JP2002099805A - System for providing information, device used in the system, method of providing information, and recording medium recorded with program for executing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote use for a user using an information system. SOLUTION: A point is given when the user purchases an article or receives service as to provided information via a network (the Internet). A car type selected to be purchased and information thereof are confirmed using a user terminal, the number of points held in the user in the present time is displayed, and a discount price as to a purchase price is displayed in response to the car type. A discount rate is set in response to the car type, a discount amount is calculated by multiplying the discount rate by the points held by the user, and the amount (cashback) is displayed on a screen. The purchase price is discounted in response to the number of the points concerned in a using frequency of an information center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for providing information widely, giving a predetermined point to a user who uses the provided information, and promoting the use of the information to be provided. The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing the information, the method for providing information and points, an apparatus used for executing the method, and a recording medium on which the method is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information system for establishing an information center for transmitting information and providing information from the information center to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle via a network such as the Internet. Is
Conventionally known, examples of which are described in, for example,
No. 01653. In the information providing system disclosed in this publication, map information including location information of various facilities is transmitted from an information center via the network,
It is configured to provide on-board navigation devices on-time. Therefore, by updating the information in the information center, the user can always obtain the latest information.

However, in the above information providing system, the latest positional information of facilities and the like is added to the map information and updated, and the updated map information is distributed over a network. Inevitably increase. For this reason, when the user intends to obtain and use the latest information in the navigation device, it is necessary to connect for a long time each time, and it has been pointed out that it takes a long time to obtain and increases communication costs.

[0004] In view of such circumstances, the present inventors have previously proposed an information providing system capable of providing the latest necessary information without transmitting map information.

According to the proposed information providing system, information required by a user such as facility information is transmitted as information that can be combined with the map information without transmitting map information that inevitably increases the amount of information. By configuring the transmission, the communication load was significantly reduced.

A system in which only information required by the user is effectively loaded on the communication infrastructure and information is provided in a form used by the user as a whole has a high utility value for the user. This is because information can be obtained quickly and communication costs are lower than before.

[0007]

In such an information providing system, if the user frequently uses the information providing system, the significance of operating the information providing system is great. However, if the usage is low, the significance of the information providing system itself is significant. Will be reduced.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is particularly effective in an information providing system which can be utilized quickly and inexpensively as described above. The purpose is to further promote the use of users using the system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information providing system which increases the added value of information provision and also promotes the use of information providers.

According to one aspect of the present invention, information is provided to a user via a network, and the user purchases a product in connection with the information. An information center for providing information to a user via a network, and authentication of a user who accesses the information center. User authentication means for performing, a recording means for recording that the user has accessed the information center, and a point for giving points to the user according to the frequency of access of the user and the contents of the access recorded in the recording means Providing means, and point totalizing means for totalizing the points provided by the point providing means for each user In the case where the user holding the points purchases a product related to the information in the information center or receives the service, the user, depending on the product to be purchased or the service to be received, An information providing system is provided, comprising: a privilege granting unit that gives a privilege to a user according to the number of points held by the user and a product that the user wants to purchase or a service to be received. .

[0011] In a preferred aspect, when the user accesses the information center a plurality of times a day, the point giving means determines only one specific access out of the plurality of accesses. It is deemed to be effective for adding points in the point giving means.

[0012] This makes it possible to prevent abuse of the system for accumulating points of the user.

[0013] Further, the point giving means can set points to be given to only a specific access mode which satisfies a predetermined condition out of the user's access to the information center.

For example, the access mode of the user at the information center is such that the user jumps to the advertisement site at the information center site, creates a drive route at the information center site, and transfers it to his / her own navigation device. This may be the case where a questionnaire is answered in the information center.

In this case, it is also possible to configure so that the number of points differs depending on the access mode. For example, when a user answers a questionnaire on car information or accesses an information center in a manner in which a user provides useful information to the organizer of the information center, a high point is given, and the information center is simply given. For example, when information is obtained from a user or when the information is used as a means of moving to another site, a small number of points may be given.

In a preferred aspect, the privilege granting means is:
When the user performs a car, a part, or maintenance related to the service to the information provider, a privilege according to the point is given.

[0017] Further, the information providing center may be provided with a mail order site for goods, and further provided with a goods purchase means in which the user can purchase the goods using the points in the mail order site. As for the settlement, a credit card settlement is also possible, but it is also possible to make a settlement by cash or a debit card at the time of exchange for a product at a store.

[0018] It is also possible to configure so that a product can be purchased at a shopping mall provided in the information center. In this case, the point redemption rate can be changed depending on the product.

Preferably, the user can receive the purchased product at a sales company designated by the user.

According to another feature of the present invention, there is provided an information center for providing information to a user via a network, wherein the user purchases a product or provides a service in connection with information from the information center. A server device used in an information providing system configured to provide a privilege to the user when receiving the information, wherein a user authentication unit for authenticating a user who accesses the information center; Recording means for recording the access, point giving means for giving the user points according to the frequency of access of the user and the content of the access recorded in the recording means, and points given by the point giving means Point collection means for totalizing the points for each user, and information In the case of a purchase in relation to the information to the center, or has received the provision of services,
There is provided a server device comprising: point management means for managing a change in the number of points held by a user.

According to still another feature, there is provided an information center for providing information to a user via a network, wherein the user purchases a product or provides a service in connection with information from the information center. A user-side terminal that communicates via a network with a server device used in an information providing system configured to grant a privilege to the user when receiving the user, and accesses the server device to request authentication of the user. Authentication request means, means for writing information to or reading information from a predetermined database of an information center managed by the server device, display means for displaying information from the information center, and information relating to the information from the information center. Means for applying for the purchase of a purchased product or use of the service; In using the service, a user terminal comprising means for requesting a privilege discount based on points owned by the user and means for specifying a store where the product is purchased or a service is used is provided. Provided.

According to still another feature of the present invention, information is provided to a user via a network, and when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with the information, a privilege is given to the user. An information providing method for providing predetermined information to a user via a network,
Authenticates a user who accesses the information center, records that the user has accessed the information center, and gives the user points according to the frequency of access of the user and the contents of access recorded in the recording means. And, the points granted to the user are tabulated for each user, and when the user holding the points purchases goods or receives services in connection with the information of the information center, the number of points held by the user, and An information providing method is provided, which comprises a step of giving a privilege to the user according to a product to be purchased or a service to be received by the user.

[0023] In this case, the step of awarding the points includes, when a user accesses the information center a plurality of times a day, only a specific one of the plurality of accesses is performed. It is deemed to be effective for the point addition in the point giving means.

According to still another feature of the present invention, information is provided to a user via a network, and when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with the information. A recording medium storing a program for executing an information providing method for giving a privilege to the user, wherein an information center for providing predetermined information to the user via a network is provided. Authenticates the user, records that the user has accessed the information center, gives the user points corresponding to the frequency of access and the contents of the access recorded in the recording means, and gives the user Aggregated points are collected for each user, and the user holding the points provides information to the information center. A step of providing a benefit to the user according to the number of points held by the user and the product to be purchased or the service to be received when purchasing or receiving a product related to the information provider. A recording medium storing a program for executing an information providing method characterized by comprising:

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [System Configuration] Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the present embodiment, the network 2 used
Is the Internet 2. Various terminals are connected to the Internet 2 so that information communication is possible. Navigation device 3 mounted on vehicle
Can be connected to the Internet 2 via a mobile phone 4 as a user terminal so that information can be transmitted as needed. The Internet 2 has a personal computer terminal (P) as a user-side terminal through which a user receives or transmits various information via a network.
C) 5 or the like via a modem. The user terminals 4 and 5 are typically a personal computer, but may be a portable device having another type of communication function. In the embodiment of the present invention, an information center 6 is provided as a terminal on the service provider side in a form connected to the network 2. The information center 6 provides various kinds of information useful to a user who will be interested in the user via the network 2.
The information center 6 includes a server device 7 and various databases 8, 9, and 10 connected to the server device 7 so that information can be transmitted. The user sends the information from the information center to the user terminal 3 such as his / her personal computer,
4 and can be processed. Further, the user can also transfer information processed by a personal computer to the navigation device 3 which is an on-vehicle device via a network. Also,
In effect, information is read or written from the user terminals 4, 5 to a predetermined area allocated to the user of the information center, downloaded to its own user terminal, or used by another user terminal such as the navigation device 3. Can also be transferred via the server device 7 in effect.

[Information center] The information center 6 of this example
Is assumed to be operated by a car maker, but the information provided by the information center 6 is not limited to the car-related information, and may provide various information required by general Internet users. It has become. The information center 6 includes the server device 7 as described above, and various databases are connected to the server device 7. In this example, the information center 6 is connected to the navigation device 3 or to the user. A database 8 relating to contents such as music for providing information to a personal computer terminal, or a database 9 relating to social information such as news and weather forecast and weather information, and e-mail data for relaying e-mail , And a personal information database 11 for storing personal information such as a home address and a date of birth for each user.

In addition, the server device records that the user has accessed the information center using the user side terminal, adds points for each user according to the frequency and contents of the access, and manages the points. Point management database 12 is provided. According to the present invention, the points are configured to increase as the degree of use that appears in the frequency of access to the information center by the user increases. Points are managed for each user. The points given to the user are those for which the user provides information to the information center 6, those who operate the information center 6, for example, when purchasing a product such as an automobile manufacturer, or providing the service. Upon receiving the discount, a discount on the purchase price of the product or the cost of the service is applied to the user as a benefit according to the number of points desired by the user within the range of the number of points held by the user.

The point management database 12 manages the number of points that increase when a user accesses the information center 6 and gives a privilege when purchasing a product or using a service in relation to the access to the information center 6. The number of points that fluctuates in the case is managed.

As one feature of the present invention, the server device 7 according to the present embodiment does not include a database relating to map information used by the navigation device 3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the ordinary information providing center of this type, the map information is transmitted from the information center 6 to the user's personal computer terminal or the in-vehicle navigation device 3 via the server device 7. Not.

[Navigation Apparatus 3] The navigation apparatus 3 can be considered as one mode constituting a user-side terminal. The navigation apparatus 3 is connected via a network 2 and, in this example, a mobile phone 4 via the Internet. To the information center 6 so that information can be transmitted. In this example, it is assumed that the navigation device 3 is mounted on the automobile 13, and in the traveling state, the mobile phone 4 is connected via the Internet.
It is connected to a server device 7 of an information center 6 so that information can be transmitted.

The information providing system of the present invention is characterized in that it is a system that does not send image information such as map data as described above.

Instead, in the present invention, the information center 6
In relation to the above, the navigation device 3 as the user-side terminal stores the map data. Further, the navigation device 3 includes a GPS receiving system (not shown), detects the position of the vehicle based on the received GPS information, displays map information, and superimposes the position of the vehicle on the information. It also has a function of displaying the information or a processing program for calculating a route to the destination and performing processing such as displaying the route superimposed on the map information. Then, as described above, the navigation device 3 of the present embodiment can be connected to the network (Internet) 2 via a portable terminal such as a mobile phone 4. The map data or the processing program may be stored in the storage device of the navigation device 3 or may be stored in an external (C
It can also be recorded on a medium (not shown) such as a D-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and can be appropriately read and displayed on the display device 14 when used.

The processing program in the navigation device 3 is provided with a plug-in. The plug-in intervenes between the server device 7 and the processing program to convert data transmitted from the server device 7. It is configured to correspond to the above processing program.

More specifically, the plug-in has a function of connecting the navigation device 3 (mobile phone 4) to the server device 7. Further, the data transmitted from the server device 7 is converted into a data format corresponding to the processing program so that the data transmitted and received between the server device 7 and the navigation device 3 is in a specific format. It has a function of converting data transmitted to the server device 7 into data of the specific format.

The navigation device 3 stores image data such as icons embedded in an HTML document (data), which is one of the data transmitted from the server device 7. It also has a function of selecting an image to be displayed from the stored image data based on the image selection data transmitted from the device 7, and adding the selected image to a predetermined location in the HTML document. ing.

Further, the plug-in is installed in the server 7
Has a function of selecting a map to be used for adding information from a plurality of map data of the navigation device 3 having different scales, based on the map selection data specifying a map to be selected transmitted from. At the same time, it has a function of adding an image representing the position of the facility or the like to the selected map based on the coordinate data specifying the position of the information addition on the selected map. The display of the map data to which this information is added is performed by the processing program.

As described above, the navigation device 3 is configured to perform a process corresponding to each data transmitted from the server device 7. [PC terminal 5] PC terminal 5 of the above user
Is provided, for example, at home or the like, and is configured to be connectable to the Internet 2 by a modem 15 or the like.
The personal computer terminal 5 includes map data and a processing program for processing using map data such as display of the map data, similarly to the navigation device 3.
The processing medium may be stored in a built-in storage device, or may be stored in an external storage medium 14 and read out as needed upon execution. In this case, the storage medium 14 can be prepared as handle software for a personal computer terminal.

When a processing program is stored in the storage medium 14, a plug-in is provided. This plug-in, like the plug-in of the navigation device 3, is interposed between the server device 7 and the map data processing program in the personal computer terminal 5, and makes each data transmitted from the server device correspond to the processing program. It is configured as something.

The storage medium 14 also stores image data such as icons embedded in the HTML document transmitted from the server device 7. The plug-in of the personal computer terminal 5 also stores the data transmitted from the server device 7. On the basis of,
It has a function of selecting an image to be displayed from the stored image data, and adding the selected image to a predetermined location in the HTML document.

Further, the plug-in adds an image representing the location of a facility or the like to the map data of the storage medium of the user terminal based on the map selection data and the coordinate data transmitted from the server device 7. It has a function to do. The control of the display of the map data to which this information is added is performed by the above-described processing program, similarly to the navigation device 3.

As described above, the personal computer terminal 5 is connectable to the information center 6 via the Internet 2 so as to be able to transmit information, and has map data, like the navigation device 3. Has the same plug-in. For this reason, an environment is provided in which information from the information center 6 can be used at the same level as the navigation device 3. [Dealer Network 15] Next, a description will be given of a dealer network 15 managed by an entity that preferably manages information provision in the information center 6 and a related entity.

The store 16 in the store network 15 according to the present embodiment cooperates with at least the administrator of the information center 6 or a related person such as an information provider to provide a specific product such as an automobile or parts of the product to the user. Sell or provide services related to this product or part to users. For example, vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, etc. can be raised as the above products,
The parts include engine parts, vehicle parts, electric parts, and the like. Services include component installation, replacement, and inspection services.

The store network 15 is connected to these stores 16 so that information can be transmitted through the Internet 2.

[Point addition system] Server device 7
Records the user's access when the user's access to the use of the custom page or reference or download of other information is completed. Then, it is determined whether or not this access is subject to point addition. In this case, the server device 7
Determines whether there is already an access point for the user with the same date.
If points have already been added on the same date, the points are not added for the access. If there is no point addition for the user on that day, the server device determines whether or not access to the information center 6 is subject to point addition. In the case where the user does not substantially use the information in the information center 6, such as when the user accesses the information center 6 simply by opening the homepage and immediately closes,
The access is not regarded as substantially accessing the information center 6. [Aspect of Information Communication Subject to Point Addition] For example, the following aspects of access to an information center are subject to point addition. (1) The user operates the navigation device 3 (mobile phone 4)
Alternatively, the user connects to the network (Internet) 2 via his / her personal computer terminal 5 and accesses the information center 6 established on the Internet. In this case, it is possible to access another site on the Internet 2 via the server device 7 of the information center 6 and to transmit and receive an e-mail. The use of a server device related to such an electronic mail can also be a target of point addition. The number of points can be changed depending on the access mode. (2) The navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5 is operated to access the server device 7 of the information center 6, and to access the H stored in the database of the information center 6.
Download TML documents. That is, various information existing in the information center, for example, weather information such as social information by news or weather forecast, can be obtained in the storage device of the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5; Be eligible. In the present system, the information center 6 is provided not only for the purpose of providing only necessary information to the navigation device 7 but also for having a function as an information source for extracting various information required by the user. I have. Answering a questionnaire from the information center is also an object of point addition.

The information center 6 has a restaurant,
Hotels, leisure facilities, tourist spots, shops, restaurants,
Facility information such as a gas station or a parking lot is registered, and a search by genre or a search by telephone number can be performed. In this system, the user can freely obtain such information by using the communication function of the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5 of the user. Such a search operation is also subject to the point addition of the registered user. (3) To perform information retrieval by various methods. In this case, the user performs a search operation by accessing the server device 7 of the information center 6 via the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5 and performing communication using an HTML document in an interactive manner.

The searched location of the facility is added to the map and can be displayed on the screen of the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5. In this system,
The information on the searched facility can be registered and held in the area of its own database in the server device 7. Thus, for example, the facility information registered in the information center 6 is searched from the home or the like using the personal computer terminal 5 or the mobile terminal 4 in advance, and the search information is registered and stored in the database in the server device 7. Thus, whenever necessary, the registered information can be downloaded to the navigation device 3 via the mobile phone 4 and used for actual driving. (4) For the periodical inspection and vehicle inspection time, etc., the guidance information from the dealer is transmitted to the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5.
To be received through. (5) When the user's car breaks down, the user uses the communication function of the navigation device (mobile phone 4) 3 or the like to transmit information about the situation of the car breakdown to the store. (5) Use of Custom Page The use of a custom page according to one feature of the present invention is also an object of accumulating points.

Hereinafter, this mode of use will be described with reference to the display screen of the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5.

First, the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5 connects to the server device 7 of the information center 6 via the Internet 2 via the mobile phone 4 or the modem. When the connection is established, the information is transmitted from the server device 7 to the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal in the HTML format via the Internet 2. As a result, in the present example, as shown in FIG. 2, “news”, “today's fortune”, “weather forecast”, “drive workshop”, “SPOT search”, “mail” ","Notice",
A list 16 of menu items "LINKS" and "operation manual" is displayed on the menu screen of the homepage of the information center.

At the lower side of the menu item list 16, an item 17 of "custom page" is provided.
When you click on item 17 of this "custom page"
The custom page registered by the user in the information center 6 is called. That is, each user can write information in a predetermined database of the information center 6 in a predetermined format selected by the user, and the written information is transmitted from the server device 7 via the Internet 2. It is displayed in the frame R on the right side of the custom page displayed on the display of the user terminal. In addition,
3 to 10 show the display state of the frame R. For custom pages,
Item 1 of "LINKS" and "favorite click"
Columns 9, 20, 21 are provided, and item columns 22, 23 of "weather on tomorrow" and "fortune of today" are provided. In the column of "notice" 19, for example, information and guidance provided by an information center or a store are displayed. In the column of “LINKS” 20, the name of a website registered in the database is displayed. Clicking on these names will take you to the corresponding website. Further, a list of destinations registered by the user in the database is displayed in the column of “favorite click” 21. In addition, as the region displayed in the column of “Tomorrow's weather” 22 and the constellation displayed in the column of “Today's fortune” 23, preset ones are displayed. The registration and setting of such a custom page are performed on a page which is moved by clicking the “custom page setting” item 25 provided at the top of the custom page.

Note that the icon 24 embedded in the HTML document of such a page corresponds to the image data stored in the user side terminals 4 and 5 such as the navigation device 3 (mobile phone 4) or the personal computer terminal 5 as described above. Is used. Therefore, in this system, the data transmitted from the server device 7 does not include image data. Instead, the server device 7 of the information center 6
Includes image selection data for selecting an image stored in the terminal on the user side.
In a user terminal such as the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5, an image to be displayed by a plug-in mounted thereon is selected, added to a predetermined location in HTML, and displayed on a screen.

[Explanation of Usage Example of Information Center] Using the search function of the information center as described below is also an object of adding the points of the user. An example will be described. In this example, a case of “searching for sushi points in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture” will be described.

First, a menu item list 1 shown in FIG.
6, "S" which is a menu for searching for facility information
When "POT search" is clicked, the data is transmitted from the user side terminal such as the navigation device or the personal computer terminal to the server device of the information center. In response, the server device of the information center returns the next HTML document. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, three search menu columns 26, 27, and 28 of "search by genre", "search by area", and "search by telephone number" are displayed on the prepared page.

When the "search by area" 27 in the "SPOT search" is performed, the whole country or any prefecture is selected in the scroll box 29 provided on the left side of the "search by area" column 27. At the same time, the name of the municipality is entered in a text box 30 provided on the right side. When performing “search by telephone number” 28, 3
Area codes in the three text boxes 31, 32, 33,
Enter the station number and telephone number respectively. When these inputs are made and the "search" push buttons 34, 35 provided at the lower part of the respective search menu fields are clicked, the navigation device 3 (mobile phone 4) or the user side terminal such as the personal computer terminal 5 or the information center 6 The data input by the user's operation is transmitted to the server device 7. In response to the transmission from the user, the server device of the information center sends a response corresponding to the transmission data to H
Return in TML format.

When performing the "search by genre", the "search by genre" column 26 is provided.
"Eat", "stay", "play", "sports",
Click one of the following items: "sightseeing / recreation", "life / shop", "transportation", "drive", "gasoline", and "others". When the item “eat” is selected, the data is transmitted from the user side terminal to the server device of the information center. In response, the information center performs the following communication in HTML format. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, “Japanese food”, “Western food”, “Chinese food”,
A selection item list 36 in which the items of “sweetness / café”, “izakaya / snack”, “family restaurant”, “fast food”, “ramen” and “others” are arranged in a line is displayed on the screen of the user terminal. Is displayed.

This page is a menu screen for selecting any one of the above-mentioned items. When the item of "Japanese food" is clicked here, the user side of the navigation device 3 (mobile phone 4) or the personal computer terminal 5 or the like is clicked. From the terminal,
The information is transmitted to the server device 7 of the information center 6. The list of selection items is transmitted from the server device 7 to the user terminals 4, 5, and displayed on the user terminal screen. The selection item list 37 is, for example, as shown in FIG. In other words, in this example, "sushi", "barbecue", "shabu-shabu / sukiyaki", "tonkatsu", "soba / udon", "tempura / kushiage", "yakitori / kushiyaki", "restaurant / kaiseki / kappo" , A selection item list 37 in which items of “oden / ochazuke” and “other” are arranged in a line.

On this page, a check box 38 is provided on the left side of each item, and the check box 38 of the item to be searched is checked. In addition, “all” items are provided. When the “all” items are checked, all the check boxes 38 are checked.

Here, when the item “Sushi” is checked and the “Search” push button 39 provided at the bottom of this page is clicked, the data is transmitted to the server device 7. The server device 7 responds to the request in the HTML format. For example, a page for setting a search area for searching for “sushi” as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

This page is configured such that three selection items 40 of "around home", "select from map" and "select by place name" can be selected. A radio button 41 is provided on the left side of each item, and after selecting any item,
Click the "OK" push button 42 provided at the bottom of this page. Thereby, the data is transmitted to the server device 7. In this case, when “around home” is selected, a search based on the home address registered in the database of the server device 41 becomes possible.

On the other hand, when “search by place name” is selected, the information shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted from the navigation device 3 or the personal computer terminal 5 by the next HTML format document returned from the server device 7. It is displayed on the screen of the user terminal. On this page, a drop-down 43 for selecting each prefecture is provided on the left side. By selecting one of the prefectures in this drop-down menu, the scroll text box 44 provided on the right side is displayed. A list of selected prefectures is displayed. In the scroll box 44, a municipal is selected, and an “OK” push button 45 is selected.
By clicking, the data is transmitted to the server device 7.

Here, when "Hiroshima Prefecture" and "Naka Ward in Hiroshima City" are selected, the server corresponding to "Naka Ward in Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima" is searched from the sushi restaurants in which the server device 7 is registered. The search result data is returned to the user terminal such as the navigation device 3. As a result, a list 46 in which sushi restaurants existing in the vicinity of Naka-ku, Hiroshima are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. On this search result page, ten items that correspond to the search result are displayed, and “1” provided at the bottom of the search result page is displayed.
By clicking the items “0” to “100” and “next 10”, the names of the listed sushi restaurants can be sequentially displayed.

Further, there are push buttons of "area reset" 47 and "genre reset" 48. When these push buttons are clicked, a new search can be performed by returning to the page of area specification or genre specification.

Further, when any one of the store names is clicked, data is transmitted from the user terminal such as the navigation device 3 to the information center. In response, the server device 7 of the information center 6 returns corresponding data. By this communication, as shown in FIG. 10, the address 49 and the telephone number information 49 of the selected shop (“Azuma Sushi” in the illustrated example) are displayed.

Further, an item 50 of “SPOT registration” is provided for each item of each store, and any “SPOT registration”
When the item 50 of "T registration" is clicked, the position information of the corresponding sushi restaurant is registered in the server device 7 of the information center 6. As a result, the display is made in the column of the favorite click on the custom page.

Further, an item 51 of “map check” is provided for each item of each store. When any one of the items 51 of “map check” is clicked, a user side terminal such as the navigation device 3 sends an information center. The data requesting the display of the map of the selected sushi restaurant is transmitted to the server device 7. The server device 7 represents map selection data, which is data of a scale of a map used for adding information from a plurality of maps of different scales possessed by a user terminal such as the navigation device 3 and the positions of facilities and the like. The coordinate data, which is the data on which position on the selected map the image is to be added, is returned.

Upon receiving the map selection data and the coordinate data, the user terminal such as the navigation device 3 selects a map of a designated scale and places a predetermined image (representing a sushi restaurant) at a designated position on the map. Image). In this way, for example, a list as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the left side, and a search result list as shown in FIG. A map whose position is indicated by the icon 52 is displayed.

As described above, the information added on the map can be provided to the user by using the map data of the user terminal such as the navigation device 3.

In this system, the information center 6
Via the Internet 2 line from the server device 7 of
There is no need to send large map data. That is, the communication load can be greatly reduced as compared with a system that transmits map data, and the communication time and communication cost can be dramatically reduced.

Further, the server device 7 in the present system
Need not transmit image data such as icons. For this reason, the communication data amount in the present system is further reduced. When such information is transmitted through a communication line, the image quality must be reduced in relation to the communication speed. However, in this case, the resolution of the displayed screen is reduced, and There is a problem that performance is reduced. In this system, map data or icons with a large amount of information are stored in the user terminal in advance and used as necessary based on data transmitted from the information center or in combination with this information. The screen is displayed on the terminal side. by this,
In this system, the burden on the system for transmitting a large amount of information can be reduced, and a highly responsive and high-quality screen display can be realized at a low communication cost.

[Accumulation of Points] When the user accesses the information center 6 in the manner described above and uses the function, the user can accumulate 100 points, for example, at one time according to the frequency of use. Can be accumulated. However, in this example, as described above, the accumulation of the points is valid only once a day.

The accumulation of the points is managed by the server of the information center for each user, and the accumulated information can be referred to by the user on the custom page.

[Point Discount When Purchasing a Product] The user can use the points accumulated by using the information center when purchasing a product or using a service. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17, the point discount of the user when the user purchases a product or receives a service when the information providing system according to the present invention is used will be described.

In this example, the information center 6 is operated by an automobile manufacturer as described above. For example, when a user wants to purchase an automobile as a product, the information center 6 is stored as follows. The points can be used to receive discounts on car purchase prices. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an execution procedure of a program of a server device when a user accesses a server device of an information center to purchase a product, for example, an automobile, in connection with information of the information center.

The user first accesses the information center 6 by inputting a user ID and a password in order to collect information on the vehicle to be purchased. by this,
The user can display a personal information screen as shown in FIG. 13 of the information center as a home page screen. The screen displayed in FIG. 13 includes “Telematics Center Main Page”, “LINKS”, “Questionnaire”, and “End” information collection-related items 53, and “My Car Purchase”, “Parts Purchase”, and “Option Purchase”. , "Repair / maintenance", "net shop", etc., or items for purchasing or receiving services. On this screen, the number of points held by the user is displayed. Next, the user can open, for example, a vehicle type information page as shown in FIG. 14 by selecting “purchase my car” from the items on the home page of the information center 6. On this page, pictures 55 to 62 of a plurality of automobiles provided by the automobile manufacturer are shown by photographs. The portion of the photo display is a hyperlink button, and when a click is made at the position of the photo display of the specific vehicle type 55 or 62 of interest, the information page of the vehicle type as shown in FIG. 15 is expanded. It has become. This page also has a photo display of the selected vehicle type, which allows the user to check the selected vehicle type and its information (step S1). In addition, this page shows you how many points you currently have,
The discount price according to the vehicle type regarding the purchase price is displayed. In this case, a discount rate is set according to the vehicle type, and the discount rate is calculated by multiplying the discount rate by the points owned by the user, and the discount amount (cashback) is displayed on the screen.

Then, when the user clicks the item 63 of the estimate for the specific vehicle type 62, a screen for displaying the estimate information as shown in FIG. 15 appears (step S2).
On this screen, the discount for the cashback is performed (step S3). If the user wants a trade-in assessment on the screen, clicking on this item 64 will execute a trade-in assessment program and the trade-in price will be determined (step S4). Users may also:
By clicking on the "option selection" item 65, various options can be selected and set for the vehicle type to be purchased (step S).
5). Further, the user can select and specify a store (distributor) to be delivered by clicking the item of “select a distributor” 66 (step S).
6). In addition, by clicking the item 67 of “selection of payment method”, a payment method such as an installment payment, a lump sum payment and the like can be selected (step S7). After these steps, the total purchase price is displayed (step S8). Next, the delivery date of the vehicle is displayed on the screen (step S9). If the user is satisfied with the delivery date, the purchase is confirmed by clicking on the item "purchase" 68 (step S10). Thereafter, the vehicle is ordered with the specified contents from the designated sales company (step S11). In this case, the order center is notified from the information center 6 to the dealer, and the dealer places an actual order.

In this example, an estimate is made for “MPV” and the purchase is confirmed. If the user does not confirm the purchase for convenience, the user can select whether to estimate another vehicle type or to forego this time and perform “next examination”. In other words, the user can select item 6 of “next study” or “estimation of other models”.
Other choices can be made by clicking on 9, 70.

When the user clicks on the item "next review" 69, this series of operations is stopped and the screen can be ended. When "other vehicle type estimation" is selected, the user can estimate another vehicle type in the above-described procedure.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown a procedure of a program of the server device when a user purchases a part. The user follows the same procedure as in the above car,
By clicking on the item "purchase of parts" on the screen 3, it is possible to develop the same picture display screen of parts as in FIG. Then, by clicking on the component in the same procedure, a screen showing information on the component can be displayed. By displaying this screen, the user can confirm the parts to be purchased (step SS1). In this case, as in the case of purchasing a car, the user can display a cashback discount amount corresponding to the number of points held by the user (step SS2). That is, the part desired to be purchased is confirmed on the site of the information center, and the user can display the discount amount that can be calculated by multiplying the discount rate and the number of points according to the type of the part. If there is a desired sales company, the user can specify it from himself (step SS
3). Next, the user specifies and confirms a method of paying for the parts (step SS4). Further, the total payment is calculated in consideration of the discount by points and other discounts (step SS5). Server device 7
Presents a delivery date based on this condition (step SS
6). If the user is satisfied with the presented delivery date, the user performs an operation of acknowledging the presentation of the delivery date of the purchased part. Next, the user clicks on the purchase confirmation on the screen (step SS7). Thus, the purchase specification of the part is determined, and the information center notifies the user of the determined store to order the part (step SS).
8). In this case, if parts cannot be supplied at the sales company desired by the user, parts are ordered from the sales company selected by the user from the presented sales companies, and the parts are supplied.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Starting from the point at which a specific product provider or service provider provides a wide variety of information from an information center to users on a network, points are awarded to users who have a high degree of use of the information center, and the benefits are given to the products Alternatively, when using the goods or services of the service provider, the points can be used to purchase or receive the goods or services at an advantageous price.

By constructing such a system in which the degree of use by accessing the information center on the network gives a privilege when purchasing a product, it is possible to increase the user's willingness to access the information center. Then, the purchase of the information center user and the willingness to use the product or service can be motivated by the point grant for the use of the information center and the product or service information related to the point. As a result, it is possible to promote expansion of a product, a sales channel, and a service provision range.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a homepage of an information center,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (custom page) of a display screen on a user terminal;

FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen as in FIG. 3 (SPOT search)
Figure showing

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example (eating) of a display screen as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (Japanese food) as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (selection of a search area) as in FIG. 3;

8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (selection of a place name) as in FIG. 3,

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example (search result) of a display screen as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example (detailed information) of a display screen as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen (map display) as in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a program for performing processing when a user purchases a car using the system of the present invention;

13 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an information center page displayed on the user terminal when executing the program of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an information center page displayed on a user terminal when executing a program as in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an information center page displayed on the user terminal when executing the program as in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an information center page displayed on a user terminal when executing a program in the same manner as in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a program for performing processing when a user purchases a part.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information provision system 2 Network (Internet) 3 Navigation device 4 Mobile phone 6 Information center 7 Server device 8 Database (content) 9 Database (news / weather forecast) 10 Database (E-mail data) 11 Database (Personal information) 12 Database ( Point management).

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information providing system for providing information to a user via a network and granting a privilege to the user when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with the information. An information center that provides information to a user via a network, a user authentication unit that authenticates a user who accesses the information center, and a recording unit that records that the user has accessed the information center. Point giving means for giving points to the user according to the frequency of access of the user and the contents of the access recorded in the recording means, and point counting means for counting the points given by the point giving means for each user And the user holding the points is referred to an information center for business related to the information. When purchasing or receiving a service, the number of points owned by the user and the number of points or An information providing system comprising: a privilege granting unit that gives a privilege to a user according to a service to be received. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the point granting means assigns only a specific one of the plurality of accesses to the information center when the user accesses the information center more than once a day. 2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information providing system is considered to be effective for adding points in the means. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the point granting unit assigns points only to a specific access mode that satisfies a predetermined condition among users' access to the information center. Information providing system described in. 4. The user's access mode at the information center is such that the user jumps to an advertisement site at the information center site, creates a drive route at the information center site, and transfers the route to his / her own navigation device. 4. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the information is answered to a questionnaire in the information center. 5. The privilege granting means according to claim 1, wherein said privilege is given to said information provider when said user performs an automobile, a part, or maintenance related to a service. The information providing system according to claim 1. 6. A merchandise mail order site is provided at the information providing center, and a merchandise purchase means is further provided in the mail order merchant site so that the user can purchase merchandise using the points. The information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user can receive the purchased product at a sales company designated by the user. Information provision system. 8. An information center for providing information to a user via a network, wherein the user can purchase goods or receive a service in connection with the information from the information center, and receive a privilege from the user. A server device used in an information providing system configured to provide a user authentication means for authenticating a user who accesses the information center; and a recording means for recording that the user has accessed the information center. Point giving means for giving the user points according to the frequency of access of the user and the contents of the access recorded in the recording means; and a point tally which counts the points given by the point giving means for each user. Means and the user holding the points related to the information in the information center In the case where a purchase, or receiving a service Te, the server apparatus characterized by comprising a point management means for managing the variations in the number of points the user's. 9. An information center for providing information to a user via a network, wherein when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with information from the information center, a privilege is given to the user. A user terminal that communicates via a network with a server device used in an information providing system that is provided with an authentication request unit, wherein the authentication device requests access to the server device to authenticate the user; and the server device. Means for writing information to or reading information from a predetermined database of an information center managed by the information center; display means for displaying information from the information center; purchase of goods related to information from the information center; use of services Means for applying for the purchase of the goods or use of the service. User terminal, characterized in that it comprises means for requesting the privilege discount points based on carrying, and means for specifying the dealer to perform utilization or service purchased the product. 10. An information providing method, wherein information is provided to a user via a network, and a privilege is given to the user when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with the information. Providing an information center for providing predetermined information to a user via a network, authenticating a user who accesses the information center, recording that the user has accessed the information center, Points are given to the user according to the frequency of access of the user and the content of the access recorded in the means, the points given to the user are totaled for each user, and the user holding the points is the information of the information center. The number of points held by the user when purchasing goods or receiving services in connection with And in response to said service user attempts try to goods or undergo to purchase, information providing method characterized by comprising the step of providing a benefit to the user. 11. The step of awarding points includes, when a user accesses an information center more than once a day, only a specific one of the plurality of accesses is performed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is considered to be effective for adding points in the point providing means.
0. The information providing method described in 0. 12. An information providing method, wherein information is provided to a user via a network, and when the user purchases a product or receives a service in connection with the information, a privilege is given to the user. A program for executing a program for executing the information center, providing an information center for providing predetermined information to a user via a network, authenticating a user who accesses the information center, and Access points are recorded, points corresponding to the user's access frequency and access content recorded in the recording means are given to the user, the points given to the user are totaled for each user, and the points are collected. The user who owns the product purchases products related to the information provider who provides information to the information center. Or receiving a service according to the number of points held by the user, the product the user wants to purchase or the service to be received, and providing a privilege to the user. A recording medium recording a program for executing the providing method.