Information provision device, information provision method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information providing apparatus, method and program configured to provide information in which at least one of multiple passengers is highly likely to be interested, thereby widening the scope of the interest of the passengers.SOLUTION: In an information providing system 100, an information providing apparatus 1 includes: a terminal information acquisition unit 10 which acquires first terminal information and second terminal information; a provision information specifying unit 20 which specifies first provision information using first person information of a first passenger V (driver) and specifies second provision information using second person information of a second passenger (fellow passenger U); a related provision information specifying unit 30 which specifies third provision information using the first provision information and specifies fourth provision information using the second provision information; an overlapping provision information specifying unit 40 which specifies fifth provision information and sixth provision information; and an output control unit 50 which outputs the fifth provision information and the sixth provision information to a mobile body-side device on a mobile body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] International Publication No. 2016 / 046923 discloses a server apparatus including a common preference information acquisition unit that searches life logs of a plurality of users corresponding to a plurality of identification information included in an information request and acquires common preference information including an object that the plurality of users commonly have an interest in.

[0003] Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-176765 discloses a technique for improving the usability of a navigation apparatus when a plurality of persons travel together while maintaining driving safety.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 above discloses a technique for outputting information including an object that a plurality of passengers commonly have an interest in when a plurality of persons travel together, but does not disclose a technique for outputting information including an object that is likely to be of interest.

[0006] As an example of the problem to be solved by the present invention, it is possible to broaden the range of objects of interest of passengers by providing information that at least one of a plurality of passengers is likely to be interested in.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is, A terminal information acquisition unit that acquires first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle, A provision information identification unit identifies first provision information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifies second provision information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, A related information identification unit identifies a third piece of information related to the first piece of information using the first piece of information, and identifies a fourth piece of information related to the second piece of information using the second piece of information, A duplicate information identification unit that identifies at least one of the following: the fifth information which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information; The information providing device includes an output control unit that causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to output to at least one of the mobile device side device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device.

[0008] The invention described in claim 9 is, The computer that makes up the information provision device The system acquires first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle. Using the first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, the first information to be provided to the first passenger is identified, and using the second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, the second information to be provided to the second passenger is identified. Using the first provided information, identify the third provided information that is related to the first provided information, and use the second provided information to identify the fourth provided information that is related to the second provided information. Identify at least one of the following: the fifth information, which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information, which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information. This is an information provision method that causes at least one of the fifth information provision and the sixth information provision to be output to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device.

[0009] The invention described in claim 10 is, The computer that will realize the information provision device A procedure for obtaining first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of a mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle. A procedure for identifying first information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifying second information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information. A procedure for identifying third information related to the first information using the first information, and identifying fourth information related to the second information using the second information, A procedure for identifying at least one of the following: the fifth piece of information which is the overlapping portion between the third piece of information and the second piece of information, and the sixth piece of information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth piece of information and the first piece of information; This is a program for causing a procedure to output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram illustrating the outline of the information provision system of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram illustrating how to obtain information from the first terminal. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of acquiring second terminal information. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram for explaining fifth provided information and sixth provided information. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information providing apparatus. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of processing by an information providing apparatus and a mobile body side apparatus when the mobile body side apparatus of the first embodiment outputs fifth provided information. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of processing by an information providing apparatus and a first terminal when the first terminal of the first embodiment outputs sixth provided information. [Figure 8] This is an image diagram when a first terminal outputs sixth provided information on a display. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing an outline of an information providing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart of processing by an information providing apparatus and a second terminal when the second terminal of the second embodiment outputs sixth provided information. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing sixth provided information output to a display of a second terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing sixth provided information output to a display of a second terminal after selecting second position information. [Figure 13] This is a conceptual diagram for explaining an information providing apparatus of the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] In the following description, each component of each device refers to a functional block, not a hardware-level configuration. Each component of each device is realized through any combination of hardware and software, centered around the CPU, memory, programs loaded into memory, storage media such as a hard disk that stores those programs, and a network connection interface of any computer. Furthermore, there are various variations in the implementation method and the device itself.

[0013] [First Embodiment] (Information provision system 100) Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic of the information provision system 100 in the first embodiment. The information provision system 100 will be described using Figure 1.

[0014] The information provision system 100 comprises an information provision device 1 and a mobile device 2. The mobile device 2 is located inside a mobile body. In the first embodiment, the mobile device 2 is mounted on the mobile body. In the first embodiment, the mobile body is a vehicle. The mobile device 2 includes a camera unit 2a, an audio output control unit 2b, an audio input unit 2c, and a position sensor unit 2d. Although not shown, the mobile device 2 may include a display.

[0015] Camera unit 2a has an in-camera and an out-camera (not shown). The in-camera is facing inward and includes at least the driver's seat in its field of view. The in-camera photographs the interior of the vehicle so that the driver is visible. Alternatively, the in-camera may photograph the entire interior of the vehicle so that the occupants (driver and passengers) are visible. The out-camera is facing outward. The out-camera photographs the area outside the vehicle.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the voice output control unit 2b outputs machine voice. The voice output control unit 2b outputs, for example, information regarding route guidance to a destination.

[0017] The voice spoken by the passenger is input to the voice input unit 2c. The voice input unit 2c is linked to a microphone (not shown). The passenger includes the pilot (=driver) and passengers.

[0018] The position sensor unit 2d acquires position information of the moving object (or the device on the moving object side 2) for example using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

[0019] The mobile device 2 is configured to communicate with the information providing device 1 via the first network 101. The first network 101 includes, for example, communication over a 4G or 5G line. The mobile device 2 is configured to include an external communication unit (not shown) for configuring the first network 101.

[0020] The mobile device 2 is configured to communicate with the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 inside the mobile vehicle via the second network 102 (details of the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 will be described later). The second network 102 is, for example, a wireless communication means, and the mobile device 2 can wirelessly communicate with at least two of the terminals inside the mobile vehicle through this wireless communication means. The second network 102 includes, for example, WiFi® and Bluetooth®. The mobile device 2 is configured to include an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown) for configuring the second network 102.

[0021] The first terminal 3 is the terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and is owned, managed, carried, or used by the first passenger. The first passenger is one of several passengers in the mobile vehicle. In the first embodiment, the first passenger is the operator V (=driver).

[0022] The second terminal 4 is the terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle, and is owned, managed, carried, or used by the second passenger. The second passenger is one of several passengers (excluding the first passenger) in the mobile vehicle. In the first embodiment, the second passenger is passenger U.

[0023] The first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 each include either a smartphone, a tablet, or a PC (personal computer).

[0024] (Information provision device 1) The information providing device 1 comprises a terminal information acquisition unit 10, a provided information identification unit 20, a related provided information identification unit 30, a duplicate provided information identification unit 40, an output control unit 50, a storage processing unit 60, a receiving unit 70, and a route setting unit 80. In the first embodiment, the information providing device 1 is located outside the vehicle. The information providing device 1 may also be a so-called cloud server.

[0025] (Terminal information acquisition unit 10) The terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires first terminal information and second terminal information. In the first embodiment, the information providing device 1 (terminal information acquisition unit 10) acquires first terminal information and second terminal information from the first terminal and second terminal via the mobile device 2. The first terminal information is information relating to the first terminal 3 of the first passenger (=pilot V) of the mobile device. Information relating to the first terminal 3 is information associated with the first terminal 3, and includes, for example, the name, terminal model, terminal ID, and the name of the terminal registered in the first terminal 3.

[0026] The second terminal information refers to information about the second terminal 4 of the second passenger (=passenger U) of the mobile vehicle. Information about the second terminal 4 includes information associated with the second terminal 4, such as the name, terminal model, terminal ID, and the name of the terminal registered on the second terminal 4. If there are multiple passengers on the mobile vehicle, there may be multiple second terminals 4, which are the terminals of the passengers.

[0027] (How to obtain device information) Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for obtaining information from the first terminal. Using Figure 2, The method by which the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires first terminal information through operations performed on the first terminal 3 or the second terminal 4 will be described.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires first terminal information from the first terminal 3 when the first terminal 3 is brought into the vehicle and the first terminal 3 becomes able to communicate with the mobile device 2 via the second network 102.

[0029] In the first embodiment, when the terminal information acquisition unit 10 attempts to acquire first terminal information relating to the first passenger's (=pilot V's) first terminal 3 from the first terminal 3, first terminal identification information T1 is displayed on the display of the first terminal 3 or the second terminal 4, as shown in Figure 2. The first terminal identification information T1 is information for identifying the terminal of the first passenger (=pilot V). The first terminal identification information T1 is at least a part of the first terminal information. Specifically, for example, the display shows the name of the terminal registered in the first terminal 3. This display is, for example, a touch panel. At this time, a message supporting the selection of the first terminal identification information T1, such as "Please select the driver's terminal," may be displayed.

[0030] In the example shown in Figure 2, a list of multiple terminals that have been brought into the vehicle and are able to communicate with the mobile device 2 via the second network 102 is displayed. The terminal information acquisition unit 10 can identify the first terminal 3, which is the terminal of the operator V, by selecting the first terminal identification information T1 corresponding to the operator V's first terminal from the list displayed, for example on the touch panel of the first terminal 3, or by selecting the first terminal identification information T1 corresponding to the operator V's first terminal from the list displayed, for example on the touch panel of the second terminal 4, thereby enabling the terminal information acquisition unit 10 to identify the first terminal 3, which is the operator V's terminal, and acquire the first terminal information from the first terminal 3.

[0031] The terminal information acquisition unit 10 may, for example, display a screen containing a message such as "I am the driver" and a list of multiple terminals on a terminal (first terminal 3 or second terminal 4) brought into the vehicle by the passenger, and then identify the first terminal 3, which is the terminal of the driver V, by receiving the terminal selected by the driver V from the screen as first terminal identification information T1.

[0032] Next, a method by which the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires first terminal information through the mobile device 2 will be described. When inputting the first terminal identification information T1 to the mobile device 2, voice input is also possible. In this case, for example, the voice output control unit 2b of the mobile device 2 may output the message "Is terminal ccc the driver's terminal?" and when the user responds "Yes" to the message, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 may acquire the information of the terminal related to the message (= terminal ccc) as first terminal information.

[0033] Thus, in the first embodiment, when the first terminal identification information T1 that identifies the first terminal 3 is input to at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires the first terminal information from the first terminal 3.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the method for obtaining information from the second terminal. Using Figure 3, This section describes how the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires second terminal information from the second terminal 4 through operations performed on the first terminal 3 or the second terminal 4.

[0035] The above describes a method for acquiring first terminal information, but second terminal information can also be acquired using a similar configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 3, a message "Please select a passenger's terminal" may be displayed on the display of the second terminal 4 (or first terminal 3). By either passenger U selecting the second terminal identification information T2 corresponding to second terminal 4 from the list of second terminal identification information T2 on the display of second terminal 4, or by the operator V selecting the second terminal identification information T2 corresponding to second terminal 4 from the list of second terminal identification information T2 on the display of first terminal 3, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 can identify second terminal 4 and acquire second terminal information from second terminal 4.

[0036] The terminal information acquisition unit 10 may acquire second terminal information when second terminal identification information T2, which identifies the second terminal 4, is input to at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0037] (Variations in the method for obtaining terminal information) Modifications of the terminal information acquisition method will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the information providing device 1 of the first embodiment further includes an image information acquisition unit 90.

[0038] The image information acquisition unit 90 acquires first image information. The first image information is image information of at least one of the first passenger and the second passenger, generated by the camera unit 2a mounted on the mobile body. In the first embodiment, the first image information includes at least the face image information of the first passenger (=pilot V). In addition to the face image information of the first passenger (=pilot V), the first image information may also include the face image information of the second passenger (=passenger U).

[0039] The image information acquisition unit 90 identifies the first passenger (=pilot V) and the second passenger (=passenger U) using the positional information of the first passenger and the second passenger within the first image. Specifically, for example, if the person captured in the first image is sitting in the driver's seat, the image information acquisition unit 90 may identify that person as the first passenger (=pilot V). If the person captured in the first image is sitting in the passenger seat or the rear seat, the image information acquisition unit 90 may identify that person as the second passenger (=passenger U).

[0040] The memory unit (not shown) has multiple second image information files pre-stored. The second image information files are image information containing the facial information of users, including the first and second passengers, which have been pre-registered. The memory unit (not shown) also has terminal information (including first and second terminal information) associated with the second image information files pre-stored.

[0041] The terminal information acquisition unit 10 compares multiple second image information with the first image information and identifies at least the second image information corresponding to the pilot V (= first passenger). The terminal information acquisition unit 10 identifies the terminal information associated with the identified second image information and acquires that terminal information as the first terminal information. Alternatively, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 may further identify the second image information corresponding to passenger U and acquire the terminal information associated with the identified second image information as the second terminal information.

[0042] In this way, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 can acquire at least one of the first terminal information and the second terminal information using the first image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit 90 and at least one of the second image information of the first and second passengers that has been stored in advance.

[0043] By including an image information acquisition unit 90 in the information providing device 1, the information providing device 1 can communicate directly with the first terminal 3 (or second terminal 4) without going through the mobile device 2. This eliminates the need for communication between the first terminal 3 (or second terminal 4) and the mobile device 2. Furthermore, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 can acquire the first terminal information (or second terminal information) without the first terminal 3, second terminal 4, or mobile device 2 having to input the first terminal identification information T1 (or second terminal identification information T2).

[0044] (Provided Information Specification Department 20) The information provision identification unit 20 shown in Figure 1 uses the first personal information of the first passenger (=pilot V) to identify the first information to be provided to the first passenger (=pilot V). The first personal information of the first passenger (=pilot V) is stored in a storage unit (not shown) linked to the first terminal information.

[0045] The first person information includes at least one of the following: attribute information relating to the attributes of the first passenger (=pilot V), visit history information relating to the first passenger's visit history, search history information relating to the search history on the first terminal 3, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history on the first terminal 3. The attribute information includes at least one of the following: gender, age, address, family structure, occupation, income, and hobbies and preferences of the first passenger (=pilot V).

[0046] The information provision identification unit 20 uses the second person information of the second passenger (=passenger U) stored in association with the second terminal information to identify the second information provision to be provided to the second passenger (=passenger U). Note that there may be multiple passengers on a moving vehicle, but this explanation will focus on the case where there is only one passenger.

[0047] The second passenger's (=passenger U) second personal information is stored in a memory unit (not shown) linked to the second terminal information. The second personal information includes at least one of the following: attribute information relating to the second passenger's (=passenger U) attributes, visit history information relating to the second passenger's (=passenger U) visit history, search history information relating to the search history on the second terminal 4, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history on the second terminal 4. The attribute information includes at least one of the following: the second passenger's (=passenger U) gender, age, address, family structure, occupation, income, and hobbies and preferences.

[0048] The information provision identification unit 20 uses the first person information (or second person information) to identify the user's preferences and interests, and identifies the first information provision (or second information provision) related to those matters.

[0049] (1st provided information, 2nd provided information) The first information to be provided to the first passenger (=pilot V) includes at least one of the following: information about places related to pilot V's hobbies and preferences, information about places related to pilot V's interests, information about products related to (or of interest to) pilot V's hobbies and preferences, and news information related to (or of interest to) pilot V's hobbies and preferences.

[0050] Information regarding locations that match the pilot V's hobbies and preferences, and information regarding locations that interest the pilot V, includes, for example, the location information of favorite restaurants, confectionery shops that sell favorite sweets, outlets that sell favorite clothes, movie theaters showing favorite movies, comic book rental shops that rent favorite manga, leisure facilities where favorite leisure experiences can be enjoyed, live music venues where favorite artists perform, favorite driving spots, and favorite tourist destinations, as well as other information about these places (such as new product releases or sales).

[0051] The second set of information to be provided to the second passenger (= Passenger U) includes at least one of the following: information about places related to Passenger U's hobbies and preferences, information about places related to Passenger U's interests, information about products related to (or of interest to) Passenger U's hobbies and preferences, and news information related to (or of interest to) Passenger U's hobbies and preferences. The information about places related to Passenger U's hobbies and preferences and information about places related to Passenger U's interests are the same as the examples described in the first set of information.

[0052] In the first embodiment, the first provided information and the second provided information are stored in the storage of the information providing device 1. The first provided information and the second provided information may also be stored on a server located outside the information providing device 1.

[0053] (Related Information Specific Section 30) The related information identification unit 30 identifies the third information using the first information and identifies the fourth information using the second information. The related information identification unit 30 identifies the third and fourth information using statistical information. The statistical information may be information generated from general user trends (for example, men in their 50s and older tend to avoid fatty foods), or information generated based on information obtained from users of the information provision system 100. Users of the information provision system 100 include the first passenger, the second passenger, and other users.

[0054] The statistical information includes at least one of the following for multiple users of the information provision system 100: visit history information, search history information, and purchase history information. This visit history information, search history information, and purchase history information are obtained from users of the information provision system 100. The statistical information also includes at least one of the following for each of the first and second passengers: visit history information, search history information, and purchase history information.

[0055] The visit history information includes information about the places visited by the first and second passengers, and this information may be generated, for example, using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) installed in the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0056] The search history information for the first passenger includes, for example, information about drive spots that the first passenger searched for on terminal 3. The purchase history information for the second passenger includes, for example, information about sweets that the second passenger purchased from an online shop through terminal 4.

[0057] The memory processing unit 60 stores at least one of the following as part of the statistical information in the memory unit (not shown): visit history information relating to the visit history of the first passenger, visit history information relating to the visit history of the second passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the first passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the second passenger, purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the first passenger, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the second passenger. The memory unit (not shown) may be located inside the information providing device 1 or outside the information providing device 1.

[0058] The memory processing unit 60 stores at least one of the following in the memory unit (not shown) as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of users other than the first and second passengers, search history information relating to the search history of users other than the first and second passengers, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of users other than the first and second passengers. In other words, the above information (visit history information, search history information, and purchase history information) is obtained from all users who use the information provision system 100, and statistical information is generated based on this information.

[0059] (Third provided information, fourth provided information) The third-party information provided is information related to the first-party information provided. Information related to the first-party information is, for example, information that has similar attributes to the first-party information, and is therefore estimated to be of relatively high interest to the first passenger whose tastes and preferences match (or who is interested in) the first-party information. Specifically, for example, suppose that in the information on restaurants, the Japanese food group includes udon restaurants, soba restaurants, donburi restaurants, tempura restaurants, and eel restaurants, and these are pre-categorized as one group. In this case, if the first-party information provided to the first passenger is information about a soba restaurant, the related information identification unit 30 identifies the udon restaurants, donburi restaurants, tempura restaurants, and eel restaurants within the same group (the same group as the soba restaurant) as information with similar attributes to the soba restaurant (= third-party information provided). Alternatively, if udon restaurants, donburi restaurants, tempura restaurants, and eel restaurants are pre-stored and associated with soba restaurants, the related information identification unit 30 may identify the information of these (udon restaurants, donburi restaurants, tempura restaurants, and eel restaurants) as information with similar attributes to the first provided information, soba restaurants (= third provided information).

[0060] Alternatively, the third-party information provided may be information that, based on statistical information, is estimated to be of relatively high interest to the first passenger whose tastes and preferences match (or who is interested in) the first-party information provided. For example, if the first-party information provided is information about a comic book rental store, the related information identification unit 30 uses statistical information to identify what genres of facilities users who like comic book rental stores prefer. For example, the related information identification unit 30 may use statistical information that users who like manga (comics) tend to like movies to identify information about movie theaters as the third-party information provided from the information about comic book rental stores as the first-party information provided.

[0061] The fourth set of information provided is information related to the second set of information. Information related to the second set of information is, for example, information that is similar in attributes to the second set of information, and therefore is estimated to be of relatively high interest to a second passenger whose hobbies and preferences match (or who is interested in) the second set of information.

[0062] Alternatively, the fourth information provided may be information that, based on statistical data, is estimated to be of relatively high interest to a second passenger whose hobbies and preferences match (or interests) those of the second information provided. The related information identification unit 30 identifies the fourth information using the second information in the same manner as identifying the third information using the first information.

[0063] (Duplicate information identification unit 40) The duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies at least one of the fifth information I5 and the sixth information I6. Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the fifth and sixth information. The fifth information I5 and the sixth information I6 will be explained using Figure 4.

[0064] The area indicated by the vertical lines in Figure 4 represents the first provided information I1, and the area indicated by the horizontal lines in Figure 4 represents the third provided information I3. The area shown in white in Figure 4 and enclosed by a solid line represents the second provided information I2, and the area shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 4 and enclosed by a dotted line represents the fourth provided information I4. The blacked-out area (left side) in Figure 4 represents the sixth provided information I6, and the blacked-out area (right side) in Figure 4 represents the fifth provided information I5 (note that the size of the blacked-out areas (left and right sides) is slightly smaller than the actual area related to the fifth provided information I5 (sixth provided information I6) for the sake of visibility).

[0065] The fifth piece of information provided, I5, is the overlapping portion of the third piece of information provided, I3, and the second piece of information provided, I2. More specifically, for example, the fifth piece of information provided, I5, is information that the second passenger is interested in, and is also information that the first passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0066] The sixth piece of information provided, I6, is the overlapping portion of the fourth piece of information provided, I4, and the first piece of information provided, I1. More specifically, for example, the sixth piece of information provided, I6, is information that the first passenger is interested in, and is also information that the second passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0067] (Output control unit 50) The output control unit 50 causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4 located on the mobile device. In the first embodiment, when outputting to the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4, the output control unit 50 causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 via the mobile device 2. In the first embodiment, when outputting to the mobile device 2, the output control unit 50 causes the fifth provided information or the sixth provided information to be output as audio from the mobile device 2.

[0068] The output control unit 50 may output both the fifth information and the sixth information, or it may output only one of the fifth information or the sixth information.

[0069] (Receiver 70) The receiving unit 70 receives at least one of the first input information, the second input information, and the third input information. The first input information is information input to the first terminal 3 after the output control unit 50 has output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information from the first terminal 3. The first input information is information input to the first terminal 3 after the first passenger recognizes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information. The second input information is information input to the second terminal 4 after the output control unit 50 has output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information from the second terminal 4. The second input information is information input to the second terminal 4 after the second passenger recognizes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information. The third input information is information input to the mobile device 2 after the output control unit 50 has output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information from the mobile device 2. The third input information is information that is input to the mobile device 2 after the passenger (including the first and second passengers) recognizes at least one of the fifth and sixth provided information.

[0070] (Route setting section 80) The route setting unit 80 sets the route that the mobile body should take using at least one of the first input information, second input information, and third input information received by the receiving unit 70. In the first embodiment, the first input information includes first passenger-side confirmation information indicating whether or not to set the route that the mobile body should take. In the first embodiment, the second input information includes second passenger-side confirmation information indicating whether or not to set the route that the mobile body should take. In the first embodiment, the third input information includes device-side confirmation information indicating whether or not to set the route that the mobile body should take.

[0071] The first passenger confirmation information is information indicating whether the first passenger approves of setting a new route as the route the mobile vehicle should take, and is input by the first passenger to the first terminal 3. The second passenger confirmation information is information indicating whether the second passenger approves of setting a new route as the route the mobile vehicle should take, and is input by the second passenger to the second terminal 4. The device confirmation information is information indicating whether the passengers (including the first and second passengers) approve of setting a new route as the route the mobile vehicle should take, and is input by the passengers to the mobile vehicle device 2. The route setting unit 80 sets the route the mobile vehicle should take using at least one of the first passenger confirmation information, the second passenger confirmation information, and the device confirmation information.

[0072] The output control unit 50 causes the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4 to output route information for the route the mobile device should take. The route information includes information regarding directions to the destination and also includes map information. The route information may be output by voice from the mobile device 2 or output to a display on the mobile device 2. The route information may be output by voice from the first terminal 3 (or the second terminal 4) or output to a display on the first terminal 3 (or the second terminal 4).

[0073] (Example hardware configuration) Figure 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information providing device 1. The information providing device 1 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0074] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0075] The 1020 processor is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0076] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0077] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as a removable media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or memory card, or as ROM (Read Only Memory), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the information providing device 1 (for example, the terminal information acquisition unit 10, the provided information identification unit 20, the related provided information identification unit 30, the duplicate provided information identification unit 40, and the output control unit 50). The processor 1020 reads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to that program module. The storage device 1040 also functions as the storage unit mentioned above.

[0078] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the information providing device 1 with various input / output devices.

[0079] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the information providing device 1 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The method by which the network interface 1060 connects to the network may be wireless or wired. The information providing device 1 may communicate with the mobile device 2 via the network interface 1060.

[0080] (Example of operation of the first embodiment 1) Figure 6 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the information providing device 1 and the mobile device 2 when the mobile device 2 of the first embodiment outputs the fifth information to be provided. It is assumed that the mobile device 2 is constantly in communication with the information providing device 1 via the first network 101.

[0081] In step S10, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires the first terminal information and the second terminal information. In the first embodiment, the timing at which the terminal information acquisition unit 10 acquires the first terminal information and the second terminal information is, for example, when the power to the mobile device 2 is turned on and the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 become able to communicate with the mobile device 2 through the second network 102.

[0082] In step S20, the information provision identification unit 20 identifies the first person information of the first passenger (=pilot V) stored in association with the first terminal information, and uses the identified first person information to identify the first information to be provided to the first passenger (=pilot V). It also identifies the second person information of the second passenger (=passenger U) stored in association with the second terminal information, and uses the identified second person information to identify the second information to be provided to the second passenger (=passenger U).

[0083] For example, suppose the first person information includes information such as the fact that operator V's favorite food is curry, or that there is a certain number of curry restaurant search history entries on the first terminal 3. The information provision identification unit 20 identifies the first person information and uses that first person information to identify information about curry restaurants as the first information provision to be provided to operator V.

[0084] For example, the second person information may include information such as passenger U's favorite food being soba noodles, or that there is a certain number of searches for soba restaurants on the second terminal 4. The information provision identification unit 20 identifies the second person information and uses it to identify information about soba restaurants as the second information provision to be provided to passenger U.

[0085] In step S30, the related information identification unit 30 identifies the third information using the first information and identifies the fourth information using the second information. Specifically, for example, the related information identification unit 30 uses information about curry restaurants as the first information to identify information about soba restaurants and tonkatsu restaurants as the third information related to the information about curry restaurants. More specifically, the related information identification unit 30 uses statistical information that people who like curry tend to like soba and tonkatsu (people who have a lot of search history for curry restaurants also have a lot of search history for soba restaurants and tonkatsu restaurants) to identify information about soba restaurants and tonkatsu restaurants as the third information.

[0086] Furthermore, the related information identification unit 30 uses information about soba restaurants as second-source information to identify information about donburi restaurants and eel restaurants as fourth-source information related to the information about soba restaurants. More specifically, the related information identification unit 30 uses statistical information that people who like soba tend to like donburi and eel (people who frequently search for soba also frequently search for donburi and eel restaurants) to identify information about donburi restaurants and eel restaurants as fourth-source information.

[0087] In step S40, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies at least one of the fifth information I5 and the sixth information I6. In the first embodiment, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the fifth information I5. In the specific example above, the second information I2 (information about a soba restaurant) and the third information I3 (information about a soba restaurant and a tonkatsu restaurant) overlap in terms of the information about the soba restaurant, so the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the information about the soba restaurant as the fifth information I5. The fifth information I5 is information that should be provided to the second passenger (= information that the second passenger will be interested in), and is also information that the first passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0088] In step S50, the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 transmits the fifth information I5 (information about soba restaurants in the above example), which has been identified by the duplicate information identification unit 40, to the mobile device 2. Alternatively, the output control unit 50 may transmit to the mobile device 2 the fifth information selected from among the multiple fifth information items identified by the duplicate information identification unit 40 (information about soba restaurants selected from among the multiple soba restaurants in the above example).

[0089] In step S60, the mobile device 2 outputs the fifth provided information received from the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 as an audio output. In the first embodiment, the fifth provided information I5 is output by at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, with information added to identify that it is the second provided information I2 and information added to identify that it is the third provided information I3.

[0090] Information that identifies the information as second provided information I2 is, for example, information that suggests the second provided information I2 is information that the second passenger may be interested in. Information that identifies the information as third provided information I3 is, for example, information that suggests the third provided information I3 is information that the first passenger is relatively likely to be interested in. More specifically, for example, the mobile device 2 outputs a voice message saying, "There is a soba restaurant called zzz ("zzz" is the name of the soba restaurant) 1km away that I would recommend to xxx ("xxx" is the name of the owner of the second terminal 4) and that yyy ("yyy" is the name of the owner of the first terminal 3) might also like. Shall we go there?"

[0091] Next, in step S70, third input information is input to the mobile device 2. In the first embodiment, the third input information includes device-side confirmation information indicating whether or not to set a route for the mobile device to take (in this case, a route to the soba restaurant) (= whether or not to set a waypoint (or destination)). For example, in the above case, if the operator V (or passenger U) says "yes" to the voice output from the mobile device 2, the voice of that utterance as device-side confirmation information is input to the voice input unit 2c of the mobile device 2.

[0092] In step S80, the mobile device 2 transmits the third input information (=device-side confirmation information) to the receiving unit 70 of the information providing device 1. In step S90, the receiving unit 70 of the information providing device 1 receives the third input information.

[0093] In step S100, the route setting unit 80 uses the third input information (=device-side confirmation information) to determine whether or not to set a route for the mobile object to travel (in this case, a route to the soba restaurant) (=whether or not to set a waypoint (or destination)). The route setting unit 80 may decide to set a route for the mobile object to travel when an utterance indicating "agreement," such as "yes," "uh-huh," or "OK," is input to the voice input unit 2c. The route setting unit 80 may decide not to set a route for the mobile object to travel when an utterance indicating "disagreement," such as "no," "no," or "no," is input to the voice input unit 2c, or when no utterance indicating "agreement" is input within a predetermined time.

[0094] If the third input information (=device-side confirmation information) includes information indicating that the user agrees to set the route (Yes in step S100), then in step S110, the route setting unit 80 sets the route that the mobile device should take (the route to the soba restaurant). Then, in step S120, the route setting unit 80 transmits route information regarding the route to the soba restaurant to the mobile device 2. In step S130, the mobile device 2 outputs the route information by voice. Specifically, it may say something like, "Starting route guidance to zzz (name of the soba restaurant). Turn left at the next intersection 500m ahead."

[0095] If the third input information (=device-side confirmation information) contains information indicating that the user does not agree to set the route (No in step S100), the process may return to step S40 and identify the fifth provided information. Then, in step S50, the output control unit 50 may transmit different fifth provided information to the mobile device 2. If the third input information (=device-side confirmation information) contains information indicating that the user does not agree to set the route (No in step S100), the process may be terminated.

[0096] (Example of operation of the first embodiment 2) Figure 7 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the information providing device 1 and the first terminal 3 when the first terminal 3 outputs the sixth provided information in the first embodiment. The mobile device 2 is assumed to be constantly in communication with the information providing device 1 via the first network 101. Step S10 is the same as the processing in Figure 6.

[0097] In Example 2, the first person information includes information such as the first passenger (pilot V) liking movies and having a frequent search history for movie titles on terminal 3. The second person information includes information such as the second passenger (passenger U) liking manga and having a purchase history of manga-related digital content on terminal 4.

[0098] In step S21, the information provision unit 20 uses the first person information to identify information regarding movie theaters showing the latest films and rental DVD stores where new releases have started to be rented, as first information to be provided to the first passenger (pilot V), and uses the second person information to identify information regarding rental comic stores offering half-price rentals, as second information to be provided to the second passenger (passenger U).

[0099] In step S31, the related information identification unit 30 uses information about movie theaters and DVD rental stores as first information to identify information about comic book rental stores and internet cafes as third information related to the information about movie theaters. More specifically, the related information identification unit 30 uses statistical information that people who like movies tend to like comic book rental stores and internet cafes (people who frequently visit movie theaters also frequently visit comic book rental stores and internet cafes) to identify information about comic book rental stores and internet cafes as third information.

[0100] Furthermore, the related information identification unit 30 uses information about rental comic stores as second-order information to identify information about movie theaters and internet cafes as fourth-order information related to the information about rental comic stores. More specifically, the related information identification unit 30 uses statistical information that people who frequently visit rental comic stores tend to also frequently visit movie theaters and internet cafes (people with a history of visiting rental comic stores also tend to have a history of visiting movie theaters and internet cafes) to identify information about movie theaters and internet cafes as fourth-order information.

[0101] In the first embodiment, in step S41, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the sixth information to be provided I6. Specifically, for example, the first information to be provided I1 includes information about movie theaters and DVD rental stores, and the fourth information to be provided I4 includes information about movie theaters and internet cafes. Therefore, the first information to be provided I1 and the fourth information to be provided I4 overlap in the portion relating to movie theaters. For this reason, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the information relating to movie theaters as the sixth information to be provided I6. The sixth information to be provided I6 is information that should be provided to the first passenger (= information that the first passenger is interested in), and is also information that the second passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0102] In step S51, the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 transmits the sixth information provided (in the above example, information about movie theaters) identified by the duplicate information provision identification unit 40 to the first terminal 3 via the mobile device 2.

[0103] In step S61, the first terminal 3 causes the sixth provided information received from the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 to be output to the display of the first terminal 3. In the first embodiment, the sixth provided information I6 is output by at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, with information added to identify that it is the first provided information I1 and information added to identify that it is the fourth provided information I4.

[0104] Information that identifies the information as the first provided information I1 is, for example, information that suggests the first provided information I1 is information that the first passenger may be interested in. Information that identifies the information as the fourth provided information I4 is, for example, information that suggests the fourth provided information I4 is information that the second passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0105] Figure 8 is an image illustrating the output of the sixth provided information I6 from the first terminal 3 to the display. For example, the first terminal 3 may output the message "Recommended for yyy (where "yyy" is the owner of the first terminal 3 (=operator V))" (information identifying that this is the first provided information I1) and the message "xxx might like this too" (information identifying that this is the fourth provided information I4) to the display. Icons for the messages "Yes" and "No" may also be displayed on the display at the same time. The output control unit 50 may output the sixth provided information to the display of the first terminal 3 and also output the sixth provided information as audio from the first terminal 3, such as "Shall we go to a movie theater that is recommended for yyy and that xxx might also like?"

[0106] Returning to Figure 7, in step S71, the first input information is entered into the first terminal 3. In the first embodiment, the first input information includes confirmation information from the first passenger indicating whether or not to set a route for the moving object to take (in this case, a route to the movie theater) (= whether or not to set a waypoint (or destination)). For example, in the above case, if the first passenger (= pilot V) selects the "yes" icon on the display (see Figure 8), the information that the first passenger selected that icon, that is, the information that the sixth provided information was selected (= information that the passenger agreed to set a route to the movie theater), is entered into the first terminal 3 as confirmation information from the first passenger.

[0107] In step S81, the first terminal 3 transmits the first input information (= first passenger confirmation information) to the receiving unit 70 of the information providing device 1. In step S91, the receiving unit 70 of the information providing device 1 receives the first input information.

[0108] In step S101, the route setting unit 80 of the information providing device 1 uses the first input information (= first passenger confirmation information) to determine whether or not to set a route for the moving object to take (in this case, the route to the movie theater) (= whether or not to set a waypoint (or destination)). The route setting unit 80 may decide to set a route for the moving object to take when the "Yes" icon is selected on the first terminal 3. The route setting unit 80 may decide not to set a route for the moving object to take when the "No" icon is selected on the first terminal 3.

[0109] If the first input information (= first passenger confirmation information) includes information indicating that the passenger agrees to proceed along the said route, that is, if the "Yes" icon is selected in step S71 (Yes in step S101), then in step S111, the route setting unit 80 sets the route that the mobile vehicle should take (the route to the movie theater). Then, in step S121, the output control unit 50 transmits the route information regarding the route to the movie theater to at least one of the first terminal 3, the second terminal 4, and the mobile vehicle-side device 2 in order to output the route information regarding the route to the movie theater from at least one of the first terminal 3, the second terminal 4, and the mobile vehicle-side device 2. In the first embodiment, the output control unit 50 transmits the route information to the first terminal 3 and the mobile vehicle-side device 2.

[0110] In step S131, the first terminal 3 and the mobile device 2 output the route information. On the first terminal 3, the route information to the movie theater is displayed on the terminal 3's screen along with the message, "The route to the movie theater has been set." On the mobile device 2, an audio message is output, such as, "The route to the movie theater has been set. Route guidance will begin. Turn left at the next intersection 500m ahead."

[0111] If the first input information (=first passenger confirmation information) contains information indicating that the passenger does not agree to set the route in question, that is, if the "No" icon is selected in step S71 (No in step S101), the process returns to step S41, and the duplicate information identification unit 40 of the information providing device 1 may identify a sixth information to be provided that is different from the sixth information to be provided. Then, in step S51, the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 may transmit this different sixth information to the first terminal 3. If the input information (=first passenger confirmation information) contains information indicating that the passenger does not agree to set the route in question (No in step S101), the process may be terminated.

[0112] Furthermore, the processing from step S21 onwards may be performed concurrently with the processing from step S20 onwards in Figure 6. In this case, the output control unit 50 may output both the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information (for example, the fifth provided information may be output from the mobile device 2 and the sixth provided information may be output from the first terminal 3).

[0113] As described above, the information providing device 1 of the first embodiment includes a terminal information acquisition unit 10, a provided information identification unit 20, a related provided information identification unit 30, a duplicate provided information identification unit 40, and an output control unit 50. The output control unit 50 causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to be output from at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0114] The fifth set of information includes the third set of information which is relatively likely to interest the first passenger, and the sixth set of information includes the fourth set of information which is relatively likely to interest the second passenger. This allows the first and second passengers to be provided with information other than that they are already interested in, but which is expected to be of interest to them. This broadens the range of interests of the passengers.

[0115] Furthermore, by including second-source information that should be provided to the second passenger (information that the second passenger is interested in) in the fifth-source information, and first-source information that should be provided to the first passenger (information that the first passenger is interested in) in the sixth-source information, the satisfaction of both the first and second passengers with the drive will be improved.

[0116] In this way, by providing at least one of the fifth and sixth pieces of information, the output control unit 50 can improve the satisfaction of one passenger with their ride while broadening the range of interests of other passengers.

[0117] Furthermore, the first provided information includes at least one of the following: information about locations related to the first passenger's hobbies and preferences, and information about locations related to the first passenger's interests. The second provided information includes at least one of the following: information about locations related to the second passenger's hobbies and preferences, and information about locations related to the passenger's interests. As a result, information customized to the interests and hobbies of at least one of the multiple passengers is provided as the fifth or sixth provided information. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the satisfaction of one passenger with the drive while effectively broadening the range of interests of other passengers.

[0118] Furthermore, the fifth and sixth pieces of information provided are about spots and leisure activities that at least one of the passengers is already interested in. Therefore, when the first and second passengers visit or experience the spots and leisure activities indicated in the fifth or sixth pieces of information provided together, the passenger who is already interested in those spots can explain the appeal of those spots and leisure activities to the other passenger, who is relatively likely to be interested but is not currently interested in those spots or leisure activities. As a result, the likelihood of the passenger who is not currently interested in those spots or leisure activities becoming interested increases. Thus, the range of interests of the passengers can be effectively broadened.

[0119] The fifth information is output by at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, with information identifying it as the second information and information identifying it as the third information added to it. This allows the first passenger to become aware of the second passenger's interests. Therefore, even if the first passenger is not currently interested in the fifth information, the likelihood of them becoming interested in it increases.

[0120] The sixth piece of information is output by at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, with information added to identify that it is the first piece of information and information added to identify that it is the fourth piece of information. This allows the second passenger to become aware of the first passenger's interests. Therefore, even if the second passenger is not currently interested in the sixth piece of information, the likelihood of them becoming interested in it increases.

[0121] The related information identification unit 30 identifies the third and fourth information using statistical information. This increases the likelihood that the first passenger will be interested in the third information, and also increases the likelihood that the second passenger will be interested in the fourth information.

[0122] The memory processing unit 60 stores in the memory unit (not shown) at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of the first passenger, visit history information relating to the visit history of the second passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the first passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the second passenger, purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the first passenger, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the second passenger. The memory processing unit 60 also stores in the memory unit (not shown) at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of users other than the first and second passengers, search history information relating to the search history of users other than the first and second passengers, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of users other than the first and second passengers.

[0123] By using statistical information based on data collected from an unspecified number of users utilizing the information provision system 100, the related information identification unit 30 can identify the third and fourth information, thereby increasing the likelihood that the first passenger will be interested in the third information, and further increasing the likelihood that the second passenger will be interested in the fourth information.

[0124] Furthermore, by including a receiving unit 70 and a route setting unit 80, it is possible to simplify route setting to locations related to the fifth or sixth provided information. This makes it possible to easily stop by locations related to the fifth or sixth provided information.

[0125] Furthermore, the output control unit 50 causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the first terminal 3 and the second terminal 4 via the mobile device 2. By outputting the fifth provided information or the sixth provided information using the same communication means (second network 102), the communication costs borne by the user can be reduced.

[0126] [Second Embodiment] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic of the information provision system 100 of the second embodiment. The information provision device 1 of the second embodiment further includes a location information acquisition unit 95, and the function of the route setting unit 80 differs from that of the first embodiment. The following will mainly describe the differences from the first embodiment.

[0127] (Location information acquisition unit 95) The location information acquisition unit 95 acquires the first location information from the fifth provided information identified by the duplicate provided information identification unit 40. The location information acquisition unit 95 acquires the second location information from the sixth provided information identified by the duplicate provided information identification unit 40.

[0128] The first location information is information about the location of a place related to the fifth provided information. For example, if the fifth provided information includes information about a live venue where the first passenger's favorite singer is performing, the first location information includes the location information of that live venue.

[0129] The second location information is information about the location of a place related to the sixth provided information. For example, if the sixth provided information includes information about a movie of interest to the second passenger, the second location information includes the location information of the movie theater showing that movie.

[0130] (Route setting section 80) The route setting unit 80 of the second embodiment generates difference information regarding the difference between the already set route and the route to which the mobile body should newly take. The output control unit 50 causes the difference information to be output from at least one of the mobile body side device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0131] Furthermore, the location information acquisition unit 95 acquires the first location information (or second location information) from the fifth provided information (or sixth provided information) identified by the duplicate provided information identification unit 40. The location information acquisition unit 95 acquires the first location information (or second location information) by extracting the first location information (or second location information) contained in the fifth provided information (or sixth provided information).

[0132] In the second embodiment, the output control unit 50 outputs the second location information along with map information from the second terminal 4. The route setting unit 80 uses the second location information to set the route that the moving object should take.

[0133] (Example of operation of the second embodiment) Figure 10 is a flowchart of the processing by the information providing device 1 and the second terminal 4 when the second terminal 4 outputs the sixth provided information in the second embodiment. Step S10 is the same as the processing in Figures 6 and 7. In the example of operation of the second embodiment, the first person information includes information such as the first passenger's favorite brand being "bbb" and that the first passenger frequently searches for accessories, bags, and clothing of that brand on the first terminal 3. Also in the example of operation of the second embodiment, the second person information includes information such as the second passenger frequently searching for clothing-related items on the second terminal 4 and frequently purchasing clothing through the second terminal 4 at online shops.

[0134] In step S21, the information provision unit 20 uses the first person information to identify the following as first information to be provided to the first passenger: information about the location of an accessory shop that sells accessories of the first passenger's favorite brand "bbb", information about the location of a bag shop that sells "bbb" bags, and information about the location of a clothing store that sells "bbb" clothing. The information provision unit 20 uses the second person information to identify the following as second information to be provided to the second passenger: information about the location of a clothing store.

[0135] In step S31, the related information identification unit 30 uses the first provided information to identify, as third provided information, information regarding the location of a hat shop where hats of the first passenger's favorite brand "bbb" are sold, and information regarding the location of a shoe shop where shoes of "bbb" are sold. Specifically, based on statistical information that users who frequently search for clothes, purchase clothes, and visit clothing stores are likely to be interested in hats and shoes, the related information identification unit 30 identifies the third provided information.

[0136] The related information identification unit 30 uses the second provided information to identify information regarding the locations of accessory shops, bag shops, hat shops, and shoe shops as the fourth provided information. Specifically, based on statistical information indicating that users with a history of searching for clothes, purchasing clothes, and frequently visiting clothing stores are likely to be interested in accessories, bags, hats, and shoes, the related information identification unit 30 identifies the fourth provided information.

[0137] In step S41, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the sixth information to be provided I6. Specifically, for example, the first information to be provided I1 includes information about accessory shops, bag shops, and clothing stores, and the fourth information to be provided I4 includes information about accessory shops, bag shops, shoe shops, and hat shops. Therefore, the first information to be provided I1 and the fourth information to be provided I4 overlap in the portion relating to accessory shops and bag shops. For this reason, the duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the information relating to accessory shops and bag shops as the sixth information to be provided I6. The sixth information to be provided I6 is information that should be provided to the first passenger (= information that the first passenger is interested in) and is also information that the second passenger is relatively likely to be interested in.

[0138] In step S42, the location information acquisition unit 95 of the information providing device 1 extracts the second location information of the accessory shop and the second location information of the bag shop included in the sixth provided information, and acquires that second location information.

[0139] In step S52, the output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 transmits the sixth information provided (including the second location information of the accessory shop and the second location information of the bag shop) identified by the duplicate information provision identification unit 40 to the second terminal 4.

[0140] Then, in step S62, the sixth provided information, including the second location information of the accessory shop and the second location information of the bag shop, which the second terminal 4 has received from the output control unit 50, is output to the display of the second terminal 4 along with the map information.

[0141] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the sixth information provided, which is output to the display of the second terminal 4 in the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the display of the second terminal 4 shows the second location information (for example, the second location information of an accessory shop and the second location information of a bag shop) related to the location of the sixth information provided, along with map information. The black line route R in Figure 11 indicates a route that has already been set.

[0142] In the second embodiment, the sixth provided information I6 is output by at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4, with the addition of information identifying that it is the first provided information I1 and information identifying that it is the fourth provided information I4. The information identifying that it is the first provided information I1 is, for example, information that suggests that the first provided information I1 is information that the first passenger may be interested in. The information identifying that it is the fourth provided information I4 is, for example, information that suggests that the fourth provided information I4 is information that the second passenger is relatively likely to be interested in, and therefore should be recommended to the second passenger. More specifically, as shown in Figure 11, for example, the display of the second terminal 4 may show a message such as "Recommended for yyy ("yyy" is the name of the owner of the first terminal 3)!" (= information identifying that it is the first provided information I1) and a message such as "xxx ("xxx" is the name of the owner of the second terminal 4) should definitely try it!" (= information identifying that it is the fourth provided information I4).

[0143] In step S72 shown in Figure 10, the second location information selected by the second passenger (=passenger U) is stored as input information. Specifically, when the second passenger (=passenger U) taps the icon of the second location information (star mark, black circle mark in Figure 11) displayed on the display of the second terminal 4, the second location information related to the tapped icon is stored as input information. The input information includes the second location information selected by the second passenger (=passenger U).

[0144] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the sixth information provided, which is output to the display of the second terminal 4 after the second location information is selected. The example in Figure 12 describes the case when the second passenger (=passenger U) taps the accessory shop icon.

[0145] If a route to the destination has already been set, the route setting unit 80 generates difference information D regarding the difference between the already set route and the route to be newly set for the moving object. In step S73 of Figure 10, the output control unit 50 causes the difference information D to be output from the second terminal 4. In the second embodiment, the difference information D includes at least one of the following: time, distance, and whether or not toll roads were used.

[0146] On the display of the second terminal 4 in Figure 12, information regarding the difference in travel time and distance between the existing route and the route that goes via the accessory shop is displayed as difference information D. In Figure 12, difference information D shows that if you make a detour to the accessory shop, the travel time to the pre-set destination will increase by 10 minutes and the route will be 3 kilometers longer.

[0147] Returning to Figure 10, in step S74, further input information is entered into the second terminal 4. In the second embodiment, the input information includes confirmation information from the second passenger regarding whether or not to set a route for the moving object to take (in this case, a route to the accessory shop). For example, in Figure 12, if the second passenger (passenger U) selects the "Yes" icon on the display of the second terminal 4, the information that the second passenger selected that icon (= agreed to set a route that includes a stop at the accessory shop) is entered into the second terminal 4 as confirmation information from the second passenger.

[0148] In step S82 of Figure 10, the second terminal 4 transmits input information (= second location information of the accessory shop and second passenger confirmation information) to the information providing device 1. In step S92, the receiving unit 70 of the information providing device 1 receives the input information.

[0149] In step S102, the route setting unit 80 uses the input information (= location information provided by the accessory shop and confirmation information from the second passenger) to determine whether or not to set a route for the vehicle to take (in this case, the route to the accessory shop). When the "Yes" icon shown in Figure 12 is selected, the route setting unit 80 may decide to set a route for the vehicle to take. When the "No" icon shown in Figure 12 is selected, the route setting unit 80 may decide not to set a route for the vehicle to take.

[0150] If the "Yes" icon is selected in step S74 (Yes in step S102), in step S112, the route setting unit 80 uses the second location information to set the route the mobile body should take (a route that includes a stop at the accessory shop). Then, in step S122, the output control unit 50 transmits the route information to the accessory shop to the second terminal 4 and the mobile body-side device 2 in order to have the route information to the accessory shop output from the second terminal 4 and the mobile body-side device 2.

[0151] In step S132, the second terminal 4 and the mobile device 2 output the route information. Specifically, for example, the second terminal 4 displays the route information to the accessory shop on its display along with a message such as, "The route to the accessory shop where 'bbb' accessories are sold has been set." The mobile device 2 outputs a voice message such as, "The route to the accessory shop where 'bbb' accessories are sold has been set. Route guidance will begin. Turn left at the next corner."

[0152] If the "No" icon is selected in step S74 (No in step S102), the process returns to step S41, and the duplicate information identification unit 40 of the information providing device 1 may re-identify the sixth information to be provided. The output control unit 50 of the information providing device 1 may then transmit the different sixth information to the second terminal 4. If the "No" icon is selected in step S74 (No in step S102), the process may be terminated.

[0153] In the second embodiment, multiple pieces of sixth-provided information were displayed on the display of the second terminal 4. However, multiple pieces of sixth-provided information may be displayed in a list format on the second terminal 4, and the sixth-provided information selected from there may be used as input information.

[0154] As described above, according to the information providing device 1 of the second embodiment, the route setting unit 80 generates differential information D, and the output control unit 50 causes the differential information D to be output from at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4. This makes it clear the increase in travel time and distance when making a detour, making it easier to decide whether or not to make a detour to a recommended location.

[0155] Furthermore, the first input information includes confirmation information from the first passenger regarding whether or not to set a route for the moving vehicle, the second input information includes confirmation information from the second passenger regarding whether or not to set a route for the moving vehicle, and the third input information includes confirmation information from the device regarding whether or not to set a route for the moving vehicle. This allows the route to be set after confirming the intention of the first or second passenger. Therefore, the route setting unit 80 can effectively set a route.

[0156] [Third Embodiment] The configuration and operation example of the information providing device 1 in the third embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, but differ from the first embodiment in that a priority order is set between the fifth and sixth pieces of information provided. The following will mainly describe the differences from the first embodiment.

[0157] The output control unit 50 may use priority to decide whether to output the fifth information and the sixth information. For example, if the fifth information has a higher priority, the output control unit 50 may output only the fifth information. The output control unit 50 then outputs the information it has decided to output (either the fifth information or the sixth information) to at least one of the first terminal 3, the second terminal 4, and the mobile device 2.

[0158] Since the fifth information provided includes the third information, which is relatively likely to interest the first passenger (=pilot V), if the output control unit 50 is configured to output only the fifth information, it is possible to select a target (pilot V in the above case) whose interests you want to broaden. In this way, by setting a priority between the fifth and sixth information, it is possible to arbitrarily select passengers whose interests you want to broaden.

[0159] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the information providing device 1 of the fourth embodiment. The information providing device 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the function of the duplicate information identification unit 40. The following will mainly describe the differences from the first embodiment.

[0160] The duplicate information identification unit 40 identifies the seventh information I7. The blacked-out areas (both upper and lower) in Figure 13 represent the seventh information I7 (note that the size of the blacked-out areas (both upper and lower) is slightly smaller than the actual area related to the seventh information I7 for the sake of visibility). The seventh information I7 is the overlapping portion of the third information I3 and the fourth information I4. More specifically, the seventh information I7 is information that is relatively likely to be of interest to the first passenger, and also information that is relatively likely to be of interest to the second passenger. The output control unit 50 may output the seventh information I7 identified by the duplicate information identification unit 40 from at least one of the information providing devices of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0161] This makes it possible to provide the first and second passengers with information that is not already of interest to them, but is expected to be of interest to them. In other words, it can broaden the range of interests for both the first and second passengers.

[0162] The embodiments described above with reference to the drawings are examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0163] In the embodiments described, the first passenger has been described as the pilot, but the first passenger may be a passenger-passenger and the second passenger may be the pilot. Alternatively, both the first and second passengers may be passenger-passengers.

[0164] In the first embodiment, the information providing device 1 is equipped with a route setting unit 80, and the route setting unit 80 sets the route using the fifth provided information. However, the configuration may be such that the route is not set, and the output control unit 50 simply provides the fifth provided information (there may also be no route setting unit 80). In this case, the output control unit 50 may simply output product information (advertisements) and news information as the fifth provided information to at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0165] If there are multiple passengers, the terminal information acquisition unit 10 may acquire multiple second terminal information for multiple second terminals 4. The provided information identification unit 20 may identify multiple second provided information to be provided to each owner of the second terminal 4 (second passenger), the related provided information identification unit 30 may identify multiple fourth provided information for each second passenger, and the duplicate provided information identification unit 40 may identify multiple fourth provided information and sixth provided information which is the overlapping portion of the first provided information.

[0166] The output control unit 50 may output the differential information D from at least one of the mobile device 2, the first terminal 3, and the second terminal 4.

[0167] If a destination is set in advance, the duplicate information identification unit 40 may use route information to the destination to select the fifth information (or sixth information) to be provided to the first and second passengers from among multiple fifth information (or sixth information) options. In other words, a location along the destination may be preferentially identified as the fifth information (or sixth information).

[0168] The location information acquisition unit 95 may acquire mobile body location information, which is the location information of the mobile body (or mobile body-side device 2), via the location sensor unit 2d. The duplicate provision information identification unit 40 may select the fifth provision information from among a plurality of fifth provision information using the mobile body location information and the first location information. The duplicate provision information identification unit 40 may select the fifth provision information that is closest to the current location of the mobile body from among the plurality of fifth provision information.

[0169] The duplicate information identification unit 40 may select a sixth information from among multiple sixth information using the mobile body location information and the second location information. The duplicate information identification unit 40 may also select a sixth information from among multiple sixth information that is closest to the mobile body's current location.

[0170] Furthermore, while the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in sequence, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impede the content. Also, the above embodiments can be combined to the extent that their contents do not conflict.

[0171] Examples of reference formats are provided below. 1. A terminal information acquisition unit that acquires first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle, A provision information identification unit identifies first provision information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifies second provision information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, A related information identification unit identifies a third piece of information related to the first piece of information using the first piece of information, and identifies a fourth piece of information related to the second piece of information using the second piece of information, A duplicate information identification unit that identifies at least one of the following: the fifth information which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information; An information providing device comprising: an output control unit that causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to output to at least one of the mobile device side device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device. 2. In the information provision device described in 1., The first information provided includes at least one of the following: information relating to locations of things that suit the first passenger's hobbies and preferences, and information relating to locations of things that interest the first passenger. The information providing device includes, in part, at least one of the following: information relating to locations of things that suit the hobbies and preferences of the second passenger, and information relating to locations of things that interest the second passenger. 3. In the information providing device described in 1. or 2., An information providing device in which the fifth provided information is output by at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal, with the addition of information identifying that it is the second provided information and information identifying that it is the third provided information. 4. In the information provision device described in any one of items 1 to 3, An information providing device that outputs the sixth provided information from at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal, with the sixth provided information having information added to identify that it is the first provided information and information added to identify that it is the fourth provided information. 5. In the information providing device described in any one of items 1 to 4, The aforementioned related information identification unit is an information providing device that identifies the third and fourth information using statistical information. In the information provision device described in 6.5, The system further includes a storage processing unit that stores at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of the first passenger, visit history information relating to the visit history of the second passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the first passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the second passenger, purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the first passenger, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the second passenger. Information providing device wherein the memory processing unit stores at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger; search history information relating to the search history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger; and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger. 7. In an information providing device described in any one of items 1 to 6, After the output control unit causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to be output from at least one of the first terminal, the second terminal, and the mobile device, the receiving unit receives at least one of the first input information input to the first terminal, the second input information input to the second terminal, and the third input information input to the mobile device. The system further includes a route setting unit that sets a route for the moving object to take using at least one of the first input information, the second input information, and the third input information received by the receiving unit, The output control unit is an information providing device that causes the mobile body to output route information of the route it should take to at least one of the mobile body-side device, the first terminal, and the second terminal. 8. In the information provision device described in 7., The route setting unit generates difference information regarding the difference between the already set route and the route to which the moving object should proceed. The output control unit is an information providing device that causes the differential information to be output to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal. 9. In the information provision device described in 7. or 8., The first input information includes first passenger confirmation information regarding whether or not to set the route, The second input information includes second passenger confirmation information regarding whether or not to set the route, The third input information includes device-side confirmation information regarding whether or not to set the route, The route setting unit is an information providing device that sets the route on which the moving object should proceed using at least one of the first passenger confirmation information, the second passenger confirmation information, and the device confirmation information. 10. In an information providing device described in any one of items 1 to 9, A priority order is set between the information provided in the fifth and sixth sections. The output control unit is an information providing device that determines, using the priority order, whether to output either the fifth information or the sixth information. 11. In an information providing device described in any one of items 1 to 10, The output control unit is an information providing device that, via the mobile device, causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal. 12. In an information providing device described in any one of items 1 to 11, The mobile body further comprises an image information acquisition unit that acquires first image information of at least one of the first and second passengers generated from a camera unit mounted on the mobile body, The terminal information acquisition unit is an information providing device that acquires at least one of the first terminal information and the second terminal information using the first image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit and at least one of the second image information of the first passenger and the second passenger that is stored in advance. 13. The computer that realizes the information provision device, The system acquires first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle. Using the first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, the first information to be provided to the first passenger is identified, and using the second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, the second information to be provided to the second passenger is identified. Using the first provided information, identify the third provided information that is related to the first provided information, and use the second provided information to identify the fourth provided information that is related to the second provided information. Identify at least one of the following: the fifth information, which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information, which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information. An information provision method comprising outputting at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device. 14. The computer that will realize the information provision device, A procedure for obtaining first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of a mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle. A procedure for identifying first information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifying second information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information. A procedure for identifying third information related to the first information using the first information, and identifying fourth information related to the second information using the second information, A procedure for identifying at least one of the following: the fifth piece of information which is the overlapping portion between the third piece of information and the second piece of information, and the sixth piece of information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth piece of information and the first piece of information; A program for causing a procedure to output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0172] 1 Information provision device 2 Mobile side device 3. Terminal 1 4. Second Terminal 10 Terminal Information Acquisition Unit 20 Provided Information Specification Department 30 Related Information Identification Department 40 Duplicate provided information identification department 50 Output control unit 50 Receiver 60 Memory Processing Unit 70 Receiver 80 Route setting section 90 Image Information Acquisition Unit 95 Location information acquisition unit 100 Information Provision System V pilot U Passenger

Claims

1. A terminal information acquisition unit that acquires first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle, A provision information identification unit identifies first provision information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifies second provision information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, A related information identification unit identifies a third piece of information related to the first piece of information using the first piece of information, and identifies a fourth piece of information related to the second piece of information using the second piece of information, A duplicate information identification unit that identifies at least one of the following: the fifth information which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information; An information providing device comprising: an output control unit that causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to output to at least one of the mobile device side device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device.

2. In the information providing device described in claim 1, The first information provided includes at least one of the following: information relating to locations of things that suit the first passenger's hobbies and preferences, and information relating to locations of things that interest the first passenger. The information providing device includes, in part, at least one of the following: information relating to locations of things that suit the hobbies and preferences of the second passenger, and information relating to locations of things that interest the second passenger.

3. In the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, An information providing device in which the fifth provided information is output by at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal, with the addition of information identifying that it is the second provided information and information identifying that it is the third provided information.

4. In the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, An information providing device in which the sixth provided information is output by at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal, with the sixth provided information having information added to identify that it is the first provided information and information added to identify that it is the fourth provided information.

5. In the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned related information identification unit is an information providing device that identifies the third and fourth information using statistical information.

6. In the information providing device described in claim 5, The system further includes a storage processing unit that stores at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of the first passenger, visit history information relating to the visit history of the second passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the first passenger, search history information relating to the search history of the second passenger, purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the first passenger, and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of the second passenger. Information providing device, wherein the memory processing unit stores at least one of the following as part of the statistical information: visit history information relating to the visit history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger; search history information relating to the search history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger; and purchase history information relating to the purchase history of users other than the first passenger and the second passenger.

7. In the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, A priority order is set between the fifth and sixth pieces of information provided above. The output control unit is an information providing device that determines, using the priority order, whether to output either the fifth information or the sixth information.

8. In the information providing device according to claim 1 or 2, The output control unit is an information providing device that, via the mobile device, causes at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal.

9. The computer that makes up the information provision device First terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of the mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle are obtained. Using the first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, the first information to be provided to the first passenger is identified, and using the second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information, the second information to be provided to the second passenger is identified. Using the first provided information, a third provided information related to the first provided information is identified, and using the second provided information, a fourth provided information related to the second provided information is identified. Identify at least one of the following: the fifth information, which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information, which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information. An information provision method comprising outputting at least one of the fifth information provision and the sixth information provision to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device.

10. The computer that will realize the information provision device A procedure for obtaining first terminal information relating to the first terminal of the first passenger of a mobile vehicle, and second terminal information relating to the second terminal of the second passenger of the mobile vehicle. A procedure for identifying first information to be provided to the first passenger using first person information of the first passenger stored in association with the first terminal information, and identifying second information to be provided to the second passenger using second person information of the second passenger stored in association with the second terminal information. A procedure for identifying third information related to the first information using the first information, and identifying fourth information related to the second information using the second information, A procedure for identifying at least one of the following: the fifth information which is the overlapping portion between the third information and the second information, and the sixth information which is the overlapping portion between the fourth information and the first information. A program for causing a procedure to output at least one of the fifth provided information and the sixth provided information to at least one of the mobile device, the first terminal, and the second terminal located within the mobile device.

Images