JP2002041952A - System and method for distributing service information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system and a method for distributing service information in which users can easily obtain latest information on the membership service together with map information. SOLUTION: A request for distributing membership service information is transmitted from the user 120 to an information distribution enterprise 110, and received by a retrieval server 111. The retrieval server 111 retrieves the membership service information enjoyable by the user 120 from membership service information databases 13A, 13B, etc., via the Internet 100. Next, the retrieval server 111 transmits the membership service information which is the result of retrieval to an information distribution server 115, and a request for preparing a map is transmitted to a map preparation server 113. The map preparation server 113 transmits map information prepared based on the request for preparing the map to the information distribution server 115. The information distribution server 115 distributes membership service information and map information to a terminal of the user 120.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service information distribution system for distributing membership service information that a user can enjoy as a member to a terminal operated by the user via a network at the request of the user who is a member. It concerns the distribution method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, many companies (entrepreneurs) provide membership services in which members can enjoy some services. For example, there are credit card and car repair services and airline boarding point service. And many people are members of multiple membership services. In such membership-based services, service tie-ups among multiple operators and diversification of service content are progressing,
The system is becoming more complex. In the past, users have to find out which membership services they have enrolled on the go or at destination, in which places and facilities, what kind of services are available. You need to look at the booklet and check the information of the facility where you are on the go or at the destination to confirm that you are dealing with a membership service that you are a member of.

[0003]

As described above, it is difficult to grasp all the details of the membership service to which oneself is a member because of the diversification and complexity of the membership service. It was more difficult to keep track of service information and the location of service provision facilities on the go or destination. Also, as a business providing a membership service, it is costly to make the service information known to the members, and it is particularly difficult to make the service known for a limited period of time known to the members. Furthermore, it is difficult and expensive to provide visual and easy-to-understand information such as a map of a place where a service is provided. Recently, the spread of mobile phones and mobile terminals has been remarkable,
Furthermore, the display device of a portable device has been able to display more information. However, in the case of portable equipment, display of ordinary electronic map information (map image data) cannot be performed due to problems such as data capacity and low resolution of a display device. Many. For this reason, in a portable device, a map could not be displayed even if there was desired information with a map (or it was difficult to see even if it could be displayed).

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and, regarding information on membership services that can be enjoyed by a user at a destination or a destination, the user can easily combine the latest information with map information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a service information distribution system and a distribution method which can be obtained by using the service information distribution system.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a service information distribution system according to the present invention provides a user enrollment information indicating a user's enrollment status to a membership service. Membership service provided by each business operator based on the user information database that has registered the information and the distribution request from the user, searching the user information database for the user's membership information, and based on the user's membership information Search means for searching for membership service information that can be used by the user from the information database, map creation means for creating map information including service providing locations based on the searched membership service information, and at least map creation means And information distribution means for distributing map information to users. In this way, the user makes a distribution request from a terminal that can communicate via the communication network, and where each company receives the service with the membership system that provides limited services to members. Map information is distributed and received.

In the service information delivery system according to the present invention, when the delivery request includes the location information of the user, the search means uses the membership system to allow the user to use the location around the location indicated by the location information based on the location information. It is characterized by having an area-limited search means for searching for service information. As a result, when the user makes a distribution request,
The position information is automatically added to the distribution request by holding a position sensor that specifies the current position of the user or by inputting the position information manually. The search means searches for membership service information around a specific place based on the position information. The user receives the delivery of the search result.

Further, in the service information distribution system according to the present invention, the map creating means creates map information according to the display capability of the user terminal based on the type information of the user terminal. The method is characterized in that the membership service information is distributed together with the map information in a data format corresponding to the user terminal based on the type information of the user terminal.
As a result, users can obtain map information suitable for their display capabilities for each type of user terminal, such as general-purpose terminals, mobile phones, and mobile terminals, and a data format that can be processed by each terminal for each type of user terminal. Distribution service information is distributed and received.

Further, in the service information distribution system according to the present invention, the map creation means includes a map database storing feature element data obtained by extracting feature elements for creating a schematic map, and a membership service information based on membership service information. A characteristic element data reading means for reading the characteristic element data of the area including the provided facility in accordance with a display method preset by the user or a display method of the terminal based on the type information of the user terminal; Structural data generating means for determining the relationship between data and generating structural data by connecting characteristic element data, and data for generating a schematic map which is map information for distribution by converting the structural data into an image Conversion means. This allows the user to extract intersections, junctions, roads connecting them, buildings and public facilities that serve as landmarks, and create a desired format using characteristic element data managed by adding an identification ID. Receive the delivery of the simplified map.

In addition, in the service information distribution system according to the present invention, when adding the route guidance information to the map information, the map creating means sets the location indicated by the user's location information as a starting point, and obtains a membership from the membership service information. A route guidance creating unit that creates route guidance information indicating a route ending with the location of the facility that provides the control service, wherein the data conversion unit adds route guidance to a schematic map from the route guidance information and the structural data. A route guide map, a route guide list in which the names of the landmarks in the middle of the route and symbols indicating the traveling direction are listed from the starting point to the destination, and the names of the landmarks from the starting point to the destination and the traveling direction are connected. It is characterized in that it is converted into the format of the route guidance sentence which has been finished as a sentence as map information for distribution. This allows the user to:
A route guide map in which a route from a starting point to an end point is added to a schematic map, an intersection name or a facility name as a landmark is selected from characteristic element data, and a route guide list in which the starting point to the end point are listed in order, The distribution of the favorite information is received from the route guidance sentence which made the route guidance list a sentence based on the traveling direction information.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and all the combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessary for solving the invention. Not necessarily. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a service information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 110 denotes an information distribution company, which can perform information communication with the user 120 and the membership service information provider group 130 via the Internet 100, and receives the distribution request of the user 120 and receives the membership service information. Obtain the membership service information of the user 120 from the provider group 130 and, if necessary, send the membership service information together with the map information to the user 12.
Deliver to 0. In addition, a search server (search means) 111, a map creation server (map creation means) 113, and an information delivery server (information delivery means) 115 are provided to perform these services. The user 120 can access the Internet 100
Owns a network terminal such as a mobile phone 121, a mobile terminal 122, and a general-purpose terminal 123 that can communicate with the information distribution company 110 via the Internet, and distributes membership service information to the information distribution company 110. Is the user who requests Membership service information provider group 130
Membership service information D which is a DB (database) for storing membership service information such as the target of the membership service, the period during which the membership service is implemented, and the contents of the membership service.
B. 13A, 13B, 13C,..., And receives a search request for the membership service information of the user 120 who has requested distribution from the information distribution company 110 via the Internet 100, and It is a plurality of businesses that provide membership service information by returning service information.

Next, the function of each server owned by the information distributor 110 will be described. The search server 111
The user 120 is provided with a user information DB 112 in which information on subscription to the membership service and use terminal information are registered in advance. Further, the search server 111 stores the user 12
If there is a distribution request for membership service information from 0, the user information DB 112 is searched for user information on the user 120. Next, from the search result, the search server 1
Reference numeral 11 denotes a DB of information on the membership service that the user 120 can enjoy (hereinafter, user membership service information).
To the member service information provider group 130 that prepares
A user member service information search request for requesting the information search is transmitted. Further, the search server 111 receives the user membership service information that the membership service information provider group 130 receives and searches for and returns the user membership service information search request, and transmits the information to the information distribution server 115. In addition, when the search server 111 determines that map information is necessary based on the received user membership service information and the distribution request from the user 120, the search server 111 transmits a map creation instruction to the map creation server 113.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration example of an input table (DB table) of data to be registered in the user information DB / 112.
Shown in The user information DB data input table 20 indicates that the user 1
Personal information field 2 for entering personal information such as 20 names and addresses
1, an enrollment status information column 22 for inputting enrollment status information, etc., which is information on the membership system to which the user has joined, and a terminal information column, for inputting used terminal information, which is information on network terminals normally used by users. 23 and the display format of the map, such as the priority of information display for a plurality of membership services determined by the user 120 and the display format of a map such as whether to display with the north direction up or the traveling direction up. And a search history field 25 in which the history of which member-based service information has been searched in the past and distributed to the user 120 is automatically input by the search server 111.

The map creation server 113 stores a map DB 114 for storing map data corresponding to general various scales and feature element data extracted from feature elements of the map data and used at the time of creating a schematic map. And the above-mentioned map DB 1 based on a map creation request from the search server 111.
Search map data or feature element data from 14
Distribution map information is created based on the search data, and transmitted to the information distribution server 115.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a data structure of general map data stored in the map DB 114. 1
14a classifies all the maps to be managed into rough areas,
By adding a mesh ID to the coordinates, map data can be managed for each rough area (each mesh), and this is a DB for the mesh management. Reference numeral 114b denotes a map image DB prepared for the map image data for display, the character data to be displayed in the map, and the symbol data to be displayed in the map, respectively, for the scale of the entire map and the scale of the enlarged map. FIG. 4 shows a display example of the map data shown above. This display example is an example of display on the mobile phone 121 in FIG. 1, an example of an enlarged view is an enlarged view 131, and an example of the entire view is an overall view 13 in FIG.
2. In a device such as the mobile phone 121 or the mobile terminal 122 having a limited display capability, the display is detailed as shown in FIG.

[0015] The information distribution server 115 is a search server 11
1 receives the user membership service information, and when map information is required, receives the distribution map information from the map creation server 113, and transmits the information to the terminal used when the user 120 transmits the distribution request. Deliver in the information format that matches.

Next, a detailed configuration of the user 120 will be described. The user 120 may own a network terminal such as the mobile phone 121, the mobile terminal 122, or the general-purpose terminal 123 and use it properly according to his / her preference. Also, if the user 120
PS (Global Positioning Sys)
tem) Location identification by sensor, Bluetooth
h, etc., and PHS (Per
Sonal Handy phone System)
"Position sensing function such as GPS" 124 having a position identification or position identification function such as position identification from a base station 124
The following functions can be realized by connecting or holding a mobile terminal having a built-in terminal. For example, when it is desired to know the membership service information around the current location of the user 120, the current location information is automatically detected, and when the distribution request of the membership service information is transmitted to the information distributor 110, the current location is automatically determined. By transmitting the information together, it is possible to obtain membership service information around the current location. Also, "GPS
Even if the position sensing function “124” is not provided, information indicating the current position of the user may be manually input to add the current position information to the distribution request of the membership service information.

Next, member service information provider group 1
30 will be described in detail. The member service information provider group 130 is a member service information DB / 13.
In the construction of A, 13B, 13C,..., The above DB is constructed with the latest information at all times. Here, the membership service information DBs 13A, 13B, 13C,...
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration example of data to be stored in the storage device. The business entity that provides the membership service information creates the data shown in the membership service information DB data configuration example 50 for each business entity that actually provides the membership service to the user 120, and stores the membership service information. DB ・ 13A 、 13B 、 13C
Build ... The membership-based service information DB data configuration example 50 includes membership-based service provider information 51 that is information on a provider that provides a membership service, and business dates and times that are information on the business days and business hours of the business. Information 5
2, area information 54 which is information on which area the business location is located in, and nearest station information 55 which is information on the number of nearest stations of the business.

Next, the operation of the above-described service information distribution system will be described with reference to FIG. 6 which is a flowchart. First,
The user 120 inputs predetermined information to the table in the format shown in FIG. 2 from an arbitrary terminal and transmits the information to the search server 111, so that the search server 111 receives the user information (step S1). Next, the search server 111 proceeds to step S1
Is registered in the user information DB 112 (step S2). The above operation is performed for each user 12
The user information DB 112 is constructed by performing the processing for each 0. Next, when the user 120 transmits a distribution request for membership service information from any terminal, the search server 111 receives the distribution request (step S1).
1). Next, when the user 120 has the "position sensing function such as GPS" 124, the search server 111 receives the position information of the user 120 transmitted from the "position sensing function such as GPS" 124 (step). S1
2). If the user 120 does not have the “position sensing function such as GPS” 124, it is determined that the position information has not been received, and the process proceeds to the next step. Next, the search server 11
1 reads out user information corresponding to the user 120 that transmitted the search request from the user information DB 112, and
Based on the 20 user information, the search request, and the location information, a search request for the user membership service information is created, and the membership service information DBs 13A and 13B of the membership service information provider group 130 are provided. .. Are transmitted to the user member system service information search request (step S1).
3).

Membership service information DBs 13A, 13B,.
Searches for the user membership service information in response to the user membership service information search request, and returns it to the search server 111. The search server 111 stores the membership service information D
The user membership service information, which is the search result of B. 13A, 13B,..., Is received (step S14). next,
The search server 111 sets a map request in the user information of the user 120 registered in the user information DB / 112 when the user 120 wants to distribute the map information together. (Step S1)
5). If "no" in step S15, the search server 1
11 transmits the user membership service information, which is the search result, to the information distribution server 115 (step S18). If "yes" in step S15, the search server 111
Checks whether there is information indicating the position in the user membership system service information as the search result (step S16). If “no” in step S16, the search server 111
The user membership service information, which is the search result, is transmitted to the information distribution server 115 (step S19). Step S
In the case of “yes” in 16, the search server 111 transmits a map creation request to the map creation server 113, and transmits user membership service information as a search result to the information distribution server 115. (Step S17).

Next, the map creation server 113 receives the map creation request transmitted from the search server 111 in step S17 (step S20). Cartographic server 113
Is a map DB based on the location information stored in the map creation request.
Retrieve map data around the position indicated by the position information from 114 (hereinafter referred to as position surrounding map data). The map creation server 113 uses the user 120 shown in the general view 132 and the enlarged view 131 of FIG.
Is in a data format suitable for the terminal being used, and the user 120
Creates map information for distribution to which a place where members can enjoy the membership service is added (step S21). As described above, the general map display shown in FIG. 4 is too detailed and difficult to understand depending on the taste of the user 120. In order to match various tastes of the user 120, step S21 is performed.
Is separately shown in a map creation flowchart for creating a schematic map or the like according to the user's preference, and the operation will be described later. Next, the map creation server 113 transmits the map information for distribution to the information distribution server 115 (step S2).
2).

Next, the information distribution server 115 receives the map information for distribution from the map creation server 113 (step S30). Next, the information distribution server 115 receives the user membership service information from the search server 111 (step S31). If “no” is obtained in steps S15 and S16, step S30 is skipped and processing is performed from step S31. Next, based on the map information and the user membership service information, the information distribution server 115 creates distribution membership service information in a data format suitable for the terminal used by the user 120 and distributes the information to the terminal. (Step S32). With the above operation, the user 120 has the requested membership service information distributed with map information in a data format according to the terminal being used.

Next, in the map creation flow of step S21, a schematic map or the like is created according to the preference of the user 120,
FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the map creation server 113 in the case of performing a service of searching for a route and indicating a route to a destination. First, the map D included in the map creation server 113
B · 114 will be described. The map DB 114 uses general map data to create simplified maps and search routes.
Characteristic element data obtained by extracting characteristic elements is further stored. FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of feature element data obtained by extracting feature elements of a map. The characteristic element DB 114C is the map DB 114
Is a DB of characteristic element data stored in the. Feature element D
The internal data of B • 114C is described below.
Reference numeral 114C1 denotes data obtained by extracting a characteristic portion, such as an intersection or a corner, which serves as a landmark for turning in the map. The node related point 114C2 is data relating to information (hereinafter referred to as point information) of a characteristic building or the like near the node 114C1. The node 114C3 is the node 114C1
And information connecting the node 114C1 and is basically road data. The clause set 114C4 is composed of multiple clauses
114C3, and is data indicating, for example, “XX street”. The node related point 114C5 is
It is point information related to the node 114C3, and is data relating to a landmark along the road. Knot-related line 114
C6 is related to the node 114C3, and is information on a positional relationship between a road and a railroad or a river (hereinafter referred to as line information). Further, as shown in the figure, a data ID 114C7, which is an ID for data identification, is added to each feature element data described above.

Next, the function of each processing section of the map creation server 113 will be described. The control section 72 controls each section in the map creation server 113. The input / output processing unit 73
The input / output processing of communication data with the search server 111 and the information distribution server 115 is performed. After the input / output processing unit 73 receives the map creation request transmitted from the search server 111 (step S20 in FIG. 6), the request reception processing unit 74 receives the map creation information for each type determined by the map creation request. Process and output as map creation information for each type. The route search processing unit 75 receives necessary information from various types of cartographic information output from the request reception processing unit 74, and starts from a location indicated by the position information from the user 120 and indicates a membership service indicated by the user membership service information. A route search to a place where the user can enjoy is performed based on characteristic element data stored in the map DB 114.

The data selection processing unit 76 is based on various map creation information output from the request reception processing unit 74,
This is a feature element data reading means for selecting data necessary for map creation from the feature element data stored in 114. The data reconstruction processing unit 77 includes a data selection processing unit 76
Is a structural data creating means for structurally reconstructing the relationship between the selected feature element data and creating structural data in which all the nodes 114C1 are connected by the nodes 114C3.
The signal conversion processing unit 78 outputs the structural data output from the data reconstruction processing unit 77 as image data such as a schematic map, document data such as a route guidance list and a route guidance sentence, and a voice that reads out the document data. Data conversion means for converting the data into an arbitrary data format such as audio data to be transmitted. Note that each of the processing units described above may be realized by dedicated hardware, and each of the processing units is configured by a memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). May be realized by loading a program for realizing the function into a memory and executing the program. The memory is a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, or a flash memory, a read-only recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or a random access memory (RAM).
(ory) or a computer-readable and writable recording medium using a combination thereof.

Next, the operation of the above-described map creation server 113 will be described with reference to the operation flow charts of FIGS. 9 and 10, 11, 12, and 13. First, FIG. 9 shows a process of receiving a map creation request in step S20 of FIG.
Step S2 which is a process between the data transmission process
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of a case where services such as creation of a schematic map, route guidance text, and route search are performed in FIG. The input / output processing unit 73 receives the map creation request transmitted from the search server 111 (step S20). Next, the request reception processing unit 74 receives the map creation request from the input / output processing unit 73, receives the map creation information for each determined type, and outputs it as map creation information for each type (step S21a). FIG. 10 shows a detailed operation flowchart of step S21a. First, the request reception processing unit 74 receives map creation request information (step S2).
1a1). Next, the request reception processing unit 74 performs the following
Are performed in parallel to output map creation information for each type. Membership service information D included in the map creation request information
The position information of the provision of the membership service, which is the information of the place where the membership service is provided to the user 120 from B · 13A, 13B,... Is received (step S21a2). The current position information of the user 120 from the "position sensing function such as GPS" 124 included in the map creation request information is received (step S21a3). The user information DB 11 included in the map creation request information
2 and the terminal type information used by the user 120, which is determined based on the distribution request of the membership service information from the user 120, is received (step S21a4). User information DB 11 included in map creation request information
The user preference information of the user 120 read from Step 2 is received (Step S21a5). The request reception processing unit 74 outputs the map creation information for each of the above reception processes. In addition, user 1
The current position information 20 may be other than from the “position sensing function such as GPS” 124.
Information that can identify or identify the current position of the destination 20 may be input, or may be position information that is a starting point at the destination, such as the nearest station at the destination to be visited instead of the current position.

Next, the control unit 72 determines whether or not the current position information of the user 120 is present in the output of step S21a.
Determines whether to create a peripheral guide map or a route guide map (step S21b). If the current location information of the user 120 is not present or ambiguous, the peripheral guidance is provided based on the location information provided by the membership service. The control unit 7 determines whether to create a diagram.
2 is performed ("surrounding guide map" in step S21b). If there is the current location information of the user 120, the control unit 72 determines whether to create a route guide map that guides a route connecting the location and the location information for providing the membership service (step S21b). Route map "). Here, in the case of “surrounding guide map” in step S21b, the control unit 72 proceeds to the next step, and in the case of “route guide map” in step S21b, the control unit 72 proceeds to the next step after the processing described below. Perform control. The processing means the route search processing unit 7
5 receives the user preference information of the user 120's current position information of the membership-based service providing position information from the various cartographic information output by the request reception processing unit 74,
The route search from the location indicated by the current location information from the user 120 to the location indicated by the location information of the facility providing the membership service to the user 120 is performed by using the features of the feature element DB 114C stored in the map DB 114. This is performed based on the element data (step S21c).

Here, step S21c (route search processing)
FIG. 10 shows a detailed operation flow chart of FIG. The route search processing unit 75, based on the positional information of the provision of the membership service, includes the node 114C1, the node related point 114C2, and the node related point 114C5 of the feature element DB 114C stored in the map DB 114. Then, a destination element which is a corresponding object is selected (step S21c1). Next, based on the current position information of the user 120 of the user 120, the route search processing unit 75 determines a node 114C1 and a node related point 114C.
2. A departure point element which is a corresponding object is selected from the node related points 114C5 (step S21c2).
Next, the route search processing unit 75 sets the feature element DB 114C
The road network data is read out from the node 114C3 stored in (step S21c3). Next, the route search processing unit 75 performs a route search according to the user preference based on the user preference information of the destination element obtained in step S21c1 and the departure place element obtained in step S21c2 (step S21c4). Specific examples of the user's preference include a shortest route, a route that does not turn at a corner as much as possible, and a route that preferentially travels on a thick road. Next, the route search processing unit 75 compares the route search result with the nodal point 114C1 in the middle of the route, the nodal point related point 114C2,
It is acquired as a set of node related points / 114C5 (step S21c5).

Next, returning to FIG. 9, the next step will be described. The data selection processing unit 76 includes the map creation information output from the request reception processing unit 74 and the route search processing unit 7.
Based on the route search result output by the control unit 5, data necessary for creating a map is selected from the feature element DB 114C stored in the map DB 114 (step S21d). Here, a detailed operation flowchart of step S21d is shown in FIG. The data selection processing unit 76 acquires the location information of the facility providing the membership service from the location information of the membership service provision output from the request reception processing unit 74 (step S2).
1d1). Next, the data selection processing unit 76 acquires the current position information of the user 120 from the current position information of the user 120 (step S21d2). Next, the data selection processing unit 76 obtains the user 120
Acquires the terminal type information in use (step S21d)
3). Next, the data selection processing unit 76 acquires the preference information of the user 120 and the search history information from the user preference information (step S21d4). Further, when a route search is performed (“route guide map” in step S21b), the data selection processing unit 76 acquires a route search result output by the route search processing unit 75 (step S21d5). Next, based on the information obtained in the above steps S21d1 to S21d5, the data selection processing unit 76 converts the characteristic element data from the characteristic element DB 114C stored in the map DB 114 to create a map. Select (Step S21d6). Next, the data ID 114C7 added to each selected feature element data is stored in the feature element DB.
-It is acquired from 114C (S21d7).

Returning to FIG. 9, the next step will be described. The data reconstruction processing unit 77 structurally reconstructs the relationship between the characteristic element data selected by the data selection processing unit 76, and all the nodes 114C1 are nodes 114C3.
, And further, the node related point 114C2, the node related point
114C5 are nodes 114C1 and 114
The structure data is created in a form associated with C3 (step S21e). Here, a detailed operation flowchart of step S21e is shown in FIG. Data reconstruction processing unit 7
7 is the data ID · 1 acquired by the data selection processing unit 76
14C7 is received (S21e1). Next, the data reconstruction processing unit 77 reconstructs the structure data in consideration of the connection between the characteristic element data (step S21e2). next,
The data reconstruction processing unit 77 outputs the created structure data (S21e3). FIG. 12B shows an example of the structure data in consideration of the connection of the characteristic element data. In the structure data 140, the bottom “B2” 104
“a” is a starting point, and characteristic element data are arranged in the order of routes upward, and the destination is indicated as “end point” 104b. As described above, the structural data is data for which a certain degree of route can be grasped only by looking at the list. still,
FIG. 12 shows an example of the structure data, and the structure of the data may be changed in accordance with the contents of the characteristic element data constituting the structure data. Also, in FIG. 12, the structural data is displayed with the starting point below and the end point above, but the display method is not limited to this. For example, the characteristic element data such as a list of starting points on the left and end points on the right is displayed on the map. Any display format may be used as long as it is arranged in an order taking into account the positional relationship and represents the connection relationship of each feature element data.

Returning to FIG. 9, the next step will be described. The signal conversion processing unit 78 converts the structural data output from the data reconstruction processing unit 77 into image data such as a schematic map,
The document data is converted into an arbitrary data format such as document data such as a route guidance list and a route guidance sentence, and voice data for outputting a voice for reading the document data (step S21f). FIG. 13 is a detailed operation flowchart of step S21f.
(A). The signal conversion processing unit 78 acquires the structure data output from the data reconstruction processing unit 77 (Step S21f1). Next, the following four processes (1) to (4) are performed according to a distribution request from the user, user preference information stored in the user information DB 112, and search history information. . (1) The structure data is converted into a route guidance list (step S21f2). FIG. 13B shows a display example of the processing result. In the route guidance list 150, characteristic element data up to the destination (end point) with the departure point at the bottom are arranged.
It remains almost structural data. In addition, *, +,
Simple symbols such as "-" indicate information such as "turn right", "intersection", "there is a landmark building on the left", etc. Thus, a more easily understood and convenient route guidance list can be obtained. (2) The structure data is converted into an image (schematic map; peripheral guide map or route guide map) (step S21f3). FIG. 13C shows a display example of the processing result in the case of the route guide map (through the “route guide map” in step S21b). In the route guide map 151, a route to a destination is added, a number is assigned to a departure place, and a number is assigned to a main turning point in the order of the route. Has become. FIG. 14A shows a display example of a processing result in a case where the processing result is converted into a peripheral guide map (in a case of passing through a “peripheral guide map” in step S21b). FIG. 14B shows a route guide map for comparison. Unlike the route guide map shown in FIG. 14 (b), the peripheral guide map does not have a route, but is a simplified map that is convenient for confirming a plurality of membership service providing locations. (3) Convert the structure data into a sentence (route guidance sentence) (step S21f4). FIG. 13 shows a display example of the processing result.
(D). The route guidance sentence 152 is a sentence created by automatically connecting characteristic element data of the structure data. (4) The above route guidance sentence is further converted into voice data (step S21f5). This creates voice data for reading a route guidance sentence. As a result, the user 1 who uses a mobile phone or the like having a small display area for an image (route guide map or the like) and a low display capability (resolution or gradation) is displayed.
The service can also be used at 20 and may be used instead of explaining the route to others by telephone. Through the above operations, the map creation server 113 creates the peripheral guide map, the route guide map, the route guide list, the route guide text, and the voice data for reading the route guide text.

In the above-described operation flow, a delivery request from a destination is assumed. However, the user 120 specifies the destination and the date and time to go to the destination from the general-purpose terminal 123. It is also possible to distribute the membership-based service information that can be received at the designated place in the designated time zone on the day of the date together with the map information. Further, as the information distribution system and the distribution method according to the present invention, besides the membership service information, the present invention can be applied to a suitable various information distribution system attached with location information.

Further, a program for realizing the function of each processing unit for performing various processes in the search server 111, the map creation server 113, and the information distribution server 115 in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.
Each process may be performed by causing a computer system to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. The "computer system" mentioned here
The term “OS” includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The “computer system” also includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD, or the like.
-A storage medium such as a portable medium such as a ROM or a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RA) in a computer system that serves as a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.
As shown in M), a program holding a program for a certain period of time is also included. Further, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium.
Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the above program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, those which can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system,
It may be a so-called difference file (difference program). The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes a design and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a service information distribution system, a distribution request from a user, and membership-based service information that can be enjoyed by the user are provided.
Search means for searching from the membership service information database prepared by each business operator, map creation means for creating map information including service providing locations based on the searched membership service information, and distribution of map information to users at least By providing the information distribution means, the user can distribute the membership service information provided by each business operator together with the map information, so that at what location what kind of membership service can be received, The effect of being able to easily grasp is obtained. In addition, even if the user has decided on a membership service that he / she wants to use, but does not know the location where the service is provided, the effect of easily grasping the location can be obtained. In addition, for each business operator, information on the location where the membership service is provided and information on the latest membership service can be provided to users who need the information more easily and at a lower cost than before. The effect of being able to distribute is obtained.

Further, when the user adds location information to the distribution request, the search means searches for membership service information that can be used by the user around the location indicated by the location information based on the location information. Deliver the results. As described above, the user can receive the distribution of the membership service information in the vicinity of a specific place, and the membership service information is distributed together with the map information at a place where the user is going out or going to go. , Go to a facility that offers membership services without hesitation even in unfamiliar land,
There is an effect that the membership service can be enjoyed.

Further, a map creating means for creating map information which can be easily displayed on the user terminal based on the type information of the user terminal, and a data format which can be processed by various user terminals. By providing an information distribution means for distributing according to the, the user can display the optimal membership service information and map information on various terminals, for example, on the go, using a mobile phone or a mobile terminal, The distribution of the map information and the membership service information can be received in a display format and an information format suitable for the model of. In addition, at home, there is an effect that a more detailed map or more detailed membership service information can be distributed in accordance with the display on the general-purpose terminal.

The map creating means includes a map database in which feature element data for extracting feature elements for creating a schematic map is stored, and the feature element data is stored on the basis of position information and user terminal type information. From the map database, structure data creating means for judging the relationship between the read characteristic element data and creating structural data by combining the characteristic element data, and converting the structural data into an image. With the provision of the data conversion means for creating a map, the user can receive the distribution of a schematic map, thereby making it easier to view on a user terminal having a limited display area such as a mobile phone or a mobile terminal. The effect that a map can be displayed is obtained. In addition, even when a general map is too detailed and difficult to understand for the user's preference, an effect that a simplified map can be distributed can be obtained.

The map creating means includes a route guide creating section for searching for a route and creating route guide information based on the position information of the starting point and the end point as the destination, and a schematic map based on the route guide information and the structure data. Route map with route guidance added to
A route guidance list that lists the names of landmarks and symbols indicating the direction of travel in the middle of the route from the starting point to the destination,
By providing data conversion means for converting as a map information for distribution to the format of the route guidance sentence that connects the name of the landmark and the direction of travel from the starting point to the destination and the direction of travel Can receive desired information from the route guide map, route guide list, and route guide text, and can easily find the route to the destination on the go or at the destination to go. There is an effect that can be grasped. In addition, by providing a route guidance list and a route guidance text creation function, there is an effect that it is possible to cope with a terminal that can only display characters. In addition, there is an effect that even a user who is not good at seeing a map can cope by distributing a route guidance list or route guidance text. The route guidance sentence can be converted into voice data, and the route guidance information can be delivered to the terminal only by voice output that cannot display various images and characters.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a service information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an input table of data registered in a user information DB / 112.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of general map data stored in a map DB / 114.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of general map data stored in a map DB 114;

FIG. 5 is a membership service information DB 13A, 13B,
It is a figure which shows the example of a schematic structure of the data stored in 13C ....

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the service information distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a map creation server 11 when a simplified map service is implemented.
3 is a schematic configuration diagram of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of feature element data obtained by extracting feature elements of a map.

9 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation in a case where services such as creation of a schematic map, a route guidance sentence and the like and route search are performed in step S21 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing detailed operations of a request receiving process in step S21a and a route search process in step S21c.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of a data selection process in step S21d.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the data reconfiguration processing in step S21e, and a diagram showing an example of a configuration outline of structure data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of a signal conversion process in step S21f, and a diagram showing a display example of various data after conversion.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example in a case where the signal is converted into “a schematic map; a peripheral guide map or a route guide map” in the signal conversion process in step S21f.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Internet 110 Information Distributor 111 Search Server (Searching Means) 112 User Information DB 113 Map Creation Server (Map Creation Means) 114 Map DB 114a Mesh Management Map Data 114b Image Map Data 115 Information Distribution Server (Information Distribution Means) 120 User 121 Mobile phone 122 Mobile terminal 123 General-purpose terminal 124 Position sensing function such as GPS 130 Membership service information provider group 13A, 13B, 13C Membership service information D
B 131 Enlarged view 132 Overall view 20 User information DB data input table 21 Personal information field 22 Membership status information field 23 Terminal information field 24 Preference information field 25 Search history field 50 Membership service information DB data configuration example 51 Membership service provision Business information 52 Business date and time information 53 Membership service content information 54 Area information 55 Nearest station information 72 Control unit 73 Input / output processing unit 74 Request reception processing unit 75 Route search processing unit 76 Data selection processing unit 77 Data reconstruction processing unit 78 Signal conversion processing unit 114C Feature element DB

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 Z (72) Inventor Takayuki Takizawa 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside NTT Data Corporation (72) Inventor Toshifumi Oba 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside NTT Data Corporation (72) Inventor Kenji Kitamura Tokyo 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, within NTT Data Corporation (72) Inventor Akifumi Nakai 3-3-1, Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside NTT Data Corporation F term (reference) 2C032 HB05 HB15 HB25 5B049 BB00 CC02 DD00 DD01 DD05 EE01 EE05 EE07 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG06 GG07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system in which membership service information handled by each business and stored in a membership service information database prepared by each business is requested by a user who is a member of one or more membership services. In a service information distribution system that distributes to each user's terminal via the Internet, a user information database that registers user enrollment information indicating the user's enrollment status to the membership service, a distribution request from the user, Searches the user enrollment information of the user from the user information database, and searches the membership service information database prepared by each business operator for membership service information that can be used by the user based on the user enrollment information. Searching means, and map creation for creating map information including a service providing location based on the searched membership service information. A service information distribution system comprising: means for distributing at least the map information created by the map creation means to a user. 2. When the distribution request includes position information of a user, the search unit searches for the membership service information available to the user around a location indicated by the position information based on the position information. 2. The service information distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising an area-limited search unit. 3. The map creating means creates map information according to the display capability of the user terminal based on the user terminal type information, and the information distribution means sends the user terminal type information to the user terminal. 3. The service information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the membership-based service information is distributed together with the map information in a data format according to a user terminal. 4. The map creating means includes: a map database storing feature element data obtained by extracting feature elements for creating a schematic map; and a map of an area including a facility provided with a membership service based on the membership service information. A characteristic element data reading unit that reads the characteristic element data in accordance with a display method preset by a user or a display method of a terminal based on the type information of the user terminal; and a relation between the read data of the characteristic element data. A structure data creation unit that creates structure data by determining and joining the characteristic element data; and a data conversion unit that creates a schematic map that is map information for distribution by converting the structure data into an image. The service information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the service information is distributed. 5. The map creating means, when adding route guidance information to map information, sets a location indicated by the user's location information as a starting point, and determines a facility providing a membership service from the membership service information. A route guidance creating unit that creates route guidance information indicating a route with a place as an end point, wherein the data conversion unit is a route guidance map obtained by adding route guidance to the schematic map from the route guidance information and the structural data;
A route guidance list that lists the names of landmarks and symbols indicating the direction of travel in the middle of the route from the starting point to the destination,
The method according to claim 4, wherein the information is converted as map information for distribution to a form of a route guidance sentence which is formed into a sentence by connecting a name and a traveling direction of a landmark from the starting point to the destination. Service information distribution system. 6. The member-based service information handled by each company, stored in a membership-based service information database prepared by each company, is requested by a user who is a member of one or more membership services. In an information distribution method using a service information distribution system for distributing to a user's own terminal via a network, registering user enrollment information indicating a user's enrollment status to a membership service in a user information database; , And retrieves the user's membership information of the user from the user information database. Based on the user's membership information, the user uses the membership service information database prepared by each business operator. Searching for possible membership service information; and map information including a service providing location based on the searched membership service information. A service information distributing method, comprising the steps of: creating a report; and distributing, to a user, the membership service information retrieved by the retrieval means and the map information produced by the map producing means. .