Information distribution device, information distribution method, and information distribution program

Abstract

To provide an information distribution device that notifies users of an operating status of a moving object while suppressing introduction costs.SOLUTION: An information distribution device is a device related to a moving object that stops in sequence at each of a plurality of points arranged on a predetermined route, and includes: a first storage unit that stores a time at which each moving object moving on the route has passed each point; an estimation unit that, upon receiving a first communication from a user terminal that has acquired first information from a medium placed at the first point, estimates an arrival time of the moving object at the first point based on the time stored in the first storage unit; and a notification unit that notifies a user terminal of the estimated arrival time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information distribution device, an information distribution method, and an information distribution program. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, it is difficult for a moving object such as a bus to operate according to a timetable due to road congestion. Therefore, a system has been proposed that notifies a user whether a moving object is operating according to a timetable (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a wireless access point is installed at each bus stop. When a bus approaches a bus stop, the wireless access point wirelessly communicates with the bus and uploads the time when the bus arrived at the bus stop to a server as operation information. By checking the operation information displayed on the display unit, a user can know whether the bus is operating according to the timetable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-112923 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, for example, it is necessary to install display units at all bus stops along a route so that users waiting at bus stops can check operation information. Therefore, the introduction of the system described in Patent Document 1 entails huge costs.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution device, an information distribution method, and an information distribution program that can inform a user of the operation status of a mobile object while keeping implementation costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information distribution device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device related to a mobile object that stops in sequence at each of a number of points arranged on a specified route, and is equipped with a first memory unit that stores the time at which each mobile object moving within the route passed each point, an estimation unit that, upon receiving a first communication from a user terminal that has acquired first information from a medium placed at the first point, estimates the arrival time of the mobile object at the first point based on the time stored in the first memory unit, and a notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the estimated arrival time. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution device, an information distribution method, and an information distribution program that can inform a user of the operation status of a mobile object while keeping implementation costs down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a sequence diagram showing an update process of an operation management database in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of information about bus operation status managed by an information distribution device being distributed to a user terminal in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on an application in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal and an information distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal and an information distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining an overview of an information distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment is used for operating management of route buses.

[0012] 1, buses B1 to B6 run on the route on which the information distribution system 1 is installed. When the buses B1 to B6 are described collectively, they will be referred to as "bus B."

[0013] In Fig. 1, the symbols A to M indicate bus stops. Hereinafter, the bus stops with the symbols A to M will be referred to as "A bus stop BS", "B bus stop BS", ..., "L bus stop BS", and "M bus stop BS", respectively. When these bus stops are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as "bus stop BS".

[0014] The route on which the information distribution system 1 is introduced starts at A bus stop BS and ends at M bus stop BS. In other words, the direction from A bus stop BS to M bus stop BS is the downbound direction of the route. The direction from M bus stop BS to A bus stop BS is the upbound direction of the route. When explaining the "upbound" and "downbound" bus stops BS separately, for convenience, they will be written as "bus stop BS (upbound)" and "bus stop BS (downbound)".

[0015] An NFC (Near Field Communication) tag T1 is attached to each bus stop BS.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, when a user brings a user terminal 10 close to an NFC tag T1 affixed to the H bus stop BS (inbound), the user terminal 10 performs near field wireless communication (NFC communication) with the NFC tag T1.

[0017] The user terminal 10 issues a request to the information distribution device 20 according to the result of communication with the NFC tag T1.

[0018] The information distribution device 20 includes an operation management database DB2. In the operation management database DB2, as shown in Fig. 2, the times when buses B1 to B6 operating within a route passed each bus stop BS are registered.

[0019] The information distribution device 20 searches the operation management database DB2 in response to a request from the user terminal 10, and identifies the bus B that will arrive at the H bus stop BS (inbound) earliest among the buses B1 to B6 at this time. The information distribution device 20 estimates the time that the identified bus B will arrive at the H bus stop BS (inbound), and notifies the user terminal 10 of the time.

[0020] 1 and 2, the time when the user touches the NFC tag T1 with the user terminal 10 is 8:36. The information distribution device 20 searches the operation management database DB2 and estimates that the bus B that will arrive earliest at the H bus stop BS (inbound) at 8:36 is the bus B6 traveling in the section lk.

[0021] Section lk is an upbound section from bus stop L BS to bus stop K BS. In other words, section lk is the section closest to bus stop H BS (upbound) among the sections in which buses B1 to B6 are running.

[0022] The information distribution device 20 estimates that the bus B6 traveling in the section lk will arrive at the H bus stop BS (inbound) at 8:45, and notifies the user terminal 10 of this.

[0023] On the user terminal 10 receiving this notification, for example, a screen is displayed informing the user that bus B6 is traveling in section lk (in other words, that it has departed from bus stop L BS (inbound)) and that bus B6 will arrive at bus stop H BS (inbound) in about 9 minutes. This allows the user to grasp the operating status of bus B and the waiting time at bus stop H BS (inbound).

[0024] In this embodiment, since the user is informed of the operation status using the user terminal 10, there is no need to install a dedicated display unit for displaying operation information at each bus stop along the route. Therefore, a mechanism is provided for informing the user of the bus operation status while suppressing the introduction cost of the system.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the information distribution system 1 includes a bus B, a bus stop BS, a user terminal 10, and an information distribution device 20. The bus B, the user terminal 10, and the information distribution device 20 are connected via a network 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0026] An information distribution method and an information distribution program according to an embodiment of the present invention are realized by causing a computer (CPU: Central Processing Unit) included in the information distribution system 1 to execute various processes.

[0027] For convenience, only one bus B is shown in Fig. 3, but the information distribution system 1 includes multiple buses B as shown in Fig. 1. Similarly, only one bus stop BS is shown in Fig. 3, but all bus stops BS on the route are included in the information distribution system 1. Similarly, only one user terminal 10 is shown in Fig. 3, but the user terminals 10 of multiple users are included in the information distribution system 1.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 1, bus B runs on a route that starts at bus stop A BS and ends at bus stop M BS. This route is an example of a predetermined route. Bus B stops at each bus stop BS on the route in order according to the bus schedule.

[0029] In this way, bus B is an example of a moving object that stops at each bus stop BS (an example of a plurality of points) on the route in sequence. If there are no passengers getting on or off, bus B may pass by the bus stop BS without stopping.

[0030] A "predetermined route" may be a route that does not include an intermediate point (such as the location of bus stop B BS). In other words, a route that has only one section connecting the starting point and the end point is also an example of a "predetermined route." In this case, the two points, the starting point and the end point, are "multiple points." In other words, if a "predetermined route" has only one section connecting the starting point and the end point, the moving object stops at each of the starting point and the end point in turn.

[0031] The moving object is not limited to a bus. The moving object may be another type of vehicle, such as a train, a monorail, a linear motor car, etc. For example, when the moving object is a train, the "plurality of points arranged on a specific route" are each station on the route.

[0032] The moving body is not limited to a vehicle, and may be, for example, a ship (such as a water bus that travels on a regular route) or an aircraft.

[0033] A wireless LAN (Local Area Network) master AP is installed in the bus B. The wireless LAN master AP is an example of a wireless communication device. For example, a user on the bus B can connect a user terminal 10 to the wireless LAN master AP in the bus B.

[0034] A communication device CD is installed in the bus B. The communication device CD is capable of communicating with the wireless LAN master AP, and is also capable of communicating with each unit of the information distribution system 1 (except for the bus stop BS) via the network 30.

[0035] The user terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a portable game machine, etc. In other words, the user terminal 10 is a device capable of performing various types of communication with each unit of the information distribution system 1.

[0036] The connection between the user terminal 10 and the communication equipment in the bus B (wireless LAN master AP in this embodiment) is not limited to Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The user terminal 10 may be connected by other communication standards, such as beacon or acoustic communication. In other words, there is a degree of freedom in the communication standard between the user terminal 10 and the communication equipment in the bus B, and various design changes are possible.

[0037] The user terminal 10 executes a browser and various other applications in response to user operations.

[0038] An application App, which is an example of a predetermined application, is installed in the user terminal 10.

[0039] The application App includes a function of providing an EC (Electronic Commerce) service that can be used only in the bus B. For example, the user can use the EC service that is limited to inside the vehicle only when the user terminal 10 and the wireless LAN master AP are in a connected state. For example, the user can use the unrestricted EC service that can be used both inside and outside the vehicle when the user terminal 10 and the wireless LAN master AP are not in a connected state.

[0040] The application App also includes a function for delivering advertisements, coupons, and the like to the user terminal 10.

[0041] The information distribution device 20 includes various databases. Specifically, the information distribution device 20 includes a user information database DB1, an operation management database DB2, a timetable database DB3, and an advertisement / coupon database DB4.

[0042] The traffic management database DB2 is an example of a first storage unit that stores the time when each bus B (an example of a moving object) traveling on a route passed each bus stop BS (an example of a location). The update process of the traffic management database DB2 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0043] The times registered in the operation management database DB2 are all deleted, for example, at the end of the day's business of the bus company. Also, the times registered in the operation management database DB2 may be moved to another server at the end of the day's business of the bus company in order to be utilized as big data, for example.

[0044] An in-bus announcement is made on the bus B while the bus is heading to the next bus stop BS. This in-bus announcement is recorded audio data that is played back, and includes, for example, information about the next bus stop BS.

[0045] For example, while traveling on the section ba from B bus stop BS to A bus stop BS, a recorded voice such as "Next is A" is played inside bus B. Also, while traveling on the section hi from H bus stop BS to I bus stop BS, a recorded voice such as "Next is I" is played inside bus B. After the next bus stop BS has been announced, bus B arrives at that bus stop BS and stops there.

[0046] The information distribution device 20 acquires, for example, audio data of an in-vehicle announcement broadcast inside the bus B through a microphone installed inside the bus B (step S101).

[0047] For example, when the application App is permitted to access the microphone app, the application App can obtain audio data picked up by the microphone and upload it to the information distribution device 20. That is, the information distribution device 20 can also obtain audio data of in-vehicle announcements played inside the bus B through the microphone of the user terminal 10.

[0048] Based on the voice data uploaded from bus B, the information distribution device 20 registers the time when bus B passed bus stop BS in the operation management database DB2 (step S102).

[0049] Specifically, the information distribution device 20 analyzes the voice data uploaded from the bus B and detects the next bus stop BS announced in the bus.

[0050] As an example, the information distribution device 20 extracts voice data (i.e., in-vehicle announcements, which are recorded voices) that are highly correlated with a reference pattern of recorded voices from the voice data uploaded from the bus B. The information distribution device 20 converts the extracted voice data into a feature amount. This feature amount is a numerical value that quantitatively indicates the voice.

[0051] The information distribution device 20 extracts phonemes from the features using an acoustic model. The information distribution device 20 matches phonemes with words (bus stop names) using a pronunciation dictionary, and detects the next bus stop BS by converting highly correlated bus stop names into text.

[0052] The data uploaded from bus B includes the transmission time and the identifier of bus B, which is the source of the data.

[0053] The information distribution device 20 searches for the record of the corresponding bus B based on the identifier included in the upload data. The information distribution device 20 identifies the section along which the bus B is currently traveling from the detected bus stop BS. The information distribution device 20 registers the transmission time of the upload data in the corresponding field as the time when the bus B passed the bus stop BS. The "corresponding field" is a field of the record found by the search, and is a field that indicates the section along which the bus B is currently traveling.

[0054] As an example, a case will be described in which the voice data of "Next is M" is uploaded from bus B1 at 8:35.

[0055] In this case, the information distribution device 20 detects M bus stop BS (downbound) as the next bus stop BS where the bus B1 indicated by the identifier included in the upload data will stop. Note that the information distribution device 20 can determine whether the direction of bus B is upbound or downbound by, for example, referring to the bus stop name in the previously received audio data.

[0056] By detecting M bus stop BS (downbound), the information distribution device 20 determines that bus B1 has departed from L bus stop BS, which is one stop before M bus stop BS (in other words, bus B1 is traveling in section lm).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the information distribution device 20 registers the upload data transmission time of 8:35 in the section lm field of the record for bus B1 as the time when bus B1 passed L bus stop BS.

[0058] The audio data of the in-vehicle announcement may be directly transmitted to the information distribution device 20 at the timing when the in-vehicle announcement is broadcast inside the bus B. For example, text of the bus stop BS may be added to the audio data as meta information. In this case, it becomes unnecessary for the information distribution device 20 to execute the audio analysis process.

[0059] In this way, the information distribution device 20 operates as a detection unit that detects the time when the bus passed the bus stop BS (an example of a location) based on the in-vehicle announcement (an example of a voice announced inside a moving body). The information distribution device 20 stores the time detected by the detection unit in the operation management database DB2 (an example of a first storage unit).

[0060] The information distribution device 20 updates the operation management database DB2 based on data successively uploaded from each of the buses B1 to B6. That is, the information distribution device 20 keeps track of the operation status of all the buses B in the information distribution system 1 at all times.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a flow in which the operation status of bus B managed by information distribution device 20 is distributed to user terminal 10. As shown in FIG.

[0062] Note that the execution subjects of the various processes described below are merely examples. In another embodiment, for example, some or all of the processes executed by the information distribution device 20 in the following description may be executed by the user terminal 10. That is, in another embodiment, the entirety including the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 may operate as an information distribution device, or the user terminal 10 may operate alone as an information distribution device.

[0063] In this embodiment, after the application App is installed in the user terminal 10, the user can check the operation status of the bus B through the application App. With reference to Fig. 5, a description will be given including the installation of the application App.

[0064] An NFC tag T1 is attached to every bus stop BS on the route, as shown in Figure 1. For example, a message or an illustration inviting the user to install an application App is printed on the NFC tag T1.

[0065] The NFC tag T1 is a medium attached to the bus stop BS and is an example of a medium placed at the bus stop BS (an example of a first location). For example, an identifier of the bus stop BS to which the NFC tag T1 is attached is embedded in the NFC tag T1. The NFC tag T1, which is an example of a medium, may be replaced with a QR code (registered trademark).

[0066] When a user brings the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag T1, the user terminal 10 and the NFC tag T1 perform near field wireless communication (NFC communication).

[0067] A deep link of an application App is embedded in the NFC tag T1. The user terminal 10 communicates with the NFC tag T1 to acquire the deep link (step S201), and accesses an application store according to the acquired deep link (step S202).

[0068] The application store is, for example, Google (registered trademark) Play. The application store may be a store independently operated by the business entity that provides the information distribution system 1.

[0069] When a user makes a request to download an application App in the app store, download of the application App starts (step S203). When the application App is downloaded and installed in the user terminal 10 (step S204), the application App starts (step S205).

[0070] The user can install and launch the application App by simply taking the simple action of bringing the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag T1.

[0071] From the next time onwards, when the user terminal 10 performs NFC communication with the NFC tag T1, a push notification is displayed on the user terminal 10. When the user taps the push notification, the application App is launched. The user can immediately launch the application App by simply performing a simple action.

[0072] In this way, the NFC tag T1 (an example of a medium) includes information that induces the launch of the application App (an example of a predetermined application) in the user terminal 10.

[0073] When the application App is launched for the first time, for example, a member registration screen and a wireless LAN registration screen are displayed in sequence on the user terminal 10. In order to promptly deliver the operation status to the user terminal 10, these screens may be displayed after the delivery of the operation status.

[0074] The member registration screen is, for example, a screen for inputting user information necessary to use an EC service provided on the application App. This EC service may be provided on a browser. A user who does not use the EC service does not need to perform a member registration operation.

[0075] When the user inputs user information into the member registration screen, the input user information is uploaded to the information distribution device 20 .

[0076] A record for each user is stored in the user information database DB1 provided in the information distribution device 20. In each record, user information of each user is registered.

[0077] When the user information is uploaded from the user terminal 10, the information distribution device 20 creates a new record. The information distribution device 20 registers the uploaded user information in the created new record.

[0078] The registered user information includes, for example, the user's name, address, age, preferences (food, movies, anime, clothes, shoes, sports, etc.), user terminal ID (Identification), and user agent information (device terminal information, etc.). The user terminal ID is an identifier of the user terminal 10.

[0079] The wireless LAN registration screen is a setting screen for connecting the user terminal 10 to the wireless LAN master AP in the bus B. A user who does not use the wireless LAN service does not need to perform the setting operation for wireless connection.

[0080] The wireless LAN registration screen is not displayed on the user terminal 10 at this point, but may be displayed on the user terminal 10, for example, when the user touches the user terminal 10 to an NFC tag T2 affixed to various places on the bus B (e.g., a strap, a wall of the bus interior, etc.).

[0081] The user performs connection setting between the user terminal 10 and the wireless LAN master AP according to the wireless LAN registration screen. The user terminal 10 acquires wireless LAN information required for the connection setting, for example, during communication with the NFC tag T1. The user terminal 10 may acquire the wireless LAN information from a server via the application App.

[0082] The user grants various usage permissions according to the setting screen of the application App. The various usage permissions include an item for setting whether or not to permit automatic connection to the wireless LAN base station AP. The various usage permissions also include an item for setting whether or not to permit push notification when connecting to the wireless LAN base station AP. The various usage permissions also include an item for setting whether or not to permit provision of location information of the user terminal 10.

[0083] After being started (step S205), the application App issues a request to the information distribution device 20 (step S206). This request includes, for example, the identifier of the bus stop BS to which the NFC tag T1 is attached, the transmission date and time, the user terminal ID, and user agent information.

[0084] The application App counts and holds the number of requests issued within a predetermined period (for example, within the last three months). A request to the information distribution device 20 also includes the number of requests as information.

[0085] The information distribution device 20 executes the estimation process in response to a request from the user terminal 10 (application App) (step S207).

[0086] Specifically, the information distribution device 20 searches the operation management database DB2 using the identifier of the bus stop BS included in the request from the user terminal 10 (application App) as a key, and identifies the bus B that is currently the earliest to arrive at the bus stop BS among the buses B1 to B6.

[0087] The timetable database DB3 stores bus schedules for buses B1 to B6.

[0088] The information distribution device 20 refers to the bus schedule registered in the timetable database DB3 and estimates the time when the identified bus B will arrive at the bus stop BS.

[0089] In the example of Fig. 1, the user touches the NFC tag T1 attached to the H bus stop BS (inbound) at 8:36. The information distribution device 20 searches the operation management database DB2 in response to a request from the user terminal 10 (application App) and identifies the bus B6 running in the section lk as the bus B that will arrive at the H bus stop BS (inbound) earliest.

[0090] The bus schedule for bus B6 registered in the timetable database DB3 indicates that bus B6 will arrive at bus stop H BS nine minutes after it departs from bus stop L BS. Therefore, the information distribution device 20 estimates the arrival time to be 8:45, nine minutes after the request transmission time (8:36).

[0091] In this way, when the information distribution device 20 receives a request (an example of first communication) from the user terminal 10 (application App) that has acquired an identifier of the bus stop BS (an example of first information) from the NFC tag T1 (an example of a medium placed at a first location) affixed to the bus stop BS, the information distribution device 20 operates as an estimation unit that estimates the arrival time of bus B (an example of a moving body) at the bus stop BS (an example of a first location) based on the time stored in the operation management database DB2 (an example of a first memory unit).

[0092] The information distribution device 20 distributes the operation status (step S208).

[0093] In the example of FIG. 1, the operation status information to be distributed includes that bus B6 has departed from bus stop L BS (upbound) and that bus B6 will arrive at bus stop H BS (upbound) in approximately 9 minutes.

[0094] In this manner, the information distribution device 20 operates as a notification unit that notifies the user terminal 10 (application App) of the arrival time estimated by the estimation unit.

[0095] In addition, the information distribution device 20 operating as a notification unit notifies the user terminal 10 (application App) of the arrival time of bus B (an example of a moving body) that arrives earliest at bus stop BS (an example of a first location) among buses B1 to B6 (an example of each moving body moving within the route).

[0096] The user terminal 10 (application App) displays a notification screen based on the distributed operation status (step S209). From another perspective, the information distribution device 20 operating as a notification unit causes the application App in an activated state to display the arrival time.

[0097] Fig. 6 shows an example of a notification screen displayed on the application App. As shown in Fig. 6, the notification screen displays information indicating that bus B will arrive about 9 minutes after passing bus stop L BS. This allows the user to understand the operating status of bus B and the waiting time at bus stop BS.

[0098] In the process of this flowchart, the user is notified of the operation status using the user terminal 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a dedicated display unit for displaying operation information at each bus stop BS along the route. Therefore, a mechanism is provided for notifying the user of the operation status of bus B while suppressing the introduction cost of the system.

[0099] In this embodiment, bringing the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag T1 and performing short-distance wireless communication serves as a lead for receiving the operation status distribution service. That is, the user can receive the operation status distribution service by simply performing the simple action of bringing the user terminal 10 close to the NFC tag T1.

[0100] The information distribution device 20 identifies the user (step S210).

[0101] Specifically, if the number of requests (in other words, the frequency of requests) within a specified period included in the request issued by the application App (step S206) is equal to or greater than a first threshold, it is highly likely that the user of the user terminal 10 is a user who frequently uses the bus B.

[0102] A user who frequently uses bus B (an example of a first category user) is, for example, a resident who lives along the route or a regular passenger who uses bus B regularly.

[0103] In this manner, the information distribution device 20 operates as a discrimination unit that discriminates the user of the user terminal 10 based on a request (an example of a first communication) from the user terminal 10 (application App).

[0104] Additionally, the information distribution device 20 operating as a determination unit determines the user of the user terminal 10 based on the number of requests (an example of first communication) from the user terminal 10 (application App).

[0105] Various advertisements / coupons are registered in the advertisement / coupon database DB4.

[0106] If it is determined that the user of the user terminal 10 is a user of the first category, the information distribution device 20 retrieves advertisements and coupons for users of the first category from the advertisement / coupon database DB4 and distributes them to the user terminal 10 (application App) (step S211).

[0107] In this manner, the information distribution device 20 operates as a distribution unit that distributes advertisements and coupons (examples of second information) to the user terminal 10 (application App) based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0108] The user terminal 10 (application App) displays the distributed advertisements and coupons for users in the first category on the screen (step S212).

[0109] The first category of advertisements and coupons for users are, for example, advertisements and coupons for facilities such as hospitals and cram schools that can be used by local residents or regular customers.

[0110] If the number of requests within a specified period (in other words, the frequency of requests) included in the request issued by the application App (step S206) is less than a first threshold, it is highly likely that the user of the user terminal 10 is not a first category user but a second category user (e.g., a tourist or a user using bus B for the first time).

[0111] In this case, the information distribution device 20 determines that the user of the user terminal 10 is a user of the second category (step S210). The information distribution device 20 acquires advertisements and coupons for users of the second category from the advertisement / coupon database DB4 and distributes them to the user terminal 10 (application App) (step S211).

[0112] The user terminal 10 (application App) displays the delivered information for the user in the second category on the screen (step S212).

[0113] Advertisements and coupons for users in the second category include, for example, advertisements and coupons for popular restaurants and tourist spots that have long lines, and are useful for tourists and the like.

[0114] By delivering advertisements and coupons based on the user's judgment results, it is expected that stores and facilities will see high advertising effectiveness, visitor rates, etc. In addition, bus companies that operate routes will be able to earn advertising revenue.

[0115] The store may be, for example, a street store, a tenant store (a store in a building or a commercial facility), etc. The facility may be, for example, a commercial facility, a movie theater, an amusement park, a stadium, an event venue, a hospital, etc.

[0116] In order to obtain a higher advertising effect, the information distribution device 20 may distribute advertisements and coupons with content more suitable for the user to the user terminal 10 (application App) based on, for example, the user's preference information registered in the user information database DB1.

[0117] When the user permits the provision of location information of the user terminal 10, the request to the information distribution device 20 includes the history of the location information of the user terminal 10. The information distribution device 20 operating as a discrimination unit may acquire this history of location information and discriminate the user based on the acquired history.

[0118] As an example, if the history indicates that the user stays in a location near the bus stop BS for a long time every day, the information distribution device 20 determines that the user of the user terminal 10 is a user of the first category. If there is no such history, the information distribution device 20 determines that the user of the user terminal 10 is a user of the second category.

[0119] If automatic connection to the wireless LAN base station AP is permitted in the user terminal 10, the user terminal 10 is automatically connected to the wireless LAN base station AP when the user gets on the bus B. The user can use the in-vehicle-only EC service by operating the application App only when the user terminal 10 and the wireless LAN base station AP are in a connected state.

[0120] In this case, the application App is started on the user terminal 10 by the user's action (touching the NFC tag T1) to check the operation status, which leads to the user being prompted to use the EC service. This promotes the reuse of dormant users of the application App. It is also expected that starting the application App will become a habit.

[0121] For example, consider a case where rare products are sold on a bus-only EC service on routes with few passengers. In this case, users who want to purchase such products can be attracted as route users. This is ideal for the bus company that operates the route, as it leads to an increase in the number of route users.

[0122] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 include a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a communication unit 130, an input unit 140, and an output unit 150.

[0123] Note that Fig. 7 shows only an example of the functional blocks of the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 may include other functional blocks not shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 may be configured not to include some of the functional blocks.

[0124] The control unit 110 controls the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The control unit 110 can be configured by a controller, a control circuit, or a control device that is explained based on common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention.

[0125] The storage unit 120 stores information used by the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The storage unit 120 can be configured, for example, by a memory, a storage, a storage device, or the like that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention.

[0126] The communication unit 130 performs communication (e.g., mutual communication) between the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The communication unit 130 can be configured with a transmitter / receiver, a transmission / reception circuit, or a transmission / reception device that are explained based on a common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention. The communication unit 130 may be configured with a transmission unit and a reception unit.

[0127] The input unit 140 accepts inputs from the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The input unit 140 may also be connected to a predetermined device, storage medium, etc., and may accept data inputs. The input unit 140 may output the input results to the control unit 110, for example.

[0128] The input unit 140 can be configured with input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and buttons, input / output terminals, input / output circuits, etc., which are explained based on common understanding in the technical field related to the present invention. The input unit 140 may also be configured to be integrated with a display unit (for example, a touch panel).

[0129] The output unit 150 performs output in the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The output unit 150 may be configured to include a display unit that displays images, an audio output unit that outputs audio, and the like.

[0130] The display unit may be configured with a display device such as a display or monitor that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field of the present invention, and the audio output unit may be configured with an output device such as a speaker that is described based on a common understanding in the technical field of the present invention.

[0131] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. The means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one physically combined device, or may be realized by two or more physically separated devices connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0132] For example, the devices according to an embodiment of the present invention (user terminal 10 and information distribution device 20) may function as a computer that performs the information distribution process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20. The user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

[0134] In this embodiment, the terms "apparatus," "circuit," "device," "unit," "server," etc. may be interchangeable. The hardware configurations of the user terminal 10 and the information distribution apparatus 20 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0135] For example, although only one processor 1001 is shown, there may be multiple processors, and the processes may be performed by a single processor or the processes may be performed by two or more processors simultaneously, serially, or in other manners, and the processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips.

[0136] Each function in the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 is realized by loading a specific software (program) onto hardware such as a processor 1001, a memory 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations and controls communications via a communication device 1004, reading and / or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003, etc.

[0137] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured with a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Each unit such as the control unit 110 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0138] The processor 1001 reads out programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiments. For example, the control unit 110 may be realized by a control program that runs on the processor 1001. Similarly, other functional blocks may be realized by control programs. The control program is stored in the memory 1002, for example.

[0139] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be composed of, for example, at least one of a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), an Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), or other suitable storage medium.

[0140] The memory 1002 may be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The memory 1002 may store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium. Storage 1003 may be, for example, at least one of a flexible disk, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM)), a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a removable disk, a hard disk drive, a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a magnetic stripe, a database, a server, and other suitable storage media.

[0142] The storage 1003 may be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 120 may be realized by the memory 1002 and / or the storage 1003.

[0143] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network. The communication device 1004 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may include a SIM card. Note that the communication unit 130 may be realized by the communication device 1004.

[0144] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that accepts an input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) that performs output to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one (e.g., a touch panel). The input unit 140 and the output unit 150 may be realized by the input device 1005 and the output device 1006, respectively.

[0145] Each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured by a single bus, or may be configured by different buses between the devices.

[0146] Furthermore, the user terminal 10 and the information distribution device 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0147] (Modification) In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and / or terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0148] The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. Furthermore, the names used for parameters, etc. in this disclosure are not limiting in any respect.

[0149] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0150] Information, signals, etc. may be input and output via multiple network nodes. Input and output information, signals, etc. may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or may be managed using a table. Input and output information, signals, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information, signals, etc. may be deleted. Input information, signals, etc. may be transmitted to another device.

[0151] Furthermore, notification of specified information (e.g., notification that "it is X") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be made implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the specified information or by notifying other information).

[0152] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0153] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted and received via a transmission medium and / or signal waveform. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of a transmission medium.

[0154] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably.

[0155] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched according to implementation. In addition, the processing procedures, sequences, flow charts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be reordered unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0156] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0157] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0158] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Further, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0159] In this disclosure, where articles have been added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0160] Although the invention according to the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention according to the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The invention according to the present disclosure can be implemented as modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined based on the description of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the invention according to the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 1: Information distribution system 10: User terminal 20: Information distribution device 30: Network AP: Wireless LAN base station App: Application BS: Bus stop CD: Communication Device DB1: User information database DB2: Traffic management database DB3: Timetable database DB4: Advertising / Coupon Database T1: NFC tag T2: NFC tag

Claims

1. An information distribution device for a moving object that stops at each of a plurality of points arranged on a predetermined route in sequence, a first storage unit that stores a time when each of the moving objects moving within the route passed each of the points; an estimation unit that, when receiving a first communication from a user terminal that has acquired first information from a medium placed at a first location, estimates an arrival time of the moving object at the first location based on the time stored in the first storage unit; and a notification unit that notifies the user terminal of the estimated arrival time. Information distribution device.

2. the medium includes information for inducing activation of a predetermined application in the user terminal; The notification unit causes the started application to display the arrival time.

2. The information distribution device according to claim 1.

3. the notification unit notifies the user terminal of an arrival time of a moving object that arrives earliest at the first point among the moving objects moving within the route.

2. The information distribution device according to claim 1.

4. A detection unit detects a time when the vehicle passes through the location based on a voice announced inside the vehicle, The first storage unit stores a time detected by the detection unit.

2. The information distribution device according to claim 1.

5. the moving object is a bus, A bus stop is provided at each of the plurality of locations, The medium is a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag or a QR code (registered trademark) attached to the bus stop.

2. The information distribution device according to claim 1.

6. a discrimination unit that discriminates a user of the user terminal based on the first communication; A distribution unit that distributes second information to the user terminal based on a determination result of the determination unit. The information distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The discrimination unit is Identifying the user based on the number of times of the first communication; 7. The information distribution device according to claim 6.

8. The discrimination unit is If the frequency of the first communication is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the user is determined to be a user in a first category; The distribution unit is Delivering information for users of the first category to the user terminal as the second information.

8. The information distribution device according to claim 7.

9. The discrimination unit is If the frequency of the first communication is less than a first threshold, the user is determined to be a second category user; The distribution unit is Delivering information for users of the second category to the user terminal as the second information.

8. The information distribution device according to claim 7.

10. The discrimination unit is Acquire a history of location information of the user terminal; Identifying the user based on the acquired history; 7. The information distribution device according to claim 6.

11. storing the time when each of the moving objects that stops at each of a plurality of points arranged on a predetermined route passes through each of the points; when receiving a first communication from a user terminal that has acquired first information from a medium placed at a first location, estimating an arrival time of the moving object at the first location based on the time stored in a first storage unit; notifying the user terminal of the estimated arrival time; The process is executed by a computer. Information delivery methods.

12. storing the time when each of the moving objects that stops at each of a plurality of points arranged on a predetermined route passes through each of the points; when receiving a first communication from a user terminal that has acquired first information from a medium placed at a first location, estimating an arrival time of the moving object at the first location based on the time stored in a first storage unit; notifying the user terminal of the estimated arrival time; The process is executed by a computer. Information distribution program.

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