Information provision device and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information provision device that delivers information to a mobile device carried by a user while they are on the move. [Solution] An information providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information providing device that provides information to a mobile terminal carried by a user while on the move, comprising: an information storage unit that stores information prompting the user to a specific destination; a state identification unit that identifies the state of the user's movement; and an information providing unit that, according to the state identified by the state identification unit, refers to the information storage unit and provides the information to the mobile terminal. In the information providing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the state identified by the state identification unit may include detecting at least one of the following: that the means of movement has been changed, and that the means of movement will be changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes "a car navigation apparatus that performs a route search to a destination based on the vehicle position detected by a vehicle position detection means and the set destination information, and displays a route guidance image corresponding to the vehicle position that changes as the vehicle travels on a display screen according to the result of the route search, and guides the vehicle to the destination." [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011 - 149835

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus that provides information to a mobile terminal carried by a user during movement. The apparatus may include an information storage unit that stores information prompting the user to a specific visit location. Any of the apparatuses may include a state specifying unit that specifies the state of movement of the user. Any of the apparatuses may include an information providing unit that refers to the information storage unit according to the state specified by the state specifying unit and provides the information to the mobile terminal.

[0004] In any of the above information providing apparatuses, the state specified by the state specifying unit may include detecting at least one of the change in the means of movement and the change in the means of movement.

[0005] In any of the above information providing apparatuses, the state specifying unit may detect at least one of them based on the position information of the mobile terminal.

[0006] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the status identification unit may identify that the means of movement has been changed based on a change in the movement speed of the mobile terminal.

[0007] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the information storage unit may store the next means of movement in association with the means of movement.

[0008] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the status identification unit may identify the current means of travel based on the location information of the mobile terminal and, by referring to the information storage unit, identify that the means of travel will be changed to the next one.

[0009] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the state identification unit may identify at least one of the above-mentioned items from the journey information, which associates time with means of travel.

[0010] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the above-mentioned information may be stored in the information storage unit in association with the type of information.

[0011] In any of the above-mentioned information-providing devices, the types of information may include attention, interest, search, and purchase.

[0012] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the information providing unit may provide the above-mentioned information to the mobile terminal such that the ratio of searches and purchases is higher than the ratio of attentions and interests when using the slower-speed means than when using the faster-speed means.

[0013] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the information providing unit may provide the above-mentioned information to the mobile terminal such that the ratio of searches and purchases is higher than the ratio of attentions and interests in the means with an unfixed route than in the means with a fixed route.

[0014] In any of the above-described information providing devices, the information providing unit may provide the information such that the means moving in a plane has a higher ratio of search and purchase information than the means moving along a line.

[0015] In any of the above-mentioned information-providing devices, the types of information may include auditory and visual information.

[0016] In any of the above-described information providing devices, the information providing unit may provide auditory information when the means requires the user to operate, and may provide visual information when the means does not require the user to operate.

[0017] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the status identification unit may identify the location visited by the user.

[0018] In any of the above-mentioned information providing devices, the information providing unit may refer to the information storage unit and provide the mobile terminal with information prompting the user to go to a specific destination that is further away from the destination than the destination.

[0019] In a second aspect of the present invention, a program is provided. The program may implement an information storage function in a computer that provides information to a mobile terminal carried by a user while on the move, storing information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit. Any of the above programs may implement a state identification function in the computer that identifies the state of the user's movement while on the move. Any of the above programs may implement an information provision function that refers to the information storage function and provides the above information to the mobile terminal according to the state identified by the state identification function.

[0020] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all of its features. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] An example of a system including the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 2] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 3] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 4] An example of an operation flow of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 5] It is a conceptual diagram showing the vicinity of the position of the user 20 operating the mobile terminal 30. [Figure 6] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 7] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 8] An example of an operation flow of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 9] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 10] An example of an operation flow of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 11] An example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10 is shown. [Figure 12] The relationship between economic value and total moving distance is shown. [Figure 13] An example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be wholly or partially embodied is shown.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0023] Figure 1 shows an example of a system including an information providing device 10. The information providing device 10 and the mobile terminal 30 communicate with each other via a communication network 40. The communication network 40 is, for example, the internet. The information providing device 10 provides information to a user 20 on the move via the mobile terminal 30, prompting them to a specific destination.

[0024] The information provision device 10 is operated and managed by railway operators, travel agencies, public transport open data centers, etc. The information provision device 10 comprises a status identification unit 101, an information storage unit 103, and an information provision unit 105.

[0025] The state identification unit 101 identifies the state of movement of the user 20. The state of movement may include the current location, the means of movement such as train or walking, and changes in the means of movement such as from train to walking. In this embodiment, assuming that the user is moving by train, car, light mobility device, or on foot, the means of movement is identified as either "train" (and route name), "car," "light mobility device," or "walking." The means of movement is identified based on the speed of the means of movement. Instead of, or in addition to speed, the means of movement may be identified based on the trajectory or range of movement. A light mobility device is a drivable mobility device that is faster than walking and more maneuverable than a car, such as an electric kick scooter.

[0026] "Railways" (and line names) and "automobiles" are means of high-speed travel. "Light mobility" and "walking" are means of low-speed travel. However, the specified means of travel are not limited to these; other means such as airplanes may also be included, and for automobiles, whether or not it is a highway, and if so, the name of the highway, may also be included.

[0027] The information storage unit 103 stores information that the status identification unit 101 refers to in order to identify the state of movement. This information includes a map of a predetermined area, a predetermined first speed, a predetermined second speed, and a predetermined third speed. The map includes the shape of railway lines, roads, and sidewalks.

[0028] The information provision unit 105, according to the movement status identified by the status identification unit 101, refers to the information storage unit 103 and provides the user 20 with information prompting them to a specific destination via the mobile terminal 30. The information referred to by the information provision unit 105 will be described later.

[0029] The mobile terminal 30 is an information terminal carried by the user 20, and is, for example, a smartphone. Since the mobile terminal 30 moves with the user 20, the position and speed of the mobile terminal 30 can be considered to represent the position and speed of the user 20.

[0030] The mobile terminal 30 determines its own location. For example, the mobile terminal 30 determines its latitude and longitude based on signals from GPS. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 30 uses the latitude and longitude and map information to determine its own location. Unless otherwise specified, in this embodiment, location refers to a geographical area under the jurisdiction of a national or local government, for example, "Azabu Juban *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo". The mobile terminal 30 calculates and stores its own speed of movement based on the time change of the above latitude and longitude.

[0031] The mobile terminal 30 stores a terminal ID that identifies the mobile terminal 30. The terminal ID is, for example, a combination of five digits.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information provision device 10. The information storage unit 103 stores "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit," "location," "means of transportation," and "type of information" in a mutually corresponding manner. This information is stored in the information storage unit 103 by the administrator of the information provision device 10. However, this information is not limited to information stored by the administrator. For example, this information may include images uploaded to social networking services (SNS), etc. This information may include images uploaded to SNS, etc., within a certain period of time since uploading.

[0033] "Information that prompts the user to a specific location" refers to information that prompts the user 20 to a location, such as the URL of a site that provides information about the location, the title of the site, or a short sentence or phrase.

[0034] "Location" refers to a place or area related to a specific place of visit. For example, "Location" may be the exact address of the specific place of visit, or it may be a broader geographical area that includes that place of visit.

[0035] The "means of transportation" corresponds to the means of transportation identified by the state identification unit 101. In this embodiment, it is one of the following: "railway" (and route name), "automobile," "light mobility vehicle," or "walking."

[0036] "Type of information" includes "nature of information" and "form of information." "Nature of information" is one of the following: "attention," "interest," "search," and "purchase." "Form of information" is either visual information or auditory information.

[0037] "Attention" indicates information that will attract the user's attention. For example, the first row of the table shown in Figure 2 stores the URL of the site and the title of the site, "**First Solo Exhibition! At Gallery D!", associated with "Attention". This information is from a site with many images of paintings, containing a great deal of visual information, and is likely to attract the user's attention. The administrator of the information providing device 10 stores the location of Gallery D, including the area of ​​Minato Ward, Tokyo, which is broader than the location itself, as the "location" in the information storage unit 103. In addition, the administrator of the information providing device 10 stores the A line, which serves Station C, the nearest station to Gallery D, as the "means of transportation" in the information storage unit 103.

[0038] "Interest" indicates information that will pique the user's interest. For example, the second row of the table shown in Figure 2 stores the URL of a site and the title of that site, "Detailed Explanation: Painting E," associated with "Interest." This information is a site that provides a detailed explanation of painting E, and can be considered to stimulate the reader's desire for knowledge and pique their interest. The administrator of the information providing device 10 stores the location of Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, which is a broader area than the location of the gallery where painting E is exhibited, as the "location" in the information storage unit 103. In addition, the administrator of the information providing device 10 stores a light mobility vehicle as the "means of transportation" in the information storage unit 103.

[0039] "Search" indicates information that prompts the user to investigate matters of interest. Information whose "nature of information" is "search" may be related to information with the nature of "attention" or "interest". For example, the third row of the table shown in Figure 2 stores the text "gallery / Minato-ku" associated with "search". This information can be considered to prompt the user to investigate galleries in Minato-ku using a search engine. The text "gallery / Minato-ku" is related to art exhibitions and paintings, and is therefore related to "**First solo exhibition! At Gallery D!" which has the nature of attention, and "Detailed explanation: Painting E" which has the nature of interest. The administrator of the information providing device 10 stores Tokyo, Minato-ku as the "location" in the information storage unit 103. The administrator of the information providing device 10 stores walking as the "means of travel" in the information storage unit 103.

[0040] "Purchase" indicates information that encourages the user to purchase a product related to that information. For example, the fourth row of the table shown in Figure 2 stores the URL of the site and the title of the site, "D Gallery: List of Works," associated with "Purchase." This information includes a link to an e-commerce site and can be considered as encouraging the reader to purchase the artwork by presenting a means of purchase. The administrator of the information providing device 10 stores the location of D Gallery, including the area of ​​Minato Ward, Tokyo, which is a broader area than the actual location, as the "location" in the information storage unit 103. In addition, the administrator of the information providing device 10 stores the A line, which serves Station C, the nearest station to D Gallery, as the "means of transportation" in the information storage unit 103.

[0041] "Information format" indicates whether the information that prompts the user to a specific destination is provided as visual information, auditory information, or both.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information providing device 10. The information storage unit 103 stores "reception time," "terminal ID," and "movement status" in association with each other. "Movement status" includes "location," "means of movement," and "movement speed."

[0043] Figure 4 shows an example of the operation flow of the information providing device 10. The operation flow in Figure 4 is an example where "means of movement" is used as the "state of operation". Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the area around the location of the user 20 carrying the mobile terminal 30, used to explain the operation flow.

[0044] Figure 5 shows, as an example for explanation, the location 601 of the mobile terminal 30, another location 603 of the mobile terminal 30, railway line A 611, railway line B 613, railway line I 619, station C 615 where lines A 611 and B 613 intersect, station H 617 where lines B 613 and I 619 intersect, gallery D 621, and park 631. In Figure 5, solid lines with width represent roadways, and dashed lines represent sidewalks.

[0045] Figure 5 will be used to explain what each means of transportation entails. Users traveling using lines A 611, B 613, and I 619 travel only along their respective lines. Therefore, railway lines A 611, B 613, and I 619 are means of transportation with fixed routes and travel along lines. Users traveling by car travel only along roadways, which are represented by wide solid lines. Users driving cars make right and left turns and U-turns along the roadways as appropriate. Therefore, cars are means of transportation with no fixed routes and travel along lines. On the other hand, users traveling on foot or by light mobility devices travel on sidewalks and within park 631, which are represented by dashed lines. Since sidewalks branch out in many directions and park 631 is open land, users traveling on foot or by light mobility devices can move across areas. Therefore, walking and light mobility devices are means of transportation with no fixed routes and travel within areas.

[0046] The status identification unit 101 receives the location, movement speed, and terminal ID of the mobile terminal 30 from the mobile terminal 30 and stores them in the information storage unit 103 (step S100). The status identification unit 101 periodically receives this information related to the mobile terminal 30, for example every minute. When the status identification unit 101 receives the location, movement speed, and terminal ID of the mobile terminal 30 from the mobile terminal 30, the operation flow shown in Figure 4 is initiated.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 3, the status identification unit 101 stores the location "Azabu Juban *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" (location 601 in Figure 5) and the speed of movement "66 km / h" received from the mobile terminal 30 in the information storage unit 103.

[0048] The status identification unit 101 refers to the map in the information storage unit 103 and determines whether the mobile terminal 30 is located near a railway line (step S101). The criteria for determining whether it is near a railway line may be set in advance by the administrator. In the operation flow shown in Figure 4, the status identification unit 101 determines whether the mobile terminal 30 is located within 5m of a railway line. In the example in Figure 5, the status identification unit 101 compares the map in the information storage unit 103 with location 601 and calculates that location 601 is located 4m from line A 611, and therefore determines that location 601 is near line A 611.

[0049] If the mobile terminal 30 is located near a railway line, the status identification unit 101 identifies the railway line in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 30 as a "means of transportation" (step S103), associates it with the location of the mobile terminal 30, and stores it in the information storage unit 103 (step S115). To illustrate using Figure 3, the status identification unit 101 identifies line A as a "means of transportation," associates it with location 601, and stores it in the information storage unit 103 along with the information that line A is a railway.

[0050] If the mobile terminal 30 is not located near a railway line, the status determination unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and determines whether the mobile terminal 30's movement speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined first speed (S105). In the operation flow shown in Figure 4, the status determination unit 101 determines whether the mobile terminal 30's movement speed is 40 km / h or more.

[0051] If the mobile terminal 30 is moving at a speed equal to or greater than the first speed, the state identification unit 101 identifies the automobile as a "means of transportation" (step S107) and stores it in the information storage unit 103 (step S115). If the mobile terminal 30 is moving at a speed equal to or greater than the first speed, the state identification unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and determines whether the mobile terminal 30 is moving at a speed equal to or greater than a predetermined second speed (step S109). In the operation flow shown in Figure 4, the state identification unit 101 determines whether the mobile terminal is moving at a speed of 15 km / h or more.

[0052] If the mobile terminal 30 is moving at a speed equal to or greater than the second speed, the state identification unit 101 identifies light mobility as the "means of transportation" (step S111) and stores it in the information storage unit 103 (step S115). If the mobile terminal 30 is moving at a speed equal to or greater than the second speed, the state identification unit 101 identifies walking as the "means of transportation" (step S113) and stores it in the information storage unit 103. In this manner, the state identification unit 101 identifies the user 20's current means of transportation based on the location of the mobile terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 30's movement speed.

[0053] The information provision unit 105 refers to the tables shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the information storage unit 103 to identify "information prompting the user to a specific destination" corresponding to the "means of transportation" and "next means of transportation" (step S117). The information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 2 for the "location" and "means of transportation" in the table shown in Figure 3, and identifies "information prompting the user to a specific destination" associated with the found "location" and "means of transportation". Note that for "location", since the location in the table in Figure 2 may cover a wide area, a prefix match is acceptable.

[0054] For example, if the current time is "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:46", the information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 2 for "Azabu Juban *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" and "Railway: Line A" which are associated with that time in Figure 2. The information provision unit 105 identifies "**First solo exhibition! At Gallery D!", "Gallery / Minato-ku", and "Gallery D: List of works" which are associated with the searched "Minato-ku" and "Line A".

[0055] The information provision unit 105 transmits the identified "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit" to the mobile terminal 30 (step S119). Specifically, the information provision unit 105 transmits the URLs and site titles of "**First solo exhibition! At Gallery D!", "Gallery / Minato Ward", and "Gallery D: List of works" to the mobile terminal 30. In this manner, the information provision device 10 provides the user 20 with information prompting them to a specific place to visit via the mobile terminal 30.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 according to another embodiment of the information providing device 10. In this embodiment, instead of or in addition to specifying the "means of movement" to provide information as in Figure 5, the "change of means of movement" is specified to provide information.

[0057] The table in Figure 6 stores "Means of Transportation," "Next Means of Transportation," and "Change Number" in corresponding columns. The change number indicates how the means of transportation was changed. For example, change number 1 in the second row of the table shown in Figure 6 indicates that the means of transportation was changed from "railway" to "walking." The change number may indicate how the means of transportation will be changed. Here, "changed" indicates that the change was identified after it had occurred. On the other hand, "to be changed" indicates that the change was identified before it occurred.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an example of a table stored in the information storage unit 103 of the information provision device 10 according to this embodiment. The information storage unit 103 stores "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit," "location," and "change number" in association with each other. The administrator of the information provision device 10 stores information that is compatible with the change in means of transportation represented by the change number in the information storage unit 103 as "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit," associating it with that change number. For example, the administrator of the information provision device 10 stores "Art Fair for Large Groups" as association with change number 3, i.e., the change in means of transportation from "railway" to "automobile." Users who switch from rail to automobile are presumed to be users who gather at a rail station and travel in groups, so "Art Fair for Large Groups" is compatible with them.

[0059] In this embodiment, the state identification unit 101 identifies "the means of movement has been changed" as the "state of movement". In this case, the state identification unit 101 may identify that the means of movement has been changed based on the location information of the mobile terminal 30.

[0060] Figure 8 shows the operation flow according to this embodiment. The information providing device 10 according to this embodiment executes the operation flow shown in Figure 8 immediately before step S115 in Figure 4. The state identification unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and compares the latest row of the table shown in Figure 3 with the row immediately preceding it. If the "means of travel" in each row are different, the information providing unit 105 identifies that the means of travel has been changed (step S201). Using Figure 3, the information providing unit 105 compares the fourth row and the fifth row and identifies that the means of travel has been changed from "railway: Line A" to "walking" because the "means of travel" in each row are different.

[0061] The status identification unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 6 to determine that the identified means of travel has changed, thereby identifying the change number. The status identification unit 101 stores the change number in the information storage unit 103 (step S203). To explain using Figure 3, since the means of travel has changed from "railway: Line A" to "walking", the information provision unit 105 refers to the table in Figure 6 and identifies the change number "1".

[0062] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 7 for the change number and the location of the mobile terminal 30 stored in the latest row. The information provision unit 105 identifies information that prompts the user to a specific visitor location (step S205).

[0063] As explained using Figures 3, 6, and 7, the information provision unit 105 searches for change number 1 and "Roppongi *chome **banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" in the table shown in Figure 7 to identify the "list of parks with benches".

[0064] Subsequently, the information providing device executes step S115. The information providing unit 105 sends information to the mobile terminal 30 prompting the identified user to a specific place to visit. Specifically, the information providing unit 105 sends a "list of parks with benches" to the mobile terminal 30 (step S119). The information providing device 10 may perform the operations from steps S201 to S205 immediately after step S115 or step S117.

[0065] The movement status may include detecting that the means of movement has changed. In another embodiment, the status identification unit 101 may identify that the means of movement has changed based on a change in the movement speed of the mobile terminal 30. The information providing device 10 according to this embodiment executes the operation flow shown in Figure 8 immediately before step S115. The status identification unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and compares two consecutive rows of the table shown in Figure 3. If the difference in "movement speed" of each row is greater than or equal to a predetermined third speed, the status identification unit 101 identifies that the means of movement has changed (step S201). In this embodiment, the predetermined third speed is 10 km / h. Using Figure 3, the status identification unit 101 compares the fourth row and the fifth row and identifies that the means of movement has changed because the difference in "movement speed" of each row is 27 km / h, which is greater than or equal to 10 km / h.

[0066] The status identification unit 101 stores in the information storage unit 103 that the means of travel has been changed (step S203). Specifically, the status identification unit 101 stores in the information storage unit 103 that the means of travel has been changed from "railway: Line A".

[0067] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the specified means of transportation, and identifies the change number. The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 7 for the specified change number and the location of the mobile terminal 30 stored in the compared row. The information provision unit 105 identifies information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit (step S205). Using Figures 3, 6, and 7, the information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the means of transportation from "railway: Line A", and identifies change numbers 1, 2, and 3. The information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 7 for change numbers 1, 2, and 3 and "Roppongi *chome **banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo", and identifies "list of parks with benches", "Line A stations with parking for light mobility vehicles", and "art fairs for large groups".

[0068] Subsequently, the information providing device executes step S115. The information providing unit 105 transmits information to the mobile terminal 30 that prompts the identified user to a specific place to visit. Specifically, the information providing unit 105 transmits to the mobile terminal 30 a "list of parks with benches," "A-line stations with parking for light mobility vehicles," and "art fairs that can be enjoyed by large groups" (step S119). The information providing device 10 may perform the operations from steps S201 to S205 immediately after step S115 or step S117.

[0069] In another embodiment, the status identification unit 101 may identify that the means of travel is changed based on the location of the mobile terminal 30. The information providing device 10 according to this embodiment executes the operation flow shown in Figure 8 immediately before step S115. The status identification unit 101 refers to the information storage unit 103 and compares the row in the table shown in Figure 3 that stores a time prior to the latest time with the row directly above it. If the "location of the mobile terminal" in the row that stores a time prior to the latest time is closer to a facility where the means of travel is more likely to be changed than the other "location of the mobile terminal", the status identification unit 101 identifies that the means of travel is changed (step S201). A facility where the means of travel is more likely to be changed is, for example, H station 617. Since user 20 boards or alights from line B or line I at H station, H station 617 is a facility where the means of travel is more likely to be changed. As explained using Figures 3 and 6, the information provision unit 105 compares the 5th and 6th rows of the table shown in Figure 3 and determines that the means of transportation will be changed from "walking" because "Minami-Azabu *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" is closer to Station H 617 than "Nishi-Azabu *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo".

[0070] The status identification unit 101 stores in the information storage unit 103 that the means of movement has been changed (step S203). Specifically, the status identification unit 101 stores in the information storage unit 103 that the means of movement has been changed from "walking".

[0071] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the specified means of transportation, and identifies the change number. The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 7 for the specified change number and the location of the mobile terminal 30 stored in the compared row. The information provision unit 105 identifies information that prompts the user to a specific destination (step S205).

[0072] As explained using Figures 3, 6, and 7, the information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the means of transportation from "walking" and identifies change numbers 10, 11, and 12. The information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 7 for change numbers 10, 11, and 12 and "Minami-Azabu *chome *banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" and identifies "D Gallery: Night Pass," "Large Picture Frame Sales," and "Easy-to-carry Bowl Display."

[0073] Subsequently, the information providing device executes step S115. The information providing unit 105 transmits information to the mobile terminal 30 that prompts the identified user to a specific place to visit. Specifically, the information providing unit 105 transmits "D Gallery: Night Pass," "Large Picture Frame Sale," and "Easy-to-carry! Bowl Display" to the mobile terminal 30 (step S119). The information providing device 10 may perform the operations from steps S201 to S205 immediately after step S115 or step S117.

[0074] The status identification unit 101 may identify that the user 20's means of transportation has changed to the next means of transportation by referring to the information storage unit 103. The status identification unit 101 may refer to the information storage unit 103 and search for "means of transportation" in the table shown in Figure 3 in the table shown in Figure 6. Specifically, the status identification unit 101 may search for "railway: Line A" in the table shown in Figure 6 and identify "light mobility" as the next means of transportation.

[0075] The status identification unit 101 may notify the information provision unit 105 of the next means of travel it has identified. Specifically, the status identification unit 101 may notify the information provision unit 105 of the next means of travel, which is "light mobility." The information provision unit 105 may refer to the information storage unit 103, search the table shown in Figure 2 for the notified next means of travel, and identify "information prompting the user to a specific destination." Specifically, the information provision unit 105 may search the table shown in Figure 2 for "light mobility" and identify "Detailed explanation: Painting E." The information provision unit 105 may transmit the identified "information prompting the user to a specific destination" to the mobile terminal 30. Specifically, the information provision unit 105 may transmit the URL and site title of "Detailed explanation: Painting E" to the mobile terminal 30.

[0076] The table shown in Figure 9 is itinerary information that associates time with means of travel, as used in other embodiments. In this embodiment, instead of identifying that "the means of travel has been changed" in step S201 of Figure 8, the fact that "the means of travel will be changed" is identified in advance from the itinerary information.

[0077] The itinerary information is, for example, a travel plan created by user 20 themselves or created by a route guidance application. The itinerary information indicates what means of transportation user 20 will use at a given time. For example, the fourth line of the itinerary information indicates that user 20 will board the "railway: Line A" at K Station located at *chome**banchi, Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo at "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:52". The itinerary information is stored in the mobile terminal 30. The itinerary information may be automatically updated with scheduled times included in already created itinerary information based on delay and congestion information for public transportation. In addition, if user 20 intends to change their means of transportation while traveling, the itinerary information may reflect the change in means of transportation.

[0078] The status identification unit 101 receives itinerary information from the mobile terminal 30. The status identification unit 101 receives itinerary information when it receives the location of the mobile terminal 30, the speed of movement of the mobile terminal 30, and the terminal ID, or at different times.

[0079] In this embodiment, the information providing device 10 executes the operation flow shown in Figure 8 immediately before step S115. The state identification unit 101 compares two consecutive rows that store times after the time the travel information was received. If the "means of travel" in each row are different, the state identification unit 101 identifies that the means of travel has been changed (step S201). Using Figure 8, if the travel information was received at 2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:46, the state identification unit 101 compares the fifth row, which stores "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:54", with the sixth row, which stores "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:57". Since the "means of travel" in each row are different ("railway: Line A" and "on foot"), the state identification unit 101 identifies that the means of travel has been changed from "railway: Line A" to "on foot".

[0080] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 6 to identify a change in the specified means of transportation, thereby identifying the change number. The information provision unit 105 stores the change number in the information storage unit 103 (step S203). To explain using Figure 3, since it has been identified that the means of transportation will change from "railway: Line A" to "walking", the information provision unit 105 refers to the table in Figure 6 and identifies the change number "1".

[0081] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 7 for the change number and the location stored in the compared row. It identifies information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit (step S205). As explained using Figures 3, 6, and 7, the information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 7 for change number 1 and "Roppongi *chome **banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo" and identifies "List of parks with benches".

[0082] Subsequently, the information providing device executes step S115. The information providing unit 105 sends information to the mobile terminal 30 prompting the identified user to a specific place to visit. Specifically, the information providing unit 105 sends a "list of parks with benches" to the mobile terminal 30 (step S119). The information providing device 10 may perform the operations from steps S201 to S205 immediately after step S115 or step S117.

[0083] In this embodiment, the status identification unit 101 may compare two consecutive rows that store times prior to the time the travel information was received. If the "means of travel" in each row are different, the status identification unit 101 identifies that the means of travel has been changed. To illustrate with Figure 9, if the travel information is received at 2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:46, the status identification unit 101 compares the second row, which stores "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:15", with the third row, which stores "2024 / 12 / 4 / 16:35". Since the "means of travel" in each row are different ("walking" and "Line A"), the status identification unit 101 identifies that the means of travel has been changed from "walking" to "railway: Line A".

[0084] The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the specified means of travel, and identifies the change number. The information provision unit 105 refers to the information storage unit 103 and searches the table shown in Figure 7 for the specified change number and the location stored in the compared row. The information provision unit 105 identifies information that prompts the user to a specific destination (step S205).

[0085] As explained using Figures 3, 6, and 7, the information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 6 for a change in the means of transportation from "walking" to "railway: Line A," and identifies change number 10. The information provision unit 105 then searches the table shown in Figure 7 for change number 1 and "Nishi-Azabu *chome **banchi, Minato-ku, Tokyo," and identifies "Gallery D: Night Pass."

[0086] Subsequently, the information providing device executes step S115. The information providing unit 105 transmits information to the mobile terminal 30 prompting the identified user to a specific place to visit. Specifically, the information providing unit 105 transmits "D Gallery: Night Pass" to the mobile terminal 30 (step S119). The information providing device 10 may perform the operations from steps S201 to S205 immediately after step S115 or step S117.

[0087] By detecting changes in mode of transport or the possibility of such changes and providing information prompting users to specific destinations, it is possible to provide information tailored to users' transfers and changes in mode of transport. This increases the likelihood that users will actually visit the destinations. If the destination is an advertiser, advertising effectiveness can be enhanced.

[0088] By detecting changes in mode of transport or the possibility of such changes and providing information prompting users to specific destinations, it is possible to provide information tailored to users' transfers and changes in mode of transport. This increases the likelihood that users will actually visit the destinations. If the destination is an advertiser, advertising effectiveness can be enhanced.

[0089] Figure 10 shows the operation flow in yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the information provision unit 105 may provide the mobile terminal 30 with more "information prompting the user to a specific destination" having a search and purchase nature than "information prompting the user to a specific destination" having an attention and interest nature, when using a slower means of travel rather than a faster means of travel. That is, the amount of "information prompting the user to a specific destination" provided to the user 20 through the mobile terminal 30 may be such that the ratio of the latter to the former is higher. In this embodiment, the means of travel with high speed include railways (and route names) and automobiles. The means of travel with low speed include light mobility vehicles and walking.

[0090] The information providing device 10 according to this embodiment executes the operation flow shown in Figure 10 immediately after step S203 in Figure 8.

[0091] The status identification unit 101 identifies that the means of transportation has been changed based on the location in step S201 of Figure 8. To explain using Figure 3, for the mobile terminal 30 with terminal ID "00002", the information provision unit 105 compares the 8th and 9th lines and identifies that the means of transportation has been changed from "railway: Line I" to "walking" because the "means of transportation" in each line are different.

[0092] The information provision unit 105 calculates the ratio of information provided that prompts the user to a specific place of visit, which has a search and purchase nature, to information provided that has an attention and interest nature, which prompts the user to a specific place of visit, which has a purchase nature, to information provided that has a search and purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, to information provided that has a search and purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a purchase nature, which has a search and

[0093] The information provision unit 105 provides "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" at the time the means of travel is changed, such that the ratio of "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" having the nature of an attention or interest to "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" having the nature of a search or purchase provided is higher than the ratio calculated in step S301 (step S303).

[0094] Specifically, the process is as follows: Information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 2 for "Meguro Honcho *chome *banchi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo" and "walking distance" to identify the corresponding entries: "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods," "F Gallery: Social Gatherings," "Three-dimensional Works / Meguro-ku," "Antique Art / Meguro-ku," and "F Gallery: Online Shop."

[0095] Here, "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods" has the nature of attention, "F Gallery: Social Gatherings" has the nature of interest, "Three-Dimensional Works / Meguro Ward" and "Antique Art / Meguro Ward" have the nature of search, and "F Gallery: Online Shop" has the nature of purchase. Therefore, if the information provider 105 provides information that prompts a specific user to visit a specific location, the ratio of information that prompts a user to visit a specific location that has the nature of search and purchase to information that prompts a user to visit a specific location that has the nature of attention and interest will be 150%, which is less than the ratio of 200% calculated in step S301.

[0096] Therefore, Information Provision Department 105 does not provide "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods," which has the nature of attention, but provides "F Gallery: Social Gatherings," which has the nature of interest, "Three-Dimensional Works / Meguro Ward" and "Antique Art / Meguro Ward," which have the nature of search, and "F Gallery: Online Shop," which has the nature of purchase.

[0097] The information provision unit 105 will not provide information stored higher up in the table shown in Figure 2 if there are multiple pieces of "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" that have a specific nature of attention or interest. However, the information provision device 10 may determine which information to not provide in various ways.

[0098] Based on the above, the information provision unit 105 provides the mobile terminal 30 with "information that prompts the user to a specific destination" so that the ratio of search and purchase is higher than the ratio of attention and interest when using slower means of transportation than when using faster means of transportation.

[0099] In step S303, the information provision unit 105 does not have to provide "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" which has the nature of attention or interest. For example, the information provision unit 105 may not provide "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods" which has the nature of attention, and "F Gallery: Social Gatherings" which has the nature of interest, but may provide "3D Artworks / Meguro Ward" and "Antique Art / Meguro Ward" which have the nature of search, and "F Gallery: Online Shop" which has the nature of purchase.

[0100] In step S303, the information provision unit 105 does not have to provide some of the "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" which has the nature of search or purchase. For example, the information provision unit 105 may not provide "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods" which has the nature of attention, "F Gallery: Social Gatherings" which has the nature of interest, and "Three-dimensional Works / Meguro Ward" which has the nature of search, but may provide "Antique Art / Meguro Ward" which has the nature of search, and "F Gallery: Online Shop" which has the nature of purchase.

[0101] Even if the status identification unit 101 identifies a change in the means of travel based on the travel information, the information provision unit 105 may still provide the mobile terminal 30 with "information prompting the user to a specific destination" such that the ratio of search and purchase is higher than the ratio of attention and interest for slower means of travel than for faster means of travel.

[0102] The table shown in Figure 11 contains itinerary information that associates time with means of transportation. Based on the itinerary information shown in Figure 11, the state identification unit 101 identifies that the means of transportation has changed. To explain using Figure 11, if the itinerary information is received at 2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:20, the state identification unit 101 compares the third row, which contains "2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:30", with the fourth row, which contains "2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:32". Since the "means of transportation" in each row are different ("railway: Line I" and "walking"), the state identification unit 101 identifies that the means of transportation has changed from "railway: Line I" to "walking".

[0103] The information provision unit 105 calculates the ratio of information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit, which has the nature of search and purchase, to information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit, which has the nature of attention and interest, at the time before the means of travel is changed (step S301). Continuing the above example, at "2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:30" before the means of travel is changed, the information provision unit 105 provides "F Gallery: Focus on Lighting" associated with interest, "F Gallery: Affiliated Artists" associated with attention, and "G Art Fair" associated with purchase. The information provision unit 105 calculates this ratio as 200%.

[0104] The information provision unit 105 provides "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" at the time when the means of travel changes, such that the ratio of "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" having the nature of attention or interest to "information that prompts the user to a specific place to visit" having the nature of search or purchase provided is higher than the ratio calculated in step S301 (step S303).

[0105] Specifically, it works as follows: Information provision unit 105 searches the table shown in Figure 2 for "Meguro Honcho *chome *banchi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo" and "walking distance" and identifies "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods," "F Gallery: Social Gatherings," "Three-dimensional Works / Meguro-ku," "Antique Art / Meguro-ku," and "F Gallery: Online Shop" which are associated with each other. However, information provision unit 105 does not provide "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods," which has the nature of attention, but provides "F Gallery: Social Gatherings," which has the nature of interest, "Three-dimensional Works / Meguro-ku" and "Antique Art / Meguro-ku," which have the nature of search, and "F Gallery: Online Shop," which has the nature of purchase.

[0106] As a result, the information provision unit 105 provides the mobile terminal 30 with "information that prompts the user to a specific destination" so that the ratio of search and purchase is higher than the ratio of attention and interest when using slower modes of transportation than when using faster modes of transportation.

[0107] The information provision unit 105 may provide "information that prompts the user to visit a specific place" in such a way that the ratio of "information that prompts the user to visit a specific place" having a search or purchase nature to "information that prompts the user to visit a specific place" having an attention or interest nature is higher than the ratio calculated in step S301, before the time when the means of travel is changed. Specifically, the information provision unit 105 may not provide "F Gallery: Painting Storage Methods" having an attention nature at "2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:31" before "2024 / 12 / 4 / 17:32", but may provide "F Gallery: Social Gathering" having an interest nature, "3D Artwork / Meguro Ward" and "Antique Art / Meguro Ward" having a search nature, and "F Gallery: Online Shop" having a purchase nature.

[0108] In yet another embodiment, the information provision unit 105 may transmit more "information prompting the user to a specific destination" having a search and purchase nature to the mobile terminal 30 than "information prompting the user to a specific destination" having an attention and interest nature, for means of transportation with an unfixed route than for means of transportation with a fixed route. That is, the information provision unit 105 may provide the user 20 through the mobile terminal 30 with "information prompting the user to a specific destination" such that the proportion of the latter is higher than the former. Means of transportation with a fixed route include railways (and route names). Means of transportation with an unfixed route include automobiles, light mobility vehicles, and walking.

[0109] The method by which Information Provision Department 105 increases the ratio of searches and purchases over attention and interest is the same as described above.

[0110] The information provision unit 105 may transmit more "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit" that is searchable and purchase-oriented than "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit" that is attention-oriented and interest-oriented, to the mobile terminal 30 than to means of movement that move along a line. In other words, the information provision unit 105 may provide the user 20 through the mobile terminal 30 with "information prompting the user to a specific place to visit" in a higher proportion than the former. Means of movement that move along a line include railways (and line names) and automobiles. Means of movement that move within a line include light mobility and walking.

[0111] The method by which Information Provision Department 105 increases the ratio of searches and purchases over attention and interest is the same as described above.

[0112] The information provision unit 105 may provide auditory information if the means of transportation requires the user to drive. When the mobile terminal 30 is at location 603 and the mobile terminal 30 is moving at 17 km / h, location 603 is not within 5 m of line A or line B, so the state identification unit 101 stores walking as the "means of transportation" in the information storage unit 103, according to the operation flow shown in Figure 5. At this time, the information provision unit 105 may provide the user 20 with auditory information such as "**First solo exhibition! At Gallery D!". If the means of transportation does not require the user to drive, the information provision unit 105 provides visual information such as the site URL and site title.

[0113] The status identification unit 101 may also identify the location visited by user 20. The status identification unit 101 receives user 20's schedule from the mobile terminal 30 and identifies the location visited. The status identification unit 101 receives user 20's schedule from the mobile terminal 30, which states "Order taking session at Gallery D from 16:50", and identifies Gallery D 621 as the location visited. The status identification unit 101 stores user 20's location visited in the information storage unit 103, along with its physical location.

[0114] The information provision unit 105 may refer to the information storage unit 103 and send information to the mobile terminal 30 prompting the user 20 to visit a specific location that is further away from the user 20 than the location the user 20 has visited. As explained using Figure 2, the information provision unit 105 identifies a location that is further away from location 601 than gallery D 621 by comparing the location of gallery D 621 with the "location" in the table shown in Figure 2. Figure 12 shows the relationship between economic value and total travel distance. From Figure 12, there is a positive correlation between the economic value generated by travel and the total travel distance. By sending information to the mobile terminal 30 prompting the user 20 to visit a specific location that is further away from the user 20 than the location the user 20 has visited, the information provision unit 105 can increase the total travel distance of the user 20 and improve the economic value generated by travel.

[0115] Specifically, the information provision unit 105 sends the URL and site title of "Detailed Explanation: Painting E" to the mobile terminal 30 as information to prompt the user to go to a gallery where painting E is exhibited, which is further away from location 601 than Gallery D 621. The information provision unit 105 does not send information to the mobile terminal 30 regarding places to visit that are closer to location 601 than Gallery D 621. The information provision unit 105 does not need to send the URLs and site titles of "**First Solo Exhibition! At Gallery D!" and "Gallery D: List of Works" to the mobile terminal 30.

[0116] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0117] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disk, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0118] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0119] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN), such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet, to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, and these instructions may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

[0120] Figure 8 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 2200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0121] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0122] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 either in the frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or within itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.

[0123] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides them to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0124] The ROM 2230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 2200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 2200 when activated. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0125] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0126] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0127] Furthermore, the CPU 2212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external storage media such as the hard disk drive 2224, DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or IC card into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage media.

[0128] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0129] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 2200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 2200 via the network.

[0130] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0131] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0132] 10 Information provision device, 20 User, 30 Mobile terminal, 40 Network, 101 Status identification unit, 103 Information storage unit, 105 Information provision unit, 601, 603 Location, 611 Line A, 613 Line B, 615 Station C, 617 Station H, 619 Line I, 621 Gallery D, 631 Park, 2200 Computer, 2201 DVD-ROM, 2210 Host controller, 2212 CPU, 2214 RAM, 2216 Graphics controller, 2218 Display device, 2220 Input / Output controller, 2222 Communication interface, 2224 Hard disk drive, 2226 DVD-ROM drive, 2230 ROM, 2240 Input / Output chip, 2242 Keyboard

Claims

1. An information providing device that provides information to a mobile terminal carried by a user while on the move, An information storage unit that stores information prompting the user to a specific place to visit, A state identification unit that identifies the state of the user's movement and An information providing unit, which, according to the state identified by the state identification unit, refers to the information storage unit and provides the information to the mobile terminal, An information-providing device equipped with the following features.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the state identified by the state identification unit includes detecting at least one of the following: that the means of movement has been changed, and that the means of movement will be changed.

3. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the state identification unit detects at least one of the above based on the location information of the mobile terminal.

4. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the state identification unit identifies that the means of movement has been changed based on a change in the movement speed of the mobile terminal.

5. The aforementioned information storage unit stores the next means of movement in association with the means of movement. The information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the state identification unit identifies the current means of movement based on the location information of the mobile terminal, and by referring to the information storage unit, identifies that the means of movement will be changed to the next means.

6. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the state identification unit identifies at least one of the time and means of travel from the journey information.

7. The aforementioned information is stored in the information storage unit in association with the type of information, The types of information mentioned above include attention, interest, search, and purchase. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the information providing unit provides the information to the mobile terminal such that the ratio of searches and purchases is higher than the ratio of attention and interest when using the slower-speed means than when using the faster-speed means.

8. The aforementioned information is stored in the information storage unit in association with the type of information, The types of information mentioned above include attention, interest, search, and purchase. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the information providing unit provides the information to the mobile terminal such that the ratio of searches and purchases is higher than that of attentions and interests for the means whose routes are not fixed than for the means whose routes are fixed.

9. The aforementioned information is stored in the information storage unit in association with the type of information, The types of information mentioned above include attention, interest, search, and purchase. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the information providing unit provides information such that the means moving in a plane has a higher ratio of search and purchase information than the means moving along a line.

10. The aforementioned information is stored in the information storage unit in association with the type of information, The types of information include auditory and visual information. The information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the information providing unit provides auditory information when the means requires the user to drive, and provides visual information when the means does not require the user to drive.

11. The aforementioned status identification unit identifies the location visited by the user, The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the information providing unit refers to the information storage unit and provides the mobile terminal with information prompting the user to go to a specific place to visit that is further away from the place to visit.

12. A computer that provides information to a mobile device carried by a user while they are on the move, An information storage function that stores information prompting the user to a specific place to visit, A state identification function that identifies the user's movement status while they are in motion. An information provision function that, according to the state identified by the state identification function, refers to the information storage function and provides the information to the mobile terminal. A program that makes this possible.

Images