Abstract:
A method and system for providing area information anticipates the user&#39;s mode of transportation and provides only information specific to the anticipated mode of transportation. A system for providing area information comprises a first information processing device operable to transmit at least one item of area specific information and a second information processing device operable to receive the at least one item of area specific information, wherein the first information processing device comprises a storage unit operable to store area specific information and corresponding location information in pairs, an inference unit operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on location information of a user of the second information processing device, an extraction unit operable to extract at least one item of area information specific to the mode of user transportation from the storage unit, and a transmission unit operable to transmit the at least one item of area information extracted by the extraction unit to the second information processing device, and wherein the second information processing device comprises a receiving unit operable to receive the at least one item of area information from the first information processing device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2003-088548, filed in Mar. 27, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a system that transmits localized information to a user&#39;s hand-held device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     There are well-known systems that provide users with information about relevant tourist attractions and retail stores in a given vicinity, provided that the user is within a pre-determined area on the map.  
         [0006]     In addition, there are also well-known systems that anticipate a user&#39;s likely destination and which provide information about such things as tourist attractions and retail stores in the vicinity of anticipated destinations.  
         [0007]     For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open-No. 2002-82982 describes a device that automatically generates search keys based on search categories or maps selected by the user. Using these search keys, users retrieve information regarding such things as available services and facilities. Only information relevant to nearby the user&#39;s location is displayed on the user&#39;s terminal.  
         [0008]     Japanese Patent Application Laid Open-No. 2002-41612 describes an invention that provides to users appropriate information regarding such things as retail stores and tourist attractions based on the user&#39;s trip schedule inputted in advance.  
         [0009]     The following explains the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open-No. 2000-215211. Firstly, this invention prepares an information processing device that stores a script that lists data regarding the names, information, and locations of retail stores and the names, information, and data comparing the current location to the location of tourist attractions, as well as related information. According to whether the aforementioned script was downloaded from the aforementioned information processing device ahead of time, it displays nearby retail store and tourist attraction information on the user&#39;s terminal when the user wishes.  
         [0010]     The following explains the invention described in Japanese Published Examined Application No. 14-257813 (2002). This invention anticipates the user&#39;s destination from the direction and speed of his or her movement. Next, Selecting from among those firms providing information regarding the anticipated destination, the invention gets only information that matches categories previously inputted by the user from the firms. Next, the invention delivers the information to the user. The category is bus information or restaurants information etc..  
         [0011]     Japanese Patent Application Laid Open-No. 11-91570 (1999) describes an invention that, using the route and fare information of the user&#39;s mode of transportation, provides the user with information about connections at the terminal (information for boarding another vehicle in the system) or transfers (information for using other modes of transportation).  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention anticipates the user&#39;s mode of transportation and provides only information specific to the anticipated mode of transportation. Through this the user&#39;s burden is minimized, only the appropriate information is presented and, thus, the problems identified above are solved.  
         [0013]     Using geographic information, information about the user&#39;s current location and information about the user&#39;s schedule contained in the user&#39;s portable terminal, the present invention anticipates the user&#39;s mode of transportation. Next, using the user&#39;s anticipated mode of transportation, geographic information and transportation timetables, the present invention anticipates the locations at which it would be desirable to provide specific information. Furthermore, the present invention is unique in providing the user with information obtained from a database specific only to the area of the user&#39;s anticipated location and mode of transportation.  
         [0014]     Using the present invention, the user can obtain desired “area information” without having to select or input various kinds of prompting information. In addition, by anticipating the user&#39;s mode of transportation, the present invention can anticipate the possible locations at which the user may stop. Thus it is possible to stop the receipt and transmission of information pertaining to locations at which the user cannot stop.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing area information comprises a first information processing device operable to transmit at least one item of area specific information and a second information processing device operable to receive the at least one item of area specific information, wherein the first information processing device comprises a storage unit operable to store area specific information and corresponding location information in pairs, an inference unit operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on location information of a user of the second information processing device, an extraction unit operable to extract at least one item of area information specific to the mode of user transportation from the storage unit, and a transmission unit operable to transmit the at least one item of area information extracted by the extraction unit to the second information processing device, and wherein the second information processing device comprises a receiving unit operable to receive the at least one item of area information from the first information processing device.  
         [0016]     In one aspect of the present invention, the inference unit is alternately operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on schedule information of a user of the second information processing device. The inference unit is further operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on schedule information of a user of the second information processing device, the schedule information contained in the second information processing device.  
         [0017]     In one aspect of the present invention, the inference unit is further operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on schedule information of a user of the second information processing device. The inference unit is further operable to infer a mode of user transportation based on schedule information of a user of the second information processing device, the schedule information contained in the second information processing device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the area information transmission system in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the area information reception system in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart indicating the processing of area information registration in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an example of an area information registration screen in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is an example of a database that includes area information in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart indicated the processing of received area information in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a diagram indicating location of a user in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a user&#39;s schedule info in an embodiment of this invention  FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a display screen of the area information reception system in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart indicating the processing flow of the area information transmission system in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is an example of an information log in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is an example of estimated data in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is an example of a timetable information in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is an example of map information in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is an example of settings data in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is an example of filtered data in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is an example of a database containing area level fields in an embodiment of this invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of information transmission corresponding to the user&#39;s distance in an embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     With the conventional technologies described above prior art, the user hardly obtain the specific information he or she desired without first having prompted the provider system with large quantities of information.  
         [0036]     The above Japanese Published Examined Application No. 14-257813 (2002) describes an invention that estimates the user&#39;s rate of travel and specifies the user&#39;s destination, based on the user&#39;s position. However, after the user&#39;s destination had been identified, the user had to select and input into the provision system the category attributes of the information the user desired.  
         [0037]     Moreover, the above Japanese Patent Application Laid Open-No. 11-91570 (1999) is a system that anticipates places of stopping and sends to the user&#39;s terminal information about forward transportation routes, based on user fares and route information. However, for those users that did not require route information, this was useless information.  
         [0038]     Furthermore, when traveling to a destination via an indirect route requiring transfer between various modes of transportation, this system is problematic because it does not enable the user to obtain the appropriate information without entering the mode of transportation and destination at each point of transfer. Using the present invention, the user can obtain the desired specific information without having to select or input various kinds of prompting information. In addition, by anticipating the user&#39;s mode of transportation, the present invention can anticipate the possible locations at which the user may stop. It is possible to stop transmitting of useless information.  
         [0039]     With reference to the technical drawings, the following describes an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a diagram describing the configuration of the area information transmission system by which area information is transmitted.  FIG. 2  is a diagram describing the configuration of the area information reception system by which area information is received.  
         [0040]     In order to allow for the reception and transmission of data, the area information transmission system  10  in  FIG. 1  is connected via the internet  11  to area information reception system  13  and, for the purposes of registering for area information, to area information registration terminal  12 . In addition, it is also connected to the system administrator&#39;s terminal  29  in order to allow for the transmission and reception of data.  
         [0041]     Area information is information specific to a given area. For example, if we let city A be the area, then area information is information relevant to such things restaurant information, tourist attraction information, building structure information, transportation system information, shopping facility information, medical facility information, sports facility information, education facility information, road information, and weather information in city A.  
         [0042]     Area information registration terminal  12  is the terminal by which area information is registered in area information database  16 . Using area information registration terminal  12 , the system administrator of area information transmission system  10  and/or information providers register area information.  
         [0043]     Area information reception system  13  is an information processing device that receives area information from area information transmission system  10 . In concrete terms, area information reception system  13  is equivalent to portable processing devices such as the user&#39;s cellular phone or notebook computer.  
         [0044]     Area information transmission system  10  consists of area information registration unit  14 , area information transmission unit  15 , and area information database  16 .  
         [0045]     Area information registration unit  14  receives and registers in database  16  area information such as information relevant to retail outlets and tourist attractions inputted from area information registration terminal  12 .  
         [0046]     Area information transmission unit  15  consists of transportation mode anticipation unit  17 , destination anticipation unit  20 , area determination unit  23 , area information extraction unit  25 , area information selection unit  26 , and area information provision unit  28 , as well as location information log  18 , transportation mode anticipation data  19 , timetable information  21 , map information  22 , area settings data  24  and information selection data  27 .  
         [0047]     Transportation mode anticipation unit  17  anticipates the information reception system  13  user&#39;s mode of transportation. Modes of transportation are anticipated based on location information log  18 , transportation mode anticipation data  19  and positioning and scheduling information sent from area information reception system  13 .  
         [0048]     Destination anticipation unit  20  anticipates the information reception system  13  user&#39;s destination point. Destination points are anticipated based on timetable information  21 , map information  22 , positioning and scheduling information sent from area information reception system  13  and modes of transportation anticipated by transportation mode anticipation unit  17 .  
         [0049]     Using area settings data  24 , area determination unit  23  determines the areas within which destination points anticipated by destination anticipation unit  20  are located.  
         [0050]     Area information extraction unit  25  obtains from area information database  16  information included within the area determined by area determination unit  23 .  
         [0051]     Area information selection unit  26  selects from area information obtained by area information extraction unit  25  the area information specific to the modes of transportation anticipated by transportation mode anticipation unit  17 . The selection of information is based on information selection data  27 , the transportation mode anticipated by transportation mode anticipation unit  17  and positioning and scheduling information sent from area information reception system  13 .  
         [0052]     Area information provision unit  28  transmits to area information reception system  13  the area information selected by area information selection unit  26 .  
         [0053]     Area information database  16  stores area information received by area information registration unit  14  from area information registration terminal  12 .  
         [0054]     Location information log  18  stores area information reception system  13  user&#39;s location information obtained by transportation mode anticipation unit  17 . An example of location information log  18  is shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0055]     Transportation mode anticipation data  19  is data used in anticipating the location of the user of area information reception system  13 . An example of transportation mode anticipation data  19  is shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 12 , information regarding location, rate of movement, and mode of transportation is registered as a set.  
         [0057]     Timetable information  21  is time schedule information regarding various transportation systems. An example of timetable information  21  is shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0058]     Map information  22  is a database of maps containing information about such things as several transportation systems and municipality names. A portion of map information  22 , similar to the information found in car navigation systems, is shown in  FIG. 14  as an example.  
         [0059]     Area settings data  24  describes the criteria used for the purposes of establishing areas. An example of area settings data  24  is shown in  FIG. 15 . As  FIG. 15  indicates, an area is defined as a circle within a ten-kilometer radius of an established point.  
         [0060]     Information selection data  27  describes the criteria used to select area information depending upon specific information pertaining to various modes of transportation. An example of information selection data  27  is shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0061]     System administrator terminal  29  is the terminal used by the administrator of area information transmission system  10 . Using system administration terminal  29 , the system administrator registers and modifies single or multiple items consisting of transportation mode anticipation data  19 , area settings data  24 , and information selection data  27 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 2  shows the configuration of the area information provision system&#39;s area information reception system  13 . In order to allow for the reception and transmission of data, area information reception system  13  is connected via the internet  11  to area information transmission system  10 .  
         [0063]     Area information reception system  13  is also connected to input device  30 , display unit  31  and GPS  37  in order to allow for the reception and transmission of data. Area information reception system  13  consists of location information acquisition unit  32 , schedule information acquisition unit  34 , information transmission  35 , information reception unit  36  and schedule information  33 .  
         [0064]     Via GPS  37 , location information acquisition unit  32  obtains information regarding the current location of the user of area information reception system  13 . Schedule information acquisition unit  34  obtains schedule data from schedule information  33  of the user of area information reception system  13 .  
         [0065]     Information transmission unit  35  sends the position information obtained by position information acquisition unit  32  and the schedule information obtained by schedule information acquisition unit  34  to area information transmission system  10 .  
         [0066]     Information reception unit  36  receives the area information sent from area information transmission system  10  and displays it on display device  31 .  
         [0067]     Next, the flow of the processing of area information registration unit  14  inside area information transmission system  10  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0068]     Step S 301  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  receives a request for the purpose of registering area information from area information registration terminal  12 .  
         [0069]     Step S 302  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  sends a screen for the purpose of registering area information to area information registration terminal  12 . An example of this screen is shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0070]     Step S 303  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  assesses whether or not the area information items inputted from area information registration terminal  12  are appropriate. The system proceeds to Step S 304  in the case in which the area information items are appropriate, and proceeds to Step S 306  in the case in which they are not appropriate.  
         [0071]     Step S 304  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  registers the area information inputted from area information registration terminal  12  in area information database  16 . An example of area information database  16  is shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0072]     Area information database  16  consists of a latitude field, a longitude field, and a registration information field. Furthermore, the registration field consists of the following subfields: a store name field, a business hours field, a regular holidays field, a parking lot field, a bicycle parking lot field, an introductory statement field, and a guide statement field.  
         [0073]     The latitude field consists of multiple items that show the latitude of the store. The longitude field consists of multiple items that show the longitude of the store. The store name field consists of multiple items that show the store name.  
         [0074]     The business hours field consists of multiple items that show the business hours of the store. The regular holidays field consists of multiple items that show the regular holidays of the store. The parking lot field consists of multiple items that show whether or not the store has parking lot spaces. The bicycle parking lot field consists of multiple items that show whether or not the store has space in which one could park a bicycle. The introductory statement field consists of multiple items that show the introductory statement of the store. The guide statement field consists of multiple items that show the guide statement of the store.  
         [0075]     Moreover, the registration information field of area information database  16  may consist of a field that stores information that displays the telephone number, information that displays the homepage URL, information that displays a detailed map, information that shows whether or not transportation is provided by a vehicle of the facility, information that shows the menu provided by the facility, information that shows the number of personnel the facility can accommodate, information that shows whether or not there is a Braille menu in the facility, information that shows whether or not there is someone that is capable of sign language in the facility, or information that shows whether or not guide dogs are permitted.  
         [0076]     Step S 305  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  sends information indicating that registration into area information database  16  is complete to area information registration terminal  12 .  
         [0077]     Step S 306  is a step in which area information registration unit  14  sends an error message to area information registration terminal  12 . The above is a description of the flow of the process in which area information registration unit  14  registers area information in area information database  16 .  
         [0078]     Next, the flow of the process in which the user receives area information from area information transmission system  10  using area information reception system  13  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 .  
         [0079]     Step S 601  is a step in which position information acquisition unit  32  acquires the current position information of area information reception system  13  using GPS  37 . For example, if point A in  FIG. 7  is the current location of the user of area information reception system  13 , then position information acquisition unit  32  obtains the information, “Latitude: N34° 74′ 50″, Longitude: E134° 71′ 00″,” from GPS  37 . In this example, the current position information is obtained using GPS, but the current position information may also be obtained using a portable terminal or PHS.  
         [0080]     Moreover, as a request to receive area information, a smart pull model in which area information reception system  13  independently sends an acquisition request to area information transmission system  10  is used in this embodiment. With this smart pull model, it not necessary for the user to consciously send a request for position information acquisition.  
         [0081]     However, a pull model in which the user inputs an area information acquisition request from area information reception system  13  when the user wants area information may also be used. Moreover, a push model in which area information transmission system  10  independently sends area information to area information reception system  13  without the user of area information reception system  13  sending a request would also be acceptable.  
         [0082]     Step S 602  is a step in which schedule information acquisition unit  34  investigates whether or not there is information after the current time in schedule information  33  of the user of area information reception system  13 . If there is information after the current time in schedule information  33 , the system proceeds to Step S 603 , and if there is no schedule, it proceeds to S 604 . An example of schedule information  33  is shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0083]     Step S 603  is a step in which schedule information acquisition unit  34  obtains schedule information after the current time from schedule information  33 . If the schedule information in which the schedule for the day appears is as shown in  FIG. 8 , then “Time: 11:20, Location; Moving, Time; 11:40, Location; Himeji (Himeji: city name), Time; 11:40 to 12:40, Content; Lunch” is obtained as the schedule information after the current time, 11:20 on Feb. 10, 2003.  
         [0084]     Step S 604  is a step in which information transmission unit  35  sends the position information obtained in Step S 601  and the schedule information obtained in Step S 603  to area information transmission system  10 . It is also possible to equip area information reception system  13  with a device for detecting movement speed, and also to send the moving speed information to area information transmission system  10 .  
         [0085]     Step S 605  is a step in which information reception unit  36  receives information from area information transmission system  10 .  
         [0086]     Step S 606  is a step in which information reception unit  36  displays the area information received Step S 605  on display device  31 .  FIG. 9  shows the state in which the area information is displayed on display device  31 . The above is a description of the flow of the process in which the user receives area information using area information reception system  13 .  
         [0087]     Next, the flow of the process in which area information transmission system  10  sends area information to area information reception system  13  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 10 .  
         [0088]     Step S 1001  is a step in which mode of transportation estimation unit  17  receives position information and area information from area information reception system  13 . An example in which the user of area information reception system  13  is located at point A in  FIG. 7  and the schedule information of the user is as shown in  FIG. 8  will be shown next. In this case, the information received by mode of transportation estimation unit  17  is, “Latitude: N34° 74′ 50″, Longitude: E134° 71′ 00″; Schedule: Time: 11:20, Location; Moving, Time; 11:40, Location; Himeji (Himeji: city name), Time; 11:40 to 12:40, Content; Lunch.” In the case in which area information reception system  13  is equipped with a device for detecting movement speed, the movement speed is also received during this step.  
         [0089]     In Step S 1002 , mode of transportation estimation unit  17  uses the position information received in Step S 1001  and the current time to estimate the movement speed and movement direction. Upon doing so, it records the position information, the current time, the estimated movement speed, and the estimated movement direction in position information log  18 . An example of position information log  18  is shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0090]     Giving an example of movement speed estimation, if the immediately preceding longitude is X1, the current longitude is X2, the immediately preceding latitude is Y1, the current latitude is Y2, the immediately preceding time is T1, and the current time is T2, then movement speed S is found by dividing the movement distance D by (T2-T1). Moreover, movement distance D is found by taking the square root of the sum of the square of (X1-X2) and the square of (Y1-Y2).  
         [0091]     Step S 1003  is a step in which mode of transportation estimation unit  17  estimates the mode of transportation of the user. Mode of transportation estimation is performed based on the position information and schedule information received in Step S 1001 , and movement speed and movement direction estimated in Step S 1002 , the movement device estimation data  19 , and the timetable information  21 .  
         [0092]     The case in which the user is located at point A in  FIG. 7  will be explained. In this case, the movement speed estimated to be 179 km/h in Step S 1002  is collated with the longitude, latitude, and map information  22 , and it is thereby understood that the position is on the railway. By comparing these to mode of transportation anticipation data  19 , it is possible to estimate that the mode of transportation of the user is the Shinkansen bullet train. It then obtains the time table of the Shinkansen from timetable information  21 , collates the obtained Shinkansen time table and the corresponding location, and estimates that the name of the Shinkansen train that the user is riding is “Hikari 1234.” 
         [0093]     An example of mode of transportation estimation data  19  is shown in  FIG. 12 . Next, an example of the mode of transportation estimation will be given. If the user is located on the highway, it is estimated that the mode of transportation is a car, bus, or motorcycle, and if the movement speed is 400 km/h or greater, it estimates that the mode of transportation is an airplane, regardless of the location.  
         [0094]     Moreover, by using the longitude and latitude information recorded in position information log  18 , it is possible to more accurately understand the position for the purpose of estimating the mode of transportation. For example, if the past longitude and latitude information is always in agreement with the route of the Shinkansen, then it is possible to determine that the position of the user is on the Shinkansen train tracks.  
         [0095]     Registration and changes of the multiple items that constitute mode of transportation estimation data  19  can be performed by the administrator of area information transmission system  10  by using system administrator terminal  29 . Step S 1004  is a step in which destination estimation unit  20  estimates the destination of the user, which is one piece of information that is particular to the mode of transportation. Destination estimation is performed based on the position information received in Step S 1001 , the mode of transportation—“Hikari 1234”—estimated in Step S 1003 , information selection data  27 , timetable information  21 , and map information  22 .  
         [0096]     It was estimated in Step S 1003  that the mode of transportation of the user located at point A in  FIG. 7  is a Shinkansen with the train name “Hikari  1234 .” Using information selection data  27  shown in  FIG. 16 , the “Next Station” is obtained as position information particular to the Shinkansen. Furthermore, by using timetable information  21 , the next station, “Himeji Station,” is obtained as position information particular to the mode of transportation of the user.  
         [0097]     Moreover, schedule information  33  may be used to estimate that the user will get off the train at Himeji Station and estimate the destination of the user to be “Himeji Station.” 
         [0098]     Furthermore, by collating the user position information and map information  22 , it is possible for destination position estimation unit  20  to assess whether the user has performed activities that differ from the schedule information.  
         [0099]     In this case, destination position estimation unit  20  is able to obtain the “Next Station,” “Bus Stop/Depot,” “Service Station,” or “Rest Area,” as position information particular to the mode of transportation by using information selection data  27  and timetable information  21 . An example of timetable information  21  is shown in  FIG. 13 . Moreover, an example of information  22  is shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0100]     Next, another example of information particular to the mode of transportation will be shown. For example, if it is estimated by mode of transportation estimation unit  19  that the mode of transportation is an airplane, it is possible to estimate the next airport at which the plane will land by determining the flight number from the airplane time table and position information. For example, if it is estimated from the estimation data that the mode of transportation is a ship, then the next port on the timetable at which the ship will be anchored is estimated by determining the ship name from the ship timetable and the position information. Likewise, if it is estimated from the estimation data that the mode of transportation is a bus, then the destination is estimated to be the next bus stop on the time table by determining the bus time table and bus number.  
         [0101]     If it is estimated from mode of transportation estimation data  19  that the mode of transportation is a car on the highway, then the next service station or interchange is estimated as the destination from the movement direction. If it is estimated that the means of transportation is foot, then the vicinity of the current position becomes the particular movement position.  
         [0102]     Step S 1005  is a step in which area determination unit  23  determines the area containing the destination position particular to the mode of transportation estimated in Step S 1004  by using area setting data  24 . In  FIG. 15 , which shows area setting data  24 , the area is “Within a 10-kilometer radius of the designated point.” Therefore, the 10-kilometer circumference around Himeji Station, which is the destination estimated in Step S 1004 , is established as the area.  
         [0103]     Moreover, autonomous body segmentation such as “within the city limits” or “within the town limits,” or classifications such as “school district” may be registered in area setting data  24  to the extent provided by the organization. It is possible for the administrator of area information transmission system  10  to register or change the multiple items that constitute area setting data  24  with system administrator terminal  29 .  
         [0104]     Step S 1006  is a step in which the area information extraction unit  25  extracts area information for the area determined in step S 1005  from the area information database  16 . The area information database  16  is searched for information on restaurants within a radius of 10 kilometers around “Himeji Station”, which is the destination inferred in step S 1004 , using “lunch”, which was contained in the schedule information  33 , as the key. “Restaurant X”, “Restaurant Y” and “Restaurant Z” are acquired as a result. For the acquisition, longitude and latitude data constituting the location information of the destination of “Himeji Station” and the location information of the various data items contained in the area information database  16  are used.  
         [0105]     The locational relationships of the stores contained in the area information database  16  are shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0106]     Here, the inside of the circle centered around “Himeji Station” corresponds to the area.  
         [0107]     Step S 1007  is a step in which the area information selection unit  26  selects mode of transportation specific information from the area information extracted in step S 1006 . This selection processing is carried out based on information selection data  27 . An example of information selection data  27  can be found in  FIG. 16 , where “mode of transportation”, “specific locational information” and “travelable distance” are registered in pairs.  
         [0108]     The user located at location A in  FIG. 7  was inferred in step S 1003  to be traveling by Shinkansen, so “Next Station” and “within 1 km” is acquired as the Shinkansen-specific information.  
         [0109]     Then, information on “Restaurant X, “Restaurant Y” and “Restaurant Z”, which is the area information extracted in step S 1006 , is compared against the parameter of “Within 1 km”, which is the travelable distance acquired from the information selection data  27  shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0110]     Using the parameters of information selection data  27 , the area information selection unit  26  selects “Restaurant Y”, which is considered to be appropriate if the mode of transportation is a Shinkansen. The items making up the information selection data  27  can be registered and modified by the administrator of the area information transmission system  10  from the system administrator&#39;s terminal  29 .  
         [0111]     With this area information selection unit  26 , for a user whose mode of transportation is a car on an expressway, stores within 5 km of the next interchange can be displayed. Furthermore, it is possible to include a function whereby stores that have no car parking spaces will not be displayed if the mode of transportation is a car.  
         [0112]     Step S 1008  is a step in which the area information provision unit  28  transmits the information selected in step S 1007  to the area information reception system  13 . The “walking” content (information for people walking to the store) is selected from the directions text field of “Restaurant Y” contained in the area information database  16 , and is transmitted to the area information reception system  13 . A user whose mode of transportation is the Shinkansen will not be able to use “Restaurant Y” unless he detrains at Himeji Station, so the “walking” content is selected. The preceding is the flow of the processing whereby the area information transmission system  10  transmits area information to the area information reception system  13 .  
         [0113]     This series of processing makes it possible for the user of the area information reception system  13  to receive information on his or her destination that is appropriate for his mode of transportation.  
         [0114]     Furthermore, in the area information database  16 , it is also possible to classify into levels by distance from a facility and provide an area level field made up of those levels, and control the transmission of information based on the distance between a user and a store. For example, if there are stores within less than 100 m of the user&#39;s location, then when notifying a user of the store information, the area level is taken to be 1. If there are stores from 100 m to less than 200 m from the user&#39;s location, then when notifying the user of the store information, the area level is taken to be 2. If there are stores from 200 m to less than 300 m from the user&#39;s location, then when notifying the user of the store information, the area level is predetermined to be 3.  
         [0115]     In  FIG. 17 , which illustrates an area information database  16  provided with an area level field, “Restaurant X” has area level 1, “Restaurant Y” has area level 2 and “Restaurant Z” has area level 3.  
         [0116]     In  FIG. 18 , if “Restaurant X” is located in sector A, no more than 100 m from the user, then information on “Restaurant X” will be transmitted to the user, but would not be transmitted if the restaurant was located in sector B or sector C. Similarly, if “Restaurant Y” is located in sector B, which is from 100 to less than 200 m from the user, then information on “Restaurant Y” will be transmitted to the user, but would not be transmitted if the restaurant was located in sector A or sector C. If “Restaurant Z” is located in sector C, which is from 200 to less than 300 m from the user, then information on “Restaurant Z” will be transmitted to the user, but would not be transmitted if the restaurant was located in sector A or sector B.  
         [0117]     This makes it possible to transmit information according to the distance from the user. This can also be used when the mode of transportation cannot be inferred.  
         [0118]     Implementation is also possible by installing the program, which enables the functions of the above mode of embodiment in individual information devices, and enabling those functions in those information devices.