Business establishment information provision system, business establishment information provision method, business establishment information provision device and program

Abstract

The present invention aims to inform people whether a business establishment is located in the vicinity of a specific address. [Solution] Terminal device 20 acquires multiple specific addresses. Computer 11 refers to the geocode database 18 to acquire specific geocodes from the specific addresses. Computer 11 refers to the radius database 19 to set the radius of a circular search area centered on the specific geocode to the value of the radius information corresponding to the area containing the specific addresses. Computer 11 refers to the business information database 16 to search for unique identifiers associated with geocodes that fall within the search area. Computer 11 acquires a map from the map database that includes the search area. Terminal device 20 plots the locations of facilities corresponding to the searched unique identifiers on the acquired map based on the geocode information corresponding to the searched unique identifiers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a business office information providing system, a business office information providing method, a business office information providing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a living environment evaluation apparatus that can quantitatively evaluate the living environment of an evaluation target area with respect to a predetermined evaluation criterion based on both objective data published for the evaluation target area and items that users value for the living environment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The proportion of the elderly in the total population of Japan is on the rise due to the increase in average life expectancy and the declining birthrate, and Japanese society is rapidly aging. In order to realize a rich aging society, it is important that the elderly can continue to live in an area where they are familiar. In order for the elderly to continue living in an area where they are familiar, it is preferable that business offices providing services for the elderly are installed around the elderly's homes. Also, not limited to the elderly, when people wish to move or relocate to an area where they are not familiar, it is preferable that business offices such as stores useful for their lives are installed at the destination of the move or relocation.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a business office information providing system, a business office information providing method, and a program that can inform whether business offices providing services useful for living are installed around residential bases such as elderly homes, homes of those who have moved, and homes of those who have relocated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the invention of claim 1, a business establishment information provision system (1) that provides information on business establishments includes: an acquisition means (terminal device 20) that acquires a plurality of specific addresses as search conditions; a geocoding means (computer 11) that converts each of the specific addresses acquired by the acquisition means (terminal device 20) into a specific geocode; and a search means (computer 11) that, by referring to a business establishment information database (16) in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each other for each business establishment, searches for a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode for each specific geocode. The system comprises: a map acquisition means (computer 11) that acquires a map including the search area from a map database (17) which includes a map in which a geographic coordinate system is set by geocode for each specific geocode; a plotting means (terminal device 20) that plots the location of the business establishment based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search means (computer 11) on the map acquired by the map acquisition means (computer 11) for each specific geocode; and a display means (terminal device 20) that displays the map in which the location of the business establishment has been plotted by the plotting means (terminal device 20) for each specific geocode.

[0007] According to the invention of claim 2, the business information provision system (1) described in claim 1 The business establishment information database (16) has name information and service category information associated with a unique identifier for each business establishment, and the business establishment information provision system (1) further includes a list means (terminal device 20) that classifies the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means (computer 11) according to service category, lists the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means (computer 11) according to service category, and generates a collection of these lists for each specific geocode, and the display means (terminal device 20) displays the list of name information for each service category listed by the list means (terminal device 20) together with a map on which the locations of the business establishments are plotted by the plotting means (terminal device 20).

[0008] According to the invention of claim 3, in the business establishment information provision system (1) described in claim 1, the business establishment information database (16) has name information and service category information associated with a unique identifier for each business establishment, the acquisition means (terminal device 20) acquires a specific service category as a search condition, the search means (computer 11) searches for a unique identifier for each specific geocode that is associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode and is associated with the specific service category, and the business establishment information provision system (1) uses the search means (computer The system further includes a list means (terminal device 20) that classifies the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by 11) according to the specific service category, lists the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means (computer 11) according to the specific service category, and generates a collection of these lists for each specific geocode. The display means (terminal device 20) displays the list of name information for each service category listed by the list means (terminal device 20) together with a map on which the location of the business establishment is plotted by the plotting means (terminal device 20) for each specific geocode.

[0009] According to the invention of claim 4, in the business information provision system (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the radius of the search area is set to the distance a taxi travels for the initial fare.

[0010] According to the invention of claim 5, in the business information provision system (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the radius of the search area is set to a numerical value entered by the user.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 6, in the business information provision system (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the plotting means (terminal device 20) plots the location of the specific address on a map acquired by the map acquisition means (computer 11) based on the specific geocode converted by the geocoding means (computer 11) for each specific geocode.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 7, in the business information provision system (1) described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the plotting means (terminal device 20) applies the geocoding means (computer) to the map acquired by the map acquisition means (computer 11). A circle is drawn with a radius obtained by multiplying the radius by the map scale, centered on the specific geocode obtained by (-11).

[0013] According to the invention of claim 8, the method for providing business information includes: a geocoding step in which the geocoding means (computer 11) of the system (1) converts each of the specific addresses acquired in the acquisition step into a specific geocode; a search step in which the search means (computer 11) of the system (1) refers to a business information database (16) in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each other for each business, and searches for each of the specific geocodes, a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode; and a map of the system (1) The acquisition means (computer 11) includes a map acquisition step in which it acquires a map that includes the search area from a map database (17) which includes a map in which a geographic coordinate system based on the geocode is set for each specific geocode; the plotting means (terminal device 20) of the system (1) includes a plotting step in which it plots the location of the business establishment based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved in the search step on the map acquired in the map acquisition step for each specific geocode; and the display means (terminal device 20) of the system (1) includes a display step in which it displays a map in which the location of the business establishment has been plotted in the plotting step for each specific geocode.

[0014] According to the invention of claim 9, the business establishment information providing device (10) that provides information on business establishments includes: acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of specific addresses as search conditions; geocoding means (computer 11) for converting each of the specific addresses acquired by the acquisition means into a specific geocode; search means (computer 11) for searching for a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode, by referring to a business establishment information database (16) in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each other for each business establishment; and the specific geocode. The system includes: a map acquisition means (computer 11) that acquires a map containing the search area from a map database (17) which includes a map with a geocode-based geographic coordinate system set for each geocode; a plotting means (terminal device 20) that plots the location of the business establishment based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search means (computer 11) on the map acquired by the map acquisition means (computer 11) for each specific geocode; and a display means (terminal device 20) that displays the map on which the location of the business establishment has been plotted by the plotting means (terminal device 20) for each specific geocode.

[0015] According to the invention of claim 10, the program causes the computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring a plurality of specific addresses as search conditions; a geocoding process for converting each of the specific addresses acquired by the acquisition process into a specific geocode; a search process for each of the specific geocodes, by referring to a business information database (16) in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each business establishment, and searching for a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode; a map acquisition process for each of the specific geocodes, by obtaining a map from a map database (17) including a map in which a geographic coordinate system by geocode is set, that includes the search area; a plotting process for each of the specific geocodes, by plotting the location of the business establishment based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier found by the search process on the map acquired by the map acquisition process; and a display process that displays the map on which the locations of the business establishments are plotted by the plotting process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, by looking at the displayed map, the user can see the availability of businesses around a specific address. The actual level can be grasped visually. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the business information provision system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the business information provision device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a business information database in data table format. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a terminal device screen. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a terminal device screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and embodiments designed and changed from the embodiments disclosed below without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention. Since the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrations in the drawings.

[0019] <<<Configuration of the Business Office Information Providing System>>> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the business office information providing system 1. The business office information providing system 1 includes one or two or more terminal devices 20 and a business office information providing device 10.

[0020] <000009​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The business information provision device 10 can be accessed via the internet 30 using a secure communication protocol.

[0024] The terminal device 20 has an operating system (OS) installed, as well as application programs that can run on that OS. Based on the application programs, the terminal device 20 accesses the business information provision device 10, receives information from the business information provision device 10, and displays the content of the provided information on the display device.

[0025] The business information provision device 10 is a server that provides information about businesses that provide services for the elderly to terminal devices 20. Businesses include, for example, community comprehensive support centers, general hospitals, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, nursing stations, health service offices, nursing care offices, meal delivery offices, elderly community offices, delivery offices, unmanned aerial vehicle delivery offices, convenience stores, and public facilities for emergencies (for example, disaster shelters).

[0026] The business information provision device 10 is installed on a data sensor of the information provider or a contractor commissioned by the information provider. The business information provision device 10 is connected to the Internet 30.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the business information provision device 10. The business information provision device 10 includes a computer 11 and a storage device 15. Computer 11 is connected to the Internet 30. Computer 11 may consist of a single computer, or it may consist of multiple computers capable of distributed or parallel processing. Computer 11 may also be a cloud computing system.

[0028] Computer 11 has a communication device. Computer 11 is connected to the Internet 30 via the communication device. Computer 11 can communicate with terminal device 20 via the Internet 30 using a secure communication protocol such as VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0029] Computer 11 is connected to a storage device 15. The storage device 15 is a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), a data server, a file server, or a cloud computing system. Computer 11 can read the information stored in the storage device 15.

[0030] The storage device 15 contains a business information database 16, a map database 17, a geocode database 18, a radius database 19, and a long-term care insurance premium database 14.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the business establishment information database 16 in data table format. As shown in Figure 3, the business establishment information database 16 contains a unique identifier, name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information for each business establishment. The unique identifier, name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information are associated with each other for each business establishment.

[0032] A unique identifier is a one-of-a-kind number assigned to a business establishment. The number consists of numbers, letters, symbols, or a combination thereof. The name information represents the name assigned to the business establishment. Service classification information represents the service categories offered by a business establishment. Examples of service classifications include community comprehensive support centers, general hospitals, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, nursing stations, health service offices, long-term care service offices, meal delivery services, senior citizen community offices, home delivery services, unmanned aerial vehicle delivery services, convenience stores, and public service offices for emergencies (disaster shelters, water supply stations). The additional service category information represents the categories of additional services provided by the service provider. Examples of additional service categories include service providers that handle long-term care certification, service providers that handle support certification, home nursing, home rehabilitation, home care, home medical care support, home pharmacies, small-scale multi-functional home care, and regularly scheduled and on-demand home care and nursing services. Business hours information indicates the operating hours of the business establishment. Address information represents the location of the business establishment as an address. Geocode information represents the location of a business establishment using geocodes (geographic coordinates), more specifically, latitude and longitude. Remarks information includes service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, and This includes various pieces of information about a business establishment that cannot be represented by geocode information alone. For example, the business establishment's telephone number falls under the category of remarks information. Also, for example, if the service category of a business establishment is a general hospital, hospital, or clinic, the specialized field of medical care provided by that establishment (e.g., internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, etc.) falls under the category of remarks information.

[0033] The map database 17 consists of maps with a defined geographic coordinate system. The maps are image data in vector or raster format. The maps may also be a combination of vector and raster image data. Each point on the map is assigned a geocode representing its location, specifically its latitude and longitude. Each point on the map is also assigned height information from the road frontage to the entrance of the business premises. Note that the business premises information provision device 10 may not have the map database 17 on the storage device 15, and a map database located on a cloud computer system or map server may be used instead of the map database 17. The maps included in the map database 17 are road maps, administrative district maps, disaster prediction maps (hazard maps), or aerial photograph maps. The maps included in the map database 17 may be multi-layered maps in which road maps, administrative district maps, disaster prediction maps (hazard maps), and aerial photograph maps are layered on top of each other. In the case of multi-layered maps, any of the road maps, administrative district maps, disaster prediction maps (hazard maps), and aerial photograph maps can be selectively displayed.

[0034] The geocode database 18 contains numerous addresses and numerous geocodes, with each address corresponding to a geocode. Note that the business information provision device 10 may not have the geocode database 18 on its storage device 15; instead, a geocode database located on a cloud computing system or geocode server may be used.

[0035] The radius database 19 contains radius information for each region. This radius information represents the distance a taxi can travel for its initial fare. Radius information is set for each region.

[0036] The long-term care insurance premium database 14 contains long-term care insurance premium information for each region. This information represents long-term care insurance premiums for each income category. The long-term care insurance premium information is set on a regional basis.

[0037] Computer 11 has an operating system (OS) installed, as well as a search program 12 that can run on that OS. The search program 12 is stored on the storage medium of computer 11. When computer 11 receives an access request from terminal device 20, it executes processing according to search program 12.

[0038] <<<Operation of the Business Information Provision System>>> The operation of the business information provision device 10 and the terminal device 20 will be described below. In addition, the method of providing business information using the business information provision device 10 and the terminal device 20 will be described.

[0039] (1) Log in First, the user operates the terminal device 20 to execute the application program. The terminal device 20 then sends login information, such as the user account and password set in the application program, to the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10, and the computer 11 receives the login information. The computer 11 then determines whether the login information is correct or not. If the login information is correct, the computer 11 allows the terminal device 20 to log in; if the login information is incorrect, the computer 11 rejects the login from the terminal device 20. Then, computer 11 sends the result of the login denial to terminal device 20, and terminal device 20 displays the result of the login denial on the display device.

[0040] (2) Display of the search screen Once login to terminal device 20 is permitted, terminal device 20 displays a search screen on the display device. This search screen displays a name input box, an address input box, and a search button. The user can enter their home address (hereinafter referred to as "user's home") into the search box by operating the input device of terminal device 20. The user can also enter their name into the name input box by operating the input device of terminal device 20. Note that "user's home" may be the user's current home or a home where the user plans to reside in the future.

[0041] (3) Obtaining, transmitting, and receiving addresses When a user clicks or taps the search box by operating the input device of the terminal device 20, the terminal device 20 retrieves and stores the specific address and name entered in the search box and name input box, respectively. The terminal device 20 then transmits the specific address to the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10. The computer 11 receives the specific address transmitted by the terminal device 20.

[0042] (4) Geocoding Computer 11 converts a specific address into a specific geocode. That is, computer 11 refers to the geocode database 18 to obtain a specific geocode corresponding to a specific address. The specific geocode is the geocode of the user's home, i.e., its latitude and longitude.

[0043] (5) Setting the search area Computer 11 sets a circular area with a specific radius centered on a specific geocode as the search area. Here, the specific radius may be a constant predetermined in the search program 12, or it may be a variable.

[0044] The constant radius may be, for example, 1 km or 2 km. The constant radius may also be, for example, the distance a taxi travels for its initial fare.

[0045] The specific radius as a variable may be obtained by referencing the radius database 19. In this case, in the step of "(3) Obtaining, transmitting, and receiving addresses", the computer 11 refers to the radius database 19 to retrieve radius information corresponding to the area containing the specific address transmitted by the terminal device 20, and sets the value of that radius information as the specific radius.

[0046] The specific radius as a variable may be a numerical value entered by the user. In this case, the terminal device 20 displays a numerical input box on the search screen in step (2) "Display of search screen". In step (3) "Acquisition, transmission, and reception of address", when the user enters a numerical value into the numerical input box and clicks or taps the search box, the terminal device 20 sends that numerical value to the computer 11, and the computer 11 sets that numerical value as the specific radius.

[0047] The specific radius, as a variable, may be determined based on some factor. For example, the specific radius may be determined based on whether or not the user has relatives living near their home (hereinafter referred to as "neighboring relatives"). If no neighboring relatives exist, the specific radius is set to a first predetermined value; if neighboring relatives exist, the specific radius is set to a second predetermined value which is larger than the first predetermined value. In this case, the terminal device 20 displays a checkbox (or radio button) for inputting whether or not there are neighboring relatives on the search screen in the "(2) Display of search screen" step. In the "(3) Acquisition, transmission, and reception of address" step, when the user checks the checkbox and clicks or taps the search box, the terminal device 20 transmits a message to the computer 11 indicating the existence of neighboring relatives, and the computer 11 sets the specific radius to the larger second predetermined value. In contrast, in the process of "(3) Acquisition, transmission, and reception of address," if the user clicks or taps the search box without checking the checkbox, the terminal device 20 transmits to the computer 11 that the nearby relatives are absent, and the computer 11 sets the specific radius to a small first predetermined value.

[0048] (6) Search Next, the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10 refers to the geocode information and unique identifiers in the business information database 16 to search for and list unique identifiers associated with geocodes that fit within the search area in the business information database 16. Hereinafter, the unique identifiers that are searched and listed will be referred to as specific unique identifiers.

[0049] (6-1) Narrowing down the search results In the above description, the search condition is a search area defined by a specific geocode and a specific radius. However, the search condition may also be the logical AND of such a search area condition and a second search condition. The second search condition may be, for example, a specific name, service category, additional service category, business hours, address, or remarks. In this case, the terminal device 20 displays a second search condition input box on the search screen in the step of "(2) Display of search screen". In the step of "(3) Acquisition, transmission, and reception of address", when the user enters the data for the second search condition into the second search condition input box and clicks or taps the search box, the terminal device 20 transmits the data for the second search condition to the computer 11, and the computer 11 receives the data for the second search condition. The computer 11 then refers to the business information database 16 and searches for and lists specific unique identifiers within the business information database 16 that are associated with a geocode that falls within the search area and are associated with service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, or remarks information that completely or partially match the data for the second search condition.

[0050] Therefore, if a user has a chronic illness, they can input the medical department suitable for that illness as a second search criterion into the terminal device 20, and the computer 11 will narrow down the search to find the specific unique identifiers of general hospitals, hospitals, or clinics that provide that medical department.

[0051] Furthermore, if a user has received long-term care certification, the user can input their long-term care certification and its certification category as data for the second search criterion into the terminal device 20. The computer 11 then narrows down the search to find specific unique identifiers of general hospitals, hospitals, clinics, and care facilities that provide services suitable for that long-term care certification. The certification categories are divided into eight levels: Level 1 (requiring support), Level 2 (requiring support), Level 1 (requiring care), Level 2 (requiring care), Level 3 (requiring care), Level 4 (requiring care), and Level 5 (requiring care).

[0052] Furthermore, if a user has difficulty walking or uses a wheelchair, the computer 11 inputs this information as a second search criterion into the terminal device 20. The computer then refers to the map database 17, reads height information from the geocode associated with the specific unique identifier, and excludes specific unique identifiers of businesses whose height information exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, if a user has difficulty walking or uses a wheelchair, the computer 11 narrows down the search to find specific unique identifiers of businesses that are suitable for the user's physical abilities.

[0053] (7) Second search Next, the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10 refers to the long-term care insurance premium database 14 and searches the database 14 for long-term care insurance premium information associated with a specific region that includes a specific address. Hereinafter, the retrieved long-term care insurance premium information will be referred to as specific long-term care insurance premium information.

[0054] (8) Obtaining a map Next, the computer 11 reads a map from the map database 17 that includes a specific geocode within its range. Specifically, the computer 11 reads and obtains a map from the map database 17 that includes a circular search area with a specific radius centered on the specific geocode.

[0055] (9) Sending and receiving search results and maps Next, the computer 11 reads the name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information associated with specific unique identifiers from the business information database 16, and associates the name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information with each specific unique identifier. Then, the computer 11 transmits the specific unique identifier and the name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information associated with the specific unique identifier to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 receives this information. The terminal device 20 associates the name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information with each specific unique identifier and stores the specific unique identifier, name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information. In the following, the specific unique identifier, name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information stored by the terminal device 20 in this manner will be referred to as search result data.

[0056] Furthermore, the computer 11 transmits the map and specific radius read in step (8) "Map acquisition" to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 receives the map and specific radius.

[0057] Furthermore, the computer 11 transmits the specific geocode acquired in the "(4) Geocoding" step to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 receives the specific geocode.

[0058] Furthermore, the computer 11 transmits the specific long-term care insurance premium information retrieved in step (7) second search to the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 receives the specific long-term care insurance premium information.

[0059] (10) Categorization and Listing Next, the terminal device 20 refers to the search result data, classifies the name information associated with a specific unique identifier into service categories and additional service categories, associates a unique symbol with the name information, and lists the unique symbol and name information for each service category and additional service category. This list is called the name list. A unique symbol is a single symbol assigned to the name information, such as a serial number, a color-coded number, or a color-coded serial number. A color-coded serial number is a number with a different color for each service category and additional service category, and is a serial number within each service category.

[0060] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 associates a unique code with a specific unique identifier in the search results data. Therefore, in the search results data, the unique code, name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information are associated with each specific unique identifier.

[0061] This process may also be performed by the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10 before the step of "(9) Sending and receiving search results and maps". In this case, the computer 11 also sends a name list, which classifies the unique symbols and name information by service category and additional service category, to the terminal device 20 in "(9) Sending and receiving search results and maps", and the terminal device 20 receives the name list.

[0062] (11) Plotting of the locations of business offices and users' homes and generation of map images Next, the terminal device 20 assigns the unique symbols included in the search results data to the map. The location of the unique symbols on the map is the location of the geocode corresponding to the unique symbol in the search results data. The unique symbols on the map plot the location of the business establishment whose name information corresponds to that unique symbol. This map was received by the terminal device 20 from the computer 11 during the process of "(9) Transmission and Reception of Search Results and Maps."

[0063] Next, the terminal device 20 places a home mark on the map, which is marked with a unique symbol. The location of the home mark on the map corresponds to the location of a specific geocode. The specific geocode is one that the terminal device 20 receives from the computer 11 during the process of "(9) Transmission and Reception of Search Results and Maps." The home mark on the map plots the location of the user's home.

[0064] Next, the terminal device 20 places a circle on the map that has a unique symbol and home mark. The center position of the circle on the map is the location of the specific geocode. The radius of the circle is the value obtained by multiplying the specific radius by the map scale. The specific radius is the one that the terminal device 20 receives from the computer 11 in the process of "(9) Transmission and reception of search results and map."

[0065] (12) Display Next, the terminal device 20 displays on the display device the input name and specific address acquired and stored in the "(3) Acquisition, transmission, and reception of address" step, the name list obtained by classifying the unique symbol and name information by service category and additional service category in the "(10) Categorization" step, the map generated in the "(11) Generation of map image" step, the specific long-term care insurance premium information retrieved in the "(7) Second search" step, and the fulfillment level determination result. The map displayed on the display device is, as mentioned above, a road map, administrative district map, disaster prediction map (hazard map), aerial photograph map, or multi-layered map. In the case of a multi-layered map, one of the road map, administrative district map, disaster prediction map (hazard map), or aerial photograph map is displayed based on the user's selection.

[0066] Figure 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display device of terminal device 20. Area 71 on the screen displays the input name and specific address. Area 72 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Clinic" and the additional service category "Home Care Support". Area 73 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Hospital or General Hospital" and the additional service category "Home Care Support". Area 74 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Dental" and the additional service category "Home Care Support". Area 75 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Pharmacy" and the additional service category "Visiting Pharmacy". Area 76 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Hospital or General Hospital" and the additional service category "Visiting Nursing". Area 77 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Hospital or General Hospital" and the additional service category "Visiting Rehabilitation". Area 78 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Nursing Care Provider" and the additional service category "Small-Scale Multifunctional Home Care". Area 79 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Care Provider" and the additional service category "Regularly Visiting and On-Demand Home Care and Nursing". Area 80 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Care Provider" and the additional service category "Home Care". Area 81 on the screen displays a list of names classified under the service category "Community Comprehensive Support Center" and the additional service category "None". Area 82 on the screen displays a map with a unique symbol, a home mark, and a circle. Area 83 on the screen displays the level of completeness determined and calculated by the terminal device 20 or computer 11 according to a predetermined algorithm based on the search result data. Area 84 on the screen displays specific long-term care insurance premium information.

[0067] By viewing this screen, users can visually understand the availability of senior care facilities in their vicinity and the associated long-term care insurance premiums. The map on this screen allows users to visually understand the locations of senior care facilities in their vicinity. Therefore, this screen serves as a valuable tool for users to decide whether or not to continue living in their home in their later years. If a user chooses to continue living in their home in their later years, only renovations to the existing home will be necessary, eliminating the need for rebuilding. Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for a decarbonized society through the promotion of carbon neutrality (achieving virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The construction industry is also making efforts to use wood, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions, for buildings. If the aforementioned screen can provide users with the option to continue living in their home, it will lead to the effective use of their home, thus contributing to the realization of a decarbonized society and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

[0068] On this screen, the user selects and confirms the service category and additional service category within areas 72-81 by operating the input device of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 then displays a list of the names of the selected service category and additional service category, along with a map, on the display device. For example, if the user selects and confirms the service category "Clinic" and the additional service category "Home Care Support" within area 72, the terminal device 20 displays a screen on the display device as shown in Figure 5.

[0069] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal device 20 displays the service category and additional service category selected by the user in area 91 on the screen, the map in area 92 on the screen, the name list classified into the service category and additional service category selected by the user in area 93 on the screen, and the level of completeness determined and calculated by the terminal device 20 or computer 11 according to a predetermined algorithm based on the search result data in area 94. The map is marked with unique symbols corresponding to the name information in the name list classified into the service category and additional service category selected by the user. The position of the unique symbol on the map is the position of the geocode corresponding to the unique symbol in the search result data. A home mark is also marked on the map, and the position of the home mark on the map is the position of a specific geocode. A circle is also marked on the map, and the center position of the circle on the map is the position of a specific geocode, and the radius of the circle is the value obtained by multiplying a specific radius by the map scale.

[0070] While the screen shown in Figure 4 is displayed, the user selects a unique symbol on the map by operating the input device of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 then refers to the search results data and displays the business name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information of the business corresponding to the selected unique symbol on the display device.

[0071] While the screen shown in Figure 4 is displayed, the user selects a unique code from the name list by operating the input device of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 then refers to the search result data and displays the business name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information of the business corresponding to the selected unique code on the display device.

[0072] While the screen shown in Figure 4 is displayed, the user selects and confirms name information from the name list by operating the input device of the terminal device 20. Then, the terminal device 20 refers to the search result data and displays the business name information, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information of the business establishment corresponding to the selected name information on the display device.

[0073] <<<Modified Version>>> (1) In the above embodiment, the processes to be executed by the terminal device 20 may be written to the search program 12, and the search program 12 may cause the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10 to execute those processes. In this case, data communication between the terminal device 20 and the computer 11 is omitted.

[0074] (2) In the above embodiment, one specific address is entered. However, two or more specific addresses may be entered. That is, the search screen in "(2) Display of search screen" displays multiple search boxes for entering addresses. When the user enters multiple specific addresses into the multiple search boxes, the terminal device 20 transmits those specific addresses to the computer 11 of the business information provision device 10. In the "(4) Geocoding" step, the computer 11 obtains a specific geocode corresponding to each specific address. In the "(5) Setting of search area" step, the computer 11 sets a search area for each specific geocode. In the "6) Search" step, the computer 11 searches for and lists unique identifiers for each specific geocode. In the "(7) Second search" step, the computer 11 searches for specific long-term care insurance premium information for each specific geocode. In the "(8) Map acquisition" step, the computer 11 reads and acquires a map for each specific geocode. In the "(9) Sending and Receiving Search Results and Maps" step, the computer 11 sends to the terminal device 20, for each specific geocode, name information associated with a specific unique identifier, service category information, additional service category information, business hours information, address information, geocode information, and remarks information, along with a map, a specific radius, a specific geocode, and specific long-term care insurance premium information. The terminal device 20 receives this information for each specific geocode. In the "(10) Categorization and Listing" step, the terminal device 20 generates a collection of lists for each service category and additional service category for each specific geocode. In the "(11) Plotting the Locations of Businesses and Users' Homes and Generating Map Images" step, the terminal device 20 plots the locations on a map for each specific geocode. In the "(12) Display" step, the terminal device 20 displays the information for each specific geocode. Users can view the display results for two or more specific geocodes and visually compare the availability of elderly care businesses and long-term care insurance premiums around two users' homes.

[0075] (3) In the above embodiment, the business establishment is a facility that provides services for the elderly. In addition to, or instead of, a business establishment for the working generation (for example, people in their 20s to 60s) may be adopted. The service categories of such business establishments include services that are useful for daily life, and more specifically, these include restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, entertainment facilities, recreation facilities, sports facilities, fitness studios, gymnasiums, swimming pools, kindergartens, nurseries, elementary schools, junior high schools, children's centers, and libraries.

[0076] <<<Advantageous Effects>>> The screen shown in Figure 4 visually displays the locations of senior care facilities near the user's home. This screen visually displays the availability of senior care facilities near the user's home. This screen visually displays the spatial relationship between the user's home and the facilities. This screen visually displays the scope of the search area. Therefore, this screen allows the user to prepare for their future old age. This will help me decide whether or not to continue living in the house.

[0077] The radius of the search area may be the distance a taxi travels for its initial fare. In this case, the financial burden on the user to travel from their home to the business premises is minimized.

[0078] The radius of the search area is retrieved from the radius database 19 and represents radius information corresponding to the area containing a specific address. This radius information represents the distance a taxi travels for its initial fare. Therefore, the financial burden on a user visiting a business from their home is minimized, tailored to the user's location.

[0079] The radius of the search area may be set according to whether or not there are relatives living near the user's home. In this case, if an elderly user's relatives can assist the user with their travels, businesses will be searched from a wider area; otherwise, businesses will be searched from a narrower area. Similarly, if a working-age user's relatives can protect or monitor their child on their behalf, businesses will be searched from a wider area; otherwise, businesses will be searched from a narrower area. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Business Information Provision System 10...Business office information provision device 11. Computer 12. Search Program 15. Storage devices 16. Business Information Database 17. Map Database 18. Geocode Database 19...Radius Database 20. Terminal device

Claims

1. In a business information provision system that provides information on business establishments, A means of obtaining multiple specific addresses as search criteria, For each of the specific addresses acquired by the acquisition means, a geocoding means is provided to convert the specific address into a specific geocode. A search means that refers to a business establishment information database in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each business establishment, and searches for a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode for each specific geocode, Map acquisition means for acquiring a map that includes the search area from a map database containing a map in which a geographic coordinate system is set by the geocode, for each of the specified geocodes, For each of the specified geocodes, a plotting means plots the location of the business establishment on a map obtained by the map acquisition means, based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search means. A business information provision system characterized by comprising: a display means for displaying a map in which the location of a business is plotted by the plotting means for each of the specified geocodes.

2. In the business information provision system described in claim 1, The aforementioned business establishment information database contains name information and service category information associated with a unique identifier for each business establishment. The business information provision system further comprises a list means that classifies the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means according to the service category, lists the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means according to the service category, and generates a collection of these lists for each specific geocode. The display means displays, for each specific geocode, a list of name information for each service category listed by the list means, together with a map on which the location of the business establishment is plotted by the plotting means. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

3. In the business information provision system described in claim 1, The aforementioned business establishment information database contains name information and service category information associated with a unique identifier for each business establishment. The acquisition means acquires a specific service category as a search condition, The search means searches for a unique identifier for each specific geocode that is associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode, and is also associated with the specific service category. The business information provision system further comprises a list means that classifies the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means according to the specific service category, lists the name information associated with the unique identifier retrieved by the search means according to the specific service category, and generates a collection of these lists for each specific geocode. The display means displays, for each specific geocode, a list of name information for each service category listed by the list means, together with a map on which the location of the business establishment is plotted by the plotting means. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

4. In the business information provision system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, The radius of the search area is set to the distance a taxi travels for its initial fare. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

5. In the business information provision system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, The radius of the search area is set to the number entered by the user. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

6. In the business information provision system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, The plotting means plots the location of the specific address on a map acquired by the map acquisition means, based on the specific geocode converted by the geocoding means, for each specific geocode. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

7. In the business information provision system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, The plotting means plots a circle on the map acquired by the map acquisition means, centered on the specific geocode acquired by the geocoding means, with a radius obtained by multiplying the radius by the map scale. A business information provision system characterized by the following features.

8. In the method of providing business information, The system's acquisition method includes an acquisition process in which multiple specific addresses are used as search criteria, The geocoding means of the system includes a geocoding step for each specific address acquired by the acquisition step, which converts the specific address into a specific geocode, The search means of the system includes a search step in which, by referring to a business information database in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each business establishment, a search is performed to find a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode, for each specific geocode. The map acquisition means of the system includes a map acquisition step of acquiring a map that includes the search area from a map database that includes a map in which a geographic coordinate system is set by geocode for each specific geocode, The plotting means of the system includes a plotting step in which, for each specific geocode, the location of the business establishment based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search step is plotted on a map acquired by the map acquisition step, The display means of the system includes a display step of displaying a map in which the location of the business establishment is plotted by the plotting step for each of the specific geocodes, A method for providing business information, characterized by comprising the following features.

9. In a business information provision device that provides information about business establishments, A means of obtaining multiple specific addresses as search criteria, For each of the specific addresses acquired by the acquisition means, a geocoding means is provided to convert the specific address into a specific geocode. Referencing a business establishment information database where unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each business establishment, the system searches for the unique identifier associated with the geocode information that falls within a circular search area with a radius centered on the specific geocode. Search methods and Map acquisition means for acquiring a map that includes the search area from a map database containing a map in which a geographic coordinate system is set by the geocode, for each of the specified geocodes, For each of the specified geocodes, a plotting means plots the location of the business establishment on a map obtained by the map acquisition means, based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search means. A business establishment information providing device characterized by comprising: a display means for displaying a map in which the location of a business establishment is plotted by the plotting means for each of the specified geocodes.

10. A retrieval process that obtains multiple specific addresses as search criteria, For each of the specific addresses obtained by the acquisition process, a geocoding process is performed to convert the specific address into a specific geocode. A search process that refers to a business information database in which unique identifiers and geocode information are associated with each business establishment, and searches for a unique identifier associated with geocode information that falls within a circular search area having a radius centered on the specific geocode for each specific geocode. For each of the specified geocodes, a map acquisition process is performed to acquire a map that includes the search area from a map database containing maps with geographic coordinate systems set by the geocodes, For each of the specified geocodes, a plotting process is performed to plot the location of the business establishment on a map obtained by the map acquisition process, based on the geocode information corresponding to the unique identifier retrieved by the search process. A program that causes a computer to perform a display process that displays a map showing the locations of business establishments plotted by the aforementioned plotting process.

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