Information distribution system, information distribution method, and information processing device

Abstract

This system delivers location-related information to mobile messenger apps, even in areas where beacon devices are not installed. [Solution] An information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mobile terminal on which a messenger application equipped with a function for notifying beacon reception events is installed, an aircraft equipped with a beacon transmission function, and an information processing device that communicates with the mobile terminal and acquires the location information of the aircraft. When the mobile terminal receives a beacon transmitted from the aircraft, it notifies the information processing device of the beacon reception event via the messenger application. When the information processing device detects that the mobile terminal has received a beacon based on the beacon reception event, it creates a message based on information linked to the location information of the aircraft at the time the mobile terminal received the beacon, and sends the message to the mobile terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information distribution method, and an information processing apparatus using a mobile terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Systems are known that recognize the current location of a user of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone based on position information transmitted from the mobile terminal, and distribute information related to areas around the current location to the mobile terminal (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, some messenger applications such as LINE (registered trademark) allow users to receive distribution of content linked to a corresponding location when they enter the radio wave reception range of a beacon terminal installed in a store or the like (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Brief Description of Drawings

[0005] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram of an information distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0006] Conventional information distribution systems, which recognize the current location of a mobile device such as a smartphone based on location information transmitted from the device and deliver information related to the surrounding area to the mobile device, require users to install a dedicated app on their mobile device. However, the introduction of a new app is a high hurdle for many users, and improving the usage rate has been a challenge.

[0007] On the other hand, some messenger apps widely used for mobile devices such as smartphones allow users to receive location-specific content when they enter the reception range of beacon terminals installed in stores or other locations. In this case, there is no need to install a new app; users can receive location-linked content simply by adjusting the settings of the app and their smartphone. However, the content can only be received in the vicinity of the location where the beacon terminal is installed.

[0008] Therefore, for example, even if a local government or other organization tries to distribute evacuation information to the mobile devices of people in an evacuation area during a disaster, it may not be possible to distribute the information if there are no beacon terminals nearby. In other words, users may not be able to receive content depending on their current location.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide an information distribution system, an information distribution method, and an information processing device that can provide location-related information to users of messenger applications widely used for mobile devices such as smartphones, even in locations where beacon terminals are not installed.

[0010] An information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mobile terminal on which a messenger application equipped with a function for notifying beacon reception events is installed, an aircraft equipped with a beacon transmission function, and an information processing device that communicates with the mobile terminal and acquires the location information of the aircraft. When the mobile terminal receives a beacon transmitted from the aircraft, it notifies the information processing device of the beacon reception event via the messenger application. When the information processing device detects that the mobile terminal has received a beacon based on the beacon reception event, it creates a message based on information linked to the location information of the aircraft at the time the mobile terminal received the beacon, and sends the message to the mobile terminal.

[0011] An embodiment of the information distribution system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiment is provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the information distribution system according to this embodiment comprises at least a mobile terminal 1, an aircraft 2, a first information processing device 3, a second information processing device 4, and a third information processing device 5.

[0013] Mobile device 1 may be, for example, a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet, or other portable communication device. Mobile device 1 has a messenger app installed that has a function to notify the user of a beacon reception event when the user enters the beacon's reception range.

[0014] The flying object 2 may be, for example, a drone, a helicopter, or an aircraft, and may be operated by a human or capable of flying autonomously or remotely in the air. The flying object 2 transmits a beacon while flying in the air. The beacon may include a hardware ID, which is the beacon ID (IDentifier) ​​available in the app's account, and a device message containing any information that can be freely set by the app's developer. The device message may be notified to the first information processing device 3 along with the hardware ID, etc., when the app discovers a device transmitting a beacon. The flying object 2 may transmit the beacon continuously or at any time.

[0015] Furthermore, the aircraft 2 transmits time information and position information linked to the time information to the second information processing device 4. The aircraft 2 may transmit time information and position information linked to the time information continuously or at any arbitrary timing. The aircraft 2 may acquire position information such as latitude and longitude information using conventionally known methods, such as position estimation from radio wave intensity / triangulation using radio waves from GPS, inertial navigation systems, or Wi-Fi® access points, or self-position estimation using LiDAR. Here, "continuously" does not necessarily have to be continuous; transmission may be made at appropriate intervals. The aircraft 2 may also be equipped with a camera and / or a speaker.

[0016] The first information processing device 3 is a server managed by the operating company of the messenger application installed on the mobile terminal 1, and communicates with the mobile terminal 1. It also communicates with the second information processing device 4 and the third information processing device 5. The server may include a cloud server, or it may include a series of devices that constitute a so-called platform. The same applies in the following description.

[0017] The second information processing device 4 is a server managed by the organization operating the aircraft 2, and communicates with the aircraft 2. It also communicates with the first information processing device 3. Furthermore, the second information processing device 4 may also communicate with the third information processing device 5.

[0018] The third information processing device 5 is a server managed by an organization that intends to distribute region-related information to the mobile terminal 1, and communicates with the first information processing device 3. The third information processing device 5 may also communicate with the second information processing device 4.

[0019] The following explains the procedure for information distribution using this system, referring to Figure 1.

[0020] First, the aircraft 2 is flying while emitting a beacon. When the mobile terminal 1 enters the reception range of the beacon emitted by the aircraft 2, it receives the beacon. In addition, while emitting the beacon, the aircraft 2 transmits time information and location information linked to the time information to the second information processing device 4.

[0021] When the mobile terminal 1 receives a beacon, it notifies the first information processing device 3 of the beacon reception event. This notification may include, for example, the user identifier of the mobile terminal 1, time information, the identifier (hardware ID) of the beacon source, i.e., the aircraft 2, and a device message.

[0022] The first information processing device 3 may query where the flying object 2 was flying at the time when the mobile terminal 1 received the beacon, based on the beacon reception event from the mobile terminal 1. For example, upon receiving the beacon reception event from the mobile terminal 1, the first information processing device 3 may request the second information processing device 4 to transmit the position information of the flying object 2 at the time indicated by the time information included in the beacon reception event. A fourth information processing device may be interposed between the mobile terminal 1 and the first information processing device 3. For example, upon receiving the beacon reception event from the mobile terminal 1, the fourth information processing device may notify the first information processing device 3 via Webhook that the beacon reception event has been received from the mobile terminal 1.

[0023] The second information processing device 4 may store the time information transmitted from the flying object 2 and the position information associated with the time information. In response to the query from the first information processing device 3, the second information processing device 4 replies to the first information processing device 3 with the position information of the flying object 2 at the queried time. For example, the second information processing device 4 may transmit the position information of the flying object 2 corresponding to the time requested by the first information processing device 3 to the first information processing device 3. The first information processing device 3 transmits the position information obtained from the second information processing device 4 to the third information processing device 5.

[0024] Note that the second information processing device 4 may reply to the third information processing device 5 with the position information of the flying object 2 at the queried time in response to the query from the first information processing device 3. For example, the second information processing device 4 may directly transmit the position information of the flying object 2 corresponding to the time requested by the first information processing device 3 to the third information processing device 5 without going through the first information processing device 3.

[0025] The third information processing device 5 may store information associated with a specific area. The information associated with a specific area may include, for example, information related to guidance to evacuation sites in the event of a disaster, normal guidance other than evacuation, sightseeing, promotions, and the like in that area. When the third information processing device 5 receives position information via the first information processing device 3 or directly from the second information processing device 4, the third information processing device 5 transmits the information associated with the specific area including the point indicated by the position information to the first information processing device 3. For example, when the third information processing device 5 receives position information via the first information processing device 3 or directly from the second information processing device 4, the third information processing device 5 may extract, from the stored information, the information associated with the area including the point indicated by the received position information based on the received position information, and transmit the extracted information to the first information processing device 3.

[0026] The first information processing device 3 creates a message for a messenger application installed in the mobile terminal 1 based on the information received from the third information processing device 5. For example, the first information processing device 3 may create a message for notifying the user of information related to the area where the user is currently located, based on the information received from the third information processing device 5. The information related to the area may be, for example, information such as the position of the optimal evacuation shelter as viewed from the user's position, the route to the evacuation shelter, the position of a sightseeing spot, the route to the sightseeing spot, local promotions, coupons for stores located in the area, and check-in at the user's current position. The first information processing device 3 transmits the created message to the mobile terminal 1.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the information distribution system can distribute area-related information via the messenger application while using the flying object 2, so that even if the user of the mobile terminal 1 is located at any place, various types of information corresponding to the user's location can be distributed.

[0028] Next, evacuation guidance at the time of a disaster occurrence will be described as an example of a scenario in which the information distribution system according to the embodiment is used. In this case, for example, the third information processing device 5 may be managed by a local government.

[0029] For example, when a disaster occurs in a certain area, in order to encourage efficient evacuation for people unfamiliar with the area's geography, such as tourists visiting the area or residents who have recently moved there, it is necessary to provide evacuation information tailored to their location. Broadcasting evacuation information using sound equipment such as speakers on disaster prevention radio systems or speakers mounted on aircraft 2 is a possibility, but during a disaster, it is often difficult to hear the voices, and if the information is missed, problems such as delayed evacuation may occur. In addition, it may be more effective to provide evacuation routes visually using maps, etc.

[0030] In contrast, using the information distribution system of the present invention, even users of a messenger app in areas where beacon terminals are not installed can receive information by utilizing beacons from the aircraft 2. As long as they are within the communication range of the mobile terminal 1, information can be sent, for example, as an image showing the route from the current location to the evacuation site on a map, or as the user's location information (current location) and a link to a web application that lists nearby evacuation sites, or as a message consisting of these images or links and text information, enabling rapid and accurate evacuation guidance. For example, a local government official who formulates an evacuation guidance plan may register (store) the names and locations of evacuation sites and information on obstacles in the surrounding routes leading to the evacuation sites in the third information processing device 5. The third information processing device 5 may then use this information and location information obtained via the first information processing device 3 or directly from the second information processing device 4 to create a map (image) showing usable (safe) routes from the current location of the person to be evacuated to the evacuation site, or the above-mentioned links, and transmit them to the first information processing device 3. Furthermore, the first information processing device 3 may create maps (images) and the above-mentioned links based on location information obtained from the second information processing device 4 and information such as evacuation locations and evacuation routes transmitted from the third information processing device 5.

[0031] Furthermore, even if police officers or local government officials are unaware that there are people who are delayed in evacuating, the necessary information will be distributed when the aircraft 2 approaches the person who is delayed, allowing for individual responses to those who are delayed. In particular, even if there is no human on board the aircraft 2, if the aircraft 2 is equipped with a camera, it can search for people who are delayed in evacuating while checking the disaster situation from above using the camera. If a person who is delayed in evacuating is found, the aircraft 2 can be brought closer to that person so that the beacon signal can be reliably received before the beacon is emitted. This ensures that beacons are reliably emitted to messenger app users in unexpected locations or deep in the mountains, allowing their location information to be determined and evacuation information to be provided. In this case, since the presence and current location of the person who is delayed in evacuating will be determined when the first information processing device 3 or the third information processing device 5 obtains the location information, this information may be provided to relevant organizations such as the police by the administrator of the information processing device, or the information processing device may be configured to automatically transmit this information to relevant organizations such as the police.

[0032] In addition, to receive messages via a messenger app, it is usually necessary to register the sender's account within the app. However, it is not practical for users to pre-register accounts related to evacuation information. Therefore, for example, tourists are likely to have registered accounts related to the tourist destinations they are visiting, such as local government tourist information, transportation, and tourist facilities. In such cases, evacuation information may be distributed to all of these accounts simultaneously. Specifically, multiple accounts like the ones described above may be registered (stored) in the third information processing device 5 as accounts to distribute evacuation information in the event of a disaster, associated with the content of the evacuation information. When the third information processing device 5 sends information to the first information processing device 3, the multiple accounts to which the information will be distributed may also be notified. Furthermore, depending on the content of the evacuation information, it may be possible to set whether to distribute the information to all accounts or to only some of the registered accounts.

[0033] The information distribution system of the present invention is not limited to the evacuation guidance described above, but can be broadly used in situations where "specific information needs to be conveyed to people in a particular area." For example, it can be used to distribute general tourist information such as advertisements and promotional information, or to provide information on alternative routes during events such as concerts. For example, as a form of providing tourist information, an aircraft 2 could be flown over a tourist spot, and users of a messenger app who receive a beacon on their mobile terminal 1 could be provided with a model plan of visiting other nearby tourist spots to promote sightseeing.

[0034] Information linked to a specific region may be set to cover a relatively wide area. In such cases, if a user receives a beacon multiple times on their mobile device 1 while moving within that area, the same information will be delivered each time. Therefore, when delivering information, the first information processing device 3 may be configured to store the date and time of beacon reception for a certain period, check whether there was a previous reception from the same source as the current reception, and set the device to prevent the information from being delivered multiple times in a short period of time. This allows for appropriate setting of the message transmission interval to the mobile device 1, taking into account, for example, the size of the information distribution area and the expected movement of users within that area.

[0035] Furthermore, it is advisable to allow for flexible setting of distribution intervals depending on the circumstances and purpose of the information being distributed. For example, disaster-related information, which is frequently updated in response to rapidly changing circumstances, may be distributed at short intervals, while tourism information, which is often not updated frequently, may be notified at longer intervals. For example, disaster-related information may be distributed entirely even if the distribution interval is shortened. Alternatively, information such as the distribution interval may be registered (stored) in the third information processing device 5 along with evacuation information, and the distribution interval may be adjusted by selecting and prioritizing the information to be distributed based on this distribution interval information in the third information processing device 5 or the first information processing device 3. Note that while disaster-related information may be updated hourly or minute by minute, information such as tourism campaign information is often updated monthly or daily, so its distribution interval may be set to, for example, once a day or every few days. This ensures that the latest information on disasters is provided in a timely manner, and the repeated distribution in a short period of time makes it easier to attract the user's attention. On the other hand, for information that is not urgent, such as tourist information, if it is repeatedly distributed in a short period of time, it may be ignored by users, so it is better to distribute it at appropriate intervals.

[0036] According to the present invention, by utilizing messenger applications that are widely used for information terminals such as smartphones, it is possible to construct a distribution system that makes use of existing infrastructure, and to provide an information distribution system, information distribution method, and information processing device that can provide users of messenger applications with location-related information even in places where beacon terminals are not installed.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed technology is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1… Mobile devices 2... Flying object 3…First Information Processing Device 4…Second information processing device 5…Third information processing device

Claims

1. A mobile device with a messenger app installed that has a function to notify beacon reception events, An aircraft equipped with a beacon transmission function, An information processing device that communicates with the aforementioned mobile terminal and acquires the position information of the aforementioned aircraft, An information distribution system including, When the mobile terminal receives a beacon transmitted from the aircraft, it notifies the information processing device of the beacon reception event via the messenger application. The information processing device, upon detecting that the mobile terminal has received the beacon based on the beacon reception event, creates a message based on information linked to the position information of the aircraft at the time the mobile terminal received the beacon, and sends the message to the mobile terminal, thereby providing an information distribution system.

2. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein another information processing device is interposed between the mobile terminal and the information processing device, the mobile terminal transmits the beacon reception event to the other information processing device, and the other information processing device notifies the information processing device that the mobile terminal has received the beacon.

3. The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the message includes an image or a link to a web application.

4. The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aircraft is equipped with a camera and emits the beacon while checking the situation with the camera.

5. The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing device detects that the mobile terminal has received the beacon based on the beacon reception event, checks whether a previous beacon was received from the same source as the current beacon and the time of reception, and controls the number of times information linked to the location information is distributed within a predetermined time.

6. The information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information processing device controls the distribution interval of the information linked to the location information according to the content of the information linked to the location information.

7. A mobile device with a messenger app installed that has a function to notify beacon reception events, An aircraft equipped with a beacon transmission function, An information processing device that communicates with the aforementioned mobile terminal and acquires the position information of the aforementioned aircraft, A method of information distribution using, When the mobile terminal receives a beacon transmitted from the aircraft, it notifies the information processing device of the beacon reception event via the messenger application. Information distribution method comprising: when the information processing device detects that the mobile terminal has received the beacon based on the beacon reception event, it creates a message based on information linked to the position information of the aircraft at the time the mobile terminal received the beacon, and sends the message to the mobile terminal.

8. An information processing device that communicates with a mobile device on which a messenger app equipped with a function to notify beacon reception events is installed, and acquires location information of an aircraft equipped with a beacon transmission function, Upon receiving a beacon transmitted from the aforementioned aircraft, the mobile terminal is notified of the beacon reception event via the messenger application. An information processing device that, based on the beacon reception event, creates a message based on information linked to the position information of the aircraft at the time the mobile terminal received the beacon, and transmits the message to the mobile terminal.

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