JP7801147B2 - Map information providing device, map information providing method, map information providing program, and map information output device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a device, method, and program for providing map information via a network such as the Internet, as well as a device for receiving and outputting map information.

As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (described below), information providing devices that provide map information to client PCs (Personal Computers) via the Internet have been known for some time. The information providing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two presentation modes: normal presentation and confirmation presentation. Normal presentation is a mode in which a wide range of map information is provided under conditions such as a fee, while confirmation presentation is a mode in which a narrow range of map information is provided to the person whose map is featured so that they can confirm the featured information. Patent Document 1 explains that charges can be imposed based on factors such as the time required for viewing and the amount of data output. It is also common to set fees for each administrative boundary (administrative division) such as prefecture, city, ward, town, village, oaza, or town/district, and provide map information for a fee based on those administrative boundaries.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-99432

However, it is generally difficult for users to keep track of the time spent viewing a map, and it is also difficult for them to grasp the amount of map information data they have received, so a method of charging based on the time spent viewing or the amount of data output is difficult for users to understand. Furthermore, if charging based on the time spent viewing or the amount of data output were to be used, a charge would be incurred each time map information was viewed, which may not be reasonable for users. Furthermore, if fees are set per administrative boundary and map information is provided per administrative boundary, users must pay the fee set per administrative boundary even if the administrative boundary (administrative division) contains many areas for which map information is not referenced. In this case, charges would be incurred even for map information for areas not used, making this charging method unreasonable for users.

In light of the above, the purpose of this invention is to provide users with just the map information they need for the area they require, in a way that is reasonable and acceptable to them.

In order to solve the above problem, the map information providing device of the invention described in claim 1 comprises:
A map information providing device that provides map information to a map information output device connected via a network,
a map information storage means for storing general map information that can be provided free of charge and specific map information that can be provided for a fee, the map information being hierarchically divided so that the map is divided into a plurality of divided areas of the same area on the same level but the areas of the divided areas differ between different levels;
a designated area specifying means for specifying the divided areas included in the designated area, taking into consideration hierarchical levels, based on information indicating the outer edge of the designated area specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device from the map information output device and the map information in the map information storage means;
a designated area code assigning means for assigning a designated area code, which is identification information, to the designated area and providing the designated area code to the map information output device;
a designated area setting means for recording a divided area key, which is identification information of the divided area specified by the designated area specifying means, and the designated area code assigned to the designated area in association with each other in an area management storage means;
and specific map providing means for referencing the area management storage means based on the designated area code included in the map provision request from the map information output device and a division area key of a division area corresponding to a map of an area to be displayed specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device, and providing the specific map information of the map information storage means only for the division areas included in the designated area specified by the designated area code, among the division areas specified by the division area key from the map information output device.

This invention makes it possible to provide specific map information only for divided areas that belong to the designated area specified by the user. This prevents the provision of specific map information for areas that the user does not need, and allows the provision of specific map information in a way that is reasonable and acceptable to the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a map information providing system configured using a map information providing server device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a map information providing server device (map server) according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating quad division of a map. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the scale structure (hierarchical structure) of a quad divided region. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the size of a quad divided region at each scale. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining setting of a designated area through a map. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a process for specifying divided regions of a designated area. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating divided area keys for divided areas of a specified area. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a user-specific area management file of a map information providing server device (map server) according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a designated area and a detailed map provision area. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an area where a detailed map is displayed and an area where a detailed map is not displayed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal that is a map information output device. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) start cooperation with each other. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) cooperate to set a designated area. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) cooperate to display a detailed map.

Embodiments of the device, method, and program of this invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Example of map information provision system configuration]
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a map information providing system configured using a map information providing server device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the map information providing system according to this embodiment is configured by interconnecting a map information providing server device (hereinafter referred to as a map server) 1, a PC (Personal Computer) 4, and a mobile terminal 6 via a network 2. The mobile terminal 6 is realized as, for example, a smartphone or a tablet PC.

The network 2 is primarily the Internet, but also includes a mobile phone network, telephone network, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and other networks that connect the map server 1, network-connected devices 3 such as routers, and mobile terminals 6 to the Internet. Therefore, in Figure 1, the base station 5 is a mobile phone network base station or a wireless LAN access point.

As shown in Figure 1, PC 4 is connected to network 2 via network connection device 3, such as a router, installed on the user's side. Note that while Figure 1 shows a case where network connection device 3, such as a router, and PC 4 are connected via a wired connection, if network connection device 3 is a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router, network connection device 3 and PC 4 are connected wirelessly. Also, as shown in Figure 1, mobile terminal 6 is connected to network 2 via base station 5.

Map server 1 is an embodiment of the map information providing device of the present invention, and stores map information and provides map information in response to map requests provided via network 2 to requesters via network 2. PC 4 and mobile terminal 6 are user terminals used by users of map information, and are an embodiment of the map information output device of the present invention. PC 4 and mobile terminal 6 are capable of transmitting map requests to map server 1 via network 2, receiving map information from map server 1, displaying and presenting it to the user. In this specification, the term "user" refers to a person who receives and uses map information provided by map server 1, and is the user of the user terminal.

Users of PCs 4 and mobile devices 6 can register with the map server 1 in advance, set a designated area, and receive a specific map for that designated area, provided they are willing to pay a fee. In this embodiment, the specific map is a detailed map that includes detailed information, such as a residential map. Specifically, a detailed map, such as a residential map, includes detailed information independently collected and compiled by the operator of the map server 1, such as the building, tenant, floor number, personal name, and lot number. The designated area is an area that the map server 1 provides to the PC 4 or mobile device 6 as a general map for specifying the designated area, such as a widely available map such as a city map or road map, and the user of the PC 4 or mobile device 6 freely specifies (sets) on that general map.

Specifically, the designated area can be specified as the area inside a free-form curve entered freehand on the provided general map, or as a circular area by specifying the radius around the desired location. It is also possible to specify multiple locations (points) on the general map and designate the area inside the area connected by straight lines between adjacent locations (points). Of course, as before, the designated area can also be specified based on administrative boundaries.

Charges are determined primarily based on the area of the specified area, with location also being taken into consideration in some cases. For example, a detailed map of a downtown area with more detailed information may be more expensive, while a suburban map may be cheaper than a downtown area. Previously, detailed maps were provided on an administrative boundary basis, requiring users to pay for detailed maps of areas they did not need. However, with the map information provision system of this embodiment, users of PCs 4 and mobile terminals 6 only need to pay for the provision of detailed maps of the specified areas they truly need.

In this way, in the map information providing system of this embodiment, the map server 1 sets a designated area for each user in response to a request from the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6. The map server 1 provides a detailed map for the designated area set for each user, but does not provide a detailed map for areas outside the designated area. This allows the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 to receive, display, and use a detailed map for the designated area set by the user, and clearly indicates that a detailed map cannot be displayed for areas outside the designated area.

Note that for simplicity's sake, Figure 1 only shows a PC 4 and a mobile terminal 6 as user terminals, but in reality, many user terminals can access the map server 1 via the network 2. User terminals include a variety of terminal devices with communication functions, such as PCs, smartphones, and tablet PCs. Below, we will first explain the details of the map server 1, then provide an overview of user terminals such as the PC 4 and mobile terminal 6, and then explain the map information utilization process (including the provision process) performed by the map server 1 and user terminals in cooperation with each other.

[Configuration example of map server 1]
<Connection terminal, communication I/F, control unit, and storage device>
2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the map server 1 according to the embodiment. The connection terminal 101T constitutes a connection end to the network 2, and the communication I/F (interface) 101 realizes a communication function via the network 2. That is, the communication I/F 101 receives data sent to the map server 1 via the network 2, converts the data into data in a format that can be processed by the map server 1, and imports the data. The communication I/F 101 also converts data to be sent to a destination into transmission data and transmits the data to the destination via the network 2.

The control unit 102 is a microprocessor connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and non-volatile memory, and controls each part of the map server 1. The storage device 103 is an auxiliary storage device consisting of a storage medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) and its driver, and is capable of writing, reading, changing, and deleting data from the storage medium. In addition to storing and holding various data and programs required for processing, the storage device 103 is also used as a working area for temporarily storing intermediate results obtained during various processes.

<About the map database>
The map DB (Data Base) 104 stores and holds map information for displaying general maps such as city maps, road maps, wide-area maps, local maps, national maps, and detailed maps (residential maps). The map information for displaying city maps, road maps, wide-area maps, local maps, national maps, and detailed maps is so-called drawing data, which includes, for example, vector data, raster data, and note (annotation) data for drawing maps. Note that, hereinafter, the terms city maps, road maps, detailed maps, etc. refer to the respective types of map information, which are drawing data for displaying maps.

In addition, in this embodiment, the map information is divided into multiple divided areas of the same area on the same level, and is hierarchically divided so that the areas of the divided areas differ between different levels. In this embodiment, the map information is divided into quads.

<<Quad division of map information>>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating quad division of a map. The word "quad" means "four." Quad division of a map is a concept of dividing a map into four regions, and then further dividing each of the resulting regions into four regions, thereby repeatedly dividing the region into four regions. As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, in a map expressed using the Mercator projection, quad division is performed by dividing the map into four equal regions (2 x 2) along the Greenwich meridian Gm and the equator Eq, which is set to scale 1 (first layer). Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, each time the scale (layer) increases by 1 (the numerical value indicating the scale increases by 1), each divided region is further divided into four equal regions (2 x 2), thereby further subdividing the map.

As a result, the quad-divided map is divided into four 2x2 areas at scale 1 as shown in Figure 3(A), and into 16 4x4 areas at scale 2 as shown in Figure 3(B). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(C), it is divided into 64 8x8 areas at scale 3. In this way, by dividing the divided areas of each scale into four, the quad-divided map is subdivided in stages (hierarchically), with the area of the divided areas becoming smaller and the number of divided areas increasing as the scale (hierarchy) increases. Note that in this specification, the larger the value indicating the scale, the lower the scale (the scale with more divisions), and the smaller the value indicating the scale, the higher the scale (the scale with fewer divisions).

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the scale structure of a quad divided region. In Figure 4, the overall area of the map at each scale is shown as being different to clearly show the scale structure. However, as shown in Figure 3, in reality, the overall size of the map at each scale is the same, and the area of the divided region at each scale becomes smaller as the scale (level) increases. As described above using Figure 3 and as shown in Figure 4(A), the quad-divided scale 1 map is divided into four parts by the Greenwich meridian Gm and the equator Eq. In this case, "0," "1," "2," and "3" are assigned as divided region keys (quad keys) that serve as identification information for each divided region, in the order of bottom left → bottom right → top left → top right.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(B), the quad-divided scale 2 map is formed by further dividing each of the four divided areas in scale 1, which are assigned division area keys "0," "1," "2," and "3," into four. Focusing on the bottom left divided area with division area key "0" in scale 1, the scale 2 map is divided into four divided areas with division area keys "00," "01," "02," and "03." The divided areas with division area keys "1," "2," and "3" are also similarly divided into four and assigned division area keys in the scale 2 map.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(C), the quad-divided scale 3 map is formed by dividing each of the 16 scale 2 divided areas whose divided area keys are "00," "01," "02," "03," and "10" through "33" into four. Therefore, when focusing on the divided area whose divided area key is "13" in scale 2 (the divided area on the right side of the second row from the bottom), the divided area key is divided into four divided areas whose divided area keys are "130," "131," "132," and "133." The other divided areas in scale 2 are also divided into four in the scale 3 map, and divided area keys are assigned to them.

In this way, the first digit from the right of the division area key indicates the position of the division area among the four divided areas, and the numbers from the second digit from the right indicate the position of the division area on the higher scale. In other words, the division area key of a higher division area can be identified by omitting the lower division area keys. Therefore, the division area key can be used to accurately identify the position on the map of the division area identified by that division area key.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the size of the quad divided areas at each scale. In this embodiment, the map information stored in the map information DB 104 of the map server 1 is obtained by subdividing the divided areas in stages into 21 levels, from scale 1 to scale 21. In Figure 5, the column on the right shows the length (meters) of one side of the divided area at each scale. That is, the length of one side of the divided area at scale 1 is 20,037,500 m (meters), or 20,037.5 km (kilometers), and the length of one side of the divided area at scale 21 is 19 m.

In Figure 5, the left column shows the length of one side of the divided area at each scale, expressed as a coordinate value. In other words, based on the Mercator projection, the format is changed from a 4-byte coordinate type to one where the coordinates around 85 degrees latitude, the maximum value for Mercator projection, are handled as the maximum value of 4 bytes + 1 (4294967295 + 1). In this case, by handling it as a 4-byte integer, the coordinates will always be divisible when dividing the area based on the concept of scale. Note that the geodetic system is assumed to be the World Geodetic System.

Therefore, one side of the entire map is 4294967296 coordinates. Therefore, when the length of one side of the divided area at scale 1 is expressed in coordinate values, it is half of 4294967296 coordinates, or 2147483648 coordinates. As the scale increases, the coordinate value indicating the length of one side becomes half the length of one side of the divided area at the previous scale, so when the length of one side of the divided area at scale 21 is expressed in coordinate values, it becomes 2048 coordinates, as shown in Figure 5. In this way, the map information stored in the map information DB 104 is divided into 21 tiers, from scale 1 to scale 21, into quads, and it is possible to identify the position on the map for each divided area at each scale.

<About user registration files and user area management files>
The user registration file 105 of the map server 1 stores various information about users who have registered with the map server 1 via the user terminals 4, 6, etc. Specifically, the user registration file 105 stores information such as a user ID that identifies the user, a password, a user name, an email address, a telephone number, a postal code, an address, and a payment method. The user-specific area management file 106 stores information about the designated area set for each registered user. As will be described in more detail below, the user-specific area management file 106 stores the user ID, an area code that identifies the set designated area, and a divided area key (quad key) that identifies the divided area (quad) that belongs to the designated area.

<About the authentication processing unit and general map provision unit>
The authentication processing unit 111 registers user information in the user registration file 105 in response to a user registration request from a user terminal such as the PC 4 or the mobile terminal 6. Furthermore, the authentication processing unit 111 references the information in the user registration file 105 and performs authentication processing in response to an authentication request from the user terminal of a registered user. A user who has been authenticated through this authentication processing can use the map information provided by the map server 1 through the user terminal.

The general map providing unit 112 performs processing to provide general maps for specifying a designated area, such as map information such as city maps and road maps provided free of charge, in response to a general map request from the user terminal of a registered and authenticated user. The general map providing unit 112 provides information indicating the area to set the designated area included in the general map request, such as city maps and road maps of the area corresponding to the instruction information, such as Minato Ward, Tokyo, or Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

A user terminal such as a PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 displays the provided general map on its display, accepts input of instruction information for the designated area, and provides this information to the map server 1 along with the user ID. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the setting of a designated area through a map. In Figure 6, the map MP is provided to the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 from the map server 1 by the function of the general map provider 112 of the map server 1, and is displayed on the display of the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6. The map MP shown in Figure 6 is a simplified version that shows only a river Rv and multiple roads Rd, but in reality, the map will show river names, road names, place names, intersection names, etc.

The user of the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 performs an operation to designate a designated area Ar1 on a map displayed on the display unit of their device. As described above, the designated area can be designated as the area inside a free-form curve entered freehand using a pointing device on the provided general map, or as a circular area by specifying a radius around the desired location. It is also possible to designate an area inside a general map by designating multiple locations (points) and connecting adjacent designated locations (points) with straight lines.

In this embodiment, the designated area Ar1 indicated on the map MP is assumed to be the area inside a circle drawn freehand using a pointing device. Specifically, in this embodiment, the designated area Ar1 is designated as a circular area with a radius of approximately 3 km centered on a predetermined location. For simplicity's sake, in Figure 6, the designated area is assumed to be a circular area with a radius of approximately 3,054 m centered on a predetermined location. In this case, information indicating the positions of multiple points on the circle that indicates the outer edge of the designated area Ar1 on the map MP is provided to the map server 1 from the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 as designated area identification information. The designated area identification information also includes a user ID and password, making it possible to distinguish which user provided the information.

In this embodiment, the designated area identification information indicates the positions of each of the multiple points on the circle that marks the outer edge of the designated area Ar1, and is transmitted to the map server 1 as a collection of latitude and longitude coordinates corresponding to each point, for example, as CSV (Comma Separated Value) data. Of course, this is just one example, and it is also possible to provide the map server 1 with the X and Y coordinate values in the coordinate system of the map used that correspond to each point as information indicating the positions of each of the multiple points on the circle that marks the outer edge of the designated area Ar1.

Also, if the designated area is not specified freehand, but rather as the area inside a circle drawn by specifying the radius with the desired location as the center, the latitude and longitude indicating the center position and the radius may be transmitted to the map server 1 as designated area identification information. In this case, the X and Y coordinate values in the map coordinate system and the radius may also be transmitted to the map server 1 as designated area identification information. In short, it is sufficient to provide the map server 1 with information that can identify the outer edge of the designated area.

<Regarding the designated area identification unit, area code assignment unit, and user-specific area setting unit>
The designated area identification unit 113 performs processing to identify the designated area Ar1 as a collection of divided areas (quad areas) taking into account the scale (hierarchy) based on designated area identification information transmitted from a user terminal such as the PC 4 or the mobile terminal 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing to identify the divided areas of the designated area. The designated area identification unit 113 identifies the outer edge of the designated area based on information indicating the outer edge of the designated area included in the designated area identification information from the user terminal. Next, the designated area identification unit 113 identifies the divided areas included inside the outer edge of the designated area while taking into account the scale of the quad division.

As mentioned above, the map information stored in the map information DB 104 is divided into layers (quad divisions), so if the outer edge of the designated area Ar1 can be identified on the map, the divided areas located inside it can also be identified. As mentioned above, the radius of the circular designated area Ar1 is approximately 3000 m (3 km), so any divided area with a scale of 14 or less, with a side length of 2466 m, can be located inside the designated area Ar1. In this example, assume that the divided area with scale 14 is located in the center of the designated area Ar1, as shown in Figure 7.

As a result, as shown in Figure 7, it can be determined that the divided area of scale 15 is located outside of scale 14, and the divided area of scale 16 is located outside of the divided area of scale 15. Furthermore, the area within designated area Ar1 that is not filled by the divided areas of scales 14 to 16 is filled by the divided area of scale 17, as shown in Figure 7. In this way, in the example shown in Figure 7, the entire designated area Ar1 can be determined by the 65 divided areas of scales 14 to 17.

Next, the designated area identification unit 113 identifies the divided areas belonging to the designated area Ar1, and then identifies the divided area keys (quad keys) for all identified divided areas. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the divided area keys for the divided areas of the designated area. As explained using Figure 7, the divided areas belonging to the designated area Ar1 can be identified by scale (hierarchy). Furthermore, the map information DB 104 identifies the divided area keys assigned to each divided area by scale. Therefore, the designated area identification unit 113 identifies the divided area keys for each identified divided area belonging to the designated area Ar1, as shown in Figure 8.

As explained using Figure 4, the division area key has one digit for the division area of scale 1, two digits for the division area of scale 2, and so on, with the number of digits increasing as the scale value increases. Therefore, the division area key for the division area of scale 14 will have 14 digits, and the division area key for the division area of scale 15 will have 15 digits. Therefore, to simplify the explanation, in Figure 8, information represented by letters and numbers 0 to 3, such as A0, B0, C0, ..., is shown as the division area key assigned to each division area.

In other words, in Figure 8, of the divided area keys indicated by letters and numbers, the parts indicated by numbers 0 to 3 indicate the position of the divided area in the scale. Also, in Figure 8, of the divided area keys indicated by letters and numbers, the alphabet parts indicate the position of the divided area in scales with smaller scale values than the scale in question (higher scales). To give a specific example of the relationship between higher and lower scales in this embodiment, if the scale in question is "Scale 14," the higher scales are "Scale 1 to Scale 13," and the lower scales are "Scale 15 to Scale 21."

In this embodiment, the area code assigning unit 114 functions after the designated area identification unit 113 has identified multiple divided areas belonging to the designated area and the divided area keys of those divided areas. The area code assigning unit 114 assigns an area code to the designated area whose divided areas have been identified. This area code is identification information for uniquely identifying the designated area in which all divided areas belonging to the designated area identified in accordance with designated area identification information from a user terminal such as the PC 4 or mobile terminal 6 have been identified.

The user-specific area setting unit 115 generates user-specific area management data based on the processing results of the designated area identification unit 113 and the area code assignment unit 114, and records this in the user-specific area management file 106. Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of data (user-specific area management data) stored in the above-mentioned user-specific area management file of the map server 1. As shown in Figure 9, the user-specific area setting unit 115 generates user-specific area management data consisting of a user ID, password, area code, and division area key, and records this in the user-specific area management file 106.

In Figure 9, the user ID and password are added to the designated area identification information from the user terminal, which may be a PC 4 or a mobile terminal 6, and the area code is assigned by the area code assignment unit 114. Furthermore, the divided area key is assigned to the divided area identified by the designated area identification unit 113 that belongs to the designated area. In other words, the user-specific area management data in Figure 9 indicates that the designated area with the area code "AR0001" specified by the user with the user ID "123456" is composed of divided areas identified by the following divided area key.

As explained using Figures 7 and 8, the designated area Ar1 includes divided area A0 of scale 14, divided areas B0 to E3 of scale 15, and divided areas of scale 16 whose divided area keys are F0 to Q3. Furthermore, the designated area Ar1 includes divided areas of scale 17 whose divided area keys are R1 to γ3. In this way, the divided areas that make up the designated area Ar1 can be understood.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, some of the divided areas of scale 16 and scale 17 extend beyond the outer edges of the specified designated area Ar1. These areas can be specified using even smaller divided areas. However, the designated area Ar1 is an area that provides a detailed map, and applying even smaller divided areas may make the map difficult to read. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the designated area Ar1 is specified using four levels of divided areas, from scale 14 to scale 17, with an appropriate amount of margin.

<About the Detailed Map Provider>
The detailed map providing unit 116 refers to the data in the user-specific area management file 106 in response to a detailed map request from a user terminal such as the PC 4 or the mobile terminal 6, and performs processing to provide a detailed map in response to the detailed map request from the registered user. In this embodiment, the detailed map request from the user terminal includes a user ID, password, area code, and divided area key. Therefore, the detailed map providing unit 116 identifies the user-specific area management data registered in the user-specific area management file 106 based on the user ID, password, and area code included in the detailed map request from the user terminal.

Next, the detailed map providing unit 116 refers to the identified user-specific area management data based on the divided area key included in the detailed map provision request from the user terminal, and determines whether the divided area identified by the divided area key is a divided area within the contract range (designated area) for which a detailed map should be provided. Based on the determination result, if the divided area identified by the divided area key from the user terminal is a divided area within the contract range (designated area) for which a detailed map should be provided, the detailed map providing unit 116 provides a detailed map for that divided area to the requesting user terminal.

Furthermore, based on the result of this determination, the detailed map providing unit 116 determines that the divided area identified by the divided area key from the user terminal is a divided area outside the contracted range (outside the specified area) for which a detailed map should be provided. In this case, the error code "402" is returned to the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) response status for that divided area. As a result, on the user terminal that requested the provision of a detailed map, a detailed map is displayed for the divided area within the contracted range, and a message is displayed indicating that a detailed map cannot be displayed for the divided area outside the contracted range.

[Display example of detailed map provided by map server 1]
Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a designated area and a detailed map provision area. The designated area Ar1 specified by a user of the map information, such as a user of the PC 4 or the mobile terminal 6, is a circular area as shown in Fig. 10. In contrast, an area (detailed map provision area) ArX specified by a divided region belonging to the designated area Ar1 has a portion that extends beyond the outer edge of the circular designated area Ar1. This detailed map provision area ArX is the detailed map provision area for which a detailed map is actually provided, specified in accordance with the designated area Ar1.

This allows the area for which a detailed map is provided to have the minimum necessary margin, preventing the detailed map from becoming unnecessarily difficult to see at the outer edges of the designated area Ar1. It also ensures that the provision of a detailed map does not unnecessarily harm the interests of the provider of the detailed map.

Figure 11 is a diagram explaining the areas where a detailed map is displayed and the areas where a detailed map is not displayed. Specifically, Figure 11(A) shows only the upper portion of the map MP in Figure 10. Figure 11(B) shows an example in which a residential map of the requested area Ar1x shown in Figures 10 and 11(A) is requested and displayed on the display unit DP of a user terminal (e.g., a mobile terminal 6). As described above, the user terminal 6 provides the map server 1 with a user ID, password, area code, and segmented area key in order to display the residential map of the requested area Ar1x. In this example, as shown in Figure 11(A), the user terminal 6 transmits segmented area keys G1, G3, H0, and H2, requesting the provision of detailed maps of the four segmented areas G1, G3, H0, and H2 on scale 16.

In this case, as shown in Figure 11 (A), the divided area specified by divided area keys G1 and H0 is a divided area that makes up the specified area Ar1, so a detailed map of this portion is provided. However, the divided area specified by divided area keys G3 and H2 is not a divided area that makes up the specified area Ar1, so a detailed map of this portion is not provided, and an error status of "402" is returned in the HTTP response status for this portion.

As a result, as shown in Figure 11 (B), a detailed map of the divided areas G1 and H0 inside the detailed map provision area ArX shown by the dotted line within the requested area Ar1x shown in Figures 10 and 11 (A) is displayed on the display unit DP of the user terminal 6. However, a detailed map of the divided areas G3 and H2 outside the detailed map provision area ArX shown by the dotted line within the requested area Ar1x shown in Figures 10 and 11 (A) is not displayed on the display unit DP of the user terminal 6, and a message is displayed indicating that a detailed map is not being provided.

In this way, the user of the user terminal 6 can receive, display, and refer to detailed maps within the detailed map provision area ArX, which is identified according to the specified area Ar1 that the user has specified. However, detailed maps outside the detailed map provision area ArX cannot be received, and as shown in Figure 11 (B), the relevant area will be displayed in gray, for example, with a message indicating that the detailed map cannot be displayed. Therefore, the user of the user terminal 6 does not need to be charged more than necessary and receive a detailed map that is wider than necessary. Furthermore, the detailed map provider, who is the operator of the map server 1, does not need to provide more detailed maps than necessary.

[Configuration example of map information output device]
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a user terminal that is a map information output device. As explained using FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the user terminals are assumed to be a PC 4 and a mobile terminal 6. Generally, the PC 4 is primarily used indoors, while the mobile terminal 6 is portable and can be used outdoors. However, the configurations of the parts related to the use of map information are substantially the same in the PC 4 and the mobile terminal 6. Therefore, here, an example configuration of the parts related to the use of map information in a user terminal will be explained, mainly using the PC 4 as an example.

In FIG. 12, connection terminal 401T constitutes the connection end to network 2, and communication I/F 401 realizes communication functions via network 2. In reality, as explained using FIG. 1, it is connected to a network connection device such as a router via connection terminal 401T, and is connected to network 2 via the network connection device. Communication I/F 401 receives data sent to its own device via network 2, converts it into data in a format that can be processed by its own device, and imports it. Furthermore, communication I/F 101 converts data to be sent to the other party into data for transmission and transmits it to the other party via network 2. Note that when the user terminal is a mobile terminal 6, communication I/F 401 becomes wireless communication unit 601, and connection terminal 401T becomes wireless communication antenna 601A, similarly realizing communication functions.

The control unit 402 is a microprocessor connected to a CPU, ROM, RAM, and non-volatile memory, and controls each part of the user terminal (in this example, PC4). The storage device 403 is an auxiliary storage device consisting of a storage medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) and its driver, and is capable of writing, reading, changing, and deleting data from the storage medium. In addition to storing and holding various data and programs required for processing, the storage device 403 is also used as a working area for temporarily storing intermediate results obtained during various processes.

The operation unit 404 is a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and the like, and performs the function of accepting instruction input from the user and supplying it to the control unit 402. In cooperation with the control unit 402, the operation unit 404 accesses the map server 1 in response to the instruction input from the user, provides the necessary information to register the user, and enables the use of the map by undergoing authentication. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) required to access the map server 1 can be, for example, stored in advance in the non-volatile memory of the control unit 402.

The area designation map request unit 405 forms a general map request requesting the provision of a general map (such as a city map or road map) of the area in which the designated area is to be set, and sends this to the network 2 via the communication I/F 401 and connection terminal 401T, and transmits it to the map server 1. In this case, the area designation map request unit 405 requests the provision of a general map of the area in which the designated area is to be set, in accordance with instruction information from the user input via the operation unit 404.

As explained using Figure 6 and other figures, the area identification information providing unit 406 forms designated area identification information including information identifying the outer edge of the designated area in response to an input specifying a designated area indicated on a general map displayed on the display unit 407 (described below). The area identification information providing unit 406 sends the formed designated area identification information to the network 2 via the communication I/F 401 and connection terminal 401T, and transmits it to the map server 1.

The display unit 407 is configured using a display element such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and performs processes such as displaying and erasing display information according to the control of the control unit 402. The display unit 407 may also be provided with a touch sensor 408, and the display unit 407 and touch sensor 408 may form a touch panel. In particular, the inclusion of a touch panel is essential for mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs.

The detailed map request unit 409, in response to instruction information from the user received through the operation unit 404, forms a detailed map request including a user ID, password, area code, and one or more segment area keys, as described above. The user ID and password are information assigned when the user registers with the map server 1. Furthermore, when a designated area is set through the area identification information providing unit 406, the area code is assigned to the designated area by the map server 1 and provided to the requesting user terminal.

In addition, the general map provided to the user terminal by the map server 1 has already been divided into quads. Therefore, the user scrolls or zooms in and out of the general map displayed on the display unit 407 to display a map of the area for which a detailed map is desired on the display unit 407, and requests the provision of a detailed map of that area. In this case, the detailed map request unit 409 identifies one or more divided area keys that make up the area. The detailed map request unit 409 then forms a detailed map request including the user ID, password, area code, and the identified one or more divided area keys, and sends this to the network 2 via the communication I/F 401 and connection terminal 401T, and transmits it to the map server 1.

The detailed map display processing unit 410 works in cooperation with the control unit 402 to process and display on the display unit 407 a detailed map (detailed map drawing data) sent from the map server 1 in response to a detailed map request sent from the device itself. The map server 1 provides detailed maps for divided areas that belong to a designated area that has been specified in advance via the detailed map providing unit 116. However, the map server 1 returns the error code "402" to the HTTP response status for divided areas outside the designated area.

For this reason, the detailed map display processing unit 410 of the user terminal displays the provided map information in the divided areas that belong to the specified area specified by the user of the device, as explained using Figure 11 (B). However, for divided areas outside the specified area, error code "402" is returned, and a detailed map cannot be displayed in that divided area. Therefore, the divided area is grayed out, for example, and a message indicating the reason why a detailed map cannot be displayed is displayed.

In this way, the user terminal, which functions as a map information output device realized as a PC 4 or mobile terminal 6, realizes the function of making user registration and authentication requests to the map server 1. The user terminal can also receive a general map from the map server 1, identify a designated area on that general map, and set it on the map server 1. The user terminal can then request a detailed map from the map server 1, and display a detailed map of the designated area that was previously specified based on the map information provided by the map server 1. However, the user terminal is not provided with information for displaying a detailed map for areas outside the designated area, and cannot display a detailed map, making it possible to clearly indicate that the area is outside the designated area.

[Linkage between user terminals 4, 6 and map server 1]
Next, a process performed by the user terminals 4 and 6, which are map information output devices, in cooperation with the map server 1, which is a map information providing device, will be described with reference to a flowchart. For simplicity of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the user terminal is a PC 4.

<Processing when collaboration starts>
13 is a flowchart illustrating the process when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) start cooperation. The control unit 402 of the user terminal 4 accesses the map server 1 via the network 2 using a browser or a dedicated application for using the map server 1 in response to an instruction input received through the operation unit 404 (step S101). The control unit 102 of the map server 1 receives access from the user terminal 4 (step S201), reads an initial screen for using the map server 1 stored in the storage device 103, and provides it to the user terminal 4 (step S202). The initial screen allows the user to select executable processes such as user registration and login processing. After logging in, the user can select processes such as providing a general map, setting a designated area, and using the map.

The control unit 402 of the user terminal 4 accepts the initial screen provided by the map server 1 and displays it on the display unit 407 (step S102), and accepts selection input for the initial screen via the operation unit 404 (step S103). The user terminal 4 then forms a processing execution request for the map server 1 in response to the selection input from the user, and sends this to the map server 1 (step S104). The map server 1 receives the execution request from the user terminal 4 (step S203).

Then, the control unit 102 of the map server 1 cooperates with the user terminal 4, controls each unit, and executes the target process (step S204). Similarly, the control unit 402 of the user terminal 4 cooperates with the map server 1, controls each unit, and executes the target process (step S105).

<Designated area setting process>
Fig. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) cooperate to set a designated area. The processing in Fig. 14 is executed when, after login, the designated area setting processing is selected in the processing in step S103 shown in Fig. 13 , and the area designation map request unit 405 functions under the control of the control unit 402 to send a general map request to the map server 1. Specifically, in the processing in the flowchart in Fig. 14 , the processing on the map server 1 side is executed in step S204 in Fig. 13 , and the processing on the user terminal 4 side is executed in step S105. Specific explanations are given below.

Let's assume that the user terminal 4 selects a process to request the provision of a general map in order to set a designated area, and sends a general map request to the map server 1. In this case, the control unit 102 of the map server 1 controls the general map provider 112 to provide a general map (such as a city map or road map) of the requested area to the requesting user terminal 4 (step S211). The control unit 402 of the requesting user terminal 4 receives the general map from the map server 1 and displays it on the display unit 407 (step S111). Thereafter, the control unit 402 of the user terminal 4 accepts input of a designated area instruction via the operation unit 404, and accordingly controls the area identification information provider 406 to form designated area identification information and send it to the map server 1 (step S112).

The map server 1 receives the designated area identification information from the user terminal 4 (step S212), and in response, the control unit 102 controls the designated area identification unit 113 to perform a process to identify divided areas (step S213). As explained using Figures 7 and 8, the process of step S213 identifies the outer edge of the designated area in accordance with the information indicating the outer edge of the designated area, and identifies one or more divided areas, taking into account the scale of the quad division, so as to cover the entire inside of the designated area.

After identifying one or more divided areas, the control unit 102 of the map server 1 controls the area code assignment unit 114 to assign an area code to each user and for each specified area (step S214), and transmits this to the requesting user terminal 4 (step S214). The requesting user terminal 4 receives the area code from the map server 1, stores it in the storage device 403 (step S113), and ends the processing shown in Figure 14 (A).

Furthermore, in the map server 1, the control unit 102 controls the user-specific area setting unit 115 to form the user-specific area management data described using FIG. 9 and store it in the user-specific area management file 106 (step S215). That is, the user-specific area setting unit 115 forms user-specific area management data (FIG. 9) consisting of the user ID and password of the user of the requesting user terminal, the area code assigned in step S214, and the segment area keys of one or more segment areas identified in step S213. Thereafter, the user-specific area setting unit 115 stores the formed user-specific area management data in the user-specific area management file 106, and terminates the processing of FIG. 14 (B).

Through the process shown in Figure 14, a user can retain an area code that uniquely identifies the designated area indicated through their user terminal 4, and can request and receive a detailed map for the designated area identified by this area code. Meanwhile, the map server 1 can provide a detailed map for a registered user who has set a designated area with that designated area, provided that the user is willing to pay a fee according to the designated area, but can also control the provision of detailed maps for areas outside the designated area.

<Providing and displaying detailed maps>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the process when a map information output device (user terminal) and a map information providing device (map server) cooperate to display a detailed map. The process of FIG. 15 is executed after a designated area has already been set in the map server 1 by the process of FIG. 14. More specifically, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 is executed when a map usage process is selected in step S103 shown in FIG. 13 after logging in to the map server 1. In this case, under the control of the control unit 402, the detailed map request unit 409 functions to send a map request to the map server 1. That is, in the process of the flowchart of FIG. 15, the process on the map server 1 side is executed in step S204 of FIG. 13, and the process on the user terminal 4 side is executed in step S105, similar to the process of FIG. 14.

The map usage process is selected, and a map usage request is sent to the map server 1. In the map server 1, the control unit 102 controls, for example, the general map providing unit 112 to provide a general map (such as a city map or road map) of the requested area to the requesting user terminal 4 (step S221). The control unit 402 of the requesting user terminal 4 receives the general map from the map server 1 and displays it on the display unit 407 (step S121). The process of step S221 on the map server 1 and the process of step S121 on the user terminal are basically the same as the processes of steps S211 and S111 shown in Figure 14. The processes of steps S221 and S121 in Figure 15 are processes by which the user terminal 4 receives a map for specifying the area for which a detailed map is requested.

In the user terminal 4, the control unit 402 functions to accept operation input via the operation unit 404 to specify the area for which a detailed map is to be provided (step S122). In step S122, operations such as scrolling and zooming in and out of the displayed map are accepted, and while the map of the desired area is displayed, an instruction to display a detailed map of the displayed area can be accepted. When an instruction to display a detailed map is accepted in step S122, the control unit 402 of the user terminal 4 controls the detailed map request unit 409 to form a detailed map request and transmit it to the map server 1 (step S123).

The detailed map request includes the user ID, password, the area code of the specified area set by the user, and the division area keys of the division areas that make up the map of the area displayed on the display unit 407. As described above, the general map provided by the map server 1 is divided into quads. Therefore, the general map holds a division area key for each division area at each scale (each layer), and the detailed map request unit 409 identifies the division area key for the division area of the area for which a detailed map is desired based on the general map from the map server 1.

The map server 1 receives a detailed map request from the user terminal 4 (step S222). The control unit 102 of the map server 1 controls the detailed map providing unit 116 to determine whether the division area key included in the detailed map request is for a division area within the contract (step S223). Specifically, the detailed map providing unit 116 references the corresponding user-specific area management data in the user-specific area management file 106 based on the user ID and area code of the received detailed map request. The detailed map providing unit 116 determines whether each of the one or more division area keys included in the detailed map request is included in the area division key held by the corresponding user-specific area management data.

Based on the determination result in step S223, the detailed map providing unit 116 returns a detailed map (detailed map drawing data) for the divided areas within the contract identified by the divided area key, and returns a status of "402" for divided areas outside the contract (step S224). In other words, the map server 1 sends a detailed map to the user terminal 4 that sent the detailed map request for each divided area for which provision of a detailed map has been requested, for divided areas within the specified area, and a status of "402" for divided areas outside the specified area.

In the requesting user terminal 4, the control unit 402 receives the detailed map drawing data or status "402" provided for each divided area from the map server 1 (step S124). The control unit 402 then controls the detailed map display processing unit 410 to display detailed maps in the divided areas within the specified area on the display unit 407, and gray out the divided areas outside the specified area, as shown in FIG. 11(B) (step S125). In this embodiment, the user terminal 4 superimposes a message indicating that the area is outside the specified area on the grayed-out portion, clearly notifying the user why the detailed map is not displayed. This allows the user to take appropriate measures, such as re-setting the specified area and expanding it, if necessary.

In Figure 15, the process indicated by the dotted line can be repeatedly executed until an end operation is performed on the user terminal 4 and an end instruction is sent to the map server 1. This allows the user of the user terminal 4 to shift the area displaying the detailed map as needed, or to zoom in and out, and view a detailed map of the desired location within the specified area at the desired size.

In this way, through the processing of Figure 15, as explained using Figure 11 (B), it is possible to display detailed maps for divided areas within the specified area and gray out divided areas outside the specified area. This allows the user of the user terminal 4 to set the area they require as the specified area on the map server 1, and to be provided with detailed maps for that specified area, but not for areas outside the specified area.

[Effects of the embodiment]
As described above, the map server 1 of this embodiment can provide detailed maps only for the divided areas that belong to the designated area specified by the user. This prevents the provision of map information for areas that the user does not need, and allows the provision of map information that is reasonable and acceptable to the user. In other words, the user can receive detailed maps of the areas that he or she needs.

In addition, areas for which detailed maps are not available can be displayed in gray, for example, and a message indicating that detailed maps cannot be displayed can be displayed. This allows users to clearly identify areas for which detailed maps are not available.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the map is divided into quads to hierarchically divide the map. However, the division of the map is not limited to quad division. For example, a regional mesh can be used, in which an area is divided into meshes of approximately equal size based on latitude and longitude. Regional meshes include a primary mesh (each side is approximately 80 km long), a secondary mesh (each side is approximately 10 km long), and a tertiary mesh (each side is approximately 1 km long). Further divisions can be used as hierarchically divided map information. Alternatively, for example, the operator of the map server 1 can independently divide and hierarchically divide the map, allowing the location and size of each divided area to be identified. This can then be used as map information stored and held by the map server 1 of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the user terminals 4 and 6 were described as displaying detailed maps on their display units, but this is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied when printing out detailed maps.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the specific map information provided by the map server 1 has been described as being detailed maps, such as so-called residential maps, but it is not limited to this. Specific maps include a variety of maps with high added value, such as maps containing independently collected information, maps containing special information such as independently analyzed results, and special maps with unique display formats. This allows users to be provided with specific maps only for the areas they require. Conversely, map information providers can provide specific map information only for the designated areas specified by the user.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, a detailed map (specific map information) is displayed within the designated area indicated by the user, and areas outside the designated area are displayed in gray, but this is not limited to this. The accuracy of information may differ between inside and outside the designated area, and the information displayed may also differ. An example of the former is a detailed map including high-value-added information such as the building, tenant, floor number, personal name, and lot number displayed within the designated area, while outside the designated area only the shape of the building on the detailed map (so-called house-shaped frame) is displayed. An example of the latter is a detailed map of entrances and exits of buildings used for deliveries, parking locations by vehicle type (standard passenger car, compact passenger car, light four-wheeler, etc.), store congestion status, an indoor map (floor map), etc. displayed within the designated area, while outside the designated area a city map or road map is displayed.

In the latter example, it is not necessary to display all of the building entrance/exit information, parking locations by vehicle type, store congestion status, and indoor maps; it is of course possible to simply display one or more of these pieces of information selected by the user for the designated area. It is also possible to display congestion status and indoor maps for specified buildings within the designated area. In this way, this invention is suitable for use in a variety of cases where the user appropriately sets the designated area and outputs different or distinct information within and outside the designated area.

[others]
As can be seen from the above description of the embodiment, the function of the map information storage means of the map information providing device in the claims is realized by the map information DB 104 of the map server 1 in the embodiment. Also, the function of the designated area identification means of the map information providing device in the claims is realized by the designated area identification unit 113 of the map server 1, and the function of the designated area code assignment means of the map information providing device in the claims is realized by the area code assignment unit 114 of the map server 1. Also, the function of the designated area setting means of the map information providing device in the claims is realized by the user-specific area setting unit of the map server 1, and the function of the detailed map providing means of the map information providing device in the claims is realized by the detailed map providing unit 116 of the map server 1.

Furthermore, of the processes described using the flowcharts of Figures 13 to 15, the processes described using the flowcharts of Figures 13(B), 14(B), and 15(B) constitute one embodiment of a map information providing method according to the present invention.Furthermore, of the processes described using the flowcharts of Figures 13 to 15, the program that executes the processes described using the flowcharts of Figures 13(B), 14(B), and 15(B) constitutes one embodiment of a map information providing program according to the present invention.

The function of the area-specific information providing means of the claimed map information output device is realized by the area-specific information providing unit 406 of the user terminals 4 and 6, and the function of the detailed map requesting means of the claimed map information output device is realized by the detailed map requesting unit 409 of the user terminals 4 and 6. The function of the output processing means of the claimed map information output device is realized mainly by the display unit 407 and detailed map display processing unit 410 of the user terminals 4 and 6 working together.

1...Map information providing device (map server), 101T...Connection terminal, 101...Communication I/F, 102...Control unit, 103...Storage device, 104...Map information DB, 105...User registration file, 106...User-specific area management file, 111...Authentication processing unit, 112...General map providing unit, 113...Designated area identification unit, 114...Area code assignment unit, 115...User-specific area setting unit, 116...Detailed map providing unit, 2...Network, 3...Router or other network-connected device, 4...PC, 5...Base station, 6...Mobile terminal, 401T...Connection terminal, 401...Communication I/F, 402...Control unit, 403...Storage device, 404...Operation unit, 405...Area identification map request unit, 406...Area identification information providing unit, 407...Display unit, 408...Touch sensor, 409...Detailed map request unit, 410...Detailed map display processing unit

Claims (7)

A map information providing device that provides map information to a map information output device connected via a network,
a map information storage means for storing general map information that can be provided free of charge and specific map information that can be provided for a fee, the map information being hierarchically divided so that the map is divided into a plurality of divided areas of the same area on the same level but the areas of the divided areas differ between different levels;
a designated area specifying means for specifying the divided areas included in the designated area, taking into consideration hierarchical levels, based on information indicating the outer edge of the designated area specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device from the map information output device and the map information in the map information storage means;
a designated area code assigning means for assigning a designated area code, which is identification information, to the designated area and providing the designated area code to the map information output device;
a designated area setting means for recording a divided area key, which is identification information of the divided area specified by the designated area specifying means, and the designated area code assigned to the designated area in association with each other in an area management storage means;
and specific map providing means for referencing the area management storage means based on the designated area code included in the map provision request from the map information output device and a division area key of a division area corresponding to a map of an area to be displayed specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device, and for providing the specific map information of the map information storage means only for division areas included in the designated area specified by the designated area code, among the division areas specified by the division area key from the map information output device. 2. The map information providing device according to claim 1,
a map information providing device characterized in that the general map information and the specific map information stored in the map information storage means are hierarchically organized according to the number of divided areas by converting the Earth's surface into a plane and dividing it into four, and then repeatedly dividing each divided area into four. 2. The map information providing device according to claim 1,
the designated area specifying means specifies a plurality of divided areas by changing the hierarchy from a divided area with a large area to a divided area with a small area so as to cover the designated area and reduce the portion outside the designated area. 2. The map information providing device according to claim 1,
the specific map providing means provides an error status to a divided area that is not included in the designated area that is specified by the designated area code, among the divided areas that are specified by the divided area key from the map information output device. 1. A map information providing method used in a map information providing device that provides map information to a map information output device connected via a network, comprising:
a designated area specifying step of specifying the divided areas included in the designated area in consideration of hierarchical levels based on information indicating the outer edges of a designated area specified on a general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device from the map information output device, and map information stored in a map information storage means that stores the general map information that can be provided free of charge and specific map information that is provided for a fee, the map information being hierarchically divided into a plurality of divided areas having the same area within the same level but different areas between different levels;
a designated area code assigning step of assigning a designated area code, which is identification information, to the designated area and providing the designated area code to the map information output device;
a designated area setting step of associating a divided area key, which is identification information of the divided area specified in the designated area specifying step, with the designated area code assigned to the designated area and recording the associated divided area key in an area management storage means;
and a specific map providing step of referring to the area management storage means based on the designated area code included in the map provision request from the map information output device and a division area key of a division area corresponding to a map of an area to be displayed specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device, and providing the specific map information of the map information storage means only for the division areas included in the designated area specified by the designated area code, among the division areas specified by the division area key from the map information output device. A map information providing program executed by a computer installed in a map information providing device that provides map information to a map information output device connected via a network,
a designated area specifying step of specifying the divided areas included in the designated area in consideration of hierarchical levels based on information indicating the outer edges of a designated area specified on a general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device from the map information output device, and map information stored in a map information storage means that stores the general map information that can be provided free of charge and specific map information that is provided for a fee, the map information being hierarchically divided into a plurality of divided areas having the same area on the same level but different areas on different levels;
a designated area code assigning step of assigning a designated area code as identification information to the designated area and providing the designated area code to the map information output device;
a designated area setting step of recording in an area management storage means a divided area key, which is identification information of the divided area specified in the designated area specifying step, and the designated area code assigned to the designated area in association with each other;
and a specific map providing step of referring to the area management storage means based on the designated area code included in the map provision request from the map information output device and a division area key of a division area corresponding to a map of an area to be displayed specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device, and providing the specific map information of the map information storage means only for division areas included in the designated area specified by the designated area code, among the division areas specified by the division area key from the map information output device. A map information output device that receives map information provided from a map information providing device connected via a network and displays the map information,
The map information providing device is configured to store hierarchically divided map information in which the map information is divided into a plurality of divided areas of the same area on the same level but the areas of the divided areas differ between different levels, and the map information providing device includes: a map information storage means for storing general map information that can be provided free of charge and specific map information that is to be provided for a fee; a designated area specifying means for specifying the divided areas included in the designated area in consideration of the level, based on information indicating the outer edge of the designated area on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device and the map information in the map information storage means; a designated area code assigning means for assigning a designated area code that is identification information to the designated area and providing the designated area code to the map information output device; a designated area setting means for correlating a divided area key, which is identification information of the divided area specified by the setting means, with the designated area code assigned to the designated area, and recording the associated divided area key in an area management storage means; and a specific map providing means for referring to the area management storage means based on the designated area code included in the map provision request from the map information output device and the divided area key of the divided area corresponding to a map of the area to be displayed, which is specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device, and providing the specific map information of the map information storage means only for the divided areas included in the designated area specified by the designated area code, among the divided areas specified by the divided area key from the map information output device,
an area specification information providing means for providing the map information providing device with information indicating the outer edge of a designated area specified on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device;
a specific map request means for providing the map information providing device with a specific map request including the designated area code from the map information providing device and a division area key of a division area corresponding to a map of an area to be displayed designated on the general map provided free of charge from the map information providing device;
and an output processing means for outputting the specific map information for the divided area that has received the specific map information from the map information providing device, and for outputting a message that the specific map information cannot be displayed for the divided area that has not been provided with the specific map information.