Information providing device, information providing method, information providing program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide an information providing device, an information providing method, an information providing program, and a recording medium that promote users to select another route to a destination other than a desirable route and can reduce advertisements presented less frequently.SOLUTION: An information providing device includes: route acquisition means for acquiring route information indicative of one or more routes to a destination; information acquisition means for acquiring, for each of the one or more routes, incentive information on incentives which can be acquired when a movement is made along each of the one or more routes; and presentation control means for associating each of the one or more routes with the incentive information acquired for each of the one or more routes, and causing a presentation unit to present them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, an information providing program, and a recording medium, and more particularly to an information providing device, an information providing method, an information providing program, and a recording medium for providing information on incentives that can be obtained by a user, for example. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation system has been proposed in which advertising information is presented by a navigation device mounted on a vehicle (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-108985 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The navigation system described in Patent Document 1 above notifies information about stores that exist along a route to a destination when providing route guidance to the destination. The Patent Document 1 above discloses that the navigation system allows a user to easily grasp the location of a store and effectively advertises the store.

[0005] However, one example of a problem with the above system is that only advertisements for stores on the optimal route to the destination determined by the system are announced.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide an information providing device that can, for example, encourage a user to select a route other than a preferred route to a destination, and reduce advertisements that are presented infrequently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is an information providing device characterized by including a route acquisition means for acquiring route information indicating one or more routes to a destination, an information acquisition means for acquiring, for each of the one or more routes, incentive information regarding incentives that can be acquired when traveling along each of the one or more routes, and a presentation control means for causing a presentation unit to present each of the one or more routes in association with the incentive information acquired for each of the one or more routes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system including an advertisement server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front seat portion of a vehicle equipped with a terminal device of the system of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device in the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an advertisement server terminal of the system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an automated driving section table. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an advertisement information table. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a traffic congestion information table. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for implementing the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an operation routine for implementing the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an advertisement information table. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement request screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of a processing routine related to an advertising request. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLES

[0009] [1. System configuration] Hereinafter, an information providing system 100 including a terminal device 10 and an advertisement server device 50 as an information providing device or an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows an information provision system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the information provision system 100 includes a terminal device 10 and an advertisement server 50. Fig. 1 shows a case where the terminal device 10 is mounted on a vehicle M as an example of a moving body.

[0011] The terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50 can transmit and receive data to and from each other via a network (communication path) using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The advertisement server 50 can also transmit and receive data to and from an advertiser terminal AD, which is operated by an advertiser and accepts advertising requests from the advertiser, via the network using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The network can be constructed, for example, by Internet communication including wireless communication such as a mobile communication network, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and wired communication.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the front seat of the vehicle M equipped with the terminal device 10. Fig. 1 shows a case where the terminal device 10 is installed in a dashboard DB of the front seat of the vehicle M as an installation example.

[0013] The GPS receiver 11 is a device that receives signals (GPS signals) from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The GPS receiver 11 is arranged, for example, on a dashboard DB. The GPS receiver 11 may be arranged anywhere as long as it can receive GPS signals. The GPS receiver 11 can transmit the received GPS signals to the terminal device 10.

[0014] The touch panel 13 is, for example, a touch panel monitor in which a display 13A such as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying images and a touch pad 13B are combined. The touch panel 13 is disposed, for example, on a center console CC of the dashboard DB. The touch panel 13 may be disposed in a location that is visible to the driver and within the driver's reach. For example, the touch panel 13 may be attached on the dashboard DB.

[0015] The display 13A is capable of performing screen display under the control of the terminal device 10. Furthermore, the touch panel 13B is capable of transmitting to the terminal device 10 a signal representing an input operation to the touch panel 13B received from the user.

[0016] The speaker 15 is provided, for example, on the interior side of an A-pillar P. The speaker 15 is capable of emitting sounds such as music and voices under the control of the terminal device 10.

[0017] The microphone 17 is a microphone device that receives sounds inside the vehicle and is disposed, for example, on the dashboard DB. The microphone 17 may be disposed anywhere, such as on the rearview mirror RM or the steering wheel, as long as it can receive sounds inside the vehicle.

[0018] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 10. For example, the terminal device 10 is a device in which a large-capacity storage device 23, a control unit 25, an input unit 27, an output unit 29, and a data communication unit 31 cooperate with each other via a system bus 21.

[0019] The mass storage device 23 is configured, for example, by a hard disk device, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc., and stores various programs such as an operating system and software for terminals.

[0020] The various programs may be acquired, for example, from another server device or the like via a network, or may be recorded on a recording medium and read via various drive devices. That is, the various programs stored in the mass storage device 23 (including a program for executing the processing in the terminal device 10 described later) can be transmitted via a network, and can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and transferred.

[0021] The control unit 25 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 25B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 25C, etc., and functions as a computer. The CPU 25A reads out and executes various programs stored in the ROM 25B and the large-capacity storage device 23 to realize various functions.

[0022] The input unit 27 is an interface unit that communicatively connects the terminal device 10 with the touchpad 13B and the microphone 17. The terminal device 10 can receive a signal indicating an input operation to the touchpad 13B via the input unit 27. For example, the terminal device 10 can accept, via the input unit 27, a destination setting input made by the user via the touchpad 13B and the microphone 17.

[0023] The input unit 27 is an interface unit that communicatively connects the terminal device 10 and the GPS receiver 11. The terminal device 10 receives a GPS signal from the GPS receiver 11 via the input unit 27, and can acquire information on the current position of the terminal device 10, that is, the current position of the vehicle M in this embodiment, from the GPS signal.

[0024] The output unit 29 is communicatively connected to the display 13A and the speaker 15, and is capable of transmitting video or image signals to the display 13A for display, and transmitting audio signals to the speaker 15 for outputting sound.

[0025] The data communication unit 31 is connected to the above-mentioned network, and transmits and receives various data to and from other devices such as the advertisement server 50. For example, the terminal device 10 can transmit, via the data communication unit 31, location identification information capable of identifying the current location of the terminal device 10, that is, in this embodiment, information on the current location of the vehicle M, to the advertisement server 50. In addition, for example, the terminal device 10 can transmit, via the data communication unit 31, information of an input by a user made via the input unit 27 to the advertisement server 50.

[0026] Also, for example, the terminal device 10 can transmit information including a destination input by a user to the advertisement server 50 via the data communication unit 31, and receive navigation information to the destination from the advertisement server 50. Also, for example, the terminal device 10 can receive advertisement information, which is information related to advertisements, from the advertisement server 50 via the data communication unit 31.

[0027] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the advertisement server 50. For example, the advertisement server 50 is a device in which a data communication unit 53, a mass storage device 55, and a control unit 57 cooperate with each other via a system bus 51.

[0028] The data communication unit 53 is connected to the above-mentioned network, and transmits and receives various data between the terminal device 10, the advertiser terminal AD, and other devices. The advertisement server 50 can receive information including location identification information capable of identifying the current location of the terminal device 10 from the terminal device 10 via the data communication unit 53, for example.

[0029] The mass storage device 55 is configured, for example, by a hard disk device and an SSD (solid state drive), and stores various programs such as an operating system and software for the advertisement server 50.

[0030] The large-capacity storage device 55 also includes a map information database (indicated as map information DB in the drawing) 55A in which map information including road maps is stored. The map information in the map information database 55A is a database that has information equivalent to the map information used in, for example, a navigation device. The map information in the map information database 55 may also include automatic driving section information, which is information on automatic driving sections where automatic driving is possible and automatic driving impossible sections where automatic driving is not possible for each road.

[0031] Fig. 5 shows an example of a table showing autonomous driving section information, i.e. autonomous driving section table TB1. In the autonomous driving section table TB1 shown in Fig. 5, the names of each road including autonomous driving sections where autonomous driving is possible, and the autonomous driving sections of the road are shown. When using this autonomous driving section table TB1, sections other than those included in the autonomous driving section table TB1 may be regarded as sections where autonomous driving is not possible.

[0032] The large-capacity storage device 55 also includes an advertisement information database (indicated as advertisement information DB in the drawing) 55B in which information regarding advertisements presented by the terminal device 10 through display or sound is stored. The advertisement information database 55B includes advertisement data, which is display image data or sound data of advertisements presented by the terminal device 10, the position at which the advertisement is presented, and advertisement information including information regarding incentives that can be acquired by the user of the terminal device 10 that presented the advertisement when the advertisement is presented, in other words, incentives to be provided to the user of the terminal device 10 that presented the advertisement.

[0033] Fig. 6 shows an advertisement information table TB2 as an example of a table showing advertisement information. As an example, the advertisement information table TB2 shown in Fig. 6 includes, as information on the advertisement presentation point where the advertisement is presented, information on the road name and the point where the advertisement is displayed, which is indicated by the distance from the start point of the road, or information on the point indicated by the road shape such as an intersection, junction or branch within the road. Alternatively, the advertisement information table TB2 may include information indicating the latitude and longitude of the advertisement presentation point where the advertisement is presented and the traveling direction of the vehicle where the advertisement is presented.

[0034] Moreover, the advertisement information table TB2 includes, as an example, information on the type of points (hereinafter simply referred to as points) that can be acquired through various loyalty programs and the number of points that can be acquired as incentive information that is given to the user of the terminal device 10 when an advertisement is presented. Here, the incentive is typically paid for by the advertiser and is added to the advertisement presented by the terminal device 10 for the purpose of increasing the effect of attracting customers, etc.

[0035] The large-capacity storage device 55 may also include a traffic congestion information database (shown as traffic congestion information DB in the drawing) 55C in which traffic congestion information, which is information including traffic congestion conditions on roads, is stored. The traffic congestion conditions included in the traffic congestion information in the traffic congestion information database 55C may be acquired from outside by a vehicle information and communication system (VICS (registered trademark)) or the like and updated sequentially. The traffic congestion information may also include a table that is determined in advance based on factors such as date, time, day of the week, and weather, and the current traffic congestion conditions may be inferred based on the table.

[0036] 7 shows a congestion information table TB3 as an example of data showing congestion information. The congestion information table TB3 includes, for example, information on the name of the road where congestion occurs, the area or section where congestion occurs, shown by the distance from the starting point of the road, or the congestion area shown by the road shape such as an intersection, junction, or branch within the road. The congestion information table TB3 also includes information on the congestion passing time, which is the time it takes to pass through the congestion.

[0037] [2. Operation of the information provision system] The operation of the information provision system 100 including the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50 will be described below. The information provision system 100 presents information on one or more routes acquired by route search and incentives that may be acquired by the user as a result of an advertisement being presented by the display 13A or the speaker 15 of the terminal device 10 when the vehicle traveling along the one or more routes reaches the advertisement presentation point, before the vehicle reaches the advertisement presentation point. The incentive information may be presented for each type of incentive. For example, an incentive may be presented for each point given by different point programs. Note that the incentive is not limited to points, and may be related to the provision of other services such as a service related to driving support for the vehicle M, a product gift service, etc. Also, the incentive may be a preferential service such as a facility preferential treatment, a product sales preferential treatment, etc. Also, the incentive may be a gift certificate or a discount coupon.

[0038] Furthermore, the information providing system 100 may present to the user, for each of the obtained routes, travel cost information regarding the travel cost of each of the routes. This travel cost information may include, for example, one or more of the time required to travel along each of the routes, the distance traveled, the energy required for travel such as fuel consumption or power consumption, and the toll required for travel.

[0039] In addition, the travel cost information may include travel costs calculated based on several of, for example, the time required to travel along each route, the distance traveled, the energy required for travel such as fuel consumption or power consumption, and the toll required for travel.

[0040] The travel cost information may include the length of an automatic driving section or a manual driving section, i.e., a section where automatic driving is not possible, on the route. For example, the longer the length of the manual driving section on the route, the greater the driving load on the driver and the higher the travel cost.

[0041] The information provision system 100 may present the acquired incentive information in a manner that allows comparison for each route.

[0042] In addition, the information provision system 100 may present to the user one or more routes obtained by route search and information on incentives that can be obtained when traveling along the one or more routes, and allow the user to select one of the one or more routes.

[0043] [2-1. Information provision routine] A description will be given of a control routine for realizing the method of the first embodiment and the system 100 including the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50. The dashed lines in the diagrams of the routines used in the following description are intended to show a schematic representation of the transmission and reception of notifications, data, and the like between the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50.

[0044] 8 is a diagram showing an information provision routine R1 as an example of an operation routine executed when providing information by the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50 included in the information provision system 100. The information provision routine executed by the terminal device 10 is shown as R1A, and the information provision routine executed by the advertisement server 50 is shown as R1B.

[0045] For example, the information provision routine R1A and the information provision routine R1B may be started when the terminal device 10 and the server 50 are started, respectively, and may be repeatedly executed thereafter.

[0046] When the control unit 25 of the terminal device 10 (hereinafter, in the description of the routine, simply referred to as "the terminal device 10") starts the information provision routine R1A, it waits for, for example, input of a destination by a user who is a passenger in the vehicle M (step S11A).

[0047] Next, the terminal device 10 determines whether or not a destination has been input by the user (step S12A). This determination may be made based on whether or not an input specifying the destination has been made via the touch pad 13B or the microphone 17, for example.

[0048] If it is determined in step S12A that a destination has been input (step S12A: YES), the terminal device 10 transmits the current location of the terminal device 10, in this embodiment, the current location of the vehicle M, to the advertisement server 50 (step S13A). If it is determined in step S12A that a destination has not yet been input (step S12A: NO), the terminal device 10 continues to wait for input of a destination (step S11A).

[0049] When the control unit 57 of the advertisement server 50 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "the advertisement server 50" in the description of the routine) starts the information providing routine R1B, it waits to receive the destination and the current location transmitted from the terminal device 10 (step S11B).

[0050] Next, the advertisement server 50 determines whether or not the destination and the current location have been received (step S12B). If it is determined in step S12B that the purpose and the current location have been received (step S12B: YES), the advertisement server 50 generates one or more routes from the received current location to the destination, and generates route information including these routes (step S13B). That is, in step S13B, the advertisement server 50 acquires the route information. In step S13B, the control unit 55 functions as a route acquisition means.

[0051] The route information may be generated based on the map information database 55A. In generating the route, one or more routes may be generated based on the travel cost of the route from the current position to the destination. The travel cost may be, for example, one or more of the time required to travel along each route, the travel distance, the energy required for travel such as fuel consumption or power consumption, and the toll required for travel, or may be calculated based on these.

[0052] After executing step S13B, the advertisement server 50 generates incentive information including information on incentives that can be acquired when traveling along each of the routes generated in step S13B (step S14B). That is, in step S14B, the advertisement server 50 acquires incentive information for each of the routes. For example, the incentive information is information including the type and number of points that can be acquired when traveling along each of the routes.

[0053] For example, the incentive that can be acquired when moving along each of the routes may be calculated based on the map information database 55A and the advertisement information table TB2 in the advertisement information database 55B. In step S14B, the control unit 55 functions as an incentive information acquisition means.

[0054] After executing step S14B, for example, the advertisement server 50 transmits route-related information, which is information including route information and incentive information, to the terminal device 10 (step S15B).

[0055] After completing step S13A, the terminal device 10 waits for the receipt of route-related information transmitted from the advertisement server (step S14A). Next, the terminal device 10 determines whether or not the route-related information has been received (step S15A).

[0056] When it is determined in step S15A that the route-related information has been received, the terminal device 10 presents the route-related information (step S16A). Specifically, the terminal device 10 presents information on the route included in the route-related information and the incentive that can be acquired when traveling along the route, and waits for the user to select a route.

[0057] In this presentation, each route is presented in association with the incentive information acquired for the route. This presentation is made, for example, by displaying on the display 13A or by sound emitted from the speaker 15. In addition, the user may select a route by touch input to the touch pad 13B or by sound input to the microphone 17.

[0058] Fig. 9 shows an example of the route and incentive information displayed by the display 13A. Fig. 8 shows, as an example, a case in which three routes, route A (solid line in the figure), route B (dashed line in the figure), and route C (dotted line in the figure), are generated.

[0059] In the example of Fig. 9, route A is shown as the route with the lowest travel cost, for example the shortest route (shortest route). Routes B and C are also shown as detour routes. In the example of Fig. 9, the travel cost of traveling along each route and the incentive that can be obtained by traveling along each route are also displayed.

[0060] 9 shows an example in which each route and the incentive information associated with each route are displayed so as to be comparable to each other. In this display, each route and the incentive information acquired for each route are displayed in association with each other.

[0061] Furthermore, when a display such as that shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, the user may be able to select which route to adopt as the actual route to the destination by touching the portion of touchpad 13B where each route or information related to each route is displayed.

[0062] That is, in this case, in order to receive a route selection from the user, each route is displayed on the display 13A in association with incentive information that can be acquired for each of the routes.

[0063] In the example shown in Fig. 9, information on travel costs such as time required, distance, toll, and fuel consumption is shown for each route. In the example shown in Fig. 9, incentive information is shown for each type of point that can be obtained for each route. That is, in the example shown in Fig. 9, incentive information relates to a plurality of incentives, and the display 13A shows a result of tallying up the plurality of types of incentives for each type of incentive. Such tallying up results may be transmitted by the advertisement server 50 after tallying up the incentive information for each route and including the tallying up results in the route-related information, or the terminal device 10 may tally up the incentive information for each route.

[0064] In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 9, the total number of points that can be obtained is shown for each route. In addition, in the example shown in Fig. 9, the starting point and the destination are shown with a circle (○), and the advertisement presentation points where advertisements are presented are shown by their point type with a square (□), triangle (△), or diamond (◇).

[0065] In addition, when the user selects a point on the screen where the advertisement is presented, an outline of the advertisement and information on the advertiser to be presented at the selected point may be presented. Alternatively, an image may be prepared that allows the advertisement outline and advertiser information to be confirmed in a list for each route.

[0066] After execution of step S16A, the terminal device 10 determines whether or not the selection of the route has been accepted (step S17A). This determination may be made based on whether or not there has been a touch input from the user to the touch pad 13B or a voice input from the user to the microphone 17, indicating that the route has been selected.

[0067] In step S17A, when it is determined that the route selection has been accepted (step S17A: YES), the terminal device 10 transmits information indicating the selected route to the advertisement server 50 (step S18A). After step S18A, the terminal device 10 starts a route guidance and advertisement display subroutine (step S19A). When the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine ends, the information provision routine R1A ends.

[0068] If it is determined in step S17A that the route selection has not yet been accepted (step S17A: NO), the terminal device 10 continues to present the route-related information and continues to wait for the route selection (step S16A).

[0069] After completing step S15B, the advertisement server 50 waits for reception of information indicating the route accepted by the terminal device 10 in steps S16A and S17A (step S16B). Next, the advertisement server 50 determines whether or not the information indicating the route has been received (step S17B).

[0070] In step S17B, if it is determined that information indicating the route has been received (step S17B: YES), the advertisement server 50 starts the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine (step S18B). In step S17B, if it is determined that information indicating the route has not been received (step S17B: NO), the advertisement server 50 continues to wait for reception of information indicating the route (step S16B). When the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine ends, the information provision routine R1B ends.

[0071] 10 shows the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine R2. When the terminal device 10 starts the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine R2A, the terminal device 10 first transmits the current location of the terminal device 10, that is, the current location of the vehicle M in this embodiment, to the advertisement server 50 (step S21A).

[0072] When the advertisement server 50 starts the route guidance and advertisement display subroutine R2B, it first waits for reception of the current location from the terminal device 10 (step S21B). Next, the advertisement server 50 determines whether or not the current location has been received from the terminal device 10 (step S22B).

[0073] In step S22B, when it is determined that the current location has been received (step S22B: YES), the advertisement server 50 determines whether or not the location is an advertisement presentation point where an advertisement should be presented (step S23B). This determination may be made based on the received current location of the vehicle M and the advertisement information table TB2 in the advertisement information database 55B. Specifically, for example, the determination of whether or not an advertisement should be presented may be made based on whether or not the current location of the vehicle M is within a predetermined distance from the advertisement presentation point in the advertisement information table TB2.

[0074] In step S22B, if it is determined that the current location has not been received (step S22B: NO), the advertisement server 50 returns to step S21B and continues to wait for reception of the current location.

[0075] In step S23B, when it is determined that the location is an advertisement presentation point (step S23B: YES), the advertisement server 50 transmits an advertisement presentation instruction to the terminal device 10 (step S24B). This presentation instruction includes data of the advertisement to be presented and an instruction to present the advertisement based on the data. The advertisement data transmitted here may be, for example, video data, image data, audio data, etc., including the advertisement content.

[0076] The presentation instruction may include an instruction to associate each of the routes with the incentive information acquired for each of the routes and present them on the display 13A or the like, that is, presentation control information for the terminal device 10. In the control information step S23B, the control unit 55 functions as a presentation control means.

[0077] In step S23B, if it is determined that the current location is not an advertisement presentation point (step S23B: NO), the advertisement server 50 returns to step S21B and continues to wait for reception of the current location.

[0078] After completing step S21A, the terminal device 10 waits for reception of a presentation instruction transmitted from the server 50 (step S22A). After that, the terminal device 10 determines whether or not the presentation instruction has been received (step S23A).

[0079] In step S23A, when it is determined that the presentation instruction has been received (step S23: YES), the terminal device 10 presents the advertisement in accordance with the instruction (step S24A). This advertisement can be presented, for example, by displaying a video or image including the advertisement content on the display 13A, or by playing a sound including the advertisement content through the speaker 15.

[0080] When the presentation of the advertisement according to the presentation instruction in step S24A is completed, the terminal device 10 transmits a presentation report indicating that the advertisement has been presented to the server 50 (step S25A).

[0081] After executing step S25A, the terminal device 10 determines whether the terminal device 10 has reached the destination, that is, in this embodiment, whether the vehicle M has reached the destination (step S26A). This determination may be made by determining whether the terminal device 10 is within a predetermined distance from the destination based on current location information held by the terminal device 10.

[0082] In step S26A, when it is determined that the terminal device 10 has arrived at the destination (step S26A: YES), the terminal device 10 transmits an end request to the advertisement server 50 to request the end of the advertisement presentation (step S27A), and the routine R2A ends.

[0083] In step S26A, if it is determined that the terminal device 10 has not arrived at the destination (step S26A: NO), the terminal device 10 returns to step S21A again, transmits the current location, and continues the process of presenting the advertisement.

[0084] When step S24B ends, the advertisement server 50 waits for reception of a presentation report from the terminal device 10 (step S25B). After that, the advertisement server 50 determines whether or not a presentation report has been received from the terminal device 10 (step S26B).

[0085] In step S26B, when it is determined that the presentation report has been received (step S26B: YES), the advertisement server 50 generates granted incentive information, which is information on the incentive granted to the user by the presentation of the advertisement. At the same time, the advertisement server 50 generates billing information, which is information on the billing amount to be paid by the advertiser by the presentation of the advertisement (step S27B). For example, the granted incentive information can be generated based on the information on the point type and the number of points in the advertisement information table TB2.

[0086] The incentive information and billing information generated in step S27B are stored in the advertisement server 50. After being stored, the incentive information and billing information may be transmitted to a server of an appropriate business entity for the purpose of granting an incentive to a user and charging an advertiser.

[0087] The incentive information and the billing information may be sent to a server of an appropriate business entity for the purpose of providing the incentive to the user and charging the advertiser without being stored after being generated. The billing information may be sent to an advertiser terminal, and the advertiser may be directly notified of the billing amount.

[0088] After step S27B is completed, the server judges whether or not a termination request has been received from the terminal device 10 (step S28B). In this judgment, since the transmission of the termination request may be delayed due to a processing delay in routine R2A on the terminal device 10 side or radio wave conditions, the judgment may be made after waiting for a certain period of time.

[0089] In step S28B, it is determined that the end request has been received (step S28B: YES), and then the routine R2B ends. In step S28B, it is determined that the end request has not been received (step S28B: NO), and the advertisement server 50 returns to the process of step S21B again and waits for reception of the current position. In the above, an example has been described in which the terminal device 10 accepts a destination setting input by the user, and the advertisement server 50 receives the destination from the terminal device 10, but the destination is not limited to one set and input by the user, and may be a destination automatically set by the terminal device 10 or the advertisement server 50, or a provisional destination. For example, the terminal device 10 or the advertisement server 50 may learn expected destinations by conditions such as day of the week or time of day based on the past driving history of the vehicle M, and automatically set an expected destination that matches the conditions when the terminal device 10 is started as a provisional destination.

[0090] According to the terminal device 10, the advertisement server 50, and the device information providing system 100 including them in the first embodiment, incentives such as points that can be acquired when the user travels along each route to the destination are presented to the user in advance. This allows the user to select a route based on not only the travel cost but also the incentives that can be acquired. Therefore, it is possible to encourage the user to select a detour route other than the route with the lowest travel cost. Furthermore, by encouraging the user to select the detour route, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the presentation of advertisements that have not been presented before.

[0091] For example, if there is an old road that has become a detour route due to the opening of a bypass, it is possible to guide vehicles to the old road by presenting in advance an incentive that can be obtained by passing a point on the old road. This also makes it possible to increase the opportunity for advertisements to be presented by passing a point on the old road.

[0092] In other words, it is possible to encourage the user to select a route other than the preferred route to the destination, thereby reducing the frequency of advertisements being presented.

[0093] In addition, by presenting information on the total incentive that can be obtained by traveling along each route, for example, if advertisers along one road jointly set a high incentive, the incentive for using that road as a route can be increased synergistically, thereby increasing the rate at which customers are attracted to that road. EXAMPLES

[0094] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an information providing system 100 including a terminal device 10 and an advertisement server device 50 as an information providing device or an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] The configuration of an information providing system 100 including the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server device 50 as an information providing device or information processing device of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, in the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50 of the second embodiment, the same routine as the routine shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 in the first embodiment is executed.

[0096] The information provision system 100 of the second embodiment is similar to the information provision system 100 of the first embodiment, except that the process for generating incentive information in step S15B of the information provision routine R1B executed by the advertisement server 50 is slightly different.

[0097] In the information providing system of the second embodiment, the advertisement server 50 can generate incentive information for each route according to different criteria. Specifically, for example, the travel route with the lowest travel cost is defined as the first route, and the other routes are defined as the second route, and incentives that the user can obtain are set according to different criteria for the first route and the second route.

[0098] For example, a standard incentive may be set for advertisements on a first route, and an incentive calculated based on a different standard than the standard incentive, for example an increased incentive, may be set for advertisements on a second route.

[0099] 11 shows an advertisement information table TB4 used when the advertisement server 50 of the information providing system of the second embodiment generates incentive information. This advertisement information table TB4 can be stored in the advertisement information database 55B of the advertisement server 50, as in the first embodiment.

[0100] The advertisement information table TB4 is almost the same as the advertisement information table TB2, but differs from the advertisement information table TB2 in that the point number information includes standard points and premium points.

[0101] For example, when the advertising server 50 generates incentive information using the advertising information table TB4, the incentive for advertisements on the first route is calculated using standard points, and the incentive for advertisements on the second route is calculated using premium points.

[0102] Specifically, for example, the advertisement server 50 sets standard points as an incentive for advertisements on the first route, and sets premium points as an incentive for advertisements on the second route. In the second embodiment, in step S14B of the information provision routine R1B, the control unit 55 functions as an incentive setting unit.

[0103] The standard points and the number of premium points in the advertisement information table TB4 may be set by the advertiser of each advertisement. The number of premium points may be automatically set based on the standard points set by the advertiser. The incentive may be set in three or more stages.

[0104] An example of an interface screen IF when an advertiser requests an advertisement using an advertiser terminal is shown in Fig. 12. For example, the interface screen IF has a map area MA showing map information on the left side, and an information input area IP for receiving input of incentive information on the right side.

[0105] Roads RO are displayed in the map area MA, and presentable points AP on the roads where advertisements can be presented are indicated by rectangles. A user can determine the point at which to request the presentation of an advertisement by selecting one of the presentable points AP. In FIG. 12, the selected point, the selected point SP, is indicated by a black box.

[0106] In the information input area IP, the road name and advertisement presentation point are shown at the top as information on the selected point SP. Below that, a field F for inputting an incentive is provided. By inputting into this field F, the advertiser can set an incentive to be given to the user when the advertisement is presented.

[0107] The advertising request information including the incentive information set via the interface screen IF is transmitted to the advertising server 50. In the advertising server 50, the advertising data table TB4 in the advertising information database 55B is updated based on the received advertising request information.

[0108] 13 shows a request reception routine R3, which is an example of a processing routine when an advertisement request is made from the advertiser terminal AD and when the request is received by the advertisement server 50. The routine executed by the advertiser terminal AD is shown as R3C, and the routine executed by the advertisement server 50 is shown as R3B. It should be noted that the advertiser terminal AD has the same configuration as the terminal device 10, i.e., the same control unit, mass storage device, communication unit, etc.

[0109] For example, the request receiving routine R3B and the information providing routine R3C are started when the server 50 and the advertiser terminal AD are started, respectively, and can be executed repeatedly thereafter.

[0110] When the request reception routine R3C is started, the advertiser terminal AD displays a request reception screen as shown in Fig. 12 and waits for input from the user (step S31C). After that, the advertiser terminal AD judges whether or not advertising request information has been input by the user (step S32C). This judgment may be made, for example, by judging whether or not input has been made in all of the fields F in Fig. 12.

[0111] In step S32C, if it is determined that advertising request information has been input (step S32C: YES), the input advertising request information is sent to the advertising server 50 (step S32C: YES). In step S32C, if it is determined that advertising request information has not been input (step S32C: NO), step S31C is executed again and the display of the request reception screen continues.

[0112] When the request receiving routine R3B is started, the advertisement server 50 waits for reception of advertisement request information (step S31B). After executing step 31B, the advertisement server 50 judges whether or not advertisement request information has been received (step S32B). If it is judged in step 32B that advertisement request information has been received (step S32B: YES), the advertisement request information is stored, and the advertisement information table TB4 in the advertisement information database 55B is updated based on the advertisement request information (step S33B). At this time, the control unit 55 of the advertisement server 50 functions as a reception unit.

[0113] If it is determined in step S32B that the advertising request information has not been received (step S32b: NO), step S31B is executed again, and the advertising request information continues to be waited for.

[0114] In the interface screen IF, for example, the standard incentive corresponds to the standard points in the advertisement information table TB4, and the premium incentive corresponds to the premium points in the advertisement information table TB4. As shown in the interface screen IF, the type of points granted for the standard incentive and the type of points granted for the premium incentive may be different. Also, the premium incentive may be the same as the standard incentive.

[0115] In addition, when the advertising client wishes to give the user an incentive of lower value than the standard incentive in a situation where a premium incentive is given to the user, the value of the premium incentive may be lower than that of the standard incentive. For example, the points of the premium incentive may be set lower than the points of the standard incentive. Moreover, this interface screen IF can be used when receiving a request from an advertiser in the first embodiment as well.

[0116] According to the information providing system 100 of the second embodiment, for example, for advertisements on detour routes with relatively high travel costs, it is possible to provide a stronger motivation for drivers to take the detour route by adding an increased incentive. In addition, the advertiser can increase the opportunities to output advertisements without causing any disadvantage to the user.

[0117] Furthermore, the user can check the incentives that can be acquired by taking each route, and then select the route that will allow the user to acquire the most of the type of points that he or she desires at that time.

[0118] In addition, advertisers can freely set the standard time incentive and the premium time incentive. For example, an advertiser who wants many people to see their advertisements can set the premium time incentive higher. Also, an advertiser who wants to keep costs down can set the premium time incentive to the same value as the standard time incentive. In other words, advertisers can carry out advertising activities according to their own circumstances.

[0119] The server 50 may obtain congestion information in real time using VICS or from a congestion information distribution server, and may sequentially search for a standard route that requires the shortest time to reach the destination based on the congestion status of each road, and may also sequentially search for multiple detour routes other than the standard route. In other words, the server 50 may search for routes sequentially while sequentially updating the congestion information table TB3.

[0120] At this time, depending on the congestion status of the multiple routes found, if there are congested roads, the incentives set in the advertisements for each route may be reconfigured so as to alleviate the congestion and prevent congestion on roads that are not congested, i.e., to disperse vehicles.

[0121] For example, suppose that the shortest route A, the detour route B, and the detour route C are searched for, and the congestion levels of the routes are medium, high, and low, respectively, for the standard route A, the detour route B, and the detour route C. In this case, if many vehicles are guided to the detour route B, there is a risk that the congestion on the detour route B will become worse. To solve this problem, for example, the advertisement server 50 may set the incentive set for the advertisement corresponding to the detour route C with a low congestion level as a premium incentive, and leave the incentive set for the advertisement corresponding to the detour route B as a standard incentive.

[0122] In this manner, the advertisement server 50 may set the incentive added to an advertisement for a detour route with a low degree of congestion to be higher than the incentive added to an advertisement for a detour route with a high degree of congestion, based on road conditions such as real-time congestion on the roads.

[0123] In addition, a service related to safe driving support may be set as an incentive in the advertisement.

[0124] For example, behavior information such as the vehicle speed, acceleration, angular velocity, etc. can be obtained from the vehicle by the advertisement server 50 or another server, making it possible to provide a driving evaluation service based on evaluation criteria such as sudden acceleration, sudden steering, sudden stopping, and compliance with legal speed limits.

[0125] This driving evaluation service is operated, for example, with funding from an advertiser, and the advertiser sets the right to use the driving evaluation service as an incentive to be given to a user when their advertisement is presented. For example, when advertising information in which the right to use the driving evaluation service is set as an incentive is presented, an amount equivalent to the value of the right to use is charged to the advertiser.

[0126] For example, when an advertisement with the driving evaluation service set as an incentive is presented by the terminal device 10, the server providing the driving evaluation service may obtain vehicle behavior information for a predetermined period of time from an in-vehicle device such as the terminal device 10, and perform driving evaluation based on the information. Then, the evaluation result may be transmitted to the terminal device 10, and may be presented to the user by the terminal device 10.

[0127] The terminal device 10 may be any of various terminals such as an in-vehicle navigation device, a mobile terminal, and a smartphone.

[0128] The configurations, routines, or display or input modes of the terminal device 10 and the advertisement server 50 in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely illustrative and can be appropriately selected or changed according to the application, etc. For example, each step in the routine may be performed by either the advertisement server 50 or the terminal device 10, regardless of the above-mentioned examples.

[0129] That is, the processes of generating the above-mentioned route, setting the incentive, controlling the presentation of advertisements, and the like may be performed by the terminal device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 100 Information provision system 10 Terminal Equipment 50 Ad Server

Claims

[Claim 1] A route acquisition means for acquiring route information indicating one or more routes to a destination; an information acquisition means for acquiring incentive information regarding incentives that can be acquired when traveling along each of the one or more routes, for each of the one or more routes; a presentation control means for causing a presentation unit to present the one or more routes in association with the incentive information acquired for each of the one or more routes; An information providing device comprising:

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