U.S. patent application number 10/088148 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-21 for service providing system.
Invention is credited to Ikeda, Kiyokazu.
Application Number | 20020174360 10/088148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26595282 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020174360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikeda, Kiyokazu |
November 21, 2002 |
Service providing system
Abstract
To expand the after-sales services offered for a product
purchased by a user, a service server that provides services
accesses a specified navigation system, which is the product
purchased by the user, using a device ID that is uniquely assigned
to the navigation system, and then transmits service information to
the specified navigation system. In other words, the service server
actively accesses a navigation system, which is fundamentally one
of countless terminal apparatuses on a communication network, and
provides service information to that navigation system. By
operating in this way, a great variety of services can be provided
whenever appropriate.
Inventors: |
Ikeda, Kiyokazu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jay H Maioli
Cooper & Dunham
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
26595282 |
Appl. No.: |
10/088148 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
June 29, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP01/05664 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/7 ;
713/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20130101;
G08G 1/096883 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/200 ;
713/168 |
International
Class: |
H04L 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2000 |
JP |
2000-201462 |
Jun 21, 2001 |
JP |
2001-188724 |
Claims
1. A service providing system, including, at least, a plurality of
electronic appliances, a service server, and a communication
network, each electronic appliance being equipped with a wireless
communication terminal function, being mounted in a moving body and
being assigned a unique device ID, and the service server having a
function for providing a predetermined service and storing said
unique device ID for each electronic appliance to which services
can be provided, the service providing system comprising
transmission means for using a device ID to provide access, via the
communication network, from the service server to a specified
electronic appliance to which a specified service needs be provided
and transmitting service information, which has a predetermined
content for realizing the specified service, to the specified
electronic appliance.
2. A service providing system, including, at least, a plurality of
electronic appliances, a service server, and a communication
network, each electronic appliance being equipped with a wireless
communication terminal function, being mounted in a moving body and
being assigned a unique device ID, and the service server having a
function for providing a predetermined service and storing said
unique device ID for each electronic appliance to which services
can be provided, the service providing system comprising: first
transmission means for providing access, via said communication
network, from an electronic appliance to a service server and
transmitting information which has a predetermined content that can
be used by a specified service from said electronic appliance to
said service server; and second transmission means for using said
device ID to provide access, via said communication network, from
said service server to a specified electronic appliance to which a
specified service needs to be provided and transmitting service
information, which has a predetermined content for realizing the
specified service, to the accessed specified electronic
appliance.
3. A service providing system, including, at least, a plurality of
electronic appliances, a plurality of mobile communication terminal
apparatuses, and a communication network, each electronic appliance
being equipped with a wireless communication terminal function,
being mounted in a moving body and being assigned a unique device
ID, and each mobile communication terminal apparatus being assigned
a unique terminal ID, the service providing system comprising:
transmission means for using said device ID to provide access, via
said communication network, from one of said mobile communication
terminal apparatuses to a specified electronic appliance, and
transmitting service information, which includes a predetermined
content for realizing a specified service to be provided, to the
specified electronic appliance.
4. A service providing system, including, at least, a plurality of
electronic appliances, a plurality of mobile communication terminal
apparatuses, and a communication network, each electronic appliance
being equipped with a wireless communication terminal function,
being mounted in a moving body and being assigned a unique device
ID, and each mobile communication terminal apparatus being assigned
a unique terminal ID, the service providing system comprising:
first transmission means for providing access, via the
communication network, from an electronic appliance to one of the
mobile communication terminal apparatuses and transmitting
information, which has a predetermined content that can be used by
a specified service, from said electronic appliance to said mobile
communication terminal apparatus; and second transmission means for
using said device ID to provide access, via said communication
network, from one of said mobile communication terminal apparatuses
to a specified electronic appliance and transmitting service
information, which has a predetermined content for realizing a
specified service, to the accessed specified electronic
appliance.
5. A service providing system, composed of an electronic appliance,
a communication network, a communication terminal apparatus, and an
authentication server, the electronic appliance being one of (i),
an electronic appliance that is mounted in a moving body and is
equipped with a mobile communication terminal function and (ii) a
mobile communication terminal apparatus, the communication terminal
apparatus being set up with a fixed access path to the
communication network, and the authentication server being
connected to said communication network, the service providing
system comprising: access means that enables the communication
terminal apparatus to access one of the electronic appliances via
the communication network using a device ID that has been assigned
uniquely to the electronic appliance, the communication terminal
apparatus accessing the electronic appliance only through the
authentication server; terminal ID generating means, provided on
said communication network, for generating a terminal ID for said
communication terminal apparatus using information that identifies
an access path by which said communication terminal apparatus
accesses said communication network; authentication process means,
provided in said authentication server, for using said terminal ID
to perform an authentication process for said communication
terminal apparatus that has accessed the authentication server and
allowing said communication terminal apparatus to access said
electronic appliance only when the communication terminal apparatus
has been authenticated; and transmission/reception means for
receiving and transmitting service information, which has a
predetermined content for realizing a specified service, between
said communication terminal apparatus that has been authenticated
by said authentication process means and said electronic
appliance.
6. A communication system where data communication is performed
between a plurality of communication appliances via a network, the
communication system comprising: a plurality of first electronic
appliances, each of which is equipped with a wireless communication
function and has a first device ID for identifying the first
electronic appliance, a wireless communication apparatus for
connecting to said network and performing wireless communication
that specifies one of the first electronic appliances using said
first device ID; and an authentication apparatus which is connected
to said network and includes group information for each of a
plurality of groups of said first electronic appliances to which
unrestricted data communication can be performed, the group
information of a group being associated with the first device IDs
of the first electronic appliances in the group, the authentication
apparatus judging whether unrestricted data communication can be
performed, based on the first device ID of a first electronic
appliance and the group information, and controlling the wireless
communication apparatus.
7. A communication system in accordance with claim 6, further
comprising: second electronic appliances, each of which has a
communication function and a unique second device ID; and a
communication apparatus for communicating with one of said second
electronic appliances and connecting to said network, receiving
said second device ID from said second electronic appliance, and
transmitting to said authentication apparatus (i) a communication
means ID that specifies a communication means that is communicating
with said second electronic appliance and (ii) said received second
device ID.
8. A communication system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
group information provided in said authentication apparatus further
controls said second electronic appliances by associating each of
said second device IDs of the second electronic appliances with
said communication means ID.
9. A communication apparatus for controlling communication between
a plurality of electronic appliances, each electronic appliance
being connected to a network, being provided with a unique device
ID for identifying the electronic appliance, and being capable of
transmission, the communication apparatus comprising: communication
means for communicating with another apparatus via said network;
storage means for storing group information in which the plurality
of electronic appliances, which are permitted to perform
communication between themselves after the communication is
authenticated, are registered as a group. judgement means for
judging, based on device IDs transmitted via the network before
communication commences between said plurality of electronic
appliances and the group information stored in said storage means,
whether the communication is permitted; and a control means for
having said communication means transmit a result of said judgement
by the judgement means to an exchange apparatus that is connected
to said network and performs exchange process for communication
between electronic appliances based on the transmitted device
IDs.
10. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein
wireless communication is performed between said electronic
appliances and the exchange apparatus.
11. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein
said electronic appliances are navigation apparatuses.
12. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein
said electronic appliances are mobile telephones.
13. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein
each of said electronic appliances is connected to a specified
communication means in said exchange apparatus, and when performing
communication, each of said electronic appliances transmits said
device ID to said communication apparatus, said exchange apparatus
transmits a communication means ID for specifying said
communication means to said communication apparatus, said
communication apparatus authenticates said electronic appliance
based on said group information, by referring to a combination of
said transmitted device ID and said transmitted communication means
ID.
14. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein
the group information is generated when an electronic appliance
performs communication with the communication apparatus via the
network.
15. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein
the group information also includes content data that can be used
by electronic appliances which are registered in the group
information.
16. A communication apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein
the content data is geographical data.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a system constructed so
that an electronic appliance mounted in a moving body, such as a
car and the like, can communicate via a communications network with
a mobile personal terminal apparatus such as a server, a mobile
phone and the like. This invention relates to a system in which a
user that has purchased the electronic appliance can have the
electronic appliance receive transmitted data and execute various
operations in accordance with the received data, thereby allowing
the user to make use of a variety of services provided by the
system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Car navigation systems are becoming increasingly popular.
The basic function of such devices is to locate the current
position of a moving car, for example, and to display this position
on a map to inform the user of the current position of the car.
[0003] In recent years, some car navigation systems have been
additionally equipped with mobile wireless terminal apparatuses
that enable them to connect to the Internet. As a usage pattern
thereof, this kind of navigation system may be used to connect to
websites located on the Internet to obtain information about shops
and restaurants located in a specific area, upcoming events, the
weather, etc. This information is then displayed to the user via
the display unit of the car navigation system.
[0004] When a customer purchases a product, it is common for the
manufacturer or retail outlet to provide a variety of useful
services to the customer. Such services are often referred to as
"after-care" or "after-sales services". The kind of car navigation
system mentioned above is of course itself a product, which has
been purchased by the owner of the car in which it is fitted, for
example. Accordingly, if the manufacturer of this car navigation
system or the retail outlet that sold it were able to offer an
after-sales service for the system, this would be very convenient
for the user and would increase an added value for those companies'
products.
[0005] At present, businesses are limited to providing after-sales
services through notifications sent through the mail or by
electronic mail. This places a restriction on what kind of services
may be provided.
[0006] If businesses were able to set up a service providing server
on the Internet, for example, and directly transmit data related to
services to car navigation systems that are capable of connecting
to the Internet, it would become possible to provide after-sales
services to users in a more direct manner.
[0007] With current technology, a car navigation system is only
able to connect to the Internet, so that it is not possible for a
server to access a car navigation system as in the above example.
Therefore, even if services were provided using the Internet
connectability of a conventional car navigation system, the user
would have to know the address (URL-Uniform Resource Locator) of
the server providing the services and operate the car navigation
system so as to make the car navigation system access the service
providing server. Putting this in other words, when the business
needs to provide a service to a customer, it is not able to access
the car navigation system and immediately provide the service. This
prevents businesses from providing a full range of services to
customers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention was implemented in view of the
problems described above, and provides service providing systems
with the constructions described below.
[0009] The service providing system according to a first aspect of
the present invention is composed of at least a plurality of
electronic appliances, a service server, and a communication
network, each electronic appliance being equipped with a wireless
communication terminal function, being mounted in a moving body and
being assigned a unique device ID, and the service server having a
function for providing a predetermined service and storing the
unique device ID for each electronic appliance to which services
can be provided.
[0010] This service providing system is further equipped with a
transmission means for using a device ID to provide access, via the
communication network, from the service server to a specified
electronic appliance to which a specified service needs be provided
and transmitting service information, which has a predetermined
content for realizing the specified service, to the specified
electronic appliance.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a service
providing system, including a plurality of electronic appliances, a
service server, and a communication network, each electronic
appliance being equipped with a wireless communication terminal
function, being mounted in a moving body and being assigned a
unique device ID, and the service server having a function for
providing a predetermined service and storing the unique device ID
for each electronic appliance to which services can be provided,
the service providing system comprising: first transmission means
for providing access, via the communication network, from an
electronic appliance to the service server and transmitting
information, which has a predetermined content that can be used by
a specified service, from the electronic appliance to the service
server; and second transmission means for using a device ID to
provide access, via the communication network, from the service
server to a specified electronic appliance to which a specified
service needs be provided and transmitting service information,
which has a predetermined content for realizing the specified
service, to the specified electronic appliance.
[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a service
providing system, including a plurality of electronic appliances, a
plurality of mobile communication terminal apparatuses, and a
communication network, each electronic appliance being equipped
with a wireless communication terminal function, being mounted in a
moving body and being assigned a unique device ID, and each mobile
communication terminal apparatus being assigned a unique terminal
ID, the service providing system comprising: transmission means for
using a device ID to provide access, via the communication network,
from one of the mobile communication terminal apparatuses to a
specified electronic appliance, and transmitting service
information, which includes a predetermined content for realizing a
specified service to be provided, to the specified electronic
appliance.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a service
providing system, including a plurality of electronic appliances, a
plurality of mobile communication terminal apparatuses, and a
communication network, each electronic appliance being equipped
with a wireless communication terminal function, being mounted in a
moving body and being assigned a unique device ID, and each mobile
communication terminal apparatus being assigned a unique terminal
ID, the service providing system comprising: first transmission
means for providing access, via the communication network, from an
electronic appliance to one of the mobile communication terminal
apparatuses and transmitting information, which has a predetermined
content that can be used by a specified service, from the
electronic appliance to the mobile communication terminal
apparatus; and second transmission means for using a device ID to
provide access, via the communication network, from one of the
mobile communication terminal apparatuses to a specified electronic
appliance and transmitting service information, which has a
predetermined content for realizing a specified service, to the
specified electronic appliance.
[0014] By having the constructions described above, an electronic
appliance that is equipped with a wireless communication terminal
function and fitted in a moving body is the target of the services
provided in the present invention, which is to say, the target of
service information that is transmitted. In each of the above
constructions, a device ID that is uniquely assigned to each
electronic appliance is used to access a specified electronic
appliance, thereby making it possible to transmit service
information to the specified electronic appliance. In other words,
service information can be transmitted by actively performing
access to an electronic appliance that fundamentally exists as one
of many and unspecific terminal apparatuses on a communication
network.
[0015] As a different aspect of the present invention, the
following construction may be used.
[0016] A service providing system is composed of an electronic
appliance, a communication network, a communication terminal
apparatus, and an authentication server, the electronic appliance
being one of (i) an electronic appliance that is mounted in a
moving body and is equipped with a mobile communication terminal
function and (ii) a mobile communication terminal apparatus, the
communication terminal apparatus being set up with a fixed access
path to the communication network, and the authentication server
being connected to the communication network, the service providing
system comprising: access means that enables the communication
terminal apparatus to access one of the electronic appliances via
the communication network using a device ID that has been assigned
uniquely to the electronic appliance, the communication terminal
apparatus accessing the electronic appliance only through the
authentication server; terminal ID generating means, provided on
the communication network, for generating a terminal ID for the
communication terminal apparatus using information that identifies
an access path by which the communication terminal apparatus
accesses the communication network; authentication process means,
provided in the authentication server, for using the terminal ID to
perform a authentication process for the communication terminal
apparatus that has accessed the authentication server and allowing
the communication terminal apparatus to access the electronic
appliance only when the communication terminal apparatus has been
authenticated; and transmission/reception means for receiving and
transmitting service information, which has a predetermined content
for realizing a specified service, between the communication
terminal apparatus that has been authenticated by the
authentication process means and the electronic appliance.
[0017] With the above construction, a communication terminal
apparatus is set up in an essentially static manner in the home or
at a business, for example, so that the access path by which the
communication terminal apparatus accesses the communication network
is fixed. When communication is performed with an electronic
appliance that is conceived as being something that moves due to it
having been mounted in a moving body or being carried by a user,
the communication terminal apparatus can access a specified
electronic appliance by using the device ID of the electronic
appliance. Once access has been performed, a desired service can be
provided through the transmitting and receiving of service
information.
[0018] Putting this in other words, with the above construction
also, services can be provided by actively performing access to an
electronic appliance that fundamentally exists as one of many and
unspecific terminal apparatuses on a communication network and
transmitting information to and from the electronic appliance.
[0019] In addition, with the above construction, access from the
communication terminal apparatus to the electronic appliance is
performed via an authentication server. An authentication process
is performed using a terminal ID that is generated during access,
and access is performed from the communication terminal apparatus
to the electronic appliance only after the access has been
authenticated.
[0020] By doing so, the provision of services can be restricted to
users whose terminal IDs have been registered. Putting this in
other words, users that do not have the right to make use of
services, such as users who have not paid the required fees, can be
prevented from making use of the provided services.
[0021] The terminal ID is generated using information that
identifies the access path taken from the communication terminal
apparatus to at least the communication network. While it would be
easy for users to tamper with an ID that corresponds to an address
or a serial number of the communication terminal apparatus, it is
virtually impossible for a user to tamper with the information that
specifies the access path since such information is managed by a
communication service provider. As a result, the terminal IDs used
in the present invention are safe from tampering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an example construction for a service providing
system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example construction
for a navigation system according to the present embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of a navigation system according to the
present embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of a mobile phone according to the present
embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of an application server that is provided on
a wireless telephone communication network according to the present
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of a service server according to the present
embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure used to provide
a service that updates system software.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure used to provide
a service that performs a security check on a vehicle based on a
request from a mobile phone.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure used to provide
a service where the locks of a vehicle can be controlled using a
mobile phone.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure used when
providing a service that has update data on map information
downloaded from a service server by a navigation system.
[0032] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example
construction for a service providing system according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of a personal computer.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing one example of the
internal construction of an authentication server in the present
embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a first example procedure
for registering a PC-ID in the present embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of a second example
procedure for registering a PC-ID in the present embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of a third example procedure
for registering a PC-ID in the present embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure for providing a
service where a personal computer obtains present position
information for a navigation system.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0039] The following describes two service providing systems that
are embodiments of the present invention. These service providing
systems provide services to a user who has purchased a car
navigation system that is fitted in a car, with the provided
services including at least an after-sales service for the car
navigation system.
[0040] The present embodiments are described in the following
order.
[0041] 1. Service Providing System (First Embodiment)
[0042] 1-1. Overall Construction
[0043] 1-2. Overall Construction of a Navigation System
[0044] 1-3. Internal Construction of a Main Navigation Unit
[0045] 1-4. Internal Construction of a Mobile Phone
[0046] 1-5. Internal Construction of an Application Server
[0047] 1-6. Internal Construction of a Service Server
[0048] 2. Example of Service Provision by the Present System
[0049] 3. Example Procedure
[0050] 4. Service Providing System (Second Embodiment)
[0051] 4-1. Overall Construction
[0052] 4-2. Internal Construction of a Personal Computer
[0053] 4-3. Internal Construction of an Authentication Server
[0054] 4-4. Example of Service Provision by the Present System
[0055] 4-5 Structure of the Authenticated User Database
[0056] 4-6. Example Procedure
[0057] 1. Service Providing System (First Embodiment)
[0058] 1-1. Overall Construction
[0059] FIG. 1 shows a service providing system that is a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] A car 100 is equipped with a navigation system 1. This
navigation system 1 is based on what is usually referred to as a
car navigation apparatus, and includes a security system to prevent
against theft of the vehicle and a communication terminal apparatus
or the like that is capable of data communication via a wireless
telephone communication network 300.
[0061] The services provided by the service providing system of the
present embodiment can be utilized by the owner of the car 100 who
has purchased the navigation system 1.
[0062] A mobile phone 200 is capable of communicating using a
telephone line via the wireless telephone communication network
300. As one example, this mobile phone 200 may be registered at a
communications company that operates the wireless telephone
communication network 300 in the name of the user of the navigation
system 1. Data communication can be performed via the mobile phone
200 by connecting to the Internet.
[0063] The wireless telephone communication network 300 is composed
of equipment for enabling mobile communication to be performed
between wireless terminal apparatuses, such as mobile phones and,
in the case of the present embodiment, a wireless terminal
apparatus provided in a car navigation apparatus. As shown in FIG.
1, the wireless telephone communication network 300 is composed of
a base station 301, a relay station 302, an application server 303,
and a gateway 304.
[0064] The base station 301 and relay station 302 enable wireless
communication to be performed between wireless terminal
apparatuses, for example. The application server 303 provides the
necessary functions when a wireless terminal apparatus connects to
the Internet.
[0065] The application server 303 performs the process that is
required for an Internet accessible function provided by the
wireless communication company in question, for example. The data
processed by the application server 303 is converted via the
gateway 304 so that as a result, a wireless terminal apparatus
connected to the wireless telephone communication network 300 can
connect to the Internet 400.
[0066] In reality, a variety of servers are connected to one
another on the Internet, though in the present embodiment a service
server 500 is provided, as shown in FIG. 1. This service server 500
is constructed so as to be able to provide the user with various
services. Note that examples of the services that are provided to
users are described later in this specification. It should also be
noted that while only one service server 500 is shown in FIG. 1, a
plurality of servers may be provided for each business or
department that provides a service. In the example that is
described later, the provided services include an after-sales
service for the navigation system 1 purchased by the user and a
service that allows the user to utilize the security system that
forms part of the navigation system 1. In this example, these two
services may be provided separately, by a service server set up by
the manufacturer of the navigation system 1 and a service server
set up by a company that operates the security system.
[0067] When the above construction is used, mobile terminal
apparatuses, which here means devices like the navigation system 1
and mobile phone 200, can connect to the Internet 400, thereby
enabling them to access all kinds of websites and other
information. As an additional service, the transmission and
reception of electronic mail is also possible. It should also be
obvious that the mobile phone 200 may be used to make telephone
calls via a standard telephone network.
[0068] 1-2. Overall Construction of a Navigation System
[0069] FIG. 2 is a schematic construction of an overall navigation
system according to the present embodiment.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system 1 of the present
embodiment may include a main navigation unit 2, a display monitor
unit 3, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 5, a traffic
information reception antenna 7, an autonomous navigation unit 6, a
communication terminal apparatus 50, a security system unit 41, and
a remote controller 8.
[0071] The detailed construction of the main navigation unit 2 is
described in detail later in this specification. As its main
functions, the present position of the vehicle is displayed on a
display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3, for example, based
on map information that is read from an internally reproduced
recording medium 9 and present position information. Navigation
information, such as information on routes and regional guides, can
also be displayed.
[0072] The recording medium 9 can be composed of a disc, such as a
CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Video
Disk/Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), and stores map
information as mentioned above.
[0073] The display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3 is
composed of a liquid crystal display, for example, and is used to
form a display based on image information that is outputted by the
main navigation unit 2.
[0074] A reception unit 3b is provided to receive command
information that is transmitted by the remote controller 8. The
received information is transferred to the main navigation unit 2,
as described later in this specification.
[0075] Though not shown in the drawing, the navigation apparatus of
the present embodiment may be equipped with an audio output unit
such as speakers so that audio can be outputted. When an audio
output unit is provided, the main navigation unit 2 can output
audio navigation information, which can be about certain points
(such as junctions), road conditions, a spot at which the driver
should turn left or right, a wrong route, etc., to the audio output
unit. Having received this information, the audio output unit can
give the user audible warnings and voice guidance.
[0076] The GPS antenna 5 is provided to receive radio waves from a
GPS satellite, for example. The radio waves received by this GPS
antenna 5 are demodulated to produce reception data that is
inputted into the main navigation unit 2 and is used as described
later to identify the present position of the car.
[0077] The traffic information reception antenna 7 is able to
receive traffic information that is transferred using a
predetermined traffic information communication system where
information is transmitted using FM multiplexing, a light beacon,
or an radio wave, beacon, for example. The traffic information
received in this way may inform the user about traffic congestion
and the availability of parking spaces, for example. Based on this
traffic information, the main navigation unit 2 can display the
current state of roads and, based on how congested the roads are,
an indication of the time to destination and guidance to a car park
with available spaces.
[0078] The autonomous navigation unit 6 detects travel information,
such as the speed of the vehicle and the direction in which the
vehicle is moving. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the
autonomous navigation unit 6 includes a car speed sensor 6a, which
detects speed pulses that change depending on the running speed of
the vehicle, and a gyro 6b, which detects the direction in which
the vehicle is moving. The travel information detected by the
autonomous navigation unit 6 is also outputted to the main
navigation unit 2 and is used to measure the present position of
the vehicle.
[0079] In particular, the autonomous navigation unit 6 is used to
measure the present position of the vehicle when radio waves sent
via satellite communication cannot be received by the GPS antenna
5, such as when the vehicle enters a tunnel or is driving on an
underground road.
[0080] The remote controller 8 is used by the user to operate the
navigation system 1 of the present embodiment. The remote
controller 8 includes a variety of operation keys, a signal
generating unit that generates commands signals based on operations
of the operation keys, and an output unit that outputs the command
signals as luminance-modulated infrared signals. The commands
outputted in this way using infrared light are received by the
reception unit 3b.
[0081] An emergency key 8a provided on the remote controller 8 can
be used by passengers of the car on encountering some kind of
danger, such as when there has been an accident or the passengers
are experiencing trouble with someone. As one example, when a user
presses the emergency key 8a, image and/or audio data that is
recorded at that time may be transmitted by the navigation system
1.
[0082] It should be noted that the main navigation unit 2 may be
operated using other means, such as a remote controller that uses
radio waves, a remote controller that is connected to the main
navigation unit 2 by a cable, or an operation unit that is provided
on the case of the main navigation unit 2 or the display monitor
unit 3.
[0083] The communication terminal apparatus 50 is a mobile
communication terminal that connects to the Internet via the
wireless telephone communication network 300 that is shown in FIG.
1. By connecting to the main navigation unit 2 as shown in FIG. 2,
the communication terminal apparatus 50 makes it possible for data
to be wirelessly transmitted from the main navigation unit 2 and
for data that has been received by the communication terminal
apparatus 50 to be inputted into the main navigation unit 2 and
then subjected to predetermined process. In other words, the
connection between the communication terminal apparatus 50 and the
main navigation unit 2 makes it possible for the navigation system
1 to access the Internet at the very least.
[0084] The security system unit 41 is provided to protect the
vehicle and its passengers. In the illustrated example, the
security system unit 41 includes an external camera 42, a
microphone 43, a lock control unit 44, and a storage unit 45.
[0085] The external camera 42 can in fact be composed of a
plurality of camera apparatuses. Out of convenience, these cameras
are treated as one functional block in this specification. The
plurality of camera apparatuses used as the external camera 42 are
mounted at specific points inside and outside the vehicle and are
oriented in predetermined directions according to their purposes.
By doing so, it becomes possible to record images of both the
inside of the vehicle and the immediate periphery of the
vehicle.
[0086] For the same reason, a passenger compartment camera 3c and a
front camera 3d are mounted on the display monitor unit 3 described
earlier. The passenger compartment camera 3c is provided on the
same side as the display screen 3a, while the front camera 3d is
mounted so as to record images from the rear of the display monitor
unit 3.
[0087] As one example, the display monitor unit 3 may be provided
on the inside of the vehicle near the windscreen at a position that
does not restrict the driver's field of view. By providing the
display monitor unit 3 in this kind of position, it becomes
possible for the passenger compartment camera 3c to record images
of the inside of the vehicle and for the front camera 3d to record
images of the area in front of the vehicle. When this kind of
passenger compartment camera 3c and front camera 3d are used
alongside the external camera 42, the external camera 42 only needs
to be composed of camera apparatuses that record images of the
areas behind the vehicle and to the left and right of the
vehicle.
[0088] It should be noted that since these camera apparatuses input
recorded image signals into the main navigation unit 2 and that
these signals are recorded, as described later in this
specification, as video data in the storage unit 45, CCDs (Charge
Coupled Devices) or similar may be used as the image pickup device
of the camera apparatuses.
[0089] The microphone 43 is provided to record audio data from
outside the vehicle. The audio recorded in this way is inputted
into the main navigation unit 2 where it is recorded in the storage
unit 45, as described later in this specification.
[0090] The lock control unit 44 is mounted so as to allow control
over the opening and closing of the door locks provided in the
vehicle. The lock control unit 44 is also able to output lock
information showing whether the vehicle is currently locked to the
main navigation unit 2. This lock information is based on the state
of the control mechanism that opens and closes the locks.
[0091] The storage unit 45 is composed of a storage device that can
store a relatively large amount of data, for example. There are no
particular restrictions on the media that may be used as the
storage unit 45, so that a hard disk drive may be used, as may
another kind of disc medium or non-volatile memory device. In the
present embodiment, video data outputted by the various camera
apparatuses mentioned above and the audio data outputted by the
microphone 43 are recorded in the storage unit 45 as evidence that
can be used to reproduce the state of the inside of the vehicle and
the periphery of the vehicle at a given time.
[0092] 1-3. Internal Construction of a Main Navigation Unit
[0093] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal construction
of the main navigation unit 2.
[0094] In FIG. 3, a position measuring unit 4 is used to measure
the present position of the vehicle. By executing a predetermined
calculation process, for example, on GPS reception data that is
sent from an interface 14 and the travel information for the
vehicle, the position measuring unit 4 can obtain longitude and
latitude information as position information showing the present
position of the vehicle.
[0095] A ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 stores various programs that
enable the navigation system 1 of the present embodiment to execute
the predetermined process, as well as various kinds of factory
preset data which as a basic rule cannot be rewritten.
[0096] A memory 12 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only
Memory), such as a flash memory, that can retain its stored content
even when it is not being supplied with power source. This memory
is used to store backup data. This backup data may include various
kinds of information, such as a destination that has been set by
the user and a route corresponding to that destination.
[0097] However, when a rewritable memory, such as non-volatile
memory or flash memory, is used as the ROM 11, it becomes possible
to rewrite the programs and factory preset data as necessary, in a
process usually referring to "updating". In the present embodiment,
the ROM 11 is assumed to be a rewritable memory.
[0098] Also, in the present embodiment, a navigation ID that is
uniquely assigned to the navigation system 1 is stored in the
memory 12. This navigation ID can be assigned during the user
registration process performed when the user purchases the
navigation system 1, for example, with the navigation ID being
written into the memory 12 before the navigation system 1 is handed
over to the user. Alternatively, after the user has purchased the
navigation system 1, the navigation system 1 may connect to the
Internet, with the navigation ID being assigned by the service
server 500 during an online user registration process. In this
case, the navigation ID is transmitted to the navigation system 1
and written into the memory 12.
[0099] A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13 is used as a work
area when a control unit 19 executes various processes. The DRAM 13
is also used when the process for generating navigation image
information is performed, based on information such as the map
information reproduced from the recording medium 9 by a disk drive
18.
[0100] The interface (I/F) 14 is provided to connect external
apparatuses to the main navigation unit 2.
[0101] In the present case, reception data is inputted into the
interface 14 from the GPS antenna 5. The data represented by the
traffic information received by the traffic information reception
antenna 7 is also inputted into the interface 14, as are the speed
pulses detected by the autonomous navigation unit 6. Finally, the
interface 14 also receives an input of the direction of travel
information detected by the gyro 6b.
[0102] The reception data inputted from the GPS antenna 5 and the
movement information (speed pulses and direction of movement
information) inputted from the autonomous navigation unit 6 are
transferred via a bus 20 to the position measuring unit 4. The
position measuring unit 4 receives an input of the transferred
information and calculates the present position of the vehicle.
[0103] The data represented by the traffic information received
from the traffic information reception antenna 7 is written into
the DRAM 13 according to control performed by the control unit 19,
for example, to store the data. Also, as one example, by referring
to the traffic information written into the DRAM 13, the control
unit 19 can perform control over image process to have congestion,
etc., shown by the traffic information reflected in the map
information image data that is displayed by the display monitor
unit 3.
[0104] A clock unit 15 measures the present time. This time
information is used whenever time management is required within the
navigation system 1.
[0105] The input unit 16 is connected to the reception unit 3b of
the display monitor unit 3 and receives an input of command signals
that have been sent by the remote controller 8 and received by the
reception unit 3b. The input unit 16 converts the inputted command
signals to a format that can be transferred on the bus 20 and then
transfers the command signals via the bus 20 to the control unit
19. The control unit 19 properly executes the required control
processes based on the inputted command signals.
[0106] A display driver 17 generates, under the control of the
control unit 19, image information for display, and outputs this
image information to the display screen 3a of the display monitor
unit 3 via a terminal 34.
[0107] As one example, the display driver 17 generates an image
signal showing the present position of the vehicle based on the map
information that has been read from the recording medium 9 and the
present position information for the vehicle that has been
calculated by the position measuring unit 4. The display driver 17
outputs this image signal to the display monitor unit 3.
[0108] The disk drive 18 reproduces the recording medium 9. The
disk drive 18 is provided with a reproduction function
corresponding to the media format that is actually used by the
recording medium 9. As one example, the disk drive 18 transfers map
information that has been reproduced from the recording medium 9 to
the DRAM 13 via the bus 20, with the map information thereafter
being stored in the DRAM 13. The control unit 19 then refers to the
DRAM 13 at the required timing and uses the map information stored
therein as display data.
[0109] An image/audio process unit 46 performs the required digital
signal process on the inputted recorded image signals and audio
signals, finally producing recorded data that can be recorded in
the storage unit 45. Here, the recorded image signals that are
inputted into the image/audio process unit 46 are the signals sent
from the passenger compartment camera 3c, the front camera 3d, and
the external camera 42. The image/audio process unit 46 first
converts these simultaneously inputted signals into digital data,
and then performs a time division process so as to convert the
various sets of recorded image data into compressed moving images
data of a predetermined format.
[0110] The audio signal inputted into the image/audio process unit
46 is the signal outputted by the microphone 43. The image/audio
process unit 46 also converts this audio signal to digital data,
and may then convert the digital data to compressed audio data of a
predetermined format.
[0111] The compressed moving images data and compressed audio data
obtained by the above process is transferred via the bus 20 to the
storage unit 45 and is written into the storage unit 45 in
accordance with write control performed by the control unit 19.
[0112] When video data and audio data is being recorded in the
storage unit 45, if the storage capacity of the storage unit 45
becomes totally used up, the oldest video data and audio data in
the storage unit 45 are deleted by overwriting them with new data
so that the most recent video data and audio data can be recorded.
By doing so, a storage device with a relatively small storage
capacity can be used as the storage unit 45. As one example, a
storage device that can record around twenty or thirty minutes of
data is deemed to be sufficient for recording evidence as intended
in the present embodiment.
[0113] It should be noted that the image/audio process unit 46 may
be provided with a decoding function for reproducing and outputting
the video and audio data recorded in the storage unit 45, for
example. By providing the image/audio process unit 46 with this
kind of function, it becomes possible to have the video and audio
data recorded in the storage unit 45 reproduced on the display
monitor unit 3.
[0114] A communication interface 47 handles the transmission and
reception of data between the communication terminal apparatus 50
and the main navigation unit 2. As one example, when data is being
outputted from the communication terminal apparatus 50 to the main
navigation unit 2, the communication interface 47 converts the data
inputted from the communication terminal apparatus 50 into a format
that can be internally processed by the main navigation unit 2 and
outputs the converted data via the bus 20 to the appropriate
functional circuit.
[0115] On the other hand, when data is being transferred from the
main navigation unit 2 to the communication terminal apparatus 50,
the communication interface 47 converts the data into a format that
can be internally processed by the communication terminal apparatus
50 and outputs the converted data to the communication terminal
apparatus 50.
[0116] In this case also, the control over the communication
terminal apparatus 50 is executed by the control unit 19 of the
main navigation unit 2. In other words, by connecting the
communication terminal apparatus 50 and main navigation unit 2 and
performing wireless communication between them, the navigation
system 1 of the present embodiment can be provided with a function
for communicating with the Internet.
[0117] The control unit 19 can be composed of a CPU (Central
Process Unit) and executes appropriate control over the various
circuits in the main navigation unit 2. As a result, the various
operations of the present navigation system 1 that have been
described above are realized.
[0118] 1-4. Internal Construction of a Mobile Phone
[0119] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a simplification of the
internal construction of a mobile phone in the present
embodiment.
[0120] Radio waves that are picked up by an antenna 201 are
received and demodulated by a reception circuit 202, before being
outputted to a signal process circuit 204. When the received waves
represent audio data for the other party in a telephone
conversation, the signal process circuit 204 demodulates the waves
to produce audio signals that are outputted to a speaker 206, for
example. When the received waves represent electronic mail or data
from the Internet (or in other words, when data communication is
being performed), the signal process circuit 204 demodulates the
received waves to produce communication data. Based on control by a
system controller 208, the demodulated communication data can be
displayed by an LCD display unit 209.
[0121] When it is necessary during operation to output electronic
sounds or a ring tone to inform the user of an incoming call, the
system controller 208, for example, may control a ringer 205 so
that the ringer 205 produces the required sound and has a
corresponding audio signal outputted to the speaker 206.
[0122] Also during a telephone conversation, the user's voice is
recorded by a microphone 207 and is inputted into the signal
process circuit 204 as an audio signal. The signal process circuit
204 performs a predetermined encoding process on this audio signal
and outputs it to a transmission circuit 203. The transmission
circuit 203 outputs the signal inputted from the signal process
circuit 204 to the antenna 201 so as to transmit the signal.
[0123] The system controller 208 performs various control processes
so as to realize the various operations of the mobile phone.
[0124] The system controller 208 is equipped with a ROM 217 and a
RAM 218. The ROM 217 is composed of a rewritable memory, such as
flash memory or EEPROM, and stores programs that are to be executed
by the system controller 208, as well as display data. Various
other kinds of data that has been set or registered by a user, such
as data for a user's phone book and sent and received electronic
mail, may also be stored.
[0125] Also, in the present embodiment, a mobile ID that is
uniquely assigned to the mobile phone 200 is stored in the ROM 217.
In the case of a mobile phone, information showing the assigned
telephone number may be used as the mobile ID.
[0126] The key operation unit 210 is composed of a plurality of
predetermined button keys. The key operation unit 210 outputs an
operation information signal based on a user operation of these
button keys to the system controller 208. Based on this operation
information signal, the system controller 208 executes a control
procedure to realize the appropriate operation.
[0127] As shown in FIG. 4, the LCD display unit 209 is driven
according to control by the system controller 208 so as to display
information in accordance with the current operating state.
[0128] It should be noted that the internal construction of the
communication terminal apparatus 50 provided in the present
navigation system 1 is also based on the construction shown in FIG.
4. However, unlike a mobile phone, the communication terminal
apparatus 50 does not need to allow the user to converse with other
parties while on the move. Accordingly, the ringer 205, the speaker
206, the microphone 207, the LCD display unit 209, and the key
operation unit 210 can be omitted from the circuit shown in FIG. 4.
Instead, an interface function that allows data to be transferred
to and from the communication interface 47 of the main navigation
unit 2 can be provided.
[0129] 1-5. Internal Construction of an Application Server
[0130] FIG. 5 is a simplified representation of the overall
construction of the application server 303 that is provided on the
wireless telephone communication network 300.
[0131] In the illustrated example, the application server 303 is
composed of a storage unit 401, interfaces 402 and 403, and a
control unit 404.
[0132] The storage unit 401 stores a variety of information that is
required to realize the functions of the application server 303. In
the present case, a user database 410 and executable applications
411 are representative examples of the data stored in the storage
unit 401.
[0133] As shown in the example in the lower part of FIG. 5, the
user database 410 may store user information, a mobile ID, a
navigation ID, and a password for the user of the navigation system
1 and the mobile phone 200.
[0134] The user information is made up of a great variety of
information relating to individual users that is required by a
service. Representative examples of such information include the
user's name, address and date of birth.
[0135] The mobile ID stores the same data as the mobile ID written
in the mobile phone owned by the user. In the same way, the
navigation ID stores the same data as the navigation ID assigned to
the navigation system 1 owned by the user. It should be noted that
as one example, the navigation ID may be thought of as the
telephone number assigned to the communication terminal apparatus
50. If the navigation ID is a telephone number, this makes it easy
for the application server 303 or service server 500 to access the
wireless communication apparatus of the navigation system 1.
[0136] Also, when the mobile phone 200 accesses the navigation
system 1 via the wireless telephone communication network 300, it
can be verified that the mobile phone 200 demanding access is
authorized by having the user input a password into the mobile
phone 200. The same password is stored as the password in the user
database 410.
[0137] However, as the content of the user database 410 shown in
FIG. 5 information on each individual user may be prepared by
obtaining required information at the opportunity described below,
for example.
[0138] As one example, the navigation system 1 may be purchased via
the Internet according to what is usually referred to as "online
shopping". When making a purchase using online shopping, the user,
for example, inputs the required personal information into an input
form displayed in a browser screen.
[0139] In the case described in the present embodiment where the
navigation system 1 is equipped with a communication terminal
apparatus 50, when purchasing the navigation system 1, the user
also signs up for a service provided by a communication company so
as to be able to use the communication terminal apparatus 50. In
the present embodiment, the application server 303 (or the service
server 500) communicate with a retail server for an online shopping
service to obtain the information mentioned above, before
registering the information in the form of an entry in a database.
In other words, if the user purchases the navigation system 1 via
an online shopping service, the registration processes that are
required when creating the user database 410 do not need to be
performed.
[0140] Also, the navigation system 1 of the present embodiment can
be sold via online shopping in a bundle with other intangible
products, such as a service like car insurance. In this case, a
discount can be offered on the prices of the insurance and the
navigation system 1, or in the case of an installment credit
contract, other special services may be offered, such as free or
discounted commission for the installment credit. When a navigation
system 1 is sold in a bundle with car insurance, the user
information to be registered in the user database 410 can be
obtained from the information inputted by the user into the input
form used when signing up for the car insurance.
[0141] It should be noted that the mobile ID and password may be
set by operating the mobile phone 200, for example, when the user
signs up for a security service, with the data inputted by the user
being transmitted to the application server 303 and stored therein.
It should also be obvious that during a purchasing procedure in
which the user buys the navigation system 1 via online shopping, a
mobile phone that is capable of making use of the security service
may be registered, with the mobile ID and password being notified
by the application server at this point.
[0142] The executable applications 411 are composed of various
application programs that correspond to operations to be executed
by the application server 303. As examples, these may include an
application program for managing the reception of electronic mail
via the Internet, an application that connects to the Internet in
accordance with access requests for web pages received from the
mobile phone 200 or the navigation system 1, and an application
program that searches the user database 410.
[0143] The interface 402 is provided to transfer information to and
from the relay station 302. The interface 403 is provided to
transfer information to and from the gateway 304 (the
Internet).
[0144] The control unit 404 executes a variety of control processes
in accordance with the content of the programs stored as the
executable applications 411.
[0145] 1-6. Internal Construction of a Service Server
[0146] FIG. 6 is a simplified representation of the internal
construction of the service server 500.
[0147] In the illustrated example, the service server 500 is
composed of a storage unit 501, a network interface 502, and a
control unit 503.
[0148] The storage unit 501 stores various kinds of information
that are required to realize the functions of a server that
provides a variety of services. In the present embodiment,
representative examples of the data stored in the storage unit 501
are a user database 510, executable applications 511, and service
data 512.
[0149] As one example, the user database 510 can have the same
content as the user database 410 that is shown in FIG. 5. By having
the service server 500 communicate with the application server 303,
it can be ensured that the content of the two databases is always
the same. In other words, when one of the application server 303
and the service server 500 updates the content of the user
database, such as when a new user signs up, this updating of the
user database is reported to the other server which then rewrites
its user database to prevent discrepancies from arising between the
content of the two databases.
[0150] In the present example, the executable applications 511 in
the service server 500 are composed of a variety of application
programs corresponding to the various operations performed by the
service server 500. The service data 512, meanwhile, is made up of
various kinds of service data that can be transmitted to
communication terminal apparatuses, such as the navigation system 1
or the mobile phone 200, to provide the user with services.
[0151] The network interface 502 is provided as an interface for
connecting to the Internet.
[0152] The control unit 503 executes a variety of control processes
in accordance with the content of programs stored as the executable
applications 511.
[0153] 2. Example of Service Provision by the Present System
[0154] In a service providing system that is constructed as
described above, the navigation system 1 and mobile phone 200 can
communicate with the service server 500 via communication networks
like the wireless telephone communication network 300 and the
Internet 400. In the present embodiment, communication performed
within the system makes it possible to provide the following
example services to users.
[0155] In the following example, it is assumed that an updated
version has been produced for the map information recorded on the
recording medium 9 used in a certain type of navigation system
1.
[0156] In this situation, the service server 500, for example, may
search the user database 510 to find users who own a navigation
system 1 that is capable of reproducing the updated medium. The
service server 500 may then transmit (1) the navigation IDs of the
communication terminal apparatuses 50 of the navigation systems 1
owned by these users and (2) content data recommending that users
purchase the updated medium as the service data 512 to the
application server 303 on the wireless telephone communication
network 300. This content data may be a text message, such as "A
new version of the map disc is available! Please update your
system. You can get the disc by . . .", which can be displayed on
the display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3.
[0157] On receiving the user IDs and content data, the application
server 303 transmits the content data to every navigation system 1
that corresponds to one of the received user IDs.
[0158] The content data transmitted in this way is received by the
communication terminal apparatus 50 of each navigation system 1 and
is then transferred to the main navigation unit 2. Under the
control of the control unit 19, the received content data is
displayed on the display screen 3a of the display monitor unit 3.
By doing so, the user can view the content of the displayed message
and thereby be informed by the manufacturer of the availability of
new map information.
[0159] It should be noted that when this kind of content data is
received, it does not necessarily happen that the user is in a
vehicle so that he may be able to view the content data displayed
on a display screen 3a. For this reason, if content data is
received by the communication terminal apparatus 50 when the car is
not being driven or when the main power switch of the navigation
system 1 is not on, the power switch may be automatically switched
on and the received content data may be stored in the memory 12 or
in the storage unit 45. After this, when the user next inserts the
ignition key of the car and turns it, thereby switching on the
power supply to the navigation system 1, the content data may be
displayed on the display screen 3a of the display monitor unit
3.
[0160] Alternatively, while the navigation system 1 is in
operation, the navigation system 1 may transmit information showing
that the navigation system 1 is presently in operation along with
its navigation ID to the service server 500 at predetermined
intervals. In response to the transmission of this information, the
service server 500 may transmit content data to the navigation
system 1 with the navigation ID that has been received. When this
arrangement is used, content data can be transmitted only when the
navigation system 1 is in operation, making the transfer of
information more efficient.
[0161] Also, as a further extension of the above arrangement, the
navigation system 1 may transmit the present position of the
vehicle as measured by the position measuring unit 4, for example,
to the service server 500 at predetermined intervals. When, for
example, the transmitted present position is located on a road that
is newly supported by an updated medium, the service server 500 may
judge that this is a ideal opportunity to recommend the updated
medium and so send content data informing the user of the updated
medium. By operating in this way, more advanced services can be
provided to users.
[0162] Another conceivable example of a service would be for the
manufacturer of a certain type of navigation system 1 to provide an
update program that updates the software executed by the navigation
system 1.
[0163] For ease of explanation, in the following example the
service server 500 is assumed to store an update program as a
single set of service data 512. At a favorable opportunity, this
update program is transmitted to one or more navigation systems
1.
[0164] Each navigation system 1 uses the update program it has
received to rewrite the programs and/or preset data stored in the
ROM 11, for example. By doing so, the software used by the
navigation system 1 can be updated through online data
communication without the user having to go to the trouble of
obtaining a medium including the update program. Since this
updating of the software is performed automatically, this service
is highly beneficial to users.
[0165] Also, by having the user operate the mobile phone 200, it
becomes possible for the user to perform security-related control
over the vehicle from a distance. A simplified description of this
operation is given below.
[0166] As one example, the user may operate the mobile phone 200 to
access the application server 303 on the wireless telephone
communication network 300. The user accesses the application server
303 in this case since the server that allows the user to perform
the security-related control over the vehicle is part of the
application server 303. By performing a predetermined operation,
the user can enquire whether the vehicle is locked. In response to
this request, the security server in the application server 303
finds the navigation ID of the navigation system 1 owned by the
same user as the mobile phone 200 that has made the access, and
then sends a command to the navigation system 1 that has this
navigation ID to enquire about the state of the locks of the
vehicle.
[0167] On receiving this command, the navigation system 1 sends
lock information, which is based on information received from the
lock control unit 44 of the security system unit 41 and shows
whether the vehicle is presently locked, to the application server
303. The application server 303 forwards this lock information to
the mobile phone 200. Based on this lock information, the mobile
phone 200 informs the user whether or not the vehicle is presently
locked, such as by using the display of the mobile phone 200.
[0168] When the vehicle is not locked, for example, the user may
then operate the mobile phone 200 so as to transmit instruction
information that indicates that the car should be locked. On
receiving this instruction information, the application server 303
transfers the instruction information to the navigation system 1
with the matching navigation ID. On receiving this instruction
information, the navigation system 1 has the lock control unit 44
lock the vehicle.
[0169] In short, by using the mobile phone 200, a user can confirm
whether his/her vehicle is locked. When the vehicle is not locked,
the user can also have control performed so as to lock the
vehicle.
[0170] On the other hand, when the locks have been opened by an
intruder, for example, the navigation system 1 may report to the
mobile phone 200 via the communication terminal apparatus 50 that
the vehicle has been unlocked.
[0171] As a variation for the provision of an update program,
another possible service could provide (i.e., transmit) an updated
version of the map information to the navigation system 1, with the
navigation system 1 using the received updated version so as to
always display the latest version of the map information.
[0172] As mentioned earlier, the navigation system 1 uses map
information that is recorded on the recording medium 9 so as to
display the present position of the vehicle on a map. However, on
the side of the navigation system 1, this map information is
progressively updated by the manufacturer of the navigation system
1.
[0173] The service server 500 may store updated map information as
one set of service data 512.
[0174] It should be noted that in this case, while there are no
restrictions on the content and format of the update data, it is
assumed here that the update data only includes the differences
between the updated map information and the previous version, for
example. If the map information is updated by simply adding new
roads to the map, the update data is composed of difference
information that shows where the new road should be displayed. When
the update data is in the form of difference data in this way, the
service server 500, for example, no longer needs to store
information for the entire map including the new road as the update
data stored as the service data 512. This means a corresponding
reduction can be made in the storage capacity of the storage unit
501.
[0175] In this case, the user can be notified of the updating of
the map information in the same way as when sending content data
that advises the user to purchase the latest version of the medium
on which the map information is recorded. If the received content
data is displayed by the navigation system 1, the user can be
informed that the map information has been updated and that the
update data can be downloaded.
[0176] After this, when the user wishes to obtain the update data
for the map information, the user may make a predetermined
operation to instruct the navigation system 1 to download the map
information. This operation can be achieved by displaying, as GUI
on the display screen 3a, a download application such as XML, HTML,
etc., included in the above-mentioned content data and having the
user make the predetermined operation using the displayed GUI.
[0177] When the user has performed the operation described above,
the navigation system 1 transfers a request for the update data
along with its own navigation ID, according to control by the
control unit 19, for example. This transmission data is sent from
the communication terminal apparatus 50 to the wireless telephone
communication network 300 and is received by the application server
303 on the wireless telephone communication network 300.
[0178] In response to this, the application server 303 transmits
the received request for the update data and the navigation ID via
the Internet 400 to the service server 500.
[0179] It should be noted that on receiving a request, the
application server 303 should preferably perform an authentication
process where the application server 303 verifies that the
navigation system 1 that transmitted the request belongs to a user
who is authorized to receive the requested service.
[0180] For this reason, in order to perform an authentication
process with the present system configuration, the navigation
system 1 may send a password together with the navigation ID. The
application server 303 stores, as the data corresponding to each
user in the user database 410, not just the password that is
registered corresponding to the mobile phone 200, but also a
password corresponding to the navigation system 1. On receiving a
request, the application server 303 refers to the user database 410
and verifies the password corresponding to the navigation system 1
and the navigation ID that are received together with the
request.
[0181] On receiving a request and a navigation ID, the service
server 500 reads the update data for the map information that is
stored in the storage unit 501 as the service data 512
corresponding to the request. The service server 500 then transmits
the read update data and the received navigation ID via the
Internet 400 to the application server 303 on the wireless
telephone communication network 300. The application server 303
treats the received navigation ID (a telephone number) as the
transmission destination where it transmits the received update
data. As a result, the navigation system 1 that has requested the
update data receives the update data.
[0182] Next, the navigation system 1 stores the update data it has
received. Following this, the navigation system 1 uses the update
data during navigation operations, such as when displaying the
present position of the vehicle on the map or various kinds of
guide information, so that the content of the update information
can be reflected in the displayed information.
[0183] While the following service is not particularly beneficial
to users, the following operation may be performed for users
following the purchase of a navigation system 1.
[0184] When the user has purchased the navigation system 1 on
installment credit, the service server 500 may store database
showing the payments made by the user. When it becomes clear from
the content of the above database that the user has fallen behind
on the payments to a certain degree, the service server 500 may
transmit control information along with a message that says,
"Please make the next payment. This navigation system cannot be
used until the receipt of the next payment has been confirmed". On
receiving the control information and message, the navigation
system 1 has the message with the above content displayed on the
display screen 3a and has the operation of the navigation system 1
stopped thereafter.
[0185] As mentioned above, the navigation system 1 of the present
embodiment may be purchased separately or as a bundle with car
insurance. When the navigation system 1 is purchased in a bundle
with car insurance, a service may offer a discount on the price of
both items or on the interest charged when the items are purchased
using installment credit. When the user purchases both items on
credit and does not make the required payments, both the usage of
the navigation system 1 and the insurance cover may be suspended,
with the message warning the user that the car insurance is also
being suspended.
[0186] This means that according to the present embodiment,
communication between the navigation system 1 and the mobile phone
200 or the service server 500 makes it possible to provide a
variety of services.
[0187] Navigation systems that can connect to the Internet are
conventionally known, though in the case of such systems, each
navigation system is merely one of countless terminal apparatuses
on the Internet, so that it is not possible for a server, for
example, to specify a particular navigation system and perform
access to that navigation system.
[0188] Accordingly, when the user of the navigation system 1 wishes
to receive a service that can be provided, the user first has to
know the URL of the service server 500 and to have the navigation
system 1 access the service server 500. In principle, the service
server 500 has to receive accesses from an unspecified number of
navigation systems 1, so that no distinctions can be made as
necessary between the services provided to individual users. This
means that only general purpose services can be provided, with the
navigation system 1 having to access the service server 500 and
select the desired services from the services on offer. In other
words, if the user does not make an active effort to access the
server, such as by making a specific operation, it is not possible
to make full use of the available services.
[0189] On the other hand, with the present embodiment, the service
server 500 and the application server 303 store the navigation IDs
assigned to each navigation system 1 as a user database. By
indicating a navigation ID, each server can access a specific
navigation system 1. In other words, in the present embodiment, the
server can access a navigation system 1 at an appropriate
opportunity, for example, and so actively provide services with an
appropriate content to the navigation system 1.
[0190] 3. Example Procedure
[0191] The following describes the procedures that realize a number
of services that have been selected from the example services
described above.
[0192] A procedure that realizes a service for updating the
navigation system 1 is described first, with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 7. This service is provided by the service
server 500. Note that in FIG. 7, the processes executed by the
service server 500, the application server 303, and the navigation
system 1 are shown in parallel. The process that takes place at the
service server 500 is executed by the control unit 503, the process
that takes place at the application server 303 is executed by the
control unit 404, and the process that takes place at the
navigation system 1 is executed by the control unit 19.
[0193] As one example, assume that the manufacturer has indicated
to the service server 500 that the system software running in the
navigation systems 1 should be updated. In this case, the control
unit 503 of the service server 500 executes an access request for
specified navigation systems 1 as the process in step S101. When
doing so, the service server 500 transmits the navigation IDs of
the navigation systems 1 to be accessed along with the access
request. As one example, the navigation ID can be obtained by
searching the user database 510 for information of the user who
owns the navigation system 1 that needs to be updated and reading
the navigation ID that is made to correspond with the user
information that is found.
[0194] The access request mentioned above is transmitted to the
application server 303 from the Internet 400 via the gateway 304.
The application server 303 receives the access request in step S201
and then proceeds to step S202.
[0195] In step S202, the application server 303 transmits a version
request, which enquires about the present version of the system
software, to the navigation systems 1 with the received navigation
IDs. At this juncture, as one example, designating the telephone
number used as the navigation ID as a transmission destination, the
application server 303 transmits the data on the version request
via the relay station 302 and the base station 301.
[0196] The communication terminal apparatus 50 of a navigation
system 1 that has a specified navigation ID receives a version
request that has been transmitted as described above and transfers
the version request to the control unit 19 in the main navigation
unit 2. By doing so, the reception of a version request is
discriminated by the control unit 19 as the process in step
S301.
[0197] On receiving the version request, the control unit 19
notifies the present version by executing the process in step S302.
In other words, on identifying the present version of the system
software, the control unit 19 transmits, as a response, the
identified version number from the communication terminal apparatus
50 to the application server 303. It should be noted that the
navigation ID of this navigation system 1 is included in this
response.
[0198] On receiving a response as the process in step S203, the
application server 303 proceeds to step S204 where the application
server 303 informs the service server 500 of the version. In other
words, the application server 303 extracts the version number and
navigation ID from the response it has received and transmits this
information to the service server 500.
[0199] On receiving the notification of the version number from the
application server 303, in step S103 the service server 500 judges
whether the system software needs to be updated, based on the
version number it has received. As one example, when the received
version number is equal to or higher than the version number of the
update data, the service server 500 obtains a negative result
showing that the software does not need to be updated. However,
when the received version number is lower than the version number
of the update data, the service server 500 obtains a positive
result showing that the software needs to be updated.
[0200] When a negative judgement result is obtained, the service
server 500 does not perform further communication with (i.e.,
access) the navigation system 1 with the received navigation ID.
However, when a positive judgement result is obtained, the service
server 500 transmits an update message, update data, and a
navigation ID to the application server 303 by performing the
process in step S104. The update message and update data are
obtained by reading them from the storage unit 501 of the service
server 500 where they are stored as service data 512.
[0201] In step S205, the application server 303 receives the update
message, update data, and navigation ID. After this, the
application server 303 executes step S206 and so transmits the
update message and update data to the navigation system 1 that has
the received navigation ID.
[0202] In the navigation system 1, the update message and update
data are received by the communication terminal apparatus 50 and
transferred to the control unit 19 of the main navigation unit 2.
As a result, the control unit 19 can recognize that an update
message and update data have been received, as shown by step S303,
and can then proceed to step S304.
[0203] In step S304, display image data is generated based on the
content of the received update message. One example of this display
image data is a message such as "A new version of the car
navigation software has been released. This new version is being
downloaded to update your system." In this way, the user can be
informed that an update operation is being performed to update the
system software to the new version. It should be noted that the
content of the displayed message may be included in the content of
the received update message.
[0204] After this, the control unit 19 of the main navigation unit
2 executes step S305 where it uses the update data to rewrite the
required system data, such as the executable programs or present
data written in the ROM 11, so as to update the system.
[0205] Next, the following describes the case where the user uses
the mobile phone 200 to enquire whether the user's vehicle is
locked and, when the vehicle is not locked, uses the mobile phone
200 once again to perform an operation that has control performed
to lock the vehicle. The procedure performed in this case is
explained using FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0206] In these drawings, the processes executed by the mobile
phone 200, the application server 303, and the navigation system 1
are shown in parallel. The process that takes place by the mobile
phone 200 is executed by the system controller 208, the process
that takes place at the application server 303 is executed by the
control unit 404, and the process that takes place at the
navigation system 1 is executed by the control unit 19.
[0207] First, the procedure by which the mobile phone 200 asks the
vehicle whether the vehicle is locked is explained, as shown in
FIG. 8.
[0208] One example of the operation that the user makes using the
mobile phone 200 is shown as step S401, which shows that a process
for transmitting a security request along with the terminal ID is
performed. This process can begin with the mobile phone 200
performing a communication process to access a server of a security
system that is operated as part of the application server 303.
After this, the user requests the server to make a security enquiry
for the user's vehicle. At this point, to prevent such requests
from being illegally made by other persons, the system has the user
input a password that has been registered in advance.
[0209] The application server 303 (i.e., the server of the security
system) receives the security request, the terminal ID and the
password in step S501. In step S502, the application server 303
first refers to the user database 410 and looks up the password and
terminal ID to verify that the user is authorized. In other words,
the application server 303 confirms that the user who transmitted
the security request, the terminal ID and the password is an
authorized user. Note that when the user is not verified as an
authorized user, the subsequent process is not performed.
[0210] When the user has been successfully verified, the
application server 303 proceeds to step S503 where it searches the
user database 410 to find the navigation ID that is associated with
the verified terminal ID and password. Next, in step S504, the
application server 303 transmits a security request to the
navigation system 1 that has the navigation ID (telephone number)
obtained from the user database 410.
[0211] The communication terminal apparatus 50 of the navigation
system 1 receives the security request and transfers it to the
control unit 19 of the main navigation unit 2. As shown in step
S601, the control unit 19 recognizes that a security request has
been received and proceeds to step S602.
[0212] In step S602, the control unit 19 executes a security check
in a predetermined manner. In other words, the control unit 19
obtains data with a predetermined content that shows the present
state that is monitored by the security system unit 41. This
present state is assumed to include at least information that shows
whether the vehicle is presently locked. In the process in step
S603, the control unit 19 transmits data showing the result of the
security check together with the navigation ID of the present
navigation system 1 to the application server 303.
[0213] The application server 303 receives the response that is
composed of the navigation ID and the result data for the security
check as step S505, and then proceeds to step S506.
[0214] In step S506, the application server 303 refers to the user
database 410 and finds the mobile ID corresponding to the received
navigation ID. In step S507, the application server 303 sends the
result data for the security check to the mobile phone 200 that has
the mobile ID (telephone number) found from the user database 410.
It should be noted that at this point, the result data for the
security check to be transmitted to the mobile phone 200 is
converted to a format that enables the result to be outputted as a
text display by the mobile phone 200. As one example, when the
mobile phone 200 is capable of handling electronic mail sent via
the Internet, the result data for the security check may be
transmitted to an electronic mail address that is associated with
the mobile ID.
[0215] The mobile phone 200 recognizes that result data for a
security check has been received in step S402. In step S403, the
mobile phone 200 may then store the received result data in the ROM
217, for example. After this, if the user performs a predetermined
operation, for example, the result of the security check may be
displayed to the user in step S404 as text or the like on the LCD
display unit 209.
[0216] As described earlier, on seeing from the result of the
security check that is displayed on the LCD display unit 209, for
example, that the vehicle is not locked, the user can perform a
remote control operation using the mobile phone 200 to have the
vehicle locked. The procedure used in this case is shown in FIG.
9.
[0217] In response to a predetermined operation made by the user,
for example, in step S701 the mobile phone 200 uses its Internet
connecting function to access the application server 303. After
doing so, the mobile phone 200 transmits locking instruction
information (which indicates that the car should be locked), the
mobile ID, and the password to the application server 303.
[0218] In step S801, the application server 303 receives the
locking instruction information, the mobile ID, and the password.
After this, in step S802 the application server 303 performs an
authentication process. This authentication process is the same as
the authentication process performed in step S502 in FIG. 8. After
this, if the authentication process shows that the user is
authorized, the application server 303 proceeds to step S803.
[0219] In step S803, the application server 303 refers to the user
database 410 to find the navigation ID that corresponds to the
verified mobile ID. After doing so, in step S804 the application
server 303 transmits a locking command to the navigation system 1
that has the obtained navigation ID.
[0220] In step S901, the navigation system 1 that has this
navigation ID recognizes that a key locking command has been
received. After this, in step S902 the control unit 19 responds to
the received key locking command by performing control over the
lock control unit 44 of the security system unit 41 so as to have
the vehicle locked.
[0221] It should be noted that while it is not illustrated in FIG.
9, the control of the locks shown as step S902 should preferably be
followed by the navigation system 1 transmitting security data to
the mobile phone 200 to show that the locking of the vehicle has
been completed. Operating in this way means that it can be
confirmed that the locking operation has been properly executed in
accordance with the user's instructions.
[0222] The following describes the procedure for a service that
provides update data for the map information, with reference to
FIG. 10.
[0223] In FIG. 10, the processes executed by the navigation system
1, the application server 303, and the service server 500 are shown
in parallel. The process that takes place at the navigation system
1 is executed by the control unit 19, the process that takes place
at the application server 303 is executed by the control unit 404,
and the process that takes place at the service server 500 is
executed by the control unit 503.
[0224] If, for example, the service is provided as explained
earlier with the user operating the navigation system 1 so as to
download update data for the map information, in step Sll a process
is executed to transmit a request for the update data for the map
information together with the navigation ID and password.
[0225] On receiving the request for the update data for the map
information, the navigation ID, and the password in step S21, the
application server 303 proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the
application server 303 refers to the user database 410, executes an
authentication process by comparing the received navigation ID and
the password with the registered navigation ID and password, etc.
In other words, the application server 303 confirms that the user
who has sent the request for the update data is an authorized user.
Note that when the user is not verified as an authorized user, the
following process is not performed.
[0226] When the user has been successfully authenticated, the
application server 303 proceeds to step S23 where it transmits the
request and navigation ID that were received in step S21 to the
service server 500.
[0227] In step S31, the service server 500 receives the request and
navigation ID that have been transmitted from the application
server 303. Next, in step S32, the service server 500 reads out a
file that is the update data for the map information and is stored
as the service data 512 in the storage unit 501.
[0228] It should be noted that as described above, the update data
may be composed of the differences between the latest version and
the previous version of the map information. Here, it is possible
for the every available update data file to be read out, though it
is also conceivable for the update data files to be treated as
retail products, with the price of update data differing depending
on a number of regions or the like that are specified by the user.
In this latter case, the request includes information indicating
the update data files to be downloaded, and the service server 500
only reads out the update data files that have been indicated.
[0229] After reading the update data files as described above, the
service server 500 proceeds to step S33 where it transmits the
read. update data files together with the navigation ID, which was
received with the request back in step S31, to the application
server 303.
[0230] In step S24, the application server 303 receives the update
data files and navigation ID that have been transmitted as
described above from the service server 500.
[0231] Next, in step S25, the application server 303 transmits the
update data files received in step S24 to the telephone number
shown by the navigation ID that was also received in step S24. In
other words, the application server 303 transfers the update data
to the navigation system 1 that requested the download of the
update data.
[0232] The update data file transmitted in this way is received by
the navigation system 1 in step S12. Next, in step S13, the
navigation system 1 stores the received update data files, such as
by writing them in the DRAM 13, the memory 12, the storage unit 45,
etc.
[0233] The following describes several examples of how the update
data files that are stored in this way could conceivably be
used.
[0234] As one example, as its basic operation the navigation system
1 may read the map information that is recorded on the recording
medium 9 and display the present position of the vehicle on a map
that is based on the read map information, as well as various kinds
of other navigation information.
[0235] For this reason, when it is possible to overwrite the
content of the recording medium 9 that stores the map information
or to additionally record other data, the update data is written
onto the recording medium 9. By doing so, when navigation is
thereafter performed using map information that has read from the
recording medium 9, the update data is also used, meaning that the
navigation operation can reflect the content of the update
data.
[0236] When the content of the recording medium 9 cannot be
rewritten, the received update data can be stored in a memory 12
whose stored content is retained even when then power is switched
off, or in the storage unit 45 or the like. When information is
displayed using the map information, the update data that is stored
in the memory 12 or storage unit 45 is read out and is combined
with the map information that has been read from the recording
medium 9 to form map information in which the update data is
reflected. This map information is then used when navigation
operations are performed.
[0237] Note that as described earlier, this kind of service that
provides update data can conceivably be a free service or a
fee-based service. If the service is fee-based, on receiving a
download request that was transmitted from the navigation system 1,
the server may perform a process that settles the payment in
accordance with a payment method indicated by the user, for
example.
[0238] 4. Service Providing System (Second Embodiment)
[0239] 4-1. Overall Construction
[0240] The following describes a service providing system that is a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0241] FIG. 11 shows an example construction of a service providing
system in accordance with this second embodiment.
[0242] As shown in FIG. 11, the service providing system of this
second embodiment has almost the same construction as the system of
the first embodiment, with a personal computer 700 and an
authentication server 800 being additionally provided. As a result,
the following explanation of the construction shown in FIG. 11
focuses on the differences with the first embodiment, such as these
additional apparatuses. Parts that are the same as in the first
embodiment have been given the same reference numerals as before
and are not described again.
[0243] The personal computer 700 that is used in this case is
assumed to be owned by the same user as the navigation system 1 and
the mobile phone 200, and is set up indoors, such as in the home or
at a company. This personal computer 700 connects to the Internet
via an access communication network 600.
[0244] In the present embodiment, the personal computer 700 is set
up indoors with the assumption that the personal computer 700 is
not moved around on a daily basis. As a result, the connectors and
other equipment for connecting to the access communication network
600 can be set up on the premise of them not being changed on a
daily basis. Putting this another way, the environment in which the
personal computer 700 is used in the present embodiment is such
that the connectors for connecting to the access communication
network 600 and the area from which the access communication
network 600 is accessed do not change due to the personal computer
700 being moved, as may be the case with a mobile computer such as
a notebook computer.
[0245] As mentioned above, the personal computer 700 connects to
the Internet via the access communication network 600. When the
personal computer 700 accesses the Internet by having a modem
establish a dial connection with an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
via a telephone line, the access communication network 600 is
composed of an ordinary telephone line.
[0246] However, it should be obvious that the access communication
network 600 used in the present embodiment is not restricted to an
ordinary telephone line. As other examples, an ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Network) line, an XDSL line, such as an ADSL
(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line where communication is
performed with a high frequency bandwidth across telephone lines, a
CATV (Community Antenna Television) network, or a wireless network
may be used.
[0247] As described later in this specification, the authentication
server 800 is provided to verify, when the personal computer 700
performs an access to the navigation system 1 mounted in the car
100 to find out the present position of the car 100, whether such
access is authorized. By functioning in this way, the
authentication server 800 prevents unauthorized operations, such as
the obtaining of present position information from the car 100 by a
personal computer that has not been properly registered in the
system.
[0248] It should be noted that the internal construction of the
authentication server 800 and its operation are described later in
this specification.
[0249] 4-2. Internal Construction of the Personal Computer
[0250] FIG. 12 shows one example of the internal construction of
the personal computer 700.
[0251] The personal computer 700 shown in FIG. 12 includes a
network interface 709 for communicating via the Internet. This
network interface 709 is in charge of communication between the
access communication network 600 and the personal computer 700. By
using the network interface 709, the personal computer 700 can
communication with the Internet 400 via the access communication
network 600.
[0252] A CPU (Central Process Unit) 701 executes various processes
in accordance with a variety of application programs, which have
been installed on a hard disk drive or the like, or with programs
that have been stored in a ROM 702. In the present embodiment, a
program for controlling the network interface 709 is stored in the
ROM 702, for example. This program enables various kinds of data to
be transmitted and received in accordance with the communication
protocol TCP/IP that is used for communicating with the Internet.
In other words, the personal computer 700 is set up (in terms of
both hardware and software) so as to be able to transmit and
receive data using the Internet.
[0253] A RAM 703 stores programs and data, etc., that are required
when the CPU 701 executes various processes.
[0254] An input/output interface 704 is connected to a keyboard 705
and a mouse 706 and outputs operation signals received from the
keyboard 705 and mouse 706 to the CPU 701. This input/output
interface 704 is also connected to a hard disk drive 707 that uses
hard disks as a storage medium. As a result, the CPU 701 can
perform reads and writes for programs and data, etc., from or into
the hard disks in the hard disk drive 707 via the input/output
interface 704. In the present example, the input/output interface
704 is also connected to a display monitor 708 for displaying
images.
[0255] An internal bus 710 can be composed of a local bus or PCI
(Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, for example, and
internally connects the various functional circuits of the personal
computer 700 together.
[0256] 4-3. Internal Construction of the Authentication Server
[0257] The following describes one example of the internal
construction of the authentication server 800, with reference to
FIG. 13.
[0258] As shown in FIG. 13, the authentication server 800 includes
a storage unit 801, a network interface 802, and a control unit
803.
[0259] In the authentication server 800, the storage unit 801
stores the information that is required when executing the
authentication process, etc., that is described later in this
specification. In FIG. 13, an authenticated user database 810 and
executable applications 811 are shown as the data stored in the
storage unit 801.
[0260] As shown at the bottom of FIG. 13, for example, the
authenticated user database 810 stores user information, a mobile
ID, a navigation ID, a PC-ID, a content ID, and a PC password in
association with each user.
[0261] The user information referred to here is information
relating to a user that owns a set of a navigation system 1, a
mobile phone 200, and a personal computer 700. As one example, in
the system of the present embodiment, this user information can
have the same content as the user information composing the user
database 510 (or 410) stored in the service server 500 (or
application server 303).
[0262] The mobile ID stores the same data as the mobile ID that is
written in the mobile phone owned by the user in question. In the
same way, the navigation ID stores the same data as the navigation
ID that has been assigned to the navigation system 1 owned by the
same user. This navigation ID may be a telephone number that has
been assigned to the communication terminal apparatus 50. In other
words, the mobile ID and navigation ID used here can store the same
information as that stored in the database construction that was
described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0263] The PC-ID is an ID number of identifying the personal
computer 700 that is owned by a user who is specified using the
user ID. In the present embodiment, the PC-ID has a special
composition that is described later in this specification.
[0264] The service ID is an ID number that identifies a service to
be processed by the authentication server 800.
[0265] When constructing this authenticated user database 810,
various kinds of information have to be registered for each user.
This operation is described later in this specification.
[0266] In the present example, the executable applications 811 are
composed of various kinds of application programs corresponding to
the various operations to be performed by the authentication server
800.
[0267] The network interface 802 is provided as an interface for
connecting to the Internet 400.
[0268] The control unit 803 executes various control processes in
accordance with the programs stored as the executable applications
811.
[0269] 4-4. Example of Service Provision by the Present System
[0270] From the viewpoint of the user, the system construction
shown in FIG. 11 has the following characteristic. In addition to
the navigation system 1 and the mobile phone 200, the personal
computer 700 is statically set up indoors as another device that
the user can use to connect to the Internet 400 and make use of the
provided services.
[0271] In this kind of system, a new service can be achieved
whereby the navigation system 1 is able to transmit present
position information showing the present position of the vehicle to
the personal computer 700.
[0272] The following is a simplified explanation of the operation
performed when using this service.
[0273] In this case, the user of the personal computer 700 wishes
to know the present position of the car 100 in which the navigation
system 1 owned by the user is mounted. In this case, the user
launches an application on the personal computer 700, such as a web
browser, and by performing a predetermined operation, accesses a
web site for the service that provides users with present position
information. This web site for the service that provides users with
present position information is in the form of a web site that has
been uploaded onto the authentication server 800. In other words,
by accessing the web site for the service that provides users with
present position information, the personal computer 700 accesses
the authentication server 800.
[0274] After accessing the authentication server 800 in this way,
the user transmits a request for present position information.
Here, it is assumed that authentication information, which is to be
used by the authentication server 800 during authentication, is
transmitted along with the request for the present position
information.
[0275] It should be noted that a description of this authentication
information is given later in this specification.
[0276] The authentication information used during the
authentication performed by the authentication server 800 includes
the PC-ID that uniquely belongs to the personal computer 700 that
transmitted the request. This PC-ID is not generated by the
personal computer 700 and transmitted, but is generated within the
access communication network 600 that is connected to the personal
computer 700 (such as by a part of the access communication network
600 that functions as an application server) when the personal
computer 700 accesses the authentication server 800. The generation
of the PC-ID and its registration in the authenticated user
database 810 are both described later in this specification.
[0277] As described above, the authentication server 800 refers to
the authentication information that is transmitted together with
the request for the present position information and to the
authenticated user database 810 and performs an authentication
process that determines whether the personal computer 700 that has
transmitted the request has been properly registered. When the
authentication result is that the personal computer 700 has been
properly registered, the authentication server 800 transfers the
request from the Internet 400 to the navigation system 1 owned by
the user via the wireless telephone communication network 300.
[0278] It should be noted that when the authentication result shows
that the personal computer 700 has not been properly registered,
the authentication server 800 does not transfer the request to the
navigation system 1.
[0279] On receiving this request, the navigation system 1 generates
present position information showing the present position of the
vehicle and transmits this from the wireless telephone
communication network 300 to the authentication server 800 via the
Internet 400. The authentication server 800 then transmits the
received present position information to the personal computer 700.
The personal computer 700 reproduces the received present position
information using a web browser. As a result, information showing
the present position of the vehicle is displayed on the display
monitor 708 of the personal computer 700.
[0280] 4-5 Structure of the Authenticated User Database
[0281] As can be understood from the operation of the
authentication server 800 described above, when a user tries to
make use of the above service, information relating to the user who
wishes to use the service needs to be registered in the
authenticated user database 810 in the authentication server
800.
[0282] This registration may be achieved in a variety of
conceivable ways. As one example method, when a user wishes to make
use of the service, the user may have the personal computer 700
access the authentication server 800 and perform an appropriate
registration operation to register the required information.
[0283] In other words, the user operates the personal computer 700
and accesses a registration web page that is hosted by the
authentication server 800, for example. This web page is designed
so as to allow the user to input the various pieces of information
for one user that are required to construct the authenticated user
database 810 shown in FIG. 13. In more detail, the following user
information is inputted: personal information such as the user's
name and address; a "mobile ID" (telephone number) of the mobile
phone 200 owned by the user; a "navigation ID" (telephone number)
of the navigation system 1 owned by the same user; and a service
content that the user wishes to use corresponding to a "service ID"
(in the present case, the service that provides the present
position information. The authentication server 800, for example,
may be constructed so as to perform authentication during the
provision of services aside from the service that provides the
present position information, so that in this case, the service ID
can be used to identify the service that has been requested by the
user.
[0284] The service that provides present position information in
the present embodiment is described as not being available to the
mobile phone 200, so that the mobile ID does not have to be
registered as part of the information in the authenticated user
database 810. However, if authentication is performed by the
authentication server 800 for services aside from the service that
provides present position information, the mobile ID is required if
these other services are realized using the mobile phone 200.
[0285] In FIG. 13, the PC-ID needs to be registered in addition to
the "user information", the "mobile ID" (telephone number), the
"navigation ID" (telephone number), and the "service ID".
[0286] As one example, this PC-ID can be generated by having the
personal computer 700 generate a device ID composed of a
manufacturer code, which identifies the appliance as a personal
computer, and a serial number or the like. This device ID can be
transmitted with the other information described above as the
PC-ID. This manufacturer code and serial number can be stored in a
ROM provided in the personal computer 700, for example, during the
manufacturing process or at another stage. As a result, it is easy
for the personal computer 700 to generate the device ID based on
this information.
[0287] However, when the device ID is generated using information
that is stored in the personal computer 700 in advance, such as the
manufacturer code and serial number described above, there is the
potential for a dishonest user to tamper with the information and
impersonate another user.
[0288] In more detail, in the case of the service that provides
present position information in the present embodiment, even though
only one personal computer 700 is properly registered for each
user, there is the potential that access will be performed to the
authentication server 800 by another personal computer whose device
ID has been rewritten using the device ID of a registered
computer.
[0289] As one example, in the system configuration described above
as the first embodiment, the navigation system 1 and the mobile
phone 200 both connect to the Internet via the wireless telephone
communication network 300. This wireless telephone communication
network 300 is managed based on information such as telephone
numbers, so that there is no risk of a dishonest user impersonating
a registered user if the access is performed from a registered
telephone number. However, in this second embodiment, the system
configuration additionally includes a personal computer 700. This
personal computer 700 does not perform access to the wireless
telephone communication network 300, but instead accesses the
Internet via the access communication network 600, which can be any
kind of network, such as a telephone line. In this case, the
aforementioned problem of dishonest third parties impersonating
registered users arises, so that countermeasures against such
activity need to be taken.
[0290] For this reason, a PC-ID is generated and registered in the
authentication server 800 in the following way so as to stop
unauthorized third parties from illegally using services by
amending the device ID and impersonating a registered user. Note
that three example countermeasures are described, with the
selection of the countermeasure used depending on the type of
communication network used as the access communication network
600.
[0291] FIG. 14 schematically shows a first example of the procedure
for the registration of the PC-ID. In this first example, the
access communication network 600 is a standard telephone line or an
ISDN line.
[0292] When the access communication network 600 is a standard
telephone line or an ISDN line, the personal computer 700 performs
what is known as a dialup operation to connect to the Internet. In
other words, though not illustrated, a modem, TA (Terminal
Adapter), DSU (Digital Service Unit) or the like that is provided
to the personal computer 700 dials a telephone exchange 601, which
is provided on the standard telephone line or ISDN line used as the
access communication network 600, to connect the personal computer
700.
[0293] At this point, it should be noted that the connection to the
telephone exchange 601 is achieved by a dialup operation and that
the telephone number assigned to the telephone line or ISDN line
used for this dial up operation is uniquely assigned. This
telephone number is managed by the telephone exchange 601 and so is
information that cannot be amended by a user of the personal
computer 700. In the present embodiment, this telephone number is
used when generating the PC-ID. The following procedure can be used
when generating and registering a PC-ID that is based on this
telephone number.
[0294] This procedure (1) starts with the personal computer 700
transmitting the device ID to the authentication server 800. It
should be noted that when this device ID is transmitted, other
information such as the "user information", the "mobile ID"
(telephone number), the "navigation ID" (telephone number), and the
"service ID" described earlier, may also be transmitted. Also, as
one example, the device ID may be generated from the manufacturer
code and serial number as described earlier.
[0295] As process (2), the telephone exchange 601 on the access
communication network 600 first generates the PC-ID based on the
device ID received from the personal computer 700 and information
on the telephone number of the telephone line (or ISDN line) used
by the present dial up connection. Here, a great number of methods
can be used to generate the PC-ID from the device ID and the
telephone number information, so that there are no particular
restrictions on the method used. As one example, the simplest
method would be to link the data values provided as the device ID
and the telephone number information to form the PC-ID.
Alternatively, a calculation may be performed on the data values
provided as the device ID and the telephone number information
using a predetermined function, so as to produce a data value with
a predetermined bit length. The resulting data value is then used
as the PC-ID.
[0296] Since a PC-ID that is generated in this way is based on the
device ID and telephone number, each PC-ID is unique information
for a personal computer 700. Also, since the PC-ID is generated
from a telephone number, even if a user can tamper with the device
ID, the user will not be able to tamper with the telephone number,
so that the user will not be able to produce the same PC-ID. The
telephone number is managed by the telephone exchange 601 and the
PC-ID is generated by the telephone exchange 601, so that the user
of the personal computer 700 is not able to rewrite the part of the
PC-ID that is based on the telephone number. This makes it
impossible for a user of a personal computer to impersonate another
user.
[0297] As process (2), the PC-ID that is generated as described
above is transmitted from the telephone exchange 601 to the
authentication server 800 via the Internet.
[0298] On receiving the PC-ID, as process (3) the authentication
server 800 registers the PC-ID along with the other information
(the user information, the mobile ID, the navigation ID, and the
service ID) in the authenticated user database 810.
[0299] A second example procedure for the registration of the PC-ID
is shown in FIG. 15. In this second example, the access
communication network 600 is a communication network, such as an
ADSL network, that can function as a permanent Internet
connection.
[0300] When this kind of communication network is used, the
telephone exchange 601 provided on the access communication network
600 can be equipped with a port unit, such as a splitter that
branches between a standard telephone line and an Internet
connection. In FIG. 15, such port units are shown as the connection
ports 602.
[0301] As one example, when a user subscribes to the ASDL service,
a connection port 602 is constructed at the telephone exchange 601
so as to connect the user's telephone line to the telephone
exchange 601. This connection port 602 is managed by the telephone
exchange 601 and assigned in a fixed arrangement to the telephone
line connecting the personal computer 700 to the telephone exchange
601.
[0302] For this reason, in the present embodiment the connection
ports 602 in the telephone exchange 601 can be managed by assigning
identifiers (port IDs) to the connection ports 602. The port ID
assigned to each connection port 602 is unique, so that in the same
way as the telephone numbers used in the first example given above,
the correspondence between the personal computers 700 connected to
the telephone exchange 601 and the port IDs is fixed. Since the
port IDs are managed by the telephone exchange 601, this
information cannot be tampered with by the user of a personal
computer 700.
[0303] In this second example, the PC-ID is generated using the
port ID. The generation and registration of the PC-ID based on this
port ID can be performed according to the following procedure, for
example.
[0304] First, as process (1), the personal computer 700 transmits
its device ID towards the authentication server 800. In this case
also, the device ID is generated using the manufacturer code and
serial number. Also, the device ID is transmitted to the
authentication server 800 along with other information composed of
the "user information", the "mobile ID" (telephone number), the
"navigation ID" (telephone number), and the "service ID".
[0305] Next, as process (2), the received device ID and information
on the port number of the connection port assigned to the telephone
line used as the ASDL line are used by the telephone exchange 601
in the access communication network 600 to generate the PC-ID.
Next, the telephone exchange 601 transmits the PC-ID it has
generated in this way to the authentication server 800 via the
Internet.
[0306] After this, in process (3), the authentication server 800
registers the PC-ID along with the other information (the user
information, the mobile ID, the navigation ID, and the service ID)
in the authenticated user database 810.
[0307] A third example procedure for the registration of the PC-ID
is shown in FIG. 16. In this third example, the access
communication network 600 is a dedicated line 610 to which the
personal computer 700 is permanently connected.
[0308] In this case, the personal computer 700 is connected to a
router 611 that is provided on the dedicated line 610 and connects
the personal computer 700 to the Internet. Since the personal
computer 700 is permanently connected to the router 611 in this
case, the line connecting the personal computer 700 to the router
611 are fixed. The router 611 is managed by the company that
operates the dedicated line 610, so that the information relating
to the router 611 cannot be tampered with by the user of the
personal computer 700.
[0309] In this third example, the device ID of the personal
computer 700 and information that is unique to the router 611 are
used to generate the PC-ID. In this case, a router address that has
been assigned to the router 611 is used as the information that is
unique to the router 611.
[0310] The following describes the third example procedure for the
registration of the PC-ID.
[0311] First, as process (1), the personal computer 700 transmits
its device ID towards the authentication server 800. In this case
also, the device ID is transmitted to the authentication server 800
along with other information composed of the "user information",
the "mobile ID" (telephone number), the "navigation ID" (telephone
number), and the "service ID".
[0312] In this case, the device ID is the same as in the first and
second example procedures explained above, and so may be generated
using information made up of the manufacturer code and serial
number. However, since the current premise is that the personal
computer 700 is permanently connected, once an IP address has been
assigned to the personal computer 700 by a protocol like DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), for example, this IP address
will not be changed. As a result, this IP address may be used as
the device ID.
[0313] Next, as process (2), the received device ID and the router
address of the router 611 to which the personal computer 700 is
connected are used by the dedicated line 610 on the access
communication network 600 to generate the PC-ID. Next, the PC-ID
generated in this way is transmitted from the dedicated line 610 to
the authentication server 800 via the Internet.
[0314] After this, in process (3), the authentication server 800
registers the PC-ID along with the other information (the user
information, the mobile ID, the navigation ID, and the service ID)
in the authenticated user database 810.
[0315] It should be noted that when the IP address is used as a
device ID, the IP address that is assigned by a DHCP server changes
every time a connection is established. However, when IPv6 protocol
is used, an IP address can be permanently assigned even when a
connection is not permanent. As a result, when communication with
the Internet is performed using IPv6 protocol, the IP address can
be used as the device ID even in the first and second example
procedures described above.
[0316] In short, in the first to third example procedures described
above, the PC-ID is generated using not just the device ID of the
personal computer 700 but also a telephone number, a port ID of a
connection port, or a router address.
[0317] Here, the information on the telephone number, port ID of a
connection port, or router address can be thought to be information
that specifies the communication path (access path) between the
personal computer 700 and the access communication network 600 on
the route between the personal computer 700 and the Internet.
[0318] As can be understood from the description given thus far, if
it is presumed that the communication path for connecting to the
access communication network 600 is static, such as when the
personal computer 700 is set up indoors, a one-to-one
correspondence is established between personal computers 700 and
communication paths. This means that a combination of information
that specifies the communication path and a device ID may be used
to generate a PC-ID that is unique to a personal computer 700.
[0319] Also, as explained earlier, this information that specifies
the communication path (a telephone number, port ID of a connection
port, or router address) is managed in each case by the company
that operates the access communication network 600, so that this
information cannot be tampered with by a dishonest user of a
personal computer 700.
[0320] This means that a user of a personal computer 700 cannot
tamper with a PC-ID that has been generated from this information.
Also, in the present embodiment, the PC-ID is generated not by a
personal computer 700 but by equipment present on the access
communication network 600 that acts as a relay point, so that the
potential for illegal tampering is extremely low.
[0321] In other words, the PC-ID in the present embodiment is
information that makes it possible to specify a personal computer
and makes it possible to stop dishonest users impersonating other
users through tampering. As a result, it is possible to stop
services from being provided to third parties who use a personal
computer 700 to impersonate another user.
[0322] It should be noted that for the present invention,
information that can identify the first communication network
(access path) to which the personal computer 700 connects may even
be used. This means that the PC-ID that is used by the present
invention may be generated according to methods aside from the
example procedures for generating the PC-ID that were shown in
FIGS. 14 to 16. In the same way, the access communication network
600 is not restricted to the types of communication network that
are shown in FIGS. 14 to 16.
[0323] 4-6. Example Procedure
[0324] The following describes an example of the procedure used in
the service providing system of this second embodiment when
providing the service that informs a user of the present position
of the vehicle. This explanation touches on the description given
above and refers to the flowchart shown in FIG. 17. It should be
noted that the service that informs a user of the present position
of the vehicle is as described in the overview given earlier.
[0325] In FIG. 17, the processes executed by the personal computer
700, the authentication server 800, and the navigation system 1 are
shown in parallel. The process that takes place at the personal
computer 700 is executed by the CPU 701, the process that takes
place at the authentication server 800 is executed by the control
unit 803, and the process that takes place at the navigation system
1 is executed by the control unit 19.
[0326] When the user of the personal computer 700 wishes to be
informed of the present position of the car in which the navigation
system 1 is mounted, as explained earlier the user may launch a web
browser application on the personal computer 700 and access a web
site that is hosted by the authentication server 800 and provides
the service informing users of the present position. After this,
the user may perform a predetermined operation in response to the
browser display at that point, causing the personal computer 700 to
transmit a request for information on the present position. This is
shown in FIG. 17 as step S41.
[0327] When a request for information on the present position is
transmitted in the process in step S41, the user information,
device ID, and service ID are also transmitted.
[0328] As one example, input boxes that allow the user to input the
information that is required for the request may be displayed in
the browser display for the service that informs users of the
present position. The user information mentioned above is
generated, based on personal information (such as the user's name
and address) that has been inputted via the input boxes, by the CPU
701 as ID information that identifies the user.
[0329] The device ID may be generated from the manufacturer code
and serial number, for example. In this case, the CPU 701 generates
the device ID based on information for the manufacturer code and
serial number that are read from the ROM 702, for example. If the
device ID is an IP address, the device ID may be generated using an
IP address that is stored in the RAM 703, for example.
[0330] As one example, the service ID may be an ID that shows that
the present request corresponds to the service that informs users
of the present position. This ID may be stored as part of the data
construction of a request for present position information.
[0331] The request for present position information that is
transmitted as described above is first routed to the access
communication network 600, as described in the explanation of FIGS.
14 to 16, before being transmitted to the authentication server 800
via the Internet 400. During this process, equipment provided on
the access communication network 600 generates a PC-ID using the
received device ID and route identifying information (such as a
telephone number, port ID, or router address) that is managed by
this equipment. As a result, the request for present position
information is transmitted to the authentication server 800
together with a PC-ID, user information and a service ID.
[0332] In step S51, the authentication server 800 receives the
request for present position information, PC-ID, user information
and service ID that are transmitted as described above. Next, in
step S52, the authentication server 800 performs an authentication
process that compares the received user information, PC-ID, and
service ID, etc., with the content of the authenticated user
database 810.
[0333] Next, in step S53, the authentication server 800 judges
whether the result of the authentication process in step S52 shows
that the user is an authorized user. When this is not the case, the
authentication server 800 refuses to perform the process
corresponding to the request that has been received, as shown in
step S55. In other words, the authentication server 800 does not
perform the process for transmitting the present position
information to the personal computer 700 in response to the
received request. It should be noted that while it is not shown in
FIG. 17, it is preferable in step S55 for the authentication server
800 to inform the personal computer 700 that the authentication has
been unsuccessful.
[0334] On the other hand, when the authentication server 800 judges
in step S53 that the authentication has produced a positive result,
the process proceeds to step S54 where the authentication server
800 transmits the present position information request it has
received to the navigation system 1 in question.
[0335] At this point, the authentication server 800 searches the
authenticated user database 810 for the navigation ID that is
stored so as to be associated with the user information, PC-ID, and
service ID received with the present request. The authentication
server 800 then indicates the navigation ID (telephone number) it
has found and has the request for present position information
transmitted to the wireless telephone communication network 300. As
a result, a request for present position information is correctly
transmitted to the navigation system 1 that is registered as
belonging to the owner of the personal computer 700.
[0336] The navigation system 1 that is mounted in the car 100, for
example, receives the request for present position information in
step S61.
[0337] In the present embodiment, the navigation system 1 stores a
program corresponding to the service that provides present position
information. When the information received by the navigation system
1 is a request for present position information, this program
generates present position information using the present position
measured by the position measuring unit 4 and map information read
from the recording medium 9, for example. The program then accesses
the authentication server 800 and transmits the generated present
position information.
[0338] It should be noted that if update information has been
received in the manner described above, this update information may
be used as the map information used to generate the present
position information. Next, the process described as steps S62 to
S64 below is executed in accordance with the program.
[0339] In step S62, the navigation system 1 generates the present
position information.
[0340] As described earlier, the present position information
generated at this point may be in the form of HTML or XML that can
be displayed by a web browser, for example. When a web browser
reproduces the present position information, an image showing the
present position on a map is displayed. It should be noted that
this image data may be generated in a predetermined image format,
such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image, a GIF
(Graphics Interchange Format) image or a bitmap.
[0341] Next, in step S63, the navigation system 1 executes a
control process for performing access to the authentication server
800. To do so, the navigation system 1 may store a URL of the
authentication server 800 in the memory 12, for example, with the
control unit 19 having an access request for access to this URL
transmitted from the communication interface 47 to the
communication terminal apparatus 50.
[0342] Once a connection to the authentication server 800 is
established in accordance with this access request, the process
proceeds to step S64 where the present position information
generated earlier in step S62 is transmitted to the authentication
server 800.
[0343] In step S56, the authentication server 800 receives the
present position information that has been transmitted in this way
and transfers the present position information to the personal
computer 700 that made the original request.
[0344] The personal computer 700 that requested the present
position information is connected to the authentication server 800
as described earlier and is in a state where it is displaying the
appropriate web page using a browser. In this state, in step S42
the personal computer 700 receives the present position information
that is transferred from the authentication server 800.
[0345] As described earlier, the present position information that
is received in this way is in the form of a file written using
HTML, XML, or the like. In step S43, the personal computer 700
performs a reproduction process for this present position
information and has the present position displayed as an image on
the browser.
[0346] It should be noted that the transmission of the present
position information from the navigation system 1 to the personal
computer 700 is performed via the authentication server 800. In
this way, information can be easily transmitted from the navigation
system 1 by having the information relayed by the authentication
server 800 using the connection between the personal computer 700
and the authentication server 800. However, when information is
being transmitted from the navigation system 1, there is no
particular need to perform an authentication process, so that the
system can be constructed so that the navigation system 1 directs
transmits information to the personal computer 700.
[0347] Also, it should be obvious that the authentication server
800 does not have to be provided as a single apparatus. As one
example, the process load can be lessened by using a construction
where several apparatuses that are distributed over the Internet
function as the authentication server 800.
[0348] Also, the following supplementary construction may be used
to prevent unauthorized acts.
[0349] As one example, in the service providing system of the
present embodiment, the devices (navigation system, mobile phone,
personal computer, etc.) that are registered as being used by a
particular user to receive the provided services may all connect to
the Internet using a specified communication company (such as a
telephone company). A monitoring server may also be provided on the
communication network over the range covered by this communication
company.
[0350] This monitoring server monitors the communication between
the devices that are registered for the user and checks whether a
line that is present in a specified area covered by the
communication company is being used. When there is an attempt to
communicate with a device that is registered for the user using a
line that is outside the specified area covered by the
communication company, the monitoring server may warn the user or
may cut off the communication if the line is being used to make
unauthorized use of a service.
[0351] The present invention is also not limited to the embodiments
described above. As one example, a variety of other services may be
provided to users. Also, the devices that are able to make use of
these services are not limited to car navigation apparatuses,
mobile phones, and personal computers. As one example, a device
that is equipped with a mobile communication terminal apparatus
capable of connecting to a network like the Internet may be used,
as may a device that is equipped not with a mobile communication
terminal apparatus but with a communication terminal apparatus that
can connect to the Internet via a specified communication
network.
[0352] While the second embodiment of the present invention is
described by way of a particular example of a service where present
position information is provided using the navigation system 1 and
the personal computer 700, a variety of other services may be
provided. It is also possible for such services to be provided
through communication performed between the personal computer 700
and the mobile phone 200. It should also be obvious that in such
cases, communication can be performed by having the personal
computer 700 perform access via the authentication server 800 to
stop dishonest users making unauthorized use of services.
[0353] In the present invention described above, services are
provided to a car navigation system (an electronic appliance) that
is capable of connecting to a communication network such as the
Internet using wireless communication, for example. A navigation ID
(device ID) that has been uniquely assigned to the car navigation
system is managed by the server, so that access can be performed to
a particular car navigation system, out of the car navigation
systems that exist as countless terminals on the Internet. The data
communication that is required to achieve this service is then
performed with the particular car navigation system to which the
service is to be provided.
[0354] In a conventional system, for example, access must first be
performed by a navigation system, with a server only being able to
wait for access before it can supply the service information. With
the present invention, on the other hand, a server or a mobile
phone (mobile communication terminal apparatus) can perform access
to a specific car navigation system, so that services with a
necessary content can be provided at the most appropriate
opportunity. Also, operating in this way makes it very easy to
introduce new types of services that can be provided to users.
Accordingly, it is easier for a user who has purchased a navigation
system, for example, to make use of provided services. For
manufacturers and retailers, too, there is an increase in the value
of the services provided, so that a positive effect on sales can be
expected.
[0355] Communication performed from a communication terminal
apparatus (such as a personal computer) that is statically set up
indoors to an electronic appliance (such as a navigation system)
also passes through an authentication server. When the
communication terminal apparatus accesses the authentication server
in order to communicate with the electronic appliance, information
that identifies the access path (such as a telephone number, port
number, router address, etc.) is used to generate the terminal ID
(PC-ID). After this, the authentication server uses this terminal
ID when performing the authentication process.
[0356] The information that identifies the access path is normally
managed by the company that operates the first communication
network to which the communication terminal apparatus connects.
This makes it impossible for the communication terminal apparatus
to tamper with this information, so that the terminal ID is safe
from tampering by dishonest users. This means that by using a
simple construction, the present invention can prevent dishonest
users from impersonating a registered user and making unauthorized
use of the provided services.
[0357] Industrial Applicability
[0358] The present invention is a system that is constructed so as
to enable communication to be performed, via a communication
network, between an electronic appliance that is mounted in a
moving object, such as a car, and a server or a personal mobile
communication terminal apparatus, such as a mobile phone. This
system provides services to a user who has bought the electronic
appliance, for example, by transmitting data to the electronic
appliance and having the electronic appliance execute some kind of
operation in accordance with the received data.
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