Information processing device, terminal device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

It would be useful if data on the map could be easily shared within the group. [Solution] The information processing device 100 includes a storage unit 110 that stores group feature information, which is feature information about features that is associated with group identifiers corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions; a feature information acquisition unit 151 that uses the user identifier of the destination user to acquire group feature information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier from the storage unit 110; and a feature information output unit 161 that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the destination user. The information processing device 100 enables sharing of map data within a group that includes multiple users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a terminal device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of providing data on a map.

Background Art

[0002] Computers such as personal computers, smartphones, and other portable information terminals, and car navigation systems used in vehicles and the like have become widespread, and their users can easily use map information.

[0003] Regarding the provision of such map information, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, it is disclosed that position information and a search word are transmitted from a terminal, position and attribute information of a store or facility are received, and the received information is displayed on a map.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In a group such as a specific organization, a plurality of users within the group may perform activities related to a specific business or purpose together. In such a case, it would be convenient if the plurality of users could share information about locations and features related to the activities within the group.

[0006] An object of this invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a terminal device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of sharing data on a map within a group including a plurality of users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing device of the first invention comprises: a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information relating to a feature and is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers, and is feature information that has been recorded in advance based on the user's state or actions; a feature information acquisition unit that uses the user identifier of the destination user to acquire group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier from the storage unit; and a feature information output unit that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the destination user.

[0008] This configuration allows for the sharing of map data within a group that includes multiple users.

[0009] Furthermore, the information processing device of the second invention, compared to the first invention, is an information processing device comprising: a rule information acquisition unit that acquires input rule information input by a user that identifies at least one predetermined attribute for which attribute values ​​can be recorded with respect to a feature, and associates this input rule information with a group identifier corresponding to the user's user identifier; a rule information output unit that outputs rule application information used to accept input of attribute values ​​of the predetermined attribute in association with a feature from the user based on the input rule information, to the user corresponding to the user identifier corresponding to the group identifier; and a specific input information storage unit that acquires attribute values ​​input by the user based on the rule application information and stores them in the storage unit as group feature information, associated with the group identifier corresponding to the user's user identifier.

[0010] This configuration allows the attribute values ​​of predetermined attributes, corresponding to input rule information entered by the user, to be used within the group.

[0011] Furthermore, the information processing device of this third invention, compared to the second invention, is configured such that the specific input information storage unit acquires specific related information obtained in relation to the input of a specific attribute value, along with the attribute value of a specific attribute input by the user for the feature, and stores it in the storage unit as group feature information, and the feature information output unit acquires output information related to the feature using the attribute value of the specific attribute and the specific related information, and outputs it in association with the user to whom it is output.

[0012] This configuration allows output information using specific related information to be used within the group.

[0013] Furthermore, the information processing device of this fourth invention is an information processing device in which, with respect to any one of the first to third inventions, the feature information output unit determines whether the group feature information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit satisfies predetermined feature conditions, and outputs output information corresponding to the group feature information in an output manner according to the determination result.

[0014] With this configuration, output information can be output in an output mode that depends on whether or not the feature conditions are met.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing device of the fifth invention is configured such that, with respect to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the storage unit stores time information that can identify the time when group feature information was recorded, the feature information acquisition unit acquires two or more pairs of group feature information corresponding to a group identifier and time information corresponding to said group feature information from the storage unit, and the feature information output unit outputs output information based on the information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit, and the output information includes information for displaying two or more group feature information or information based on group feature information in chronological order from newest to oldest.

[0016] This configuration allows for the output of output information that shows the data on the map in a time series.

[0017] Furthermore, the information processing device of the sixth invention is an information processing device that, in relation to any one of the first to fifth inventions, includes: a list output unit that outputs a member list including one or more user identifiers of other users associated with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the target user, which is the user to whom the output information is output, so that the target user can confirm it; a mention operation reception unit that receives a predetermined operation performed by the target user in association with one or more user identifiers included in the member list output by the list output unit, and which corresponds to an element on a map that the target user can confirm based on the output information; and a mention output unit that outputs information corresponding to the predetermined operation in association with the user corresponding to the user identifier associated with the predetermined operation, based on the reception result by the mention operation reception unit.

[0018] This configuration allows information corresponding to predetermined operations performed on map elements to be output to specific other users within the group.

[0019] Furthermore, the information processing device of the seventh invention is configured such that, compared to the sixth invention, the storage unit stores status information relating to the status of each user in association with the user's user identifier, and the list output unit performs a list configuration process to construct a member list according to the status information corresponding to each user identifier included in the member list, and outputs the member list constructed by the list configuration process.

[0020] This configuration allows users to view the member list in a manner that suits their status.

[0021] Further, the information processing apparatus of the eighth invention acquires position information indicating the position of the user for any one of the first to seventh inventions, and stores it in a storage unit in association with the user identifier of the user. A position information storage unit, and the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the destination user is retrieved from the storage unit. A member information acquisition unit that acquires member information, which is information about other users in the group to which the destination user belongs, using the position information. The feature information output unit is an information processing apparatus that outputs the member information together with the output information in association with the destination user.

[0022] With such a configuration, it is possible to output information about other users in the group to which the destination user belongs.

[0023] Further, the information processing apparatus of the ninth invention, with respect to the eighth invention, the position information storage unit uses the acquired position information to determine whether or not the user's position or a predetermined stay condition related to the user's movement is satisfied. When it is determined that the predetermined stay condition is satisfied, stay information in a predetermined mode is stored in the storage unit in association with the user identifier of the user. The member information acquisition unit retrieves the position information and stay information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the destination user from the storage unit, and uses the position information and stay information to acquire member information. The member information is configured such that information about the user corresponding to the stay information is output to the destination user in an output mode according to the stay information. It is an information processing apparatus.

[0024] With such a configuration, it is possible to output information about other users in an output mode according to the stay information.

[0025] Further, in the information processing apparatus of the tenth invention, for any one of the first to ninth inventions, the group feature information is associated with a subgroup identifier capable of identifying a subgroup provided within the group, and the feature information acquisition unit acquires, from the storage unit, group feature information that is associated with a subgroup identifier for specifying an output target and that corresponds to a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the output destination user.

[0026] With such a configuration, it is possible to view on the map the data on the map shared within the subgroup provided within the group.

[0027] Further, the terminal device of the eleventh invention includes a display device, a map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information indicating a map, an output information acquisition unit that acquires output information output from the information processing apparatus according to any one of the above inventions, and a terminal output unit that causes the display device to display information so that information based on the output information is displayed on the map using the map drawing information and the output information.

[0028] With such a configuration, it is possible to view on the map the data on the map shared within the group.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing system of the twelfth invention comprises an information processing device and a terminal device that can communicate with the information processing device and corresponds to one user identifier, and includes a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information relating to features and is recorded in advance based on the user's state or actions, and is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers; a feature information acquisition unit that acquires group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier corresponding to a terminal device from the storage unit; an output information acquisition unit that acquires the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information; a map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information showing a map; and a terminal output unit that uses the map drawing information and the output information to output a map and information based on the output information to an output device provided on the terminal device.

[0030] This configuration allows users to view map data shared within a group that includes multiple users using a terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, data on a map can be shared within a group that includes multiple users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Block diagram of the information processing system. [Figure 3] Block diagram of the information processing device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit of the information processing device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of group information stored in the group information storage unit of the information processing device. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the information stored in the feature information storage unit of the information processing device. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating an example of the resident information storage process performed by the information processing device. [Figure 9] A flowchart showing an example of the output information output processing performed by the information processing device. [Figure 10] A flowchart showing an example of the list output process performed by the information processing device. [Figure 11] The first flowchart shows an example of the operation of the terminal device. [Figure 12] A second flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the terminal device. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates a specific example of a map display screen for an application running on the terminal device. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates another specific example of the map display screen of an application running on the same terminal device. [Figure 15] This diagram illustrates a specific example of a group information display screen for an application running on the terminal device. [Figure 16] This diagram illustrates a specific example of the timeline screen of an application running on the terminal device. [Figure 17] This diagram illustrates a specific example of a summary list screen for applications running on the terminal device. [Figure 18] Overview of the computer system in the above embodiment [Figure 19] Block diagram of the computer system [Figure 20] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device according to a second modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 21] Figure 1 illustrates an example of the screen display of an application running on a terminal device in the second modified example. [Figure 22] Figure 2 illustrates an example of the application's screen display. [Figure 23] Figure 3 illustrates an example of the application's screen display. [Figure 24]Figure 4 illustrates an example of the application's screen display. [Figure 25] Figure 5 illustrates an example of the application's screen display. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The embodiments of the information processing device, etc., will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, components that are denoted by the same reference numerals perform the same operation, and therefore, their description may be omitted again.

[0034] The terms used below are generally defined as follows. However, the meanings of these terms should not always be interpreted in the manner shown here; for example, if they are individually explained below, those explanations should also be taken into consideration when interpreting them.

[0035] A geographical feature refers to a natural or artificial object located on a terrain. In the following embodiments, for example, houses, facilities, roads, a specific point or area itself, and routes (which may also be called trajectories) passing through two or more points may be included as geographical features. However, this is not limited to these examples, and objects, phenomena, and events in Earth's space, including the atmosphere, water, or underground, may also be interpreted as being included as geographical features. For example, weather information may be interpreted as being included as geographical features. A geographical feature can also be said to be an item that can be associated with a location specified by location-specific information such as longitude, latitude, and altitude. Geographical features may also be called geographical relational elements or simply elements.

[0036] A user is someone who utilizes the functions provided by an information processing device. While a single user is typically one person, it is not limited to that. A group of individuals or entities that utilize the functions provided by an information processing device may also be considered a single user.

[0037] Two or more users can form a group. That is, a group is a collection of two or more people. A group may also be called an organization or a team. A group may be formed as an entire organization, such as a company, corporation, association, educational institution, government agency, local government, or union, or it may be formed as a department of such an organization. In addition, one or more users who make up a group may or may not have common attributes other than being members of that group together.

[0038] Users who make up a group can be said to be members of that group. In other words, a group consists of two or more members.

[0039] Furthermore, regarding the use of information processing equipment, it may or may not be permitted for a single user to be included in two or more groups.

[0040] An identifier is a character or code that uniquely identifies a particular item. An identifier is, for example, an ID, but it can be any type of information that can identify the corresponding item. In other words, an identifier may be the name of the thing it represents, or it may be a combination of codes that uniquely corresponds to it.

[0041] Acquisition may include acquiring information entered by a user, etc., or it may include acquiring information stored on another device. Acquiring information stored on another device may include acquiring information stored on another device via an API, etc., or it may include acquiring the contents of document files (including the contents of web pages, etc.) provided by another device by scraping, etc. It may also include acquiring information in a different format based on the original information, such as acquiring information by performing optical character recognition on an image file.

[0042] Acquisition may include acquiring information entered by a user, etc., or it may include acquiring information stored in the device itself or another device (this may be information that is stored in advance or information that is generated by information processing performed on the device). Acquiring information stored in another device may include acquiring information stored in another device via an API, etc., or it may include acquiring the contents of a document file (including the contents of a web page, etc.) provided by another device. It may also include acquiring information in a different format based on the original information, such as acquiring information by performing optical character recognition on an image. For example, it may include acquiring information represented by reading an image such as a one-dimensional code or a multi-dimensional code.

[0043] Furthermore, machine learning techniques may be used to acquire information. The use of machine learning techniques can be, for example, as follows: A learner (training information) is constructed using machine learning techniques, which takes a specific type of input information as input and outputs the desired type of output information as output. For example, two or more pairs of input and output information are prepared in advance, these two or more pairs of information are provided to a module for constructing a machine learning learner to construct the learner, and the constructed learner is stored in a storage unit. Note that the learner can also be called a classifier. The machine learning technique can be any, such as deep learning, random forest, or SVM. In addition, various machine learning frameworks such as fastText, tinySVM, random forest, and TensorFlow, as well as various existing libraries, can be used for machine learning. Acquiring information using such a learner is sometimes referred to as acquisition by machine learning.

[0044] Furthermore, the learner is not limited to those obtained through machine learning. The learner may be, for example, a table that shows the correspondence between input vectors based on input information and output information. In this case, the output information corresponding to the feature vectors based on the input information may be obtained from the table, or a vector approximating the feature vectors based on the input information may be generated using two or more input vectors in the table and parameters that weight each input vector, and the final output information may be obtained using the output information and parameters corresponding to each input vector used in the generation. Obtaining information using such a learner is sometimes called acquisition using correspondence relationships. The learner may also be, for example, a function that represents the relationship between input vectors based on input information and information for generating output information. In this case, for example, information corresponding to the feature vectors based on the input information may be obtained using a function, and the output information may be obtained using the obtained information. Obtaining information using such a learner is sometimes called acquisition using functions.

[0045] Outputting information is a concept that includes displaying it on a screen, projecting it using a projector, printing it with a printer, outputting sound, outputting it through vibration, emitting light, transmitting it to an external device, storing it on a recording medium, and transferring processing results to other processing devices or other programs. Specifically, it includes, for example, making information available on a web page, sending it via email, or outputting information for printing.

[0046] The concept of receiving information includes receiving information input from input devices such as keyboards, mice, and touch panels; receiving information transmitted from other devices via wired or wireless communication lines; and receiving information read from recording media such as optical discs, magnetic discs, and semiconductor memory.

[0047] Regarding various types of information stored in information processing devices, the term "update" encompasses not only changes to the stored information, but also the addition of new information to the stored information, and the deletion of some or all of the stored information.

[0048] (Embodiment)

[0049] The outline of this embodiment is as follows: The information processing system using the information processing device enables members belonging to a specific organization or group to share and manage data on features, such as data on features or data associated with features (feature information sharing function). Data can be shared for each information sharing unit of all members of the organization or a subset thereof. For example, the output method for the data may be changed depending on whether the feature data shared within the group satisfies the feature conditions.

[0050] In this embodiment, the following functions may be available in the information processing system. For example, it may be possible to collect specific input information entered within a group according to predetermined input rules, and to use the collected specific input information as shared data (specific input information reception function). Also, for example, it may be possible for a user within a group to output feature data or specified information to other members selected using a list of members (mention function). Furthermore, it may be possible to output member information about other members to a single user using the location information of each member of the group (location acquisition function). In this case, if it is determined that predetermined stay conditions are met based on the location information of each member, the system may accumulate stay information accordingly and output member information showing the time-series changes in the status of other members based on that, or the member information may be output in an output manner corresponding to the stay information.

[0051] The shared data is output to the terminal device used by each user, and is output in a way that is recognizable to the user on the terminal device. In this case, for example, by using map drawing information to display feature data on a map, users can easily confirm the feature data. However, the output method is not limited to this.

[0052] The following describes an example of the configuration of an information processing system using the information processing device configured in this way.

[0053] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 may consist of an information processing device 100 and a terminal device 600 owned by a user. The information processing device 1 is used by two or more users. That is, the information processing system 1 may include two or more terminal devices 600. Other devices may also be included in the information processing system 1.

[0055] The information processing device 100 and the terminal device 600 can communicate with each other via a network, such as the Internet.

[0056] The terminal device 600 is, for example, a mobile information terminal device such as a smartphone, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be a tablet-type information terminal device, a smartwatch, VR goggles, or a personal computer (PC) such as a laptop computer, or any other device. The user can use the information processing system 1 by using the terminal device 600. In the following examples, the explanation assumes that a mobile information terminal device such as a smartphone is used as the terminal device 600, but is not limited to this.

[0057] In this embodiment, each device of the information processing system 1 can communicate with external information providing devices 701 and 702 via a network. Each device of the information processing system 1 can receive information transmitted from the information providing devices 701 and 702. In this embodiment, for example, a map providing device 701 and a processing information providing device 702 are used as the information providing devices 701 and 702. However, the information processing system 1 may be configured to perform various operations using information that it possesses or acquires, even without using these devices 701 and 702.

[0058] In this embodiment, the map providing device 701 is a server device and has a map drawing information storage unit 711. The map drawing information storage unit 711 stores map drawing information that represents a map. The map drawing information is, for example, information used by an application running on a terminal device to draw a map, and more specifically, is a dataset that includes elements such as geographic coordinates, road shapes and names, building locations and heights, bodies of water and parks, and means of transportation. However, it is not limited to this, and the information included in the map drawing information and its format are not restricted. The map providing device 701 is configured to provide map drawing information to the information processing device 100 or the terminal device 600.

[0059] The map providing device 701 is, for example, a server operated by an external organization that provides map information services, but is not limited to that. The map providing device 701 may also be included in the information processing system 1.

[0060] The processing information providing device 702 is a server device and has a processing information storage unit 712. The processing information storage unit 712 stores processing information related to geographic features. Processing information includes, for example, pre-prepared measurement data or statistical data for a specific geographic feature. Processing information can also be said to be information that is used additionally when performing a predetermined processing on a geographic feature. For example, information used in making a judgment when a predetermined processing involving a judgment is performed may fall under the category of processing information. Processing information is stored in association with a geographic feature identifier that can identify a geographic feature, but is not limited to this. For example, processing information may be stored in association with a location specified by longitude, latitude, altitude, etc., or with an area demarcated in a predetermined manner. The processing information providing device 702 is configured to provide processing information corresponding to a geographic feature identifier, location, or area to the information processing device 100. More specifically, the information used for processing includes, but is not limited to, soil component analysis results, water quality survey data, traffic flow, population dynamics such as population density, weather information such as temperature and atmospheric pressure, tidal current information, mobile phone signal strength, and indicators of commercial activity.

[0061] The processing information provider 702 is, for example, a server operated by a public institution or research institution that compiles surveys and statistics on geographical features, but is not limited to this. The processing information provider 702 may also be included in the information processing system 1.

[0062] Furthermore, the information providing devices 701 and 702 may be connected to the same network as the information processing device 100 and terminal device 600, thereby enabling communication with the information processing device 100, etc., or they may be connected to the information processing device 100, etc. via a different network, enabling communication with them. In this case, the information providing devices 701 and 702 may be configured to be transmitted to the information processing device 100, and the information provided by the information providing devices 701 and 702 is managed by the information processing device 100.

[0063] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the information processing system 1. Figure 3 is a block diagram of the information processing device 100.

[0064] Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the terminal device 600 will be described. The terminal device 600 includes a terminal storage unit 610, a terminal receiving unit 620, a terminal reception unit 630, a terminal processing unit 640, an output device 661, a terminal transmission unit 670, and a sensor unit 680.

[0065] The terminal storage unit 610 stores information used for the operation of the terminal device 600, as well as information acquired by the terminal device 600.

[0066] In this embodiment, the terminal storage unit 610 stores a user identifier that can identify the terminal device 600. The user identifier is information that can identify the user using the terminal device 600. Various identifiers can be used as the user identifier, such as an identifier unique to each terminal device 600, an identifier unique to each piece of software running on the terminal device 600 (for example, an identifier that identifies an account logged in for a function implemented by the software), or an identifier that identifies an account in a web service that can be used with the terminal device 600. More specifically, various information can be used as the user identifier, such as user account information of the operating system that makes the terminal device 600 function, account information logged into a web service accessible by the web browsing function implemented on the terminal device 600, or cookies provided from a web page accessed by the web browsing function.

[0067] The terminal receiving unit 620 receives information transmitted from the information processing device 100 and other devices via the network. The terminal receiving unit 620 stores the received information, for example, in the terminal storage unit 610, so that the terminal processing unit 640 and other devices can retrieve it.

[0068] The terminal reception unit 630 receives various input operations to the terminal device 600 from a user using the terminal device 600. Operations are performed using, for example, an input device (not shown), but are not limited to this. The terminal reception unit 630 may also accept voice input operations, for example, input via a microphone.

[0069] The terminal processing unit 640 performs various information processing operations using the various parts of the terminal device 600.

[0070] In this embodiment, the terminal processing unit 640 includes a terminal acquisition unit 641 and a terminal output unit 650.

[0071] The terminal acquisition unit 641 acquires, for example, information received by the terminal receiving unit 620 and information accepted by the terminal reception unit 630. The terminal acquisition unit 641 includes, for example, an output information acquisition unit 642 and a map drawing information acquisition unit 643.

[0072] The output information acquisition unit 642 acquires group feature information or information based on group feature information as output information, as described later. In this embodiment, as described later, group feature information or information based on group feature information is output from the information processing device 100 as output information. That is, in this embodiment, the output information acquisition unit 642 acquires the output information output from the information processing device 100.

[0073] The map drawing information acquisition unit 643 acquires map drawing information. In this embodiment, the map drawing information acquisition unit 643 acquires map drawing information from the map providing device 701.

[0074] The terminal output unit 650 uses the map drawing information and output information to output the map and information based on the output information to the output device 661. This allows the output device 661 to output the map and information based on the output information using this information. In this embodiment, the terminal output unit 650 uses the map drawing information and output information to display information on the display device 662 so that the information based on the output information is displayed on the map. This allows the user to view and confirm the information based on the output information displayed on the map. The terminal output unit 650 may also output the information so that the information based on the output information is displayed at a location other than on the map. Even in this case, the user can easily confirm the information based on the output information displayed together with the map. Note that "displayed together with the map" may include display modes that are not displayed simultaneously with the map. For example, when an operation to identify a feature is performed on a screen displaying a map, information based on the output information corresponding to that feature may be displayed.

[0075] The output device 661 includes a display device 662. The output device 661 outputs information, for example, by displaying it on the display device 662. However, the method of outputting information is not limited to this, and it may also be done by outputting sound from a speaker, by vibration, by light emission, etc.

[0076] The terminal transmission unit 670 transmits information acquired by, for example, the terminal processing unit 640, via the network.

[0077] The sensor unit 680 detects the object to be detected and outputs the obtained information. The obtained information is stored, for example, in the terminal storage unit 610.

[0078] In this embodiment, the sensor unit 680 includes a location information acquisition unit 681. The location information acquisition unit 681 is a location information sensor capable of determining location, for example, by GPS. The location information acquisition unit 681 may also be called a positioning unit. The sensor unit 680 can also be said to acquire the user's location information. Note that a different reading device or measuring device may be used as the sensor unit 680.

[0079] The terminal device 600 transmits information to the information processing device 100 via the terminal transmission unit 670 based on user operations received by the terminal reception unit 630. For example, the terminal device 600 transmits acquired location information to the information processing device 100. Also, for example, the terminal device 600 transmits information entered by the user to the information processing device 100. Preferably, this information is transmitted in association with a user identifier stored in the terminal storage unit 610. That is, it is preferable that the terminal device 600 transmits a user identifier that can identify the user using the terminal device 600 to the information processing device 100 in association with the information to be transmitted.

[0080] Furthermore, the terminal storage unit 610 may store a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier. The terminal device 600 may transmit a group identifier that identifies the group to which the user using the terminal device 600 belongs, in association with the information to be transmitted, to the information processing device 100.

[0081] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 will be described.

[0082] As shown in Figure 3, the information processing device 100 comprises a storage unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a reception unit 130, a processing unit 140, and a transmission unit 170. The information processing device 100 is, for example, a server device.

[0083] The storage unit 110 includes a user information storage unit 111, a group information storage unit 112, and a feature information storage unit 113.

[0084] The user information storage unit 111 stores user information about the user. In this embodiment, user information is stored in association with a user identifier that identifies the user using the information processing system 1. User information may include various types of information. For example, acquired location information, status information about the user's state, and attribute values ​​of other attributes may be included in user information. Status information may include, but is not limited to, information indicating whether the user is available to respond to calls from other users, information indicating whether the user is working, on standby, on break, or off, and information indicating whether the user is going or returning. User information may also include information acquired by, for example, a wearable device worn by the user, or information acquired from an external database where user information is recorded. Furthermore, status information may change automatically depending on the user's location, direction of movement, and time of movement. In addition, user information may be updated using, for example, information transmitted by the user or information acquired by the processing unit 140.

[0085] Figure 4 shows an example of user information stored in the user information storage unit 111 of the information processing device 100.

[0086] In the example shown in the diagram, user information includes attribute values ​​such as the user's name, display name, status information, and the most recently acquired location information, all of which are associated with a user identifier. Information indicating the date and time the location information was acquired may also be recorded. Furthermore, for example, past location history may be recorded; that is, location information showing the route the user followed may be recorded.

[0087] In this embodiment, location information and information such as the date and time of acquisition may be recorded in multiple sets, or only a predetermined number of combinations that meet a predetermined rule may be recorded. The predetermined rule can be set as appropriate, for example, to record the first acquired item, the last acquired item, or items acquired within a predetermined period. Furthermore, as will be described later, stay information may be recorded in association with location information.

[0088] Returning to Figure 3, the group information storage unit 112 stores group information for each group. In this embodiment, the group information is stored in association with a group identifier that identifies the group. The group information includes, for example, the user identifiers of two or more users who are members of the group. In this embodiment, the group information includes permission information that identifies the permissions each member of the group has. The permission information is, for example, information that shows the association between information that identifies an permission and the user identifier that has that permission, but is not limited to this. Permissions include, for example, permissions for group management operations, adding / deleting members, changing names, adding / editing / deleting subgroups, adding / editing / deleting input rule information, and permissions for viewing statistical information, but is not limited to these. Furthermore, the group information may also include, for example, input rule information that defines rules as described later.

[0089] Furthermore, subgroup information indicating subgroups included in the group may be stored as group information. For example, one or more subgroups may be established within a group, and each subgroup may be configured to include one or more users from the two or more users that make up the group. A subgroup can also be said to be a subset of the members of a group. A group does not necessarily have to have subgroups. Within a group, subgroups may be established for each specific project, or for each unit of user group such as a department, section, team, person in charge, or division. A subgroup can also be said to be a channel of a group.

[0090] Subgroup information is stored in association with a group identifier. In this embodiment, subgroup information may include, for example, a user identifier of a member who exercises the subgroup, which is associated with a subgroup identifier that identifies the subgroup. Subgroup information may also include, for example, the display name of the subgroup, or setting information such as whether or not the information can be viewed by members outside the subgroup. The subgroup identifier may be an identifier that can distinguish one subgroup from other groups within a group, or it may be an identifier that can distinguish a subgroup within the entire information processing system 1.

[0091] Figure 5 shows an example of group information stored in the group information storage unit 112 of the information processing device 100.

[0092] In the example shown in the diagram, the group information records, for example, the user identifiers of the group members and flag information that can identify whether each member has administrator privileges, associated with the group identifier. However, the method of classifying privileges and the specific content of each privilege are not limited to this. The group information may also record, for example, the privileges that each member of the group has, associated with the group identifier. For example, if there are two types of privileges, administrator or view-only, the group identifiers of the members who are administrators and the group identifiers of the members who can only view may be recorded, respectively.

[0093] Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, when input rules are used within a group, the input rule information is recorded in association with the group identifier of that group. The input rule information is recorded in the storage unit 110, for example, as a JSON file, and can be identified by the group identifier. Note that the method of managing the input rule information is not limited to this.

[0094] Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, subgroup information for subgroups set within a group is recorded and associated with the group identifier of that group. While the subgroup information includes, for example, the subgroup identifier, it is not limited to this. Other information may also be included in the subgroup information.

[0095] Returning to Figure 3, the feature information storage unit 113 stores group feature information used by each group. In this embodiment, the group feature information is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers, and is feature information about features that has been pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions. For example, the group feature information includes feature information recorded based on input from a user who is a member of the group, and is associated with the user identifier of the user who made the input. Note that user input may be the specification of a specific feature. The feature information included in the group feature information may include feature information recorded based on detection results such as the user being in a predetermined state. In addition, the feature information may include feature information recorded based on the user's actions, such as the user moving.

[0096] In this embodiment, group feature information may be associated with a subgroup identifier. This makes it possible to identify which group each feature information belongs to and which subgroup within that group it belongs to. It may also be considered that, if group feature information is associated with a user identifier, and a subgroup identifier is associated with a user identifier, then group feature information is associated with the subgroup identifier corresponding to that user identifier.

[0097] Feature information is information about a feature. Feature information includes, for example, information that can identify a feature. Feature information may also include other information about that feature. In this embodiment, feature information may include, for example, location information such as longitude and latitude indicating the location of the feature, the name of the feature, information indicating the type of feature, and user-input feature information specified by the user regarding the feature. The name of the feature may be, for example, a display name when displayed to the user, or a code used within a group to indicate the feature. The type of feature is, for example, a classification result according to a pre-set feature classification method. For example, classification methods such as roads, intersections, shops, houses (detached houses), houses (apartment buildings), stations, mountains, ports, temples and shrines may be used, but are not limited to these. Classification methods such as whether it indicates an area, surface or boundary, or whether it belongs to an administrative division may be used as the type of feature. User-input feature information may include, for example, specific input information entered as described below, input text which is text information entered by the user, and tag information which identifies tags tagged by the user. If a user classifies a feature using the classification method used as a feature type as described above, that information may also be treated as information indicating the type of feature.

[0098] In such feature information, for example, location information or a combination of location information and name can be used as information that can identify a feature. Note that any of this information that is not information that can identify a feature does not need to be included in the feature information. Furthermore, feature information may be associated with a feature identifier that identifies a feature. A feature identifier may be an identifier that can identify a feature within the same group, or it may be an identifier that can identify a feature across the entire information processing system.

[0099] Furthermore, each piece of feature information may include information that specifies whether each member is allowed to access that information. For example, it may include a user identifier that identifies which members are allowed access and which are not, or information that identifies the permissions on which members can access the information.

[0100] Figure 6 shows an example of information stored in the feature information storage unit 113 of the information processing device 100.

[0101] In the example shown in the diagram, the group feature information includes, for example, the user who entered the information, the date and time it was recorded, and information indicating the specific content of the feature information, all associated with a group identifier. Furthermore, each piece of feature information is associated with a subgroup identifier. The information indicating the specific content of the feature information may include, but is not limited to, the location information, name, and user-inputted feature information of the feature.

[0102] In the example shown in the figure, for example, for each group, the figure information recorded is shown for tree features, where specific input information, such as attribute values, has been accepted and recorded, and for fence features, where specific input information has been accepted and recorded. For example, for the group identified as "G025" used for street tree surveys, specific input information such as "requires treatment," "target for felling," or "healthy" for tree features is selected from options defined in the input rule information that has been accepted in advance. Similarly, for the group identified as "G011," for example, specific input information such as "maintain current condition" or "requires repair" is also selected from options defined in the input rule information that has been accepted in advance. In the figure, the information entered by the user along with each specific input information is recorded as input text.

[0103] By using such group feature information, it becomes possible to identify feature information and other data recorded within a single group. However, the storage method of group feature information is not limited to this.

[0104] Returning to Figure 3, the receiving unit 120 receives information transmitted from other devices. The receiving unit 120 stores the received information, for example, in the storage unit 110.

[0105] In this embodiment, the user inputs information using, for example, a terminal device 600 and transmits it to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 120 can store each transmitted piece of information in the storage unit 110, associating it with a user identifier. When the receiving unit 120 receives information from the terminal device 600, it can identify the user identifier of the user who transmitted the information based on the transmitted information.

[0106] The reception unit 130 receives information input using an input means (not shown) connected to the information processing device 100. The reception unit 130 also receives operations from, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 100. The reception unit 130 stores the received information in, for example, the storage unit 110.

[0107] It can also be said that the receiving unit 130 accepts the information received by the receiving unit 120 as information input to the information processing device 100. The receiving unit 130 can be said to accept user operations performed using the terminal device 600. In other words, the input of information to the information processing device 100 by a user can be interpreted as meaning that this information is indirectly input to the information processing device 100 by the user via the terminal device 600, etc., or it can be interpreted as meaning that the information is directly input to the information processing device 100 by the user using input means. Furthermore, it can also be considered as inputting information to the information processing device 100 when a user makes the information processing device 100 perform actions such as running a program that automatically generates information or providing various information to a program to make it function. The input of information by the administrator of the information processing device 100 can be understood in the same way.

[0108] The processing unit 140 includes a rule information acquisition unit 143, a rule information output unit 144, a feature information reception unit 145, a location information storage unit 147, a feature information acquisition unit 151, a member information acquisition unit 155, a feature information output unit 161, a list output unit 165, a mention operation reception unit 166, and a mention output unit 167. The feature information reception unit 145 includes a specific input information storage unit 146.

[0109] The processing unit 140 performs various processes. These various processes include, for example, the processes performed by each part of the processing unit 140, as follows:

[0110] The rule information acquisition unit 143 acquires input rule information entered by the user, associating it with a group identifier corresponding to the user's user identifier. The rule information acquisition unit 143 records the acquired input rule information in the group information storage unit 112, associating it with the group identifier.

[0111] Input rule information is information that identifies at least one predetermined attribute for which attribute values ​​can be recorded regarding a feature. The predetermined attribute can be set appropriately for each group, depending on the nature of the features for which attribute values ​​of the predetermined attribute are to be accepted, and the purpose of collecting the attribute values. In other words, in this embodiment, by setting feature input rules (which may also be called evaluation rules) for each group, each group can independently handle attribute values ​​for the necessary attributes as feature information. In the following, the attribute values ​​of the predetermined attributes defined by the input rule information may be referred to as specific input information. Specific input information can also be said to be information entered in accordance with the input rule information. For example, input rule information for inspection work of trees (an example of a feature) placed in a park may allow the recording of attribute values ​​for predetermined attributes such as tree species, tree height, perimeter length, unit of length, necessity of maintenance or work, presence or absence of disease and its name, inspection date, and inspection time. Also, for example, input rule information for fences (an example of a feature) installed on public roads may specify that attribute values ​​for predetermined attributes such as the necessity of repair work and the necessary repair details can be recorded. Input rule information is, for example, information that defines the acceptable attribute values ​​for these predetermined attributes. Input rule information may also be information that defines the data type of a predetermined attribute, or information that sets restrictions on acceptable input. In this case, input rule information can be said to define the possible values ​​that an attribute can take, such as the possible values ​​for choices, whether symbols are allowed, whether Japanese or other languages ​​are allowed, and the number of characters for text, and whether decimals, integers, value ranges, negative values, Boolean values, dates, times, or no value are allowed for numerical values. Input rule information may also be information that defines an evaluation method for a feature from a predetermined perspective.

[0112] Furthermore, the input rule information may include information indicating acceptance conditions regarding the attributes of a feature, which is used to identify the feature that is eligible for specific input information. Acceptance conditions regarding the attributes of a feature include, but are not limited to, the type of feature eligible for specific input information being a predetermined type, or the feature eligible for specific input information being located in a predetermined area.

[0113] In this embodiment, the rule information acquisition unit 143 may be configured to acquire processing rule information entered by the user in association with the input rule information. Processing rule information is, for example, information that defines a processing method using specific input information and predetermined processing information. Processing rule information may also be called, for example, processing method specific information.

[0114] The rule information output unit 144 outputs rule application information to the user corresponding to the user identifier corresponding to the group identifier, based on the acquired input rule information. That is, when a member of a group inputs specific input information about a feature, the rule information output unit 144 outputs rule application information. The rule information output unit 144 constructs the rule application information based on the input rule information. The rule application information is transmitted to the terminal device 600 used by that member and is used when inputting specific input information. In other words, the rule application information is information used to receive input of specific input information from the user regarding predetermined attributes associated with a feature.

[0115] Rule application information may include, but is not limited to, information for outputting a list of acceptable attribute values ​​for specific types of features that are the target of specific input information via the terminal device 600, or information defining the range of acceptable attribute values. Rule application information may also be judgment conditions for determining whether or not information is acceptable as specific input information.

[0116] The feature information receiving unit 145 is configured to receive feature information entered by the user and store it in the storage unit 110. The feature information receiving unit 145 is configured to receive feature information associated with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier that entered the feature information, and to store it as group feature information in the feature information storage unit 113.

[0117] The feature information receiving unit 145 is configured to acquire specific input information using the specific input information storage unit 146. The specific input information storage unit 146 acquires attribute values, i.e., specific input information, entered by the user based on the rule application information output by the rule information output unit 144. The acquired specific input information is then associated with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user who entered it, and stored in the feature information storage unit 113 as group feature information.

[0118] In this embodiment, the specific input information storage unit 146 is configured to acquire specific input information entered by the user for a feature, and specific related information corresponding to the specific input information. It can also be said that the specific input information storage unit 146 is capable of acquiring specific related information, which is information related to the input of attribute values, which are specific input information. The specific input information storage unit 146 is configured to store the acquired specific related information together with the corresponding specific input information in the storage unit 110 as group feature information.

[0119] Specific related information refers to information entered by the user along with the input of specific input information, that is, information that the user inputs and transmits in association with the specific input information. For example, input text, as shown in Figure 6 above, can be used as specific related information. However, specific related information is not limited to this, and may also include information obtained from the terminal device 600 at the time of input. For example, it may include location information obtained at the time of input of specific input information. Furthermore, specific related information may also include information about the user who made the input, such as the user's status information, information about the user's age and history, or information about the results of a user questionnaire conducted in advance. Images captured by a camera installed in the terminal device 600 may also be used as specific related information. Specific related information may also simply be called additional information.

[0120] Through the rule information acquisition unit 143, the rule information output unit 144, and the feature information receiving unit 145, feature information for realizing the specific input information receiving function described above is accumulated for each group.

[0121] The location information storage unit 147 acquires location information indicating the user's location and stores it in the storage unit 110, associating it with the user's user identifier. In this embodiment, along with the location information, information such as the date and time the location information was acquired is stored in the user information storage unit 111, but this is not limited to that. The location information storage unit 147 acquires, for example, information transmitted periodically from the terminal device 600, but this is not limited to that. For example, the location information storage unit 147 may request the terminal device 600 to transmit location information, causing the terminal device 600 to transmit the location information.

[0122] In this embodiment, the location information storage unit 147 has the following function for storing stay information. That is, the location information storage unit 147 uses the acquired location information to determine whether predetermined stay conditions are met. If the location information storage unit 147 determines that the predetermined stay conditions are met, it stores stay information in a predetermined manner in the storage unit 110, associated with the user identifier of the user. The location information storage unit 147 may be configured to store the stay information acquired for each user as group information or group feature information, associated with the group identifier of the user's group. In this case, the location information storage unit 147 may be configured to store the location information acquired for each user as group information or group feature information, associated with the group identifier of the user's group.

[0123] In this embodiment, the predetermined recording conditions can be stay conditions related to the user's location or movement. The stay conditions may be, for example, conditions relating to the comparison result between the user's travel distance from a predetermined time prior to a predetermined time and a predetermined threshold. More specifically, for example, the travel distance at a predetermined time may be less than a predetermined threshold, or the distance from a predetermined point may not exceed a certain threshold for a predetermined time or longer. The stay conditions may also be conditions relating to the relationship between the user's location at a predetermined time and a predetermined location, for example, that the user has not left a predetermined area (which may also be called a location) by the predetermined time. The stay conditions may also be, for example, that the user has not arrived at a predetermined point or area by the predetermined time. The predetermined recording conditions may be updated as appropriate according to, for example, the time of day or the circumstances of individual users, or they may include conditions relating to the user's circumstances. The circumstances of individual users may include, for example, the user's next task (which may be a destination or a check-in location), the content of the current task, or the status of task completion. In this case, the status of each individual user only needs to be identifiable by information stored in the storage unit 110 in association with a user identifier, or by information that can be obtained from the terminal device 600 at any time.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined type of stay information can be predetermined type of information relating to the user's location or the user's movement. Stay information may include, for example, the time and information corresponding to the fulfilled recording conditions. Information corresponding to the fulfilled recording conditions may include, for example, the following: That is, when a predetermined recording condition is used for a stay condition corresponding to staying in a predetermined area for a certain period of time, information indicating that the user stayed in that area and the time period during which they stayed may be used as stay information. In this case, information relating to a feature corresponding to the area and information indicating that the user visited that feature and the time period during which they visited may also be used as stay information. Also, for example, when a predetermined recording condition is used for a stay condition corresponding to visiting a feature corresponding to a user's task, information indicating that the task has been completed or that the user is working on the task may be used as stay information.

[0125] The feature information acquisition unit 151 acquires group feature information corresponding to the group identifier of the group to be processed from the storage unit 110. In this embodiment, when the feature information acquisition unit 151 outputs output information as described later, it uses the user identifier of the user to whom the output is sent to identify the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier. In other words, it identifies the group of the user to whom the output is sent. Then, the feature information acquisition unit 151 acquires group feature information corresponding to the group identifier from the feature information storage unit 113.

[0126] The feature information acquisition unit 151 may be configured to acquire from the storage unit 110 group feature information that corresponds to a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user to which the output is sent, and is associated with a subgroup identifier that identifies the output target. The subgroup identifier that identifies the output target is, for example, the subgroup identifier of a subgroup specified by the user to which the output is sent, but it may also be a subgroup identifier that has been identified in advance by a different method. This makes it possible to acquire group feature information shared within the subgroup and construct the output information when outputting output information as described later.

[0127] In this embodiment, the member information acquisition unit 155 acquires member information of the group to which the destination user belongs prior to outputting output information. Member information can be said to be, for example, information about other members of the destination user's group.

[0128] In this embodiment, member information includes, for example, information indicating the location of each member. That is, the member information acquisition unit 155 acquires location information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the output destination user from the storage unit 110. The location information corresponding to the group identifier can also be said to be the location information corresponding to each user identifier of the user corresponding to the group identifier. For example, the member information acquisition unit 155 identifies the user identifiers of other users corresponding to the group identifier and acquires the location information corresponding to each user identifier from the user information storage unit 111. If the user's location information is also stored as group information or group feature information, the member information acquisition unit 155 may acquire the location information from the group information or group feature information corresponding to the group identifier. Then, the member information acquisition unit 155 acquires member information using the location information of each user.

[0129] The location information acquired by the member information acquisition unit 155 is, for example, the most recent location information currently recorded, but is not limited to this. The member information acquisition unit 155 may also acquire location information from a predetermined time in the past.

[0130] The member information may include, for example, the location information of individual users, as well as information that can be obtained using the location information. For example, the member information may include information about features corresponding to the location information. In addition, the member information may include information indicating whether or not each user is present within a predetermined feature or area, or member information including information about users who are within a predetermined distance range from the destination user or predetermined feature. The member information may also include each user's display name, icon image, etc.

[0131] Alternatively, for example, the member information acquisition unit 155 may use the location information of the destination user to acquire information indicating the distance and route to each user, and acquire member information that includes the acquired information.

[0132] Furthermore, member information may include information corresponding to location information and stay information. That is, the member information acquisition unit 155 may acquire location information and stay information corresponding to the group identifier from the storage unit 110, and use the location information and stay information to acquire member information. Stay information corresponding to the group identifier can be said to be the stay information corresponding to each user identifier of the user corresponding to the group identifier. For example, the member information acquisition unit 155 identifies the user identifiers of other users corresponding to the group identifier and acquires the stay information corresponding to each user identifier from the user information storage unit 111. If the user's stay information is also stored as group information or group feature information, the member information acquisition unit 155 may acquire stay information from the group information or group feature information corresponding to the group identifier. The member information acquisition unit 155 can acquire member information using each user's stay information.

[0133] Alternatively, the member information acquisition unit 155 may acquire status information for each member of the group and use the acquired status information to acquire member information.

[0134] Furthermore, the member information may include information showing the time-series changes in the status of other users in the group to which the destination user belongs. For example, the member information acquisition unit 155 may acquire time-series location information in the past and, based on that, acquire member information that allows for understanding the movement history of each user over a predetermined period. The member information acquisition unit 155 may, for example, use location information and status information to acquire member information that allows for understanding which member is where and in what state. The member information acquisition unit 155 may, for example, use location information and stay information to acquire member information that includes information showing the time-series changes in the status of other users. The information showing the time-series changes in the status of other users may be information showing the transition of status information, or it may be information showing the recording progress of stay information recorded for other users as it occurs.

[0135] Furthermore, the member information may be configured such that information about the user corresponding to the stay information is output to the destination user in an output manner that corresponds to the stay information. For example, the member information acquisition unit 155 may be configured to acquire member information so that it identifies the user's status using the stay information and outputs information about the user in an output manner that corresponds to the identified status. The user's status identified using the stay information may be, for example, whether or not they have reached a predetermined location, or whether or not they have stayed at a specific location for a predetermined time or are in transit.

[0136] When outputting output information, the feature information output unit 161 uses the group feature information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit 151 to output the output information. The output information is output in association with the recipient user. Outputting output information in association with a user means, for example, transmitting it to the terminal device 600 used by that user, but is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the terminal device 600 outputs information based on the output information, and the feature information output unit 161 transmits the output information to the terminal device 600 used by the user, so it can be said that the terminal device 600 is used to output the output information to that user. Outputting output information in association with a user may also mean, for example, storing the output information in the storage unit 110 or the like in association with the user identifier of that user, or transmitting it to another device. The output information is configured to be output in response to, for example, information requesting output information being transmitted from the terminal device 600. Information requesting output information may be transmitted, for example, when the user gives some instruction to change the display content to the terminal device 600, but is not limited to this. For example, output information may be output when certain output conditions are met, such as when a predetermined time arrives or when instructed by another user.

[0137] The feature information output unit 161 may be configured to output group feature information as output information, or it may be configured to output information based on group feature information as output information. Information based on group feature information is, for example, information that can be obtained using the information contained in the group feature information, and may include information corresponding to a feature. In other words, the output information can be said to be information that can correspond to a feature on the map, or information that can be represented on the map. Specifically, the output information may be, for example, information that identifies a feature recorded in the group, or it may include various information about that feature. It may also include specific input information entered by the user.

[0138] In this embodiment, the feature information output unit 161 is configured to acquire output information about features using specific input information and specific related information, and to output the output information in association with the destination user. This allows the destination user to confirm the feature information of each feature that has been entered according to the input rules defined within the group by the specific input information reception function.

[0139] Furthermore, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to determine whether the group feature information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit 151 satisfies predetermined feature conditions, and to output the corresponding output information in an output manner according to the determination result. The determination may be made for each feature, for example, but is not limited to this. For example, the determination may be made collectively for two or more features in a specific area, two or more features of the same type, or two or more features that share one other attribute value.

[0140] The specified feature conditions are, for example, that feature information has been entered as specific input information, but are not limited to this. For example, a combination of conditions may be set, such as that a specified deadline has passed and the feature is in a specified state. The specified feature conditions may also be conditions that are determined using not only the feature information but also other information. For example, it may be determined that no members have visited the feature during a specified time period based on the feature's location information and member information. The specified feature conditions may be that the feature information is of a specified type and the current weather information obtained separately is in a specified weather condition. Furthermore, it may be determined that the processing information obtained for the feature is in a specified state using the processing information corresponding to the feature.

[0141] Outputting output information in an output manner corresponding to the judgment result means, for example, when the terminal device 600 displays information using the output information, configuring the output information so that the display manner differs according to the judgment result, and then outputting the output information. In other words, it can be said that the feature information output unit 161 configures the output information so that the display manner of the information used by the terminal device 600 using the output information differs according to the judgment result. Different display manners include, but are not limited to, different sizes of characters, symbols, and figures, different fonts and weights of characters, and different colors, shades, and animations used in the display. Furthermore, when the terminal device 600 outputs information using the output information by voice, the output information may be configured so that the timbre, sound effects, volume, pitch, etc. differ. Furthermore, different output manners may also mean, for example, that when the output information includes feature information for two or more features, the order in which each feature information is output (the order determined in the output information) is different. Also, different output manners may mean, for example, that the output destination is different. When the output of information using the output information is performed by the terminal device 600, configuring and outputting the output information in a manner that corresponds to the judgment result may be considered as outputting the output information in a manner that corresponds to the judgment result.

[0142] Furthermore, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to obtain the permission information of the destination user and output the output information according to the result of determining whether the destination user meets the permission conditions. For example, the feature information output unit 161 may configure the output information by including feature information that the user can view, etc., based on the permission conditions, and excluding feature information that the user cannot view, etc., from the output information.

[0143] Furthermore, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to determine, for example, whether the feature information for each feature in the group feature information is associated with the destination user, and to output the output information in an output manner according to the determination result. For example, for feature information associated with the destination user, the output information can be output in a different output manner than the output manner for the same feature information to other users. This allows users to easily recognize the feature information associated with them. Feature information being associated with a user means, for example, that the user is assigned as the person responsible for taking action on the feature information, but is not limited to this. For example, it may mean that the user is recorded as the person who took action on the feature information, or that the user entered the feature information.

[0144] Furthermore, as described above, when processing rule information is acquired by the rule information acquisition unit 143, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to acquire output information based on the processing rule information, using specific input information entered for each feature and processing information related to that feature. In this case, the feature information output unit 161 can acquire processing information corresponding to each feature from the processing information providing device 702 using information that identifies the feature. Then, it can acquire output information using the specific input information and the processing information. For example, if a measured value of a predetermined indicator for a feature is obtained as specific input information, the calculation value to be included in the output information may be acquired using the processing information together with the measured value. This reduces the effort required to acquire the calculation value for each feature and allows the output information including the calculation value to be easily utilized within the group.

[0145] In this embodiment, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to output member information along with the output information, corresponding to the user to whom the output is sent. This allows the user to confirm information that corresponds to features on the map, along with the member information. If the member information includes the location information of each user, information that easily recognizes the positional relationship between the information corresponding to features on the map and the location of the member can be output. If the member information includes the location information of each user, the information of each user included in the member information may be understood as feature information.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to output output information based on time information that can identify the time when each feature information was recorded (which may include the input time and the update time). This can be achieved by the following configuration. That is, the feature information storage unit 113 stores time information that can identify the time when group feature information was recorded. The time information is stored, for example, in association with group feature information. Also, when the feature information acquisition unit 151 acquires information corresponding to a group identifier from the feature information storage unit 113, it acquires two or more pairs of group feature information corresponding to the group identifier and time information corresponding to the group feature information. That is, normally, the feature information storage unit 113 stores multiple pairs of group feature information and time information for each group. When group feature information is acquired for any group, two or more stored pairs of group feature information and time information are acquired. When a pair of group feature information and time information is acquired for a single group, all pairs stored in the feature information storage unit 113, associated with the group identifier of that group, may be acquired, or only some of the pairs may be acquired. The feature information output unit 161 is configured to output output information based on the information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit 151. The feature information output unit 161 acquires output information using two or more pairs of acquired group feature information and time information, and outputs the acquired output information. The output information output by the feature information output unit 161 may include, for example, information for displaying two or more group feature information or information based on group feature information in chronological order from newest to oldest. By outputting such output information, for example, a timeline screen displaying feature information in chronological order, as described later, can be displayed on the terminal device 600. The output information may be information used when the terminal device 600 constructs the timeline screen, or it may include an image showing the timeline screen.Furthermore, when outputting output information for displaying such a timeline screen on the terminal device 600, the feature information output unit 161 may be configured to display a predetermined number of group feature information or information based thereon from the latest group feature information at that time. Alternatively, it may be configured to display group feature information or information based thereon in chronological order for a period specified by the user. In addition, group feature information or information based thereon that satisfies predetermined conditions regarding the type of group feature information and other attribute values ​​may be displayed. Furthermore, when member information is output together with the output information, information such as the user's location information included in the member information may also be output as member information, associated with the time information in which it was recorded. In this case, information such as the location information of each user can also be included in the timeline screen and displayed in chronological order.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, the feature information output unit 161 may acquire feature information from the group feature information that is specified by a member, or feature information identified using group information or user information corresponding to the group identifier of the group, and determine whether the feature information satisfies predetermined attention conditions. In this case, the feature information output unit 161 can configure the output information so that information about the feature is output in an output manner corresponding to the determination result. Since feature information about features specified by members or specified features can be output in a manner corresponding to the determination result, information about features of interest within the group can be easily recognized by members.

[0148] The list output unit 165 outputs a member list containing the user identifiers of one or more other users associated with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the destination user, so that the destination user can view it. The output of the member list is performed, for example, when a display request is made for the destination user, but it may also be performed periodically for the users to be output. The display request may be configured to be made, for example, from the terminal device 600 in response to a predetermined operation by the user, but it may also be performed automatically, for example, when it is determined that the user has reached a predetermined state.

[0149] In this embodiment, the list output unit 165 performs a list configuration process to construct a member list according to the status information corresponding to each user identifier included in the member list. The list output unit 165 is configured to output the member list constructed by the list configuration process. The status information is, for example, information that can be obtained from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 115, indicating whether or not a response is possible, but is not limited to this. For example, the status information may be the distance calculated using the location information of the target user who performed the operation to output the member list and the location information of each user, or the distance from the user to a feature calculated using the location information of each user and the feature information of a specific feature. The list configuration process includes, for example, a process to determine the order of each user identifier in the member list by sorting from a predetermined perspective using the status information, but is not limited to this. The list configuration process may also include a process to determine whether or not the status information of each user identifier satisfies predetermined status conditions, and to determine whether or not to include it as an object that can be selected for the member list according to the determination result. The status conditions may include, for example, being in a state where communication is possible or being within a predetermined distance from the user, but is not limited to this.

[0150] When a member list is output in this manner, the target user can use the terminal device 600 to specify one or more members included in the member list as recipients (mentions) and perform a mention operation. A mention operation includes, for example, specifying the information to be sent. Through a mention operation, the target user can send information to the recipient. The information sent through a mention operation includes, but is not limited to, information about features, such as messages, photos, and videos. Specifying the information to be sent may be, for example, specifying a feature on a map, or it may be an operation to input text or specify an image to be sent. In receiving a mention operation, the order of specifying the recipient and specifying the information to be sent does not matter. In this embodiment, the target user can specify the information to be sent based on the output information output by the feature information output unit 161.

[0151] The mention operation reception unit 166 receives a predetermined mention operation performed by the user (target user) to whom the member list is output. A mention operation is an operation performed by the target user in association with the user identifier of one or more members included in the member list output by the list output unit 165.

[0152] The mention output unit 167 outputs information corresponding to the mention operation, i.e., information corresponding to the specified operation, based on the reception result of the mention operation received by the mention operation reception unit 166, and associates it with the user corresponding to the user identifier associated with the mention operation. In other words, the information specified by the mention operation is output to the mentioned member specified by the target user in the mention operation.

[0153] In this embodiment, the mentioned member can recognize that the information specified by the mention operation is addressed to them by receiving the outputted information using a terminal device 600 or the like. The mentioned member can recognize the information specified by the mention operation together with the outputted information output by the feature information output unit 161. Using the information shared within the group, two or more users within the group can easily communicate with each other. By making it possible to check the information specified by the mention operation on the map, it becomes easier to share information about features within the group. It should be noted that members other than the mentioned member may also be able to receive the information specified by the mention operation. In this case, it is preferable that the output method of the information to the mentioned member and the output method of the information to members other than the mentioned member are different. For example, when a mention operation is performed, a so-called push notification may be sent to the mentioned member. In addition, the information specified by the mention operation may be displayed on a list screen that displays a list of information that has been sent to the mentioned member so far, so that the mentioned member can easily recognize the information addressed to them by looking at the list screen.

[0154] In this way, the list output unit 165, the mention operation reception unit 166, and the mention output unit 167 realize the aforementioned mention function.

[0155] The transmitting unit 170 transmits information to other devices that constitute the information processing system 1 via the network. The transmitting unit 170 transmits information to, for example, the terminal device 600 or other devices.

[0156] The storage unit 110, terminal storage unit 610, map drawing information storage unit 711, and processing information storage unit 712 described above are preferably made of non-volatile recording media, but can also be made of volatile recording media. These units store information acquired by each device, but the process by which the information is stored is not limited to this. For example, the information may be stored via a recording media, or information transmitted via a communication line, or information input via an input device.

[0157] Furthermore, the aforementioned processing unit 140 and terminal processing unit 640 can typically be implemented using an MPU, memory, etc. The processing procedures of the processing unit 140 and terminal processing unit 640 are usually implemented in software, and this software is recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. However, they may also be implemented in hardware (dedicated circuitry).

[0158] Furthermore, any input method can be used to input information that can be received by the reception unit 130 or the terminal reception unit 630, such as a numeric keypad, keyboard, mouse, or menu screen. The reception unit 130 and the terminal reception unit 630 can be implemented using device drivers for input methods such as numeric keypads and keyboards, or control software for menu screens.

[0159] Furthermore, while the receiving unit 120 and the terminal receiving unit 620 are usually implemented by wireless or wired communication means, they may also be implemented by means of receiving broadcasts.

[0160] Furthermore, while the transmitting unit 170 and the terminal transmitting unit 670 are usually implemented by wireless or wired communication means, they may also be implemented by broadcasting means.

[0161] Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 and the terminal device 600 when a user uses the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0162] In this embodiment, the user can, for example, access the information processing device 100 using a terminal device 600 to output and confirm the output information from the information processing device 100 using the terminal device 600, or to transmit the user's location information, specific input information, etc., to the information processing device 100. This allows the user to utilize the various functions implemented by the information processing system 1.

[0163] When the information processing system 1 is used in this manner, the information processing device 100 and the terminal device 600 perform various operations, for example, as follows. These operations are performed by the processing unit 140 and the terminal processing unit 640 executing control operations and the like using their respective parts. Depending on the operation of the information processing device 100, information such as the processing results may be output to the terminal device 600 used by the user as appropriate.

[0164] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100.

[0165] The following process is executed repeatedly, for example, at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, it may be initiated each time the processing unit 140 determines that a predetermined start condition has been met.

[0166] (Step S11) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not it has received input rule information. If it determines that it has received input rule information, it proceeds to step S12; otherwise, it proceeds to step S3.

[0167] (Step S12) The processing unit 140 stores the input rule information in association with the group identifier. The processing unit 140 may also store the received rule information in association with the input rule information.

[0168] (Step S13) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not the timing for outputting the rule application information has arrived. If it determines that the output timing has arrived, it proceeds to step S14; otherwise, it proceeds to step S15.

[0169] (Step S14) The processing unit 140 configures rule application information based on the input rule information corresponding to the group identifier and outputs it to the user corresponding to the group identifier.

[0170] (Step S15) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not feature information has been received. If it determines that feature information has been received, it proceeds to step S16; otherwise, it proceeds to step S17.

[0171] (Step S16) The processing unit 140 stores the received feature information in association with the group identifier or user identifier.

[0172] (Step S17) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not location information has been received. If it determines that location information has been received, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0173] (Step S18) The processing unit 140 stores location information and date and time in association with the user identifier.

[0174] (Step S19) The processing unit 140 performs a stay information storage process.

[0175] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the stay information storage process performed by the information processing device 100.

[0176] (Step S111) The processing unit 140 acquires information to be used for decision-making. For example, if the predetermined recording conditions relate to distance traveled or time spent in a location, it acquires past location information, etc.

[0177] (Step S112) The processing unit 140 determines whether the acquired location information satisfies predetermined recording conditions. If it determines that the predetermined recording conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S113; otherwise, the stay information storage process is terminated.

[0178] (Step S113) The processing unit 140 obtains the stay information.

[0179] (Step S114) The processing unit 140 stores the stay information associated with the user identifier. Then it returns to the higher-level processing.

[0180] (Step S20) Returning to Figure 7, the processing unit 140 determines whether or not the timing for outputting output information has arrived. If it determines that the timing for outputting output information has arrived, the process proceeds to step S21; otherwise, it proceeds to step S22.

[0181] (Step S21) The processing unit 140 performs output information output processing.

[0182] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the output information output processing performed by the information processing device 100.

[0183] (Step S131) ​​The processing unit 140 obtains group feature information corresponding to the group identifier.

[0184] (Step S132) The processing unit 140 obtains the location information of each member using the user identifier of each member of the group.

[0185] (Step S133) The processing unit 140 acquires member information using the position information of each member. Alternatively, member information may be acquired using the dwell time information or status information corresponding to each member.

[0186] (Step S134) The processing unit 140 determines whether the group feature information satisfies predetermined feature conditions.

[0187] (Step S135) The processing unit 140 configures the output information such that feature information that is determined to satisfy the feature conditions is displayed in the first manner, and feature information that is determined not to satisfy the feature conditions is displayed in the second manner.

[0188] (Step S136) The processing unit 140 transmits output information and member information to the terminal device used by the user who is the destination of the output. After that, it returns to the higher-level processing.

[0189] (Step S22) Returning to Figure 7, the processing unit 140 determines whether or not there was a request to display the member list. If it determines that there was a request to display the member list, proceed to step S23; otherwise, proceed to step S24.

[0190] (Step S23) The processing unit 140 performs list output processing.

[0191] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the list output process performed by the information processing device 100.

[0192] (Step S151) The processing unit 140 identifies the user identifier of each member of the group.

[0193] (Step S152) The processing unit 140 obtains status information for each member using the user identifier of each member.

[0194] (Step S153) The processing unit 140 extracts user identifiers whose status information satisfies predetermined status conditions.

[0195] (Step S154) The processing unit 140 sorts the extracted user identifiers based on the status information.

[0196] (Step S155) The processing unit 140 sends the configured user list. Then it returns to the higher-level processing.

[0197] (Step S24) Returning to Figure 7, the processing unit 140 determines whether or not the mention operation has been received. If it determines that the mention operation has been received, it proceeds to step S25; otherwise, the series of operations ends.

[0198] (Step S25) The processing unit 140 associates the user corresponding to the user identifier associated with the mention operation with the user and outputs information corresponding to the specified operation.

[0199] Once the processing in step S25 is complete, the series of operations ends.

[0200] Figure 11 is a first flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 600. Figure 12 is a second flowchart showing an example of the operation of the terminal device 600.

[0201] The following process is executed repeatedly, for example, at predetermined time intervals. Alternatively, it may be initiated each time the terminal processing unit 640 determines that a predetermined start condition has been met.

[0202] (Step S61) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not it has received input rule information from the user. If it determines that it has received input rule information, it proceeds to step S62; otherwise, it proceeds to step S63.

[0203] (Step S62) The terminal processing unit 640 transmits the input rule information.

[0204] (Step S63) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not the timing for transmitting location information has arrived. If it determines that the timing for transmitting location information has arrived, it proceeds to step S64; otherwise, it proceeds to step S65.

[0205] (Step S64) The terminal processing unit 640 acquires and transmits location information.

[0206] (Step S65) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not it has received rule application information. If it determines that it has received rule application information, it proceeds to step S66; otherwise, it proceeds to step S67.

[0207] (Step S66) The terminal processing unit 640 stores rule application information.

[0208] (Step S67) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not it has received output information. If it determines that it has received output information, it proceeds to step S68; otherwise, it proceeds to step S69.

[0209] (Step S68) The terminal processing unit 640 acquires the received output information.

[0210] (Step S69) The terminal processing unit 640 acquires map drawing information from the map providing device.

[0211] (Step S70) The terminal processing unit 640 displays on the display device.

[0212] (Step S71) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not the user has requested input of feature information. If it determines that there is a request for input, the process proceeds to step S72; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S76.

[0213] (Step S72) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not to accept specific input information. If it determines to accept specific input information, it proceeds to step S73; otherwise, it proceeds to step S74. For example, if the corresponding rule application information has been received for a feature corresponding to a feature information input request, it can be determined to accept specific input information. As an example, if the rule application information, i.e., the input rule information, is associated with a specific type of feature, and an input request is made for a feature corresponding to that type of feature, then it can be said that the feature and the rule application information are associated.

[0214] (Step S73) The terminal processing unit 640 accepts the input of specific input information using the rule application information. Then proceed to step S75.

[0215] (Step S74) The terminal processing unit 640 accepts the input of feature information. Then proceed to step S75.

[0216] (Step S75) The terminal processing unit 640 transmits the received specific input information or other feature information.

[0217] (Step S76) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not the member list is currently being displayed. If it determines that the member list is currently being displayed, it proceeds to step S81; otherwise, it proceeds to step S77.

[0218] (Step S77) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether the timing for displaying the list has arrived, that is, whether it has received an operation to request display. If it determines that the timing for displaying the list has arrived, it proceeds to step S78; otherwise, the series of operations ends.

[0219] (Step S78) The terminal processing unit 640 sends a list display request.

[0220] (Step S79) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not it has received the member list. If it determines that it has received the member list, it proceeds to step S80; otherwise, it waits until it receives the member list.

[0221] (Step S80) The terminal processing unit 640 displays the received member list.

[0222] (Step S81) The terminal processing unit 640 determines whether or not it has received a mention operation from the user. If it determines that it has received a mention operation, it proceeds to step S82; otherwise, the series of operations ends.

[0223] (Step S82) The terminal processing unit 640 transmits the received mention operation. As a result, the information is transmitted to the user specified by the information processing device 100.

[0224] Once the process in step S82 is completed, the series of operations ends.

[0225] In this embodiment, the display device 662 of the user's terminal device 600 displays the screen of an application for using the information processing device 100, and displays (outputs) information to the user and accepts information input operations from the user. That is, the user can use the information processing device 100 while displaying various screens on the terminal device 600. Screen transitions are realized by appropriate communication between the terminal device 600 and the information processing device 100, or by control operations performed by the terminal processing unit 640 and processing unit 140 of the terminal device 600 in response to user operations received by the terminal reception unit 630 of the terminal device 600. This is done, for example, using information that can be handled by a predetermined application, such as a predetermined client application, that runs on the terminal device 600. Information stored in the terminal device 600 or information transmitted from devices such as the information processing device 100 may be used. In addition, the information processing device 100 may provide web pages that can be displayed on the terminal device 600, so that the terminal device 600 can display information.Specific examples of typical display screens will be described below.

[0226] Figure 13 illustrates a specific example of the map display screen C10 of an application running on the terminal device 600.

[0227] Figure 13 shows an example of a state in which the map display screen C10 is displayed on the display device 662 of the user's terminal device 600. Such a screen is displayed using information such as output information transmitted from the information processing device 100 and map drawing information acquired from the map providing device 701. Except for the output information transmitted from the information processing device 100, the source of the information used to display the screen and the method of displaying the screen are not limited to these and can be configured as appropriate. The user can use the feature information sharing function after logging in to the web service that provides the feature information sharing function by transmitting a predetermined user identifier, etc., to the information processing device 100.

[0228] The map display screen C10 is a screen that allows the user to view information based on output information along with the map. The map display screen C10 is used to enable various functions such as sending individual information to the information processing device 100 and making various instructions and requests. In the example shown in the figure, multiple types of information are displayed hierarchically on the map display screen C10, each separated into layers. The user can choose whether or not to display each layer, making it easier to view the information they want to check.

[0229] In the example shown in the figure, the map display screen C10 includes, for example, a group feature marker C13 which is a marker indicating the location of a feature on the map C11, and a specific input information display C15 which is information based on specific input information and specific related information.

[0230] The group feature marker C13 indicates the location of a feature whose information has been received by a member, so that it can be shared within the group. The image (icon) displayed as the marker differs depending on the feature information. In the example shown in the figure, the thumbnail image of a photograph taken by a member and received as feature information is displayed as the group feature marker C13. When a user selects the group feature marker C13, for example, a display showing the content of the feature information related to the corresponding feature is shown, allowing the user to confirm it. Furthermore, as described above, by specifying the group feature marker C13 in a mention operation, the feature information can be output to the mentioned user.

[0231] The specific input information display C15 displays, for example, the content of the specific input information and specific related information that has already been received, at a location on the map C11 that indicates the location of the feature to be evaluated. In the example shown in the figure, it is displayed as text information, but the presence of the information may be indicated by a marker or the like, similar to the group feature marker C13. The specific input information display C15 allows members to intuitively grasp the specific input information, etc., on the map C11.

[0232] In the example shown in the figure, the map display screen C10 includes operational images such as the group information button C91, the feature information input button C93, and the information switching menu C95. Users can utilize various specific functions by performing operations such as specifying these operational images.

[0233] The group information button C91 displays the group information display screen C30 (shown in Figure 15), which contains information about the group. The group information display screen C30 is configured to include information about the group and to allow users to input operations related to the group. Further details will be described later.

[0234] The feature information input button C93 is a button that users operate when entering feature information. In the example shown in the figure, the feature information input button C93 includes, for example, the "Track," "Point," and "Photo" buttons. By operating these buttons, users can record feature information showing the travel route (travel track) passed through the current location, input information about the feature at the current location, and record a photo of the feature at the current location, respectively. When inputting information about a feature, the system accepts, but is not limited to, characters entered by the user or tags to be added. Furthermore, when an operation is performed to input information about a feature that is subject to specific input information, information such as options for attribute values ​​that can be accepted as specific input information is displayed based on the rule application information, making it easy for the user to input the specific input information.

[0235] The information switching menu C95 includes buttons that allow the user to specify whether to display the map display screen C10, a list screen for displaying information based on output information, i.e., feature information entered by groups, or a settings screen. By operating these buttons, the user can display the desired screen and perform operations such as confirming or entering information or changing settings. In this embodiment, for example, the list screen displayed is the timeline screen C40 (shown in Figure 16), which shows information entered by the user in chronological order or information recorded by groups. Details of the timeline screen C40 will be described later.

[0236] Figure 14 illustrates another specific example of the map display screen C10 of an application running on the terminal device 600.

[0237] Figure 14 shows an example of a map display screen C10 with modified display content. Specifically, in the example shown in the figure, the map display screen C10 displays user location markers C17 and C18 indicating the locations of members. User location markers C17 and C18 are displayed based on member information. User location markers C17 and C18 are images displayed on map C10 at positions corresponding to the location information of each member. User location markers C17 and C18 may, but are not limited to, images set by each user as their own icon image. Since user location markers C17 and C18 are displayed on the map, users can easily understand the location of each user. The display mode of user location markers C17 and C18 may correspond to the status of each user.

[0238] In the example shown in the figure, for users located within the range of the displayed map C11, a user location marker C17 is displayed at that location. On the other hand, for users located outside the range of the displayed map C11, a user location marker C18 is displayed with an arrow indicating that they are outside the range. The user location marker C18 is displayed at the edge of the displayed map C11, close to the user's location. This makes it easy to understand that there are members who are far from the displayed point and the direction of their location.

[0239] These user location markers C17 and C18 are displayed on the map display screen C10 while each user's location information is being tracked by other members. For example, when a user enters location information indicating a travel route using the location information input button C93, other members can share their location.

[0240] Figure 15 illustrates a specific example of the group information display screen C30 of an application running on the terminal device 600.

[0241] Figure 15 shows a group information display screen C30 that is displayed on a part of the display device 662 when, for example, the group information button C91 is operated on the map display screen C10 shown in Figure 14. In the example shown in the figure, the group information display screen C30 includes a member list C31 that shows the status of each member of the group. The member list C31 includes, for example, an icon image displayed for each member, a status indicator indicating whether or not they are in a responsive state (active state), and a confirmation time indicator indicating the timing of the latest location information update. The status indicator can be displayed in various ways, but for example, it may be displayed using shapes or symbols. For example, shapes or icons such as a no-parking sign to indicate that the member does not want to be spoken to, a check mark to indicate that a task has been completed, or a flashing red circle to indicate that an emergency has occurred may be used. The confirmation time indicator is displayed as information indicating how much time has passed since the location information was updated, but is not limited to this. The user can easily understand the status of each member by checking the member list C31.

[0242] Here, the user can easily perform mention operations by selecting the icon image of each member displayed in member list C31. In other words, by selecting the icon image, the user can specify that member as the mention target and further specify the information to be output. This allows the user to perform mention operations intuitively.

[0243] Figure 16 shows the timeline screen C40 of an application running on the terminal device 600. This is a diagram illustrating one specific example.

[0244] Figure 16 shows a timeline screen C40 that appears on a part of the display device 662 when, for example, the information switching menu C95 is operated to display a list screen on the map display screen C10 shown in Figure 13. The timeline screen C40 displays the target information entered by each member of the group in chronological order. For example, feature information and information output by mention operations are included in the target information. However, the target information is not limited to this, and predetermined types of information related to the actions and status of each member may be displayed. Furthermore, the user may be able to specify what kind of information should be included in the timeline screen C40, such as the attributes of the target information. By displaying such a timeline screen C40, the user can efficiently grasp the events within the group. Information mentioning the user themselves and other notification information may be displayed on the timeline screen C40 in a different display manner than other information.

[0245] Furthermore, the timeline screen C45 includes an input reception unit C45. Users can input information by specifying the input reception unit C45, entering the information they wish to send, and performing an operation to complete the input (a sending operation). The entered information can be handled, for example, as user-input feature information in the information processing device 100 and displayed on the timeline screen C45.

[0246] In the example shown in the diagram, the information that may be included in the timeline screen C40 is shown to be the content of communications entered by a member specifying other members, and mention information (information output by the mention operation) C41 and C42 indicating location information. Mention information C41 includes information indicating the recipient specified by the mention operation and the message. Mention information C42 includes information indicating the recipient specified by the mention operation and input text such as "Everyone, please come here" entered in conjunction with the location information specification. In addition, other information that may be included in the timeline screen C40 is shown to be, for example, the following information: that a member has started recording their own location information (started recording a track) and that they have finished recording it. Information indicating the content of communications entered by a member without specifying other members. Information indicating that a member has entered feature information.

[0247] Furthermore, the feature information of a group may be displayed in a list format. For example, when the information switching menu C95 is operated to display a list screen on the map display screen C10, the feature information acquired as group feature information for that group may be displayed in a list format. In addition, a consolidated list screen C50 that aggregates and displays such list screens from a predetermined perspective may be displayed.

[0248] Figure 17 illustrates a specific example of the application aggregation list screen C50 operating on the terminal device 600.

[0249] The aggregated list screen C50 is a screen that aggregates and displays feature information entered within a group, for example, on a daily basis. In the example shown in the figure, the aggregated list screen C50 includes a summary image that visually displays the feature information corresponding to each day on a map. Note that the unit of information aggregation is not limited to this. Information may be aggregated by time period, week, month, or year. Furthermore, information may be aggregated by member, or by type or nature of feature information. With such an aggregated list screen C50, the user can: This allows for a more efficient understanding of events within the group. Summary images are displayed, making it easier for users to grasp the information.

[0250] Furthermore, by performing a detailed display operation on the aggregated list screen C50, it may be possible to confirm each piece of information included in the aggregated data.

[0251] The map display screen C10, the timeline screen C40, and the aggregated list screen C50 are configured to display information content corresponding to the information display range specified by the user. That is, if the user specifies the entire group as the information display range, or a subgroup within a group as the information display range, only the information related to the corresponding group or subgroup can be displayed. The information display range can be specified, for example, by operating a specific part of the group information button C91, but it may also be possible to specify it by other methods.

[0252] As described above, according to this embodiment, members belonging to a group can share and manage feature information, such as data about features or data associated with features. Multiple users can share information about locations, features, trajectories, alignments, and areas related to their activities within the group, as well as comments, photos, videos, etc., associated with locations. Each group can appropriately identify and use feature information of interest within that group, making it easy to share information about features of interest. Since the feature information can include the current location of members, trajectories, images, or information about each location, the information processing system 1 can be used for various purposes within the group.

[0253] Information processing system 1 can be used in specific situations, such as those listed below, enabling easier task execution. Note that the following specific usage scenarios are merely examples, and the uses of information processing system 1 are not limited to these.

[0254] For example, in transportation industries such as construction and produce distribution, the following can be achieved: Routes and parking restrictions can be posted on maps, and photographs taken can be incorporated into maps to serve as evidence of work completion. Furthermore, by sharing the location of each vehicle, such as trucks, with customers, customers can easily understand the transportation status. By having managers, drivers, and customers all be members of the same group, work can be carried out and services can be provided more easily.

[0255] For example, in a group that manages infrastructure facilities such as power plants, the situation is as follows: Previously, there were various challenges, such as the cumbersome process of sharing on-site photographs and linking them to locations, the fact that maps showing facility locations and access routes were managed on paper, and the need for separate tools or methods for viewing maps, tracking worker locations, and sharing on-site information, even when these tools were used. In contrast, by using the information processing system 1, various information such as facility locations, work areas, work areas, and access routes can be displayed on a map using the terminal device 600 and shared within the group. Furthermore, information and photographs of each location before the survey report can be shared among group members. As a result, even if members change, it is easy to access target locations and check work completion records. In addition, it is easy to understand the current or past locations of other members, making it easier for members to collaborate on tasks.

[0256] For example, in situations where public institutions conduct inspections and surveys regarding land use, the following is the problem: On-site verification work required for inspecting subsidies, such as subsidies for replanting fruit trees or subsidies for utilizing paddy fields, is extremely cumbersome. Also, for example, surveys for fixed asset tax are generally conducted by visually checking the site based on the land parcel map and recording the information on a map with a pencil, which is inefficient as additional effort is required to use the recorded information. In contrast, by using the information processing system 1, paddy field ledgers and land parcel maps can be used as map drawing information, and photographs taken on-site can be imported onto the map in bulk and shared with members of the group, allowing information showing the survey results to be recorded in an easily usable format through shared work.

[0257] For example, in the forestry sector, the situation is as follows: Traditionally, using maps electronically required the introduction of specially configured systems. In contrast, by using Information Processing System 1, existing information such as contour lines, forest compartments, forest planning maps, and forest registers suitable for forestry can be used as map drawing information, and by inputting feature information used by the group, information usable for work can be easily and inexpensively shared within the group. Furthermore, since the input results regarding member information and feature information can be shared within the group while proceeding with work, work can be carried out more efficiently.

[0258] For example, in the agricultural sector, the situation is as follows: For instance, groups led by farm owners or cooperatives have traditionally found it difficult to report or understand the conditions of each field, such as what kind of work is being done in which field. When pests or diseases occur, it is necessary for the group to quickly understand and deal with them, but sharing information in such cases is difficult. In contrast, by using the information processing system 1, which uses information that categorizes and shows each field as geographical information or map drawing information, and by making it possible to record work results and events occurring in each area in association with location using photographs, etc., it becomes easier for the group to collect and understand this information.

[0259] For example, in a group carrying out disaster response operations, the situation is as follows: In such a group, communication between each site and headquarters is generally conducted by sending and receiving images and other information via email, fax, etc., making it difficult to quickly grasp the extent of damage to roads, rivers, and other infrastructure during a disaster, and to efficiently manage the response status. In contrast, by using Information Processing System 1, information such as landslide hazard zones and hazard maps held by local governments, etc., is used as geographical information or map drawing information, and each member of the group goes to their assigned location to record the situation and take photographs, etc., making it possible for headquarters to grasp information in real time. This reduces the likelihood of information transmission errors and allows for quick decision-making on response measures and efficient issuance of necessary instructions.

[0260] For example, in large-scale events held over a wide area, such as marathons, triathlons, trekking, cycling races, and car rallies, the situation is as follows: In a group operating such an event, various members, including volunteers, are involved on the day of the event. Generally, information sharing is done through traditional methods such as voice calls and text messaging services, making it difficult to efficiently report the situation and give necessary instructions. In contrast, by using Information Processing System 1, information such as the route, points, and medical headquarters related to the event can be shared within the group as local information, and instructions and information can be recorded among members, making it easy to share current information and communicate with each other. For example, in a marathon event, location information such as the front, back, team leaders for each role, and mobile AEDs can be shared within the group in real time, allowing each member to efficiently take the necessary actions.

[0261] For example, in the guiding industry, such as ski guiding, the following applies: In the information processing system 1, map drawing information such as contour lines and vegetation maps, and feature information such as lift diagrams and ski resort boundary lines can be easily shared with members of the guiding group, providing information necessary for risk management and safety management. Even when visibility is poor due to weather conditions, the shared location information of the members can be used to easily check the status of each member.

[0262] In this embodiment, it may also be said that the information processing device 100 performs the following information processing method. The information processing method is performed using a storage unit which stores group feature information, which is feature information related to features and is associated with group identifiers corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions; a feature information acquisition unit; and a feature information output unit, and includes a feature information acquisition step in which the feature information acquisition unit acquires group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier from the storage unit using the user identifier of the destination user; and a feature information output step in which the feature information output unit outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on group feature information as output information, associated with the destination user.

[0263] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information terminal device 600 may also be said to perform the following information processing method together with the information processing device 100. That is, the information processing method is performed using a map drawing information storage unit which stores map drawing information showing a map, an output device, a terminal acquisition unit, and a terminal output unit, and includes a map drawing information acquisition step in which the terminal acquisition unit acquires map drawing information from the map drawing information storage unit, an output information acquisition step in which the terminal acquisition unit acquires output information output by the feature information output unit, and a terminal output step in which the terminal output unit uses the map drawing information and the output information to display information based on the output information on the map to the output device.

[0264] Furthermore, the processing in this embodiment may be implemented in software. This software may be distributed via software download or the like. Alternatively, this software may be recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disc and distributed.

[0265] The software that implements the information processing device in this embodiment is as follows: This program causes a computer that can access a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information about features that is associated with group identifiers corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions, to function as a feature information acquisition unit that acquires group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier using the user identifier of the destination user, and a feature information output unit that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on group feature information as output information, associated with the destination user.

[0266] Furthermore, the software that realizes the terminal device in this embodiment is the following program. This program causes the computer of a terminal device equipped with an output device and capable of accessing a map drawing information storage unit that stores map drawing information showing a map to function as a map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information, an output information acquisition unit that acquires output information output from an information processing device, and a terminal output unit that uses the map drawing information and the output information to display information based on the output information on a display device so that it is displayed on the map.

[0267] (others)

[0268] Figure 18 is an overview view of the computer system 800 in the above embodiment. Figure 19 is a block diagram of the same computer system 800.

[0269] These figures show examples of computer configurations that implement the information processing device and the like of the above-described embodiment by executing the program described herein. The above-described embodiment can be implemented with computer hardware and computer programs executed thereon.

[0270] The computer system 800 includes a computer 801 with an optical disc drive, a keyboard 802, a mouse 803, and a monitor 804.

[0271] Computer 801 includes, in addition to an optical disc drive (ODD) 8012, an MPU 8013, a bus 8014 connected to the optical disc drive 8012, a ROM 8015 for storing programs such as a boot-up program, a RAM 8016 connected to the MPU 8013 for temporarily storing instructions for application programs and providing temporary storage space, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 8017 for storing application programs, system programs, and data. Although not shown here, computer 801 may further include a network card for providing connectivity to a LAN.

[0272] The program that causes the computer system 800 to execute the functions of the information processing device, etc., of the above-described embodiment may be stored on the optical disc 8101, inserted into the optical disc drive 8012, and then transferred to the hard disk 8017. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 801 via a network (not shown) and stored on the hard disk 8017. The program is loaded into RAM 8016 when executed. The program may also be loaded directly from the optical disc 8101 or the network.

[0273] The program does not necessarily have to include an operating system (OS) that causes the computer 801 to execute the functions of the information processing apparatus and the like in the above-described embodiments, or a third-party program or the like. The program only needs to include only the part of the instructions that calls appropriate functions (modules) in a controlled manner so as to obtain a desired result. How the computer system 800 operates is well-known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0274] In addition, in the above program, in the transmission step of transmitting information, the reception step of receiving information, etc., processes performed by hardware, for example, processes performed by a modem or an interface card in the transmission step (processes that can only be performed by hardware) are not included.

[0275] Also, the computer that executes the above program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

[0276] Also, in the above embodiment, two or more components existing in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

[0277] In the above embodiments, each component may be constituted by dedicated hardware, or for components that can be realized by software, they may be realized by executing a program. For example, by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, each component can be realized. At the time of its execution, the program execution unit may execute the program while accessing a storage unit or a recording medium. Also, the program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, or may be executed by reading a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, etc.). Further, this program may be used as a program constituting a program product. Also, the computer that executes the program may be singular or plural. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

[0278] Also, in the above embodiments, each process (each function) may be realized by being centrally processed by a single device (system), or may be realized by being distributedly processed by a plurality of devices (in this case, the entire system constituted by the plurality of devices performing distributed processing can be grasped as one "device").

[0279] Also, in the above embodiments, the transfer of information performed between each component, for example, when the two components that transfer the information are physically different, may be performed by the output of information by one component and the reception of information by the other component, or when the two components that transfer the information are physically the same, it may be performed by moving from the processing phase corresponding to one component to the processing phase corresponding to the other component.

[0280] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, information related to the processing performed by each component, such as information received, acquired, selected, generated, transmitted, or received by each component, as well as information such as thresholds, formulas, and addresses used by each component in processing, may be temporarily or for a long period of time stored in a recording medium (not shown), even if not explicitly stated in the above description. The storage of information in the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a storage unit (not shown). The reading of information from the recording medium (not shown) may be performed by each component or a reading unit (not shown).

[0281] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the information used in each component, such as thresholds, addresses, and various setting values ​​used by each component in processing, can be changed by the user, then, even if not explicitly stated in the above description, the user may be allowed to change such information as appropriate, or not. If the user can change such information, the change may be implemented, for example, by a receiving unit (not shown) that receives change instructions from the user and a changing unit (not shown) that changes the information in response to those change instructions. The receiving unit (not shown) may receive change instructions from an input device, receive information transmitted via a communication line, or receive information read from a predetermined recording medium.

[0282] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible, which are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0283] Embodiments may be constructed by appropriately changing the combination of components of the embodiments and modifications described above. For example, the configuration is not limited to the embodiments described above, and each component of the embodiments and modifications described above may be replaced with other components as appropriate. Some components or functions of the embodiments and modifications described above may be omitted.

[0284] For example, in the above-described embodiment, map drawing information is acquired from a map providing device, but the map drawing information may be stored in advance in the storage unit of the information processing device or the terminal storage unit of the terminal device itself. Also, a feature information output unit may be provided in the terminal device, in which case the information used by the feature information output unit may be transmitted from the information processing device or the like to the terminal device, and the terminal device may be configured to output output information using the transmitted information. A feature information acquisition unit may also be provided in the terminal device.

[0285] The information processing system according to the above-described embodiment is an information processing system comprising an information processing device and a terminal device that can communicate with the information processing device and corresponds to one user identifier, wherein the information processing system comprises a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information related to features and is associated with group identifiers corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions, a feature information acquisition unit that acquires group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier corresponding to a terminal device from the storage unit, an output information acquisition unit that acquires the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, a map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information showing a map, and a terminal output unit that uses the map drawing information and output information to output the map and information based on the output information to an output device provided in the terminal device. Here, for example, the source of the map drawing information is not limited to a map providing device, and the feature information acquisition unit and feature information output unit may be provided in the terminal device or the terminal devices of other users, etc.

[0286] Further modifications (referred to as the second modification for convenience) to the above-described embodiment are also conceivable. The configuration of the second modification described below can also be modified in various ways, such as by combining it with the configurations of the above-described embodiment or modification, and these are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0287] (Second variation)

[0288] In the second modified example, the basic configuration of the information processing device 100 and other devices of the information processing system 1 is the same as in the embodiment described above. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and some hardware configurations and functions may differ.

[0289] In the second variation, the handling of feature information allows the use of feature extension information, which includes user activities and communication content related to a specific feature. This allows users to record and manage information such as user activity history and communication content, in addition to recording the attributes and status of a feature, and to view this information among users belonging to a group or subgroup. Users can add new information to the feature extension information of their group or update the content of the group's feature extension information. Feature extension information can be described as a "work log" that records user activities and other information related to a feature.

[0290] Feature extension information can be described as feature information composed of multiple pieces of information, including information about activities performed by one or more users, and information about communication between multiple users. The individual pieces of information included in feature extension information may also be called individual stored information. Feature extension information can also be described as information that includes multiple pieces of individual stored information regarding user actions and communication with other users concerning a feature. For example, handover information from one user to another, messages and reactions sent to other users, user activity records, information indicating the state of a feature and its changes, etc., may be recorded as individual stored information. Individual stored information may include characters, numbers, symbols, images (still images, moving images, etc.), audio, or flag values. Individual stored information may also be considered a type of feature information. User-input feature information in the above-described embodiment can be considered as individual stored information. Furthermore, feature extension information may include multiple types of individual stored information that differ in format and purpose from one another. For example, features enhancement information could include a memo recording the user's work at a particular location in chronological order, a collection of photographs of that location, logs of related chats, or a combination of these.

[0291] Here, user activities may include not only performing tasks related to a feature, but also recording or updating feature information about that feature. In other words, for example, recording or changing the information shown on the work location details screen in the example described later may be considered a user activity, and the fact that such information has been recorded or updated may be included in the feature extension information as individually stored information.

[0292] Furthermore, users may be able to add individual stored information to feature extension information, or modify the content of individual stored information included in feature extension information, i.e., update feature extension information. In this case, users may be allowed to modify only the individual stored information they themselves have added, or they may be allowed to modify individual stored information added by other users. In this example, feature extension information can be considered as information that constitutes a page managed in a so-called wiki system.

[0293] Feature extension information for each group can be included in the group feature information. Group feature information including feature extension information can be described as feature information composed of multiple pieces of information, such as information about the activities of one or more users in the corresponding group or information about communication between users within the group. In the second modified example, group feature information can be considered as being classified into information including feature extension information associated with a feature (hereinafter referred to as second group feature information) and information not including feature extension information (hereinafter referred to as first group feature information). When such group feature information is output as output information, within a group, not only the location and state of a feature can be handled, but also the activity history and communication records of users related to the feature, as well as changes in the state of the feature, including photos, videos, and audio, for each feature.

[0294] In the second modified example, the information processing device 100 may be configured as follows to enable the handling of such feature extension information and group feature information.

[0295] In the second modified example, the feature information receiving unit 145 receives feature information entered by the user, associating it with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier, and stores the group feature information in the feature information storage unit 113 based on the received feature information. If individual stored information is entered as feature information, the feature information receiving unit 145 stores the group feature information in the feature information storage unit 113 based on the received individual stored information. That is, the processing unit 140 stores, for example, the individual stored information entered by the user, so as to constitute a part of the feature extension information. For example, if memo text information is entered as individual stored information for a certain feature, that text information is stored in a state associated with that feature so as to become part of the feature extension information corresponding to that feature. Individual stored information may be recorded as being associated with a user identifier or time information. One feature extension information may include multiple such individual stored information entered by the user and individual stored information based on other user actions. In this case, it may include multiple individual stored information corresponding to one user, or it may include individual stored information corresponding to each of many users, or both.

[0296] Furthermore, in the second modified example, if the second group feature information, which includes such feature extension information, is stored in the feature information storage unit 113, the feature information output unit 161 outputs the second group feature information to the user as output information. The feature information output unit 161 may configure the output information so that the feature extension information included in the second group feature information can be displayed to the user in chronological order. For example, the output information may be configured to include each individual stored information included in the feature extension information, associated with its respective time information. By outputting feature extension information that can be displayed in chronological order in this way, the user can easily check the history of activities and communications recorded in the feature extension information in chronological order and easily grasp the flow of information related to a particular feature.

[0297] Furthermore, the feature information output unit 161 may output feature extension information included in the second group of feature information in a display manner corresponding to the user associated with each, for example, by making the text information from itself and the text information from other users different in terms of color or display position. This makes it possible to output information in a way that makes it easy to understand which user the information is from. In addition, the feature information output unit 161 may configure the output information so that the feature extension information included in the second group of feature information is displayed in a different display manner for each user to whom it is output. For example, the feature information output unit 161 may select which individual stored information included in the feature extension information should be included in the output information according to the user's role or attribute values ​​of predetermined attributes related to the user, and configure the output information to include the selected individual stored information.

[0298] Regarding such a configuration, the following description may be provided. The feature expansion information includes a plurality of user input feature information input by the user in relation to features. In the storage unit 110, time information capable of specifying the time when each user input feature information was recorded in the feature information storage unit 113 is recorded. The feature information acquisition unit 151 acquires group feature information corresponding to one group identifier and time information from the storage unit 110. The feature information output unit 161 is configured to output output information capable of displaying information based on each of the plurality of user input feature information in chronological order based on the information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit 151. Also, the feature expansion information includes user input feature information input by a plurality of users in relation to features respectively. The feature information output unit 161 is configured to output output information capable of displaying information based on each of the plurality of user input feature information in a display mode corresponding to the user who input the user input feature information based on the information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit 151.

[0299] Outputting the second group feature information including such feature expansion information to the users of the group can be effectively used, for example, in applications where information is shared within the group in situations such as when performing work on features (that is, when performing work at a specific location). For example, when multiple people in a group perform work on one feature, by recording communication matters, progress information, deferral matters, etc. between users as feature expansion information corresponding to the feature, information can be easily shared within the group (it may also be referred to as a work log function and a work location function).

[0300] In the second modified example, the processing unit 140 and the feature information receiving unit 145 may be configured as follows in order to receive additional information for feature extension information of the second group feature information. That is, when a user who is the destination of the output information corresponding to the second group feature information performs a predetermined operation to start adding information in association with the second group feature information, the receiving unit 130 receives this. Then, based on the operation performed by the user, the processing unit 140 performs an additional preparation process to add individual stored information to the feature extension information that the second group feature information contains and to which the additional information will be added. The additional preparation process is, for example, a process that provides the user's terminal device 600 with information (for example, an input screen) for the user to input or specify individual stored information that is a candidate for addition, but is not limited to this.

[0301] Here, we assume that there is information that is already associated with location information indicating a specific location as additional candidate individual stored information, and that information is configured in the addition preparation process to request the user to specify it. In such a case, the processing unit 140 determines, based on the location information indicating the location of the point corresponding to the additional candidate individual stored information, whether the individual stored information satisfies the additional conditions regarding the location of the point corresponding to the second group feature information including the feature extension information to be added, and performs the addition preparation process based on the result of that determination. The additional conditions are, for example, that the distance between the point corresponding to the additional candidate individual stored information and the point corresponding to the second group feature information (the point to be added) is within a predetermined value, but are not limited to this.

[0302] As an example of such additional preparation processing, the processing unit 140 can, for instance, prompt the user to select images to be added to the feature extension information. In this case, the processing unit 140 can limit the images that can be added to the list to only those that satisfy the addition conditions. That is, the processing unit 140 can perform the additional preparation processing so that the user selects an image corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from the point corresponding to the second group feature information to be added. For example, the processing unit 140 can perform processing to display a screen on the terminal device 600 that accepts the user's operation to specify an image, such that only images within a predetermined range from the point to be added are included as additional candidates from among the captured images. Here, the captured images may be images stored in the information processing device 100, but may be limited to images stored in the user's terminal device 600. It is sufficient that the processing described above can be executed by the processing unit 140 acquiring the location information of each image.

[0303] By performing this additional preparation process, users can easily specify information that is highly likely to be related to the second group of feature information to be added, as individual stored information, and add it to the feature extension information.

[0304] Furthermore, in cases where the user is asked to select a captured image to be added to the feature extension information, for example, the terminal processing unit 640 of the terminal device 600 may perform the above-described operation instead of the processing unit 140. That is, assume that information is displayed on the display device 662 based on output information corresponding to the second group feature information, which includes the feature extension information output from the information processing device 100, and that a predetermined operation is performed by the user in association with this output information. In this case, the terminal processing unit 640 performs an addition preparation process so as to ask the user to select an image to be added to the feature extension information. The terminal processing unit 640 should perform the addition preparation process so as to allow the user to select an image from among the candidate images to be added, that corresponds to a point within a predetermined range from the point corresponding to the second group feature information.

[0305] Furthermore, in a configuration that realizes the functions of the second modified example described above, the following may also be used.

[0306] For example, in the second modified example, if there is a first group feature information near the second group feature information, the user can perform a predetermined operation in association with the second group feature information to add the information contained in the nearby first group feature information to the feature extension information contained in the second group feature information. Such a function that allows existing first group feature information already recorded for the same group to be incorporated into the second group feature information may be called a merge function, an absorption function, or a location memo import function.

[0307] With respect to such a function, if a user performs a predetermined merge operation in association with second group feature information, the processing unit 140 may perform an additional preparation process to add the information contained in the first group feature information stored in the storage unit 110 to the feature extension information, as follows: The processing unit 140 identifies the first group feature information corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from the destination point corresponding to the second group feature information. The processing unit 140 then designates the information contained in the identified first group feature information as a candidate to be added to the feature extension information. In other words, for each piece of first group feature information, the processing unit 140 determines whether it satisfies the addition condition that it is first group feature information corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from the destination point. The processing unit 140 then identifies the first group feature information that satisfies the addition condition as a candidate to be added. Such an additional preparation process can be performed, for example, by presenting the first group feature information identified as a candidate to be added to the user and allowing the user to decide whether or not to add it. The processing unit 140 may also automatically add the information contained in the first group feature information identified by the additional preparation process to the feature extension information contained in the second group feature information. Along with this additional preparation process, the merge function allows users to easily add information contained in the first group of feature information, which is highly likely to be related to the second group of feature information to which it will be added, as individual stored information to the feature extension information. Users can register a large amount of first group feature information in advance and then easily incorporate that first group feature information into the second group of feature information corresponding to major features in the surrounding area to organize the information.

[0308] Furthermore, in the second modified example, the feature information receiving unit 145 may be configured to accept a predetermined conversion operation by the user for the output information, which is the first group feature information. For example, suppose a user sees that feature information has been recorded for a specific location and wants to share feature extension information for that feature within the group. In this case, the user can perform a predetermined conversion operation corresponding to the output information for that location, causing the processing unit 140 to store the second group feature information for that location in the feature information storage unit 113. That is, once the predetermined conversion operation is performed, the processing unit 140 converts the first group feature information for that location into second group feature information, and makes it possible to store the information in the feature extension information included in the second group feature information. By configuring it in this way, feature extension information can be easily modified to be manageable as needed based on existing feature information (information conversion processing). Note that when the process of storing second group feature information based on first group feature information is performed in this way, the original first group feature information may be deleted. Deletion may involve the removal of the corresponding information from the storage unit 110, or it may involve various controls being performed to hide the information on the screen displayed to the user.

[0309] Furthermore, in the second modified example, the processing unit 140 may perform aggregation processing to treat the first group feature information corresponding to multiple points within a predetermined distance range as a single second group feature information including feature extension information. For example, the processing unit 140 may be configured to store in the storage unit 110 second group feature information including feature extension information, which is an aggregation of the information contained in each first group feature information, when it receives a predetermined conversion operation by associating it with the output information of multiple first group feature information corresponding to each point within a predetermined range from each other. For example, when the feature information output unit 161 outputs feature information for each of multiple points, and it can be determined that these points are within a predetermined range from each other, the processing unit 140 accepts a predetermined conversion operation from the user. When the processing unit 140 receives the predetermined conversion operation, it generates feature extension information, which is an aggregation of the feature information for these points, and stores it in the storage unit 110 as second group feature information. In this way, by aggregating information related to multiple locations within a predetermined range and further accumulating information input by users within the group as feature extension information, it becomes possible to efficiently manage activities and communications related to features that extend beyond a single location to a certain area. The predetermined range can be set as appropriate. In addition, regardless of whether or not a location is within the predetermined range, first group feature information that meets predetermined conditions, such as being a location specified by the user, can be merged in this way and treated as second group feature information. Alternatively, a predetermined conversion operation may be accepted first, and then the presence or absence of feature information within the predetermined range and the identification of the target feature information may be performed. When this aggregation process is performed, the original first group feature information may be deleted. Deletion may involve removing the corresponding information from the storage unit 110, or various controls may be applied to hide it on the screen displayed to the user.

[0310] The prescribed conversion operation is, for example, an operation to select a context menu that becomes available after selecting feature information or a location. Performing a prescribed conversion operation can also be rephrased as giving a conversion instruction. Specifically, this could be, but is not limited to, an operation in which the user selects a feature on the terminal device 600 and then selects an option such as "Add to work log," "Convert to work location," or "Register activity history."

[0311] The operation flow of the processing unit 140 in the second modified example can be as follows, for example. The following is an example that focuses on the flow from when the processing unit 140 receives feature information input from the user, to when it stores feature extension information and outputs output information.

[0312] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 according to a second modified example of this embodiment.

[0313] (Step S201) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not feature information has been received. If the processing unit 140 determines that feature information has been received from the user by the feature information receiving unit 145, it proceeds to step S202; otherwise, it proceeds to step S203.

[0314] (Step S202) The processing unit 140 stores the feature information in the storage unit 110 based on the user identifier and group identifier corresponding to the feature information. At this time, the processing unit 140 performs storage operations as appropriate depending on whether the received feature information is individual storage information to be added to the existing second group feature information or first group feature information. Alternatively, instead of performing such processing, the received feature information may be stored in the storage unit 110 in association with information that identifies the feature.

[0315] (Step S203) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not the timing for outputting output information has arrived. If it determines that the timing for outputting output information has arrived, it proceeds to step S204; otherwise, it proceeds to step S205.

[0316] (Step S204) The processing unit 140 performs output information output processing. As a result, as described above, group feature information corresponding to the group identifier is output to the user. When output information is output, each feature information may be displayed with an icon or the like as appropriate, and by performing an operation to display the details, the detailed information of the feature information will be displayed so that the user can understand the content.

[0317] (Step S205) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not to perform information conversion processing. If it determines to perform information conversion processing, it proceeds to step S206; otherwise, it proceeds to step S207. For example, the processing unit 140 determines to perform information conversion processing when first group feature information is specified among the output information and a predetermined conversion operation is performed.

[0318] (Step S206) The processing unit 140 performs information conversion processing and stores second group feature information for the locations corresponding to the first group feature information. As a result, information can be stored in the feature extension information included in the second group feature information for those locations thereafter.

[0319] (Step S207) The processing unit 140 determines whether a merge operation has been performed in association with the second group feature information. That is, it determines whether or not to perform additional preparation processing for the merge function. If it determines that a merge operation has been performed, it proceeds to step S208; otherwise, it proceeds to step S209. The processing unit 140 determines that a merge operation has been performed when a predetermined operation is performed in association with output information corresponding to the second group feature information, such as the operation of the location memo import button described later.

[0320] (Step S208) The processing unit 140 executes the merge function. First, the processing unit 140 performs an addition preparation process to add the information contained in the first group feature information stored in the storage unit 110 to the feature extension information contained in the second group feature information. That is, the processing unit 140 determines for each first group feature information whether it satisfies the addition condition that it is first group feature information corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from the point to be added, and identifies the first group feature information that satisfies the addition condition as a candidate for addition. Then, the processing unit 140 presents the first group feature information identified as a candidate for addition to the user, for example, and allows the user to decide whether or not to add it. When the operation to decide to add is received from the user, the processing unit 140 adds (imports) the information contained in the first group feature information to the feature extension information contained in the second group feature information.

[0321] (Step S209) The processing unit 140 determines whether or not to perform aggregation processing. If it determines to perform aggregation processing, it proceeds to step S210; otherwise, it terminates the series of processes. For example, the processing unit 140 determines to perform aggregation processing if it determines that the points corresponding to multiple first group feature information in the output information are within a predetermined range and that a predetermined conversion operation has been performed.

[0322] (Step S210) The processing unit 140 performs aggregation processing. That is, it aggregates the first group feature information of each point that is determined to be within a predetermined range and stores it as one second group feature information. As a result, the information for that point can be aggregated as second group feature information from now on. After that, the series of processes is terminated.

[0323] According to the configuration of the second modified example described above, it becomes possible to comprehensively manage the sharing of information related to a specific location, the recording of work, and the history of communication between users, thereby facilitating information sharing and decision-making within the group.

[0324] In the second modified example, the feature extension information is associated with only one feature, but it may be associated with two or more features. In this case, the feature to which the feature extension information corresponds can be said to be a single feature that can be composed of two or more features.

[0325] Furthermore, in the second modified example, if the second group feature information is output, a screen like the one below should be displayable on the terminal device 600. Such a screen should be displayed as appropriate when output information is output and user operations are received between the information processing device 100 and the terminal device 600. A specific example of screen display will be described below.

[0326] Figure 21 is the first diagram illustrating an example of the screen display of an application running on the terminal device 600 in the second modified example. Figure 22 is the second diagram illustrating an example of the screen display of the same application. Figure 23 is the third diagram illustrating an example of the screen display of the same application. Figure 24 is the fourth diagram illustrating an example of the screen display of the same application.

[0327] Step S251 shows an example where the map display screen D10 is displayed on the display device 662 of the user's terminal device 600. Similar to the map display screen C10 in the above-described embodiment, the map display screen D10 is a screen that allows the user to check information based on output information along with the map. Similar to the map display screen C10, the map display screen D10 also includes images for operation, such as the feature information input button D93 and the information switching menu D95. In particular, an example of the screen display at the time when the user has recorded the first group of feature information (here referred to as "location memo") is shown, and the map display screen D10 includes a location memo marker D21 on the map that indicates the location of the location memo. When the confirmation button D16 provided in the message indicating that the recording of the location memo is complete is operated, the screen transitions to the location memo screen D20 which shows detailed information of the location memo (step S252).

[0328] As shown in step S252, the location memo screen D20 includes, for example, a location memo marker D21, an editing display unit D23, and a recorded information display unit D24. The editing display unit D23 is an area that accepts user information input and displays recorded information for each attribute, such as the type of location, memo content, photo, and display layer. This information can be treated as part of the feature information. The recorded information display unit D24 may display information indicating the user who recorded the location memo, information indicating the time of recording, and the latitude and longitude of the location. Since the feature information is displayed in this way on the location memo screen D20, the feature information can be shared appropriately among users in the group.

[0329] The location memo screen D20 includes a conversion button D26. When the conversion button D26 is pressed, an information conversion process is performed, and second group feature information (referred to here as work locations) is accumulated for the location corresponding to the location memo. In this example, once the information conversion process is performed on the location memo, the location memo is replaced with a work location, and the location memo is no longer displayed on the screen. When the conversion button D26 is pressed, i.e., when the information conversion process is performed, the screen transitions to the work location details screen D30, which displays detailed information about the work location.

[0330] In this example, the user can create a work point by specifying a new location, rather than converting from a location memo. For example, when the user creates a work point on the map display screen D10, a work point marker D31, which indicates the location of the work point, is displayed on the map on the map display screen D10, as shown in step S260. The work point marker D31 is a graphic with display elements attached to at least a part of it that visually indicate that it is a work point. By attaching display elements to the work point marker D31 in a common manner for multiple work points, the user can easily visually distinguish whether it is a work point or another element such as a work memo. The work point marker D31 may also be identifiable as a work point by being displayed in a specific color or size. When the confirmation button D16 provided in the message indicating that the accumulation of work points is complete is operated, the user transitions to the work point details screen D30.

[0331] As shown in step S261, the work location details screen D30 includes, for example, a work location marker D31 and an editing display unit D23 and a record information display unit D24, similar to those displayed on the location memo screen D20. That is, the work location details screen D30 displays feature information about the work location, allowing the user to understand its contents. The work location details screen D30 displays, for example, a details screen selection button D36 and a work log selection button D38, which can be selected from each other. The details screen selection button D36 is a button to display the work location details screen D30 for the work location, and the work log selection button D38 is a button to display the work log screen D40 for the work location. The work log screen D40 is a screen for displaying and adding work logs, as will be described later. When the work log selection button D38 is operated, the screen transitions to the work log screen 40.

[0332] In step S261, when user input is received using the editing display unit D23, the work location details screen D30 changes as shown in step S262. Here, examples are shown where the user has entered a memo (which could also be called a title) about the work location, set a photo, set a type, and set a layer. When a memo for the work location is entered, its contents are reflected in the title display unit D39 at the top of the work location details screen D30 and the work log screen D40. Also, when a photo is set, that photo is displayed on the work location marker D31.

[0333] Furthermore, if the back button on the title display unit D39 is pressed on the work location details screen D30 or the work log screen D40, the screen transitions to the map display screen D10, as shown in step S263. On the map display screen D10 in step S263, a location memo marker D21 representing a location memo and a work location marker D31 representing a work location are displayed, making it possible to identify their respective locations and whether they are treated as location memos or work locations.

[0334] In this example, the work location details screen D30 displays the location memo import button D35. The location memo import button D35 is a button for using the location memo import function described above. That is, the operation of the location memo import button D35 corresponds to a predetermined operation performed for the location memo import function to start adding information in association with the second group feature information. When the location memo import button D35 is operated, the processing unit 140 performs the addition preparation process as described above, and a screen may be displayed that accepts an instruction to add information contained in an existing location memo within a predetermined range from the work location to which the information will be added to the work log. For example, information such as photos and memos contained in an existing location memo can be imported as part of the information of that work location. The location memo information may be imported as information to be added to the work log, or it may be imported as other feature information of that work location. When the addition preparation process is performed, information from work memos that match predetermined rules (for example, being the work memo closest to the work location) may be automatically added. The operation to use the location memo import function may be handled by a button or similar on the work log screen D40, or it may be handled on the map display screen D10.

[0335] As shown in step S271, the work log screen D40 includes a detail screen selection button D36, a work log selection button D38, and a title display unit D39, similar to the work location detail screen D30. The log display unit D41 is displayed on the work log screen D40. The log display unit D41 displays the contents of the work log (an example of feature extension information) as feature extension information. The information processing device 100 stores the individual stored information entered by the group users as group feature information so as to constitute part of the work log, and outputs the group feature information including the work log as output information, thereby displaying the contents of the log display unit D41.

[0336] In this example, the log display unit D41 may include log content D42 representing the content of individual stored information added, i.e., posted, by individual users. Each log content D42 may include information such as the posting user D43, posting time D44, and mentioned recipient D45. The log content D42 is information that shows the posted text (messages, etc.), photos, or user actions (change type operation, etc.). The posting user D43 is information such as an icon or username that identifies the user who entered each post. The posting time D44 is information that shows the time when each individual stored information was stored. The mentioned recipient D45 is information that shows the user specified as the mentioned recipient when the user entered the information, and is not displayed for posts where no mentioned recipient is specified. In the log display unit D41, this information is displayed in chronological order for each user's post.

[0337] Additionally, the log addition button D48 is displayed on the work log screen D40. When the log addition button D48 is pressed, the screen transitions to the log input screen D50.

[0338] As shown in step S272, the log input screen D50 displays the information input section D52, the specific attribute specification section D54, the member list D55, and the additional send button D58. The send button D58 is used to specify the information entered on the log input screen D50 as individual stored information. When the send button D58 is operated, the information processing device 100 receives the individual stored information entered by the user. When the send button D58 is operated, the system transitions to the work log screen D40. The information input section D52 is a section that accepts text and photos specified by the user as individual stored information. The specific attribute specification section D54 is a section for specifying the attribute value of a work location for a specific attribute. Here, it is possible to specify the type (an example of a specific attribute), such as whether it is a dangerous location or a meeting place. The member list D55 is an area for accepting the specification of the mention recipient when a mention operation is performed. When individual stored information is entered for the user specified as the mention recipient, a specific type of notification (an example of output for feature information) is sent. The operation of the send button D58 when a mention recipient is specified can be considered a type of mention operation.

[0339] The photo addition button D52 in the information input unit D52 is for selecting a photo to be entered as individual stored information. When the photo addition button D52 is operated, for example, a photo selection screen is displayed that lists the photos that the user can select as individual stored information. Here, the operation of the photo addition button D52 may correspond to a predetermined operation for starting the addition of information in association with the second group of feature information. That is, when the photo addition button D52 is operated, the processing unit 140 may perform the addition preparation process as described above. When the addition preparation process is performed, for example, a photo selection screen may be displayed in which only images within a predetermined range from the work point that will be the destination of the addition can be selected. Alternatively, for example, a photo selection screen may be displayed in which those images can be selected with priority over other images, for example, a photo selection screen in which candidate images are arranged in order of proximity to the work point. Note that the operation to enable a predetermined display option on the photo selection screen may correspond to a predetermined operation. In this case, when the operation is performed, the addition preparation process is performed, and the display mode of the photo selection screen changes according to the result. Furthermore, if additional preparation processing is performed, images that meet predetermined rules (for example, images of the location closest to the work site) may be automatically added.

[0340] Step S273 is an example of the display of the work log screen D40 after multiple individual accumulated information entries have been made for the work location, as shown in step S271. As shown individually, the log display unit D41 displays individual accumulated information for the work location, based on the operations of each user in the group, arranged chronologically. Individual accumulated information includes, for example, text, photographs, and records of user actions, such as records of operations to change the attribute value of a specific attribute. Each individual accumulated information is displayed together with the posting user D43 and posting time D44, so that users can easily understand when and which member entered the log content D48. Note that the work log may also include information that is automatically recorded in conjunction with the user's actions, such as trajectories.

[0341] Furthermore, the aggregation process can be carried out, for example, as follows:

[0342] Figure 25 is the fifth figure illustrating an example of the application's screen display.

[0343] Step S281 shows an example of a map display screen D10 that is ready for aggregation processing when multiple (e.g., three) location memos that are close to each other are recorded. Here, for example, the user has selected these location memos as targets for aggregation processing, and a dashed line is displayed surrounding the location memo marker D21 corresponding to each location memo. Note that the dashed line does not have to be displayed. In this state, the map display screen D10 displays an aggregation processing instruction unit D98 for accepting aggregation processing. The aggregation processing instruction unit D98 includes a display explaining that the selected location memos will be aggregated as work locations, and a confirm button D99. The user can perform the aggregation processing by operating the confirm button D99.

[0344] When the confirmation button D99 is pressed, the system transitions to the state shown in step S282. Specifically, in step S282, the selected location memos are aggregated and treated as a single work location, and a work location marker D31 indicating that work location is displayed. However, the display method of the work location in this case is not limited to this work location marker D31. For example, it may be displayed in another manner that makes it clear that it was created based on multiple location memos, or separate markers indicating the work location may be displayed at the location corresponding to each location memo.

[0345] The elements shown in the specific example of the screen display described above may be used in the screen display of the above embodiment as appropriate, depending on the relevant function, or they may be deleted from the screen, replaced with other elements, or displayed in other well-known forms. For example, the location memo screen D20 may be used in the above embodiment as a screen for displaying and editing information related to group feature information.

[0346] In the second modified example, the information processing device 100 may be described as being able to take the following forms.

[0347] The information processing device according to Embodiment 1 is an information processing device comprising: a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information about a feature and is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers, and is feature information that has been recorded in advance based on the user's state or actions; a feature information acquisition unit that uses the user identifier of the destination user to acquire group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier from the storage unit; and a feature information output unit that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the destination user.

[0348] The information processing device according to Embodiment 2 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 1, wherein the storage unit stores the group feature information including feature extension information, and the feature extension information is feature information that can be configured to include multiple pieces of information relating to the activities of one or more users in a corresponding group or information relating to communication by users within the group.

[0349] The information processing device according to Embodiment 3 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 2, wherein the feature information output unit is configured to output the output information, which can display each of the multiple pieces of information included in the feature extension information in chronological order, to the user who is the recipient of the output.

[0350] The information processing device according to Embodiment 4 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 2, wherein the feature information output unit is configured to output the output information to a destination user, which can display each of the multiple pieces of information included in the feature extension information in a display manner corresponding to the user associated with that information.

[0351] The information processing device according to Embodiment 5 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 2, which includes a processing unit that performs an additional preparation process for adding information to the feature extension information based on an operation performed by the user of the output destination in association with output information corresponding to the group feature information including the feature extension information, and the processing unit is configured to determine whether the information satisfies the additional conditions regarding the location of the point corresponding to the group feature information based on location information indicating the location of the candidate information to be added, and to perform the additional preparation process based on the result of that determination.

[0352] The information processing device according to embodiment 6 is an information processing device according to embodiment 5 in which the additional preparation process is a process that requests the user to select an image to be added to the feature extension information, and the processing unit performs the additional preparation process so that the user can select an image corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from a point corresponding to the group feature information.

[0353] The information processing device according to Embodiment 7 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 5 in which the group feature information is either first group feature information that does not include the feature extension information or second group feature information that includes the feature extension information, the processing unit is configured to perform an additional preparation process to add the information contained in the first group feature information stored in the storage unit to the feature extension information, based on an operation performed by the user of the output destination in association with output information corresponding to the second group feature information, and the processing unit performs the additional preparation process to make the information contained in the first group feature information corresponding to a point within a predetermined range from the point corresponding to the second group feature information a candidate for addition.

[0354] The information processing device according to Embodiment 8 is an information processing device according to Embodiment 2 in which the group feature information is either first group feature information that does not include the feature extension information or second group feature information that includes the feature extension information, and when a predetermined conversion operation associated with output information corresponding to the first group feature information is received, the processing device includes a processing unit that stores the second group feature information corresponding to the output information in the storage unit and enables the storage of information in the feature extension information included in the second group feature information.

[0355] The information processing device according to embodiment 9 is an information processing device according to embodiment 8, wherein the processing unit is configured to store in the storage unit the second group feature information, which includes feature extension information obtained by aggregating the information contained in each of the first group feature information, when it receives a predetermined conversion operation by associating it with the output information of a plurality of first group feature information corresponding to each point that is within a predetermined range of each other.

[0356] The terminal device according to embodiment 10 is a terminal device comprising: a display device; a map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information showing a map; an output information acquisition unit that acquires output information corresponding to the group feature information, including the feature extension information, output from the information processing device described in embodiment 2 above; a terminal output unit that uses the map drawing information and the output information to display information on the display device so that information based on the output information is displayed on the map; and a terminal processing unit that performs an additional preparation process to request the user to select an image to add to the feature extension information based on an operation performed by the user in association with the output information, wherein the terminal processing unit performs the additional preparation process so that the user can select an image from among the candidate images to add that corresponds to a point within a predetermined range from the point corresponding to the group feature information. [Industrial applicability]

[0357] As described above, the information processing device according to the present invention has the effect of enabling the sharing of map data within a group that includes multiple users, and is therefore useful as an information processing device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0358] 1. Information Processing System 100 Information Processing Devices 110 Storage Unit 120 Receiver 130 Reception Department 140 Processing Unit 143 Rule Information Acquisition Unit 144 Rule Information Output Section 145 Local Information Reception Department 146 Specific Input Information Storage Unit 147 Location information storage section 151 Feature information acquisition department 155 Member Information Acquisition Unit 161 Feature Information Output Unit 165 List Output Section 166 Mention Operation Reception Section 167 Mention output section 170 Transmitter 600 terminal devices 610 Terminal storage unit 641 Terminal Acquisition Unit 642 Output Information Acquisition Unit 643 Map drawing information acquisition unit 650 Terminal Output Section 661 Output device 662 Display device 701 Map provisioning device 711 Map drawing information storage unit

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information about a feature that is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions, A feature information acquisition unit that uses the user identifier of the destination user to acquire the group feature information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier from the storage unit, An information processing device comprising: a feature information output unit that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the user to which the output is received.

2. A rule information acquisition unit acquires input rule information entered by a user, which identifies at least one predetermined attribute corresponding to the nature of the feature for which attribute values ​​are to be accepted, and associates this input rule information with the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user. A rule information output unit outputs rule application information, which is used to accept input of attribute values ​​of predetermined attributes from the user in association with features, based on the input rule information, to the user corresponding to the user identifier corresponding to the group identifier, The system includes a specific input information storage unit that acquires attribute values ​​entered by the user based on the rule application information, associates them with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user, and stores them in the storage unit as group feature information. The specified input information storage unit is configured to store in the storage unit, as group feature information, the attribute values ​​of the predetermined attributes entered by the user for the feature, along with the specific related information acquired in relation to the input of said attribute values. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the feature information output unit acquires the output information relating to the feature using the attribute values ​​of the predetermined attributes and the specific related information, and outputs it in association with the user to whom it is output.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature information output unit determines whether the group feature information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit satisfies predetermined feature conditions, and outputs the output information corresponding to the group feature information in an output manner according to the determination result.

4. The storage unit contains time information that allows for the identification of the time when the group feature information was recorded. The feature information acquisition unit acquires two or more pairs from the storage unit of group feature information corresponding to one group identifier and time information corresponding to said group feature information. The feature information output unit is configured to output the output information based on the information acquired by the feature information acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output information includes information for displaying two or more group feature information or information based on the group feature information in chronological order from newest to oldest.

5. A list output unit outputs a member list that includes the user identifiers of one or more other users associated with a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user at the output destination, so that the user at the output destination can confirm it. A mention operation receiving unit that receives a mention operation performed by the user of the output destination, which specifies one or more other users included in the member list output by the list output unit as the recipient, and specifies information about the feature to be sent to the recipient, The system includes a mention output unit that outputs information corresponding to the mention operation to the user designated as the recipient by the mention operation, based on the reception result by the mention operation reception unit. The aforementioned storage unit stores status information relating to the status of each user, associated with the user's user identifier. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the list output unit is configured to perform a list configuration process to construct the member list according to the status information corresponding to each of the user identifiers included in the member list, and to output the member list constructed by the list configuration process.

6. A location information storage unit acquires location information indicating the user's location and stores it in the storage unit in association with the user identifier of the said user, The system includes a member information acquisition unit that acquires location information from the storage unit that corresponds to a group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the destination user, and uses the location information to acquire member information, which is information about other users in the group to which the destination user belongs. The feature information output unit outputs the member information along with the output information, corresponding to the user to which the output is sent. The location information storage unit uses the acquired location information to determine whether predetermined conditions related to the user's location or movement are met, and if it determines that the predetermined conditions are met, it stores predetermined types of stay information relating to the user's location or movement in the storage unit, associated with the user's user identifier. The member information acquisition unit acquires location information and stay information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user at the output destination from the storage unit, and uses the location information and stay information to acquire the member information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the member information is configured such that information relating to the user corresponding to the stay information is output to the user at the output destination in an output manner corresponding to the stay information.

7. The group feature information is associated with a subgroup identifier that can identify subgroups within the group. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature information acquisition unit is configured to acquire from the storage unit the group feature information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier of the user to which the output is located, and the group feature information is associated with the subgroup identifier of the subgroup specified by the user.

8. The storage unit stores the group feature information, including feature extension information. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the feature extension information is feature information that can be configured to include multiple pieces of information relating to the activities of one or more users in a corresponding group or information relating to communication by users within a group.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the feature information output unit is configured to output the output information, which allows each of the multiple pieces of information included in the feature extension information to be displayed in chronological order, to a user who is the recipient of the output.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the feature information output unit is configured to output the output information to a destination user, which can display each of the plurality of pieces of information included in the feature extension information in a display manner corresponding to the user associated with that information.

11. The system includes a processing unit that performs additional preparation processing to add information to the feature extension information based on an operation performed by the user of the output destination, in association with output information corresponding to the group feature information including the feature extension information, The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine, based on location information indicating a location corresponding to additional candidate information, whether the information satisfies additional conditions regarding the location of a point corresponding to the group feature information, and to perform the additional preparation processing based on the result of that determination.

12. The group feature information is either a first group feature information that does not include the feature extension information, or a second group feature information that includes the feature extension information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a processing unit that, when it receives a predetermined conversion operation associated with output information corresponding to the first group feature information and performed by a user to whom the output information is located, stores the second group feature information corresponding to the output information in the storage unit and performs a process that enables the storage of information in the feature extension information included in the second group feature information.

13. Display device and A map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information showing a map, An output information acquisition unit that acquires output information output from an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A terminal device comprising: a terminal output unit that causes a display device to display information such that information based on the output information is displayed on a map using the map drawing information and the output information.

14. An information processing system comprising an information processing device and a terminal device that can communicate with the information processing device and corresponds to a single user identifier, A storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information about a feature that is associated with a group identifier corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions, A feature information acquisition unit that acquires group feature information corresponding to a group identifier corresponding to a user identifier corresponding to the terminal device from the storage unit, An output information acquisition unit acquires the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, A map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires map drawing information showing a map, An information processing system comprising a terminal output unit that uses the map drawing information and the output information to output information based on the map and the output information to an output device provided in the terminal device.

15. An information processing method using a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information related to features and is associated with group identifiers corresponding to two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions; a feature information acquisition unit; and a feature information output unit, The feature information acquisition unit acquires the group feature information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier from the storage unit using the user identifier of the destination user, An information processing method comprising: a feature information output step in which the feature information output unit outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the user of the output destination.

16. This is further performed using a map drawing information storage unit that stores map drawing information showing a map, an output device, a terminal acquisition unit, and a terminal output unit. The terminal acquisition unit performs a map drawing information acquisition step in which it acquires the map drawing information from the map drawing information storage unit, The terminal acquisition unit performs an output information acquisition step in which it acquires the output information output by the feature information output unit, The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the terminal output unit uses the map drawing information and the output information to display information based on the output information on the map to the output device.

17. A computer that can access a storage unit that stores group feature information, which is feature information about features that is associated with two or more user identifiers and is pre-recorded based on the user's state or actions, and which is associated with a group identifier that corresponds to two or more user identifiers, A feature information acquisition unit that uses the user identifier of the destination user to acquire the group feature information corresponding to the group identifier corresponding to the user identifier from the storage unit, A program for causing a feature information output unit to function as an output unit that outputs the acquired group feature information or information based on the group feature information as output information, associated with the user of the output destination.

18. A computer in a terminal device equipped with an output device that can access a map drawing information storage unit that stores map drawing information showing a map, A map drawing information acquisition unit that acquires the aforementioned map drawing information, An output information acquisition unit that acquires output information output from an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A program for causing a terminal output unit to function as a display device that uses the map drawing information and the output information to display information based on the output information on a map.

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