U.S. patent application number 14/057726 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for user information processing unit, user information processing system, terminal unit, apparatus and method for providing information.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Isao Hidaka, Yoji Kawamoto, Tomohiro Tsunoda.
Application Number | 20140047032 14/057726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 16119677 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140047032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawamoto; Yoji ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
USER INFORMATION PROCESSING UNIT, USER INFORMATION PROCESSING
SYSTEM, TERMINAL UNIT, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING
INFORMATION
Abstract
A user information processing method, an apparatus thereof and a
user information processing system in which personal information
can be more effectively employed. Terminal use record information
is obtained when a user employs terminal units. The profile
information of the user is generated on the basis of the
accumulated terminal use record information and the generated
profile information is stored, so that information peculiar to the
user can be provided on the basis of the stored profile information
of the user.
Inventors: |
Kawamoto; Yoji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Hidaka; Isao; (Tokyo, JP) ; Tsunoda;
Tomohiro; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
16119677 |
Appl. No.: |
14/057726 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12826878 |
Jun 30, 2010 |
8595350 |
|
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14057726 |
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09594284 |
Jun 15, 2000 |
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12826878 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2215/01 20130101;
H04M 2215/0188 20130101; H04M 15/41 20130101; H04M 15/00 20130101;
H04L 67/22 20130101; H04M 15/58 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101;
H04N 21/44204 20130101; H04M 2215/0164 20130101; H04L 67/306
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 28, 1999 |
JP |
11-182516 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising one or more
processors and one or more storage devices operably configured: to
store a plurality of types of user profile information including
use history information and terminal information; to receive new
use history information; to analyze the new use history
information; to create new user profile based on the new use
history information and the plurality of types of user profile
information; and to provide at least content information using the
new user profile.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the use history information includes at least one of
viewing history information, selecting information, searching
information and terminal position information.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the apparatus overwrites a currently stored user profile
with the new user profile.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the one or more storage units includes a removable memory
card.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the content information includes user taste tendency
information relating to content consumption.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the user taste tendency information includes content genre
information.
7. A method of processing information, comprising, using a
specially configured information processing device: storing on one
or more storage devices a plurality of types of user profile
information for a user including use history information and
terminal information; receiving new use history information via a
terminal accessed by the user; analyzing the new use history
information; creating a new user profile for the user based on the
new use history information and the plurality of types of user
profile information; and providing at least content information
using the new user profile.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the use history information
includes at least one of viewing history information, selecting
information, searching information and terminal position
information.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the processing device overwrites
a currently stored user profile with the new user profile.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more storage units
includes a removable memory card.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the content information includes
user taste tendency information relating to content
consumption.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the user taste tendency
information includes content genre information.
13. A computer product for use in an information processing device
with one or more processors and one or more storage units, the
product including computer executable instructions of causing the
processing device to: store on one or more storage devices a
plurality of types of user profile information for a user including
use history information and terminal information; receive new use
history information via a terminal accessed by the user; analyze
the new use history information; create a new user profile for the
user based on the new use history information and the plurality of
types of user profile information; and provide at least content
information using the new user profile.
14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the use
history information includes at least one of viewing history
information, selecting information, searching information and
terminal position information.
15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the
processing device overwrites a currently stored user profile with
the new user profile.
16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the one or
more storage units includes a removable memory card.
17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the content
information includes user taste tendency information relating to
content consumption.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user
taste tendency information includes content genre information.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/826,878, filed Jun. 30, 2010 which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/594,284, filed
Jun. 15, 2000, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by
reference to the extent permitted by law. The present application
also claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 11-182516
filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 28, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a user information
processing unit, a user information processing system, a terminal
unit, an information provider and a method for providing
information, and more particularly, is suitably applied to a user
information processing unit, a user information processing system,
a terminal unit, an information provider and a method for providing
information, in which the profile information of a user employing
various kinds of terminal units is generated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] In a system which supplies characteristic information to a
user by using the personal information of the user who employs a
terminal unit, the accumulating means of the information has been
hitherto provided in either a provider side as information
providing means or a terminal side as information receiving
means.
[0004] In the case where the provider side has personal
information, a user needs to provide the personal information for
each provider or its service. Therefore, when the user utilizes a
new personal information using service, he needs to re-transmit the
personal information to the provider. Further, in the case where
the provider side accumulates the personal information, it needs to
store the security thereof. Still further, in the case where the
provider side accumulates the personal information, when terminal
unit tries to employ the personal information, the terminal unit
needs to be connected to the provider every time and receive the
personal information. Still further, in the case where the provider
side accumulates the personal information, when the user changes
the provider, this change has made it difficult to us the personal
information which has been accumulated.
[0005] As described above, in the case where the personal
information is accumulated in the provider side, the accumulation
has caused problems in that it becomes inconveniently necessary to
ensure the security of the personal information and perform
troublesome processing depending on use methods.
[0006] Still further, in the case where the personal information is
accumulated in the terminal unit side, when the user changes the
terminal unit employed by himself, the change has caused problems
in that it becomes difficult to use the personal information which
has been accumulated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention
is to provide a user information processing unit, a user
information processing system, a terminal unit, an information
provider and a method for providing information capable of more
effectively employing personal information.
[0008] The foregoing object and other objects of the invention have
been achieved by the provision of a user information processing
unit, a terminal unit, an information provider in which terminal
use record information upon use of a terminal unit by a user is
accumulated, the profile information of the user is produced on the
basis of the accumulated terminal use record information and the
produced profile information is stored, so that information
peculiar to the user can be provided on the basis of the profile
information of the user thus stored.
[0009] The nature, principle and utility of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like
parts are designated by like reference numerals or characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the accompanying drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic connection diagram showing the entire
configuration of a network system using a user information
processing unit according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
memory card;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the memory map of the
memory card;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the data format of the
memory card;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
television set;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
personal computer;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
cellular phone;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
broadcasting radio receiver;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
profile analysis server;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic view for explaining a profile forming
process;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic view for explaining a profile forming
process;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the arrangement example
of components according to an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the arrangement example
of components according to another embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a schematic connection view showing the entire
configuration of a network according to another embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the arrangement example
of components according to another embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the arrangement example
of components of another embodiment; and
[0027] FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing effects in respective
arrangement examples of the components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0028] Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings:
[0029] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally denotes a network
system. A service provider 21 is connected to a telephone line 15
and a cellular phone line 33 through an access server 23.
[0030] To the telephone line 15, a television set 13 and a personal
computer (PC) 12 as terminal units are connected through a modem
14. The television set 13 and the personal computer 12 can have
access to the service provider 21 through the telephone line 15.
Further, to the cellular phone line 33, a cellular phone 31 is
connected through a base station 32. The cellular phone 31 can have
access to the service provider 21 through the cellular phone line
33.
[0031] In addition thereto, the service provider 21 is connected to
an Internet 41 through a server 24. A network 45 composed of the
Local Area Network (LAN) of, for instance, a company or the like
connected to the Internet 41 by a private line can have access to
the service provider 21 through the Internet 41. In this case, the
personal computer 47 of the network 45 is connected to the Internet
41 through a fire wall 46, hence a third party is prevented from
externally invading the network 45.
[0032] Still further, to the service provider 21, connected is a
contents provider 50 designed to transmit various kinds of
information. Broadcasting signals transmitted from the contents
provider 50 are supplied to a variety of terminal units through
antennas 52, 54, 55 and 56 and a satellite 53.
[0033] Here, each of the terminal units (the television set 13, the
personal computers 12 and 47, the cellular phone 31 and a
broadcasting radio receiver 61) is provided with a slot on which a
memory card of a Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) standard as storing means is mounted. When a
user operates these terminal units, he mounts a memory card 11
individually possessed by himself on the terminal unit operated by
him. The memory card 11 comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, a connector
11B mounted on the slot of each terminal unit and a memory 11A
connected to the connector 11B through a bus.
[0034] The memory 11A is adapted to store various pieces of
information peculiar to the user having the memory card 11 in areas
designated by a memory map shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, a
first area AR11 of the storing areas of the memory 11A is an area
for storing network connection information for connecting the
terminal unit with the memory card 11 mounted to the network, and
is designed to store a user ID and a password to be certified by
the service provider 21 and a password for identifying the user
which is previously registered by the user employing the memory
card 11. The password for identifying the user indicates
information to be compared with a password inputted by the user
every time the user mounts the memory card 11 on the terminal unit,
and is employed in order to decide whether or not the user at that
time is a proper user who employs the memory card 11.
[0035] Further, a second area AR12 is an area for storing
additional information down-loaded when a variety of services
(provision of information, etc.) are received on the network from,
for instance, the service provider 21 by utilizing the terminal
unit on which the memory card 11 is mounted.
[0036] Still further, a third area AR13 is an area for storing
information inherent in the user having the memory card 11 such as
an address book, schedule data, etc.
[0037] Still further, a fourth area AR14 is an area for storing
usable information for each terminal unit with the memory card 11
mounted. For instance, a television program schedule used when the
terminal unit on which the memory card 11 is mounted is the
television set 13, Uniform Resource Locator (URL) information for
viewing an explanation on the World Wide Web (WWW) for each
television program, a sentence being edited which is read and
written, a screen or data such as a program which is being
developed when the terminal unit on which the memory card 11 is
mounted is the personal computer 12, or the data of a character
mail service, etc. transmitted and received when the terminal unit
with the memory card 11 mounted is the cellular phone 31 are
respectively stored therein.
[0038] Still further, a fifth area AR15 is an area for storing us
log information indicative of use record when the user having the
memory card 11 employs the terminal unit by mounting the memory
card 11 thereon and a result obtained by analyzing profile
information indicative of the tendency of taste of the user or the
like having the memory card 11 on the basis of the use log
information in the profile analysis server 22 of the service
provider 21.
[0039] Data stored in the memory 11A of the memory card 11 is
stored in a Type Length Value (TLV) form shown in, for example, in
FIG. 4. This format is indicative of the format of data stored in
the respective areas (AR11 to AR15) of the memory map described
above with reference to FIG. 3. The stored data comprises type
information D11, data length information D12 and value information
D13 for each area (AR11 to AR15).
[0040] In this case, as the type information D11 of the data of the
first area AR11 of the memory 11A, a code "00" representing network
connection information is assigned. As the value information D13 of
the first area AR, information such as a user ID and a password,
etc. is stored. Then, the format of a TLV form is further generated
for each of the user IDs or the passwords stored as the value
information D13 and respectively forms type information D13A, data
length information D13B and value information D13C.
[0041] Further, in the second area AR12 of the memory 11A, a code
"01" representing network additional information is assigned as the
type information D11 of the data. As the value information of the
second area AR12, is stored information such as a group ID and the
password thereof as additional information down-loaded when various
kinds of services (provision of information or the like) are
received on the network from the service provider 21 or the
contents provider 50. The group ID is identifying information
utilized when a plurality of users employing the terminal unit form
a specific group. Then, the format of a TLV form is further
generated for each of group IDs and passwords thereof stored as the
value information D13 and respectively forms type information D13A,
data length information D13B and value information D13C.
[0042] Still further, in the third area AR13 of the memory 11A, a
code "02" expressing personal information is assigned as the type
information D11 of data. As the value information of the third area
AR13, information such as the data of telephone directory, address
book data and personal schedule data, etc. which are peculiarly
employed by the user having the memory card 11 is stored. Then, the
format of a TLV form is further generated for each of the data of
the telephone directory, address book data and the personal
schedule data, etc. and respectively forms type information D13A,
data length information D13B and value information D13C.
[0043] Still further, in the fourth area AR14 of the memory 11A, as
the type information D11 of data, a code "03" representing
information for each terminal is assigned. As the value information
of the fourth area AR14, information such as the attributes of
various kinds of terminal units is stored as information used for
each terminal unit on which the memory card 11 is mounted. Then,
the format of a TLV form is further generated for each information
such as the attributes of various kinds of terminal units stored as
the value information D13, and respectively forms type information
D13A, data length information D13B and value information D13C.
[0044] Furthermore, in the fifth area AR15 of the memory 11A, the
use log and profile information are accumulated as the type
information D11. Then, the format of a TLV form is further
generated for each of the various kinds of data stored as the value
information D13, and respectively forms type information D13A, data
length information D13B and value information D13C.
[0045] Here, as a first terminal unit, the television set 13
comprises, as shown in FIG. 5, a CPU 13A, a memory 13B, a memory
card (MC) interface (INF) 13C, a communication interface (INF) 13D,
a receiving circuit part (RF) 13E, an output part 13F and a GPS
receiving part 13H which are connected to a data bus. The CPU 13A
is adapted to carry out various kinds of operations in accordance
with operation programs stored in the memory 13B and to control the
respective circuit parts in accordance with the operations.
[0046] The Radio Frequency (RF) part 13E receives a television
broadcast wave S.sub.RF received by an antenna (not shown) and
transmits a receiving signal S13E thus received to the output part
13F. The output part 13F applies an intermediate frequency
amplification processing and an image detection processing or the
like to the receiving signal S13E to generate a television video
signal S.sub.TV and transmit it to a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display
13G. Thus, the television broadcast received by the RF part 13E is
visually displayed on the display screen of the CRT 13G.
[0047] Further, the GPS receiving part 13H is adapted to specify
the position of the television set 13 on the basis of the
correlation of signals transmitted from a plurality of
satellites.
[0048] In this case, when the user operating the television set 13
mounts the memory card 11 possessed by himself on a slot (not
shown) for the memory card, the memory card interface 13C is
brought to a state in which it can transmit and receive various
kinds of data from and to the memory card 11. The memory card
interface 13C is composed of a serial interface and has at least
three data lines. The first data line transmits a clock signal upon
transmission of data. The second data line transmits a status
signal necessary for transmission of data. The third data line
transmits serially data to be written in or read from the memory
card 11.
[0049] Then, the CPU 13A accumulates the attribute information of a
program included in a program viewed by the user and time thereof
and a program broadcasting signal while the memory card 11 is
mounted on the slot, the identifying information and positional
information of the television set 13, or the like in the fifth area
AR15 (FIG. 3) of the memory 11A of the memory card 11 as use record
information (use log).
[0050] As a second terminal unit, the personal computer 12
comprises, as shown in FIG. 6, a CPU 12A, a memory 12B, a memory
card (MC) interface (INF) 12C, a communication interface (INF) 12D,
a display part 12E and a GPS receiving part 12H which are connected
to a data bus. The CPU 12A is adapted to perform various kinds of
operations in accordance with operation programs stored in the
memory 12B and to control the respective circuit parts in
accordance with the operations. A variety of processing contents of
the CPU 12A are displayed on the display part 12E composed of a
liquid crystal display panel or the like.
[0051] Further, the GPS receiving part 12H is adapted to specify
the position of the personal computer 12 on the basis of the
correlation of signals transmitted from a plurality of
satellites.
[0052] Then, while the memory card 11 is mounted on the slot, the
CPU 12A accumulates Internet search information obtained by the
user who has access to the Internet, the time thereof, the
attribute of the search information included in the received search
information, the identifying information and positional information
of the personal computer 12 or the like in the fifth area AR 15
(FIG. 3) of the memory 11A of the memory card 11 as the use record
information (use log).
[0053] Further, the personal computer 47 connected to the network
45 configured in the company or the like has a configuration
similar to that of the personal computer 12 described above with
reference to FIG. 6. The CPU of the personal computer 47
accumulates Internet search information to which the user has
access while the memory card 11 is mounted on the slot, the time
thereof, the attribute of the information included in the received
search information, the identifying information and positional
information of the personal computer 47, etc. in the fifth area AR
15 (FIG. 3) of the memory 11A of the memory card 11 as the use
record information (use log).
[0054] Further, as a third terminal unit, the cellular phone 31
comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, a CPU 31A, a memory 31B, a memory
card (MC) interface (INF) 31C, a transmitting and receiving circuit
part (RF) 31E for transmitting and receiving a signal between a
cellular phone line 33 and it, a base band processing part 31D for
converting a Radio Frequency (RF) signal received in the
transmitting and receiving circuit part 31E into a base band signal
and converting the base band signal to be transmitted into an RF
signal, a Man Machine Interface (MMI) part 31F as the interface of
a microphone 31G and a speaker 31H, a display part 31I, a keyboard
31J and a GPS receiving part 31M which are connected to a data
bus.
[0055] The CPU 31A is designed to execute various kinds of
operations on the basis of operation programs stored in the memory
31B and to control respective circuit parts in accordance with the
operations. The contents of various types of operations of the CPU
31A are displayed on the display part 31I composed of a liquid
crystal display panel or the like as required.
[0056] Further, the GPS receiving part 31M is designed to specify
the position of the cellular phone 31 on the basis of the
correlation of signals transmitted from a plurality of
satellites.
[0057] When the user inputs the telephone number of a desired
called party, the keyboard 31J transmits data indicating the
telephone number to the CPU 31A. The CPU 31A transmits a connection
request to the called party represented by the telephone number
inputted by the user through the transmitting and receiving circuit
part 31E. At this time, the cellular phone line 33 connects a line
to the called party in accordance with the response of the called
party. When the line is connected to the called party, the
transmitting and receiving circuit part 31E supplies an RF signal
received from the called party through an antenna (not shown) to
the base band processing part 31D in which the RF signal is
converted into the base band signal. The base band processing part
31D supplies the base band signal thus converted to the MMI part
31F, so that an audio signal received from the called party is
outputted from the speaker 31H as a voice.
[0058] Further, when the user inputs the voice through the
microphone 31G, the MMI part 31F supplies the input audio signal
supplied from the microphone 31G to the base band processing part
31D in which the base band signal is converted into the RF signal.
Then, the base band processing part 31D transmits the converted RF
signal to the cellular phone line 33 through the transmitting and
receiving circuit part 31E to transmit the RF signal to the called
party to which the line is connected. Thus, the user employing the
cellular phone 31 can transmit and receive various dialogue or
information between the called party and the user.
[0059] Then, while the memory card 11 is mounted on the slot, the
CPU 31A accumulates a party called by the user, the contents of an
information providing service used by the user, the time thereof,
the attribute of the information included in actually received
provided information, the identifying information and positional
information of the cellular phone 31 or the like in the fifth area
AR15 (FIG. 3) of the memory 11A of the memory card 11 as the use
record information (use log).
[0060] Further, as a fourth terminal unit, a broadcasting radio
receiver 61 has, as shown in FIG. 8, a configuration in which a CPU
61A, a memory card (MC) interface 61C, a display part 611, a tuner
part 61E, an output part 61F, a speaker 61H and a GPS receiving
part 61M are connected to a data bus.
[0061] The CPU 61A is adapted to control respective circuit parts
in accordance with programs stored in the memory 61B, the tuner
part 61E converts a signal of a frequency band selected by the user
from among radio broadcasting signals received through an antenna
(not shown) into an intermediate frequency signal, applies a signal
detection processing thereto and supplies the obtained signal to
the output part 61F. The output part 61F amplifies the broadcasting
signal obtained by the tuner part 61E to a prescribed level and
transmits an audio signal S61F thus amplified to the speaker 61H.
Thus, a voice transmitted as the radio broadcasting signal is
outputted from the speaker 61H.
[0062] Further, the GPS receiving part 61M is adapted to specify
the position of the broadcasting radio receiver 61 on the basis of
the correlation of signals transmitted from a plurality of
satellites.
[0063] Then, with the memory card 11 mounted, the CPU 61A
accumulates the attribute information of radio programs included in
the radio program selected by the user, the time thereof and radio
broadcasting signals, the identifying information and positional
information of the broadcasting radio receiver 61, etc. in the
fifth area AR15 (FIG. 3) of the memory 11A of the memory card 11 as
the use record information (use log).
[0064] As described above, the user mounts the memory card 11
peculiar to the user on each of the terminal units (the personal
computers 12 and 47, the television set 13, the cellular phone 31
and the broadcasting radio receiver 61) and employs these terminal
units, so that each terminal unit writes its use log in the memory
card 11.
[0065] Therefore, the use record in each terminal unit is
accumulated in the memory card 11 peculiar to the user as the use
log. Then, each terminal unit transmits the use log and the past
profile information of the memory card 11 to the profile analysis
server 22 of the service provider 21 through the telephone line 15
every prescribed timing, together with a user ID as the network
connection information described above with reference to FIG. 3. At
this time, each terminal unit transmits terminal type data
previously stored in the memory of the terminal unit, information
for specifying transmitting means and information for specifying
the terminal composed of the telephone number of a transmitter in a
terminal unit side to the profile analysis server 22.
[0066] In this connection, the personal computers 12 and 47 are
designed to utilize a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) which is the general purpose protocol of the
Internet in a communication with the service provider 21, or to
further utilize a Point to Point Protocol (PPP) in the case where a
communication line is the telephone line 15.
[0067] Further, the cellular phone 31 is designed to use a Dual
Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) or a Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP).
[0068] Still further, the broadcasting radio receiver 61 is not
provided with means for transmitting information. Therefore, after
the use record (use log) in the broadcasting radio receiver 61 is
stored in the memory card 11, it is transmitted to the profile
analysis server 22 at a prescribed timing when the memory card 11
is mounted on other terminal units.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 9, the profile analysis server 22 includes
a CPU 22A, a memory 22B, a communication interface 22C and a
profile analysis processing part 21D which are connected to a data
bus. The CPU 22A is adapted to control respective circuit parts in
accordance with programs stored in the memory 22B.
[0070] Specifically, the CPU 22A of the profile analysis server 22
stores use log and past profile information in the memory card 11
transmitted from the terminal units (the personal computers 12 and
47, the television set 13 or the cellular phone 31) on which the
memory card is mounted in the profile analysis processing part 21D,
and then generates new profile information on the basis of the use
log and the past profile information.
[0071] In this case, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the use log UL
represents the use record information of the terminal units written
in the memory 11A of the memory card 11 when the memory card 11 is
mounted on a variety of terminal units. Further, profile
information up to that time (hereinafter referred to as past
profile information) PRI is indicative of a result obtained from
the previous analysis of the profile analysis server 22.
[0072] Then, the profile analysis processing part 21D adds the use
log UL to the past profile information PR1 to form new profile
information PR2. Thus, the CPU 22A returns the new profile
information PR2 generated in the profile analysis processing part
22D to the terminal unit as its transmitter.
[0073] The CPU of the terminal unit overwrites the new profile
information PR2 returned from the profile analysis server 22 on the
memory 11A of the memory card 11 to write the new profile
information PR2 in place of the past profile information PR1. At
this time, the CPU of the terminal unit erases the use log written
in the memory 11A of the memory card 11. Subsequently, the user
accumulates the new use record of the terminal unit every time the
user employs the terminal unit.
[0074] In such a manner, the user mounts the memory card 11 in
which the new profile information PR2 is stored on desired terminal
units (the personal computers 12 and 47, the television set 13, the
cellular phone 31 or the broadcasting radio receiver 61) and
employs the terminal unit. At this time, the CPU of the terminal
unit is adapted to select provided information corresponding to the
tendency of taste of the profile information (namely, the user
having the memory card 11) from among various kinds of provided
information transmitted from the service provider 21 or the
contents provider 50.
[0075] More specifically, to the provided information transmitted
form the service provider 21 or the contents provider 50, is added
its attribute (genre) information. The CPU of the terminal unit
selects the provided information, that the attribute information of
which corresponds to the profile information stored in the memory
card 11 from among the received provided information. Thus, the
user selects and obtains the provided information so as to meet the
taste of the user in the terminal unit without a troublesome
operation that the user himself selects the provided information.
Parenthetically, FIG. 11 shows the profile PR1 and the new profile
PR2 of FIG. 10 in a different representation method.
[0076] Further, FIG. 12 shows the arrangement of a storing part of
the profile information and the use log and a profile analyzing
function part in the network system 10. In this embodiment, the
memory card 11 accumulates the profile information and the use log
and the service provider 21 has the profile analysis server 22 as
the profile analyzing function part.
[0077] In the network system 10, the profile information and the
use log as personal information are accumulated in the memory card
11 personally possessed by the user. Thus, the leakage of these
personal information is prevented.
[0078] In this connection, in the network system 10, are used codes
which can be decoded only by both terminal units carrying out a
communication. In a coding system, a secret key (common key) coding
system or a public key coding system is employed.
[0079] The secret key coding system is a system for transmitting
and receiving code data using the same key by a transmitting side
and a receiving side. A key employed when the data is encoded is
not opened. As specific examples thereof, a Data Encryption
Standard (DES) or a triple DES is exemplified. These secret key
systems effectively rapidly perform coding and decoding
processing.
[0080] Further, the public key coding system uses two types of keys
including the secret key and the public key to encode data.
Specifically, there are exemplified systems such as RSA, RC2 or
RC4, etc. In the public key coding system, when components (for
instance, a service provider, a communications company and terminal
units, etc.) are increased, the key can be effectively managed with
ease.
[0081] In the above described configuration, when the user employs,
for instance, the television set 13 or the personal computer 12 in
his home, he mounts the memory card 11 owned by him on the
television set 13 or the personal computer 12 and uses these
terminal units. At this time, in the memory card 11, is accumulated
the use log as the terminal use record of the user concerning the
television set 13 or the personal computer 12.
[0082] Further, when the user makes use of the personal computer 47
of the company, he mounts the memory card 11 owned by him on the
personal computer 47 to employ it. At this time, in the memory card
11, is accumulated the use log as the terminal use record of the
user concerning the personal computer 47.
[0083] In such a way, the user mounts the memory card 11 on the
terminal unit employed by the user, so that the use record of
various terminal units is accumulated in the memory card 11 as the
use log.
[0084] The use log accumulated over a variety of terminal units is
indicative of information representing the tendency of information
obtained by the user in various kinds of usual scenes. This
information is transmitted to the profile analysis server 22 of the
service provider 21 from the terminal unit at a prescribed timing
when the user mounts the memory card 11 on any of the terminal
units.
[0085] Every time the use log and the past profile are transmitted
to the profile analysis server 22 from any terminal unit, the
profile analysis server 22 generates new profile information from
these pieces of information, immediately returns the newly
generated profile information to the terminal unit as the
transmitter and stores it in the memory card 11. Thus, the accuracy
of the profile information of the memory card 11 is improved due to
the increase of the number of times of use of the terminal unit by
the user.
[0086] When new profile information is generated in the profile
analysis server 22, the profile analysis server 22 does not leave
the use log, the past profile information and the new profile, so
that the use log or the profile as the personal information of the
user is left in the memory card 11 owned by the user and the secret
thereof is kept.
[0087] Further, each of the terminal units (the personal computers
12 and 47, the television set 13, the cellular phone 31 and the
broadcasting radio receiver 61) is adapted to select and obtain
provided information in accordance with the profile information of
the memory card 11. Therefore, even when the user makes use of any
terminal unit, the user mounts the memory card 11 in which the
profile information is stored on the terminal unit so that he can
get the information peculiar to the user.
[0088] As described above, the accumulating means (the memory 11A)
of the use log obtained when the user employs the terminal unit and
the profile information generated by the profile analysis server 22
and the profile analysis server 22 constitute the user information
processing system and the accumulating means (the memory 11A) and
the profile analysis server 22 are provided in separate devices
(the memory card 11 and the service provider 21), hence the secrecy
of information and the efficiency of information processing can be
ensured.
[0089] Accordingly, in accordance with the above described
configuration, an information providing system employing the
personal information more effectively can be realized.
[0090] Further, the profile analysis server 22 is provided in the
service provider 21 side, so that the size of the terminal unit can
be prevented from being enlarged.
[0091] In the above described embodiment, although there is
described a case in which the memory card 11 is provided with a
function for accumulating the use log and the profile information
as shown in FIG. 12, it should be noted that the present invention
is not limited thereto, and the service provider 21 can be provided
with a function for accumulating the profile information and each
terminal unit can have a function for accumulating the use log, as
shown in FIG. 13. In this case, the memory card 11 for accumulating
the use log and the profile information is not required and, for
instance, a network system 10 as shown in FIG. 14 is
configured.
[0092] In such a network system 10, a memory 11A for accumulating
the use log is provided in each terminal unit. Use log when the
user employs the terminal unit is accumulated in the memory 11A of
the employed terminal unit.
[0093] Then, the terminal unit transmits the use log accumulated in
the memory 11A to the profile analysis server 22 of a service
provider 21 for every prescribed timing. The service provider 21
has a memory 11A' for storing profile information generated by the
profile analysis server 22, generates new profile information on
the basis of the use log transmitted form the terminal unit and
past profile information stored in the memory 11A' and writes it in
the memory 11A'.
[0094] In this case, a contents provider 50 reads out the necessary
profile information of the user from the memory 11A' of the service
provider 21 and transmits provided information according to the
profile information (namely, provided information corresponding to
the taste of the user) to a prescribed terminal unit on the basis
of user information (employed terminal or the like) stored in the
memory 11A' so as to meet the profile information.
[0095] Thus, the contents provider 50 can transmit the provided
information corresponding to the taste of the user to the terminal
used by the user.
[0096] Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the memories 11A and 11A' for
storing the profile information can be provided in both the service
provider 21 and the memory card 11, or a profile analysis
processing part 22D can be provided in a terminal unit 12 (13, 31,
47) as shown in FIG. 16.
[0097] In this connection, FIG. 17 shows an effect in each of the
arrangement examples of respective components (service providing
function, behavioral pattern analysis server, behavioral pattern,
position log and position specifying function).
[0098] In the above described embodiment, although the profile
analysis server 22 is provided in the service provider 21, needless
to say, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be
provided in a variety of information providing means.
[0099] Further, in the above described embodiment, although there
is described a case in which as means for accumulating the use log,
the memory card 11 of a PCMCIA standard is employed, it should be
noted that the present invention is not limited thereto, and other
kinds of storing media such as other memory cards of various
standards, stick shaped storing means, etc. can be applied
thereto.
[0100] Still further, in the above described embodiment, although
there is described a case in which the format storing means (the
memory card 11) is detachably attached to the terminal unit, it
should be recognized that the present invention is not limited
thereto, and storing means (the accumulating means of the use log)
can be incorporated in the terminal unit itself.
[0101] Still further, in the above described embodiment, although
there is described a case in which the television set 13, the
personal computers 12 and 47, the cellular phone 31 and the
broadcasting radio receiver 61 are used as the terminal units,
needless to say, the present invention is not limited thereto, and
various kinds of terminal units such as a Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA) in which for instance, the information of a
schedule, a telephone directory, etc. can be viewed and read by
itself or a car navigation system, etc. can be employed.
[0102] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, the
terminal use record information obtained when the user employs the
terminal unit is accumulated, the profile information of the user
is generated on the basis of the accumulated terminal use record
information and the generated profile information is stored, so
that information peculiar to the user can be provided on the basis
of the profile information of the user.
[0103] While there has been described in connection with the
preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be
aimed, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all such changes
and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
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