JP5000754B2 - Heat map generating apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat map generation apparatus and method for shortening the heat map generation time.

  In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, services that distribute maps over the Internet are known. Since the map to be distributed is digitized, it is possible to easily search for target data (symbols) on the map, and various services that cannot be performed with a map on paper are possible.

  For example, FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic map information system capable of displaying a customer distribution on a map. In this electronic map information system, the distribution of customers is displayed on the map by displaying the area on the map with shades depending on the number of customers existing in the area.

JP 2007-79478 A

  By the way, as a service using an electronic map, there is a service for distributing a distribution map of target data on a map on a map, for example, a service for displaying how many convenience stores are distributed in a predetermined area. It has been. In this specification, a distribution map of target data on a map is expressed as a “heat map”. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a conventional heat map creation method and its problems will be described.

  In FIG. 13A, a plurality of target data A100 exist in a map 4000. A conventional heat map creation method will be described with reference to an example of creating a heat map of the target data A100 in this map 4000.

  The heat map is created in response to a request from the user. The heat map is created by creating a heat map for composition on a transparent panel 4001 having the same size as the map 4000, and composing the transparent panel 4001 and the map 4000. Here, the transparent panel 4001 is created by arranging a basic image B100 (monochrome image) that gradually becomes thinner from the center point at a position where the target data A100 exists (FIG. 13 (2) (a)). . At this time, when the basic images B100 overlap each other, a predetermined calculation is performed to express the overlapping portion in a darker color. Referring to FIGS. 13B and 13B, for example, when three target data A100 are close to each other, a composite image B101 (monochrome image) is generated as a result of a predetermined calculation.

  In creating the heat map, first, a data table for specifying the target data A100 existing in the map 4000 is generated. The data table is generated by associating information for identifying individual target data with the position of the target data. The basic image is arranged based on the associated position.

  When all the target data A100 in the map 4000 is converted into the basic image B100, a transparent panel 4001 shown in FIG. 13 (3) is created. The transparent panel 4001 is specifically composed of a plurality of transparent panels (in the figure, composed of four panels of transparent panels 4001A, 4001B, 4001C, and 4001D), and each transparent panel has overlapping portions for composition. Is provided.

  Here, since the composition heat map created on the transparent panel 4001 is a monochrome image, the monochrome image is subsequently converted into a color image. Conversion to a color image is performed by converting the density of the monochrome image into a corresponding color (rgba value) for each pixel of the monochrome image.

  Thereafter, the transparent panel 4001 on which the heat map for composition converted into the color image is created and the map 4000 are synthesized to create a heat map 4002 shown in FIG. 13 (4). The heat map 4002 thus created makes it possible to intuitively confirm the distribution status of the target data A100 existing in the map 4000 at a glance.

  Here, the time required for heat map generation by the conventional method is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in the heat map generation by the conventional method, it takes a lot of time to convert a black and white image to a color image.

In order to shorten the heat map generation time, a method of preparing a substitute image of the heat map in advance and providing a substitute image prepared in response to a request from the user is conceivable.
However, when the substitute images of every pattern are generated, the number of substitute images becomes enormous, and it takes time to search for substitute images corresponding to the request from the user, which may cause overhead. .

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat map generation apparatus and method capable of reducing the time required for providing a heat map as compared with a conventional method. To do.

  (1) By dividing a map to be displayed on the user terminal based on a request from the user, and generating an image showing a distribution state of target data including the display area for each of a plurality of panels having a predetermined area. A heat map generation device that generates a heat map that indicates a distribution state of target data on a map displayed on a user terminal, wherein a range for generating a substitute image is displayed for the target data whose display area is included in the panel. An alternative range setting unit that is set when the number satisfies a predetermined threshold, and an alternative image that indicates a distribution state of target data including a display area in advance for the panel corresponding to the range set by the alternative range setting unit When the substitute image generation means to generate and the request from the user are accepted, the plurality of panels that divide the map displayed on the user terminal For each of the above, the substitute image corresponding to the distribution state of the target data including the display area is searched, the substitute image search means for acquiring the hit substitute image, and the panel not hit by the substitute image search means New image generating means for generating a new image indicating the distribution status of target data including a display area for each, and data transmitting means for transmitting a heat map including the substitute image and the new image to the user terminal. A heat map generation device provided.

  According to the heat map generation device of (1), an alternative image is generated in advance, and when there is a request from the user, a corresponding alternative image is searched and provided. This is performed only within the range set by the setting means. As a result, the number of substitute images to be generated can be kept constant, and the time taken for the substitute image search process can be adjusted. As a result, it is possible to properly use the method using the substitute image and the conventional heat map generation method, and to increase the generation / provision speed of the heat map as a whole.

  (2) A target that reads the target data from a target data DB that stores target data for heat map generation, and specifies the number of target data including a display area for each of the plurality of panels whose positions are specified in advance. The heat map generating device according to (1), further including a data reading unit, wherein the alternative image generating unit generates the alternative image for the panel in which the specified number satisfies the predetermined threshold.

  According to the heat map generation device of (2), a substitute image is generated based on the number of target data whose display areas are included in a plurality of panels whose positions are specified in advance, and substitute images of other panels are not generated. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the time for the substitute image search processing, appropriately use the substitute image method and the conventional heat map generation method, and increase the heat map generation and provision speed as a whole. Can be

  (3) The predetermined area of the panel is narrowed in proportion to an increase in map magnification, and the substitute image search means is an area set for each map magnification displayed on the user terminal. The heat map generation device according to (1) or (2), wherein the substitute image is searched for and acquired for a plurality of the panels having:

  According to the heat map generation device of (3), the area of the panel becomes smaller in proportion to the increase in the map magnification. In addition, when the magnification of a map becomes large, the space | interval of object data becomes wide. Here, it is empirically known that the larger the map magnification is, the higher the possibility that the user desires to display the surrounding area. As a result, the possibility that the substitute image is hit increases as the user is more likely to display the surrounding area (that is, the possibility that the substitute image is generated is higher), and the user is in the surrounding area. Even if you want to see the area, you can quickly provide a heat map.

  (4) By dividing a map to be displayed on the user terminal based on a request from the user and generating an image indicating the distribution status of the target data including the display area for each of the plurality of panels having the predetermined area. The range in which the heat map generating device that generates the heat map indicating the distribution status of the target data on the map displayed on the user terminal generates the substitute image is the number of target data whose display area is included in the panel. A step of setting by satisfying a predetermined threshold, a step of generating in advance a substitute image showing a distribution status of target data including a display area for the panel corresponding to the set range, and the request from the user Based on the distribution of the target data including the display area for each of the plurality of panels that divide the map displayed on the user terminal Searching for the substitute image corresponding to the situation and obtaining the hit substitute image; generating a new image indicating the distribution situation of the target data including a display area for each of the panels that did not hit; Transmitting a heat map including the substitute image and the new image to the user terminal.

  According to the method (4), the same effects as those of the heat map generation device (1) can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the time required for providing a heat map can be shortened compared to the conventional method.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the heat map production | generation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows object data DB. It is a figure explaining the process of an object data reading means. It is a figure which shows the alternative image and alternative image DB which are produced | generated by the alternative image production | generation means. It is a figure explaining the process of a heat map production | generation means. It is a figure explaining the process of a heat map production | generation means. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of an alternative image generation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of a heat map provision process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the heat map production | generation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the alternative image and alternative image DB which are produced | generated by the alternative image production | generation means. It is a figure which shows alternative image DB of the heat map production | generation apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the magnification of a map, and a panel. It is a figure which shows the conventional heat map production | generation method. It is a figure which shows the required time of the conventional heat map production | generation method.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, the heat map generation device 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[Configuration of Heat Map Generation Device 1]
With reference to FIG. 1, the functional configuration of the heat map generation device 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The heat map generation device 1 generates a heat map (substitute image) of a color image in advance, and returns the generated alternative image in response to a request from the user (heat map request). Such image conversion is omitted. Specifically, the heat map generation device 1 includes an alternative image generation unit 10, a heat map provision unit 20, a target data DB 31, and an alternative image DB 32.

  Before the heat map request from the user, the substitute image generation unit 10 displays the distribution status of the target data (symbol) in the map for each individual panel (corresponding to the transparent panels 4001A, 4001B, 4001C, and 4001D in FIG. 13). A substitute image (color image) is generated. Specifically, the alternative image generation unit 10 includes a target data reading unit 11, an alternative range setting unit 12, and an alternative image generation unit 13. Here, the panel partitions a map displayed on the user terminal 2 and has a predetermined area. As described above, the panel is a unit of processing in which the heat map generation device 1 generates a heat map and transmits it to the user terminal 2.

The target data reading means 11 reads the target data from the target data DB 31 and generates a data table for generating a substitute image. Here, “target data” is data that is a target for generating a heat map, for example, a symbol on the map. Therefore, the generated heat map shows the distribution status of the target data.
The target data DB 31 is an electronic map index DB. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the target data DB 31 stores the name and position information (latitude / longitude) of the target data in association with the target data ID. ing.

The target data reading means 11 reads the target data from the target data DB 31, and generates a data table (FIG. 3 (1)) showing the relationship with the panel. Here, the position and the area of the panel are set in advance. For example, the panel “XYZ01” has a rectangular shape having a position and an area from the upper left coordinate “E0, N0” to the lower right coordinate “E1, N1”. It is a panel of shape.
As shown in FIG. 3 (1), the data table generated by the target data reading means 11 is associated with the panel ID, the target data ID included in the panel, the number of target data included, and the panel The information such as the position of the target data within is stored. In the figure, the position of the target data in the panel is described as “upper left” or the like, but actually, the position of the target data in the panel is stored in an identifiable manner. For example, if the panel is composed of 256 × 256 pixels, the position of the target data “A001” can be stored as “50 (X coordinate), 50 (Y coordinate)”. Further, the position “upper left” of the target data “A001” in the panel “XYZ01” and the position “upper left” of the target data “A006” in the panel “XYZ04” have the same positional relationship, and the same is true for others. .

  Here, for easy understanding, the relationship between the target data and the panel in the data table shown in FIG. 3A is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3B, the target data “A001” exists in the panel “XYZ01”, the target data “A002”, “A003”, and “A004” exist in the panel “XYZ02”. When the target data “A005” exists in “XYZ03” and the target data “A006” exists in the panel “XYZ04”, the data table shown in FIG. 3A is generated. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, each panel has the part which overlaps with adjacent panels.

Returning to FIG. 1, the alternative range setting unit 12 determines whether or not each of the plurality of panels satisfies a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the panel that satisfies the panel generates a substitute image. The panel that is not satisfied is determined as a panel that does not generate a substitute image.
Here, when the substitute image is generated for all the panels, it takes time to search for the substitute image when a user requests a heat map, and the process of converting the monochrome image into the color image is required. It takes more time than this time. Therefore, the heat map generation device 1 generates a substitute image only for a panel that satisfies a predetermined threshold value. Therefore, the “predetermined threshold value” is arbitrarily set from the search time and the color conversion time.
In the present embodiment, the number of target data included in the panel is set as a threshold value. For example, a substitute image is generated for the number of target data included in the panel is 1, and the other panels are replaced. Does not generate an image. The number of target data set as the predetermined threshold is preferably set in order from the smallest, as will be described later. That is, when the search time when the substitute image is generated for the target data whose display area is included in the panel is 1 or less is shorter than the color conversion time, a predetermined threshold value is subsequently displayed on the panel. It is preferable that the number of target data including the area is set to 2 or less. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the alternative range setting unit 12 determines to generate alternative images for the panels “XYZ01”, “XYZ03”, and “XYZ04”, and generates an alternative image for the panel “XYZ02”. do not do.

  Subsequently, the substitute image generating unit 13 generates a substitute image indicating the distribution status of the target data whose display area is included in the panel for the panel that the substitute range setting unit 12 determines to generate the substitute image. The image is stored in the alternative image DB 32. An alternative image generated by the alternative image generating means 13 is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, since a substitute image is generated for a panel whose inclusion target data is 1, the substitute image created by the substitute image generation unit 13 is a basic image B100 (color image) that gradually becomes thinner from the center point. The image is arranged at a predetermined position. When the number of target data whose display range is included in the panel is set as a different value as the “predetermined threshold value”, different images (such as the composite image B101 (FIG. 13 (2) (b))) are predetermined. The image arranged at the position is generated as a substitute image.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the substitute image DB 32 stores the substitute image data and the position of the target data in the panel in association with the substitute image ID. The substitute image DB 32 may store the panel ID that generated the substitute image in association with the substitute image ID.
In FIG. 3A, the position “upper left” of the target data “A001” in the panel “XYZ01” and the position “upper left” of the target data “A006” in the panel “XYZ04” are the same. Therefore, it is sufficient for the substitute image generating means 13 to generate one substitute image common to the panel “XYZ01” and the panel “XYZ04”. In FIG. 4B, only one “alternative image 1001.gif” in which the basic image is arranged “upper left” is generated as a common alternative image.

Returning to FIG. 1, when receiving the heat map request from the user, the heat map providing unit 20 provides the user terminal 2 with a heat map for the map displayed on the user terminal 2 when the heat map request is received. At this time, the heat map providing unit 20 searches for a substitute image generated by the substitute image generating unit 10, and among the panels corresponding to the map displayed when the heat map request is received, a panel in which the substitute image exists. Is sent back to the user terminal 2, and a panel having no substitute image is returned to the user terminal 2 after newly generating a heat map.
Specifically, the heat map providing unit 20 includes a heat map request receiving unit 21, a heat map generating unit 22, and a data transmitting unit 23.

  The heat map request accepting unit 21 accepts a heat map request for requesting display of a heat map indicating a distribution state of target data whose display area is included in the map being browsed, from a user who is browsing the map (user terminal 2). .

  The heat map generation unit 22 includes a data table generation unit 221, an alternative image search unit 222, and a new image generation unit 223 in order to generate a heat map in response to a heat map request.

The data table generation unit 221 generates a data table for specifying a positional relationship between a panel corresponding to the map being browsed and target data whose display area is included in the map being browsed.
The substitute image search unit 222 refers to the substitute image DB 32 and searches for a substitute image for the panel corresponding to the map being browsed, and acquires the substitute image when the substitute image exists.
The new image generation unit 223 generates a new image for a panel for which a substitute image is not searched. Generation of a new image (heat map) by the new image generation means 223 can be performed by a conventional method (see FIG. 13), and a black and white image corresponding to the positional relationship of the target data is generated based on the data table. Convert a black and white image to a color image.

The data transmission unit 23 transmits the heat map generated by the heat map generation unit 22 to the user terminal 2.
Here, the data transmission unit 23 may transmit only the transparent image in which the heat map is generated corresponding to the panel to the user terminal 2, and the heat map in which the transparent image and the map are combined is transmitted to the user terminal 2. It is good also as transmitting to. When only the transparent image is transmitted to the user terminal 2, the composition is performed in the Web browser of the user terminal 2.

The generation of the heat map by the heat map generation means 22 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.
A map 4100 illustrated in FIG. 5A is a map displayed on the user terminal 2 when a heat map request is received, and includes target data “A011” to “A016”. Also, the panels “XYZ11”, “XYZ12”, “XYZ13”, and “XYZ14” correspond to the heat map panels for the map 4100.

When the heat map request receiving unit 21 receives the heat map request, the data table generating unit 221 of the heat map generating unit 22 displays the panels “XYZ11”, “XYZ12”, “XYZ13”, and “XYZ14” corresponding to the map 4100, A data table for specifying the positional relationship with the target data “A011” to “A016” including the display area in each of the panels that divide the map being browsed is generated.
A data table generated by the data table generating means 221 is shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5 (2), panel “XYZ11” includes one target data “A011” in “upper left”, and panel “XYZ12” includes one target data “A012” in “upper left”. The panel “XYZ13” includes three target data “A013” to “A015” in the “center”, and the panel “XYZ14” includes one target data “A016” in the “upper right”. It is.

Subsequently, the substitute image search unit 222 of the heat map generation unit 22 searches for a substitute image for the panel corresponding to the map 4100 with reference to the generated data table and the substitute image DB 32 (FIG. 4), and the substitute image exists. If so, the substitute image is acquired.
Here, the search for the substitute image is performed according to the position of the target data in the panel. For example, the position of the target data “A011” present in the panel “XYZ11” is “upper left”, which is the same as the substitute image “1001” stored in the substitute image DB 32 (FIG. 4). Therefore, the substitute image search unit 222 acquires the substitute image “1001.gif” as the substitute image of the panel “XYZ11”. Similarly, the substitute image search unit 222 acquires the substitute image “1001.gif” as the substitute image of the panel “XYZ12”, and obtains the substitute image “1002.gif” as the substitute image of the panel “XYZ14”. As a result, the heat map (substitute image) shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the new image generation unit 223 of the heat map generation unit 22 generates a new image for the panel “XYZ13” that did not hit the search by the alternative image search unit 222. As a result, a heat map (FIG. 6 (4)) including a new image and a substitute image is generated.

  Subsequently, the data transmission unit 23 transmits the heat map generated by the heat map generation unit 22 to the user terminal 2. The data transmission unit 23 transmits, for example, a transparent image in which a heat map is generated corresponding to the panel to the user terminal 2. At this time, the data transmission means 23 may sequentially transmit the panels “XYZ11”, “XYZ12”, “XYZ13”, and “XYZ14” each time the heat map is generated. Transparent images 4101 obtained by combining “XYZ12”, “XYZ13”, and “XYZ14” may be transmitted together.

  When the user terminal 2 receives the transparent image with the heat map generated corresponding to the panel, the user terminal 2 combines the transparent image with the map being viewed and displays the heat map 4102 shown in FIG.

[Hardware Configuration of Heat Map Generation Device 1]
The hardware of the heat map generation device 1 described above can be configured by a general computer. For example, a general computer includes a central processing unit (CPU) as a control unit, and a memory (RAM, ROM), a hard disk (HDD), and an optical disk (CD, DVD, etc.) as a storage unit, and a network communication device. Various wired and wireless LAN devices as display devices, for example, various displays such as liquid crystal displays and plasma displays, and as input devices, for example, keyboards and pointing devices (mouse, tracking ball, etc.) Are connected by a bus line. In such a general computer, the CPU controls the heat map generation device 1 in an integrated manner, reads and executes various programs as appropriate, and cooperates with the above-described hardware, thereby providing various functions according to the present invention. Is realized.

[Processing of heat map generation device 1]
Subsequently, processing of the heat map generation device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 shows a substitute image generation process performed at a predetermined cycle, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 shows a heat map providing process for providing a heat map in response to a heat map request from the user.

[Alternative image generation processing]
S1, S2: First, the target data reading means 11 of the substitute image generating unit 10 reads the target data from the target data DB 31, and a data table (FIG. 3) showing the positional relationship between the target data and the panel in which the area is set in advance. (1)) is generated.
S3: Subsequently, the alternative range setting unit 12 of the alternative image generation unit 10 refers to the generated data table and sets the number of target data included in the panel as a threshold, for example, the target data included in the panel. A panel whose number is 1 is identified as a panel that generates a substitute image, and a panel that does not generate a substitute image is identified.
S4: Subsequently, the substitute image generating means 13 of the substitute image generating unit 10 for the panel specified to generate the substitute image, the substitute image indicating the distribution status of the target data whose display area is included in the panel (FIG. 4 ( 1)) is generated. Subsequently, the generated substitute image is stored in the substitute image DB 32, and the substitute image generation process is terminated.

[Heat map provision processing]
S11: First, the heat map request accepting means 21 of the heat map providing unit 20 accepts a heat map request indicating the distribution status of target data whose display area is included in the map being browsed from the user (user terminal 2). .

S12: Subsequently, the heat map generation unit 22 (data table generation unit 221) of the heat map providing unit 20 positions the panel corresponding to the map being browsed and the target data whose display area is included in the map being browsed. A data table (FIG. 5 (2)) for specifying the relationship is generated.
S13: Subsequently, the heat map generation unit 22 (substitute image search unit 222) of the heat map providing unit 20 searches the substitute image of the panel corresponding to the map being browsed with reference to the substitute image DB 32, and substitute image. If there is, the substitute image is acquired.
S14: Subsequently, the heat map generation unit 22 (new image generation unit 223) of the heat map providing unit 20 generates a new image for a panel for which a substitute image is not searched.

  S15: Subsequently, the data transmission unit 23 of the heat map providing unit 20 transmits the heat map (new image and alternative image) generated by the heat map generation unit 22 to the user terminal 2. At this time, the data transmission unit 23 may transmit only the transparent image in which the heat map is generated corresponding to the panel to the user terminal 2, and the heat map in which the transparent image corresponding to the panel and the map are combined. May be transmitted to the user terminal 2. When only the transparent image is transmitted to the user terminal 2, the individual transparent images may be transmitted individually, or the individual transparent images may be combined and transmitted together.

  The heat map generation device 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. According to the heat map generation device 1 of the first embodiment, an alternative image is generated only for the range set by the alternative range setting unit 12, and a new image is generated for the other range. This makes it possible to properly use the method using the substitute image and the conventional heat map generation method, and to increase the heat map generation / provision speed as a whole.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a heat map generation device 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The heat map generation device 1A of the second embodiment is different from the heat map generation device 1 of the first embodiment in the method of generating an alternative image. Specifically, the heat map generation device 1 of the first embodiment reads target data that actually exists, and generates a substitute image in consideration of the positional relationship of the target data. The heat map generation device 1A according to the embodiment is different in that a substitute image is generated comprehensively in advance regardless of the positional relationship of target data.

  Hereinafter, the heat map generation device 1A of the second embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the heat map generation device 1A of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 (1) shows an image diagram of an alternative image generated by the heat map generation device 1A. Reference numeral 10 (2) denotes an alternative image DB 32A of the heat map generation device 1A. Moreover, about the structure same as the heat map production | generation apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Configuration of Heat Map Generation Device 1A]
With reference to FIG. 9, a functional configuration of the heat map generation device 1A of the second embodiment will be described. 1 A of heat map production | generation apparatuses are comprised including 10 A of alternative image production | generation parts, the heat map provision part 20, object data DB31, and alternative image DB32A.

  The substitute image generation unit 10A comprehensively generates substitute images regardless of the positional relationship of the target data. Here, “exhaustive” means, for example, when generating a substitute image for a panel having one target data, a substitute image in which a heat map is arranged in the upper left pixel of the panel to the lower right pixel of the panel. It means that a substitute image in which a heat map is arranged is generated. That is, when the size of each panel is 256 pixels × 256 pixels, 65536 (= 256 × 256) alternative images are generated. At this time, if a substitute image is generated for a panel having two target data, the combination pattern of the two target data is enormous, and therefore, an even larger number of substitute images are generated than in the case of one. become.

  When the number of substitute images becomes enormous, it takes time to search for a substitute image when a heat map request is received from the user, and it takes more time than the time taken to convert a monochrome image to a color image. It will take. Therefore, the alternative image generation unit 10A includes an alternative range setting unit 12A and an alternative image generation unit 13A.

  The alternative range setting unit 12A determines to generate an alternative image in advance for a heat map having a pattern that satisfies a “predetermined threshold” that is arbitrarily set from the search time and the color conversion time of the alternative image. For example, the alternative range setting unit 12A can determine that an alternative image is generated for a heat map having a pattern in which one target data exists in the panel, and there are two or less target data in the panel. It can be determined that a substitute image is generated for a heat map of a pattern, and it can be determined that a substitute image is generated only for a specific pattern among patterns having two or less target data. The number of target data set as the predetermined threshold is preferably set in order from the smallest, as will be described later.

  The substitute image generating unit 13A generates a substitute image for the pattern in the range determined by the substitute range setting unit 12A. For example, when the alternative range setting unit 12A determines to generate an alternative image for a heat map having a pattern in which one target data exists, the alternative image generation unit 13A generates the alternative image shown in FIG. To do. That is, the alternative image generating unit 13A generates an alternative image in which the heat map is arranged at the uppermost left of the panel to an alternative image in which the heat map is arranged at the lowermost right of the panel.

The substitute image DB 32A stores the substitute image generated by the substitute image generating unit 13A in association with the position of the target data (FIG. 10 (2)).
Since the configurations of the heat map providing unit 20 and the target data DB 31 are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted, but the heat map providing unit 20 receives a heat map request from the user. Then, the substitute image generated by the substitute image generating unit 13A is searched, and if a hit is found, the substitute image is acquired. On the other hand, if the substitute image does not hit, a new image is generated for the panel.

  The heat map generation device 1 according to the second embodiment has been described above. According to the heat map generation device 1A of the second embodiment, the method using the substitute image and the conventional heat map generation method can be properly used, and the generation / provision speed of the heat map as a whole can be increased. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a heat map generation device 1B of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The heat map generation device 1B of the third embodiment is different from the heat map generation device 1 and the heat map generation device 1A of the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that a substitute image is generated in advance according to the map magnification. Different.

The configuration of the heat map generation device 1B of the third embodiment is basically the same as the heat map generation device 1 and the heat map generation device 1A of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, but the heat of the third embodiment. In the map generation device 1B, since the substitute image is generated in advance according to the magnification of the map, the configurations of the substitute image generation unit 10B and the substitute image DB 32B are different.
That is, the alternative range setting unit 12B of the alternative image generation unit 10B sets the range for setting the alternative image for each map magnification, and the alternative image generation unit 13B sets the alternative image in the range set by the alternative range setting unit 12B. For each map magnification. The substitute image DB 32B stores substitute images generated for each map magnification (FIG. 11).

Here, with reference to FIG. 12, the target data “A021” and “A022” in the vicinity of Shimbashi Station are considered. The predetermined area of the panel varies depending on the magnification of the map, and the predetermined area becomes narrower in proportion to the increase of the map magnification. For example, when the map magnification is large, the distance is 100 m per side, and when the map magnification is small, the distance is 500 m per side. When the map magnification is large (FIG. 12 (1)), the interval between the target data “A021” and “A022” also increases, and therefore both target data exist in different panels “XYZ21” and “XYZ22”. become. On the other hand, when the magnification of the map is small (FIG. 12 (2)), since the interval between the target data “A021” and “A022” is also small, both target data exist in the same panel “XYZ31”.
At this time, if a substitute image of a panel having one target data has been generated, for a map with a high magnification, the substitute image hits when searching for a substitute image, and the map has a low magnification. For the alternative image, the alternative image is not hit when the alternative image is searched.

  It is empirically known that in a service that distributes an electronic map, the frequency of the display around the currently displayed area is higher as the map magnification is larger. That is, the larger the map is, the more the user desires to display the surrounding area.

  If the substitute image is generated according to the map magnification as in the heat map generation device 1B of the third embodiment, the possibility that the substitute image hits when searching for the substitute image increases as the map magnification increases. can do.

  In addition, since the interval of the target data increases as the map magnification increases, the number of target data whose display area is included in the newly displayed area is the number of the map even if a map of the surrounding area is displayed. The larger the magnification, the less. Therefore, when the range for generating a substitute image is set in order from the smallest number of target data whose display area is included in the panel, it is newly displayed as the user is more likely to want to display the surrounding area. It is possible to increase the possibility that the substitute image is hit for the area, and it is possible to quickly provide the heat map even when the user wants to display the surrounding area.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are only the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the number of target data whose display area is included in the panel is set as the range for generating the substitute image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the substitute image is substituted based on the position of the panel. An image may be generated. Specifically, a substitute image may be generated for the city center and no substitute image may be generated for the mountain area.

  In the first embodiment, the search for the substitute image is performed based on the position of the target data in the panel. However, the search is not limited to this. For example, the substitute image is stored in the substitute image DB 32 (FIG. 4 (2)). It is good also as searching based on panel ID.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat map production | generation apparatus 10 Alternative image production | generation part 11 Target data reading means 12 Alternative range setting means 13 Alternative image generation means 20 Heat map provision part 21 Heat map request | requirement reception means 22 Heat map production | generation means 221 Data table production | generation means 222 Alternative image search Means 223 New image generation means 23 Data transmission means 31 Target data DB
32 Alternative image DB

Claims (4)

Based on a request from the user, for each of a plurality of panels which is a predetermined area that partitions a map, a heat map that shows the distribution of the target data on the map displayed on the user terminal on the map A heat map generation device that generates a substitute image, which is an image showing the distribution status of target data, in order to display the data in an overlapping manner ,
A setting means for setting that the number of target data included in the panel satisfies a predetermined threshold as a condition of a panel for generating a substitute image ;
For a panel that satisfies the conditions set by the setting means, a substitute image generating means for generating a substitute image indicating the distribution status of the target data in advance,
When receiving the request from the user, for each of a plurality of said panels defining the map displayed on the user terminal, searching for the substitute image corresponding to the distribution of the target data, obtains the alternative image hit An alternative image search means;
New image generation means for generating a new image that is an alternative image indicating the distribution status of the target data for each of the panels not hit by the alternative image search means;
Data transmitting means for transmitting a heat map including the substitute image acquired by the substitute image search means and the new image generated by the new image generating means to the user terminal;
A heat map generation device comprising: Reads the target data from the target data DB for storing the data to be heat map generation, for each of a plurality of the panels previously position is identified, with the object data reading means for identifying a number of the target data,
The heat map generation device according to claim 1, wherein the substitute image generation unit generates the substitute image for the panel in which the specified number satisfies the predetermined threshold. The predetermined area of the panel becomes narrower as the map magnification increases,
The heat map according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substitute image search means searches and acquires the substitute image for a plurality of the panels having areas set for each magnification of a map displayed on the user terminal. Generator. Based on a request from the user, for each of a plurality of panels which is a predetermined area that partitions a map, a heat map that shows the distribution of the target data on the map displayed on the user terminal on the map In order to superimpose and display, a heat map generation device that generates an alternative image that is an image showing the distribution status of the target data ,
Setting that the number of target data included in the panel satisfies a predetermined threshold as a condition of a panel for generating a substitute image ;
For a panel that satisfies the set condition , generating a substitute image indicating the distribution status of the target data in advance;
Based on the request from the user, for each of a plurality of said panels defining the map displayed on the user terminal, searching for the substitute image corresponding to the distribution of the target data, obtains the alternative image hit Steps,
For each of the panels that did not hit, generating a new image that is an alternative image showing the distribution status of the target data;
Transmitting a heat map including the acquired substitute image and the generated new image to the user terminal;
Including methods.

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