SE520822C2 - System for presenting user-adapted position-dependent information on terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a mobile information service that gives a user access to tailored and position adapted information. The information is adapted both to the user's position and according to special wishes regarding content of information. This is achieved by means of a www-technology, especially developed software for service logic, and software to distribute position information over Internet. The information is shown on one into two parts divided window on an ordinary portable computer, which is equipped with a GPS-receiver. The accuracy of the position information is improved by means of differential GPS, DGPS. One of the windows shows a map over the area where the user is. On the map are shown icons that indicate places of interest, cash dispensers, restaurants and traffic interchanges etc. If one clicks on one icon, there is in the other window shown information about the place, for instance menu for a near located restaurant. There also is possible to make personal adaptations, so that information is shown automatically when one is approaching a certain point. Warning information, such as traffic warnings, can automatically be shown when one is approaching an area.

Description

25 30 520 822 2 D4. JP, A, 09-311177 It is well known to use systems for geographical positioning, primarily with the use of GPS. Such systems are included in the inventions according to the documents stated above.

From document D1, a system for planning a car journey using a computer is known. The user makes route choices to visit places of interest along the way. The map is loaded from a CD. During the trip, the user can see their position on the map, which is displayed on the screen, whereby interesting places are marked on the map and information is given about these places. A variant of the invention describes that it is possible to update the map image during the journey via a wireless interface.

It is also known how geographical information is sent to mobile users via radio (Document D2) or by e-mail (Document D3).

Document D4 describes a system using the Internet to transmit correction data from reference stations to improve positioning accuracy using GPS.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM When traveling, information about the position is needed. Such position information can be obtained in different ways with different manual or automated methods. However, it is difficult to get information on request about where you are and at the same time have the position reported on a map. Using modern communication methods, according to this invention it is possible to obtain such information even during the journey, for example presented on a laptop, which is carried on a car journey.

With today's available support functions, it can also be difficult to get sufficiently good accuracy on the position indication. Existing solutions today use DGPS to correct the position. For these to work, however, a special receiver for correction data must be used.

The method described in the present invention can give a position indication with an error of less than 20m.

To reach the goal of the trip, the user also needs guidance on the continued route. How to drive to reach the goal can be uncertain, especially in a larger city, where information about traffic flows, one-way streets, etc. can be important parameters for finding a smooth road. Support is also needed in other areas to choose the most suitable path.

When a traveler is in a place that is not well known, he needs to get information about phenomena, which he may need to visit business centers, authorities and such as shops, restaurants, organizations. He also needs information about these phenomena so that he gets answers to questions of the type: Where is a DIY store that lasts for a certain brand, 0 which menu is available at the various restaurants, 0 which opening hours are at the municipal office, 0 where is the nearest open gas station, 0 etc.

A business needs to market its services. For many businesses such as restaurant businesses, hotels and entertainment establishments, travelers are an important target group.

Today, it is black to spread information about their offer to people who are just arriving in a city. Advertisements in newspapers and telephone directories or advertising players and billboards provide a limited opportunity to inform newly arrived travelers.

Advertising with fixed texts, flyers, blunt way of presenting information. The same information goes as when a large group of people, for example through advertisements, signs, etc., is one out to everyone, regardless of needs and wishes. This is troublesome both for those who want to publish information and those who need to take part in it. By directing the information, smaller amounts of information can be carried out, which means that the receiver does not have to take part in large amounts of uninteresting information. It will be much easier to get exactly the information you need. At the same time, the cost of disseminating the information can be limited by reducing the amount of information to be exposed, but above all the "advertiser" will experience that the advertising becomes more effective and in a better way leads the customers or clients correctly.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION The invention, which is described in this patent application, comprises a user-adapted, position-dependent information on terminal equipment, which includes a laptop with communication capability. A device for displaying a position and a presentation system such as a monitor. Communication takes place over an open data network. - communication takes place via cellular mobile telecommunication system - the information is presented in two views, one of which shows a map of the area around said displayed position with said displayed position marked and that information about objects shown on the map is presented in the other view - when it the geographical distance between said designated position and an object, for which information is to be presented, is less than a predetermined value, information concerning said object is presented on the terminal equipment. - the said information, which is displayed, is sent over the network to the user terminal, which means that neither map data nor data about objects are stored in the terminal equipment. 10 15 520 822 5 ADVANTAGES The invention discloses a mobile information service, which provides a user with access to tailored and position-adapted information, regardless of where he is. All that is needed is a simple personal computer, a mobile phone and a standard model GPS receiver.

The user sets up a personal profile where he chooses what information to present, so that it is adapted to needs and wishes. It can be anything from position-adapted advertising to traffic information (moose warning, traffic accidents, poor road conditions, etc.).

The invention provides an opportunity for traders, authorities and organizations to publish advertising and other information.

The advertisement can be adapted to the user's special profile.

Users can access the information service through subscriptions and as an extension subscription, the user can have the opportunity to access certain specific information. Alternatively, access to certain parts of the service can be obtained by separate requisition or given directly without ordering. 10 15 20 25 30 520 822 6 A solution according to the invention provides great advantages for both those who use information and those who have information to carry out: 0 Only standard components are required for the user equipment (telephone (eg mobile phone such as GSM), GPS receiver , simple (eg laptop) and access to the Internet or a corresponding computer network). 0 The service is very easy to use - download a program and the service is available. 0 All incoming devices communicate with TCP / IP, which makes it easy to deploy the system. It also makes it easy to rescale as the market and needs change. 0 The system is completely non-autonomous, which means that the user does not need to have map data or other information or programs stored in his terminal. All required data is sent over the network to the user and thus the user will always have access to current information and current maps etc. 0 Operation, maintenance and further development of the service is facilitated by upgrading / updating and other changes only need to be done in one place. 0 With the information service, data from differential GPS (DGPS) receiver can be used for this. distributed over the Internet and no extra 0 is needed. It is possible to use only the differential GPS function (correction of GPS data, DGPS), which gives users who have map software and digital maps an opportunity to easily get a corrected position indication.

The Client function is developed in Java, which makes it platform independent and that it can therefore (possibly with some customization) run on mobile terminals that support Java. 10 15 S20 25 520 822 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 shows an overview of function blocks and interfaces.

Figure 2 shows an overview of the system parts.

Figure 3 shows how the map and information are presented to the user.

DEFINITIONS API (Application Program Interface) interface in an application to access underlying network services.

Acts as a glue between different programs.

GCB (GPS Correction Block) Block for GPS correction.

GPS (Global Positioning System) Positioning system.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) Cellular mobile telephony system.

HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) The page description language for documents in the World Wide Web. Contains directives for managing fonts, images and links to other documents. It is HTML that allows you to click on documents in the WWW and be moved to another document.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) Program language on the Internet. The protocol on which documents are transmitted in the World Wide Web.

IDB Database of information objects IP (Internet Protocol) Protocol used in the Internet.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) Internet provider lO 15 20 25 520 822 8 MDB (Map Database Block) Map database.

RS Reference station for position correction in DGPS SB (Server Block) Block for server functions.

TCP Transport Communication Protocol TEB (Terminal Equipment Block) Block for user equipment, terminal unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The description below refers to the figures in the drawing appendix.

GPS (DCH | GPS GPS is a positioning system and works worldwide. With a GPS receiver, anyone can receive satellite signals that provide information about the user's position and speed.

With GPS (Global Positioning System), users get information about the position on land, sea or in the air. Satellites orbiting the earth transmit radio signals received by GPS receivers. The GPS receiver then uses the information to calculate position and speed.

GPS is made up of three main parts: Satellite part, control part and user part. 24 GPS satellites orbit the Earth, of which 21 are used and three are spare satellites that are available should any of the regular ones be knocked out. The satellites are located in different orbits at an altitude of about 20,000 km, which is a remarkable height for satellites. Thus, there are always at least four visible satellites, wherever you are on Earth. In addition to control and radio equipment, there are also atomic clocks on board the satellites that ensure that the time data transmitted is as accurate as possible. lO 15 _20 25 30 520 822 9 The control part comprises six control stations on the ground. These are used to detect errors, disturbances and above all to provide a basis for correcting transmitted time data.

The user part consists of a GPS receiver, which can be compared to a standard radio receiver with a computer and a clock.

The GPS satellites transmit radio signals, which contain information about 0 which satellite it is (satellite ID), 0 the state of the satellite (whole / damaged), the exact position of the satellite the time when the signal is transmitted The signals are captured by the user's receiver different satellites can calculate the distance to the satellites. With three satellites you will get two possible positions, of which only one is on the earth's surface. Normally, therefore, three satellites are required for the receiver to be able to give an unambiguous position indication. A fourth satellite is used for the receiver to be able to calculate the error in its built-in clock and compensate for it. This is of utmost importance because even very small errors can have fatal consequences for the position determination by including the transmission time of the signals from the satellite in the calculation of the position.

DGPS or differential GPS have been developed to improve positioning accuracy. This can be achieved by using reference stations with accurately determined positions. The reference stations compare their known position with the position indicated by a GPS receiver at the station to calculate the error in the satellite signals. If the error exceeds a certain tolerance level, a correction signal is sent, which is used by DGPS receivers in the area. 10 15 PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The personal information service described in the present invention is structured as a client / server solution in several levels. Several clients (21) can be connected to each server (20), making the system scalable. The clients connect to the server and all communication goes via this server.

The server is in turn connected to a map database (22) and a database (23) containing current correction data. This correction data is continuously updated by the reference (24), information database that is connected. There is also one (26) marked on the map. stations with data, to be presented about the different objects, No information from the information service is stored in the client without all (25).

This applies to maps as well as the information objects that are displayed, information that is displayed is retrieved from the server via the Internet on the maps. Correction data is also sent to the client via the Internet. This means that it is always current information that is conveyed to the user, and that the user can receive varying information at different times.

The information is presented in a two-part window (30, 31) on the client computer's screen, one window showing a map (30) of the area the user is in. Information linked to objects on the map is displayed in the other window (31). These information pages are displayed as regular html pages.

This makes it easy to create information pages and no special programs are needed.

When a client is started, it connects to a server, which takes care of all communication with the client.

The position of the client is obtained by means of a GPS receiver (26). With a standard GPS, you get your position indicated with an error of up to 100m. This means that in a city you can not be sure in which neighborhood you are. With the help of a correction system such as differential GPS, DGPS, one can achieve a better accuracy.

G10 15 20 25 30 520 822 11 By building up a network of reference stations, correction data is collected. This correction data is sent to the clients which forwards it to the GPS receiver. The data receiver is then used in the GPS receiver to create a more accurate position determination. According to the invention, correction data is sent via the Internet, which means that no additional equipment needs to be connected and no special subscription is required for the correction.

Correction data is normally transmitted in a special format, RTCM, communication with GPS receivers. which is a standard protocol used for the functions of the Information Service are implemented in Java. It is therefore very easy to change operating systems and hardware for the various parts of the system.

All communication is done using TCP / IP, which is used on the Internet. This means that the parts do not have to be in the same physical location and that it is easy to connect to the server.

Mode of use (client computer, l) with functionality for data communication (eg GSM), The user is equipped with a terminal positioning system (eg GPS), operating system with support for WWW readers (eg a standard laptop) and access to the Internet via a telephone , preferably mobile phone eg GSM.

The required software for the positioning system must be in operation on the client computer. The software can be easily put into operation, for example by downloading via the Internet from the service provider's website and subsequent installation.

The user establishes a fixed or mobile connection to the Internet through his ISP (2). The client software reads the position from the GPS receiver (3), sends the position to the server block (SB, 4), which forwards the position to position correction, GCB (5). The GCB determines which reference station (RS) to use to correct the position of the user. It takes about seven RS to cover Sweden.

Each RS handles clients within a radius of 600 km.

SB registers for each user which RS is best for the user right now. If the user moves in such a way that another RS is more suitable, the stored information about the best RS is updated.

Correction data, which consists of satellite reception time errors for each reference station, is sent every 10 seconds to the client. The client software communicates this to the GPS receiver via a standardized protocol (RTCM).

The GPS receiver calculates its exact position using correction data from RS, which gives an accuracy of about l5m.

Under favorable circumstances and with optimal placement of reference stations, the accuracy can be as good as 2m. sends it to the client. The client software continuously marks the user's position on the map (1 thread / sec). Correction of the position is normally done every 10 seconds, but the interval is adjusted to shorter and longer if necessary. If GCB works and succeeds in sending the correct correction information, the marking is green. If the correction cannot be made, the position is marked only with the help of the GPS receiver's perception of position (ilOOm), whereby the marking turns yellow. If there is no complete reception of GPS data, which can occur, for example, in a tunnel, the marking will be red.

When the user approaches the edge of the map image, the client sends a new corrected position to SB, which has the next map image sent, at which the user's position is then marked.

A database of information objects (IDB) is also connected to SB. The database contains information objects that are geocoded. Each time the client software requests a new map, SB checks the contents of the IDB and attaches information about which objects are to be displayed and where on the map image they are to be displayed. The client software lays out the icons for these objects lo 15 20 25 30 520 s22.¿. 13 on the map image. The icons are in HTML format and are downloaded using the http protocol. This means that they can be found anywhere online and can be owned by anyone (eg a restaurant, ATMs, etc.). The icons are clickable and refer to the Content on the page, format, downloaded with the http protocol. The web page, like the icon of a web page on the Internet. contained in HTML refers to, is displayed in a window next to the map.

The client software can also be set to automatically download a specific web page when you are within a certain distance of the object on the map. This means, for example, that if you drive a car and have set the client software to automatically display certain objects, you will automatically receive information when you approach a place. In this way, you can, for example, be alerted in good time to the fact that you are approaching a crossroads or a place to visit.

TECHNICAL STRUCTURE The invention can be described in four processes. The processes are realized through four function blocks and three (APIGI) software interfaces between these function blocks.

Processes The first process receives and corrects the position from the terminal unit's GPS and presents the position information on the terminal unit. This is done in a continuous process.

In the second process, a new map is transferred to TEB. The process is activated when the map in TEB is out of date or otherwise unusable.

In the third process, a position is received from the GPS of the reference station. Based on this received position information, a calculation is made of the required correction, which is transferred to GCB. This is done in a continuous process.

The fourth process involves sending the position correction to TEB. Transmission intervals are specified by TEB. This is done in a continuous process. 10 15 20 25 30 520 s22; ¿¿14 Function block The server block (SB, 4) is the central unit from which the terminal units (TEB, 1) update their information. All communication between the function blocks is via SB - routed through SB. The traffic goes via the following interface: In API SB-TEB- for communication with TEB 0 API SB-GCB - for communication with GCB 0 API SB-MDB - for communication with MDB The block for the terminal units (TEB) constitutes the user's Human-Machine system. Input and output data are transmitted to / from the user via the block. Connection to SB takes place with the TCP / IP protocol over GSM via the SB-TEB interface. A GPS receiver (3) is connected to the TEB to receive the position of the terminal unit.

The GPS correction block (GCB, 5) collects and provides the system with position correction data from external devices. GCB can handle a number of external devices. Each unit receives the position data from a GPS receiver (10) and calculates the position correction with knowledge of the actual position. The block communicates with SB via the interface SB-GCB The block with map database (MDB, 6) contains the map database.

The maps are sent to SB on the basis of information on position, scale and size. Communication with SB takes place via the SB-MDB interface (9).

SCENARES The traveler As a traveler in foreign places, you often need to use a map to find where you want to go. In addition, you need additional information to find certain types of shops and places, e.g. restaurants, bus stops and attractions. The traveler is given a current map of the area where he is and information specially adapted to the needs, eg the nearest restaurant's menu or the opening hours of the sights. The traveler can also get directions to places he can not find. The website may also contain links to additional information such as descriptions of the sights and references to other interesting objects.

The seafarer When you are out on the lake, it is safe to have a good and current nautical map of the area you are sailing in. A local sea weather report can also be important to have access to. This information can be obtained directly from the bites. Since the information is not stored in the client but is retrieved from the Internet, it is always up to date. The seafarer never has to think about whether the chart is old. In addition to all the usual information shown on the chart, there is also information on where to buy provisions. The ports can even receive an order for goods before they have arrived.

The transport company A transport company can be commissioned to deliver goods to different places where it can be difficult to find even with good local knowledge. It can be very worthwhile to simply enter the customer's address and then get directions. For the transport company, it is important to deliver the goods quickly and then it is important to avoid traffic problems. Along with the directions, which are displayed on the client computer screen, information about any traffic problems is also displayed. The directions can take these into account and show how traffic disruptions can be avoided.

The transport company can also have an overview of the location of all the cars in order to be able to plan the transports in such a way that the cars are used in the best way. Such planning leads to shorter and faster transports, which is advantageous for the transport company as well as the customers and all other traffic.

Road information If the client computer is integrated with the car and the monitor is placed in the car's instrumentation so that the driver can supervise the information presented, traffic safety can be increased. Because road signs can be entered as icons on the map image, the icon itself can, even without supplementary database information, provide a reinforcement of the road and traffic information. The effect of road signs and other information such as other road signs, road markings, etc., is further enhanced if information is also displayed in the database window when the car approaches the sign.

As the map image and database can be continuously updated, it is possible in this way that the police and the authority responsible for the road also use this means to carry out emergency information about road conditions, traffic accidents or other conditions that affect accessibility and risks. It is also possible to post icons, which are invisible on the map image, but which refer to database information that is posted in the database window when the car approaches the place. In this way, you can present information to those who pass an area without having to spread information about an event to a larger circle.

SURFACE FILTER FUNCTIONS Individual profiles The user can create individual profiles for the type of information he wants to see on the map.

Map scale The scale on the map changes, so that the user can get an overview of areas, but also see details near their position.

Footprints The user has the opportunity to make footprints, ie create their own information objects, which other users have the opportunity to see, eg place a moose warning.

Fleet management A user can see where other users are. For example, a parent sees where the children live or a taxi company sees where all the taxis are and can send the nearest car to a customer.

Yellow pages The user can do a search in various databases, such as the yellow pages, and have the results presented on a map together with directions.

Alternative position designation The user can request the display of a map of an area other than the one in which he is located. before a visit.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may in addition be subject to modifications within the scope of the appended claims and the inventive concept.

Claims (1)

1. 0 20 25 30 520 822/8 PATENT REQUIREMENTS 1. A system for presenting custom position-dependent information on terminal equipment, which includes a laptop with communication capability, a device for displaying a position and a presentation system such as a monitor characterized by communication taking place. over an open data network that communication takes place via cellular mobile telecommunication system that the information is presented in two views, one of which shows a map of the area around said displayed position with said displayed position marked and that information about objects shown on the map is presented in the other the view that since the geographical distance between said designated position and an object, for which information is to be presented, is less than a predetermined value, information regarding said object is presented on the terminal equipment. that said information, which is displayed, is sent over the network to the user terminal, which means that neither map data nor data about objects are stored in the terminal equipment. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that said open data network is the Internet or another data network which uses the IP protocol. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning system uses GPS that the accuracy of the positioning system is improved by means of differential GPS. 20 25 30 10. ll. 12. 520 822 FI A system according to claim 3, characterized in that data created for differential GPS (DGPS) using data from a network of reference stations is distributed over the Internet, so no additional receiver is needed for this. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the error in the positioning information of the positioning system is less than 20m. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that position information can be specified by the user. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the views are presented in separate windows on the presentation unit of the terminal equipment. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that objects, for which information can be presented, are identified on said map and that said information is displayed on the terminal equipment after marking with pointing devices. A system according to claim 8, characterized in that said identification of objects takes place through icons and that said icons and said information, which is displayed, can be located anywhere on the network. A system according to claim 9, characterized in that said icons and the said information, which is displayed, is written in the HTML language and retrieved using the HTTP protocol. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the client software continuously updates said displayed position. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a combination of www technology, platform-independent client software, software for service logic and software and technical solution for and can be owned by anyone. 10 20 25 30 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 520 822 20 distribute position correction data via the IP protocol over the Internet. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that client software is written in Java. k ä n - A system according to any one of the preceding claims, n e t e c k n a t in that the user can set up a personal profile of what information is to be presented. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all included devices communicate with TCP / IP. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that changes and other measures for operation, maintenance and further development of the service only need to be made in one place. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a client / server solution in several (21) levels where several clients can be connected to each server (20) to make the system scalable and where all communication goes via the server. A system according to claim 17, characterized in that the server is connected to a map database (22), a database (23) containing current data for position correction and information database (26) with data to be presented about objects. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that information objects in said information database are geocoded and that each time a new map is sent to terminal equipment, information is attached about which objects are to be displayed and where on the map image they are to be displayed.