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

Abstract

To provide an information processing program, information processing device, and information processing method that can further improve user convenience. [Solution] The information processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the following steps: a step to display map content on a display unit; a step to display list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, on the map content on the display unit; a step to accept a scroll operation on the list content; and a step to display information on the locations from among the multiple locations whose information is included in the list content, where the information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation, on the map content centered on a preset reference position.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for displaying information such as facilities on map content has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for adjusting the type and amount of information related to a position displayed on map content according to the distance from a reference position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology can display information related to a position on map content. When changing the information related to the selected position, the map content scrolls, and there is still room for further improvement in terms of user convenience.

[0005] The present application has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method that can further improve user convenience.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the following steps: a procedure for displaying map content on a display unit; a procedure for displaying list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, on the map content on the display unit; a procedure for receiving a scroll operation on the list content; and a procedure for displaying information on the locations whose information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation, among the multiple locations whose information is included in the list content, on the map content centered on a pre-set reference position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the convenience of the user can be further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the information processing according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the information provision system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a map application screen displayed on the display unit by the first display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of list content displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of list content with the maximum display size displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of map content displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment, and displayed during scrolling. [Figure 8]Figure 8 shows an example of map content that is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment and is reduced in size during scrolling. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of map content that is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment and enlarged during scrolling. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of list content, including advertisements, that is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of list content that is displayed on the display unit and initially selected by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of list content that is displayed on the display unit and finally selected by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows an example of a My Page displayed on the display unit by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of a selection location list displayed on the display unit by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of advertising display processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of list content-related processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of pinning-related processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to this embodiment. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method according to the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Also, the respective embodiments can be appropriately combined within a range that does not conflict with the processing contents. In addition, in the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0010] 〔1. An Example of Information Processing〕 First, an example of information processing according to the embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the information processing according to the embodiment.

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

[0012] The designated position display function is a function for causing the terminal device 1 to display map content, which is content including a map of an area centered on the current location or the position designated by the user U. The search function is a function for searching for a desired place from an address, a store name, a facility name, etc., and displaying the search result on the map content.

[0013] The navigation function provides the optimal route from the set destination and starting point, and offers navigation such as voice guidance, adapting to various modes of transportation including walking, cycling, driving, and public transport.

[0014] The location information provision function displays location information (for example, icons corresponding to the type of location) such as stores and facilities on the map content, and displays detailed information about the location selected by the user U.

[0015] When user U instructs terminal device 1 to launch the map application, terminal device 1 executes the map application. Depending on the functions of the map application, the map application screen is displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1, as shown in Figure 1 (step S1).

[0016] The map application screen includes map content and a modal window overlaid on the map content, displaying multiple layered content. Layered content is used to place information for multiple linked locations onto the map content and includes GUI buttons. The modal window displays the GUI buttons for the layered content. These GUI buttons can also be referred to as layer buttons.

[0017] Each layer content is placed in a modal window according to the user U's actions. For example, user U can select one or more layer content candidates from multiple candidates by operating terminal device 1, and terminal device 1 places the layer content candidates selected by user U as layer content in a modal window.

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

[0019] Additionally, a search box is located on the map application screen. By entering the name of a desired store or facility into the search box, user U can display the store or facility they entered on the map content.

[0020] The modal window is superimposed on the map content, which is the parent window. The modal window contains multiple layer contents, each linked to information about multiple locations. User U can operate terminal device 1 to select the desired layer content from among the multiple layer contents.

[0021] Each of the multiple layer contents is associated with information about a different location. The location information is stored in terminal device 1 along with the layer content information, but it may also be stored in information providing device 2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0022] The locations to which information can be linked to layer content include, but are not limited to, the locations of various facilities, parking lots, parks, tourist attractions, famous buildings, monuments, and event venues.

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

[0024] Location information includes information indicating the location, information indicating the location category, information indicating the location description (e.g., text and image information about the location), information indicating the location rating, information indicating the location recommendation level (e.g., recommendation level for each context), and so on. Information indicating the location of a place is, for example, information indicating the location's latitude and longitude.

[0025] The multiple layer contents shown in Figure 1 include parking layer content, gourmet layer content, cultural property layer content, and travel layer content. The parking layer content is a layer content that links information on multiple parking lots. The gourmet layer content is a layer content that links information on multiple restaurants.

[0026] Cultural property layer content is layer content in which information about multiple cultural properties is linked. Travel content is layer content in which information about multiple trips is linked. The layer content shown in Figure 1 includes GUI (Graphical User Interface) buttons, but is not limited to this example and may include other GUI elements such as checkboxes.

[0027] Terminal device 1 accepts the selection of one or more layer contents from among multiple layer contents arranged in a modal window by user U, based on the functions of the map application (step S2). The selection of layer contents by user U is performed by user U's operation on terminal device 1.

[0028] Terminal device 1 displays information for multiple locations associated with the layer content selected in step S2 on the map content (step S3). As described above, the location information is stored in terminal device 1, but if it is stored in information provider device 2, terminal device 1 obtains the location information from information provider device 2 through the API (Application Programming Interface) provided by information provider device 2.

[0029] The location information displayed on the map content is a location icon, which is an icon that indicates a location, but is not limited to this example; for example, it may also be a location label, which is a label that indicates a location. In the example shown in Figure 1(a), the cultural property layer content is selected, and multiple location icons of cultural properties associated with the cultural property layer content are displayed, and the location of the cultural property is included in the area of ​​the map content displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit of the terminal device 1.

[0030] This allows terminal device 1 to display location icons on the map content that indicate the location desired by user U, thereby improving user U's convenience. The location icons are icons that include information indicating the location number of a cultural property. However, the location icons are not limited to the location numbers of cultural properties.

[0031] Even if the layer content selected in step S2 is a parking lot layer content, a gourmet layer content, or a travel layer content, the terminal device 1 will display a parking lot icon at the location of the parking lot indicated by the parking lot information associated with the parking lot layer content, a restaurant icon at the location of the restaurant (including food retailers) indicated by the restaurant information associated with the gourmet layer content, and a travel icon at the location of the tourist destination indicated by the tourist destination information associated with the travel layer content, similar to the cultural property layer content.

[0032] Furthermore, terminal device 1 can display location icons corresponding to each layer content placed in the modal window even before any layer content placed in the modal window is selected. In this case, when one layer content placed in the modal window is selected, terminal device 1 will highlight the location icon corresponding to the selected layer content more than the location icons corresponding to the other layer content.

[0033] For example, terminal device 1 can highlight the location icon corresponding to the selected layer content by making it larger, flashing, or darker in color than other location icons. Other location icons are icons that indicate the location of a layer content that has not been selected by user U among the multiple layer contents placed in the modal window.

[0034] In this way, terminal device 1 can display location icons, which are information about locations associated with the layer content selected in step S2, on the map content in a more emphasized state compared to other location icons, which are information based on locations associated with layer content that was not selected in step S2.

[0035] This allows terminal device 1 to display the location icons of each layer content on the map content while highlighting the location icon of the layer content selected by user U, thereby improving user U's convenience.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1(a), terminal device 1 enlarges the layer content selected in step S2, allowing user U to easily distinguish between layer content selected in step S2 and layer content not selected in step S2.

[0037] The information providing device 2 has multiple layer content candidates, which are candidates for layer content to be placed in a modal window. By displaying multiple layer content candidates on the terminal device 1, it presents multiple layer content candidates to the user U so that they can select one.

[0038] The information provider 2 can provide the terminal device 1 with information on the layer content candidate selected by user U from among multiple layer content candidates. In terminal device 1, the layer content candidate selected by user U is placed as layer content in the modal window described above. The modal window contains multiple layer content items along with a button to add layer content.

[0039] Furthermore, terminal device 1 can also place layer content associated with location information searched by user U into a modal window. For example, when user U searches for a facility using the search box, terminal device 1 places layer content associated with information about that facility into a modal window.

[0040] Furthermore, terminal device 1 can also place layer content associated with information about a specific location in a modal window when user U searches for a specific location using a web search application. The map application works in conjunction with the web search application to obtain information about a specific location included in the search query entered by user U using the web search application.

[0041] Terminal device 1 overlays a list content, which is content that displays information on multiple locations associated with the layer content selected in step S2 in a list format, onto the map content (step S4). The list content is a modal window in which information on multiple locations is arranged in a list format, but it is not limited to a modal window and can be any content in which information on multiple locations is arranged in a list format.

[0042] List content is content in which card UIs (User Interfaces) provided for each location are arranged vertically as location information. In the example shown in Figure 1(b), the display area on the display unit of terminal device 1 shows some of the card UIs for cultural properties "Embassy A" and "Former Main Building of Ministry B" from among the multiple card UIs included in the list content.

[0043] Each card UI contains information such as the name of the location and a description of the location. The description of the location includes an image related to the location. The card UI is formed by a rectangular area, but is not limited to this example.

[0044] Next, terminal device 1 accepts a scroll operation of the list content by user U (step S5). For example, if terminal device 1 has a touch panel display, user U can scroll the list content by performing a flick operation in the up or down direction on the touch panel display.

[0045] If terminal device 1 receives a scroll operation in step S5, it displays location icons on the map content that indicate the location of a card UI that has come into the display area, which is the area displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1, with greater emphasis than location icons that indicate the location of a card UI that is not included in the display area (step S6).

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 1(b), scrolling the list content expands the display area of ​​the list content vertically, and the card UI for cultural property "Embassy A" is displayed in the display area. As a result, the location icon for cultural property "Embassy A" is highlighted by being displayed larger than the location icons of other cultural properties.

[0047] Furthermore, when terminal device 1 displays location icons on the map content that indicate the location of a card UI that has come into the display area, which is the area displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1, terminal device 1 scrolls the map content with a predetermined reference position set in advance as the center position.

[0048] Here, the predetermined reference position is, for example, the current location of user U, the center position of the area displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1, the centroid position of multiple cultural properties included in the display area which is the area displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1, or a position set by user U. In the example shown in Figure 1(b), the map content is scrolled so that the current location of user U becomes the center position, and the location icon of cultural property "Embassy A" is displayed on the map content.

[0049] In this way, when the predetermined reference location is, for example, the current location of user U, terminal device 1 can display the location of the place corresponding to the card UI relative to user U's current location on the map content, so that user U does not lose track of their current location and user U's convenience can be improved.

[0050] In this case, terminal device 1 displays on the map content the positional relationship information between the user U's current location (current location icon) in the display area, which is the area of ​​the map content that is displayed on the display unit, and a location icon, which is an example of location information.

[0051] Positional information includes, but is not limited to, information indicating the distance from user U's location to the location icon, information indicating the travel time from user U's location to the location icon, and an arrow mark indicating the direction of user U's location relative to the location icon.

[0052] Furthermore, when terminal device 1 displays location icons on the map content that indicate the location of a card UI that has come into the display area (the area displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1) of the list content, it changes the scale of the map content and scrolls the map content. In other words, it changes the scale of the map content according to the distance between the user U's current location (current location icon) and the location (location icon) of the place corresponding to the card UI.

[0053] In other words, when the distance between user U's current location (current location icon) and the location corresponding to the card UI (location icon) is short, the map content scale is reduced (enlarged). On the other hand, when the distance between user U's current location (current location icon) and the location corresponding to the card UI (location icon) is long, the map content scale is increased (shrinked).

[0054] In this way, terminal device 1 will enlarge or reduce the map content according to the distance between the user U's current location (current location icon) and the location corresponding to the card UI (location icon). As a result, user U will not lose track of their current location and can view the map content at a suitable scale, thereby improving user convenience.

[0055] Furthermore, if there are multiple card UIs included in the display area, terminal device 1 displays the location icon indicating the position of the card UI that is at the top (highest) level in the display area of ​​the display unit due to the user U's scrolling operation of the list content, with greater emphasis on the map content than the location icons indicating the positions of card UIs that are not at the top (highest) level.

[0056] In this way, terminal device 1 can highlight on the map content the information of the locations where information is displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1 in response to a scroll operation, among the multiple locations in the list content that contain information. This can further improve the convenience for user U.

[0057] While location icons are an example of location information, location information is not limited to location icons; for example, as mentioned above, it could also be a label indicating a location.

[0058] Furthermore, terminal device 1 can accept requests to zoom in on map content. If terminal device 1 has a touch panel display, user U can zoom in on map content by performing a pinch-out operation on the touch panel display.

[0059] When terminal device 1 receives a zoom operation, it enlarges the map content on the display unit. Furthermore, terminal device 1 overlays a list of information on multiple locations (excluding those included in the area no longer displayed on the display unit due to the zoom) onto the map content as list content. Terminal device 1 also places location icons on the map content, representing each of the locations excluding those no longer included in the list content.

[0060] Furthermore, terminal device 1 can accept requests to zoom out the map content. If terminal device 1 has a touch panel display, user U can zoom out the map content by performing a pinch-in operation on the touch panel display.

[0061] When terminal device 1 receives a zoom-out operation, it displays the map content in a reduced size on the display unit. Furthermore, terminal device 1 overlays a list of location information, including locations newly included in the area displayed on the display unit due to the zoom-out, onto the map content as list content. Terminal device 1 also places location icons on the map content, representing each of the locations now included in the list content.

[0062] Furthermore, as described above, terminal device 1 places location icons, which are pieces of information representing each of the multiple locations included in the list content, on the map content, and accepts the user U's selection of one of these location icons. Terminal device 1 scrolls the list content so that a card UI, which is the location information indicated by the single location icon selected by user U, is displayed on the display unit.

[0063] If there are multiple card UIs included in the display area, terminal device 1 scrolls the list content so that the card UI for the location indicated by the location icon selected by user U is at the top (highest) level in the display area of ​​the display unit.

[0064] Furthermore, the list content is associated with sorting conditions for information of multiple locations, and terminal device 1 displays the content containing information of multiple locations in the sorting order based on the sorting conditions as list content, superimposed on the map content on the display unit.

[0065] The sorting criteria may include, for example, highest rating, recommended, or closest, but are not limited to these examples. Sorting by highest rating means sorting by the highest statistical values ​​(e.g., mean or median) of ratings given by map app users U.

[0066] The layer content includes information that indicates user U's evaluation, which is linked to the information for each location. Terminal device 1 displays the content containing the highest user U evaluations for each location as list content, superimposed on the map content, on the display unit.

[0067] Furthermore, when terminal device 1 overlays a list of information on multiple locations associated with a specific layer content onto the map content in step S4, it displays advertising information along with the information on the multiple locations in the list content. The advertisers who place the advertisements may be companies related to the layer content, or companies unrelated to the layer content. The advertisements displayed in the list content are advertisements for companies whose headquarters, branches, stores, related facilities, etc., are located in the display area shown on the display unit of terminal device 1. In addition, the advertisements do not necessarily have to be for companies whose headquarters, branches, stores, related facilities, etc., are located in the display area shown on the display unit of terminal device 1, and may be advertisements for companies related to the display area.

[0068] Advertisements displayed in list content are linked to various pieces of company information, as well as multiple locations. When terminal device 1 receives a scroll operation of the list content from user U, it displays location icons on the map content that indicate the location of the advertisement related to the card UI that has come into the display area (the area of ​​the list content displayed on the display unit of terminal device 1), with greater emphasis than location icons that indicate the location of card UI that are not included in the display area. Locations related to advertisements include, for example, the company's headquarters, branches, stores, and related facilities. This adds value to the advertisements.

[0069] Thus, terminal device 1 displays list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, overlaid on map content on the display unit, accepts scrolling operations on the list content, and has a program installed that highlights the information of the locations whose information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scrolling operation, from among the multiple locations whose information is included in the list content, on the map content. This further improves the convenience for user U.

[0070] Furthermore, when terminal device 1 displays a list of information about multiple locations associated with the layer content superimposed on the map content, it accepts a selection operation to select a specific location from the multiple locations in the list content. At this time, terminal device 1 pins the information of the specific location selected on the map content and continues to display it on the map content until a predetermined release condition is met (step S7).

[0071] Furthermore, location information is represented by location icons, and location icons pinned to the map content remain displayed on the map content even when terminal device 1 receives scroll operations or new selection operations. In other words, when terminal device 1 receives multiple selection operations and there are multiple specific locations selected, it continues to display multiple location icons corresponding to those specific locations on the map content.

[0072] Furthermore, when the layer content displayed on the display unit is changed, terminal device 1 continues to display one or more location icons selected in the layer content before the change on the map content. Terminal device 1 displays multiple location icons on the map content as information of multiple specific locations spanning multiple different layer contents.

[0073] Here, the predetermined deactivation condition is the execution of a process that accepts a deactivation operation in which user U deactivates a specific location that has already been selected using the list content. Another predetermined deactivation condition is the elapsed time (for example, 24 hours) since the selection operation of selecting a specific location from multiple locations in the list content was accepted. Yet another predetermined deactivation condition is the execution of a process that terminates the map application or turns off the power of terminal device 1.

[0074] In this way, when a specific location is selected from multiple locations in the list content, terminal device 1 pins and displays the information of the selected locations on the map content, and continues to display it on the map content until a predetermined release condition is met. This allows user U to share information of multiple locations of interest on the map content, further improving user U's convenience.

[0075] Terminal device 1 stores information of multiple specific locations selected by the user in the user's My Page. Terminal device 1 displays the information of multiple specific locations stored in My Page as a list of selected locations, overlaid on the map content in the display unit. Terminal device 1 stores the list of selected locations as a bookmark, either as is or modified. Terminal device 1 displays the list of selected locations stored as a bookmark, overlaid on the map content in the display unit. This allows user U to create a list of selected locations in advance and use it at a later date, further improving user U's convenience.

[0076] [2. Configuration of Information Provision System 100] The configuration of the information provision system 100, which includes terminal device 1 and information provision device 2, will be described in detail below.

[0077] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the information provision system 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information provision system 100 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 1 and information provision devices 2.

[0078] Multiple terminal devices 1 are used by different users U. Each terminal device 1 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet PC, notebook PC, or desktop PC, but is not limited to these examples.

[0079] Each of the terminal device 1 and the information providing device 2 is connected to each other via the network N, either by wire or wireless, enabling communication between them. Note that the information providing system 100 shown in Figure 2 may include multiple information providing devices 2.

[0080] Network N includes, for example, WANs (Wide Area Networks) such as the Internet, and mobile communication networks such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), and 5G (5th Generation: 5th Generation Mobile Communication System).

[0081] Each terminal device 1 can connect to the network N via short-range wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Bluetooth®, or Wi-Fi (Local Area Network), and communicate with the information providing device 2.

[0082] [3. Configuration of Terminal Device 1] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a terminal device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a display unit 11, an input unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a sensor group 14, a storage unit 15, and a processing unit 16. Although not shown, the terminal device 1 is also provided with a speaker and the like.

[0083] [3.1. Communications Section 10] The communication unit 10 is implemented, for example, by a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication unit 10 is connected to the network N by wire or wireless connection and transmits and receives information with the information providing device 2 via the network N.

[0084] [3.2. Display section 11] The display unit 11 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0085] [3.3. Input section 12] The input unit 12 includes, for example, a keyboard with keys for entering letters, numbers, and spaces, an enter key and arrow keys, a mouse, and a power button. The input unit 12 also includes a touch panel if the display unit 11 is a touch panel compatible display.

[0086] [3.4. Imaging Unit 13] The imaging unit 13 is an image sensor (camera) that captures images of the subject. For example, the imaging unit 13 may be a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor. Note that the imaging unit 13 is not limited to a built-in camera; it may also be an external camera such as a wireless camera or webcam that can communicate with the communication unit 10.

[0087] [3.5. Sensor Group 14] The sensor group 14 includes, for example, a positioning sensor, a microphone, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart rate sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, an ambient light sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. The positioning sensor is a position sensor that detects the position of the terminal device 1. The microphone is a sensor that detects sounds around the terminal device 1. The accelerometer is a sensor that detects the acceleration of the terminal device 1.

[0088] The gyro sensor is a sensor that detects the orientation of terminal device 1, such as its tilt and rotation. The heart rate sensor is a sensor that detects the heart rate of user U. The barometric pressure sensor is a sensor that detects atmospheric pressure. The ambient light sensor is a sensor that detects the intensity of light around terminal device 1. The temperature sensor is a sensor that detects the temperature around terminal device 1. The humidity sensor is a sensor that detects the humidity around terminal device 1.

[0089] [3.6. Storage section 15] The memory unit 15 is implemented by, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or by storage devices such as hard disks or optical discs.

[0090] The storage unit 15 stores, for example, information transmitted from the information providing device 2 and acquired by the processing unit 16 via the network N and communication unit 10, as well as detection information, which is information detected by the sensor group 14.

[0091] Furthermore, the memory unit 15 stores information indicating the attributes of user U. User U's attributes include, for example, demographic attributes and psychographic attributes. Demographic attributes are demographic attributes and include multiple attribute items such as age, gender, occupation, place of residence, annual income, and family structure.

[0092] Psychographic attributes are psychological attributes that include multiple attribute items related to lifestyle, values, interests, etc. For example, each of the multiple attribute items in a psychographic attribute is an object of interest to user U, such as cars, clothes, travel, games, camping, motorcycles, trains, home appliances, or computers.

[0093] [3.7. Processing Unit 16] The processing unit 16 is a controller, which is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the memory device inside the terminal device 1 using RAM as the working area.

[0094] The processing unit 16 may be partially or entirely implemented by an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing unit 16 has a map application (an example of an information processing program) installed as a dedicated application program that runs on the OS (Operating System), and as a result, the processing unit 16 functions as a functional unit including an acquisition unit 20, a reception unit 21, a determination unit 22, and a display processing unit 23.

[0095] [3.7.1. Acquisition part 20] The acquisition unit 20 acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 20 acquires various types of information from external devices such as the information providing device 2 via the network N and the communication unit 10. For example, the acquisition unit 20 acquires various types of information from the information providing device 2 via an API.

[0096] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 20 stores information acquired from external devices such as the information providing device 2 in the storage unit 15. The acquisition unit 20 also retrieves information stored in the storage unit 15.

[0097] The acquisition unit 20 acquires, for example, layer content and information on multiple locations associated with the layer content from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15.

[0098] Furthermore, the map application is linked to a web search application, and the acquisition unit 20 acquires information about a specific location included in the search query entered by user U using the web search application. The acquisition unit 20 can also acquire information about a specific location included in the search query entered by user U from an external search server.

[0099] The acquisition unit 20 can send a request for candidate information to the information providing device 2 when user U launches the map application, or when user U displays the map application for a predetermined period of time or longer, and acquire layer content candidates from the information providing device 2.

[0100] When the acquisition unit 20 receives a selection from the user U of one or more layer content candidates from among multiple layer content candidates, the acceptance unit 21 receives the selection information and the acquisition unit 20 transmits the selection information to the information providing device 2, and acquires selection correspondence information from the information providing device 2, which is information corresponding to the selection information.

[0101] The selection information includes information indicating one or more layer content candidates selected by user U. The selection correspondence information includes information on one or more layer content candidates that were selected and information on one or more location groups associated with one or more layer content candidates. The location group information is information on multiple locations.

[0102] [3.7.2. Reception Desk 21] The reception unit 21 accepts various operations from the user U via the input unit 12. For example, the reception unit 21 accepts the user U's selection of layer content placed in the modal window displayed on the display unit 11.

[0103] The reception unit 21 accepts the selection of a card UI included in the list content displayed on the display unit 11 by the user U. The reception unit 21 also accepts the scrolling operation of the list content displayed on the display unit 11 by the user U.

[0104] The reception unit 21 receives user U operations on the map content. For example, the reception unit 21 receives user U operation selections on the map content, such as changing, zooming in on, or zooming out the area of ​​the map content displayed on the display unit 11.

[0105] The reception unit 21 accepts the user U's selection for information on one of several locations placed on the map content. For example, the reception unit 21 accepts the user U's selection for one of several location icons placed on the map content.

[0106] The reception unit 21 accepts the selection of layer content candidates displayed on the display unit 11.

[0107] Furthermore, the reception unit 21 accepts the selection of a card UI included in the list content displayed on the display unit 11 by the user U. In other words, the reception unit 21 accepts the selection operation to select a specific location from the information of multiple locations associated with the layer content.

[0108] The reception unit 21 accepts an operation to display a list of selected locations in a list format, which is information about multiple specific locations stored on the My Page. The reception unit 21 also accepts an operation to display a list of selected locations stored as bookmarks on the display unit.

[0109] [3.7.3. Judgment unit 22] The determination unit 22 determines the context of user U based on the history of detection results from the sensor group 14. For example, the determination unit 22 determines the context of user U based on the movement history information included in the history of detection results.

[0110] The context of user U determined by the determination unit 22 is the situation of user U. For example, this includes the surrounding environment of user U, user U's movement state, user U's posture, user U's emotions, user U's current location, etc.

[0111] The conditions surrounding user U include, for example, the atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, brightness, and sound around user U. The determination unit 22 determines the conditions surrounding user U based, for example, on the detection results of the atmospheric pressure sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, ambient light sensor, and microphone.

[0112] The motion state of user U can be, for example, moving, stationary, or in motion. The determination unit 22 determines the motion state of user U based on the history of detection results from, for example, a positioning sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyroscope sensor. The determination unit 22 also determines the posture of user U based on the detection results from, for example, an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope sensor.

[0113] Furthermore, the determination unit 22 determines the user U's emotions based on the detection results from the heart rate sensor. In addition to the detection results from the heart rate sensor, the determination unit 22 can also determine the user U's emotions based on detection results from, for example, a barometric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a microphone.

[0114] The determination unit 22 can estimate the user U's situation using, for example, a situation determination model that takes the history of detection information or the latest detection information as input and outputs a situation score for user U. The situation score output from the situation determination model is a score for each situation, and the determination unit 22 can determine, for example, that the situation corresponding to the highest situation score among the scores output from the situation determination model is the user U's situation.

[0115] Furthermore, the determination unit 22 can also determine the user U's situation for each type of user U's situation. A situation determination model may be provided for each situation. The situation determination model is, for example, a learning model generated by machine learning using a neural network, but is not limited to such examples.

[0116] [3.7.4. Display Processing Unit 23] The display processing unit 23 displays various types of information on the display unit 11. For example, the display processing unit 23 displays map content, a modal window containing layer content, list content, layer content candidates, and icons superimposed on the map content on the display unit 11.

[0117] For example, when user U instructs the launch of a map application, the display processing unit 23 displays map content and a modal window on the display unit 11 that has multiple layered contents superimposed on the map content.

[0118] Figure 4 shows an example of a map application screen displayed on the display unit 11 by the first display processing unit 30 in the display processing unit 23 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the map application screen 60 displayed on the display unit 11 of the terminal device 1 includes map content 61 and a modal window 62.

[0119] The map content 61 is, for example, content represented by a map image and includes a search box 65. The modal window 62 contains multiple layer contents 63a, 63b, 63c, 63d and an add button 64, and is displayed superimposed on the map content 61.

[0120] For example, layer content 63a is parking lot layer content, layer content 63b is gourmet food layer content, layer content 63c is cultural property layer content, and layer content 63d is travel layer content.

[0121] Parking layer content is layer content that links information on multiple parking lots. Gourmet layer content is layer content that links information on multiple restaurants. Cultural property layer content is layer content that links information on multiple cultural properties. Travel content is layer content that links information on multiple tourist destinations.

[0122] Layer contents 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d include, but are not limited to, GUI buttons selected by user U, and may also include other GUI elements such as checkboxes.

[0123] The map content 61 is overlaid with a current location icon 66 indicating the user U's current position. Although not shown in Figure 4, the current location icon 66 also has a diagram attached to it that shows the direction of user U's movement.

[0124] The map content 61 is overlaid with a My Page button 81, which displays user U's unique information.

[0125] As shown in Figure 3, the display processing unit 23 comprises a first display processing unit 30, a second display processing unit 31, a third display processing unit 32, a fourth display processing unit 33, and a fifth display processing unit 34. The first display processing unit 30, the second display processing unit 31, the third display processing unit 32, the fourth display processing unit 33, and the fifth display processing unit 34 will be described below in that order.

[0126] [3.7.4.1. First display processing unit 30] The first display processing unit 30 causes the map content to be displayed on the display unit 11. The map content includes, for example, a map image. The map content displayed on the display unit 11 is, for example, a map of an area centered on the user U's current location or a location specified by the user U.

[0127] The first display processing unit 30 performs actions such as changing, enlarging, or shrinking the map area shown in the map content based on a specific input operation to the user U's input unit 12.

[0128] For example, when the first display processing unit 30 receives a zoom operation from the reception unit 21, it enlarges and displays the map content in the display area of ​​the display unit 11. Also, when the first display processing unit 30 receives a zoom operation from the reception unit 21, it reduces the size of the map content in the display area of ​​the display unit 11.

[0129] Furthermore, the first display processing unit 30 scrolls the map content so that the location of a place where information (for example, a location icon or a label indicating a location) is displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 in response to a scroll operation is a location predetermined by the display unit 11.

[0130] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a search box 65 is provided in the map content. When the user U enters the name of a desired store or facility into the search box 65, the first display processing unit 30 displays a map of the area centered on the store or facility entered by the user U as a map shown in the map content on the display unit 11.

[0131] When the user U enters the name of a desired store or facility into the search box 65, the acquisition unit 20 acquires information about the store or facility entered by the user U from the information providing device 2 or the storage unit 15. Based on the information about the store or facility acquired by the acquisition unit 20, the first display processing unit 30 displays a map of the area centered on the store or facility entered by the user U on the display unit 11.

[0132] [3.7.4.2. Second display processing unit 31] The second display processing unit 31 overlays the list content, which is content that shows information about multiple locations in a list format, onto the map content and displays it on the display unit 11.

[0133] For example, the second display processing unit 31 overlays a list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format associated with a layer content 63 selected by the user U by the reception unit 21 from among the multiple layer contents 63 arranged in the modal window 62, onto the map content 61 and displays it on the display unit 11.

[0134] List content is a type of content where card UIs, each representing a location, are arranged vertically to represent location information. Each card UI contains information such as the name of the location and a description of the location. The description of the location may include an image related to the location. The card UI is formed in a rectangular area, but is not limited to this example.

[0135] Figure 5 shows an example of list content displayed on the display unit 11 by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 23 of the terminal device 1 according to this embodiment. The list content 67 shown in Figure 5 is content that displays information on multiple locations linked to the layer content 63c whose selection by the user U has been received by the reception unit 21, in list format.

[0136] The list content 67 shown in Figure 5 includes multiple card UIs corresponding to multiple locations that are located in the area displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 of the map content 61, among the information of multiple locations linked to the layer content 63c.

[0137] In the example shown in Figure 5, the display area of ​​the display unit 11 shows a portion of the uppermost card UI 68a among the multiple card UIs, while the remaining multiple card UIs are not displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11.

[0138] In the state shown in Figure 5, the size of the list content 67 is the minimum display size, which is the smallest display area of ​​the list content 67. The second display processing unit 31 increases the size of the list content 67 based on the user U's actions on the input unit 12. Note that the size of the list content 67 displayed on the display unit 11 when layer content 63c is selected is not limited to the state shown in Figure 5.

[0139] In the state shown in Figure 5, for example, if the reception unit 21 receives an upward swipe operation by the user U, the second display processing unit 31 changes the size of the list content 67 to the maximum display size by moving the area of ​​the list content 67 upward. The maximum display size is the largest size of the list content 67 that is displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11.

[0140] Figure 6 shows an example of a list content 67 with the maximum display size displayed on the display unit 11 by the second display processing unit 31 in the display processing unit 23 of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. In the list content 67 shown in Figure 6, the uppermost card UI 68a and a part of the next card UI 68b are displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11. Card UI 68a is a card UI that contains information about the cultural property "Embassy A", and card UI 68b is a card UI that contains information about the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B".

[0141] Furthermore, if the size of the list content 67 is at its maximum display size, the second display processing unit 31 scrolls the list content 67 when the reception unit 21 receives an upward scrolling operation (e.g., a swipe operation) by the user U. This changes the information of the location that is displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 among the multiple location information contained in the list content 67. Note that the maximum display size of the list content 67 is not limited to the state shown in Figure 6, and may be larger than the size shown in Figure 6, for example.

[0142] The second display processing unit 31 highlights a location icon indicating the location of the card UI that is at the top (highest) level in the display area of ​​the display unit, among the multiple location information contained in the list content 67, and displays it on the map content. When the reception unit 21 receives a scroll operation of the list content 67 by the user U, the second display processing unit 31 scrolls the list content 67 and highlights a location icon indicating the location of another card UI that has become the top level in the display area of ​​the display unit, and displays it on the map content.

[0143] The second display processing unit 31 scrolls the list content 67, and when the location of the topmost card UI in the display area of ​​the display unit changes, it scrolls the map content with a predetermined reference position as the center position, changes the location icon indicating the location of the card UI, and displays it on the map content. Here, the predetermined reference position is, for example, the current location of the user U or the center position of the area displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 1.

[0144] Furthermore, when the location of the top-level card UI in the display area of ​​the display unit changes due to scrolling the list content 67, the second display processing unit 31 changes the scale of the map content and scrolls the map content. The second display processing unit 31 changes the scale of the map content according to the distance between the user U's current location (current location icon 66) and the location of the location corresponding to the card UI (location icon 71), and changes the location icon indicating the location of the card UI and displays it on the map content.

[0145] Figure 7 shows an example of map content displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment, and displayed during scrolling. In the display unit shown in Figure 7, the card UI for the tourist destination "A Plaza Ginza" is displayed at the top of the display unit. Therefore, the location icon 71a for the tourist destination "A Plaza Ginza" is displayed largely on the map content.

[0146] Figure 8 shows an example of map content that is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment and reduced in size during scrolling. In the display unit shown in Figure 8, the card UI for tourist destination "B Town Ginza" is displayed at the top of the display unit instead of tourist destination "A Plaza Ginza". Therefore, the location icon 71b for tourist destination "B Town Ginza" is displayed largely on the map content.

[0147] When the display unit changes from the state shown in Figure 7 to the state shown in Figure 8, that is, when the location of the topmost card UI in the display area of ​​the display unit changes from tourist destination "A Plaza Ginza" to tourist destination "B Town Ginza", the second display processing unit 31 scrolls the map content with a predetermined reference position (current location icon 66) as the center position and displays the location icon 71b of tourist destination "B Town Ginza" on the map content.

[0148] Furthermore, at this time, the second display processing unit 31 changes the scaling scale of the map content according to the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71b of the tourist destination "B Town Ginza". In other words, because the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71b of the tourist destination "B Town Ginza" has increased compared to the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71a of the tourist destination "A Plaza Ginza", the scaling scale of the map content is increased (reduced).

[0149] Figure 9 shows an example of map content displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment, and enlarged during scrolling. In the display unit shown in Figure 9, the card UI for the tourist destination "C Department Store" is displayed at the top of the display unit instead of the tourist destination "B Town Ginza". Therefore, the location icon 71c for the tourist destination "C Department Store" is displayed largely on the map content.

[0150] When the display unit changes from the state shown in Figure 8 to the state shown in Figure 9, that is, when the location of the top-level card UI in the display area of ​​the display unit changes from the tourist destination "B Town Ginza" to the tourist destination "C Department Store", the second display processing unit 31 scrolls the map content with a predetermined reference position (current location icon 66) as the center position and displays the location icon 71c of the tourist destination "C Department Store" on the map content.

[0151] Furthermore, at this time, the second display processing unit 31 changes the scale of the map content according to the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71b of the tourist destination "Department Store C". In other words, because the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71b of the tourist destination "Department Store C" has become shorter than the distance between the current location icon 66 and the location icon 71a of the tourist destination "Town Ginza B", the scale of the map content is reduced (scaled up).

[0152] The second display processing unit 31 overlays the list content, which is content that displays information on multiple locations in a list format, onto the map content and displays it on the display unit 11. The list content is content in which card UIs, provided for each location, are arranged vertically as information on the location. Each card UI contains information indicating the name of the location and information indicating a description of the location.

[0153] When the second display processing unit 31 displays a list content 67 of information on multiple locations linked to a specific layer content 63 on the map content 61, it displays advertising information along with the information on the multiple locations in the list content. That is, each card UI contains advertising information along with the information on multiple locations. The advertisements are those of companies whose headquarters, branches, stores, related facilities, etc., are located in the display area shown on the display unit of the terminal device 1, but they may also be advertisements of companies whose facilities, etc., are not located in the display area. The advertisements displayed in the list content are linked to various types of company information, similar to the information on multiple locations. These types of company information include company information, location information, and product information. The company information may also be still images or videos promoting the company or products linked to the advertisement. The second display processing unit 31 displays the advertisements displayed in the list content on the map content using location icons.

[0154] Figure 10 shows an example of list content, including advertisements, that is displayed on the display unit by the second display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0155] In the list content 67 shown in Figure 10(a), the gourmet layer content "Ginza △△ Restaurant" and "Ginza 〇〇 Restaurant" are displayed for multiple card UIs, along with the advertisements "□□ Store" and "◇◇ Gallery". In the map content 61 shown in Figure 10(b), the advertisements "□□ Store" and "◇◇ Gallery" are displayed as location icons 71m and 71n, while "△△ Corporation" and "〇〇 Building" are displayed as location icons 71p and 71q.

[0156] [3.7.4.3. Third display processing unit 32] The third display processing unit 32 displays, for example, information for multiple locations on the map content 61. The location information is either location content or location labels. The third display processing unit 32 displays, for example, information for locations that are included in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 from among the information for multiple locations associated with the layer content 63 whose selection has been received by the reception unit 21, on the map content 61.

[0157] Furthermore, the third display processing unit 32 displays, for example, information on multiple locations included in the list content 67 on the map content 61. The information on multiple locations included in the list content 67 is information on locations whose location is included in the area displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 in the map content 61, among the information on multiple locations associated with the layer content 63 whose selection has been accepted by the reception unit 21, but is not limited to this example.

[0158] Even if layer content 63 is not displayed on map application screen 60, the location information displayed on map content 61 is information on multiple locations included in list content 67, but this example is not limited to this case.

[0159] The third display processing unit 32, for example, overlays a location icon on the map content 61, which is indicated by the location information associated with the layer content 63 selected by the reception unit 21. This allows the third display processing unit 32 to display the location information desired by the user U on the map content 61, thereby improving the user U's convenience.

[0160] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, the reception unit 21 accepts the selection of layer content 631, and location icons 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, etc. are displayed on the map content 61 at the location indicated by the location information associated with layer content 63c. In the following, when multiple location icons, including location icons 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, etc., are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as location icon 71.

[0161] The location icons 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, etc. shown in Figure 5 are icons that include a location number indicating a cultural property. The location number indicates the order in which the list content 67 is arranged. Note that location icon 71 may include a diagram such as a picture of a cultural property enclosed in a circle.

[0162] Location icon 71a is an icon that includes information indicating location number "1" for the cultural property "Embassy A". Location icon 71b is an icon that includes information indicating location number "2" for the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B". Location icons 71c, 71d, 71e, etc., are similar to location icons 71a and 71b, and include information indicating location numbers "2", "3", "4", etc., for the cultural property.

[0163] Furthermore, the third display processing unit 32 can display location icons 71, which are location information associated with the layer content 63, even before the layer content 63 is selected. In this case, when a layer content 63 is selected, the third display processing unit 32 highlights the location icons 71 corresponding to the selected layer content 63 more than the location icons 71 corresponding to the unselected layer content 63.

[0164] For example, the third display processing unit 32 can highlight the location icon 71 corresponding to the selected layer content 63 by making it larger, blinking, or darker in color than the location icon 71 corresponding to the unselected layer content 63.

[0165] In this way, the third display processing unit 32 can display location icons 71, which are information based on location information associated with layer content whose selection has been accepted by the reception unit 21, on the map content 61 in a more emphasized state compared to other location icons 71 associated with layer content whose selection has not been accepted by the reception unit 21.

[0166] As a result, the third display processing unit 32 can display the location icons 71 of each layer content on the map content 61 while highlighting the location icon 71 of the layer content selected by the user U, thereby improving the user U's convenience.

[0167] Furthermore, the third display processing unit 32 highlights the information of the locations on the map content 61 that are displayed on the display unit 11 in response to a scroll operation, from among the multiple locations in the list content 67 that contain information.

[0168] For example, the third display processing unit 32 highlights the location icon 71 corresponding to the multiple locations in the list content 67 that corresponds to the scroll operation as location information on the map content 61.

[0169] In the example shown in Figure 5, as a location icon 71 corresponding to the scroll operation, location icon 71a indicating the location of the card UI that is at the top (highest) level in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 among the list content 67 is displayed on the map content 61 with greater emphasis than location icons 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, etc., indicating the locations of card UIs that are not at the top (highest) level.

[0170] [3.7.4.4. Fourth display processing unit 33] When the reception unit 21 receives a selection of one or more specific locations from among the multiple locations associated with the list content 67, the fourth display processing unit 33 pins and displays the information of the one or more specific locations that were selected on the map content 61. When the fourth display processing unit 33 pins and displays the information of a specific location on the map content 61, it continues to pin the location on the map content until a predetermined release condition is met.

[0171] Furthermore, the location information displayed as pinned on the map content 61 is a location icon 71, which is an icon indicating a location. The fourth display processing unit 33 continues to display the location icon 71 pinned on the map content 61 even when the reception unit 21 receives a scroll operation or a new selection operation. The fourth display processing unit 33 continues to display the location information pinned on the map content 61 even when the reception unit 21 receives a change operation for the list content 67. As a result, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays multiple location icons as information for multiple specific locations on the map content 61. Here, a predetermined release condition for stopping the display of multiple location icons on the map content 61 is, for example, the elapsed time since the selection operation to select a specific location was received (for example, 24 hours).

[0172] The fourth display processing unit 33 receives the selection operation from the reception unit 21 and stores the information of multiple locations pinned on the map content 61 in My Page. The fourth display processing unit 33 overlays the information of multiple specific locations stored in My Page onto the map content 61 as a list of selected locations. The fourth display processing unit 33 overlays the list of selected locations stored as bookmarks onto the map content 61.

[0173] Figure 11 shows an example of list content that is displayed on the display unit and selected first by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment, and Figure 12 shows an example of list content that is displayed on the display unit and selected last by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0174] In the list content 67 shown in Figure 6, the uppermost card UI 68a and a portion of the next card UI 68b are displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11. Card UI 68a is a card UI containing information about the cultural property "Embassy A," and card UI 68b is a card UI containing information about the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B." Card UI 68a displays the information about the cultural property "Embassy A" and also displays the pin confirmation button 82a. Similarly, card UI 68b displays the information about the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B" and also displays the pin confirmation button 82b.

[0175] In the list content 67 shown in Figure 11, the content is scrolled from the state shown in Figure 6, and the topmost card UI 68b, the next card UI 68c, and part of the next card UI 68d are displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11. Card UI 68b is a card UI containing information about the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B", card UI 68c is a card UI containing information about the cultural property "Former Edo Castle C Gate", and card UI 68d is a card UI containing information about the cultural property "D Shop". Card UI 68b displays information about the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B" and also displays the pin confirmation button 82b. Card UI 68c displays information about the cultural property "Former Edo Castle C Gate" and also displays the pin confirmation button 82c. Card UI 68d displays information about the cultural property "D Shop".

[0176] In the list content 67 shown in Figure 11, the information for the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B" is displayed in the card UI 68b, and the pin confirmation button 82b is selected. As a result, in the map content 61 shown in Figure 11, the location icon 71b is displayed prominently on the map content 61, and the pin icon 83b is displayed for the location icon 71b.

[0177] In the list content 67 shown in Figure 12, the list content 67 has been changed from the state shown in Figure 11, via cultural properties to restaurants and then to parking lots, and information on multiple parking lots is displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 for multiple card UIs. In the list content 67 shown in Figure 12, the parking lot button 84c and 84e of card UI 68c and parking lot k pin confirmation buttons 84c and 84e of card UI 68e are selected. Therefore, in the map content 61 shown in Figure 12, the pin icons 83b and 83d for cultural properties, 84d for restaurants, and 85c and 85e for parking lots are displayed on the map content 61.

[0178] Figure 13 shows an example of a My Page displayed on the display unit by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0179] Figure 13 shows the My Page screen after operating the My Page button 81 from the state shown in Figure 12. On the My Page screen, the pinned list is displayed at the top. The pinned list displays information about places that user U has selected and pinned, such as the cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B", the cultural property "Shop D", the restaurant "Soba Restaurant A", the parking lot, etc. Also, on the My Page screen, bookmarks are displayed below the pinned list.

[0180] Figure 14 shows an example of a selection location list displayed on the display unit by the fourth display processing unit in the display processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0181] Figure 14 shows the pinned list screen, which is accessed by selecting a specific pinned list from the My Page screen shown in Figure 13. On the pinned list screen, information about locations selected and pinned by user U is displayed as a list of selected locations, superimposed on the map content. These locations include cultural property "Former Main Building of Ministry B," cultural property "Shop D," gourmet restaurant "Soba Restaurant A," parking lot, etc. User U can select and modify specific locations from the selected locations list screen and save them as bookmarks under "Weekend Activities."

[0182] [3.7.4.5. Fifth display processing unit 34] The fifth display processing unit 34 displays a modal window 62 on the display unit 11, which contains layer content 63 linked to information for multiple locations. The modal window 62 is superimposed on the map content 61, with the map content 61 as its parent window.

[0183] Each of the multiple types of layer content is associated with information about a different location. The location information is stored in terminal device 1 along with the layer content information, but it may also be stored in information providing device 2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0184] Locations include, but are not limited to, the locations of facilities, parking lots, parks, tourist attractions, famous buildings, monuments, and event venues. Weather information includes, but is not limited to, information on rain cloud distribution, temperature distribution, and fog distribution.

[0185] The types of facilities include, for example, commercial facilities such as shops, shopping malls, and hotels; public facilities such as city halls, police stations, and libraries; educational facilities such as universities and vocational schools; medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics; art galleries, museums, and sports facilities. The types of shops include, for example, retail stores, restaurants, beauty salons, dry cleaners, arcades, and gas stations.

[0186] Location information includes information indicating the location, information indicating the location category, information indicating the location description (e.g., text and image information about the location), information indicating the location rating, and information indicating the location recommendation level (e.g., recommendation level for each context). Information indicating the location of a place is, for example, information indicating the location's latitude and longitude.

[0187] The modal window 62 shown in Figure 4 contains multiple layer contents 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d, as well as an add button 64.

[0188] The fifth display processing unit 34, for example, places a layer content candidate selected by the user U and received by the reception unit 21 from among multiple layer content candidates as a layer content in the modal window 62. The layer content candidate is a candidate for layer content to be placed in the modal window 62, and is, for example, a layer content candidate included in the selection correspondence information acquired by the acquisition unit 20.

[0189] Furthermore, the fifth display processing unit 34 can also place layer content associated with location information searched by user U into the modal window 62. The location information searched by user U is acquired by the acquisition unit 20.

[0190] For example, when user U searches for a facility using the search box in the map content 61, the fifth display processing unit 34 places the layer content associated with the facility information in the modal window 62.

[0191] Furthermore, the fifth display processing unit 34 can also place layer content associated with information about a specific location in the modal window 62 when a user U searches for a specific location using a web search application installed on the terminal device 1.

[0192] [4. Processing Procedure] Next, the procedure for information processing by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of information processing by the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0193] As shown in Figure 15, in step S11, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 displays the map content 61 and the layer content 63. In step S12, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not the layer content 63 has been added. If the processing unit 16 determines that the layer content 63 has been added (Yes), in step S13, it displays the list content 67 that was added to the layer content 63. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that the layer content 63 has not been added (No), it proceeds to step S14.

[0194] In step S14, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not layer content 63 has been selected. If the processing unit 16 determines that layer content 63 has been selected (Yes), in step S15, it displays information for multiple locations associated with the layer content 63 selected in step S14 on the map content 61.

[0195] Furthermore, in step S16, the processing unit 16 overlays a list content 67, which displays information on multiple locations associated with the layer content 63 selected in step S14, onto the map content 61. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that no layer content 63 was selected in step S14, it proceeds to step S17.

[0196] In step S17, the processing unit 16 executes the advertisement display process. The advertisement display process in step S17 is the process shown in Figure 16, which will be described in detail later.

[0197] In step S18, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not the list content 67 has been manipulated. If the processing unit 16 determines that the list content 67 has been manipulated (Yes), it performs list content-related processing in step S19. The list content-related processing in step S19 is the process shown in Figure 17, which will be described in detail later. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that the list content 67 has not been manipulated (No), it proceeds to step S20.

[0198] In step S20, the processing unit 16 performs pinning-related processing. The pinning-related processing in step S20 is the process shown in Figure 18, which will be described in detail later.

[0199] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of advertising display processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[0200] As shown in Figure 16, in step S31, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 selects relevant advertisements based on location information displayed on the map content 61. In step S32, the processing unit 16 displays the advertisements selected based on location information in the list content 67.

[0201] In step S33, the processing unit 16 determines whether an advertisement displayed in the list content 67 has been selected. If the processing unit 16 determines that an advertisement displayed in the list content 67 has been selected (Yes), in step S34, it displays information related to the selected advertisement in the list content 67 on the map content 61. The processing unit 16 displays the location information of the selected advertisement on the map content 61 using a location icon. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that an advertisement displayed in the list content 67 has not been selected (No), it terminates the process.

[0202] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of list content-related processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to this embodiment.

[0203] As shown in Figure 17, in step S41, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 determines whether the operation on the list content 67 is a scroll operation. If the processing unit 16 determines that the operation on the list content 67 is a scroll operation (Yes), in step S42, it overlays the information of the locations displayed in the display area of ​​the display unit 11 from among the multiple locations that contain information in the list content 67 onto the map content 61. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that the operation on the list content 67 is not a scroll operation (No), it proceeds to step S43.

[0204] In step S43, the processing unit 16 determines whether the operation on the list content 67 is the selection of a card UI included in the list content 67. If the processing unit 16 determines that the operation on the list content 67 is the selection of a card UI included in the list content 67 (Yes), then in step S44, it highlights the location information corresponding to the selected card UI on the map content 61.

[0205] Furthermore, if the processing unit 16 determines in step S43 that the operation on the list content 67 is the selection of a card UI included in the list content 67 (Yes), then in step S45, it enlarges or reduces the map content 61 according to the location information of the location relative to the reference position. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines in step S43 that the operation on the list content 67 is not the selection of a card UI included in the list content 67 (No), it terminates the process.

[0206] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of pinning-related processing by the processing unit of the terminal device according to this embodiment.

[0207] As shown in Figure 18, in step S51, the processing unit 16 of the terminal device 1 determines whether a specific location has been selected from among the multiple locations associated with the list content 67. If the processing unit 16 determines that a specific location has been selected (Yes), in step S52, it pins a location icon 71 representing the information of the selected specific location onto the map content 61. When the processing unit 16 pins the information of a specific location onto the map content 61, it continues to pin it onto the map content 61 until a predetermined release condition is met.

[0208] In other words, even if multiple specific locations are selected, the processing unit 16 does not remove the location icons 71 that are pinned on the map content 61, and continues to display the location icons 71 of the selected locations on the map content 61. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines (Yes) that no specific location is selected in step S51, it terminates the process.

[0209] In step S53, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not the layer content 63 has been changed. If the processing unit 16 determines that the layer content 63 has been changed (Yes), it returns to step S51 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that there has been no change in the layer content 63 (No), it proceeds to step S54. As a result, the processing unit 16 displays multiple location icons on the map content 61 as information for multiple selected specific locations.

[0210] In step S54, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not a transition operation to My Page has occurred. If the processing unit 16 determines that a transition operation to My Page has occurred (Yes), in step S55, it stores information of the multiple locations that have been selected and pinned on the map content 61 in My Page. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that there has been no transition operation to My Page (No), it terminates the process.

[0211] In step S56, the processing unit 16 determines whether or not a bookmark registration command has been received. If the processing unit 16 determines that a bookmark registration command has been received (Yes), in step S57, it displays the information of multiple specific locations stored in My Page as a list of selected locations on the map content 61. On the other hand, if the processing unit 16 determines that there is no bookmark registration command (No), it terminates the process.

[0212] [5. Variations] When the second display processing unit 31 displays a list content 67 of information on multiple locations associated with a specific layer content 63 on the map content 61, it places advertising information along with the information on the multiple locations in the list content. If the advertisement placed in the list content 67 is for a company whose headquarters, branches, stores, related facilities, etc. are located within the display area of ​​the map content 61, a location icon for the company can be displayed on the map content 61. Also, when an advertisement placed in the list content 67 is selected, company information (such as product information) can be displayed on the map content 61. Furthermore, the advertisement placed in the list content 67 may be for a company whose facilities, etc., are not located within the display area, and in this case, when an advertisement placed in the list content 67 is selected, company information (such as product information) can be displayed on the map content 61.

[0213] The advertisements to be placed in list content 67 are prepared in advance. For example, advertisements are created for different categories depending on location, season, time, etc. Multiple companies are invited to bid, and the advertisements to be displayed are determined through this bidding process.

[0214] When the reception unit 21 accepts the selection of a specific location, the fourth display processing unit 33 pins and displays information of the selected location on the map content 61 using a location icon 71. At this time, the fourth display processing unit 33 displays the location number 1, 2, 3... in the order of the locations displayed in the list content 67 as information of the specific location, along with the location icon 71 and the pinning icon 83. In this case, the location numbers 1, 2, 3... that the fourth display processing unit 33 displays on the map content 61 along with the location icon 71 may be in the order of the locations selected by the user U. Alternatively, the location numbers 1, 2, 3... that the fourth display processing unit 33 displays on the map content 61 along with the location icon 71 may be in order of proximity to the user U's current location (current location icon 66).

[0215] The fourth display processing unit 33 displays location icons 71 and pinning icons 83 on the map content 61 as information about the specific location for which a selection operation has been received. At this time, the fourth display processing unit 33 may vary the types of location icons 71 and pinning icons 83b displayed on the map content 61. For example, the pinning icons 83 may have different shapes and colors, such as candidate icons and confirmation icons.

[0216] The second display processing unit 31 determines that advertisements displayed in the list content are linked to various types of company information, similar to multiple locations. This information includes company information, location information, product information, etc. The second display processing unit 31 displays the advertisements displayed in the list content on the map content using location icons.

[0217] [6. Hardware Configuration] The terminal device 1 according to the above embodiment is implemented by a computer 200 having the configuration shown in Figure 19. Figure 19 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 200 that implements the functions of the terminal device 1 according to the embodiment. The computer 200 has a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, communication interface (I / F) 205, input / output interface (I / F) 206, and media interface (I / F) 207.

[0218] The CPU 201 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 203 or HDD 204, controlling various components. The ROM 203 stores the boot program executed by the CPU 201 when the computer 200 starts up, as well as programs that depend on the computer 200's hardware.

[0219] HDD204 stores programs executed by CPU201 and data used by such programs. Communication interface205 receives data from other devices via network N (see Figure 2) and sends it to CPU201, and transmits data generated by CPU201 to other devices via network N.

[0220] The CPU 201 controls output devices such as displays and printers, and input devices such as keyboards or mice, via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 acquires data from input devices via the input / output interface 206. The CPU 201 also outputs data it has generated to output devices via the input / output interface 206.

[0221] The media interface 207 reads a program or data stored in the recording medium 208 and provides it to the CPU 201 via the RAM 202. The CPU 201 loads the program from the recording medium 208 onto the RAM 202 via the media interface 207 and executes the loaded program. The recording medium 208 can be, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disk), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), tape media, magnetic recording medium, or semiconductor memory.

[0222] For example, the CPU 201 of computer 200 implements the functions of the processing unit 16 by executing a program loaded onto the RAM 202. The data in the storage unit 15 is stored in the HDD 204. The CPU 201 of computer 200 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 208, but as another example, these programs may be obtained from other devices via the network N.

[0223] [7. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically by known methods. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and various data and parameters shown in the above document and drawings can be changed at will unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each figure is not limited to the information shown.

[0224] Furthermore, the components of each illustrated device are functionally conceptual and do not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific forms of distribution and integration of each device are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions.

[0225] For example, the terminal device 1 described above may be implemented using a terminal device and a server computer, or using multiple server computers. Furthermore, depending on the function, it may be implemented by calling external platforms via APIs or network computing, allowing for flexible configuration changes.

[0226] Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent.

[0227] [8. Effects] As described above, the information processing program according to the embodiment causes the computer to execute the following steps: a procedure to display the map content 61 on the display unit 11; a procedure to overlay the list content 67, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, onto the map content 61 and display it on the display unit 11; a procedure to accept a scroll operation on the list content 67; and a procedure to display the information of the locations whose information is displayed on the display unit 11 in response to the scroll operation, from among the multiple locations whose information is included in the list content 67, on the map content 61 centered on a pre-set reference position. As a result, the user can confirm the location without losing sight of the reference position, and the information processing program can further improve the convenience of the user U.

[0228] Furthermore, when the information processing program according to the embodiment displays information on a map content 61 for locations where information is displayed on the display unit 11 in response to a scroll operation, among a plurality of locations containing information in the list content 67, the program changes the scale of the map content according to the distance between the reference position and the location, with the reference position as the center. As a result, the user can confirm the location on the scaled map content without losing sight of the reference position, further improving the convenience of the user U.

[0229] Furthermore, the information processing program according to the embodiment enlarges the map content 91 when the distance between the reference position and the location becomes shorter. This allows the user to efficiently confirm the location of the location relative to the reference position, further improving the convenience of the user U.

[0230] Furthermore, the information processing program according to the embodiment reduces the map content 61 when the distance between the reference position and the location increases. This allows the user to efficiently confirm the location of the location relative to the reference position, further improving user convenience.

[0231] Furthermore, in the information processing program according to the embodiment, the reference position is the user's current position on the map content 61 or the center position of the map content 61. This allows the user to confirm the location of a place with the user's current position or the map content 61 as the center, thereby further improving the convenience of the user U.

[0232] Although embodiments of the present application have been described in detail based on the drawings, these are illustrative examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, including those described in the disclosure section of the invention, based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0233] Furthermore, the terms "section, module, unit" mentioned above can be replaced with "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, the acquisition unit can be replaced with acquisition means or acquisition circuit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0234] 1. Terminal device 2 Information provision device 10 Communications Department 11 Display section 12 Input section 13 Imaging Unit 14 Sensor Groups 15 Storage section 16 Processing Unit 20 Acquisition Department 21 Reception Department 22 Judgment section 23 Display Processing Unit 30 First display processing unit 31. Second display processing unit 32 Third Display Processing Unit 33. Fourth Display Processing Unit 34. Fifth Display Processing Unit 100 Information Provision System N Network

Claims

1. The procedure for displaying map content on the display unit, A procedure for displaying list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, on the map content on the display unit, A procedure for accepting scroll operations on the aforementioned list content, A procedure for displaying information on a map content centered on a pre-set reference position, among the multiple locations in which information is included in the list content, where information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation, Make the computer execute it. An information processing program characterized by the following features.

2. When displaying information on the map content for locations among the multiple locations that contain information in the list content, where the information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation, the scale of the map content is changed according to the distance between the reference position and the location, with the reference position as the center. The information processing program according to feature 1.

3. When the distance between the aforementioned reference position and the location decreases, the map content is enlarged. The information processing program according to feature 2.

4. When the distance between the aforementioned reference position and the location increases, the map content is displayed in a reduced size. The information processing program according to feature 2.

5. The aforementioned reference position is the user's current location on the map content or the center position of the map content. The information processing program according to feature 1.

6. A first display processing unit that displays map content on the display unit, A second display processing unit that displays list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, on the map content and overlays it on the display unit, A receiving unit that accepts scrolling operations on the aforementioned list content, Equipped with, The second display processing unit displays information on the map content centered on a preset reference position, among the multiple locations in which information is included in the list content, where information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation. An information processing device characterized by the following:

7. A method of information processing performed by a computer, The process of displaying map content on the display unit, A step of displaying a list content, which is content that shows information on multiple locations in a list format, on the map content on the display unit, A step of receiving a scroll operation on the aforementioned list content, The steps include: displaying information on the locations where information is displayed on the display unit in response to the scroll operation, among the multiple locations in the list content that contain information, on the map content centered on a pre-set reference position; An information processing method characterized by including

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