JP2004286460A - Service spot guiding method and system for internet connection service - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for guiding a user of a hot spot or of a service spot similar thereto to the position of a service spot to which the user can move simply or in a short time from his/her present position. <P>SOLUTION: This system comprises a positional information DB 12 stored with positional information on service spots, a present position reception part 101 for receiving present position information from a user terminal, a selection part 102 for selecting a service spot near a present position of the user from a positional information DB 13, a map information DB 12 stored with map information, a cut-out part 103 for cutting out map information in the vicinity of the present position of the user terminal from the map information DB 12, a guide map generation part 105 for generating a guide map by superposing positional information the service spot on the cut out map information, and a transmission part 106 for transmitting the guide map to the user terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for guiding a user to the location of a service spot that provides a wireless Internet connection service, and more particularly, to a service spot user's information terminal that is located near the current location of the user. The present invention relates to a service spot guidance method and system for an Internet connection service for guiding the location of a service spot.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An access point such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth is installed in a restaurant, a coffee shop, a hotel lobby, or the like, and a space for providing a wireless Internet connection service to contract members or users free of charge, that is, a hot spot ( Registered trademark) is spreading.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to use hotspots, you must move to a store that provides the service or within the wireless range of the access point. If you do not, you will waste time searching for it.
[0004]
In particular, when visiting an unfamiliar area or an area where hotspot services are not sufficiently spread, it is not easy to find the service area. In addition, in a situation where hot spot services are rapidly spreading, it is desirable to be able to find out based on the latest information because service providing bases increase every day.
[0005]
The location of the hotspot is also publicly available on the web, but it is difficult to see it on the go because you need to be connected to the Internet to receive this service. Further, even if the user can refer to the hot spot in an area close to his / her current position, the convenience is not good, for example, the user must follow a hierarchical menu.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and to guide a user of a hot spot or a similar service spot to a position of a service spot or the like that can be easily or quickly moved from its current position. It is to provide a method and a system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that a system for guiding a service spot that provides a wireless Internet connection service employs the following means.
(1) A position information database storing position information on a service spot, receiving means for receiving current position information from a user terminal, and a service spot near the current position based on the user's current position. It is characterized by including a selecting means for selecting from the database and a notifying means for notifying the user terminal of the position information of the selected service spot.
(2) a receiving means for receiving the priority information notified from each service spot, a priority information database for managing the received priority information, and the priority information of the service spot selected by the selecting means, Means for extracting a priority from each service spot based on the priority information, and transmitting the position information of the selected service spot together with the priority. It is characterized by the following.
(3) A map information database storing map information, means for cutting out map information near the current position of the user terminal from the map information database, and position information of the selected service spot superimposed on the cut out map information. Means for generating a guidance map by transmitting the guidance map to the user terminal.
[0008]
According to the above feature (1), when the current position is received from the user terminal, a service spot close to the current position is selected from the database, and the position information is returned to the user terminal. By referring to the location information on the user terminal, the location of a nearby service spot can be recognized.
[0009]
According to the above feature (2), the priority of the service spot is assigned to the position information of each service spot, so that the user can easily select the optimum service spot.
[0010]
According to the above feature (3), the guide map representing the position of the service spot on the map is transmitted to the user terminal, so that the position of the service spot can be easily grasped.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a hot spot guidance system to which the present invention is applied. Here, a position of a hot spot (registered trademark) providing an Internet connection service is guided by a wireless LAN. The present invention will be described using a system as an example.
[0012]
An access point AP1 installed at a hot spot A and an access point AP2 installed at a hot spot B are connected to the hot spot network HSN1. The access point AP3 installed in the hot spot C is connected to the hot spot network HSN2. Each of the access points AP1, AP2, and AP3 has a wireless interface conforming to the communication standard of IEEE802.11b. Each hot spot network HSN1, HSN2 is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet.
[0013]
The mobile phone base station 11 is connected to a mobile network. A map information database (DB) 12, a position information DB 13, and a priority information DB 14 are further connected to the mobile network via a management server 10.
[0014]
The map information DB 12 stores map information in a jurisdiction area in advance. In the position information DB 13, position information on the location of each hot spot is registered in advance together with information on the communication capability such as the output of each access point and the wireless reach distance. In the priority information DB 14, the use status such as the number of accommodated terminals and the throughput, which is periodically notified from the access point of each hot spot, is registered along with its communication capability, and is periodically updated thereafter.
[0015]
The hotspot user has a portable information terminal 22 such as a notebook personal computer or a PDA together with a portable telephone 21 for detecting the current position based on GPS radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites 30. A wireless LAN interface conforming to the communication standard of IEEE802.11b is provided as a communication interface. Instead of possessing the mobile phone 21 and the portable information terminal 22, a composite portable information terminal having a portable network interface, a wireless LAN interface, and a GPB receiving function may be possessed.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 10, and the same reference numerals as those described above denote the same or equivalent parts.
[0017]
The current position receiving unit 101 receives position information indicating the current position of the user transmitted from the mobile phone 21. The hot spot selection unit 102 searches the position information DB 13 based on the received current position of the user, and selects position information of a plurality of hot spots within a predetermined range from the current position of the user. The map information extraction unit 103 searches the map information DB 12 based on the received current position, and extracts map information around the current position of the mobile phone 21.
[0018]
The priority assigning unit 104 searches the usage information of the plurality of hot spots selected by the hot spot selecting unit 102 from the priority information DB 14. Then, a priority is given to each of the selected hot spots such that the hot spots with a small number of accommodation terminals, a high throughput, and a short distance from the current position of the user have a higher priority.
[0019]
The guide map generation unit 105 is based on the map extracted by the map information extraction unit 103, the position information of the hot spot selected by the hot spot selection unit 102, the priority assigned by the priority assignment unit 104, and the like. Then, a guide map (FIG. 5) described later is generated. The guide map transmitting unit 106 transmits the guide map to the mobile phone 21.
[0020]
The usage status receiving unit 107 receives information on the usage status of the access point, which is periodically transmitted from the access point of each hot spot. When the usage status receiving unit 107 receives information on the usage status transmitted from any of the access points, the usage status updating unit 108 updates the usage status of the access point registered in the priority information DB 14. , Based on the usage status received this time.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 21, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the management server 10.
[0022]
In FIG. 3, when using a hot spot, the mobile phone 21 receives GPS radio waves from a plurality of GPB satellites 30 in step S11 and calculates its own current position based on time information included in the received signal. In step S12, the calculated current position information is notified to the management server 10 via the mobile network.
[0023]
In step S21 of FIG. 4, the management server 10 determines whether or not there is current position information transmitted from the user terminal. If the current position information cannot be received, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, it is determined whether or not there is information on the usage status periodically transmitted from the access point of each hot spot.
[0024]
In step S27, when the usage status transmitted from any of the access points is received by the usage status receiving unit 107, the usage status updating unit 108 is registered in the priority information DB 14 in step S28. The usage status of the access point is updated based on the newly received usage status.
[0025]
On the other hand, in step S21, when the current position information transmitted from the mobile phone 21 is received by the current position receiving unit 101, in step S22, the hot spot selecting unit 102 stores the position information DB 13 based on the received current position information. Search and select a hotspot located near the user.
[0026]
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the selection criteria of the hot spot in the step S22. In the present embodiment, the hot spot (or access point) registered in the location information DB 13 is referred to and used. All the hot spots HS1, HS2, HS3 located within a predetermined reference range R from the current position of the user are selected.
[0027]
Returning to FIG. 4, in step S23, the communication capability of each wireless access point installed in the selected plurality of hot spots and its current use status are read from the priority information DB 14 by the priority assigning unit 104. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance r (r1, r2, r3) between each hot spot and the current position, and the current effective range of each access point calculated based on the communication capability of each wireless access point, Priorities are assigned to the selected hot spots based on the distance S (s1, s2, s3) to the position, the current usage status of each wireless access point, and the like.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, priorities are assigned to the hot spots such that the hot spots with shorter distances r and s and a smaller number of accommodated terminals have higher priority.
[0029]
In step S24, the map information cutout unit 103 searches the map information DB 12 based on the current position information transmitted from the user's mobile phone 21, and stores map information near the user's current location in the mobile phone 21. Cut out according to the display ability of. In step S25, the guide map generating unit 105 generates a guide map by superimposing the current position of the user, the position of the selected hot spot and the priority thereof on the cut map information, In step S26, the information is transmitted from the guide map transmitting unit 106 to the mobile phone 21.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the guide map. Here, the current position of the user, that is, the position of the mobile phone 21 is represented by a black circle (●), and the plurality of hot spots selected in step S22 are represented by white circles. It is represented by (○). The numbers in the white circles indicate the priority of each hot spot. As for the hot spot of the open type, such as the hot spot {circle around (3)}, the effective communication range of the hot spot is indicated by a dashed concentric circle.
[0031]
Returning to FIG. 3, upon receiving the guide map in step S13, the mobile phone 21 displays the guide map on the display screen in step S14. When the user confirms the location of the nearest hot spot with reference to the guide map, the user moves to the location of the hot spot and accesses the wireless access point from the portable information terminal 22 as shown in FIG. I do.
[0032]
According to the present embodiment, the map information indicating the location of the nearest hot spot can be received simply by transmitting its own current position to the management server, so that the hot spot can be used quickly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each hot spot is assigned a priority and is displayed together with the position of each hot spot, so that the user can easily select an optimal hot spot.
[0033]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot spot guidance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals as those described above denote the same or equivalent parts. As is apparent from comparison with FIG. 1, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the map information DB is omitted.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management server 10a in the present embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those described above denote the same or equivalent parts. As is clear from the comparison with FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the map information cutout unit 103 is omitted, the guide map generation unit 105 is replaced with the guide information generation unit 109, and the guide map transmission unit 106 transmits the guide information transmission unit 106. The unit 110 has been replaced.
[0035]
The guide information generation unit 109 provides textual guidance of the location of the hot spot based on the position information of the hot spot selected by the hot spot selection unit 102, the priority given by the priority assignment unit 104, and the like. Generate guidance information.
[0036]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the guide information. In this example, the possession of the selected hot spots and their names are displayed in a text format together with the priority assigned to each hot spot. I have.
[0037]
According to this embodiment, even a mobile phone that cannot display map information can enjoy the hot spot guidance service.
[0038]
In each of the embodiments described above, an example of application to a hot spot in which a wireless LAN is introduced has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an Internet connection service is provided using a Bluetooth standard piconet. The same can be applied to the service base provided.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.
(1) A user who intends to use a service spot (for example, a hot spot) that provides a wireless Internet connection service simply transmits his / her current location to the management server and obtains information indicating the location of the nearest service spot. Because you can receive, you can use the hot spot quickly.
(2) If the user terminal has a map display function, a guide map showing the location of the nearest service spot can be obtained, so that the location of the service spot can be easily recognized.
(3) Each service spot is assigned a priority and is provided to the user together with the service spot position information, so that the user can easily select an optimum hot spot.
(4) If the location information and the priority of the nearest service spot are provided in text format, the location of the service spot can be guided to a user who uses a terminal that does not have a map display function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of a hot spot guidance system to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a management server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the management server according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a guide map.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of a hot spot guidance system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a management server according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of guidance information.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of selecting a hot spot.
[Description of Signs] 10 management server, 11 mobile phone base station, 12 map information database, 13 location information database, 14 priority information database, 21 mobile phone, 22 mobile information terminal

Claims (11)

In a system that guides the location of a service spot that provides an Internet connection service by installing a wireless access point,
A position information database storing the position information of the service spot,
Receiving means for receiving current location information from the user terminal;
Selecting means for selecting a service spot near the current position from the position information database based on the current position of the user;
Notification means for notifying the user terminal of the position information of the selected service spot, the service spot guidance system for an Internet connection service. Receiving means for receiving the priority information notified from each service spot,
A priority information database that manages the received priority information,
Means for extracting the priority information of the selected service spot from the priority information database, and assigning a priority to each service spot based on the priority information,
2. The service spot guidance system for an Internet connection service according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit transmits the position information of the selected service spot together with its priority. A map information database storing map information,
Means for extracting map information near the current position of the user terminal from the map information database;
Means for generating a guide map by superimposing position information of the selected service spot on the cut out map information,
2. The service spot guidance system for an Internet connection service according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit transmits the guidance map to a user terminal. Receiving means for receiving the priority information notified from each service spot,
A priority information database that manages the received priority information,
Means for extracting the priority information of the selected service spot from the priority information database, and assigning a priority to each service spot based on the priority information,
4. The Internet according to claim 3, wherein the means for generating the guide map generates a guide map by superimposing the position information and priority of the selected service spot on the cut-out map information. Service spot guidance system for connection services. 5. The service spot guidance system for an Internet connection service according to claim 2, wherein the priority information notified from each service spot includes a use state of an access point installed in each service spot. The service spot guidance system for an Internet connection service according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the location information database includes information on a communication capability of an access point installed at each service spot. In a method of setting a wireless access point and guiding the location of a service spot that provides an Internet connection service,
A procedure for detecting the current location on the user terminal;
Transmitting the detected current location information to the management server,
Furthermore, in the management server,
Receiving the current location information;
A step of selecting a service spot close to the current location of the user terminal from service spots of a plurality of registered Internet connection services;
Notifying the position information of the selected service spot to the user terminal. In the management server,
A procedure for receiving the priority information notified from each service spot and registering it in the priority information database;
Extracting the priority information of the selected service spot from the priority information database, and assigning a priority to each service spot based on the priority information, further comprising:
8. The service spot guidance method for an Internet connection service according to claim 7, wherein the location information of the selected service spot is notified to a user terminal together with its priority information. In the management server,
A procedure for extracting map information near the current position of the user terminal from a map information database storing map information,
A step of superimposing position information of the selected service spot on the cut-out map information to generate a guide map;
The method according to claim 7, further comprising transmitting the guide map to a user terminal. In the management server,
A procedure for receiving the priority information notified from each service spot and registering it in the priority information database;
Extracting the priority information of the selected service spot from the priority information database, and assigning a priority to each service spot based on the priority information, further comprising:
10. The service spot guidance method for an Internet connection service according to claim 9, wherein a guide map is generated by superimposing the position information of the selected service spot and its priority on the cut-out map information. 11. The service spot guidance method for an Internet connection service according to claim 7, wherein the user terminal calculates a current position based on GPS radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites.

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