Information providing system, information providing method, and computer program

• US 20040215727A1
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yoshida, Jun, Koike, Yoichiro, Sasagawa, Ken, Takikawa, Yoshinaga
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail

Abstract

A mail address of an automobile is obtained. The automobile is anthropomorphized as a friend of a driver by an AI function. The anthropomorphized automobile transmits a mail to the driver. Various types of information are automatically collected during driving of the automobile. With the collected information, a drive diary is generated. The drive diary is processed on a Web. An original homepage is generated with the processed drive diary. There is provided an service in which the automobile and a home, office or the like of the driver is connected through the homepage for user'"'"'s enjoyment.

Claims

1. An information providing system for providing information to a user, comprising:

means for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

an information generating database having information to be used as templates and an information generating rule;

operation means for generating information to be provided in accordance with the information generating rule; and

output means for outputting the information to be provided, which is generated by the operation means,

wherein the operation means

generates the information to be provided by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the template information based on the information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

outputs the generated information to be provided to the output means.

2. A text information providing system for providing information to a user via an electric mail, the system comprising:

means for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

operation means for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

electronic mail transmitting means for transmitting an electric mail having the text information generated by the operation means to a predetermined mail address through a network,

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined so as to correspond to the user.

3. The text information providing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

input means for inputting a mail address as a destination of an mail; and

a mail address storage memory for storing the inputted mail address;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a mail address that is stored in the mail address storage memory.

4. The text information providing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

means for inputting user attribute information;

a user attribute information storing memory for storing the inputted user attribute information; and

read out means for reading out user attribute information from the user attribute information storing memory;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the user attribute information read out from the user attribute information storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

5. The text information providing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

means for inputting a keyword for a current news information retrieval;

a current news information retrieval keyword storing memory for storing the inputted current news information retrieval keyword;

read out means for reading out the current news information retrieval keyword from the current news information retrieval keyword storing memory; and

means for obtaining current news information, at a predetermined timing, using the current news information retrieval keyword that is read out by the read out means;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the obtained current news information, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

6. The text information providing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a storing memory for storing current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the position information read out from the storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

7. The text information providing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first storing memory for storing a current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

means for inputting predetermined position information; and

a second storing memory for storing the position information inputted;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the position information read out from the first storing memory, the position information read out from the second storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting means transmit the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

8. An information providing system for providing information to a user on a predetermined information retrieval space, comprising:

means for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

operation means for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

means for publishing the text information, which is generated by the operation means, at a predetermined address on the information retrieval space through a network;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the information publishing means publish the generated text information at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

9. The text information providing system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a storing memory for storing a current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the position information read out from the storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the information publishing means publish the generated text information at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

10. The text information providing system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a first storing memory for storing a current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

means for inputting predetermined position information; and

a second storing memory for storing the position information inputted;

wherein the operation means generates the text information by using the position information read out from the first storing memory, the position information read out from the second storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the information publishing means publish the generated text information at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

11. The text information providing system according to claim 8, further comprising:

a text and picture information generating database having a text and picture information generating rule for combining text information and picture information so as to generate homepage picture information;

means for capturing a picture at a predetermined timing; and

a storing memory for storing the captured picture;

wherein the operation means generates the homepage picture information by using the picture information read out from the storing memory, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text and picture information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the information publishing means publish the generated homepage picture information at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

12. An information providing method for providing information to a user, the method comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having information to be used as templates and an information generating rule;

an operation step for generating information to be provided in accordance with the information generating rule; and

an information output step for outputting the information to be provided, which is generated by the operation step,

wherein, in the operation step, the information to be provided is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the template information based on the information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and the generated information to be provided is outputted by the information output step.

13. A text information providing method for providing information to a user via an electric mail, the method comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

an operation step for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

an electronic mail transmitting step for transmitting an electric mail having the text information generated in the operation step to a predetermined mail address through a network,

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined so as to correspond to the user.

14. The text information providing method according to claim 13, further comprising:

a step for inputting user attribute information;

a user attribute information storing step for storing the inputted user attribute information; and

a readout step for reading out user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storing step;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting step transmits the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

15. The text information providing method according to claim 13, further comprising:

a step for inputting a keyword for a current news information retrieval;

a current news information retrieval keyword storing step for storing the inputted current news information retrieval keyword;

a read out step for reading out the current news information retrieval keyword stored in the current news information retrieval keyword storing step; and

a step for obtaining current news information, at a predetermined timing, using the current news information retrieval keyword that is read out by the read out step;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the obtained current news information, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

16. The text information providing method according to claim 13, further comprising:

a storing step for storing current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the position information stored in the storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

17. An information providing method for providing information to a user on a predetermined information retrieval space, comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

an operation step for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

a step for publishing the text information, which is generated by the operation means, at a predetermined address on the information retrieval space through a network;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the information publishing step, the generated text information is published at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

18. The text information providing method according to claim 17, further comprising:

a step for providing a text and picture information generating database having a text and picture information generating rule for combining text information and picture information so as to generate homepage picture information;

a step for capturing a picture at a predetermined timing; and

a storing step for storing the captured picture;

wherein, in the operation step, the homepage picture information is generated by using the picture information stored in the storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text and picture information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the information publishing step, the generated homepage picture information is published at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

19. An computer readable program for causing a computer system to execute processing for allowing a vehicle to provide information to a user, comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having information to be used as templates and an information generating rule;

an operation step for generating information to be provided in accordance with the information generating rule; and

an information output step for outputting the information to be provided, which is generated by the operation step,

wherein, in the operation step, the information to be provided is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the template information based on the information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and the generated information to be provided is outputted by the information output step.

20. An computer readable program for causing a computer system to execute processing for providing information to a user using an electric mail, comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

an operation step for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

an electronic mail transmitting step for transmitting an electric mail having the text information generated in the operation step to a predetermined mail address through a network,

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined so as to correspond to the user.

21. The computer program according to claim 20, further comprising:

a step for inputting user attribute information;

a user attribute information storing step for storing the inputted user attribute information; and

a readout step for reading out user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storing step;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the user attribute information stored in the user attribute information storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

the electronic mail transmitting step transmits the generated text information to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

22. A computer program according to claim 20, further comprising:

a step for inputting a keyword for a current news information retrieval;

a current news information retrieval keyword storing step for storing the inputted current news. information retrieval keyword;

a read out step for reading out the current news information retrieval keyword stored in the current news information retrieval keyword storing step; and

a step for obtaining current news information, at a predetermined timing, using the current news information retrieval keyword that is read out by the read out step;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the obtained current news information, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

23. The computer program according to claim 20, further comprising:

a storing step for storing current position information of the vehicle received from a vehicle position display device at least at a predetermined timing;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the position information stored in the storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the electronic mail transmitting step, the generated text information is transmitted to a destination mail address that is predetermined in a form of an electronic mail.

24. An computer readable program for causing a computer system to execute processing for providing information to a user on a predetermined information retrieval space, comprising:

a step for obtaining information regarding a vehicle and its driving from the vehicle;

a step for providing an information generating database having text information to be used as templates and a text information generating rule;

an operation step for generating text information in accordance with the text information generating rule; and

a step for publishing the text information, which is generated by the operation means, at a predetermined address on the information retrieval space through a network;

wherein, in the operation step, the text information is generated by using the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the information publishing step, the generated text information is published at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.

25. A computer program according to claim 24, further comprising:

a step for providing a text and picture information generating database having a text and picture information generating rule for combining text information and picture information so as to generate homepage picture information;

a step for capturing a picture at a predetermined timing; and

a storing step for storing the captured picture;

wherein, in the operation step, the homepage picture information is generated by using the picture information stored in the storing step, the information regarding a vehicle and its driving and the text information to be used as templates in accordance with the text and picture information generating rule at a predetermined timing, and

in the information publishing step, the generated homepage picture information is published at the predetermined address on the information retrieval space.