JP2001223712A - Information providing method, radio network system, radio terminal, radio server, information server, and electronic coupon distributing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information retrieval service system which can surely provide a radio terminal user of a wide-area radio network with information regarding the area in which the user is present and information regarding stores, etc., positioned nearby it. SOLUTION: A portable terminal 20 of the user is equipped with interfaces for both a radio LAN 20 like Bluetooth and a wide-area radio network 10 like a portable telephone network. The radio LAN 20 is used to receive position information A assigned to a radio server 300 that a store side provides from the radio server 300 and start the area information retrieval service of an area server 100 in the wide-area radio network 10 according to the position information A. As area information retrieval results, advertisement information that the store side having provided the position information A is transmitted together with information that the user requests and those pieces of information are surely displayed on the display screen 2011 of the portable terminal 200.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information retrieval service system for providing a radio terminal user with information relating to a region where the radio terminal is located, an information server thereof, a radio terminal and a radio server, and the information retrieval service. The present invention relates to an electronic coupon distribution method for distributing an electronic coupon to a wireless terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent spread of mobile phones and PHSs (hereinafter, also referred to as mobile phones), an environment in which an individual always carries a communication terminal and goes out is being created. As services such as mobile phones, various information search services and information providing services such as i-mode have been provided. In addition, with the recent growth of display technology, the display screen attached to a communication terminal such as a mobile phone possessed by an individual has become higher definition, and a considerable amount of information can be displayed on the communication terminal.

[0003] With such an environment being prepared, the provision of more advanced services is currently being sought. For example, since PHS base stations are installed at a considerable density, a location identification service based on information on which base station each user's PHS terminal is currently connected to, and an original PHS terminal It has a GPS function in addition to the PHS function, obtains your location information and map information from GPS, and based on that information, information on the nearest service via PHS (for example, information on convenience stores and public facilities etc.) ) That provide search services.

On the other hand, recent wireless networks (wireless L
AN) has also attracted attention. Already IEEE8
Many wireless LAN products based on 02.11 have appeared,
Recently, in industry groups such as Bluetooth,
Wireless LAN standards that can be further reduced in price are being created. In the near future, it is expected that low-cost wireless LAN modules such as Bluetooth will be installed by default in portable terminals and personal computer software. With the spread of mobile phones and PHS and the emergence of wireless LANs that can be provided at such low prices, it can be said that a new service provision framework is being completed.

[0005]

Various services as described above have begun to be provided along with the development of such a wireless environment. However, it is still said that the user's satisfaction is still provided. I can't say it.

For example, most people use portable terminals and PHS
However, an environment for providing desired information to a portable terminal such as a convenience store has not yet been provided, although an environment has been established.

[0007] Further, even if a store or the like subscribes to an information search service in a specific area and wishes to provide advertisement information of the store to a user having a widely used portable terminal, the information search can be performed. There is no guarantee that the user can reliably see desired advertisement information as a result of the user executing the service.

In a network environment such as a portable telephone system having a wide coverage area by one base station, it is possible to provide information on stores and the like in units of the entire coverage area of the base station connected by the user. However, it has not been possible for the user to search for and provide information about the area where the user is currently located.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and can provide a wireless terminal user of a wide area wireless network with information on an area where the wireless terminal user is located, and a store located near the wireless terminal user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information search service system and its wireless terminal, wireless server, and information server which can surely provide information on the information.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic coupon distribution method for distributing an electronic coupon to a wireless terminal using the information search service.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention (claim 1) provides:
An information server (for example, a regional information server) for providing a regional information search service, comprising first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network (for example, a mobile phone system); A second wireless communication within a narrow range (for example, using an Ad-Hoc wireless network such as Bluetooth);
Wireless terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) using the interface means of the information server and utilizing the local information search service of the information server
And a wireless server (for example, a store server) that includes the first interface means and the second interface means and is provided to present desired advertisement information to a wireless terminal user located nearby. An information providing method in a network system, wherein the information server stores identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server and advertisement information related to the wireless server in association with each other, and stores the first information from the information server. Notifying the wireless server of the identification information for the wireless server via the interface means, the wireless server, the identification information for the server itself notified from the information server, via the second interface means The wireless terminal transmitting the identification information to the wireless terminal through the second interface means. Transmitting a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server via the first interface means, and receiving the regional information search request including the identification information via the first interface means. The information server transmits a search result for area information related to an area specified based on the identification information and the advertisement information corresponding to the identification information to the wireless terminal via the first interface means. The information server that receives the search result and the advertisement information via the first interface unit displays the search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form.

[0012] The advertisement information is not limited to a commercial advertisement, and any type of information can be handled (it can be limited to a commercial advertisement). The wireless server can be installed, for example, in a store or various other facilities.

The present invention (Claim 2) provides an information server (for example, an information server (for example, a mobile telephone system) for providing a local information search service, comprising first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network (for example, a portable telephone system). , Regional information server)
And the first interface means and (eg, Bl
a wireless terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) including second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range (by an Ad-Hoc wireless network such as Bluetooth) and using a local information search service of the information server; A wireless network system comprising the first interface means and the second interface means, and a wireless server (for example, a store server) installed for presenting desired advertisement information to a wireless terminal user located nearby The information providing method according to the above, from the information server to the wireless server via the first interface means,
Notifying the wireless server or identification information for uniquely identifying the area to which the wireless server belongs, the wireless server receiving the identification information stores the identification information and advertisement information to be provided by the server, The server transmits the identification information and the advertisement information for the own server notified from the information server to the wireless terminal via the second interface means, and transmits the identification information via the second interface means. And the wireless terminal having received the advertisement information transmits a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server via the first interface means, and transmits the identification information via the first interface means. The information server that has received the local information search request including information includes local information related to a region specified based on the identification information. The information server that transmits the search result to the wireless terminal via the first interface means and receives the search result from the information server via the first interface means, The advertisement information received from the wireless server is displayed in a predetermined display form.

Further, the present invention (claim 3) provides an information server (for example, a regional information server) for providing a local information search service via a wide area wireless network (for example, a mobile phone system), and a local area for the information server. A wireless network system including a wireless terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) that uses an information search service and a wireless server (for example, a store server) installed to present desired advertisement information to wireless terminal users located nearby The information server associates first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server, and advertisement information related to the wireless server. A first storage unit for storing the area information database using the server installation area specified based on the identification information as one search key. Storage means, notification means for notifying the wireless server of the identification information to the wireless server via the first interface means, and the identification information from the wireless terminal via the first interface means. First receiving means for receiving a regional information search request including information, and at least one search key identifying a server installation area specified based on the identification information when the local information search request including the identification information is received; A search result for the local information database, and search means for respectively obtaining the advertisement information stored in correspondence with the identification information; and the search result and the advertisement information obtained by the search means, First transmission means for transmitting to the wireless terminal via one interface means, wherein the wireless server is configured to A first interface means for performing radio communication via the network, a second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range, via the first interface means from the information server,
A second receiving unit that receives the identification information for the server, a third storage unit that stores the received identification information, and the identification information that is stored in the third storage unit. And a second transmitting means for transmitting to the wireless terminal via the second interface means, wherein the wireless terminal performs first wireless communication via the wide area wireless network, and A second interface unit for performing wireless communication of the wireless server; a third receiving unit for receiving the identification information for the wireless server from the wireless server via the second interface unit; A third transmitting means for transmitting a regional information search request including the identification information via the first interface means, and a third transmitting means for transmitting the local information search request including the identification information from the information server via the first interface means. Search and results and fourth receiving means for receiving the advertisement information, characterized in that said received search result and the advertisement information and display means for displaying a predetermined display form.

Further, the present invention (claim 4) provides an information server (for example, a regional information server) for providing a regional information search service via a wide area wireless network (for example, a cellular phone system), and a local area for the information server. A wireless network system including a wireless terminal (for example, a mobile terminal) that uses an information search service and a wireless server (for example, a store server) installed to present desired advertisement information to wireless terminal users located nearby The information server, the first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, and identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server or the area to which the wireless server belongs, to the wireless server, Notifying means for notifying via the first interface means;
First storage means for storing an area information database in which a server installation area specified based on the identification information is used as one search key; and the identification information from the wireless terminal via the first interface means. First receiving means for receiving a regional information search request including, when receiving the local information search request including the identification information, at least one search key a server installation area identified based on the identification information; A search unit for obtaining a search result for the local information database, and a first transmission unit for transmitting the search result obtained by the search unit to the wireless terminal via the first interface unit.
The wireless server includes a first interface unit that performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network, a second interface unit that performs wireless communication in a narrow range, and the first interface unit from the information server. Second receiving means for receiving the identification information for the own server via the second server, second storing means for storing the received identification information and advertisement information to be provided by the own server, and the second storage Means for transmitting the identification information and the advertisement information stored in the means to the wireless terminal via the second interface means, wherein the wireless terminal is connected via the wide area wireless network. First interface means for performing wireless communication, second interface means for performing wireless communication within the narrow range, and the second interface means from the wireless server. And a third information receiving means for receiving the identification information and the advertisement information for the wireless server, and transmitting a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server via the first interface means. Third transmitting means for receiving, the fourth receiving means for receiving the search result from the information server via the first interface means, receiving the search result received from the information server, and receiving from the wireless server Display means for displaying the advertisement information in a predetermined display form.

Further, a wireless terminal (for example, a portable terminal) according to the present invention (claim 5) comprises a first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network (for example, a portable telephone system); , A like Bluetooth
a second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range (by a d-Hoc wireless network);
Receiving at least identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server or its installation area within the wide area wireless network from a wireless server (for example, a store server) existing in the narrow range via the interface means. The information received by the first receiving means to an information server (for example, a regional information server) providing a local information search service based on the identification information via the first receiving means and the first interface means. Transmitting means for transmitting an information search request to which identification information has been added; and at least an area based on the identification information from the information server which has processed the information search request to which the identification information has been added, via the first interface means. A second receiving means for receiving a search result of information, and a search result of the local information received by the second receiving means being reduced. Characterized in that also a presentation means for visual and or audibly presented.

[0017] Preferably, the wireless server may further include means for transmitting information which triggers transmission of the identification information to the terminal itself.

Preferably, together with the identification information from the wireless server, or together with the search result from the information server, which transmits the information search request by adding identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server to the wireless server, A third receiving unit for receiving the related advertisement information may be further provided.

Preferably, the presenting unit calls the advertisement information received by the third receiving unit at the same time as or before or after presenting the search result of the local information, and draws the attention of the user of the own terminal. The information may be presented in a predetermined presentation form (at least visually and / or audibly).

Preferably, the presenting means, when both the search result of the local information and the advertisement information include visually presentable information, displays the search result of the local information as the presentation mode. A first mode in which the advertisement information is always displayed in a predetermined area on the display screen when the screen information is displayed, and when the search result of the regional information is displayed on the screen, the advertisement information is displayed at the beginning of the search result. In the second mode of displaying as the information of, or when the advertisement information is provided from the wireless server, the advertisement information provided earlier than the search result of the local information, at least the local information from the information server At least one presentation mode of the third mode in which the search result is received and displayed until it becomes displayable may be used.

Preferably, the first receiving means may receive the identification information broadcasted by the wireless server via the second interface means.

Preferably, a search means for searching for a wireless server capable of acquiring the identification information via the second interface means, and the wireless server found by the search means is provided with the second interface means. Requesting means for requesting the wireless server to transmit the identification information, wherein the first receiving means receives the identification information transmitted by the wireless server having received the request by the requesting means. It may be a thing.

Preferably, the searching means is a Bluetooth device.
SDP (S
service Discovery Protocol
l) The wireless server may be searched using a protocol.

[0024] Further, the wireless server (for example, a store server) according to the present invention (claim 13) includes a wide area wireless network (for example,
First interface means for performing wireless communication via a mobile phone system), second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range (for example, using an Ad-Hoc wireless network such as Bluetooth), and wide area. The identification information for uniquely identifying the own server or its installation area in the wireless network is transmitted from an information server (for example, a regional information server) that provides a regional information search service based on the identification information via the wide area wireless network. Receiving means for receiving via the first interface means, identification information storage means for storing the received identification information, and the identification information stored in the identification information storage means, the second interface means Transmitting the information search request to which the identification information is added to the information server via the local information search service. Wireless terminal using (e.g., mobile terminals), characterized in that a transmission means for transmitting to.

Preferably, when the information server receives, from the wireless terminal, an information search request to which identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server has been added, the information server identifies the wireless server together with the search result of the area information and the identification information. Providing advertisement information related to the wireless server to be provided to the wireless terminal, wherein the wireless server sends the advertisement to the information server via the first interface means to be provided by the information server. An advertisement information notifying unit for notifying information may be further provided.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises advertisement information storage means for storing advertisement information to be provided, wherein the transmission means includes the identification information stored in the identification information storage means,
The advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage unit may be transmitted to the wireless terminal.

[0027] Preferably, the transmitting means may broadcast the identification information via the second interface means.

Preferably, service notifying means for notifying, via the second interface means, a wireless terminal located in the narrow range that the server provides the identification information, Request information receiving means for receiving, via the second interface means, information requesting transmission of the identification information from the wireless terminal which has recognized the notification by the notifying means, further comprising: And transmitting the identification information for the server to the wireless terminal that has transmitted the request received by the request information receiving means.

Preferably, the service notifying means is B
S, which is a service search protocol on Bluetooth
DP (Service Discovery Prot)
ocol) protocol.

Further, the present invention (claim 19) provides a search service for local information related to the area where the wireless terminal (for example, portable terminal) is currently located via a wide area wireless network (for example, portable telephone system). An information server (e.g., a regional information server) that performs wireless communication via a wide area wireless network and a wireless terminal user located near a wireless server (e.g., a store server). Identification information for uniquely identifying a wireless server installed for presenting the advertisement information, advertisement information relating to the wireless server, and first storage means for storing the identification information in association with each other, based on the identification information. A second storage unit that stores an area information database using the specified server installation area as one search key, and the wireless server via the first interface unit, Notification means for notifying the wireless server of the identification information; and reception of a local information search request including the identification information from the wireless terminal having acquired the identification information from the wireless server via the first interface means. Means for receiving, when the area information search request including the identification information is received, a search result for the area information database using the server installation area specified based on the identification information as at least one search key, and the identification information Search means for respectively obtaining the advertisement information stored in correspondence with the above, and transmitting the search result and the advertisement information obtained by the search means to the wireless terminal via the first interface means Means.

Further, the present invention (claim 20) provides a service for searching for regional information related to the area where the wireless terminal (for example, portable terminal) is currently located via a wide area wireless network (for example, portable telephone system). Information server (for example, a regional information server) that performs wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, and advertisement information desired for a wireless terminal user located near the own wireless server (for example, a store server) Notification means for notifying the wireless server via the interface means to the wireless server or the identification information for uniquely identifying the installation area provided for providing the server, and the server installation specified based on the identification information A storage unit for storing a region information database having a region as one search key, and a wireless terminal that has obtained the identification information from the wireless server. Via the interface means,
Receiving means for receiving a local information search request including the identification information, and, when receiving the local information search request including the identification information, a server installation area identified based on the identification information; A search unit for obtaining a search result for the local information database, and a transmission unit for transmitting the search result obtained by the search unit to the wireless terminal via the interface unit.

Further, according to the electronic coupon distribution method according to the present invention (claim 21), the wireless terminal of a user who has subscribed to the communication service of the wide area wireless network operator can be connected to the wide area wireless network via the wide area wireless network. When using the local information search service provided by the business operator, the store is installed via a wireless LAN from a store server installed in a store of a store business operator subscribing to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network business operator. After receiving the server identification information, transmitting a regional information search request including the received identification information via the wide area wireless network, wherein the wireless terminal transmits the local information search request via the wide area wireless network. Receiving the search result and the advertisement information of the store operator corresponding to the store server of the identification information, and the wireless terminal transmits the received search result and the advertisement information to a predetermined In order to use the local information search service, the store server of the specific store business operator automatically returns the profit to the user of the local information search service from the specific store business operator. Adding an electronic coupon to the identification information of the server itself and transmitting it to the wireless terminal that has requested the identification information of the server.

[0033] In the electronic coupon distribution method according to the present invention (claim 22), the wireless terminal of a user who has subscribed to a communication service of a wide area wireless network operator can be connected to the wide area wireless network via the wide area wireless network. When using the local information search service provided by the business operator, the store is installed via a wireless LAN from a store server installed in a store of a store business operator subscribing to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network business operator. After receiving the server identification information, transmitting a local information search request including the received identification information to the local information search server via the wide area wireless network, wherein the local information search server receives the received local information. Transmitting a search result corresponding to a search request and advertisement information of a store operator corresponding to the store server of the identification information to the wireless terminal via the wide area wireless network; and Displaying the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form; and returning the local information search server to the local information search server in order to return a profit from a specific store operator to a user of the local information search service. To use the information search service, the wireless terminal that has transmitted the local information search request including the identification information of the store server possessed by the specific store business operator, And transmitting the electronic coupon provided.

[0034] Also, in the electronic coupon distribution method according to the present invention (claim 23), the wireless terminal of a user who has subscribed to a communication service of a wide area wireless network operator can be connected to the wide area wireless network via the wide area wireless network. When using the local information search service provided by the business operator, the store is installed via a wireless LAN from a store server installed in a store of a store business operator subscribing to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network business operator. After receiving the server identification information and the advertisement information, transmitting a regional information search request including the received identification information via the wide area wireless network; and Receiving a search result for an information search request, and the wireless terminal displaying the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form;
In order to return profits from a specific store operator to a user using the local information search service, the store server of the specific store operator has requested the identification information of the own server to use the local information search service. Adding an electronic coupon to the identification information and advertisement information of the server and transmitting the information to the wireless terminal.

[0035] Preferably, the server is provided only when the wireless terminal is designated as a coupon sending target.
An electronic coupon may be transmitted to the wireless terminal.

[0036] Preferably, the server may transmit an electronic coupon of a type selected for each wireless terminal to the wireless terminal.

The present invention relating to the apparatus is also realized as an invention relating to a method, and the present invention relating to a method is also realized as an invention relating to an apparatus.

The present invention relating to an apparatus or a method is provided for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as means corresponding to the present invention, or a computer corresponding to the present invention). The present invention is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of performing the above is recorded.

According to the present invention, identification information for uniquely identifying a wireless server and advertisement information relating to the wireless server are stored in association with each other on an information server providing a regional information search service. The server notifies the wireless server of the identification information, transmits the identification information from the wireless server to the wireless terminal, and the wireless terminal transmits a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server. The advertisement information corresponding to the search result and the identification information related to the area information related to the area specified in the area is transmitted to the wireless terminal, and the wireless server can display the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form.

According to the present invention, the information server which provides the local information search service notifies the wireless server of identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server, and stores advertisement information on the wireless server side. Each, transmitting identification information and advertisement information from the wireless server to the wireless terminal, the wireless terminal transmits a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server,
The information server transmits a search result for area information related to the area specified based on the identification information to the wireless terminal, and the wireless server can display the received search result and advertisement information in a predetermined display form.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless terminal user of a wide area wireless network with information on an area where the wireless terminal user is located, and to surely obtain information on a store or the like located near the wireless terminal user. Can be provided.

Also, a local information search service that can satisfy both the side of a store or the like that wants to provide advertisement information to a wireless terminal user and the request of a wireless terminal user that wants to easily obtain information such as local information is provided. It can be provided. In particular,
In the wireless terminal, the advertisement information provided by the store or the like can be reliably provided to the user by reliably presenting the advertisement information provided by the store or the like together with the presentation of the search result of the local information. .

[0043]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following, in a wireless terminal, a wireless server, and a wireless system using an information server according to an embodiment of the present invention, a local information search service (for example, an information search service that provides information around a station in front of a station, etc.) ) Will be described as an example.

Hereinafter, in the description of the present embodiment, the wireless terminal owned by the user is provided with a function for using a wide area wireless network such as a cellular phone network and a wireless LA.
N is assumed to have both functions for using an Ad-Hoc wireless network such as N.
In the following, the wireless terminal will be referred to as a portable terminal and described.

In addition, a wireless server installed at each store or the like, for example, in order for a product provider such as a convenience store to start advertising information, has a function of using a wide area wireless network such as a mobile phone network. And a function for using an Ad-Hoc wireless network such as a wireless LAN.

The wireless server, of course, accepts not only stores that sell or rent products on the spot, but also stores that provide services on the spot, such as restaurants, etc., and applications for buying and selling products and providing services. For example, it can be used by any merchandise / service provider, such as stores such as reservation centers, non-profit public facilities, and facilities managed by the national and local governments. It is free to limit to). However, in the following, for the sake of simplicity of description, the target for installing the wireless server will be described using the term “shop” regardless of the product / service provision form or the presence or absence of profitability. Also,
This wireless server will be described below as a store server.

The advertisement information is not limited to a commercial advertisement, and can handle almost any information desired to be notified to the wireless terminal user (the nature of the information is limited in relation to the above-mentioned subscription target). You are free to do that).

Further, as a service on a wide area wireless network such as a cellular phone network, an information server executing an information providing service such as a local information search service which requires location information is provided by the information server. It is assumed that the system has a function for using. Note that the information server is hereinafter referred to as a regional information server.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the basic configuration of the entire wireless network in the case of providing a local information service by using both the wide area wireless network 10 and the wireless LAN 20 in this embodiment.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, there is a local information server 100 for providing a local information service on the wide area wireless network 10, which can communicate with the local information server 100, stores such as convenience stores, and other facilities. And the like, a store server 300 transmitting its position information and the like via the wireless LAN 20, an interface to the wide area wireless network 10 owned by a user subscribing to the wide area wireless network 10, and the store server 3
There is a portable terminal 200 having an interface to the wireless LAN 20 to which 00 belongs.

It is assumed that the store server is installed for each entity that provides advertisements such as stores and facilities. That is,
FIG. 1 shows only one store server in one wireless LAN, but a plurality of store servers may exist in one wireless LAN. In FIG. 1, one wireless LAN
However, a plurality of wireless LANs may exist (one or a plurality of store servers may exist in each wireless LAN). Of course, FIG. 1 shows only one mobile terminal, but a plurality of mobile terminals may exist.

In the local information server 100, a database relating to the local information service provided by the server itself (FIG. 1)
And the location information of the store server 300 or the like whose own server provides a location information distribution service in the wide area wireless network 10, and the subscriber of the store server 300 ) Includes a database (position information / advertisement information DB 102 in FIG. 1) that stores the advertisement information desired to be provided. The local information service that searches for and provides local information provides information in accordance with the area where the mobile terminal 200 is currently located by performing a search using at least the location information passed from the mobile terminal 200. is there. The service for searching for and providing advertisement information is to search for and provide advertisement information corresponding to the position information passed from the mobile terminal 200, in association with the regional information service.

Store information (position information [A] in FIG. 1) notified from the regional information server 100 is stored in the store server 300.

In the portable terminal 200, a store server 300
Area information retrieved from the area information server 100 using the position information received from the
Display screen 2 for displaying the advertisement information passed from 00
011 exists. Also, if necessary, the wireless LA
A screen display or the like for confirming the existence of the store server 300 on the N20 may be performed.

In such a configuration of the present embodiment, the user holding the portable terminal 200 is
Based on the information from 0, search / acquire desired area information (for example, information on the nearest bookstore or liquor store or event information to be performed nearby) from the area information server 100, and display it on the portable terminal 200. FIG. 2 shows an example of a processing sequence for performing this operation. Details of each processing in the processing sequence shown in FIG. 2 are described below.

(1) The store server 300 belonging to the wide area wireless network 10 registers (eg, makes a contract) to join the local information search service provided in the present embodiment. At this time, the store server 300 notifies the location of its own node by notifying the identifier (telephone number) assigned when subscribing to the wide area wireless network 10. This procedure may be performed by means other than the wide area wireless network 10.

(2) The regional information server 100 notifies the location information (here, [A]) for specifying the location of the store server 300 in the regional information search service provided in the present embodiment ( (See packet [1] in FIG. 3).

(3) The store having the store server 300 creates advertisement information for the store itself. Note that part or all of this processing may be performed before processing (2).

(4) The store server 300 notifies / registers the advertisement information created in the process (3) to the regional information server 100. At this time, the position information [A] notified to the store server 300 of the own store is also notified (see packet [2] in FIG. 3).

(5) The local information server 100 associates the advertisement information notified from the store server 300 with the position information [A], and associates the position information / advertisement information DB 10 in its own server.
Register in 2.

(6) Before and after this, the portable terminal 200
Joins the wireless LAN 20 managed by the store server 300 (that is, enters a geographical range where communication with the store server 300 is possible).

(7) The store server 300 has the portable terminal 20
By responding to the request from 0, the store server 30
The mobile station 200 is notified of the position information [A] stored at 0 (see the packet [3] in FIG. 3).

(8) The user holding the mobile terminal 200 inputs desired search conditions to the mobile terminal 200 in order to obtain information on the area where the user is currently located.

(9) The portable terminal 200 notifies the input search condition to the local information server 100 and attempts to obtain desired information. At this time, the location information [A] notified from the store server 300 is also included in the local information server 100.
(See packet [4] in FIG. 3).

(10) The local information server 100 refers to the position information / advertisement information DB 102 in the own server based on the notified position information [A], and displays the information of the store server 300 from which the portable terminal 200 has obtained the position information. Search for the advertising information that has been notified.

(11) Simultaneously with or before or after the above-mentioned processing (10), the local information server 100 uses the search condition and the positional information [A] notified from the portable terminal 200 to store the local information in its own server. The mobile terminal 200 refers to the information search DB 101 to search for local information requested by the mobile terminal 200.

(12) As a result of the search, the local information server 100 stores the store server 30 searched in the above process (10).
The mobile terminal 200 is notified of the registered advertisement information of “0” and the search result of the local information in response to the request from the mobile terminal 200 searched in the process (11) (see packet [5] in FIG. 3).

(13) The portable terminal 200 displays the advertisement information registered by the store server 300 sent from the local information server 100 and the search result of the local information requested by the terminal itself. For example, the advertisement information is displayed in the frame portion of the display screen 2011, and the search result of the regional information is displayed therein.

By executing such a process, the user holding the portable terminal 200 can obtain desired (regionally fit) information.
At the same time, the store having the store server 300 that has notified the mobile terminal 200 of the location information can surely see the advertisement information that he or she wants to provide to the user holding the mobile terminal 200. Will be able to get it.

In the present embodiment, the above processing (2)
In the above, the local information server 100 notifies the store server 300 only of the position information [A], but the information to be notified at this time may be other than the position information. . For example, in the wide area wireless network 10 providing the local information search service of the present embodiment, each store (for example, the store server 30)
0) that provide advertising information services.
In the process (2), the created advertisement information may be notified together with the position information [A]. In this case, the advertisement information provided by the wide area wireless network 10 is used as something like “recommended advertisement information” for each store. That is, each store may use the advertisement information created by the wide area wireless network 10 as it is, may use it with modification, or create a completely different item. However, when the store modifies the advertisement information or creates new advertisement information, the store server 300 sends the modified / newly created advertisement information to the local information server 100. Need to be notified.

It should be noted that the store server 300 is provided with a function for determining whether to use the one recommended by the local information server 100, the modified one, or the originally created one. Is also good.

Also, in the local information server 100, whether the own server uses the one recommended for the store server 300,
The one passed from the store server 300 (the recommended one is modified on the store server 300 side, or the store server 3
A function for determining whether to use the original data created on the 00 side) may be provided.

In the above process (7), the mobile terminal 200 issues a request to the store server 300, and several specific methods are conceivable. For example, wireless LAN
20 is operated using the Bluetooth protocol, the service search protocol on the Bluetooth, SDP (Service Di
wireless protocol using wireless protocol
A method is conceivable in which the AN 20 recognizes the existence of the store server 300 providing the local information search service and requests the store server 300 to provide the local information search service. At this time, the store server 300
In response to the execution of the SDP protocol from the mobile terminal 200, the mobile terminal 200 notifies the mobile terminal 200 that the local server provides the local information service.

Further, if there is a store server providing a plurality of local information search services on the wireless terminal LAN 20, the portable terminal 200 will select a desired store server from the plurality of store servers. It may be selected to request service provision. The process of detecting and selecting the server that provides the local information search service for this
This is executed using the display screen 2011 of the mobile terminal 200. The selection process of the server providing the local information service may be performed, for example, by setting a selection criterion in advance and automatically performing the selection criterion. Information about the store server may be presented to the user for selection.
Note that only one may be selected or a plurality may be selectable. Alternatively, the service may always be received for all existing store servers without performing such selection processing.

Here, FIG. 3 shows an example of a packet format of a packet transferred in each process in the service providing system shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a packet format at the time of packet transfer indicated by each arrow in FIG. FIG.
In each of the packets shown in (1), H indicates a header, and T indicates a trailer. Further, the order of information carried in each packet is not limited to the order shown in FIG.
It only has to be described somewhere in the packet.

In the case of the example of FIG. 3, specifically, the following is performed.

In processing (2) of FIG. 2, the local information server 100
The packet [1] transferred from the to the store server 300 carries position information [A]. Here, as described above, it is conceivable to put advertisement information recommended for the store server 300 on this packet [1].

In the packet [2] transferred from the store server 300 to the local information server 100 in the process (4) of FIG. 2, the advertisement information created by the store server 300 and the packet [1] are transferred. The received position information [A] is carried. However, as described above, the store server 30
If 0 decides to use the advertisement information created by the wide area wireless network 10, the process of transferring such a set of the advertisement information and the position information to the local information search server 100 can be omitted. .

In the packet [3] transferred from the shop server 300 to the portable terminal 200 in the process (7) of FIG. 2, the location information [A] where the shop server 300 notified by the packet [1] is held. Is carried.

The packet [4] transferred from the portable terminal 200 to the local information server 100 in the process (9) in FIG.
The search condition information (included in the search request) registered by the user in the mobile terminal 200 and the position information [A] of the store server 300 notified by the packet [3] are carried.

Although the search condition and the position information are described separately here, the position information also functions as one of the search conditions from the viewpoint of the search for the local information. Further, the search condition may be only the position information.

In the process (12) of FIG. 2, the local information server 10
The packet [5] transferred from 0 to the mobile terminal 200 includes search result information on the area information searched according to the search request from the mobile terminal 200 and the location information [A] of the store server 300 notified by the packet [4]. ] Is carried.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example of advertisement information for each store in the wide area wireless network 10 stored in the position information / advertisement information DB of the local information server 100.

In the example of FIG. 4, the advertisement wireless network 10
N stores subscribed to this service, and store advertisement contents corresponding to each store, screen information for displaying the contents on the user's mobile terminal, and the like. The advertisement information held in this way is the processing (12) in FIG.
In the above, the mobile terminal 200 is returned to the mobile terminal 200 as a search result in response to the search request for the advertisement information corresponding to the position information [A].

Next, an example of the local information service in the local information server 100 will be described.

The local information server 100 performs a local information search D
The information corresponding to the area where the portable terminal 200 is located is provided from B101. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a correspondence table between the position information assigned to each store server and the position identification information indicating the region where the store is located is set, and as shown in FIG. It is configured for each region identification information. Then, when the mobile terminal 200 is notified of, for example, the position information [A], the area identification information [α] is obtained from the correspondence table of FIG. 5 and the area information corresponding to the area identification information [α] of FIG. A search is performed as an object, and information obtained by this is provided to the mobile terminal 200.

Instead of providing the correspondence table as shown in FIG. 5, the area identification information may be obtained from the position information by a calculation formula or a rule. Further, instead of configuring the local information search DB 101 for each local identification information as shown in FIG. 6, the local information search DB 101 may be configured using the local identification information as one of data search keys.

As another method, there is a method in which upper several bits of position information are used as area identification information.

Further, the portable terminal 200 that has received the advertisement information obtained as a result of the search from the regional information server 100,
The advertisement information is displayed on the screen. FIG. 7 shows an example of the screen information displayed by the portable terminal 200 at this time. In FIG. 7, the location information [A] (the store server 300 to which the location information [A] is assigned) is displayed in the frame 20111 of the window displaying the desired area information searched by the area information server 100 on the display screen 2011 of the mobile terminal 200. Is displayed. By performing such a screen display, the advertisement information provided from the store server 300 is always seen by the user, and further, there is a high probability that the user actually recognizes and stores the contents of the advertisement information. Can be expected.

Here, the screen display method on the portable terminal 200 is not limited to the method shown in FIG. 7, but various methods can be considered. For example, a method such as displaying a moving image of advertisement information in a window or a first item of a search result on a screen for displaying a search request result from a user holding the mobile terminal 200 must be transmitted from the store server 300 to the first item. For example, a method of displaying the advertisement information may be considered. Also, a method is conceivable in which the advertisement information from the store server 300 is provided to the user as audio information when the search result of the regional information is displayed.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each device of the present embodiment will be described.

First, FIG. 8 shows an example of the internal structure of the portable terminal 200 according to the present embodiment.

The portable terminal 200 shown in the present embodiment has a wide area wireless network interface processing unit 2 as an interface function for an interface to the wireless LAN 20 and an interface to the wide area wireless network 10.
09 and a wireless LAN interface processing unit 210.

Further, the portable terminal 200 is connected to the store server 30
After receiving the position information from 0 (process (7) in FIG. 2), a local information search process is performed using the local information server 100 based on the position information (process (9), ( 12)). Therefore, the store server 3 for this
A position information acquisition unit 208 for receiving a position information notification packet (packet [3] in FIG. 3) from 00, a search data input unit 202 for inputting search data for a user to perform a regional information search, and the search data A search is performed on the local information server 100 using information from the search information creation unit 205 that creates actual search information from the data input to the input unit 202 and information from the search information creation unit 205 and the position information acquisition unit 208. A packet creation unit 207 for creating a request packet (packet [4] in FIG. 3);
The search result acquisition unit 206 and the advertisement information acquisition unit 204 that receive the search result notification packet (packet [5] in FIG. 3) sent back from 0 exist.

The portable terminal 200 has a search result display unit 201 as a screen display function for notifying the user of the search result received from the local information server 100. A part of the screen displayed on the search result display unit 201 is shown in FIG. This search result display section 2
In 01, some means is provided for surely informing the user of the store-side advertisement information created by the store server 300 (or created by the wide area wireless network 10) sent from the local information server 100. .

Further, in the portable terminal 200, a wireless LA
A service activating unit 2 for connecting to the N20 and activating a local information service as described in the present embodiment.
03 also exists. For example, the service activation unit 20
After recognizing that the store server 300 exists in the wireless LAN 20, the server 3 starts the process of connecting to the store server 300 and obtaining the position information (processes (6) and (7) in FIG. 2).

Next, FIG. 9 shows an example of the internal structure of the local information server 100 in the present embodiment.

The local information server 100 shown in this embodiment
Stores information provided in the wide area wireless network 10 and information on existing stores in the local information search DB 101 therein, and stores the information in association with the local information. . In addition, the local information server 100 of the present embodiment includes a position information / advertisement information DB 102 that stores advertisement information provided by each store in the wide area wireless network 10 and position information that specifies the location of the store.
Holding. The location information stored in the location information / advertisement information DB 102 is provided by each store server (for example, the store server 300) in the wide area wireless network 10 from the regional server 100 as described in the present embodiment. Information. However, the advertisement information held in the position information / advertisement information DB is the advertisement information created by each store server (for example, the store server 300) in the wide area wireless network 10, or the advertisement created by the wide area wireless network 10. Either information is described.

The local information server 100 of the present embodiment basically has an interface function to the wide area wireless network 10 (the wide area wireless network interface processing unit 10).
Only 9) is necessary, and an interface function to another network is not required. However, a position information transmitting unit 1 for notifying position information to each store server in the wide area wireless network 10 (process (2) in FIG. 2) via the wide area wireless network interface function.
07 and an advertisement information acquisition unit 108 for receiving advertisement information from each store server (process (4) in FIG. 2). Here, the position information transmitted from the position information transmitting unit 107 is the position information in the area information server 100.
Since it is necessary to correspond to the position information stored in the advertisement information DB 102, there is a position information management unit 104 for managing the position information in the local information server 100.

Also, the local information server 100 of the present embodiment
Must receive the local information search request from the mobile terminal 200 (process (9) in FIG. 2) and send back the local information corresponding to the request to the mobile terminal 200 (process (12) in FIG. 2). Therefore, as functions for this, there are a position information acquisition unit 106 that receives a search request packet (packet [4] in FIG. 3) sent from the mobile terminal 200, and a search request acquisition unit 103. Then, based on the position information received by the position information acquisition unit 106, the advertisement information in the position information / advertisement information DB 102 is read, and based on the position information received by the search request acquisition unit 103, the local information search DB 101 is read. Search for. This local information search DB
The area information requested by the mobile terminal 200 obtained as a result of the search 101 and the advertisement information previously read from the position information / advertisement information DB 102 are combined into one packet by the packet creation unit 105 (packet [5] in FIG. 3). And transmit it to the mobile terminal 200.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an example of the internal structure of the store server 300 in the present embodiment.

The store server 300 shown in the present embodiment is
Wide-area wireless network interface processing unit 30 that executes interface processing to wide-area wireless network 10
7, a wireless LAN interface processing unit 308 that executes interface processing to the wireless LAN 20, and a wireless LA
A wireless LAN management unit 303 that performs a management function of the wireless LAN 20 such as a process of joining / withdrawing a wireless terminal (for example, the mobile terminal 200) to / from the N20 is provided.

By using these interface functions, the store server 300 of the present embodiment can
2 receives the location information of the server via the wide area wireless network (process (2) in FIG. 2), and notifies the local information server 100 of the advertisement information to be provided by the server (process (4) in FIG. 2). )). Also, the store server 300
Notifies the mobile terminal 200 of the location information of the server via the wireless LAN 20 (process (7) in FIG. 2). In order to perform such processing, a location information acquisition unit 305 for receiving a packet (packet [1] in FIG. 3) transmitted from the local information server 100 is provided in the store server 300 of the present embodiment. There is a position information storage unit 301 for storing the received position information. Also, an advertisement information creation / input unit 302 for creating / inputting advertisement information provided by the own server, and the advertisement information input therefrom and the position information assigned to the own server are stored in the local information server 100.
There is a packet creation unit 304 for creating / transmitting a packet (packet [2] in FIG. 3) for notifying the user. Further, the position information transmitting unit 30 for transmitting a packet (packet [3] in FIG. 3) describing the position information of the own server stored in the position information storage unit 301 to the portable terminal 200.
6 also exists.

According to the present embodiment, by using such a portable terminal / local information server / store server, it is possible to provide a user who wants to provide information such as an advertisement to a user with necessary information such as local information. Will be able to satisfy both the general user's desire to easily obtain. In particular, by devising a display method such as setting of a screen for displaying search results on a mobile terminal, advertisement information can be reliably provided to users, and stores can actively promote such services. There is also an effect.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, the advertisement information is provided by the regional information server. However, in the second embodiment,
The advertising information is provided by the store server itself. This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, except for the part relating to the mechanism.

FIG. 11 shows another example of the basic configuration of the entire wireless network when providing the local information service by using the wide area wireless network 10 and the wireless LAN 20 together.

Also in the configuration shown in FIG. 11, there is a local information server 400 for providing a local information service on the wide area wireless network 10, which can communicate with the local information server 400 and has a location in a store such as a convenience store. A store server 600 transmitting information, advertisement information, and the like via the wireless LAN 20, and an interface to the wide area wireless network 10 and a store server 60 owned by a user subscribing to the wide area wireless network 10.
There is a portable terminal 500 having an interface to the wireless LAN 20 to which 0 belongs.

Here, the local information server 400 has a database (local information search DB 401 in FIG. 11) relating to the local information service provided by the server. In the store server 600, the local information server 4
11 and the advertisement information that the store server 600 notifies the other wireless terminals (for example, the mobile terminal 500) on the wireless LAN 20 via the wireless LAN 20 via the wireless LAN 20 (the location information [A] in FIG. 11). Advertising information in FIG. 11) is stored. Further, in the portable terminal 500, a screen display of the regional information searched using the position information received from the store server 600 or the store server 6 on the wireless LAN 20.
Display screen 5 for displaying a screen for confirming the existence of 00
011 exists.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, the user having the portable terminal 500 can check the store server 60
0 based on the location information notified from
From 0, search / acquire desired area information (for example, information on the nearest bookstore or liquor store in the area where you are currently located, event information to be performed nearby, etc.), and store it in the store server 600.
FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing sequence for displaying on the mobile terminal 500 together with the advertisement information received from the mobile terminal 500. Also,
Details of each process in the process sequence shown in FIG. 12 are shown below.

(1) The store server 600 belonging to the wide area wireless network 10 registers to subscribe to the local information search service provided in the present embodiment (for example, makes a contract). At this time, the store server 600 notifies the location of its own node by notifying the identifier (telephone number) assigned when joining the wide area wireless network 10. This procedure may be performed by means other than the wide area wireless network 10.

(2) The local information server 400 notifies the location information [A] for specifying the location of the store server 600 in the local information search service provided in the present embodiment (see the packet [1] in FIG. 13). ]reference).

(3) The store having the store server 600 creates the advertisement information of its own store. A part or all of this processing may be performed before the processing (2). .

(4) Before and after this, the portable terminal 500
Joins the wireless LAN 20 managed by the store server 600 (that is, enters a geographical range where communication with the store server 600 is possible).

(5) The store server 600 has the portable terminal 50
By responding to the request from 0, the store server 60
The mobile terminal 500 is notified of the position information [A] and the advertisement information stored in the mobile terminal 500 (see packet [2] in FIG. 13).

(6) The user holding the portable terminal 500 inputs desired search conditions to the portable terminal 500 in order to obtain information on the area where the user is currently located.

(7) The mobile terminal 500 notifies the input search condition to the local information server 400 and attempts to obtain desired information. At this time, the location information [A] notified from the store server 600 is also included in the local information server 400.
(See packet [3] in FIG. 13).

(8) The local information server 400 refers to the local information search DB 401 in its own server based on the search condition and the position information [A] notified from the portable terminal 500, and the area requested by the portable terminal 500. Search for information.

(9) Until the search result is returned from the local information server 400, the portable terminal 500 is sent from the store server 600 on the display screen 5011 on the own terminal in the above process (5). Display advertising information.

(10) The local information server 400 notifies the mobile terminal 500 of the search result of the local information in response to the request from the mobile terminal 500 by searching in the above process (8) as the search result (see the packet [4] in FIG. 13). ]reference).

(11) The portable terminal 500 displays the search result information sent from the local information server 400 on the display screen 5011 of the terminal itself. As a method of displaying the regional information search result, a method of displaying the advertisement information displayed in the above process (9) after the display is completed, a method of displaying the advertisement information on the screen simultaneously with the advertisement information (first implementation) It is conceivable to use a method such as a form.

By executing such processing, the user holding the portable terminal 500 can obtain desired (regionally fit) information.
At the same time, the store having the store server 600 that has notified the mobile terminal 500 of the position information and the advertisement information transmits the advertisement information that the store wants to provide to the mobile terminal 500.
Can be surely seen by the user holding.

In the present embodiment, the above processing (9)
, The advertisement information received from the store server 600 is displayed on the display screen 5011 of the portable terminal 500 before the search result from the local information server 400 is received. Other display timings and methods can be considered. For example, as in the case of the first embodiment, a method of always displaying the advertisement information from the store server 600 as the first item of the search result on the screen displaying the search request result of the local information, or a method of searching for the local information When displaying the result, a method of providing the advertisement information from the store server 600 to the user by voice information is also conceivable. The method for displaying the advertisement information may be the same as the method of the first embodiment (FIG. 7), or the search result of the advertisement information and the area information may be displayed on one display screen in a time-division manner. The display method may be used.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a packet format of a packet transferred in each process in the service providing method shown in FIGS.

FIG. 13 shows a packet format at the time of packet transfer indicated by each arrow in FIG.
H in each packet shown in FIG. 13 indicates a header, and T indicates a trailer. Further, the order of information carried in each packet is not limited to the order as shown in FIG. 13, but may be described anywhere in the packet.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 13, the following is specifically described.

In the process (2) of FIG. 12, the local information server 40
The packet [1] transferred from 0 to the store server 600 carries position information [A].

The packet [2] transferred from the store server 600 to the portable terminal 500 in the process (5) in FIG. 12 includes the advertisement information held in the store server 600 and the packet information transmitted in the packet [1]. The position information [A] held in 600 is placed.

The packet [3] transferred from the portable terminal 500 to the local information server 400 in the process (7) of FIG. 12 includes search condition information registered by the user in the portable terminal 500 (included in the search request). And the location information [A] of the store server 600 notified by the packet [2].

Although the search condition and the position information are described separately here, the position information also functions as one of the search conditions from the viewpoint of the search for the local information. Further, the search condition may be only the position information.

In the process (10) of FIG. 12, the local information server 4
A packet [4] transferred from 00 to the mobile terminal 500 carries search result information on local information searched according to a search request from the mobile terminal 500.

For the local information service in the local information server 400, the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment can be adopted. Further, in this embodiment, the regional information server 400 notifies the store server 600 of the region identification information together with or instead of the position information, and the store server 600 notifies the portable terminal 500 of the region identification information. May send the region identification information to the region information server 400 at the time of a search request (the same applies when the upper few bits of the position information are used as the region identification information).

Hereinafter, the configuration of each device of the present embodiment will be described.

First, FIG. 14 shows an example of the internal structure of the portable terminal 500 according to the present embodiment.

The portable terminal 500 shown in this embodiment has a wide area wireless network interface processing unit 5 as an interface function for the wireless LAN 20 and an interface for the wide area wireless network 10.
09 and a wireless LAN interface processing unit 510.

The portable terminal 500 has basically the same function as the portable terminal 200 shown in the first embodiment, but the difference from the first embodiment is that the store server 600 Is received from the store server 600 itself, not from the regional information server 400. Therefore, the processing executed in the search data input unit 502, the service activation unit 503, the search information creation unit 505, the search result acquisition unit 506, the packet creation unit 507, and the position information acquisition unit 508 in the portable terminal 500 is the first process. Functions similar to those of the embodiment (FIG. 8) are provided.

However, in the portable terminal 500 of the present embodiment, there is an advertisement information acquisition unit 504 for receiving advertisement information sent from the store server 600, and the advertisement information received here is used as the search result display unit 501. To be displayed on the screen at an appropriate timing. The search result display section 501 has a function of displaying the search result of the local information sent from the local information server 400, and also stores the store server 6 in a period until the search result is displayed.
Means is provided for surely informing the user of the advertisement information from the store server 600, such as displaying the advertisement information received from 00.

Next, FIG. 15 shows an example of the internal structure of the local information server 400 in this embodiment.

The local information server 400 of this embodiment also has an interface function to the wide area wireless network 10 (that is, the wide area wireless network interface processing unit 4).
09) only, and no other interface functions are required. However, the local information server 400 shown in the present embodiment has the position information / advertisement information DB 102 existing in the local information server 100 in the case of the first embodiment.
Does not exist.

Therefore, the local information server 40 of the present embodiment
0, the advertisement information acquisition unit 10 which receives the advertisement information from the store server together with the position information / advertisement information DB 102 existing in the local information server 100 of the first embodiment.
8 does not exist either. Further, the process executed by the packet creation unit 405 is only the process of describing the search result of the regional information in the packet (in the case of the first embodiment, the advertisement corresponding to the received position information together with the search result of the local information) Information was written.) Other processes executed in the local information search DB 401, the search request acquisition unit 403, the position information management unit 404, the position information acquisition unit 406, and the position information transmission unit 407 are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same processing as the processing executed in the server 100 is executed.

Next, FIG. 16 shows an example of the internal structure of the store server 600 in the present embodiment.

[0145] The store server 600 shown in the present embodiment comprises:
Wide-area wireless network interface processing unit 60 that executes interface processing to wide-area wireless network 10
7, a wireless LAN interface processing unit 608 that executes an interface process to the wireless LAN 20, and a wireless LA
A wireless LAN management unit 603 that performs a management function of the wireless LAN 20 such as a process of joining / leaving a wireless terminal (for example, the mobile terminal 500) to / from the N20 is provided.

By using these interface functions, the store server 600 of the present embodiment can
, Via the wide area wireless network, receives the location information of its own server (process (2) in FIG. 12), and
The mobile terminal 500 on the AN 20 is notified of the advertisement information to be provided by the server together with the position information (process (5) in FIG. 12).

In order to perform such processing, a location information acquisition unit for receiving a packet (packet [1] in FIG. 13) sent from the local information server 400 is provided in the store server 600 of the present embodiment. 605, and a position information storage unit 601 that stores the position information input thereto.
Further, there is an advertisement information creation / input unit 602 for creating and inputting advertisement information provided by the server itself, and an advertisement information storage unit 609 for storing advertisement information input therefrom. . The position information stored in the position information storage unit 601 and the advertisement information storage unit 6
There is a packet creating unit 604 that creates / transmits a packet (packet [2] in FIG. 13) for notifying the mobile terminal 500 on the wireless LAN 20 of the advertisement information stored in 09.

According to the present embodiment, information such as an advertisement is desired to be provided to the user similarly to the case of the first embodiment by using such a portable terminal / local information server / store server. It is possible to satisfy both the store side and the request of general users who want to easily obtain necessary information such as regional information. In particular, while mobile devices are waiting to receive search results for local information,
By providing the advertisement information provided by the store to the user (displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal), the advertisement information provided by the store can be reliably provided to the user.

Incidentally, the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be implemented in combination. In other words, the present invention can be implemented to have both a configuration for providing the advertisement information from the local information server and a configuration for providing the advertisement information from the store server.

In this case, it is possible to provide the same advertisement information from the local information server and the store server. However, it is necessary to selectively use the provision of the advertisement information from the local information server and the provision of the advertisement information from the store server. Is also possible.

When the first embodiment and the second embodiment are implemented in combination, each store server may be able to provide advertisement information from both the regional information server and the store server. At this time, for example, the content, data amount, data format, and the like of the advertisement information provided from the local information server and the advertisement information provided from the store server can be made different.

For example, on the portable terminal side, the advertisement information received from the store server can be displayed first, and then the advertisement information received from the local information server can be displayed, and the like. The received advertisement information and the advertisement information received from the local information server can be displayed in combination or in combination.

Alternatively, for example, the portable terminal may select which of the advertisement information received from the store server and the advertisement information received from the regional information server is used, It is also possible to select and select whether to receive the information or the advertisement information from the regional information server.

Further, when the first embodiment and the second embodiment are implemented in combination, for each store server, whether to provide the advertisement information from the information server or the wireless server to provide the advertisement information is optional. Or both may be selectable.

(Third Embodiment) In this embodiment, a monetary flow such as charging for the use of a service provided by a network operator, or a subscription to the advertisement information distribution service of the network operator as described above. To distribute profits to wireless terminal users who use the local information search service as described above,
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The electronic coupon is usually a coupon such as a discount coupon or a service coupon, etc., which is presented according to certain conditions so that a certain discount, free transfer, preferential treatment, privilege or the like can be obtained. It is an electronic version of something similar to.

The system in FIG. 17 is basically the same as the configuration in the first embodiment or the second embodiment or the above-described variations. That is, the network operator 910 sets the wireless terminal 2 of the subscribing user 920 (
00), a communication service is provided by using the wide area wireless network 10, and a local information search service by the local information server 100 is further provided by using the wide area wireless network 10. In addition, an advertisement information distribution service using the store server 300 is provided to the store business operator 930. A store server 300 that transmits position information and the like is installed in a store of the store business operator 930 subscribing to the advertisement information distribution service. The user 920 who has subscribed to the communication service can use the local information search service using the wireless terminal 200. At the time of using the service, advertisement information related to a nearby store server is forcibly downloaded. , Will be displayed. Note that the store business operator may have one store (provided with a store server) or a plurality of stores (provided with store servers).

[0158] Here, it is assumed that the store operator needs to make a paid contract with the network operator in order to receive the advertisement information distribution service. In addition, in order for a user to receive a communication service via a wireless terminal, a paid contract with a network operator must be made (however, various fee systems such as a fixed fee system, a pay-as-you-go system, and a combination of these systems). Can be considered). The local information search service is considered to be included in the basic communication service contract content, or may be required as a separate paid contract as an option. In the latter case, for example, if only the option fee is paid every month, the user can freely receive the local information search service, but a line charge (call charge) is generated by using the local information search service. . Further, it is assumed that the fact that the store server provides the location information service to the wireless terminal and the fact that the wireless terminal receives the location information service from the store server are included in the contract contents with the network operator.

In such a case, first, the shop operator 930 pays a predetermined contract fee to the network operator 910 as a price for receiving the advertisement information distribution service (see the contract fee [1] in FIG. 17). Store operator 930
Is transmitted from the store server 300 installed in the store to the wireless terminal 20.
By providing the location information service to 0, the advertisement information can be distributed to (the wireless terminal 200 of) the user 920 via the local information search service using the location information service.

By subscribing to such a service, the store operator 930 can provide the user 920 with the advertisement information of the own store and increase the chances of getting to know it, and as a result, Is expected, that is, the profit obtained as a result of the purchase by the user 920 can be expected to be increased (see purchase [4] in FIG. 17).

From the viewpoint of the network operator 910, by providing such an information search service, it is expected that the number of uses of the wide area wireless network 10 by the user 920 will increase. An increase in income can be expected (use fee in FIG. 17)
[3]).

On the other hand, the network operator 910 executes the local information search service, thereby
Can be expected to increase the usage fee collected from. Therefore,
It is conceivable to return a part of the profit to the store operator 930 having the aspect of providing the location information service on behalf of the agency as a profit distribution to the agency.
That is, a certain payback (PayBack) is executed to the store operator 930 (Pay in FIG. 17).
Back [2]). Such a PayBack implementation method includes PayBa according to the number of times of providing position information.
ck, a method of performing PayBack according to the number of times information retrieval is performed using the position information, and a usage fee of the wide area wireless network 10 provided by the network operator 910 at a fixed rate. Can be reduced.

However, unless the method as shown in the first embodiment is used, the advertisement information that the store operator 930 wants to provide cannot always be provided to the user 920. In the case where the advertisement information is provided using the method described in the first embodiment, the network operator 910 provides a function for that. For this reason,
When using the method as in the first embodiment, the above P
A method is also conceivable in which the amount, ratio, and the like of the ayBack are reduced as compared with a normal case.

Here, from the point of view of the store business operator 930, distribution of advertisement information to the wireless terminal through the advertisement information distribution service is expected to increase profits due to an increase in the purchase amount of store products of the user 920. In addition, since a PayBack or a contract fee discount from the network operator 910 is expected, a part of the increase in the sales may be returned to the user 920 (the coupon [5] or the coupon [5 ′ in FIG. 17). -1] and [5'-2]). Various methods are conceivable for this purpose. For example, an electronic coupon (electronic coupon) relating to a product provided by the store business operator 930 is added to the advertisement information provided by the store business operator 930, A wireless terminal 200 that distributes an electronic coupon along with advertisement information and obtains it
It is conceivable that such a method is used by a user 920 in a store managed by the store business operator 930 (for example, the purchase amount is reduced at a certain rate). Regarding the method of realizing this coupon, the method of distributing it as electronic information and the use results are described in the store operator 930.
, And periodically mails a physical coupon to the user 920 (eg, once a month).

Note that there is a method of distributing an electronic coupon in addition to, for example, advertisement information. When the advertisement information is provided from the local information server 100 as in the first embodiment,
For example, electronic coupon data is set in the local information server 100. On the other hand, when the store business operator 930 provides the advertisement information as in the second embodiment, the electronic coupon data is set in the store server 300. In the former case, the electronic coupon will be distributed from the network operator 910 to the user 920,
In the latter case, the information is directly distributed from the store operator 930 to the user 920 without going through the network operator 910. In any case, a structure such as charging / returning profit can be realized by the above-described series of methods.

As described above, the profit caused by the increase in the usage fee of the wide area wireless network 10 of the user 920 caused by implementing the information search service as shown in the above-described embodiment is used by the network operator 9.
A distribution system in which the store 10 and the store operator 930 can be shared can be realized. Further, it is also possible to return a part of the profit to the user 920 that originally generated the profit. By creating such a billing mechanism,
A new service provision within the wide area wireless network 10 can be smoothly started, and a service provision mechanism that can satisfy the user 920 can be realized.

The contract fees, usage fees, profit returns, etc. described above are all converted into electronic information (for example, electronic money, electronic coupons) or electronically (for example, notification of account numbers and credit card numbers). It can be exchanged, or only part of it can be exchanged as electronic information or electronically (others are, for example, by cash payment, bank transfer, delivery of securities, physical coupon etc.) . Hereinafter, a case where an electronic coupon is distributed in the first and second embodiments will be described.

When distributing an electronic coupon, first,
In the first embodiment, the electronic coupon data is set in association with the corresponding advertisement information in the local information server 100. When the advertising information is passed from the store business side to the network provider side (via a communication medium or a recording medium), an electronic coupon may be added to the advertising information and passed. The data may be passed separately (via a communication medium or a recording medium).

Then, in (12) of the procedure of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the regional information server 100 has set an electronic coupon provided by the store operator corresponding to the store server of the received location information. Then, when notifying the wireless terminal 200 of the search result and the advertisement information, the electronic coupon is added to the advertisement information and transmitted.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, electronic coupon data is set in association with advertisement information in the store server 300.

Then, in (5) of the procedure of FIG. 12 of the second embodiment, if the electronic coupon is set, the store server 300 transmits the position information and the advertisement information to the wireless terminal 200 when the electronic coupon is set. , The electronic coupon is transmitted together.

[0172] For example, in the first embodiment, it is also possible to distribute an electronic coupon from the shop server 300. In this case, the electronic coupon data is set in association with the position information in the store server 300.

Then, in (7) of the procedure of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, if an electronic coupon is set, the store server 300 transmits the electronic coupon to the wireless terminal 200 when notifying the position information. The coupon will be sent together.

For example, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to distribute an electronic coupon from the local information server 100. In this case, the local information server 10
At 0, electronic coupon data is set in association with the location information of each store operator. Then, in the second embodiment, the wireless terminal 200 reads the position information added when transmitting the search request for the local information, and selects / transmits the electronic coupon to be distributed.

Various other methods are conceivable for such electronic coupon distribution.

For example, when transmitting an electronic coupon from the local information server 100 to the wireless terminal 200, the local information server 100 sends the electronic coupon to the location information, whether or not the electronic coupon has been transmitted, and the electronic coupon to be transmitted. A database that registers coupon data as a set (if it can be set for each store operator and each store), or a store operator corresponding to location information, whether or not electronic coupons are sent, A database (in a case where it can be set for each store operator) is provided for registering the electronic coupon data in the case of having it as a set, and the local information server 100
May search this database based on the location information and, if an electronic coupon is obtained, add the obtained electronic coupon to the search result and the advertising information and transmit it to the wireless terminal 200.

For example, it is possible to set whether or not to send an electronic coupon for each wireless terminal 200. In this case, for example, the identification information of the wireless terminal that sends the electronic coupon is registered in the store server 300,
The store server 3 in (5) of the procedure of FIG. 12 of the second embodiment.
When notifying the wireless terminal 200 of the position information and the advertisement information from 00, the identification information of the wireless terminal 200 is checked, and if the identification information is registered, an electronic coupon is added to the position information and the advertisement information. If the identification information is not registered, only the position information and the advertisement information are transmitted. The same applies when using another method such as (12) of the procedure of FIG. 2 or (7) of the procedure of FIG.
The same applies to sending an electronic coupon from 00).

It is also possible to change the type of electronic coupon to be sent for each wireless terminal 200. in this case,
For example, the correspondence between the identification information of the wireless terminal and the information indicating the type of the electronic coupon to be sent to the wireless terminal is registered in the store server 300, and the store is registered in (5) of the procedure of FIG. 12 of the second embodiment. When notifying the wireless terminal 200 of the position information and the advertisement information from the server 300, the identification information of the wireless terminal 200 is checked, and the type of the electronic coupon corresponding to the identification information is checked. Add an electronic coupon and send. The same applies to the case where another method such as the procedure (12) of FIG. 2 or the procedure (7) of FIG. 2 is used (the same applies to the case where an electronic coupon is sent from the local information server 100).

Further, a method of setting whether or not to send an electronic coupon for each wireless terminal 200 and a method of changing the type of electronic coupon to be sent for each wireless terminal 200 can be implemented together.

In order to avoid sending the same electronic coupon excessively to the same wireless terminal 200, the terminal ID of the wireless terminal 200 to which the electronic coupon has been sent is recorded, and the terminal ID of the wireless terminal 200 that has not been sent (sent multiple times) is recorded. It is also possible to send the electronic coupon only to the wireless terminal 200 (if it is assumed that this does not exceed the specified number of times of sending).

Note that an electronic signature may be added to the electronic coupon. Also, the electronic coupon may be used only by the wireless terminal to which the electronic coupon is distributed first, or the electronic coupon may be moved or copied and used by the wireless terminal.

In addition, various variations are possible.

The above functions can also be realized as software.

Further, the present embodiment is a computer in which a program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined means (or for causing the computer to function as the predetermined means or for causing the computer to realize the predetermined function) is recorded. It can also be implemented as a readable recording medium.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope.

[0186]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless terminal user of a wide area wireless network with information on an area where the wireless terminal user is located, and to surely obtain information on a store or the like located near the wireless terminal user. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration using a wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence when a local information search service is provided using a wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a packet format of a packet transferred between the wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a method of storing position information / advertisement information stored in a position information / advertisement information database in the information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method of storing a correspondence relationship between location information and area identification information in the information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a method of storing position identification information / region information stored in a region information search database in the information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The figure which shows an example of the display method of the regional information search result

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of the wireless terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of the information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an internal structure of a wireless server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a network configuration using the wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the processing sequence when providing a local information search service using the wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the packet format of the packet transferred between the wireless terminal / wireless server / information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the internal structure of the wireless terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the internal structure of the information server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of the internal structure of the wireless server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining distribution of an electronic coupon.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wide area wireless network 20 ... Wireless LAN 100, 400 ... Local information server 101, 401 ... Local information search DB 102 ... Location information / advertisement information DB 103, 403 ... Search result acquisition part 104, 404 ... Location information management part 105, 405 ... Packet creation units 106 and 406 ... Location information acquisition units 107 and 407 ... Location information transmission unit 108 ... Advertisement information acquisition units 109 and 409 ... Wide area wireless network interface processing units 200 and 500 ... Mobile terminals 201 and 501 ... Search results Display units 202, 502 ... search data input units 203, 503 ... service activation units 204, 504 ... advertisement information acquisition units 205, 505 ... search information creation units 206, 506 ... search result acquisition units 207, 507 ... packet creation units 208, 508: Location information acquisition unit 209, 509: No wide area Network interface processing units 210, 510 Wireless LAN interface processing units 2011, 5011 Display screens 300, 600 Store servers 301, 601 Location information storage units 302, 602 Advertising information creation / input units 303, 603 Wireless LAN Management units 304, 604 Packet creation units 305, 605 Location information acquisition units 306 Location information transmission units 307, 607 Wide area wireless network interface processing units 308, 608 Wireless LAN interface processing units 609 Advertising information storage units

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/38 G06F 15/403 340A H04B 7/26 109M (72) Inventor Toru Imai Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa No. 1 Komukai Toshiba Town Co., Ltd. Toshiba R & D Center (72) Inventor Shigeyasu Natsuhori No. 1 Komukai Toshiba Town Co., Ltd., Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Co., Ltd. Toshiba R & D Center Co., Ltd. In the Toshiba R & D Center, No. 1, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Japan (72) Inventor Makoto Shinya Amano 1-term Toshiba R & D Center, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Sachi-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Reference) 5B049 AA00 BB00 BB11 BB55 CC02 CC06 CC37 CC38 DD05 EE05 FF01 FF06 GG03 GG04 GG06 5B075 KK07 KK33 KK37 PP28 PQ12 QS20 UU14 5B089 GA1 1 GA25 GB01 GB03 HA13 HA14 HB10 JA33 JB22 KA02 KA04 KC44 LB14 5K033 BA13 CC02 DA01 DA06 DA19 5K067 AA34 BB04 BB21 DD19 DD52 DD53 EE02 EE12 FF01 FF23 HH05 HH22

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An information server for providing a local information search service, comprising: first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network; and wireless communication within the first interface means and a narrow area. A wireless terminal comprising second interface means for utilizing the local information search service of the information server; and a wireless terminal comprising the first interface means and the second interface means, and a desired advertisement to a wireless terminal user located nearby. An information providing method in a wireless network system including a wireless server installed for presenting information, wherein the information server includes identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server, and advertisement information related to the wireless server. Are stored in association with each other, and the wireless server is transmitted from the information server to the wireless server via the first interface means. Notifying the identification information to the server, the wireless server transmits the identification information to the wireless server notified from the information server to the wireless terminal via the second interface means, the second interface The wireless terminal having received the identification information via the means transmits a regional information search request including the identification information to the information server via the first interface means, and via the first interface means The information server receiving the local information search request including the identification information, the search result for the local information related to the area specified based on the identification information, and the advertising information corresponding to the identification information, Transmitting to the wireless terminal via the first interface means, and transmitting the search result via the first interface means Preliminary wherein the wireless terminal receiving the advertisement information, the information providing method and displaying the said search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form. 2. An information server for providing a local information search service, comprising first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, and wireless communication within the first interface means and a narrow area. A wireless terminal comprising second interface means for utilizing the local information search service of the information server; and a wireless terminal comprising the first interface means and the second interface means, and a desired advertisement to a wireless terminal user located nearby. An information providing method in a wireless network system including a wireless server installed for presenting information, wherein the wireless server or the wireless server is transmitted from the information server to the wireless server via the first interface unit. The wireless server that has notified the identification information that uniquely identifies the area to which the wireless server belongs, The wireless server stores the identification information and the advertisement information to be provided by the own server, and transmits the identification information and the advertisement information to the own server notified from the information server via the second interface unit. The wireless terminal that has transmitted the identification information and the advertisement information through the second interface unit to the terminal, transmits a regional information search request including the identification information to the terminal unit through the first interface unit. The information server, which has transmitted to the information server and received the local information search request including the identification information via the first interface means, searches for local information related to the area specified based on the identification information. Transmitting the result to the wireless terminal via the first interface means, and transmitting the result via the first interface means The wireless terminal from the serial information server receives the search results, the information providing method and displaying and said advertisement information received from the wireless server and the search result in a predetermined display form. 3. An information server for providing a local information search service via a wide area wireless network, a wireless terminal using the local information search service of the information server, and advertisement information desired for a wireless terminal user located nearby. What is claimed is: 1. A wireless network system comprising: a wireless server installed for presenting; said information server comprising: first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network; and identification for uniquely identifying said wireless server. First storage means for storing information and advertisement information related to the wireless server in association with each other; and storing an area information database using a server installation area specified based on the identification information as one search key. Second storage means, and notifying means for notifying the wireless server of the identification information for the wireless server via the first interface means. A first receiving unit that receives a regional information search request including the identification information from the wireless terminal via the first interface unit; and when the local information search request including the identification information is received, A search result for the local information database using the server installation area specified based on the identification information as at least one search key, and search means for respectively obtaining the advertisement information stored corresponding to the identification information; A first transmission unit configured to transmit the search result and the advertisement information obtained by the search unit to the wireless terminal via the first interface unit; and the wireless server includes: First interface means for performing wireless communication via the wireless communication apparatus, second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range, Via the first interface means from the server, the second for receiving the Symbol identification information for the local server
Receiving means, third storage means for storing the received identification information, and transmitting the identification information stored in the third storage means to the wireless terminal via the second interface means A second transmitting unit that performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network; a second interface unit that performs wireless communication within the narrow range; Third receiving means for receiving the identification information for the wireless server from the wireless server via the second interface means, and including the identification information to the information server via the first interface means A third transmission unit for transmitting a regional information search request; and receiving the search result and the advertisement information from the information server via the first interface unit. 4
A wireless network system, comprising: a receiving unit, and a display unit that displays the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form. 4. An information server for providing a local information search service via a wide area wireless network, a wireless terminal using the local information search service of the information server, and advertisement information desired for a wireless terminal user located nearby. A wireless network system including a wireless server installed for presentation, wherein the information server includes first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, and the wireless server or the wireless server belongs to the first interface means. Notification means for notifying the wireless server of the identification information for uniquely identifying the area via the first interface means; area information using the server installation area specified based on the identification information as one search key A first storage unit that stores a database; and the wireless terminal includes the identification information via the first interface unit. First receiving means for receiving a regional information search request, wherein when the local information search request including the identification information is received, the server installation area specified based on the identification information is used as at least one search key. A search unit that obtains a search result for the local information database; and a first transmission unit that transmits the search result obtained by the search unit to the wireless terminal via the first interface unit. A first interface unit for performing wireless communication via the wide area wireless network; a second interface unit for performing wireless communication within a narrow range; and the information server via the first interface unit. Receiving the identification information for the own server;
Receiving means, a second storage means for storing the received identification information and the advertisement information to be provided by the server, and the identification information and the advertisement information stored in the second storage means, A second transmitting means for transmitting to the wireless terminal via a second interface means, wherein the wireless terminal performs first wireless communication via the wide area wireless network; A second interface means for performing wireless communication by: a third receiving means for receiving the identification information and the advertisement information for the wireless server from the wireless server via the second interface means; Third transmitting means for transmitting a regional information search request including the identification information to the server via the first interface means; Fourth receiving means for receiving the search result via an interface means, display means for displaying the search result received from the information server and the advertisement information received from the wireless server in a predetermined display form, A wireless network system comprising: 5. A wireless communication system comprising: a first interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network; a second interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range; and the narrow interface means via the second interface means. A first receiving unit for receiving at least identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server or its installation area in the wide area wireless network from a wireless server existing in the range, and via the first interface unit Transmitting means for transmitting an information search request added with the identification information received by the first receiving means to an information server providing a regional information search service based on the identification information; and information added with the identification information. From the information server that has processed the search request, at least a search result of the regional information based on the identification information is obtained via the first interface means. A wireless terminal comprising: a second receiving unit for receiving; and a presentation unit for presenting, at least visually and / or audibly, a search result of the local information received by the second receiving unit. 6. The wireless terminal according to claim 5, further comprising: means for transmitting information which triggers the wireless server to transmit the identification information to the terminal itself. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a wireless server that associates the identification information with the wireless server together with the identification information, or identification information that uniquely identifies the wireless server to the information search request and transmits the information. The wireless terminal according to claim 5, further comprising third receiving means for receiving advertisement information to be transmitted. 8. The presenting means, at the same time as or before or after presenting the search result of the local information, transmits the advertisement information received by the third receiving means to a user terminal's own attention. The wireless terminal according to claim 7, wherein the wireless terminal is presented in a presentation form. 9. The presenting means, when both the search result of the local information and the advertisement information include visually presentable information, displays the search result of the local information on the screen as the presenting form. A first mode in which the advertisement information is always displayed in a predetermined area on the display screen when displaying the information, and when displaying the search result of the local information on the screen, the advertisement information is displayed at the top of the search result. A second form of displaying as information,
Or, when the advertisement information is provided from the wireless server, the advertisement information given earlier than the search result of the local information, the search result of the local information is received from at least the information server and can be displayed. The wireless terminal according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the third forms for displaying until the end is used is used. 10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first receiving means receives the identification information broadcast by said wireless server via said second interface means. Wireless terminal. 11. A search means for searching for a wireless server capable of acquiring the identification information via the second interface means, and a wireless server found by the search means,
Requesting means for requesting the wireless server to transmit the identification information via the interface means, wherein the first receiving means transmits the identification transmitted by the wireless server having received the request by the requesting means. The wireless terminal according to claim 5, wherein the wireless terminal receives information. 12. The wireless terminal according to claim 11, wherein said search means searches for said wireless server using an SDP protocol which is a service search protocol on Bluetooth. 13. A first wireless communication apparatus for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network.
An interface means for performing wireless communication within a narrow range; and an area information search service based on the identification information for uniquely identifying an own server or its installation area in a wide area wireless network. Receiving means for receiving, via the first interface means, from an information server providing the information via the wide area wireless network; identification information storing means for storing the received identification information; Transmitting the stored identification information to the wireless terminal using the local information search service by transmitting an information search request to which the identification information has been added to the information server via the second interface means; And a wireless server. 14. The information server according to claim 1, wherein:
When an information search request to which identification information for uniquely identifying the wireless server is added is received, advertisement information related to the wireless server identified by the identification information is provided to the wireless terminal together with the search result of the regional information. The wireless server further comprises an advertisement information notifying unit that notifies the information server of the advertisement information to be provided by the information server via the first interface unit. The wireless server according to claim 13, wherein: 15. An advertisement information storage unit for storing advertisement information to be provided, wherein the transmission unit stores the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage unit together with the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit. The wireless server according to claim 13, wherein advertisement information is transmitted to the wireless terminal. 16. The wireless server according to claim 13, wherein said transmitting means broadcasts said identification information via said second interface means. 17. Service notifying means for notifying, via the second interface means, a wireless terminal located within the narrow range that the server provides the identification information, and the service notification. Request information receiving means for receiving, via the second interface means, information requesting transmission of the identification information from the wireless terminal which has recognized the notification by the means, further comprising: 14. The wireless server according to claim 13, wherein the identification information for the server is transmitted to the wireless terminal that has transmitted the request received by the request information receiving unit. 18. The service notification means according to claim 17, wherein
18. The wireless server according to claim 17, wherein the notification is performed using an SDP protocol that is a service search protocol on the Internet. 19. An information server for providing, via a wide area wireless network, a search service for area information related to an area where a wireless terminal is currently located, wherein first interface means performs wireless communication via the wide area wireless network And identifying information for uniquely identifying a wireless server installed to present desired advertisement information to a wireless terminal user located near the own wireless server, and advertisement information related to the wireless server. First storage means for storing; second storage means for storing an area information database using a server installation area specified based on the identification information as one search key; and the first interface to the wireless server Notification means for notifying the wireless server of the identification information via the means; Receiving means for receiving a regional information search request including the identification information, via the interface means, when receiving the local information search request including the identification information, a server installation area specified based on the identification information; Search means for respectively obtaining a search result for the local information database as at least one search key and the advertisement information stored in correspondence with the identification information; and the search result and the advertisement obtained by the search means Transmitting means for transmitting information to the wireless terminal via the first interface means. 20. An information server for providing, via a wide area wireless network, a search service for local information related to an area where a wireless terminal is currently located, an interface means for performing wireless communication via a wide area wireless network, Notifying the wireless server via the interface means to the wireless server of identification information for uniquely identifying a wireless server or an installation area provided for providing desired advertisement information to a wireless terminal user located near the wireless server. Notification means, storage means for storing a regional information database using a server installation area specified based on the identification information as one search key, and the interface means from a wireless terminal that has acquired the identification information from the wireless server. Receiving means for receiving a local information search request including the identification information via the local information, the local information including the identification information When receiving a search request, search means for obtaining a search result for the local information database using at least one server installation area specified based on the identification information as a search key; and the search result obtained by the search means Transmitting means for transmitting to the wireless terminal via the interface means. 21. When a wireless terminal of a user who subscribes to a communication service of a wide area wireless network operator uses a local information search service provided by the wide area wireless network operator through the wide area wireless network, After receiving the identification information of the store server via the wireless LAN from the store server installed in the store of the store operator subscribed to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network operator, the received identification information is Transmitting a local information search request including the local information search request via the wide area wireless network; and a store business corresponding to the store server of the search result and the identification information for the local information search request via the wide area wireless network. Receiving the advertisement information of the person; the wireless terminal displaying the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form; In order to return profits to the information search service user, the store server of the specific store business operator sends a request to the wireless terminal that has requested the identification information of the own server to use the local information search service, Sending an electronic coupon to the identification information and transmitting the electronic coupon. 22. When a wireless terminal of a user who has subscribed to a communication service of a wide area wireless network operator uses a regional information search service provided by the wide area wireless network operator through the wide area wireless network, After receiving the identification information of the store server via the wireless LAN from the store server installed in the store of the store operator subscribed to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network operator, the received identification information is Transmitting a local information search request including the local information search request via the wide area wireless network to the local information search server, wherein the local information search server corresponds to a search result of the received local information search request and the store server of the identification information. Transmitting advertisement information of a store business operator to the wireless terminal via the wide area wireless network; and the wireless terminal displays the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined table. A step of displaying in the form, in order to reduce the benefits to the local search service available to the user from a particular store operators, the local search server,
To use the local information search service, to the wireless terminal that has transmitted a local information search request including the identification information of the store server of the specific store business operator, the search result and the advertisement information to the specific store An electronic coupon distribution method, wherein an electronic coupon provided by a business is added and transmitted. 23. When a wireless terminal of a user subscribed to a communication service of a wide area wireless network operator uses a regional information search service provided by the wide area wireless network operator through the wide area wireless network, After receiving identification information and advertisement information of the store server via a wireless LAN from a store server installed in a store of a store business that has subscribed to the advertisement information distribution service of the wide area wireless network business, Transmitting a local information search request including identification information via the wide area wireless network; the wireless terminal receiving a search result for the local information search request via the wide area wireless network; Displaying the received search result and the advertisement information in a predetermined display form; and returning profits from a specific store operator to a user of the local information search service. In order to use the local information search service, the store server of the specific store operator adds an electronic coupon to the identification information of the server and the advertisement information to the wireless terminal that has requested the identification information of the server. Transmitting the electronic coupon. 24. The server according to claim 21, wherein the server transmits an electronic coupon to the wireless terminal only when the wireless terminal is designated as a coupon transmission target.
24. The electronic coupon distribution method according to any one of items 23 to 23. 25. The electronic coupon distribution method according to claim 21, wherein the server transmits an electronic coupon of a type selected for each wireless terminal to the wireless terminal.