Map information providing system, map information providing method, and map information providing program

Abstract

This map information providing system comprises: a manager information storage unit that stores information about a manager having the authority for generating an object; a generation permission unit that uses the information about the manager to permit an input of object information used for generating the object; a worker information storage unit that stores information about a worker who works in an area in a real space corresponding to the object; an input permission unit that uses the information about the worker to permit an input, to a terminal of the worker, of status information indicating the status of the object; a display determination unit that uses the status information input to the terminal of the worker to determine to display the object on the map; and a display control unit that causes a terminal of the user to display the map including the object display determined by the display determination unit.

Description

Map information providing system, map information providing method, and map information providing program

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

[0002] There is known a technology for displaying various information such as facilities and disasters on a terminal together with a map. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent No. 4711577) below describes that a facility symbol is displayed on a map image, and that clicking on the symbol displays detailed information about the facility. Patent Document 2 (JP Patent No. 6084190) below describes a notification system that aims to quickly and intuitively transmit disaster information and the like. It is desirable that the information provided to the user be as accurate as possible in relation to the current situation.

[0003] Patent No. 4711577 Specification Patent No. 6084190 Specification

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information providing system for controlling the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, the map information providing system comprising: an administrator information storage unit that stores information of an administrator who has authority to generate objects; a generation permission unit that uses the administrator information to allow input of object information to be used in generating the objects; a worker information storage unit that stores information of workers working in an area in real space corresponding to the objects; an input permission unit that uses the worker information to allow input of status information indicating the status of the objects to the worker's terminal; a display determination unit that uses the status information input to the worker's terminal to determine the display of the objects on the map; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the objects whose display has been determined by the display determination unit.

[0005] According to the present invention, the display of objects is automatically determined based on status information entered into the worker's terminal, thereby providing users with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation. For example, the present invention can provide real-time information such as the availability of various facilities, contributing to the achievement of Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation." For example, the present invention can provide real-time information regarding disasters, contributing to the achievement of Goal 11 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable."

[0006] 1 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a UI image provided by the map information providing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a UI image of type management according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a UI image of object management according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a UI image of object creation according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a UI image of status management according to an embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of determining the display of an object according to an embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a UI image of user management according to an embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a map information providing method according to an embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a UI image of user management according to an embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a UI image of user management according to an embodiment; FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment;

[0007] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment. The map information providing system 1 provides a service for displaying a map on a terminal (referred to as a map display service as appropriate). The map display service is used, for example, to notify users of water supply stations and their status when a water outage occurs due to an accident or disaster.

[0008] The service manager Q1 in FIG. 1 is, for example, a person in charge of a waterworks bureau. The service manager Q1 logs in to a map display service using, for example, a terminal 2 and registers a water station as an object on the map. The status manager Q2 is, for example, a worker, an activist, a local person in charge, or the like who performs activities such as supplying water to residents at an actual water station. The status manager Q2, for example, grasps the status of the water station while working at the water station. The status manager Q2, for example, carries a portable terminal 3 and inputs the water station's congestion level, remaining water amount, etc. into the terminal 3 as the status of the water station.

[0009] The map information providing system 1 controls the display mode of objects included in a map displayed on the display unit 4A of the terminal 4 of user Q3. Elements of the display mode of an object include, for example, at least one of color, brightness, shape, whether or not it is displayed, and whether or not it blinks. The map information providing system 1 acquires information input to the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 and uses this information to determine the display mode of water stations on the map. The map information providing system 1 displays a map including the water stations in the determined display mode on the terminal 4 of user Q3. For example, the map information providing system 1 acquires map data including geospatial information from an external system 5 and generates a map for a specified purpose by placing objects on the map indicated by the map data.

[0010] The external system 5 includes, for example, a server or database external to the map information providing system 1. The geospatial information includes one or both of information indicating the position of a specific point in space (hereinafter referred to as point information, as appropriate) and information indicating the position of a specific area in space (hereinafter referred to as area information, as appropriate). In the following description, a point or an area will be referred to as a location, as appropriate. In the following description, a "location" may refer to either a point or an area.

[0011] The geospatial information may include information associated with location information or information associated with area information. The geospatial information may be base map data. The base map includes, for example, information on at least one of topography, roads, and administrative boundaries. The external system 5 may be operated by a public institution, a company or other organization, or an individual. The map information providing system 1 may have at least the functions of the external system 5. The map information providing system 1 may store map data including geospatial information and may not need to acquire geospatial information from the external system 5.

[0012] User Q3 is a viewer who views the map displayed on terminal 4. User Q3 is, for example, a resident of the local government to which service manager Q1 belongs. In the following description, any user who uses the map display service will be referred to as an unspecified user as appropriate. User Q3's terminal 4 displays map M1 on its display unit 4A. On map M1, water stations are indicated by, for example, icon R1, which indicates that the resident is in a state where it is easy to receive water. Residents can know in real time whether the water station they plan to use is in a state where it is easy to receive water. Residents can check the status of the water station and head to the water station.

[0013] When an actual water station becomes congested or the remaining water level becomes low, the status manager Q2 inputs this information into the terminal 3 as the status of the water station. The map information providing system 1 uses the information input into the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 to determine the display format of the water station on the map. The terminal 4 of the user Q3 displays a map M2 on its display unit 4A. On the map M2, the water station is represented by, for example, an icon R2 indicating that it is difficult for residents to receive water. Residents can know in real time whether the water station they plan to use is in a difficult state to receive water. Residents can check the status of the water station and wait for the water station to be replenished or find another water station.

[0014] The map display service may be used during normal times as well as during emergencies such as accidents and disasters. For example, the status manager Q2 may be a manager of a facility in the real world and may input whether the facility is available or unavailable into the terminal 3. The map information providing system 1 may display an icon indicating that the facility is open or closed on the map based on the information input into the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2. The map display service may be used to notify whether a road is passable or closed.

[0015] The map display service is provided, for example, by a web application. User Q3's terminal 4 accesses a site provided by the map display service and displays the map. A uniform resource locator (referred to as a URL as appropriate) that transitions to the site provided by the map display service is provided, for example, by a link on a web site. This URL may be provided as a code that can be read by the displaying terminal, such as a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)), or may be provided by other methods.

[0016] An object on a map corresponds to a body or area whose position in real space can be identified. For example, the object on the map has a fixed position and includes at least one of any area in real space, such as a commercial facility, public facility, residence, building, evacuation shelter, other facility, tourist spot, or square. The object on the map may include an object corresponding to a moving body whose position can be identified by GPS or the like, and may include an object corresponding to at least one of a vehicle that travels on a road, such as a bus or ambulance, a vehicle such as a train that travels on tracks, an aircraft (including a drone), or a ship.

[0017] Next, we will explain each unit of the map information providing system 1. The map information providing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an administrator information storage unit (e.g., storage unit 11), a generation permission unit 12, a worker information storage unit (e.g., storage unit 11), an input permission unit 13, a display determination unit 14, a display control unit 15, a posting permission receiving unit 16, and a processing unit 17. At least a part of the map information providing system 1 is realized by a computer executing processing in accordance with a program.

[0018] The storage unit 11 stores service administrator information D1. The service administrator information D1 includes information about an administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1) who has the authority to create objects. The service administrator information D1 includes information necessary for the service administrator Q1 to use the map display service provided by the map information providing system 1. The service administrator information D1 includes, for example, information used for user authentication when the service administrator Q1 logs in to an account for the map display service. The service administrator information D1 includes, for example, an ID and password for the account for the map display service. Any method of user authentication in the map display service may be used. The method of user authentication in the map display service may be a method in which the user inputs an ID and password, a method that uses authentication from another service (e.g., single sign-on), or another method such as biometric authentication.

[0019] The service manager information D1 is stored in the storage unit 11, for example, by a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. For example, a service manager Q1 applies to the system administrator for use of the map display service and provides the system administrator with an email address of the service manager Q1 as at least a part of the service manager information D1 (e.g., an account ID). The system administrator stores the service manager information D1 including the email address of the service manager Q1 in the storage unit 11.

[0020] When a user logs in to the map display service, the map information providing system 1 displays a user interface image on the user's terminal. In the following description, the user interface image is referred to as a UI image as appropriate. The user inputs information required for logging in (referred to as login information or login authentication information as appropriate) in the UI image at the time of login. For example, the map information providing system 1 authenticates the user using SSO with the processing unit 17, and the login information includes the email address of the user of the map display service. When the login information is input, the processing unit 17 accepts a request to log in to the map display service. The processing unit 17 performs user authentication using the login information. For example, if the login information input by the user is consistent (e.g., matches) with the login information stored in the storage unit 11, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a pre-registered user.

[0021] 2 is a diagram showing a UI image provided by the map information providing system according to the embodiment. The UI image 21 is sometimes called a home screen. The UI image 21 visually represents functions provided to a service manager Q1, for example, via a browser. The UI image 21 includes a "Type Management" icon 22, an "Object Management" icon 23, a "Status Management" icon 24, a "User Management" icon 25, and a "Post Management" icon 26.

[0022] Each of the icons 22 to 26 is assigned a function provided by the map information providing system 1. By selecting (e.g., pressing) one of the icons 22 to 26, the service manager Q1 can use the function assigned to the selected icon. Each of the icons 22 to 26 is associated in advance with a command that causes the map information providing system 1 to execute a predetermined process. The map information providing system 1 detects that an icon has been selected, and executes the process corresponding to the command associated with that icon. The map information providing system 1 includes a computer, and provides various functions by the computer executing processes according to a program.

[0023] The map information providing system 1 provides a type management function to a user authenticated as a service manager. For example, the processing unit 17 compares login information entered into the user's terminal with the service manager information D1 to determine whether the logged-in user is a service manager. For example, if the login information entered by the user matches the login information stored in the storage unit 11, the processing unit 17 permits the user to log in. For a user whose login has been permitted, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a service manager if the login information stored in the storage unit 11 includes information (e.g., a flag) indicating that the user is a service manager.

[0024] When the generation permission unit 12 determines that the user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the generation permission unit 12 displays a type management UI image on the user's terminal. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a type management UI image according to an embodiment. The type management UI image 31 is displayed on the user's terminal, for example, when the user selects the "type management" icon 22 in the UI image 21 shown in Fig. 2.

[0025] The type management UI image 31 includes a list 32 of object types. The list 32 corresponds to a list of registered object types. The list 32 includes a "Name" field and a "Description" field. The list 32 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which "Name" information is placed and a column in which "Description" information is placed. The "Name" information and the "Description" information placed in the same row correspond to each other. The information placed in one row corresponds to one object type.

[0026] The information displayed in the "Name" field includes information that distinguishes (e.g., identifies) the type of object. Examples of information that distinguishes the type of object include tourist attraction, bus stop, bus, evacuation shelter, water level observation point, and water station. The information displayed in the "Name" field is, for example, information input by the service manager Q1. The information displayed in the "Description" field includes a comment related to the type of object. For example, the type of object in the first line of the list 32 in FIG. 3 has the name "Tourist Attraction" and the comment "Object for Tourist Map." The "Description" is, for example, information input by the service manager Q1. The information that distinguishes the type of object is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 3. The information that distinguishes the type of object may not include at least a portion of the information shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., from "Tourist Attraction" to "Water Station"), or may include at least a portion of the information shown in FIG. 3 (e.g., from "Tourist Attraction" to "Water Station").

[0027] The type management UI image 31 may include information different from both the information in the "Name" field and the information in the "Description" field. For example, the list 32 may include images (e.g., thumbnails) corresponding to sample icons representing various objects on a map. The type management UI image 31 may include information different from the information input by the service administrator Q1. For example, the type management UI image 31 may include information registered by a system administrator (e.g., default object types). For example, the type management UI image 31 may include information imported from outside the map information providing system 1.

[0028] The type management function includes a function for creating a new object type. Object types are arbitrarily defined by the service administrator Q1. When the generation permission unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it provides the user with the function for creating a new object type. For example, the UI image 31 includes a “Create New” icon 33. When the “Create New” icon 33 is selected, the generation permission unit 12 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as a “type registration screen”) on the user's terminal for accepting input of an object name and description. The type registration screen includes, for example, a text box for accepting text input of the object name, a text box for accepting text input of the object description, and a “Confirm” icon assigned with a function for confirming the input. When the “Confirm” icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the information entered in the object name text box with the information entered in the object description text box, and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11.

[0029] The type management function includes a function to edit an object type and a function to delete an object type. The function to edit an object type is a function to specify an object type and change at least a portion of the information associated with this object type. For example, the function to edit an object type is a function to change one or both of the information in the "Name" field and the information in the "Description" field for an object type specified by the user. The function to delete an object type is a function to exclude a specified object type from registered object types.

[0030] The UI image 31 includes an "edit" icon 34. In the UI image 31, the "edit" icon 34 is arranged in a position aligned with each row of the list 32. When the user selects the "edit" icon 34, the type of object arranged in the row direction of the list 32 relative to this icon 34 is designated as the object to be edited. For example, when it is detected that the icon 34 aligned with the row named "tourist attraction" has been pressed down, the object type "tourist attraction" is designated as the object to be edited.

[0031] When the type of object to be edited is specified, the generation permission unit 12 displays a type registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "OK" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the information entered in the object name text box with the information entered in the object description text box, and updates the object type information stored in the storage unit 11. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the type registration screen, the generation permission unit 12 deletes the information on the specified object type from the storage unit 11.

[0032] When a request is made to display a type management UI image 31, the generation permission unit 12 generates a list 32 using object name information and description information stored in the storage unit 11. The display control unit 15 shown in Fig. 1 displays the UI image 31 including the list 32 generated by the generation permission unit 12 on the user's terminal.

[0033] If a user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the type management function, the generation permission unit 12 does not provide the user with the function to create a new object type, the function to edit an object type, and the function to delete an object type. For example, if the generation permission unit 12 determines that a user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the type management function, the generation permission unit 12 sets the “Create New” icon 33 and the “Edit” icon 34 to a state in which the user cannot select them. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may change the display form of the icons 33 and 34 and disable designation of the icons 33 or 34 with a pointer. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may set the icons 33 and 34 to a hidden state. If a user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the type management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the type management UI image 31.

[0034] The map information providing system 1 provides object management functions to a user authenticated as a service administrator. When it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, the generation permission unit 12 displays an object management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an object management UI image according to an embodiment. The object management UI image 35 is displayed on the user's terminal, for example, when the user selects the "object management" icon 23 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] The object management UI image 35 includes a list 36 of objects. The list 36 corresponds to a list of registered objects. The list 36 includes a "display state" item, a "type" item, and a "name" item. The list 32 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which "display state" information is placed, a column in which "type" information is placed, and a column in which "name" information is placed. The "display state" information, "type" information, and "name" information placed in the same row correspond to each other. Information placed in one row corresponds to one object.

[0036] The information displayed in the "Type" field in the list 36 includes information that distinguishes (e.g., identifies) the type of object. The information displayed in the "Type" field is selected from information registered as information that distinguishes the type of object. The information that distinguishes the type of object is registered, for example, by the type management function described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0037] The information displayed in the "Name" field in list 36 includes information for distinguishing (e.g., identifying) the object. The information displayed in the "Name" field may be a proper noun or nickname of a facility in real space that corresponds to the object, or the name of an area in real space that corresponds to the object (e.g., a place name). For example, multiple object types are registered in the map information providing system 1, and multiple objects corresponding to each object type are registered. The "type" of an object is information that identifies the object type, and the "name" of an object is information that identifies each object within a specific object type. Each object is identified, for example, by a combination of the "type" and "name" of the object. For example, the object in the first row and the object in the second row of list 36 have the same name, "Shirahama Beach," but are distinguished by their different types, "tourist attraction" and "bus stop."

[0038] The information displayed in the "Display Status" field in the list 36 is setting information indicating whether each object is displayed on the map. The processing unit 17 shown in FIG. 1 generates map data to be displayed on the user's terminal by arranging on the map icons representing objects whose display status is set to "display" and not arranging on the map icons representing objects whose display status is set to "hidden." For example, in the list 36 of FIG. 4, the object in the first row is a "tourist attraction," has a name of "Shirarahama Beach," and has a display status set to "display." The object in the second row is a "bus stop," has a name of "Shirarahama Beach," and has a status set to "hidden." In this case, the processing unit 17 generates map data that includes an icon representing "Shirarahama Beach" as a "tourist attraction," but does not include an icon representing "Shirarahama Beach" as a "bus stop."

[0039] The user can extract objects to be included in the list 36 from multiple registered objects. The UI image 35 includes an input window 37 into which object extraction conditions are input and a “search” icon 38. The input window 37 is, for example, an area into which text indicating the extraction conditions is input. The information input into the input window 37 may include at least a portion of information identifying the type of object, or at least a portion of information identifying the object (e.g., name). A command for executing extraction (e.g., search) is assigned to the “search” icon 38. When the generation permission unit 12 detects that the icon 38 has been pressed, the generation permission unit 12 uses the text input into the input window 37 to extract information about objects that match the extraction conditions from the storage unit 11. The generation permission unit 12 reads information about the extracted objects from the storage unit 11 and generates a list 36 indicating the information about the extracted objects.

[0040] The UI image 35 includes icons (39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, 39e, and 39f) used to narrow down the objects. Each of the icons 39a to 39f is associated with an object type. When at least one of the icons 39a to 39f is selected, the generation permitting unit 12 extracts an object corresponding to the object type associated with the selected icon. The generation permitting unit 12 generates a list 36 showing information about the extracted objects.

[0041] The object management function includes a function for creating a new object. Objects are arbitrarily defined by the service administrator Q1. When the creation permission unit 12 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it provides the user with the function for creating a new object. For example, the UI image 35 includes a "Create New" icon 40. When the "Create New" icon 40 is selected, the creation permission unit 12 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as an object registration screen) that accepts input of various information about the object on the user's terminal. The various information about the object includes, for example, information identifying the type of object, information indicating the name of the object, information indicating the location of the object, and status information indicating the status of the object.

[0042] The object registration screen includes, for example, a drop-down list showing candidate object types, a text box for accepting text input of the object name, and a "Confirm" icon assigned with the function of confirming the input. The drop-down list is sometimes called a "pull-down." When the drop-down list is selected, the generation permission unit 12 generates, for example, a list of registered object types. The generation permission unit 12 displays the generated list on the object registration screen. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the object type selected from the drop-down list with the information input in the object name text box, and stores them in the storage unit 11.

[0043] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a process for accepting input of an object's position. In the process shown in Fig. 5A, the generation permitting unit 12 accepts a user's designation of an object's position using an image including icons indicating object candidates. The generation permitting unit 12 displays a map image 45 including the object candidates on the user's terminal. In Fig. 5A, reference numerals 46a to 46e indicate icons indicating object candidates.

[0044] The object candidates include, for example, facilities included in a range specified by the user on the map. Information about the object candidates is included, for example, in geospatial information. The information about the object candidates may include information associated with point information or area information. For example, the generation enabling unit 12 extracts information about locations (e.g., facilities) included in a range specified by the user from the geospatial information. For example, the user adjusts the map displayed on the terminal by changing one or both of the latitude and longitude of the center of the map and the scale of the map so that locations corresponding to the objects are included in the map. The generation enabling unit 12 defines the range of the map adjusted by the user as a specified range and extracts object candidates from this range. The generation enabling unit 12 generates a map image 45 including icons indicating each of the extracted facilities. The generation enabling unit 12 displays a UI image including the generated image 45 on the user's terminal.

[0045] The user can operate the pointer 47 on the image 45 to select one icon representing a candidate object. The generation permission unit 12 acquires location information (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the facility corresponding to the selected icon from the geospatial information. The generation permission unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the location information acquired from the geospatial information, and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11 as a single piece of object information.

[0046] In the process shown in FIG. 5B , the generation permitting unit 12 provides a UI that can draw a figure representing an object on a map image and accepts the designation of the object's position. For example, the generation permitting unit 12 generates a map image 48 of a range designated by the user. The user can designate a line by operating a pointer on the image 48. For example, the user designates a line 50 by pointing a pointer 49 a at an arbitrary position on the image 48 to designate a start point, and by pointing a pointer 49 b at an arbitrary position on the image 48 to designate an end point. The generation permitting unit 12 acquires the positions of the start point and end point of the line 50 in the image. The generation permitting unit 12 converts the positions of the start point and end point of the line 50 in the image into position information in real space, respectively, thereby acquiring position information in real space of the object corresponding to the line 50. The generation permitting unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the position information in real space and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11 as a single piece of object information.

[0047] In the process shown in FIG. 5C , the generation permitting unit 12 provides a UI that can draw a figure representing an object on a map image and accepts a designation of the object's position. For example, the generation permitting unit 12 generates a map image 51 of a range designated by the user. The user can designate an area enclosed by lines by manipulating a pointer on the image 51. For example, the user can draw a line on the image 51 by manipulating a pointer 52, and designate a figure 53 enclosed by the line. The generation permitting unit 12 acquires the position of the figure 53 on the image and converts the position of the figure 53 into position information in real space, thereby acquiring position information in real space of the object corresponding to the figure 53. The generation permitting unit 12 associates the type and name of the object entered on the object registration screen with the position information in real space, and stores the associated information as a single piece of object information in the storage unit 11.

[0048] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 4, the object management functions include a function to edit object information and a function to delete object information. The function to edit object information is a function to specify an object and change at least part of the information (e.g., state, type, name, location) of the specified object. The function to delete object information is a function to specify an object and exclude the information of that object from registration.

[0049] The UI image 35 includes an "edit" icon 41. In the UI image 35, the "edit" icon 41 is arranged in a position aligned with each row of the list 36. When the user selects the "edit" icon 41, information on an object arranged in the row direction of the list 36 relative to this icon 41 is designated as the object to be edited. For example, if the "edit" icons 41 are arranged beside the list 36 and it is detected that the top icon 41 has been pressed down, the object designated as the object to be edited is an object whose "display state" is "display," whose "type" is "tourist attraction," and whose "name" is "Shirahama Beach."

[0050] When an object to be edited is designated, the generation permission unit 12 displays an object registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "OK" icon is selected, the generation permission unit 12 associates the type of object selected from the drop-down list with the information entered in the object name text box, and updates the object information stored in the storage unit 11. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the object registration screen, the generation permission unit 12 deletes the information of the designated object from the storage unit 11.

[0051] If a user logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the generation permission unit 12 does not provide the user with the functions of creating a new object, editing object information, and deleting object information. For example, if the generation permission unit 12 determines that a user logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the generation permission unit 12 sets the "Create New" icon 40 and the "Edit" icon 41 to a state where the user cannot select them. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may change the display form of the icons 40 and 41 and disable designation of the icons 40 or 41 with a pointer. In this case, the generation permission unit 12 may set the icons 40 and 41 to a hidden state. If a user logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the object management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the object management UI image 35.

[0052] The map information providing system 1 provides a status management function to a user authenticated as a status manager. The status management function includes a function for changing at least a portion of the status information of a specified object. The status information includes, for example, information input by the user as the state of a facility in real space corresponding to the object. For example, if the login information input by the user matches the login information stored in the storage unit 11, the processing unit 17 permits the user to log in. The storage unit 11 stores information about status managers who have the authority to change the status information. In the following description, the information about the status manager will be referred to as status manager information D2 as appropriate. If information indicating that the user is a status manager is included in the status manager information D2, the processing unit 17 determines that the user is a status manager.

[0053] When it is determined that a user who has logged in to the map display service has authority for status management, the input permission unit 13 displays a UI image for status management on the user's terminal. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a UI image for status management according to an embodiment. The UI image 55 for status management is displayed on the user's terminal, for example, when the user selects the "status management" icon 24 in the UI image 21 shown in Fig. 2.

[0054] The status management UI image 55 includes an input window 56 into which an object type is input and an input window 57 into which an object name is input. The input window 56 is, for example, a drop-down list. For example, when the input permission unit 13 detects that the input window 56 has been selected, it generates a list of registered object types. The input permission unit 13 displays the generated list of object types as a list of candidates on the UI image 55. The input window 56 displays the object type selected by the user from the candidates. The input window 57 is, for example, a drop-down list. For example, when the input permission unit 13 detects that the input window 57 has been selected, it generates a list of registered object names that are the object type displayed in the input window 56. The input permission unit 13 displays the generated list of object names as a list of candidates on the UI image 55. The input window 57 displays the name of the object selected by the user from the candidates.

[0055] The status management UI image 55 includes areas (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d) in which status information of an object is displayed. The status information includes, for example, information associated with location information or area information. The status information includes, for example, information indicating the status of a facility in real space associated with location information or area information. The status information includes, for example, multiple items. In FIG. 6 , areas 58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d are each an area in which one item of status information is displayed. Information in each item of status information is sometimes referred to as attribute information. Information in at least one item of status information includes, for example, information representing a state that changes over time. Information in at least one item of status information includes information representing a state that changes due to natural or human factors. The status information items are set in advance according to the type of object.

[0056] In this embodiment, the status information is represented by information selected from a plurality of options. For example, each area displaying the status information displays text indicating the content of the item, status options, check boxes for the options, and a mark indicating which check box is selected. The text indicating the content of the item is information indicating the status of the object. For example, in area 58a representing one item of the object's status, the text indicating the content of the item is "Please select the operation status." The text in area 58a is information indicating that this item represents the status related to the operation of the object. The status options for this item are represented by the text "Open" and the text "Closed." A check box 59a is located next to "Open," and a check box 59b is located next to the text "Closed." A mark 60 is located in check box 59a. In this example, the status of an object called "Shirahama Second Elementary School," which is a "water station," is indicated to be "Open" with respect to the "Operation Status" item.

[0057] The user can update the information indicating the status of this object by selecting one of the options for each item in the status management UI image 55. The input permission unit 13 monitors the user's input in the UI image 55 and detects a change in the status information. For example, the input permission unit 13 detects that a change has been made to a check box (e.g., check box 59a or check box 59b) in which a mark 60 is placed in an area (e.g., area 58a) where the status information is displayed. When the input permission unit 13 detects that the status information has been changed, it updates the status information of the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 (see FIG. 1 ) to the changed status information in the UI image 55.

[0058] If a user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the status management function, the input permission unit 13 does not provide the user with a function to change at least a portion of the status information. For example, if the input permission unit 13 determines that the user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the status management function, the input permission unit 13 disables input to change the option in which the mark 60 is placed in the area (e.g., area 58a) where each item of status information is displayed. For example, the input permission unit 13 hides the check boxes 59a and 59b and displays the mark 60 fixedly relative to the option indicated by the current status information. For each item of status information, the input permission unit 13 may display the option indicated by the current status information and hide other options and the mark 60. If a user logged in to the map display service does not have authorization to use the status management function, the map information providing system 1 may not provide the user with the status management UI image 55. The service manager Q1 may or may not have authorization to use the status management function.

[0059] The display determination unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 determines the display of objects on a map using status information. In this embodiment, the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the input permission unit 13 displays an image (e.g., UI image 55 in FIG. 6 ) on the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2 that allows the status manager Q2 to select status information from a plurality of candidates. The display determination unit 14 determines the display of objects on a map using the status information that is input by selecting from a plurality of candidates on the terminal 3 of the status manager Q2.

[0060] 7 is a diagram illustrating the processing of the display determination unit. In this embodiment, each of the multiple status information items (see FIG. 6) includes information selected from multiple pre-registered candidates. The display form of an object on a map displayed on the user's terminal is pre-associated with a combination of options for the multiple status information items. The display determination unit 14 determines the display form of the object to be a display form that corresponds to the combination of status information options input by the user.

[0061] In Fig. 7, the symbol D4 indicates display mode information. The display mode information D4 is information indicating multiple display modes of an object. The display mode information D4 in Fig. 7 includes data on multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) that indicate objects on a map. Each of the multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) has a different display mode from the other icons. Elements of the display mode of an icon include, for example, at least one of color, brightness, shape, whether or not to display, and whether or not to blink.

[0062] The multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) in FIG. 7 are all used to display objects of the object type "water station." The multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d) have different levels indicating how easily they can receive water. For example, icon D4a represents a water station that is in a state where it is most easily able to receive water. Icon D4b represents a water station that is in a state where it is less easily able to receive water than icon D4a. Icon D4c represents a water station that is in a state where it is less easily able to receive water than icon D4b. Icon D4b represents a water station that is open but is not able to receive water.

[0063] The symbol D5 in FIG. 7 indicates correspondence information. The correspondence information D5 is information that associates a combination of information selected from multiple candidates for multiple status information items with one of multiple display formats. The correspondence information D5 in FIG. 7 is represented in a table format. This correspondence information D5 is information that associates a combination of information on the status information items "remaining water supply" and "congestion level" with multiple icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, and D4d) representing objects. The information on the "remaining water supply" item is, for example, information selected from three candidates, "sufficient," "low," and "none," in the area 58c of the status management UI image 55 shown in FIG. 6. The information on the "congestion level" item is, for example, information selected from three candidates, "pleasant," "slightly congested," and "congested," in the area 58b of the status management UI image 55 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, there are nine possible combinations of information for the "remaining water supply" item and information for the "level of congestion" item, and each combination is associated with one of a number of icons (D4a, D4b, D4c, D4d). For example, if the information for the "remaining water supply" item is "sufficient" and the information for the "level of congestion" item is "plenty," icon D4a of display form information D4 is assigned to this combination.

[0064] The status information of the object information D3 includes, for example, information on items that are set according to the type of object. The items of the status information differ when the object type is a first type and when the object type is a second type that is different from the first type. For example, the items of the status information differ when the object type is a "tourist attraction" and when the object type is a "water station."

[0065] The display form information D4 includes, for example, information on a plurality of candidate display forms for an object. The plurality of candidate display forms for an object are set for each type of object. The candidate display forms for an object differ when the type of object is a first type and when the type of object is a second type different from the first type. For example, the candidate display forms for an object differ when the type of object is a "tourist attraction" and when the type of object is a "water station."

[0066] The correspondence information D5, for example, associates at least one candidate item of information selected from the status information items set for each object type with candidate display forms of the object set for each object type. The correspondence information D5 for objects whose object type is a first type differs from the correspondence information D5 for objects whose object type is a second type different from the first type. For example, in FIG. 6 , the object type is a "water station," and the status information items are four items: "operation status," "congestion level," "remaining water supply," and "estimated arrival of water truck." The correspondence information D5 in FIG. 7 , which corresponds to FIG. 6 , associates a combination of a candidate for "remaining water supply" and a candidate for "congestion level," out of the four status information items for the "water station," with a display form.

[0067] In the correspondence information D5, the number of items selected from the status information items is two in FIG. 7, but it may be one, three or more. At least one item of status information in the object information D3 may be common to two or more types of objects. At least one candidate for the display form of an object may be common to two or more types of objects. One candidate for the display form of an object may be associated with one candidate for the status information, or may be associated with multiple candidates for the status information.

[0068] The display mode information D4 is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 by, for example, a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. The display mode information D4 may be stored in the storage unit 11 by a user different from the system administrator (for example, a service administrator Q1). The storage unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a display mode storage unit that stores the display mode information D4. The display mode storage unit may be a storage area of ​​a storage unit different from the storage unit 11. The correspondence information D5 is stored in advance in the storage unit 11 by, for example, a system administrator who manages the map information providing system 1. The correspondence information D5 may be stored in the storage unit 11 by a user different from the system administrator (for example, a service administrator Q1). The storage unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a display mode storage unit that stores the correspondence information D5. The display mode storage unit may be a storage area of ​​a storage unit different from the storage unit 11.

[0069] When the map information providing system 1 receives a request for map display, the display determination unit 14 determines the display form of an object by using the display determination unit 14. For example, the display determination unit 14 compares the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 with the correspondence information D5 for the object to be displayed to determine the display form of the object. For example, the display determination unit 14 identifies the correspondence information D5 corresponding to the type of object to be displayed. For each object to be displayed, the display determination unit 14 extracts information on items defined in the correspondence information D5 from the status information. For the information on the items extracted from the status information of each object to be displayed, the display determination unit 14 identifies display form candidates associated by the correspondence information D5 and determines the identified candidates as the display form. For example, the object shown in the UI image 55 of FIG. 6 is a "water station," and the display determination unit 14 acquires the correspondence information D5 corresponding to the "water station" from the storage unit 11. The display determination unit 14 identifies "remaining water supply amount" and "congestion level" as the status information items defined in the correspondence information D5 for the "water station." In the UI image 55 of Fig. 6, "slightly crowded" is selected as the "congestion level" of the status information, and "low level" is selected as the "remaining water supply" of the status information. The display determination unit 14 determines the icon D4c of the display mode information D4 as the display mode when the "remaining water supply" is "low level" and the "congestion level" is "slightly crowded" in the correspondence information D5 shown in Fig. 7.

[0070] The status manager Q2 in FIG. 1 , for example, works in a facility in real space corresponding to an object on a map. The status manager Q2 grasps the status of the facility through his / her activities. In the map information providing system 1, the status manager Q2 is registered as a user who can use the status management function and inputs status information (see FIG. 6 ) using the terminal 3. The map information providing system 1 acquires the status information input to the terminal 3 and updates the status information stored in the storage unit 11. When a request for map display (e.g., new display, display update) is received from the terminal 4 of the user Q3, the map information providing system 1 determines the display format using the latest status information stored in the storage unit 11 via the display determination unit 14, and displays the map on the terminal 4 of the user Q3 via the display control unit 15. For example, on the map displayed on the terminal 4, the object is displayed in a display format that reflects the latest status information, allowing the user Q3 to grasp the latest status of the object.

[0071] The map information providing system 1 provides user management functions to a user authenticated as a user administrator. In this embodiment, the service administrator has user administrator authority. For example, when the processing unit 17 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it displays a user management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a user management UI image according to this embodiment. The user management UI image 61 is displayed on the user's terminal when the user selects the "User Management" icon 25 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0072] The user management UI image 61 includes a list 62 of registered users. The list 62 includes items for "status," "name," "email address," and "user group." The list 62 is, for example, in a table format, with information for each item arranged in columns. Information for each item arranged in one row is information about one user.

[0073] The information displayed in the "Name" field is the name of the user used in the map display service. The information displayed in the "Name" field is information entered by, for example, service administrator Q1. The information displayed in the "Email Address" field is information used for authentication when the user logs in to the map display service. The information displayed in the "User Group" field is the name of the user's authority pattern.

[0074] A user whose "user group" is "service administrator" can use functions defined as authorized in the authorization pattern named "service administrator." For example, the "user group" information "service administrator" indicates that the user has authorization to use the type management function, object management function, status management function, user management function, and post management function. For example, in list 62, a user whose "name" is "Yoichi" has the "user group" "service administrator," and a user who logs in as "Yoichi" can use the above-mentioned functions. For example, the service administrator information D1 in FIG. 1 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "service administrator."

[0075] A user whose "user group" is "status administrator" can use functions defined as authorized in the authorization pattern named "status administrator." For example, the information "status administrator" for the "user group" indicates that the user has authorization to use the status management function, but does not have authorization to use the type management function, object management function, user management function, or post management function. For example, in list 62, a user whose "name" is "Taro" has a "user group" of "status administrator," and a user who logs in as "Taro" can use the status management function. For example, the status administrator information D2 in FIG. 1 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "status administrator."

[0076] The information displayed in the "Status" field indicates whether or not the user's authority is restricted. The information "Enabled" displayed in the "Status" field indicates that there are no usage restrictions on each authority in the authority pattern indicated by the "User Group" for this user. The information "Disabled" displayed in the "Status" field indicates that there are usage restrictions on at least some of the authorities in the authority pattern indicated by the "User Group" for this user.

[0077] The user can extract objects to be included in the list 62 from multiple registered users. The UI image 61 includes an input window 64 into which the user's extraction conditions are input and a "search" icon 65. The input window 64 is, for example, an area into which text indicating the extraction conditions is input. The information input into the input window 64 may include at least a portion of information identifying an authorization pattern or at least a portion of information identifying a user. The "search" icon 63 is assigned a command for executing extraction (e.g., search). When the processing unit 17 detects that the icon 63 has been pressed, it uses the text input into the input window 63 to extract user information matching the extraction conditions from the storage unit 11. The processing unit 17 reads the extracted user information from the storage unit 11 and generates a list 62 showing the extracted user information. The UI image 35 includes an icon 65 used to narrow down the users to be displayed in the list 62. The icon 65 includes a drop-down list showing candidate authorization patterns. When it is determined that the icon 65 has been pressed, the processing unit 17 generates a list of registered "user groups." The processing unit 17 places the generated list of "user groups" in the UI image 61. The processing unit 17 creates a list of users corresponding to a "user group" selected from the list of "user groups" and updates the created list as a list 62.

[0078] The user management function includes a user registration function. When the processing unit 17 determines that a user currently logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it provides the user with the user registration function. For example, the UI image 61 includes a "User Registration" icon 66. When the "User Registration" icon 66 is selected, the processing unit 17 displays a UI image (appropriately referred to as a "user registration screen") on the user's terminal, which accepts input of various user information. The various user information includes, for example, the user's name used in the map display service (e.g., "Name" in the list 62), information used for user authentication (e.g., "Email Address" in the list 62), information indicating the user's authority (e.g., "User Group" in the list 62), and information indicating restrictions on the user's authority (e.g., "Status" in the list 62). The user registration screen includes, for example, text boxes into which various user information is entered and a "Confirm" icon to which the function of confirming the input is assigned. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the processing unit 17 assembles the various user information entered in the text boxes into a set and stores them in the storage unit 11.

[0079] The user management function includes a function to edit user information and a function to delete a user's registration. The function to edit user information is a function to specify a user and change at least some of the various information about that user. The function to delete a user's registration is a function to specify a user and remove that user from the registered users.

[0080] The UI image 61 includes an "Edit" icon 67. In the UI image 61, the "Edit" icon 67 is positioned in line with each row of the list 62. When the user selects the "Edit" icon 67, the information of the user positioned in the row direction of the list 62 relative to the icon 67 is designated as the target for editing. For example, when it is detected that the icon 67 aligned with the row containing the name "Yoichi" is pressed down, the user named "Yoichi" is designated as the target for editing. When the target for editing is designated, the processing unit 17 displays a user registration screen on the user's terminal. When the "Confirm" icon is selected, the processing unit 17 updates the various user information stored in the storage unit 11 to the various user information entered in the text box. When the "Delete" icon is selected on the user registration screen, the processing unit 17 deletes the various user information from the storage unit 11.

[0081] The map information providing system 1 provides a posting function to users of the map display service. Users of the map display service include viewers of maps that the map information providing system 1 displays on the user's terminal. Users of the map display service include, for example, unspecified users. For example, unspecified users can use specific functions provided by the map information providing system 1 without logging in to the map display service. The specific functions are, for example, a display function of a map including objects and a posting function. The posting function is a function for specifying a location (e.g., a point or area) on a map and posting information about the specified location.

[0082] The map information providing system 1 provides a posting management function to a user authenticated as a posting manager. The posting management function includes, for example, a function for setting whether information posted by unspecified users is to be made public to other users. In this embodiment, the service manager has the authority of a user manager. For example, when the posting permission accepting unit 16 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service manager, it causes a posting management UI image to be displayed on the user's terminal.

[0083] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a function related to posting in this embodiment. FIG. 9(A) is a diagram illustrating a UI image of the posting function according to this embodiment. The UI image 71 includes an icon 72 indicating a location and an information window 73. The map information providing system 1 displays an image showing location candidates on a map (e.g., image 45 in FIG. 5(A)) on the user's terminal. The user specifies the location to be posted by selecting the location to be posted from the location candidates displayed on the terminal. The method of specifying the location to be posted is arbitrary, and may be, for example, the method described in FIG. 5(B) or FIG. 5(C).

[0084] The map information providing system 1 displays, on the user's terminal, an information window 73 including attribute information (e.g., the name, position, and status of the place) of the object corresponding to the selected place. The information window 73 includes an input window 74, an input window 75, and a "Post" icon. The input window 74 is, for example, an area where the title of the post is entered as text. The input window 75 is, for example, an area where the content of the post is entered as text. The user can post information by entering text in the input window 74 and the input window 75 and selecting the "Post" icon. When the map information providing system 1 detects that the "Post" icon has been selected, it acquires the information entered in the input window 74 and the information entered in the input window 75. The map information providing system 1 associates the information acquired from the user's terminal with information about the object corresponding to the icon 75 and the time (e.g., a timestamp) at which the "Post" icon was selected, and stores the associated information in the storage unit 11.

[0085] 9B is a diagram showing a UI image of the post management function according to the embodiment. The post management UI image 75 is displayed on the user's terminal when, for example, the user selects the "Post Management" icon 26 in the UI image 21 shown in FIG. 2. The post management UI image 75 includes a post list 76 and an icon 77.

[0086] The list 76 corresponds to a list of posts stored in the memory unit 11. The list 76 includes a "status" item, a "title" item, a "posted content" item, and a "posted date and time" item. The list 76 is, for example, in a table format, and includes a column in which information for one item is arranged. Information arranged in one row corresponds to one post. The information in the "status" item, the information in the "status" item, the information in the "title" item, the information in the "posted content" item, and the information in the "posted date and time" item arranged in one row correspond to each other.

[0087] The information displayed in the "Title" field is intended to indicate the theme of the post. The information displayed in the "Post Content" field is the main information that the poster wants to communicate. The information displayed in the "Post Date" field is information that indicates the time the post was made. "Status" is information that indicates the status of each post. For example, if the "Status" field is "Public," this indicates that the post can be viewed by any user using the map display service. If the "Status" field is "Private," this indicates that the post cannot be viewed by users other than those who have permission to view this post. If the "Status" field is "Under Review," this indicates that it has not yet been determined whether the "Status" is "Public" or "Private."

[0088] The icon 77 is used to filter posts. The icon 77 is assigned a function for specifying conditions for posts to be included in the list 76. For example, the icon 77 includes a drop-down list and receives an input specifying the "status" of a post as a condition for inclusion in the list. When the icon 77 is selected, the processing unit 17 displays a list of options (e.g., "public," "private," and "under review") pre-registered as the status of a post on the user's terminal. The processing unit 17 extracts posts that match the conditions specified by the user from the storage unit 11 and generates the list 76. The condition for filtering posts does not have to be the "status," and may be, for example, a condition based on the characters contained in the post or a condition based on the posting date and time.

[0089] The post management function includes a function for setting the status of a post (e.g., changing it). For example, the post permission accepting unit 16 accepts an input specifying a post and an input specifying the status of the post from the terminal of a user authorized to manage posts. For example, the service manager Q1 uses the terminal 2 to select a post to specify from a list 76 in a post management UI image 75 displayed on the terminal 2. When an input specifying a post is entered into the terminal 2, the post permission accepting unit 16 displays an information window on the terminal 2 for accepting input of the status of the post and acquires the information entered in the information window from the terminal 2. The post permission accepting unit 16 updates the information indicating the status of the post stored in the memory unit 11 to the information acquired from the terminal 2 as the status of the specified post. For example, when a new post is registered by an unspecified user's terminal, the map information providing system 1 sets the status of the registration to "under review." A user authorized to manage posts displays posts with the status "under review" in the list 76 in the post management UI image 75. A user with post management authority can check the content of a post that is in the "under review" state and change the state of the post to "public" or "private."

[0090] When a post associated with an object is stored in the storage unit 11, the map information providing system 1 displays the post on the user's terminal in response to a request to display the post from the user's terminal. For example, when a map object displayed on the user's terminal is selected and there is information with a status of "public" as a post associated with this object, the map information providing system 1 places an icon labeled "Display post" in an information window displaying attribute information of this object. When the map information providing system 1 detects that the "Display post" icon has been selected, it reads out the information of the post associated with this object from the storage unit 11 and displays it on the user's terminal.

[0091] If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, the post permission accepting unit 16 does not provide the post management function to this user. For example, if the post permission accepting unit 16 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, it does not provide a UI for changing the status of posts to this user's terminal. If a user who has logged in to the map display service does not have the authority to use the post management function, the map information providing system 1 does not need to provide the post management UI image 75 to this user.

[0092] Next, a map information providing method according to an embodiment will be described based on the configuration and operation of the map information providing system 1 described above. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the map information providing method according to an embodiment. In step S1, the map information providing system 1 stores information about a service manager in the storage unit 11. For example, the system manager registers information about a user designated by an applicant for the map display service in the map information providing system 1 as information about the service manager.

[0093] In step S2, the map information providing system 1 accepts object information from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1 (see FIGS. 2 to 5). For example, the generation permitting unit 12 provides the object management UI image 35 shown in FIG. 4 to the terminal 2 of the user authenticated as the service administrator Q1, and accepts the object information. In step S3, the map information providing system 1 stores the object information input from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1 in the storage unit 11.

[0094] In step S4, the map information providing system 1 accepts information about the status manager Q2 from the terminal 2 of the service manager Q1. For example, if the processing unit 17 determines that the user logged in to the map display service is a service manager, the processing unit 17 displays a user management UI image on the user's terminal (see FIG. 8). The service manager Q1 uses the terminal 2 to designate a user of the map display service and input information indicating that the designated user is a service manager. For example, in the user management UI image 61, the service manager Q1 selects the "Edit" icon 67 corresponding to the user designated as the service manager Q1 and changes the user's authority pattern (e.g., "user group") to "status manager." In step S5, the map information providing system 1 stores the information about the status manager. For example, the processing unit 17 stores the information input from the terminal 2 of the service manager Q1 in step S4 in the storage unit 11 as service manager information D2.

[0095] In step S6, the map information providing system 1 accepts status information from the terminal of the status manager. For example, the map information providing system 1 authenticates a user defined in the service manager information D2 stored in the storage unit 11 as a service manager. If the input permission unit 13 determines that the user who has logged in to the map display service has authority for status management, it causes a status management UI image 55 (see FIG. 6 ) to be displayed on the user's terminal. The status manager Q2 inputs the status information into the terminal 2 using the UI image 55. In step S7, the input permission unit 13 uses the status information input into the terminal 2 to update the status information of the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11.

[0096] For example, when a map display is requested from a terminal of an unspecified user, the map information providing system 1 determines the display form of an object by the display determination unit 14. For example, the display determination unit 14 determines the display form of the object by comparing the status information of the object information D3 stored in the storage unit 11 with the display form information D4 and correspondence information D5 shown in FIG. 7 . The processing unit 17 places the object in the display form determined by the display determination unit 14 on a map generated using map data acquired from the external system 5, and generates a map including the object. The display control unit 15 displays the map generated by the processing unit 17 on the terminal 4 of the user Q3.

[0097] In the map information providing system 1 according to the embodiment described above, the input permission unit permits the input of status information about an object, the display determination unit determines the display of the object on the map using the status information, and the display control unit displays a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit on the user's terminal. In this case, the input permission unit permits the input of status information using information about a worker working in an area in real space corresponding to the object, so that status information that is less inconsistent with the current situation is input, and the display determination unit automatically determines the display of the object using this status information, so that the object is displayed in a manner that is less inconsistent with the current situation. In this way, the map information providing system 1 can provide the user with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation.

[0098] In this embodiment, the status information includes information selected from multiple pre-registered candidates. The input permission unit displays an image on the worker's terminal that allows the worker to select the status information from the multiple candidates. The display determination unit determines the display of the object on the map using the status information input by selecting from the multiple candidates on the worker's terminal. In this case, since the display of the object is determined by selecting the status information from the multiple candidates, the processing load is reduced compared to, for example, when the status information is input in text format. In addition, the display format of the object is automatically determined according to a certain rule, reducing the time lag between the current state and the display. Note that the status information does not have to be selected from multiple candidates and may be input as information in text format or image format, for example. The map information providing system 1 may, for example, process information input in text format or image format using AI to determine the status of a location corresponding to the object and determine the display of the object based on status information representing the determined status.

[0099] In this embodiment, the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates. The map information providing system includes a display form storage unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms for an object, and a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates the information selected from the plurality of candidates with one of the plurality of display forms. The display determination unit determines, as the display form for the object, a display form associated with the information selected from the plurality of candidates on the worker's terminal by the correspondence information. In this case, since the information selected from the plurality of candidates is pre-associated with one of the plurality of display forms, the processing load is reduced and the time lag between the current state and the display is reduced. Note that the display form for the object does not necessarily have to be associated with the information selected from the plurality of candidates. For example, at least a portion of the status information may be input as a numerical value, and the map information providing system 1 may determine the display form for the object based on a gradation value calculated from the status information. For example, the object may correspond to a water station, and the number of people waiting to receive water at the water station may be input as status information. The map information providing system 1 may determine a gradation value indicating the degree of congestion from the number of people waiting to receive water, and use this gradation value to determine the display form of the object.

[0100] A map information display system according to an embodiment is a map information providing system that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a terminal, and may include: a memory unit that stores login information used when a user logs in to a service provided by the map information providing system and authority information indicating whether or not the user identified by the login information has a first authority and a second authority; a generation permission unit that permits input of object information used to generate an object to a terminal of a first user indicated by the authority information to have the first authority; an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of the object to a terminal of a second user indicated by the authority information to have the second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the terminal of the second user; and a display control unit that causes a map including the objects whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on a terminal of an unspecified user.

[0101] A map information display system according to an embodiment is a map information providing system that controls the display of objects included in a map displayed on a display unit of a terminal, and includes: a storage unit that stores login information used when a user logs in to a service provided by the map information providing system, and authority information indicating whether or not the user specified by the login information has a first authority and a second authority; a generation permission unit that permits input of object information used to generate an object to a terminal of a first user authenticated as having the first authority; an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of the object to a terminal of a second user authenticated as having the second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the terminal of the second user; and a display control unit that causes a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on a terminal of an unspecified user.

[0102] The first authority is, for example, the authority to use the object management function shown in Fig. 4. The authority information indicating the presence or absence of the first authority corresponds, for example, to the service manager information D1 in Fig. 1. The second authority is, for example, the authority to use the status management function shown in Fig. 6. The authority information indicating the presence or absence of the second authority corresponds, for example, to the status manager information D2 in Fig. 1.

[0103] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a map information providing system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0104] The map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment accepts registration of object information D3 from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 and the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The limited administrator Q4 is, for example, a person in charge of the waterworks department of a local government, and provides object information of objects whose object type is "water supply station" explained in FIG. 3 to the map information providing system 1 via the terminal 6. The limited administrator Q6 is, for example, a person in charge of the tourism department of a local government, and provides object information of objects whose object type is "tourist destination" explained in FIG. 3 to the map information providing system 1 via the terminal 8.

[0105] The map information providing system 1 permits a terminal of a user authenticated as the first limited administrator to input to edit or delete object information registered by the first limited administrator. The map information providing system 1 does not permit a terminal of a user authenticated as a user different from the first limited administrator to input to edit or delete object information registered by the first limited administrator. For example, limited administrator Q4 (e.g., a waterworks bureau employee) has the authority to edit or delete object information of an object of type "water supply station," but does not have the authority to edit or delete object information of type "tourist attraction." Limited administrator Q6 (e.g., a tourism department employee) has the authority to edit or delete object information of type "tourist attraction," but does not have the authority to edit or delete object information of type "water supply station."

[0106] The map information providing system 1 receives information specifying a status manager Q5 from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4. The status manager Q5 is, for example, a worker working at a water supply station. The status manager Q5 can change the status information in the object information (e.g., information about the water supply station) provided from the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 to the map information providing system 1. The map information providing system 1 receives information specifying a status manager Q7 from the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The status manager Q7 is, for example, a worker working at a tourist spot. The status manager Q7 can change the status information in the object information (e.g., information about the tourist spot) provided from the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6 to the map information providing system 1.

[0107] The map information providing system 1 permits input to change the status information of object information registered by the first limited administrator from the terminal of a user authenticated as the first service administrator designated by the first limited administrator. The map information providing system 1 does not permit input to change the status information of object information registered by the first limited administrator from the terminal of a user authenticated as a user different from the first service administrator designated by the first limited administrator. For example, status administrator Q5 (e.g., a water station worker) has the authority to change the status information in the object information of an object of type "water station," but does not have the authority to change the status information in the object information of type "tourist destination." Status administrator Q7 (e.g., a tourist destination worker) has the authority to change the status information in the object information of type "tourist destination," but does not have the authority to change the status information in the object information of type "water station."

[0108] The map information providing system 1 uses status information provided from the terminal 7 of the status manager Q5 (e.g., a water station worker) to determine the display format of a first object (e.g., a water station) registered by the terminal 6 of the limited manager Q4. The map information providing system 1 uses status information provided from the terminal 7 of the status manager Q7 (e.g., a tourist attraction worker) to determine the display format of a second object (e.g., a tourist attraction) registered by the terminal 8 of the limited manager Q6. The map information providing system 1 displays a map including the first object and the second object on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. For example, an icon R1 indicating a water station and an icon R3 indicating a tourist attraction are arranged on the map M3 displayed on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. When the status manager Q7 changes the status information of the tourist attraction, the map information providing system 1 determines the display format of the icon indicating the tourist attraction using the status information of the tourist attraction. The map information providing system 1 updates the map displayed on the terminal 4 of the user Q3. The updated map M4 has an icon R1 indicating a water station and an icon R4 indicating a tourist attraction arranged thereon. Icon R4 has been changed to a different icon from icon R3 based on the status information of the tourist spot.

[0109] Each unit of the map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the map information providing system according to this embodiment. The map information providing system 1 provides user management functions to a user authenticated as a user administrator. In this embodiment, the service administrator has user administrator authority. For example, when the processing unit 17 determines that a user who has logged in to the map display service is a service administrator, it displays a user management UI image on the user's terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user management UI image according to this embodiment.

[0110] As shown in the list 62 of the UI image 61, the "user group" indicating the authorization pattern includes a "first limited administrator." The map information providing system 1 provides a function for a user (e.g., service administrator Q1) whose "user group" is "service administrator" to specify a user and set the user's "user group" to the "first limited administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input from a user authenticated as a user administrator to specify a user and set the user's "user group" to the "first limited administrator." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input to set the "user group" using the function for editing user information described in FIG. 8.

[0111] For example, a user who logs in as "Yoichi" operates his / her terminal to input information to set the "user group" of a user whose name is "Taro" to "first limited administrator." The processing unit 17 acquires the information input to the terminal of the user who logs in as "Yoichi," updates the "user group" of the user whose name is "Taro" to "first limited administrator," and stores the information in the storage unit 11 of FIG. 12. The limited administrator information D6 stored in the storage unit 11 includes information indicating whether the user who logs in to the map display service is a limited administrator. For example, the limited administrator information D6 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is the "first limited administrator."

[0112] The generation permission unit 12 in FIG. 12 provides the object management function described in FIG. 4 to a user authenticated as a limited administrator. The generation permission unit 12 accepts input of object information from the terminal 6 of a user authenticated as a limited administrator Q4. The generation permission unit 12 stores first object information D3a in the storage unit 11 based on the information input to the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4. The first object information D3a is information that associates the object information input to the terminal 6 of the limited administrator Q4 with the administrator information of the limited administrator Q4. This administrator information is information indicating the attribution of authority to edit or delete the first object information D3a. For example, the administrator information of the first object information D3a includes information (e.g., "first limited administrator" in FIG. 13) that identifies the "user group" of the user who generated (e.g., registered) the first object information D3a. For example, the generation permission unit 12 permits a user authenticated as a "first limited administrator" to input to edit or delete the first object information D3a. For example, the creation permitting unit 12 does not permit a user authenticated as a user of a "user group" different from the "first limited administrator" to make an input to edit or delete the information D3a of the first object.

[0113] As shown in the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 13 , the "user group" indicating the authorization pattern includes a "first status manager." The "first status manager" is an authorization pattern set by a user whose "user group" is the "first limited administrator." The map information providing system 1 provides a user whose "user group" is the "first limited administrator" (e.g., limited administrator Q4) with a function for specifying a user and setting the "user group" of the user to the "first status manager." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input from a terminal of a user authenticated as the first limited administrator to specify a user and set the "user group" of the user to the "first status manager." For example, the processing unit 17 accepts an input for setting the "user group" using the function for editing user information described in FIG. 8 .

[0114] For example, a user logged in as "Taro" operates his / her terminal to input information to set the "user group" of a user named "Jiro" to "first status manager." The processing unit 17 acquires the information input to the terminal of the user logged in as "Taro," updates the "user group" of the user named "Jiro" to "first status manager," and stores the information in the storage unit 11 of FIG. 12. The status manager information D2 stored in the storage unit 11 includes information indicating whether the user logging in to the map display service is a status manager designated as a limited administrator. For example, the status manager information D2 includes information identifying a user whose "user group" is "first status manager."

[0115] The input permission unit 13 in Figure 12 provides a user who has been authenticated as a status manager designated by a limited administrator with a status management function related to object information registered by the limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 provides a user who has been authenticated as a "first status manager" with a function to change at least a portion of the status information in the first object information D3a. The status management function provided by the input permission unit 13 is similar to the function described in Figure 6.

[0116] In the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 13 , a user whose "Name" is "Hanako" has a "User Group" of "Second Limited Administrator." The "Second Limited Administrator" is a limited administrator authority pattern different from the "First Limited Administrator." A user whose "Name" is "Hanako" is, for example, the limited administrator Q6 in FIG. 12 . The generation permission unit 12 in FIG. 12 provides the object management function described in FIG. 4 to a user authenticated as the limited administrator Q6. The generation permission unit 12 accepts input of object information from the terminal 8 of the user authenticated as the limited administrator Q6. The generation permission unit 12 stores second object information D3b in the storage unit 11 based on the information input to the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6. The second object information D3b is information in which the object information input to the terminal 8 of the limited administrator Q6 is associated with the administrator information of the limited administrator Q6. This administrator information is information indicating the attribution of authority to edit or delete the second object information D3b. For example, the administrator information of the second object information D3b includes information (e.g., "second limited administrator" in FIG. 13) that identifies the "user group" of the user who generated (e.g., registered) the second object information D3b. The generation permission unit 12, for example, permits a user authenticated as the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete the second object information D3b.

[0117] For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a user authenticated as a user of a "user group" different from the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3b of the second object. For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a limited administrator Q4 authenticated as the "first limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3b of the second object. For example, the generation permission unit 12 does not permit a limited administrator Q6 authenticated as the "second limited administrator" to input to edit or delete information D3a of the first object.

[0118] In the list 62 of the UI image 61 in FIG. 13 , a user whose "Name" is "Naoko" is in the "User Group" of "Second Status Manager." The "Second Status Manager" is an authority pattern for status managers set by the "Second Limited Administrator." A user whose "Name" is "Naoko" is, for example, status manager Q7 in FIG. 12 . The input permission unit 13 in FIG. 12 provides a user authenticated as a status manager designated by a limited administrator with a status management function related to object information registered by the limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 provides a user authenticated as a "Second Status Manager" with a function to change at least a portion of the status information in the second object information D3b. The status management function provided by the input permission unit 13 is the same as the function described in FIG. 6 .

[0119] The input permission unit 13 does not provide a user authenticated as a user different from the status manager designated by the limited administrator with the status management function for the object information registered by this limited administrator. For example, the input permission unit 13 does not permit a status manager Q5 authenticated as a "first status manager" to input to change the status information in the information D3b of the second object. For example, the creation permission unit 12 does not permit a status manager Q7 authenticated as a "second status manager" to input to change the status information in the information D3a of the first object.

[0120] The map information providing system 1 according to the embodiment described above can provide users with information that is less inconsistent with the current situation. The map information providing system 1 can allocate status management among multiple status managers. The map information providing system 1 does not provide the status management function to users who are authenticated as users other than the status manager designated by the limited manager. Therefore, for example, an unin charge status manager is prohibited from intentionally or accidentally changing the status information, and information that is less inconsistent with the current situation can be provided to users.

[0121] In this embodiment, the map information providing system 1 accepts the designation of a limited administrator from the service administrator, but the limited administrator may be set by other methods. For example, the limited administrator may correspond to the service administrator in the first embodiment. For example, the limited administrator may apply to the system administrator of the map display service to use the service, and the system administrator may register the limited administrator in the map information providing system 1.

[0122] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a map information providing system according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified. In this embodiment, the display control unit 15 displays a first map M5 on the terminal 4 of user Q3. The first map M5 includes a first object (e.g., icon R1) created by a first administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1). The display control unit 15 displays a second map M6 on the terminal 4 of user Q3. The second map M6 includes a second object (e.g., icon R3) created by a second administrator (e.g., service administrator Q8) different from the first administrator (e.g., service administrator Q1), and is different from the first map M5. The display control unit 15 displays a third map M7 including the first object (e.g., icon R1) and the second object (e.g., icon R3) on the terminal 4 of user Q3.

[0123] The service manager Q1 may be, for example, a local government official. The service manager Q1 registers, for example, objects corresponding to public facilities in the map information providing system 1. The service manager Q2 may be, for example, a company official. The service manager Q2 registers, for example, objects corresponding to commercial facilities in the map information providing system 1. The map information providing system 1 provides, for example, a map M5 including information on public facilities but not commercial facilities to the user Q3. The map information providing system 1 provides, for example, a map M6 including information on commercial facilities but not public facilities to the user Q3. The maps M5 and M6 are provided to the terminal 4, for example, by a web application. The user Q3 can switch between the displayed maps M5 and M6 by switching the URL. The user Q3 may want to view a map including information on public facilities and commercial facilities. The map information providing system 1 of this embodiment arranges multiple object information registered by different administrators on a single map and displays it on the terminal 4 of the user Q3.

[0124] The components of the map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. The storage unit 11 stores multiple pieces of tenant information (D8, D9). The tenant information D8 includes information managed by a user authenticated as the service manager Q1. The tenant information D8 includes service manager information D8a, status manager information D8b, and object information D8c. The service manager information D8a, status manager information D8b, and object information D8c are respectively similar to the service manager information D1, status manager information D2, and object information D3 described in FIG. 1. The tenant information D9 includes information managed by a user authenticated as the service manager Q8. The tenant information D9 includes service manager information D9a, status manager information D9b, and object information D9c. The service manager information D9a, status manager information D9b, and object information D9c are respectively similar to the service manager information D1, status manager information D2, and object information D3 described in FIG. 1.

[0125] The processing unit 17 permits input to change the tenant information D8 on the terminal of a user authenticated as the service manager Q1, and prohibits input to change the tenant information D9. The processing unit 17 permits input to change the tenant information D9 on the terminal of a user authenticated as the service manager Q8, and prohibits input to change the tenant information D8.

[0126] The map information providing system 1 according to this embodiment includes a consent control unit 18 and an object management unit 19. The consent control unit 18 receives information (e.g., a command or a message) requesting at least a portion of the object information D9c managed by the service administrator Q8 from the terminal 2 of the service administrator Q1. For example, the service administrator Q1 can display a map M6 on the terminal 2 in the same way as an unspecified user. The service administrator Q1 inputs, for example, information about an area containing the object information the service administrator Q1 wishes to obtain and the type of object of the object information the service administrator Q1 wishes to obtain into the terminal 2.

[0127] When a request for object information D9c is received from terminal 2, consent control unit 18 identifies service manager Q8 using service manager information D9a in tenant information D9, which includes object information D9c. The consent control unit 18 causes the map display service to display a UI image on terminal 10 of service manager Q8, prompting the service manager Q8 to select whether or not to agree to the provision of object information D9c. This UI image includes, for example, information indicating that object information D9c has been requested, information about the requesting service manager Q1 (e.g., the name of the local government or company to which service manager Q1 belongs), and an icon (e.g., "Yes" or "No") prompting the service manager Q8 to select whether or not to provide object information D9c. When information indicating consent to the provision of object information D9c is input on terminal 10 of service manager Q8, consent control unit 18 causes object management unit 19 to execute processing related to object information D9c.

[0128] The object management unit 19 identifies the requested object information based on the request for object information provided from terminal 2. The object management unit 19 extracts the requested object information from object information D9c in the tenant information D9. The object management unit 19 adds information indicating the location of the extracted object information to object information D8c in the tenant information D8. When a request to display map M7 is made from the terminal of user Q3, the processing unit 17 acquires the object information using the location information of the object information in the tenant information D9 and generates data for map M7 including icon R3.

[0129] 15 is a diagram showing a computer according to an embodiment. This computer 100 is used, for example, as at least one of the information processing device and terminal according to the embodiment. The computer 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a bus 104, an input unit 105, an output unit 106, a storage unit 107, a communication unit 108, and a drive 109. The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 are connected to each other via the bus 104. The input unit 105, the output unit 106, the storage unit 107, the communication unit 108, and the drive 109 are connected to the bus 104.

[0130] The CPU 101 includes a central processing unit. The ROM 102 includes a read-only memory. The RAM 103 includes a random-access memory. The CPU 101 executes various processes according to programs recorded in the ROM 102 or programs loaded from the storage unit 107 to the RAM 103. The RAM 103 also stores data and the like required for the CPU 101 to execute various processes.

[0131] The input unit 105 includes, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and a touchpad. The input unit 105 accepts input of various information when operated by a user. The input unit 105 may include a microphone or the like that accepts audio input. The output unit 106 includes, for example, a display device (e.g., a display) that outputs images. The output unit 106 may include a speaker that outputs audio. The input unit 105 and the output unit 106 may include a touch panel in which a transparent touchpad is superimposed on a display unit.

[0132] The storage unit 107 includes, for example, at least one of a hard disk, a solid state drive, and a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 107 stores at least some of the various data input to the computer 100 from outside, the various data used in processing by the computer 100, and the various data generated by the computer 100. The communication unit 108 controls communication with other devices via a network.

[0133] Removable media 110 is appropriately attached to the drive 109. The removable media 110 includes storage media such as magnetic disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and semiconductor memories. The drive 109 reads information from the removable media 110. The information read from the removable media 110 is stored in the storage unit 107. For example, the drive 109 reads a program stored in the removable media 110, and the program is installed in the computer 100.

[0134] Note that the computer 100 does not necessarily have to include one or both of the input unit 105 and the output unit 106. For example, the output unit 106 may be an external device attached to the computer 100, and the computer 100 may have an interface to which the output unit 106 can be connected.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the map information providing system includes, for example, a computer system. The computer system includes one or more computers. The computer system may include a cloud computer. The computer system reads a program stored in a storage device and executes various processes in accordance with the program. The program causes a computer included in the computer system to store information about an administrator who has authority to create an object, use the administrator information to permit input of object information used to create the object, store information about a worker working in an area in real space corresponding to the object, use the worker information to permit input of status information indicating the status of the object to a terminal of the worker, determine how the object should be displayed on a map using the status information input to the terminal of the worker, and display a map including the determined displayed object on a user's terminal. The program may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable storage medium.

[0136] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the aspects described in the above-mentioned embodiments. One or more of the requirements described in the above-mentioned embodiments may be omitted. The requirements described in the above-mentioned embodiments may be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, to the extent permitted by law, the disclosures of all documents cited in the above-mentioned embodiments are incorporated by reference and are included as part of the description in this document.

[0137] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on the user's terminal, wherein the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates, the input permission unit displays an image on the second user's terminal that allows the user to select status information from the plurality of candidates, and the display determination unit determines the display of the object on the map using the status information input by selecting from the plurality of candidates on the worker's terminal.

[0138] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit, wherein the status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates; a display form memory unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms of the object; and a correspondence information memory unit that stores correspondence information that associates the information selected from the plurality of candidates with one of the plurality of display forms, and the display determination unit may determine, as the display of the object, a display form that is associated by the correspondence information with the information selected from the plurality of candidates on the second user's terminal.

[0139] A map information providing system according to an embodiment includes an input permission unit that permits input of status information indicating the status of an object to a terminal of a second user whose authority information indicates that the second user has a second authority; a display determination unit that determines the display of the object using the status information input from the second user's terminal; and a display control unit that causes the user's terminal to display a map including the object whose display has been determined by the display determination unit. The display control unit may cause the user's terminal to display a first map including a first object created by a first administrator, cause the user's terminal to display a second map that is different from the first map and includes a second object created by a second administrator different from the first administrator, and cause the user's terminal to display a third map including the first object and the second object.

[0140] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 map information providing system 11 storage unit 12 generation permission unit 13 input permission unit 14 display determination unit 15 display control unit 16 posting permission acceptance unit 17 processing unit 18 consent control unit 19 object management unit

Claims

1. A map information providing system for controlling the display of an object included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, comprising: - an administrator information storage unit that stores information of an administrator who has the authority to generate the object; - a generation permission unit that uses the information of the administrator to permit the input of object information used for generating the object; - a worker information storage unit that stores information of a worker who works in an area in the real space corresponding to the object; - an input permission unit that uses the information of the worker to permit the input of status information indicating the status of the object to the terminal of the worker; - a display determination unit that determines the display of the object in the map using the status information input to the terminal of the worker; and - a display control unit that causes the map including the object with the display determined by the display determination unit to be displayed on the terminal of the user.

2. The status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates, - the input permission unit causes an image for selecting the status information from the plurality of candidates to be displayed on the terminal of the worker, and - the display determination unit determines the display of the object in the map using the status information input by being selected from the plurality of candidates on the terminal of the worker. - The map information providing system according to claim 1.

3. The status information includes information selected from a plurality of pre-registered candidates, - a display form storage unit that stores display form information indicating a plurality of display forms of the object, and - a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information associating the information selected from the plurality of candidates with any one of the plurality of display forms. - The display determination unit determines, as the display of the object, the display form associated by the information selected from the plurality of candidates on the terminal of the worker and the correspondence information. - The map information providing system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The display control unit causes a first map including the first object created by the first administrator to be displayed on the user's terminal, causes a second map including the second object created by a second administrator different from the first administrator and different from the first map to be displayed on the user's terminal, and causes a third map including the first object and the second object to be displayed on the user's terminal. The map information providing system according to claim 1.

5. The generation permission unit restricts an input for changing the object information of the second object to the terminal of the first administrator, and restricts an input for changing the object information of the first object to the terminal of the second administrator. The map information providing system according to claim 4.

6. The object information includes information on the position of the object and the status information. The map information providing system according to claim 1.

7. The information on the position of the object includes at least one of position information of a point in the real space corresponding to the object, information on a line connecting points in the real space corresponding to the object, and information on an area surrounded by a line connecting points in the real space corresponding to the object. The map information providing system according to claim 6.

8. A map information providing system according to claim 1, comprising a submission reception unit that receives a submission from a user's terminal, and a submission permission reception unit that receives an input of permission to display the submission on the user's terminal.

9. A method for providing map information for controlling the display of an object included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, the method comprising: a computer storing information of an administrator who has the authority to generate the object; using the information of the administrator to permit input of object information used for generating the object; storing information of a worker who works in an area in the real space corresponding to the object; using the information of the worker to permit input of status information indicating the status of the object to the worker's terminal; determining the display of the object in the map using the status information input to the worker's terminal; and causing a map including the object with the determined display to be displayed on the user's terminal.

10. A map information providing program for controlling the display of an object included in a map displayed on a display unit of a user's terminal, the program causing a computer to store information of an administrator who has the authority to generate the object; use the information of the administrator to permit input of object information used for generating the object; store information of a worker who works in an area in the real space corresponding to the object; use the information of the worker to permit input of status information indicating the status of the object to the worker's terminal; determine the display of the object in the map using the status information input to the worker's terminal; and cause a map including the object with the determined display to be displayed on the user's terminal.

Images