WO2007142087A1

WO2007142087A1 - Facility utilization assistance device, facility utilization assistance method, facility utilization assistance program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2007142087A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/060951
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomoo Soeda; Koji Koga; Kenichiro Yano; Tatsuru Komori
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2006-06-02
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

When benefit information is acquired by an acquisition section (122), a facility utilization assistance device (120) causes a specifying section (123) to specify, based on the acquired benefit information, a facility that is among facilities providing the benefit information and at which the user can receive a benefit corresponding to predetermined conditions. Then, the device causes a search section (124) to search for a route from a desired point to the facility specified by the specifying section (123) or to a point near the specified facility, and after that, causes an output section (125) to output information for guiding the route searched.

Description

Specification

Facility use support device, facility use support method, facility use support program, and recording medium

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a facility use support apparatus, a facility use support method, a facility use support program, and a recording medium. However, use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described facility use support apparatus, facility use support method, facility use support program, and recording medium.

[0002] Traditionally, restaurants and retail stores have been operated to increase the number of users by providing the benefits of using facilities in the form of a coupon ticket, etc. . The coupon is distributed to the user by printing it on paper or by distributing it as electronic data to a personal computer or mobile phone.

[0003] For example, conventionally, electronic content (coupon) stored in the content storage means is distributed to an external terminal by a store apparatus, and the electronic content (cobon) distributed by the store apparatus is received by the terminal. There is a technology that promotes the use of electronic contents (coupons) by users by displaying on a display unit of a terminal, and aims to improve sales of stores to be distributed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). ) o

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-209114

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, in the conventional technology including Patent Document 1 described above, even if the user has a coupon, the access method to the facility where the coupon can be used can be divided. Offering benefits while knowing the existence of benefits, such as offering benefits! /, Na! / ヽ using other similar facilities, etc. to bother exploring methods An example is the problem of obscurity and problems that make it possible to use the facilities.

[0006] In such a case, the number of users is small on the facility side even though a coupon is issued. V, for example, the problem of being able to operate the facility efficiently is one example. For example, if it is a facility such as an amusement park, the number of users per attraction must be large! By operating with a small number of users! One example is the problem of low operating efficiency.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] The facility use support apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire privilege information related to a user's privilege by using any facility for each facility providing the privilege information; Based on the privilege information acquired by the means, the specifying means for specifying the facility that can receive the privilege that meets the predetermined condition from the facilities that provide the privilege information, and the specifying means specified from any point. A search means for searching for a route to a facility or a nearby point, and an output means for outputting information on the route searched by the search means.

[0008] The facility use support method according to the invention of claim 7 includes an acquisition step of acquiring, for each facility providing the privilege information, privilege information related to a user's privilege by using an arbitrary facility, and the acquisition Based on the privilege information acquired by the process, the facility that provides the privilege information from among the facilities that provide the privilege information is identified by a specific process and the specific process is identified from any point. A search process for searching for a route to a facility or a nearby point, and an output process for outputting information on the route searched by the search process.

[0009] A facility use support program according to the invention of claim 8 causes a computer to execute the facility use support method according to claim 7.

[0010] A recording medium according to the invention of claim 9 is readable by a computer, and records the facility use support program according to claim 8.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facility use promotion system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a facility use support processing procedure of the facility use support apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the store server.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the navigation device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the store server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the navigation device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the information delivery server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 2) of the information delivery server.

[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 2) of the navigation device.

[0012] 120 Facility use support device

122 Acquisition Department

123 Specific part

124 Search unit

125 Output section

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of a facility use support apparatus, a facility use support method, a facility use support program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] (Embodiment)

(Schematic configuration of facility use promotion system)

First, the facility use promotion system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the facility use promotion system of the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the facility use promotion system 100 according to the embodiment includes a privilege information distribution device 110 and a facility use support device 120. The privilege information distribution device 110 and the facility use support device 120 are provided so that they can communicate with each other.

[0015] (Schematic configuration of privilege information distribution apparatus)

First, the privilege information distribution apparatus 110 will be described. The privilege information distribution device 110 is a privilege It is a device that distributes information to the facility use support device 120. Here, the privilege information is information relating to a user's privilege by using an arbitrary facility.

[0016] The privilege information distribution apparatus 110 includes a recording unit 111, a receiving unit 112, an extracting unit 113, and a transmitting unit 114. The recording unit 111 records the privilege information described above. The privilege information includes coupon information and facility information. In the recording unit 111, coupon information and facility information are recorded in association with each other.

[0017] Here, the coupon information is information representing a user's privilege by using an arbitrary facility specified by the associated facility information. Specifically, the coupon information is information that represents, for example, the content of the privilege, the expiration date, and the conditions for receiving the privilege. Further, the coupon information may be information indicating a genre to which the content of the privilege corresponds.

[0018] Facility information is information representing a facility that provides coupon information. Specifically, the facility information is information indicating the facility name, the facility address (location), the facility telephone number, and the access method to the facility. In addition, the facility information may be information indicating whether or not there is a parking lot and the size of the parking lot (number of parking spaces etc.).

The receiving unit 112 receives privilege information transmitted from the computer device 130 installed in a facility or the like that provides privilege information. The receiving unit 112 may receive the privilege information at any time when the privilege information is transmitted to the computer device 130 because the privilege information is updated, or the computer device 130 may periodically receive the information. The benefit information may be received periodically by communicating with each other. The privilege information received by the receiving unit 112 is recorded by the recording unit 111 described above.

The extraction unit 113 extracts predetermined privilege information from the privilege information recorded in the recording unit 111. Here, the predetermined privilege information is, for example, privilege information including the current date and time within the specified available time limit among the privilege information for which the available time limit is specified. The predetermined privilege information is, for example, privilege information in which the specified usable time limit is in the future from the current date and time among the special information for which the usable time limit is specified.

[0021] The transmission unit 114 receives the privilege information extracted by the extraction unit 113 from the facility use support apparatus 120. Send to. In the embodiment, the same privilege information is provided to a plurality of facility use support devices.

Transmission to 120 is referred to as “distribution”.

[0022] (Schematic configuration of facility use support device)

Next, the facility use support apparatus 120 will be described. The facility use support device 120 is a device that guides the user about facilities that are easy for the user to use and how to access the facilities. The facility use support device 120 is realized by, for example, a navigation device mounted on a moving body. Here, the moving body is an object that can move, such as a vehicle or a ship. The facility use support apparatus 120 may be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, or the like installed in the user's home.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facility use support apparatus 120 includes a recording unit 121, an acquisition unit 122, a specifying unit 123, a search unit 124, and an output unit 125. The recording unit 121 records user information. Here, the user information is information used to specify an arbitrary facility from a plurality of facilities that provide coupon information. Specifically, the user information is information indicating, for example, the genre of the facility for which the user wants to receive a privilege, the type of privilege, the name of the facility, and the like.

[0024] More specifically, the user information includes, for example, whether or not the purchase price is discounted and the discount rate, the number of points granted and the number of points granted, the presence or absence of goods and food and beverages provided, and the name of the item provided. It is. The user information includes address information that identifies the user or the facility use support apparatus 120 and enables transmission of information to each facility use support apparatus 120. Further, the recording unit 121 records point information for specifying the location of the facility. The recording unit 121 may further store graphic information such as map information and icons representing facilities.

[0025] The acquiring unit 122 acquires the privilege information transmitted from the privilege information distribution device 110 described above for each facility that provides the privilege information. Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition unit 122, the specifying unit 123 specifies a facility that can receive a privilege corresponding to a predetermined condition from among the facilities that provide the privilege information. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, a condition designated by the user, and specifically, for example, the user information described above. is there. The identifying unit 123 identifies a facility that satisfies the conditions represented by the user information from the facilities that provide privilege information.

[0026] Specifically, when a specific store or its chain store, a genre of a frequently used facility, or the like is recorded as the user information, the specifying unit 123, for example, a restaurant according to the specified genre Instead of a specific store, such as a sporting goods store or a pet store, a group of facilities that provide similar services are identified as conditions.

[0027] Further, the user information may be, for example, information specifying a distance from an arbitrary point to each facility. Here, for example, when the facility use support device 120 can detect the current location of the device itself, such as a navigation device, the current location of the facility use support device 120 may be an arbitrary location. Also, for example, a point specified by the user is an arbitrary point.

In this case, specifically, the specifying unit 123 specifies a facility in which the distance from any point to each facility is shorter than a preset distance. Further, the specifying unit 123 may specify a facility that exists within a predetermined range based on an arbitrary point from among the facilities that provide privilege information.

[0029] Further, the user information may be, for example, information for designating a date / time period during which a privilege is received. In this case, the specifying unit 123 determines whether or not the current time is included in the date and time period when the privilege is received, and specifies the facility that provides the privilege information included in the date and time period when the privilege is received. In addition, the identification unit 123 determines whether or not the time at which the user reaches each facility is included in the date and time period when the privilege is received, based on the estimated time required to reach each facility from an arbitrary point. You can identify facilities that provide benefit information that is included in the date and time period when benefits are available.

[0030] The search unit 124 searches for a route to the facility specified by the arbitrary point force specifying unit 123 or a nearby point. Specifically, for example, using the point information or map information for identifying the location of the facility recorded by the recording unit 121, the route from any point to the facility identified by the identifying unit or a nearby point can be obtained. Explore.

Here, the location of the facility is, for example, a location registered as the establishment of the facility for registration, or a location representing the entrance of the facility or a parking lot owned by the facility. Ma In addition, the point near the facility is a point where the point power of the facility is within a predetermined range (radius 100 m, etc.) or a point within the predetermined point range of the facility on the same road as the point of the facility. .

[0032] In addition, when there are a plurality of facilities specified by the specifying unit 123, the search unit 124 or the facility specified by any point power specifying unit 123 so that a privilege can be received at a plurality of facilities. A route that sequentially passes through nearby points may be searched. Note that the route by the search unit 124 can be searched using a route search technique in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, for example.

[0033] Further, when there are a plurality of facilities specified by the specifying unit 123, the search unit 124 or the facility specified by the arbitrary point power specifying unit 123 according to the priority associated with the predetermined condition A route that sequentially passes through nearby points may be searched. Here, the priority is information used to determine the order of passing through the facility. For example, the search unit 124 searches for a route that sequentially passes through a facility specified by the specifying unit 123 or a nearby point from an arbitrary point in order of priority.

The output unit 125 outputs information related to the route searched by the search unit 124. The output unit 125 displays, for example, a searched route and a list of facilities searched for the route on the display. Specifically, the output unit 125 displays, for example, a map showing the route searched by the search unit 124 using the map information recorded by the recording unit 121 and the graphic information showing the facility. To display.

[0035] Further, the output unit 125 may replace the output by displaying the information related to the route searched for by the search unit 124 on the display, or in addition to the voice guidance that informs that the route has been searched, Voice guidance that guides the names of listed facilities may be output from the speaker.

(Facility usage support processing procedure of the facility usage support apparatus)

Next, the facility use support processing procedure of the facility use support apparatus 120 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the facility use support processing procedure of the facility use support apparatus 120. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, first wait until privilege information is obtained by the obtaining unit 122 (step S 201: No), and if it is obtained (step S 201: Yes), obtain it. Based on the received privilege information, the facility that can receive the privilege corresponding to the predetermined condition is identified by the identifying unit 123 from the facilities that provide the privilege information (step S202).

[0037] Next, the search unit 124 searches for a route from an arbitrary point to the facility identified in step S202 or a nearby point (step S203), and information that guides the searched route. Is output by the output unit 125 (step S204), and the series of processes is terminated.

[0038] As described above, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, it is possible to output information related to a route to a facility that can receive a privilege corresponding to a predetermined condition or a point in the vicinity thereof. . As a result, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility where the privilege can be obtained. In addition, the facility side can promote the use of the facility by the user and improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

[0039] Further, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, the information about the route to the facility where the privilege can be received using the privilege information corresponding to the condition specified by the user or to a nearby point is obtained. Can be output. As a result, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the desired privilege. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of facilities by users and further improve the operating efficiency of the facilities.

[0040] Further, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, a facility where a privilege can be received using privilege information provided by a facility existing within a predetermined range with an arbitrary point as a reference, or the vicinity thereof The information about the route to the point can be output. As a result, the user can easily and preferentially use facilities that can receive benefits in the desired area. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of facilities by users and further improve the operating efficiency of the facility.

[0041] Further, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, the facility where the user can receive a privilege using the privilege information provided by the facility that can be reached within the predetermined date and time zone, or a point in the vicinity thereof The information about the route to can be output. As a result, the user can receive the privilege without considering the date and time zone in which the privilege can be received, and can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the privilege. Also, The facility side can promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, when a plurality of facilities are specified, information regarding a route for which a privilege can be received at each facility can be output. As a result, the user can receive benefits at a plurality of facilities and can easily and preferentially use the facilities that can receive the benefits. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

[0043] Also, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, when a plurality of facilities are specified, the priority associated with the predetermined condition used for specifying the facility is set. Therefore, it is possible to output information about routes that sequentially pass through facilities that can receive high priority privileges. As a result, the user can preferentially receive the desired privilege at a plurality of facilities and can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the privilege. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

Note that the above-described user information may be recorded in the recording unit 111 of the privilege information distribution apparatus 110. In this case, the extraction unit 113 uses the user information to extract privilege information provided by the facility that can receive the privilege desired by the user for each user. Then, the transmission unit 114 transmits the privilege information extracted for each user by the extraction unit 113 to the corresponding user.

[0045] As a result, the privilege information acquired by the acquisition unit 122 of the facility use support apparatus 120 can be narrowed down to privilege information having utility value by the user, and the specifying unit 123 is based on the narrowed-down privilege information. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load in the specifying unit 123.

[0046] Further, the user information may be recorded in both the recording unit 111 of the privilege information distribution device 110 and the recording unit 121 of the facility use support device 120. In this case, the specifying unit 123 can specify a facility that provides a privilege further in line with the user's wishes.

In the embodiment, the timing information is distributed from privilege information distribution apparatus 110. In the above example, the acquisition unit 122 acquires the distributed privilege information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the output unit 125 outputs a distribution request for requesting distribution (transmission) of privilege information to the privilege information distribution apparatus 110 periodically or at an arbitrary timing according to a user operation, etc. Accordingly, the privilege information distributed (transmitted) from the privilege information distribution device 110 may be acquired by the acquisition unit 122. As a result, the degree of freedom on the user side when acquiring specific information is increased, and facilities that can receive benefits can be used easily and preferentially.

Example

Next, an example of the facility use promotion system 100 that is useful for the above-described embodiment will be described. This example is an example in which the facility use promotion system 100 which is effective in the above-described embodiment is applied to a network system including a server connected to the Internet and a navigation device mounted on a vehicle.

[0049] (Schematic configuration of network system)

First, a schematic configuration of the network system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the network system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the network system 300 of the embodiment includes a store server 311 installed in a store 310, an information delivery server 321 installed in an information delivery company 320, and a navigation system installed in a vehicle 330. It consists of a device (see Fig. 5). The store server 311, the information distribution server 321, and the navigation device can communicate with each other via a communication line network 301 such as the Internet.

[0050] (Hardware configuration of store server 311)

Next, the hardware configuration of the store server 311 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the store server 311. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the store servo 311 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a magnetic disk drive 404, a magnetic disk 405, an optical disk drive 406, an optical disk 407, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “IZF”). 408, an input device 409, a video IZF 410, and a display 41 1 are provided. Each component 401 to 411 is connected by a bus 420. [0051] The CPU 401 controls the store server 311 as a whole. The ROM 402 records programs such as a boot program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. In other words, the CPU 401 controls the entire store server 311 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 402 while using the RAM 403 as a work area.

The magnetic disk drive 404 controls reading and writing of data to the magnetic disk 405 according to the control of the CPU 401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (node disk) can be used.

For example, privilege information is recorded on the magnetic disk 405. As described above, the special information includes coupon information and facility information, and on the magnetic disk 405, the coupon information and store information are recorded in association with each other. In the embodiment, the facility information includes the name of the store 310, the address (location) of the store 310, the telephone number of the store 310, the access method to the store 310, the presence or absence of a parking lot attached to the store 310, and the size of the parking lot. This is information that indicates (number of cars that can be parked, etc.).

The optical disk drive 406 controls reading and writing of data to the optical disk 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. Further, the removable recording medium may be a power MO of the optical disc 407, a memory card, or the like.

[0055] Communication IZF 408 is connected to communication line network 301 via radio, and functions as an interface between CPU 401 and communication terminals (such as information distribution server 321 and a navigation device) connected to communication line network 301. . Communication network includes LAN, WAN, public network and mobile phone network.

[0056] Examples of the input device 409 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, and various instructions, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 409 may be realized by 1S plural forms which may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The video IZF 410 is connected to the display 411. Specifically, the video IZF410 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 411, a buffer memory such as VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. For example, a control IC that controls the display 411 based on image data.

The display 411 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 411, for example, a CRT, TFT liquid crystal display, plasma display, or the like can be used.

[0059] (Hardware configuration of information distribution server 321)

Next, the hardware configuration of the information distribution server 321 will be described. Although illustration is omitted, the hardware configuration of the information distribution server 321 has the same configuration as the hardware configuration of the store server 311 described above. On the magnetic disk of the information distribution Sano 321, a database that records the above-described coupon information and facility information in association with each other is constructed. In addition, a database for recording the above-described user information is constructed on the magnetic disk of the information distribution server 321. In the magnetic disk of the information delivery server 321, user information is recorded in association with identification information unique to each user.

[0060] (Hardware configuration of navigation device)

Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. In FIG. 5, the navigation device 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a magnetic disk drive 504, a magnetic disk 505, an optical disk drive 506, an optical disk 507, a video IZF508, a display 509, and an audio IZF510. , A speaker 511, a microphone 512, an input device 513, a camera 514, a communication I / F 515, a GPS unit 516, and various sensors 517. The components 501 to 517 are connected by a bus 520, respectively.

First, the CPU 501 governs overall control of the navigation device 500. The ROM 502 records programs such as a boot program and a facility use support program. Also,

The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. That is, CPU501 is R By using various programs recorded in the ROM 502 while using the AM 503 as a work area, the entire navigation device 500 is controlled.

[0062] Here, the facility use support program is executed by the CPU 501 so that privilege information related to a user's privilege by using an arbitrary facility is acquired for each facility providing the privilege information, Based on the acquired privilege information, the facility that provides the privilege that meets the specified conditions is identified from the facilities that provide the privilege information, and the route to the specified facility or a nearby point This is a program that searches for routes and outputs information about the searched routes.

[0063] Hereinafter, a description of the same configuration as each unit included in the store server 311 described above will be omitted, and a configuration characteristic of the navigation device 500 will be described. The above-described user information is recorded on the magnetic disk 505. The user information recorded in the magnetic disk drive 504 can be updated by the user at an arbitrary timing.

[0064] In addition, map data and function data are recorded in the magnetic disk drive 504! RU

Here, 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. Consists of files.

[0065] The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, the presence / absence of traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, the presence / absence of highway doorways and junctions, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (high speed). Road, toll road, general road, etc.).

[0066] In the traffic condition data, past traffic information is recorded by statistically processing the past traffic information based on the season 'day of the week' large holidays' and the like. The navigation device 500 obtains information on the current traffic jam from the road traffic information received by the communication IZF515, which will be described in detail later. The past traffic jam information can be used to predict the traffic situation at the specified time. It becomes.

[0067] The function data is program data for realizing various functions in the navigation device 500, such as a program for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, and the like. Map data and function data are divided by district or function, respectively. It consists of multiple data files.

[0068] On the display 509, the map data force described above is drawn in two or three dimensions.

On the map data displayed on the display 509, a mark representing the current location of the navigation device 500 can be displayed in an overlapping manner. The current location of the navigation device 500 is acquired by a GPS unit 516 described later. The display 509 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 509 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.

[0069] A display 509 and a camera 514 are connected to the video IZF508. Specifically, the video iZ F508 is, for example, a graphic controller that performs predetermined processing with the display 509 or the camera 514, and a buffer such as VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately. It consists of a memory and a control IC that controls the display 509 based on image data output from the graphic controller.

[0070] To the audio IZF 510, an audio input microphone 512 and an audio output speaker 511 are connected. The sound collected by the microphone 512 is AZD converted in the sound IZF510. The microphones 512 are installed, for example, near one of the vehicle's sun noisers, and the number may be one or more. From the speaker 511, a sound obtained by DZA-converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound IZF 510 is output.

Communication IZF 515 transmits user information recorded on magnetic disk 505 to store server 311 via communication network 301. The user information may be transmitted constantly, according to the time elapsed since the last transmission, or when there is an information inquiry request from the store server 311. Moyo.

[0072] Communication IZF515 is, for example, FM tuner, VICS (Vehicle Information and

Communication System) / Beacon Resino, etc., and traffic information such as traffic congestion and traffic regulations distributed from the VICS Center may be acquired. VICS is a registered trademark.

[0073] The GPS unit 516 receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite and provides information on the position of the vehicle. Output. Information output from the GPS unit 516 is used when the current position of the vehicle (navigation device 500) is calculated by the CPU 501 together with output values from various sensors 517 described later. The information indicating the current location is information specifying one point on the map data, for example, latitude'longitude and altitude.

[0074] Various sensors 517 output information such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor that can determine the position and behavior of the vehicle. The output values from the various sensors 517 are used for the calculation of the current position by the GPS unit 516 and the measurement of the change in speed and direction.

In navigation device 500, the inside and outside images of vehicle 330 acquired using camera 514, the inside and outside sounds of vehicle 330 acquired using microphone 512, and the vehicle 330 detected by GPS unit 516 are used. Drive information including current location information and output values from various sensors 517 may be recorded on the magnetic disk 505.

[0076] Although illustration and description are omitted, the navigation device 500 has the above-described configuration 50 1 to 517, and can reproduce DVDs and CDs, receive TV broadcasts, record, connect to the Internet, etc. It has a configuration that realizes various functions.

[0077] The functions of the units included in the facility use support apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 1 use programs and data recorded in the ROM 502, RAM 503, magnetic disk 505, optical disk 507, etc. in the navigation apparatus 500 shown in FIG. This is realized by the CPU 501 executing a predetermined program and controlling each unit in the navigation device 500.

That is, the navigation apparatus 500 according to the embodiment executes the facility use support program recorded in the ROM 502 as a recording medium in the navigation apparatus 500, whereby the facility use support apparatus 120 shown in FIG. The functions provided by can be executed by the facility use support procedure shown in Fig. 2.

[0079] (Processing procedure in network system 300)

Next, a processing procedure in the network system 300 will be described. The processing in the network system 300 is realized by the store building server 311, the information distribution server 321, and the navigation device 500 performing the processes described below. [0080] (Processing procedure of store server 311)

First, the processing procedure of the store server 311 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the store servo 311. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is appropriately performed at an arbitrary timing on the store 310 side. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, first wait until there is an operation to connect to the store registration HP (homepage) (Step S601: No).

) o

[0081] If there is an operation for connecting to the store registration HP in Step S601 (Step S601: Yes), information for displaying the store registration HP on the display 509 (hereinafter referred to as "Store Registration"). HP information "t" is downloaded (step S602), and the store registration HP is displayed on the display 509 using the downloaded store registration HP information (step S603).

Here, the store registration HP is a display screen displayed on the display 509 of the store server 311 when the coupon information and facility information described above are input. Although illustration is omitted, the store registration HP displays an area for inputting coupon information and facility information, a message for guiding information input to each area, and the like.

[0083] In addition, the store registration HP displays a determination key for confirming the input information and performing an instruction operation for transmitting the determined information to the information distribution server 321 as special information. Employees at store 310 enter information using the information displayed on the store registration website and operate the enter key.

[0084] In step S604, the system waits until the enter key is operated (step S604: No), and if operated (step S604: Yes), the input privilege information is sent to the information distribution server 321. (Step S605), and a series of processing is terminated.

[0085] (Processing procedure of navigation device 500 (part 1))

Next, a processing procedure (part 1) of the navigation device 500 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (part 1) of the navigation device 500. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 7 is appropriately performed at any timing of the user of navigation device 500. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, first, the input device 513 waits until the above-described user information is input (step S701: No).

[0086] When user information is input in step S701 (step S701: Yes), Then, the input user information is transmitted to the information distribution server 321 (step S702), and a series of processing is terminated.

[0087] (Processing Procedure of Information Distribution Server 321 (Part 1))

Next, the processing procedure (part 1) of the information delivery server 321 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 1) of the information delivery server 321. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether or not the privilege information transmitted from the store servo 311 has been received by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 (step S801).

If privilege information is received in step S801 (step S801: Yes), the received privilege information is recorded on the magnetic disk (step S802), and the series of processing ends. If the privilege information has not been received (step S801: No), it is determined whether the user information transmitted from the navigation device 500 has been received by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 7 (step S803). ).

[0089] If the user information is received in step S803 and the user information is received (step S803: No), the process returns to step S801. If user information has been received (step S803: Yes), the received user information is recorded on the magnetic disk (step S804), and the series of processing is terminated.

[0090] (Processing Procedure of Information Distribution Server 321 (Part 2))

Next, the processing procedure (part 2) of the information delivery server 321 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 2) of the information delivery server 321. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, first, the wait time for the delivery of privilege information is waited until a predetermined time has passed (step S901: No). Here, the predetermined time is a time arbitrarily determined by, for example, the information distribution company 320, and specifically, for example, “24 hours”, “1 week”, and the like.

[0091] In step S901, if the predetermined delivery time of the benefit information has also passed the predetermined time (step S901: Yes), there is a new benefit information recorded after the last delivery date. Judgment is made (step S902). If there is no new privilege information! (Step S902: No), the series of processing ends.

[0092] If there is new privilege information (step S902: Yes), it is recorded on the magnetic disk. It is determined whether or not there is privilege information corresponding to the user information using the existing user information (step S903). If there is no corresponding privilege information (step S903: No), the series of processing ends. If there is applicable privilege information (step S903: Yes), the corresponding special information is transmitted to the navigation device 500 of the user specified by the user information (step S904), and a series of Terminate the process.

[0093] (Processing procedure of navigation device 500 (2))

Next, the processing procedure (part 2) of the navigation device 500 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure (part 2) of the navigation device 500. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, first, the process waits until the privilege information transmitted from the information distribution server 321 is received by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 9 (step S1001: No).

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[0094] When the privilege information is received in step S1001 (step S1001: Yes), the user information recorded on the magnetic disk 505 from the facility providing the received privilege information is used. It is determined whether or not there is a facility corresponding to the request (step S1 002).

In step S 1002, for example, it is determined whether or not there is a facility where an arbitrary point force is within a predetermined distance range among the facilities providing the received privilege information. Here, the arbitrary point may be the current point of the vehicle 330 on which the navigation device 500 is mounted as described above, or may be a point designated by the user such as the user's home point. .

[0096] Further, the predetermined distance is a distance arbitrarily set with reference to an arbitrary point, may be a straight line distance, or may be a distance on the road with an arbitrary point force. . Further, the predetermined distance may be a specified value set at the time of manufacturing the navigation device 500, or may be set arbitrarily by the user. Specifically, for example, “within a radius of 2 km from the current location” is set.

In step S 1002, for example, it is determined whether or not there is a facility that provides a privilege that can be used at a predetermined date and time among the facilities that provide the received privilege information. Here, the predetermined date and time is a date and time arbitrarily set by the user. Day of the week ”,“ Saturday 11:00 to 13:00 ”.

[0098] In this case, the benefit is received in the facility providing the received benefit information, taking into account the travel time and current time predicted when moving from an arbitrary point to the corresponding facility. It may be possible to determine whether there is a facility that can arrive at or before the time of the day. In this way, for example, even if the current time is included in the time zone in which benefits can be received, the time zone has been exceeded when arriving at the relevant facility. Can do.

[0099] If there is no corresponding facility in step S1002 (step S1002: No), the series of processing ends. If there is a corresponding facility (step S1002: Yes), information on the facility is displayed on the display 509 (step S1003). The information on the corresponding facility is information for causing the display 509 to display, for example, a list of the corresponding facility names or a map displaying the position of the corresponding facility with an icon or the like.

[0100] Force not shown In the display 509, a search execution key for instructing to search for a route up to a facility with an arbitrary point force is displayed. When the user wants to know the route to the facility displayed on the display 509, the user operates the search execution key. In step S1003, when information about multiple facilities is displayed on the display 509, the user selects one or more facilities and then operates the search execution key.

[0101] In step S1004, wait until the search execution key is operated (step S 10 04: No), and if operated (step S 1004: Yes), any point force will be applied to the corresponding facility. Is searched (step S 1005), the searched route is displayed on the display 509 (step S 1006), and the series of processes is terminated.

[0102] When the search execution key is operated in a state where a plurality of facilities are selected, in step S1005, a route that sequentially passes through the selected facilities is searched. The order of transit may be the order specified by the user, and if there are restrictions on the time period for the benefits provided, it will be possible to arrive at the facility corresponding to the time period when the benefits can be received. May be in any order. Force not shown In the navigation device 500, when the user wishes to move to the corresponding facility according to the route displayed in step S1006, the route guidance provided in the navigation device 500 is provided. Depending on the function, it is also possible to provide route guidance to the relevant facility. Note that the route guidance function provided in the navigation device 500 is a known technique, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[0104] As described above, according to the embodiment, the navigation device 500 displays the information on the route to the facility where the privilege corresponding to the predetermined condition is received or to a nearby point on the display 509. Thus, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility where the privilege can be received. In addition, this makes it possible for the provider of privilege information such as the store 310 to promote the use of the facility by the user, and to improve the sales and the operating efficiency of the facility.

[0105] Also, according to the embodiment, the navigation device 500 displays information about the route to the facility where the privilege can be received using the privilege information corresponding to the condition specified by the user or a nearby point. By displaying on the screen, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the desired privilege. As a result, the provider of privilege information such as the store 310 can further promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the sales and the operating efficiency of the facility.

[0106] Further, according to the embodiment, information on a route to a facility where a privilege can be received using the privilege information provided by a facility existing within a predetermined range with respect to an arbitrary point or a point in the vicinity thereof is obtained. By displaying on the display 509 by the navigation device 500, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the privilege in the desired area. As a result, the provider of privilege information such as the store 310 can further promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the sales and the operating efficiency of the facility.

[0107] Also, according to the embodiment, information on a route to a facility where the user can receive a privilege using the privilege information provided by the facility that the user can reach within a predetermined date and time period or a point near the facility is obtained. By displaying on the display 509 by the navigation device 500, the user can receive the benefit without considering the date and time period when the user can receive the benefit. , Facilities that can receive benefits can be used easily and preferentially. In addition, by this, the provider of privilege information such as the store 310 can promote the use of the facility by the user, and can improve the sales and the operating efficiency of the facility.

[0108] Further, according to the embodiment, when a plurality of facilities are specified, information regarding a route where a privilege can be received at each facility can be output. As a result, the user can receive benefits at a plurality of facilities and can easily and preferentially use the facilities that can receive the benefits. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of the facility by users and further improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

[0109] Also, according to the facility use support apparatus 120 of the embodiment, when a plurality of facilities are specified, the priority associated with the predetermined condition used to specify the facilities is set. Therefore, it is possible to output information about routes that sequentially pass through facilities that can receive high priority privileges. As a result, the user can preferentially receive the desired privilege at a plurality of facilities and can easily and preferentially use the facility that can receive the privilege. In addition, the facility side can further promote the use of the facility by the user and further improve the operation efficiency of the facility.

Note that the user information described above may be recorded in the recording unit 111 of the privilege information distribution apparatus 110. In this case, the extraction unit 113 uses the user information to extract privilege information provided by the facility that can receive the privilege desired by the user for each user. Then, the transmission unit 114 transmits the privilege information extracted for each user by the extraction unit 113 to the corresponding user.

[0111] Thus, the privilege information acquired by the acquisition unit 122 of the facility use support apparatus 120 can be narrowed down to privilege information having utility value by the user, and the specifying unit 123 is based on the narrowed privilege information. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load in the specifying unit 123.

[0112] Further, the user information may be recorded in both the recording unit 111 of the privilege information distribution apparatus 110 and the recording unit 121 of the facility use support apparatus 120. In this case, the specifying unit 123 can specify a facility that provides a privilege further in line with the user's wishes.

[0113] It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the previous delivery date and time power is a timing when a predetermined time has passed, and The power described in the example of delivering privilege information when there is new privilege information recorded after the previous delivery date and time is not limited to this. For example, a navigation device

A transmission request for requesting transmission of privilege information may be transmitted from 500 to the information distribution server 321 periodically or at an arbitrary timing according to a user operation.

[0114] The transmission request may include conditions of privilege information desired to be transmitted. Further, the conditions included in the transmission request may be updatable each time the transmission request is transmitted. In this case, the information distribution server 321 transmits privilege information corresponding to the transmission request to the corresponding navigation device 500. As a result, the degree of freedom on the user side when acquiring specific information is increased, and facilities that can receive benefits can be used easily and preferentially.

[0115] Further, the distribution timing of the privilege information may be, for example, the timing at which new privilege information is transmitted from the store server 311. Also, privilege information that can be used repeatedly may be periodically distributed even if it has not been newly updated. As a result, when the store 310 continuously provides a privilege with the same content, it is possible to distribute the privilege information that requires a new update of the privilege information to the navigation device 500.

[0116] As described above, according to the embodiment, the user can easily and preferentially use the facility where the privilege can be received, and the facility side promotes the use of the facility by the user. It is possible to improve the operating rate of the facility.

[0117] The facility use support method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. 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 reading the recording medium force by the computer. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] An acquisition means for acquiring privilege information related to a user's privilege by using any facility for each facility providing the privilege information;

Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition unit, a specifying unit that specifies a facility that can receive a privilege corresponding to a predetermined condition from the facilities that provide the privilege information, and any point power The specifying unit A search means for searching for a route to a facility identified by

An facility use support apparatus comprising: output means for outputting information relating to the route searched by the search means.

[2] The specifying means includes:

Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition means, identifying the facility where the privilege can be received using the privilege information corresponding to the conditions specified by the user from the facilities providing the privilege information. The facility use support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

[3] The specifying means includes:

Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition means, the privilege is received using the privilege information provided by the facility that exists within a predetermined range based on an arbitrary point from the facility that provides the privilege information. The facility use support device according to claim 1, wherein the facility is identified.

[4] The specifying means includes:

Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition means, a facility for which a privilege can be received using the privilege information provided by a facility that can reach the predetermined date and time from among the facilities that provide the privilege information. The facility use support device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is specified.

[5] The search means includes:

When there are a plurality of facilities specified by the specifying means, search for a route that sequentially passes through the facility specified by the specifying means or a nearby point so that benefits can be received at each facility. The facility use support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

[6] The search means includes:

When there are a plurality of facilities specified by the specifying means, the facility sequentially passes through the facilities specified by the specifying means or a nearby point according to the priority associated with the predetermined condition. The facility use support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a route to be searched is searched.

[7] An acquisition step of acquiring privilege information related to a user's privilege by using any facility for each facility providing the privilege information;

Based on the privilege information acquired by the acquisition step, a specifying step for specifying a facility that can receive a privilege corresponding to a predetermined condition from among the facilities that provide the privilege information, and any point power The specifying step A search process for searching for a route to a facility identified by

An output step of outputting information relating to the route searched by the search step; and a facility use support method comprising:

[8] A facility use support program which causes a computer to execute the facility use support method according to claim 7.

[9] A computer-readable recording medium in which the facility use support program according to claim 8 is recorded.