JP2003099350A - Method for providing location information-related service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for providing services which make use of location information. SOLUTION: The location information-related service system 1 comprises a cellular phone 20 a user has, a search service system 30 which provides the cellular phone 20 with a location information ϕ of the objects of search 90, such as a subject of search and a service provider 40 which provides the services relating to the location information ϕ; and the first service, in which the user obtains the location information ϕ of the objects of search 90 and the second service in which the user selects a desired service provider 40 from the cellular phone 20, based on the location information ϕ and requests the service are provided. As a result of this, the high-quality service, based on the highly precise location information ϕ, can be provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a service related to location information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Portable information processing terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs have become popular. With these mobile devices,
A mobile terminal, that is, a mobile terminal, is installed by a method such as mounting a system that measures the current position of the self by supplementing radio waves from satellites such as GPS, or acquiring the current position of the self from the position information of the base station. It is possible to acquire the position information of the user who has made the purchase.

[0003]

With the widespread use of such portable terminals, it has been considered to provide a service using position information. For example, there is an information providing service that can transfer information on the current position of the user to a search service system to obtain information related to the current position, such as information on nearby restaurants and shops, information on tourist spots, and the like. .

Further, a system for searching for the location of an object to be searched (object to be searched) such as a car or an old man is also under study.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for providing a service utilizing a new form of position information with the spread of terminals capable of acquiring position information. Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a system that can always provide the position information of the search target quickly and give the searcher a sense of security.

[0006]

Therefore, according to the present invention, a program that runs on a computer,
A process of acquiring the position information of the search target object from the contracted search service system, and enabling the selected service provider to acquire the position information of the desired search target object obtained from the search service system. A program or program product having instructions capable of executing processing for requesting service provision via a computer network such as the Internet, or a ROM,
The RAM is provided by a method such as recording on a suitable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

This program can be run on a mobile phone or PD
A contract is made by installing it on a portable information processing terminal such as A, a mobile information processing terminal such as a laptop computer or an in-vehicle computer, and a fixed information processing terminal such as a desktop computer. Means for acquiring the position information of the search target object from the existing search service system, and provision of the service by enabling the selected service provider to acquire the position information of the desired search target object obtained from the search service system. It is possible to provide an information processing terminal having a function as a means for requesting a request.

By using this information processing terminal, the search service system provides the position information of the search object to the terminal as the information processing terminal of the user who has a contract with the information processing terminal. Service of
A location information related service having a second service that enables the service provider selected in the information processing terminal to obtain the location information of the search target object obtained from the search service system by permission from the information processing terminal. Can be provided. According to the method of providing the position information related service, the position information of the search target object obtained from the search service system by the information processing terminal can be acquired from the information processing terminal to the service provider and is related to the position information. The user can selectively receive the service.

[0009] Therefore, according to the present invention, the information processing terminal, that is, the user and the user are not provided with a passive or one-way service from the service provider related to the location information. A search service system that can provide the location information of the search target and a service provider that can provide the service related to the location information form an organically related network, in which the user searches It is possible to acquire the position information of an object and actively select the provision of the service related to the position information, and receive the service desired by the user himself. Therefore, the user can select whether or not to provide the position information to the service provider, and the security of the position information included in the personal information is high.

For example, the user can easily know the position information of the object to be searched through the information processing terminal at any time, and when it is determined that the object to be searched is in an abnormal situation, the corresponding service is provided. It is possible to request the service provider and provide the position information of the search object. Therefore, by allowing the service provider selected by the user to share the position information which the user (self) can know and further knows, a quick and accurate security service can be received. Further, normally, the position information of the search target can be confirmed without going through a service provider who is a third party. In addition, it is not necessary to constantly keep the search target under the supervision of the service provider, and there is no fear that personal information will be leaked. Therefore, according to the service form of the present invention, the position information of the search target object is disclosed to the service provider only when the user's intention or purpose is used.
Users can use it with peace of mind and receive appropriate services when needed.

On the other hand, the service provider can use the position information that the user can acquire through the information processing terminal in order to provide the service related to the position information. Therefore, it is not necessary for the service provider to have a system or system that can constantly monitor the position information of the search target, and the service desired by the user can be provided at low cost.

The simplest method for enabling the service provider to acquire the position information of the search target object is to transmit the position information of the search target object from the information processing terminal of the user to the service provider. On the other hand, in the information processing terminal of the user, when the service provider of the selected object is requested to provide the service by enabling the position information of the search target object to be acquired, the selected service provider is searched. It is also possible to create and provide a program or program product that has a function of providing information that permits access to the service system.

The function as a search service system is a program or program product that runs on a server and provides first position information for providing position information of a search target object to an information processing terminal of a contracting user. Processing and
Based on the information provided to the service provider selected in the information processing terminal and permitting access,
It can be provided by a program having an instruction capable of executing the second position information providing process of providing the position information of the search target to the service provider. A first position information providing means for providing position information of a search target to an information processing terminal of a contracted user by a method such as installing this program on a server, and providing a service selected by the information processing terminal. It is possible to construct a search service system having a second position information providing means for providing the service provider with position information of the search target based on the information provided to the service provider and permitting access.

According to this search service system, when the position information related service is provided, the second service enables the position information of the search object to be acquired, and the selected service provider accesses the search service system. When the information permitting the search is provided to the selected service provider, the search service system provides a third service for providing the position information of the search target object to the selected service provider based on the permitted information. Can be provided.
As a result, a route for the service provider to access the search service system is formed, and the search service system, the information processing terminal of the user, and the service provider selected by the user are linked in a triangle to transmit the position information of the search target object. A route is formed.

Therefore, it becomes possible for the service provider to obtain, from the search service system, information including at least the updated position information of the search target, even if the information is in the limited range specified by the user. , It is possible to provide the user with a more advanced service that matches the situation of the search object.

The information permitted to the selected service provider is the position information of the search object, the identification information of the search object in the search service system, the profile information of the search object registered in the search service system, and A password for acquiring the position information of the search target from the search service system is conceivable. This information is considered to be difficult for the service provider to obtain independently unless provided by the user.
It is evidence that the service provider has been requested to provide the service. By the information provided by the search service system to the service provider by this permitted information,
It is possible to provide sufficient information necessary for the search and prevent the information of the search target from being leaked illegally or carelessly. The combination of the identification information of the search object and the password is one practically permitted information. By setting the password of the user's own password and the security level different in the search service system, the service provider can The type and amount of information to be provided can be set appropriately.

In the information processing terminal, the step of acquiring the position information of the search target object from the search service system is as follows.
That is, the search service system can voluntarily perform the first service that receives the position information related service according to some condition. Further, the step of acquiring the position information of the search target, that is, the first
Before the above service, it is possible to provide a step of providing information for specifying the search target object from the information processing terminal to the search service system. Thus, the second service allows the user to voluntarily acquire the position information of the search target, and as a result, the third service can provide the service to the service provider when necessary. You can request or offer. If information such as the profile of the search target object is registered in advance, the search target object can be specified by collating based on the information, and a quick search (search) can be performed.

Further, before the step of providing the information for specifying the search target, the information processing terminal includes a step of receiving the information for specifying the search target from the outside, so that the user can personally perform the search. It is possible to acquire the status of the search target object from a service system or a system different from the search service system and use the position information related service providing system of the present invention based on the acquired status.
For example, in the step of receiving from the outside, the information for identifying the search target object is given to the information processing terminal by a voice call,
It is also possible to provide it by e-mail, so that not only the user side of the information processing terminal voluntarily detects the abnormality of the search target object, but also the search target object side or the search target via another system. This service can be used even when an abnormality is detected.

In the step of acquiring the position information of the search target in the information processing terminal, that is, in the first service of providing the position information of the search target in the providing service, the position information of the search target is visually recognized. It is desirable to display it on the map on the information processing terminal for the sake of simplicity.
Furthermore, by acquiring or providing information on the state of the search target and / or the environment surrounding the search target in addition to the position information of the search target, the user can determine the status of the search target and provide a service suitable for it. It is possible to request a service by selecting a service provider who provides the service.

As the location information related service provider of the present invention, a service provider that dispatches personnel based on location information including a security company and a guardman dispatch company, a police and / or fire station, a vehicle-related special vehicle such as a tow truck, etc. Car service providers with various skills or equipment, service providers that dispatch taxis such as taxi companies, service providers that provide care for the elderly and the sick, hospitals, locations indicated by location information of search targets Service providers that search for and provide route information to, service providers that enable transportation to reach the point indicated by the location information of the search target such as a travel agency that has a ticketing function , And the search target's family or friends who are the search target.

Further, the service provider may be searched through a computer network such as the Internet, and the service provider available at that time can be freely searched and requested to provide the service.
In the present invention, the information transmission or communication method among the search service system, the information processing terminal, and the service provider may be wired or wireless, or may be via a public telephone line and / or a computer network such as the Internet. With the service providing method of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently use all search service systems and service providers accessible by these communication methods. Further, the search service system also includes a system in which servers for realizing the functions are distributed over a computer network such as the Internet.

In the position information related service providing method of the present invention, the position information of the search object provided to the information processing terminal of the user or the service provider has the accuracy as determined by using the radio waves from the GPS satellites. It is desirable to be high. However, it is not preferable that the position information cannot be obtained at all when the information on the current location using GPS cannot be obtained due to the fact that radio waves cannot be received. Therefore, it is desirable that the first and second position information obtained from two different position specifying systems be provided as the position information of the search target object. The accuracy of these position information does not have to be the same, and it is assumed that the first position information has low accuracy but is highly likely to be acquired, and the second position information has higher accuracy than the first position information. However, there is a high possibility that it cannot be acquired. The first position specifying system that provides the first position information is, for example, a positioning system that uses the position information of the base station that can be obtained in an environment in which communication can be performed using a mobile phone or PHS. The second position specifying system that provides the second position information is a positioning system using satellites, such as GPS.

Since the accuracy of the position information obtained from these different position specifying systems differs greatly as described above, it is impossible to evaluate and use the same. On the contrary, the position information of the search target can be further utilized by the position information related service providing method of the present invention by positively utilizing the difference in accuracy and the acquisition speed and the possibility of acquisition. That is, the quality of the service provided by the service provider can be improved by positively using the first position information not only as a backup of the second position information but also as a backup.

Therefore, in the present invention, in the search object, that is, in the search target terminal of the search target person,
The first location information and the second location where acquisition was started in parallel
The position information including the position information of is provided. The first of these
The timing of starting acquisition of the second position information and the second position information does not have to be the same in a strict sense, but by starting at the same time or in parallel, the first and second position information indicating substantially the same position can be obtained. , With different accuracy and different timing. Therefore, each position information or information related thereto can be related to each other independently or simultaneously and transmitted to the information processing terminal of the searcher or the terminal of the service provider to thereby obtain the respective position information. Available for independent purposes.

If the position information obtained from the first and second position specifying systems has the same accuracy, the time required to acquire the position information becomes substantially the same, and the purpose of use tends to be the same. There is almost no point in outputting one or three or more position information in parallel. However, if the accuracy of the position information obtained from the first and second position specifying systems is different, the purpose of use is different, and further,
In general, since position information with low accuracy can be acquired in a shorter time, the purpose of use can be changed in that respect as well. Therefore, the effect of providing two or three or more position information in parallel is great.

For example, the first position information can be provided as information indicating the corresponding range. The information indicating the range is displayed in an appropriate area on the map by a circle or the like. Alternatively, map information within the range can be sent as the information indicating the range. With this providing method, the low-precision first position information can be obtained in a shorter time than the high-precision second position information. Therefore, first, the low-precision first position information is output. Then, highly accurate second position information is output while being included in the first position information. Therefore, the rough position can be grasped in a short time and the next detailed position can be grasped, so that the time for grasping the position of the search object can be shortened. That is, first, information indicating a rough position such as "where and around" or "where and near" is output, and then detailed information indicating the position is output. Therefore, in an emergency, the user or the service provider permitted to acquire the position information by the user can know the approximate position first and can start in that direction. Then, the detailed position can be known when or near the object to be searched. Therefore, the access time for the search target can be shortened.

Therefore, it is desirable that the information processing terminal constituting the position information related service of the present invention has a function of displaying the first and second position information. In particular,
When the first position information is provided as the information indicating the corresponding range, the second position is superimposed on the first position information.
It is desirable to have a function to display the position information of.

Further, in the search service system, the first and / or second position information providing means use the first position information obtained from the first position specifying system as the position information of the search object, and the first position information. It is desirable to provide information including the second location information obtained from the two location systems. In particular, it is desirable that the second position information providing means for providing the position information to the service provider provide the first and second position information. Then, it is desirable that the first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information, for example, a figure indicating an area or map information.

Furthermore, by outputting low-precision position information in a range, it is possible to grasp the reliability of low-precision and high-precision position information. That is, originally, the high-accuracy position information should fall within the range of the low-accuracy position information, but this is not always the case depending on the transmission condition of the radio waves from the first and second position specifying systems. If such an output is obtained, it is necessary to doubt the reliability of the location information, and the user or service provider determines whether or not the current location can be determined only by the obtained location information. It should be done. Therefore, transmitting the reliability of the location information also has great significance for users and service providers who use the location information.

Further, it is assumed that radio waves from GPS satellites do not reach. Therefore, when the latest second position information cannot be provided, it is possible to provide the predicted position corresponding thereto, but at that time, it is important to provide it together with the first position information. That is, the mere prediction position has no reliability, and it is equivalent to simply not being able to perform GPS positioning. On the other hand, if there is the second position information that started the measurement at the same time and the predicted position is included in the range, the reliability of the predicted position becomes high and the information can be used. . Further, when the predicted position is not within the range of the first position information, by not providing the predicted position, it is possible to prevent the user or the service provider from being confused by incorrect information.

It is also meaningful to provide at least the second position information including the past log. When the search target is moving, the user or the service provider can predict the moving destination of the search target from the past log. In addition, when providing the predicted position, by providing the past log as the basis thereof, it is possible to provide an opportunity for the user or the service provider to judge the reliability of the predicted position.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a user who has a mobile phone as an information processing terminal (hereinafter, mobile phone or search terminal) 20 on the search side accesses the search service system 30 via the public telephone network and the Internet 4, and leaves the user. The outline of the position information related service system 1 that can receive the service related to the position information φ of the search target object 90 at the place is shown.

This position information related service system 1 is
A mobile phone 20 that a user carries and has a function of accessing the Internet, a search service system 30 that can provide the mobile phone 20 with the position information φ of the search target 90, and a service related to the position information. The service mechanism (service provider) 40 is mainly included. There are various types of services that can be used in the location information related service system 1, and the service provider 40 also includes various types of persons who can provide those services. Those will be described later, and in the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a service provider 40 that provides a service of dispatching a guardman (personnel) 41 to the location of the search target object 90.

In the present specification, the search target object 90 is
This is a concept that includes a search target person 92 such as an old man and a child in addition to the automobile 91 and the like. These search objects 90 are G
The position information φ is acquired by acquiring the coordinates of the base station 7 via the mobile information processing terminal 98 equipped with a system capable of positioning the current position by receiving the radio wave from the PS satellite 6, or the base station management server 34. It is equipped with a mobile phone 99 or a PDA that can be used. These information processing terminals 98 or 99
At the same time has a function of providing its own position information φ obtained by positioning or acquired to the search service system 30 via the Internet or other communication means. Therefore, the position information of the search target object 90 is the position information measured by the information processing terminal (hereinafter, the search target terminal) 98 or 99 that moves together with the search target object 90.

First, in step A, the user having the mobile phone 20 as the search terminal uses the position information related service system 1 to find the position information φ of the search target object 90.
When the user wants to know, the mobile phone 20 communicates with the search service system 30, and the mobile phone 20 provides the search service system 30 with information for specifying the search target 90. For example, by inputting the inquiry "Where is Grandpa?" From the mobile phone 20 using characters or data, selecting from the displayed menu, or inputting by voice, the search target 90, Grandpa. Provide information identifying 92. By the step A for specifying the search target object 90, the search service system 30
Acquires the information specifying the search target object 90 from the mobile phone 20 of the user. Further, as shown in step X, a telephone or e-mail indicating that the location is unknown is received from the old man 92 who is the search target 90, that is, the search target 90 is triggered to start the above step A. You can also do it.

In step B, the search service system 30 responds to the inquiry "Where is your grandpa?"
Based on this information (profile data), the third party search server 31 is provided with information for specifying the search target person 92 such as the telephone number of the search target terminal (mobile phone) 99 carried by the search target person 92.

In step C, the third party search server 31 of the search service system 30 accesses the search target terminal 99, and in step D, the current position φ of the search target person 92.
To get. The position information φ is returned to the profile server 33 in step E.

In step F, the profile server 33 confirms the identification information such as the password indicating that the user is a registered user, and the search target person who is the search target 90 is displayed on the mobile phone 20 having the registered telephone number. The location information φ of 92 is provided (first service). As a result, the user can acquire the position information φ of the search target person 92, which is the search target object 90, with his / her mobile phone 20. At the same time, the map server 32 of the search service system 30
If the map information related to the position information φ is also provided from the mobile phone 20, the user outputs the position information φ of the search target person 92 overlaid on the map 28a to visually know the current position of the search target person 92. be able to.

Search target terminal 99 of search target person 92
In addition, information regarding the health condition of the search target person 92,
For example, if the pulse and the body temperature can be acquired, the information can be transmitted to the mobile phone 20 of the user through the same route as the position information φ is acquired. Alternatively, if it is possible to acquire information around the search target person 92, for example, temperature, atmospheric pressure, external sound, etc., that information can be provided to the user's mobile phone 20 as well as the position information φ. it can.

In this way, information such as the current position φ of the search target person 92 is displayed on the user's mobile phone 20, and if it is determined that the search target person 92 needs some service, the list 28b of service providers is displayed. The service provider 40 displayed on the mobile phone 20 and considered appropriate is selected.

In step G, the service provider 40
Is selected, the information that enables the service provider 40 to provide the position information φ of the search target person 92 is transmitted to the service provider 40, and the service provider 40 is requested to provide the service (second Service). In this step, only the data may be transmitted to the service provider 40 to request the service, and in addition, it is possible to contact the service provider 40 by voice to request the service. In particular, with a system that uses voice to request a service from the service provider 40, the user can be sure that a contact has been made, and thus there is a sense of security. Therefore, it is one preferable form as a system for providing a service.

Further, the position information φ of the search target person 92 may be directly transferred from the user's mobile phone 20 to the service provider 40, but when the search target person 92 moves, it is based on the latest position information φ. I cannot receive service. Therefore, in the search service system 30, information (permission information hereinafter) A that permits the service provider 40 to acquire the position information of the search target person 92
ck is provided from the mobile terminal 20. As the permission information Ack, the service provider 40 may provide information (PASS) that permits the service provider 40 to acquire the current position φ of the search target person 92 together with the information (ID) identifying the search target person 92. desirable. Further, it is desirable to be able to access profile data regarding the search target person 92. For example, if the search target person 92 has a disease such as heart disease, the service provider 40 can be requested to prepare in advance for the disease.

In step H, the service provider 40
Is the permission information Per (I
D, PASS, etc.) based search service system 3
The position information φ of the search target person 92 and other information are acquired from 0 as needed (third service). Further, the search service system 30 is based on the permission information Per provided by the service provider 40, the position information φ of the search target object 90 (search target person 92), and the profile information of the range permitted by the permission information Per. The service provider 4
Provide to 0.

In step I, the service provider 40
Is a service request from the user's information processing terminal 20 and position information φ obtained from the search service system 30.
Based on the above, the guardman 41 or medical personnel is urged to the location of the search target person 92. The dispatched guard man 41 is also provided with an information processing terminal 97 capable of acquiring the position information φ from the search service system 30 under the same conditions as in step H, so that the search target person 92 can be reached more quickly. , Can provide necessary services.

Then, in step J, the search target person 92 is safely found from the concerned person 41 such as a guardman on the site, and when it is confirmed that there is no abnormality in health, in step K, the user's mobile phone 20 is displayed. We will provide a report to that effect, and if requested, provide a service to send the search target person to their home.

In this way, the user is able to use the mobile phone 20.
By the search service system 30, the search target object 90
It is possible to obtain the position information φ of the above, select the optimum service provider 40 based on the position information φ, and receive the service for the search target object 90. The user's terminal 2
Since the service provider 40 can acquire the accurate position of the search target object 90 via 0, the search target object 90 exists in a land that the user does not know, or the position of the search target object 90 by the user and other situations. Even in a situation in which the information cannot be accurately transmitted, a quick and accurate service can be provided to the search target object 90. Further, the information processing terminal 20 allows the user, the service provider 40 to operate the search service system 30.
The service provider 40 can find the moving search target 90 and provide an appropriate service by allowing the user to access even in a limited range. We can receive appropriate service.

As described above, the position-related information service system 1 of the present example allows the user's information processing terminal (mobile phone) 20 and the search service system 30 to be selected by the user.
And the service provider 40 can flexibly form a triangular information transmission path capable of transmitting the position information φ. Therefore, the service desired by the user can be promptly and accurately received.
On the other hand, it is possible to minimize the period in which the service provider 40 monitors the position information φ about the search target object 90, reduce the load on the service provider 40, and provide a high-quality service at a low price. Can receive. of course,
It is also possible to request the service provider 40 to provide a long-term monitoring service or a regular monitoring service through the position-related information service system 1, and the present invention provides the above-mentioned short-term service. Of course, it doesn't stop there.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the search service system 30. The search service system 30 mainly includes the profile server 33 related to the search target 90, and
The person search server 31 and the map server 32 cooperate with each other via the Internet 4 to form a system. The profile server 33 manages all information (profile data) related to the search target 90, and a user management function that manages a user who receives information including position information from the search service system 30. 33b and the location information φ from the search service system 30.
And a service provider management function 33c that manages a service provider who receives information including the above. Further, it has an abnormality notification function 33d, and when an abnormality is notified from the registered search object 90 by e-mail or the like, the information can be transmitted to the user's mobile terminal (mobile phone) 20. There is. Further, when an abnormality is notified from the search target 90, not only the information is notified by e-mail, but it is also possible to start the process of providing the position information of the search target 90 to the mobile phone 20. Has become. In that case, the search service system 30 will spontaneously start the process that becomes the first service of the position information related service system 1, triggered by the abnormality information notified from the search target 90. This information transmission route is shown as step Y in FIG.

In the search service system 30, first, the search server 31 performs a function of accessing the search target terminal 99 or 98 of the search target 90 and acquiring the position information φ of the search target 90 (step). C and D). When requested by the profile server 33, the search target terminal 99 may be accessed to obtain the position information φ, or the mobile terminal 99 of the search target 90 may be periodically accessed to store the position information φ. Alternatively, the accumulated position information φ when a request is made from the profile server 33 may be returned.

The map server 32 provides simple map information that can be displayed on the user's mobile terminal (mobile phone) 20, and has a map information database.
Then, when the profile server 33 acquires the position information φ, it searches the database for map information capable of displaying the position information φ, cuts it out, and transmits it to the user's mobile phone 20.

The user management function 33b of the profile server 33 is the information processing terminal (mobile phone) of the contracted user.
When there is a search request from 20 (step A), step B
And E, the position information φ of the search target object 90 obtained from the search server 31 is notified (step F). Therefore, the user management function 33b functions as the first position information providing unit to execute the first position information providing process, and provides the position information φ of the search target to the user's mobile phone (of the position information related service). First service). The user management function 33b uses the registration management function 33a for the mobile phone 20 of the user.
The search target 90 is specified from the information registered together with the identification information such as the telephone number. It is also possible for the user to specify the search target 90 from the mobile phone 20 through an appropriate authentication procedure. In addition, the service provider management function 33c
Is accessed together with the permission information Per from the service provider 40, the position information φ of the search target object 90 within the range of the permission information Per with respect to the service provider 40 or the terminal 97 registered as the service provider 40. Is notified (step H). Therefore, the service provider management function 33b functions as the second position information providing means to execute the second position information providing process, and provides the service provider with the position information φ of the search target (position information). Third service of related services).

The user management function 33b and the service provider management function 33c are obtained from not only the position information φ but also the search target terminal 98 or 97 for the terminal 97 of the user's mobile phone 20 or the service provider 40. It is also possible to provide other information, for example, information regarding the state or environment of the search target or the search target person. In addition, using the function of the map server 32, position information φ
It is also possible to provide map information related to. Furthermore, when the abnormality notification function 33d catches the abnormality notification, the user management function 33b voluntarily notifies the mobile phone 20 of the user who has registered the abnormality together with the position information φ.

The profile server 33, the search server 31, and the map server 32 may be realized by a single server, or may be distributed so that they can be used via the Internet 4 or another computer network as in this example. It may be. The functions provided by these servers 31, 32, and 33 are usually provided as a program that has instructions capable of executing the above-described functions and that runs on the server.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of functions relating to the present invention which the mobile phone 20 as a user terminal has. The mobile phone 20 is provided with an initial registration function 21 for registering profile information regarding the search target object 90 that is going to receive the search service with respect to the search service system 30. Further, the inquiry function 22 for providing the search service system 30 with information for specifying the search target object 90 and the position information φ of the searched search target object 90 are acquired from the search service system 30 and displayed to display the first information. In addition to selecting the acquisition function 23 that receives the provision of the service and the service provider 40, the permission information Per is given and the position information φ of the search target can be acquired to request the provision of the service from the service provider. And a service selection function 24 for receiving a service. In addition, the mobile phone 20 includes a mail receiving unit 25, and when an abnormality is notified from the search target object 90 by e-mail, the information that specifies the search target object 90 can be transmitted to the inquiry unit 22 from the notification. It is like this.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the search target object 90 is notified to the search target object 90 by e-mail or voice (step X), and the search target object 90 is sent to the search service system 30. (Step A), the position information φ of the search target object 90 is acquired (step F), and the service provider 40 is selected so that the position information φ can be used by the service provider 40. Then, a process that is a core of the system 1 for providing the position information related service of the present invention, which is to request a service (step G), can be executed. These functions of the mobile phone (mobile terminal) 20 can be provided as a program created in a language such as JAVA (registered trademark) and having instructions capable of executing the function, and installed in the mobile phone or the like. By doing so, the above function can be implemented.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the mobile phone 20 when receiving the service of the position information related service 1 of this example. First, step 10
In step 1, the registration status of the search target object 90 desired to receive the search service in the search service system 30 is confirmed, and the search target object 9 is searched.
If 0 is not registered, it is registered in step 102.

This registration service is supported by the registration function 33a of the profile server 33 of the search service system 30. Registration function in this service 33
The processing of a is shown in FIG. 5, and the response with the terminal 20 is shown in FIG. First, in step 121, the user uses the mobile phone 20 to assign the ID of the searcher (user) assigned.
Enter the password and password to search service system 30
Enter the service provided by. Search service system 30
Upon entering, the user is connected to the registration function 33a of the profile server 33. Mobile phone 20
It is also possible to use the telephone number sent by the user as the identification information (ID) of the user by using the number notification function of the above.

At step 123, a confirmation message is displayed and the registration service is started. Searchee, ie,
If the profile of the search target person 90 is not registered, information of the search target person (search target object) 90 is input in step 124. The information input here is, for example, the article name, name, identification information ID, telephone number of the search target object 90,
Profile information such as network address and e-mail address. If the search object 90 is a car,
The information to be further added includes a vehicle type, a color, a plate number, a photograph showing the outer shape of the vehicle, and the like. When the search target object 90 is a person, it is information to be added such as name, age, sex, appearance such as profile, photograph, medical history, attending doctor, family contact information, and the like. In addition, in the case where the search target object 90 is an article such as a valuable article that may be stolen, the information such as shape, size, and color is added. The profile information is not limited to these, and useful information is registered when the service is provided later. Then, in the position information related service providing system 1 of this example, the registered profile information is determined based on the user's intention only in an emergency when an abnormality actually occurs in the search target object 90. It is open to the service providers 40 who are three parties. Therefore, even if personal information is registered, it is safe because it is not misused.

In step 125, the profile server 3
From 3 on the mobile phone 20, the registration contents are confirmed by the display like the screen 28d. An appropriate mode is displayed and the registered contents are confirmed. In the search service system 30 of the system 1 of this example, it is possible to set a plurality of search target objects 90. In that case, a group is created for the search target person, and the member name of the group and the accompanying It is also possible to register information to be registered.

When there is a person to be confirmed, these registration contents can be obtained by contacting the search target 90 with the searcher name (user), registered group name, etc. in consideration of security and privacy. Is. Then, the search target person 90 notifies the profile server 33 of the acceptance (content confirmation) information indicating that the registration is authenticated.

As the profile information, it is possible to set information (permission information Per) and conditions for permitting the service provider 40 to access the personal information including the position information φ. An appropriate password PASS may be set as the search permission information Per, the service provider may set a condition that the search is permitted from Z hours to W hours, or the search timing may be limited. It is possible. In addition, such security-related information may be changed at an appropriate timing, may be changed each time registration is performed, or may be used, for example,
It is also effective to have a system in which the password is changed every time the provision of the above service is completed.

At step 127, the contents including the group are confirmed, and if correction is necessary, correction is made at step 128. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 9 and step X or Y in FIG. 1, the search target person may be registered not only from the user terminal (mobile phone) 20 but also from the search target person itself. Yes, it can be approved at the user's terminal 20. Therefore, the search target person (search target person) 90 who is in distress specifies the terminal 20 of the searcher, registers as the search target person in the search service system 30, and receives the service provision through the terminal 20 of the searcher. be able to. It is also possible to register the searcher himself who is the user of the terminal 20 as the search target person 90,
It is also possible to receive the service from the service provider 40.

In the above, it is assumed that the user has already registered or contracted as a user of the search service system 30 (subscription procedure, etc.), but these procedures also need to be performed in advance.

When the search target object 90 has been registered, the first service for receiving the position information φ of the desired search target object 90 is available. In order to receive this first service, as shown in FIG. 4, in step 103 (step A), an inquiry process is performed in which information specifying the desired search target object 90 is provided to the search service system 30, and a search is performed. In step 104 (step F), the position information φ of the specified search target object 90 is acquired from the profile server 33 of the service system 30 and displayed on the screen 28a of the mobile phone 20.

This first service is supported by the user management function 33b of the profile server 33.
The processing of the user management function 33b in this service is shown in FIG. 6, and the response to the terminal 20 or the like is shown in FIG. First, in step 131, information of a searcher (user) is input to enter the search service system 30. For example, the identification information ID, the password, the telephone number, etc. are input to the icon displayed on the screen 28e of the mobile phone 20 and sent to the search service system 30. When the telephone number is used as an ID, the number notification function or the like automatically notifies the search service system 30 that receives the telephone number, so that the input of the identification information ID can be omitted. Therefore, in this case, only the password is required to be input.

Next, in step 132, the portable telephone 28 is set.
Then, the search target group (search target person's group) 90 previously created in step 126 is displayed on the screen 28f, and when the group is selected, the search target person belonging to the group is displayed as in the screen 28g. It Then, in step 133, when the search target person (search target object) 90 is selected from the displayed, the search target person 90 is specified,
When the information is transmitted to the search service server 30, the search service system 30 performs a process of acquiring the current position φ of the search target object 90.

At step 133, not only one of the members of the group displayed on the screen 28g,
It is also possible to search for a plurality of people or all of them, and it is possible to acquire the respective position information φ. Also, instead of selecting the members of the group,
It is also possible to individually input information that specifies a search target person, such as an ID and a password.

When the mobile phone 20 receives the position information φ from the search service system 30 in step 134, the search result (position information φ) is displayed in step 135. Therefore, in step 136, the map data is acquired from the map server 32, and in step 137, the map information and the position information φ are acquired.
Is displayed. The position information φ of the search target object 90 is displayed together with the map data as character information (text) on the screen 28h.
It is also possible to display "address", "-near (address expression conversion)", "near east of your place".

At this time, in addition to the position information φ of the search target object 90, information on the state of the search target object 90 and / or the environment surrounding the search target object 90 is also provided. For example, when the search target object 90 is a person such as an elderly person or a sick person, it is ecological information (pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, etc.). Alternatively, when the search target object 90 is an article such as a car,
These include acceleration, movement, vibration, temperature, and external environment (day and night).

Now, the retrieval target object 90 is retrieved from the portable terminal 20.
A series of processing for acquiring and displaying the position information of is ended.
The search service system 30 stores information such as whether the search execution information, for example, the position information φ was acquired, how many searches were performed, how many members were searched, and the like.
It can be reflected in the billing information to the user.

On the other hand, the user returns to FIG. 4 and, from the position information φ obtained in the above process, in step 105,
It is judged whether or not there is an abnormality in the search target object 90, and if there is an abnormality, in step 106 (step G), the optimum service provider 40 is selected and a service provision is requested.
Therefore, for example, when the emergency button 28x displayed on the screen 28h of FIG. 10 is clicked, a list of service providers selectable on the user's terminal (mobile phone) 20 is displayed and can be selected.

The second service is provided between the mobile phone 20 and the service provider 40. Figure 7
And shown in more detail in FIG. Cell phone 20
When it is determined that the current position of the search target object 90 is abnormal from the position information φ displayed in, the “urgent” icon displayed on the screen 28i together with the position information φ of the search target object 90 in step 141. Select 28x. This allows
A list of service providers 40 is displayed on the screen 28j. On this screen 28j, based on the search target 90 or the position information φ of the user (searcher), the nearest service providers 40 located in close positions are listed in that order, or the past usage frequency of the user is displayed. The information can be listed in order based on the information, or information effective for the user to select the service provider 40 can be added and displayed.

Then, in step 142, an appropriate service provider 40 is selected from the listed service providers 40, and a service request and position information φ (including information Per which permits access to the search service system 30) are selected. To complete the emergency call. In response to this, that is, in the selected service provider 40, the guardman 41 is rushed to the site, that is, the location of the search target object 90, instead of the user, to perform an investigation, and based on the result of the investigation, it is appropriately sent to another organization. Make contact. For example, call the police if the case is high and arrange an ambulance if you need help. Further, services such as arranging taxis are provided as a means of contacting the family of the object 90 to be searched and a means of transportation of the user (mobile phone 20) who is the requester (source) of the service.

In the list of the service providers 40, the personnel 4 such as a guard man is based on the position information φ as described above.
In addition to the service provider who dispatches 1, a car service provider who can provide wreckers and emergency service equipment, a service provider who dispatches taxis, a service provider who provides care for the aged and sick, hospitals, search objects A service provider (providing a service of assist information) that searches and provides route information to a point indicated by the position information φ of 90, and a transportation system for reaching the point indicated by the position information φ of the search target 90. Service providers, etc.
Can be included.

Furthermore, family members, friends, neighbors, etc. can be listed as service providers. In addition, public institutions such as police and fire departments also have 40 service providers.
It is possible to list as. Then, by selecting one of the service providers 40, a service request and a search target person are automatically sent to the selected service provider 40 via a public telephone line or a computer network such as the Internet 4. Information relating to the location information and information set in advance in the profile server 33 of the search service system 30 and permitting the service provider 40 to access the position information φ are transmitted.

As a result, although limited, a unique information exchange path for the search target person 90 is formed between the service provider 40 and the search service system 30, and the service provider 40 provides the maximum service. Can be received. This third service is supported by the service provider management function 33c of the profile server 33. Service provider management function 3 in this service
The processing of 3c is shown in FIG. 8, and the response to the terminal 97 of the service provider is shown in FIG. If there is a search request from the service provider 40 in step 143, step 14
In step 4, the permission information Per indicated by the service provider 40 is confirmed, and if the permission information Per is different from the one registered in the profile server 33, the service is not provided in step 145. On the other hand, if the permission information Per matches, in step 146, the service provider 40 or its terminal 97 within the permitted range of information including the position information φ of the search target object 90.
To provide to. Therefore, the search target 9 is searched within the range in which the invasion of the privacy of the search target 90 is minimized.
When an emergency occurs in 0, the location information can be disclosed without delay and the service can be provided.

The service provider 40 is not limited to those listed in advance, but may select an appropriate one from the service providers open on the Internet by using an appropriate search engine. You can Further, it is possible to give the selected service provider 40 the authority to disclose the position information φ to the person who provides the secondary service. In addition, it is possible to expand the network that provides services based on the position information φ, and it is also possible to receive the provision of high-quality services that are more suitable for the situation.

The timing chart shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 is a variation of the provision of position information related services.
Is notified of an abnormality (contact) by which the user of the mobile phone 20 can start the series of processes described above.

As described above, in the position information related service system 1 of the present example, the user can obtain the position information φ of the search target object 90 via the handy information processing terminal such as the mobile phone 20.
You can always know easily. At the same time, when it is determined that the search target object 90 is in an abnormal state from the obtained position information φ, the service provider 40 is requested to provide the service that is determined to be the best for dealing with it, and the search target object 90 is also searched. It is possible to provide 90 pieces of position information φ. Therefore, when the service provider 40 selected by the user is selected by the user, it is possible to accurately share the information known to the user, and it is possible to reliably provide a highly accurate service. . In particular, when a data path is formed between the service provider 40 and the search service system 30, the service provider 40 is provided with more accurate and real-time information regarding the search target 90. It becomes possible to receive higher quality service. On the other hand, the position information φ and the profile information of the search target object 90 are provided only to the selected service provider 40 only when it is determined that the search target object 90 is provided more than necessary. It is possible to receive the service with peace of mind without the relevant personal information (profile) leaking.

Further, as the person 40 who provides the service, when there is a request for providing the service, the search target object 9
Since the accurate position information φ for 0 can be acquired, it is possible to provide a high-quality service according to the user's request. Then, the position information φ of the search target object 90
Need not always be monitored, and since it is not necessary to have its own system for monitoring, it is possible to provide the required service at a low cost. Furthermore, the system for acquiring the position information φ, its method, and the accuracy have been rapidly improving with the times, and the infrastructure is being developed to support it, but the cost of the corresponding hardware etc. Can be concentrated on the search service system 30, and the user and the service provider 40 receive or provide the service using the latest highly accurate position information φ with almost no hardware cost burden. It becomes possible to do.

The above screen display and operation method are examples for explaining the position information related service system 1 according to the present invention, and it goes without saying that the operation method or output format is not limited to the above. . Also,
The search object 90 is not limited to the above-mentioned examples of people, cars, and valuables, but includes a wide variety of objects such as transportation such as buses and trains, as well as transported goods such as exports. can do. In the case of a train, these route groups (for example, Azusa N, Azusa M, etc.) are specified, and the train running at the current time is linked with the timetable as described above. It is also possible to acquire and identify the information φ.

The position information φ provided by the position-related information providing service of the present invention enables the service provider 40 to reach the search target person 98 and the search target object 99 in a short time and receive the service. Is desirable. Therefore, it is desirable that the position information φ has high accuracy, and the GP is more important than the position information (hereinafter, base station position information, first position information) φ1 based on the position information of the base station.
It is desirable that the position information (hereinafter, GPS position information, second position information) φ2 measured using radio waves from the S satellite is φ2. However, the search target 92 and the search target 9
The GPS position information φ2 cannot be acquired when 9 is in a place where radio waves from the GPS satellites 6 do not reach, such as a building, an underground mall, or a tunnel entrance / exit. Therefore, the base station position φ1
It is effective to acquire both at the same time. In other words, the search server 31 of the search service system 30 communicates with the search target person's terminal 98 or 99 (hereinafter, the terminal 99 will be described as a representative), and the GP acquired by the terminal 99 is contacted.
In addition to S position φ2, base station position φ used in the communication
It is desirable to acquire 1 as well.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic configuration of the search server 31 capable of acquiring the base station position information φ1 and the GPS position information φ2 of the terminal 99 of the search target person 92. The search server 31 acquires the base station information used for communication with the terminal 99 from the base station position management server 34, communicates with the base station information acquisition interface 51 for obtaining the base station position information φ1, and the terminal 99 by communicating with the terminal 99. 99 has a terminal communication interface 52 for acquiring GPS position information φ2 obtained by GPS positioning. Therefore, in the search service system 30, the search server 3 is different from the profile server 33.
1 to base station position information φ1 as position information φ and GP
Information including S position information φ2 is provided. Therefore, the mobile phone 20 of the user is transmitted via the profile server 33.
Or the search target person 9 for the terminal 97 of the service provider.
The two positions can be provided by the base station position information φ1 and the GPS position information φ2. Therefore, GPS
Even if the position data cannot be acquired, the position of the search target person 92 can be specified by the base station position information φ1.

However, the base station position information φ1 means that the portable terminal 98 is located within a range in which communication with the base station 7 is possible. For this reason, the position information of the base station is somewhat low in accuracy because the position information of the base station 7 spreads to some extent, for example, includes an error of several km. It is possible to specify the position from the base station information by PHS communication as well, and PHS can communicate with the base station only within a few hundred meters, so it is slightly more accurate than the position information from the mobile phone base station. Is high. Below,
The PHS communication will be omitted for simplification of description, but the base station information can be treated equivalently.

On the other hand, a highly accurate GP using the GPS satellite 6
The S position information φ2 has an error of several meters to several tens of meters. On the other hand, since it has to receive radio waves from the GPS satellites 6, the blind spots are indoors, underground malls, and spaces between buildings, unlike mobile phones that can communicate by installing an antenna. In addition, GPS position information φ2 after positioning is started
It takes time to compare with the base station position information φ1 because the calculation is required to obtain Therefore, the base station position information φ1 is not only lower in accuracy than the GPS position information φ2, but also highly reliable and can be acquired in a short time. Therefore, in the position information related service system 1 of the present invention, the quality of the service is improved by not using the base station position information φ1 as a backup of the GPS position information φ2 but by utilizing each characteristic. ing.

First, in the search server 31 of the search service system 30, the terminal communication interface 52 instructs the terminal 99 to acquire the GPS position information φ2, and the base station information acquisition interface 51 uses the base station position information φ1. The process of acquiring and start at the same time. Of course, strict concurrency is not required, which means that these processes proceed in parallel. As a result, unlike the case where the acquisition of the base station position information φ1 is started after the state that the GPS position information φ2 cannot be acquired is known, the highly reliable base station position information φ1 is always provided even if it is rough position information. And get quickly regardless of the GPS situation. As a result, the search target person 9
The position information of No. 2 can always be promptly provided to the mobile phone 20 of the user or the terminal 97 of the service provider, and the utility value can be increased.

Further, the search server 31 stores a log data management unit 56 for storing and accumulating past position information (position data) in the log file 58, and a unit for predicting the present position from the accumulated position data (log data). 57 and 57. When continuous monitoring (watching) of the terminal 99 of the search target person 92 is requested, the search server 31
The log data management means 56 periodically requests the GPS position information φ2 to the terminal 99 of the search target person 92,
The base station position information φ1 obtained at the same time is recorded as a past log. Therefore, when there is a search request from the searcher's terminal 20, the authorized service provider 4
When there is a search request from 0, if the GPS position information φ2 cannot be obtained, the predicted position φ3 of the terminal 99 of the search target person 92 at that time is predicted by the current position prediction means 57 and provided. be able to. Only the predicted position φ3 may be provided, or the past log φ4 of the accumulated position information may be provided.
At the same time, it is possible to provide the search target object 92 via the profile (profile server 33).

This predicted position φ3 itself is simply G
It only means that radio waves from the PS satellite 6 cannot be received, and cannot be said to be useful information. However, if the base station position information φ1 is obtained at the same time and the predicted position φ3 is within the range of the base station position information φ1,
The reliability of the predicted position φ3 is high. Also, in the past log, if it is clear that the GPS position information φ2 and the base station position information φ1 are linked, the predicted position φ3 is highly reliable. Therefore, as the information that supports the GPS position information φ2 and the predicted position φ3, the base station position information φ1 having a high probability of being acquired is very useful.

GPS position information φ2 and base station position information φ1
If the timing of acquiring and is deviated, the actual position of the terminal 99 indicated by the respective position information is also deviated,
You can't compare them. However, in this example, the acquisition of the GPS position information φ2 and the base station position information φ1 is started at the same time. φ1 and φ2 can be evaluated as information that can be compared with each other. Therefore, when the predicted position φ3 is obtained, the predicted position φ3
The base station position information φ1 can be used as the information for filtering.

FIG. 15 shows an outline of the processing for providing the GPS position information φ2 and the base station position information φ1 in the search service system 30. These processes are performed by the search server 31, the map server 32, and the profile server 33 in the search service system 30 shown in FIG.
However, it is also possible to collectively process with one server system. Step 161
When there is a search request in, the acquisition of the base station position information φ1 and the GPS position information φ2 is started. The search request is the process of step A in the case of the first service that provides the position information to the user's terminal 20. If it is the third service that provides the positional information to the terminal 97 of the authorized service provider, the process of step H is performed.

In response to the search request, the search server 31 issues an instruction to the search target terminal 99 to start GPS positioning using the mobile phone network in step 163. At the same time, the search server 31 acquires the base station position information φ1 used in the communication with the search target terminal 99 in step 162. When the base station position information φ1 is obtained, the information φ1 is sent to the user terminal 20 or the service provider terminal 97 in step 164. Since the base station position information φ1 has a wide error range as described above, the base station position information φ1 can be used as a map indicating the area, or can be sent later as map information for indicating the GPS position information φ2. For these,
Further description will be given below.

In step 165, the search target terminal 9
When GPS position information φ2 is obtained from 9, step 166
Then, the terminal 20 of the user or the terminal 97 of the service provider
Send to. Generally, since the GPS position information φ2 is acquired later, the base station position information φ1 is first displayed on the user terminal 20 or the service provider terminal 97, and then the GPS position information φ2 is displayed. ..

When the GPS position information φ2 is not obtained in step 165, the log φ4 is sent from the log data management means 56 to the current position prediction means 57 in step 167, and the position prediction calculation is performed in step 168. Step 169
Then, if the result is within the error range of the position data of the base station, the prediction result φ3 is assumed to be correct to some extent, and in step 170, the prediction result φ3 is given the attribute,
Instead of the GPS position data, the data is sent to the user terminal 20 or the service provider terminal 97. At this time, the past log φ4 can also be sent at the same time. In step 169, if the prediction result φ3 does not fall within the error range of the base station position data φ1, the prediction result φ3 cannot be used. Therefore, in step 171, the past log φ4 and the base station position data φ1 are used.
Only the terminal 20 of the user or the terminal 9 of the service provider
Send to 7. In step 172, the terminal 20 of the user or the terminal 97 of the service provider displays the position of the search target person 92 of the search target object based on these data φ1 and φ2, and φ3 and φ4.

Therefore, the position information acquisition and display function 23 of the user's terminal 20 uses the first position information φ1 and
It is desirable to have the ability to display the second position information φ2. Similarly, it is desirable that the terminal 97 of the service provider also has a function of outputting the first position information φ1 and the second position information φ2, as described below. The first position information φ1 is information indicating the corresponding range,
For example, since it is desirable to be provided as map information, it is desirable that these terminals 20 or 97 can display the second position information φ2 over the first position information φ1. Further, since the position information φ of the search object may include the past log φ4, it is desirable that the terminal 20 or 97 can display the position information including the past log φ4. These functions can be provided by either hardware or software. Furthermore, the search service system 30 can generate and provide image data including these pieces of information. In this case, the terminals 20 and 97 simply display the image received from the search service system 30. It may have only the function of performing.

FIG. 16 shows how the position information is displayed on the terminal 20 or 97. In FIG. 16A, a map 183 of the middle range covering the range included in the position information of the base station is displayed by the terminal 20 with the position information φ1 of the base station.
Or, display it on the screen such as LCD of 97, then GP
With the S position data φ2, a detailed map 184 including the GPS position data φ2 is displayed. In FIG. 16 (b),
Based on the position information φ1 of the base station, a map 183 of the middle range covering the range included in the position information of the base station and a circle indicating the position information φ1 of the base station are displayed, and then the GPS position data φ
2, GPS position data φ on the same mid-range map 183
The position specified by 2 is displayed.

It is also possible to display the position information φ1 of the base station and the GPS position data φ2 by voice while displaying the position or instead of displaying the position. When outputting the base station position information φ1, since it is information with a certain error range, "around Murai station" and "around Murai station"
Alternatively, an output such as "Murai Town" is desirable. On the other hand, since the GPS position data φ2 serves as pinpoint position information, it is possible to output "Murai station square" or "Murai station square intersection".

In any of the display methods, in the search service system 30 of this example, acquisition of position information of the base station and G
By starting the acquisition of position information by PS in parallel, each position information can be acquired in the shortest processing time for acquiring each position information. Therefore, the approximate position information of the search target person 92 can be provided in a short time, and the detailed position information can be provided subsequently. For this reason, the approximate position of the search target person 92 can be known in a short time. First, the service provider 40 can dispatch a staff member or a staff member's vehicle toward that position, and the first action can be shortened. You can wake up in time. Since the detailed position of the search target person 92 is known by the time the vehicle arrives in the vicinity of the search target person 92, the detailed position of the search target person 92 can be compared with a system in which the detailed position is output at a later timing. Thus, it is possible to reliably find the search target person 92 and provide the service.

When the terminal 99 of the person to be searched 92 is located in a place where the radio wave from the GPS satellite 6 does not reach,
The position data φ2 cannot be acquired. However, according to the system 30 of the present example, if the mobile terminal 99 is within the range where the radio waves of the mobile phone can reach, it is possible to obtain at least the approximate position information φ1, which can be obtained by the user terminal 20 or the service provider. Can be output to the terminal 97.
Since the acquisition of the base station position data φ1 and the acquisition of the GPS position data φ2 are started almost at the same time, the GP
Unlike the case where the acquisition of the base station position data φ1 is started after it is known that the S position data φ2 cannot be acquired, the rough position information is rapidly provided and the search target person 92
Can be used for discovery.

FIG. 17 shows some examples of outputting the predicted position φ3 to the terminal 20 of the user or the terminal 97 of the service provider when the GPS position data φ2 cannot be obtained. The display shown in FIG. 17A shows the expected position φ3.
Is within the range of the base station position data φ1, that is, in the base station area, and the expected position φ is displayed in the circle (base station area) display indicating the base station position data φ1.
3 is displayed. The display shown in FIG. 17B is also the case where the predicted position φ3 is within the range of the position data φ1 of the base station, and the predicted position φ3 is the log data φ3.
It is displayed together with 4.

In FIG. 17C, the expected position φ3 is
This is a case outside the base station area, and the expected position φ3
And the base station area φ1 are shown. With this display, it is difficult to determine whether the current position is the predicted position φ3 or the base station area φ1. Therefore, FIG.
In (d), the past log φ4 is also displayed so that the judgment is left to the user or the service provider. On the other hand, in FIG. 17 (e), the actually obtained base station area φ1 is given priority, the predicted position that does not enter the base station area φ1 is not displayed, and the past log φ4 is displayed instead, so that the search target person is searched. The determination of the current location of 92 is left to the searcher, that is, the user or the service provider.

If only the base station area is shown when the GPS position data cannot be obtained, even if it is known that the user is in the area, the coverage area is wide depending on the base station, and the expected position information is not. Often not. Further, the reliability of the predicted position is unknown and it cannot be determined whether or not the predicted position can be used only by estimating and outputting the current position from the past trajectory (log) information. On the other hand, it is possible to confirm the reliability of the estimation result based on the result of the estimation of the current position and the area information of the base station. If there is an expected position in the area, use that position information. It is possible to provide a highly reliable current position prediction result with improved value.

FIG. 18 shows some examples of the log file 58. FIG. 18A shows base station position information φ.
In this example, 1 and GPS position data φ2 are recorded in the order in which they were acquired. This log file 58a contains
Time information 59a, latitude information 59b, longitude information 59c
The altitude information 59d and the positioning method 59e are recorded. In the positioning method 59e, "1" is the position data φ of the base station.
It is shown that it is 1, and "3" has shown that it is the position data (phi) 2 by GPS. Base station position data,
The position data obtained by GPS is not necessarily the information that is obtained at the same time even if the processes for acquiring the data start at the same time. Therefore, in the case of the format of the log file 58, the acquired position information is stored in a state of being sorted in time order, so that it is easy to handle when displaying or calculating these position information as a series of logs. .

FIG. 18B shows a log file 58b in which only the position data φ2 obtained by GPS is recorded, and FIG. 18C shows a log in which only the position data φ1 of the base station is recorded. A file 58c is shown. Therefore, the recorded data does not include the data 59e indicating the positioning method. These log files 5
8b and 58c are easy to handle when log display is performed for each type of position information.

When such a log file 58 is created, the terminal 20 of the user and the terminal 97 of the service provider.
By displaying the position of the search target person 92 together with the past log, the amount of information provided to the user or the service provider can be increased. Therefore, the searching side can be expected to improve the accuracy of the substantial position information by making a judgment by itself. Generally, it is considered that the position information obtained by GPS is more accurate than the base station information of a mobile phone or the like, but in an environment such as between high-rise buildings, it is obtained by GPS due to the influence of multipath. In some cases, a large error may occur in the position information. Under such conditions, it is meaningful to provide the user with the position information obtained by the position information acquisition means other than GPS.

FIG. 19A shows the search service system 3
The latest base station area φ1 output from 0 is displayed together with the log information φ5 of the base station position, and the latest GP
The S position data φ2 is also displayed together with the log information φ4. The GPS position data log φ4 is within the range of the base station area log φ5, and the position information obtained by the GPS matches the position information obtained from the base station area, and the position information can be obtained in a normal state. You can see that it is done. On the other hand, in FIG. 19B, the log φ4 of the GPS position data deviates from the log φ5 of the base station area. Therefore, it can be seen that the position information is obtained in a situation where the influence of multipath or the like is a concern. Therefore, the user can make a determination in consideration of the reliability of the obtained position information.

Base station position information φ1 and GPS position information φ2
The method of providing position information including is not limited to these. The search service system 30 sends a detailed map in advance to the user's terminal 20 or the service provider's terminal 97 based on the location information φ1 of the base station obtained from the communication with the terminal 97 of the search target person 92, and performs the search. When the GPS position data φ2 is obtained from the target person's terminal 97, the GPS position information φ2 can be displayed in a short time by superimposing it on the map information suitable for indicating it. In FIG. 16 (a), the location information φ 1 of the base station is displayed on the terminal 20 according to the map 183 of the middle range.
Alternatively, 97 is displayed, and the GPS position data φ2 is displayed on the detailed map 184. In order to execute this processing, in addition to the data of the map 183 of the mid range transmitted together with the position information φ1 of the base station, the detailed map data 184 included in the base station area φ1 is sent from the map server 32 of the system 30. It can be downloaded in advance to the terminal 20 or 97. If you preload a detailed map,
Since detailed map data already exists in the mobile terminal 20 or 97, when the GPS position data φ2 is obtained, it is only necessary to send the position data as detailed position data of the search target person.

The mobile terminal 20 or 97 capable of displaying these is, for example, the mobile phone 20 provided with a function capable of utilizing the search service system 30 in advance. Such a function can be provided by software or hardware, and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM as a program or a program product having instructions capable of executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Record on any suitable recording medium,
It can be provided via a computer network such as the Internet. Therefore, the device can be used not only as a mobile phone but also as a terminal configuring the position information related service providing system 1 of the present invention by installing it in another mobile terminal such as a PDA. Furthermore, even if it is a mobile information processing terminal mounted in a vehicle, or a fixed information processing terminal such as a desktop, by installing the program of the information processing terminal according to the present invention, A location information related service system can be used.

The function as the search service system 30 can be provided by either the distributed server system or the centralized server system as described above.
Each system can be provided as a program or a program product including an instruction to realize or execute each function described above.

[0109]

As described above, according to the present invention, the information processing terminal such as the mobile phone of the user acquires the position information of the search target object from the search service system and provides the service so that the position information can be accessed. Service can be requested to a person. Therefore, according to the user's selection, it is possible to receive the highly accurate service based on the position information from the service provider who provides various services for the search object.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a position information related service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functions of the search service system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation of the location information related service system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the registration function that supports the registration process (step 102).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a user management function that supports the first service.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing provision of a second service.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of a service provider management function that supports a third service.

9 is a timing chart of the registration process (step 102) shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the inquiry process (step 103,
Step A) and the search and display process (Step 1
04 is a timing chart of step F).

11 is a timing chart of the selection process (step 106, step G) triggered by the user (mobile phone) shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart of a process starting from the process (step X) triggered by the search target object shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of a process of searching (searching) through the process (step Y) using the search target object shown in FIG. 1 as a trigger.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of a different search server of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation of a search service system that services first and second position information.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which position information is displayed on a terminal.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which a predicted position is displayed on a terminal.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a log file.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example in which base station position information and GPS position information are displayed together with log information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Location information related service system 4 Internet 6 GPS satellites 7 base stations 20 Mobile phones (information processing terminals) 21 Initial registration section 22 Inquiry section of search target 23 Acquisition / display of location information 25 Mail Receiver 28 Screens displayed on mobile phones 30 Search service system 31 Search Server 32 map server 33 Profile server 34 Base station location management server 40 service providers 90 Search target 98, 99 Search target terminal

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G09B 29/10 G09B 29/10 A H04Q 7/20 G08G 1/13 // G08G 1/13 H04Q 7/04 Z (72) Inventor Kanako Sakurai 3-5 Yamato 3-chome, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB22 HB25 HC11 HC16 HC31 HC38 HD03 HD13 5H180 AA21 BB04 BB05 FF05 FF13 FF22 5067FF BB04 DD17 DD52 EE02 EE10 EE16 FF23 FF25 HH22 HH23 HH31 JJ52 JJ56

Claims (100)

[Claims] 1. A first service in which a search service system provides position information of a search target to an information processing terminal of a contracting user, and a service provider selected in the information processing terminal, A location information-related service providing method comprising: a second service that enables location information of the search target object obtained from the search service system to be obtained by permission from the information processing terminal. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second service provides the selected service provider with information that allows the selected service provider to access the search service system, and A method for providing a location information related service, which includes a third service for providing the location information of the search target object to the selected service provider based on the permitted information. 3. The information according to claim 2, wherein the permitted information is position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. A method of providing a position information-related service, which is at least one of profile information and a password for acquiring the position information of the search target object from the search service system. 4. The method for providing a position information related service according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing information for specifying the search target object from the information processing terminal to the search service system before the first service. . 5. The position information according to claim 4, wherein the information processing terminal has a step of externally receiving information specifying the search target object, before the step of providing information specifying the search target object. How to provide related services. 6. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 5, wherein in the step of receiving from the outside, the information specifying the search target object is provided by electronic mail or voice. 7. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 4, further comprising the step of registering information including a profile of the search target object before the step of providing the information specifying the search target object. 8. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 1, wherein in the first service, position information of the search target object is displayed on a map. 9. The position according to claim 1, wherein in the first service, in addition to the position information of the search target object, information about the state of the search target object and / or information about the environment surrounding the search target object is also provided. How to provide information-related services. 10. The service provider according to claim 1, wherein the service provider dispatches personnel based on the position information, a police and / or fire department, a car service provider, a service provider dispatching a taxi, and nursing care. A service provider to provide, a hospital, a service provider that searches and provides route information to a point indicated by the position information of the search target, and a service provider for reaching the point indicated by the position information of the search target A service provider that enables transportation, and a method of providing a location information-related service that is either a family member or a friend of the search target person who is the search target object. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second service searches for the service provider via a computer network. 12. The position information of the search target object according to claim 1, wherein the position information is a first position information obtained from a first position specifying system.
And a second position information obtained from a second position specifying system. 13. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 12, wherein the first position information and the second position information are acquired in parallel in the search target object. 14. The method for providing a position information related service according to claim 12, wherein the second position information has higher accuracy than the first position information. 15. The position information-related according to claim 14, wherein the first position specifying system is a positioning system using information of a base station, and the second position specifying system is a positioning system using satellites. How to provide services. 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information. 17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first position information is provided as map information. 18. The information according to claim 13, wherein the second position information has higher accuracy than the first position information,
A method of providing a position information-related service, wherein when the latest second position information cannot be provided, a predicted position corresponding thereto is provided. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the predicted position is not provided when the predicted position is not within the range of the first position information. 20. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 18, wherein at least the second position information is provided including a past log. 21. The method for providing a position information-related service according to claim 1, wherein the position information of the search target object is provided including a past log. 22. An information processing terminal, a search service system including first position information providing means for providing position information of a search target object to the information processing terminal of a contracting user, and the position information A service provider capable of providing related services, wherein the information processing terminal obtains position information of a search target object from the search service system, and performs the search for the selected service provider. A position information related service system, comprising means for requesting the provision of a service by enabling acquisition of the position information of a desired search target object obtained from the service system. 23. The means for requesting provision of the service of the information processing terminal according to claim 22, wherein the selected service provider accesses the search service system with respect to the selected service provider. And a position including a second position information providing means for providing the service provider with position information of the search target object based on the permitted information. Information related service system. 24. In the claim 23, the permitted information is position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. A location information related service system, which is at least one of profile information and a password for obtaining location information of the search target object from the search service system. 25. The service provider according to claim 22, wherein the service provider dispatches personnel based on the location information, a police and / or fire department, a car service provider, a service provider dispatching a taxi, and nursing care. A service provider to provide, a hospital, a service provider that searches and provides route information to a point indicated by the position information of the search target, and a service provider for reaching the point indicated by the position information of the search target A location information related service system that is either a service provider that enables transportation, or a family member or a friend of the search target person who is the search target object. 26. The position information of the search object according to claim 22, wherein the position information of the search target is first position information obtained from a first position specifying system and second position information obtained from a second position specifying system. A location-related service system including information. 27. The position information related service system according to claim 26, wherein acquisition of the first position information and the second position information is started in parallel in the search target object. 28. The position information related service system according to claim 26, wherein the second position information is more accurate than the first position information. 29. The position information related service system according to claim 28, wherein the first position information is provided as information indicating a corresponding range. 30. In claim 26, the second position information has higher accuracy than the first position information,
A position information related service system in which, when the latest second position information cannot be provided, a predicted position corresponding to the second position information is provided. 31. The position information related service system according to claim 22, wherein the position information of the search target object is provided including a past log. 32. A means for acquiring position information of a search target object from a contracted search service system, and position information of a desired search target object obtained from the search service system for a selected service provider. An information processing terminal having means for requesting the provision of a service by enabling the acquisition of the information. 33. The information as claimed in claim 32, wherein the means for requesting the provision of the service permits the selected service provider to access the search service system. Information processing terminal that provides. 34. The permitted information according to claim 33, wherein the permitted information includes position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. An information processing terminal, which is at least one of profile information and a password for acquiring position information of the search target object from the search service system. 35. The information processing terminal according to claim 32, comprising means for providing the search service system with information for specifying the search target object. 36. The information processing terminal according to claim 35, further comprising means for externally receiving information specifying the search target object. 37. The information processing terminal according to claim 36, wherein the means for receiving from the outside can receive the information for specifying the search target object by electronic mail or voice. 38. The information processing terminal according to claim 35, further comprising means for registering information including a profile of the search target object. 39. The means for acquiring the position information according to claim 35, in addition to the position information of the search target object, information about a state of the search target object and / or information about an environment surrounding the search target object. Information processing terminal that is. 40. The means for requesting provision of the service according to claim 32, wherein the service provider dispatches personnel based on the location information as a service provider, a police and / or fire department, a car service provider, Service providers that dispatch taxis, service providers that provide care, hospitals, service providers that search and provide route information to the point indicated by the position information of the search target, position information of the search target An information processing terminal capable of selecting a service provider that enables a transportation facility to reach a point shown in 1) and a family or friend of the search target person who is the search target object. 41. The information processing terminal according to claim 32, wherein the means for requesting provision of the service is capable of searching for the service provider via a computer network. 42. The position information of the search object according to claim 32, wherein the position information of the search target is the first position information obtained from the first position specifying system, and the second position information having a higher accuracy than the first position specifying system. An information processing terminal comprising: the first position information and second position information obtained in parallel from a position specifying system, and further comprising an output means for displaying the first and second position information. 43. In claim 42, the first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information, and the output means overlaps the first position information with the second position information. An information processing terminal that displays information. 44. The information processing terminal according to claim 43, wherein the first position information is map information. 45. The information processing terminal according to claim 32, wherein the position information of the search target object includes a past log, and an output unit that displays the position information including the past log. 46. An information processing terminal having means for acquiring position information of a search target object from a search service system, wherein the position information of the search target object is obtained from a first position specifying system. Position information and second position information obtained in parallel with the first position information from a second position specifying system with higher accuracy than the first position specifying system, and the first and the second position information. The information processing terminal further including an output unit that displays the position information of 2. 47. The first position information according to claim 46, wherein the first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information, and the output means overlaps the first position information with the second position information. An information processing terminal that displays information. 48. The information processing terminal according to claim 47, wherein the first position information is map information. 49. A program running on a computer, the process acquiring the position information of a search target object from a contracted search service system, and acquiring the position information of the search object from the search service system to a selected service provider. A program having a command that enables execution of processing for requesting service provision by enabling acquisition of position information of a desired search target. 50. The information according to claim 49, wherein in the processing of requesting the provision of the service, the information permitting the selected service provider to access the search service system. A program that provides. 51. The permitted information according to claim 50, wherein the permitted information includes position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. A program that is at least one of profile information and a password for acquiring position information of the search target object from the search service system. 52. The program according to claim 49, further comprising an instruction capable of executing a process of providing information specifying the search target object to the search service system before the process of acquiring the position information. 53. The program according to claim 52, further comprising a command enabling execution of a process of externally receiving the information specifying the search target before the process of providing the information specifying the search target. . 54. The program according to claim 53, wherein in the process of receiving from the outside, the information specifying the search target object is received by electronic mail or voice. 55. The program according to claim 52, further comprising an instruction to execute a process of registering information including a profile of the search target object, before the process of providing the information specifying the search target object. 56. In the process of obtaining the position information according to claim 49, in addition to the position information of the search target object,
A program that can also acquire information about the state of the search target and / or the environment surrounding the search target. 57. In the process of claim 49, in the process of requesting the provision of the service, as the service provider,
A service provider that dispatches personnel based on the location information,
Search and provide route information to police and / or fire departments, car service providers, service providers who dispatch taxis, service providers who provide nursing care, hospitals, route to the point indicated by the location information of the search object. Service provider,
A program capable of selecting a service provider that enables a transportation means to reach a point indicated by the position information of the search target, and a family or friend of the search target serving as the search target. 58. The program according to claim 49, wherein in the process of requesting the provision of the service, the service provider can be searched for via a computer network. 59. The position information of the search target object according to claim 49, wherein the position information of the first object is the first position information obtained from the first position specifying system, and the second position is more accurate than the first position specifying system. A program comprising the first position information and second position information obtained in parallel from a position specifying system, the program further comprising an instruction capable of executing an output process for displaying the first and second position information. . 60. The first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information, and in the output processing, the second position is overlapped with the first position information. A program that displays information. 61. The program according to claim 60, wherein in the output processing, map information is displayed based on the first position information. 62. The program according to claim 49, wherein the position information of the search target object includes a past log, and further has an instruction capable of executing an output process of displaying the position information including the past log. 63. A program running on a computer, having a command capable of executing a process of acquiring position information of a search target from a contracted search service system, the position information of the search target Is the first position information obtained from the first position specifying system and the first position information obtained in parallel from the second position specifying system with higher accuracy than the first position specifying system. And a second position information, the program further including an instruction capable of executing an output process for displaying the first and second position information. 64. The first position information according to claim 63, is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information, and in the output processing, the second position is superimposed on the first position information. A program that displays information. 65. The program according to claim 64, wherein in the output processing, map information is displayed based on the first position information. 66. First position information providing means for providing position information of a search object to an information processing terminal of a contracting user, and a service provider selected in the information processing terminal. Further, a search service system having a second position information providing means for providing the service provider with position information of the search object based on information permitting access. 67. The information according to claim 66, wherein the permitted information is position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. A search service system, which is at least one of profile information and a password for acquiring position information of the search target object from the search service system. 68. The search service system according to claim 66, further comprising means for acquiring information specifying the search target object from the information processing terminal. 69. The search service system according to claim 66, further comprising means for registering information including a profile of the search target object. 70. The search service system according to claim 66, wherein the first position information providing means also provides map information indicating position information of the search object. 71. The first position information providing means according to claim 66, in addition to the position information of the search target object, also providing information on a state of the search target object and / or an environment surrounding the search target object. Search service system to do. 72. The second position information providing means according to claim 66, wherein the position information of the search target is first position information obtained from a first position specifying system,
A search service system that provides information including second position information obtained from a second position specifying system. 73. In claim 72, the second position information is more accurate than the first position information.
Search service system. 74. The search service system according to claim 73, comprising position acquisition means for starting acquisition of the first position information and the second position information in parallel. 75. The search service system according to claim 73, wherein acquisition of the first position information and the second position information is started in parallel. 76. The search according to claim 75, wherein the first position specifying system is a positioning system using information of a base station, and the second position specifying system is a positioning system using satellites. Service system. 77. The search service system according to claim 75, wherein the second position information providing means provides the first position information as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information. 78. The search service system according to claim 75, wherein the second position information providing means provides the first position information as map information. 79. The search service system according to claim 75, wherein the second position information providing means provides a predicted position corresponding to the latest second position information when the second position information cannot be provided. 80. The search service system according to claim 79, wherein the second position information providing means does not provide the predicted position when the predicted position is not within the range of the first position information. 81. The search service system according to claim 79, wherein the second position information providing means provides at least the second position information including a past log. 82. The search service system according to claim 72, wherein the first position information providing unit provides information including the first and second position information as the position information of the search target object. 83. The search service system according to claim 66, wherein the second position information providing means provides the position information of the search target object including a past log. 84. A program operating on a server, comprising: a first position information providing process of providing position information of a search target object to an information processing terminal of a contracted user; A second location information providing process of providing location information of the search target object to the service provider based on the information provided to the selected service provider and permitting access can be executed. Program with various instructions. 85. The permitted information according to claim 84, wherein the permitted information includes position information of the search target object, identification information of the search target object in the search service system, and the search target object registered in the search service system. A program that is at least one of profile information and a password for acquiring position information of the search target object from the search service system. 86. The program according to claim 84, further comprising a command capable of executing a process of acquiring information specifying the search target object from the information processing terminal before the first position information providing process. 87. The program according to claim 86, further comprising an instruction capable of executing a process of registering information including a profile of the search target object, before the process of acquiring the information specifying the search target object. 88. The program according to claim 84, wherein in the first position information providing process, map information indicating position information of the search target object is also provided. 89. In the first position information providing process according to claim 84, in addition to the position information of the search target object,
A program that also provides information about the state of the search target and / or the environment surrounding the search target. 90. The position information of the search target in the second position information providing process according to claim 84,
A program that provides information including first position information obtained from a first position specifying system and second position information obtained from a second position specifying system. 91. The second position information according to claim 90, is more accurate than the first position information.
program. 92. The program according to claim 91, having an instruction capable of executing a process of starting acquisition of the first position information and the second position information in parallel. 93. The program according to claim 92, wherein the acquisition of the first position information and the second position information is started in parallel. 94. The program according to claim 93, wherein in the second position information providing process, the first position information is provided as information indicating a range corresponding to the first position information. 95. The program according to claim 93, wherein in the second position information providing process, the first position information is provided as map information. 96. The program according to claim 93, wherein the second position information providing process, when the latest second position information cannot be provided, provides a predicted position corresponding thereto. 97. The program according to claim 96, wherein the second position information providing process does not provide the predicted position when the predicted position is not within the range of the first position information. 98. In the 96th aspect, in the second position information providing process, at least the second position information is
A program that includes past logs. 99. In the first position information providing process according to claim 90, as the position information of the search target object,
A program for providing information including the first and second position information. 100. The program according to claim 84, wherein in the second position information providing processing, a past log is provided as position information of the search target object.