Information notification system and method, and navigation system and method

• US 6,687,608 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Mikio, Kaku, Toshihiko, Sugimoto, Mika, Shinkai, Yasuhiro, Makishima, Sugio, Namiki, Asa, Kawaoka, Yoshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US10/025,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20020087266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 701/200, 340/990, 340/995, 340/995.1, 340/995.16, 340/995.17, 340/995.18, 340/995.23, 340/995.24, 340/996, 342/357.13, 709/203
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

Inputting a profile of a user; detecting a current position of the user; previously recording service information on shops or the like in a recording device associated with the current position of the user and the profile of the user; and retrieving and selecting the service information on the shops or the like recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the detected current position of the user to notify the user permit providing appropriate service information required by the user to the user by a push type information notification system. There are also provided a storing device which previously stores destination information matching a date, a time period, a cost, number of persons, a purpose or the like in action, associated with user information on an age, a sex or a preference of the user; an input device through which the user inputs his profile such as the preference; a processing device which selects a destination or action information on an action order or the like associated with the profile from the destination information stored in the storing device according to a predetermined algorithm; and a notifying device (display device) which notifies the user of the selected action information, thereby permitting successively notifying the user of destinations and action instructions.

Claims

1. An information notification system which notifies a user of service information according to a current position of the user and profile information of the user, the information notification system comprising:

a first input device through which the user inputs the profile information of the user;

a position detecting device which detects a current position of the user;

a recording device which previously records the service information associated with the current position of the user and the profile information of the user;

a retrieving device which retrieves and selects the service information recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile information and the detected current position of the user; and

a display device which displays the selected service information to notify the user.

2. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein:

the recording device records the service information at one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and

the retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service information.

3. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.

4. The information notification system according to claim 3, wherein:

the recording device records the service information at one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and

the retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service information.

5. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein:

the first input device and the display device are provided in a portable terminal having a first communication device;

the recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

6. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the service information includes at least information on a shop.

7. The information notification system according to claim 6, further comprising:

a second input device through which an owner of the shop inputs the service information,

wherein the recording device records the service information inputted through the second input device.

8. The information notification system according to claim 7, wherein:

the first input device and the display device are provided in a portable terminal having a first communication device;

the recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server having a second communication device;

the second input device is provided in a terminal having a third communication device;

the server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices; and

the server and the terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the second and third communication devices.

9. The information notification system according to claim 8, wherein the position detecting device is provided in the portable terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the portable terminal according to positional information transmitted from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

10. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the position detecting device is provided in a portable terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the portable terminal according to positional information transmitted from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

11. An information notification system which notifies a user of service information according to a current position of the user and profile information of the user, comprising:

a first input device through which the user inputs the profile information of the user, and one of a notification time of the service information and a notification time interval of the service information;

a position detecting device which detects the current position of the user;

a recording device which previously records the service information associated with the current position of the user and the profile information of the user;

a retrieving device which retrieves and selects the service information recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the detected current position of the user; and

a display device which displays the selected service information to notify the user at the inputted one of the notification time and the notification time interval.

12. The information notification system according to claim 11, wherein:

the recording device records the service information at one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and

the retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service information.

13. The information notification system according to claim 11, wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.

14. The information notification system according to claim 13, wherein:

the recording device records the service information at one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and

the retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service information.

15. The information notification system according to claim 11, wherein:

the first input device and the display device are provided in a portable terminal having a first communication device;

the recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

16. The information notification system according to claim 11, wherein the service information includes at least information on a shop.

17. The information notification system according to claim 16, further comprising:

a second input device through which an owner of the shop inputs the service information,

wherein the recording device records the service information inputted through the second input device.

18. The information notification system according to claim 17, wherein:

the first input device and the display device are provided in a portable terminal having a first communication device;

the recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server having a second communication device;

the second input device is provided in a terminal having a third communication device;

the server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices; and

the server and the terminal transmit and receive information to and from each other through the second and third communication devices.

19. The information notification system according to claim 18, wherein the position detecting device is provided in the portable terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the portable terminal according to positional information transmitted from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

20. The information notification system according to claim 11, wherein the position detecting device is provided in a portable terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the portable terminal according to positional information transmitted from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.

21. An information notification method of notifying a user of service information according to a current position of the user and profile information of the user, the method comprising:

inputting the profile information of the user;

detecting the current position of the user;

previously recording the service information in a recording device associated with the current position of the user and the profile information;

retrieving and selecting the service information recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile information and the detected current position of the user; and

displaying the selected service information to notify the user.

22. The information notification method according to claim 21, wherein the service information includes at least information on a shop.

23. The information notification method according to claim 21, wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.

24. The information notification method according to claim 23, wherein the service information includes at least information on a shop.

25. A navigation system comprising:

a storing device which previously stores destination information matching situational information in action by the user, associated with profile information of the user;

an input device through which the user inputs the profile information of the user;

a processing device which selects action information associated with the inputted profile information from the destination information stored in the storing device according to a predetermined algorithm; and

a notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action information.

26. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the situational information includes at least one of a date, a time period, a cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation information, a purpose in action by the user.

27. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one of an age, a sex and a preference of the user.

28. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the action information includes at least one of a destination and an action order.

29. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the processing device selects a destination from a plurality of destinations in accordance with an amount of use fee for notification paid by each of the plurality of destinations.

30. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the destination information comprises environmental information including at least one of transportation information of a route of the action by the user, and weather information of the route of the action by the user.

31. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein:

the storing device and the processing device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

32. The navigation system according to claim 31, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

33. The navigation system according to claim 32, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

34. The navigation system according to claim 31, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

35. The navigation system according to claim 34, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

36. The navigation system according to claim 25, further comprising:

a receiving device which receives, from the destination, user information suitable for the user to use the destination, and the destination information matching the situational information in use associated with the user information,

wherein the storing device stores the received destination information.

37. The navigation system according to claim 36, wherein:

the storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

38. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein the server comprise a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

39. The navigation system according to claim 38, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

40. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

41. The navigation system according to claim 40, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

42. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

43. The navigation system according to claim 36, wherein the user information includes at least one of an age, a sex, a preference, a purpose suitable for the user to use the destination.

44. The navigation system according to claim 43, wherein:

the storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

45. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

46. The navigation system according to claim 45, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

47. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

48. The navigation system according to claim 47, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

49. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

50. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

51. A navigation system comprising:

a storing device which previously stores destination information matching situational information in action by the user, associated with purpose information on a purpose of action by the user;

an input device through which the user inputs the purpose information of the action;

a processing device which selects action information associated with the inputted purpose information from the destination information stored in the storing device according to a predetermined algorithm; and

a notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action information.

52. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the situational information includes at least one of a date, a time period, a cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation information in action by the user.

53. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one of an age, a sex and a preference of the user.

54. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the action information includes at least one of a destination and an action order.

55. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the processing device selects a destination from a plurality of destinations in accordance with an amount of use fee for notification paid by each of the plurality of destinations.

56. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the destination information comprises environmental information including at least one of transportation information of a route of the action by the user, and weather information of the route of the action by the user.

57. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein:

the storing device and the processing device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

58. The navigation system according to claim 57, wherein the server comprise a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

59. The navigation system according to claim 58, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

60. The navigation system according to claim 57, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

61. The navigation system according to claim 60, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

62. The navigation system according to claim 51, further comprising:

a receiving device which receives, from the destination, user information suitable for the user to use the destination, and the destination information matching the situational information in use associated with the user information,

wherein the storing device stores the received destination information.

63. The navigation system according to claim 62, wherein:

the storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

64. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

65. The navigation system according to claim 64, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

66. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

67. The navigation system according to claim 66, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

68. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

69. The navigation system according to claim 62, wherein the user information includes at least one of an age, a sex, a preference, a purpose suitable for the user to use the destination.

70. The navigation system according to claim 69, wherein:

the storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are provided in a server having a first communication device;

the input device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a second communication device; and

the server and the portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each other through the first and second communication devices.

71. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the portable terminal.

72. The navigation system according to claim 71, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

73. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein the server comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains positional information of the user from the destination.

74. The navigation system according to claim 73, wherein the processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the user is in a destination different from the action information notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a new destination and new action information according to a predetermined algorithm.

75. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

76. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein:

the situational information includes evaluation information of the destination;

the input device has a function through which the user inputs impressions on the used destination; and

the storing device renews the evaluation information according to the inputted impression information.

77. A navigation method for guiding a user in accordance with a course provided by a service server with information being exchanged between a portable terminal of the user and the service server, said method comprising:

transmitting a course menu from the service server to the portable terminal of the user;

selecting by the user a desired course from the course menu and transmitting course selection information from the portable terminal to the service server;

selecting by the service a course in accordance with a predetermined algorithm according to at least the course selection information; and

guiding the user to the destination included in the selected courses,

wherein said course menu comprises at least one of;

a course which is designated by a purpose comprising at least one of eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing; and

a course which is designated by a budget pertaining to a route taken in accordance with an instruction of said service server.

78. The navigation method according to claim 77, wherein:

positional information of the user is obtained in the course selection; and

a course which includes at least one destination associated with the obtained positional information of the user is selected.