Mountain climbing support system

Abstract

To provide a mountain climbing support system that can accurately collect sighting information even in situations where position information cannot be obtained.SOLUTION: The present system includes: a mountain climbing management unit for managing mountain climbing records based on position information collected through user terminals for each climber; a mountain map management unit for performing control so that a mountain map can be downloaded to the user terminals, and receiving and recording a browsing action history performed on the downloaded mountain map from the user terminals; and a sighting information collection management unit for accepting an information collection request, extracting other climbers who may have witnessed a person who is the subject of the information collection on the basis of the mountain climbing records, and sending an information provision request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or contact information of the other climbers. The sighting information collection management unit generates estimated position information on the basis of the browsing action history on the mountain map before climbing, and performs extraction processing to extract other climbers who have mountain climbing records corresponding to the estimated position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for supporting mountain climbers, and more particularly to a technique for collecting eyewitness information on mountain climbers who are lost or missing. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a computer system that manages the behavioral history of mountain climbers, and describes how, in a search for a missing person, it narrows down the list of other mountain climbers who may have witnessed the missing person. It describes how the coordinates of the missing person are obtained from the behavioral history (location information), other mountain climbers who were near the coordinates of the missing person (mountain climbers who may have witnessed the missing person) are identified, and eyewitness information is obtained from the identified other mountain climbers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-035008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are many mountain areas where the communication environment is poor and where radio waves cannot reach (communicate). For this reason, in mountain areas where climbing is desired, user devices with GPS functions such as smartphones cannot transmit location information to the outside world while climbing, which can make it difficult to track the footsteps of climbers who get lost. In such cases, it is not possible to identify other climbers who may have seen the climber, making it difficult to collect sighting information.

[0005] For example, when conducting search activities in mountainous areas, time constraints and the need to secure personnel make it difficult to conduct wide-area searches, and it is practically difficult to conduct random searches just because you do not know which mountain (Mount X or Mount Y) was climbed among the multiple mountaineering targets in the mountain area. The same is true when it comes to obtaining eyewitness information; if you solicit information from a wide range of people just because you cannot narrow down the list of other climbers who may have seen the person, you will end up gathering a lot of uncertain information, which will increase the burden of sorting through the information.

[0006] Furthermore, if we narrow down the scope of requests for sighting information too narrowly, we will not be able to convey information about the missing person and the request for information to the "climbers who were there on that day and at that location" who are likely to have the information, which will make it difficult to gather reliable sighting information.

[0007] On the other hand, even if the location information of the missing person on the day is unknown, if they had submitted a climbing plan in advance, this would be useful information for the search, but in reality, the rate at which climbing plans are submitted is not that high. Therefore, if there is no climbing plan and the location information on the day is not known, it may be difficult to know which mountain they climbed or which mountain range they climbed, making it difficult to gather eyewitness information.

[0008] Furthermore, even if a climbing plan is submitted, there are cases in which climbers climb a different mountain on the day than the one in the plan. In such cases, it is the same as not having a climbing plan, and it also becomes difficult to collect sighting information.

[0009] Furthermore, even if a climbing plan is submitted, the search area may be too wide. For example, there may be multiple climbing routes from the trailhead to the summit, and although the climbing plan specifies a specific climbing route, it is possible that the person took a different route. In this way, there are cases where it is difficult to gather sighting information using only the climbing plan.

[0010] The conventional method described in Patent Document 1 is an effective means of collecting eyewitness information when the location information of the missing person can be determined, but since there are still many mountain areas with poor communication environments and where radio waves cannot reach, there was a need for a system that would make it easier to collect reliable eyewitness information when the location information of the missing person cannot be determined.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a mountain climbing support system that can collect accurate eyewitness information even in situations where location information cannot be obtained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] (1) The mountain climbing support system of the present invention comprises a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records for each mountain climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each mountain climber, a mountain climbing map management unit that controls the downloading of mountain climbing maps to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operations and receives and records from the user terminal a history of viewing actions taken on the mountain climbing map displayed on the user terminal after download, and an eyewitness information collection management unit that accepts information collection requests from associates of the mountain climber, extracts other mountain climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the mountain climbing record, and sends information request notifications to the user terminals of the other mountain climbers or their contact information. The eyewitness information collection management unit then generates estimated location information based on the history of viewing actions taken on the mountain climbing map by the information collection target before climbing, and performs an extraction process to extract other mountain climbers whose mountain climbing record corresponds to the estimated location information.

[0013] (2) In (1) above, the hiking map can be configured to include map information, hiking route information drawn on the map information, landmark information mapped in association with the hiking route information, and field memo information mapped in association with the hiking route information and consisting of reviews posted by hikers. In this case, the hiking map management unit can receive the hiker's selection actions for the landmark information and / or field memo information from the user terminal and store the selection actions as a viewing action history.

[0014] (3) In (2) above, the mountain climbing map management unit can be configured to control the downloading of mountain climbing maps including map information, mountain climbing route information, landmark information, and field memo information to the user terminal.

[0015] (4) In the above (2) or (3), the browsing action history can be configured to include a selection history for landmark information and / or field memo information and the selection order of the landmark information and / or field memo information.

[0016] (5) In the above (1), the mountain climbing support system can further include a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing record from the start of mountain climbing to the destination and stores it for each mountain climber. The mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the mountain climbing activity history published by other mountain climbers so that it can be viewed from the user terminal, and can record a viewing log for the mountain climbing activity history published by other mountain climbers. The eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate second estimated location information based on the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and to perform a second extraction process that extracts other mountain climbers who have mountain climbing records corresponding to the second estimated location information.

[0017] (6) In (5) above, the mountain climbing map can be configured to include map information, mountain climbing route information drawn on the map information, and landmark information mapped in association with the mountain climbing route information.The mountain climbing activity history management unit can generate mountain climbing itinerary information based on the mountain climbing record and the mountain climbing map, with landmark information included in the mountain climbing record from the start of the climb to the destination as checkpoints, and store the mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing itinerary information for each climber.The eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate second estimated position information based on the mountain climbing itinerary information in the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and perform second extraction processing.

[0018] (7) In the above (1), the mountain climbing support system can be configured to further include a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including mountain climbing achievements from the start of mountain climbing to the destination and stores the history for each mountain climber. The mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the accessibility of other mountain climbers' published mountain climbing activity histories from the user terminal and can record a viewing log for the published mountain climbing activity histories of other mountain climbers. The eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate third estimated location information based on the viewing action history or mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and to perform a third extraction process that generates third estimated location information and extracts other mountain climbers whose mountain climbing achievements correspond to the third estimated location information.

[0019] (8) In (1) above, the mountain climbing management unit can be configured to receive and record selfie images taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing. The system can also be configured to further include a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the climber's climbing record from the start of climbing to the destination and stores it for each climber. The mountain climbing activity history management unit can accept captured images uploaded from the user terminal and record them in association with the generated mountain climbing activity history, and control the mountain climbing activity history including the published captured images to be viewable by other climbers via the user terminal. The eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to extract mountain climbing activity history including captured images matching the selfie image taken by the information collection target before climbing, generate fourth estimated location information based on the extracted mountain climbing activity history, and perform a fourth extraction process to extract other climbers with mountain climbing records corresponding to the fourth estimated location information.

[0020] (9) In the above (1), the mountain climbing support system can be further configured to include a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing record from the start of mountain climbing to the destination and stores it for each mountain climber. Here, the mountain climbing management unit can receive and record selfie images taken by the mountain climber with a user terminal before climbing. The mountain climbing activity history management unit can accept and record the captured images uploaded from the user terminal and associate them with the generated mountain climbing activity history, and can control the user terminal to make available mountain climbing activity histories including publicly available captured images of other mountain climbers, and can record a viewing log of the publicly available mountain climbing activity histories of other mountain climbers for each mountain climber. The eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate fifth estimated location information based on the viewing action history or mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history including the captured image matching the selfie image taken by the information collection target before climbing, and to perform a fifth extraction process that extracts other mountain climbers with mountain climbing records corresponding to the fifth estimated location information.

[0021] (10) In the above (1), the user terminal can be configured to include a communication device, a GPS device, and a control unit that transmits location information acquired by the GPS device to the mountain climbing support system. The control unit can be configured to temporarily stop transmitting and accumulate location information when the communication status of the communication device is offline, and to transmit the accumulated location information to the mountain climbing support system after the communication status becomes online.

[0022] (11) The program executed by the computer of the present invention causes the computer to realize a first function of managing the climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber, a second function of controlling the downloading of climbing maps to the user terminal based on the climber's operation and receiving and recording from the user terminal a history of viewing actions taken on the climbing map displayed on the user terminal after download, and a third function of accepting information collection requests from associates of the climber, extracting other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climbing record, and sending information request notifications to the user terminals of the other climbers or their contact information.The third function then generates estimated location information based on the history of viewing actions taken on the climbing map by the information collection target before climbing, and performs an extraction process to extract other climbers whose climbing records match the estimated location information.

[0023] (12) A mountain climbing support system of the present invention includes a user terminal carried by a climber and a mountain climbing support device that provides mountain climbing support services to the climber through the user terminal, and is configured as follows: The user terminal includes a GPS device and a control unit that transmits location information acquired by the GPS device to the mountain climbing support device. The mountain climbing support device includes a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing history for each climber based on the location information transmitted from the user terminal, a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the climber's operation, and an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from associates of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have sighted the information collection target based on the climbing history, and transmits information request notifications to the user terminals of the other climbers or their contact information.

[0024] Here, the control unit of the user terminal displays the downloaded mountain climbing map on the display unit, records a history of viewing actions performed on the displayed mountain climbing map, and can transmit the viewing action history to the mountain climbing support device. Also, the mountain climbing map management unit of the mountain climbing support device can receive and record the viewing action history of the mountain climbing map after download from the user terminal. And the eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate estimated location information based on the history of viewing actions performed on the mountain climbing map by the information collection target before climbing, and perform extraction processing to extract other mountain climbers with mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

[0025] (13) The mountain climbing support system of the present invention comprises a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records for each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls the downloading of mountain climbing maps to the user terminal based on the climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing records from the start of the climb to the destination and stores it for each climber; and an eyewitness information collection management unit that accepts information collection requests from associates of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have sighted the person whose information is to be collected based on the mountain climbing records, and sends information request notifications to the user terminals of the other climbers or to the contact information of the other climbers.

[0026] The mountain climbing activity history management unit can be configured to control the viewing of other mountain climbers' publicly-publicized mountain climbing activity histories from the user terminal, and to record a viewing log for the mountain climbing activity histories publicly-publicized by other mountain climbers, and the eyewitness information collection management unit can be configured to generate estimated location information based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection target before climbing and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and to perform an extraction process to extract other mountain climbers who have mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

[0027] (14) The mountain climbing support system of the present invention includes a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records for each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls the downloading of mountain climbing maps to the user terminal based on the climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the climb climbing record from the start of the climb to the destination and stores it for each climber; and an eyewitness information collection management unit that accepts information collection requests from associates of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have witnessed the information collection target based on the climb climbing record, and sends information request notifications to the user terminals or contact information of the other climbers. Here, the mountain climbing management unit can be configured to receive and record selfie images taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing. Furthermore, the mountain climbing activity history management unit can be configured to accept photographed images uploaded from the user terminal and record them in association with the generated mountain climbing activity history, and to control the viewing of mountain climbing activity history including other climbers' publicly available photographed images from the user terminal and record a viewing log of other climbers' publicly available mountain climbing activity history.

[0028] The sighting information collection management unit can be configured to generate estimated location information based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject before climbing the mountain and the mountain climbing activity history containing images taken that match the selfie image of the information collection subject taken before climbing the mountain, and to perform an extraction process to extract other climbers with climbing experience that corresponds to the estimated location information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the present invention, estimated location information is generated based on the browsing action history of the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection target before climbing, and other climbers with climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information are extracted.

[0030] When a person to be information-gathered uses a mountain climbing support system to download a mountain climbing map and can check the mountain climbing route on a user terminal, and the browsing action on this mountain climbing map is recorded. The browsing action history on this mountain climbing map makes it possible to trace the route (location) that the information-gathering person may have walked or planned to walk, and accurately extract other climbers that they may have seen.

[0031] Therefore, even in a situation where location information cannot be obtained, accurate sighting information can be collected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram of a mountain climbing support system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration block diagram of a mountain climbing support system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the mountain climbing support system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mountain climbing map according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration block diagram of an eyewitness information collection function of the mountain climbing support system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an eyewitness information collection function in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the eyewitness information collection function in the first embodiment when there is no browsing action history of the mountain climbing map. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the processing flow of an eyewitness information collection function that uses the download history of mountain climbing maps in the first embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0033] (First embodiment) 1 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a mountain climbing support system according to this embodiment.

[0034] The mountain climbing support system includes a mountain climbing support device 100 and provides mountain climbing support services including mountain climbing results based on location information collected through a user terminal 200 carried by a climber. As one of the mountain climbing support services, the mountain climbing support device 100 provides an eyewitness information collection function.

[0035] <Main components of the mountain climbing support system> Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the mountain climbing support system of this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the mountain climbing support system.

[0036] The mountain climbing support system includes a mountain climbing support device 100, which can provide a mountain climbing management function, a mountain climbing map management function, a mountain climbing memo management function, a mountain climbing activity history management function, and an eyewitness information collection function, as shown in Fig. 2. The eyewitness information collection function will be described later.

[0037] The user terminal 200 is a portable mobile terminal such as a multi-function mobile phone such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal of a climber, and is configured to include a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a GPS device 230, a display / input unit 240 such as a touch panel, a memory 250, and a camera 260. The user terminal 200 performs data communication with the mountain climbing support device 100 via a mobile communication network such as an IP network or a 4G / 5G / LTE line (mobile data communication via a mobile phone line).

[0038] The climber downloads the mountain climbing support application and installs it on the user terminal 200. Thereafter, the climber can use the various services provided by the mountain climbing support device 100 through the mountain climbing support application (control unit 220). Before using the mountain climbing support system, the climber registers as a user through the mountain climbing support application. The mountain climbing support device 100 has a user management function (not shown) that controls the registration of user information such as name, age, address, and contact information (mobile phone number, email address), and assigns a user ID to the climber who has registered as a user. The user management function can perform authentication processing using authentication information such as a password.

[0039] Climbers can collect various information before climbing a mountain. The climbing activity history management function of the climbing support device 100 controls the climbing activity history of the climber so that the climbing activity history of the climber can be recorded, and also controls the climbing activity history of other climbers so that the climbing activity history of other climbers can be viewed. The climber can start the control unit 220, connect to the climbing support device 100, and view the climbing activities of other climbers (S201, S101). At this time, the climbing activity history management function records a viewing log for the published climbing activity history, and holds a viewing log of the climbing activity history for each climber.

[0040] Furthermore, climbers can download a hiking map as information on the mountain range they plan to climb before starting the climb (S202). The hiking map management function of the hiking support device 100 holds hiking maps for multiple mountain ranges and can perform hiking map provision processing, including searching for and downloading hiking maps (S102). The control unit 220 of the user terminal 200 stores the downloaded hiking map in the memory 250 and displays the downloaded hiking map on the display / input unit 240 (S203).

[0041] In addition to map information (including elevation information such as contour lines), the hiking map includes hiking route information, landmark information and field memo information, which will be described later, and the control unit 220 can control the display of the hiking map in response to the climber's operations and selections. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hiking map, and when landmark information or field memo information is selected, comments and photos are displayed in the information display field.

[0042] The control unit 220 of the user terminal 200 controls the display of the hiking map on the display / input unit 240, and also collects and records the user's selection actions for landmark information and field memo information on the hiking map. The control unit 220 transmits the collected selection actions to the hiking support device 100 (S204). The hiking support device 100 receives the hiker's selection actions for landmark information and / or field memo information performed on the user terminal 200, and stores the received selection actions as a browsing action history (map browsing history) (S103).

[0043] As advance preparations before climbing, climbers gather information by obtaining climbing maps of the mountain range they plan to climb and by viewing the climbing activity histories of other climbers, and when actually climbing, they can create and register a climbing plan (S205). The climbing management function of the climbing support device 100 accepts and records climbing plan information input from the user terminal 200 (S104).

[0044] Next, on the day of the climb, the climber starts the mountain climbing support application on the user terminal 200, displays the downloaded mountain climbing map of the climbing target, and performs a "start activity" operation. This starts recording the climbing record linked to the mountain climbing map (S206). The control unit 220 of the user terminal 200 accumulates the location information acquired by the GPS device 230. It also performs a process of drawing the walking history on the mountain climbing map based on the acquired location information, and controls so that the current location and the walking path are displayed on the mountain climbing map (S207). The GPS device 230 can be configured so that the acquired time information is included in the location information. For example, time information acquired by a clock function built into the user terminal 200 can be associated with the location information.

[0045] More specifically, after launching the mountain climbing support application, the climber selects a previously downloaded mountain climbing map. The control unit 220 displays the selected mountain climbing map on the display / input unit 240. The screen displaying the mountain climbing map can be configured to include a "Start Activity" button, and when the climber selects the "Start Activity" button, the GPS device 230 starts the location information acquisition process. When the location information acquisition process starts, the control unit 220 draws a "path walked" on the displayed mountain climbing map based on the acquired location information. Since the mountain climbing map stores latitude and longitude information as map information in advance, the "path walked" can be drawn on the mountain climbing map by mapping the location information acquired by the GPS device 230 to the latitude and longitude information of the mountain climbing map. The "path walked" is a group of consecutive location information in chronological order acquired since the climber started his / her activity, and is stored in memory 250.

[0046] If the communication status is "online", the control unit 220 transmits the position information to the mountain climbing support device 100 in real time (S208). The mountain climbing management function of the mountain climbing support device 100 stores the received position information as mountain climbing results (S105). The mountain climber can also post field memo information in real time while climbing (S209). The mountain climbing memo management function of the mountain climbing support device 100 accepts and stores field memo information posted from the user terminal 200 (S106, S107).

[0047] After finishing climbing, the climber performs an "end activity" operation. This ends the recording of the climbing record. If the communication status during climbing is "offline," the climbing record cannot be transmitted in real time during climbing. Therefore, the control unit 220 can transmit the climber's "path of walking (location information)" to the mountain climbing support device 100 after the communication status becomes "online" after climbing ends. The same applies to posting field memo information; the control unit 220 accumulates field memo information posted by the climber during climbing, and can transmit it to the mountain climbing support device 100 after the communication status becomes "online" after climbing ends.

[0048] After finishing climbing, climbers can upload their own climbing activity history (S210). The climbing activity history management function of the climbing control device 100 provides a My Page area for each climber, and climbers can record their climbing activity history in their own My Page area (S108). This climbing activity history can be made public to users of the climbing support device 100 or to an unspecified number of people, and the climbing activity history management function can perform the publishing process and viewing control of the climbing activity (S109).

[0049] As described above, in the mountain climbing support system of this embodiment, the user terminal 200 has the following functions, and the control unit 220 executes each function. (1) A function for creating a mountain climbing plan and submitting (registering) the created mountain climbing plan to the mountain climbing support device 100. (2) A function of acquiring a mountain climbing map from the mountain climbing support device 100. (3) A function for controlling the display of downloaded mountain climbing maps, collecting selected actions associated with viewing mountain climbing maps, and transmitting the selected actions to the mountain climbing support device 100. (4) A function of acquiring location information using the GPS device 230, and a function of recording the location information acquired by the GPS device 230 and transmitting the path (location information) that the user has walked to the mountain climbing support device 100. (5) A function to draw and display the path you walked (location information) on a mountain climbing map. (6) Field memo information posting function. (7) Ability to post and view mountain climbing activity history.

[0050] Each function of the mountain climbing support device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0051] <Climbing management function> 2, the mountain climbing management function of the mountain climbing support device 100 includes a first control unit 120 and a first storage unit 130. The first control unit 120 has a mountain climbing plan management unit 121, which receives mountain climbing plans from the user terminal 200 and manages the mountain climbing plans for each climber.

[0052] A mountain climbing plan includes information such as the mountain to be climbed, the starting point (trailhead), the destination, the climbing route to the destination, the planned time to pass along the climbing route, the planned date and number of days for climbing, the planned number of people, the planned time to enter the mountain, the planned time to descend, name, address, telephone number, email address, and emergency contact information (telephone number, email address). Note that the information included in a mountain climbing plan is not limited to this and can be set arbitrarily as needed. For example, information such as food, water, and equipment (tents, backpacks, etc.) can also be registered as information in the mountain climbing plan.

[0053] The first control unit 120 includes a mountain climbing record management unit 122. The user terminal 200 accumulates position information during mountain climbing (from the time when the mountain climbing activity started) in chronological order using the GPS device 230 and transmits it to the mountain climbing support device 100. As described above, if the communication status of the user terminal 200 is "online," the position information is transmitted to the mountain climbing support device 100 in real time. If the communication status of the user terminal 200 is "offline," the user terminal 200 stops transmitting to the mountain climbing support device 100 until the communication status becomes "online." After the communication environment becomes "online," the user terminal 200 can transmit the accumulated position information collectively to the mountain climbing support device 100. The mountain climbing record management unit 122 receives position information from the user terminal 200 in real time or after the communication environment of the user terminal 200 becomes "online," and accumulates the mountain climbing record (walking history (continuous position information in chronological order, date and time information, and altitude information)) of each climber. The mountain climbing record management unit 122 can manage the mountain climbing record in association with the corresponding mountain climbing map (mountain climbing map downloaded by the mountain climber).

[0054] <Mountain climbing map management function> The mountain climbing map management function is configured to include a second control unit 140 and a second storage unit 150. The second control unit 140 has a map management unit 141, and the map management unit 141 is configured to include a download control unit 142 and a map viewing management unit 143. The download control unit 142 provides a download function that includes a mountain climbing map search function.

[0055] The hiking map includes map information (map image and latitude / longitude information, mountain range information), hiking route information drawn on the map information, landmark information mapped in association with the hiking route information, and field memo information posted by the hiker that is mapped in association with the hiking route information. Hiking maps are prepared for each of a number of mountain ranges and are stored in the storage unit 150.

[0056] In this embodiment, even if the communication status is "offline," in order to make it possible to view the mountain climbing route information, landmark information, and field memo information on the user terminal 200, all of this information is downloaded together with the map information and saved in the user terminal 200. In other words, the map management unit 141 manages the mountain climbing map, including each piece of data such as map information, mountain climbing route information, landmark information, and field memo information, so that it can be downloaded to the user terminal 200.

[0057] The map information can be configured to include altitude information in addition to latitude and longitude information, and the user terminal 200 can obtain altitude (elevation) information of the current position from the map information, with respect to the current position obtained by the GPS device 230. The user terminal 200 can transmit to the mountain climbing support device 100 a walking history including the position information, altitude information at the position, and information on the date and time when the position information was obtained.

[0058] Landmark information is information introducing mountain climbing spots such as trailheads, mountain paths, forks in the road, rest areas, etc., and can include photographs (image data). Note that in addition to information associated with mountain climbing routes, landmark information can also include, for example, information about transportation near trailheads and stores near trailheads.

[0059] Field memo information is word-of-mouth posted by climbers while climbing a mountain for the purpose of raising caution, etc. For example, climbers can post information about poor mountain trail conditions or places where it is easy to get lost while climbing a mountain through the user terminal 200. Field memo information may be configured to include information such as scenic spots in addition to cautionary information. Field memo information includes comments and photos (image data).

[0060] Figure 4 shows an example of a mountain climbing map displayed on the user terminal 200. Landmark information and field memo information associated with the mountain climbing route can be selected, and comments and photos of the selected landmark information or field memo information are displayed in the information display area.

[0061] The map viewing management unit 143 receives the climber's selection actions on landmark information and / or field memo information performed on the user terminal 200, and stores the received selection actions as a viewing action history. As described above, the control unit 220 of the user terminal 200 controls the display of the hiking map on the display / input unit 240 (including the display control of landmark information and field memo information), and also has the function of collecting and recording each selection action by the user on the landmark information and field memo information on the hiking map. The map viewing management unit 143 accepts and records the selection actions on the hiking map sent by the control unit 220.

[0062] A viewing action history is stored for each downloaded hiking map. Climbers can download hiking maps for the mountain ranges they are climbing each time and store them in the user terminal 200. Before climbing a mountain, climbers can display the downloaded hiking map on the user terminal 200, check the hiking route on the hiking map, and select and check landmark information and field memo information associated with the hiking route. The hiking map management function records the download history of hiking maps for each climber, and also collects and records the history of viewing actions for downloaded hiking maps from the user terminal 200.

[0063] <Mountain climbing memo management function> The mountain climbing memo management function is configured to include a third control unit 160 and a third storage unit 170, and a posting management unit 161 of the third control unit 160 accepts postings of field memo information from climbers via the user terminal 200. The field memo information can include comments entered by the climber, photographs taken, and location information acquired by the user terminal 200, and the posting management unit 161 accepts the field memo information as a review posting associated with the mountain climbing route.

[0064] The received field memo information is stored in the storage unit 170 and provided to the hiking map management function, where it is reflected in the hiking map. The map management unit 141 can incorporate the field memo information into the hiking map and update the hiking map. For example, it can map the field memo information to the map information so that the field memo information can be viewed on the hiking map. At this time, it can perform hiking map update processing for the user terminal 200 and send hiking map update information to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 can reflect the received update information in the downloaded hiking map. The map management unit 141 performs update processing on the user terminal 200 so that the latest field memo information is displayed. The same applies to map information, hiking route information, and landmark information; updating processing can be performed on the user terminal 200 as each piece of information is updated.

[0065] The field memo information is posted in conjunction with the location information during mountain climbing. Therefore, similar to the storage and management of location information, if the communication status during mountain climbing is "online," the field memo information is sent in real time from the user terminal 200 to the mountain climbing support device 100. If the communication status is "offline," the field memo information is temporarily stored in the user terminal 200, and can be sent all at once to the mountain climbing support device 100 after the communication status becomes "online."

[0066] <Mountain climbing activity history management function> The mountain climbing activity history management function is configured to include a fourth control unit 180 and a fourth storage unit 190. The My Page management unit 181 provides each mountain climber with a My Page area. The My Page area is an area where the mountain climber's own mountain climbing activity memorandum, in other words, the details of past mountain climbing activities, are stored.

[0067] The My Page management unit 181 provides a mountain climbing activity history registration function via the user terminal 200, and mountain climbers can create a mountain climbing activity history based on their mountain climbing achievements after finishing their mountain climbing. The user terminal 200 can manage achievements from the start of mountain climbing to the destination, or from the start of mountain climbing to the end of mountain climbing (descent), in a unified manner, by linking them to a mountain climbing map; for example, when a mountain climber operates a predetermined button on the user terminal 200 to create a mountain climbing activity history after finishing their mountain climbing, the mountain climbing achievements linked to the mountain climbing map can be registered in My Page.

[0068] The mountain climbing activity history includes information on the title of the mountain climbing activity, the name of the mountain climbed, climbing schedule information (day trip / overnight stay information), activity details entered by the climber, photos taken during or before climbing, etc. For example, the activity details and photos can be posted in diary format as a memorandum.

[0069] In addition, since the mountain climbing record is managed by the mountain climbing management function, it is possible to provide a function for posting a mountain climbing map depicting the path walked, and posting the climbing time, walking distance, elevation difference, etc. that are determined from the mountain climbing record. The My Page management unit 181 can automatically extract or calculate this information from the mountain climbing record and incorporate it into the mountain climbing activity history.

[0070] Furthermore, the mountain climbing map includes landmark information as described above. This landmark information is also the mountain climbing checkpoints, and based on the mountain climbing record, it is possible to know which checkpoints were passed and at what time and minute before reaching the destination (goal). Therefore, the My Page management unit 181 can be configured to generate mountain climbing itinerary information including multiple checkpoints from the start to the goal based on the mountain climbing record and the mountain climbing map, and to publish this as a mountain climbing activity history.

[0071] The My Page management unit 181 can record a mountain climbing activity history by accepting input of activity details from the climber, starting from the downloaded mountain climbing map. The My Page management unit 181 can accept input of text information and can also accept photographed images uploaded from the user terminal 200, and can record the photographed images by linking them to the mountain climbing activity history. The mountain climbing activity history including the photographed images is controlled so that it can be viewed by other climbers via the user terminal 200. The My Page management unit 181 can automatically generate various information related to mountain climbing activities based on the mountain climbing records and mountain climbing maps managed by the mountain climbing support device 100, and store it as a mountain climbing activity history.

[0072] The mountain climbing activity history can be configured to be made public and viewable by other climbers. The fourth control unit 180 includes a mountain climbing activity view control unit 182, and can control viewing of each mountain climbing activity history of multiple climbers. A climber can set whether their own mountain climbing activity history is public or private, and the mountain climbing activity view control unit 182 controls so that the mountain climbing activity history set to "public" can be viewed. In other words, the mountain climbing activity view control unit 182 controls so that the public mountain climbing activity history of other climbers can be viewed. The mountain climbing activity view control unit 182 can also have a function of searching for the mountain climbing activity histories of multiple climbers.

[0073] The mountain climbing activity viewing control unit 182 can record a viewing log for each mountain climber regarding the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers. For example, which mountain climbing activity history of which user has been viewed is accumulated as a viewing log for each mountain climber.

[0074] <Explanation of the eyewitness information collection function> The eyewitness information collection function of this embodiment can be mainly divided into the following two parts. (A) When the location information of the information collection target (a person who has been lost or is missing) can be ascertained, other climbers (climbers registered in the mountain climbing support system) who may have witnessed the information collection target are extracted based on the location information of the information collection target. Information request information is sent to the user terminals 200 of the extracted other climbers or to the contact information of the other climbers, and the other climbers who receive the information request information provide sighting information to search agencies such as the police or local government. (B) If the location information of the information collection target (a person who has been lost or is missing) cannot be determined, other climbers (climbers registered in the mountain climbing support system) who may have seen the information collection target are extracted based on the information collection target's usage history of the mountain climbing support system. Information request information is sent to the user terminals 200 of the extracted other climbers or to the contact information of the other climbers, and the other climbers who receive the information request information provide sighting information to search agencies such as the police or local government.

[0075] The mountaineering support device 100 of this embodiment also has the configuration (A) above, and can accept requests for information collection in relation to a mountaineer who is lost or missing (such as family or relatives), match the location information of the information collection target managed by the mountaineering management function with the location information of other mountaineers, extract other mountaineers who may have witnessed the person, and request them to provide information.

[0076] The mountain climbing support device 100 of this embodiment provides a mechanism that can collect accurate eyewitness information even in the situation where the location information of the information collection target person in (B) above cannot be ascertained.

[0077] 5 is a detailed configuration block diagram of the eyewitness information collection function of the mountain climbing support system. The eyewitness information collection function is configured to include a fifth control unit 1100 and a fifth storage unit 120. The fifth control unit 1100 includes an eyewitness information collection management unit 1101, an information collection request reception unit 1111, a target person extraction control unit 1112, a request information generation unit 1113, and a notification control unit 1114.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the eyewitness information collection function.

[0079] The family of the climber will submit a search report for the lost or missing person to the police or other search agency. In response, the family of the climber will contact the mountaineering support system or the mountaineering support system's operating organization as the information collection requester to request information collection.

[0080] The eyewitness information collection management unit 1101 includes an information collection request receiving unit 1111, and receives an information collection request from a terminal (information collection request terminal) 300 operated by an information collection requester (S301). The information collection request receiving unit 1111 transmits an information collection request form to the information collection request terminal 300 (S121). The information collection requester inputs various information into the information collection request form and transmits it to the mountain climbing support device 100 (S302). The information collection request receiving unit 1111 receives the information input into the information collection request form and stores it as distress / missing person information (S122).

[0081] The information request form may include fields for inputting information about the person who is lost or missing (such as name (kanji or kana), email address, mobile phone number, the likely date the person was lost or missing, the name of the prefecture and mountain where the person was lost or missing, etc.), as well as fields for inputting information about the person requesting information (name, relationship to the person who is lost or missing, email address, mobile phone number, the police station or rescue agency and person in charge who requested the search, and contact information (telephone number, email address)).

[0082] The system may also be configured to collect information on physical characteristics and equipment of the lost or missing person, such as their gender, approximate height, approximate weight, clothing worn while climbing, items brought with them while climbing, and appearance. The information collection request receiving unit 1111 can provide an information request form by incorporating additional input fields for information on physical characteristics and equipment, or can provide an input form for information on physical characteristics and equipment to the information collection request terminal 300 separately from the information request form. The information acquired through these input forms is stored in the fifth storage unit 1200 as lost or missing person information.

[0083] The information collection request receiving unit 1111 checks whether the target of the information collection request (information collection target) acquired through the information request form is a user registered in the mountain climbing support system (S123). For example, by using the name, age, mobile phone number, etc., the information entered in the information request form is compared with the user information registered in the mountain climbing support device 100 to identify the user who is lost or missing.

[0084] Next, the eyewitness information collection management unit 1101 acquires the mountain climbing record of the information collection target (S124). If the mountain climbing record (location information) on the day when the person is thought to have become lost or gone missing is recorded, the target extraction control unit 1112 extracts other climbers who have climbed the same mountain on the same day (YES in S125, S126).

[0085] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S125 that no climbing record (location information) is recorded for the day the person is believed to have been lost or gone missing, the target person extraction control unit 1112 acquires the browsing action history of the information collection target. The target person extraction control unit 1112 extracts from the browsing action history a route that the information collection target may have walked or planned to walk on the day the person is believed to have been lost or gone missing, and generates estimated location information. This estimated location information is location information of an estimated walking trajectory, and the target person extraction control unit 1112 extracts other climbers with climbing records that match the estimated location information (S127).

[0086] The viewing action history records which landmark information and / or field memo information the climber selected and displayed for each hiking map, and can include, for example, a selection history in the following order: "Trail Entrance A (Landmark 1)" ⇒ "XX Pass (Landmark 2)" ⇒ "Watch out for fallen trees (Field Memo Information 1)" ⇒ "XX Rest Area (Landmark 4)" ⇒ "Watch your step in rainy weather (Field Memo Information 2)" ⇒ "Summit (Landmark 5)." In other words, the viewing action history of a hiking map is collected so as to include the selected landmark information and / or field memo information (selection history) and the selection order of multiple landmark information and / or field memo information.

[0087] Furthermore, the browsing action history for the same hiking map is collected and stored as an individual log each time the hiking map is displayed on the user terminal 200. As for the browsing action history, multiple browsing action histories for one hiking map are collected and recorded in chronological order.

[0088] The subject extraction control unit 1112 extracts the route (location) that the information collection subject may have walked or planned to walk on the day that they were thought to have become lost or gone missing, from the browsing action history: "Mountain trail entrance A (Landmark 1)" ⇒ "XX Pass (Landmark 2)" ⇒ "Watch out for fallen trees (Field Memo Information 1)" ⇒ "XX rest area (Landmark 4)" ⇒ "Watch your step in rainy weather (Field Memo Information 2)" ⇒ "Summit (Landmark 5)," and generates this route information from the browsing action history as estimated location information.

[0089] The target person extraction control unit 1112 then extracts other climbers with climbing experience who walked the climbing course indicated by the estimated location information on the day the climber is likely to have been lost or gone missing. Specifically, the climbing experience of the other climbers is compared based on the estimated location information and the day the climber is likely to have been lost or gone missing. The target person extraction control unit 1112 extracts other climbers who climbed the walking route estimated from the estimated location information as other climbers who may have been witnesses.

[0090] The request information generation unit 1113 generates information request information (S128). The information request information is information to be notified to other climbers extracted by the target person extraction control unit 1112, and can be configured to include "characteristics of the missing person," "climbing course," "method of providing information," etc. The generated information request information is stored in the fifth storage unit 1200 as information provision related information.

[0091] "Characteristics of missing persons" can be generated based on recorded information on missing persons and include gender, age, height, weight, clothing, belongings, and appearance (black hair, short hair, wearing glasses, etc.) entered by the person requesting the information collection.

[0092] The "mountain climbing course" can be generated based on the information provided by the information recipient's mountain climbing plan or information entered by the information requester, and can include the climbing date, starting time, prefecture name, mountain name, climbing route, planned time of descent, etc. For example, information such as "Plan to depart from XX Pass early in the morning on XX month (Saturday), traverse Mt. △, □□, and Mt. ▽▽, and then descend in the evening" can be generated.

[0093] The "method of information provision" can be generated based on the information entered by the information requester. For example, the information can be generated as "Information contact: XX Prefectural Police Headquarters Community Safety Department Regional Affairs Division Tel. XXX-XXX-XXX Person in charge XX."

[0094] The notification control unit 1114 notifies (transmits) the information request information to the other climbers extracted by the target person extraction control unit 1112 (S129). The notification control unit 1114 can send the information request information directly to the user terminal 200 (mountain climbing support application) in push format, or can send it to a contact registered as user information, such as an email address. Note that the configuration may be such that both push format notification and transmission to a predetermined contact are performed.

[0095] Other climbers who receive the information request will provide sightings to search agencies such as the police and local governments.

[0096] The eyewitness information collection function of this embodiment generates estimated location information based on the browsing action history of the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection target before climbing, and extracts other climbers with climbing experience that corresponds to the estimated location information.

[0097] In other words, when a person to be information-gathered uses the mountain-climbing support system to download a mountain-climbing map and can check the mountain-climbing route on the user terminal, and the browsing action on this mountain-climbing map is recorded. The browsing action history on this mountain-climbing map makes it possible to trace the route that the person to be information-gathered may have walked or planned to walk, and accurately extract other climbers that the person may have seen.

[0098] Therefore, even in a situation where location information cannot be obtained, accurate sighting information can be collected.

[0099] As mentioned above, even if a mountain climbing plan has been submitted, there is a possibility that the person may have taken a different mountain climbing route, and it may be difficult to collect sighting information based on the mountain climbing plan alone. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the browsing action history performed on the mountain climbing map is compared with the submitted mountain climbing plan to verify the path that the person to be information-gathered may have taken on that day.

[0100] For example, suppose a user views a mountain climbing map and the action history shows the user selecting "Trailhead A (Landmark 1)" ⇒ "XX Pass (Landmark 2)" ⇒ "XX Rest Area (Landmark 4)" ⇒ "Summit (Landmark 5)" in that order. Meanwhile, the mountain climbing plan shows "Trailhead A" ⇒ "XX Pass" ⇒ "Summit." In this case, it is possible to extract the possibility that the user took a route from "XX Pass" to the "Summit" via "XX Rest Area" in addition to a route directly from "XX Pass" to the "Summit."

[0101] The target extraction control unit 1112 can extract the route that the information collection target may have walked or planned to walk on the day that they were likely lost or missing, based on the history of their browsing actions on mountain climbing maps and their registered mountain climbing plans, and generate estimated location information.

[0102] Also, while it may be possible to determine from a person's climbing history which trailhead they started climbing from, it may not be possible to obtain subsequent location information. In this case, it can be difficult to narrow down other climbers who provide eyewitness information because it is not possible to determine which of the multiple climbing routes from the trailhead to the destination they took, or which branching climbing routes they took along the way. Therefore, by applying the browsing action history of the climbing map of the person whose information is being collected, it is possible to accurately extract other climbers.

[0103] Here, another example of the eyewitness information collection function will be described. In the above description, the target extraction control unit 1112 uses the browsing action history of the hiking map of the information collection target to perform extraction processing to extract other mountain climbers who have a history of hiking and who walked the hiking course of the estimated location information on the day the information collection target is thought to have become lost or gone missing. However, it is also possible to extract other mountain climbers by using the browsing log of the hiking activity history.

[0104] As mentioned above, climbers can view the climbing activity history of other climbers, and this viewing history is collected and stored as a log for each climber. For example, it can be understood that a climber has viewed the climbing activity history of walking from trailhead A to the summit of Mt. X on a one-day climbing itinerary.

[0105] Therefore, the target extraction control unit 1112 can generate estimated position information (second estimated position information) based on the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing the mountain, and perform extraction processing (second extraction processing) to extract other climbers who have climbing records corresponding to the estimated position information (second estimated position information). In the above example, for example, estimated position information can be generated based on the mountain climbing route "walk Mt. XX from trailhead A to the summit" in the mountain climbing activity history.

[0106] Furthermore, as described above, the My Page management unit 181 generates mountain climbing itinerary information based on the mountain climbing record and the mountain climbing map, with landmark information included in the mountain climbing record from the start of mountain climbing to the destination as checkpoints, and stores the mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing itinerary information for each climber. Therefore, the target person extraction control unit 1112 can generate estimated position information (second estimated position information) based on the mountain climbing itinerary information of the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and perform extraction processing (second extraction processing). In the example of FIG. 6, the processing of step S127 can be set to "extract target users based on the viewed mountain climbing activity history."

[0107] Next, we will explain another example of the eyewitness information collection function. Before climbing a mountain, a climber can take a selfie image (self-portrait photo) and upload it to the mountain climbing support device 100 via the user terminal 200. This self-portrait photo can also be used to extract other climbers.

[0108] The first control unit 120 of the mountain climbing management function receives and records a selfie image taken by the climber with the user terminal 200 before climbing a mountain. At this time, the user terminal 200 can be configured to prompt the climber to take a selfie image before climbing a mountain; for example, when the climber displays a mountain climbing map and performs the "start activity" operation, the control unit 220 can be configured to display a message saying "Take a selfie image and upload it," take a selfie image, and send it to the mountain climbing support device 100.

[0109] As described above, the My Page management unit 181 of the mountain climbing activity history management function can accept photographed images uploaded from the user terminal 200 and record them in association with the mountain climbing activity history. Therefore, the target person extraction control unit 1112 can perform an extraction process (fourth extraction process) that extracts mountain climbing activity histories having photographed images that match the selfie image of the information collection target taken before climbing a mountain, generates estimated position information (fourth estimated position information) based on the extracted mountain climbing activity histories, and extracts other mountain climbers who have mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated position information (fourth estimated position information). In the example of FIG. 6, the process of step S127 can be set to "extract mountain climbing activity histories having photographed images that match the selfie image of the information collection target, and extract target users based on the extracted mountain climbing activity histories."

[0110] Specifically, the target extraction control unit 1112 extracts characteristic objects, such as human objects (face, physical features, clothing, and equipment) of the information collection target that appear in the selfie image. Then, for the mountain climbing activity history of each climber who climbed the mountain on the day the person is believed to have been lost or gone missing, the system matches the extracted characteristic objects with the captured images included in the mountain climbing activity history. If the information collection target appears in a captured image included in the mountain climbing activity history, the person can be extracted as the mountain climbing activity history of another climber who matches the selfie image. Note that the system may be configured to extract climbers whose mountain climbing activity history matches the selfie image as other climbers who may have witnessed the information collection target.

[0111] The selfie image allows the climber's face as well as their clothing and equipment for climbing to be identified, allowing the information requester to visually identify the lost or missing person in an easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, the request information generation unit 1113 can be configured to control the information request information to be generated so that it includes a selfie image of the information collection target, and to provide the selfie image to the information target.

[0112] In this way, the eyewitness information collection function of this embodiment can be provided with the following three mechanisms. (a) Extract climbers who may have been seen using the browsing action history for the mountain climbing map downloaded to the user terminal 200. (b) Using the browsing log of the climbing activity history, climbers who may have been sighted were extracted. (c) Extraction of climbers who may have been spotted using climbing activity history including images matching the selfie.

[0113] In this case, the system can be configured to have a sighting information collection function that combines (a) and (b) above, and a system can be provided that can collect accurate sighting information even in situations where the location information of the person being the subject of information collection (B) above cannot be obtained.

[0114] Specifically, the sighting information collection management unit 1101 (subject extraction control unit 1112) can generate estimated location information (third estimated location information) based on the viewing action history for the mountain climbing map and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection subject before climbing, and perform an extraction process (third extraction process) to extract other climbers with mountain climbing experience corresponding to the generated estimated location information.

[0115] The subject extraction control unit 1112 can match the mountain area information (Mount X) included in the hiking map downloaded by the information collection subject with the name of the mountain climbed included in the hiking activity history linked to the viewing log, and extract the hiking activity history corresponding to the hiking map.Then, the history of viewing actions performed on the hiking map can be compared with the hiking activity history (history of hiking itinerary information) that was viewed, and the path that the information collection subject is likely to have walked on that day can be verified.If the two match, this serves as an indicator of the accuracy of the estimated location information.If there are any discrepancies, the estimated location information can be generated taking into account the location information of the discrepancies.

[0116] For example, suppose a user views a mountain climbing map and finds an action history of selecting "Trail Entrance A (Landmark 1)" ⇒ "XX Pass" ⇒ "Summit (Landmark 5)" in this order. Meanwhile, suppose another climber's mountain climbing activity history includes a mountain climbing activity (mountain climbing route information) of "Trail Entrance A" ⇒ "XX Pass" ⇒ "XX Rest Area" ⇒ "Summit." The target user extraction control unit 1112 can control the estimated location information to include a route from "XX Pass" to the "Summit" via "XX Rest Area," which corresponds to the difference between the two. In other words, estimated location information can be generated that includes a route from "Trail Entrance A" to "XX Pass" directly to the "Summit," and a route from "Trail Entrance A" to "XX Pass" and then to the "Summit" via "XX Rest Area." Step S127 in the example of FIG. 6 can be applied as "extracting target users based on the mountain climbing map viewing action history and the mountain climbing activity history viewing log."

[0117] It is also possible to imagine a case where the browsing action history for the mountain climbing map has not been acquired. In this case, applying an extraction process using the browsing log of the mountain climbing activity history can provide a mechanism for collecting accurate sighting information. Specifically, as described above, the mountain climbing map management function maintains a download history of the mountain climbing map for each climber. Therefore, the target extraction control unit 1112 can generate estimated location information (third estimated location information) based on the mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and perform an extraction process (third extraction process) to extract other climbers with mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information (third estimated location information). As described above, the target extraction control unit 1112 can match the mountain area information (Mount X) included in the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection target with the name of the mountain climbed included in the mountain climbing activity history linked to the browsing log, thereby identifying the mountain climbing activity history corresponding to the mountain climbing map.

[0118] If the downloaded mountain climbing map contains multiple trailheads and multiple climbing routes, it is difficult to know which trailhead the climber started from or which climbing route they took. Therefore, by understanding the climbing activity history (climbing itinerary information) of other climbers that the information collection target has viewed, it is possible to estimate the path the information collection target may have taken (generate estimated location information).

[0119] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the sighting information collection function when there is no history of mountain climbing map browsing actions, and steps S1271 and S1272 have been added to the example in Figure 6. The other steps are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0120] In Figure 7, if there is no climbing history (location information) of the information collection target on the day the target is believed to have become lost or gone missing (NO in S125), the target extraction control unit 1112 determines whether there is a browsing action history of the information collection target (S1271), and if it determines that there is no browsing action history, it estimates the path that the information collection target is likely to have walked (generates estimated location information) based on the mountain climbing map download history and the information collection target's browsing log of other climbers' climbing activity history, as described above, and extracts other climbers who have climbing history that corresponds to the estimated path (location information) (S1272).

[0121] On the other hand, this sighting information collection function that uses the download history of the mountain climbing map and the viewing log of the mountain climbing activity history can have the aspect of a mountain climbing support system that does not require the acquisition of the viewing action history for the mountain climbing map, in addition to the case where the viewing action history for the mountain climbing map cannot be obtained as described above, and can realize a mountain climbing support system that includes the following configuration. (X) Mountaineering support system a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each mountain climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; the mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers to be viewable from the user terminal, and records a viewing log of the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit Estimated location information is generated based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject before climbing the mountain and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection subject before climbing the mountain, and an extraction process is performed to extract other climbers who have the mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

[0122] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the eyewitness information collection function using the mountain climbing map download history. FIG. 8 differs from FIG. 6 in step S127a. Note that the other steps are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. In FIG. 8, if there is no mountain climbing history (location information) of the information collection target on the day the information collection target is likely to have been lost or gone missing (NO in S125), the target extraction control unit 1112 estimates the path the information collection target may have walked (generates estimated location information) based on the information collection target's mountain climbing map download history and the information collection target's viewing logs of other climbers' mountain climbing activity histories, and extracts other climbers with mountain climbing history corresponding to the estimated path (S127a). The mountain climbing support system having the above configuration (X) can also provide a mechanism for collecting accurate eyewitness information even in situations where the location information of the information collection target cannot be determined.

[0123] Next, we will build a sighting information collection function by combining (a) and (c) above, and provide a system that can collect accurate sighting information even in situations where the location information of the person being targeted for information collection in (B) above cannot be determined. In other words, the use of mountain climbing activity history is the same as the combination of (a) and (b) above, but selfies are used to extract the mountain climbing activity history to be used.

[0124] As described above, the mountain climbing management function (mountain climbing record management unit 112) can receive and record selfie images taken by the mountain climber with the user terminal 200 before climbing a mountain. The mountain climbing activity history management function (my page management unit 181) can accept captured images uploaded from the user terminal 200 and record the captured images in association with the generated mountain climbing activity history. The eyewitness information collection management function (subject extraction control unit 1112) can generate estimated location information (fifth estimated location information) based on the browsing action history and the mountain climbing activity history having captured images that match the selfie images taken by the information collection target before climbing a mountain, and perform extraction processing (fifth extraction processing) to extract other mountain climbers with mountain climbing records corresponding to the estimated location information (fifth estimated location information).

[0125] The subject extraction control unit 1112 extracts mountain climbing activity history containing captured images that match the selfie image of the information collection subject, and matches the name of the mountain climbed included in the extracted mountain climbing activity history with the mountain area information (Mount X) included in the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject. This allows the mountain climbing activity history corresponding to the mountain climbing map to be extracted based on the selfie image. The system can then compare the browsing action history performed on the mountain climbing map with the mountain climbing activity history (mountain climbing itinerary information) related to the selfie image to verify the path the information collection subject is likely to have walked on that day. If the two match, this serves as an indicator of the accuracy of the estimated location information. If there are any discrepancies, the system can be configured to generate estimated location information taking into account the location information of the discrepancies. Note that the process of extracting other mountain climbers who may have been seen using the mountain climbing activity history that matches the selfie image is similar to the combination of (a) and (b) above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0126] It is also possible to imagine a case where the browsing action history for the hiking map has not been acquired. In this case, applying an extraction process using the hiking activity history that matches the selfie image can provide a mechanism for collecting accurate sighting information. Specifically, as described above, the hiking map management function maintains a hiking map download history for each hiker. Therefore, the subject extraction control unit 1112 can generate estimated location information (fifth estimated location information) based on the hiking map download history and the hiking activity history that matches the selfie image taken by the information collection target before hiking, and perform an extraction process (fifth extraction process) to extract other hikers with hiking experience that corresponds to the estimated location information (fifth estimated location information). As described above, the subject extraction control unit 1112 can compare the mountain area information (Mount X) included in the hiking map downloaded by the information collection target with the name of the mountain climbed included in the hiking activity history that matches the selfie image, thereby identifying the hiking activity history that corresponds to the hiking map.

[0127] Specifically, this is the same as the processing exemplified in Fig. 7, and step S1272 in Fig. 7 is a process of estimating the path the information collection target is likely to have walked (generating estimated location information) based on the mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history of other climbers related to the information collection target's selfie image, and extracting other climbers who have mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated path (location information). In this way, by understanding the mountain climbing activity history (mountain climbing itinerary information) of other climbers who match the information collection target's selfie image, it is possible to estimate the path the information collection target is likely to have walked (generating estimated location information).

[0128] On the other hand, this sighting information collection function that uses the download history of this mountain climbing map and the mountain climbing activity history of other climbers who match the selfie image can have the aspect of a mountain climbing support system that does not require the acquisition of a viewing action history for the mountain climbing map, in addition to the case where the viewing action history for the mountain climbing map cannot be acquired as described above, and can realize a mountain climbing support system that includes the following configuration. (Y) Mountaineering support system a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each mountain climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; The mountain climbing management unit receives and records a selfie image taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing, the mountain climbing activity history management unit accepts the photographed images uploaded from the user terminal and records them in association with the mountain climbing activity history generated, controls the mountain climbing activity history including the photographed images made public by other mountain climbers so that the mountain climbing activity history can be viewed from the user terminal, and records a viewing log for the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit Estimated location information is generated based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject before climbing the mountain and the mountain climbing activity history that includes the photographed image that matches the selfie image of the information collection subject taken before climbing the mountain, and an extraction process is performed to extract other climbers who have the mountain climbing experience that corresponds to the estimated location information.

[0129] Specifically, this is the same as the process exemplified in Fig. 8, and step S127a in Fig. 8 is a process of estimating the path that the information collection target is likely to have walked (generating estimated location information) based on the download history of mountain climbing maps and the mountain climbing activity history of other climbers related to the information collection target's selfie images, and extracting other climbers who have mountain climbing experiences that correspond to the estimated path (location information). The mountain climbing support system having the configuration (Y) above can also provide a mechanism that can collect accurate eyewitness information even in situations where the location information of the information collection target cannot be determined.

[0130] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the functional units and storage units that constitute the mountain climbing support apparatus 100 can be realized by one or more computer devices.

[0131] In addition, each function of the mountain climbing support device 100 and the user terminal 200 can be realized by a program, and computer programs prepared in advance to realize each function are stored in an auxiliary memory device, and a control unit such as a CPU reads the program stored in the auxiliary memory device into a main memory device, and the control unit executes the program read into the main memory device, thereby operating the functions of each unit.

[0132] The program can also be provided to a computer in a state in which it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include optical discs such as CD-ROMs, phase-change optical discs such as DVD-ROMs, magneto-optical discs such as MOs (Magnet Optical) and MDs (Mini Disks), magnetic discs such as floppy disks and removable hard disks, and memory cards such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), SmartMedia, SD memory cards, and memory sticks. Also included as recording media are hardware devices such as integrated circuits (e.g., IC chips) specially designed and configured for the purposes of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 100 Climbing support equipment 110 Communication equipment 120 First Control Section 121 Mountaineering Planning and Management Department 122 Mountaineering Performance Management Department 130 1st memory section 140 Second Control Section 141 Download control section 142 Map Viewing Management Department 150 2nd memory section 160 Third Control Section 161 Submission Management Department 170 Third memory section 180 4th Control Section 181 My Page Management Department 182 Mountaineering activity viewing control section 190 4th memory section 1100 5th Control Section 1101 Sighting Information Collection and Management Department 1111 Information Collection Request Reception Department 1112 Target extraction control unit 1113 Request Information Generation Unit 1114 Notification control section 1200 5th memory section 200 user terminals 210 Communications Department 220 Control Unit (Mountain climbing support app) 230 GPS device 240 Display and input section 250 memory 260 Camera

Claims

1. a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls the mountain climbing map so that it can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation, and receives and records from the user terminal a history of viewing actions performed on the mountain climbing map displayed on the user terminal after downloading; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit A mountain climbing support system characterized by generating estimated location information based on the browsing action history performed on the mountain climbing map by the information collection target before climbing, and performing an extraction process to extract other climbers who have the mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

2. The mountain climbing map includes map information, mountain climbing route information drawn on the map information, landmark information mapped in association with the mountain climbing route information, and field memo information mapped in association with the mountain climbing route information and consisting of reviews posted by mountain climbers, The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that the mountain climbing map management unit receives the mountain climber's selection actions for the landmark information and / or the field memo information from the user terminal and stores the selection actions as the viewing action history.

3. The mountain climbing support system described in claim 2, characterized in that the mountain climbing map management unit controls the mountain climbing map including the map information, the mountain climbing route information, the landmark information, and the field memo information so that it can be downloaded to the user terminal.

4. 4. The mountain climbing support system according to claim 2, wherein the browsing action history includes a selection history for the landmark information and / or the field memo information and a selection order of the landmark information and / or the field memo information.

5. The mountain climbing activity management unit further includes a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber, the mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers to be viewable from the user terminal, and records a viewing log of the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that a second extraction process is performed to generate second estimated location information based on the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and to extract other mountain climbers who have the mountain climbing history corresponding to the second estimated location information.

6. the mountain climbing map includes map information, mountain climbing route information drawn on the map information, and landmark information mapped in association with the mountain climbing route information; the mountain climbing activity history management unit generates mountain climbing itinerary information based on the mountain climbing record and the mountain climbing map, with the landmark information included in the mountain climbing record as checkpoints from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point, and stores the mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing itinerary information for each mountain climber; The eyewitness information collection management unit The mountain climbing support system described in claim 5, characterized in that the second estimated location information is generated and the second extraction process is performed based on the mountain climbing itinerary information of the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection subject before climbing.

7. A mountain climbing activity history management unit is further provided which generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber, the mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers to be viewable from the user terminal, and records a viewing log of the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that the eyewitness information collection management unit generates third estimated location information based on the viewing action history or the mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection target before climbing, and performs a third extraction process to extract other mountain climbers who have the mountain climbing experience corresponding to the third estimated location information.

8. The mountain climbing management unit receives and records a selfie image taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing, The mountain climbing activity management unit further includes a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber, The mountain climbing activity history management unit Accepting photographed images uploaded from the user terminal and recording them in association with the generated mountain climbing activity history, and controlling the mountain climbing activity history including the published photographed images so that other mountain climbers can view them via the user terminal; The eyewitness information collection management unit The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that a fourth extraction process is performed to extract the mountain climbing activity history having the photographed image that matches the selfie image of the information collection subject taken before climbing, generate fourth estimated location information based on the extracted mountain climbing activity history, and extract other mountain climbers who have the mountain climbing history that corresponds to the fourth estimated location information.

9. A mountain climbing activity history management unit is further provided which generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber, The mountain climbing management unit receives and records a selfie image taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing, the mountain climbing activity history management unit accepts the photographed images uploaded from the user terminal and records them in association with the mountain climbing activity history generated, controls the mountain climbing activity history including the photographed images made public by other mountain climbers so that the mountain climbing activity history can be viewed from the user terminal, and records a viewing log for the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers for each mountain climber; The eyewitness information collection management unit The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that a fifth extraction process is performed to generate fifth estimated location information based on the browsing action history or the mountain climbing map download history and the mountain climbing activity history having the photographed image that matches the selfie image of the information collection target taken before climbing, and to extract other mountain climbers who have the mountain climbing experience that corresponds to the fifth estimated location information.

10. The user terminal a communication device, a GPS device, and a control unit that transmits position information acquired by the GPS device to the mountain climbing support system; The mountain climbing support system described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit temporarily stops transmitting and accumulates the location information when the communication status of the communication device is offline, and transmits the accumulated location information to the mountain climbing support system after the communication status becomes online.

11. A program executed by a computer, the program comprising: A first function for managing the climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through a user terminal carried by each climber; a second function that controls the mountain climbing map so that it can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the operation of the climber, and receives and records from the user terminal a history of viewing actions performed on the mountain climbing map displayed on the user terminal after downloading; and a third function of receiving an information gathering request from a person related to the climber, extracting other climbers who may have seen the person whose climbing history is being climbed, and sending an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to the contact information of the other climbers. The third function is A program characterized by generating estimated location information based on the browsing action history performed on the mountain climbing map by the information collection subject before climbing, and performing an extraction process to extract other climbers who have the climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

12. A mountain climbing support system including a user terminal carried by a mountain climber and a mountain climbing support device that provides mountain climbing support services to the mountain climber through the user terminal, The user terminal A GPS device; a control unit that transmits the location information acquired by the GPS device to the mountain climbing support device, The mountain climbing support device is a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each mountain climber based on the location information transmitted from the user terminal; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; the control unit of the user terminal displays the downloaded mountain climbing map on a display unit, records a history of viewing actions performed on the displayed mountain climbing map, and transmits the history of viewing actions to the mountain climbing support device; The mountain climbing map management unit of the mountain climbing support device receives and records the browsing action history for the mountain climbing map after download from the user terminal, The eyewitness information collection management unit A mountain climbing support system characterized by generating estimated location information based on the browsing action history performed on the mountain climbing map by the information collection target before climbing, and performing an extraction process to extract other climbers who have the mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

13. a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each mountain climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; the mountain climbing activity history management unit controls the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers to be viewable from the user terminal, and records a viewing log of the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit A mountain climbing support system as described above, characterized in that estimated location information is generated based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject before climbing and the mountain climbing activity history viewed by the information collection subject before climbing, and an extraction process is performed to extract other mountain climbers who have the mountain climbing experience corresponding to the estimated location information.

14. a mountain climbing management unit that manages the mountain climbing records of each climber based on location information collected through the user terminal carried by each climber; a mountain climbing map management unit that controls mountain climbing maps so that they can be downloaded to the user terminal based on the mountain climber's operation and records the mountain climbing map download history for each mountain climber; a mountain climbing activity history management unit that generates a mountain climbing activity history including the mountain climbing performance from the start of mountain climbing to the destination point and stores the history for each mountain climber; an eyewitness information collection management unit that receives information collection requests from related parties of the climber, extracts other climbers who may have seen the information collection target based on the climber's climbing record, and sends an information request notification to the user terminals of the other climbers or to contact addresses of the other climbers; The mountain climbing management unit receives and records a selfie image taken by the climber with the user terminal before climbing a mountain; the mountain climbing activity history management unit accepts the photographed images uploaded from the user terminal and records them in association with the mountain climbing activity history generated, controls the mountain climbing activity history including the photographed images made public by other mountain climbers so that the mountain climbing activity history can be viewed from the user terminal, and records a viewing log for the mountain climbing activity history made public by other mountain climbers; The eyewitness information collection management unit A mountain climbing support system characterized by generating estimated location information based on the mountain climbing map downloaded by the information collection subject before climbing a mountain and the mountain climbing activity history having the photographed image that matches the selfie image of the information collection subject taken before climbing a mountain, and performing an extraction process to extract other mountain climbers with the mountain climbing experience that corresponds to the estimated location information.

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