WO2001063899A1

WO2001063899A1 - Method of providing information on local business entity and telephonic communication device for utilizing the information

Info

Publication number: WO2001063899A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/000254
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Yeong Lee; Hyuk Kwon
Original assignee: Qlife Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-02-25
Filing date: 2001-02-21
Publication date: 2001-08-30
Also published as: KR100314245B1; AU2001241211A1; KR20010064661A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of providing information on a local entity and a telephonic communication device designed such that the information can be properly utilized. According to the present invention, the information on the business entity such as restaurant, supermarket, laundry and public office within a neighboring region, e.g., the information such as telephone number, business article and product price of the business entity, is previously stored in a server. The information is transmitted to the telephonic communication device of the user automatically or upon request of the user. Accordingly, the user can on-line or off-line receive the latest information on the business entity within the neighboring region through his/her own telephonic communication device.

Description

METHOD OF PROVIDING INFORMATION ON LOCAL BUSINESS ENTITY AND TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR UTILIZING THE

INFORMATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of providing information on a local business entity such as restaurant, laundry, supermarket, bank, and public office within a region where a user lives, through a telephonic communication device of the user. In addition, the present invention relates to a telephonic communication device designed in such a manner that a user can conveniently utilize information on local business entity previously stored in a server.

Background Art

Exchange of various kinds of information via networks such as the internet has been recently prevalent. Information services using the networks are based on the technologies by which data communication and information exchange between remotely located computers can be made, and they are performed in such a manner that the server has collected, processed and stored the information, and that the user then connects with the server and obtains the information from the server. In order to receive the information via the networks, the computer as general- purpose terminal should be prepared. Further, the computer should include a communication means capable of communicating with the other computers via the networks and a browser capable of viewing web pages of the server. The information services using the computer like this are general cases of the present information service business. However, the high-performance computer may not, in fact, be required for some kinds of the information. Further, it is true that there are many difficulties in using the computer easily and anytime in everyday life.

Recently, many telephone sets by which voice communication and internet surfing can be made have been developed and have begun to be used. Since such telephone sets should have various functions necessary to the internet surfing, there are shortcomings in that they are expensive and inconvenient. Moreover, the user has difficulties in obtaining offhand the necessary information on local stores and public offices. Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is contemplated to solve the problems of the prior arts as mentioned above. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of providing a telephone user living in a specific region with information on local business entities located at the specific region, wherein the user can easily obtain the information the user wants to acquire, without performing an on-line search or an off-line survey, by automatically informing the user of the information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a telephonic communication device wherein information on a specific business entity located in a specific region is automatically provided to a telephone user residing at the specific region so that the user can easily receive information on a desired local business entity without on-line search through a computer or off-line search.

The first object of the present invention mentioned above can be achieved by a method of providing information previously stored in a server with a telephonic communication device by which voice communication and information display can be made, comprising the steps of: establishing a user database and a business entity database in the server; storing information on the business entity located at a specific region into the business entity database; connecting, by a user, with the server through the telephonic communication device; inputting one^'s own telephone number of the telephonic communication device into the server; locating a region where the telephonic communication device is installed, by searching the user database based on the inputted telephone number of the telephonic communication device; and searching the information on the business entity within the region corresponding to a position of the telephonic communication device in the business entity and providing the telephonic communication device with the searched information.

The second object of the present invention mentioned above can also be achieved by a telephonic communication device capable of performing voice communication and information display, comprising: a telephone module for performing the voice communication through a telephone line: a modem for connecting with a local information server through the telephone line; an I/O processor for processing input/output signals of the telephone module and the modem so that the signals can be inputted and outputted through the telephone line; an image display for visually displaying image information provided from the local information server; memory units for storing an operating program for communication with the local information server; and a central processing unit for controlling the telephone module, the modem, the I/O processor, the image display and the memory units so that it can automatically receive information on a local business entity from the local information server and display the information onto the image display.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a method of providing information on local business entities according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware diagram of a telephonic communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a software diagram of the telephonic communication device according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a memo function during the phone call.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying an advertisement when the telephone is not in use.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying the advertisement when the telephone is in use. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a purchase connecting process during the display of the advertisement.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of accumulating call coin whenever the advertisement is viewed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an alarm function. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a function of selecting sounds of incoming call.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Herein, a term "local business entity or business enterprise" is a concept which includes a private enterprise such as restaurant, laundry, supermarket and bank, and a public institution such as local self-governing community, public health center and educational institution. The local business entity or business enterprise is not limited to onlv the above, and the other various kinds of local business entities can be included therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, a method according to the present invention is performed by a server in which three databases are established. That is, a user database, a business entity database and a local information database are established. The user database, in which positions of users of telephonic communication devices are stored, consists of three items of telephone numbers, regional codes and actual addresses. The telephone numbers mean the numbers including area codes. Alphabetic characters are used in forming the regional codes. The regional codes are comprised of total 8 characters. The first two characters means Shi/Do in Korea (corresponding to a state in U.S.A.); the second two characters mean Ku/Kun in Korea (corresponding to a county in U.S.A.); the third two characters mean Dong/Myeon in Korea (corresponding to a subcounty in U.S.A.); and the last two characters mean a street number. That is. the address, "Seoul-Shi, Kangnam-Ku, Daechi-Dong. 942-10" can be expresses as "AAAAAAAA." In order to establish this database, a program for converting the actual addresses into the regional codes corresponding thereto is required. The program can be realized by a pattern matching algorithm.

The business entity database comprises the items such as the telephone number of the local business entity, business article thereof, product price thereof area code thereof, the other area codes of the regions where the business entity wants to advertise (selectable up to five codes), and actual address thereof. Such user database and business entity database can be established by means of the "cell method" and "latitude/longitude method.^"

In the "cell method." a position of either the user or the business entity is stored by a regional unit by using the telephone number as an identifier. In case of the business entity, up to five regional units can be selected according to the type of business. That is. it can be databased in such a manner that certain regions are sectionalized by a unit of Dong or street number. According to this method, local business entities corresponding to an address of a specific user can be searched by using the database in which the telephone numbers of the users and the business entities are stored according to respective addresses.

In the "latitude/longitude method." a position of either the user or the business entity is defined as a latitude and longitude on an electronic map by using the telephone number as an identifier in order to database the position. The user database described above can also be established on the basis of the latitude and longitude. Thus, the position of the user is located, based on the latitude and longitude, by using the user database; and then local business entities corresponding to the located position can be searched. That is, the latitudinal and longitudinal positions according to the addresses of the user and the business entity are determined from the electronic map. and then the determined positions are databased together with the telephone numbers of the user and the business entity. Thereafter, a business entity located at a region adjacent to the latitudinal and longitudinal position of the user can be searched. The local information database consists of regional codes, local information to be transmitted to relevant regions, and pointers for designating apparatuses which store many other advertisements.

The information on business entities located in the relevant region, e.g.. the telephone numbers thereof are stored in the local business entity database 33 established as such. The local business entities to be inputted into the database can be collected through request of the advertisements. For example, a request of an advertisement for a telephone number from stores located at the relevant regions and the like can be accepted in a practical manner such as facsimile, telephone call, e-mail or the like.

The server stores the accepted telephone numbers in the local business entity database 33. Thus, the server prepares for providing the information on the local business entity to the user of the telephonic communication device.

In order to utilize the information stored in the server, the user connects with the server by using a telephone number and an IP address of the server [103]. The telephonic communication device designed for enabling voice communication and image information display (to be explained later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3) is used at this time. That is. the telephonic communication device is connected with the server by using the telephone number and the IP address of the server stored in a memory unit l ib thereof. This connection is made by an I/O processor 5 that is controlled by a central processing unit 13 of the telephonic communication device. After the telephonic communication device has been connected with the server, it inputs the user^'s own telephone number into the server [105]. It can be performed by a download processor 25 of the communication device. The server searches the user database established in the server based on the transmitted telephone number and locates a region where the communication device is positioned [107]. Next, the server searches the business entity database and the local information database, it fetches the business entity information and the local information from the two databases, and then it provides the telephonic communication device with the information [109].

In order to perform these processes, the server recognizes the telephone number and fetches the relevant regional code from the user database. Further, the server fetches the pointer, at which the information to be transferred to the communication device is located, from the local information database with reference to the relevant regional code and then sends the information in the pointer to the communication device.

If the business entity database and the user database are established in the latitude/longitude method as described above, the server locates the latitudinal and longitudinal position of the user according to the telephone number, finds out the local business entity having a latitudinal and longitudinal position (for example, latitudinal and longitudinal position within a radius of 2 kilometers from the position of the user) of a region adjacent to the position of the user, and transmits the information on the local business entity to the communication device.

The download processor 25 receives the information on the business entities located at the relevant regions, e.g., the telephone numbers of the business entities and displays them onto an image display 6. Therefore, the user can acquire the telephone numbers of the business entities in the region where the user is now located and can make a phone call to the relevant business entity.

The present invention can also be variously modified. For example, a plurality of databases classified by the type of business, in which the business entities are classified and stored according to the type of business, can be prepared instead of a single business entity database. Thus, when the user inputs the telephone number through the telephonic communication device [105], only more necessary and subdivided information may be provided by inputting a code corresponding to a desired type of business.

Further, the telephonic communication device according to the present invention may be constructed as follows. That is, after the telephone number of the telephonic communication device has been inputted into the server [105], the server stores the position of the communication device according to the telephone number and transmits the telephone number of the local business entity to the communication device automatically without request of the user. Then, the communication device may also store the telephone number of the local business entity so that the user can acquire the information on the local business entity even in the off-line state. Furthermore, small-scale information services can be made by establishing a network such as a LAN between the server and residents within a specific region instead of utilizing the internet.

The constitution of the communication device according to the present invention

Next, the telephonic communication device for utilizing the information on the local business entity described above will be explained. The telephonic communication device according to the present invention is constructed as shown in FIG. 2 so that the voice communication through a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and various kinds of data communication services through connection with the internet can be made. That is, the telephonic communication device according to the present invention comprises a telephone module 1 for performing the voice communication through a telephone line; a modem 3 for connecting with the internet through the telephone line; an I/O processor 5 for processing input/output signals of the telephone module 1 and the modem 3 so that the signals can be inputted and outputted through the telephone line: an image display 6 for inputting and outputting images while the data communication is made; a graphic user interface (GUI) processor 7 for controlling the image display; a voice output portion 9 for outputting voice data while the voice communication is made; memory units 1 1a. l i b in which an operating program and input/output data during the data communication are stored and in which information database necessary to the communication service is established, a memory processor 1 1 for controlling the memory units; a central processing unit (CPU) 13 for controlling the telephone module 1 , the modem 3. the GUI processor 7. the voice output portion 9 and the memory processor 1 1 ; and input buttons 14 for inputting data into the telephone module 1 and the central processor 13 and for selecting various functions of the communication device.

In the constitution mentioned above, the telephone module 1 is identical to the conventional telephone set in which the voice communication is made. Recently, the telephone module is digitally controlled by a microcomputer in order to perform the various functions, but it has not been yet developed to an extent that it can perform the data communication via the internet. In addition to the conventional voice communication, a "data communication module" for performing the data communication services by connecting with the information providing server via the internet and receiving various kinds of information from the databases established in the server is added to the present invention.

The memory units include an auxiliary memory unit 1 1 a and a main memory unit l ib. An operating system, graphic library, emulator, browser, separate programs and the like are stored in the auxiliary memory unit 1 1a. Information such as first advertisement, second advertisement, telephone directory and call coin necessary for the data services performed by the telephonic communication device according to the present invention is stored in the main memory unit 1 lb. The auxiliary memory unit may include a ROM and the like, while the main memory unit may include a RAM and the like.

The input buttons 14 may include numeric buttons, a memo button, function buttons, etc.. as shown in FIG. 2. The numeric buttons are ones for inputting the telephone numbers of the conventional telephone or numbers needed for various kinds of the information services to be explained later. The memo button is one for selecting a specific memo function of taking notes using the telephonic communication device. The function buttons are used for viewing an image page through the image display 6 of the telephonic communication device. For example, the function buttons are ones for performing the functions such as "previous view." "next view," "store." and "visit."

Although the input buttons are not herein explained in detail, it is apparent that the buttons can be properly designed according to the use of the telephonic communication device. For example, it can be constructed in such a manner that the function buttons are installed around the image display 6 and processed by the central processing unit 13 so that different functions can be performed according to respective services, and that possible functions are displayed onto the image display 6. Alternatively, it can be constructed in such a manner that the function buttons are selected by means of touch screen method in which they are displayed directly onto the image display 6 by using the GUI processor 7.

On the other hand, software for the telephonic communication device according to the present invention is constructed as shown in FIG. 3. There are an operating system (OS) 15 for controlling hardware for the telephonic communication device and device drivers for driving the hardware, library programs 17 for a graphic process, and library programs 19 for network control. These respective library programs perform the processes of various kinds of data communication (e.g., advertisement display, process of call coin, menu display, and the like) by an emulator 21 for realizing information stored in a database (DB) 20 of a server through the communication device, and enable the internet surfing through an internet browser 23. The library programs 19 for network control are also connected with a download processor 25.

The telephonic communication device according to the present invention constructed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can perform the following various additional functions. Basically, a user can make voice communication through a telephone office 27 by means of the telephonic communication device according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, and can receive the information by means of the data communication with a server 31 through a network 29.

Usage example 1 - Process of a memo function during the phone call (see FIG. 4) The concept of this usage example is a method for performing a function of taking simple notes during the phone call by utilizing the GUI processor 7 and the image display

6, which are installed in the communication device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing this usage example. First, if a user selects a memo button of the input buttons 14 provided on the communication device while talking over the telephone, the memo function starts [1 1 1 ]. When the memo function starts, the GUI processor 7 is called by the central processing unit 13 [1 13] and displayed on the image display 6 [1 15]. The GUI processor is an interface using commands which are expressed as graphic figures, so that the user can issue commands to a computer by using icons, windows or the like. When the GUI processor 7 is displayed on the image display 6, the user can make simple inputs while viewing the screen by using the GUI processor [1 17]. The inputs can be configured by the Korean alphabet/English alphabet/numbers, and function buttons can be used in order to make such combined inputs.

When the inputs are completed and a store button is then selected, the inputted data are stored in the main memory unit l i b [1 19]. The stored data can be retrieved later.

Therefore, the communication device should be provided with the memo button, the store button and the retrieve button. The realization of the buttons may be accomplished b> hardware installed in the communication device or by buttons on the screen of the GUI processor through software.

Usage example 2 - Display of advertisement when the telephone is not in use (see FIG. 5) The concept of this usage example is to display advertisements on the image display 6 of the communication device all the time when the telephone is not in use.

If an advertisement operating server receives a request for advertisement from an advertiser and then pushes advertisement data to the communication device through the network, the download processor 25 of the communication device downloads the advertisement data [1 12] and stores them in the main memory unit l i b as a first advertisement [123].

The central processing unit 13 of the communication device confirms as to whether the telephone is in use at present [125]. This may be made by determining whether signals are inputted into the input port of the central processing unit 13 by means of a receiver sensing switch of the communication device.

If it is determined that the communication device is not in use at present, the central processing device 13 retrieves the first advertisement stored in the main memory unit l i b [127], and causes it to be displayed on the image display 6 through the GUI processor 7 [129]. The first advertisement displayed on the image display may be provided by the server in real time, or may be updated at intervals of predetermined time period after it is pushed by the server and temporarily stored.

Usage example 3 - Display of advertisement when the telephone is in use (see FIG. 6) This usage example relates to a method for displaying advertisements on the image display 6 of the communication device when the telephone is in use. This usage example is substantially similar to the usage example 2, except that in this usage example, a second advertisement is retrieved from the main memory unit l i b in order to differentiate the contents of advertisement when the telephone is in use or not. If the advertisement operating server receives a request for advertisement from an advertiser and then pushes advertisement data to the communication device through the network, the download processor 25 of the communication device downloads the advertisement data [131 ] and stores them in the main memory unit l ib as the second advertisement [133].

The central processing unit 13 of the communication device confirms as to whether the telephone is in use at present [135], If it is determined that the

5 communication device is not in use at present, the central processing device 13 retrieves the second advertisement stored in the main memory unit l i b [ 137]. and causes it to be displayed on the image display 6 through the GUI processor 7 [139].

Usage example 4 - Purchase connecting process during display of advertisements (see FIG. ι o 1)

The user presses down the menu button among function buttons of the input buttons 14 on the communication device and selects view of advertisements [141 ]. The central processing unit 13 retrieves a third advertisement (not shown in FIG. 1 ; an additional advertisement stored according to a further request, if desired) stored in the main 15 memory unit 1 l b and causes it to be displayed on the image display portion 6 through the GUI processor 7 [143].

If there is an advertisement of concern and interest, the user can select a "visit^" menu displayed on the image displa\ 6. Λt this time, the central processing unit 1 ? activates the internet web browser 23 of the communication device [ 145J and automaticalh0 connects it with a site of an advertiser [ 147]. This can be made in the same way as an ordinary method for connecting with a web site by using the browser.

In this way. after the user connects with the site of the advertiser, he/her can look through the web pages displayed on the image display 6 of the communication device and then make a purchase.

Usage example 5 - Accumulation of call coin whenever advertisements are viewed (call coin service) (see FIG. 8)

If the user presses down the menu button among function buttons of the input buttons 14 on the communication device and selects view of advertisements [151 ], the0 central processing unit 13 retrieves an advertisement corresponding to the third advertisement (an additional advertisement stored according to a further request) among advertisements stored in the main memory unit l i b and causes it to be displayed on the image display portion 6 through the GUI processor 7 [153].

If the user wants to view another advertisement, he/her requests display of another advertisement by pressing down a function button having a function of "next" [155]. At this time, the central processing unit 13 confirms whether a predetermined period of time (e.g.. 3 or 5 seconds) has passed in connection with the user's request for a change from the current advertisement to the next advertisement [157].

If it is confirmed that the predetermined period of time has passed, the central processing unit 13 retrieves the next advertisement as the third advertisement stored in the main memory unit l i b and causes it to be displayed on the image display 6 through the GUI processor 7 [161 ]. At this time, whenever respective advertisements are changed. the call coin is accumulated [159]. The call coin is accumulated in the main memory unit l ib. The accumulation of the call coin may be processed by software (e.g..

INCREMENT command) or hardware (e.g.. increase of stack pointer). The unit of the call coin to be accumulated may be defined as 5 or 10 Korean won. and the call coin may be allowed to be accumulated only up to a maximum limit value by the month (e.g.. ten thousand Korean won).

When a predetermined period of time has passed [163]. the amount of accumulated call coin is transmitted periodically (e.g., once per month) to the server [165].

The server may store the amounts of call coin for respective communication devices (i.e., respective telephone numbers) and settle up the accumulated amounts in a proper method.

Usage example 6 - Alarm function (see FIG. 9)

The telephonic communication device according to the present invention can perform an alarm function by the central processing unit 13, contrary to a conventional communication device. That is, if the user presses down the menu button of the telephonic communication device and then presses down a function button corresponding to an "alarm^" item in the relevant menu [167], a setting screen related to the alarm is displayed on the image display 6 through the GUI processor 7 in accordance with the command of the central processing unit 13 [169]. The user can set alarm time by using the input buttons 14, and can also select an alarm sound, if necessary [171 ]. This is achieved in such a manner that the central processing unit 13 is operated by an alarm executing program installed in the auxiliary memory unit 1 1 a. When the current time becomes the time set by the user, the central processing unit 13 produces the alarm sound [173].

By using the fact that the present invention can make the data communication through the network by means of the communication device, various alarm sounds may be on-line downloaded from the server for providing alarm sounds [173], and stored in the main memory unit 1 lb so as to be used later.

Usage example 7 - Function of selecting various sounds of incoming call (see FIG. 10)

This usage example relates to a function of variously selecting sounds of incoming call of the communication device. First, if the user presses down the menu button of the communication device and then presses down a function button corresponding to a "selection of sound of incoming call" item in the relevant menu [177], a setting screen related to the selection of sound of incoming call is displayed on the image display 6 through the GUI processor 7 in accordance with the command of the central processing unit 13 [179]. When the user selects a desired sound of incoming call in the setting screen [181 ]. the selected sound of incoming call is stored in the main memory unit l l b [183].

When there is a telephone call, the central processing unit 13 fetches a sound of incoming call stored in the main memory unit l i b [185] and produces the sound of incoming call through a portion for generating a sound of incoming call [187].

According to the present invention, the user can select one of various sounds of incoming call stored beforehand in the same manner as the usage example 7. Alternatively, the user may connect with a server for providing sounds of incoming call through the network, download updated sounds of incoming call, and then store them in the main memory unit l ib [189].

Industrial Applicability

According to the present invention described above, information on a specific business entity located in a specific region is automatically provided to a telephone user residing at the specific region so that the user can easily receive information on a desired local business entity without on-line search through a computer or off-line search.

Further, the telephonic communication device of the present invention is automatically connected with a server for providing local information, receives information on local business entity previously stored in the relevant server, and visually displays the received information. Thus, the user can conveniently obtain the information.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of providing information on a local business entity previously stored in a server to a telephonic communication device by which voice communication and information display can be made, comprising the steps of: establishing a user database and a business entity database in said server; storing information on said business entity located at a specific region into said business entity database; connecting, by a user, with said server through said telephonic communication device; inputting one^'s own telephone number of said telephonic communication device into said server: locating a region where said telephonic communication device is installed, by searching said user database based on said inputted telephone number of said telephonic communication device: and searching said information on said business entity within said region corresponding to a position of said telephonic communication device in said business database and providing said telephonic communication device with said searched information

2. The method of providing the information on the local business entity as claimed in claim 1. further comprising a step of visually displaying said information on said local business entity, which is provided from said server, onto said telephonic communication device.

3. The method of providing the information on the local business entity as claimed in claim 1. wherein said user database is constructed in such a manner that positions of telephonic communication devices of users are sectionalized by a regional unit and stored therein, and that it can be searched by using said telephone number of each of said users as an identifier.

4. The method of providing the information on the local business entity as claimed in claim 1. wherein said business entity database is constructed in such a manner that business entities within a whole country are sectionalized by a regional unit and stored therein, and that it can be searched by using said telephone number of said user as an identifier.

5. The method of providing the information on the local business entity as claimed in claim 1. further comprising a step of storing, by said server, said telephone number of said user and automatically transmitting said information on said local business entity to said telephonic communication device of said user.

6. The method of providing the information on the local business entity as claimed in claim 1. further comprising a step of providing said telephonic communication device with advertising information of said local business entity.

7. A telephonic communication device by which voice communication and information display can be made, comprising: a telephone module for performing said voice communication through a telephone line; a modem for connecting with a local information server through said telephone line; an I/O processor for processing input/output signals of said telephone module and said modem so that said signals can be inputted and outputted through said telephone line; an image display for visually displaying image information provided from said local information server; memory units for storing an operating program for communication with said local information server; and a central processing unit for controlling said telephone module, said modem, said I/O processor, said image display and said memory units so that it can automatically receive information on a local business entity from said local information server and display said information onto said image display.

8. The telephonic communication device as claimed in claim 7. wherein said central processing unit is constructed to automatically provide said local information with a user^'s own telephone number.