Program and Information Output System

Abstract

To provide a program and an information output system that allow two or more spots included in a route to be easily confirmed.SOLUTION: An information output system 3 includes: an information processing terminal having a display device 43 that displays a second list screen and a third list screen in which second spot information is classified into clusters and arranged in route order; and a database server having a server control device that determines one or two or more selected spots based on distance between the selected spots along the route. The information processing terminal displays the route in an easy-to-see manner for users even when two or more stopover spots are gathered nearby.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for assisting a user's going out.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for guiding a user to an optimal route to a destination where the user wishes to visit. When the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 receives the departure point and the destination point, and time constraints such as the departure time and the desired arrival time input by the user, it can search for an optimal route for efficiently moving from the departure point to the destination point while detouring around bases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when displaying information indicating the searched bases on a display device, depending on the number and position of the bases, it may be difficult for the user to confirm.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a program and an information output system that can make it easier to confirm two or more spots included in a route.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information output system of the first disclosure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an information output system that sets a route passing through two or more spots selected by a user, and includes a display device that displays spot information indicating the spots, and a control device that determines a cluster including one or more of the spots based on the distances between the spots along the route. The display device displays a screen in which the spot information is classified for each cluster and arranged in the order of the route.

[0007] The information output system of the second disclosure further includes a storage device that stores evaluation information indicating an evaluation of the spots from the user in the first disclosure. The control device determines a representative spot that is the spot with a relatively high evaluation for each cluster, and the display device can switch and display, in response to an instruction from the user, a first list screen that displays a list of the spot information indicating two or more of the spots, a second list screen that is the screen, and a third list screen in which the representative spot information is arranged in the order of the route.

[0008] The information output system of the third disclosure is such that, in the second disclosure, the display device displays, in the third list screen, non-representative spot information with a relatively low evaluation in association with the representative spot belonging to the same cluster, and displays the representative spot information larger than the non-representative spot information.

[0009] The program of the fourth disclosure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to function as a communication control unit that receives, from an external device, display device that displays spot information indicating two or more spots constituting a predetermined route, representative spot information indicating the spot that is representative of a cluster including one or more of the spots determined based on the distances between the spots along the route, and non-representative spot information indicating the spots that are not the representative. The display device displays the representative spot information larger than the non-representative spot information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program and an information output system that can make it easier to check two or more spots included in a route.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] ≪Outline of Information Processing System 1≫ The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an information collection system 2 and an information output system 3. The information collection system 2 has two or more information processing terminals 22 and an SNS server 23. The information output system 3 includes an information processing terminal 4 and a database server 5. The information collection system 2 collects spot information by a predetermined method. The spot information is data indicating a spot. A spot is a POI (Point of Interest). A POI is a specific point on a map. A POI is, for example, a scenic spot. The information output system 3 can output the spot information collected by the information collection system 2. The information collection system 2 of this embodiment collects spot information using an SNS (Social Networking Service). The information processing terminal 22 is a terminal device owned by two or more SNS users 21. An SNS user 21 is a user of the SNS. The terminal device is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer. Note that the information collection system 2 may be configured to collect spot information by a method other than an SNS. In this embodiment, the information output system 3 can present to the user 31 spots near or around the residence of the user 31. The user 31 is a user of the information output system 3. The information output system 3 can propose a destination for the user 31 to go out. The information output system 3 can realize a service that makes going out enjoyable.

[0013] The information collection system 2 can store the spot information collected from the information processing terminals 22 in the SNS server 23 respectively. Hereinafter, the spot information stored in the SNS server 23 is also referred to as "first spot information". The information processing terminal 22 of the present embodiment includes a camera and an input device. The first spot information is input to the information processing terminal 22 by the SNS user 21. The first spot information includes image data of the spot and text data related to the spot. The information processing terminal 22 acquires the image data through a camera, for example. The image data represents, for example, the appearance of a building at the spot. The image data represents, for example, the dishes provided in a store at the spot. The information processing terminal 22 acquires the text data through an input device, for example. The posted article indicated by the text data indicates at least any one of a word, a combination of words, and a written text including a subject and a predicate. The text data indicates, for example, the name of the spot. The text data indicates, for example, the impression of the SNS user 21 on the spot.

[0014] The SNS server 23 provides the accumulated first spot information to the information output system 3. Specifically, the SNS server 23 provides the first spot information to the database server 5. The database server 5 includes a server communication device 51, a server control device 52, a server storage device 58, and a database 59. The database server 5 may be configured not to include at least any one of these devices. The server control device 52 includes a server communication control unit 53, a category determination unit 54, an acquisition unit 55, a recommendation unit 56, and a route determination unit 57.

[0015] The database server 5 provides the information processing terminal 4 with the spot information generated based on the first spot information. The information processing terminal 4 is a terminal device. The information processing terminal 4 is owned by the user 31. The database server 5 transmits only the spot information corresponding to the spots recommended by the information output system 3 to the user 31 among the spot information generated based on the first spot information to the information processing terminal 4. Hereinafter, the spot information transmitted by the database server 5 to the information processing terminal 4 is also referred to as "second spot information". The second spot information includes the image data of the spot, the text data related to the spot, the position data of the spot, and the recommendation order information. In the present embodiment, the database server 5 obtains the position of the spot based on the text data included in the first spot information. The database server 5 extracts the word indicating the spot from the text data and specifies the position of the spot based on, for example, map data. The database server 5 generates the recommendation order information based on the past evaluations of the user 31 for the spot and the like. The recommendation order information indicates at least one of the rank and score of the recommendation order. The information processing terminal 4 and the database server 5 are connected by wireless communication via, for example, a public communication network.

[0016] The second spot information indicates the spots within a predetermined search range set according to the user 31. The search range is set based on a reference position. The reference position is, for example, the location of the user 31. In this case, the reference position may be a predetermined position in the municipality where the location of the user 31 is located. The location of the user 31 is, for example, set in advance by the user 31 via the information processing terminal 4. The reference position may be, for example, the current location of the user 31. The reference position may be, for example, a position arbitrarily set by the user 31. The reference position may be, for example, a position selected by the user 31 from the positions presented by the information processing terminal 4.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing terminal 4 of the present embodiment includes an input device 41, a terminal communication device 42, a display device 43, a terminal control device 44, and a terminal storage device 45. The information processing terminal 4 may be configured not to include at least any one of these devices. The terminal control device 44 includes a terminal communication control unit 46, a position specifying unit 47, and a display control unit 48. The terminal control device 44 executes processing according to a program. The program includes an application for causing the information processing terminal 4 to output second spot information. Hereinafter, this application is also referred to as the "going out application".

[0018] In the present embodiment, for displaying the second spot information, the information processing terminal 4 can display a first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5 and a first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6 on the display device 43. The display device 43 displays the second spot information 64a in different forms on the first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a, respectively. The display device 43 can switch and display the first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a in response to the operation of the user 31. When the list switch button 62 is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 displays the first list screen 60a. When the map switch button 63 is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 displays the first map screen 61a.

[0019] The first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5 displays the second spot information 64a in a list. The first list screen 60a displays the second spot information 64a in the order of recommendation. In the present embodiment, the first list screen 60a displays the second spot information 64a in a vertical column. The first list screen 60a is scrolled by the operation of the user 31. The first list screen 60a shows the spots with higher order of recommendation included in the search range.

[0020] The first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6 displays a first map 73a and second spot information 64a. The first map 73a corresponds to the first list screen 60a. The spots shown in the first map 73a are the same as the spots shown in the second spot information 64a displayed on the first list screen 60a. The first map screen 61a shows the spots recommended by the information output system 3 on the first map 73a. The first map 73a indicates each spot with pin icons 74a, 74b, and 74c. The second spot information 64a displayed on the first map screen 61a corresponds to the spot selected by the user 31. In the present embodiment, when the information processing terminal 4 is switched from another screen including the first list screen 60a to the first map screen 61a, the spot selected by the user 31 is automatically set as the spot with the first recommendation order. Therefore, immediately after being switched from another screen, the first map screen 61a displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot with the first recommendation order. When the pin icon 74b corresponding to another spot is tapped by the user 31 and another spot is selected by the user 31 on the first map screen 61a, the second spot information 64a is changed. In this case, the second spot information 64a indicating the spot with the first recommendation order is changed to the second spot information 64a indicating another spot. The first map screen 61a can display the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot most recommended by the information output system 3 together with the first map 73a. Therefore, it is easy for the information processing terminal 4 to select a spot that is not a regular one for the user 31 as a destination, expand the options for the destination, and generate an outing plan. Note that the information processing terminal 4 is not limited to a configuration in which the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot with the first recommendation order is displayed when switched from another screen to the first map screen 61a. The information processing terminal 4 may have a configuration in which, when switched from another screen to the first map screen 61a, the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot with a predetermined score of recommendation order can be displayed together with the first map 73a.

[0021] The route determination unit 57 shown in FIG. 2 determines a route passing through two or more spots. The two or more spots are selected by the user 31 from the first list screen 60a or the first map screen 61a. Hereinafter, the spots selected by the user 31 are also referred to as "selected spots". The second spot information 64a indicating the selected spots is also referred to as "selected spot information". The route determination unit 57 determines a route based on the evaluation of the user 31 for the selected spots and the distances between the selected spots. In the present embodiment, the evaluation of the user 31 is set on the evaluation screen 80 shown in FIG. 7. Since the database server 5 automatically determines a route based on the evaluation of the user 31 for the selected spots, it is less likely to set a routine route than when the order of visiting each spot is specified by the user 31 and the route is determined, and the options for the destination can be expanded to generate an outing plan.

[0022] The second list screen 60b shown in FIG. 8 and the third list screen 60c shown in FIG. 10 respectively show the routes determined by the route determination unit 57. The second list screen 60b and the third map screen 61c classify the selected spot information 64b for each cluster and display it in the order of the route. A cluster is a collection of two or more selected spots that are relatively close to each other. The second list screen 60b and the third list screen 60c can display the selected spots for each of two or more areas along the route. The information processing terminal 4 can show the route in an easy-to-see manner for the user 31 even when two or more stopover spots are gathered in the vicinity. ≪Details of the Configuration of the Information Processing Terminal 4≫ The input device 41 shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a touch panel integrally configured with the display device 43, a voice input device capable of inputting text data by voice, or a physical key. In the present embodiment, the input device 41 is a touch panel. The input device 41 is operated by the user 31.

[0023] The terminal communication device 42 conducts data communication with an external device. The terminal communication device 42 can communicate with the database server 5. The terminal communication device 42 transmits various types of information necessary for screen display to the database server 5. The terminal communication device 42 receives various types of information necessary for screen display from the database server 5. The various types of information are input into the input device 41, for example, by the operation of the user 31. The various types of information are, for example, reference data. The reference data indicates a reference position. The reference data is transmitted from the information processing terminal 4 to the database server 5. The reference data includes, for example, latitude information and longitude information. The various types of information are, for example, evaluation information. The evaluation information is input by the user 31 from, for example, the evaluation screen shown in FIG. 7. The evaluation information is used when the candidate for the category of the destination is determined. The evaluation information is used for route determination. The various types of information are, for example, the second spot information 64a.

[0024] The display device 43 is configured to be able to display various types of information. In the present embodiment, the display device 43 can display a screen for setting the date when the user 31 plans to go out, a screen for setting the image of the spot to go to, a screen for proposing spots to the user 31, and a screen for showing the route to the user 31.

[0025] The display device 43 can display, for example, the date screen 10 shown in FIG. 3 as a screen for setting the date when the user 31 plans to go out. The date screen 10 is a screen for the user 31 to set the planned date of going out. In the present embodiment, the date screen 10 displays two or more buttons 11 corresponding to the date. The buttons 11 respectively indicate the characters "undecided", "today or tomorrow", "around this weekend", "around next weekend", and "decide the date". When the button 11 indicating the character "decide the date" is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 displays a calendar screen (not shown). The calendar screen displays, for example, the calendar of the month when the user 31 is using the going-out application. The date screen 10 is displayed such that today's date is selected by default. The user 31 can select the date when he / she plans to go out from the dates shown on the calendar.

[0026] The display device 43 can display, for example, the home screen 24 shown in FIG. 4 as a screen for setting the category of the going-out spot. When the planned going-out date is set by the user 31 from the date screen 10, the display device 43 displays the home screen 24. The home screen 24 displays category information 29. The category information 29 is data obtained by grouping two or more spots under a predetermined condition. The category information 29 is generated by extracting characteristic words from the text data included in the first spot information and associating those words with the spots. Hereinafter, this word will be referred to as a "category word" or a "catchy word". The category words are, for example, "under the sun", "scent of flowers", "place with a view of the sea", etc. The category information 29 includes, for example, image data 28 corresponding to the category and text data 27 indicating the category word.

[0027] The home screen 24 displays category information 29 grouped according to the distance between the spots and the reference position. In the present embodiment, the home screen 24 displays the category information 29 corresponding to the spots relatively close to the reference position and the category information 29 corresponding to the spots relatively far from the reference position separately. The spots relatively close to the reference position are the spots within the first range. The spots relatively far from the reference position are the spots within the second range. The first range is a range centered on the reference position. The second range is a range around the first range. The first range is, for example, a range with a radius of 50 km centered on the reference position. The second range is, for example, a range obtained by excluding the first range from a range with a radius of 100 km centered on the reference position. That is, the second range is annular. The first range and the second range correspond to the aforementioned search ranges. In the present embodiment, the first range and the second range are set with the position of the user 31's home as the reference position. In the present embodiment, the home screen 24 displays buttons 25, 26 indicating the characters "near" or "far" respectively. The home screen 24 can switch and display the category information 29 corresponding to the relatively close spots and the category information 29 corresponding to the relatively far spots by these buttons 25, 26. When the button 25 indicating the character "near" is selected on the home screen 24, the category information 29 corresponding to the spots within the first range is displayed. When the button 26 indicating the character "far" is selected on the home screen 24, the category information 29 corresponding to the spots within the second range is displayed. In the present embodiment, the first range and the second range do not overlap with each other, but a part of the first range and the second range may overlap.

[0028] The home screen 24 displays the category information 29 in order from the category information 29 corresponding to the top spots in the group. The ranking within the group is determined based on, for example, the browsing tendency of the user 31. The home screen 24 can rearrange and display each category information 29 within the group in the latest order based on, for example, the browsing tendency of the second spot information 64a by the user 31.

[0029] The presentation device 43 displays, as a screen for proposing spots to the user 31, for example, a first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5. The first list screen 60a at least displays second spot information 64a. The first list screen 60a displays, as the second spot information 64a, at least text data 65 indicating the name of the spot and image data 66 of the spot. In the present embodiment, the first list screen 60a further displays, as the second spot information 64a, text data 67 indicating the impressions of the SNS user 21 regarding the spot. In the present embodiment, the first list screen 60a displays the second spot information 64a, a selection button 68, a schedule button 69, text data 27 indicating category words, a list switching button 62, and a map switching button 63. After a spot is selected by the user 31, the first list screen 60a can further display selected spot information 64b. The first list screen 60a can display the second spot information 64a of the spots recommended by the information collection system 2 to the user 31 at the top of the list. The first list screen 60a displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot ranked first in the recommended order at the top. The text data 27 indicating category words indicates the category words selected by the user 31 on the home screen 24 shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] The presentation device 43 displays, as a screen for proposing spots to the user 31, for example, the first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6. The first map screen 61a displays at least the first map 73a and the second spot information 64a. In the present embodiment, the first map screen 61a displays the first map 73a, the second spot information 64a, the selection button 68, the text data 27 indicating the category word, the list switching button 62, the map switching button 63, and the schedule button 69. The first map screen 61a displays, as the second spot information 64a, at least the text data 65 indicating the name of the spot and the image data 66 of the spot. In the present embodiment, the first map screen 61a further displays the text data 67 indicating the impressions of the SNS user 21 with respect to the spot as the second spot information 64a. After a spot is selected by the user 31, the first map screen 61a can further display the selected spot information 64b.

[0031] The first map 73a includes pin icons 74a, 74b, 74c of two or more different designs. In the present embodiment, the first map screen 61a displays the first map 73a so that the difference between the pin icon 74a selected by the user 31 and the pin icon 74b corresponding to the unselected spot is visually distinguishable. The first map 73a makes the selected pin icon 74a differ from the unselected pin icon 64 in at least one of size, color, and shape. The first map screen 61a may further display the first map 73a so that the difference between the pin icon 74b corresponding to the spot with the highest recommendation rank among the spots shown in the first map 73a and the pin icon 74b corresponding to the spot with the middle recommendation rank is visually distinguishable. The spots with the highest recommendation rank among the spots shown in the first map 73a are, for example, spots ranked from 1st to 10th in the recommendation rank. The spots with the middle recommendation rank among the spots shown in the first map 73a are, for example, spots ranked from 11th to 30th in the recommendation rank. The first map 73a may indicate spots other than the recommended spots with the pin icon 74c. The default display at the time of transition from another screen to the first map screen 61a is a state in which the pin icon 74a corresponding to the second spot information 64a displayed at the top of the first list screen 60a is selected. The second spot information 64a corresponding to the selected spot is information similar to that of one spot on the first list screen 60a. In the present embodiment, the first map screen 61a displays the second spot information 64a below the first map 73a.

[0032] When the user 31 taps on the location where the second spot information 64a is displayed on the first list screen 60a or the first map screen 61a and one piece of second spot information 64a is selected, the display device 43 transitions to a detailed screen (not shown). The detailed screen displays detailed information about the spot selected by the user 31. The detailed screen includes, for example, at least the second spot information 64a and the selection button 68. The detailed screen may further display a map indicating the location of the spot selected by the user 31. The second spot information 64a on the detailed screen includes, for example, text data 65 indicating the name of the spot, text data 67 indicating the impressions of the SNS user 21 regarding the spot, and image data 66 of the spot.

[0033] The first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a each present two or more spots corresponding to the category selected by the user 31. For example, when a category of spots relatively close to the reference position is selected on the home screen 24 shown in FIG. 4, the first list screen 60a displays in a list the second spot information 64a corresponding to the category selected by the user 31 and showing the spots ranked at the top in the recommended order among two or more spots included in the first range. For example, when a category of spots relatively far from the reference position is selected on the home screen 24, the first map screen 61a shows on the first map 73a the spots corresponding to the category selected by the user 31 and ranked at the top in the recommended order among two or more spots included in the second range.

[0034] The first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a each display a list switch button 62 and a map switch button 63 in the header 70. The display device 43 can switch between and display the first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a by means of the list switch button 62 and the map switch button 63.

[0035] The selection button 68 is a button for the user 31 to select a spot. The selection of a spot is also called "clip". When the selection button 68 is tapped by the user 31, the information processing terminal 4 of the present embodiment displays an evaluation screen 80 shown in FIG. 7 on the display device 43. The evaluation screen 80 is a screen for the user 31 to evaluate a spot. When a spot is evaluated by the user 31 on the evaluation screen 80, the information processing terminal 4 sets the spot in a selected state. The information processing terminal 4 is configured to be able to evaluate each spot in two or more grades. In the present embodiment, the evaluation screen 80 displays buttons 81 corresponding to three grades. The button 81 with the lowest grade is displayed in association with the text "sort of". The button 81 with the highest grade is displayed in association with the text "very". The button 81 of the intermediate grade is displayed in association with the text "ordinary". After the evaluation by the user 31, the evaluation screen 80 transitions to the first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5 or the first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6. The first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a after evaluation display the selected spot information 64b in the footer 71 as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. The selected spot information 64b indicates the spot selected via the evaluation screen 80.

[0036] In this embodiment, the information processing terminal 4 is configured to be able to limit the number of selectable spots for each category. The maximum number of selectable spots is, for example, 10. The information processing terminal 4 may be configured to display a warning message on the display device 43 when the selection button 68 is tapped by the user 31 while the maximum number of spots are selected. That is, the information processing terminal 4 may be configured to display caution information as a warning message on the display device 43 when spots are about to be selected in excess of the maximum number. The caution information indicates that no more spots can be additionally selected. The information processing terminal 4 may be configured such that a warning message is displayed on the display device 43 when it attempts to return to the previous screen from the first list screen 60a or the first map screen 61a without setting a route. The information processing terminal 4 may be configured such that the selection of the selected spot is cancelled when the selection button 68 corresponding to the spot already selected by the user 31 is tapped by the user 31 on the first list screen 60a or the first map screen 61a.

[0037] The planned button 69 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a button for setting a route through the selected spot and making a plan to go out. When the planned button 69 is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 displays a planned screen (not shown). The planned screen displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the selected spot. On the planned screen, the second spot information 64a is classified based on the planned date of going out and the category. For example, when the going-out application has been used in the past, the planned screen displays, in a list, the second spot information 64a corresponding to the plan made this time and the second spot information 64a corresponding to the plan made in the past. In this case, the planned screen displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the current plan in association with the planned date and the category thereof. The planned screen also displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the past plan in association with the planned date and the category thereof.

[0038] The display device 43 shows the route selected by the user 31 on the schedule screen on the second list screen 60b shown in FIG. 8 or the second map screen 61b shown in FIG. 9. When the schedule button 69 is tapped, for example, the first list screen 60a transitions to the second list screen 60b via the schedule screen. When the schedule button 69 is tapped, the first map screen 61a transitions to the second map screen 61b via the schedule screen.

[0039] The second list screen 60b shown in FIG. 8 groups and displays two or more selected spot information 64b based on the distances between the selected spots. Specifically, the second list screen 60b displays the selected spot information 64b grouped by each cluster 92 shown in FIG. 13. A cluster 92 is composed of two or more selected spots that are relatively close to each other. If there are no other selected spots in a relatively close position, a cluster 92 is composed of one selected spot. A cluster 92 is set based on the distances between the selected spots along the route. A cluster 92 is composed of, for example, the AA Flower Park and the AA Café illustrated in FIG. 8. A cluster 92 is composed of, for example, the BB Flower Park.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second list screen 60b displays representative spot information 64c, non-representative spot information 64d, scheduled date information 82, cluster information 79, route order information 76, evaluation information 77, text data 27 indicating category words, list switching buttons 62, map switching buttons 63, and evaluation sorting buttons 78. The second list screen 60b includes two or more cluster areas 75. The second list screen 60b displays cluster information 79 and representative spot information 64c in each cluster area 75. The second list screen 60b can display cluster information 79, one representative spot information 64c, and one or two or more non-representative spot information 64d in the cluster area 75. The representative spot information 64c indicates a representative spot. The representative spot is a representative of two or more selected spots that make up the cluster 92. In this embodiment, the representative spot is the selected spot with the relatively highest evaluation from the user 31 among two or more selected spots that make up the cluster 92. Or, the representative spot is a selected spot that constitutes the cluster 92 by itself. The non-representative spot information 64d indicates a non-representative spot. The non-representative spot is a selected spot that is not a representative spot. The non-representative spot is a selected spot with a relatively low evaluation from the user 31 among two or more selected spots that make up the cluster 92. The scheduled date information 82 indicates the scheduled date selected by the user 31 on the date screen 10 shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] The cluster information 79 indicates the name of the representative spot for each cluster area 75. The cluster information 79 indicates, together with the name of the representative spot, characters such as "nearby" for example. The cluster information 79 can indicate the representative spot for each area. The second list screen 60b displays the representative spot information 64c and the non-representative spot information 64d in the route order. The route order information 76 indicates numbers corresponding to the route order. The second list screen 60b displays each representative spot information 64c and non-representative spot information 64d in association with the route order information 76.

[0042] The second list screen 60b can be scrolled vertically in the same manner as the first list screen 60a. The second list screen 60b displays the representative spot information 64c corresponding to the start point of the route at the top of the list and the representative spot information 64c corresponding to the end of the route at the bottom of the list. The route order information 76 indicates the route order of each representative spot. The route order information 76 indicates the representative spot corresponding to the start point of the route, for example, with the number "1". The route order information 76 indicates larger numbers towards the last representative spot of the route. The route order information 76 is displayed in association with each representative spot information 64c. The evaluation information 77 corresponds to the evaluation from the user 31 for each representative spot. The evaluation information 77 is input to the information processing terminal 4 via the evaluation screen 80 shown in FIG. 7. The evaluation information 77 indicates the evaluation of the user 31 for the selected spot. The evaluation information 77 indicates the degree to which the user 31 wishes to visit the selected spot. When the evaluation sorting button 78 is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 switches the second list screen 60b to the third list screen 60c shown in FIG. 10 and displays it.

[0043] The second map screen 61b shown in FIG. 9 displays at least the second map 73b and the selected spot information 64b. In the present embodiment, the second map screen 61b displays the second map 73b, the selected spot information 64b, the scheduled date information 82, the route order information 76, the text data 27 indicating the category word, the evaluation information 77, the evaluation sorting button 78, the list switching button 62, and the map switching button 63. The second map 73b indicates the selected spot with pin icons 74d, 74e. Each pin icon 74d, 74e corresponds to the route order. Each pin icon 74d, 74e is numbered in the route order. The route order information 76 is displayed in association with each pin icon 74d, 74e. The route order information 76 corresponds to the number indicated by each pin icon 74d, 74e.

[0044] In this embodiment, when the information processing terminal 4 is switched from another screen to the second map screen 61b, the spot selected by the user 31 is automatically set as the selected spot corresponding to the start point of the route. The second map screen 61b displays the selected spot information 64b corresponding to the start point of the route immediately after being switched from another screen. When a pin icon 74b corresponding to another selected spot is tapped by the user 31 and another selected spot is selected by the user 31, the second map screen 61b changes the selected spot information 64b corresponding to the start point to the selected spot information 64b corresponding to the other selected spot. In this embodiment, the second map screen 61b displays the selected spot information 64b below the second map 73b.

[0045] When the evaluation sorting button 78 is tapped by the user 31, the display device 43 switches the second map screen 61b to the third map screen 61c shown in FIG. 11 and displays it. The display device 43 can switch between the second list screen 60b and the second map screen 61b and display them by means of the list switching button 62 and the map switching button 63.

[0046] The third list screen 60c shown in FIG. 10 mainly displays the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with relatively high evaluations from the user 31. The third list screen 60c displays the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with high evaluations larger than the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with relatively low evaluations. The third list screen 60c displays the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with low evaluations as spots near the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with high evaluations. The third list screen 60c displays, for each cluster 92, the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with high evaluations and the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with low evaluations together. The third list screen 60c displays the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with low evaluations around the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with high evaluations. The third list screen 60c displays the selected spot information 64b indicating the selected spots with high evaluations in a list in the order of the route.

[0047] In this embodiment, the third list screen 60c displays at least representative spot information 64c and non-representative spot information 64d. The third list screen 60c displays the representative spot information 64c as the selected spot information 64b indicating a highly evaluated selected spot. The third list screen 60c displays the non-representative spot information 64d as the selected spot information 64b indicating a lowly evaluated selected spot. In this embodiment, the third list screen 60c displays the representative spot information 64c larger than the non-representative spot information 64d. In this embodiment, the third list screen 60c displays the representative spot information 64c, the non-representative spot information 64d, the scheduled date information 82, the route order information 76, the text data 27 indicating the category word, the list switching button 62, and the map switching button 63. The third list screen 60c displays at least the representative spot information 64c and the route order information 76 in the cluster area 75. In the third list screen 60c, the route order information 76 indicates the order along the route of the representative spot. In the third list screen 60c, the route order information 76 is not given to the non-representative spot information 64d. In this embodiment, the third list screen 60c displays one representative spot information 64c, the route order information 76, and one or two or more non-representative spot information 64d in the cluster area 75. In this embodiment, the third list screen 60c displays the image data 66 included in the non-representative spot information 64d below the representative spot information 64c. When the cluster area 75 displays two or more non-representative spot information 64d, the image data 66 included in the non-representative spot information 64d is arranged and displayed in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the third list screen 60c is scrolled.

[0048] The third map screen 61c shown in FIG. 11 displays at least a third map 73c and selected spot information 64b indicating highly evaluated selected spots. The third map 73c indicates highly evaluated selected spots and lowly evaluated selected spots with different types of pin icons 74d, 74e, 74f, respectively. The pin icons 74d, 74e corresponding to the highly evaluated selected spots are associated with the route order information. The pin icons 74d, 74e are numbered in the route order. The pin icons 74d, 74e corresponding to the highly evaluated selected spots are different from the pin icon 74f corresponding to the lowly evaluated selected spot in at least one of size, color, and shape. The pin icon 74d selected by the user 31 is different from the unselected pin icon 74e in at least one of size, color, and shape. The pin icon 74f corresponding to the lowly evaluated selected spot is, for example, grayed out. The information processing terminal 4 displays the pin icon 74f corresponding to the lowly evaluated selected spot on the third map screen 61c so that it cannot be selected by the user 31. In the present embodiment, the third map screen 61c displays the selected spot information 64b selected by the user 31 below the third map 73c.

[0049] The third map screen 61c displays at least a third map 73c, representative spot information 64c, and non-representative spot information 64d. The third map screen 61c displays the representative spot information 64c as selected spot information 64b indicating a highly evaluated selected spot. The third map screen 61c displays the non-representative spot information 64d as selected spot information 64b indicating a lowly evaluated selected spot. The third map 73c shows at least representative spots and non-representative spots. In the present embodiment, the third map screen 61c displays a third map 73c, representative spot information 64c, non-representative spot information 64d, scheduled date information 82, route order information 76, a list switching button 62, and a map switching button 63. In the present embodiment, the third map screen 61c displays the representative spot information 64c below the third map 73c as a selected spot selected by the user 31. The third map screen 61c can display non-representative spot information 64d belonging to the same cluster 92 as the representative spot information 64c together with the representative spot information 64c. The non-representative spot information 64d is, for example, image data 66 included in the non-representative spot information 64d. In the present embodiment, the third map screen 61c displays the representative spot information 64c larger than the non-representative spot information 64d.

[0050] The display device 43 can switch between and display a third list screen 60c and a third map screen 61c by means of a list switching button 62 and a map switching button 63.

[0051] The terminal control device 44 controls various information processing operations. The terminal control device 44 is electrically connected to the input device 41, the terminal communication device 42, the display device 43, and the terminal storage device 45. The terminal control device 44, the input device 41, the terminal communication device 42, the display device 43, and the terminal storage device 45 are connected to each other via, for example, a bus not shown in the figure. The terminal control device 44 is configured to be able to control the input device 41, the terminal communication device 42, and the display device 43 based on the program stored in the terminal storage device 45. The terminal control device 44 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0052] The terminal communication control unit 46 controls the terminal communication device 42 to communicate with the database server 5.

[0053] The position specifying unit 47 specifies the reference position corresponding to the category selected by the user 31. Specifically, the position specifying unit 47 specifies the reference position corresponding to the category set by the user 31 on the home screen 24 shown in FIG. 4. The position specifying unit 47 specifies the reference position based on, for example, the position data of the area associated with the category information 29. The position specifying unit 47 transmits the reference data indicating the specified reference position to the database server 5. The acquisition unit 55 sets the search range based on the reference data. The acquisition unit 55 acquires the first spot information indicating each of a predetermined number of spots included in the search range from the database 59. The database server 5 transmits the second spot information generated based on the first spot information to the information processing terminal 4. The display device 43 displays the first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5 or the first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6 based on the second spot information 64a.

[0054] The display control unit 48 controls the display device 43 so that each of the above-described screens is displayed.

[0055] The terminal storage device 45 includes a volatile storage device in which information is erased when the power is turned off, and a non-volatile storage device in which information is not erased even when the power is turned off. The volatile storage device temporarily stores information processed by the terminal control device 44. The volatile storage device stores, for example, map data and point information added to the map data. The volatile storage device is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The non-volatile storage device is a storage capable of storing various information processing programs and various information. The non-volatile storage device is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). For the ROM, for example, a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is used.

[0056] The terminal storage device 45 stores count information. The count information indicates the number of spots selected by the user 31 from the first list screen 60a or the first map screen 61a. The terminal storage device 45 stores the count information when the selection button 68 is tapped and user evaluation is performed on the evaluation screen 80 shown in FIG. 7.

[0057] The information processing terminal 4 as described above corresponds to a computer. Each component of the above embodiment is realized, for example, by the CPU executing a program of the going-out application stored in the terminal storage device 45. The program of the going-out application may be executed by being downloaded from the database server 5 or another server. ≪Details of the Configuration of the Database Server 5≫ The server communication device 51 performs data communication with an external device. In the present embodiment, the server communication device 51 communicates with the SNS server 23 shown in FIG. 1. The server communication device 51 receives the first spot information from the SNS server 23. The server communication device 51 communicates with the information processing terminal 4. The server communication device 51 receives reference data from the information processing terminal 4. The server communication device 51 transmits the second spot information 64a to the information processing terminal 4. The server communication device 51 is controlled by the server communication control unit 53.

[0058] The server control device 52 is electrically connected to the server communication device 51, the server storage device 58, and the database 59, respectively. The server control device 52, the server communication device 51, the server storage device 58, and the database 59 are connected to each other via, for example, a bus (not shown). The server control device 52 drives, for example, various programs stored in the server storage device 58 to operate. The server control device 52 is composed of, for example, a CPU.

[0059] The category determination unit 54 determines candidates for the category of the user 31's destination. The category determination unit 54 determines the ranking of the spots within the search range for determining candidates for the category. When the information output system 3 accumulates evaluation information 77 exceeding a predetermined amount, the category determination unit 54 determines a score based on, for example, the evaluation that the user 31 has made on the spot in the past. The category determination unit 54 converts the evaluation of the user 31 into a numerical value in a form according to, for example, the following correspondence table. The higher the score, the higher the ranking, and the spot is treated as a recommended spot.

[0060] · Somehow: 1 · Normal: 2 · Greatly: 3

[0061] When different user evaluations are given to the spot evaluated by the user 31 multiple times in the past, the category determination unit 54 adopts the most recent user evaluation. The category determination unit 54 may adopt the Pearson correlation coefficient to represent the similarity between users 31 as a numerical value.

[0062] For spots without user evaluation, the category determination unit 54 calculates the score of the spot based on, for example, the following formula (1). The higher the score, the higher the ranking, and the spot is treated as a recommended spot.

Equation

[0063] The rating score is calculated based on the following formula (2).

Number

[0064] The meanings of the symbols in the above formula (2) are as follows. Among the users 31 who evaluated item i, the top k people with the highest similarity calculated using the similarity function defined by the similarity function specification are sampled, and this is represented as N_i^k(u).

Number

[0065] The category determination unit 54 extracts common words from the text data regarding each spot based on the first spot information corresponding to a predetermined number of spots with high scores. The category determination unit 54 determines, for each spot, the words with a large number included in the text data as category words.

[0066] The candidates for the category determined by the category determination unit 54 are presented to the user 31 via the information processing terminal 4 as the category information 29.

[0067] The recommendation unit 56 determines the recommended order of spots in order to display the first list screen 60a shown in FIG. 5 and the first map screen 61a shown in FIG. 6. The recommendation unit 56 corresponds to the category selected by the user 31 and determines the recommended order of spots within the search range. When the evaluation information 77 has accumulated in the information output system 3 exceeding a predetermined amount, the recommendation unit 56 converts the evaluation of the user 31 into a numerical value, for example, in accordance with the above-mentioned correspondence table. When a plurality of different user evaluations have been given to the spots evaluated by the user 31 in the past, the recommendation unit 56 adopts the latest user evaluation.

[0068] For spots without user evaluations, the recommendation unit 56 calculates the scores of the spots based on, for example, the above formulas (1) and (2). The algorithm for determining the recommended order in this way is called the "recommendation algorithm".

[0069] The acquisition unit 55 sets the search range. When the category determination unit 54 determines the category candidates, the acquisition unit 55 sets the first range and the second range as the search range. In this case, the reference position of the search range is, for example, the location of the user 31. The acquisition unit 55 extracts from the database 59 the spots included in the first range and the spots included in the second range, respectively. That is, the acquisition unit 55 acquires the first spot information indicating each of the spots within the first range from the database 59. The acquisition unit 55 acquires the first spot information indicating each of the spots within the second range from the database 59. The category determination unit 54 determines the category candidates using the first spot information. The database server 5 transmits the category information 29 generated by the category determination unit 54 to the information processing terminal 4.

[0070] When the category of the destination is selected by the user 31 and the first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a are displayed, the acquisition unit 55 sets a search range based on the reference position specified by the position specifying unit 47. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 55 acquires a predetermined number of first spot information from the database 59 in descending order of the degree of popularity among the spots within the search range. The predetermined number is, for example, 100. The recommendation unit 56 determines the recommendation order based on the first spot information. The database server 5 transmits the second spot information 64a generated based on the first spot information and the recommendation order to the information processing terminal 4.

[0071] The route determination unit 57 determines the moving order of the selected spots based on the route determination process. For determining the moving order, the route determination unit 57 acquires position data, date and time data, and evaluation information 77 for each spot. These data are transmitted from the information processing terminal 4 to the database server 5 when the schedule button 69 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is pressed by the user 31. The position data indicates the selected spot. The position data includes, for example, latitude data and longitude data. The date and time data indicates the date and time when each spot was selected.

[0072] The route determination unit 57 determines the moving order based on the position data, the date and time data, and the evaluation information 77. As shown in FIG. 12, the route determination unit 57 determines one of the selected spots as the starting point 90a of the route. In the present embodiment, the route determination unit 57 selects the selected spot with the highest user evaluation as the starting point 90a. When there are two or more selected spots with the highest user evaluation, the route determination unit 57 determines the selected spot with the oldest selected date and time as the starting point 90a. When the user 31 has given two or more different evaluations to the same spot in the past, the route determination unit 57 adopts the latest user evaluation.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 12(a), the route determination unit 57 calculates the distances 91 between the starting point 90a and the other selected spots 90b to 90e. The route determination unit 57 selects the selected spot 90b, which is the closest to the starting point 90a, as the relay point to move to next. To determine the third selected spot of the route, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the route determination unit 57 calculates the distances 91 between the second selected spot 90b of the route and the unselected spots 90c to 90e. The route determination unit 57 selects the selected spot 90c, which is the closest to the second selected spot 90b, as the third selected spot 90c serving as the relay point. The route determination unit 57 calculates the distances 91 between the selected spot selected as the destination and the unselected spots, and repeats the process of selecting the selected spot closest to the destination as the next destination. In this way, as shown in Fig. 12(c), the route determination unit 57 uniquely determines the order of movement.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 13, the route determination unit 57 creates two or more clusters 92 based on the order of movement. The route determination unit 57 creates each cluster 92 such that the total distance along the route between each selected spot is within a predetermined value n. The predetermined value n is set arbitrarily. For example, when the predetermined value n is 6, the route determination unit 57 configures the cluster 92 such that the total movement distance within the cluster 92 is within 6 km. In this case, the movement distance from the starting point 90a to the third selected spot 90c of the cluster 92 is 5 km, and it becomes 11 km when moving to the fourth selected spot 90d. Therefore, the route determination unit 57 treats the section from the starting point 90a to the third selected spot 90c as one cluster 92a. For the second cluster 92, it takes 6 km to move from the selected spot 90c to the first selected spot 90d of this cluster 92. Therefore, the route determination unit 57 configures the cluster 92 with only one selected spot 90d. For the third cluster 92, it takes 6 km to move from the selected spot 90d to the first selected spot 90e of this cluster 92. Therefore, the route determination unit 57 configures the cluster 92 with only one selected spot 90e.

[0075] The route determination unit 57 selects representative spots from among the selected spots 90a to 90c, 90d, 90e that make up each cluster 92. When there are two or more selected spots with the highest user evaluation, the route determination unit 57 selects the spot with the latest selected date and time among them.

[0076] The server storage device 58 includes a volatile storage device in which information is erased when the power is turned off and a non-volatile storage device in which information is not erased even when the power is turned off. The volatile storage device temporarily stores information processed by the server control device 52. As an example of the volatile storage device, for example, RAM can be mentioned. The server storage device 58 stores map data.

[0077] The database 59 stores first spot information. The database 59 classifies and stores the first spot information for each category. The reference data and evaluation information 77 are stored in the server storage device 58 or the database 59.

[0078] The information output system 1 may include only one database server 5 as described above, or may include two or more. When two or more database servers 5 are provided, the plurality of servers may be used separately, for example, by function.

[0079] The database server 5 corresponds to a computer. Each component of the above-described embodiment is realized, for example, by the CPU executing a software program stored in the server storage device 58.

[0080] When the category of the destination is selected by the user 31 from the home screen 24 shown in FIG. 4, the information output system 3 executes the recommendation process shown in FIG. 14.

[0081] In step S1, the position specifying unit 47 specifies a reference position associated with the category specified by the user 31.

[0082] In step S2, the acquisition unit 55 sets a search range.

[0083] In step S3, the acquisition unit 55 detects a predetermined number of spots from among the spots within the search range in descending order of popularity.

[0084] In step S4, the acquisition unit 55 detects a predetermined number of spots from among the spots within the search range in descending order of the score of the recommendation algorithm.

[0085] In step S5, the recommendation unit 56 determines the recommendation order based on the above formula (1) based on the popularity and the recommendation algorithm.

[0086] In step S6, the recommendation unit 56 performs sorting with the calculated scores. The display device 43 displays the second spot information 64a on the first list screen 60a in the recommendation order. Alternatively, the display device 43 displays the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot ranked first in the recommendation order on the first map screen 61a.

[0087] The information output system executes the route determination process shown in FIG. 13.

[0088] In step S11, the route determination unit 57 acquires the position data of each selected spot, the date and time data, and the evaluation information 77.

[0089] In step S12, the route determination unit 57 determines the starting point 90a.

[0090] In step S13, the route determination unit 57 determines the movement order.

[0091] In step S14, the route determination unit 57 creates the cluster 92.

[0092] In step S15, the route determination unit 57 determines a representative spot for each cluster 92.

[0093] In step S16, the display device 43 displays the second list screen 60b or the second map screen 61b to show the route.

[0094] As described above, the going-out application of the present embodiment causes the information processing terminal 4 as a computer to function as the terminal communication device 42 and the display device 43. The terminal communication device 42 acquires two or more pieces of second spot information 64a. The second spot information 64a includes position data indicating spots within a predetermined search range, text data 65 indicating the names of the spots, and image data 66 of the spots. The search range is set according to the user 31. The display device 43 can switch between and display the first list screen 60a and the first map screen 61a. In the first list screen 60a, the second spot information 64a is arranged based on the recommended order of the spots for the user 31. The recommended order is determined by a predetermined method. The first map screen 61a includes a first map 73a. The first map 73a indicates each of the spots corresponding to the first list screen 60a. The display device 43 displays at least one of the text data 65 and the image data 66 on the first map screen 61a together with the first map 73a. This text data 65 and image data 66 correspond to the spots whose recommended order is within a predetermined rank.

[0095] As a comparative example, a configuration in which only the position information can be confirmed on the map when tapping the map icon of a spot is conceivable. However, in the case of this configuration, when the user wants to know the spot information, the screen has to be switched each time, and it is necessary to search for the spots recommended for oneself. On the other hand, since the information processing terminal 4 of the present embodiment can display the second spot information 64a corresponding to the spot most recommended by the information output system 3 together with the first map 73a, it is easy to select spots that are not standard for the user 31 as a destination. Therefore, the going-out application can expand the options for the destination and generate a going-out plan.

[0096] Also, the program of this embodiment causes a database server 5 as a computer to function as a server communication device 51 and a server control device 52. The server communication device 51 acquires selected spot information 64b and evaluation information 77. The selected spot information 64b indicates two or more spots selected by the user 31. The evaluation information 77 indicates the evaluation of the user 31 for the selected spots. The server control device 52 sets a route passing through the selected spots based on the selected spot information 64b and the evaluation information 77. The route starts from a selected spot 90a with a user evaluation in a predetermined rank.

[0097] The database server 5 can automatically determine a route based on the evaluation of the user 31 for the selected spots. Therefore, a conventional route is less likely to be set than when the order of visiting each spot is specified by the user 31 and the route is determined, and the options for the destination can be expanded to generate an outing plan.

[0098] Also, the information output system 3 of this embodiment sets a route passing through two or more selected spots selected by the user 31. The information output system 3 includes a display device 43 and a server control device 52. The display device 43 displays second spot information 64a. The second spot information 64a indicates a spot. The server control device 52 determines a cluster 92 based on the distance 91 between the selected spots 90a to 90e along the route. The cluster 92 includes one or two or more selected spots 90a to 90e. The display device 43 displays a second list screen 60b and a third list screen 60c. In the second list screen 60b and the third list screen 60c, the second spot information 64a is classified for each cluster 92 and arranged in the order of the route.

[0099] The second list screen 60b and the third list screen 60c can display the selected spots for each of two or more areas along the route. Therefore, even when two or more stopping spots are gathered in the vicinity, the information processing terminal 4 can show the route in an easy-to-see manner for the user 31.

[0100] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the device configuration, control method, etc. are not limited to only the above-described embodiments.

[0101] For example, in this embodiment, the route order is determined by the database server 5, but it may also be a configuration determined by the information processing terminal 4.

[0102] Other configurations can also be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, the configurations of the above embodiments and modification examples may be combined with each other.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 3 Information Output System 31 User 43 Display Device 52 Server Control Device 64a Second Spot Information 90a Starting Point 90b Selected Spot 90c Selected Spot 90d Selected Spot 90e Selected Spot 91 Distance 92 Cluster 60b Second List Screen 60c Third List Screen

Claims

1. An information output system for setting a route passing through two or more spots selected by a user, a display device for displaying spot information indicating the spots, a control device for determining a cluster including one or more of the spots based on the distances between the spots along the route, and a storage device for storing evaluation information indicating the evaluation of the spots from the user, comprising, the control device determines a representative spot that is the spot with a relatively high evaluation for each cluster, and the display device displays a screen in which the spot information is classified for each cluster and arranged in the order of the route, and a first list screen for displaying a list of the spot information indicating two or more of the spots, a second list screen which is the screen, and a third list screen in which the representative spot information is arranged in the order of the route, and can switch and display each according to an instruction from the user. An information output system characterized by this.

2. The display device, In the third list screen, the non-representative spot information with a relatively low evaluation is displayed in association with the representative spot belonging to the same cluster, and the representative spot information is displayed larger than the non-representative spot information. The information output system according to claim 1.

Images