JP2002244947A - Method of providing application service for vehicle and portal server for the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a portal service only for personal use only targeted at a cabin user by mounting an on-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal connectable to a network on a vehicle and introducing an agent system. SOLUTION: A portal server 20 starts the agent system after acquiring the information on the present position and taste of a user, and the agent system retrieves a specific service by moving on the networks 40 and 50 and returns to the portal server 20 so that the vehicle user can acquire necessary information. By utilizing the agent system, various types of application services can be received during the traveling of the vehicle without requiring a continuous connection of a line until the processed results are returned after a request is transmitted after the agent system is started, and without so depending upon a line quality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an application service for a vehicle, in which an agent is applied to a vehicle so that an application service on a network can be used from the inside of the vehicle even when the vehicle is running without a guaranteed line condition. It relates to a providing method and a portal server thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid increase of the Internet population, the number of providers that provide such services has been enhanced, and users can immediately obtain necessary information. recently,
ASP (Application Service Service) that provides various applications as services on the Internet
(Provider) has been attracting attention, and all tasks or information can be enjoyed only by a web browser without installing software on a client. In the future, all applications will tend to move to services on the Internet.

[0003]

By the way, as vehicles become more electronic, such as car navigation systems,
During traveling, the application on the network could not be used in a car where the line quality was not guaranteed. Therefore, as a matter of course, it has not been possible to monitor the state of the vehicle through a network or to provide an information service for individuals targeting users in the vehicle. Further, for the same reason, it was impossible to share information between vehicles and to transmit and receive information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal which can be connected to a vehicle via a network.
By introducing an agent system, we provide a personalized portal targeting users inside the vehicle even in a running vehicle where the line status is not guaranteed, and provide application services for vehicles that can use applications on the network It is an object to provide a method and a portal server thereof. In addition, a method of providing an application service for vehicles and a method of integrating vehicles that are running into an aggregate of units determined according to arbitrary conditions and enabling mutual transmission and reception and sharing of information with drivers in the aggregate are provided. It is also intended to provide a portal server.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and the vehicle is connected via a network. A portal server for use in a vehicle application service providing system, comprising one or more application servers connected to the vehicle, including location information of the vehicle via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal. User interface means for acquiring user information, agent execution management means for assembling search conditions based on the user information and user information registered in advance in the database, and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network; Processing by To give the results, characterized in that and a server interface means for receiving the desired information service provider by the application server.

In the portal server of the present invention,
The agent execution management means includes an agent starting means for starting an agent according to a scenario defined by the user information, and a service on the network for determining a destination of the agent, and an application serving as the destination. Agent transfer means for sending the agent to the server.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
Used in an application service providing system for vehicles, comprising an on-board computer or a mobile terminal or a mobile information terminal, and a vehicle capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. User interface means for periodically acquiring and accumulating destination information including the position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; and An agent execution management unit that receives a message corresponding to the obtained information and executes the process defined in accordance with the message via an agent, and based on the stored information, a vehicle located near a relevant place. Search for the application only for that vehicle Characterized by comprising a server interface means for delivering information from the server.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
Vehicles that are assembled into a set of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and connected via a wireless network to a plurality of vehicles capable of wireless communication by mounting an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal Server that is used in an application service providing system for a user who periodically acquires and accumulates user information including position information of a vehicle via an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a certain vehicle. Based on interface means and requests from other vehicle users,
The stored user information, as well as a search condition according to the grouping to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, agent execution management means to send an agent to the vehicle, receiving the processing results by the agent Server interface means for sharing information between the grouped vehicles and transmitting / receiving information.

With the above configuration, the portal server acquires the user's location information and preference information, starts the agent, and moves on the network to search for a desired service, and returns to the portal server. Allows the user to obtain the necessary information. In this case, by using the agent, the line connection is not required continuously until the agent is started and the request is transmitted and the processing result is returned. Application services such as a distribution service and a reservation service can be enjoyed in the vehicle.

Further, for example, by linking to a traffic information portal which plays a proxy role of an ASP such as VICS, the traffic information portal receives VICS information, transmits a message corresponding to the contents to the portal server, and By starting a process defined in accordance with the message content received by the server, it is possible to search for a vehicle located near the relevant place and transmit road information and the like only to the relevant vehicle. Further, the portal server determines and transmits the destination of the agent based on the position information of the vehicle obtained through the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal, or the pre-designated grouping information, and transmits the transmitted information. By executing the process on the vehicle and obtaining the result, for example, the agent is sent to the vehicle traveling ahead, and the weather information and road information etc. that the vehicle in front is actually experiencing can be obtained in real time. Confirmation is possible, and information sharing when driving with a plurality of devices is also possible. The “agent” refers to software that moves on a network, collects necessary information according to the contents defined in a scenario, and performs various processes independently.

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
An application for a vehicle used in a network system including a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A service providing method, wherein user information including position information of the vehicle is obtained via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal,
A search condition is assembled based on the user information and user information registered in advance in a database, an agent is sent to a corresponding application server on the network, a result of the processing by the agent is obtained, and a desired information service by the application server is obtained. It is characterized by receiving provision.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
An application for a vehicle used in a network system including a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A service providing method, wherein the destination information including the position information of the vehicle is periodically acquired and stored via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal, and the information obtained from the application server is stored. Receives the corresponding message, executes the process defined in accordance with the message via the agent, searches for a vehicle located in the vicinity of the relevant place based on the stored information, and searches only for the relevant vehicle. Distributing information obtained from the application server.

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A network system that is assembled into a set of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and is connected via a wireless network to a plurality of vehicles capable of wireless communication by mounting an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal A method for providing an application service for a vehicle used in a system, comprising periodically acquiring and accumulating user information including position information of the vehicle via an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a certain vehicle. Based on a request from another vehicle user, the stored user information, as well as assembling search conditions according to the aggregation to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, send an agent to the vehicle, the agent Receiving the processing result by the group, sharing information between the grouped vehicles and Wherein the transmitting and receiving information.

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
It is used in an application service providing system for vehicles, which comprises a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server program, comprising: a first step of acquiring user information including position information of the vehicle via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; and the user information and a user registered in a database in advance. A second step of assembling search conditions based on the information and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network; and obtaining a result of processing by the agent and receiving a desired information service provided by the application server. The portal server program for executing the steps of, to the computer.

In the portal server program according to the present invention, the second step includes a step of activating an agent in accordance with a scenario defined by the user information, and a step of locating the destination of the agent on the network. Searching for a service and sending the agent to an application server to which the service is to be moved.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
It is used in an application service providing system for vehicles, which comprises a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server program that periodically obtains and accumulates destination information including position information of the vehicle via the on-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal, and is obtained from the application server. Receiving a message corresponding to the information and executing the process defined in response to the message via an agent; and searching for a vehicle located in the vicinity of the relevant location based on the stored information, Information obtained from the application server only for The portal server program for executing the steps of distributing, to a computer.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
For vehicles that are assembled into an aggregate of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and are connected via a wireless network to a plurality of vehicles capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle computer or portable terminal or portable information terminal installed A portal server program used in an application service providing system, wherein periodically acquiring and accumulating user information including position information of the vehicle via an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a vehicle. And, based on a request from another vehicle user, assembling the stored user information, and search conditions according to the aggregation to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, and sending an agent to the vehicle. Receiving the processing result by the agent, and A step of transmitting and receiving shared and information of information between a portal server program for causing a computer to execute the.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
It is used in an application service providing system for vehicles, which comprises a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A first step of acquiring a user information including a position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal, wherein the first step is a computer-readable recording medium on which a portal server program is recorded; A second step of assembling search conditions based on user information and user information registered in a database in advance, and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network; A recording medium recording the portal server program to execute a third step of receiving a desired information service provider by chromatography server, to the computer.

Further, in the recording medium of the present invention, the second step includes a step of activating an agent according to a scenario defined by the user information, and a step of locating a destination of the agent on the network. And sending the agent to the application server that is the destination of the search.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides:
It is used in an application service providing system for vehicles, which comprises a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A computer-readable recording medium recording a portal server program, and periodically acquires and accumulates destination information including position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal. Receiving a message corresponding to information obtained from the application server, and executing via a agent a process defined in response to the message; and near an associated location based on the stored information. Search for the vehicle that is located, and A recording medium recording the portal server program for executing the steps of distributing the information obtained from the application server, to a computer.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
For vehicles that are assembled into an aggregate of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and are connected via a wireless network to a plurality of vehicles capable of wireless communication with an in-vehicle computer or portable terminal or portable information terminal installed A computer-readable recording medium that records a portal server program used in an application service providing system, and via a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a vehicle, stores user information including position information of the vehicle. Periodically acquiring and accumulating, based on a request from another vehicle user, assembling search information according to the accumulated user information, and the aggregation, and determining a corresponding vehicle on the network;
Sending an agent to the vehicle;
Receiving a processing result by the agent, and sharing and transmitting / receiving information between the grouped vehicles, and a portal server program for causing a computer to execute the method.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram cited for describing a service model for realizing a method of providing an application service for a vehicle according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an in-vehicle computer or an in-vehicle system equipped with a portable terminal or a portable information terminal.
Sensors or GPS (Glob
al Positioning System (Global Positioning System) is a computer system with a vehicle position information monitoring function and a client agent function. Here, the network communication function refers to a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from a portal site via a network, and the vehicle position information monitoring function refers to a function of providing current vehicle position information using GPS information. In other words, the client agent function is a function of transmitting user request information and various types of vehicle information to the portal server 20 via the networks 40 and 50. The in-vehicle system 1
0s are grouped into an aggregate of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions, so that mutual transmission and reception of information and sharing of information with drivers in the aggregate are possible.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a server computer (hereinafter referred to as a portal server 20) of a personal portal site targeted at in-car users, which provides a service obtained by integrating services of a plurality of ASPs 30 described later.
The portal server 20 first receives access from the user via the in-vehicle system 10, generates a service menu according to the user information, and presents the service menu. 30
Is a server computer (hereinafter, referred to as an ASP server) of a plurality of ASPs that provide various services such as a music distribution service, various reservation services, a settlement service, and a traffic information service to users. The in-vehicle system 10 and the portal server 20 are connected to a wireless LAN (Local Area Net).
work) 40 and connected to the portal server 20 and A
The SP server 30 is connected via the Internet 50.

In the above-described connection form, the in-vehicle system 10 logs in to the personal portal site (portal server 20) of the authenticated user via the network 40, and sets the general portal set in the personal portal site in advance. In addition, a contract ASP 30 (an information providing company such as a music distribution company, a restaurant, a settlement institution, and traffic information) is combined to construct an optimal use environment for the user. With this system, the service providing side can always provide the service in a state where the identity of the person is confirmed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the portal server 20 shown in FIG. Each block shown below is specifically configured by a peripheral LSI including a CPU and a memory, and the CPU realizes the function of the block by sequentially reading and executing a program recorded in the memory. Portal server 20
Are a portal function unit 201 and an engine control unit 202
, A message receiving unit 203, a server agent function unit 204, and a database (DB) 205.

The portal function unit 201 receives a request from a user, starts an agent process, and exchanges information with the user. Engine control unit 202
Has a function of accumulating user information, preference information, service history, and the like in the database 205 and supporting the provision of customized services to individual users. Here, the portal function unit 201, the engine control unit 202, and the database 205 are integrated into a user interface unit. The message receiving unit 203 has a function of starting a specific process via an agent based on an event (message) from the ASP server 30. The server agent function unit 204 has a function of receiving a request from a user and performing an actual process on behalf of the user. The server agent function unit 204 further includes an agent activation unit 241 and an agent transfer unit 242. The agent activating unit 241 has a function of activating an agent according to a scenario defined by user information. The agent transferring unit 242 searches for a service on the network to determine a destination of the agent, and determines the destination of the agent. A function of sending the agent to an application server. Here, the message receiving unit 203 is used as a server interface unit, and the server agent function unit 204 is used as an agent execution management unit.

The portal server 20 of the present invention provides a form in which an application service is provided by an ASP triggered by a user action, a form in which the ASP distributes only necessary information using user information, and a form of peer-to-peer ( It realizes three types of modes of transmitting and receiving information or sharing information between users. Hereinafter, these three implementations will be described with reference to the respective event flows shown in FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a service for distributing music as BGM while the vehicle is running in response to a user action.
Each processing sequence in the SP server 30 (music distribution) is shown.

In FIG. 3, the user first accesses the in-vehicle system 10 and receives the
0 requests a service from the portal server 20 (step S31). The portal server 20 receives this via the firefly function unit 201, and
Requesting user information and state information including vehicle position information. The in-vehicle system 10 transmits the requested information to the portal server 20,
Under the control of the engine control unit 202, the received various information and the database 205 are accessed to acquire the user's preference information and activate the agent (steps S32, S33, S35). At this time, under the control of the server agent function unit 204, the portal server 20 composes search conditions based on the user information and the user information registered in advance in the database 205, and sends the agent to the corresponding ASP server 30 on the network 50. To generate a job template (step S34).

In generating a job template, consideration is given to, for example, selecting an optimum music piece in accordance with a change in a scene (from a mountain to the sea, from a general road to a highway) or in the morning and evening hours. Is also conceivable. At this time,
A GIS (geographic information) server that operates as a proxy for the music distribution server can also be used. Thus, the agent is sent to the ASP server 30 (step S36). Then, the agent searches for a music distribution service on the network (step S37), and returns the result to the portal server 20 (step S3).
8). Next, the portal server 20 receives the return agent and activates the media player of the in-vehicle system 10 (Steps S39 and S40). This allows
In the in-vehicle system 10, the media player starts operating, and can receive a desired music stream from the ASP server 30 and enjoy the distributed music (steps S41 and S42).

Here, the behavior of the agent will be briefly described. Agent behavior is defined by scenario descriptions. According to the scenario defined here, a job template given at the time of agent generation is analyzed, and a service on the network is searched to determine a physical destination. Then, the destination of the agent is determined, and the desired process is executed by sending the agent itself to the destination. Agents
It is software that moves on the networks 40 and 50, collects necessary information according to the contents defined in the scenario, and performs various processes autonomously. First, an agent is activated in the portal server 20 and steps through scenario analysis, service search, destination determination, and migration. The activation of the agent is performed by the agent activation unit 241, and each procedure from scenario analysis to movement is performed by the agent transfer unit 2.
42. Specifically, after the agent is started, the job template given when the agent is created is analyzed, and the next process to be performed is determined. Then, a service on the network is searched to determine the physical destination of the agent, and the agent itself is sent to the ASP 30 that manages the computer determined here.

The ASP server 30 to which the agent is sent goes through the procedures of processing execution, scenario analysis, service search, destination determination, and migration. Specifically, the processing described in the scenario is executed on the ASP server 30, and thereafter, the above operation starting from the scenario analysis is repeated. Here, the destination of the agent is the music distribution server. After execution of the process, the scenario analysis is performed, the result is notified to the portal server 20, and there is no next process analyzed by the portal server 20. In such a case, the result is notified.

As another service example, a reservation agent service will be described. Reservation agent service is a service to set destination information, current location information,
This service is based on the assumption that an agent searches for information on restaurants and makes reservations based on user preference information. Not limited to restaurants, but only if search information for product and service information is provided on the network. Note that the behavior of the agent is the same as that of the music distribution service.

The processing flow will be briefly described. First, a program is started on the vehicle-mounted system 10 side. The start timing may be a manual operation by the user, or may be automatically started on the system side depending on time. Next, the user inputs conditions necessary for the search reservation to the in-vehicle system 10. Here, portal server 2
No. 0 receives the request, acquires the position information and preference information of the user via the engine unit 202, and activates the agent. The agent searches for a service on the network and executes a process according to the given condition. Then, the result is notified to the portal server 20. The portal server 20 further transmits the information to the in-vehicle system 10, and the process ends.

A payment agent service will be described as another service example. The settlement agent service is a service for performing a billing process required when executing the music distribution and reservation service described above. The processing flow will be briefly described. First, the user inputs a purchase request to the in-vehicle system 10. Here, the portal server 20 activates an agent for settlement processing, and the agent performs settlement processing by searching for settlement services on the network according to given conditions.
Then, the result is notified to the portal server 20.
Finally, the portal server 20 transmits the information to the in-vehicle system 10 and ends the processing. The behavior of the agent in this case is the same as that of the music distribution and reservation service.

Next, a mode in which the ASP distributes only necessary information using user information will be described. FIG. 4 shows the event flow (in-vehicle system 10, portal server 20, ASP server 30 (traffic portal, ITS / VI)
CS), respectively. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a traffic information system is exemplified, and it becomes possible to notify only necessary road information relating to traffic congestion or the like to necessary vehicles according to the current position of the vehicle and the destination setting. In this case, the ASP is ITS
(Intelligent Transport Systems) / VICS (Veh
A system for providing road information, such as a vehicle information and communication system, and a traffic portal server serving as a proxy for notifying the portal server 20 of the present invention of the traffic information provided above are used.

In FIG. 4, when a user gets on a vehicle, the user is automatically detected via a sensor or the like, and the vehicle-mounted system 10
Starts up and specifies the destination. In addition, in-vehicle system 1
No. 0 periodically transmits the setting information such as the position information of the own vehicle and the destination to the portal server 20 (step S45). Here, the portal server 20 stores the position information received from the vehicle-mounted system 10 in the database 205 (Step S46).

On the other hand, the traffic portal is ITS / VICS
Receives traffic information from FM via FM radio waves etc. (step S
52), a message corresponding to the content is transmitted to the portal server 20 (step S47). ITS / VICS
Sends information only when there is a change once every few minutes. The portal server 20 receives the message, generates a thread for performing a process defined according to the message content, and starts the process (step S4).
8, S49). Specifically, a search is made from the database 205 for vehicles that are considered to be located near the relevant place,
Road information such as traffic congestion is transmitted only to the vehicle (steps S50 and S51). Here, HTTP (Hyper
Text Transfer Protocol) or UDP (User
Datagram Protocol). Although only the traffic information is shown, the present invention may be applied to a vehicle health check, diagnosis, and the like by connecting to a dealer ASP.

Finally, peer-to-peer (between users)
An example of transmitting and receiving information or sharing information in the event flow shown in FIG.
Each processing sequence in the portal server 20 is shown. Here, vehicles that are running are aggregated into an aggregate of units determined by arbitrary conditions, enabling mutual transmission and reception of information and sharing of information with drivers in the aggregate. The vehicle is also an ASP. It realizes behavior such as providing information.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the user gets on the vehicle, the in-vehicle system 10 is first activated to designate a destination or the like (step S55). The in-vehicle system 10 (vehicle A)
The location information of the own vehicle and the setting information such as the destination are periodically transmitted to the portal server 20 (step S5).
6). As a result, the portal server 20 stores the position information received from the in-vehicle system 10 in the database 205.
(Step S57).

It is assumed that the user of the vehicle A transmits an information acquisition / transmission request to the portal server 20 under the above-mentioned environment (step S58). Upon receiving this, the portal server 20 determines the destination of the agent based on the position information stored in the database 205 or the pre-designated grouping information (steps S59 to S6).
1), the agent is transmitted to the destination vehicle B (step S62). Next, the agent B executes the process by the agent on the vehicle B and the mobile phone or the portable information terminal installed in the vehicle (step S63), and the result is notified to the portal server 20 (step S64).

The above-mentioned vehicle can also provide information as an ASP, for example, by sending an agent to a vehicle traveling in front of the same road, and checking the weather and road conditions actually experienced by the vehicle in the following. It is conceivable that the present invention is applied to an application for receiving information in a vehicle or an application for sharing information between vehicles belonging to the same group when driving with a plurality of vehicles.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a vehicle is mounted with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal that can be connected to a network, and an agent system is introduced, the traveling state of the vehicle is not guaranteed. It is possible to realize a personal portal for users in the vehicle even if the user is in the vehicle, and use applications on the network. In addition, by introducing an agent, the vehicle itself can also become an ASP. At this time, the running vehicle is aggregated into a set of units determined by arbitrary conditions, and mutual information is provided to the drivers in the set. Transmission and reception and information sharing can be enabled.

The portal function unit 201, the engine control unit 202, the message receiving unit 203, and the server agent function unit 2 of the firefly server 20 shown in FIG.
04, the agent activation unit 241, and the program for realizing the functions of the agent transfer unit 242 are respectively recorded on computer-readable recording media, and the programs recorded on the recording media are stored in the portal server. 20 is read by a computer constituting the computer 20 and the computer sequentially reads and executes the program, whereby an application service providing system in which the present invention is implemented is constructed. The computer system referred to here is an OS
And hardware such as peripheral devices.

Also, the "computer system" is WW
If the W system is used, a homepage providing environment (or display environment) is also included. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, an RO
M, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes 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. And those holding programs for a certain period of time.

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 program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. further,
What can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. It is.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user information including the position information of the vehicle is acquired through the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal, and the user information and the user registered in the database in advance are obtained. Based on the information, the search conditions are assembled, the agent is sent to the corresponding application server on the network, the result of the processing by the agent is obtained, and the desired information service can be provided by the application server. It is possible to use applications on various networks such as music distribution, reservation, settlement, etc. from inside the vehicle even while the vehicle is not running.

In a service model in which the above system is applied to a traffic information system, only necessary road information such as traffic congestion information can be notified to a traveling vehicle.
Further, by introducing an agent, the vehicle itself can also realize a function as an ASP, and in this case, information exchange and information can be shared between running vehicles. In addition, by using the agent, the line connection is not required continuously until the processing result is returned after the agent is started and the request is transmitted, and therefore, various application services are not dependent on the line state and even while the vehicle is running. Can be provided or enjoyed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram cited for explaining a service model for realizing a method of providing an application service for a vehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the portal server shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an event flow cited for explaining an operation of the embodiment of the portal server according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an event flow cited for explaining the operation of another embodiment of the portal server according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an event flow cited for describing an operation of still another embodiment of the portal server according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: In-vehicle system, 20: Portal server, 30: A
SP server, 40 (50) network, 201 portal function unit, 202 engine control unit, 203 message reception unit, 204 server agent function unit, 2
05: database (DB), 241: agent start unit, 242: agent transfer unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/08 G01C 21/00 C 5K067 // G01C 21/00 G08G 1/137 5K101 G08G 1/137 H04B 7 / 26 109M F-term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AC02 AC13 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB05 EE10 EE18 FF04 FF05 FF27 5K015 AB01 AF08 KA11 5K024 AA76 CC11 DD01 DD02 DD05 GG01 5K033 AA05 BA03 CB08 DA03B03 DB03 DB03 JJ56 JJ64 5K101 KK02 LL12 MM07 NN21 PP04

Claims (15)

[Claims] An application for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication; and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server used for a service providing system, comprising: a user interface unit for acquiring user information including position information of the vehicle via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; and the user information and a database in advance. Agent execution management means for assembling search conditions based on the registered user information and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network; A portal server, comprising: server interface means for receiving provision of an information service. 2. The agent execution management unit includes: an agent activation unit that activates an agent according to a scenario defined by the user information; and a service on the network to determine a destination of the agent. 2. An agent transferring means for sending the agent to an application server which is a destination.
Portal server that provides information services for vehicles by the agents described in 1. 3. An application for a vehicle, comprising a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server used for a service providing system, comprising: a user interface means for periodically acquiring and accumulating destination information including position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; and An agent execution management means for receiving a message corresponding to information obtained from the application server and executing the process defined in accordance with the message via an agent; and near a related place based on the stored information. Search for vehicles located in A portal server, comprising: server interface means for distributing information obtained from an application server. 4. A plurality of vehicles which are grouped into an aggregate of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and are capable of wireless communication with a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal mounted thereon via a wireless network. Connected portal server used in the application service providing system for vehicles, which periodically acquires user information including the position information of the vehicle via an in-vehicle computer of a vehicle or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal. User interface means to accumulate and, based on requests from other vehicle users, assemble search information according to the accumulated user information and the aggregation to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, and Agent execution management means for sending an agent to the agent; And a server interface unit for receiving the processing result and sharing the information between the grouped vehicles and transmitting and receiving the information. A portal server for providing an information service for vehicles by an agent, comprising: 5. A network system comprising a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A method for providing an application service for a vehicle, comprising: acquiring user information including position information of the vehicle via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; and acquiring the user information and a user registered in a database in advance. A vehicle that assembles search conditions based on the information, sends an agent to a corresponding application server on the network, obtains a result of processing by the agent, and receives a desired information service provided by the application server. A Application service provision method. 6. A vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and the vehicle is used in a network system including one or more application servers connected via a network. A method for providing an application service for a vehicle, wherein the application server periodically acquires and accumulates destination information including position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; Receiving a message corresponding to the information obtained from the agent, executing the process defined in accordance with the message via an agent, and searching for a vehicle located near a relevant place based on the stored information, Distribute information obtained from the application server only to vehicles Characteristic application service providing method for vehicles. 7. A plurality of vehicles which are assembled into an aggregate of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and which can carry on-board computers or portable terminals or portable information terminals and are capable of wireless communication via a wireless network. A method for providing an application service for a vehicle, which is used in a connected network system system, wherein user information including position information of the vehicle is periodically transmitted via an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a vehicle. Acquiring and accumulating, based on requests from other vehicle users, assembling the accumulated user information and search conditions according to the aggregation to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, and determining an agent for the vehicle. Receiving the processing result by the agent, and A method for providing an application service for vehicles, wherein information is shared and information is transmitted and received. 8. An application service for a vehicle, comprising a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server program used in a providing system, comprising: a first step of acquiring user information including position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal; A second step of assembling search conditions based on the user information registered in the database and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network; and obtaining a result of processing by the agent and a desired information service by the application server. A portal server program for causing a computer to execute the third step of being provided. 9. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second step includes: activating an agent according to a scenario defined by the user information; and searching for a service on the network to determine a destination of the agent. And sending the agent to an application server to be executed by the computer. 10. An application service for vehicles comprising a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A portal server program used for a providing system, wherein periodically acquiring and accumulating destination information including position information of the vehicle via the on-board computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal; Receiving a message corresponding to the information obtained from the application server and executing the process defined in accordance with the message via an agent; and, based on the stored information, a vehicle located near a relevant place. Search for the application server only for the vehicle Distributing the information obtained from the computer. 11. A plurality of vehicles which are grouped into a set of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and are capable of wireless communication by mounting a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal via a wireless network. A portal server program used in an application service providing system for a connected vehicle, which periodically acquires user information including the position information of the vehicle via an in-vehicle computer of a vehicle or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal. And accumulating, based on a request from another vehicle user, assembling search information according to the stored user information and the aggregation to determine a corresponding vehicle on the network, and for the vehicle, Sending an agent; receiving a processing result by the agent; Performing a step of sharing information between the combined vehicles and transmitting and receiving information, to a computer. 12. An application service for a vehicle comprising a vehicle equipped with a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A computer-readable recording medium recording a portal server program used in a providing system, wherein a first information for acquiring user information including position information of the vehicle via the in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal is provided. And a second step of assembling search conditions based on the user information and the user information registered in the database in advance, and sending an agent to a corresponding application server on the network, and obtaining a result of processing by the agent. Said A third step of receiving a desired information service provided by an application server; and a recording medium recording a portal server program for causing a computer to execute the third step. 13. The second step includes: activating an agent according to a scenario defined by the user information; searching a service on the network to determine a destination of the agent; 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the computer executes the steps of: sending the agent to an application server to be executed. 14. An application service for a vehicle comprising a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal and capable of wireless communication, and one or more application servers connected to the vehicle via a network. A computer-readable recording medium recording a portal server program used in the providing system, wherein the destination information including the position information of the vehicle is periodically transmitted via the in-vehicle computer or the portable terminal or the portable information terminal. Acquiring and accumulating, receiving a message corresponding to the information obtained from the application server, and executing via a agent a process defined according to the message, based on the accumulated information, Search for vehicles located near the relevant location and Distributing information obtained from the application server only to the vehicle; and a recording medium recording a portal server program for causing a computer to execute the steps. 15. A plurality of vehicles which are assembled into a set of units determined in advance by arbitrary conditions and which can carry on-board computers or portable terminals or portable information terminals and are capable of wireless communication via a wireless network. A computer-readable recording medium that records a portal server program used for an application service providing system for a connected vehicle, and includes a vehicle-mounted computer or a portable terminal or a portable information terminal of a vehicle, and positional information of the vehicle. Periodically acquiring and accumulating user information including, based on a request from another vehicle user, assembling the accumulated user information, and search conditions according to the aggregation, and assembling the corresponding vehicle on the network Determining and sending an agent to the vehicle; Recording a portal server program for causing a computer to execute a step of receiving a processing result by the agent and transmitting and receiving information between the grouped vehicles.