JP5032206B2 - Information providing server, navigation apparatus, information providing system, information providing method, information processing method, information display method, information providing program, information processing program, information display program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing server, a navigation device, an information providing system, an information providing method, an information processing method, an information display method, an information providing program, an information processing program, and a method for changing the grouping method according to the number of users in each group. The present invention relates to a program, an information display program, and a recording medium. However, the use of the present invention is limited to the information providing server, navigation device, information providing system, information providing method, information processing method, information display method, information providing program, information processing program, information display program, and recording medium described above. I can't.

  Conventionally, in a bulletin board on the Internet or an information providing site, information is exchanged by creating a group for each region or each genre. In addition, among such information providing sites, a mediating site has been proposed that mediates between the contractor and the user based on the provider's provision conditions and the user's desired conditions (mediation between the two) ( For example, see the following Patent Document 1.) This intermediary site is a site that handles the information between the supplier and the user, and registers the name of the supplier, the email address of the supplier, the conditions that can be provided, and the user information that you want to obtain. Supplier registration database, user registration database for registering the user's e-mail address, user request, etc., and history management database for recording a copy of information sent to the user by the supplier as a history. Yes.

JP 2002-215756 A

  However, when a group is created for each region or genre, the database administrator must perform grouping, which takes time and labor. Further, in the above-described technique of Patent Document 1, it is possible to intermediate between a user and a supplier by collating a user's request with a supplier's request, but the user manually inputs his / her own request. An example is the problem of being bothersome.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information providing server according to the invention of claim 1 acquires information about the user in an information providing server that stores contents provided to the user in groups. According to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means, the determining means for determining the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring means, And changing means for changing the grouping method, wherein the acquiring means acquires position information of the current location of the user, and the determining means is the current user's current acquired by the acquiring means. It is characterized in that the number of users in each group divided for each region is determined based on the location information of the point.

  An information providing server according to a second aspect of the invention is an information providing server that stores content to be provided to a user in groups and is acquired by an acquisition unit that acquires information about the user and the acquisition unit. Determining means for determining the number of users in each group based on the information about the users; and changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means; The acquisition means acquires position information of the user's home, and the determination means is divided for each region based on the position information of the user's home acquired by the acquisition means. The number of users in each group is determined.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing server according to an information providing server for storing content to be provided to a user in groups, and acquiring the information related to the user by the acquiring unit. Determining means for determining the number of users in each group based on the information about the users; and changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means; The acquisition means acquires the travel history of the mobile body on which the user is boarded, and the determination means is based on the travel history of the mobile body acquired by the acquisition means for each region. It is characterized in that the number of users in each group divided into two is discriminated.

  An information providing server according to a fourth aspect of the invention is an information providing server that stores contents to be provided to users in groups and is acquired by an acquisition unit that acquires information about the user and the acquisition unit. Determining means for determining the number of users in each group based on the information about the users; and changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means; The acquisition means acquires position information of a destination point set in the mobile body on which the user is boarded, and the determination means is set in the mobile body acquired by the acquisition means. The number of users in each group divided for each region is determined based on the location information of the destination point.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing server according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to a user in groups, and acquiring the information related to the user by the acquiring means. Determining means for determining the number of users in each group based on the information about the users; and changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means; The acquisition means acquires position information where the user has uploaded content, and the determination means is based on the position information where the user has uploaded by the acquisition means. The number of users in each group divided by region is determined.

  An information providing method according to the invention of claim 6 is an information providing method in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to a user in groups, and an acquisition step of acquiring information about the user, and the acquisition Based on the information about the users acquired in the process, a discrimination process for discriminating the number of users in each group, and a grouping method is changed according to the number of users in each group determined in the discrimination process A change step, wherein the acquisition step acquires position information of the current location of the user, and the determination step is based on the location information of the user's current location acquired by the acquisition step. The number of users in each group divided by region is determined.

  An information providing method according to the invention of claim 7 is an information providing method in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to a user in groups, and an acquisition step of acquiring information about the user, and the acquisition Based on the information about the users acquired in the process, a discrimination process for discriminating the number of users in each group, and a grouping method is changed according to the number of users in each group determined in the discrimination process A change step, wherein the acquisition step acquires location information of the user's home, and the determination step is based on the location information of the user's home acquired by the acquisition step. It is characterized by determining the number of users in each group divided for each group.

  An information providing method according to an invention of claim 8 is an information providing method in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to users in groups, and an acquisition step of acquiring information about the user, and the acquisition Based on the information about the users acquired in the process, a discrimination process for discriminating the number of users in each group, and a grouping method is changed according to the number of users in each group determined in the discrimination process The acquisition step acquires a travel history of the moving body on which the user is boarded, and the determination step is based on the travel history of the mobile body acquired by the acquisition step. And determining the number of users in each group divided by region.

  An information providing method according to the invention of claim 9 is an information providing method in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to a user in groups, and an acquisition step of acquiring information about the user, and the acquisition Based on the information about the users acquired in the process, a discrimination process for discriminating the number of users in each group, and a grouping method is changed according to the number of users in each group determined in the discrimination process The acquisition step acquires position information of a destination point set in the moving body on which the user is boarded, and the determination step includes the movement acquired by the acquisition step. It is characterized in that the number of users in each group divided for each region is determined based on position information of a destination point set in the body.

  An information providing method according to the invention of claim 10 is an information providing method in an information providing server for storing contents to be provided to users in groups, and an acquisition step of acquiring information about the user, and the acquisition Based on the information about the users acquired in the process, a discrimination process for discriminating the number of users in each group, and a grouping method is changed according to the number of users in each group determined in the discrimination process The acquisition step acquires the position information where the user uploaded the content, and the determination step includes the position where the user acquired the upload step. Based on the information, the number of users in each group divided for each area is determined.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing system for providing content stored in an information providing server by group to a navigation device mounted on a mobile body, wherein the navigation device includes: Detecting means for detecting information related to a user according to a moving state of the moving body, and transmitting means for transmitting information related to the user detected by the detecting means to the information providing server, The information providing server discriminates the number of users in each group based on acquisition means for acquiring information about the user transmitted from the navigation device and information on the user acquired by the acquisition means. According to the number of users in each group determined by the determining means And changing means for changing the only person, characterized in that it comprises a.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, an information providing program causes a computer to execute the information providing method according to any one of the sixth to tenth aspects.
A recording medium according to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

  With reference to the accompanying drawings, an information providing server, navigation apparatus, information providing system, information providing method, information processing method, information display method, information providing program, information processing program, information display program, and recording medium according to the present invention will be described below. The preferred embodiment will be described in detail.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of information providing server)
First, a functional configuration of the information providing server 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information providing server according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the information providing server 100 includes a user information request unit 101, an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 103, a change unit 104, and a notification unit 105. The information providing server 100 stores the contents provided to the user in groups. The group is, for example, a group divided for each region or a group divided for each genre. The genre is, for example, an advertisement from a store, special sale information, or word-of-mouth information from a user. A group may have a plurality of hierarchies. In other words, the group into which the content is divided may be further divided into groups within the group.

  The user information request unit 101 requests the navigation device to transmit information about the user. The user information requesting unit 101 may periodically request transmission of information related to the user or may request it at any time. Information about the user is information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 described later.

  The acquisition unit 102 acquires information about the user. For example, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire information about the user transmitted from the navigation device in response to a request from the user information request unit 101. Further, even when the acquisition unit 102 does not request the user information request unit 101, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire information about the user every time the information is transmitted from the navigation device. Here, the information on the user includes, for example, the position information of the user's current location, the position information of the user's home, the travel history of the mobile body on which the user is boarded, and the mobile body on which the user is boarded. Are the location information of the destination point set in step 1, the search history of content by the user, the number of times content is uploaded by the user, the location information where the user has uploaded the content, and the like.

  Here, the content search history is a search history in which a user searches for content stored in the information providing server 100. The content search history may be a search history in which a user searches for content in a medium such as a hard disk or a DVD of the navigation device. In this case, the search history may be temporarily recorded in the navigation device. Then, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the search history temporarily recorded in the navigation device.

  The determination unit 103 determines the number of users in each group based on the information about the users acquired by the acquisition unit 102. For example, the determination unit 103 determines whether there is a group having a predetermined number of users or more. The determining unit 103 may determine whether there is a group in which the number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number. Specifically, the determination unit 103 determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the position information of the current location of the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Also, the determination unit 103 determines the number of users in each group divided by region based on the location information of the user's home acquired by the acquisition unit 102.

  Further, the determination unit 103 may determine the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the traveling history of the moving object acquired by the acquisition unit 102. In this case, specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 102 acquires about 100 links with high usage frequency for each user. And 100 links with high use frequency for every user may be collected, and the number of users of each group may be discriminated. In addition, for example, the number of users in each group may be determined by weighting the links and differentiating between links that are frequently used and links that are only occasionally used. In addition, the number of users in each group is differentiated between users who frequently use the mobile device equipped with the navigation device and those who use it only occasionally. May be determined.

  Further, the determination unit 103 determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the position information of the destination point set in the mobile object acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Based on the content search history by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102, the determination unit 103 determines the number of users in each group divided by region or each group divided by content genre. Determine. In addition, the determination unit 103 uses each group divided by region or each group divided by content genre based on the number of times content is uploaded by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Determine the number. Further, the determination unit 103 may determine the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 and uploaded by the user.

  The changing unit 104 changes the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined by the determining unit 103. Specifically, the changing unit 104 divides the group when the determining unit 103 determines that there is a group having a predetermined number of users or more. In addition, when the determination unit 103 determines that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the change unit 104 may integrate the group with another group.

  When the changing unit 104 changes the grouping method, the notification unit 105 notifies the user that the grouping method has been changed. Specifically, for example, a mark display such as “new” or “change” is added to the head of the name of the group whose division method has been changed.

(Functional configuration of navigation device)
Next, a functional configuration of the navigation device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the navigation device 200 includes a detection unit 201, a storage unit 202, a determination unit 203, and a transmission unit 204. The detection unit 201 detects information about the user. Specifically, for example, information input from the user may be detected, or information related to the user may be detected according to the moving state of the moving body on which the user is boarded. The information input from the user is, for example, the location information of the user's home, the content search history by the user, the number of times the content has been uploaded by the user, and the like. The information regarding the user according to the moving state of the moving body includes the position information of the current position of the moving body, the travel history of the moving body, the position information of the point where the user uploaded the content, and the like.

  The storage unit 202 stores information about the user detected by the detection unit 201. Further, the storage unit 202 records information about the user according to the moving state of the moving object detected by the detecting unit 201.

  The determination unit 203 determines whether information related to the user detected by the detection unit 201 has been updated. Specifically, for example, if the information about the user detected by the detection unit 201 is different from the information about the user stored in the storage unit 202, it is determined that the information has been updated.

  When the determination unit 203 determines that the information regarding the user has been updated, the transmission unit 204 transmits the updated information to the information providing server. The information providing server may be the same as or separate from the information providing server 100 illustrated in FIG. Further, the transmission unit 204 may transmit information every time information on the user is detected by the detection unit 201 regardless of the determination by the determination unit 203. In addition, for example, information on the user stored in the storage unit 202 may be periodically transmitted such as once a day or once a month. The transmission unit 204 may transmit information when a user information request unit 101 provided in the information providing server 100 is requested to transmit information about the user. Further, the transmission timing may be set for each user.

(Functional configuration of navigation device)
Next, a functional configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 300 may be the same as or separate from the navigation device 200 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the navigation apparatus 300 includes a content request unit 301, a display unit 302, a reception unit 303, and a display control unit 304. The content request unit 301 requests content from the information providing server. The information providing server may be the same as or separate from the information providing server 100 illustrated in FIG.

  In response to a request from the content request unit 301, the display unit 302 displays a group divided for each region or a group divided for each genre in the information providing server. In addition, the display unit 302 may display in different display formats for each user. In this case, the display format may be selectable by the user.

  The accepting unit 303 accepts selection of a group desired by the user from a group divided for each region or a group divided for each genre displayed by the display unit 302. The accepting unit 303 accepts selection of content desired by the user from the contents included in the group. Specifically, the accepting unit 303 accepts selection of a group or content desired by the user, for example, by an operation on the touch panel by the user.

  The display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content included in the group desired by the user, received by the receiving unit 303. Moreover, when the content divided into groups is further divided into groups, the groups included in the group desired by the user received by the receiving unit 303 may be displayed. Further, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content desired by the user received by the receiving unit 303.

(Information provision processing procedure of information provision server)
Next, an information providing process procedure of the information providing server 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the information provision processing procedure of the information provision server. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the user information request unit 101 requests the navigation device 200 or the like to transmit information about the user (step S401).

  Next, the acquisition unit 102 acquires information about the user transmitted from the navigation device 200 in response to the request in step S401 (step S402). Then, the determining unit 103 determines the number of users in each group based on the information about the users acquired in step S402 (step S403). In step S403, for example, it is determined whether there is a group in which the number of users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Further, it may be determined whether there is a group in which the number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number.

  Next, the changing unit 104 changes the grouping method according to the number of users in each group determined in step S403 (step S404). In step S404, for example, when it is determined in step S403 that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the group is divided. For example, when it is determined in step S403 that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the group is integrated with another group. As a result, the number of users in each group can be made equal.

  Furthermore, the user is notified that the grouping method has been changed (step S405), and the series of processing is terminated. In step S405, for example, a mark display such as “new” or “change” is added to the head of the name of the group whose division method has been changed.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, transmission of information about the user is requested in step S401, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, step S401 may be omitted, and transmission of information regarding the user may not be requested. In this case, for example, information on the user may be acquired every time information on the user is transmitted from the navigation device 200 or the like.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the user is notified that the grouping method has been changed in step S <b> 405, but is not limited thereto. Specifically, for example, step S405 may be omitted.

  As described above, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group is determined by the determination unit 103 based on the information about the users acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Then, according to the determined number of users in each group, the group division method can be changed by the changing unit 104. Therefore, the group configuration can be adjusted according to the number of users sharing information. Also, by eliminating the bias in the number of users in the group, it is possible to correct the bias in information of each group. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, when the determining unit 103 determines that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the changing unit 104 can divide the group. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent information from concentrating on a specific group by preventing users from concentrating on the specific group. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, when the determining unit 103 determines that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the changing unit 104 integrates the group with other groups. can do. Therefore, by integrating groups with a small number of users, groups with little information can be eliminated. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided for each region by the determination unit 103 based on the location information of the current location of the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Can be determined. Therefore, grouping can be performed at any time according to the current position of each user. As a result, when the user is driving a vehicle across regions, the user can easily acquire content related to the destination region.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 based on the location information of the user's home acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is obtained. Can be determined. Therefore, grouping can be performed according to the living area of each user. As a result, the user can easily acquire content related to his / her own living area.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided by region is determined by the determination unit 103 based on the travel history of the moving body acquired by the acquisition unit 102. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a region where each user frequently passes and to configure a group. As a result, the user can easily acquire content related to the vicinity of the commuting road.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, based on the position information of the destination point set in the mobile object acquired by the acquisition unit 102, each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 The number of users can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a region frequently visited by each user and configure a group. As a result, the user can easily obtain the content related to the area that is frequently visited regardless of the current location.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, based on the content search history by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102, each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 or the content The number of users in each group divided by genre can be determined. Therefore, the area and genre in which each user is interested can be grasped and a group can be constituted. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of this embodiment, based on the number of content uploads by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102, each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 or the content The number of users in each group divided by genre can be determined. Therefore, the area and genre in which each user is interested can be grasped and a group can be constituted. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the users of each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 based on the location information uploaded by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. The number can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a position uploaded by each user and configure a group. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, when the grouping method is changed by the changing unit 104, the notification unit 105 notifies the user that the grouping method has been changed. it can. Therefore, the user can be notified whenever the grouping method is changed. As a result, the user can notice when the grouping method is changed.

  Further, according to the information providing server 100 of the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 102 can acquire information about the user transmitted from the navigation device in response to a request from the user information request unit 101. Therefore, information about the user can be collected. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping at the timing at which the administrator wants to perform grouping.

(Information transmission procedure of navigation device)
Next, an information transmission processing procedure of the navigation device 200 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an information transmission processing procedure of the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, information relating to the user is detected by the detection unit 201 (step S501).

  And it is judged by the judgment part 203 whether the information regarding the user detected in step S501 was updated (step S502). In step S502, for example, whether the information related to the user has been updated by comparing the information related to the user stored in the past in the storage unit 202 with the information related to the user detected in step S501. to decide. When it is determined in step S502 that the information has been updated (step S502: Yes), the information determined to be updated is transmitted to the information providing server 100 by the transmission unit 204 (step S503), and a series of processing ends. To do. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S502 that the information has been updated (step S502: No), the process returns to step S501 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the information has been updated in step S502, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, it may be determined whether or not a predetermined time (predetermined number of days) has elapsed, and when the predetermined time (predetermined number of days) has elapsed, the process may proceed to step S503. In this case, information regarding the user may be transmitted to the information providing server 100 regardless of whether the information has been updated. Further, step S502 may be omitted, and each time information related to the user is detected in step S501, the process proceeds to step S503, and the information related to the user may be transmitted to the information providing server 100.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 200 of the present embodiment, when the determination unit 203 determines that the information related to the user detected by the detection unit 201 has been updated, the information is updated by the transmission unit 204. Information can be transmitted to the information providing server 100. Therefore, the latest information about the user can always be transmitted to the information providing server 100. Thereby, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can always perform grouping based on the latest information.

(Information display processing procedure of the navigation device)
Next, an information display processing procedure of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an information display processing procedure of the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, the content request unit 301 requests content from the information providing server 100 (step S601).

  Next, in response to the request in step S601, the display unit 302 displays the group divided for each region or the group divided for each genre in the information providing server 100 (step S602). Then, the reception unit 303 receives selection of a group desired by the user from the group divided for each area or the group divided for each genre displayed in step S602 (step S603).

  Then, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content included in the group desired by the user accepted in step S603 (step S604). Further, the accepting unit 303 accepts selection of the content desired by the user from the contents included in the group desired by the user displayed in step S604 (step S605). Then, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content desired by the user received in step S605 (step S606), and the series of processing ends.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the content included in the group is further divided into groups, the group included in the group desired by the user is displayed in step S604. In this case, the process returns to step S603, and the subsequent processing is repeated. And the process of step S603 and step S604 is repeated until the content contained in the group which a user desires is displayed.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, in response to the request from the content request unit 301, the information providing server 100 displays the group divided for each region or the group divided for each genre. 302 is displayed, and the reception unit 303 receives selection of a group desired by the user. Then, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content included in the group desired by the user received by the receiving unit 303. Further, the reception unit 303 receives selection of the content desired by the user from the contents included in the group desired by the user, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302, and the reception unit 303 receives the selection. The content desired by the user can be displayed.

  Therefore, the contents divided into groups by the information providing server 100 can be displayed. Further, even when the group has a hierarchical structure, the content desired by the user can be displayed by accepting selection of the group desired by the user. As a result, the content user can display the group configuration corresponding to the number of users, and thus can easily acquire the content desired by the user.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, for example, the information providing server of the present invention is implemented by an information providing server that provides information to a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle), An example in which the navigation device of the present invention is implemented by a navigation device mounted on a moving body will be described.

(Outline of information provision system)
Next, an outline of the information providing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of the information providing system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the information provision system 700 includes an information provision server 701 and a navigation device 702. The information providing server 701 and the navigation device 702 are connected via the Internet 703. Further, there are a plurality of navigation devices 702, which are mounted on moving bodies on which different users are boarded.

(Hardware configuration of information providing server)
Here, the hardware configuration of the information providing server 701 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information providing server according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, an information providing server 701 includes a CPU 801, a ROM 802, a RAM 803, a magnetic disk drive 804, a magnetic disk 805, an optical disk drive 806, an optical disk 807, an audio I / F (interface) 808, and a speaker. 809, an input device 810, a video I / F 811, a display 812, and a communication I / F 813. In addition, the respective components 801 to 813 are connected by a bus 820, respectively.

  First, the CPU 801 governs overall control of the information providing server 701. The ROM 802 stores various programs such as a boot program, a data update program, a user number determination program, and a group change program. The RAM 803 is used as a work area for the CPU 801.

  The number-of-users determination program determines the number of users in each group divided for each region or for each content genre, based on the information about the users received from the navigation device 702 by the communication I / F 813. Specifically, the details of the processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, 15, and 16, but each group divided by location or content genre from position information included in the information about the user. Determine the number of users. Here, the information on the user includes, for example, the position information of the user's current location, the position information of the user's home, the travel history of the mobile body on which the user is boarded, and the mobile body on which the user is boarded. Are the location information of the destination point set in step 1, the search history of content by the user, the number of times content is uploaded by the user, the location information where the user has uploaded the content, and the like.

  The group change program changes the configuration of each group divided for each region or content genre. Specifically, the details of the process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, 15, and 16, but the group configuration is changed according to the number of users in each group determined by the user number determination program. Let Further, the group change program may configure the groups in a hierarchical structure.

  The magnetic disk drive 804 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 805 according to control of CPU801. The magnetic disk 805 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 804. As the magnetic disk 805, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 806 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 807 according to control of CPU801. The optical disk 807 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 806. As the optical disc 807, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 807, the removable recording medium may be an MO, a memory card, or the like.

  An example of data stored in the magnetic disk 805 and the optical disk 807 is content. Here, the content is, for example, advertisement information or special sale information from a store, word-of-mouth information from a user, or the like. These pieces of information are divided into groups for each region or content genre and stored. Further, the magnetic disk 805 and the optical disk 807 may be configured to store information about the user transmitted from the navigation device 702.

  The audio I / F 808 is connected to an audio output speaker 809, and audio is output from the speaker 809. Examples of the input device 810 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

  The video I / F 811 is connected to the display 812. Specifically, the video I / F 811 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 812, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image data, the display 812 is configured by a control IC or the like.

  The display 812 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 812, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The communication I / F 813 is connected to the network via wireless and functions as an interface between the information providing server 701 and the CPU 801. The communication I / F 813 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 801.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 813 is configured by, for example, an FM tuner.

  The user information request unit 101, the acquisition unit 102, the determination unit 103, the change unit 104, and the notification unit 105 included in the information providing server 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 are the ROM 802, the RAM 803, and the magnetic unit in the information providing server 701 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 801 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded on the disk 805, the optical disk 807, etc., and realizes the function by controlling each unit in the information providing server 701.

  That is, the information providing server 701 according to the present embodiment executes the program recorded in the ROM 802 as a recording medium in the information providing server 701, thereby providing the functions provided in the information providing server 100 illustrated in FIG. It can be executed by the procedure shown in.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device 702 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, a navigation device 702 includes a CPU 901, a ROM 902, a RAM 903, a magnetic disk drive 904, a magnetic disk 905, an optical disk drive 906, an optical disk 907, an audio I / F (interface) 908, and a microphone 909. A speaker 910, an input device 911, a video I / F 912, a display 913, a communication I / F 914, a GPS unit 915, various sensors 916, and a camera 917. The constituent units 901 to 917 are connected by a bus 920, respectively.

  First, the CPU 901 governs overall control of the navigation device 702. The ROM 902 records programs such as a boot program, a data update program, and a data determination program. The RAM 903 is used as a work area for the CPU 901. That is, the CPU 901 controls the entire navigation device 702 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 902 while using the RAM 903 as a work area.

  The data judgment program compares information about the user detected by the GPS unit 915 and various sensors 916 described later with information about the user recorded on the magnetic disk 905 or the optical disk 907 in the past. Determine whether it has been updated. When it is determined that the information has been updated, the communication I / F 914 is controlled to transmit the updated information to the information providing server 701.

  The magnetic disk drive 904 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 905 according to control of CPU901. The magnetic disk 905 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 904. As the magnetic disk 905, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 906 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 907 according to the control of the CPU 901. The optical disc 907 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 906. As the optical disc 907, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 907, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  Examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 905 and the optical disk 907 include map data and function data. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is composed of multiple data files divided by district. ing.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The function data is three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map data. Map data and function data are recorded in blocks divided by district or function. Specifically, for example, the map data is recorded in a state where each block can be divided into blocks such that each represents a predetermined district on the map displayed on the display screen. Further, for example, the function data is recorded in a state where each function can be divided into a plurality of blocks so as to realize one function.

  The function data is data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, etc. in addition to the above-described three-dimensional data and character data. Each of the map data and the function data is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each district or each function.

  Another example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 905 and the optical disk 907 is information about the user. Information about the user is information detected by a GPS unit 915 and various sensors 916, which will be described later, or information input from the input device 911. Specifically, the location information of the user of the navigation device 702, the search history of the content, the number of content uploads, or the current location information and the travel history of the vehicle on which the navigation device 702 is mounted.

  The audio I / F 908 is connected to a microphone 909 for audio input and a speaker 910 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 909 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 908. For example, the microphone 909 is installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. From the speaker 910, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 908 is output. Note that the voice input from the microphone 909 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 905 or the optical disk 907 as voice data.

  Examples of the input device 911 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like. The input device 911 may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but can also be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 912 is connected to the display 913. Specifically, the video I / F 912 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 913, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC that controls the display 913 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 913 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 913, the above-described map data is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. On the map data displayed on the display 913, a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 702 is mounted can be displayed in an overlapping manner. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 901.

  As the display 913, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 913 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 913 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 914 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 702 and the CPU 901. The communication I / F 914 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 901.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 914 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 915 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 915 is used when the current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 901 together with output values of various sensors 916 described later. The information indicating the current position is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 916 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 916 are used by the CPU 901 to calculate the current position of the vehicle and the amount of change in speed and direction.

  The camera 917 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, a camera 917 captures the behavior of a passenger inside the vehicle, and the captured image is output to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk 905 or an optical disk 907 via a video I / F 912. To do. In addition, a situation outside the vehicle is photographed by the camera 917, and the photographed video is output to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 905 or the optical disk 907 via the video I / F 912. In addition, the camera 917 has an infrared camera function, and the surface temperature distribution of an object existing inside the vehicle can be relatively compared based on video information captured using the infrared camera function. The video output to the recording medium is overwritten and stored.

  The detection unit 201, the storage unit 202, the determination unit 203, the transmission unit 204 included in the navigation device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, or the content request unit 301, the display unit 302, and the reception unit 303 included in the navigation device 300 illustrated in FIG. In the display control unit 304, the CPU 901 executes a predetermined program using programs and data recorded in the ROM 902, RAM 903, magnetic disk 905, optical disk 907, etc. in the navigation device 702 shown in FIG. The function is realized by controlling each part in.

  That is, the navigation device 702 according to the embodiment executes the information transmission program or the information display program recorded in the ROM 902 as a recording medium in the navigation device 702, so that the navigation device 702 shown in FIG. The functions provided in the navigation device 300 can be executed by the information transmission processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 or the information display processing procedure shown in FIG.

(Contents of grouping process for each region in the information providing server)
Next, the contents of the grouping process for each area in the information providing server 701 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the grouping process for each area in the information providing server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a first group configuration 1001, a second group configuration 1010, and a third group configuration 1020. In the first group configuration 1001, a “Hokkaido” group, a “Tohoku” group, a “Kanto” group, and a “Chubu” group are formed in the first hierarchy. And the detailed information of each group is distributed in the 2nd hierarchy. Here, the detailed information is content included in each group.

  The second group configuration 1010 shows a group configuration when the number of “Kanto” users increases. In the second group configuration 1010, unlike the first group configuration 1001, the hierarchy of the “Kanto” group is increased by one. Specifically, the “Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki” group, the “Tokyo, Saitama” group, and the “Kanagawa, Chiba” group are formed in the second hierarchy. In this way, the “Kanto” group has a three-level hierarchy, and detailed information is distributed in the third hierarchy. Therefore, the “Kanto” group is further divided into groups for each region in the Kanto region.

  Next, the 3rd group structure 1020 has shown the group structure when the user of Tokyo increases and the user of Saitama decreases. In the third group structure 1020, unlike the second group structure 1010, the second level of the “Kanto” group includes the “Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki, Saitama” group, the “Tokyo” group, and “Kanagawa, Chiba”. It is divided into groups. In the third group configuration 1020, since the number of users in Tokyo has increased, the “Tokyo, Saitama” group is divided into a “Tokyo” group and a “Saitama” group. Since the number of users in Saitama has decreased, the “Saitama” group has been integrated into the “Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki” group.

(Example of display contents in the case of the first group configuration)
Next, an example of display contents displayed on the display 913 provided in the navigation device 702 by the grouping process for each region illustrated in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents in the case of the first group configuration. In FIG. 11, on the first display screen 1100, the group names of the groups divided for each region are displayed. Specifically, “Hokkaido”, “Tohoku”, “Kanto”, and “Chubu” are displayed. On the first display screen 1100, “Kanto” is selected. Therefore, the second display screen 1101 displays detailed information that is the second layer of the “Kanto” group in the first group configuration 1001 shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, “XX all stores”, “XX Ikebukuro store”, “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store”, and “XX × Kawagoe store” are displayed. Furthermore, when “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store” is selected, the third display screen 1102 displays content related to “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store”.

(Example of display contents in the case of the second group configuration)
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents in the case of the second group configuration. In FIG. 12, on the first display screen 1200, group names of groups divided for each region are displayed. Specifically, “Hokkaido”, “Tohoku”, “Kanto”, and “Chubu” are displayed. On the first display screen 1200, “Kanto” is selected. Accordingly, the second display screen 1201 displays the group names of the respective regions in Kanto, which is the second layer of the “Kanto” group in the second group configuration 1010 shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, “Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki”, “Tokyo, Saitama”, “Kanagawa, Chiba” are displayed. In the second display screen 1201, “Tokyo, Saitama” is selected. Therefore, the third display screen 1202 displays detailed information that is the third layer of the “Tokyo, Saitama” group in the second group configuration 1010 shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, “XX all stores”, “XX Ikebukuro store”, “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store”, and “XX × Kawagoe store” are displayed. Furthermore, when “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store” is selected, information on “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store” is displayed on the fourth display screen 1203.

(Example of display contents in the case of the third group configuration)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents in the case of the third group configuration 1020. In FIG. 13, “Kanto” is selected on the first display screen 1300. Accordingly, the second display screen 1301 displays the group names of the respective regions in the Kanto region, which is the second layer of the “Kanto” group in the third group configuration 1020 shown in FIG. In addition, a “(new)” mark is added to the head of the group name of the changed group. Specifically, for example, “(new) Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki, Saitama”, “(new) Tokyo”, “Kanagawa, Chiba” are displayed. In the second display screen 1301, “(new) Tokyo” is selected. Accordingly, the third display screen 1302 displays detailed information that is the third layer of the “Tokyo” group in the third group configuration 1020 shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, “XX all stores”, “XX Ikebukuro store”, “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store”, and “XX X Shinjuku store” are displayed. Furthermore, when “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store” is selected, information on “ΔΔ Ikebukuro store” is displayed on the fourth display screen 1303.

  Comparing FIG. 12 with FIG. 13, the group name for each region in the Kanto area displayed on the second display screens 1201 and 1301 has been changed based on the group configuration shown in FIG. Accordingly, the contents displayed on the third display screens 1202 and 1302 are also changed. Specifically, detailed information on the “Tokyo” group and the “Saitama” group is displayed on the third display screen 1202 shown in FIG. 12, but the third display screen 1302 shown in FIG. Only the detailed information of the “Tokyo” group is displayed.

(Contents of navigation device information transmission processing)
Next, the contents of the information transmission process of the navigation device 702 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the information transmission process of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, position information of the current location of the user is detected (step S1401). Further, the location information of the user's home is detected (step S1402).

  Next, the traveling history of the vehicle on which the user is boarding is detected (step S1403). Further, the position information of the destination point set in the vehicle on which the user is boarding is detected (step S1404). Furthermore, the search history of the content by the user is detected (step S1405). Further, the number of uploads of content by the user is detected (step S1406). Then, the position information where the user has uploaded the content is detected (step S1407). Here, in the flowchart of FIG. 14, it is assumed that at least one of steps S1401 to S1407 is performed. Further, the order of the processes in steps S1401 to S1407 may be different.

  Next, it is determined whether at least one piece of information detected in steps S1401 to 1407 has been updated (step S1408). When the information is updated in step S1408 (step S1408: Yes), the updated information is transmitted to the information providing server 701 (step S1409), and the series of processes is terminated. On the other hand, if the information has not been updated in step S1408 (step S1408: No), the process returns to step S1401, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

(Contents of grouping processing in the information providing server)
Next, the contents of the grouping process in the information providing server 701 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the grouping process in the information providing server according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 15, first, it waits until information about users is acquired from the navigation device 702 (step S1501: No loop), and when information about users is acquired (step S1501: Yes), the number of users is It is determined whether or not there is a group having a predetermined number or more (step S1502). Whether or not the information related to the user is acquired in step S1501 is determined based on whether or not the information transmitted in step S1409 in FIG. 14 is received, for example.

  If there is a group whose number of users is equal to or greater than the predetermined number in step S1502 (step S1502: Yes), the group determined that the number of users is equal to or greater than the predetermined number in step S1502 is divided (step S1503). The process proceeds to S1504. On the other hand, if there is no group in which the number of users exceeds the predetermined number in step S1502 (step S1502: No), the process proceeds to step S1504 as it is.

  In step S1504, it is determined whether there is a group in which the number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number (step S1504). If there is a group whose number of users is equal to or less than the predetermined number in step S1504 (step S1504: Yes), the group determined that the number of users is equal to or less than the predetermined number in step S1504 is integrated with other groups. (Step S1505), the process proceeds to step S1506. On the other hand, if there is no group whose number of users is equal to or less than the predetermined number in step S1504 (step S1504: No), the process proceeds to step S1506 as it is.

  In step S1506, it is determined whether or not there is a group whose division method has been changed (step S1506). If there is a group whose division method has been changed (step S1506: Yes), the user can divide the group. Is changed (step S1507), and a series of processing ends. On the other hand, in step S1506, when there is no group whose division method has been changed (step S1506: No), the series of processes is ended as it is.

(Contents of processing when the driving history of the vehicle on which the user is boarded is acquired)
Next, with reference to FIG. 16, an example of the content of processing when the travel history of the vehicle on which the user has boarded is acquired in step S1501 in FIG. 15 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing contents when a travel history of a vehicle on which a user is boarded is acquired. In FIG. 16, the travel history of the vehicle on which each user is aboard is acquired (step S1601).

  Next, 100 links with high travel frequency are extracted for each user from the travel history acquired in step S1601 (step S1602). Then, links that frequently travel are extracted from the 100 links extracted in step S1602 (step S1603). Furthermore, the usage frequency of the vehicle for each user is acquired (step S1604).

  Next, all the links are totaled (step S1605). In step S1605, for example, among the 100 links with high travel frequency for each user extracted in step S1602, the frequently traveled links extracted in step S1603 are weighted. For weighting, for example, the number of links that frequently travel is five times that of a normal link. Further, based on the vehicle use frequency for each user acquired in step S1604, the link of the user who uses the vehicle is five times the link of the user who uses the vehicle less frequently. You may count. Then, based on the aggregation in step S1605, a link with a large number of users and a link with a small number of users are determined (step S1606), and the series of processing ends.

(Contents of information display processing in the navigation device)
Next, the contents of the information display process in the navigation device 702 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of the information display process in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 17, first, contents are requested from the information providing server 701 (step S1701).

  Then, the first layer of the group configuration corresponding to the request in step S1701 is displayed (step S1702). Next, it waits until it accepts the selection of the group desired by the user from the first-level groups displayed in step S1702 (step S1703: No loop), and accepts the selection of the group desired by the user. If this is the case (step S1703: YES), the next layer is displayed (step S1704).

  It is determined whether or not the next hierarchy displayed in step S1704 is detailed information (step S1705). If it is not detailed information (step S1705: No), the process returns to step S1703, and the group displayed in step S1704 From this, it is determined whether selection of a group desired by the user has been accepted, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the next layer displayed in step S1705 is detailed information (step S1705: Yes), the content group included in the group is displayed (step S1706). And it waits until selection of the content which a user desires is received from the content group displayed in step S1706 (step S1707: loop of No). When the selection of the content desired by the user is accepted in step S1707 (step S1707: Yes), the information on the content accepted in step S1707 is displayed (step S1708), and the series of processes is terminated.

  As described above, according to the information providing server 701 of this embodiment, the number of users in each group is determined by the determination unit 103 based on the information about the users acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Then, according to the determined number of users in each group, the group division method can be changed by the changing unit 104. Therefore, the group configuration can be adjusted according to the number of users sharing information. Also, by eliminating the bias in the number of users in the group, it is possible to correct the bias in information of each group. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, when the determining unit 103 determines that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the changing unit 104 can divide the group. Therefore, it is possible to prevent information from concentrating on a specific group by preventing users from concentrating on the specific group. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Also, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, when the determining unit 103 determines that there is a group whose number of users is equal to or less than a predetermined number, the changing unit 104 integrates the group with other groups. be able to. Therefore, by integrating groups with a small number of users, groups with little information can be eliminated. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 100 can automatically perform grouping, so that it does not take time for grouping. Further, since the number of users in the group sharing the content is equalized, the content user can easily find the content desired by the user.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 based on the position information of the current location of the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is obtained. Can be determined. Therefore, grouping can be performed at any time according to the current position of each user. As a result, when the user is driving a vehicle across regions, the user can easily acquire content related to the destination region.

  Also, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided by region by the determination unit 103 is determined based on the location information of the user's home acquired by the acquisition unit 102. can do. Therefore, grouping can be performed according to the living area of each user. As a result, the user can easily acquire content related to his / her own living area.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided for each region by the determination unit 103 is determined based on the traveling history of the moving body acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a region where each user frequently passes and to configure a group. As a result, the user can easily acquire content related to the vicinity of the commuting road.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the use of each group divided for each region by the determination unit 103 based on the position information of the destination point set in the moving object acquired by the acquisition unit 102. The number of persons can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a region frequently visited by each user and configure a group. As a result, the user can easily obtain the content related to the area that is frequently visited regardless of the current location.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, each group or content genre divided by region by the determination unit 103 based on the content search history by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. It is possible to determine the number of users in each group divided for each group. Therefore, the area and genre in which each user is interested can be grasped and a group can be constituted. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Also, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, each group or content genre divided by region by the determination unit 103 based on the number of content uploads by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. It is possible to determine the number of users in each group divided for each group. Therefore, the area and genre in which each user is interested can be grasped and a group can be constituted. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the number of users in each group divided for each region by the determination unit 103 based on the location information uploaded by the user acquired by the acquisition unit 102. Can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a position uploaded by each user and configure a group. As a result, the user can easily acquire the content of the region or genre that he is interested in.

  Also, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, when the grouping method is changed by the changing unit 104, the notification unit 105 can notify the user that the grouping method has been changed. . Therefore, the user can be notified whenever the grouping method is changed. As a result, the user can notice when the grouping method is changed.

  Further, according to the information providing server 701 of the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 102 can acquire information about the user transmitted from the navigation device 702 in response to a request from the user information request unit 101. Therefore, information about the user can be collected. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 701 can automatically perform grouping at a timing at which the administrator wants to perform grouping.

  Also, according to the navigation device 702 of the present embodiment, when the determination unit 203 determines that the information about the user detected by the detection unit 201 has been updated, the transmission unit 204 provides the updated information as information. It can be transmitted to the server 701. Therefore, the latest information regarding the user can always be transmitted to the information providing server 701. As a result, the administrator of the information providing server 701 can always perform grouping based on the latest information.

  Further, according to the navigation device 702 of the present embodiment, the display unit 302 displays the group divided for each region or the group divided for each genre in the information providing server 100 in response to a request from the content request unit 301. Among them, the reception unit 303 receives selection of a group desired by the user. Then, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302 to display the content included in the group desired by the user received by the receiving unit 303. Further, the reception unit 303 receives selection of the content desired by the user from the contents included in the group desired by the user, the display control unit 304 controls the display unit 302, and the reception unit 303 receives the selection. The content desired by the user can be displayed.

  Therefore, the contents divided into groups by the information providing server 701 can be displayed. Further, even when the group has a hierarchical structure, the content desired by the user can be displayed by accepting selection of the group desired by the user. As a result, the content user can display the group configuration corresponding to the number of users, and thus can easily acquire the content desired by the user.

  As described above, according to the information providing server, navigation device, information providing system, information providing method, information processing method, information display method, information providing program, information processing program, information display program, and recording medium of the present invention, In the information providing server 701, the content is divided into groups for each region or content genre and stored. Then, the number of users in each group is determined based on the information about the users acquired from the navigation device 702, and the groups are divided and integrated according to the number of users. Therefore, the grouping method can be changed each time information about users is updated, and the number of users in each group can always be made equal. Accordingly, the administrator of the information providing server 701 can automatically perform grouping according to the number of users without performing grouping processing by itself. In addition, since the content user has a group configuration according to his / her own situation, it is easy to acquire desired content.

  The information providing method, information processing method, and information display method described in this embodiment are executed by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer, a workstation, or a mobile terminal device (mobile phone). Can be realized. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the information provision server concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the information provision process procedure of an information provision server. It is a flowchart which shows the information transmission processing procedure of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the information display processing procedure of a navigation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the information provision system concerning a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information provision server concerning a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing shown about the content of the grouping process for every area in the information provision server concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of the display content in the case of a 1st group structure. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of the display content in the case of a 2nd group structure. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of the display content in the case of a 3rd group structure. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the information transmission process of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart shown about the content of the grouping process in the information provision server concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart shown about an example of the content of the process at the time of acquiring the driving | running history of the vehicle which the user boarded. It is a flowchart shown about the content of the information display process in the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information provision server 101 User information request | requirement part 102 Acquisition part 103 Discrimination part 104 Change part 105 Notification part 200,300 Navigation apparatus 201 Detection part 202 Storage part 203 Judgment part 204 Transmission part 301 Content request part 302 Display part 303 Reception part 304 Display control unit

Claims (13)

In an information provision server that stores content to be provided to users in groups,
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
Equipped with a,
The acquisition means acquires position information of the current location of the user,
The information providing server characterized in that the determining means determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on position information of the current location of the user acquired by the acquiring means . In an information provision server that stores content to be provided to users in groups,
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
Equipped with a,
The acquisition means acquires location information of the user's home,
The information providing server characterized in that the determining means determines the number of users in each group divided by region based on the location information of the user's home acquired by the acquiring means . In an information provision server that stores content to be provided to users in groups,
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
Equipped with a,
The acquisition means acquires a travel history of a moving body on which the user is boarded,
The information providing server characterized in that the determining means determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the traveling history of the moving body acquired by the acquiring means . In an information provision server that stores content to be provided to users in groups,
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
Equipped with a,
The acquisition means acquires position information of a destination point set in a mobile object on which the user is boarded,
The discriminating unit discriminates the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the position information of the destination point set in the moving body acquired by the acquiring unit. server. In an information provision server that stores content to be provided to users in groups,
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
Equipped with a,
The acquisition means acquires location information where the user has uploaded content,
The information providing server characterized in that the determining means determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the location information uploaded by the user acquired by the acquiring means . In the information providing method in the information providing server that stores the content provided to the user in groups,
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the user;
A determination step of determining the number of users in each group based on information about the users acquired by the acquisition step;
According to the number of users of each group determined by the determination step, a change step for changing the grouping method,
Only including,
The acquisition step acquires position information of the current location of the user,
The information providing method , wherein the determining step determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on position information of the current location of the user acquired in the acquiring step . In the information providing method in the information providing server that stores the content provided to the user in groups,
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the user;
A determination step of determining the number of users in each group based on information about the users acquired by the acquisition step;
According to the number of users of each group determined by the determination step, a change step for changing the grouping method,
Only including,
The acquisition step acquires location information of the user's home,
The information providing method , wherein the determining step determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the location information of the user's home acquired in the acquiring step . In the information providing method in the information providing server that stores the content provided to the user in groups,
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the user;
A determination step of determining the number of users in each group based on information about the users acquired by the acquisition step;
According to the number of users of each group determined by the determination step, a change step for changing the grouping method,
Only including,
The acquisition step acquires a travel history of a moving body on which the user is boarded,
The information providing method , wherein the determining step determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the travel history of the moving body acquired in the acquiring step . In the information providing method in the information providing server that stores the content provided to the user in groups,
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the user;
A determination step of determining the number of users in each group based on information about the users acquired by the acquisition step;
According to the number of users of each group determined by the determination step, a change step for changing the grouping method,
Only including,
The acquisition step acquires position information of a destination point set in a moving body on which the user is boarded,
The determining step determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the position information of the destination point set in the mobile object acquired in the acquiring step. Method. In the information providing method in the information providing server that stores the content provided to the user in groups,
An acquisition step of acquiring information about the user;
A determination step of determining the number of users in each group based on information about the users acquired by the acquisition step;
According to the number of users of each group determined by the determination step, a change step for changing the grouping method,
Only including,
The acquisition step acquires the location information where the user has uploaded the content,
The information providing method , wherein the determining step determines the number of users in each group divided for each region based on the location information uploaded by the user acquired in the acquiring step . In an information providing system that provides content stored separately for each group in an information providing server to a navigation device mounted on a mobile object,
The navigation device includes detection means for detecting information about a user according to a moving state of the moving body,
Transmission means for transmitting information about the user detected by the detection means to the information providing server,
The information providing server includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining information about the user transmitted from the navigation device;
A discriminating unit for discriminating the number of users in each group based on the information on the user acquired by the acquiring unit;
Changing means for changing the grouping method according to the number of users of each group determined by the determining means;
An information providing system comprising: An information providing program that causes a computer to execute the information providing method according to claim 6 . A computer-readable recording medium having the program according to claim 12 recorded thereon.

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