FI116553B - Guiding a mobile user to a destination - Google Patents

Description

116553

GUIDING A MOBILE USER TO A DESTINATION

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a system for the directory inquiry service according to claim 13.

Such methods and systems are used to provide route and location information services to mobile users and to guide a mobile user to a destination.

Prior art provides guidance solutions that can also be used on a mobile station. For example, Genimap Oy has a WAP browser 10 address search service (Genimap AddressFinder) that covers the whole of Finland. The service shows the location of the retrieved address on three different scale maps. The search is done by typing the street address of the item to be searched in the "" address "field, the" municipality "in the" field "field, and then starting the search. When using the service, the address applied for with the new Nokia communicator is colored on the map.

In addition, Genimap Oy has a RouteFinder driving service that can be used both as a WAP browser and as a text messaging service. The service allows the user to search in the Helsinki metropolitan area for plain language driving instructions between two street addresses. Later, the service is; · · To expand to the whole of Finland. The Genimap text message-based route service can be accessed by sending a message to 16338. The message to be sent is * »» '· *. * 20 forms: ROUTE street name number municipality, street name number municipality. For example, the texts> »* · '·· * with the message' 'ROUTE Income Road 3 Helsinki, Otakaari 1 espoo' will receive a return message of 1 I · • · 'with the multiplicity of streets to get to Otakaari 1 : C.

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Also known is the You.com service (www.sinulle.com), where you can • '·': subscribe to guide maps for a MMS-enabled terminal.

25 In addition to the services described above, including those for mobile users, car navigation systems have been known on the market »» · »* for several years. These systems commonly use map data for recording • CD-Roms at prices ranging from around € 100-200.

The car navigation systems can also give the driver spoken instructions about the 30 selected routes. Progress can be tracked on the system display using GPS positioning 116553 2. In addition to the road, the CD map can also contain items that are important to the road user, such as gas stations, hotels and parking areas.

PC users have also had a variety of CD route planners for a long time. These allow the user to plan their travel itinerary at home or at their workstation according to the 5 shortest, fastest or most cost effective options. Programs can optimize your route even when there are several places to visit under the roadway.

However, there are many shortcomings in the known solutions for advising a mobile phone user to the right address.

10 WAP browser or SMS based services suffer from poor graphics. With current WAP phones, it is not possible to present the map to the user with sufficient precision to make navigation natural and easy. On the other hand, the above-mentioned text-based driving route service provides only a list of the streets and roads that the service user should reach. As a result, the interactivity in mobile use with these current solutions remains very weak.

In addition, in most modern technology systems, the user needs to know his or her own location in order to reach his or her destination. In a user-familiar area, this is not: certainly a problem, but especially in a foreign city or abroad, your own,. Finding your location can be tricky.

·. *, 20 Also, the integration of route search services into different usage situations is still poor. If you think of a person coming to a foreign city to meet a relative, he or she will typically have to use multiple services to find out the route.

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address, she might be looking for a phone booth where she hopes to find a phone book. 25 On the other hand, he may also call the directory inquiry service. After finding out a relative • | . · *. the person in the address should find a map that will help them locate themselves and \ the place where the relative lives. The person can also use the address lookup service, but this again does not help in finding out their own location. Of course, the person can use the route route service described above, but in this case he / she must know both the street address 30 and the exact name of the place of departure as well as the street address of the relative and the exact name of the place 3 However, this does not help the person to figure out whether it is possible to walk to the destination or whether it would be best to take a taxi after all.

The problem with the more advanced services described above is their connection to the vehicle or PC hardware. Navigation is easy as long as user 5 has cars with car navigation system he knows where he is going. Similarly, if the need for your trip and the map service can be predicted in advance, the user can plan their own route on their own PC and print the route along with the paper. However, it is not always possible to use your own car and your route and additional information needs may arise quickly. For this reason, these state-of-the-art solutions serve only a small portion of the 10 potential users.

The object of the invention is to provide a guidance service for mobile users which is easy to use but still capable of responding in a versatile way to the guidance need.

The invention is based on the provision of a guidance service via a personal telephone service 15. Preferably, the guidance service is provided through a directory inquiry service. The Service receives personally a request for guidance information from a customer over a telephone connection, locates the customer, performs a search on a computer system, and sends the guidance information to the customer via a picture message, multimedia message, or. *. The telephone connection can also be used to provide information to the customer 1 * · 'i 20 if necessary.

More specifically, the method of the invention is characterized in what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1. The system according to the invention, in turn, is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 13.

The invention provides considerable advantages. Namely, the invention provides an easy-to-use and versatile guidance service for mobile users.

The invention also has a plurality of embodiments which can provide significant additional advantages.

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For example, the embodiment where the guidance service is provided in connection with the directory inquiry service has the additional advantage that the client can be provided with a variety of information services through one 4 116553 contact points and one contact. It is also possible to use the helpdesk service as an extension of the number or address information service by providing the helpdesk service as an additional service for the provision of number or address information. In some cases, such an additional service can provide significant added value to the customer over 5 numeric and address information alone. Further, from the operator's point of view, such an embodiment has the advantage that the service capacity of the traditional directory inquiry service can be significantly expanded and thus the directory inquiry service will be competitive in the future.

The invention also enables embodiments using advanced and multifunctional search interfaces, since the computer system is operated through 10 trained customer services. In addition, a client service workstation can be better and more powerful than a mobile phone user interface, which can make searching and browsing results faster than the service directly used by the consumer. In addition, in such an embodiment, the quality of the search results may be better than that of the service directly used by the consumer, 15 as the customer service expertise is at the consumer's disposal. Customer service can also correct a consumer's typos or other mistakes the consumer would make himself. So a personalized service is very flexible and you do not need to use the service ... ^ the customer's professional skills or habits in using computer interfaces.

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* · '·: In embodiments, service maps can be provided to the service user with * * ♦ 20 graphics and presentation accuracy better than many known services. The map pages provided to the user '... * are accurate enough to provide navigation

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In an application where map pages are provided in a cartoon format, the customer is * * · ': easy to navigate to a destination based on consecutive map images. In such an »» 25 embodiment, e.g., at major intersections or difficult traffic junctions * »♦, the user can be given" "close-ups" to help him stay on the right. * · *. on the route. If necessary, text mentioning 'may be included in the pictures for additional information. eg exceptional traffic arrangements along the way.

«*» • I · * * "" · "In some embodiments, the user is automatically located and his or her location 30 is displayed on a map map to be transmitted. Such an embodiment is very useful when the service user is rapidly navigating to a specific destination. if the user is in a foreign city or country, for example, it can be very difficult to visualize even directions.

Advantageous embodiments provide a highly integrated solution for 5 mobile user route search. By combining location and MMS technologies with the 118 number service, the user can be offered a comprehensive service that is very fast, hassle-free and cost-effective.

The method can also be applied in such a way that the user is charged for using the service on an event basis. A user who only needs map service 5-10 times in 10 years will certainly not find it meaningful to invest $ 100-200 on a CD-Rom, which often expires in 2-3 years. In embodiments of the method, charging can be performed very cost-effectively with a 118 telephone bill.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a numerical information service according to the invention.

.., Fig. 2 illustrates the location of a mobile station in one of the inventive • * · • ·! number information service.

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Figure 3 illustrates the transmission of a picture message in one *, .. · number information service according to the invention.

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Fig. 4 illustrates more precisely one number information service according to the invention.

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The embodiments described below are based on the so-called. For utilizing MMS technology and 118-i »: * 'number service. 118 is generally used

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personalized telephone directory inquiry services, and in particular the telephone directory inquiry service provided by Elisa Communications Group.

»» »· •, 25 In a known directory inquiry service, a customer contacts the service by calling I * · the telephone number of the directory inquiry service, for example, 118. The call is answered by a · · person who receives a telephone inquiry. The service person searches the Numbers Database and speaks the result verbally to the customer. Numeric information can also be sent via SMS (SMS), provided that the number inquiry is made using a suitable mobile station. In addition to the correspondence between a phone number and a name, address information can also be obtained from the directory inquiry service.

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) technology refers to the picture messaging functionality of modern mobile devices. MMS technology is capable of transmitting images, 5 voice and video messages on 3rd generation cellular networks. Because MMS is very well standardized and based on open interfaces, it also enables the service to be implemented on 2nd and 2.5th generation mobile networks. It is also easy to connect users and applications on the Internet.

In MMS technology, users send and receive messages using the MMS client-10 application running on their mobile terminal or computer. Each received message is initially stored in a user's "mailbox", where the user can retrieve (so-called "pull method") messages upon receipt of a notification of an incoming message. Another option is to deliver the messages to the so-called. "Push method" without user intervention. This may take into account the user's own preferences, the characteristics of the terminal 15, and the state of the radio network at that time.

The use of 118-number service technology enables e.g. efficient and high-quality management of the overall service and transaction-based charging.

»4 The MMS-enabled terminal can receive guide maps selected on the basis of a * 1 ·» f <·, 1 ·· 118 search that will guide the customer to the destination.

* 1 1, · 1. 20 Destination can be eg address of the person or company being harmed or other • 4 yrs. address or geographic destination. The user can also be guided if necessary, 4 r. how the service works, and how to browse map pages to get the most out of your navigation.

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Embodiments may also utilize modern positioning technology.

4 · '; 1 25 Positioning technology allows the original location of a service user to be determined 1 and map representations to be sent to the user can be selected to make navigation as easy as possible * · «• 4 * · · · '.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the 118 service having the ability to send guidance information via picture messages. As shown in Figure 1, the system components associated with the service 30 include a client terminal 1, a cellular network 2, and an MMS associated with the cellular network 5 and a geographic information system 6.

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The implementation of the service is also connected to the 118 number service system 3 and the customer services 4, which are connected via the terminals to the service system 3.

The method of Fig. 1 is implemented by the cooperation of the above-mentioned subsystems. According to Figure 1, when using the service, the following operations are performed: 5 101) When the service user wants to find out the route from his current location to the desired location, he dials the 118 number telephone number (118 in this example).

102) The call is connected through the cellular telephone network 2 to the 118 numbering service 3.

103) The 118 number service system 3 selects the appropriate free customer service 4 and 10 connects the call to this customer service 4. The customer submits a customer information request 4 to the customer service 4. In its simplest form, a guidance information request contains a destination address. A request for guidance information can also be made as a follow-up to another request for information, such as an address search. In this case, the customer has first inquired about the address information and after receiving the address information has taken advantage of the opportunity to order signposting maps. A request for guidance information can also be reached by first asking the customer for specific types of company and • »·: V after selecting the desired destination company to request guidance information from the company •«:.::

* · • «» * ». ** ·. 104) When, during a call, it becomes clear that the customer wishes to utilize the route guidance feature, a search is made for the location information system 6 of the mobile operator used by the customer 1.

.. 105) Unless the GIS 6 has the latest mobile location information of the mobile station 1, the GIS 6 retrieves the location information of the mobile station 1 from the cellular network 2. The location information is returned in a suitable coordinate format to the 118 number service 3.

<· * 106) When 118-Number Service 3 now knows its customer's location and desired destination, the service is able to produce a suitable series of premiere presentations that will allow the customer to arrive at the destination. A series of premieres is sent to the MMS system 5 for transmission to the client. In order to select suitable presentations, Customer Service 4 30 can also preview presentations at its own terminal and inquire from the customer via 8 116553 which type of presentation the customer would be interested in.

107) The MMS system 5 forwards a series of presentations to the cellular network 2.

108) And the mobile network 2 delivers map presentations to the client 1 supporting MMS technology 5.

As the positioning method itself, any suitable positioning method may be used in the system of the example of Figure 1. For example, various network location methods are well suited to the system, in which the mobile network 10 determines the location of the mobile station 1 based on cell IDs of the base stations serving the mobile station or calculates the location of the mobile station 1 from parameters it measures, such as propagation delay, signal strength and / or signal arrival. The advantage of the web positioning method is that the positioning method is at the operator's disposal and does not require any intervention or investment by 15 other parties. Of course, the positioning method may also be a method that requires the actions of a client terminal 1 or a subscriber module connected to the terminal (e.g., SIM card), f I The positioning method may also be a satellite positioning system, for example a GPS system.

Figure 2 illustrates one system and method for locating a mobile station *, ···, in connection with 118 service. The positioning system of Figure 2 comprises a GMLC

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element 7 (Gateway Mobile Location Center), home location 8 (HLR, Home Location: v. Register), mobile switching center / visitor location element 9 (MSC / VLR, Mobile: ""; Switching Center / Visitor Location Register) and radio network 10, via tt ': 25, the system is connected to the mobile station 11. In addition, the figure shows the SMLC, * · *. element 12 (Serving Mobile Location Center) and the associated • (mobile operator planning system 13).

·: * I The system of Fig. 2 may be used to locate a mobile station 11 of a client of a signaling service. The customer location information is provided to the 118 number service service such that the positioning application (e.g., positioning application 26 in Figure 4) 9116553 typically queries the location of a particular mobile operator's subscription through the data network. In this case, the following operations as shown in Figure 2 can be performed: 201) GMLC 7 receives a position request.

202) GMLC 7 sends a query to HLR 8. The query can be, for example, Any Time Interrogation query according to Camel Phase 1 5.

(203) A query (eg, ATI message) triggers the transmission of a PSI message (Provide Subscriber Information) 8 in the HLR to the VLR 9.

(204) Measure 204 is performed in conjunction with operation 205 (see below).

205) By means of steps 204 and 205, the VLR 9 maintains the location data of the interfaces 10 in its area. Typically, the location information in the VLR 9 is updated when a call is made, the call is received, the call is terminated, or an MMS or Short Message Service (SMS) message is sent or received.

206) Response to GMLC 7 inquiry is transmitted through HLR 8 ...

207) ... to GMLC7.

208) GMLC 7 then queries SMLC 12.

• »· * 1 · 209) The coordinates of the base stations of the radio network planning system 13 are stored in the SMLC 12.

• · • · M ♦: 210) SMLC 12 returns 7 position information to GMLC. For example, the location information may be * ... 'coordinates. For example, the coordinates may be in the form of WGS-84, which is used internationally.

• ·; ""; 211) Finally, GMLC 7 will respond to a positioning application query.

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Figure 3 illustrates delivery of picture messages, in this case MMS presentations, to the client terminal 1. In addition to the client terminal, the radio network 2a, the SMSC short message service center 2c, the MSC mobile communication center 2b, the GPRS network 2d, the WAP gateway are involved. 15, MMS relay 5b, MMS server 5a, and 116553 database 16 which is connected to MMS server 5a. The operations also involve a data network 17 to which the MMS relay 5b is connected.

In the example of Figure 3, the visual representations are transmitted to the client terminal 1 as follows: 5301) The map application used by the 118 application transmits a suitable MMS transmission over data network 17 to the MMS-Relay element 5b.

302) The MMS Relay 5b forwards the MMS transmission to the MMS Server element 5a.

303) MMS-Server 5a stores the transmission in its own database 16.

304) The MMS Relay 5b sends a notification to the client terminal 1 of the 10 MMS transmissions received. The notification is forwarded to the SMSC Short Message Service Center 2c.

305) The notification is forwarded to the MSC mobile switching center 2b.

306) The notification is forwarded to radio network 2a.

307) And finally to the terminal 1.

308) Notification in the client terminal 1 causes application 15 to be activated.

309) The application communicates over radio network 2a to receive MMS transmission.

'»J1. . 310) The connection is established in the GPRS network 2d, ...

311) ... WAP-Gateway 15 ...

• 312) ... and via the MMS Relay element 5b ...

• »*; · '20 313) ... to MMS-Server element 5a, ...

> I · *> | • ·, ···. 314) ... which retrieves 16 MMS transmissions from its database. The MMS transmission is transmitted to the client's terminal during said connection and finally the client receives the information '. MMS transmission received on the display of their terminal. In this embodiment, an MMS broadcast is typically an image file containing one or more map presentations. Of course, other pictures and text can also be added to an MMS broadcast. Images and texts may contain information to aid navigation.

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In a more advanced format, audio files or a video presentation can also be sent to the client. In an advanced embodiment, the transmitted map templates include markings such as destination or route markings. When sending multiple chart templates, you may also need to send multiple 5 MMS transmissions.

Figure 4 illustrates in more detail the operation of the 118 number service and the system components involved. These components include the client terminal 1, the mobile network 2 and the telephone network interface 18. 23 via the MMS Relay element 5a and the map database 24. In addition, the system includes a positioning application 26 which communicates with the 118 application 20 15 and which is connected via a data network 25 to the positioning system 27 of one or more mobile operators.

From the point of view of the ... 118 number service, the method of Figure 4 operates as follows: • · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · (401)

• ... 'The connection is between 2 ...

• ·:. 20 402) ... and the Interface Center 18 ...

• 12 116553 407) The 118 application 20 instructs the 118 call control system 19 to connect the call to the selected customer service 4.

408) The customer's call is connected to customer service 4 and customer service 4 can begin to advise the caller.

5 409) When during a call it becomes clear that the customer wants to receive signaling messages to his terminal 1, the customer service 4 activates 20 signaling services in 118 applications.

410) The 118 application 20 first initiates the positioning application 26 to determine the location of the terminal 1.

411) The location application 26 makes a query through the information network 25 ...

10 412) .. .customer positioning system for a customer 27.

413) The customer's mobile operator location system 27 returns location information via data network 25 ...

414) .. for positioning application 26.

415) If the received location information is not in a suitable format, the positioning application 26 15 modifies the location information to a suitable format. The location application 26 transmits the location information of the terminal 1 to the 118 application 20.

416) Application 118 now knows the customer's location. 118 application 20 launches .. ''! a map application 22 to send one or more map representations.

• ... * 417) The map application 22 typically has a specific database 24 of 20 available map representations from which map representations to be transmitted are selected. Outputs:. * Map presentations can be automatically selected, for example, by the logic contained in 118 · ··· ”20 and / or map application 22. In this case, "" "i can take advantage of the location point of the terminal 1 and the target location that the client tells the client :: server 4. In some embodiments, the automation • · 25 allows multiple map presentations to be selected and presented to the client server; In some embodiments, the client server 4 may also be provided with the ability to edit map entries to be transmitted or to annotate presentations or to record an audio file containing speech.

418) Once the correct map presentations are selected, they will be sent in MMS format via data network 23 ...

5 419) ... to the MMS Relay element 5a for transmission to the user terminal 1.

In accordance with the principles outlined above, other information about the destination or a person or company associated with the destination may also be communicated. Other information may include, for example, address information or a picture of the destination, person or business. Based on a search of 10,118, a short video presentation of the subject of the search can also be sent to the client. In this case, for example, an individual may take a short video of himself and save it in a database used by the 118 service. This video may also include an audio part, whereby the 118 customer will also hear the person's audio greeting. The video presentation or audio greeting can contain 15 precise navigation instructions or other useful information for getting to your destination.

♦ * · »·: The systems and methods described above can accomplish many. ···. useful service applications. Here are some possibilities; '. to add value to the number service.

»* · • 20 Since the delivery of MMS presentations from 118 services is more expensive than current SMS, it is ·· ** clear that the price of the directory inquiry service may become a barrier to use if. the service user (customer calling the service) must pay the price of the service • t r • · * ..! as a whole. However, in the context of the invention it is possible to divide the costs between the originator and the subject of the inquiry. In some cases, this gives 25 attractive additional benefits for all parties. An operator that provides 118 services can • · *; * 'For example, allows you to share the cost of the service between 118 reporting companies and the user. For example, if a service user searches for a route to a business' * location, the company could pay a portion of the cost of map presentations. For example, a hotel, restaurant or tourist destination could pay 50% of the cost of MMS presentations, leaving 30 users to pay 50% of the total cost of the service. For example, 118 118 14 116553 would, for example, send a monthly invoice to a company for sending MMS messages to consumers who inquire about the road. At the same time, the company would also see how well it gets visitors through 118. For another company, the stakes could be different, for example 70% for the user and 30% for the company.

5 The guidance service can also be integrated as part of a larger set of services that provide comprehensive information retrieval across multiple databases. For example, a Machine Rental Service could maintain information on its rental machines available through 118, so that the machine information, or at least some of them, would be available through 118. When a user calls 118 and asks for a rental car from customer service, 118-10 customer service is not just looking for a suitable car hire based on the business of the store, but can already ask in the telephone conversation which machine the caller is interested in. When this is found out, customer service will search based on up-to-date information from one or more appropriate rental companies. At the same time, customer service could also see shop opening hours, machine models, prices and rental terms. Within their capabilities, 15 customer services can refine the search and '' build '' the resulting MMS presentation to the caller. This presentation can describe, for example, shop opening hours, map and location of the shop, machine models of interest, prices and availability. In more advanced embodiments, customer service may agree with the caller on what to include in the MMS presentation to serve the caller * »» ·. '' *. 20 as well as possible. For example, a roadmap application could be launched at the end of such a large service call, whereby the customer would also receive MMS presentations at the end of the call to guide the user to the selected: '': machine rental company.

... Of course, the above examples can be modified in many ways. For example

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'> 25 the above hardware components can be implemented in many different ways. The hardware components may be implemented, for example, in a more distributed or centralized manner than in the examples in the figures. Instead of using MMS technology * · '; 1, it is possible to use the GPRS network and, in the future, the UMTS network for basic data transmission ..!:'. The above examples are therefore intended to illustrate the invention

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30 possible applications. The examples are not intended to limit the scope, which is intended to cover all the applications defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (14)

A method in an information service (3), where a request is received from a customer via a telephone connection in person (4), which relates to an object with a position point, characterized in that - the position of the terminal (1) used by the customer in the telephone connection, - during the telephone connection, in the information service (3), a group of map representations is selected based on the position determined for the terminal (1) and according to the customer's preferences, at least one map presentation is selected from the group of default map representations to be sent to the customer's terminal ( 1), and - and via an image message, the selected eating at least one map representation is sent to the customer's terminal (1). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that; : 15 determine the position of the terminal (1) used by the customer, the terminal is located:; (1) using a location system (27). • t • t • I Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the image message is sent in MMS form. 20 A method according to any of claims 1-3, characterized by! a t t in the information service (3) is selected during the telephone connection according to the customer's: preferences at least one map representation bottom, which is processed according to the customer's preferences, and in this way at least one picture message is formed in accordance with '. to the customer's needs, and the at least one image message formed is sent to the customer. 116553 Method according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the information service (3) is selected during the telephone connection according to the customer's preferences or at least one map representation bottom, from which a database obtains additional information, which the customer wishes, an image message according to the customer's preferences. is formed by including the collected information in the map representation bottom, and the generated at least one image message is sent to the customer. Method according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that in the method at least one map representation is chosen on the basis of the positioning point of the requesting object. Method according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that in the method at least one map representation is chosen on the basis of the positioning point of the requesting object and the position determined for the terminal (1). »·» · Method according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the party whose information in the image message is sent is charged for the transmission of the image message. Ö 20 * · Method according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that: both the recipient and the party whose information in the image message is transmitted are charged:; for sending the picture message. • I I • I »• ♦ *» nm • »116553 Method according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the method is performed in a number information service as a continuation measure on an address search. 5 11. A method according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the method is performed in the number information service as a continuation measure on a company search. Method according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized by 10 a 11 to the image message being transmitted an audio file or a video is attached. A system for a number information service (3), which system comprises means for receiving a call from a customer's mobile phone (1) and means for database searches on the basis of the call and means for obtaining the position data of the mobile phone (1),. means for determining a position point associated with the database search, means for selecting map representations based on the location data of the mobile phone (1) and, the location point associated with the database search, and means for transmitting them. ·. the selected map representations to the customer's terminal (1), characterized in that * it comprises means for performing an automatic preselection of the map representations; *; Means for presenting the map representations for a customer server for vai and means for receiving the selection of the customer server for selecting the map representations as:; '; shall be sent to the customer from the group of default map representations. I I I «* · I ·" '. System according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises'. 25 means for presenting the selected map representations to the customer server for. , processing and means for processing the map representations in accordance with an input received from the customer server.