Map display device, method for displaying a map, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a map display technique that makes it easier to identify each building on a map.SOLUTION: A map display device is provided, comprising a control unit for displaying a map in such a way that buildings on the map are displayed in different colors according to external features of actual buildings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for displaying maps.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of Internet shopping, the demand for logistics services has increased, and the number of people engaged in the business of delivering goods such as parcels to designated delivery destinations (hereinafter also referred to as "delivery persons") has been increasing. From the perspective of improving business efficiency, delivery persons have a predetermined assigned area and deliver parcels to private residences and the like within the assigned area. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a delivery support system for supporting the business of such delivery persons. The delivery support system described in Patent Document 1 presents delivery destination information regarding the delivery destination and landmark information that serves as a landmark for the delivery person on a mobile communication information terminal device in an associated manner. Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses that in a residential map, by combining a building frame notation representing the shape of a building and an inhabitant notation representing the inhabitants of the building, the visibility of the shape of the building and the inhabitant notation can be improved.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, delivery personnel need to visit individual homes to deliver packages, but unlike commercial facilities, individual homes are difficult to distinguish and have low identifiability. In this regard, the technology described in Patent Document 1 guides users to individual homes by associating them with landmarks (e.g., gas stations), but there are few landmarks, especially in residential areas, and there is no guarantee that a landmark will always be near the target individual home, so it has the problem of being difficult to use. Furthermore, the technology described in Patent Document 2 adds resident names (e.g., names such as Ichiro) to identify individual homes on the map, but the text is difficult to read, so it has the problem of being difficult to use. In addition, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has the problem that in the case of apartment buildings and condominiums, it is not possible to add resident names to all residents.

[0005] Furthermore, these challenges are not limited to technologies that support the work of delivery personnel, but are also common to technologies that display maps on terminals during route guidance or free driving. Moreover, these challenges are common not only to private residences, but to buildings in general, such as commercial facilities.

[0006] Therefore, in map display technology, there was a need to improve the identifiability of each building on the map. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be realized in the following form: A map display device comprising: a control unit for displaying a map, which displays buildings included in a two-dimensional narrow-area map that shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of a building selected by a user from the map, color-coded according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings; and a building information storage unit that stores the external characteristics for each building, wherein the control unit uses the building information storage unit and the location information of the selected building to generate a first layer in which the buildings in the narrow-area map are color-coded according to the external characteristics, and realizes the color-coded display by superimposing a normal map that is not color-coded and the first layer, wherein the external characteristics are the color of the object with the largest occupied area in a first image including the building as seen from the road, in which the building is included in a predetermined proportion or more of the first image. The aforementioned external features refer to the color of the building's exterior walls. A map display device. Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized in the following forms.

[0008] (1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a map display device is provided. This map display device includes a control unit for displaying a map, which is a control unit for displaying buildings included in the map in different colors according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings.

[0009] In this configuration, the control unit displays buildings included in the map, color-coding them according to their actual external features. This allows users to intuitively understand the correspondence between the external features of each building they actually see and the colors of each building on the map. As a result, the identifiability of each building on the map can be improved.

[0010] (2) In the map display device of the above form, the external features may be the color of the object with the largest occupied area in the first image which includes the building as seen from the road and which includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more within the image. With this configuration, the visual characteristics are defined as the color of the object with the largest occupied area in the first image, which includes buildings in a predetermined proportion or more of the image. Therefore, users can more intuitively associate the colors of each building they actually see (the color of the object with the largest occupied area around the building) with the colors of each building on the map. Furthermore, since the first image includes buildings as seen from the road, the visual characteristics can be the colors that users actually see while driving along the road.

[0011] (3) In the map display device of the above form, the control unit may further include a building information storage unit for storing the external characteristics of each building, and the control unit may use the building information storage unit to generate a first layer in which the buildings in the map are color-coded according to the external characteristics, and superimpose the first layer onto a normal map that is not color-coded. In this configuration, the control unit uses a building information storage unit to generate a first layer in which buildings on the map are color-coded according to their external features, and then displays the first layer superimposed on a regular, uncolor-coded map. Therefore, it is possible to implement building color-coding display processing by the control unit while utilizing conventional map acquisition and display processing. In addition, the first layer (building color-coding display layer) can be turned ON / OFF according to the user's preference.

[0012] (4) In the map display device of the above form, the building information storage unit stores, for each building, at least one of the following in association: a numerical value representing the color and image data of the color, and the control unit may generate the first layer on which the building in the map is assigned a color represented by the numerical value, or an image represented by the image data is placed. With this configuration, the control unit can easily generate the first layer (a layer for displaying the building's color coding) using numerical data or image data stored in the building information storage unit.

[0013] (5) In the map display device of the above form, the building information storage unit stores the height of each building in association with it, and the control unit may further generate the first layer in which an outer frame corresponding to the height is arranged for each building in the map. With this configuration, the control unit generates a first layer in which an outline corresponding to the height is placed around each building on the map. As a result, users can also determine the height of each building by looking at the outline of each building displayed on the map. This further improves the identifiability of each building on the map.

[0014] (6) The map display device of the above form may further include a registration unit that acquires the first image from the user, automatically acquires the color as an external feature by performing an image analysis on the first image, and stores it in the building information storage unit. With this configuration, the registration unit acquires a first image from the user, automatically obtains the color as an external characteristic by analyzing the first image, and stores it in the building information storage unit. This allows for the easy setup of the building information storage unit with the cooperation of multiple users.

[0015] (7) In the map display device of the above form, the control unit may further acquire environmental conditions including at least one of the following: the weather in the area where the map is displayed, the time when the map is displayed, and the season corresponding to the date on which the map is displayed, and generate a second layer with at least the brightness changed according to the acquired environmental conditions, and superimpose the normal map, the first layer, and the second layer. According to this configuration, the control unit generates a second layer with at least the brightness changed according to the acquired environmental conditions, and superimposes and displays the normal map, the first layer, and the second layer. Here, the external features of each building that the user actually visually observes vary depending on the environmental conditions (weather, time, season). In this regard, according to this configuration, the colors of each building included in the map and color-coded by the first layer can be corrected to colors according to the environment in which the user is actually visually observing by the second layer (environmental display layer). As a result, the discriminability of each building on the map can be further improved. Furthermore, since the first layer and the second layer are independent layers, the second layer (environmental display layer) can be turned on / off according to the user's preference.

[0016] Note that the present invention can be realized in various aspects. For example, it can be realized in the form of a map display device, a route guidance device, a delivery support device, functions of each of these devices, a computer program for realizing the functions of a system including each of these devices, a server device for distributing the computer program, a non-transitory storage medium storing the computer program, and the like.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a delivery support system as an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a luggage information DB. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a building information DB. [Figure 4] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of a delivery support process. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a map display screen. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a luggage list screen. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a luggage narrowing-down screen. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a map display screen after pin narrowing-down is performed. [Figure 9]This is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination information screen. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of a package information details screen. [Figure 12] This is a diagram for explaining the process of appearance registration. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram showing the deformation of an enlarged map. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the delivery support process of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example of a delivery destination information screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the delivery support system of the third embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a delivery support system 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. The delivery support system 1 is a system used by a delivery person who is engaged in a logistics business, particularly a business of delivering packages such as goods to a designated delivery destination. The delivery support system 1 uses information on the package (hereinafter also referred to as "package to be delivered" or simply "package") to be delivered by the user to support the delivery of the package to be delivered by the user.

[0019] The delivery support system 1 includes a server 10 and a user terminal 30. The server 10 is connected to the Internet INT by wired communication. The user terminal 30 is connected to the Internet INT by wireless communication via a communication carrier BS. The communication carrier BS includes a transmission / reception antenna, a wireless base station, and an exchange station. That is, the server 10 and the user terminal 30 can communicate with each other via the Internet INT.

[0020] Server 10 comprises a CPU 110, a communication unit 120, a ROM / RAM 130, and a storage unit 140, and each unit is interconnected by a bus (not shown). Server 10 corresponds to a "map display device".

[0021] The CPU 110 controls various parts of the server 10 by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 130 into the RAM 130 and executing them. The CPU 110 also functions as the control unit 111 and the registration unit 112. The control unit 111 and the registration unit 112 work together with the user terminal 30 to perform the delivery support processing described later. In the delivery support processing, the control unit 111 displays a map on the user terminal 30 and color-codes the buildings included on this map according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings. In the delivery support processing, the registration unit 112 acquires image data from the user terminal 30, performs image analysis on the image data to automatically acquire the external characteristics of the buildings in the image, and stores them in the building information DB 143. Details will be described later. In the following explanation, the database will also be simply referred to as "DB".

[0022] The communication unit 120 controls communication between the user terminal 30 and other devices via a communication interface (not shown).

[0023] The storage unit 140 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The storage unit 140 has pre-stored luggage information DB 141, map information DB 142, and building information DB 143.

[0024] Figure 2 shows an example of the package information DB 141. The package information DB 141 stores information about packages to be delivered by each user of the user terminal 30 on that day (hereinafter also referred to as "package information"). As shown in Figure 2, each package information includes, for example, the information shown in a1 to a10 below. Note that information a1 to a10 is registered in advance prior to the delivery support process and can be updated as needed during the delivery support process. (a1) Delivery address: Represents the delivery address. (a2) Latitude and Longitude of Delivery Destination: Represents the latitude and longitude of the delivery destination. The latitude and longitude of the delivery destination can be substituted with the delivery address and may be omitted. (a3) Presence or absence of a delivery box at the delivery destination: Indicates whether or not a delivery box exists at the delivery destination. (a4) Nameplate Information / Building / Tenant Information: Either information representing the nameplate of the delivery address (for example, "Yamada" for non-apartment buildings, "101 Yamada" for apartment buildings, etc.) or information representing the building name and tenant name where the delivery address is located (for example, "XYZ Building XX Restaurant," etc.). (a5) Remarks Information: Indicates important notes regarding delivery. (a6) Time slot specification: This indicates the specified delivery time slot for each individual package that needs to be delivered. (a7) Availability of delivery box: Indicates whether or not the designated delivery box can be used for each individual delivery item. (a8) Package status: Indicates the status of each package to be delivered (e.g., delivered, undelivered, redelivered, picked up, cash on delivery / payment on delivery, etc.). (a9) Size information: Indicates the size of the package to be delivered (small, medium, large, extra-large, etc.) and the number of packages to be delivered. (a10) Delivery information: This may include whether or not delivery is possible, the designated delivery location, and the conditions for carrying out delivery (date and time, weather, etc.).

[0025] Note that some of the items mentioned above may be omitted from the package information, and other information not exemplified may be included. Figure 2 shows an example of package information for a user A, but the information on packages requiring delivery (package information) for other users B, C, etc., is also stored in the package information DB141 in advance.

[0026] The map information DB142 in Figure 1 is a database that stores data representing map images. The data representing map images includes information necessary for map display, such as terrain, buildings, and road shapes.

[0027] Figure 3 shows an example of the building information DB 143. The building information DB 143 stores information for each building (hereinafter also referred to as "building information"). As shown in Figure 3, each building information includes, for example, the information shown in b1 to b8 below. Note that information b1 to b8 is registered or updated by the registration unit 112 during the delivery support process. (b1) Building Name: Represents the name of the building. For example, for apartment buildings, information such as "XX Heights" can be used, and for mixed-use buildings, information such as "XYZ Building" can be used. Note that this information is omitted for non-apartment buildings. (b2) Nameplate information: This represents information about the building's nameplate. For example, in the case of a non-apartment building, nameplate information such as "Yamada" is stored. In the case of an apartment building or a mixed-use building, the same room number and tenant name as in information a4 may be stored in this information, or they may be omitted. (b3) Address: Represents the address of the building's location. (b4) Latitude and Longitude: Represents the latitude and longitude of the building's location. (b5) Floor information: Indicates how many floors the building has. (b6) Color information: Information that represents the "color itself" as a characteristic of the building's exterior. Color information is defined by numerical values ​​that represent the color of the building (e.g., RGB values, HTML color codes, etc.). (b7) Material image file: Image data of the "image" as a characteristic of the building's exterior. The material image file may use image data representing the material (e.g., wall material) that makes up a part of the building (e.g., a wall). (b8) Source image file: This is the image file from which color information and material image files are extracted. Details will be described later.

[0028] The Building Information DB143 corresponds to a "building information storage unit" that stores the external characteristics of each building. The color information (information b6) of the Building Information DB143 corresponds to a "numerical value representing the color," the material image file (information b7) of the Building Information DB143 corresponds to "image data," and the floor number information (information b5) of the Building Information DB143 corresponds to the "height of the building."

[0029] The building information may omit some of the items mentioned above, and may include other information not exemplified. For example, instead of floor number information (information b5), height information such as "XX meters" of the building height may be stored. For example, either the color information (information b6) or the material image file (information b7) within the building information may be stored, or both may be stored. For example, the original image file (information b8) may be associated with and stored the user ID and name of the user who sent the original image file. For example, the building information may also store credentials to identify users who can update the original image file (information b8). If credentials are stored, users not included in the credentials will be restricted from uploading original image files, and if an original image file has already been uploaded, they will be restricted from updating (editing, deleting, etc.) that original image file.

[0030] Returning to Figure 1, let's continue the explanation. The user terminal 30 can be configured as any device, such as a smartphone as shown in the figure, a personal computer, an in-vehicle device, or a wearable device. The user terminal 30 includes a CPU 310, a communication unit 320, a ROM / RAM 330, a storage unit 340, an input / output unit 350, and a current location acquisition unit 360, and each unit is interconnected by a bus (not shown).

[0031] The CPU 310 controls various parts of the user terminal 30 by loading computer programs stored in the ROM 330 into the RAM 330 and executing them, and also functions as a processing unit 311. The processing unit 311 works in cooperation with the server 10 to perform the delivery support processing described later. The communication unit 320 controls communication with other devices such as the server 10 via a communication interface (not shown).

[0032] The storage unit 340 consists of a hard disk, flash memory, memory card, etc. The storage unit 340 stores image files 341 captured by the camera (input / output unit 350) during the delivery support process described later.

[0033] The input / output unit 350 is a variety of interfaces used for inputting and outputting information between the user terminal 30 and the user. For example, the input / output unit 350 can be a camera or touch panel as an input unit, and a touch panel or liquid crystal panel as a display unit (output unit). The current location acquisition unit 360 receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites that make up the GPS (Global Positioning System) or QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) and acquires current location information (latitude and longitude) representing the current location of the user terminal 30. Here, since the user terminal 30 is carried around by the user, the current location acquired by the current location acquisition unit 360 can be considered equivalent to the user's current location.

[0034] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure for delivery support processing. In Figure 4, the components of server 10 are enclosed in dashed lines, and the user terminal 30 is simply referred to as "terminal 30". The delivery support processing in this embodiment is a process that supports the delivery of packages requiring delivery by the user using a pre-prepared package information DB 141, map information DB 142, and building information DB 143. The delivery support processing can be executed at any time. In the example in Figure 4, the delivery support processing is executed when a predetermined application installed on the user terminal 30 is launched.

[0035] In step S10, upon launching a predetermined application, the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 transmits a user ID to the server 10. The user ID is a unique ID assigned to distinguish each user.

[0036] In step S12, the control unit 111 of the server 10 searches the package information DB 141 using the user ID as the key and obtains information (package information, information a1 to a10) about packages to be delivered by that user on that day. In step S14, the control unit 111 of the server 10 searches the building information DB 143 and obtains building information (information b1 to b8) for each building included in the area corresponding to each package information obtained in step S12. Here, "area corresponding to each package information" means a predetermined area that includes all of the addresses represented by each package information.

[0037] In step S16, the control unit 111 of the server 10 generates a series of data (display data) used for screen display on the user terminal 30. The display data includes a coloring layer for displaying buildings on a map of a predetermined scale in different colors. The coloring layer corresponds to the "first layer". The method for generating the coloring layer will be described later. In step S18, the control unit 111 of the server 10 transmits the generated display data to the user terminal 30. In step S20, the processing unit 311 of the user terminal 30 uses the received display data to display a screen on the input / output unit 350. Hereafter, a series of screens displayed on the user terminal 30 using the display data will be described. Note that the server 10 and the user terminal 30 may repeatedly execute the processes in steps S16 to S20 in order to realize the screen transitions described later.

[0038] Figure 5 shows an example of the map display screen W1. The map display screen W1 is the screen that is initially displayed on the user terminal 30 in step S20 of Figure 4. The map display screen W1 includes a map, multiple pins P1 to P11 placed on the map, a current location symbol PL, and buttons B1 to B7. The center position and scale of the map displayed on the map display screen W1 can be arbitrarily determined.

[0039] Pins P1 to P11 are markers plotted on the map at locations corresponding to the delivery destinations of packages requiring delivery. Each pin is color-coded according to the time slot specified in the package information (information a6). Inside each pin, there is text indicating the package status (information a8). In addition, if there are multiple delivery destinations in a single apartment building, as in the case of pins P1 and P6, the pin will have a badge indicating the number of delivery destinations.

[0040] Button B1 is used to transition to the menu screen. On the menu screen, users can check and change their personal settings (name, contact information, etc.) and general application settings (various default values, etc.). Button B2 displays the total number of packages that user A must deliver on the day. Tapping button B2 transitions to the package list screen W2. Button B3 is used to change the map scale so that all of user A's packages that must be delivered on the day fit on one screen. For example, if button B2 displays "150" as the total number of packages to be delivered, tapping button B3 will display a wide-area map on map display screen W1 with all 150 pins fitting on one screen. Button B4 is used to filter the displayed pins. Tapping button B4 transitions to the package filtering screen W3. Button B5 is used to toggle the display / hide of pins on the map. Button B6 is used to change the center position of the map so that the current location symbol PL is at the center of the map. Button B7 is used to enlarge (+ tap) or reduce (- tap) the map scale on the map display screen W1.

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of the package list screen W2. The package list screen W2 is displayed when button B2 is tapped on the map display screen W1. The package list screen W2 includes button B100 displayed on the time slider bar, package information BI1 to BI4, and a cancel button BC. In the example in Figure 6, only four package information entries are displayed on the package list screen W2. However, by scrolling the screen on the package list screen W2, all package information for packages that user A must deliver on the day can be viewed.

[0042] Button B100 is used to filter the luggage information displayed in luggage information BI1~BI4 by specifying a time period (information a6) by sliding button B100 to each time period displayed on the bar. The cancel button BC is used to close the luggage list screen W2 and transition to the map display screen W1.

[0043] Package information BI1 to BI4 displays individual package information for packages that user A must deliver on the day. For example, display D1 in Figure 6 displays the time slot specification (information a6) and package status (information a8) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI1. Display D2 displays the delivery address (information a1) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI1. Display D3 displays the nameplate information / building / tenant information (information a4) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI1. Display D4 displays the size and number of packages (information a9) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI1. Display D5 displays whether the package can be left at the door (information a10) and whether a delivery box can be used (information a7) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI1. Displays D6 and D7 display the remarks information (information a5) for the package that needs to be delivered as indicated by package information BI4.

[0044] Figure 7 shows an example of the luggage filtering screen W3. The luggage filtering screen W3 is displayed when button B4 is tapped on the map display screen W1. The luggage filtering screen W3 includes two types of candidates C1 and C2 for narrowing down the pins on the map display screen W1, and a cancel button BC.

[0045] Candidate C1 is a button used to narrow down the pins on the map display screen W1 using the luggage status (information a8) from the luggage information. Candidate C2 is a button used to narrow down the pins on the map display screen W1 using the time period specification (information a6) from the luggage information. The user taps one icon from candidates C1 and C2 that they intend to use to narrow down the pins. Note that the luggage filtering screen W3 may be configured to allow the selection of multiple icons (in other words, multiple filtering conditions).

[0046] Figure 8 shows an example of the map display screen W1F after the pins have been narrowed down. In the package filtering screen W3 shown in Figure 7, for example, if the user taps "morning" for candidate C2, the screen transitions to the map display screen W1, and the map display screen W1 is displayed with only the pins where the time slot specification (information a6) of the package information is "morning" placed on the map (Figure 8).

[0047] Figure 9 shows an example of the delivery destination information screen W4. The delivery destination information screen W4 is displayed when any one pin is tapped on the map display screen W1 or map display screen W1F. Figure 9 shows an example of the delivery destination information screen W4 displayed when pin P1 is tapped. The delivery destination information screen W4 includes an enlarged map W41 and an information display W42.

[0048] The enlarged map W41 is a narrow-area map that shows a magnified view of the area surrounding a building, centered on the building with the tapped pin (in the example shown, building BU1 with pin P1). In the enlarged map W41, each building BU1 to BU4 included in the map is displayed in a different color according to the actual external characteristics of the building (in Figure 9, for convenience, the difference in color is represented as a difference in hatching type). This color-coding display is achieved by superimposing a normal map MP that is not color-coded with a colored layer L1 (first layer L1) in which the buildings in map MP are color-coded according to the external characteristics of each building, as shown in the callout at the top of Figure 9.

[0049] As described above, the map MP and colored layer L1 are included in the display data generated by the control unit 111 of the server 10 in step S16 of the delivery support processing. For example, the control unit 111 can generate the map MP by acquiring a map image of a predetermined range centered on the location information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of pin P1 from the map information DB 142. The control unit 111 can also generate the colored layer L1 by, for example, the following steps c1 to c3. (c1) The control unit 111 detects the outlines of each building BU1 to BU5 included in the map MP. (c2) The control unit 111 obtains color information (information b6) and / or material image files (information b7) for each building BU1 to BU5 from the building information DB 143. (c3) The control unit 111 colors the contours of each building BU1 to BU5 detected in step c1 using the color information acquired in step c2, or places an image represented by the material image file acquired in step c2. In step c3, both coloring using color information and placing an image using a material image file may be performed.

[0050] Note that in the enlarged map W41 shown in Figure 9, building BU5 is not colored. This is because there is no data corresponding to building BU5 in the building information DB143.

[0051] Information display W42 includes information BUI representing the building to which the tapped pin is attached (in the example shown, building BU1 to which pin P1 is attached), and package information BI1 and BI2 for packages to be delivered to residents within that building. Package information BI1 and BI2 display the same information as in Figure 6 (package list screen W2).

[0052] The information BUI includes the address and name of the building to which the tapped pin is attached (in the example shown, building BU1 to which pin P1 is attached), as well as buttons B101, B102, and B103.

[0053] Button B101 is a button that, when tapped, initiates navigation to the building represented by the Information BUI. Specifically, as shown in step S22 of Figure 4, when the tap of button B101 is detected, the user terminal 30 sends a route search request to the server 10 that includes the current location (current location information acquired by the current location acquisition unit 360) and the delivery address. In step S22, the location information of the building represented by the Information BUI (address, or latitude and longitude) is used as the delivery address. Alternatively, in step S22, identification information of pin P1 may be sent instead of the delivery address. In step S24, the control unit 111 of the server 10 acquires a route (driving route from departure to destination) with the current location acquired in step S22 as the departure point and the delivery address acquired in step S22 as the destination. The control unit 111 may obtain a route from an external route search server connected via the Internet (INT), or, if the server 10 itself has a route database and a route search unit, it may obtain a route from the route search unit. In step S26, the control unit 111 of the server 10 transmits the route obtained in step S24 to the user terminal 30. Subsequently, in step S28, the user terminal 30 performs navigation using the received route. Details will be described later.

[0054] Returning to Figure 9, let's continue the explanation. The button B102 on the Information BUI of Information Display W42 is used to change the setting of whether or not there are delivery boxes (information a3) in the building represented by the Information BUI. The button B103 on the Information BUI is used to register the exterior appearance of the building represented by the Information BUI; in other words, it is used to register data about the building represented by the Information BUI to the Building Information DB143. Details about exterior appearance registration will be described later.

[0055] Figure 10 shows an example of the navigation screen W5. The navigation screen W5 is the screen displayed when the navigation button B101 on the delivery destination information screen W4 is tapped; in other words, it is the screen displayed on the user terminal 30 in step S28 of the delivery support process. The navigation screen W5 includes a destination display W51 and an enlarged map W52.

[0056] The destination display W51 is a guide display that shows the next right / left turn or straight-ahead point with an enlarged diagram. The enlarged map W52 is a narrow-area map that shows the current location symbol PL and an enlarged view of the vicinity of the current location. In the enlarged map W52, similar to the enlarged map W41 explained in Figure 9, each building included in the map is displayed in a different color according to the actual external characteristics of the building. The method for implementing the color coding in the enlarged map W52 is the same as in the enlarged map W41.

[0057] Figure 11 shows an example of the package information details screen W6. The package information details screen W6 is displayed when one of the package information BI1 to BI4 is tapped on the package list screen W2, or when one of the package information BI1 to BI2 is tapped on the delivery destination information screen W4. Figure 9 shows an example of the package information details screen W6 displayed when package information BI1 is tapped. The package information details screen W6 includes package information BI1 and buttons B110, B111, B112, and B113.

[0058] The package information details screen W6 corresponds to a screen that displays the details of a specific package information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example), and users can refer to and edit the package information BI using the package information details screen W6. Package information BI1 displays package information based on the current package information DB141. For example, users can change the availability of the delivery box (information a7) by changing the check box in the delivery box checkbox in the package information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example) column. Users can also change the nameplate information / building / tenant information (information a4) and remarks information (information a5) by entering text into the nameplate information and remarks information text boxes. Users can change the time slot specification (information a6) by moving the time selection mark. Furthermore, when the delivery of a package requiring delivery is completed, users can change the package status (information a8) by moving the delivery status selection mark enclosed in the dashed frame in Figure 11 to "Completed".

[0059] Button B111 is used to increase or decrease the amount of information displayed in the package information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example). Button B112 is used to register the exterior appearance of the building represented by the package information BI (BI1 in the illustrated example), in other words, to register data about the building represented by the package information BI to the building information DB143. Button B112 has the same function as button B103 on the delivery destination information screen W4 (Figure 9), and the exterior registration process described below will be executed regardless of which button is tapped. In the following explanation, we will use the example of tapping button B112 when the package information BI1 shown in Figure 11 is displayed as an example.

[0060] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the process of registering the appearance. When button B112 on the package information details screen W6 (or button B103 on the delivery destination information screen W4) is tapped, the camera is automatically activated on the user terminal 30. As shown in Figure 12, a frame FM is placed on the screen that displays the subject of the camera. The user adjusts the camera so that the building of "○○ Heights" in the package information BI1 is larger than the frame FM, and then takes a photo IM of the building as seen from the road RD. The camera screen may also display or output audio a message indicating that the building should be larger than the frame FM (in other words, guidance regarding the size of the subject) and that the photo IM should be taken from the road RD (in other words, guidance regarding the shooting position). After shooting, the photo IM of the building (○○ Heights) is saved as an image file 341, and the camera is automatically or manually closed. The user then returns to the screen that called the camera. Note that image file 341 corresponds to the "first image".

[0061] Returning to Figure 11, let's continue the explanation. Button B113 on the luggage information details screen W6 is a button for confirming changes using the input content in the checkbox, text box, selection mark, and image file 341 taken after tapping button B112. Specifically, as shown in step S32 of Figure 4, when the tap of button B113 is detected, the user terminal 30 sends information to the server 10 including the input content on the luggage information details screen W6 (values ​​of the checkbox, text box, and selection mark) and the image file 341. In step S34, the registration unit 112 of the server 10 automatically obtains the color and height of the building's external features as depicted in the image file 341 by performing image analysis on the acquired image file 341. Specifically, the registration unit 112 performs at least some of the following processes d1 to d3 on the image file 341. (d1) The registration unit 112 obtains the color data of the object with the largest occupied area in the image file 341 through image analysis. The color data obtained by process d1 is the color of the building itself. (d2) The registration unit 112 obtains an image by image analysis, which is a cropped image of the object with the largest occupied area in the image file 341. The image obtained by process d2 includes the color of the building and the material of the building (in other words, the surface texture of the building materials). (d3) The registration unit 112 obtains information indicating how many stories the building in the image file 341 has, or building height information (a value such as XX meters), through image analysis.

[0062] Here, the object with the largest occupied area is assumed to be the building's exterior wall, the building's gate or door, vehicles or garages placed in front of the building, or plants covering the building. In step S36, the registration unit 112 of the server 10 updates the building information DB 143 using the results of processes d1 to d3. Specifically, it updates the color information (information b6) of the building information DB 143 using the color data obtained by process d1, updates the material image file (information b7) of the building information DB 143 using the image obtained by process d2, and updates the floor number information (information b5) of the building information DB 143 using the height obtained by process d3. The registration unit 112 (or control unit 111) also updates the luggage information DB 141 using the input content acquired in step S32. After that, the control unit 111 transitions the process to step S20 and displays the updated screen.

[0063] For example, after a delivery of a package is completed, the user sets the delivery status to "Completed" on the package information details screen W6, taps button B112 to take a photo of the building where the package was delivered (registering the exterior), and then taps button B113 to update the information. In this way, the building information DB143 can be updated through the user's delivery flow for packages requiring delivery.

[0064] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a variation of the enlarged map W41. At least one of the enlarged map W41 on the delivery destination information screen W4 and the enlarged map W52 on the navigation screen W5 may be in the form described below. Figure 13 will be used as an example to illustrate the enlarged map W41.

[0065] Figure 13(A) shows one variation of the enlarged map W41. In the example in Figure 13(A), each building included in the map has an outline with a color corresponding to the actual height of the building, in addition to the coloring. Note that in Figure 13(A), the difference in outline color is represented by the difference in outline line type. Figure 13(B) shows another variation of the enlarged map W41. In the example in Figure 13(B), each building included in the map has an outline with a thickness corresponding to the actual height of the building, in addition to the coloring. When placing these outlines, the control unit 111 of the server 10 can generate the colored layer L1 by executing the following steps c4 and c5 in addition to the above-described steps c1 to c3. (c4) The control unit 111 obtains floor number information (information b5) for each building BU1 to BU5 from the building information DB 143. (c5) The control unit 111 further draws the outlines of each building BU1 to BU5 on the colored layer L1 generated in step c3, using a color or thickness corresponding to the floor number information obtained in step c4.

[0066] As shown in the example in Figure 13, the control unit 111 of the server 10 generates a colored layer (first layer) with an outer frame corresponding to the height of each building in the maps W41 and W52. As a result, users can also understand the height of each building by looking at the outer frame of each building displayed on the maps W41 and W52. This further improves the identifiability of each building on the maps W41 and W52.

[0067] As described above, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the control unit 111 of the server 10 (map display device) displays buildings included in maps W41 and W52 in different colors according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings. Therefore, users can intuitively associate the external characteristics of each building they are actually seeing with the colors of each building on maps W41 and W52. As a result, the identifiability of each building on maps W41 and W52 can be improved.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the external characteristics of a building are the color of the object with the largest occupied area in the first image (the image represented by image file 341) that includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more (Figure 12). Therefore, users can more intuitively associate the color of each building they actually see (the color of the object with the largest occupied area around the building) with the color of each building on maps W41 and W52. Also, as explained in the external appearance registration process described in Figure 12, the first image is an image IM that includes the building as seen from the road RD, so the external characteristics can be the colors that users actually see while driving along the road.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the control unit 111 of the server 10 uses the building information storage unit (building information DB 143) to generate a first layer L1 (Figure 9: colored layer L1) in which buildings in the map are color-coded according to their external characteristics, and displays the first layer L1 superimposed on the normal map MP (Figure 9) which is not color-coded. In this way, the color-coded display processing of buildings by the control unit 111 can be realized while utilizing the conventional map acquisition and display processing. In addition, the first layer L1 (building color-coded display layer, i.e., colored layer L1) can be turned ON / OFF according to the user's preference.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the control unit 111 of the server 10 can easily generate the first layer L1 (building color coding display layer, i.e., colored layer L1) using numerical values ​​(information b6) or image data (information b7) stored in the building information storage unit (building information DB 143).

[0071] Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1 of the first embodiment, the registration unit 112 of the server 10 acquires a first image (image file 341) from the user, automatically acquires the color as an external characteristic by performing image analysis on the first image (processing d1, d2), and stores it in the building information storage unit (building information DB 143). Therefore, the building information storage unit can be easily maintained with the cooperation of multiple users.

[0072] B. Second Embodiment: Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure for the delivery support process of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a configuration is described in which an environment layer L2 (second layer) is generated and displayed in addition to the color layer L1 (first layer). The delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment includes a server 10A having a control unit 111A instead of the control unit 111 in the configuration described in the first embodiment.

[0073] In the delivery support process shown in Figure 14, step S16A is executed instead of step S16 (Figure 4). In step S16A, the control unit 111A generates a series of data (display data) used for screen display on the user terminal 30. This display data includes the coloring layer L1 described in the first embodiment, as well as an environment layer whose brightness is changed according to environmental conditions. The environment layer corresponds to the "second layer". Specifically, the control unit 111A can generate the environment layer by, for example, the following steps e1 to e2. (e1) The control unit 111A acquires environmental conditions. Here, "environmental conditions" refers to at least one of the following: the weather in the area where maps W41A and W52 are displayed (weather conditions), the time when maps W41A and W52 are displayed (time conditions), and the season corresponding to the date when maps W41A and W52 are displayed (season conditions). The control unit 111A can acquire weather conditions from an external weather information server. (e2) The control unit 111A generates an environment layer with at least a changed brightness according to the environmental conditions obtained in step e1. For example, if the weather condition is cloudy or rainy, the control unit 111A generates a gray environment layer that is achromatic and has a low brightness. For example, if the weather condition is clear, the control unit 111A generates a pale white environment layer that is achromatic and has a high brightness. For example, if the time of day is twilight, the control unit 111A generates an orange environment layer with a low brightness. For example, if the season is winter, it generates a gray environment layer that is achromatic and has a low brightness.

[0074] Figure 15 shows an example of the delivery destination information screen W4A in the second embodiment. The delivery destination information screen W4A includes an enlarged map W41A in place of the enlarged map W41 in the configuration described in the first embodiment. In the enlarged map W41A, each building BU1 to BU4 included in the map is color-coded according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings and then color-corrected by the environment layer L2. This color correction is achieved by superimposing the environment layer L2 (second layer L2) in addition to the map MP and the coloring layer L1 (first layer L1), as shown in the callout at the top of Figure 15. Thus, the environment layer L2 can be said to be a layer that reflects the changes in the color of buildings that the user actually sees according to environmental conditions (weather, time of day, season) on the maps W41A and W52.

[0075] Furthermore, the enlarged map W41A has a button B120 for turning the environment layer L2 ON / OFF (switching between displaying and hiding it). Although Figure 15 describes the enlarged map W41A on the delivery destination information screen W4A, the environment layer L2 may also be superimposed on the enlarged map W52 on the navigation screen W5 in the same way.

[0076] The delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, according to the delivery support system 1A of the second embodiment, the control unit 111A of the server 10A generates a second layer L2 (Figure 15: environment layer L2) with at least the brightness changed according to the environmental conditions (weather, time, season) acquired in step e1, and displays the normal map MP, the first layer L1 (Figure 15: coloring layer L1), and the second layer L2 superimposed. Here, the external characteristics of each building that the user actually sees vary depending on the environmental conditions (weather, time, season). In this regard, according to the delivery support system 1A, the color of each building included in the map MP and color-coded by the first layer L1 can be corrected by the second layer L2 (environment display layer L2) to a color that corresponds to the environment that the user is actually seeing. As a result, the identifiability of each building on the maps W41A and W52 can be further improved. Furthermore, since the first layer L1 and the second layer L2 are independent layers, the second layer L2 (environment display layer L2) can be turned ON / OFF by the user according to their preference using button B120.

[0077] C. Third Embodiment: Figure 16 shows a schematic configuration of the delivery support system 1B of the third embodiment. The delivery support system 1B of the third embodiment includes a user terminal 30B instead of the user terminal 30, and does not include a server 10. The user terminal 30B of the third embodiment performs delivery support processing without cooperating with the server 10. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30B corresponds to a "map display device".

[0078] The CPU 310B of the user terminal 30B further includes a control unit 312 and a registration unit 313 in addition to the processing unit 311. The control unit 312 performs the same functions as the control unit 111 described in the first embodiment or the control unit 111A described in the second embodiment. The registration unit 313 performs the same functions as the registration unit 112 described in the first embodiment. The storage unit 340B of the user terminal 30B stores a luggage information DB 342, a map information DB 343, and a building information DB 344. The luggage information DB 342 is the same as the luggage information DB 141 described in the first embodiment, the map information DB 343 is the same as the map information DB 142 described in the first embodiment, and the building information DB 344 is the same as the building information DB 143 described in the first embodiment.

[0079] Thus, the configuration of the delivery support system 1B can be modified in various ways, and the user terminal 30B may be configured as a map display device. Furthermore, at least a portion of the package information DB 342, map information DB 343, and building information DB 344 may be stored on an external data server. In this case, the control unit 312 and the registration unit 313 only need to connect to the data server each time during the delivery support process (Figure 4) to obtain the necessary data. The same effects as those of the first or second embodiment described above can be obtained with this third embodiment of the delivery support system 1B.

[0080] D. Variations: In the above embodiment, some of the configuration implemented by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, some of the configuration implemented by software may be replaced with hardware. Other modifications are also possible, as follows.

[0081] · Variation 1: The above embodiment shows an example of the configuration of the delivery support system, server, and user terminal. However, the configuration of each device can be any configuration.

[0082] For example, server 10 may be configured as a map display device only, or as a route guidance device. In other words, server 10 does not have to have functions to support the delivery of packages that need to be delivered (functions related to delivery support, such as registering and updating package information, and displaying pins based on package information). For example, if server 10 is configured as a map display device only, server 10 should display on user terminal 30 an enlarged map W52 (Figure 10) showing the area around the current location, where buildings on the map are color-coded according to the actual external features of the buildings. For example, if server 10 is configured as a route guidance device, server 10 should display on user terminal 30 a navigation screen W5 (including the enlarged map W52 with color-coded buildings) that guides the user on a route from an arbitrary starting point to a destination.

[0083] For example, at least one of the package information DB141, map information DB142, and building information DB143 of server 10 may be stored on the user terminal 30 or on an external server connected via the Internet INT. For example, the configuration of the package information DB141, map information DB142, and building information DB143 described above is merely an example, some of the exemplified information may be omitted, other information not exemplified may be included, and the information may be divided and stored in multiple databases.

[0084] • Variation 2: In the above embodiment, the delivery support process (Figures 4 and 14) was described with an example of the processing procedure. However, these processing procedures can be modified in various ways, and the processing content in each step may be added, omitted, or changed, and the execution order of each step may be changed. The instructions for the user terminal 30 to execute steps S20, 28, and 30 are included in the display data generated by the server 10 in step S16. Therefore, it can be said that these steps are executed by the server 10 on the user terminal 30.

[0085] For example, in step S16, the control unit 111 may perform color coding for buildings in the map without using the coloring layer L1 (first layer L1). In this case, the control unit 111 can omit the coloring layer L1 by directly coloring each building in the map MP as described in the callout in Figure 9. Similarly, in step S16A, the control unit 111A may perform color correction without using the environment layer L2 (second layer L2). In this case, the control unit 111A can omit the coloring layer L1 and the environment layer L2 by directly coloring each building in the map MP as described in the callout in Figure 15 with colors corrected according to the environmental conditions.

[0086] For example, in step S34, the registration unit 112 may acquire the color and height of the building as external features using a method other than image analysis. In this case, for example, the user of the user terminal 30 may be asked to tap an arbitrary location in the image IM (image file 341) that represents a "mark color," and the color represented by the pixel at the tapped location (or the image at the tapped location) may be acquired. Similarly, for height, the input from the user may be acquired without relying on image analysis and registered in the building information DB 143. Alternatively, in step S34, the registration unit 112 may acquire some information that can identify a color, such as "red" or "blue," instead of color data, and register it in the building information DB 143.

[0087] • Modification 3: In the above embodiment, examples of screen configurations and screen transitions were given for various screens displayed on the user terminal 30. However, these screen configurations and screen transitions can be modified in various ways, and items placed on each screen may be added, omitted, or changed, and the transition order of each screen may also be changed.

[0088] For example, if the building information DB143 stores credentials for identifying users who can upload the original image file (information b8), i.e., the image file 341, then before executing step S34 (image file analysis) in Figure 4, an authentication process may be performed to determine whether the user meets the credentials, and the process may proceed to step S34 only if the user meets the credentials.

[0089] For example, the color coding of buildings included in the map may apply to only one of the two enlarged maps, W41 or W52. For example, it may be possible to set which of the two enlarged maps, W41 or W52, to color-code, or both, in the general settings after tapping button B1 on the map display screen W1. For example, the color coding of buildings may be applied to maps other than the enlarged maps W41 and W52 (for example, the map on the map display screen W1). For example, the color coding of buildings included in the map may be limited to buildings with pins P1 to P11 (in other words, buildings that are delivery destinations for packages that need to be delivered). In this case, buildings without pins P1 to P11 will not be colored, so users can easily distinguish between delivery destination buildings and other buildings.

[0090] · Modification 4: The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, examples, and modifications described above, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from its spirit. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary of the invention can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

[0091] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application Example 1] A map display device, A map display device comprising a control unit for displaying a map, the control unit for displaying buildings included in the map in different colors according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings. [Application Example 2] The map display device described in Application Example 1, The aforementioned external features refer to a map display device that, in a first image including the building as seen from a road, and in a first image that includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more, the color of the object with the largest occupied area. [Application Example 3] A map display device as described in Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, further, Each of the aforementioned buildings is equipped with a building information storage unit that stores the aforementioned external characteristics, The control unit generates a first layer in which the buildings in the map are color-coded according to their external characteristics, using the building information storage unit, and displays the first layer superimposed on a regular map that is not color-coded. [Application Example 4] A map display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, The building information storage unit stores, for each building, at least one of the following in association: a numerical value representing the color and image data of the color. The control unit generates the first layer on which buildings in the map are colored according to the numerical values, or images represented by the image data are placed. [Application Example 5] A map display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, The building information storage unit stores the height of each building in a corresponding manner. The control unit generates the first layer in which an outer frame corresponding to the height is further arranged for the buildings in the map, and is a map display device. [Application Example 6] A map display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, further, A map display device comprising a registration unit that acquires the first image from a user, automatically acquires the color as an external feature by performing image analysis on the first image, and stores it in the building information storage unit. [Application Example 7] A map display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, The control unit further, The system acquires environmental conditions including at least one of the following: the weather in the area where the map is displayed, the time when the map is displayed, and the season corresponding to the date on which the map is displayed. A map display device that generates a second layer with at least a modified brightness according to the acquired environmental conditions, and displays the normal map, the first layer, and the second layer superimposed on each other. [Application Example 8] A method for displaying a map, wherein the information processing device is A method for displaying a map, comprising the step of displaying buildings included in the map in different colors according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings. [Application Example 9] A computer program, for use in an information processing device. A computer program that performs the step of displaying a map, wherein the program displays buildings included in the map in different colors according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1,1A,1B…Delivery support system 10,10A…Server 30,30B…User terminals 110...CPU 111,111A…Control Unit 112...Registration Department 120... Communications Department 130...ROM / RAM 140...Storage section 141... Package Information Database 142...Map Information Database 143... Building Information Database 310, 310B…CPU 311... Processing Unit 312... Control Unit 313...Registration Department 320... Communications Department 330...ROM / RAM 340,340B…Storage unit 341…Image file 350…Input / output section 360…Current position acquisition unit

Claims

1. A map display device, A control unit for displaying a map, which displays buildings included in a two-dimensional narrow-area map that shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of a building selected by the user from the map, color-coded according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings, Each of the aforementioned buildings is equipped with a building information storage unit that stores the aforementioned external characteristics, The control unit uses the building information storage unit and the location information of the selected building to generate a first layer in which the buildings in the narrow-area map are color-coded according to their external characteristics, and realizes the color-coded display by superimposing the first layer on a normal map that is not color-coded. The aforementioned external features refer to the color of the object with the largest occupied area in a first image including the building as seen from the road, where the first image includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more. The aforementioned external feature is the color of the building's exterior wall, which is the map display device.

2. A map display device according to claim 1, The building information storage unit stores, for each building, at least one of the following in association: a numerical value representing the color and image data of the material constituting the exterior wall. The control unit generates the first layer on which buildings in the narrow-area map are colored by the numerical values ​​or images represented by the image data are placed.

3. A map display device according to claim 2, The building information storage unit stores the height of each building in a corresponding manner. The control unit generates the first layer in which an outer frame corresponding to the height is further arranged for the buildings in the narrow-area map, and is a map display device.

4. A map display device according to claim 3, further, A map display device comprising a registration unit that acquires the first image from a user, automatically acquires the color as an external feature by performing image analysis on the first image, and stores it in the building information storage unit.

5. A map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit further, The system acquires environmental conditions including at least one of the following: the weather in the area where the narrow-area map is displayed, the time when the narrow-area map is displayed, and the season corresponding to the date on which the narrow-area map is displayed. A map display device that generates a second layer with at least a changed brightness according to the acquired environmental conditions, and displays the normal map, the first layer, and the second layer superimposed on each other.

6. A method for displaying a map, wherein the information processing device is A process for displaying a map, comprising the step of displaying buildings included in a two-dimensional narrow-area map that shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of a building selected by the user from the map, color-coded according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings, In the process of displaying in color, a building information storage unit that stores the external characteristics of each building and the location information of the selected building are used to generate a first layer in which the buildings in the narrow-area map are color-coded according to their external characteristics, and the color-coded display is realized by superimposing the first layer on a normal map that is not color-coded. The aforementioned external features refer to the color of the object with the largest occupied area in a first image including the building as seen from the road, where the first image includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more. The aforementioned external feature is the color of the building's exterior wall, in this method.

7. A computer program, for use in an information processing device. A step of displaying a map, wherein buildings included in a two-dimensional narrow-area map that shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of a building selected by the user from the map are displayed in color according to the actual external characteristics of the buildings, In the step of displaying in color, a building information storage unit that stores the external characteristics of each building and the location information of the selected building are used to generate a first layer in which the buildings in the narrow-area map are color-coded according to their external characteristics, and the color-coded display is realized by superimposing the first layer on a normal map that is not color-coded. The aforementioned external features refer to the color of the object with the largest occupied area in a first image including the building as seen from the road, where the first image includes the building in a predetermined proportion or more. The aforementioned external features are the color of the building's exterior walls, as well as a computer program.

Images