JP2015114960A - Information search system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user possessing a portable information terminal to easily and timely search for a local application available to the portable information terminal.SOLUTION: A control device 13 of a smartphone 2 detects a current spot by a self-position detection unit 20, and transmits the position information to a map server 4. Then, the map server 4 replies address information of the corresponding position. The smartphone 2 transmits the self position acquired from the map server 4 to a search server 5. A control unit 10 of the search server 5 searches a local application database 12 for local applications related to an area including the address on the basis of the position information transmitted from the smartphone 2, and transmits list information of the local applications to the smartphone 2 via a communication unit 11. On acquiring the list information of local applications from the search server 5, the smartphone 2 displays the list information of local applications on a screen of a display device 14.

Description

  The present invention includes a portable information terminal that includes a display device and is capable of acquiring an application (application) from the outside via a communication unit, and an external search server configured to be able to communicate with the portable information terminal. Including information retrieval system.

  As a system for providing information on a limited area to a user, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a user with a zoo guidance map. This guidance map displays various icons such as breeding places of each animal, toilets and restaurants, routes, etc., and switches and display units corresponding to the various icons, a communication unit for communicating with a plurality of base stations, A control board and the like for controlling the display unit and the like are provided. As a result, the owner (entrance) of the guide map can know the current position of the guide map (self) based on communication with the base station, and also provides the route to the designated animal breeding place and the facility. The degree of congestion can be known.

JP 2010-91515 A

  By the way, in the field of portable information terminals such as smartphones, for example, a wide variety of applications have been provided, and it is common practice for users to download applications that are used on a daily basis. Yes. In recent years, a system has been considered in which a portable information terminal such as a smartphone and an in-vehicle navigation device are connected wirelessly to cooperate. According to this system, it is possible to perform destination setting for the in-vehicle navigation device based on information captured by the smartphone.

  As applications that can be used on the above-mentioned portable information terminals such as smartphones, many local applications specialized for regions and places in various parts of Japan have been provided. Examples of the local app include “Gifu Sightseeing Map” and “Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden” apps, which introduce tourist attractions, stores, etc., and provide services such as coupons. When the user goes out for travel or leisure, the information of the local application is useful. However, users often don't know what local apps exist, and even if they know, users may forget to download them in advance. May be missed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user having a portable information terminal to easily and timely search for a local application that can be used on the portable information terminal. In other words, it is to provide an information retrieval system that can promote the use of local apps.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information retrieval system according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided between a portable information terminal provided with a display device and capable of acquiring an application from the outside via a communication means, and the portable information terminal. Including an external search server configured to be communicable with the mobile information terminal, the mobile information terminal comprises location information transmission means for transmitting location information to the search server and requesting local application information, The search server searches for a local application related to a region including the position that can be acquired by the portable information terminal based on the position information transmitted from the portable information terminal, and obtains list information of the local application. Local application search means for transmitting to the portable information terminal is provided, and the portable information terminal displays the list information of the local application acquired from the search server on the display device. Characterized in place with a pre-information display unit.

  According to this, the location information transmitting means of the portable information terminal possessed by the user transmits the location information to the search server and requests local application information. Then, in the search server, the local application search means searches for local applications related to the area including the position that can be acquired by the portable information terminal based on the position information, and the list information of the local applications is obtained. It is transmitted to the portable information terminal. In the portable information terminal, the application information display means displays the list information of the local applications acquired from the search server on the display device.

  Therefore, based on transmitting position information of a specific area or place from the portable information terminal to the search server, it is possible to obtain local application information related to the area or place. The user can see what local applications exist by looking at the display of the local application list information on the display device, and can download it as necessary. As a result, according to the present invention, a user who has a portable information terminal can easily and timely search for a local application that can be used on the portable information terminal, thereby promoting the use of the local application. be able to.

The 1st Example of this invention is a figure which shows the whole structure of a system roughly Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the smartphone Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the in-vehicle navigation system The flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the control apparatus performs in the case of a local application search The figure which shows an example of the menu screen (a) of a point selection in the display apparatus of a smart phone, and the list screen (b) of a local application. The flowchart which shows the 2nd Example of this invention and shows the flow of the process which the control apparatus in the case of a local application search performs The figure which shows the example of the selection screen of the category in the display apparatus of a smart phone The figure which shows an example of the list display screen (a) of a local application in the display apparatus of a smart phone, and the screen (b) of the display state of explanatory information

(1) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in a present Example, while taking a smart phone as a specific example as a portable information terminal, the case where the smart phone is comprised so that cooperation with the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus as vehicle equipment is taken as an example.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of an information search system 1 according to the present embodiment. This information retrieval system 1 includes a smartphone 2 as a portable information terminal possessed by a user (for example, a driver of a vehicle (automobile)), an in-vehicle navigation device 3 as an in-vehicle device provided in the vehicle, a plurality of external servers 4, 5 and 6 (only three are shown here for convenience) and the like. At this time, when the user brings the smartphone 2 into the vehicle (vehicle compartment), the smartphone 2 and the in-vehicle navigation device 3 can be connected by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication. it can.

  In this embodiment, a cooperative application (for example, “NaviCon” service) for cooperation with the in-vehicle navigation device 3 is installed in the smartphone 2 in advance. Similarly, a cooperation application for performing cooperation with the smartphone 2 is also installed in the in-vehicle navigation device 3. The in-vehicle navigation device 3 is wirelessly connected by executing the cooperative application of the smartphone 2 in the vehicle. Thus, for example, the smartphone 2 may be used as an operation unit (HMI) of the in-vehicle navigation device 3, or the point information acquired by the smartphone 2 may be sent to the in-vehicle navigation device 3 and set as a destination. It becomes possible.

  On the other hand, the smartphone 2 and the plurality of servers 4, 5, 6 (only three are shown here for convenience) are connected so as to be communicable via the Internet, for example. Among them, the server 4 provides services such as provision of map data and address search to the smartphone 2. As will be described later, the server 5 is capable of providing a local application search service, and is hereinafter referred to as a search server 5. The server 6 provides the smartphone 2 with various applications, for example.

  The server 4 includes a control unit 7 mainly composed of a computer, a communication unit 8 that communicates with the smartphone 2, a map database 9, and the like. The search server 5 includes a control unit 10 mainly composed of a computer, a communication unit 11 that communicates with the smartphone 2, a local application database 12, and the like. The local application database 12 stores, for example, data of local applications in various parts of Japan that can be downloaded by the smartphone 2. Although not shown, the server 6 is also configured to include a control unit, a communication unit, a database, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 2 includes a control device 13, a display device 14 connected to the control device 13, and an operation switch in a rectangular panel-shaped main body 2 a (see FIG. 1) that can be handheld. 15, a voice input / output device 16, a communication device 17, a storage unit 18, a connection device 19, an own device position detection unit 20 and the like. The control device 13 is mainly configured by a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls the entire smartphone 2 according to a control program stored in the ROM. Further, as described above, the control device 13 can execute a cooperative application that cooperates with the in-vehicle navigation device 3. The own device position detection unit 20 includes a known GPS unit and the like, is configured to detect the absolute position (latitude, longitude) of the own device, and functions as own device position detection means.

  The display device 14 is configured by, for example, a color displayable liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and the screen displays data, images, videos, and the like stored in the storage unit 18, for example. Although not shown in detail, the operation switch 15 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 14, a mechanical switch arranged around the display device 14, and the like. As the touch panel, an arbitrary type such as a pressure sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method or an electrostatic induction method can be adopted.

  The voice input / output unit 16 has a microphone and a speaker (not shown), and performs input of uttered voice during a call and output of received voice. The audio input / output unit 16 also outputs, for example, music stored in the storage unit 18 and audio of video. The communication device 17 performs wide area communication connected to a public line network or a network and functions as a communication unit. The communication device 17 performs a call or data transmission / reception with a network. The storage unit 18 stores telephone book data, music, and the like, and various applications executed by the smartphone 2, data saved by the user, and the like.

  The connection device 19 communicates with the in-vehicle navigation device 3. In the present embodiment, as described above, the wireless communication method based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method is adopted, and the smartphone 2 is connected to the in-vehicle navigation device 3 via the connection device 19. The connection device 19 has a profile for data communication (SPP, DUN, etc.) similarly to the in-vehicle navigation device 3 and connects to the in-vehicle navigation device 3 using these profiles. The profile is not limited to the data communication profile, and may include a hands-free call profile (HFP in the case of Bluetooth), for example. The connection between the smartphone 2 and the in-vehicle navigation device 3 is not limited to the Bluetooth system, and a wireless LAN (WiFi) or wired (USB, HDMI (registered trademark), etc.) may be used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle navigation device 3 includes a control device 21, a display device 22, an operation switch 23, an audio output device 24, a communication device 25, and a storage unit 26 connected to the control device 21. , A connecting device 27, a vehicle position detector 28, and the like. Among them, the control device 21 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the entire in-vehicle navigation device 3 according to a control program stored in the ROM. Further, as described above, the control device 21 can execute a cooperative application that operates in cooperation with the smartphone 2.

  The display device 22 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of color display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like, and is provided, for example, at the center of an instrument panel in the passenger compartment. On the screen of the display device 22, for example, a map screen (see FIG. 1) when the navigation function is used is displayed. Although not shown in detail, the operation switch unit 23 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 22 and a mechanical switch disposed around the display device 22. The audio output device 24 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs music, guide audio, and the like. The communication device 25 communicates with the outside.

  The own vehicle position detection unit 28 includes a known GPS unit and the like, and is capable of detecting the own vehicle position and the traveling state (traveling direction, speed, etc.) of the vehicle. As described above, the connection device 27 communicates with the smartphone 2 by a wireless communication method using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The storage unit 26 stores various applications executed by the in-vehicle navigation device 3, map data used for the navigation function, and the like. Thus, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 3 (the control device 21), as is well known, a location function for displaying the vehicle position on the screen of the display device 22 together with the road map, and an appropriate route to the destination designated by the user. The navigation processing such as the route guidance function for searching and guiding is executed.

  The smartphone 2 can download various applications by accessing the external server 6. In this embodiment, the smartphone 2 is associated with each region by the search server 5 by executing the cooperative application. It is possible to search the local application that is the application and obtain the search results. At this time, as will be described in detail later, the control device 13 of the smartphone 2 first sends the location information to the search server 5 via the communication device 17 to request local application information. Therefore, the position information transmitting means is constituted by the control device 13 and the like.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, when the user selects a search for a local application with the current location as the location information on the menu screen (see FIG. 5A) on which the cooperative application is executed, the position detection of the own device is performed. The current location of the smartphone 2 is detected by the unit 20, and the position information is first transmitted to the map server 4. Then, the map server 4 returns the address information of the corresponding position. This address information includes the information of the address hierarchized by administrative divisions such as prefectures, municipalities, etc. of the detection point, but if the position corresponds to some facility, the information on the facility type is also included Added. The smartphone 2 transmits the position of the own device obtained from the map server 4 to the search server 5.

  Then, based on the location information (address information) transmitted from the smartphone 2, the search server 5 (the control unit 10) is a local application related to the area including the address in the local application database 12, The smartphone 2 searches for local applications that can be acquired (downloaded), and transmits list information of the local applications to the smartphone 2 via the communication unit 11. Therefore, the control unit 10 of the search server 5 functions as a local application search unit.

  Also, in this case, if the facility information (facility name) is included in the address information, the search server 5 (control unit 10) performs a search that takes into account the facility type (name) in addition to the location information. The application is searched for a local application that matches with a plurality of keywords (tags) such as administrative divisions such as prefectures, municipalities, and facility types. As search results, list information is provided so that the higher the degree of matching for multiple conditions (tags), or the local application that matches in a narrower area of the hierarchical address, the higher the search results. Is done.

  And the smart phone 2 (control apparatus 13) will display on the screen of the display apparatus 14, if the list information of a local application is acquired from the search server 5. FIG. Therefore, an application information display unit is configured by the control device 13 and the like. In the present embodiment, the list of local apps is displayed as a list on the screen of the display device 14, and the titles of the local apps are displayed together with icons in this list (see FIG. 5B).

  Although not shown, when the user operates an icon on the screen of the display device 14 (double tap or the like), the user transitions to a download site and can access the server 6 to download the local application. ing. Further, the user is configured to be able to transmit the point information of facilities, stores, etc. to the in-vehicle navigation device 3 based on the local application information and set it as a destination.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows a procedure of processing related to the search for local apps, which is executed in the smartphone 2 (control device 13). That is, as described above, the processing is started by causing the smart phone 2 to execute the cooperative application (NaviCon), thereby enabling cooperation with the in-vehicle navigation device 3. In this state, the user first displays a point selection menu screen on the screen of the display device 14. In this spot selection menu screen, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), a plurality of menus for spot selection are displayed, and when performing a search for a local application, the user performs step S1. Select and operate "Local apps that can be used in your current location".

  Then, in the next step S2, the own position detection unit 20 detects the absolute position of the own apparatus. Next, in step S3, the map server 4 is accessed, the position information detected in step S2 is transmitted, and the map server 4 receives the address information obtained from the map database 9. In step S4, the search server 5 is accessed, the address information acquired in step S3 is transmitted to the search server 5, and the search result obtained by searching the local application database 12 in the search server 5, that is, the list information of local applications is displayed. get. In step S5, as shown in FIG. 5B, the local application list information is displayed on the display device.

  As a specific example, for example, if the address of the current location of the smartphone 2 is Showa-cho, Kariya City, Aichi, and is within the company of “Denso” as a facility, “Denso”, “Aichi Local apps are searched using four keywords (tags) such as “prefecture”, “Kariya city”, and “Showa town”. The searched local apps are, for example, “Denso map” (matching four tags), “Kariya facility introduction app” (matching two tags), “Aichi tourism app” (matching one tag), “ Assume that there are four “Higashiyama Zoo Apps” (one tag matches). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the list is displayed in the order of “Kariya Facility Introduction App”, “Aichi Prefecture Tourism App”, and “Higashiyama Zoo App” with “Denso Map” at the top.

  In addition, the local application list information display screen also displays whether each local application has already been downloaded. If not yet downloaded, “DN >>” is displayed. When there is a local application that the user wants to use (want to see), the user can download the local application by operating an icon, for example. In addition, using the local application, a favorite place (facility, store, etc.) can be set as the destination of the in-vehicle navigation device 3.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the list information of the local applications related to the area and place based on the transmission of the position information from the smartphone 2 to the search server 5. The user can know what local apps exist by looking at the list information of the local apps displayed on the display device 14, and can download them as necessary. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user who owns the smartphone 2 can easily and timely search for local apps that can be used on the smartphone 2, and thus promote the use of the local apps. An excellent effect of being able to be obtained can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the position information transmitted to the search server 5 is the position information of the smartphone 2 detected by the own device position detection unit 20, so that the user performs a troublesome operation such as inputting the position. You can search for local apps that correspond to your location. In the present embodiment, the smartphone 2 and the in-vehicle navigation device 3 can be linked to each other, and the destination in the in-vehicle navigation device 3 can be set from the local application information. In addition to obtaining information, it is possible to use information about the acquired local application even more effectively.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the search server 5 is configured to be able to search for a local application in consideration of other search conditions such as facilities in addition to location information, so that it is even more important for the user You can search for apps. At this time, the user may be configured to input a search condition to be added, and the local application can be further searched according to the user's preference. The higher the degree of matching for multiple search conditions, or the local application that matches in a narrower area of the hierarchical address, the list information is provided at the top of the search results, so it is more important for the user It is possible to display a list with the local app presumed to be higher.

(2) Second Embodiment and Other Embodiments FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the overall configuration of the information search system 1 and the hardware configuration of the smartphone 2 as a portable information terminal are the same as those in the first embodiment. For parts common to the first embodiment, new illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted, and reference numerals are also used in common. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below.

  In this embodiment, when the map screen is displayed on the display device 14 by the execution of the cooperative application of the smartphone 2, the user instructs the search of the local application, whereby the map displayed on the search server 5 is displayed. The position information of the predetermined position, for example, the center position is transmitted. In this case, the position information may be transmitted based on the user specifying a specific position on the display map (stabbed with a pin).

  In the present embodiment, the smartphone 2 (the control device 13) can download the local app in a superimposed manner on the map screen when displaying the list information of the local apps acquired from the search server 5 on the display device 14. Icon I is displayed (see FIG. 8A). Further, in this embodiment, when the user operates the icon I (for example, tap operation), the explanation information about the local application indicated by the icon I is displayed (pop-up display) on the screen of the display device 14. (See FIG. 8B).

  Now, the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a procedure of processing related to the search for the local application, which is executed in the smartphone 2 (control device 13). That is, the process is started by executing the cooperative application (NaviCon) on the smartphone 2, and the user displays a map of a desired place (for example, Kyoto city portion) on the screen of the display device 14.

  When searching for a local application, the user changes the screen of the display device 14 from the map display screen to a menu screen for point selection (see FIG. 5A). In step S11, the user performs a selection operation on “local application usable at the map center position” on the menu screen. Alternatively, when “Select a point from the linked app” is selected on the menu screen, the screen of the display device 14 is changed to a category selection screen as shown in FIG. 7, and the “local app” is selected on this screen. To do.

  Then, in step S12, the center position of the map screen displayed immediately before is detected, and then in step S13, the search server 5 is accessed and the detected position information (for example, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto) is searched. The search result is transmitted to the server 5, and the search result obtained by searching the local application database 12 in the search server 5, that is, the list information of the local application is acquired. In step S14, the list information of local applications is displayed on the display device 14.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, the screen of the display device 14 displays a map, in this case, a map of the Kyoto city portion, and a plurality of searched local applications ( (Or one) icon I is displayed. When the user operates the icon I, as shown in FIG. 8B, the explanatory information regarding the local application indicated by the icon I can be displayed in a pop-up on the screen of the display device 14. When there is a local application that the user wants to use (want to see), the user can download the local application. Moreover, the destination of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 3 can also be set using the local application.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the list information of the local applications related to the area and the location based on the transmission of the position information from the smartphone 2 to the search server 5. Can be obtained. Therefore, the user who possesses the smartphone 2 can easily and timely search for local apps that can be used on the smartphone 2, and thus can promote the use of the local apps.

  At this time, particularly in the present embodiment, the position information of the predetermined position on the map displayed on the display device 14 can be transmitted to the search server 5, so that the local application in any region is not limited to the current position. It can be searched. In addition, in this embodiment, as the local application list information, the local application icon I is displayed on the display device 14 so as to overlap the map screen. The list information of each local application can be displayed while giving. It also makes it easy to download local apps. Furthermore, since it is possible to display the explanation information related to the local application, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand information about the local application to the user with a simple operation.

  In each of the above embodiments, the location information is transmitted to the search server 5 (local application search request) based on the user's operation. However, the location information is automatically transmitted from the portable information terminal. It is also possible to obtain a list of local application list information automatically. In this case, for example, when the cooperative application is executed in the smartphone 2, the position information of the machine detected by the own machine position detection unit 20 is automatically transmitted to the search server 5 to obtain the list information of the local application. Can do. Alternatively, by automatically transmitting the position information to the search server 5 when the position information of the own apparatus detected by the own apparatus position detection unit 20 of the smartphone 2 moves to the adjacent area (prefecture), It is good also as a structure which acquires the list information of a local application. As a result, it is possible to automatically obtain local application information without user operation, and the convenience for the user can be improved. An ON / OFF switch may be provided for the user to set whether to automatically obtain local application list information.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the smart phone was employ | adopted as a portable information terminal, even if it is a portable apparatus with a communication function as well as the smart phone 2, even if it is a mobile telephone, a tablet terminal, a portable navigation apparatus, etc. good. Furthermore, when displaying the list information of the local application on the screen of the display device, various devices such as changing the size of the icon according to the scale of the displayed map can be applied. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications can be made to the hardware configuration of the smartphone and the in-vehicle navigation device. It can be implemented with appropriate modifications.

  In the drawings, 1 is an information search system, 2 is a smartphone (portable information terminal), 3 is an in-vehicle navigation device, 4 is a map server, 5 is a search server, 6 is a server, 10 is a control unit (local application search means), 11 Is a communication unit, 12 is a local application database, 13 is a control device (position information transmission means, application information display means), 14 is a display device, 17 is a communication device (communication means), and 20 is its own position detection unit (own device). (Position detecting means), I indicates an icon.

Claims (9)

An information search system including a portable information terminal that includes a display device and is capable of acquiring an application from the outside via a communication unit, and an external search server configured to be able to communicate with the portable information terminal ,
The portable information terminal comprises location information transmission means for requesting local application information by transmitting location information to the search server,
The search server searches for a local application related to a region including the position that can be acquired by the portable information terminal based on the position information transmitted from the portable information terminal, and obtains list information of the local application. A local application search means for transmitting to the portable information terminal;
The mobile information terminal includes an application information display unit that displays list information of the local applications acquired from the search server on the display device. The portable information terminal includes own device position detecting means for detecting the position of the own device,
2. The information search system according to claim 1, wherein the position information transmitted to the search server is the position information of the own apparatus detected by the own apparatus position detecting means.   3. The information search system according to claim 2, wherein the position information of the own apparatus detected by the own apparatus position detecting means is automatically transmitted to the search server by the position information transmitting means. The portable information terminal has a map display function for displaying a map on the display device,
2. The information search system according to claim 1, wherein the position information transmitted to the search server is position information of a predetermined position on a map displayed on the display device.   The local application search means is configured to be able to search for a local application that matches a plurality of conditions, taking into account other conditions including facility type and purpose in addition to the area in the location information. The information search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The local application search means provides the list information as a higher rank of the search result as the degree of coincidence with respect to a plurality of conditions is higher or as the local application matches in a narrower area of the hierarchical address. The information retrieval system according to claim 5.   The said application information display means displays the icon which can download the said local application on the map screen as a list information of the said local application on the display screen. The information search system according to one item.   The said application information display means is comprised so that the description information regarding the local application which this icon may show on the said display apparatus when the said icon is operated by the user is characterized by the above-mentioned. Information retrieval system. The portable information terminal can be linked with an in-vehicle navigation device,
The information search system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a destination can be set in the in-vehicle navigation device based on information of the local application.

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