U.S. patent number 6,687,608 [Application Number 10/025,582] was granted by the patent office on 2004-02-03 for information notification system and method, and navigation system and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Toshihiko Kaku, Yoshiki Kawaoka, Sugio Makishima, Asa Namiki, Yasuhiro Shinkai, Mika Sugimoto, Mikio Watanabe.
United States Patent |
6,687,608 |
Sugimoto , et al. |
February 3, 2004 |
Information notification system and method, and navigation system
and method
Abstract
Inputting a profile of a user; detecting a current position of
the user; previously recording service information on shops or the
like in a recording device associated with the current position of
the user and the profile of the user; and retrieving and selecting
the service information on the shops or the like recorded in the
recording device according to the inputted profile and the detected
current position of the user to notify the user permit providing
appropriate service information required by the user to the user by
a push type information notification system. There are also
provided a storing device which previously stores destination
information matching a date, a time period, a cost, number of
persons, a purpose or the like in action, associated with user
information on an age, a sex or a preference of the user; an input
device through which the user inputs his profile such as the
preference; a processing device which selects a destination or
action information on an action order or the like associated with
the profile from the destination information stored in the storing
device according to a predetermined algorithm; and a notifying
device (display device) which notifies the user of the selected
action information, thereby permitting successively notifying the
user of destinations and action instructions.
Inventors: |
Sugimoto; Mika (Asaka,
JP), Watanabe; Mikio (Asaka, JP),
Makishima; Sugio (Tokyo, JP), Kawaoka; Yoshiki
(Asaka, JP), Shinkai; Yasuhiro (Asaka, JP),
Namiki; Asa (Tokyo, JP), Kaku; Toshihiko
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Assignee: |
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
(Minami-Ashigara, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
26606847 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/025,582 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 27, 2000 [JP] |
|
|
2000-397731 |
Jan 5, 2001 [JP] |
|
|
2001-000757 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/468; 340/990;
340/995.1; 340/995.24; 701/516; 701/522; 701/526 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C
21/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01C
21/20 (20060101); G06F 019/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;701/207,208,211,213,200
;340/990,995,995.1,995.16,995.17,995.18,995.23,995.24,996
;342/357.13 ;709/203 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zanelli; Michael J.
Assistant Examiner: Gibson; Eric M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McGinn & Gibb, PLLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information notification system which notifies a user of
service information according to a current position of the user and
profile information of the user, the information notification
system comprising: a first input device through which the user
inputs the profile information of the user; a position detecting
device which detects a current position of the user; a recording
device which previously records the service information associated
with the current position of the user and the profile information
of the user; a retrieving device which retrieves and selects the
service information recorded in the recording device according to
the inputted profile information and the detected current position
of the user; and a display device which displays the selected
service information to notify the user.
2. The information notification system according to claim 1,
wherein: the recording device records the service information at
one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and the
retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service
information.
3. The information notification system according to claim 1,
wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one
of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.
4. The information notification system according to claim 3,
wherein: the recording device records the service information at
one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and the
retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service
information.
5. The information notification system according to claim 1,
wherein: the first input device and the display device are provided
in a portable terminal having a first communication device; the
recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each
other through the first and second communication devices.
6. The information notification system according to claim 1,
wherein the service information includes at least information on a
shop.
7. The information notification system according to claim 6,
further comprising: a second input device through which an owner of
the shop inputs the service information, wherein the recording
device records the service information inputted through the second
input device.
8. The information notification system according to claim 7,
wherein: the first input device and the display device are provided
in a portable terminal having a first communication device; the
recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server
having a second communication device; the second input device is
provided in a terminal having a third communication device; the
server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information
to and from each other through the first and second communication
devices; and the server and the terminal transmit and receive
information to and from each other through the second and third
communication devices.
9. The information notification system according to claim 8,
wherein the position detecting device is provided in the portable
terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the
portable terminal according to positional information transmitted
from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.
10. The information notification system according to claim 1,
wherein the position detecting device is provided in a portable
terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the
portable terminal according to positional information transmitted
from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.
11. An information notification system which notifies a user of
service information according to a current position of the user and
profile information of the user, comprising: a first input device
through which the user inputs the profile information of the user,
and one of a notification time of the service information and a
notification time interval of the service information; a position
detecting device which detects the current position of the user; a
recording device which previously records the service information
associated with the current position of the user and the profile
information of the user; a retrieving device which retrieves and
selects the service information recorded in the recording device
according to the inputted profile and the detected current position
of the user; and a display device which displays the selected
service information to notify the user at the inputted one of the
notification time and the notification time interval.
12. The information notification system according to claim 11,
wherein: the recording device records the service information at
one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and the
retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service
information.
13. The information notification system according to claim 11,
wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one
of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.
14. The information notification system according to claim 13,
wherein: the recording device records the service information at
one of predetermined time and a predetermined time period; and the
retrieving device retrieves and selects timely service
information.
15. The information notification system according to claim 11,
wherein: the first input device and the display device are provided
in a portable terminal having a first communication device; the
recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal transmit and receive information to and from each
other through the first and second communication devices.
16. The information notification system according to claim 11,
wherein the service information includes at least information on a
shop.
17. The information notification system according to claim 16,
further comprising: a second input device through which an owner of
the shop inputs the service information, wherein the recording
device records the service information inputted through the second
input device.
18. The information notification system according to claim 17,
wherein: the first input device and the display device are provided
in a portable terminal having a first communication device; the
recording device and the retrieving device are provided in a server
having a second communication device; the second input device is
provided in a terminal having a third communication device; the
server and the portable terminal transmit and receive information
to and from each other through the first and second communication
devices; and the server and the terminal transmit and receive
information to and from each other through the second and third
communication devices.
19. The information notification system according to claim 18,
wherein the position detecting device is provided in the portable
terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the
portable terminal according to positional information transmitted
from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.
20. The information notification system according to claim 11,
wherein the position detecting device is provided in a portable
terminal carried by the user, and detects a current position of the
portable terminal according to positional information transmitted
from a global positioning system (GPS) satellite.
21. An information notification method of notifying a user of
service information according to a current position of the user and
profile information of the user, the method comprising: inputting
the profile information of the user; detecting the current position
of the user; previously recording the service information in a
recording device associated with the current position of the user
and the profile information; retrieving and selecting the service
information recorded in the recording device according to the
inputted profile information and the detected current position of
the user; and displaying the selected service information to notify
the user.
22. The information notification method according to claim 21,
wherein the service information includes at least information on a
shop.
23. The information notification method according to claim 21,
wherein the profile information of the user includes at least one
of a sex, a birthday and an occupation of the user.
24. The information notification method according to claim 23,
wherein the service information includes at least information on a
shop.
25. A navigation system comprising: a storing device which
previously stores destination information matching situational
information in action by the user, associated with profile
information of the user; an input device through which the user
inputs the profile information of the user; a processing device
which selects action information associated with the inputted
profile information from the destination information stored in the
storing device according to a predetermined algorithm; and a
notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action
information.
26. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the
situational information includes at least one of a date, a time
period, a cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation
information, a purpose in action by the user.
27. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the
profile information of the user includes at least one of an age, a
sex and a preference of the user.
28. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the action
information includes at least one of a destination and an action
order.
29. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the
processing device selects a destination from a plurality of
destinations in accordance with an amount of use fee for
notification paid by each of the plurality of destinations.
30. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein the
destination information comprises environmental information
including at least one of transportation information of a route of
the action by the user, and weather information of the route of the
action by the user.
31. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein: the
storing device and the processing device are provided in a server
having a first communication device; the input device and the
notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a
second communication device; and the server and the portable
terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each
other through the first and second communication devices.
32. The navigation system according to claim 31, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
33. The navigation system according to claim 32, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
34. The navigation system according to claim 31, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
35. The navigation system according to claim 34, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
36. The navigation system according to claim 25, further
comprising: a receiving device which receives, from the
destination, user information suitable for the user to use the
destination, and the destination information matching the
situational information in use associated with the user
information, wherein the storing device stores the received
destination information.
37. The navigation system according to claim 36, wherein: the
storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are
provided in a server having a first communication device; the input
device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from
each other through the first and second communication devices.
38. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein the server
comprise a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
39. The navigation system according to claim 38, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
40. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
41. The navigation system according to claim 40, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
42. The navigation system according to claim 37, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
43. The navigation system according to claim 36, wherein the user
information includes at least one of an age, a sex, a preference, a
purpose suitable for the user to use the destination.
44. The navigation system according to claim 43, wherein: the
storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are
provided in a server having a first communication device; the input
device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from
each other through the first and second communication devices.
45. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
46. The navigation system according to claim 45, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
47. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
48. The navigation system according to claim 47, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
49. The navigation system according to claim 44, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
50. The navigation system according to claim 25, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
51. A navigation system comprising: a storing device which
previously stores destination information matching situational
information in action by the user, associated with purpose
information on a purpose of action by the user; an input device
through which the user inputs the purpose information of the
action; a processing device which selects action information
associated with the inputted purpose information from the
destination information stored in the storing device according to a
predetermined algorithm; and a notifying device which notifies the
user of the selected action information.
52. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the
situational information includes at least one of a date, a time
period, a cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation
information in action by the user.
53. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the
profile information of the user includes at least one of an age, a
sex and a preference of the user.
54. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the action
information includes at least one of a destination and an action
order.
55. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the
processing device selects a destination from a plurality of
destinations in accordance with an amount of use fee for
notification paid by each of the plurality of destinations.
56. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein the
destination information comprises environmental information
including at least one of transportation information of a route of
the action by the user, and weather information of the route of the
action by the user.
57. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein: the
storing device and the processing device are provided in a server
having a first communication device; the input device and the
notifying device are provided in a portable terminal having a
second communication device; and the server and the portable
terminal can transmit and receive information to and from each
other through the first and second communication devices.
58. The navigation system according to claim 57, wherein the server
comprise a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
59. The navigation system according to claim 58, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
60. The navigation system according to claim 57, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
61. The navigation system according to claim 60, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
62. The navigation system according to claim 51, further
comprising: a receiving device which receives, from the
destination, user information suitable for the user to use the
destination, and the destination information matching the
situational information in use associated with the user
information, wherein the storing device stores the received
destination information.
63. The navigation system according to claim 62, wherein: the
storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are
provided in a server having a first communication device; the input
device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from
each other through the first and second communication devices.
64. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
65. The navigation system according to claim 64, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
66. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
67. The navigation system according to claim 66, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
68. The navigation system according to claim 63, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
69. The navigation system according to claim 62, wherein the user
information includes at least one of an age, a sex, a preference, a
purpose suitable for the user to use the destination.
70. The navigation system according to claim 69, wherein: the
storing device, the processing device and the receiving device are
provided in a server having a first communication device; the input
device and the notifying device are provided in a portable terminal
having a second communication device; and the server and the
portable terminal can transmit and receive information to and from
each other through the first and second communication devices.
71. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the portable terminal.
72. The navigation system according to claim 71, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
73. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein the server
comprises a position information obtaining device which obtains
positional information of the user from the destination.
74. The navigation system according to claim 73, wherein the
processing device has a rerouting function of selecting, when the
user is in a destination different from the action information
notified before in a predetermined time period, at least one of a
new destination and new action information according to a
predetermined algorithm.
75. The navigation system according to claim 70, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
76. The navigation system according to claim 51, wherein: the
situational information includes evaluation information of the
destination; the input device has a function through which the user
inputs impressions on the used destination; and the storing device
renews the evaluation information according to the inputted
impression information.
77. A navigation method for guiding a user in accordance with a
course provided by a service server with information being
exchanged between a portable terminal of the user and the service
server, said method comprising: transmitting a course menu from the
service server to the portable terminal of the user; selecting by
the user a desired course from the course menu and transmitting
course selection information from the portable terminal to the
service server; selecting by the service a course in accordance
with a predetermined algorithm according to at least the course
selection information; and guiding the user to the destination
included in the selected courses, wherein said course menu
comprises at least one of: a course which is designated by a
purpose comprising at least one of eating, drinking, shopping, and
sightseeing; and a course which is designated by a budget
pertaining to a route taken in accordance with an instruction of
said service server.
78. The navigation method according to claim 77, wherein:
positional information of the user is obtained in the course
selection; and a course which includes at least one destination
associated with the obtained positional information of the user is
selected.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information notification system
and a method thereof as well as a navigation system and a method
thereof, and more particularly to an information notification
system and a method thereof which displays service information on
shops or the like on a portable terminal and notifies a user, as
well as a navigation system and a method thereof which notifies a
future destination or route of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable communication terminals (hereinafter referred to as
"portable terminals") such as mobile telephones, PDA (Personal Data
Assistance) and PIM (Personal Information Manager) have remarkably
become widespread. Some of such portable terminals known are
capable of using information delivery service via the Internet in
addition to essential functions such as calling or recording of
schedules.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-269923 discloses an
information and advertising distribution system and method which
distribute information matching subscriber's interests to
subscriber's computer during time periods in which the subscriber's
computer is inactive. However, there is a problem such that the
system can be used simply for displaying delivered information on a
screen saver or the like since the system does not retrieve and
deliver information desired by a user.
Also known is an information delivery system where a user can input
keywords for retrieval in a mobile telephone and retrieve desired
service information on shops or the like, which has a problem such
that the user himself has to input many appropriate keywords for
obtaining shop information or the like desired by the user from
enormous pieces of shop information or the like.
Such portable terminals have been increasingly miniaturized, and
especially portable terminals such as portable telephones or the
like without full keyboards have a problem such that a method of
inputting characters are still complicated. Also, use of the
Internet by a conventional information terminal is a part of use of
the Internet by a personal computer or the like, and full advantage
is not taken of features of the Internet by the conventional
information terminal.
When previously checking a travel itinerary or a romantic itinerary
for couples, sightseeing places, restaurants, routes or the like
matching a desired or expected situation have been decided with
reference to guide books or town information magazines.
Also known is a service such that a service provider receives
positional information obtained by a mobile telephone, a personal
handyphone system (PHS), or the like, from retrieval information
using the Internet, and provides information or a menu matching a
current position of a user in real time.
However, if sightseeing places or routes are checked with reference
to information in guide books, town information magazines, travel
guides, romantic itinerary guides for couples, or the like, real
time information cannot be obtained since such guide books or the
like contain past old information. This causes a problem such that
when actually visiting the places, situations thereof are changed,
and a travel cannot be achieved as expected. Further, there is also
a problem such that the information in the guidebook is preset
information, and does not match user's feeling or wish in many
cases.
In receiving retrieval information using the Internet, there is a
possibility that information or a menu matching the current
position of the user can be obtained in real time, but each piece
of information is independent, and the user himself has to
selectively combine independent pieces of information which are not
related to one another. That is, the user has to combine point
information on each place with route information and time
information for making a plan.
Therefore, the user himself has to make a plan for the itinerary or
service, and there is a problem such that the user cannot make the
plan for the itinerary or service well without knowledge to some
extent on destination information or route information. There is
also a problem such that current information matching the current
position can be obtained, but current information on a destination
cannot be obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is achieved in view of the above described
circumstances, and has its object to provide an information
notification system and a method thereof which can provide
appropriate service information required by a user according to a
current position or an age of the user, time, or the like by a push
type information notification system.
In order to attain the above described object, the present
invention is directed to an information notification system which
notifies a user of service information on shops or the like
according to a current position of the user and a profile of the
user, including: a first input device through which the user inputs
his profile such as a sex, a birthday or an occupation; a position
detecting device which detects the current position of the user; a
recording device which previously records the service information
on the shops or the like associated with the current position of
the user and the profile information on the sex, the age and the
occupation of the user; a retrieving device which retrieves and
selects the service information on the shops or the like recorded
in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the
detected current position of the user; and a display device which
displays the selected service information and notifies the
user.
According to the invention, there are provided the first input
device through which the user inputs his profile such as the sex,
the birthday or the occupation; the position detecting device which
detects the current position of the user; the recording device
which previously records the service information on the shops or
the like associated with the current position of the user and the
profile information on the sex, the age, and the occupation of the
user; the retrieving device which retrieves and selects the service
information on the shops or the like recorded in the recording
device according to the inputted profile and the detected current
position of the user; and the display device which displays the
selected service information and notifies the user, thereby
permitting providing appropriate service information required by
the user to the user by a push type information notification
system.
The present invention is achieved in view of the above described
situations, and has its object to provide a navigation system and a
method thereof which successively notifies a user of destinations
and action instructions when the user inputs a destination or
purpose action in a portable terminal.
In order to attain the above described object, the present
invention is directed to a navigation system which notifies a
future destination of a user, including: a storing device which
previously stores destination information matching a date, a time
period, a cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation
information, a purpose or the like in action by the user,
associated with user information on an age, a sex or a preference
of the user; an input device through which the user inputs his
profile such as the age, the sex or the preference; a processing
device which selects a destination or action information on an
action order or the like associated with the inputted profile from
the destination information stored in the storing device according
to a predetermined algorithm; and a notifying device which notifies
the user of the selected action information.
According to the invention, there are provided the storing device
which previously stores the destination information matching the
date, the time period, the cost, the number of persons, or the
transportation, the evaluation information, the purpose or the like
in the action by the user, associated with the user information on
the age, the sex or the preference of the user; the input device
through which the user inputs his profile such as the age, the sex
or the preference; the processing device which selects the
destination or the action information on the action order or the
like associated with the inputted profile from the destination
information stored in the storing device according to the
predetermined algorithm; and the notifying device which notifies
the user of the selected action information, thereby permitting
successively notifying the user of destinations and action
instructions when the user inputs a destination or purpose action
in a portable terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The nature of this invention, as well as other objects and
advantages thereof, will be explained in the following with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the
figures and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view of a structure of an information notification
system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of a registration screen when a user registers his
profile;
FIG. 3 is a view of a received information selection screen on
which the user selects desired information;
FIG. 4 is a view of information delivery stop screen;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of information notification carried out by
the information notification system;
FIG. 6 is a view of a detailed display of service information;
FIG. 7 is a view of an owner registration page;
FIG. 8 is a list display of registered shops;
FIG. 9 is a view of a shop registration page;
FIG. 10 is a view of a structure of a navigation system according
to the invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a user information database inputted
by the user;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a destination information
database;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an environmental information database
transmitted from destinations;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing destinations calculated by a
predetermined algorithm; and
FIG. 15 is a flowchart when the user uses the navigation
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A preferred embodiment of an information notification system and a
method thereof according to the invention will be described below
with reference to the appended drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view of a structure of an information notification
system according to the invention.
In the drawing, the information notification system comprises a
portable terminal 40 (indicated as a portable information terminal
in FIG. 1) such as a PDA or portable telephone carried by a user; a
server 90 which can transmit and receive information to and from
the portable terminal 40 via a communication network such as a
public line; an information database 92 from and on which the
server 90 can read and write various kinds of information; and a
position detecting device 94 such as a GPS (Global Positioning
System) which can detect a current position of the portable
terminal 40 (a GPS satellite is indicated as a position information
system in FIG. 1).
The portable terminal 40 is provided with an input device through
which the user inputs his profile (user information) such as a sex,
birthday, an age or occupation, and notification time of service
information or a notification time interval of the service
information; a display device which displays various kinds of
service information and notifies the user; and a communication
device which wirelessly transmits and receives information to and
from other communication device such as the server 90.
The portable terminal 40 may be provided with a position detecting
device which detects a current position of the user according to
positional information transmitted from the GPS satellite, or a
position detecting device which detects positional information on a
communication base station nearest the portable terminal 40.
The server 90 is provided with a recording device which records
service information on shops or the like associated with the
positional information, and the profile information on the sex, age
or occupation of the user; and a retrieving device which retrieves
and selects the service information on the shops or the like
recorded in the recording device. For notifying the user of timely
and appropriate service information, the recording device may
record the service information on the shops or the like at a
predetermined time or time period, and the retrieving device may
retrieve and select timely service information.
The server 90 may be provided with a position detecting device
which detects the current position of the user, or an input device
through which an owner of the shop or the like inputs the service
information or the like on the shops or the like to be notified to
the user. The service information inputted by the owner is recorded
in a recording device such as the information database 92.
The object of the invention can be attained even if the input
device through which the owner inputs the service information or
the information on the shops to be notified to the user is a
keyboard or the like provided in an owner's personal computer
having a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving
information to and from the server 90. The service information or
the like inputted by the owner is transmitted through a
communication device of the personal computer and a communication
device of the server 90, and is recorded on a recorder such as the
information data base 92 or the like.
In this way, shop information or the like obtained from each shop
or the like can be recorded in the information database 92
associated with the profile for retrieval and the positional
information of the user. By registering each user in the server 90,
the information notification system can select information matching
user's wish from the information database 92 and transmit the
information to the portable terminal 40 for notifying the user.
The present invention is an information notification system for a
mobile device (portable terminal) which can notify the user of
closer and more appropriate information by using the positional
information of the portable terminal 40 in addition to the time and
profile with taking full advantage of the features of the portable
terminal 40.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a registration screen when the user
registers his profile.
When the user set a mode for registering the user information, the
display device of the portable terminal 40 displays a profile
registration screen 100 shown in the drawing (indicated with a
title "USER REGISTRATION" in FIG. 2).
In the drawing, the registration screen 100 includes a blank to be
filled with the name of the user; a blank to be filled with the sex
and birthday which can be used for calculating the age of the user;
a blank to be filled with the occupation of the user; a blank to be
filled with information on a station nearest the user's home or
current position of the user; an OK button which instructs
registration of the inputted profile; and a cancel button which
cancels the inputted profile.
In the first use of information notification service, the user
operates the input device provided in the portable terminal 40 and
inputs the profile such as the name, sex, age, birthday, nearest
station, occupation, or preference according to a menu displayed on
the display device. The profile inputted in this way is transmitted
to the server 90 through a wireless communication device.
The server 90 having received the profile from the portable
terminal 40 records the profile and information for identifying the
portable terminal 40 of the user in the information database 92 (or
a recording device such as a hard disk provided in the server 90)
as required.
FIG. 3 shows a display example of a received information selection
screen on which the user selects desired information when using the
information notification system.
In the drawing, the received information selection screen 102
includes a menu of information on shopping, movie, restaurant, pub,
entertainment, timetable, or the like which can be provided by the
information notification system; check boxes which are selectively
checked by the user when wishing to receive the respective
providable information; an input box in which the user inputs how
many hour interval the user wishes to receive the checked
providable information; an OK button for instructing a start of the
service of the inputted desired information; and a cancel button
for canceling the inputted desired information.
The user checks the check box of the desired information when
wishing to start using the information notification service by the
information notification system. Then, the service information on
the shops or the like in accordance with the profile is read from
the information database 92 and transmitted to the portable
terminal 40 to be notified the user. As choices of the providable
information displayed on the received information selection screen
102, different menus are displayed depending on the profile such as
the age or sex. This permits easily selecting the information
desired by the user from the choices narrowed to some extent.
The user selects items of the desired information from the
providable menu and checks the OK button for instructing the start
of the service, and thus the checked information is transmitted to
the server 90, and the server 90 reads the service information
concerned from the information database and transmits to the
portable terminal 40 for notifying the user. If time information is
inputted in the item "TRANSMIT AT_HOURS INTERVAL", the service
information is transmitted from the server 90 to the portable
terminal 40 at the interval of inputted hours.
When a stop of the service of the information notification system
is wished by the user during use of the service, an information
delivery stop screen 104 which is shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on
the display device of the portable terminal 40. When the user
checks the OK button in the information delivery stop screen 104,
the server 90 stops delivery of the service information.
For example, when the user is a female office worker in her
twenties, service information on clothes shops targeted at young
females or cafes is retrieved and read from the information
database 92 and automatically transmitted to the portable terminal
40 to be provided to the user. When determined that the user is a
male teenage student from the profile, service information on
clothes shops targeted at young males or game arcades is retrieved
and read from the information database 92 and automatically
transmitted to the portable terminal 40 to be provided to the user.
When shops or the like are introduced to the user, service
information concerning transportation such as the nearest station
or railroad timetable may be notified together to surely guide the
user.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of information delivery carried out by the
information notification system.
As shown in the drawing, the user previously inputs his profile in
the portable terminal 40 and carries out user registration to the
server 90. Then, the user inputs the desired information in the
portable terminal 40 and selects a category of information, and the
portable terminal 40 transmits the inputted desired information and
time interval of service information notification to the server 90.
Preprocessing of the registration is thereby finished.
Then, when the time of service information notification set by the
user comes, the position detecting device starts processing of
detecting the current position of the portable terminal 40. For
example, when the GPS is used to obtain the positional information
of the portable terminal 40, a radio wave emitted from the GPS
satellite is received and analyzed to obtain the positional
information (latitude, longitude, height) of the portable terminal
40. When the portable terminal 40 is a mobile telephone such as a
PHS, the current position of the portable terminal 40 may be
detected according to positional information of the communication
base station with which the PHS communicates.
When the time of the service information notification set by the
user comes, the server 90 starts retrieval of matching shops,
registered shops or the like from various kinds of information
recorded in the information database 92 with the profile, desired
information inputted by the user, and time designated as retrieval
conditions.
At this time, the server 90 retrieves information on shops which
belong to the category of the desired information selected by the
user, and retrieves service information matching the profile, and
shops or the like which are open or can accept the user at
present.
Next, the portable terminal 40 having obtained its own positional
information starts access to the server 90 and transmits the
obtained positional information of the portable terminal 40 to the
server 90. The server 90 having obtained the positional information
of the portable terminal 40 further carries out narrow retrieval of
the service information with the positional information of the
portable terminal 40 added to the retrieval conditions. At this
time, the server 90 having obtained the service information on the
shops or the like which can provide service near the current
position of the portable terminal 40 (for example, within 1 km
radius) from the information database 92 as required creates a page
for display from retrieval results, and the created page is
transmitted to the portable terminal 40.
FIG. 6 shows the service information displayed by the portable
terminal 40.
As shown in the drawing, the display device of the portable
terminal 40 displays service information 106 selected by the
information notification system. The service information 106
displays a list of shopping information and cafe information or the
like according to the positional information of the portable
terminal 40. The service information 106 displays top four shops or
the like located near the portable terminal 40 from the desired
information category selected by the user. The display on the
service information 106 includes a brief list of telephone numbers,
addresses, selling points, or the like of the shops or the
like.
When wishing further detailed display or information, the user
operates the input device such as a cursor key provided on the
portable terminal 40 to select a "DETAILS" link button. Selection
information of the "DETAILS" link button is then transmitted to the
server 90, and the server 90 reads detailed information from the
information database and transmits the information to the portable
terminal 40. Then, the display device of the portable terminal 40
displays a details display 108 shown in FIG. 6, permitting further
detailed information to be notified to the user.
When a "MAP" link button is selected in the service information
106, the display device of the portable terminal 40 displays a map
display 110, permitting a route to the shop desired by the user to
be notified to be the user. When an OK button is selected in each
screen, display of the service information 106 is finished.
If power is not supplied to the portable terminal 40 at the
predetermined communication time, or if the portable terminal 40 is
located in a blind spot of wireless communication and the wireless
communication with the server 90 cannot be carried out, the
portable terminal 40 and server 90 attempt to communicate with each
other, for example, at five minute interval. Further, if the
portable terminal 40 and server 90 still cannot wirelessly
communicate with each other after 15 minutes, the portable terminal
40 and server 90 stop delivery of the service information at that
time and carry out processing of waiting for next service
information transmission time.
FIG. 7 shows an owner registration page.
In each shop or the like, owner information on each shop is
inputted from a browser of the personal computer connectable to the
communication network such as the Internet for registration in the
information notification system according to the invention. As
shown in the drawing, an owner registration page 112 includes a box
to be filled with a company name of the shop or the like; a box to
be filled with a name (a person in charge); a box to be filled with
an address of the shop; a box to be filled with information on a
telephone number or fax number; a box to be filled with a password,
or the like. When the owner of the shop finishes inputting various
kinds of information in a form shown in FIG. 7, the inputted owner
information is transmitted to the server 90 and recorded in the
information database 92. When the server 90 finishes receiving and
registering processings of the owner information, an owner ID and a
password for confirmation are returned to the personal computer of
the shop and displayed on a display screen of the browser.
By carrying out the owner registration as described above, even one
owner can register information on a plurality of shops. When
logging the server 90 in with the ID assigned by the owner
registration, the browser screen of the personal computer displays
a registered shop list display 114 shown in FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 8, the registered shop list display 114 displays
owner ID information which identifies the owner of the shops or the
like; a list of the registered shops including identification
information on one or more shops (shop ID), names of the shop or
the like, "DETAILS/CORRECT" buttons to be selected for detailed
display or correction of the shop information, and "CANCEL" buttons
for instruction of canceling the shop information; a button for
instruction of confirmation and correction of the owner
information; a new button for newly inputting shop information; an
OK button; and a cancel button.
The owner of each shop or the like can confirm the detailed
information on the registered shop, correct the information, or
cancel the shop information from the screen of the registered shop
list display 114. When the "DETAILS/CORRECT" link buttons or new
button is pushed, a shop registration page 116 shown in FIG. 9 is
displayed.
As shown in FIG. 9, the shop registration page 116 includes boxes
to be filled with the owner ID information; name of the shop or the
like; address of the shop or the like; information on the telephone
number, fax number, URL or the like of the shop or the like;
information on opening hours of the shop or the like; category
information to which the shop belongs; information on features and
service information or the like of the shop or the like.
The owner of the shop can input or cancel information on various
kinds of shops in accordance with the display screen of the browser
to transmit to the server 90 and confirm the information recorded
in the information database 92.
When an owner information confirmation/correction button in the
lower left is pushed in the registered shop list display 114 of
FIG. 8, the owner registration page shown in FIG. 7 is displayed,
where the owner information can be confirmed or corrected.
The information database 92 recording the shop information has
tables prepared for the respective shops, and divides various kinds
of data into the tables depending on the shop categories inputted
in various kinds of forms shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. Besides the
information inputted in the forms, the ID of the shop or the like,
the latitude and longitude of the position of the shops determined
by the address of the shop or the like, and map information around
the shop are added to elements of the various kinds of data.
The above description is made in respect of an example of the
structure where the information notification system according to
the invention includes the portable terminal 40 and server 90.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the
object of the invention can be attained when the portable terminal
40 is provided with an input device for inputting a profile; a
position detecting device; a recording device which previously
records service information on shops or the like associated with a
current position of a user and profile information on a sex, an age
or occupation of the user; a retrieval device for retrieving and
selecting the service information on the shops or the like recorded
in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the
detected current position of the user; and a display device which
displays the selected service information and notifies the
user.
As described above, according to the information notification
system and the method thereof of the invention, there are provided
a first input device through which the user inputs his profile such
as the sex, birthday or occupation; the position detecting device
which detects the current position of the user; the recording
device which previously records the service information on the
shops or the like associated with the current position of the user
and the profile information on the sex, age, occupation of the
user; the retrieving device which retrieves and selects the service
information on the shops or the like recorded in the recording
device according to the inputted profile and the detected current
position of the user; and the display device which displays the
selected service information and notifies the user, thereby
permitting providing appropriate service information required by
the user to the user by a push type information notification
system.
Also, the push type information notification system of the
invention permits reduction of complicated input of information in
the portable terminal. Further, when the user retrieves the desired
information on the shop or the like, the time and positional
information of the user are included in the retrieval conditions,
thereby permitting information notification with taking full
advantage of features of the portable device.
Next, a preferred embodiment of a navigation system and a method
thereof according to the invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 10 shows a structure of the navigation system according to the
invention.
In the figure, the navigation system which guides a user 210 to a
future destination 220 comprises a portable telephone 240 which is
a kind of a portable terminal carried by the user 210, and a server
290 which stores user information on the user 210 and information
on the destination 220.
The portable telephone 240 is provided with input device 242, 242 .
. . in which the user inputs the user information on his profile of
an age, a sex or preference, or a purpose or the like; a display
device 244 (notification device) which displays information
concerning the destination 220 or route and guides and notifies the
user 210; and a wireless communication device 246 which can
transmit and receive information to and from another communication
device such as the server 290.
The server 290 is provided with a storing device such as a hard
disk which previously stores the information on the destination 220
(such as "shop" or "spot") matching a date, time period, cost,
number of persons, transportation, evaluation information, purpose
or environmental information in action by the user 210, associated
with the user information on the age, sex or preference of the user
210, and a processing device (an information processing device or
the like when the server 290 is a computer) which selects the
destination 220, a route, action information on an action order or
the like associated with the user information on the profile or
purpose of the user 210 from information on the destination 220
stored in the storing device according to a predetermined
algorithm.
The server 290 is also provided with a communication device 296
which can transmit and receive information to and from the portable
telephone 240, and can receive, from the destination 220, the user
information on the age, sex, preference or purpose suitable for the
user 210 to use the destination 220; the information on the date,
time period, cost, number of persons, transportation, evaluation
information, purpose, use fees for information notification of the
destination 220, or the like in use associated with the user
information; or information on the destination 220 such as
transportation information on the route of the action by the user
210 or environmental information on weather information or the like
on the route of the action by the user 210.
FIG. 11 shows an example of a user information database inputted by
the user 210.
In the drawing, the user information includes information on a
name, an address, age, a sex, portable telephone number, current
position, hobby and preference of the user 210, and information on
the purpose of travel or action desired by the user 210. When the
user 210 operates the input device 242, 242 . . . of the portable
telephone 240 and inputs the purpose of the action, the portable
telephone 240 transmits the purpose information on the action by
the user 210 to the server 290. At this time, personal information
on the portable telephone number or name of the user 210 recorded
in the recording device of the portable telephone 240 may be
transmitted to the server 290 together with the purpose information
on the user 210. The server 290 having received the user
information stores the received information in the storing device
as shown in FIG. 10.
The user 210 may previously register his personal information on
the age, sex, and preference in the server 290 of the navigation
system.
The current position of the user 210 is obtained by a position
information obtaining device. For example, the position obtaining
device may receive and stores the positional information directly
inputted by the user 210 from the portable telephone 240, may
obtain and store the positional information of the portable
telephone 240 from the base station of the portable telephone 240,
or may receive and store the positional information from the
portable telephone 240 by providing the portable telephone 240 with
a position detecting function of GPS (Global Positioning System),
or the user 210 may receive and store the positional information of
the user 210 from the destination 220, 220 . . . in use.
FIG. 12 shows a database of the destination information.
In the drawing, the destination information includes a name of each
destination 220, 220 . . . , positional information on an address
or the nearest station of the destination 220, 220 . . . ,
information on a preference or genre, information on a recommended
suitable age bracket of the user 210, information on a cost range
for use, user evaluation such as impressions obtained from those
who used the destination before (impression information),
information on an example of a using purpose recommended by the
destination 220, 220 . . . , information on a recommended time
period for use, and information on the number of persons.
These user information on the age, sex, preference, or purpose, and
the information on the destination 220, 220 . . . in accordance
with the date, time period, cost, number of persons,
transportation, evaluation information, or purpose in the use
associated with the user information are received by the
communication device 296 (receiving device) provided in the server
290 and stored in the storing device.
The user evaluation information shown in FIG. 12 is feedback
information inputted by the user 210 who used before the
destination concerned through the portable telephone 240, the
inputted information being transmitted from the portable telephone
240 to the server 290, and summarized by the information processing
device of the server 290. The database of the destination 220, 220
. . . is changed whenever necessary in consideration of a crowing
level, time service information, or the like, thereby it becomes
possible to offer real time information.
Other detailed examples of the destination 220 include a shop,
sightseeing spot, movie theater, concert venue, entertainment
venue, theater, golf course, ski field, hot spring, amusement park,
or the like.
FIG. 13 shows an environmental information database transmitted
from the destination 220, 220 . . .
In the drawing, the environmental information records environmental
items such as season, temperature, weather, crowding level,
transportation information, or the like in each destination 220,
220 . . . For the environmental information, each destination 220,
220 . . . automatically and hourly transmits latest information to
the server 290 to renew the environmental information database of
the server 290.
FIG. 14 shows an example of calculated results of the destination
to be notified to the user 210 calculated by the predetermined
algorithm.
The user 210 inputs his profile such as the age, sex, preference,
or purpose of the action, budget for the action, date of the action
through the input device 242, 242 . . . of the portable telephone
240, and transmits to the communication device 296 of the server
290 through the communication device 246. The information
processing device of the server 290 having received information on
the profile or purpose of the action records the received
information in the user information database. Then, the information
processing device evaluates all the renewed user information
database, destination database, and environmental information
database to select the destination 220, 220 . . . most suitable for
the user 210 who has made an inquiry from many registered
destinations.
In the drawing, the calculation results of the destination 220, 220
. . . include the destination 220,220 . . . , user optimum
evaluation, environment optimum evaluation, destination
information, and evaluation value. A selected destination course
menu is transmitted to the portable telephone 240 of the user 210
through the communication device 296.
The portable telephone 240 having received the destination course
menu through the communication device 246 displays the received
destination course menu on the display device 244 to notify the
user 210.
FIG. 15 shows a flowchart when the user 210 actually uses the
navigation system.
The user 210 inputs information on the budget, time,
transportation, or the like concerning the purpose action or
destination through the input device 242, 242 of the portable
telephone 240. For example, when the user inputs "driving along the
beach, romantic itinerary for couples" as purpose information, the
purpose information inputted by the user is transmitted from the
communication device 246 of the portable telephone 240 to the
communication device 296 of the server 290 together with the
information of "start".
The server 290 selects one or more next destinations (places,
accesses, introduction to the destinations) in consideration of the
preference of the user 210, current position, crowding level of
transportation, time, weather, crowding level of the destination,
according to all the information stored in the respective databases
at that moment. The server 90 transmits "course menu" information
concerning the plurality of destinations 220, 220 . . . to the
portable telephone 240 to display on the display device 244 and
notifies the user 210 for guiding.
The user 210 selects the desired destination 220 (sightseeing spot,
shop or the like) from the information on one or more displayed
destinations 220, 220 . . . Then, "course selection" information is
transmitted from the portable telephone 240 to the server 290. The
server 290 having received the information on the destination 220
selected by the user transmits "situation inquiry" information for
requesting the selected destination 220 for the latest
situation.
The destination 220 (shop) having received the "situation inquiry"
information makes a response to the server 290 about "feedback"
information on the latest time service information or crowding
level.
The server 290 having received the "feedback" information transmits
"(shop) guide 1" of the destination 220 according to the received
"feedback" information to the portable telephone and displays on
the display device 244. The user 210 having obtained the
destination information takes action (such as going to the beach)
according to the displayed guide, reaches the destination 220 and
spends time.
As this embodiment, when the server 290 recognizes environmental
information such that the route on the way is partly crowded, as a
result of selection of the destination 220 corresponding to the
purpose of going to the beach, the information processing device of
the server 290 may provide information on restaurants or other
sightseeing spots for avoiding the crowded point on the way to the
destination.
A black box type display method like a wizard may be used in
notifying the user of the route. If the user 210 does not wish to
follow the guide information displayed on the display device 244 of
the portable telephone 240, the user 210 may neglect the
instruction. The information processing device of the server 290
may have a "rerouting" function of selecting a new destination or
new action information on a route (an action order) according to
the predetermined algorithm and notifying the user again, when the
user 210 does not follow the displayed information, for example,
the user is in a destination 220, 220 . . . different from the
action information notified before in a predetermined time
period.
When the destination 220 displayed on the display device 244 does
not match user's intent, another destination 220, 220 . . . may be
selected by returning to a top menu according to instruction of the
user 210.
In this way, the user 210 reaches one destination after another in
accordance with the guide displayed on the display device 244 of
the portable telephone 240, achieves the purpose (swimming, eating,
shopping, sightseeing, or the like) and requests the server 290 to
guide a next destination. At this time, the server 290 may request
the user 210 to input evaluation information on a situation of the
destination or impressions for increasing the destination
information of the server 290 (creating information on satisfaction
ranking or the like).
When the user inputs information on satisfaction or the like
through the portable telephone 240, the "impression feedback"
information is transmitted to the server 290, and a user evaluation
value is calculated and stored in the storing device. Then, a guide
concerning the next destination 220 is transmitted from the server
to the portable telephone 240.
As described above, by successively obtaining guides of
destinations, the user 210 can achieve suitable purposes. When the
user finishes using the navigation system after finishing desired
actions, "finish" information inputted through the input device
242, 242 . . . is transmit to the server 290, and the series of
processing of the navigation system is finished.
There may be provided a navigation system which collects use fees
(listing fees) for notification from for-profit destinations 220,
220 . . . (such as shops) stored in the destination database, where
a higher priority for selection is placed on a destination which
pays a higher use fee when there is a slight difference between
selection results of the destinations 220. For a method of
collecting the use fees, use fees such as introduction fees may be
received only from destinations 220, 220 . . . which are actually
used.
The service provider may take a souvenir photograph in each
destination 220 such as a sightseeing spot, and provide a picture
image to the user. Also, game like elements may be added in such a
manner that the user can obtain benefit when he collects
photographs in all the destinations 220, 220 . . . like a stamp
rally. Further, orienteering like elements may be added in such a
manner that the taken photographs are printed in the last shop and
handed to the user.
In the above embodiment, the description is made in respect of an
example of providing the server 290 with the storing device which
stores the destination information and the processing device which
calculates the action information according to the predetermined
algorithm. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the
object of the invention can be attained when the devices are
provided in the portable telephone 240.
As described above, according to the navigation system of the
invention, there are provided the storing device which previously
stores the destination information matching the date, the time
period, the cost, the number of persons, the transportation, the
evaluation information, the purpose or the like in the action by
the user, associated with the user information on the age, the sex
or the preference of the user; the input device through which the
user inputs his profile such as the age, sex or preference; the
processing device which selects the destination or the action
information on the action order or the like associated with the
inputted profile from the destination information stored in the
storing device according to the predetermined algorithm; and the
notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action
information, thereby permitting successively notifying the user of
destinations and action instructions when the user inputs a
destination or purpose action in a portable terminal.
Further, according to the navigation method of the invention, the
service server transmits the course menu of the purpose or budget
to the portable terminal of the user, the user selects the desired
course from the course menu and transmits the course selection
information from the portable terminal to the service server, the
service server selects the course which includes at least one
destination such as the shop or the sightseeing spot in accordance
with the predetermined algorithm according to at least the course
selection information, and guides the user to the destination
included in the selected course through the portable terminal of
the user, thereby permitting notifying the user of the next action
instructions.
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternate
constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
* * * * *