KR20120006695A - System and method for location-based communication service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A location-based communication providing method and system thereof are provided to supply a communication service between users of the same service by using a GPS function which is embedded in a mobile terminal. CONSTITUTION: A mobile communication terminal(110) offers location information of members subscribed to a communications service. A service providing server(120) stores member information including personal information. The service providing server offers information of the members located within specific range based on the location of the mobile communication terminal. The service providing server selects the place to be recommended if the place recommendation is requested from the mobile communication terminal.

Description

System and method for location-based communication service

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing location-based communication, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing a communication service between users who have subscribed to the same service using a GPS function built in a mobile terminal.

In recent years, with the development of Internet access means using modem, cable network or leased line and the development of web services provided through the Internet, with the rapid improvement of wireless communication devices and the progress of wireless communication environment such as IMT-2000, etc. Various services are being developed and provided through wired and wireless internet networks.

Accordingly, various services implemented in a website previously served through a wired internet network can be used through a mobile communication terminal. Currently, the service through the wireless Internet network, such as the ability to send e-mail or search for news information using a mobile communication terminal, as well as the reservation of various tickets, including games and tickets, banking through their account inquiry and account transfer, Various services such as shopping, auctions, ringtones and text chats are provided.

On the other hand, as the society becomes more complex and diversified, various services such as social gatherings, clubs, and groups are arranged to arrange various meetings between people.

Recently, due to the rapid development of mobile communication, the change of information and communication environment has brought many changes in daily life. Opportunities for direct encounters between the opposite sex are decreasing as the convenience of living is improved with the development of online technology such as communication and network, and techniques to arrange the encounter between the opposite sex using the Internet are being developed one after another. It starts the service.

These existing meeting arrangement services have secured individual profiles, calculates the matching rate with the ideal type by comparing the profiles, and artificially induces the couple's meeting based on the matching rate.

However, since the reason for meeting between sexes was strictly arranged based on data, there was a problem that the high and low of each other had to be ignored. It is not possible to conclude that the relationship between the two is high only if the ideal match between each other through the same meeting arrangement service is matched. As a result, the ultimate purpose of the meeting arrangement service is to create a couple, but there is a problem in that the arrangement method that relies only on data does not give necessity, that is, inevitability, so that the probability of couple birth is not so high.

In recent years, there is a service company that arranges meetings professionally online. This means that the meeting applicant pays a large fee and registers as a member, and registers his / her history and the other party's requirements to the company by e-mail, and the company classifies the registered member's requirements and histories to the appropriate party. Provide a meeting

This has the advantage that the applicant can meet the other party according to the condition of the company and the privacy of the individual is somewhat protected, but it is a limited meeting that is time- and place-specific and formal. As a result, there is a problem in that excessive costs must be paid.

An object of the present invention is to propose a mobile communication terminal and a service providing server for providing a location-based communication service using GPS.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a method of providing member information based on a location of a mobile communication terminal in response to a request for providing member information received from a mobile communication terminal.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a method for recommending the optimal place based on the location information of the member to perform the meeting when the recommendation of the meeting place in the mobile communication terminal.

To this end, the method for providing a communication service of the present invention comprises receiving and storing member information including personal information from a member who has subscribed to the communication service, storing location information provided from the mobile communication terminal of the member, When the request for providing member information corresponding to a condition set by the mobile communication terminal is provided, providing information of a member located within a radius set based on the location of the mobile communication terminal. When requesting a place recommendation from the mobile communication terminal, And selecting a place to be recommended based on the location of the mobile communication terminal and the counterpart mobile communication terminal, and providing the selected place to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal of the counterpart member.

To this end, the communication service providing system of the present invention receives and stores a mobile communication terminal providing location information of a member who has subscribed to a communication service, member information including personal information of the member, and meets a condition set by the mobile communication terminal. When the request for providing the member information is provided, the information of the member located within a radius set based on the location of the mobile communication terminal is provided, and when a place recommendation is requested from the mobile communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal and the counterpart mobile communication terminal Selecting a place to recommend based on the location, and a service providing server for providing the selected place to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal of the other member.

The communication service according to the present invention overcomes the limitations of the communication method of the existing mobile communication terminal and provides communication and meeting between members around the mobile communication terminal by utilizing the advantages of the location-based service using GPS. This allows communication systems to increase sales through item sales and advertising. That is, it is possible to increase sales by inducing a member or merchant to use a communication service as a paid member.

1 illustrates a system for providing a location based real-time communication service according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed by a service providing server according to an exemplary embodiment.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter will be described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to easily understand and reproduce through this embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention searches for a communication target based on the current location of a user, and provides various communication methods utilizing data channels between users. In addition, the present invention provides functions such as meeting place recommendation and estimated arrival time using the GPS information of both terminals for convenience of meeting in addition to communication service.

1 illustrates a system for providing a location based real-time communication service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a location based real time communication service providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

According to FIG. 1, the location-based real-time communication service providing system includes a satellite 100 that provides GPS information, a mobile communication terminal 110, and a service providing server 120. The service providing server 120 includes a user profile database (DB) 122, a GPS information DB 124, and an information providing DB 126.

The user profile DB 122 stores personal information of members subscribed to the service providing server. Members' personal information includes personally identifiable information such as gender, age, membership purpose, and marital status. Of course, the user profile DB 122 necessarily stores essential personal information among the personal information provided by the member, and stores the non-essential personal information with the consent of the member.

The GPS information DB 124 stores current location information provided by each member. The GPS information DB 124 may update and store location information of members at a set time interval, and store member information by dividing the information by specific region if necessary.

The information provision DB 126 stores information to be provided to members. Information to be provided to the member may include traffic information and geographic information. Geographic information includes geographic information that needs to be provided to members such as restaurants, tourist attractions, gas stations and charging stations, and banks. Traffic information includes comprehensive information related to traffic, including subway lines, bus routes and current traffic conditions. Although the present invention shows a user profile DB, a GPS information DB, and an information providing DB in a separate configuration, necessary information may be stored by integrating in one DB according to the design of an operator.

If necessary, the service providing server 120 may provide advertisement information based on the location information with the consent of the mobile communication terminal (member).

GPS has been developed for military use, but recently, it has been applied to a wide range of fields such as providing simple location information, auto navigation and traffic control of air, ships and automobiles, and collision avoidance of oil tankers. In addition, GPS is used in the fields of emergency rescue, traffic information, distribution and logistics by providing location information of individuals and vehicles to police stations, hospitals, and the like through a network of mobile communication terminals.

In connection with the present invention, the mobile communication terminal 110 includes a GPS receiver therein. A detailed structure of the mobile communication terminal will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the structure of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a radio frequency (RF) unit 210, an audio processor 220, and an input unit 230. , A memory unit 240, a camera unit 250, a display unit 260, a controller 270, a GPS receiver 280, and the like.

The RF unit 210 performs a wireless communication function of the mobile terminal. The RF unit 210 forms a communication channel with a wireless network to perform voice communication and data communication. The RF unit 210 may include an RF transmitter for upconverting and amplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and downconverting a received signal. In particular, the RF unit 210 transmits and receives video data and audio data in response to a video call.

The audio processor 220 plays an audio signal or transmits an audio signal generated from a microphone (MIC, Microphone) to the controller 270. The audio processor 220 converts an audio signal into an audible sound through a speaker SPK, and outputs the audio signal such as a voice received from a microphone MIC. That is, the audio processor 220 converts the analog voice signal input from the microphone MIC into a digital voice signal, or converts the digital voice signal into an analog voice signal and outputs the analog voice signal through the speaker SPK.

The input unit 230 receives various text information, and transmits a key signal input in connection with setting various functions and function control of the mobile communication terminal 110 to the controller 260. The input unit 230 may be formed of any one or a combination of a touch pad, a keypad of a general key array, and a QWERTY keypad according to the provision form of the mobile communication terminal 110. The input unit 230 may further include function keys such as a direction key, a volume key, and a hot key set to perform a specific function. The input unit 230 inputs a command for searching for members who have subscribed to the same communication service located within a set radius. In addition, the input unit 230 inputs a search word corresponding to a specific condition in order to search for a member meeting a specific condition among members located within a set radius, and inputs information regarding an appointment place.

The storage unit 240 stores at least one application required for operating a function according to an embodiment of the present invention, user data generated by a user, data according to execution of the application, and the like. The storage unit 240 may store condition information for searching for a member corresponding to a specific condition among members located within a set radius. Of course, the storage unit 240 may store different search condition information according to the location where the mobile communication terminal is located.

The camera unit 250 converts light (light) input through the camera lens into digital data through a sensor. The sensor may include a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the like. The camera unit 250 may include a camera sensor for converting an input optical signal into an electrical signal, and a signal processor for converting an analog image signal photographed from the camera sensor into digital data. The signal processor may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP). The camera sensor and the signal processor may be integrally implemented or may be separately implemented. The camera unit 250 may be implemented in one or more according to the provision form of the mobile terminal.

The display unit 260 displays screen data generated during the execution of the application, and displays a user's key operation status and function setting information. In particular, the display unit 260 displays the stored advertising content according to the control command of the control unit 270, and displays information about the accumulated points if necessary. The display unit 260 may be implemented as a liquid crystal display (hereinafter, referred to as an LCD), and the LCD may be implemented as a touch screen method. When the LCD is implemented as a touch screen method, the LCD may be operated as an input unit.

The display unit 260 displays information to members located within a radius set based on the current location. In addition, when a specific condition is input through the input unit, the display unit 260 displays information on members corresponding to the input specific condition. The display unit 260 displays the member's information in the form of a picture (picture icon) if necessary, or lists the member information in order of priority according to the distance to the mobile communication terminal or the connection state.

The controller 270 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal and the signal flow between the blocks of the mobile terminal. The controller 260 controls signal flow between components such as the RF unit 210, the audio processor 220, the input unit 230, the memory unit 240, the camera unit 250, the display unit 260, and the like. The controller 270 may include a data processor including a codec and a modem.

The GPS receiver 60 performs a function of a global positioning system (GPS), which is a position recognition system using satellites.

In connection with the present invention, a mobile communication terminal subscribed to a service provided by a service providing server determines its location using GPS information received from a GPS receiver, and transmits the determined location information to the service providing server. Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile communication terminal will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

In step S300 the mobile communication terminal subscribes to a communication service. The mobile communication terminal provides the information required by the service providing server to subscribe to the communication service. For example, the service providing server requests the mobile communication terminal to provide necessary information such as gender and age, and the mobile communication terminal provides personal information including essential information among the information required by the service providing server to subscribe to the communication service. Provide it to the server.

In step S302, the mobile communication terminal, if necessary, provides the location information obtained by using the GPS information received from the GPS receiver to the service providing server. The mobile communication terminal provides its location information to the service providing server at a predetermined time interval or, if necessary, provides the location information to the service providing server. Of course, according to the user's setting, the mobile communication terminal may not provide its location information to the service providing server.

In step S304, the mobile communication terminal searches for a member located within a set radius using an input unit to receive a communication service. That is, the mobile communication terminal searches for a member located within a set radius from the connected service providing server.

In step S306, the mobile communication terminal inputs a specific condition to search for a member meeting the specific condition. Specific conditions may include, for example, gender, age, current connection status, and communication service subscription purpose. The mobile communication terminal inputs a specific condition and displays information from the service providing server to the members who meet the condition. When the mobile communication terminal selects a specific member among the displayed members as needed, the mobile communication terminal may display detailed information about the selected member. The mobile communication terminal may display a radius set as needed and display members on the displayed map.

In step S308, the mobile communication terminal performs a message or chat service using a specific member and a wireless channel displayed on the display unit. Of course, the mobile communication terminal can perform a message or chat service with the consent of the other member. The mobile communication terminal may be set to receive an agreement whenever the communication service related to the present invention is provided to the service providing server, or may be set to omit receiving a separate agreement. The mobile communication terminal may set an appointment place or an appointment time for offline meeting with the consent of the other party while using a message or a chat service.

In operation S310, when the mobile communication terminal sets information regarding an appointment location, the mobile communication terminal may receive time required and route information from the service providing server to the appointment location. Of course, the mobile communication terminal may be provided with the time required by the counterpart as well as the time required by the mobile communication terminal. Of course, the service providing server may provide an optimal appointment place to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal of the other member at the request of the mobile communication terminal. In general, the service providing server may recommend an appointment point corresponding to an intermediate point by using the location information of the mobile communication terminal and the location information of the mobile communication terminal of the counterpart member. When the mobile communication terminal moves to the appointment place, the service providing server updates and provides the time required to reach the appointment place of the other member in a predetermined time interval or in real time, or the time required to reach the appointment place.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation performed by a service providing server according to an exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter, an operation performed by a service providing server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

In step S400 the service providing server stores the information of the members subscribed to the communication service. To this end, the service providing server requests necessary information from a member who wants to subscribe to a communication service. For example, the service providing server requests necessary information such as gender, age, communication service subscription purpose from a member who wants to subscribe, and receives the requested information from the member.

In operation S402, the service providing server collects location information of a member who subscribes to a communication service. The service providing server is provided with location information from the mobile communication terminal at predetermined time intervals, or, if necessary, location information of the mobile communication terminal. Of course, according to the user's setting, the mobile communication terminal may not provide its location information to the service providing server.

In step S404, the service providing server provides the member information corresponding to the specific condition requested from the member. As described above, the specific condition may include, for example, gender, age, current connection state, and communication service subscription purpose. The service providing server may provide detailed information on the requested member when requested by the mobile communication terminal for information on a specific member among the provided members. The service providing server may provide the mobile communication terminal with map information corresponding to a radius set as needed, and request the mobile communication terminal to display members on the provided map.

The service providing server may vary the ranking provided to the mobile communication terminal according to the level of the member. That is, the level of the member may be determined according to the activity history of the member, whether the paid member is purchased, whether to purchase an item, and the information about the member having a high level of the determined member may be provided first. In this way, the service providing server can induce member's activity and purchase.

In step S406, the service providing server relays the communication service between the members. That is, the mobile communication terminal performs a message or a chat service using a specific member and a wireless channel displayed on the display unit. Of course, the mobile communication terminal can perform a message transmission or a chat service with the consent of the other member. If the service providing server performs a message transmission or a chat service between the members using the mobile communication terminal in this way, it may relay it. Of course, the mobile communication terminal can perform a communication service using another communication network or a communication server without relaying the service providing server.

The service providing server may be set to receive the consent of the mobile communication terminal whenever the communication service related to the present invention is provided, or may be set to omit receiving a separate consent in advance.

In operation S408, the service providing server recommends an appointment place that meets a specific condition according to the appointment place recommendation of the mobile communication terminal. In general, the service providing server may recommend an appointment point corresponding to an intermediate point by using the location information of the mobile communication terminal and the location information of the mobile communication terminal of the counterpart member. Of course, when the recommendation of the appointment place considering the specific matter is requested from the mobile communication terminal, the appointment place considering the specific matter may be recommended. For example, the service providing server may recommend an appointment place in consideration of traffic, a convenient place, and a restaurant. In addition, the service providing server may preferentially provide the mobile communication terminal with information about an affiliated store registered as a member.

In step S410, the service providing server provides the time and route information to the appointment place to the mobile communication terminal. Of course, the service providing server also provides the time required for the counterpart mobile communication terminal. When the mobile communication terminal moves to the appointment place, the service providing server updates and provides the time required to reach the appointment place of the other member in a predetermined time interval or in real time, or the time required to reach the appointment place.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention .

100: satellite 110: mobile communication terminal
120: service providing server 122: user profile DB
124: GPS information DB 126: Information providing DB

Claims (9)

In the method for providing a communication service from the service providing server to the mobile communication terminal,
Receiving and storing member information including personal information from a member subscribed to the communication service;
Storing location information provided from the mobile communication terminal of the member;
Providing information on a member located within a radius set based on the location of the mobile communication terminal when requesting to provide member information corresponding to a condition set by the mobile communication terminal;
When a place recommendation is requested from the mobile communication terminal, a place to be recommended is selected based on the positions of the mobile communication terminal and the counterpart mobile communication terminal, and the selected place is provided to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal of the counterpart member. Steps to provide a communication service characterized in that it comprises a.
The communication method of claim 1, wherein the member information determines a priority of providing information according to an activity history of the member, whether a paid member is purchased, and whether an item is purchased, and provides the information of the member having the highest priority. How we deliver the service.
The method of claim 2, wherein the providing of the member information located within the set radius comprises:
If it is requested to provide detailed information on a specific member of the provided information of the member, the communication providing method characterized in that it provides detailed information including the requested location information of the specific member.
The method of claim 3, wherein the providing of the selected place to the mobile communication terminal and the mobile communication terminal of the counterpart member comprises:
And providing time information required to move to the selected place to the mobile communication terminal.
The method of claim 4, wherein the service providing server,
And storing personal information, location information, traffic information, and geographic information of the member.
A mobile communication terminal providing location information of a member subscribed to a communication service;
Receives and stores the member information including the personal information of the member, and when the request for providing the member information that meets the set conditions from the mobile communication terminal, the information of the member located within the radius set based on the location of the mobile communication terminal If a place recommendation is requested from the mobile communication terminal, a place to be recommended is selected based on the positions of the mobile communication terminal and the counterpart mobile communication terminal, and the selected place is a mobile communication terminal of the mobile communication terminal and the counterpart member. Communication service providing system comprising a; providing a service providing server.
The method of claim 6, wherein the service providing server,
A user profile database (DB) for storing member information including personal information of the member;
A GPS information DB for updating and storing location information of the member at predetermined time intervals;
Communication service providing system, characterized in that it comprises an information providing DB for storing the personal information, location information, traffic information and geographic information of the member.
The method of claim 7, wherein the mobile communication terminal,
A GPS receiver for receiving GPS information;
And a RF unit for transmitting the GPS information received from the GPS receiver to the service providing server.
The method of claim 8, wherein the service providing server,
And determining the priority of the information providing according to the activity history of the member, whether or not the paid member is purchased, and whether the item is purchased, and provides the information of the member having the highest priority.

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