U.S. patent application number 09/983930 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for service delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yofu, Toshihide.
Application Number | 20020052688 09/983930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26602793 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020052688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yofu, Toshihide |
May 2, 2002 |
SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention is a service delivery system comprising: a client
side terminal for ordering delivery of various services to a
delivery destination, and a shop side terminal for receiving the
order information and instructing delivery of the service to the
delivery destination. The client side terminal comprises a client
side display device for displaying map information and product
information on a screen, and an order information transmission
device for attaching position information for the delivery
destination to the order information and transmitting this combined
information. The shop side terminal comprises a shop side display
device for displaying map information and product information on a
screen and a route information generation device for generating
route information for a route to the delivery destination based on
the position information.
Inventors: |
Yofu, Toshihide; (Wako-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600
Washington
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Assignee: |
HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
26602793 |
Appl. No.: |
09/983930 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/420 ;
340/995.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3605 20130101;
G08G 1/202 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/209 ;
340/995 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 26, 2000 |
JP |
2000-326433 |
Oct 26, 2000 |
JP |
2000-326434 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A service delivery system comprising: a client side terminal for
ordering delivery of various services to a delivery destination,
and a shop side terminal for receiving the order information and
instructing delivery of the service to the delivery destination,
wherein said client side terminal comprises client side display
means for displaying map information and product information on a
screen, and order information transmission means for attaching
position information for said delivery destination to said order
information and transmitting this combined information, and said
shop side terminal comprises shop side display means for displaying
map information and product information on a screen and route
information generation means for generating route information for a
route to said delivery destination based on said position
information.
2. A service delivery system according to claim 1, comprising a
navigation apparatus furnished in a vehicle for delivering said
service, and said shop side terminal comprises route information
storing means for storing said route information, and said
navigation apparatus obtains said route information stored in said
route information storing means.
3. A service delivery system according to claim 1, comprising a
navigation apparatus furnished in a vehicle for delivering a
service, and said navigation apparatus comprises communication
means connected to said client side terminal so as to be able to
communicate therewith, and vehicle side route information
generation means for generating route information for a route to
said delivery destination based on said position information
received from said client side terminal via said communication
means.
4. A service delivery system according to claim 1, comprising a
server apparatus for transferring said order information
transmitted from said client side terminal to said shop side
terminal, and said server apparatus comprises position information
attaching means for attaching position information for said
delivery destination to said order information.
5. A service delivery system comprising: a client side terminal for
ordering delivery of various services to a delivery destination, a
shop side terminal for receiving the order information and
instructing delivery of said service to said delivery destination,
and an information server connected to said client side terminal
and said shop side terminal so as to be able to communicate
therewith, wherein said information server comprises order
information storing means for storing a product name and a delivery
date and position information for a delivery destination
transmitted from said client side terminal, and order information
transmission means for transmitting said product name and said
delivery date and position information for said delivery
destination to said shop side terminal, when it is said delivery
date or a predetermined number of days before said delivery date,
and said shop side terminal comprises display means for displaying
the position of said delivery destination on a map display screen,
based on the position information for said delivery destination,
and route information generation means for generating route
information for a route to said delivery destination based on the
position information for said delivery destination.
6. A service delivery system according to claim 5, wherein said
shop side terminal comprises product information registration means
for registering product information in said information server, and
said information server comprises product information storing means
for storing said product information registered from said shop side
terminal, and product information searching means for searching
said product information stored in said product information storing
means, when it is a predetermined number of days before said
delivery date, and said order information is generated based on the
searched product information and transmitted to said shop side
terminal.
7. A service delivery system according to claim 5, comprising a map
server connected to at least one of said client side terminal, said
shop side terminal and said information server so as to be able to
communicate therewith, and said client side terminal and said shop
side terminal respectively comprise display means for displaying
map information received from said map server.
8. A service delivery system according to claim 5, comprising a
navigation apparatus furnished in a vehicle for delivering a
service, and said shop side terminal comprises route information
generation means for generating route information for a route to
said delivery destination based on said position information, and
information storing means for storing said route information or
said position information, and said navigation apparatus obtains
said route information or said position information stored in said
information storing means.
9. A service delivery system according to claim 5, wherein said
navigation apparatus comprises; communication means connected to at
least one of said client side terminal, said shop side terminal and
said information server so as to be able to communicate therewith,
and vehicle side route information generation means for generating
route information for a route to said delivery destination based on
said position information received from said information server via
said communication means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a service delivery system,
which provides various services such as repair services and pick-up
services (meeting and farewell services) by moving to a specified
predetermined position (that is, a delivery destination), in
addition to delivery of goods to the delivery destination. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for
route guidance at the time of moving to the delivery
destination.
[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a technique
for transmitting order information to a shop side.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Heretofore, there is known a car navigation system such as
disclosed for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,
First Publication No. Hei 10-221104, which reads a bar code which
has been prepared with the contents of a delivery slip attached to
a package as data, to obtain delivery information such as the
address, name and telephone number for the delivery destination,
and also receives a positioning signal such as a GPS (Global
Position System) signal to detect the current position of a
delivery vehicle, and generates route information for a route to
the delivery destination.
[0006] In this car navigation system, when a client makes a request
for delivery of a package, to a delivery center controlling pickup
and delivery of packages, the delivery center prepares a bar code
including the delivery information described therein and attaches
this to the package. Then, a delivery vehicle reads the bar code
attached to the package, and displays the current position of the
vehicle, the position of the delivery destination and the route
information on a map display screen of a navigation apparatus.
[0007] Moreover, when there is a request made for the picking up of
a package, to the delivery center, the delivery center informs the
delivery vehicle of the address and name of the pickup destination
by means of, for example, PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System),
cellular phone, pager or the like. In this case, the driver of the
delivery vehicle resets the pickup and delivery route.
[0008] In the car navigation system in the above example of the
related art, complicated processing is required wherein the order
information for a delivery request from a client is converted to a
bar code via the delivery slip, and the content of the bar code is
taken into the navigation apparatus of the delivery vehicle,
causing a problem in that the delivery service cannot be performed
efficiently.
[0009] Moreover, when there is a request for picking up a package,
only the address and name of the pickup destination are advised
from the delivery center to the delivery vehicle, and there is a
possibility that it cannot be quickly judged whether or not the
pickup and delivery route can be changed to pass the pickup
destination of the package.
[0010] In view of the above situation, it is a first object of the
present invention to provide a service delivery system, which can
simplify processing processes from receiving order information from
a client to preparing the route information, to thereby improve the
efficiency of a service delivery business.
[0011] Furthermore, delivery is performed only for a case in which
a delivery request is transmitted from a client to the delivery
center. Hence, for example, in the case where the client forgets to
make a delivery request, delivery is not performed, and an
unprofitable situation may arise for the client.
[0012] In view of the above situation, it is a second object of the
present invention to provide a service delivery system, which can
simplify processing processes from receiving order information from
a client to preparing the route information, to thereby improve the
efficiency of a service delivery business, and which can
automatically place an order in accordance with information related
to the client.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In order to achieve the first object, a service delivery
system of a first aspect of the present invention is a service
delivery system comprising: a client side terminal for ordering
delivery of various services to a delivery destination (for
example, a client side terminal device 11 in a first embodiment
described later), and a shop side terminal for receiving the order
information and instructing delivery of the service to the delivery
destination (for example, a shop side terminal device 13 in the
first embodiment described later). The client side terminal
comprises a client side display device (for example, a display
section 21 in the first embodiment described later) for displaying
map information and product information on a screen, and an order
information transmission device (for example, an information
transmission section 23 in the first embodiment described later)
for attaching position information for the delivery destination to
the order information and transmitting this combined information.
The shop side terminal comprises a shop side display device (for
example, a display section 41 in the first embodiment described
later) for displaying map information and product information on a
screen, and a route information generation device (for example, a
route information generation section 42 in the first embodiment
described later) for generating route information for a route to
the delivery destination based on the position information.
[0014] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, since position information (for example, latitude and
longitude) for the delivery destination on the map is attached to
the order information transmitted from the client side terminal to
the shop side terminal, the position of the delivery destination is
immediately displayed on the map display screen of the shop side
display device of the shop side terminal which has received this
order information.
[0015] Therefore, based on the position information for the
delivery destination and the current position information for the
delivery vehicle, the route information can be quickly generated,
thereby enabling the efficiency of the delivery business to be
improved.
[0016] Moreover, a service delivery system of a second aspect of
the invention comprises a navigation apparatus (for example, a
navigation apparatus 14 in the first embodiment described later)
furnished in a vehicle for delivering the service, and the shop
side terminal comprises a route information storing device for
storing the route information (for example, an information storing
section 43 in the first embodiment described later), and the
navigation apparatus obtains the route information stored in the
route information storing device.
[0017] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, the route information generated by the route
information generation device of the shop side terminal is stored
in a computer readable recording medium, for example a memory such
as a hard disk built in to the computer system, or a floppy disk, a
magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a portable medium such as
an IC card having a flash memory therein.
[0018] The navigation apparatus in the delivery vehicle obtains the
route information by connecting to the route information storing
device via a communication circuit, or by directly reading the
route information from a portable medium brought into the delivery
vehicle.
[0019] In this case, the obtained route information is displayed on
the display screen of the navigation apparatus, and hence the
delivery vehicle can move to the delivery destination immediately,
thereby enabling the delivery business to be quickly performed.
[0020] Moreover, a service delivery system of a third aspect of the
invention comprises a navigation apparatus furnished in a vehicle
for delivering a service, and the navigation apparatus comprises a
communication device connected to the client side terminal so as to
be able to communicate therewith (for example, a communication
section 52 in the embodiment described later), and a vehicle side
route information generation device for generating route
information for a route to the delivery destination based on the
position information received from the client side terminal via the
communication device (for example, a route information generation
section 54 in the first embodiment described later).
[0021] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, since a movable body such as a delivery vehicle can
directly receive the order information from the client side
terminal without including the shop side terminal therebetween, to
generate the route information, efficiency of the delivery business
can be further improved.
[0022] Furthermore, a service delivery system of a fourth aspect of
the invention comprises a server apparatus for transferring the
order information transmitted from the client side terminal to the
shop side terminal (for example, a navigation server apparatus 12
in the first embodiment described later), and the server apparatus
comprises a position information attaching device for attaching
position information for the delivery destination to the order
information (for example, a position information search section 32
in the first embodiment described later).
[0023] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, for example in the client side terminal, even in the
case where the position information cannot be attached to the order
information, the position information can be attached by the server
apparatus based on the address of the delivery destination
described in the order information. Hence the shop side terminal
and the navigation apparatus in the delivery vehicle having
received the order information can display the delivery destination
immediately on the map display screen, as well as being able to
generate the route information quickly.
[0024] As described above, according to the service delivery system
of the first aspect of the invention, since the position
information for the delivery destination on the map (for example,
latitude and longitude) is attached to the order information, the
position of the delivery destination is immediately displayed on
the map display screen of the shop side display device of the shop
side terminal. Based on the position information for the delivery
destination and the current position information for the delivery
vehicle, the route information can be generated quickly, thereby
enabling improvement in the efficiency of the delivery
business.
[0025] Also, according to the service delivery system of the second
aspect of the invention, the obtained route information is
displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus, and
hence immediate movement to the delivery destination is possible,
thereby enabling the delivery business to be quickly performed.
[0026] Moreover, according to the service delivery system of the
third aspect of the invention, for example, the movable body such
as the delivery vehicle can directly receive the order information
from the client side terminal without including the shop side
terminal therebetween, and generate the route information, thereby
enabling the efficiency of the delivery business to be further
improved.
[0027] Furthermore, according to the service delivery system of the
fourth aspect of the invention, for example in the client side
terminal, even in the case where the position information cannot be
attached to the order information, the position information can be
attached by the server apparatus based on the address of the
delivery destination described in the order information. Hence the
shop side terminal and the navigation apparatus in the delivery
vehicle having received the order information can display the
delivery destination immediately on the map display screen, as well
as being able to generate the route information quickly.
[0028] In order to achieve the second object, a service delivery
system of a fifth aspect of the invention is a service delivery
system comprising: a client side terminal (for example, a client
side terminal device 111 in a second embodiment described later)
for ordering delivery of various services to a delivery
destination, a shop side terminal (for example, a shop side
terminal device 113 in the second embodiment described later) for
receiving the order information and instructing delivery of the
service to the delivery destination, and an information server (for
example, an information server apparatus 131 in the second
embodiment described later) connected to the client side terminal
and the shop side terminal so as to be able to communicate
therewith. The information server comprises an order information
storing device (for example, an order information storing section
144 in the second embodiment described later) for storing a product
name and a delivery date and position information for a delivery
destination transmitted from the client side terminal, and an order
information transmission device (for example, an order information
transmission section 143 in the second embodiment described later)
for transmitting the product name and the delivery date and the
position information for the delivery destination to the shop side
terminal, when it is the delivery date or a predetermined number of
days before the delivery date. The shop side terminal comprises a
display device (for example, a display section 151 in the second
embodiment described later) for displaying the position of the
delivery destination on a map display screen based on the position
information for the delivery destination, and a route information
generation device (for example, a route information generation
section 153 in the second embodiment described later) for
generating route information for a route to the delivery
destination based on the position information for the delivery
destination.
[0029] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, since position information (for example, latitude and
longitude) for the delivery destination on the map is attached to
the order information transmitted to the shop side terminal, the
position of the delivery destination is immediately displayed on
the map display screen of the shop side display device of the shop
side terminal which has received this order information.
[0030] Therefore, based on the position information for the
delivery destination and the current position information for the
delivery vehicle, the route information can be quickly generated,
thereby enabling the efficiency of the delivery business to be
improved.
[0031] Moreover, since the information server comprises the order
information storing device, and the order information is reliably
transmitted to the shop side terminal on a predetermined date, then
for example the situation can be prevented where transmission of
the order information from the client side terminal is forgotten or
an ordering error occurs.
[0032] Furthermore, a service delivery system of a sixth aspect of
the invention is constructed such that the shop side terminal
comprises a product information registration device (for example, a
product information registration section 152 in the embodiment
described later) for registering product information in the
information server. The information server comprises a product
information storing device (for example, a product information
storing section 142 in the second embodiment described later) for
storing the product information registered from the shop side
terminal, and a product information searching device (for example,
a product information search section 141 in the second embodiment
described later) for searching the product information stored in
the product information storing device, when it is a predetermined
number of days before the delivery date, and the order information
is generated based on the searched product information and
transmitted to the shop side terminal.
[0033] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, since the product information can be registered from
the shop side terminal, for example, product information satisfying
search conditions based on preference information or the like
related to the clients can be easily searched from various product
information.
[0034] Moreover, a service delivery system according to a seventh
aspect of the invention comprises a map server connected to at
least one of the client side terminal, the shop side terminal and
the information server so as to be able to communicate therewith
(for example, a map information server apparatus 132 in the second
embodiment described later), and the client side terminal and the
shop side terminal respectively comprise a display device for
displaying the map information received from the map server (for
example, display sections 151 and 161 in the second embodiment
described later).
[0035] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, it is not necessary to hold the map information
separately in the client side terminal and the shop side terminal.
Hence the construction of the system can be simplified to perform
efficient processing.
[0036] Furthermore, a service delivery system according to an
eighth aspect of the invention comprises a navigation apparatus
furnished in a vehicle for delivering a service (for example, a
navigation apparatus 114 in the second embodiment described later),
and the shop side terminal comprises an information storing device
(for example, an information storing section 154 in the second
embodiment described later) for storing the route information or
the position information, and the navigation apparatus obtains the
route information or the position information stored in the
information storing device.
[0037] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, the route information or the position information
generated by the route information generation device of the shop
side terminal is stored in a computer readable recording medium,
for example, a memory such as a hard disk built in to the computer
system, or a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM,
or a portable medium such as an IC card having a flash memory
therein.
[0038] The navigation apparatus in the delivery vehicle obtains the
route information by connecting to the route information storing
device via a communication circuit, or by directly reading the
route information from a portable medium carried into the delivery
vehicle.
[0039] In this case, the obtained route information is displayed on
the display screen of the navigation apparatus, and hence the
delivery vehicle can move to the delivery destination immediately,
thereby enabling the delivery business to be quickly performed.
[0040] Moreover, a service delivery system of a ninth aspect of the
invention is characterized in that the navigation apparatus
comprises; a communication device connected to at least one of the
client side terminal, the shop side terminal and the information
server so as to be able to communicate therewith (for example, a
communication section 162 in the embodiment described later), and a
vehicle side route information generation device for generating
route information for a route to the delivery destination based on
the position information received from the information server via
the communication device (for example, a route information
generation section 164 in the second embodiment described
later).
[0041] According to the service delivery system having the above
construction, since a movable body such as a delivery vehicle can
directly receive the order information from the client side
terminal without including the shop side terminal therebetween, to
generate the route information, efficiency of the delivery business
can be further improved.
[0042] As described above, according to the service delivery system
of the fifth aspect of the invention, since the position
information (for example, latitude and longitude) for the delivery
destination on the map is attached to the order information, the
position of the delivery destination is immediately displayed on
the map display screen of the shop side display device of the shop
side terminal. Based on the position information for the delivery
destination and the current position information for the delivery
vehicle, the route information can be generated quickly, thereby
enabling the efficiency of the delivery business to be
improved.
[0043] Moreover, since the information server comprises the order
information storing device, and the order information is reliably
transmitted to the shop side terminal on a predetermined date, for
example, the situation can be prevented where transmission of the
order information from the client side terminal is forgotten or an
ordering error occurs.
[0044] Furthermore, according to the service delivery system of the
sixth aspect of the invention, since the product information can be
registered from the shop side terminal, for example, product
information satisfying search conditions can be easily searched
from various product information.
[0045] According to the service delivery system of the seventh
aspect of the invention, for example, it is not necessary to hold
the map information separately in the client side terminal and the
shop side terminal. Hence the construction of the system can be
simplified to perform efficient processing.
[0046] Also, according to the service delivery system of the eighth
aspect of the invention, the obtained route information is
displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus. Hence
the delivery vehicle can move to the delivery destination
immediately, thereby enabling the delivery business to be quickly
performed.
[0047] Moreover, according to the service delivery system of the
ninth aspect of the invention, since a movable body such as a
delivery vehicle can directly receive the order information from
the client side terminal without including the shop side terminal
therebetween, to generate the route information, efficiency of the
delivery business can be further improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a service delivery system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of order information in
the service delivery system.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a service delivery system
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of order information in
the service delivery system of this embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen in a display
section of a client side terminal device.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen in a display
section of a client side terminal device.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a navigation
server.
[0055] FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing a display screen in a
display section of a shop side terminal device.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] [First Embodiment of the Invention]
[0057] A service delivery system according to a first embodiment of
the present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a service
delivery system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0058] The service delivery system 10 according to the first
embodiment comprises; a client side terminal device 11, being for
example a user terminal, a navigation server apparatus 12, a shop
side terminal device 13, and a navigation apparatus 14 furnished in
a delivery vehicle on the shop side.
[0059] The client side terminal device 11 is constituted by a
computer apparatus or a navigation apparatus connected to the
navigation server apparatus 12 on the Internet and the shop side
terminal device 13 so as to be able to communicate therewith via a
portable terminal or the like which a client has, and comprises a
display section 21, an input section 22, an information
transmission section 23 and a position information generation
section 24.
[0060] The display section 21 displays map information indicating
the position or the like of a delivery destination or the client
side terminal device 11, and displays various information
transmitted from the navigation server apparatus 12, at the time of
ordering of various services including products. The input section
22 inputs, for example, each input item related to the order
information.
[0061] The information transmission section 23 transmits order
information related to the delivery of various services, for
example, in the form of E-mail or the like, to the navigation
server apparatus 12, the shop side terminal device 13 or the
navigation apparatus 14.
[0062] Here, the order information comprises, in addition to the
product information, for example, the address, name and telephone
number of a client as the client's information, and the address,
name (or designation) and telephone number for a delivery
destination as information for the delivery destination. It is also
possible to attach position information (for example, latitude and
longitude) for the delivery destination on the map and information
such as specified delivery date.
[0063] Product information herein stands for not only various goods
to be delivered, but also the information related to offering of
various services which requires movement to a predetermined
position instructed by the client side terminal device 11, such as
a repair service performed at a client site or a pick-up
service.
[0064] The position information generation section 24 generates
position information on the map (for example, latitude and
longitude), based on the address of the delivery destination and
the map information stored in the map information storing section
(not shown).
[0065] The navigation server apparatus 12 is provided, for example,
on the Internet, and comprises an information transfer section 31,
a position information search section 32 and a position information
storing section 33.
[0066] The information transfer section 31 receives the order
information transmitted from the client side terminal device 11,
and depending on the content of the order information, for example,
in the case where the position information on the map (for example,
latitude and longitude) is not attached, attaches the position
information in addition to the address of the delivery destination,
and transmits the information to a predetermined shop side terminal
device 13 or the navigation apparatus 14.
[0067] The position information search section 32 searches the
position information (for example, latitude and longitude on the
map) stored in the position information storing section 33, based
on for example the address of the delivery destination, depending
on the content of the order information transmitted from the client
side terminal device 11.
[0068] The position information storing section 33 stores the
information indicating correspondence, for example, between the
address and the position information (for example, latitude and
longitude) on the map.
[0069] The shop side terminal device 13 comprises, for example, a
display section 41, a route information generation section 42 and
an information storing section 43.
[0070] The display section 41 adds the position information for the
delivery destination included in the order information received
from the client side terminal device 11 and the route information
to the map information stored, for example, in the map information
storing section (not shown), and displays this information.
[0071] The route information generation section 42 generates the
route information for a route to the delivery destination, based on
the position information included in the order information received
from the client side terminal device 11.
[0072] The information storing section 43 stores the order
information, or the position information included in the order
information and the route information, in a computer readable
recording medium, for example a memory such as a hard disk built in
to the computer system, or a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a
ROM, a CD-ROM, or a portable medium 43a such as an IC card having a
flash memory therein.
[0073] Here portable recording medium (portable medium 43a) may be
a recording medium capable of repeatedly reading and writing, or a
portable terminal having the equivalent recording medium, for
example, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System), a
portable game machine, a personal computer or the like.
[0074] The navigation apparatus 14 constitutes a navigation
apparatus for vehicles, furnished in a delivery vehicle owned by,
for example, a shop or the like, and connected to the client side
terminal device 11, the navigation server apparatus 12 and the shop
side terminal device 13 so as to be able to communicate therewith,
via a portable terminal or the like owned by, for example, a
driver.
[0075] The navigation apparatus 14 comprises, for example, a
display section 51, a communication section 52, an information read
section 53, a route information generation section 54, and a
current position detection section 55.
[0076] The display section 51 adds the position information for the
delivery destination included in the order information and the
route information, to the map information stored, for example, in
the map information storing section (not shown), and displays this
information, and also displays various information transmitted from
the navigation server apparatus 12 and the shop side terminal
device 13.
[0077] The communication section 52 constitutes a portable
terminal, for example, a mobile phone or the like, carried by a
driver or a passenger, and is connected to the client side terminal
device 11, the navigation server apparatus 12 and the shop side
terminal device 13 so as to be able to communicate therewith, and
receives the order information.
[0078] The information read section 53 reads the recorded contents
in a portable recording medium in which the order information and
the route information are recorded by, for example, the information
recording section 43 of the shop side terminal device 13.
[0079] The route information generation section 54 generates the
route information for a route to the delivery destination, based on
the position information for the delivery destination included in
the order information received by the communication section 52, or
the order information read by the information read section 53, and
the current position information for the own vehicle.
[0080] Therefore, the current position detection section 55 is
connected to the route information generation section 54, and
calculates the current position of the vehicle, based on a
positioning signal such as a GPS (Global Position System) signal
for measuring the position of the vehicle, for example, by
utilizing satellites, road traffic information such as VICS
(Vehicle Information & Communication System) information, and
the processing in an autonomous navigation section (not shown)
consisting of a yaw rate sensor such as a gyro sensor and an
accelerometer. The current position detection section 55 also
performs map matching or the like with respect to the map
information.
[0081] The service delivery system 10 according to the first
embodiment has the above described construction. The operation of
this service delivery system 10 will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing
the flow of the order information in the service delivery system
10.
[0082] For example, an instance where a failure has occurred in a
vehicle mounted with the client side terminal device 11, and a
rescue request is transmitted will be described below.
[0083] At first, as shown in FIG. 2, when a failure occurs in a
vehicle on the client side, the client side terminal device 11 is
connected to the navigation server apparatus 12, and selects an
item of a rescue service or the like at the time of vehicle failure
from the product information preliminarily set, to thereby transmit
the order information.
[0084] In this situation, in the case where the client side
terminal device 11 comprises the current position detection section
(not shown) for detecting the current position based on the
positioning signal such as a GPS signal or the like, the current
position information may be added to the order information and
transmitted, for example, by specifying the vehicle position on the
map display screen in the display section 21 of the client side
terminal device 11, or in the case where the current position
cannot be detected, only the order information for the rescue
request may be transmitted.
[0085] Next, the navigation server apparatus 12 having received the
order information judges whether the position information (for
example, latitude and longitude) is added to the order information
or not, and in the case where the position information is not
attached, determines the current position of the client side
terminal device 11 and generates the position information. Then,
the navigation server apparatus 12 transmits the order information
including the position information attached thereto to the shop
side terminal device 13 or the navigation apparatus 14 furnished in
the delivery vehicle, for example, in the form of E-mail.
[0086] The shop side terminal device 13 or the navigation apparatus
14 having received the position information for the delivery
destination together with the order information generates the route
information for a route to the delivery destination based on the
address of the delivery destination and the position information,
and displays the route information together with the map
information on the display screen of the respective display
sections 41 and 51.
[0087] Then, the delivery vehicle moves to the client's vehicle
having the failure, based on the route information on the map
display screen.
[0088] As described above, according to the service delivery system
10 of the first embodiment, the position information (for example,
latitude and longitude) for the delivery destination on the map is
attached to the order information transmitted from the client side
terminal device 11 to the shop side terminal device 13. Hence, the
position of the delivery destination is immediately displayed on
the map display screen in the display section 41 of the shop side
terminal device 13 having received the order information. As a
result, the route information can be quickly generated based on the
position information for the delivery destination and the current
position information for the delivery vehicle, thereby enabling the
efficiency of the delivery business to be improved.
[0089] Moreover, since the navigation apparatus 14 mounted in the
delivery vehicle or the like can directly receive the order
information from the client side terminal device 11 without
including the navigation apparatus 12 and the shop side terminal
device 13 therebetween, to generate the route information, the
efficiency of the delivery business can be further improved.
[0090] In the above described embodiment, the service delivery
system 10 comprises the client side terminal device 11, the
navigation server apparatus 12, the shop side terminal device 13
and the navigation apparatus 14. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto, and the navigation server apparatus 12 may be
omitted.
[0091] In this case, in the order information transmitted from the
client side terminal device 11 to the shop side terminal device 13
and the navigation apparatus 14, in addition to the product
information, the address, name and telephone number of a client as
the client's information, the address, name (or designation) and
telephone number for the delivery destination as the information
for the delivery destination, and position information (for
example, latitude and longitude) on the map for the delivery
destination and specified delivery date need only be included.
[0092] In the above described embodiment, the position information
for the delivery destination and the route information are added to
the map information and displayed in the display section 41 of the
shop side terminal device 13 and the display section 51 of the
navigation apparatus 14. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto, and for example, road traffic information such as
VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) information
may be received and additional information such as traffic jam
information or restriction information may be displayed on the map
screen.
[0093] [Second Embodiment of the Invention]
[0094] A service delivery system according to a second embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a service
delivery system 110 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0095] The service delivery system 110 according to the second
embodiment comprises; a client side terminal device 111, being for
example a user terminal, a navigation server apparatus 112, a shop
side terminal device 113, and a navigation apparatus 114 furnished
in a delivery vehicle on the shop side.
[0096] The client side terminal device 111 is constituted by a
computer apparatus or a navigation apparatus connected to the
navigation server apparatus 112 on the Internet so as to be able to
communicate therewith via a portable terminal or the like which a
client has, and comprises a display section 121, an input section
122, an information transmission section 123 and a position
information generation section 124.
[0097] The display section 121 displays map information indicating
the position or the like of a delivery destination or the client
side terminal device 111, and displays various information
transmitted from the navigation server apparatus 112, at the time
of ordering of various services including products.
[0098] The input section 122 inputs, for example, each input item
related to the order information and private information, an
instruction for search with respect to the product information
stored in the navigation server 112, an instruction for selection
with respect to various information presented from the navigation
server 112, and the like.
[0099] The product information herein is not only the information
for various goods to be delivered, but also the information related
to offering of various services which require movement to a
predetermined position instructed by the client side terminal
device 111, such as a repair service performed at a client site or
a pick-up service.
[0100] The information transmission section 123 transmits the order
information and private information related to the delivery of
various services to the navigation server 112.
[0101] Here, the order information comprises, for example, the
address, name and telephone number of a client as the client's
information, and the address, name (or designation), telephone
number and position information on the map (for example, latitude
and longitude) for a delivery destination as the information for
the delivery destination, and specified delivery date.
[0102] The private information is the information related to not
only the client's acquaintances and friends, spouse or a specific
person, but also various groups and enterprises having relations
with the client, and comprises the address, name (or designation)
and telephone number, and the position information on the map, as
well as information related to a predetermined date such as a
birthday or anniversary, gender, preference information or the
like.
[0103] The position information generation section 124 generates
the position information (for example, latitude and longitude) on
the map for the delivery destination, based on the address of the
delivery destination and the map information received from the map
information server apparatus 132 or the like.
[0104] The navigation server 112 is provided, for example, on the
Internet, and comprises an information server apparatus 131 and a
map information server apparatus 132.
[0105] The information server apparatus 131 comprises, for example,
a product information search section 141, a product information
storing section 142, an order information transfer section 143, an
order information storing section 144, a private information
storing section 145 and a delivery destination information storing
section 146.
[0106] The product information search section 141 searches product
information stored in the product information storing section 142,
based on; the search instruction transmitted, for example, from the
client side terminal device 111, the order information stored in
the order information storing section 144, and private information
stored in the private information storing section 145.
[0107] The product information storing section 142 constitutes, for
example, a storage medium provided in each shop, for storing
various product information registered from the shop side terminal
device 113.
[0108] The order information transfer section 143 receives the
order information transmitted from the client side terminal device
111, and transmits the order information to a predetermined shop
side terminal device 113 or stores the order information in the
order information storing section 144, depending on the contents of
the order information.
[0109] The order information storing section 144 is, for example, a
storage medium provided for each client, for storing the order
information transmitted from the client side terminal device
111.
[0110] The private information storing section 145 is, for example,
a storage medium provided for each client, for storing the private
information transmitted from the client side terminal device
111.
[0111] The delivery destination information storing section 146
constitutes, for example, a storage medium provided for each shop,
for storing the delivery destination information related to the
delivery destination registered by, for example, the shop side
terminal device 113, that is, the address and name (or a
designation) and telephone number for the delivery destination, and
position information on the map (for example, latitude and
longitude) and the route information.
[0112] The map information server apparatus 132 is connected to the
client side terminal device 111, the shop side terminal device 113
and the navigation apparatus 114, respectively, so as to be able to
communicate therewith, for transmitting the map information
displayed on the respective display sections 121, 151 and 161.
[0113] The shop side terminal device 113 comprises, for example, a
display section 151, a product information registration section
152, a route information generation section 153, an information
storing section 154, and a delivery destination information
registration section 155.
[0114] The display section 151 adds the position information for
the delivery destination included in the order information received
from the client side terminal device 111 via the navigation server
112 and the route information, to the map information received, for
example, from the map information server apparatus 132, and
displays this information, and also displays various information
transmitted from the navigation server 112.
[0115] The product information registration section 152 registers
the product information in the product information storing section
142 of the information server apparatus 131.
[0116] The route information generation section 153 generates the
route information for a route to the delivery destination, based on
the position information included in the order information received
from the client side terminal device 111, via the navigation server
112.
[0117] The information storing section 154 stores the order
information, or the position information included in the order
information and the route information, in a computer readable
recording medium, for example a memory such as a hard disk built in
to the computer system, or a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a
ROM, a CD-ROM, or a portable medium 154a such as an IC card having
a flash memory therein.
[0118] Here portable recording medium (portable medium 154a) may be
a recording medium capable of repeatedly reading and writing, or a
portable terminal having the equivalent recording medium, for
example, a mobile phone, a PHS, a portable game machine, a personal
computer or the like.
[0119] The delivery destination information registration section
155 registers the delivery destination information, that is, the
address, name (or a designation) and telephone number, and position
information on the map (for example, latitude and longitude) and
the route information, in the delivery destination information
storing section 146 of the information server apparatus 131.
[0120] The navigation apparatus 114 constitutes a navigation
apparatus for vehicles, furnished in a delivery vehicle owned by,
for example, a shop or the like, and connected to the client side
terminal device 111, the navigation server apparatus 112 and the
shop side terminal device 13 so as to be able to communicate
therewith, via a portable terminal or the like owned by, for
example, a driver or a passenger.
[0121] The navigation apparatus 114 comprises, for example, a
display section 161, a communication section 162, an information
read section 163, a route information generation section 164, and a
current position detection section 165.
[0122] The display section 161 adds the position information for
the delivery destination included in the order information and the
route information, to the map information received, for example,
from the map information server apparatus 132, and displays this
information, and also displays various information transmitted from
the navigation server apparatus 112 and the shop side terminal
device 113.
[0123] The communication section 162 constitutes a portable
terminal, for example, a mobile phone or the like, carried by a
driver or a passenger, and is connected to the client side terminal
device 111, the navigation server apparatus 112 and the shop side
terminal device 113 so as to be able to communicate therewith, and
receives the order information, in particular the position
information for the delivery destination included in the order
information.
[0124] The information read section 163 reads the recorded contents
in a portable recording medium in which the order information are
recorded by, for example, the information recording section 154 of
the shop side terminal device 113.
[0125] The route information generation section 164 generates the
route information for a route to the delivery destination, based on
the position information for the delivery destination included in
the order information received by the communication section 162, or
the order information read by the information read section 163, and
the current position information for the own vehicle.
[0126] Therefore, the current position detection section 165 is
connected to the route information generation section 164, and
calculates the current position of the vehicle, based on a
positioning signal such as a GPS (Global Position System) signal
for measuring the position of the vehicle, for example, by
utilizing satellites, road traffic information such as VICS
(Vehicle Information & Communication System) information, and
the processing in an autonomous navigation section (not shown)
consisting of a yaw rate sensor such as a gyro sensor and an
accelerometer. The current position detection section 165 also
performs map matching or the like with respect to the map
information received for example from the map information server
apparatus 132.
[0127] The service delivery system 110 according to the second
embodiment has the above described construction. The operation of
this service delivery system 110 will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0128] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of order information in
the service delivery system 110, and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams
showing the display screen in the display section 121 of the client
side terminal device 111. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the
operation of the navigation server 112, and FIGS. 8A to 8C are
diagrams showing the display screen in the display section 151 of
the shop side terminal device 113.
[0129] At first, as shown in FIG. 4, the client side terminal
device 111 transmits the order information and the private
information to the navigation server 112.
[0130] Then, the navigation server 112 having received the order
information and the private information stores the order
information in the order information storing section 144, in the
case where the period until the specified delivery date specified
by the order information is relatively long, and at a point in time
near to the specified delivery date, generates an E-mail in which
the position information (for example, latitude and longitude) on
the map for the delivery destination is added to the order
information, to transmit the information to the shop side terminal
device 113 or the navigation apparatus 114 furnished in a delivery
vehicle.
[0131] Then, the shop side terminal device 113 or the navigation
apparatus 114 generates the route information for a route to the
delivery destination and displays the route information together
with the map information on the display screen of the respective
display sections 151 and 161.
[0132] Moreover, the navigation apparatus 114 having received the
private information from the client side terminal device 111 stores
the private information in the private information storing section
145. At a point in time near to a predetermined date consisting of,
for example, a birthday or an anniversary described in the private
information, the navigation apparatus 114 searches the product
information stored in the product information storing section 142,
depending on the description content of the private information,
for example, gender and preference information, and transmits this
search result to the client side terminal device 111 as so-called
recommendation information.
[0133] Here, the recommendation information transmitted to the
client side terminal device 111 may comprise, for example, a text
file, image data or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 and
FIG. 6, link information to a Web page prepared on an appropriate
HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server may be included.
[0134] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a client having
received the recommendation information displays a Web page
provided with respect to the client side terminal device 111 on the
display section 121, a character string indicating a link to the
product information (for example, "How about sending a rose
bouquet?" shown in FIG. 5) is displayed. When this character string
is selected via the input section 122 or the like, for example, as
shown in FIG. 6, the product information (for example, bouquet 1 to
bouquet 4 shown in FIG. 6) searched by the navigation server 112 is
displayed.
[0135] When the client selects a suitable product on the display
screen of the product information, the order information is
transmitted to the navigation server 112.
[0136] The navigation server 112 having received the order
information based on the recommendation information first obtains
the address, name and telephone number of the sender, based on the
private information stored in the information server apparatus
131.
[0137] Next, in step S02, the navigation server 112 obtains the
address, name and telephone number for the delivery destination
(the receiver), and the position information on the map (for
example, latitude and longitude), based on the private information
stored in the private information storing section 145.
[0138] In step S03, the navigation server 112 obtains a
predetermined date consisting of, for example, a birthday or an
anniversary based on the private information stored in the private
information storing section 145, to confirm the specified delivery
date, and determine the delivery time, according to need.
[0139] In step S04, the navigation server 112 generates a Web page
or the like as spot information, in which the address, name and
telephone number for the delivery destination, and the position
information on the map are described, and also generates an E-mail
describing order information and transmits the E-mail together with
the link information to the Web page, to the shop side terminal
device 113.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 8A, the shop side terminal device 113
having received the E-mail, in which the order information and the
link information to the spot information are described, generates
the route information for a route to the delivery destination based
on the order information and performs delivery of various services
including products.
[0141] At this time, if a character string (for example,
"http://www. . . . " shown in FIG. 8A) indicating a link to the
spot information is selected on the display screen of the received
E-mail, as shown in FIG. 8B, the Web page describing the address,
name and telephone number and the position information on the map
for the delivery destination is displayed.
[0142] On the display screen of this Web page, there is displayed a
character string (for example, "Register in My spot" shown in FIG.
8B) for registering this spot information as the information
peculiar to each shop. By selecting this character string, for
example, as shown in FIG. 8C, a list display screen of the
registered spot information is displayed.
[0143] In this list display screen, searching based on the address,
name and telephone number for each spot information and various
classification can be displayed.
[0144] Moreover, display of the route information with respect to
each delivery destination and registration of the route information
as the information peculiar to each shop are also made
possible.
[0145] As described above, according to the service delivery system
110 of the second embodiment, the position information (for
example, latitude and longitude) for the delivery destination on
the map is attached to the order information transmitted from the
client side terminal device 111 to the shop side terminal device
113. Hence, the position of the delivery destination is immediately
displayed on the map display screen in the display section 141 of
the shop side terminal device 113 having received the order
information. As a result, the route information can be quickly
generated based on the position information for the delivery
destination and the current position information for the delivery
vehicle, thereby enabling the efficiency of the delivery business
to be improved.
[0146] Furthermore, since the navigation apparatus 114 mounted in
the delivery vehicle or the like can directly receive the order
information from the information server apparatus 131 without
including the shop side terminal device 13 therebetween, to
generate the route information, the efficiency of the delivery
business can be further improved.
[0147] Moreover, since the information server apparatus 131
comprises the order information storing section 144, and transmits
the order information reliably on a predetermined date to the shop
side terminal device 113, for example, the situation can be
prevented where transmission of the order information from the
client side terminal device 111 is forgotten, or an ordering error
occurs.
[0148] Furthermore, since the map information server apparatus 132
is provided, for example, it is not necessary that the client side
terminal device 111 and the shop side terminal device 113 hold the
map information separately. As a result, the construction of the
system can be simplified to perform efficient processing.
[0149] In the above described embodiment, each storing section 142,
144, 145 and 146 is provided for each client and for each shop, but
the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, each
storing section 142, 144, 145 and 146 may be commonly used for each
client and for each shop. In this case, at the time of storing
respective information, identification information for each client
and identification information for each shop may be added and
stored.
[0150] In the above described embodiment, the navigation apparatus
114 receives the map information from the map information server
apparatus 132, but the present invention is not limited thereto,
and for example, the navigation apparatus 114 may read the map data
stored in a computer readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and
a DVD-ROM.
[0151] In the above described embodiment, the position information
for the delivery destination and the route information are added to
the map information and displayed in the display section 151 of the
shop side terminal device 113 and the display section 161 of the
navigation apparatus 114. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto, and for example, road traffic information such as
VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) information
may be received and additional information such as traffic jam
information or restriction information may be displayed on the map
screen.
* * * * *
References