JP2007110272A - System, device, and method of providing information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit retrieval information to an information terminal while it is not confirmed whether information retrieved by an operator is the one to satisfy user's desires. <P>SOLUTION: A system requests the supply of information by giving a call to an information center 20 from an on-vehicle machine 1, and transmits the requested information to the on-vehicle machine 1 from the information center 20. In the system, when the information supply request is transmitted to the information center 20 from the on-vehicle machine 1, the communication between the information center 20 and the on-vehicle machine 1 is disconnected once. When information retrieval processing is completed in the information center 20, the communication between the information center 20 and the on-vehicle machine 1 is restarted to confirm an information retrieval result to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing system, an information providing apparatus, and an information providing method for transmitting information desired to be transmitted to an operator of an information center and transmitting information searched by the operator to an in-vehicle device.

  A system is known in which information desired to be transmitted is transmitted to an operator of an information center, and information searched by the operator is transmitted to an in-vehicle device (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-10-253377

  However, in the conventional system, since the search information is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device without confirming whether the information searched by the operator is information in accordance with the user's request, information different from the user's request Had to be sent to the in-vehicle device, the information center had to be requested again.

(1) An information providing system according to the present invention makes a call from an information terminal to an information center, requests information provision, and transmits requested information from the information center to the information terminal. When the information provision request is transmitted, the communication between the information center and the information terminal is temporarily disconnected, and when the information retrieval process based on the information provision request is completed, the information center The communication with the information terminal is resumed.
(2) An information providing apparatus according to the present invention retrieves information requested from an information terminal, and transmits the retrieved information to the information terminal. When the communication means receives an information provision request from the information terminal, Once communication with the information terminal is disconnected and the information retrieval process based on the information provision request from the information terminal is completed, the communication between the communication means and the information terminal is performed in order to confirm the information retrieval result to the user. It is characterized by restarting.
(3) An information providing method according to the present invention is a method in which a call is made from an information terminal to an information center to request information provision, and the requested information is transmitted from the information center to the information terminal. When the information provision request is transmitted, the communication between the information center and the information terminal is temporarily disconnected, and when the information retrieval process based on the information provision request is completed, the information center The communication with the information terminal is resumed.

  According to the information providing system, the information providing apparatus, and the information providing method according to the present invention, the information desired by the user can be transmitted to the information terminal after the user confirms the information search result.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information providing system according to the first embodiment. A user who uses this information providing system calls the information center 20 (information providing apparatus), transmits the desired information to the operator of the information center 20, and the information retrieved by the search system 34 by the operator is obtained by data communication. It is transmitted to the in-vehicle device (information terminal) 1.

  The in-vehicle device 1 includes a navigation unit 2, a monitor 3, a communication adapter 5, a telephone harness 6 for connecting the mobile phone 4 and the communication adapter 5, a data communication phone 7, a microphone 8, and a speaker 9. The GPS antenna 10, the operation switch 11, the operator call switch 12, the vehicle speed sensor 16, and various sensor groups 23 are provided.

  The monitor 3 displays a map around the current location of the vehicle, a recommended route to the destination, and the like based on instructions from the navigation unit 2 described later. The mobile phone 4 is a phone used when a user has a conversation with an operator standing by at the information center 20, and the data communication phone 7 is a phone used when performing data communication with the information center 20. It is.

  The microphone 8 is used when a user (driver) has a conversation with an operator of the information center 20 using a hands-free system. The speaker 9 outputs a voice when the user talks with the operator using the hands-free system and voices when the navigation unit 2 performs route guidance. The GPS antenna 10 receives radio waves from GPS satellites (not shown) in order to acquire current position information of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 16 detects the speed of the vehicle.

  The operation switch 11 is used for a user to perform various operations such as an operation of a screen displayed on the monitor 3, an operation for using a hands-free system, an operation of the navigation unit 2, and an operation for performing data communication. It is done. The operator call switch 12 is a switch used when a call is made to the information center 20.

  The communication adapter 5 performs communication control with the information center 20. In the communication adapter 5, a telephone number of an operation center 30 of the information center 20 described later and a telephone number of the vehicle information center 50 are registered. When the user presses the operator call switch 12, the cellular phone 4 is Thus, a call is automatically made to the operation center 30 and a call is automatically made to the vehicle information center 50 via the data communication telephone 7. The telephone number of the operation center 30 and the telephone number of the vehicle information center 50 are registered before the communication adapter 5 is shipped from the factory, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the navigation unit 2. The navigation unit 2 includes a map data unit 18 and a storage unit 21, and a display processing unit 13, a communication processing unit 14, a voice control unit 15, a position calculation unit 17, an input processing unit 19, and an internal processing function. And an integrated calculation unit 22.

  The display processing unit 13 issues a display instruction to the monitor 3 based on a command from the integrated calculation unit 22. The communication processing unit 14 performs control for exchanging data with the communication adapter 5. The voice control unit 15 instructs the speaker 9 to output a voice for route guidance, for example, based on a command from the integrated calculation unit 22. The position calculation unit 17 obtains the current position of the vehicle based on the radio wave received by the GPS antenna 10 and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 16. The map data unit 18 is, for example, a hard disk device (HDD), and stores map data.

  The input processing unit 19 outputs a command input by the user via the operation switch 11 or the operator call switch 12 to the integrated calculation unit 22. The storage unit 21 stores data such as a registration location (for example, a home position) set in advance by the user using the operation switch 11 and a road that has traveled in the past. The storage unit 21 stores various operation histories of the operation switch 11 by the user and a history of the results of the user searching for facilities and the like, and stores a table for determining a response possibility described later. ing.

  The integrated calculation unit 22 exchanges various data with the display processing unit 13, the communication processing unit 14, the voice control unit 15, the position calculation unit 17, the input processing unit 19, the map data unit 18, and the storage unit 21. While exchanging, comprehensive processing of the navigation unit 2 is performed. The comprehensive processing of the navigation unit 2 includes facility search processing and recommended route calculation processing to the destination. Further, as will be described later, the integrated calculation unit 22 determines whether or not the driver (user) can respond to an incoming call from the information center 20.

  The various sensor groups 23 include a blinker sensor 23a, a steering angle sensor 23b, a wiper sensor 23c, a light sensor 23d, and a shift position sensor 23e. The winker sensor 23 a outputs a winker operation signal to the integrated calculation unit 22 when detecting the operation of the winker. The steering angle sensor 23 b outputs a signal (hereinafter referred to as a steering angle signal) indicating that the steering angle exceeds a predetermined angle (for example, 30 degrees) to the integrated calculation unit 22.

  When the wiper sensor 23c detects the operation of the wiper, the wiper sensor 23c outputs a wiper operation signal to the integrated calculation unit 22. When the light sensor 23 d detects the lighting of the light, the light sensor 23 d outputs a light lighting signal to the integrated calculation unit 22. When the shift position sensor 23e detects that the shift position is in the reverse (R) position, the shift position sensor 23e outputs a reverse signal to the integrated calculation unit 22, and when detecting that the shift position is in the parking position (P), the shift signal is integrated. To the unit 22.

  The information center 20 includes an operation center 30, an information database group 40, a vehicle information center 50, and a customer center 60. The operation center 30 includes a PBX / CTI 31 that controls a telephone line and a search system 34. The search system 34 includes a search processing terminal 32, a telephone 33, a headset 36, a monitor 38, and an input device 39. The input device 39 includes a keyboard and a mouse.

  A PBX (Private Branch Exchanger) is usually installed in a corporate building or the like, and exchanges external telephones with internal telephones and between internal telephones. CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) integrates a telephone communication system such as PBX and an information system such as a computer and a database so that they can be linked to each other. In other words, the PBX / CTI 31 controls the telephone line such as connecting a call received from the user to a vacant operator or sending a waiting voice guidance when there is no vacant operator. The PBX / CTI 31 can be connected to the general telephone network 55.

  An operator working at the operation center 30 uses the telephone 33 or the headset 36 to talk to the user who has made a call via the in-vehicle device 1 and confirms information requested by the user. The operator searches for information desired by the user using the search processing terminal 32 based on the information heard from the user. The search processing terminal 32 is a personal computer, for example. The search system 34 is connected to a plurality of databases 41 to 44, 56 constituting an information database group 40 through a network 37 such as a LAN.

  The information database group 40 includes a position / phone information database 41, a traffic information database 42, a weather forecast database 43, various information databases 44, and a user profile database 56. The position / phone information database 41 stores names of various facilities such as restaurants and public facilities, position information, telephone number information, and the like. The traffic information database 42 stores traffic information such as general roads and toll roads. The weather forecast database 43 stores weather forecast information for each location. The various information database 44 stores information other than the above-described information on various facilities, traffic information, and weather information. The user profile database 56 stores user information such as user names, addresses, mobile phone numbers, and telephone numbers for data communication telephones registered in advance. The user registration method will be described later.

  The vehicle information center 50 includes a communication interface device 51 and an information processing terminal 54. The information processing terminal 54 performs various data processing such as transmitting information to the in-vehicle device 1 via the communication interface device 51. For example, when information desired by the user is searched in the search system 34, the searched information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 via the communication interface device 51. The communication interface device 51 is connected to the general line network 55.

  The customer center 60 includes a customer registration system 62 and a customer management server 66. The customer registration system 62 performs user registration and changes of registered user personal information. A customer management server 66 connected to the customer registration system 62 is a server for managing user information.

  An Internet 63 is also connected to the network 37 to which the operation center 30, the information database group 40, the vehicle information center 50 and the customer center 60 are connected. Accordingly, the information center 20 exchanges various information with the content provider / application service provider group 64 via the Internet 63. Further, when the user performs user registration, which will be described later, it is possible to use a terminal 65 such as a personal computer connected to the Internet 63 without going through the operator of the customer center 60.

  The user who uses the vehicle information provision system in the first embodiment needs to perform user registration in advance. The first method for user registration is to enter the phone number of the mobile phone 4 used when using this system, along with general information such as the user's name, address, and date of birth on a given application form. And mail it to the customer center 60 of the information center 20. After confirming the contents of the application form, the customer center 60 operator performs user registration processing on the customer management server 66 using the customer registration system 62. The registered user information is stored in the user profile database 56.

  As described above, the second method for user registration is a method of directly registering in the customer management server 66 using a terminal 65 such as a personal computer connected to the Internet 63. Further, when the in-vehicle device 1 has an online registration function, the in-vehicle device 1 can be used to directly register with the customer management server 66.

  In the information providing system according to the first embodiment, a user calls the operation center 30 of the information center 20 via the in-vehicle device 1 to inform the operator of information desired to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. At the time of information retrieval, the operator determines whether or not the communication with the in-vehicle device 1 should be disconnected once. When the operator determines that the communication should be disconnected once, the operator temporarily disconnects the communication between the in-vehicle devices 1 and performs information search. On the in-vehicle device 1 side, it is determined whether or not the user can respond to an incoming call from the operation center 30, and a response possibility determination result is transmitted to the operation center 30. When the information search process is completed, the operation center 30 determines whether or not the user can respond based on the response possibility determination result of the user. If the operation center 30 determines that the response is possible, the information search result is sent to the user. In order to confirm, the communication with the vehicle-mounted device 1 is resumed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing performed by the in-vehicle device 1. When the vehicle is activated, the integrated calculation unit 22 of the navigation unit 2 starts the process of step S10. In step S <b> 10, it is determined whether the operator call switch 12 is turned on based on a signal input from the input processing unit 19. If it is determined that the operator call switch 12 is not turned on, the process waits in step S10 until it is turned on. If it is determined that the operator call switch 12 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, a call is made to the operation center 30 of the information center 20 in the voice mode. The voice mode is a mode for voice conversation between the user and the operator. As described above, since the telephone number of the operation center 30 is registered in the communication adapter 5 in advance, when the user presses the operator call switch 12, the automatic operation is performed via the navigation unit 2, the communication adapter 5, and the mobile phone 4. A call is made to the operation center 30. At this time, the communication adapter 5 places the number “186” in front of the telephone number of the operation center 30 and makes a call. That is, since some mobile phones 4 have a function for notifying the caller number, the caller number is notified so that the information center 20 can identify the caller. Make a phone call in the form.

  In step S20, a call is simultaneously made to the vehicle information center 50 in the data mode. The data mode is a mode for performing data communication between the in-vehicle device 1 and the vehicle information center 50. As described above, since the telephone number of the vehicle information center 50 is registered in the communication adapter 5 in advance, when the user presses the operator call switch 12, the navigation unit 2, the communication adapter 5, and the data communication telephone 7 are used. Via the call, the vehicle information center 50 is automatically called. Also in this case, in order to notify the caller number, a call is made with “186” in front of the telephone number of the vehicle information center 50.

  In step S30 following step S20, it is determined whether a signal requesting a response possibility determination result has been received from the vehicle information center 50. Details of the response possibility determination will be described later. If it is determined that a signal requesting a response possibility determination result has not been received, the process waits in step S30. If it is determined that the signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, response possibility determination is performed.

  A response possibility determination process performed by the in-vehicle device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The response possibility determination is to determine whether or not the user can respond when the in-vehicle device 1 receives an incoming call. The integrated calculation unit 22 of the navigation unit 2 determines the user's response possibility based on the user's driving situation.

  FIG. 4 is a table for determining the user's driving load level based on the vehicle position and signals detected by the various sensor groups 23. This table is prepared in advance and stored in the storage unit 21 of the navigation unit 2. In the table shown in FIG. 4, points indicating the magnitude of the driving load are assigned to the signals detected by the vehicle position and the various sensor groups 23. This score (weighting) indicates that the higher the value, the higher the operating load. In the table shown in FIG. 4, 5 points are assigned to the intersection, 4 points to the alley, 3 points to the curve, 2 points to the expressway, 3 points to the toll gate, and 4 points to the entrance / exit of the parking lot. The signals detected by the various sensor groups 23 are 4 points for the blinker operation signal, 4 points for the steering angle signal, 2 points for the wiper operation signal, 1 point for the light lighting signal, 5 points for the reverse signal, and the parking signal. Is assigned 0 points.

  Based on the vehicle position calculated by the position calculation unit 17 and the map data stored in the map data unit 18, the integrated calculation unit 22 of the navigation unit 2 places the current location of the vehicle on a table shown in FIG. It is judged whether it corresponds to the place where it exists. Moreover, the integrated calculation part 22 determines whether the signal input from the various sensor groups 23 corresponds to the signal listed in the table shown in FIG.

  The user's driving load level is determined according to the total number of points corresponding to the vehicle position and signals input from the various sensor groups 23. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the total score is 0, the driving load level is 0, when the total score is 1 to 4, the driving load level is 1, and the total score is 5 to 8 points. The driving load level is 2, when the total score is 9 to 12, the driving load level is 3, and when the total score is 13 to 16, the driving load level is 4, and the total score is 17 points or more. In this case, the driving load level is set to 5. In addition, it shows that a user's driving load is so high that the score of a driving load level is high.

  For example, when the vehicle position is an intersection and a steering angle signal and a wiper operation signal are input from various sensor groups 23, that is, in the case of data No. 7 in the table shown in FIG. The total number of points corresponding to signals input from the group 23 is 11, and the driving load level is 3. Note that the table shown in FIG. 4 also shows the vehicle status in accordance with the vehicle position and signals input from the various sensor groups 23.

  FIG. 5 shows the response possibility determination result according to the driving load level obtained by the method described above. Here, if the driving load level is 0 or 1, it is determined that the user can respond, the response possibility determination result is OK, and if the driving load level is 2 to 5, no response is possible. It is determined that the response possibility determination result is NG.

  If response possibility determination is performed in step S40 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to step S50. In step S50, the result of the response possibility determination performed in step S40 is transmitted to the vehicle information center 50. In step S60 following step S50, it is determined whether or not data transmitted from the vehicle information center 50 has been received. If it is determined that data has not been received, the process waits in step S60 until it is received, and if it is determined that data has been received, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, received data (downloaded data) is processed. For example, if the received data is traffic information, the traffic information is displayed on the monitor 3. If the received data is news information, the news information is output from the speaker 9 by voice and the content of the news is displayed on the monitor 3. When the received data is processed, the line connected between the operation center 30 and the vehicle information center 50 is disconnected.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing performed at the operation center 30 and the vehicle information center 50 of the information center 20, respectively. The processes in steps S100 to S230 are processes performed in the operation center 30, and the processes in steps S300 to S400 are processes performed in the vehicle information center 50.

  Of the processes performed in the operation center 30, the processes in steps S100 to S150 are performed in the PBX / CTI 31 of the operation center 30. In step S100, it is determined whether there is an incoming call from the user. If it is determined that there is no incoming call, it waits in step S100 until there is an incoming call. If it is determined that there is an incoming call, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, caller telephone number acquisition processing is performed. At this time, if a call is received with the caller non-notification setting and there is no caller phone number, for example, a message such as “Caller ID is not notified” is played, Disconnect the telephone line.

  In step S120, the telephone number is authenticated based on the caller telephone number acquired in step S110. This authentication is performed based on whether or not the caller telephone number is registered in the user profile database 56. In step S130 following step S120, it is determined whether or not the authentication is OK based on the result of the telephone number authentication performed in step S120. If the acquired caller telephone number is registered in the user profile database 56 and it is determined that the authentication is OK, the process proceeds to step S150. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication is NG, the process proceeds to step S140, and a message such as “Cannot receive service because the telephone number is not registered” is reproduced to disconnect the telephone line.

  In step S150, the telephone call from the user is connected to the operator who has a free telephone line, and the process proceeds to step S160. However, if there is no free line, a message such as “The line is busy now” is reproduced.

  The processing of step S160 to step S230 is performed by the search system 34. In step S160, it is determined whether or not the telephone line connected between the in-vehicle device 1 and the operation center 30 is maintained. For example, if it takes a long time to search for information, or if it is necessary to make an inquiry to an external information source for information requested by the user, the communication fee can be saved by temporarily disconnecting the telephone line. . When the operator determines that the telephone line should be maintained, the operator inputs a command to maintain the line to the search processing terminal 32. When the operator determines that it is preferable to disconnect the telephone line, the operator disconnects the line. A command is input to the search processing terminal 32. When an instruction to maintain the telephone line is input, the search processing terminal 32 of the search system 34 determines that the telephone line is to be maintained, and proceeds to step S190 to input an instruction to disconnect the telephone line. Then, it is determined that the telephone line is disconnected, and the process proceeds to step S170.

  In step S170, a standby instruction signal is transmitted to the information processing terminal 54 of the vehicle information center 50, and the process proceeds to step S180. In step S180, the telephone line with the vehicle-mounted device 1 is temporarily disconnected. The telephone line disconnection process may be performed by the operator, or the operator may input a command to disconnect the telephone line to the search processing terminal 32, and the search processing terminal 32 may disconnect the telephone line 33. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from being burdened with useless communication costs.

  In step S190 following step S180, information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is searched by referring to the databases 41 to 44 included in the information database group 40 in response to a user request. When searching for information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1, the process proceeds to step S200.

  In step S200, it is determined whether or not the user who has requested transmission of information is ready to respond. As described above, when receiving a signal requesting a response possibility determination result from the vehicle information center 50, the in-vehicle device 1 performs a response possibility determination and transmits the determination result to the vehicle information center 50. The vehicle information center 50 stores the response possibility determination result transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 in the user profile database 56 as described later. Therefore, the search system 34 determines whether or not the user can respond based on the response possibility determination result stored in the user profile database 56. If it is determined that the response possibility determination result is NG and the user is not ready to respond, the process waits in step S200. If the response possibility determination result is OK and it is determined that the user can respond, step S210 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S210, the telephone line disconnected in step S180 is reconnected in order to confirm the information search result by the search processing terminal 32 to the user. The telephone line connection processing may be performed by the operator, or the operator inputs an instruction to reconnect the telephone line to the search processing terminal 32 so that the search processing terminal 32 connects the line of the telephone 33. Also good. If it is determined in step S160 that the telephone line should be maintained, the process of step S210 is not performed. If the telephone line is reconnected in step S210, the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S220, it is determined whether or not information (data) to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is determined by a conversation between the user and the operator. If the search processing terminal 32 has an input indicating that the information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 has been determined, the process proceeds to step S230. In step S230, information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is temporarily stored in the user profile database 56. Here, the information is stored in correspondence with the user information of the user who has requested transmission of information. When the process of step S230 is completed, the line connected between the operation center 30 and the vehicle-mounted device 1 is disconnected.

  Then, the process performed in the vehicle information center 50 is demonstrated. In step S300, it is determined whether or not there is an incoming call from the user in the communication interface device 51 of the vehicle information center 50. If it is determined that there is no incoming call, it waits in step S300 until there is an incoming call. If it is determined that there is an incoming call, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, a telephone call from a user is connected to the information processing terminal 54, and data mode negotiation for establishing a data mode is performed. In step S320 following step S310, telephone number authentication processing is performed after completion of the data mode negotiation. This authentication processing method is the same as the processing in step S120 performed in the operation center 30.

  In the next step S330, it is determined whether or not the caller telephone number is stored in the user profile database 56 as a result of the authentication process performed in step S320. If the caller telephone number is stored in the user profile database 56 and it is determined that the authentication is OK, the process proceeds to step S350. On the other hand, if it is determined that the caller ID is not stored in the user profile database 56 and the authentication is NG, the process of step S140, that is, “the service cannot be received because the telephone number is not registered”, etc. NG message is played and the telephone line is disconnected.

  In step S350, it is determined whether information for transmission to the in-vehicle device 1 that has requested transmission of information is stored in the user profile database 54. If it determines with the information for transmitting to the vehicle equipment 1 being stored in the user profile database 54, it will progress to step S400, and if it determines with not being stored, it will progress to step S360.

  In step S360, it is determined whether the search system 34 of the operation center 30 has received the standby instruction signal transmitted in step S170. If it is determined that the standby instruction signal has not been received from the search system 34, the process returns to step S350, and if it is determined that the standby reception signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S370.

  In step S370, a request signal of a response possibility determination result is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1, and the process proceeds to step S380. As described above, when receiving a signal requesting a response possibility determination result from the vehicle information center 50, the in-vehicle device 1 performs a response possibility determination and transmits the determination result to the vehicle information center 50.

  In addition, when the result obtained by performing the response possibility determination is NG, the in-vehicle device 1 can respond until an OK determination result is obtained after transmitting the NG determination result to the vehicle information center 50. When the sex determination is performed and the OK determination result is obtained, the OK determination result is transmitted to the vehicle information center 50.

  In step S380, it is determined whether data of a response possibility determination result has been received from the in-vehicle device 1. If it is determined that the response possibility determination result data has not been received, the process waits in step S380, and if it is determined that the data has been received, the process proceeds to step S390.

  In step S390, it is determined whether or not data for transmission to the in-vehicle device 1 is stored in the user profile database 54. If it is determined that the data to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is not stored, the process waits in step S390, and if it is determined that the data is stored, the process proceeds to step S400. In step S <b> 400, data to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is acquired from the user profile database 54 and transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 via the communication interface device 51. When the data is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1, the line connected between the vehicle information center 50 and the vehicle-mounted device 1 is disconnected.

  According to the information providing system in the first embodiment, a user calls the information center 20 via the in-vehicle device 1 to request information provision, and the information retrieved in the information center 20 is displayed in the in-vehicle device 1. In the transmission system, when a request for providing information from the in-vehicle device 1 to the information center 20 is transmitted, the communication between the information center 20 and the in-vehicle device 1 is temporarily disconnected, and when the information search by the information center 20 is completed, the information In order to confirm the search result with the user, communication between the information center 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 1 is resumed. By confirming the result of the information search performed by the information center 20 to the user and transmitting it to the in-vehicle device 1, the information desired by the user can always be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1.

  Further, in the information providing system in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the user can respond to the confirmation of the information search result from the information center 20, and when it is determined that the user can respond, Since the communication between the information center 20 and the in-vehicle device 1 is resumed, the user can surely confirm the information search result.

-Second Embodiment-
In the information providing system in the first embodiment, the information center 20 calls the in-vehicle device 1 and resumes communication based on the result of the response possibility determination performed on the in-vehicle device 1 side. In the information providing system according to the second embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 calls the information center 20 based on the response possibility determination result and resumes communication.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents performed in the vehicle-mounted device 1 in the information providing system according to the second embodiment. When the vehicle is activated, the integrated calculation unit 22 of the navigation unit 2 starts the process of step S10. In addition, about the step which performs the process same as the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Steps S10 and S20 are the same as steps S10 and S20 in the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S500 following step S20, it is determined whether standby data has been received from the vehicle information center 50 or not. The standby data is data indicating that the operator of the operation center 30 takes time to search for information, so that the voice communication line with the operation center 30 is temporarily disconnected to enter a standby state. . If it is determined that standby data has been received from the vehicle information center 50, the process proceeds to step S520. If it is determined that standby data has not been received, the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, it is determined whether or not the information (data) requested from the information center 20 has been received from the vehicle information center 50. If it is determined that the information has been received, the process proceeds to step S70. If it is determined that the information has not been received, the process returns to step S500.

  In step S520, it is determined whether or not a search completion notification indicating that the operator of the operation center 30 has completed the information search has been received from the vehicle information center 50. If it is determined that the search completion notification has not been received, the process waits in step S520. In step S520, which proceeds after receiving the standby data, the voice communication line with the operation center 30 is temporarily disconnected, and only the data communication line with the vehicle information center 50 is connected. . If it is determined in step S520 that a search completion notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, response possibility determination is performed. Since the detailed method for determining the possibility of response has already been described, detailed description thereof is omitted here. In step S530 following step S40, it is determined whether or not the response possibility determination result is OK. If it is determined that the response possibility determination result is NG, the process returns to step S40, and the response possibility determination is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the response possibility determination result is OK, the process proceeds to step S540.

  When the response possibility determination result is OK, a command for outputting voice guidance for turning on the operator call switch 12 from the speaker 9 is issued to the voice control unit 15. As a result, a voice guidance such as “Information is ready. Please call the operator” is output from the speaker 9. In step S540, based on the signal input from the input processing unit 19, it is determined whether the operator call switch 12 is turned on. If it is determined that the operator call switch 12 is not turned on, the process waits in step S540. If it is determined that the operator call switch 12 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S550.

  In step S550, a call is made again to the operation center 30 of the information center 20 in the voice mode. Thereafter, a conversation is performed between the user and the operator of the operation center 30 in which the user confirms information searched by the operator. In step S60 following step S550, it is determined whether or not the finally determined information (data) has been received from the vehicle information center 50. If it is determined that the information has not been received, the process waits in step S60. If it is determined that the information has been received, the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, received data (downloaded data) is processed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing performed in the operation center 30 of the information center 20 and the vehicle information center 50 in the information providing system in the second embodiment. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the steps for performing the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Of the processes performed in the operation center 30, the processes in steps S100 to S190 are the same as the processes in steps S100 to S190 in the flowchart shown in FIG. When information search is performed in step S190, the process proceeds to step S600. In step S600, a search completion notification indicating that the information search has been completed is transmitted to the vehicle information center 50. Thereafter, as described later, a search completion notification is transmitted from the vehicle information center 50 toward the vehicle-mounted device 1.

  When the search completion notification is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1, as described above, the in-vehicle device 1 performs a response possibility determination, and calls the operation center 30 if the determination result is OK. In step S610 following step S600, it is determined whether there is an incoming call from the user. If it is determined that there is no incoming call, it waits in step S610 until there is an incoming call. If it is determined that there is an incoming call, the process proceeds to step S620.

  In step S620, it is determined whether or not information (data) to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is determined by a conversation between the user and the operator. The operator confirms the searched information with the user, and if the user confirms, the operator inputs to the search processing terminal 32 that the information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is confirmed. Further, when the user denies the searched information, the information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is confirmed and input to the search processing terminal 32 by the conversation with the user. When the search processing terminal 32 receives an input indicating that the information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 has been determined, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, information to be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 is temporarily stored in the user profile database 56.

  Of the processes performed in the vehicle information center 50, the processes in steps S300 to S360 are the same as the processes in steps S300 to S360 in the flowchart shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S360 that a standby instruction signal has been received from the operation center 30, the process proceeds to step S700.

  In step S700, the voice communication line with the operation center 30 is temporarily disconnected, and standby data indicating that the operator waits until the information search by the operator is completed is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. Thereby, the vehicle equipment 1 will be in a standby state. In step S710 following step S700, it is determined whether a search completion notification is received from the search system 34 of the operation center 30. If it is determined that the search completion notification is not received, the process waits in step S710. If it is determined that the search completion notification is received, the process proceeds to step 720.

  In step S720, a search completion notification is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1 by data communication, and the process proceeds to step S390. The process of step S390 and step S400 is the same as the process of step S390 and step S400 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  According to the information providing system in the second embodiment, as in the information providing system in the first embodiment, after confirming the result of the information search performed by the information center 20 with the user, the vehicle-mounted device 1 By transmitting to, information desired by the user can always be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. Further, when the vehicle-mounted device 1 receives a signal indicating that the information search has been completed from the information center 20, the communication with the information center 20 is resumed, so the communication is resumed at a timing desired by the user, and the operator The result of information search can be confirmed.

-Third embodiment-
In the information providing system in the first embodiment, when the user's response possibility determination result is OK, the line between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the operation center 30 that has been disconnected is reconnected, and the user The information retrieval result was confirmed, and the confirmed information was transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. In the information providing system in the third embodiment, the answer load when the user answers (responds) to the information searched in the operation center 30 is estimated, and based on the estimated answer load and the driving load level. Then, it is determined whether or not to reconnect the line between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the operation center 30 once disconnected. As described above, the operating load level can be obtained with reference to the table shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of estimating the answer load, and shows the answer load level according to the information search result. The answer load level indicates that the answer load increases as the value increases. For example, when the user asks the operator to make a reservation for a restaurant and the reservation is made, the operator only has to inform the user that the reservation has been made. As described above, when the operator only contacts the user and the user is not asked for an answer, the user's answer load is set to 1, which is the lightest.

  When the operator searches for information requested by the user and confirms whether it is in line with the user's request just in case, the user simply gives a simple response such as “Yes” or “No”. If it is sufficient, the answer load of the user is 2. If there is a plurality of information searched by the operator in response to the user's request and the user needs to narrow down the desired information by conversation with the operator, the user's answer load is 3.

  As a result of the operator searching for information, when the information desired by the user is not found and the user is requested for alternative information, the answer load of the user is 4. Further, when it is considered that the user's answer load is highest, such as confirmation of the card number by the user, the answer load of the user is set to 5. The answer load according to the information search result is estimated by the operator of the operation center 30 and the estimated result is input to the search processing terminal 32.

  The search system 34 determines whether or not the user can respond based on the answer load estimated based on the information search result of the operator and the driving load level. FIG. 10 is a table for determining whether or not to provide information to the user based on the driving load level and the answer load. For example, in the case of driving load level 2, if the estimated answer load is 1 or 2, it is determined that the information provision to the user is OK, and if the estimated answer load is 3 to 5, the information provision to the user is provided. Judge as NG. The search system 34 stores the table shown in FIG. 10, and refers to the table shown in FIG. 10 based on the answer load estimated based on the information search result of the operator and the driving load level. It is determined whether or not can respond.

  The processing performed in the in-vehicle device 1 is the same as that of the information providing system in the first embodiment. However, in the information providing system in the first embodiment, when a signal requesting a response possibility determination result is received from the vehicle information center 50, a response possibility determination is performed, and the determination result is sent to the vehicle information center 50. sent. In the information providing system in the third embodiment, when the transmission request signal for the driving load level is received from the vehicle information center 50, the processing for obtaining the driving load level is performed, and the data on the driving load level is obtained. Send to.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing performed in the operation center 30 of the information center 20 and the vehicle information center 50 in the information providing system according to the third embodiment. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the steps for performing the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Of the processes performed in the operation center 30, the processes in steps S100 to S190 are the same as the processes in steps S100 to S190 in the flowchart shown in FIG. When information search is performed in step S190, the process proceeds to step S800. In step S800, the user's answer load is estimated based on the result of the information search performed in step S190. As described above, the answer load is estimated by the operator, and the estimation result is input to the search processing terminal 32. When the answer load estimation result is input to the search processing terminal 33, the process proceeds to step S810.

  In step S810, it is determined whether or not the user can respond based on the answer load estimated in step S800 and the driving load level transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 and stored in the user profile database 56. If it is determined that the user cannot respond, the process waits in step S810, and if it is determined that the user can respond, the process proceeds to step S210. The processing from step S210 to step S230 is the same as the processing from step S210 to step S230 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Of the processes performed in the vehicle information center 50, the processes in steps S300 to S360 are the same as the processes in steps S300 to S360 in the flowchart shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S360 that a standby instruction signal has been received from the operation center 30, the process proceeds to step S700.

  In step S900, an operation load level request signal is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 1, and the process proceeds to step S910. When receiving the signal requesting the driving load level from the vehicle information center 50, the in-vehicle device 1 performs a process for obtaining the driving load level, and transmits the obtained driving load level data to the vehicle information center 50.

  The in-vehicle device 1 repeatedly obtains the driving load level and transmits the information to the vehicle information center 50 until the requested information is received from the vehicle information center 50.

  In step S910, it is determined whether or not driving load level data has been received from the vehicle-mounted device 1. If it is determined that the data of the driving load level is not received, the process stands by in step S910. If it is determined that the data is received, the process proceeds to step S390. The process of step S390 to step S400 is the same as the process of step 390 to step S400 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  According to the information providing system in the third embodiment, as in the information providing system in the first embodiment, after confirming the result of the information search performed by the information center 20 with the user, the vehicle-mounted device 1 By transmitting to, information desired by the user can always be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 1. Moreover, the user's answer load when confirming the information search result with the user is estimated, and communication between the information center 20 and the vehicle-mounted device 1 is resumed based on the estimated answer load and the user's driving load. Therefore, the user's response possibility can be determined more accurately. That is, the user can surely confirm the information search result.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in FIG. 4, intersections, alleys, curves, highways, toll booths, and parking lots are given as places that affect the driving load. The driving load level may be determined in consideration of a place other than the place described in FIG. Moreover, although the data which show the vehicle behavior which influences driving load are acquired from the turn signal sensor 23a, the steering angle sensor 23b, the wiper sensor 23c, the light sensor 23d, and the shift position sensor 23e, it acquires from other sensors. You can also.

  In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1 performs a response possibility determination, and when the determination result is NG, after transmitting the NG determination result to the vehicle information center 50, an OK determination result is obtained. The response possibility determination is performed until the OK determination result is obtained, and the OK determination result is transmitted to the vehicle information center 50. However, the response possibility determination may be performed every predetermined time, and the determination result may be transmitted each time the determination is performed.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, when the information search process is completed in the information center 20, the communication between the operation center 30 and the vehicle-mounted device 1 is resumed, and the user's conversation with the operator allows the operator's information search result to be obtained. I checked. However, when the information search is completed, the information search result may be transmitted from the vehicle information center 50 to the in-vehicle device 1 by data communication, and the user may confirm it.

  Once the line between the in-vehicle device 1 and the operation center 30 is disconnected, the in-vehicle device 1 enters a standby state, but a message indicating that it is in a standby state or a message indicating that information is being searched is displayed on the monitor 3. You may make it display.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, when the user turns on the operator call switch 12, a call is made to the operation center 30 via the voice communication line and a call is made to the vehicle information center 50 via the data communication line. However, for example, the data communication line may be connected after the voice communication line is connected.

  In the information providing system according to the third embodiment, the operator of the operation center 30 estimates the answer load according to the information search result, but the information processing terminal 32 estimates according to the information search result. May be. For example, if there is one information search result, the answer load can be 2, if there are multiple information search results, the answer load can be 3, and if there is no information search result, the answer load can be 4. According to this method, the burden on the operator to estimate the answer load can be reduced.

  In the third embodiment, the information center 20 side determines whether or not the user can respond based on the estimated answer load and the user's driving load level. However, on the in-vehicle device 1 side, it can also be determined whether or not the user can respond based on the answer load and the user's driving load level. In this case, the response load is estimated by the operation center 30 by the method described above, and the estimated response load data is transmitted from the vehicle information center 50 to the in-vehicle device 1 by data communication. The in-vehicle device 1 determines whether or not the user can respond based on the response load data received from the vehicle information center 50 and the driving load level. Thereafter, similarly to the information providing system in the second embodiment, if the result of the response availability determination is OK, a call is made from the in-vehicle device 1 to the operation center 30.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the in-vehicle device 1 determines the user's response possibility based on the vehicle position and the sensor signals input from the various sensor groups 23. However, the vehicle position data and the data of the sensor signals input from the various sensor groups 23 are transmitted from the in-vehicle device 1 to the vehicle information center 50 by data communication, and the user response is received on the information center 20 side. The possibility can also be determined.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the data communication telephone 7 for performing data communication is provided separately from the mobile phone 4 for the user to converse with the operator has been described. You may make it provide only one telephone which can communicate. In addition, voice communication and data communication are performed by separate lines. However, voice communication and data communication may be performed by a single line by using a system that puts a voice signal on the data communication line. it can.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the operator of the operation center 30 searches for information using the search processing terminal 32, but the search processing terminal 32 may automatically search for information.

  In step S120 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, user authentication is performed based on the mobile phone number, but user authentication can also be performed based on a user ID issued after user registration is performed. Further, user authentication may be performed based on the vehicle-mounted device ID unique to the vehicle-mounted device 1. In this case, as the in-vehicle device ID, for example, the serial ID is written when the in-vehicle device 1 is shipped from the factory, and the user applies the in-vehicle device serial ID on the application form when registering the user. That is, it is only necessary to be able to specify the in-vehicle device 1 used by the calling user and to transmit data to the specified in-vehicle device 1 when performing data communication. The user authentication method is not limited to the method described above.

  The correspondence between the constituent elements of the claims and the constituent elements of the first to third embodiments is as follows. That is, the search system 34 of the information center 20 or the navigation unit 2 of the in-vehicle device 1 serves as communication control means, the search system 34 serves as information search means and answer load estimation means, the navigation unit 2 serves as response determination means, and the telephone 33 communicates. The GPS antenna 10 and the navigation unit 2 constitute vehicle position detection means, and the various sensor groups 23 constitute vehicle behavior detection means. In addition, the above description is an example to the last, and when interpreting invention, it is not limited to the correspondence of the component of said embodiment and the component of this invention at all.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the information provision system in 1st Embodiment Diagram showing the detailed configuration of the navigation unit Flow chart showing the contents of processing performed in the in-vehicle device The figure which shows the table for determining a driving load level based on the place which is drive | operating and the signal detected by various sensor groups. The figure which shows the response possibility judgment result according to the driving load level The flowchart which shows the processing content each performed in the operation center of an information center, and the information center for vehicles In the information provision system in 2nd Embodiment, the flowchart which shows the processing content performed with an in-vehicle apparatus. In the information provision system in 2nd Embodiment, the flowchart which shows the processing content each performed by the operation center of an information center, and the information center for vehicles Illustration for explaining the answer load estimation method The figure which shows the table for judging the propriety of provision of information to a user based on a driving load level and an answer load. The information processing system in a 3rd embodiment WHEREIN: The flowchart which shows the processing content each performed in the operation center of an information center, and the information center for vehicles

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle equipment, 2 ... Navigation unit, 3 ... Monitor, 4 ... Mobile phone, 5 ... Communication adapter, 6 ... Telephone harness, 7 ... Telephone for data communication, 8 ... Microphone, 9 ... Speaker, 10 ... GPS antenna, 11 ... Operation switch, 12 ... Operator call switch, 13 ... Display processing unit, 14 ... Communication processing unit, 15 ... Voice control unit, 16 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 17 ... Position calculation unit, 18 ... Map data unit, 19 ... Input processing unit , 20 ... Information center, 21 ... Storage unit, 23 ... Various sensor groups, 30 ... Operation center, 31 ... PBX / CTI, 32 ... Search processing terminal, 33 ... Telephone, 34 ... Information search system, 36 ... Headset, 37 ... Network, 39 ... Input device, 40 ... Information database group, 41 ... Location / phone information database, 42 ... Traffic information database, 43 Weather forecast database 44 ... Various information databases 50 ... Vehicle information center 51 ... Communication interface device 54 ... Information processing terminal 55 ... General telephone network 56 ... User profile database 60 ... Customer center 62 ... Customer registration System, 63 ... Internet, 65 ... User PC, 66 ... Customer management server

Claims (15)

In an information providing system that issues a call from an information terminal to an information center to request provision of information, and transmits the requested information from the information center to the information terminal.
A communication control means for temporarily disconnecting communication between the information center and the information terminal when an information provision request is transmitted from the information terminal to the information center;
An information retrieval means for retrieving information based on the information provision request,
When the information search by the information search means is completed, the communication control means resumes communication between the information center and the information terminal in order to confirm the information search result to the user. In the information provision system of Claim 1,
A response determination means for determining whether or not the user can respond when the user confirms the information search result;
The communication control unit resumes communication between the information center and the information terminal when the response determination unit determines that the user can respond. In the information provision system of Claim 2,
An answer load estimating means for estimating the answer load of the user when confirming the information search result by the information search means with the user;
The communication control means resumes communication between the information center and the information terminal based on the response possibility determined by the response determination means and the answer load estimated by the answer load estimation means. A characteristic information provision system. In the information provision system according to claim 2 or 3,
The information terminal is used by being mounted on a vehicle,
The response determination unit determines a user's response possibility based on a user's driving situation. The information providing system according to claim 4,
Vehicle position detecting means for detecting the position of the vehicle,
The response determining unit detects a user driving situation based on the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detecting unit, and determines a user response possibility based on the detected driving situation. Information provision system. In the information provision system according to claim 4 or 5,
Vehicle behavior detecting means for detecting vehicle behavior is further provided,
The response determination unit detects a user driving situation based on the vehicle behavior detected by the vehicle behavior detecting unit, and determines a user response possibility based on the detected driving situation. Information provision system. In the information provision system in any one of Claims 1-6,
The communication control means is provided in an information center, and resumes communication between the information center and the information terminal when receiving a signal indicating that the information search is completed from the information search means. Offer system. In the information provision system in any one of Claims 1-6,
The communication control means is provided in the information terminal, and resumes communication between the information center and the information terminal when receiving a signal indicating that the information search is completed from the information center. . In the information provision system in any one of Claims 1-8,
When communication between the information center and the information terminal is resumed by the communication control means, data of an information search result by the information search means is transmitted from the information center to the information terminal. In an information providing apparatus that searches for information requested from an information terminal and transmits the searched information to the information terminal.
A communication means for communicating with an information terminal;
When the communication means receives an information provision request from an information terminal, communication control means for temporarily disconnecting communication between the communication means and the information terminal;
An information retrieval means for retrieving information based on an information provision request from an information terminal,
When the information search by the information search means is completed, the communication control means restarts communication between the communication means and the information terminal in order to confirm the information search result to the user. . In the information provision apparatus of Claim 10,
The communication means receives response possibility data indicating whether or not a user can respond to the communication for checking the information search result from the information terminal,
The communication control unit resumes communication between the communication unit and the information terminal when it is determined that the user can respond based on the response possibility data received by the communication unit. Providing device. The information providing apparatus according to claim 11,
An answer load estimating means for estimating the answer load of the user when confirming the information search result by the information search means with the user;
The communication control means resumes communication between the communication means and the information terminal based on the response possibility data received by the communication means and the answer load estimated by the answer load estimating means. A characteristic information providing apparatus. In the information provision apparatus in any one of Claims 10-12,
The information terminal is used by being mounted on a vehicle,
The response possibility data received by the communication means is data that determines the user's response possibility based on the user's driving situation. In the information provision apparatus in any one of Claims 10-13,
When the communication unit resumes communication with the information terminal, the communication unit transmits information search result data from the information search unit to the information terminal. In the information providing method for calling the information center from the information terminal to request the provision of information and transmitting the requested information from the information center to the information terminal,
When an information provision request from the information terminal to the information center is transmitted, the communication between the information center and the information terminal is temporarily disconnected,
Search for information based on information request,
When the information search is completed, communication between the information center and the information terminal is resumed in order to confirm the information search result with the user.

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