JP6330356B2 - Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and information providing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and an information providing program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that collects responses from users by sending a safety confirmation email to a user registered in advance by using weather information such as an earthquake from a weather information provider as a trigger. The system administrator can grasp the user's situation by browsing the collected user response results on a web screen or the like.

  As a related prior art, for example, there is an information collection system that generates an interface for receiving employee safety information when a predetermined disaster occurs, and registers the employee safety information received through the generated interface. This information collection system extracts an employee whose safety information is not registered after a predetermined time has elapsed, generates a registration instruction for encouraging registration of the extracted employee, and transmits the registration instruction to the employee.

JP 2003-331090 A

  However, according to the prior art, there is a problem that it is difficult to specify an area (region) where a disaster other than a preset event has occurred.

  In one aspect, the present invention provides an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and an information providing program capable of specifying a disaster occurrence area based on a reception status of a spontaneous disaster status mail from a user. With the goal.

  In one aspect, the number of received disaster status mails per unit time for notifying the status of a disaster received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas has become a predetermined number or more. Accordingly, an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and an information providing program for specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area are proposed.

  As one aspect, there is an effect that the disaster occurrence area can be specified based on the reception status of the spontaneous disaster status mail from the user.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the information providing method according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example of the safety confirmation system 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information providing apparatus 101. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the terminal device 102. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the user DB 220. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the mail management table 230. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the event management table 240. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the ongoing area management table 250. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the adjacency ratio setting table 260. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the adjacent information table 270. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the information providing apparatus 101. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a plurality of areas to be managed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a plurality of areas to be managed. FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of the area specifying process procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. FIG. 15 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of the area specifying process procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. FIG. 16 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the multiple adjacent destination area target determination processing. FIG. 17 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the multiple adjacent destination area target determination processing. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the adjacent information creation processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. FIG. 19 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the tree generation processing. FIG. 20 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the tree generation processing. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a safety confirmation mail transmission processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information providing apparatus, an information providing method, and an information providing program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(One example of information providing method)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the information providing method according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, an information providing apparatus 101 is a computer that identifies a disaster occurrence area from a plurality of areas to be managed. An area is a divided area, and is divided, for example, in units of municipalities or prefectures. The disaster occurrence area is an area where a disaster has occurred. Disasters are, for example, natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rains, heavy snows, typhoons, tornadoes, and man-made disasters such as fires, epidemics, terrorism, and armed attacks.

  Here, in order to grasp the damage situation of the area where the disaster occurred, the safety confirmation to the users belonging to the area where the disaster occurred is performed automatically in cooperation with information provided by information providers such as the Japan Meteorological Agency Can be considered. In this case, the administrator determines in advance an event that becomes a trigger when the safety of the user is confirmed, that is, an event to be managed.

  Examples of events to be managed include events that are expected to cause a certain amount of damage, such as earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5 or more and heavy rain with an hourly precipitation of 100 mm or more. However, the method of predetermining the events to be managed cannot cope with the occurrence of a disaster other than the predetermined event.

  In addition, when a disaster occurs, the administrator may confirm the safety by identifying the disaster area where the disaster has occurred based on information on the Internet, television, radio, or the like. However, it is not easy to accurately specify the disaster area manually. Furthermore, when a disaster occurs, it is important to quickly grasp the damage status of the disaster-stricken area, and manual identification of the disaster area is time consuming and undesirable.

  In addition, it is conceivable that an administrator who has directly experienced a disaster accesses the system from the affected area and manually starts the safety confirmation of the user. However, it is not easy for the affected party to quickly obtain information for grasping the entire disaster area, and it is difficult to accurately specify the disaster area.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the disaster occurrence area is specified even if a disaster other than a predetermined event occurs based on the reception status of the spontaneous disaster status mail from the user who directly experienced the disaster. An information providing method that can be used will be described. Hereinafter, an example of information provision processing of the information provision apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, area A, area B, and area C are a plurality of areas to be managed. Here, it is assumed that a disaster occurs in area B among areas A to C.

  (1) A user who directly experienced a disaster uses his / her terminal device 102 to transmit a disaster status mail to the information providing device 101. Here, the user is a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas to be managed, and is registered in advance in area units. For example, a user belonging to area B is a user who has a home or work place in area B.

  The disaster status e-mail is an e-mail notifying the status of the disaster. The disaster status mail describes, for example, the contents of a disaster event that has occurred, the safety of a user, the presence or absence of an injury, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, disaster status mails M <b> 1 to M <b> 3 are respectively transmitted from the terminal devices 102 of three users belonging to the area B where the disaster has occurred to the information providing apparatus 101.

  (2) The information providing apparatus 101 receives a disaster situation mail from the user terminal apparatus 102 belonging to any one of a plurality of areas to be managed. In the example of FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 101 receives disaster status mails M <b> 1 to M <b> 3 from the terminal devices 102 of three users belonging to area B, respectively.

  Here, the time when the information providing apparatus 101 received the disaster situation mail M1 is “t1”, the time when the disaster situation mail M2 is received is “t2”, and the time when the disaster situation mail M3 is received is “t3”. (However, time t1⇒time t2⇒time t3).

  (3) The information providing apparatus 101 determines whether or not the number of received disaster situation mails received from the terminal apparatuses 102 of users belonging to the area per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined number X. Here, the predetermined number X is set to a value by which it can be determined that a disaster has occurred in the area when the number of received disaster situation mails per unit time per unit time is equal to or greater than the predetermined number X.

  The predetermined number X is set in advance based on, for example, the number of users belonging to each area and recorded in the information providing apparatus 101. At this time, the predetermined number X may be set to a common value for all areas to be managed, or may be set for each area. Here, the unit time is “10 minutes”, and the predetermined number X is “X = 3”.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the information providing apparatus 101 receives three disaster status mails M <b> 1 to M <b> 3 per 10 minutes from the user terminal apparatus 102 belonging to area B. In this case, the information providing apparatus 101 determines that the number of received disaster situation mails per unit time received from the terminal apparatus 102 of the user belonging to area B is equal to or greater than the predetermined number X.

  (4) The information providing apparatus 101 determines that the area corresponding to the disaster occurrence area when the number of received disaster status mails received from the terminal devices 102 of the users belonging to the area per unit time is equal to or greater than the predetermined number X. As specified. In the example of FIG. 1, since the number of disaster status mails received per 10 minutes in area B is 3 or more, area B is identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  As described above, according to the information providing apparatus 101, in response to the number of received disaster status mails received from the user terminal apparatus 102 belonging to the management target area per unit time being equal to or greater than the predetermined number X, The area can be specified as a disaster occurrence area.

  As a result, the disaster occurrence area can be specified based on the reception status of the spontaneous disaster status mail from the user (the victim) who directly experienced the disaster. For this reason, for example, it is possible to specify the disaster occurrence area without setting in advance an event that becomes a trigger when confirming the safety of the user.

  In addition, when a disaster occurs, it is possible to specify the disaster occurrence area quickly and accurately compared to the case where the disaster range is manually specified based on information such as the Internet, television, and radio. Further, for example, the administrator can confirm the safety of users belonging to the disaster occurrence area by identifying the users who have not received the disaster status mail among the users belonging to the disaster occurrence area. It becomes possible to grasp the damage situation of the ground.

(System configuration example of the safety confirmation system 200)
Next, a case where the information providing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the safety confirmation system 200 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example of the safety confirmation system 200. In FIG. 2, the safety confirmation system 200 includes an information providing device 101, a plurality of terminal devices 102, and a management device 201. In the safety confirmation system 200, the information providing apparatus 101, the terminal apparatus 102, and the management apparatus 201 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless network 210 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 210 is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

  The information providing apparatus 101 includes a user DB (database) 220, a mail management table 230, an event management table 240, an ongoing area management table 250, an adjacent ratio setting table 260, and an adjacent information table 270. The disaster occurrence area is identified from the areas. The storage contents of various DBs 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 will be described later with reference to FIGS. The information providing apparatus 101 is, for example, a server.

  The terminal device 102 is a computer used by each user belonging to each of a plurality of areas to be managed, and displays, creates, and transmits / receives mail. The mail is an electronic mail transmitted / received between computers via the network 210. The terminal device 102 is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or the like.

  The management device 201 is a computer used by an administrator of the safety confirmation system 200. By accessing the information providing apparatus 101 using the management apparatus 201, the administrator can specify, for example, a disaster occurrence area or confirm a disaster status mail from the user. The management device 201 is, for example, a PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, or the like.

  In the following description, a plurality of areas to be managed are represented as “areas A1 to An” (n: a natural number of 2 or more), and an arbitrary area among the areas A1 to An is represented as “area Ai”. (I = 1, 2,..., N).

(Example of hardware configuration of information providing apparatus 101)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information providing apparatus 101. 3, the information providing apparatus 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a memory 302, an I / F (Interface) 303, a disk drive 304, and a disk 305. Each component is connected by a bus 300.

  Here, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the information providing apparatus 101. The memory 302 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a flash ROM. Specifically, for example, a flash ROM or ROM stores various programs, and a RAM is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The program stored in the memory 302 is loaded into the CPU 301 to cause the CPU 301 to execute the coded process.

  The I / F 303 is connected to the network 210 via a communication line, and is connected to other computers (for example, the terminal device 102 and the management device 201 shown in FIG. 2) via the network 210. The I / F 303 controls an internal interface with the network 210 and controls input / output of data from other computers. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter may be employed as the I / F 303.

  The disk drive 304 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the disk 305 according to the control of the CPU 301. The disk 305 stores data written under the control of the disk drive 304. Examples of the disk 305 include a magnetic disk and an optical disk. The information providing apparatus 101 may include, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a keyboard, a mouse, and a display in addition to the above-described components.

(Example of hardware configuration of terminal apparatus 102)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the terminal device 102. In FIG. 4, the terminal device 102 includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a display 403, a keypad 404, an I / F 405, an audio signal processing unit 406, a speaker 407, and a microphone 408. Each component is connected by a bus 400.

  Here, the CPU 401 controls the entire terminal device 102. The memory 402 includes, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a flash ROM, and the like. Specifically, for example, a flash ROM or ROM stores various programs, and the RAM is used as a work area of the CPU 401. The program stored in the memory 402 is loaded on the CPU 401 to cause the CPU 401 to execute the coded process.

  A display 403 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 403, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, or the like can be adopted.

  The keypad 404 has keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. The keypad 404 may be, for example, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad. The keypad 404 may be a keyboard or a mouse.

  The I / F 405 is connected to the network 210, and is connected to another computer (for example, the information providing apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 2) via the network 210. The I / F 405 controls an internal interface with the network 210 and controls data input / output from other computers.

  The audio signal processing unit 406 is connected to the speaker 407 and the microphone 408. For example, sound received by the microphone 408 is A / D converted by the sound signal processing unit 406. In addition, sound is output from the speaker 407.

  Note that the management apparatus 201 shown in FIG. 2 can also be realized by the same hardware configuration as that of the terminal apparatus 102. The management device 201 may include a scanner, a printer, and the like, for example.

(Storage contents of various DBs 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270)
Next, the storage contents of various DBs 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, and 270 included in the information providing apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. Various DBs 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, and 270 are realized by storage devices such as the memory 302 and the disk 305 of the information providing apparatus 101 illustrated in FIG. 3, for example.

<Storage contents of user DB 220>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the user DB 220. In FIG. 5, the user DB 220 includes fields for user ID, name, registration area, and mail address. By setting information in each field, user information (for example, user information 500-1 to 500-500). -3) is stored as a record.

  Here, the user ID is an identifier for identifying the user of the safety confirmation system 200. The name is the name of the user. The registration area is an identifier for identifying the area Ai to which the user belongs. The e-mail address is an e-mail address used by the user.

  For example, the user information 500-1 indicates a user ID “U1”, a name “xx Taro”, a registration area “A1”, and a mail address “xxx@111.com”. According to the user information 500-1, the user name “xxx Taro”, the registration area “A1”, and the mail address “xxx@111.com” of the user ID “U1” can be specified.

<Storage contents of mail management table 230>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the mail management table 230. In FIG. 6, the mail management table 230 has fields of event ID, area ID, user ID, transmission flag, reception flag, transmission time, and reception time. By setting information in each field, mail management information (for example, mail management information 600-1 to 600-5) is stored as a record.

  Here, the event ID is an identifier for identifying a disaster that has occurred. The area ID is an identifier for identifying the area Ai. The user ID is an identifier for identifying the user. The transmission flag is a flag indicating whether or not a safety confirmation mail has been transmitted. The transmission flag “−” indicates that the safety confirmation mail is not transmitted. The transmission flag “◯” indicates that a safety confirmation mail has been transmitted. The transmission flag is “−” in the initial state.

  The reception flag is a flag indicating whether or not a disaster situation mail has been received. The reception flag “−” indicates that the disaster situation mail has not been received. The reception flag “◯” indicates that a disaster situation mail has been received. The reception flag is “−” in the initial state. The transmission time is the date and time when the safety confirmation mail is transmitted. The reception time is the date and time when the disaster situation mail is received.

  For example, the mail management information 600-1 includes an event ID “P1”, an area ID “A1”, a user ID “U1”, a transmission flag “−”, a reception flag “O”, a transmission time “-”, and a reception time “ 2013/1/8 10:05 ". According to the mail management information 600-1, the disaster status mail was received at 10:05 on January 8, 2013 from the user with the user ID “U1” belonging to the area A1 where the disaster of the event P1 occurred. Can be specified.

<Storage contents of event management table 240>
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the event management table 240. In FIG. 7, the event management table 240 has fields of event ID and start time, and stores event management information (for example, event management information 700-1) as a record by setting information in each field.

  Here, the event ID is an identifier for identifying a disaster that has occurred. The start time is the time when the disaster occurred. For example, the event management information 700-1 indicates an event ID “P1” and a start time “2013/1/8 10:10”. According to the event management information 700-1, it can be specified that the disaster of the event P1 occurred at 10:10 on January 8, 2013.

<Storage contents of the ongoing area management table 250>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the ongoing area management table 250. In FIG. 8, an occurring area management table 250 has fields of an event ID, an occurring area ID, and an attribute. By setting information in each field, the occurring area management information (for example, the occurring area management information) 800-1 to 800-4) are stored as records.

  Here, the event ID is an identifier for identifying a disaster that has occurred. The occurring area ID is an identifier for identifying the area Ai where the disaster has occurred. The attribute is an attribute of the area Ai where the disaster has occurred. Any of attribute a, attribute b, and attribute c is set as the attribute. A detailed description of the attribute will be described later.

  For example, the occurring area management information 800-1 indicates an event ID “P1”, an occurring area ID “A1”, and an attribute “a”. According to the occurring area management information 800-1, it is possible to specify that the disaster of the event P1 has occurred in the area A1 and the attribute of the area A1 is the attribute a.

<Contents of Adjacent Ratio Setting Table 260>
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the adjacency ratio setting table 260. In FIG. 9, the adjacent ratio setting table 260 includes an area ID, an adjacent area ID, and a ratio field. By setting information in each field, adjacent ratio setting information (for example, adjacent ratio setting information 900-1 to 900-1) is set. 900-4) is stored as a record.

  Here, the area ID is an identifier for identifying the area Ai. The adjacent area ID is an identifier for identifying an adjacent area adjacent to the area Ai. The ratio is a ratio of a portion in contact with the area Ai in the periphery (outer periphery) of the adjacent area. The unit of ratio is [% (percent)].

  For example, the adjacent ratio setting information 900-1 indicates an area ID “A2”, an adjacent area ID “A1”, and a ratio “7”. According to the adjacency ratio setting information 900-1, it is possible to specify that the ratio of the portion in contact with the area A1 adjacent to the area A2 in the periphery of the area A2 is 7%.

<Contents Stored in Adjacent Information Table 270>
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the adjacent information table 270. In FIG. 10, the adjacency information table 270 has area ID, adjacency 1, adjacency 2 and adjacency 3 fields. By setting information in each field, adjacency information (for example, adjacency information 1000-1 to 1000- 7) is stored as a record.

  Here, the area ID is an identifier for identifying the area Ai. Adjacent 1 is an identifier for identifying an adjacent area adjacent to area Ai. Adjacent 2 is an identifier for identifying an adjacent area adjacent to adjacent 1. Adjacent 3 is an identifier for identifying an adjacent area adjacent to adjacent 2.

  For example, the adjacency information 1000-1 indicates area ID “A6”, adjacency 1 “A11”, adjacency 2 “A7”, and adjacency 3 “A8”. According to the adjacency information 1000-1, it can be specified that the area A11 is adjacent to the area A6, the area A7 is adjacent to the area A11, and the area A8 is adjacent to the area A7.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the case where three adjacent areas of the area Ai are set in the adjacent information table 270 has been described as an example. It can be arbitrarily set whether the adjacent area is set.

(Functional configuration example of the information providing apparatus 101)
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the information providing apparatus 101. In FIG. 11, the information providing apparatus 101 includes a reception unit 1101, an update unit 1102, a determination unit 1103, a specification unit 1104, and a transmission unit 1105. The receiving unit 1101 to the transmitting unit 1105 are functions as control units. Specifically, for example, by causing the CPU 301 to execute a program stored in a storage device such as the memory 302 and the disk 305 illustrated in FIG. Alternatively, the function is realized by the I / F 303. The processing result of each functional unit is stored in a storage device such as the memory 302 and the disk 305, for example.

  The receiving unit 1101 receives a disaster situation mail from the user terminal device 102 belonging to the area Ai. Here, the disaster status mail is a mail for notifying the status of the disaster. The disaster status mail describes, for example, the contents and damage status of a disaster that occurred in the area Ai, the safety of the user, the presence or absence of injury, the state of injury, and the like.

  The update unit 1102 updates the mail management table 230 (see FIG. 6) in response to receiving the disaster situation mail from the user terminal device 102 belonging to the area Ai. As an example, it is assumed that a disaster situation mail is received at 10:40 on January 8, 2013 from the terminal device 102 of the user with the user ID “U101” belonging to the area A3.

  In this case, the update unit 1102 refers to the user DB 220 (see FIG. 5), and identifies the user ID “U101” and the registration area “A3” corresponding to the sender address (mail address) of the disaster situation mail. . Then, the update unit 1102 stores the event ID “−”, the area ID “A3”, the user ID “U101”, the transmission flag “−”, the reception flag “O”, the transmission time “ -"And reception time" 2013/1/8 10:40 "are set. As a result, for example, the mail management information 600-4 shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the mail management table 230 as a new record.

  The determination unit 1103 determines whether the number of received disaster situation mails per unit time received from the terminal device 102 of the user belonging to the area Ai is equal to or greater than the threshold value X. Here, the unit time can be arbitrarily set. As the unit time, for example, a time of about 5 minutes to 10 minutes is set.

  In the following description, the unit time may be expressed as “mail reception unit time”. In addition, the number of received disaster situation mails per unit time received from the terminal device 102 of the user belonging to the area Ai may be referred to as “mail reception number Ci”.

  The threshold value X corresponds to the “predetermined number X” described above, and can be arbitrarily set. As the threshold value X, a common value may be set in the areas A1 to An. In this case, as the threshold value X, for example, a value of about 20% to 30% of the average value of the number of users in the areas A1 to An is set. Further, the threshold value X may be set for each area Ai. In this case, as the threshold value X, for example, a value of about 20% to 30% of the number of users belonging to the area Ai is set.

  More specifically, the threshold value X may be determined depending on how large a disaster occurs and managed as a disaster in area units. For example, when a local disaster (for example, a landslide or land subsidence) occurring in the area is managed as a disaster in units of area, a value of about 10% of the number of users belonging to the area Ai is set. . In addition, when managing disasters that cover the entire area or most of the area as disasters in units of areas, instead of local disasters in the area, a value of about 30% of the number of users belonging to the area Ai is set. Is done.

  Specifically, for example, the determination unit 1103 refers to the mail management table 230, and for each area Ai, the number of mails Ci received of disaster status mails received from the current point in time to the present time from the point in time of the mail reception unit time. Count. Then, the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the counted mail reception number Ci is equal to or greater than the threshold value X for each area Ai.

  The identifying unit 1104 identifies a disaster occurrence area from the areas A1 to An based on the determined determination result. Specifically, for example, the identifying unit 1104 identifies the area Ai as a disaster occurrence area in response to the mail reception number Ci in the area Ai becoming equal to or greater than the threshold value X.

  The updating unit 1102 updates the event management table 240 (see FIG. 7), the ongoing area management table 250 (see FIG. 8), and the mail management table 230 in response to the area Ai being identified as a disaster occurrence area. As an example, it is assumed that the area A1 is specified as a disaster occurrence area in response to the mail reception number C1 in the area A1 being equal to or greater than the threshold value X.

  In this case, for example, the update unit 1102 generates an event ID “P1” that identifies a disaster occurring in the area A1. Then, the update unit 1102 registers the generated event ID “P1” and the start time in the event management table 240, with the time point (or the current time) retroactive to the mail reception unit time from the current time as the start time. As a result, for example, the event management information 700-1 shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the event management table 240 as a new record.

  The updating unit 1102 sets the event ID “P1”, the occurring area ID “A1”, and the attribute “a” in each field of the occurring area management table 250. The attribute a indicates that the area Ai has been identified as a disaster occurrence area in response to the mail reception number Ci becoming equal to or greater than the threshold value X. As a result, for example, the occurring area management information 800-1 shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the occurring area management table 250 as a new record.

  Further, the update unit 1102 sets “P1” in the event ID field of the record in which “A1” is set in the area ID field of the mail management table 230. As a result, the event ID “P1” is set in the mail management information (for example, the mail management information 600-1) corresponding to the user belonging to the area A1 identified as the disaster occurrence area.

  Further, the specifying unit 1104 specifies that the number of received mails Cj of the area Aj (j = 1, 2,..., N, j ≠ i) is equal to or greater than the threshold value X within a predetermined time after specifying the area Ai as the disaster occurrence area. In response to this, the area Aj is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster having the same event as the area Ai has occurred.

  Here, the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set. If the predetermined time is within the predetermined time between the areas Ai and Aj when the respective mail reception numbers Ci and Cj are equal to or greater than the threshold value X, a disaster of the same event occurs in the areas Ai and Aj. Is set to a value that can be determined to be As the predetermined time, for example, a time of about 1 hour is set.

  In the following description, the predetermined time may be expressed as “event management grace time”.

  As an example, the event management grace time is “1 hour”, and the time when the number of received emails C3 in area A3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value X is “January 8, 2013 10:30”. In this case, the specifying unit 1104 determines whether or not the event management table 240 includes an event P within the event management grace period from 10:30 on January 8, 2013.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the event management table 240 includes an event P1 within the event management grace period from 10:30 on January 8, 2013. In this case, the identifying unit 1104 identifies the area A3 as a disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event P1 as the area A1 occurs. In this case, the updating unit 1102 does not generate an event ID that identifies a disaster occurring in the area A3.

  Then, the updating unit 1102 sets the event ID “P1”, the occurring area ID “A3”, and the attribute “a” in each field of the occurring area management table 250. As a result, for example, the occurring area management information 800-2 illustrated in FIG. 8 is stored in the occurring area management table 250 as a new record.

  In addition, the determination unit 1103 has a ratio of a portion in contact with the area Ai in the vicinity of the adjacent area Ak (k = 1, 2,..., N) adjacent to the area Ai specified as the disaster occurrence area is a predetermined ratio or more. It is determined whether or not there is. Here, the periphery of the adjacent area Ak is the outer periphery of the adjacent area Ak. The predetermined ratio can be arbitrarily set.

  If the ratio of the portion in contact with the area Ai is greater than or equal to the predetermined ratio around the adjacent area Ak adjacent to the area Ai specified as the disaster occurrence area, the predetermined ratio is the disaster of the same event as the area Ai in the adjacent area Ak. Is set to a value that can be determined to have occurred. As the predetermined ratio, for example, a value of about 60% is set.

  In addition, the adjacent area Ak may be adjacent to the area Aj specified as the disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event as the area Ai occurs. In this case, the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the total value of the ratios of the portions in contact with the area Ai or the area Aj in the periphery of the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1.

  In the following description, the predetermined ratio may be expressed as “target adjacent ratio R1”. An area identified as a disaster occurrence area may be referred to as “disaster occurrence area Ai”.

  Specifically, for example, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacency ratio setting table 260 (see FIG. 9), and calculates the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai or the disaster occurrence area Aj around the adjacent area Ak. Identify. Then, the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the total value of the specified ratios is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1.

  If the total value of the ratios of the portions in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai or the disaster occurrence area Aj in the surroundings of the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacency ratio R1, the specifying unit 1104 determines the adjacent area Ak as the disaster occurrence area Ai. Identifies the disaster occurrence area where the same event occurred. A specific example of the disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the determination unit 1103 determines that the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai or the disaster occurrence area Aj out of the area existing between the disaster occurrence area Ai and the disaster occurrence area Aj is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. It may be determined whether or not there is.

  In the following description, an area existing between the disaster occurrence area Ai and the disaster occurrence area Aj may be referred to as “candidate area Am” (m = 1, 2,..., N).

  Here, the target adjacent ratio R2 is a value smaller than the target adjacent ratio R1, and can be arbitrarily set. If the ratio of the portion adjacent to the disaster occurrence area Ai or the disaster occurrence area Aj in the surroundings of the candidate area Am is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2, the target adjacent ratio R2 is the same event as the disaster occurrence area Ai. It is set to a value at which it can be determined that a disaster has occurred. For example, a value of about 20% is set as the target adjacent ratio R2.

  If the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai or the disaster occurrence area Aj in the surroundings of the candidate area Am is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2, the specifying unit 1104 identifies the candidate area Am as the same event as the disaster occurrence area Ai. Is identified as the disaster occurrence area where A specific example of the disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R2 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the number of received mails Ck is equal to or greater than the threshold Y when the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai around the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. It may be. Here, the threshold value Y is a value smaller than the threshold value X, and can be set arbitrarily. As with the threshold value X, the threshold value Y may be set to a common value in the areas A1 to An, or may be set for each area Ai.

  When the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area Ai in the surroundings of the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2, the specifying unit 1104 determines that the number of received mails Ck is equal to or greater than the threshold Y and the adjacent area Ak May be specified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster having the same event as the disaster occurrence area Ai occurs.

  The transmission unit 1105 transmits a safety confirmation mail to the terminal devices 102 of users other than the user who has received the disaster situation mail among the users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai. Here, the safety confirmation email is an email for confirming the safety of the user. In the safety confirmation email, for example, texts for inquiring about the contents and damage status of a disaster that occurred in the area Ai, the safety of the user, the presence or absence of injury, the state of injury, etc. are described.

  Specifically, for example, the transmission unit 1105 refers to the user DB 220 and identifies users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai. Next, the transmission unit 1105 extracts unregistered users in the mail management table 230 among the identified users. At this time, the transmission unit 1105 also includes users who have a reception flag of “-” in the mail management table 230 (users who have transmitted a safety confirmation email but have not received a disaster situation email) among the identified users. You may decide to extract.

  Then, the transmission unit 1105 refers to the user DB 220 and transmits a safety confirmation email with the extracted user email address as the destination. As a result, the safety confirmation mail is transmitted to the terminal devices 102 of users other than the user who has received the disaster status mail among the users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai.

  The update unit 1102 updates the mail management table 230 in response to the transmission of the safety confirmation mail to the user terminal devices 102 belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai. As an example, a case where a safety confirmation email is transmitted at 10:30 on January 8, 2013 to the terminal device 102 of the user ID “U100” belonging to the area A2 where the disaster of the event P1 occurs. Suppose.

  In this case, the update unit 1102 includes the event ID “P1”, the area ID “A2”, the user ID “U100”, the transmission flag “O”, the reception flag “−”, the transmission time in each field of the mail management table 230. “2013/1/8 10:30” and reception time “−” are set. As a result, for example, the mail management information 600-3 shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the mail management table 230 as a new record.

  The receiving unit 1101 may receive a disaster situation information browsing request from the management device 201 of the administrator of the safety confirmation system 200. Here, the disaster situation information is information for specifying the damage situation in the disaster occurrence area. The disaster status information includes, for example, the area where the disaster occurred, the disaster event content, the start time, the disaster status email from the user, the status of receiving the disaster status email, the status of sending the safety confirmation email to the user, and the like.

  The transmission unit 1105 may transmit the disaster situation information to the management apparatus 201 in response to receiving the disaster situation information browsing request from the management apparatus 201. Specifically, for example, the transmission unit 1105 stores the stored contents of the mail management table 230, the stored contents of the event management table 240, the stored contents of the ongoing area management table 250, and the disaster situation mail received from the user terminal device 102. It is also possible to transmit disaster situation information including the above to the management apparatus 201.

  Thereby, the administrator of the safety confirmation system 200 grasps the damage status of the disaster-stricken area by, for example, identifying the disaster occurrence area or confirming the disaster status mail from the user belonging to the disaster occurrence area. be able to.

(Specific example of disaster occurrence area)
Next, a specific example of a disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R1 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a plurality of areas to be managed. In FIG. 12, areas A1 to A5 are a plurality of areas to be managed. Here, it is assumed that the area A1 is identified as a disaster occurrence area in response to the mail reception count C1 in the area A1 being equal to or greater than the threshold value X. Also, the event ID of the disaster that occurred in area A1 is “P1”.

  In addition, in response to the fact that the number of received emails C3 in area A3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value X within the event management grace period after area A1 is identified as a disaster occurrence area, area A3 has a disaster of the same event as area A1. Assume that the disaster is identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  Furthermore, in the event management grace period after the area A1 is identified as the disaster occurrence area, the area A4 has the same event as the area A1 in response to the fact that the number of received emails C4 in the area A4 is equal to or greater than the threshold value X. Assume that the disaster is identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  Hereinafter, a case where the adjacent area A2 adjacent to the disaster occurrence areas A1, A3, A4 is specified as the disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R1 will be described. However, here, the target adjacent ratio R1 is set to “R1 = 60”.

  In this case, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacency ratio setting table 260 and specifies the ratio “7” of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area A1 in the periphery of the adjoining area A2. Further, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and specifies the ratio “5” of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area A3 in the vicinity of the adjacent area A2. Further, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and identifies the ratio “55” of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area A4 in the vicinity of the adjacent area A2.

  Then, the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not the specified total value “67 (= 7 + 5 + 55)” is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1. Here, the determination unit 1103 determines that the ratio total value “67” is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1. In this case, the specifying unit 1104 specifies the adjacent area A2 as a disaster occurrence area in which a disaster having the same event as the disaster occurrence area A1 occurs.

  The updating unit 1102 updates the ongoing area management table 250 and the mail management table 230 in response to the fact that the adjacent area A2 is specified as the disaster occurrence area. Specifically, for example, the update unit 1102 sets the event ID “P1”, the occurring area ID “A2”, and the attribute “b” in each field of the occurring area management table 250.

  The event ID is the same event ID as the disaster that occurred in the disaster occurrence area A1. The attribute b indicates that the adjacent area Ak is identified as a disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R1. As a result, for example, the ongoing area management information 800-4 illustrated in FIG. 8 is stored in the occurring area management table 250 as a new record.

  In addition, the update unit 1102 sets “P1” in the event ID field of the record in which “A2” is set in the area ID field of the mail management table 230. As a result, the event ID “P1” is set in the mail management information corresponding to the users belonging to the area A2 specified as the disaster occurrence area.

  In this way, in the area A2 where 60% or more of the entire surroundings are in contact with the disaster occurrence areas A1, A3, and A4, there is a high possibility that the disaster of the same event has occurred. Even if the threshold value X is not reached, it can be specified as a disaster occurrence area.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the time taken to specify a disaster range (for example, areas A1, A2, A3, and A4) where there is a high possibility that a disaster of the same event has occurred. Even if there are many users who are unable to send disaster status emails because the damage in area A2 is large, the area based on the topographical relationships with the disaster occurrence areas A1, A3, A4 A2 can be identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  Next, a specific example of a disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R2 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of a plurality of areas to be managed. In FIG. 13, areas A6 to A11 are a plurality of areas to be managed. Here, it is assumed that the area A6 is identified as a disaster occurrence area in response to the mail reception number C6 in the area A6 becoming equal to or greater than the threshold value X. The event ID of the disaster that occurred in area A6 is assumed to be “P2”.

  In addition, in response to the fact that the number of received emails C9 in area A9 is equal to or greater than threshold value X within the event management grace period after area A6 is identified as a disaster occurrence area, area A9 is a disaster of the same event as area A6 Assume that the disaster is identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  Hereinafter, a case where candidate areas A7 and A8 existing between the disaster occurrence area A6 and the disaster occurrence area A9 are specified as the disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R2 will be described. However, here, the target adjacent ratio R2 is set to “R2 = 20”.

  In this case, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacent information table 270 (see FIG. 10) and identifies candidate areas A7 and A8 that exist between the disaster occurrence area A6 and the disaster occurrence area A9. Next, the determination unit 1103 refers to the adjacency ratio setting table 260 and identifies the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area A6 or the disaster occurrence area A9 in the periphery of the candidate area A7.

  Then, the determination unit 1103 determines whether the specified ratio is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. Here, the ratio of the portion in contact with the disaster occurrence area A6 in the periphery of the candidate area A7 is “25”. That is, the determination unit 1103 determines that the specified ratio “25” is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. In this case, the specifying unit 1104 specifies the candidate area A7 as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster having the same event as the disaster occurrence area A6 occurs.

  The updating unit 1102 updates the ongoing area management table 250 and the mail management table 230 in response to the candidate area A7 being identified as a disaster occurrence area. Specifically, for example, the update unit 1102 sets the event ID “P2”, the occurring area ID “A7”, and the attribute “c” in each field of the occurring area management table 250.

  The event ID is the same event ID as the disaster that occurred in the disaster occurrence area A6. The attribute c indicates that the candidate area Am is identified as a disaster occurrence area using the target adjacent ratio R2. As a result, the ongoing area management information related to the area A7 is stored in the occurring area management table 250 as a new record.

  Further, the update unit 1102 sets “P2” in the event ID field of the record in which “A7” is set in the area ID field of the mail management table 230. As a result, the event ID “P2” is set in the mail management information corresponding to the user belonging to the area A7 specified as the disaster occurrence area.

  Note that the case where the candidate area A8 is specified as a disaster occurrence area is the same as the case where the candidate area A7 is specified as a disaster occurrence area, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the candidate areas A7 and A8 sandwiched between the disaster occurrence areas A6 and A9, there is a high possibility that a disaster of the same event has occurred. For this reason, if 20% or more of the entire surroundings is in contact with any of the disaster occurrence areas A6 and A9, the number of received mails C7 and C8 in the candidate areas A7 and A8 does not reach the threshold value X. It can be specified as an occurrence area.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required to specify a disaster range (for example, areas A6, A7, A8, and A9) in which there is a high possibility that a disaster of the same event has occurred. In addition, even in situations where there are many users who cannot send disaster status emails because the damage to candidate areas A7 and A8 is large, based on the geographical relationship with disaster occurrence areas A6 and A9, Candidate areas A7 and A9 can be specified as a disaster occurrence area.

(Various processing procedures of the information providing apparatus 101)
Next, various processing procedures of the information providing apparatus 101 will be described. First, the area specifying process procedure of the information providing apparatus 101 will be described. The area specifying process is a process for specifying a disaster occurrence area from the areas A1 to An.

<Area identification processing procedure>
14 and 15 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the area specifying process procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the mail management table 230, and receives the number Ci of mail received per unit time of the disaster situation mail received from the terminal device 102 of the user belonging to the area Ai. Is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value X (step S1401).

  Here, the information providing apparatus 101 waits for the mail reception number Ci to be equal to or greater than the threshold value X (step S1401: No). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the event management table 240 according to the fact that the mail reception number Ci is equal to or greater than the threshold value X (step S1401: Yes), and whether there is an event P within the event management grace time. It is determined whether or not (step S1402).

  Here, when there is an event P within the event management grace period (step S1402: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1501 illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, when there is no event P within the event management grace period (step S1402: No), the information providing apparatus 101 generates an event ID of the disaster that occurred in the area Ai (step S1403).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 registers the event management information of the disaster that occurred in the area Ai in the event management table 240 (step S1404). The information providing apparatus 101 registers the area management information (attribute a) for the area Ai in the area management table 250 (step S1405), and ends the series of processes in this flowchart.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 15, first, the information providing apparatus 101 uses the event ID of the event P within the event management grace time to store the area management information (attribute a) of the area Ai that is occurring in the area management table 250 that is occurring. Registration is performed (step S1501).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 retrieves the area X where the disaster of the same event as the area Ai has occurred from the area management table 250 that is occurring (step S1502). A plurality of areas may be searched as the area X.

  Then, the information providing apparatus 101 searches the area Y having the area ID “other than area X” and the adjacent area ID “area X” from the adjacency ratio setting table 260 (step S1503). A plurality of areas may be searched as the area Y.

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 selects an unselected area Y among the searched areas Y (step S1504). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and calculates the total value of the area ID “area Y” and the adjacent area ID “area X” (step S1505).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 determines whether the calculated total value is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1 (step S1506). Here, when it is less than the target adjacent ratio R1 (step S1506: No), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1508.

  On the other hand, if it is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1 (step S1506: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 uses the event ID of the event P that has occurred in the area Ai to indicate that the area Y is occurring in the occurring area management table 250. Area management information (attribute b) is registered (step S1507).

  The information providing apparatus 101 determines whether there is an unselected area Y among the areas Y searched in step S1503 (step S1508). If there is an unselected area Y (step S1508: YES), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to step S1504.

  On the other hand, when there is no unselected area Y (step S1508: No), the information providing apparatus 101 executes a plurality of adjacent destination area target determination processes (step S1509), and ends a series of processes according to this flowchart. A specific processing procedure of the multiple adjacent destination area target determination processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  If the area Y is not searched in step S1503, the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1509.

<Multi-adjacent destination area target determination processing procedure>
Next, a specific processing procedure of the multiple adjacent destination area target determination process in step S1509 shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

  16 and 17 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the multiple adjacent destination area target determination processing. In the flowchart of FIG. 16, first, the information providing apparatus 101 searches an area Z having an attribute “a” other than the area Ai from the area management table 250 in which the disaster having the same event as the area Ai has occurred. (Step S1601).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 extracts a record for the area Ai from the adjacent information table 270 (step S1602). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 extracts a record in which the adjacent 2 or the adjacent 3 is the area Z among the extracted records (step S1603).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 selects an unselected record from the records extracted in step S1603 (step S1604). The information providing apparatus 101 determines whether the adjacent 2 of the selected record is the area Z (step S1605). Here, when it is not the area Z (step S1605: No), the information provision apparatus 101 transfers to step S1701 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the area is the area Z (step S1605: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and targets the ratio of the area ID “adjacent 1” and the adjacent area ID “area Ai”. It is determined whether or not the adjacency ratio is equal to or greater than R2 (step S1606).

  Here, if the target adjacent ratio R2 is equal to or higher than the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1606: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1608. On the other hand, when it is less than the target adjacency ratio R2 (step S1606: No), the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacency ratio setting table 260 and has the area ID “adjacent 1” and the adjacent area ID “adjacent 2”. Is greater than or equal to the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1607).

  Here, when it is less than the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1607: No), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1609. On the other hand, if the target adjacent ratio R2 is equal to or higher than the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1607: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 uses the event ID of the event P that has occurred in the area Ai to Management information (attribute c) is registered (step S1608).

  The information providing apparatus 101 determines whether there is an unselected record among the records extracted in step S1603 (step S1609). If there is an unselected record (step S1609: YES), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to step S1604.

  On the other hand, when there is no unselected record (step S1609: No), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to the step that called the multiple adjacent destination area target determination process. If no record is extracted in step S1603, the information providing apparatus 101 returns to the step that called the multiple adjacent destination area target determination process.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 17, first, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and the ratio of the area ID “adjacent 1” and the adjacent area ID “area Ai” is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. It is determined whether or not (step S1701). Here, when it is less than the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1701: No), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1703.

  On the other hand, if the target adjacency ratio R2 or more (step S1701: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 uses the event ID of the event P that has occurred in the area Ai to store the adjacent 1 occurrence area in the occurrence area management table 250. Management information (attribute c) is registered (step S1702).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and determines whether or not the ratio of the area ID “adjacent 2” and the adjacent area ID “adjacent 3” is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. (Step S1703). Here, when it is less than the target adjacent ratio R2 (step S1703: No), the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1609 illustrated in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the target adjacency ratio R2 or more (step S1703: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 uses the event ID of the event P that has occurred in the area Ai to store the adjacent 2 occurrence area in the occurrence area management table 250. Management information (attribute c) is registered (step S1704). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 proceeds to step S1609 illustrated in FIG.

  As a result, the disaster occurrence area is identified from the areas A1 to An to be managed based on the reception status of spontaneous disaster status emails from users who have experienced a direct disaster and the topographical relationship between the areas. can do.

<Neighboring information creation processing procedure>
Next, the adjacent information creation processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101 will be described. The adjacent information creation process is a process for creating the adjacent information table 270 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the adjacent information creation processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. In the flowchart of FIG. 18, first, the information providing apparatus 101 specifies the areas A1 to An to be managed from the adjacency ratio setting table 260 (step S1801).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 initializes “i” of area Ai with “i = 1” (step S1802), and selects area Ai from areas A1 to An (step S1803). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and identifies the adjacent area α of the area Ai (step S1804). A plurality of areas may be specified as the adjacent area α.

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 executes tree generation processing for generating a tree having the area Ai as a root node (step S1805). A specific processing procedure of the tree generation processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

  Then, the information providing apparatus 101 searches for a route from the root node to the leaf node on the tree having the area Ai as the root node (step S1806). Next, the information providing apparatus 101 registers an area representing each node on the searched route in the adjacent information table 270 (step S1807).

  For example, it is assumed that a route from the area A6 to the area A8 via the area A11 and the area A7 is searched on the tree having the area A6 as a root node. In this case, the information providing apparatus 101 sets the area ID “A6”, the adjacent 1 “A11”, the adjacent 2 “A7”, and the adjacent 3 “A8” in each field of the adjacent information table 270. As a result, the adjacent information 1000-1 is stored in the adjacent information table 270 as a new record.

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 increments “i” in the area Ai (step S1808), and determines whether “i” is greater than “n” (step S1809). If “i” is equal to or less than “n” (step S1809: NO), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to step S1803.

  On the other hand, when “i” becomes larger than “n” (step S1809: YES), the information providing apparatus 101 ends the series of processes according to this flowchart.

<Tree generation processing procedure>
Next, a specific processing procedure of the tree generation processing in step S1805 shown in FIG. 18 will be described.

  19 and 20 are flowcharts showing an example of a specific processing procedure of the tree generation processing. In the flowchart of FIG. 19, first, the information providing apparatus 101 determines whether there is an unselected adjacent area α that is not selected among the adjacent areas α specified in step S1804 illustrated in FIG. 18 (step S1901). ).

  If there is an unselected adjacent area α (step S1901: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 selects an unselected adjacent area α (step S1902). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 adds the selected adjacent area α as a child node of the area Ai (step S1903).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and specifies the adjacent area β of the adjacent area α (step S1904). A plurality of areas may be specified as the adjacent area β. Then, the information providing apparatus 101 excludes the area Ai from the specified adjacent area β (step S1905), and proceeds to step S2001 illustrated in FIG.

  Also, in step S1901, if there is no unselected adjacent area α (step S1901: No), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to the step that called the tree generation process.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 20, the information providing apparatus 101 first determines whether there is an unselected adjacent area β that is not selected among the adjacent areas β that excludes the area Ai in step S1905 illustrated in FIG. 19. (Step S2001).

  If there is an unselected adjacent area β (step S2001: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 selects an unselected adjacent area β (step S2002). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 adds the selected adjacent area β as a child node of the adjacent area α (step S2003).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the adjacent ratio setting table 260 and specifies the adjacent area γ of the adjacent area β (step S2004). A plurality of areas may be specified as the adjacent area γ.

  Then, the information providing apparatus 101 excludes the area Ai and the adjacent area α from the specified adjacent area γ (step S2005). Next, the information providing apparatus 101 determines whether there is an unselected adjacent area γ that is not selected among the adjacent areas γ excluding the area Ai and the adjacent area α (step S2006).

  If there is an unselected adjacent area γ (step S2006: Yes), the information providing apparatus 101 selects an unselected adjacent area γ (step S2007). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 adds the selected adjacent area γ as a child node of the adjacent area β (step S2008), and returns to step S2006.

  If there is no unselected adjacent area γ in step S2006 (step S2006: No), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to step S2001. In step S2001, if there is no unselected adjacent area β (step S2001: No), the information providing apparatus 101 returns to step S1901 shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the adjacency information for specifying the adjoining areas up to three ahead of each of the areas A1 to An can be created.

(Safety confirmation email transmission processing procedure)
Next, the safety confirmation mail transmission processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101 will be described. The safety confirmation mail transmission process is a process of transmitting a safety confirmation mail to the terminal devices 102 of users other than the user who has received the disaster status mail among the users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai.

  The safety confirmation mail transmission process is executed, for example, in response to the area Ai being specified as a disaster occurrence area. The safety confirmation mail transmission process may be executed periodically or at a date and time designated by an administrator after the area Ai is specified as a disaster occurrence area, for example.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a safety confirmation mail transmission processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 101. In the flowchart of FIG. 21, first, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the user DB 220 and identifies users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai (step S2101).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 extracts unregistered users in the mail management table 230 among the identified users (step S2102). Then, the information providing apparatus 101 refers to the user DB 220 and specifies the extracted user's mail address (step S2103).

  Next, the information providing apparatus 101 transmits a safety confirmation mail with the specified user's mail address as a destination (step S2104). The information providing apparatus 101 can create a safety confirmation mail addressed to each user using, for example, a safety confirmation mail template stored in the memory 302 or the disk 305.

  Then, the information providing apparatus 101 registers the mail management information of the user who transmitted the safety confirmation mail in the mail management table 230 (step S2105), and ends the series of processes according to this flowchart.

  Thereby, among users belonging to the disaster occurrence area Ai, the safety confirmation mail can be transmitted to the terminal device 102 of the user other than the user who has received the disaster status mail.

  As described above, according to the information providing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment, the disaster situation mail can be received from the terminal apparatus 102 of the user belonging to any one of the areas A1 to An. Then, according to the information providing apparatus 101, in response to the fact that the mail reception number Ci per mail reception unit time of the disaster situation mail received from the terminal device 102 of the user belonging to the area Ai is equal to or greater than the threshold value X, Ai can be specified as a disaster occurrence area.

  As a result, the disaster occurrence area can be specified based on the reception status of the spontaneous disaster status mail from the user (the victim) who directly experienced the disaster. For this reason, for example, it is possible to specify the disaster occurrence area without setting in advance an event that becomes a trigger when confirming the safety of the user.

  Further, according to the information providing apparatus 101, a safety confirmation mail can be transmitted to the terminal device 102 of a user other than the user who has received the disaster status mail among the users belonging to the area Ai specified as the disaster occurrence area. it can. Thereby, the safety confirmation of the user who belongs to a disaster occurrence area can be performed automatically.

  Further, according to the information providing apparatus 101, in response to the fact that the number of received emails Cj in the area Aj is equal to or greater than the threshold value X within the event management grace period after the area Ai is specified as the disaster occurrence area, the area Aj is , It can be specified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area Ai occurs. As a result, it is possible to identify a disaster range where there is a high possibility that a disaster of the same event has occurred.

  Further, according to the information providing apparatus 101, it is determined whether or not the ratio of the portion in contact with the area Ai in the vicinity of the adjacent area Ak adjacent to the area Ai specified as the disaster occurrence area is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1. be able to. Then, according to the information providing apparatus 101, if the ratio of the portion in contact with the area Ai is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1, the adjacent area Ak is specified as a disaster occurrence area in which the same event as the area Ai has occurred. be able to.

  As a result, many parts of the entire surrounding area (for example, 60% or more) are in contact with the disaster occurrence area, and areas that are highly likely to have the same event are designated as disaster occurrence areas. Can be identified. For this reason, even in an area where the number of emails received per email reception unit time does not reach the threshold value X, it can be specified as a disaster occurrence area, and a disaster range where there is a high possibility that a disaster of the same event has occurred It is possible to reduce the time required to specify In addition, even in areas where there are many users who are unable to send disaster status emails due to damage, the area can be identified as a disaster occurrence area based on the geographical relationship with the disaster occurrence area. it can.

  Moreover, according to the information providing apparatus 101, the total value of the ratios of the portions in contact with the area Aj where the disaster of the same event as the area Ai or the area Ai in the vicinity of the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1. It can be determined whether or not there is. Then, according to the information providing apparatus 101, if the total value of the ratios is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R1, the adjacent area Ak can be specified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster having the same event as the area Ai occurs. .

  As a result, for areas adjacent to multiple disaster occurrence areas, even if there are not many areas in contact with individual disaster occurrence areas, disasters of the same event can be determined based on the total value of the areas in contact with individual disaster occurrence areas. It can be determined whether or not the above has occurred.

  Further, according to the information providing apparatus 101, a portion in contact with the area Ai or the area Aj in the periphery of the candidate area Am existing between the area Ai and the area Aj where the disaster of the same event as the area Ai occurs. It is possible to determine whether or not the ratio is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2. Then, according to the information providing apparatus 101, if the ratio of the portion in contact with the area Ai or the area Aj is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2, the disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event as the area Ai occurs is selected as the candidate area Am Can be specified as

  As a result, it is sandwiched between the disaster occurrence areas, and a certain part (for example, 20% or more) of the entire surroundings is in contact with the disaster occurrence area, and the disaster of the same event may have occurred Areas with high probability can be identified as disaster occurrence areas.

  Further, according to the information providing apparatus 101, when the ratio of the portion in contact with the area Ai in the periphery of the adjacent area Ak is equal to or greater than the target adjacent ratio R2, the mail reception number Ck is equal to or greater than the threshold Y (Y <X). It can be determined whether or not. Then, according to the information providing apparatus 101, the occurrence of a disaster in which the disaster of the same event as that of the area Ai occurs in the adjacent area Ak in response to the mail reception number Ck being equal to or greater than the threshold Y (Y <X). It can be specified as an area.

  As a result, a certain part (for example, a part of 20% or more) of the entire surroundings is in contact with the disaster occurrence area, and the number of received mails per unit time of receiving mail exceeds a certain number, and is the same. An area where the event disaster is highly likely to occur can be identified as a disaster occurrence area.

  For these reasons, according to the information providing apparatus 101, when a disaster occurs, the disaster occurrence area can be quickly and accurately compared with the case where the disaster area is manually identified based on information such as the Internet, television, and radio. Can be identified. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently confirm the safety of users belonging to the disaster occurrence area, and it is possible to quickly grasp the accurate damage status of the affected area and take appropriate measures.

  The information providing method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. The information providing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The information providing program may be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The following additional notes are disclosed with respect to the embodiment described above.

(Supplementary note 1) According to the fact that the number of disaster situation mails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time has been received per unit time or more. A control unit for identifying the area as a disaster occurrence area,
An information providing apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 2) The control unit
Supplementary note 1 wherein a safety confirmation email for confirming safety is transmitted to a terminal device of a user other than the user who has received the disaster status email among the users belonging to the area identified as a disaster occurrence area The information providing apparatus according to the description.

(Appendix 3) The control unit
The number of received disaster status mails per unit time received from a terminal device of a user belonging to another area of the plurality of areas within a predetermined time after specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area is a predetermined number or more 3. The information providing apparatus according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the other area is identified as a disaster occurrence area in which a disaster having the same event as the area occurs in response to the situation.

(Appendix 4) The control unit
If the ratio of the portion in contact with the area adjacent to the area identified as the disaster occurrence area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, a disaster having the same event as the area has occurred in the adjacent area. The information providing apparatus according to attachment 3, wherein the information providing apparatus is specified as a disaster occurrence area.

(Supplementary Note 5) The control unit
When the adjacent area is adjacent to the other area identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area occurs, the area or the other area among the surroundings of the adjacent area The information according to appendix 4, wherein the adjacent area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area occurs if the total value of the ratios of the contact parts is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio Providing device.

(Appendix 6) The control unit
Of the area around the other area that exists between the area and the other area identified as the disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event occurs as the area, the area that is in contact with the area or the other area If the ratio is equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the predetermined ratio, the another area is specified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area occurs. The information providing device described in 1.

(Appendix 7) The control unit
The unit time of the disaster status mail received from the terminal device of the user belonging to the adjacent area if the ratio of the portion in contact with the area in the vicinity of the adjacent area is equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the predetermined ratio Identifying the adjacent area as a disaster occurrence area in which a disaster of the same event as the area occurs in response to the number of hits received being a second predetermined number or more smaller than the predetermined number The information providing apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 4 to 6, which is characterized.

(Appendix 8) The computer
In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, Identify as a disaster occurrence area,
An information providing method characterized by executing processing.

(Appendix 9)
In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, Identify as a disaster occurrence area,
An information providing program for executing a process.

(Appendix 10)
In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, Identify as a disaster occurrence area,
An information-providing program for executing processing is recorded on the computer-readable recording medium.

101 Information Providing Device 102 Terminal Device 200 Safety Confirmation System 201 Management Device 220 User DB
230 Mail Management Table 240 Event Management Table 250 Current Area Management Table 260 Adjacency Ratio Setting Table 270 Adjacency Information Table 1101 Receiving Unit 1102 Update Unit 1103 Judgment Unit 1104 Identification Unit 1105 Transmission Unit

Claims (11)

In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area ,
Sending a safety confirmation email for confirming safety to a terminal device of a user other than the user who received the disaster status email among the users belonging to the area identified as the disaster occurrence area;
An information providing apparatus having a control unit .   In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area,
  The number of received disaster status mails per unit time received from a terminal device of a user belonging to another area of the plurality of areas within a predetermined time after specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area is a predetermined number or more In response, the other area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area has occurred.
  An information providing apparatus having a control unit.   The controller is
  If the ratio of the portion in contact with the area adjacent to the area identified as the disaster occurrence area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, a disaster having the same event as the area has occurred in the adjacent area. 3. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information providing apparatus is specified as a disaster occurrence area.   The controller is
  The number of received disaster status mails per unit time received from a terminal device of a user belonging to another area of the plurality of areas within a predetermined time after specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area is a predetermined number or more In response to this, the other area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area has occurred,
  When the adjacent area is adjacent to the other area identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area occurs, the area or the other area among the surroundings of the adjacent area The said adjacent area is specified as a disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event as the said area has occurred, if the total value of the ratio of the part which touches is more than the said predetermined ratio. Information providing device.   The controller is
  Of the area around the other area that exists between the area and the other area identified as the disaster occurrence area where the disaster of the same event occurs as the area, the area that is in contact with the area or the other area 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein if the rate is equal to or greater than a second rate smaller than the predetermined rate, the another area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area occurs. The information providing apparatus according to the description.   The controller is
  The unit time of the disaster status mail received from the terminal device of the user belonging to the adjacent area if the ratio of the portion in contact with the area in the vicinity of the adjacent area is equal to or greater than a second ratio smaller than the predetermined ratio Identifying the adjacent area as a disaster occurrence area in which a disaster of the same event as the area occurs in response to the number of hits received being a second predetermined number or more smaller than the predetermined number The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the information providing apparatus includes:   Based on a notification of a disaster situation received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas, the area is identified as a disaster occurrence area, and among the users belonging to the identified area, the area A control unit that selects a user who has not received a notification of the disaster situation as a target for safety confirmation,
  An information providing apparatus comprising:   Computer
  In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area,
  Sending a safety confirmation email for confirming safety to a terminal device of a user other than the user who received the disaster status email among the users belonging to the area identified as the disaster occurrence area;
  An information providing method characterized by executing processing.   Computer
  In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area,
  The number of received disaster status mails per unit time received from a terminal device of a user belonging to another area of the plurality of areas within a predetermined time after specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area is a predetermined number or more In response, the other area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area has occurred.
  An information providing method characterized by executing processing.   On the computer,
  In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area,
  Sending a safety confirmation email for confirming safety to a terminal device of a user other than the user who received the disaster status email among the users belonging to the area identified as the disaster occurrence area;
  An information providing program for executing a process.   On the computer,
  In response to the fact that the number of disaster status emails received from a terminal device of a user belonging to any one of a plurality of areas per unit time is not less than a predetermined number, As a disaster occurrence area,
  The number of received disaster status mails per unit time received from a terminal device of a user belonging to another area of the plurality of areas within a predetermined time after specifying the area as a disaster occurrence area is a predetermined number or more In response, the other area is identified as a disaster occurrence area where a disaster of the same event as the area has occurred.
  An information providing program for executing a process.

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