indicating the name of the selected location group.

[0130] 3.7.3. Display Processing Unit 22 The display processing unit 22 displays various types of information on the display unit 11. For example, the display processing unit 22 displays map content, a modal window in which layer content is arranged, explanatory content, layer content candidates, icons superimposed on the map content, and the like on the display unit 11.

[0131] The display processing unit 22 includes a first display processing unit 30, a second display processing unit 31, a third display processing unit 32, a fourth display processing unit 33, and a fifth display processing unit 34. The first display processing unit 30, the second display processing unit 31, the third display processing unit 32, the fourth display processing unit 33, and the fifth display processing unit 34 will be described below in this order.

[0132] 3.7.3.1. First display processing unit 30 The first display processing unit 30 causes the display unit 11 to display a modal window in which map content and layer content associated with specific information are arranged.

[0133] The map content shows a map of an area centered on the current location of the user U or a location specified by the user U. The first display processing unit 30 changes, enlarges, reduces, etc. the area of ​​the map shown in the map content based on a specific input from the user U to the input unit 12.

[0134] Furthermore, a search box is arranged in the map content. When the user U inputs the name of a desired store or facility into the search box, the first display processing unit 30 displays a map of an area centered on the store or facility whose name the user U inputted as the map shown in the map content.

[0135] When the user U inputs the name of a desired store or facility into the search box, the acquisition unit 20 acquires information about the store or facility whose name the user U inputted from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15. The store or facility information acquired by the acquisition unit 20 includes information indicating the location of the store or facility whose name the user U inputted 9. Based on the store or facility information acquired by the acquisition unit 20, the first display processing unit 30 displays on the display unit 11 a map of an area centered on the store or facility whose name the user U inputted.

[0136] The modal window has the map content as its parent window and is superimposed on the map content. The modal window contains multiple layer contents, each of which is linked to information about multiple locations, and the user U can operate the terminal device 1 to select a desired layer content from among the multiple types of layer content.

[0137] Each of the multiple types of layer content is associated with specific information that is different from one another. The specific information is information that is stored in the terminal device 1 together with the information on the layer content, but may also be information that is stored in the information providing device 2 shown in FIG.

[0138] Examples of specific information include, but are not limited to, location information, weather information, etc. Examples of locations include, but are not limited to, the location of a facility, a parking lot, a park, a tourist attraction, a famous building, a monument, an event venue, etc. Examples of weather information include, but are not limited to, information on rain cloud distribution, temperature distribution, and fog distribution.

[0139] The types of facilities include, for example, commercial facilities such as stores, shopping malls, and hotels, public facilities such as city halls, police stations, and libraries, educational facilities such as universities and vocational schools, medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics, art galleries, museums, and sports facilities. The types of stores include, for example, retail stores, restaurants, beauty salons, dry cleaners, game centers, and gas stations.

[0140] The location information includes information indicating the location of the location, information indicating the category of the location, information indicating a description of the location (including, for example, text information and image information related to the location), information indicating an evaluation of the location, etc. The location information is, for example, information indicating the latitude and longitude of the location.

[0141] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen displayed on the display unit 11 by the first display processing unit 30 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a map application screen 60 displayed on the display unit 11 of the terminal device 1 includes map content 61 and a modal window 62.

[0142] The map content 61 is, for example, content shown as a map image, and includes a search box 65. The modal window 62 has a plurality of layer contents 631, 632, 633, and 634 and an add button 64 arranged therein, and is displayed superimposed on the map content 61.

[0143] In FIG. 4, layer content 631 is gourmet layer content, layer content 632 is rain cloud layer content, layer content 633 is gas station layer content, and layer content 634 is parking lot layer content.

[0144] The gourmet layer content is layer content linked to information on multiple restaurants. The rain cloud layer content is layer content linked to information on rain cloud distribution. The gas station layer content is layer content linked to information on multiple gas stations. The parking lot layer content is layer content linked to information on multiple parking lots.

[0145] Hereinafter, when referring to multiple layer contents including layer contents 631, 632, 633, and 634 without distinction, they may be referred to as layer content 63. The layer contents shown in Fig. 4 are GUI buttons, but are not limited to such an example and may be check boxes or the like.

[0146] The first display processing unit 30 places, as layer content, a layer content candidate from among the multiple layer content candidates, the selection of which has been accepted by the accepting unit 21 by the user U, in the modal window 62. The layer content candidate is a candidate for layer content to be placed in the modal window 62, and is, for example, a layer content candidate included in the selection correspondence information acquired by the acquiring unit 20.

[0147] The first display processing unit 30 can also place layer content associated with information about the place searched for by the user U as specific information in the modal window 62. The information about the place searched for by the user U is acquired by the acquisition unit 20.

[0148] For example, when the user U searches for a facility using a search box in the map content 61, the first display processing unit 30 places in the modal window 62 layer content to which information about the facility is linked as specific information.

[0149] In addition, when a user U searches for a specific location using a web search application installed on the terminal device 1, the first display processing unit 30 can also place layer content linked to information about the specific location as specific information in the modal window 62.

[0150] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen 60 displayed on the display unit 11 by the first display processing unit 30 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. When the map application screen 60 is in the state shown in Fig. 5(a), if the user U operates the input unit 12 of the terminal device 1 to select a search box 65, the first display processing unit 30 displays a search window 80 superimposed on the map content 61, as shown in Fig. 5(b). Note that in Fig. 5(a), explanation content displayed by the fourth display processing unit 33 is superimposed on the map content 61 on the map application screen 60.

[0151] The search window 80 shown in (b) of Fig. 5 includes a search box 81 and a candidate location list 82. The candidate location list 82 includes, for example, locations that the user U has searched for in the past as candidate locations, but may also include locations that other users U have frequently searched for as candidate locations. When the user U operates the input unit 12 of the terminal device 1 to select a candidate location included in the candidate location list 82, the first display processing unit 30 adds layer content 638 linked to information about the selected candidate location to the modal window 62, as shown in (c) of Fig. 5.

[0152] The first display processing unit 30 can also arrange, in the modal window 62, multiple layer contents indicated in the batch acquisition request.

[0153] 3.7.3.2. Second display processing unit 31 The second display processing unit 31 displays, on the map content 61, information based on specific information linked to the layer content 63 whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21.

[0154] For example, when the specific information linked to the layer content is location information, the second display processing unit 31 displays an icon indicating the location as information based on the location information at a position on the map content 61 indicated by the location information. This allows the second display processing unit 31 to display information about a location desired by the user U on the map content 61, thereby improving convenience for the user U. As described above, the icon may also be called a pin or a marker.

[0155] For example, suppose that the layer content selected and accepted by accepting unit 21 is a gourmet layer content. In this case, second display processing unit 31 displays a restaurant icon as information based on specific information at a position on map content 61 of a restaurant indicated by information about the restaurant linked to the gourmet layer content. The restaurant icon is an icon including a picture or symbol indicating a restaurant.

[0156] Also, assume that the layer content whose selection is accepted by the accepting unit 21 is rain cloud layer content. In this case, the second display processing unit 31 displays a layer image on the map content 61 as information based on specific information, in which the density of the rain clouds indicated by the information on the rain cloud distribution linked to the rain cloud layer content is indicated by color differences, dot sizes, or the like.

[0157] If the layer content is linked to location information, the second display processing unit 31 can display a location icon before the layer content is selected. The location icon is an icon that indicates, on the map content 61, the location whose information is linked to the layer content.

[0158] In this case, when a layer content is selected, the second display processing unit 31 highlights the location icon corresponding to the layer content more than the other location icons. For example, the second display processing unit 31 can highlight the location icon corresponding to the layer content by making it larger, blinking, or using a darker color than the other location icons. The other location icons are icons that indicate the positions of places associated with layer content not selected by the user U.

[0159] In addition, the second display processing unit 31 can also highlight the location icon corresponding to the layer content more than other location icons by displaying an information icon in a speech bubble that shows information including a description of the location when the information icon is in contact with or close to the location icon.

[0160] In this way, the second display processing unit 31 can display location icons, which are information based on location information linked as specific information to layer content whose selection has been accepted by the reception unit 21, on the map content 61 in a more emphasized state than other location icons, which are information based on location information linked as specific information to layer content whose selection has not been accepted by the reception unit 21.

[0161] This allows the second display processing unit 31 to highlight the location icon of the layer content selected by the user U while displaying the location icon of each layer content on the map content 61, thereby improving convenience for the user U.

[0162] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen 60 on which location icons are displayed on the display unit 11 by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. On the map application screen 60 shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of location icons 901 based on location information linked to the layer content 655 whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, and a plurality of location icons 902 and 903 based on location information linked to the layer content 656 and 657 whose selection has not been accepted by the accepting unit 21 are displayed on the map content 61.

[0163] 6, the plurality of location icons 901 corresponding to the layer content 655 whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21 are displayed in a larger size and highlighted compared to the plurality of location icons 902, 903 corresponding to the layer content 656, 657 whose selection has not been accepted by the accepting unit 21. This allows the user U to easily recognize the location icon based on the location information linked to the layer content whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, among the plurality of location icons.

[0164] In addition, one of the multiple location icons 901 has an information icon 91 placed in contact with or nearby the other location icons 902, 903, which displays information including a description of the location in a speech bubble, thereby making it possible to highlight the location icon 901 more than the other location icons 902, 903.

[0165] In addition, the second display processing unit 31 highlights on the map content 61 information (e.g., location content) based on location information of the category selected by the receiving unit 21 from a category list (see (b) of Figure 12 described later) among multiple location information linked as specific information to the layer content selected by the receiving unit 21.

[0166] The user U can select a desired category from among the multiple categories included in the category list displayed on the display unit 11. As described above, the reception unit 21 receives the selection of a category by the user U from among the multiple categories included in the category list.

[0167] In this case, the second display processing unit 31 displays on the map content 61 only location information (e.g., location icons) of categories whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21 out of the information of multiple locations linked to the layer content whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, and does not display on the map content 61 location information of categories whose selection has not been accepted by the accepting unit 21.

[0168] Furthermore, the second display processing unit 31 can also display, on the map content 61, location information (e.g., location icons) of a category whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, among information on a plurality of locations linked to the layer content whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, in an emphasized manner compared to location information (e.g., location icons) of a category whose selection has not been accepted by the accepting unit 21. Note that the second display processing unit 31 can also not display, on the map content 61, location information of a category whose selection has not been accepted by the accepting unit 21.

[0169] In addition, the second display processing unit 31 highlights on the map content 61 a location icon indicating the position of the location indicated by the card UI at the top of the multiple card UIs in the explanation content displayed on the display unit 11.

[0170] In the example shown in Figure 6, an information icon 91 is placed in contact with a location icon 901 indicating the location of the location indicated by the topmost card UI671 among the multiple card UI671, 672, etc. in the explanatory content 66, which allows the location icon 901 indicating the location of the location indicated by the topmost card UI671 to be highlighted more than the other location icons.

[0171] 7 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen 60 on which location icons are displayed on the display unit 11 by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. On the map application screen 60 shown in (a) of FIG. 7, a plurality of location icons 904 and a plurality of location icons 905 and 906 are displayed on map content 61.

[0172] Location icon 904 is a location icon based on location information linked to layer content 635, the selection of which has been accepted by reception unit 21. Location icons 905 and 906 are location icons based on location information linked to layer content 636 and 637, the selection of which has not been accepted by reception unit 21.

[0173] 7(a), the location icon 904 based on the location information linked to the layer content 635 selected by the user U is displayed in a larger, highlighted size than the location icons 905 and 906 based on the location information linked to the layer content 636 and 637 not selected by the user U. The first display processing unit 30 also performs a highlighting process on the layer content 636 selected by the user U, making it larger than the other layer contents 636, 637, and 632.

[0174] Suppose that the user U operates the input unit 12 to select layer content 636 from the state shown in (a) of Fig. 7. In this case, as shown in (b) of Fig. 7, the second display processing unit 31 highlights and increases the size of a location icon 905 based on location information linked to the layer content 636 selected by the user U compared to the other location icons 904 and 906. Furthermore, the first display processing unit 30 performs highlighting processing on the layer content 636 selected by the user U, increasing the size of the layer content 636 compared to the other layer contents 636, 637, and 632.

[0175] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing yet another example of a map application screen 60 in which location icons are displayed on the display unit 11 by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0176] 8(a), the location icon 906 based on the location information linked to the layer content 637 selected by the user U is displayed in a larger, highlighted size than the location icons 904 and 906 based on the location information linked to the layer content 635 and 637 not selected by the user U. The first display processing unit 30 also performs a highlighting process on the layer content 637 selected by the user U, making the layer content 637 larger than the other layer contents 635, 636, and 632.

[0177] Suppose that the user U operates the input unit 12 to select layer content 632 from the state shown in (a) of Fig. 8. In this case, the second display processing unit 31 displays a layer image 67 indicating the distribution of rain clouds associated with the layer content 632 selected by the user U on the map content 61, as shown in (b) of Fig. 8. In addition, the first display processing unit 30 performs highlighting processing on the layer content 632 selected by the user U, making it larger than the other layer contents 635, 636, and 637.

[0178] Furthermore, when the user U performs a scroll operation on the explanation content 66, the second display processing unit 31 can display, on the map content 61, location icons indicating the locations of card UIs included in the display area, which is the area of ​​the explanation content 66 displayed on the display unit 11, in a more emphasized manner than location icons indicating the locations of card UIs not included in the display area. When there are multiple card UIs included in the display area, the second display processing unit 31 displays, on the map content, the location icon indicating the location of the card UI that is at the top (uppermost position) in a more emphasized manner than location icons indicating the locations of card UIs that are not at the top (uppermost position).

[0179] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of how the location icon highlighted by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment is changed by a scroll operation of the explanation content 66.

[0180] When user U scrolls the explanatory content 66 from the state shown in (a) of Figure 11, the second display processing unit 31 places an information icon 91 in contact with a location icon 907 indicating the location of the card UI that is included in the display area of ​​the explanatory content 66 and is positioned at the top of the display area, as shown in (b) of Figure 11.

[0181] As a result, the second display processing unit 31 displays the location icon 907 indicating the location of the card UI that has become positioned at the top of the display area on the map content 61 in a more emphasized manner than the location icons 907 indicating the locations of the card UIs that are not positioned at the top of the display area among the multiple card UIs included in the explanation content 66. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the state where the location icon 907 of the HHH store is highlighted is changed to the state where the location icon 907 of the HHH store is highlighted, and then the state where the location icon 907 of the KKK store is highlighted.

[0182] 3.7.3.3. Third display processing unit 32 The third display processing unit 32 causes the display unit 11 to display layer content linked to the location information searched for by the user U as specific information so that the layer content can be selected as a layer content candidate. The location information searched for by the user U is acquired by the acquisition unit 20.

[0183] For example, when a user U searches for a facility using a search box in the map content 61, the third display processing unit 32 displays layer content on the display unit 11 to which information about the facility is linked as specific information so that the layer content can be selected as a layer content candidate.

[0184] In addition, for example, when a user U searches for a specific location using a web search application installed on the terminal device 1, the third display processing unit 32 displays layer content linked to information about the specific location as specific information on the display unit 11 so that the layer content can be selected as a layer content candidate.

[0185] Furthermore, the third display processing unit 32 causes the display unit 11 to display layer content according to at least one of the attributes and movement history of the user U as layer content candidates. The layer content according to at least one of the attributes and movement history of the user U is layer content provided as a layer content candidate from the information providing device 2, but is not limited to this example.

[0186] For example, the third display processing unit 32 transmits a layer content candidate request including information on at least one of the attributes and movement history of the user U to the information providing device 2. In this case, the information providing device 2 determines layer content according to at least one of the attributes and movement history of the user U as layer content candidates, and transmits the layer content candidates to the terminal device 1. The layer content candidates are acquired by the acquisition unit 20, and are displayed on the display unit 11 by the third display processing unit 32.

[0187] The storage unit 15 may store a plurality of layer content candidates associated with at least one of the attributes and characteristics of the user U. In this case, the acquisition unit 20 transmits a user information request to the information providing device 2 requesting transmission of information on at least one of the attributes and characteristics of the user U, and acquires the information on at least one of the attributes and characteristics of the user U from the information providing device 2. The third display processing unit 32 can also display, on the display unit 11, layer content candidates corresponding to at least one of the attributes and characteristics of the user U, the information of which has been acquired from the storage unit 15 by the acquisition unit 20.

[0188] Furthermore, the third display processing unit 32 causes the display unit 11 to display, as layer content candidates, layer content corresponding to navigation using the map content 61. The layer content corresponding to navigation using the map content 61 is layer content provided as a layer content candidate from the information providing device 2, but is not limited to this example.

[0189] The layer content according to the navigation is layer content linked to specific information of the area on the route, for example, if the distance between the departure point and the destination is equal to or greater than a threshold, it may be gas station layer content, gourmet layer content, etc.

[0190] Furthermore, the layer content according to the navigation may be a parking lot layer content or a toilet layer content if the destination is an urban area, or a rain cloud layer content if the destination is a park. The toilet layer content is layer content linked to a facility group including multiple toilet facilities.

[0191] The layer content according to the navigation is acquired by the acquisition unit 20 from the information providing device 2, but may be information stored in the storage unit 15 when the map application is installed. In this case, the acquisition unit 20 can acquire the layer content according to the navigation from the storage unit 15.

[0192] For example, the third display processing unit 32 displays the layer content candidates in a layer content candidate display area that is superimposed on the map content 61. The layer content candidate display area is an area that is displayed in a modal window different from the modal window 62, but is not limited to this example.

[0193] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen 60 on which layer content candidates are displayed on the display unit 11 by the third display processing unit 32 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. When the user U selects the add button 64 of the modal window 62 by operating the input unit 12 from the state shown in FIG. 9(a), the third display processing unit 32 displays a plurality of layer content candidates 71 in the layer content candidate display area 70, as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0194] 9(b), the layer content candidates 71 include, but are not limited to, layer content candidates related to travel, layer content candidates related to information, layer content candidates related to eating and drinking, layer content candidates related to shopping, and layer content candidates related to facilities. The layer content candidates 71 may also be layer content candidates linked to a group of selected locations.

[0195] From the state shown in (b) of Figure 9, when user U selects layer content candidate 71, which is layer content of a park, by operating input unit 12, first display processing unit 30 places layer content 639 of the park, which is layer content candidate 71 selected by user U, in modal window 62, as shown in (c) of Figure 9.

[0196] 10 is a diagram showing another example of a map application screen 60 in which layer content candidates are displayed on the display unit 11 by the third display processing unit 32 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. When a user U selects a search box 65 from the state shown in FIG. 10(a) by operating the input unit 12, a search window 80 is displayed on the map content 61 by the first display processing unit 30, as shown in FIG. 10(b). The search window 80 includes a search box 81, into which the user U inputs information about a place to search. In the example shown in FIG. 10(b), the user U inputs "park" as information about the place, and the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 performs search processing.

[0197] At this time, the third display processing unit 32 arranges layer content associated with the location information found by the search process as specific information in the search window 80 so that the layer content can be selected as layer content candidate 71. In the example shown in (b) of FIG. 10, the layer content of a park is arranged in the search window 80 as the layer content candidate 71.

[0198] From the state shown in (b) of Figure 10, when user U selects layer content candidate 71, which is layer content of a park, by operating input unit 12, first display processing unit 30 places layer content 639 of the park, which is layer content candidate 71 selected by user U, in modal window 62, as shown in (c) of Figure 10.

[0199] 3.7.3.4. Fourth display processing unit 33 The fourth display processing unit 33 causes the display unit 11 to display explanation content 66, which is content that displays, in a list format, information that describes a plurality of places linked to the layer content whose selection has been accepted by the accepting unit 21.

[0200] The explanation content 66 is a modal window in which information showing descriptions of multiple locations is arranged in a list format, but is not limited to this example. In the explanation content 66, for example, card UIs provided for each location are arranged vertically, and information showing the name of the location and information showing a description of the location are arranged on each card UI. In the explanation content 66, the information showing the description of the location includes, for example, image information related to the location. The card UI is formed in a rectangular shape, but is not limited to this example.

[0201] The fourth display processing unit 33 displays, on the map content 61, a location icon indicating the position of the location indicated by the card UI selected by the user U from among the multiple card UIs in the explanation content 66 displayed on the display unit 11. Furthermore, when other location icons are displayed on the map content 61, the terminal device 1 highlights, on the map content 61, the location icon indicating the position of the location indicated by the card UI selected by the user U.

[0202] Furthermore, when the user U scrolls the explanatory content 66, the terminal device 1 can display on the map content 61 location icons indicating the location of the card UI that is included in the display area, which is the area of ​​the explanatory content 66 displayed on the terminal device 1, more emphatically than location icons indicating the location of the card UI that is not included in the display area.

[0203] As shown in (a) of Figure 7, when layer content 635 is selected by user U, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays explanation content 66, which is content that displays information in list format showing descriptions of multiple coffee shops linked to layer content 635, on the map content 61.

[0204] Also, as shown in (b) of Figure 7, when layer content 636 is selected by user U, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays explanation content 66, which is content that shows information in list format that describes multiple bus stops linked to layer content 636, on the map content 61.

[0205] Also, as shown in (a) of Figure 8, when layer content 637 is selected by user U, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays explanation content 66, which is content that shows information in list format indicating descriptions of multiple stations linked to layer content 637, on the map content 61.

[0206] Also, as shown in (b) of Figure 8, when layer content 632 is selected by user U, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays explanatory content 68 on the map content 61, indicating that the image layer showing the distribution of rain clouds displayed on the map content 61 among the distribution of rain clouds at each time linked to layer content 632 is the current distribution of rain clouds.

[0207] 3.7.3.5. Fifth display processing unit 34 The fifth display processing unit 34 causes the display unit 11 to display a category list, which is a list of location categories associated with the layer content, the selection of which has been accepted by the accepting unit 21, as specific information.

[0208] If the location linked to the layer content is a gas station, the category of the gas station may be, for example, the operating company of the gas station. If the location linked to the layer content is a restaurant, the category of the restaurant may be, for example, Japanese food, Western food, Chinese food, etc., but may also be further subdivided.

[0209] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a map application screen 60 on which a category list is displayed on the display unit 11 by the fifth display processing unit 34 in the display processing unit 22 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. On the map application screen 60 shown in FIG. 12(a), layer content 633, which is gas station layer content, is selected, and a location icon 904 indicating the location of the gas station is highlighted on the map content 61. Also displayed on the map application screen 60 is an information icon 91 in contact with the location icon 904. The information icon 91 includes information indicating the price of gasoline.

[0210] The map content 61 has a list display button 69 arranged thereon for displaying a category list, and the user U can select the list display button 69 by operating the input unit 12. When the user U selects the list display button 69, the fifth display processing unit 34 displays a category list 95 superimposed on the map application screen 60, as shown in (b) of FIG.

[0211] 12(b), a category list 95 shows a plurality of gas station operating companies as categories, such as AA Oil, BB Oil, CC Oil, and DD Oil. A toggle switch corresponding to each operating company is provided, and the user U can determine whether or not to display a location icon 904 for each operating company on the map content 61 by operating the toggle switch. The second display processing unit 31 displays, on the map content 61, a location icon 904 based on information on a location that has been set to on by a toggle switch among information on a plurality of locations linked to the layer content 633.

[0212] 4. Configuration of Information Providing Device 2 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the information providing device 2 includes a communication unit 40, a storage unit 41, and a processing unit .

[0213] 4.1. Communication Unit 40 The communication unit 40 is realized by, for example, a communication module or a NIC. The communication unit 40 is connected to the network N by wire or wirelessly, and transmits and receives information to and from various other devices. For example, the communication unit 40 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal devices 1 and 3 via the network N.

[0214] [4.2. Storage section 41] The storage unit 41 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 41 has a content-related information storage unit and a selection information storage unit.

[0215] The content-related information storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of content-related information. The content-related information includes layer content and specific information associated with the layer content. The specific information may be, for example, location information, weather information, etc., as described above, but is not limited to such examples.

[0216] When the specific information is information about a group of locations, the specific information includes, for example, information about each location included in the group of locations, information indicating the name of the group of locations, etc. When the specific information is information about weather, the specific information is, for example, information about a layer image in which the darkness of rain clouds is indicated by color differences or dot sizes, or information indicating the distribution of rain clouds for generating such a layer image, but is not limited to such examples.

[0217] The selection information storage unit stores information indicating the number of selections, which is the number of each layer content selected by the user U during a predetermined period, and information indicating the rate of increase in the number of selections. The rate of increase in the number of selections is expressed as the ratio of the number of selections in the latest unit period to the number of selections in the immediately previous unit period, but is not limited to this example.

[0218] [4.3. Processing section 42] The processing unit 42 is a controller, and is realized by, for example, a CPU or an MPU executing various programs (including an information provision program) stored in a storage device inside the information provision device 2 using RAM as a work area. The processing unit 42 may be realized in part or in whole by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0219] 13, the processing unit 42 has an acquisition unit 50, a reception unit 51, a generation unit 52, a provision unit 53, and a reward granting unit 54, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the processing unit 42 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 13, and may be any other configuration that performs the information processing described below.

[0220] [4.3.1. Acquisition part 50] The acquisition unit 50 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 50 acquires various types of information from an external information processing device via the network N and the communication unit 40. The acquisition unit 50 also acquires various types of information from the terminal devices 1 and 3 via the network N and the communication unit 40.

[0221] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 50 acquires various pieces of information stored in the storage unit 41 from the storage unit 41. For example, the acquisition unit 50 acquires content-related information stored in the storage unit 41 from the storage unit 41. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 50 acquires selection information stored in the storage unit 41 from the storage unit 41.

[0222] [4.3.2. Reception Unit 51] The reception unit 51 receives various requests, registrations, information, etc. For example, the reception unit 51 receives the registration of a group of selected locations by a selector C. The reception unit 51 receives the registration of a group of selected locations by the selector C, for example, based on information transmitted from the terminal device 3 of the selector C.

[0223] The selected location group is a group of locations selected by a selector C and linked to layer content, and is a group of locations whose information is displayed on the map content 61 when a user U of the terminal device 1 selects layer content 63. The terminal device 1 is an example of an information processing device and a user terminal.

[0224] The selected location group may be, for example, a restaurant group including a plurality of recommended restaurants, a tourist spot group including a plurality of recommended tourist spots in a particular tourist destination, a facility group including a plurality of recommended outdoor facilities, a store group including a plurality of recommended types of stores, etc. The selected location group may be, for example, a group of locations selected within a particular area, or may be a group of locations including a plurality of locations nationwide.

[0225] For example, the selected location group may be a variety of location groups, such as a facility group including multiple restroom facilities, a restaurant group including multiple restaurants that have been featured on television, a ramen restaurant group including multiple ramen restaurants that have high ratings, or a restaurant group including multiple restaurants that have long lines.

[0226] The reception unit 51 receives registration of each piece of information about a plurality of selected location groups. The reception unit 51 also receives information including information indicating the position of each location included in a location group including the selected location group and information indicating a description of each location included in the location group.

[0227] The information indicating the location of a place is, for example, information indicating latitude and longitude, but may also be information indicating a location other than latitude and longitude. The information indicating a description of a place includes, for example, information indicating the name of the place, information indicating the category of the place, information indicating the characteristics or content of the place, etc. Furthermore, the information on the selected place group may include information indicating the name of the selected place group.

[0228] The receiving unit 51 also receives registration of layer content linked to information on the selected location group. For example, the receiving unit 51 receives a registration request including the information on the selected location group and the layer content, thereby receiving registration of each of the information on the selected location group and the layer content. The layer content includes, for example, a GUI icon including the name of the selected location group.

[0229] The receiving unit 51 also receives a request to acquire a plurality of layer contents at once. The request to acquire a plurality of layer contents at once is transmitted from the terminal device 1. The receiving unit 51 also receives a request to provide candidate information transmitted from the terminal device 1.

[0230] The receiving unit 51 also receives selection information transmitted from the terminal device 1. The selection information includes information indicating one or more layer content candidates selected by the user U.

[0231] [4.3.3. Generation unit 52] The generation unit 52 can generate a layer content group, which is a group of a plurality of layer contents to which information on different groups of locations is linked.

[0232] For example, the generation unit 52 generates, as a layer content group, a plurality of layer contents linked to information on a location group that satisfies a predetermined condition among information on a plurality of location groups whose registration has been accepted by the acceptance unit 51. The generation unit 52 can generate information indicating the name of the layer content group based on information indicating the names of a plurality of location groups linked to the plurality of layer contents.

[0233] The generation unit 52 identifies information on two or more location groups that satisfy a predetermined condition from the information on the plurality of location groups whose registration has been accepted by the acceptance unit 51. The information on two or more location groups that satisfy the predetermined condition is, for example, information on location groups linked to the top m (m is an integer equal to or greater than 2) layer contents selected (popularity) by the user U, information on two or more location groups corresponding to a specific theme, etc. The specific theme is, for example, traveling to a specific area, shopping in a specific area, etc., but is not limited to such examples.

[0234] If the specific theme is travel to a specific area, the two or more groups of places corresponding to the specific theme may include, for example, a tourist spot group including a plurality of recommended tourist spots in the specific area, a restaurant group including a plurality of recommended restaurants in the specific area, etc.

[0235] Also, if the specific theme is shopping in a specific area, the two or more groups of places corresponding to the specific theme may include, for example, a group of facilities including multiple toilet facilities in the specific area, a group of restaurants including multiple types of stores that have been featured on television in the specific area, etc.

[0236] The generation unit 52 can use a generation AI to determine two or more groups of selected locations that satisfy predetermined conditions. The generation AI is, for example, a text generation AI. The text generation AI is, for example, a large-scale language model trained to estimate and output the next token from an input token sequence, such as a transformer-based model or an RNN-based model, but may also be a hybrid model of these. The text generation AI may also be a composite system combined with an identifier to prevent fraudulent use.

[0237] Examples of the transformer-based model include, but are not limited to, GPT, PaLM2, and LLaMA, and examples of the RNN-based model include, but are not limited to, RWKV.

[0238] It is desirable that the generation AI is trained so as not to include personal information in the generated results. The generation AI is placed in an external information processing device, and the generation unit 52 uses the generation AI via an API, but the generation AI may also be placed in the information providing device 2.

[0239] The generation unit 52 inputs information including information on a plurality of selected location groups and instruction information instructing the generation AI to identify information on two or more selected location groups that satisfy a specific theme, and can cause the generation AI to identify two or more selected location groups that satisfy the specific theme. For example, if the specific theme is shopping in Shibuya, the instruction information may be, but is not limited to, a character string such as "Each of the plurality of given location groups is a location group that can be displayed on the map content 61. Of these plurality of selected location groups, please identify two or more location groups that are useful for shopping in Shibuya."

[0240] The generative AI may be a multimodal generative AI, etc. The multimodal generative AI is, for example, a generative AI that can generate text and images from text and images, etc. Examples of the multimodal generative AI include, but are not limited to, GPT-4 Turbo with vision, Gemini, and CM3Leon.

[0241] The specific theme may also be a group of selected locations in the same area. In this case, the generation unit 52 may determine, for example, two or more groups of selected locations in the same area as two or more groups of selected locations that satisfy the specific theme.

[0242] Furthermore, the generation unit 52 can also use an image generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group including two or more layer contents corresponding to information on two or more selected location groups that satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0243] For example, the generation unit 52 inputs information including information on two or more selection location groups that satisfy predetermined conditions and instruction information instructing the image generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group that includes two or more layer contents corresponding to the information on the two or more selection location groups that satisfy the predetermined conditions. This allows the generation unit 52 to cause the generation AI to generate an icon image of a layer content group that includes two or more layer contents that correspond to the information on the two or more selection location groups that satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0244] Image generation AI is AI that generates images from text, and includes, but is not limited to, StackGAN, AttnGAN, T2I with Transformers, and Diffusion models. Diffusion models include, for example, DALL-E and Stable-Diffusion.

[0245] The generating unit 52 can also generate integrated layer content, which is layer content in which information on two or more groups of locations is linked.

[0246] For example, the generation unit 52 generates integrated layer content in which information on two or more location groups that satisfy a predetermined condition is linked from information on a plurality of location groups whose registration has been accepted by the acceptance unit 51. The generation unit 52 can generate a label to be included in the layer content (for example, information indicating the name of the integrated layer content) based on information indicating the names of the two or more location groups.

[0247] The predetermined conditions used for the aggregated layer content are the same as the above-described predetermined conditions used for generating the layer content groups, but are not limited to such an example.

[0248] [4.3.4.Providing Department 53] The providing unit 53 provides the terminal device 1 with information on the group of places whose registration has been accepted by the accepting unit 51 and layer content linked to the information on the group of places.

[0249] For example, when a candidate information provision request is received by the receiving unit 51, the providing unit 53 provides candidate list information including multiple layer content candidates. The layer content candidates are multiple layer contents linked with information on a selection location group.

[0250] For example, the providing unit 53 provides, as candidate list information, ranking information in which a plurality of layer contents are arranged as a plurality of layer content candidates under a predetermined ranking condition. The predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer content having a higher number of selections (popularity) by the user U is positioned higher, or a condition that the layer content having a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by the user U is positioned higher, but is not limited to such examples.

[0251] The predetermined ranking condition may be set for each attribute of the user U (for example, for each gender, or for each combination of gender and age, etc.). In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer content with a higher number of selections (popularity) by users U with the same attribute is ranked higher, or a condition that the layer content with a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by users U with the same attribute is ranked higher, but is not limited to such examples.

[0252] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking condition may be set for each characteristic of the user U classified by the movement history of the user U. In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer content having a higher number of selections (popularity) by users U having the same characteristic is placed in a higher position, or a condition that the layer content having a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by users U having the same characteristic is placed in a higher position, but is not limited to such examples.

[0253] The characteristics of the user U to be classified include, but are not limited to, the movement patterns of the user U, the preferences of the user U, etc. The information providing device 2 can classify the characteristics of the user U using, for example, a classification model. The classification model can be, for example, a regression model, GBDT, a neural network, etc., but is not limited to, these examples.

[0254] The providing unit 53 can also classify the characteristics of user U using, for example, a generation AI. In this case, the providing unit 53 inputs, to the generation AI, information including, for example, user U's movement history, instruction information indicating an instruction to classify user U's characteristics from user U's movement history, and information indicating the taxonomic group of user U's characteristics, and causes the generation AI to output information indicating user U's characteristics. The instruction information includes, for example, a character string such as "Based on the given movement history of user U, identify user U's characteristics from the multiple classifications indicated by the following taxonomic group," but is not limited to this example.

[0255] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking conditions may be set for each combination of the attribute and characteristic of the user U, for example.

[0256] Furthermore, the predetermined ranking condition may be set for each combination of layer contents arranged in the modal window 62 displayed on the terminal device 1 of the user U. In this case, the predetermined ranking condition is, for example, a condition that the layer contents arranged in the modal window 62 with a higher number of selections (popularity) by the user U are positioned higher, or a condition that the layer contents arranged in the modal window 62 with a higher rate of increase in the number of selections (popularity) by the user U are positioned higher, but is not limited to such examples.

[0257] The candidate list information is not limited to ranking information, and may include, as a plurality of layer content candidates, a plurality of layer contents each linked to information on a corresponding location group among information on a plurality of selected location groups.

[0258] In addition, the providing unit 53 can also provide information that further includes, for example, layer content candidates that are candidates for layer content to be placed in the modal window 62, where the layer content is linked to the location information searched for by the user U as specific information.

[0259] For example, the providing unit 53 acquires information about locations searched for by the user U using a search box, information about locations searched for by the user U using a web search application, etc., and provides layer content linked to the acquired location information as layer content candidates.

[0260] The terminal device 1 acquires candidate list information transmitted from the information providing device 2, and displays a plurality of layer content candidates based on the acquired candidate list information. The user U operates the terminal device 1 to select one or more layer content candidates from the plurality of layer content candidates displayed on the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 transmits selection information indicating the one or more layer content candidates selected by the user U to the information providing device 2.

[0261] Furthermore, the providing unit 53 provides the terminal device 1 with the plurality of layer contents indicated in the batch acquisition request received by the receiving unit 51.

[0262] In addition, the providing unit 53 provides the terminal device 1 with integrated layer content, which is layer content accompanied by information on two or more location groups that satisfy predetermined conditions from among the information on multiple location groups whose registration has been accepted by the accepting unit 51.

[0263] In addition, the providing unit 53 provides the terminal device 1 with integrated layer content, which is layer content linked with information on two or more groups of locations corresponding to a specific theme, as integrated layer content, which is layer content linked with information on two or more groups of locations that satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0264] The integrated layer content provided to the terminal device 1 by the providing unit 53 is, for example, the integrated layer content generated by the generating unit 52, but is not limited to this example.

[0265] 14 is a diagram showing an example of candidate list information provided to the terminal device 1 by the providing unit 53 in the processing unit 42 of the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment. Candidate list information 110 shown in FIG. 14 includes layer content groups 111, 112, and 113, and layer contents 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118.

[0266] The layer content group 111 is a group of layer contents that are useful when strolling around the area, and includes gourmet layer contents, rain cloud layer contents, event layer contents, tourist spot layer contents, etc. The event layer contents are layer contents linked to information on a group of places where events are being held.

[0267] Layer content group 112 is a group of layer content for going out with children, and includes toilet layer content, park layer content, zoo layer content, etc. The zoo layer content is layer content in which information on a plurality of zoos is linked.

[0268] Layer content group 113 is a group of layer content that is convenient for traveling by car, and includes gas station layer content, parking lot layer content, Wifi area layer content, etc. Wifi area layer content is layer content to which information on multiple Wifi areas is linked.

[0269] The target area of ​​each of the layer content groups 111, 112, and 113 is the entire country, but it may be limited to a certain area, or may be provided for each area.

[0270] Layer content 114 is a toilet layer content, layer content 115 is a rain cloud layer content, and layer content 115 is a layer content linked to information on multiple locations featured on television. Layer content 117 is a gas station layer content, and layer content 118 is a layer content linked to information on multiple buildings.

[0271] In the candidate list information 110 shown in Figure 14, when a user U selects any of the layer content groups 111, 112, or 113 by operating the input unit 12 of the terminal device 1, the providing unit 53 provides layer content group information including information on the selected layer content group to the terminal device 1.

[0272] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of layer content group information provided to the terminal device 1 by the providing unit 53 in the processing unit 42 of the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment. The layer content group information 120 shown in Fig. 15 includes explanatory information 121, 122, ... that explains each of the multiple layer contents included in the layer content group, individual selection buttons 123, 124, ... for individually selecting each of the multiple layer contents included in the layer content group, and a collective selection button 125 for collectively selecting multiple layer contents included in the layer content group.

[0273] By operating the terminal device 1, the user U can perform a slide operation or the like to display a desired combination of explanatory information and individual selection buttons from among the explanatory information 121, 122, ... and the individual selection buttons 123, 124, ... on the display unit 11. By selecting one or more of the individual selection buttons 123, 124, ..., the user U can arrange one or more layer contents from the plurality of layer contents included in the layer content group in the modal window 622.

[0274] Furthermore, the user U can place multiple layer contents included in a layer content group all at once in the modal window 622 by selecting the batch selection button 125. When the user U selects the batch selection button 125, a batch acquisition request is transmitted from the terminal device 1 to the information providing device 2.

[0275] [4.3.5. Reward Granting Unit 54] The reward granting unit 54 grants a reward to the selector C. For example, the reward granting unit 54 grants a reward to the selector C who has registered information on a group of locations linked to a layer content selected by the user U from a plurality of layer contents each linked to information on a corresponding selected location group among information on a plurality of selected location groups for which registration has been accepted.

[0276] The reward given to the selector C may be, for example, electronic money, points, cash, or various benefits. Points are a value that can be used to purchase products or use services on an online site, for example. Benefits may be, for example, coupons, gift certificates, service vouchers, etc., but are not limited to these examples.

[0277] [5. Processing Procedure] Next, a procedure of information processing by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0278] 16, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 determines whether or not a layer content has been selected (step S20). If the processing unit 16 determines that a layer content has been selected (step S20: Yes), the processing unit 16 displays, on the map content 61, information based on specific information associated with the layer content determined to have been selected in step S20 (step S21).

[0279] Furthermore, the processing unit 16 superimposes and displays on the map content 61 explanation content 66, which shows information in a list format that describes a plurality of places linked to the layer content determined to be selected in step S20 (step S22).

[0280] When the processing of step S22 is completed or when it is determined that no layer content has been selected (step S20: No), the processing unit 16 determines whether the Add button 64 has been selected (step S23). When it is determined that the Add button 64 has been selected (step S23: Yes), the processing unit 16 performs layer content candidate processing (step S24). The processing of step S24 is the processing of steps S30 to S32, and will be described in detail later.

[0281] When the processing of step S24 is completed or when it is determined that the add button 64 is not selected (step S23: No), the processing unit 16 determines whether or not a card UI arranged in the explanation content 66 has been selected (step S25). When it is determined that a card UI has been selected (step S25: Yes), the processing unit 16 displays information based on the location information corresponding to the card UI determined to have been selected on the map content 61 (step S26).

[0282] When the processing of step S26 is completed or when it is determined that the card UI has not been selected (step S25: No), the processing unit 16 determines whether or not a search has been accepted (step S27). When it is determined that a search has been accepted (step S27: Yes), the processing unit 16 performs a search process (step S28). The process of step S28 is the process of steps S40 to S47 shown in FIG. 18, and will be described in detail later.

[0283] When the processing of step S28 is completed or when it is determined that a search has not been received (step S27: No), the processing unit 16 determines whether or not the operation end time has arrived (step S29). The processing unit 16 determines that the operation end time has arrived when, for example, the power of the terminal device 1 is turned off.

[0284] If the processing unit 16 determines that the operation end time has not yet arrived (step S29: No), it proceeds to step S20, and if it determines that the operation end time has arrived (step S29: Yes), it terminates the processing shown in Figure 16.

[0285] 17 is a flowchart showing an example of layer content candidate processing by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 displays a list of multiple layer content candidates on the display unit 11 (step S30).

[0286] Next, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not a layer content candidate has been selected (step S31). If it is determined that a layer content candidate has been selected (step S31: Yes), the processing unit 16 acquires the layer content candidate determined to have been selected in step S31 from the information providing device 2 or the like (step S32).

[0287] Then, processing unit 16 places the layer content candidate determined to have been selected in step S31 in modal window 62 as layer content (step S33). When processing unit 16 has completed the process of step S33 or when it has determined that no layer content candidate has been selected (step S31: No), processing unit 16 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0288] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 acquires search results including layer content candidates (step S40). In step S40, the processing unit 16 acquires search results including layer content candidates from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15.

[0289] The processing unit 16 determines whether or not a layer content candidate included in the search result has been selected (step S41). If the processing unit 16 determines that a layer content candidate included in the search result has been selected (step S41: Yes), the processing unit 16 acquires the layer content candidate determined to have been selected in step S41 from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15 (step S42).

[0290] Then, the processing unit 16 arranges the layer content candidate determined to have been selected in step S41 as layer content in the modal window 62 (step S43). Furthermore, the processing unit 16 displays information based on specific information linked to the layer content candidate determined to have been selected in step S41 on the map content 61 (step S44).

[0291] Furthermore, when it is determined that the layer content candidates included in the search results have not been selected (step S41: No), the processing unit 16 determines whether or not the search location included in the search results has been selected (step S45). The search location included in the search results is the location that was searched for.

[0292] When it is determined that a search location has been selected (step S45: Yes), the processing unit 16 temporarily or permanently places the search location content in the modal window 62 (step S46). The search location content is layer content linked to information about the search location. Note that temporarily placing the search location content in the modal window 62 means that the search location content will be placed until the map application is terminated; when the map application is restarted, the search location content is removed from the modal window 62.

[0293] Furthermore, the processing unit 16 displays information based on the selected search location on the map content 61 (step S47). When the processing of step S42 is completed, when the processing of step S47 is completed, or when it is determined that a search location has not been selected (step S45: No), the processing unit 16 ends the processing shown in FIG.

[0294] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of layer content candidate processing by the processing unit 42 of the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the processing unit 42 of the information providing device 2 determines whether or not registration of a group of locations selected by a selector C has been accepted (step S50).

[0295] When the processing unit 42 determines that the registration of the location group has been accepted (step S50: Yes), it stores and registers the information of the accepted location group (step S51). When the processing of step S50 has ended or when it determines that the registration of the location group has not been accepted (step S50: No), the processing unit 42 determines whether a candidate information provision request has been accepted (step S52).

[0296] When it is determined that the request for providing candidate information has been received (step S52: Yes), the processing unit 42 provides the candidate list information 110 to the device that has requested the provision of candidate information (step S53). Note that the processing unit 42 can receive a batch acquisition request or a layer content request instead of the request for providing candidate information, and in this case, provides information on a plurality of layer contents in response to the batch acquisition request or information on the layer content in response to the layer content request.

[0297] When the processing of step S53 is completed or when it is determined that a candidate information provision request has not been received (step S52: No), the processing unit 42 determines whether or not it is time to perform grouping processing (step S54). The grouping processing timing may be, for example, a timing designated by an administrator of the information providing device 2 or a timing occurring at a predetermined cycle, but is not limited to such examples.

[0298] If the processing unit 42 determines that it is time to perform the grouping process (step S54: Yes), it groups multiple layer content groups linked to a group of locations that meets predetermined conditions and generates a layer content group (step S55).

[0299] When the processing of step S55 is completed or when it is determined that the timing for grouping processing has not arrived (step S54: No), the processing unit 42 determines whether the timing for integration processing has arrived (step S56). The timing for integration processing is, for example, a timing designated by an administrator of the information providing device 2 or a timing arriving at a predetermined cycle, but is not limited to such examples.

[0300] When it is determined that the timing for integration processing has arrived (step S56: Yes), the processing unit 42 generates integrated layer content in which information on two or more location groups that satisfy a predetermined condition is linked (step S57).

[0301] When the processing of step S57 is completed or when it is determined that the timing for integration processing has not come (step S56: No), the processing unit 42 determines whether the timing for ending the operation has come (step S58). The processing unit 42 determines that the timing for ending the operation has come when, for example, the power of the information providing device 2 is turned off.

[0302] If the processing unit 42 determines that the operation end time has not yet arrived (step S58: No), it proceeds to step S50, and if it determines that the operation end time has arrived (step S58: Yes), it terminates the processing shown in Figure 19.

[0303] [6. Modifications] By dragging and dropping one layer icon placed in a modal window onto another layer icon also placed in the modal window, a user U can replace the two layer icons with the integrated content that combines these two layer icons and place it in the modal window.

[0304] For example, when one layer icon arranged in a modal window is dragged and dropped onto another layer icon also arranged in the modal window, the first display processing unit 30 transmits information to that effect to the information providing device 2 and causes the information providing device 2 to generate integrated content. The first display processing unit 30 acquires the integrated content generated by the information providing device 2 via the acquisition unit 20, and places the acquired integrated content on the map content in place of the two corresponding layer icons.

[0305] The first display processing unit 30 can also change the positions of multiple layer contents arranged in the modal window depending on the position of the terminal device 1. For example, the first display processing unit 30 can prioritize and arrange layer contents that are used more frequently by the user U in higher positions (for example, the further to the left the content is), for each location area of ​​the terminal device 1.

[0306] The position area is, for example, a predetermined mesh area, but is not limited to such an example. Note that information on the frequency of use of layer content by user U for each position area is stored in storage unit 15, and first display processing unit 30 rearranges the positions of multiple layer contents arranged in the modal window according to the position of terminal device 1 based on the information stored in storage unit 15.

[0307] In addition, when a predetermined operation (e.g., double-clicking) is performed on the integrated layer content placed in the modal window, the first display processing unit 30 can place the integrated layer content in the modal window in place of the multiple layer contents before integration.

[0308] In addition, when two layer contents are selected simultaneously, the second display processing unit 31 can highlight location icons based on location information linked to each of the two layer contents selected simultaneously on the map content compared to other location icons.

[0309] Furthermore, when one layer content is selected and then another layer content is selected, the second display processing unit 31 can highlight the location icon corresponding to the other layer content, and can also weaken the degree of highlighting of the location icon corresponding to the one layer content over time.

[0310] The second display processing unit 31 can also automatically highlight on the map content a location icon based on location information associated with layer content placed in the modal window according to the location of the terminal device 1. For example, the second display processing unit 31 can highlight on the map content a location icon based on location information associated with layer content that is most frequently used by the user U in the location area where the terminal device 1 is located, compared to other location icons.

[0311] In addition, when layer content is overlaid on a location icon by dragging and dropping, etc., the second display processing unit 31 automatically selects the layer content overlaid on the location icon when the terminal device 1 reaches the location or its vicinity at the time of overlay, and can highlight the location icon based on the location information linked to that layer content on the map content compared to other location icons.

[0312] [7. Hardware Configuration] Each of the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 2 according to the above-described embodiment is realized by, for example, a computer 200 configured as shown in Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 200 that realizes each function of the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment. The computer 200 has a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, a communication interface (I / F) 205, an input / output interface (I / F) 206, and a media interface (I / F) 207.

[0313] The CPU 201 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204. The ROM 203 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 201 when the computer 200 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 200, and the like.

[0314] The HDD 204 stores programs executed by the CPU 201, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 205 receives data from other devices via the network N (see FIG. 2) and sends it to the CPU 201, and transmits data generated by the CPU 201 to other devices via the network N.

[0315] The CPU 201 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 206.

[0316] The media interface 207 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 208 and provides it to the CPU 201 via the RAM 202. The CPU 201 loads the program or data from the recording medium 208 onto the RAM 202 via the media interface 207 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 208 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0317] For example, when the computer 200 functions as the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment, the CPU 201 of the computer 200 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 202 to realize the functions of the processing unit 16. In addition, the HDD 204 stores data in the storage unit 15. The CPU 201 of the computer 200 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 208, but as another example, the CPU 201 may obtain these programs from another device via the network N.

[0318] Furthermore, when the computer 200 functions as the information providing device 2 according to the embodiment, the CPU 201 of the computer 200 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 202 to realize the functions of the processing unit 42. Furthermore, the HDD 204 stores data in the storage unit 41. The CPU 201 of the computer 200 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 208, but as another example, these programs may be acquired from another device via the network N.

[0319] [8. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0320] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0321] For example, the information providing device 2 described above may be realized by a terminal device and a server computer, or may be realized by multiple server computers, and the configuration can be flexibly changed, such as by calling an external platform or the like using API, network computing, etc. Also, the processing of the terminal device 1 described above may be realized by a terminal device and a server computer.

[0322] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0323] [9. Effects] As described above, the information processing program according to the embodiment causes a computer to execute a first display processing procedure for displaying, on the display unit 11, a modal window 62 in which map content 61 and layer content 63 linked to specific information are arranged, a reception procedure for receiving selection of layer content 63, and a second display processing procedure for displaying, on the map content 61, information based on the specific information linked to the layer content 63 whose selection has been received in the reception procedure. In this way, the information processing program can further improve convenience for the user U.

[0324] Furthermore, the first display processing procedure places, in the modal window 62, a layer content candidate whose selection has been accepted by the user U from among a plurality of layer content candidates that are candidates for the layer content 63 to be placed in the modal window 62. This enables the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0325] Furthermore, the first display processing procedure places layer content 63, to which information about the location searched for by user U is linked as specific information, in modal window 62. This allows the information processing program to further improve convenience for user U.

[0326] The information processing program also causes the computer to execute a third display processing procedure for displaying, on the display unit 11, layer content 63 associated with the location information searched for by the user U as specific information, as layer content candidates. This allows the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0327] In addition, the information processing program causes the computer to execute a third display processing procedure that displays layer content 63 corresponding to at least one of the attributes and movement history of user U as layer content candidates on the display unit 11, thereby further improving the convenience for user U.

[0328] The information processing program also causes the computer to execute a navigation procedure for performing navigation using the map content 61, and a third display processing procedure for displaying layer content 63 corresponding to the navigation as layer content candidates on the display unit 11. This enables the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0329] The information processing program also causes the computer to execute a fourth display processing procedure that displays, on the display unit 11, explanation content 66, which is content that displays, in a list format, information showing explanations of multiple places linked to the layer content 63 whose selection has been accepted by the acceptance procedure. This allows the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0330] Furthermore, multiple types of layer content 63 are arranged in the modal window 62, and the second display processing procedure displays, on the map content 61, information based on location information linked as specific information to the layer content 63 whose selection has been accepted in the acceptance procedure in a more emphasized state than information based on location information linked to the layer content 63 whose selection has not been accepted. This allows the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0331] The information processing program also causes the computer to execute a fifth display processing procedure for displaying on the display unit 11 a category list 95, which is a list of location categories linked as specific information to the layer content 63, the selection of which has been accepted by the acceptance procedure; the acceptance procedure accepts a category selection by the user U from among the multiple categories included in the category list 95 displayed on the display unit 11; and the second display processing procedure highlights, on the map content 61, information based on location information of the category selected by the acceptance procedure from among the multiple location information linked as specific information to the layer content 63, the selection of which has been accepted by the acceptance procedure. This allows the information processing program to further improve convenience for the user U.

[0332] The above describes the embodiments of the present application in detail based on the drawings, but this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have been modified and improved in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0333] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an acquisition unit can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0334] 1 Terminal device 2 Information provision device 10,40 Communications Department 11 Display section 12 Input section 13 Imaging unit 14 Sensors 15,41 Storage part 16,42 Processing section 20,50 Acquisition Department 21,51 Reception 22 Display processing section 30 First display processing unit 31 Second display processing unit 32 Third display processing unit 33 Fourth display processing unit 34 Fifth display processing unit 52 Generation part 53 Providing Department 54 Reward Division 100 Information Provision System N Network

Claims

1. a first display processing procedure for displaying, on a display unit, a modal window in which map content and layer content associated with specific information are arranged in response to a user's operation; a receiving step of receiving a selection of the layer content by the user; a second display processing step of displaying, on the map content, information based on the specific information associated with the layer content whose selection has been accepted in the accepting step. An information processing program characterized by:

2. The first display processing procedure includes: A layer content candidate selected by a user from a plurality of layer content candidates that are candidates for the layer content to be placed in the modal window is placed in the modal window as the layer content.

2. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The first display processing procedure includes: The layer content associated with the location information searched by the user as the specific information is placed in the modal window.

2. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein:

4. a third display processing procedure in which the computer is caused to display, on the display unit, layer content associated with the location information searched for by the user as the specific information, as the layer content candidate; 3. The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein:

5. a third display processing procedure for displaying layer content according to at least one of the attributes and movement history of the user as the layer content candidates on the display unit; 3. The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein:

6. a navigation procedure for performing navigation using the map content; a third display processing procedure for displaying layer content corresponding to the navigation on the display unit as the layer content candidates.

3. The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein:

7. a fourth display processing procedure in which explanation content is displayed on the display unit, the explanation content being content that displays, in a list format, information showing explanations of a plurality of places linked as the specific information to the layer content whose selection has been accepted in the accepting procedure; 7. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the information processing program is a program for processing a plurality of data.

8. The modal window contains: A plurality of types of layer contents are arranged, The second display processing procedure includes: The information based on the location information associated as the specific information to the layer content whose selection has been accepted in the accepting procedure is displayed on the map content in a highlighted state compared to the information based on the location information associated with the layer content whose selection has not been accepted in the accepting procedure.

7. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the information processing program is a program for processing a plurality of data.

9. a fifth display processing procedure in which the computer displays, on the display unit, a category list that is a list of location categories associated as the specific information with the layer content whose selection has been accepted in the accepting procedure; The reception procedure is as follows: Accepting a category selection by the user from among a plurality of categories included in the category list displayed on the display unit; The second display processing procedure includes: The information based on the location information of the category selected in the reception procedure among the location information of a plurality of locations associated as the specific information with the layer content whose selection is received in the reception procedure is highlighted on the map content.

7. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the information processing program is a program for processing a plurality of data.

10. a first display processing unit that displays, on a display unit, a modal window in which map content and layer content associated with specific information are arranged in response to a user's operation; a reception unit that receives a selection of the layer content by the user; a second display processing unit that displays, on the map content, information based on the specific information associated with the layer content selected by the receiving unit.

1. An information processing device comprising:

11. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: a first display processing step of displaying, on a display unit, a modal window in which map content and layer content associated with specific information are arranged in response to a user's operation; a receiving step of receiving a selection of the layer content by the user; a second display processing step of displaying, on the map content, information based on the specific information associated with the layer content selected in the receiving step. An information processing method comprising:

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