(12) United States Patent
`Kondou et al.
`
`USOO6882933B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,882,933 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
`INFORMATION FOR A MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND A MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`(75) Inventors: Takeshi Kondou, Fujisawa (JP);
`Yasuhiro Takahashi, Sagamihara (JP);
`O
`O
`Susumu Matsui, Machida (JP); Keishi
`Takebe, Yokohama (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Toyko (JP)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 491 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/164,619
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 10, 2002
`O
`O
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0156578 A1 Oct. 24, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 09/558,100, filed on Apr.
`25, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,434,479, which is a continuation
`of application No. 08/739,275, filed on Oct. 29, 1996, now
`Pat. No. 6,073,075.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Nov. 1, 1995
`JP) ........................................... O7-284818
`OV. 1,
`(JP)
`(51) Int. Cl." .............................................. G06F 165/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 701/203; 701/208; 701/211;
`340/989
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 701/200, 202,
`701/201, 203, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211,
`213; 340/990,995, 998; 73/178 R
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7/1989 van Helsdingen ........... 364/443
`4,847,773 A
`10/1989 Dawson et al. ............. 364/449
`4,876,651 A
`
`5,087,916 A 2/1992 Metzdorff et al. ............ 342/64
`5,152,012 A 9/1992 Schwob................... 455/158.5
`5,153,836 A 10/1992 Fraughton et al.
`5,157,614 A 10/1992 Kashiwazaki et al.
`5,172,321 A * 12/1992 Ghaem et al. - - - - - - - - - - - 455/456.5
`5.448,485 A 9/1995 Ishibashi et al. ............ 364/443
`5,457.800. A 10
`2 : - .. 2
`/1995 Howells et al. ............. 395/728
`5,610,821. A 3/1997 Gazis et al. ......
`... 364/444.2
`5,648,769 A
`7/1997 Sato et al. .................. 340/988
`5,715,163 A 2/1998 Bang et al. ...
`... 364/444.2
`5,719.771 A
`2/1998 Buck et al. ................. 364/443
`5,758.297 A 5/1998 Gaultier .........
`... 701/14
`5,787,170 A * 7/1998 Op de Beek ................ 713/165
`5,806,018 A * 9/1998 Smith et al. ................ 701/211
`6,073,075 A 6/2000 Kondou et al. ............. 701/203
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/1993
`4/1993
`10/1994
`10/1994
`8/1995
`9/1995
`
`JP
`514265
`JP
`51O2906
`JP
`629O396
`JP
`6294.663
`JP
`T225897
`JP
`72SO381
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Thomas G. Black
`Assistant Examiner Arthur D. Donnelly
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mattingly, Stanger, Malur
`& Brundidge, P.C.
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A mobile terminal, and an information providing method
`and System which immediately provides information, which
`the user of the mobile terminal desires, for the mobile
`terminal. Area and related Service information are Stored in
`corresponding relationship in a database. An information
`Server which includes means for calculating the area of the
`destination of the mobile terminal loads information on the
`destination area from the database to the mobile terminal
`which moves toward the destination area, using radio com
`munication means before the mobile terminal arrives at the
`destination area.
`
`5 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`NFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`COMMUNICAON
`ETWORK
`
`MOBE
`TERMINAL
`USER
`NEED8NEWESSUAN
`stoo
`NFORMATION ON AROUTE:
`ESNATION
`BEFORE DEPARTUE
`:
`STARTSUPNUIRYRO
`RENT ADDRESS AND DESTINATON). TCNQUIRES102
`HESIATION INFORMATION OF INFORMATION:
`SERVER, USING OLEERNAL
`:
`:
`;SiO4ESTABSESONNECTION BETWEEMOBIEERMA
`AND INFORMATION SERR BY ALL
`INFORMATION
`sERVER usina Counction (INE
`: INFORys INFOR-Arion serves:
`s106 SEE
`OBLEERINA's cuRRENT :
`POSITION ANDRESSMAN
`
`SO
`
`: REREWESSAIN
`: INFORMAON ON CUR
`ETPACEDESTINATION
`not DataBas
`; SENS RETHIEVED
`sic--- FORMATION TO MOBILE
`TERINA
`:S112 gressivation R
`:
`FNFORMATION ON cuRRENT
`PEACEDESTINATION
`sia" cutscorero
`
`STAS o Destination :
`CARRYING Mose
`--St. 18
`TERMINA
`
`
`
`REFERS. SAICN
`INFORMAON ON APC
`SESSEN i - S118
`NATION BANGTAWENG:
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`NFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`MOBILE
`FG .
`TERMINAL
`USER
`NEEDS NEWEST SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON A ROUTE
`TO DESTINATION
`BEFORE DEPARTURE
`
`SOO
`
`.
`
`STARTS UP INQUIRY PROGRAM (NPUT CUR
`RENT ADDRESS AND DESTINATION) TO INQUIRE
`THE SITUATION INFORMATION OF INFORMATION
`SERVER, USING MOBILE TERMINAL
`S104 ESTABLISHES CONNECTION BETWEEN MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND INFORMATION SERVER BY CALLING INFORMATION
`SERVER, USNG COMMUNICATION LINE
`
`SiO2
`
`SO6
`
`INFORMS INFORMATION SERVER
`OF POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`ON MOBILE TERMINALS CURRENT
`POSITION AND DESTINATION
`
`S08
`
`RETRIEVES SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON CUR
`REN PLACE-DESNATION
`FROM DATABASE
`
`SENDS RETREVED
`SO NFORMATION TO MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`S12, STORES STUATION
`INFORMATION ON CURRENT
`PLACE-DESTINATION
`
`; S114
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`STARTS FOR DESTINATION,
`CARRYING MOBILE
`TERMINA
`
`
`
`REFERS TO SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON A POINT
`ON THE ROUTE TO DEST
`NATION DURING TRAVELING
`
`S116
`
`S118
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`CHWO Å HOWE'WTENWd
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`
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`HETTO HINOO
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 003
`
`

`

`
`NOLLYAYOSNIOld3VHLgiz
`HAINSOae
`
`6222eneNOLLWNYO:NIbe
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`Qe¥MOLSSAQWWNIWH3LWNIWHAL
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`92NOLLYWHOSNI
`
`HAQVHLNOISIAOWdGzTIBON
`
`NOLLWNILS30
`
`GUYMOL
`
`S3AOW
`
`020
`
`CG
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 004
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 004
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`DATA
`
`DATA2
`
`DATA3
`
`DATA4
`
`DATA5
`
`FG4
`
`
`
`KEY
`
`KEY
`
`KEY
`
`KEY
`
`KEY
`
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`NFORMATION
`
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATAN
`
`ADDRESS
`
`RETRIEVAL
`
`OERVICE
`CLASSIFICATION
`
`SERVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`N; APPROPRIATE
`N RANGE
`O CURRENT PLACE
`O DESTINATION
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DATA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`POSITONAL
`SERVICE
`SERVICE
`PROTOCOL HEADER ADDRESS INFORMATION CLASSECTION INFORMATION
`
`-- - - - - - - - a news - - - - - - - - as warDATA n - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - s
`
`INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION
`
`
`
`FIG.8
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 6 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`NOLLVAHOSNI
`
`WAIHLSad
`
`NOD!
`
`
`
`‘NOLLVLSSYD
`
`‘LNVENVLSSY
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`MAXXBWIWINN30S3NONOGZONSdSNSOWLESSN
`
`
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`W2ZWtOdSWHLCOG
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 007
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 007
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FG.9
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`USER
`NEEDS NEWEST SITUATION:
`INFORMATION ON A ROUTE:
`TO DESTINATION
`--S200
`(CHANGES DESTINATION
`DURING TRAVELING
`
`STARTS UP NOURY PROGRAM WITH CON
`(INPUT DESTINATION ADDRESS) TO INQUIRE
`THE STUATION INFORMATION OF INFORMATION
`SERVER, USING MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`S 2 O 2
`
`INFORMS INFORMATION SERVER
`OF POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`ON MOBILE TERMINALS CURRENT
`POSITION AND DESTNATION
`
`:
`
`RETRIEVE SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON CUR
`S20811 RENT PLACEDESTINATION
`; L FROM DATABASE
`SENDS RETRIEVED
`S20 -- INFORMATION TO MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`S212 STORES SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON CURRENT
`PLACE-DESTINATION
`
`: S214
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`REFERS TO SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON A POINT
`ON THE ROUTE TO DEST
`NATION DURING TRAVELING
`
`
`
`S216
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FIG.10
`USER
`
`MOBIE
`TERMINAL
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NEWORK
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`NEEDS NEWEST SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON A ROUTE
`TO DESINATION
`
`S3OO
`
`STARTS UP INQUIRY PROGRAM (INPUT
`DESTINATION ADDRESS) TO INQUIRE THE
`STUAON INFORMATION OF INFORMATION
`SERVER, USING MOBILE TERMINA
`
`S302
`
`ESTABLISHES CONNECTION BETWEEN MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND INFORMATION SERVER, BY CALLING INFORMATION
`SERVER THROUGH RADIO COMMUNICATION LINE (PERIODICALL
`
`INFORMS INFORMATION SERVER
`OF POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`ON MOBILE TERMINALS CURRENT
`POSITION AND DESTINATION
`
`TERMINALS POSITIONNNO
`IN THE NEXT AREA
`NFORMED LAST
`
`RETREWES SITUATION N
`FORMATION ON CURRENT
`PLACE-DESTINATION, SENDS
`TO MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S32
`
`STORES SITUATION INFORMATION
`ON CURRENT PLACE-DESTINATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REFERS TO STUATION
`INFORMATION ON A POINT
`ON THE ROUTE TO DEST
`NATION DURING TRAVELING
`
`S36
`S38
`
`NO / WATS FOR A GIVEN TIME,
`TERMINATION RECUESTED
`YES
`TERMINATES
`PROCESSING
`
`S32O
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 9 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`MOBILE
`FIG.11
`TERMINAL
`USER
`NEEDS NEWEST SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON A ROUTE -}\-S400
`TO DESTINATION
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVER
`:
`:
`
`STARTS UP INQUIRY PROGRAM (INPUT
`DESTINATION ADDRESS) TO INQUIRE THE
`SITUATION INFORMATION OF INFORMATION
`SERVER, USNG MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`S402
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S4O4
`
`ANY SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON
`NEXT ATEA
`
`ESABLISHES CONNECTION BETWEEN MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND INFORMATION SERVER, BY CALLING INFORMATION
`SERVER THROUGH RADIO COMMUNICATION LINE
`
`NFORMS INFORMATION
`SERVER OF POSITIONAL
`NFORMATION
`
`4.08
`
`FECHES STUATION
`INFORMATION ON
`SPECIFIED AREA, SEND IT
`O MOBLE TERMINAL
`
`S414
`
`STORES SITUATION
`NFORMATION ON
`NEXT AREA
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`S46
`S48
`
`REFERS TO STUATION
`INFORMATION ON A POINT
`ON THE ROUTE TO DES
`NATION DURING TRAVELING
`NO / WATS FOR A GIVEN TIME,
`TERMINATION RECUESTED 7
`YES
`TERMINATES
`PROCESSING
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 10 0f 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`F.G. 12
`
`area
`
`are 56 32
`
`DISTANCE
`L
`OGN
`L: DISTANCE THROUGH WHICH MOBILE TERMINAL MOVES IN A TIME T
`T: TIME TAKEN TO LOAD SITUATION INFORMATION ON ONE AREA
`ON MOBILE TERMINAL
`:XAREA WHOSE STUATION INFORMATION IS LOADED AT THE ORIGIN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.13
`2
`
`B
`
`
`
`CURRENT AREA INFORMATION
`
`NEXT AREA NFORMATION
`
`DIRECTORY INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPRESSED DATA 1
`
`COMPRESSED DATA 2
`
`COMPRESSED DATA 3
`
`COMPRESSED DATA 4
`
`130
`
`COMPRESSED DATA n
`
`
`
`30 AREA- COMPRESSED DATA
`NAME CORRESPONDENCE TABLE
`
`AREA NAME
`
`AREA a
`
`AREA b
`
`SERVICE
`CLASSIFICATION
`MAGE
`TEXT
`WOCE
`TEXT
`VOICE
`
`COMPRESSED DATA NAME
`COMPRESS DATA
`COMPRESS DATA 2
`COMPRESS DATA 3
`COMPRESS DATA 4
`COMPRESS DATA m
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 11 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`BEER}7
`
`
`woonnsncccccsssnnnsnsaccoces|Ch:1s3noae!NO!Lynnfioverviva
`
`OLE|eteenSeNEG|nossa]
`YNOILLISOdNENGJIGON plSis
`coretnasencncncenessTswasn
`
`3SNOdS3xSLLLLLLaclbh2000
`
`WAaIHISH|ssauaii0030|WauLGNNOLLISOd
`wraanannapaaasaasccaccsccnnascenascansncnanna¥SIC
`
`
`WAsld
`pit
`
`SAIL
`
`'Ly
`ipOLL
`
`|SOL
`
`W1¥d
`
`ayvol
`
`
`
`SWILSLIVM
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0012
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0012
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 12 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FIG.15
`
`START
`
`DISK ACCESS STARTS
`
`OOO
`
`RESET TIMER COUNT
`
`DISK ACCESS ENDS
`
`ANYACCESS
`REQUESTED 2
`NC
`TIMER COUNT 2 N. YES
`GIVEN VALUE
`NO
`WAIT FOR GIVEN TIME
`
`OUN
`
`1006
`
`MOTOR POWER OFF
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FIG.16
`
`AREA
`
`SERVICE
`SSCATION | SERVICE INFORMATION
`DECOMPRESSED DATA
`
`VOICE
`
`DECOMPRESSED DATA 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DECOMPRESSED DAA 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`c3 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FG.17B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H 2
`
`
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 14 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 18
`
`80
`
`%55%
`
`REFERENCE COUNT
`
`
`
`CURRENT AREA ADJACENT AREA %N
`
`
`
`
`
`WN
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 15 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FIG.19
`
`MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`NFORMATION SERVER
`
`SELECTS AREA ON
`WHICH SERVICE
`INFORMATION IS
`LOADED
`
`SELECTS SERVICE
`INFORMATION HAVING
`THE MAXIMUM OF
`NFORMATION SERVICE
`REFERENCE COUNTS
`IN EACH AREA
`
`S500
`
`S502
`
`
`
`REQUESTS TO LOAD
`THE SELECTED
`SERVICE INFORMATION
`
`S504
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETREVES REQUESTED
`SERVICE INFORMATION
`
`SEND MOBILE TERMINAL
`APPROPRIATE SERVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0016
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 16 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FIG.2O
`
`MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`NFORMATION SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`PERIODICALLY NOURES
`MOBILE TERMINAL
`POSITON
`
`
`
`
`
`DETECTS TS POSITION
`AND SENDS ITS
`POSITION INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINESTERMINAL'S
`MOVING DIRECTION
`FROM PREVIOUS AND
`CURREN POSITONA
`INFORMATION AND
`PRESUMES NEXT AREA
`
`SENDS SERVICE
`NFORMATION ON NEXT
`AREA, IF NOT
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0017
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 17 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`
`
`7 W. ; NEXT AREA
`
`M
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0018
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`FG.22
`MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`USER
`DESIRES APPROPRIATE
`SERVICE INFORMATION -i-S700
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`; S722
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`STARTS UP NOURY PROGRAM TO INFORM
`
`INFORMATION, USING MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`NFORMATION
`
`S704
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ESTABLISHES CONNECTION BETWEEN MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND INFORMATION SERVER, BY CALLING INFORMATION
`SERVER, USNG RADIO COMMUNICATION NE
`
`INFORMS INFORMATION SERVER
`OF POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`
`PRESUME ROUTE
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`SITUATION
`INFORMATION INFLUENCE
`MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`
`
`SEND SERVICE
`INFORMATION
`
`CUTS CONNECTION
`
`S724
`
`t
`
`WATS FOR
`NON A GIVEN TIME 2
`YES
`S730
`END
`
`S728
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0019
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 19, 2005
`
`Sheet 19 of 19
`
`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`USER
`:
`
`S800
`
`MOBILE
`TERMINAL
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`S801
`:
`
`INFORMATION
`SERVER
`
`TURNS ON
`POWER SUPPLY
`OF MOBLE
`TERMENA
`
`UPDATES
`HISTORY
`OF POSITIONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`:
`
`STARTS UP INQUIRY PROGRAM TO NOUIRE
`STUATION INFORMATION OF ENFORMATION
`SERVER, USNG MOBLE TERMINA.
`
`--S802
`
`S804
`
`: S806
`
`ESTABLISHES CONNECTION BETWEEN MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND INFORMATION SERVER BY CALLING INFORMATION
`SERVER, USNG RADIO COMMUNICATION LINE
`
`NFORMS INFORMATION SERVER
`OF POSITIONAL INFORMATION
`
`
`
`S808
`
`:
`
`S810
`STORES SITUATION INFORMATION
`ON PRESUMED AREA
`
`FETCHES SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON
`PRESUMED AREA, SENDS
`IT TO MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`REFERS TO SITUATION
`INFORMATION ON A
`POINT ON THE ROUTE
`TO DESTINATION
`DURING TRAVELING
`
`S816
`
`WATS FOR GVEN
`TIME, TERMINATION
`REQUESTED
`YES
`
`END
`
`NO
`
`S818
`
`s
`
`t
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0020
`
`

`

`1
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING
`INFORMATION FOR A MOBILE TERMINAL
`AND A MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/558,100,
`filed Apr. 25, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,479; which is a
`continuation of Ser. No. 08/739,275, filed Oct. 29, 1996,
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,075.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a Small lightweight por
`table computer called a mobile terminal, and an information
`providing method and System in which an information
`Server provides the mobile terminal with appropriate Service
`information which the mobile terminal desires and which is
`related or Strongly correlated to an area where the mobile
`terminal is present, depending on the position of the mobile
`terminal.
`The invention which provides the user of a mobile ter
`minal with very convenient meticulous Services by using
`information on the position of the terminal is disclosed in
`JP-A-5-102906, entitled “Mobile Communication System”.
`In this invention, the user who is able to know his position,
`using a car navigation System, Sends information on the
`user's position through a car telephone to a Service center
`and downloads the newest information on a possible traffic
`jam and/or a map concerning his position from the Service
`center. Another invention discloses that without receiving
`information on the user's position expressly from the user,
`an area in which the user is present is presumed on the basis
`of a position of a base station for car telephones, and Service
`information on a possible traffic jam, etc., in that area is
`downloaded.
`In the above conventional techniques, when the newest
`map data is to be obtained to know the newest route situation
`on route interruption due to road works and/or opening of a
`new route, the data transmission rate through the car tele
`phone is low, for example 2.4 kbps whereas compressed map
`data still reaches several tens of kilobytes or more. Thus, the
`car travels about Several kilometers during only the time
`taken for Sending the retrieved map data and necessary
`information can not be obtained on a real time basis.
`Actually, radio transmission by the car telephone provides
`low quality data and a bit error is likely to occur. For
`ensuring purposes, re-transmission of data is required and
`hence it is difficult to receive necessary information on a real
`time basis.
`In the above conventional inventions, for example, infor
`mation on the occurrence of a traffic jam over a Specified
`length of a specified road in a Specified area in the vicinity
`of user's position is given to user in response to the user's
`inquiry. Thus, unless the user has a knowledge about a route
`in which a traffic jam is likely to occur, the user does not
`know the timing in which the user inquires about Such
`information, would be involved in the traffic jam, and wishes
`to obtain information as to how many hours it would take
`from the occurrence of the traffic jam to its disappearance.
`However, the user should rather know which route the user
`should Select to reach his destination in a minimum time
`when a traffic jam occurs on his Selected route than he knows
`how much time it would take from the implication of the
`user into the traffic jam to the clearance of the jam.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a communication method capable of providing the user with
`
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`US 6,882,933 B2
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`2
`proper information on a real time basis and a mobile
`terminal preferred for carrying out this communication
`method.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`communication method which transferS proper information
`to the user at appropriate timing and a mobile terminal
`preferred for carrying out this communication method.
`In order to achieve the above objects, the present inven
`tion loads service information beforehand on a mobile
`terminal. Specifically, the present invention provides a
`method of providing information from an information Server
`to a mobile terminal in a system which includes the mobile
`terminal, the information Server being connected to a
`database, a network connected to the information Server, and
`a terminal connected to the network for providing various
`information for the information Server, including the Steps of
`connecting the mobile terminal to the network and when
`information on the current place and destination of the
`mobile terminal is input, and reporting the input information
`on the current place and destination to the information Server
`through the network, causing the information Server to
`determine the whole area containing the current place and
`destination of the mobile terminal when the information
`server receives from the mobile terminal a report of infor
`mation on the current place and destination of the mobile
`terminal, and to Send Service information containing posi
`tional information corresponding to the whole area through
`the network to the mobile terminal; and causing the mobile
`terminal to Store in Storage the received Service information
`containing positional information corresponding to the
`whole area, to cut the connection to the network and to
`output the beforehand Stored Service information in accor
`dance with the user's request.
`The present invention also provides a method of provid
`ing information from an information Server to a mobile
`terminal in a System which includes the mobile terminal, the
`information Server-connected to a database, a network con
`nected to the information Server, and a terminal connected to
`the network for providing various information for the infor
`mation Server, wherein the mobile terminal is connected to
`a portable telephone Set So as to be connected to the network,
`and connected to a GPS which stores information on its
`position periodically in a memory, and when the mobile
`terminal receives information on the present place of the
`GPS from the GPS and input information on a destination of
`the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal informs through the
`network the information server of the information on the
`current place and the destination of the mobile terminal;
`when the information server receives from the mobile ter
`minal information on the current place and destination, the
`information Server determines the whole area containing the
`current place and destination, and Sends Service information
`containing positional information corresponding to the
`whole area through the network to the mobile terminal; and
`the mobile terminal Stores in Storage the received Service
`information containing the positional information corre
`sponding to the whole area, cutting the connection to the
`network, and outputs the beforehand Stored Service infor
`mation in accordance with the user's request.
`According to the present invention, in the above method,
`the mobile terminal sends information on its current place
`periodically through the network to the information Server,
`and the information Server Sends the Service information
`periodically through the network to the mobile terminal.
`According to the present invention, in the above method,
`when the information server receives the information on the
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0021
`
`

`

`US 6,882,933 B2
`
`3
`current place of the mobile terminal from the mobile
`terminal, the information Server compares the Service infor
`mation on the area Sent previously to the mobile terminal
`and Service information on an area to be sent this time, and
`when the Service information on the area to be sent this time
`is different from that sent previously, the information server
`Sends the Service information on the area to be sent this time
`through the network to the mobile terminal.
`According to the present invention, in the above method,
`the mobile terminal produces history information by Storing
`information on the position of the mobile terminal
`periodically, determines the next area from the produced
`history information, reports information on the next area to
`the information Server through the network and inquires of
`the information Server Service information on the next area.
`According to the present invention, in the above method,
`the Service information on the whole area containing the
`current place and destination of the mobile terminal Sent
`from the information Server is Stored as compressed data in
`external Storage of the mobile terminal, the Service infor
`mation on the next area Stored in the external Storage is read
`when the determined Service information on the next area is
`not stored in a RAM of the mobile terminal, the read service
`information is decompressed, and the decompressed infor
`mation is stored in the RAM of the mobile terminal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a Sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and an information Server,
`FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of hardware of a mobile
`terminal in a navigation system;
`FIG. 3 illustrates the composition of the navigation sys
`tem,
`FIG. 4 illustrates a data format of Service information
`Stored in a database,
`FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between the position of
`a mobile terminal and its areas,
`FIG. 6 shows a data format of Service information when
`Sent,
`FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of a display screen for
`navigation information in the mobile terminal;
`FIG. 8 illustrates the composition of a mobile terminal
`System;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and an information Server,
`FIG. 10 illustrates a sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and an information Server,
`FIG. 11 illustrates a Sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and an information Server,
`FIG. 12 illustrates a technique for Specifying an area
`whose information is to be loaded in the current area;
`FIG. 13 shows an information structure which will be
`referred to when compressed data is loaded;
`FIG. 14 is a chart illustrating the principles of the present
`invention used when compressed data is loaded from its
`disk,
`FIG. 15 illustrates an automatic power off logic of storage
`having a rotating System;
`FIG. 16 shows a format of service information spread in
`primary Storage of a mobile terminal;
`FIGS. 17A, 17B each illustrate the relationship between
`the present and next areas and a method of constructing an
`area,
`
`4
`FIG. 18 illustrates a management table of an information
`Server,
`FIG. 19 illustrates a sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and information Server;
`FIG. 20 illustrates a sequence of operations performed
`between a mobile terminal and information Server;
`FIG. 21 illustrates the relationship between the moving
`direction of a mobile terminal and the next area;
`FIG. 22 illustrates a logic for changing an information
`quantity to be loaded depending on the Speed of a mobile
`terminal; and
`FIG. 23 illustrates application of the present invention to
`a remote busineSS Support System.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of hardware of a mobile
`terminal in the present system. The mobile terminal 20
`includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, which com
`municates with a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12 and a
`ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 as the main storage and also
`with a liquid crystal panel input/output controller 14, a card
`adapter 15 and a modem unit 16 as peripheral input/output
`units through a system bus 50. A bus controller 13 controls
`the communication between CPU 10 and related peripheral
`input/output devices. The liquid crystal panel input/output
`controller 14 is connected to a panel 17 which is a display
`and an input unit for a pen 18. The card adapter 15 is
`connected to a removable memory card 19 as an external
`Storage. The modem unit 16 is connectable to a telephone
`line by which the mobile terminal 20 communicates with a
`remote computer System.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the present system. Reference
`numeral 21 denotes an information Server which is con
`nected to a data base 22. The information server 21 is
`computer which is the same in basic structure as the mobile
`terminal 20 excluding in Storage capacity and an input/
`output controller thereof for a database 22. Reference
`numeral 23 denotes a service information provider for the
`information Server 21 and includes various ShopS. Such as
`restaurants and/or convenience Stores. Reference numeral 24
`denotes a traffic information center which has gripped the
`current situation of roads/routes. The mobile terminal 20 is
`connected through a public network 25 to the respective
`devices mentioned above. The information server 21
`receives traffic jam information from the traffic information
`center 24 and Service information Such as map information
`and/or article information for the user from the shops 23 and
`Stores them in the database 22.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a data format used in the database 22.
`The Service information in the present invention is Service
`information using an image, for example, of a road map,
`Voice Service information uttered when a map guidance is
`read, and text Service information Such as a message display
`for a shop guide. In any rate, as long as a method is used
`which Stores encoded data in the database 22 in Spite the
`type of the Service information, Service information of any
`type of service may be stored. Information which identifies
`the classification of the above-mentioned Service informa
`tion is described in the service classification of FIG. 4.
`Retrieval key information provided to facilitate the search of
`an area with positional information is described in a retrieval
`key Section. Information indicative of the Storage position
`and range of data in the database 22 is described in an
`address Section.
`Referring to FIG. 5, the relationship between service
`information and retrieval keys for the respective data in the
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1024
`Page 0022
`
`

`

`US 6,882,933 B2
`
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`database 22 will be Supplemented. A region of interest is
`divided into areas which are then named, in correspondence
`to positions on a map. For example, the present place where
`a mobile terminal is present is named an "e-B area'. A
`mapping table which specifies an appropriate area from
`5
`information on the position of the mobile terminal is pro
`Vided So that positional information and areas are placed in
`corresponding relationship. The name of this area is Stored
`in the retrieval key Section.
`FIG. 1 shows a Sequence of operations in which the
`mobile terminal 10 receives information service involved in
`the present invention.
`ASSume that the user goes out for driving. First, the user
`desires to know the newest information about a road through
`which the user arrives at his destination when he selects that
`road before he starts out (S100). He connects the mobile
`terminal 10 to the telephone line and Starts up a program
`which inquires the Situation of the road, using the mobile
`terminal 10. In this case, he inputs data on his current
`address and the destination address in accordance with the
`instruction of the program (S102). The started-up inquiry
`program calls the information Server 21 over the telephone
`line and establishes a connection which is a communication
`channel for logical data communication between the mobile
`terminal 10 and the information server 21 (S104). The
`mobile terminal 10 then informs the information server 21 of
`the positional information on the user's current place and
`destination input by the user (S106). As shown in FIG. 5, the
`information server 21 which has received the positional
`information determines the areas of the user's current place
`and destination and then determines the range of areas to be
`retrieved. In the present embodiment, assuming now that the
`current place and destination are areas e-B and b-E,
`respectively, the range of areas to be retrieved are areas e-B,
`e-C, e-D, e-E, d-B, d-C, ... and takes the form of a rectangle
`in which the current place and destination are present as the
`diagonal areas. These areas are used as retrieval keys to
`retrieve data including the appropriate Service information
`from the data base (S108). The information server 21 then
`sends the retrieved service information to the mobile termi
`nal (S.110).
`FIG. 6 shows a format of data sent from the information
`server to the mobile terminal. In this format, the information
`which controls a communication protocol is at the head of
`the format and accompanied by data retrieved from the
`database. In this case, information on the position (range) of
`an area to which the appropriate Service information is
`related is Sent in place of the retrieval keys. Receiving this
`information, the mobile terminal converts this information
`to a retrievable form in accordance with the positional
`information of the Service information and Stores that con
`verted information in the memory card (S112). After the
`Service information has been transferred, the connection is
`cut off (S114). Informed that downloading of the service
`inf