Information service system capable of providing desired information depending on user-memorable information

Abstract

An information service system allowing a user to use user-memorable information to obtain desired information includes: a portable device referring to an input logical concept indicating a destination, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a public bath, to search for a physical concept, such as "AZALEA (corresponding to the name of a dining hall for breakfast)," a corner on the third floor, and transmit a retrieved physical concept to a stationary device installed, e.g., at an intersection of passageways in a hotel, and receiving from the stationary device a direction to be taken by the user and displaying such direction; and the stationary device searching for a direction to a physical concept and transmitting to the portable device a retrieved direction to the physical concept. The information service system also includes an association control system to rewrite an association between a logical concept and a physical concept that is stored in the portable device.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An information service system comprising:

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output; and

an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group and converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group; wherein:

said portable device includes

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group,

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group,

a first conversion block connected to said input block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group, and

a first transmit block connected to said first conversion block to receive an output of said first conversion block and transmit the output of said first conversion block to said information service device; and

said information service device includes

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group,

a first receive block receiving information from said first transmit block, and

a second conversion block connected to said first receive block and said second memory to receive an output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

2. The information service system of claim 1, wherein said portable device also includes a rewrite block connected to said first memory to rewrite the association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group stored in said first memory.

3. The information service system of claim 1, wherein:

said second memory includes

a third memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and information contained in a fourth group, and

a fourth memory storing an association between the information contained in said fourth group and the information contained in said third group; and

said second conversion block includes

a third conversion block connected to said first receive block and said third memory to receive the output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said third memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said fourth group for output, and

a fourth conversion block connected to said third conversion block and said fourth memory to receive an output of said third conversion block and refer to the association stored in said fourth memory to convert the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said third group for output.

4. The information service system of claim 3, further comprising a central control system connected to said third memory to rewrite the association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group stored in said third memory.

5. The information service system of claim 1, said portable device further including an information output block outputting the information contained in said fourth group, wherein:

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said input block, said information output block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group.

6. The information service system of claim 5, wherein said information output block includes a clock block outputting a current time.

7. The information service system of claim 1, wherein:

said information service device also includes a second transmit block connected to said second conversion block to transmit an output of said second conversion block to said portable device; and

said portable device also includes

a second receive block receiving information from said second transmit block, and

a display block connected to said second receive block to display an output of said second receive block.

8. The information service system of claim 7, said portable device also including an identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device, wherein:

said first transmit block is connected to said first conversion block and said identifier memory to output the output of said first conversion block together with the identifier of said portable device to said information service device;

said second transmit block transmits to said portable device the output of said second conversion block together with the identifier of said portable device received by said first receive block; and

said display block is connected to said second receive block and said identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing an identifier received by said second receive block with an identifier stored in said identifier memory to display the output of said second conversion block.

9. The information service system of claim 7, wherein said second receive block receives and converts the information from said second transmit block into a predetermined language for output.

10. The information service system of claim 1, wherein said information service device also includes a display block connected to said second conversion block to display an output of said second conversion block.

11. The information service system of claim 10, said portable device also including an identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device, wherein:

said first conversion block is connected to said input block, said first memory and said identifier memory to receive the information contained in said first group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group for output together with said identifier; and

said second conversion block is connected to said first receive block and said second memory to receive the output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output together with said identifier.

12. The information service system of claim 1, wherein

said information contained in the first group corresponds to information that is incapable of specifying places, and

said information contained in the second group corresponds to information that is capable of specifying the places.

13. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group and converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group, said portable device includes:

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group;

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group;

a first conversion block connected to said input block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group; and

a first transmit block connected to said first conversion block to receive an output of said first conversion block and transmit the output of said first conversion block to said information service device.

14. The portable device of claim 13, further including a rewrite block connected to said first memory to rewrite the association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group stored in said first memory.

15. The portable device of claim 13, further including an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, wherein:

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said input block, said information output block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group.

16. The portable device of claim 15, wherein said information output block includes a clock block outputting a current time.

17. The portable device of claim 13, further comprising:

a first receive block receiving from said information service device the information contained in said third group; and

a display block connected to said first receive block to display an output of said first receive block.

18. The portable device of claim 17, wherein said first receive block receives from said information service device the information contained in said third group and converts the received information contained in said third group into a predetermined language for output.

19. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group and converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group, said information service device includes:

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group;

a first receive block receiving from said portable device the information contained in said second group; and

a first conversion block connected to said first receive block and said first memory to receive an output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

20. The information service device of claim 19, wherein:

said first memory includes

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and information contained in a fourth group, and

a third memory storing an association between the information contained in said fourth group and the information contained in said third group; and

said first conversion block includes

a second conversion block connected to said first receive block and said second memory to receive the output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said fourth group for output, and

a third conversion block connected to said second conversion block and said third memory to receive an output of said second conversion block and refer to the association stored in said third memory to convert the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said third group for output.

21. The information service device of claim 19, further comprising a display block connected to said first conversion block to display an output of said first conversion block.

22. The information service device of claim 19, wherein

the information contained in the first group corresponds to information that is incapable of specifying places, and

the information contained in the second group corresponds to information that is capable of specifying places.

23. An information service system comprising:

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group, and outputting the information contained in said first group and an identifier of the portable device; and

an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and said identifier to convert the information contained in said first group and said identifier into information contained in a second group and convert the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output; wherein:

said portable device includes

an identifier memory storing said identifier,

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group, and

a first transmit block connected to said input block and said identifier memory to receive the information contained in said first group and transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group and said identifier stored in said identifier memory; and

said information service device includes

a first receive block receiving information from said first transmit block,

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group, said identifier and the information contained in said second group,

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group,

a first conversion block connected to said first receive block and said first memory to receive an output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and said identifier into the information contained in said second group for output, and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to receive an output of said first conversion block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

24. The information service system of claim 23, further comprising a central control system connected to said first memory to rewrite the association between the information contained in said first group, said identifier and the information contained in said second group, stored in said first memory.

25. The information service system of claim 23, wherein:

said information service device also includes a second transmit block connected to said second conversion block to transmit an output of said second conversion block to said portable device; and

said portable device also includes

a second receive block receiving information from said second transmit block, and

a display block connected to said second receive block to display an output of said second receive block.

26. The information service system of claim 25, wherein said second receive block receives and converts the information from said second transmit block into a predetermined language for output.

27. The information service system of claim 23, wherein said information service device also includes a display block connected to said second conversion block to display an output of said second conversion block.

28. The information service system of claim 27, wherein:

said first conversion block includes a third conversion block connected to said first receive block and said first memory to receive the output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and said identifier into the information contained in said second group for output together with said identifier; and

said second conversion block is connected to said third conversion block and said second memory to receive an output of said third conversion block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output together with said identifier.

29. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group and an identifier of said portable device, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and said identifier and converting the information contained in said first group and said identifier into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, said portable device includes:

an identifier memory storing said identifier;

an input block receiving the information contained in said first group; and

a first transmit block connected to said input block and said identifier memory to receive the information contained in said first group and transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group and said identifier stored in said identifier memory.

30. The portable device of claim 29, further comprising:

a first receive block receiving an output of said information service device; and

a display block connected to said first receive block to display an output of said first receive block.

31. The portable device of claim 30, wherein said first receive block receives and converts the output of said information service system into a predetermined language for output.

32. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group and an identifier of said portable device, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and said identifier and converting the information contained in said first group and said identifier into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, said information service device includes:

a first receive block receiving an output of said portable device;

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group, said identifier and the information contained in said second group;

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group;

a first conversion block connected to said first receive block and said first memory to receive an output of said first receive block and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and said identifier into the information contained in said second group for output; and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to receive an output of said first conversion block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

33. The information service device of claim 32, further comprising a display block connected to said second conversion block to display an output of said second conversion block.

34. An information service system comprising:

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group; and

an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output; wherein:

said portable device includes

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group, and

a first transmit block connected to said input block to receive the information contained in said first group and transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group; and

said information service device includes

a first receive block receiving information from said first receive block,

an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group,

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group,

a second memory storing an association between the information stored in said second group and the information stored in said third group,

a first conversion block connected to said first receive block, said information output block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group, and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to receive an output of said first conversion block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

35. The information service system of claim 34, wherein said information output block includes a clock block outputting a current time.

36. The information service system of claim 34, wherein:

said information service device also includes a second transmit block connected to said second conversion block to transmit an output of said second conversion block to said portable device; and

said portable device also includes

a second receive block receiving information from said second transmit block, and

a display block connected to said second receive block to display an output of said second receive block.

37. The information service system of claim 36, said portable device also including an identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device, wherein:

said first transmit block is connected to said input block and said identifier memory to transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group together with the identifier of said portable device;

said second transmit block transmits to said portable device the output of said second conversion block together with the identifier of said portable device received by said first receive block; and

said display block is connected to said second receive block and said identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing an identifier received by said second receive block with the identifier stored in said identifier memory to display the output of said second conversion block.

38. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in said second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, said portable device includes:

an input block inputting information contained in said first group;

an identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device;

a transmit block connected to said input block and said identifier memory to transit to said information service device the information contained in said first group together with the identifier of said portable device;

a receive block receiving from said information service device the information contained in said third group and the identifier of said portable device; and

a display block connected to said receive block and said identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing the identifier received by said receive block with the identifier stored in said identifier memory to display the information contained in said third group.

39. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group, and an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in said second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, said information service device includes:

a first receive block receiving information from said portable device;

an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group;

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group;

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group;

a first conversion block connected to said receive block, said information output block and said first memory to receive the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group and refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group; and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to receive an output of said first conversion block and refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

40. An information service system comprising:

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group;

an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output; and

a relay device relaying information between said portable device and said information service device; wherein:

said portable device includes

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group, and

a first transmit block connected to said input block to receive the information contained in said first group and transmit to said relay device the information contained in said first group;

said relay device includes

a first receive block receiving information from said first transmit block, and

a second transmit block connected to said first receive block to receive the information contained in said first group and transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group; and

said information service device includes

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group,

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group,

a second receive block receiving information from said relay device,

a first conversion block connected to said second receive block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group for output, and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

41. The information service system of claim 40, said information service device further including an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, wherein:

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said second receive block, said information output block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group for output.

42. The information service system of claim 41, wherein said information output block includes a clock block outputting a current time.

43. The information service system of claim 41, wherein:

said relay device also includes a relay device identifier memory storing an identifier of said relay device;

said second transmit block is connected to said first receive block and said relay device identifier memory to transmit to said information service device the information contained in said first group together with the identifier of said relay device;

said information service device also includes a third memory storing an association between the identifier of said relay device and information contained in a fifth group;

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group, the information contained in said fourth group and the information contained in said fifth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said second receive block, said information output block, said first memory and said third memory to receive the identifier of said relay device and refer to the association stored in said third memory to convert the identifier of said relay device into the information contained in said fifth group, and further refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said fourth group and the information contained in said fifth group into the information contained in said second group for output.

44. The information service system of claim 40, wherein:

said information service device also includes a third transmit block connected to said second conversion block to transmit an output of said second conversion block to said relay device;

said relay device also includes

a third receive block receiving information from said third transmit block, and

a fourth transmit block connected to said third receive block to transmit to said portable device the information from said third transmit block; and

said portable device also includes

a fourth receive block receiving information from said fourth transmit block, and

a display block connected to said fourth receive block to display an output of said fourth receive block.

45. The information service system of claim 44, said portable device also including a portable device identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device, wherein:

said first transmit block is connected to said input block and said portable device identifier memory to transmit to said relay device the information contained in said first group together with the identifier of said portable device;

said fourth transmit block transmits to said portable device the output of said second conversion block together with the identifier of said portable device received by said first receive block; and

said display block is connected to said fourth receive block and said portable device identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing an identifier received by said fourth receive block with an identifier stored in said portable device identifier memory to display the output of said fourth receive block.

46. In an information service system comprising a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in said first group, an information service device receiving the information contained in said first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between said portable device and said information service device, said information service device includes:

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group;

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group;

a receive block receiving the information from said relay device;

a first conversion block connected to said receive block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group for output; and

a second conversion block connected to said first conversion block and said second memory to refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

47. The information service device of claim 46, further including an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, wherein:

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said receive block, said information output block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group for output.

48. The information service system comprising:

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group to convert the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output;

an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group to convert the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output; and

a relay device relaying information between said portable device and said information service device; wherein:

said portable device includes

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group,

a first memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group,

a first conversion block connected to said input block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group, and

a first transmit block connected to said first conversion block to transmit to said relay device the information contained in said second group;

said relay device includes

a first receive block receiving information from said first transmit block, and

a second transmit block connected to said first receive block to receive the information contained in said second group and transmit to said information service device the information contained in said second group; and

said information service device includes

a second memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group,

a second receive block receiving information from said second transmit block, and

a second conversion block connected to said second receive block and said second memory to refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information received by said second receive block and contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

49. The information service system of claim 48, said portable device further including an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, wherein:

said first memory stores an association between the information contained in said first group, the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said fourth group; and

said first conversion block is connected to said input block, said information output block and said first memory to refer to the association stored in said first memory to convert the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said fourth group into the information contained in said second group for output.

50. The information service system of claim 49, wherein said information output block includes a clock block outputting a current time.

51. The information service system of claim 49, said relay device also including a relay device identifier memory storing an identifier of said relay device, wherein:

said second transmit block is connected to said first receive block and said relay device identifier memory to transmit to said information service device the information contained in said second group together with the identifier of said relay device;

said second memory stores an association between the information contained in said second group, the identifier of said relay device and the information contained in said third group; and

said second conversion block is connected to said second receive block and said second memory to refer to the association stored in said second memory to convert the information received by said second receive block and contained in said second group and the identifier of said relay device into the information contained in said third group for output.

52. The information service system of claim 48, wherein:

said information service device also includes a third transmit block connected to said second conversion block to transmit an output of said second conversion block to said relay device;

said relay device also includes

a third receive block receiving information from said third transmit block, and

a fourth transmit block connected to said third receive block to transmit to said portable device the information from said third transmit block; and

said portable device also includes

a fourth receive block receiving information from said fourth transmit block, and

a display block connected to said fourth receive block to display an output of said fourth receive block.

53. The information service system of claim 52, said portable device also including a portable device identifier memory storing an identifier of said portable device, wherein:

said first transmit block is connected to said first conversion block and said portable device identifier memory to transmit to said relay device the information contained in said second group together with the identifier of said portable device;

said fourth transmit block transmits to said portable device the information from said third transmit block together with the identifier of said portable device received by said first receive block; and

said display block is connected to said fourth receive block and said portable device identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing an identifier received by said fourth receive block with an identifier stored in said portable device identifier memory to display the output of said fourth receive block.

54. In an information service system comprising

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output,

an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group and converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, and

a relay device relaying information between said portable device and said information service device, said portable device includes:

an input block inputting the information contained in said first group;

a memory storing an association between the information contained in said first group and the information contained in said second group;

a conversion block connected to said input block and said memory to refer to the association stored in said memory to convert the information contained in said first group into the information contained in said second group for output; and

a transmit block connected to said conversion block to transmit to said relay device the information contained in said second group.

55. In an information service system comprising

a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in said first group into information contained in a second group for output, an information service device receiving the information contained in said second group and converting the information contained in said second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between said portable device and said information service device, said information service device includes:

a memory storing an association between the information contained in said second group and the information contained in said third group;

a receive block receiving information from said relay device; and

a conversion block connected to said receive block and said memory to refer to the association stored in said memory to convert the information received by said receive block and contained in said second group into the information contained in said third group for output.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to information service systems, and portable devices and information service devices used in such information service systems. The present invention relates particularly to information service systems capable of providing a user with desired information when the user simply inputs thereto a logical concept memorable for the user, and portable devices and information service devices used in such information service systems.

2. Description of the Background Art

Lodgers in a hotel or the like require positional information on their lodgings, dining hall for breakfast and the like. If a lodger is a tourist belonging to a tour group the lodger can obtain such information from a tour guide. If a lodger is an individual tourist, the lodger can obtain such information from the reception of the hotel. At any rate, it is necessary for a lodger to associate his or her lodging, dining hall for breakfast and the like with his or her room number, the name of the dining hall for breakfast and the like, respectively.

Conventionally, in moving to a lodging, a dining hall for breakfast and the like, a lodger refers to his or her own memory and a guide map of the hotel where the lodger stays, to determine a route to his or her destination in the hotel for himself or herself and go to the destination. However, a room number, the name of a hall and the like are in effect a simple number, a name such as a proper noun, and the like, respectively, and are in general forgettable. As such, the lodger can often forget a room number or the name of a hall and in that case must obtain the information on the room number and the like again from the reception or the like of the hotel. Such information changes whenever a lodger changes his or her accommodation, and the lodger must memorize different such information for each accommodation.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-189690 discloses a guide system assisting a user in moving to a destination. Referring to FIG. 68, the conventional guide system includes more than one transmitter 10 used in a building, an exhibition hall and the like and each installed on a passageway at a predetermined position to transmit positional information indicating its installed position, and a user-portable, direction guide device 20. The positional information is used in direction guide device 20 to determine the current position.

Direction guide device 20 includes a start-point memory 21 storing a start point input by a user, a destination memory 22 storing a destination input by the user, a receive block 23 receiving positional information transmitted from transmitter 10, and a map memory 24 previously storing a route (i.e., a direction to the destination and the location at which transmitter 10 is installed) in a form of on-map information.

Direction guide device 20 also includes an on-map information search block 25 connected to start-point memory 21, destination memory 22 and map memory 24 to refer to a start point stored in start-point memory 21 and a destination stored in destination memory 22 to search map memory 24 for on-map information on a route and direction to the destination, and a route memory 26 connected to on-map information search block 25 to store on-map information (a route) retrieved by on-map information search block 25.

Direction guide device 20 also includes a direction guide block 27 connected to route memory 26 and receive block 23 to refer to positional information received by receive block 23 and on-map information stored in route memory 26 to indicate a direction to be taken by the user.

A user receives direction guide device 20 at a reception or the like and inputs thereinto a start point and a destination. Based on the start point and the destination, on-map information search block 25 calculates a route to the destination which is in turn stored in route memory 26. When the user approaches a transmitter installed for example at an intersection of passageways, receive block 23 receives positional information. Direction guide block 27 refers to the route to the destination stored in route memory 26 and the positional information received by receive block 23 to determine and indicate to the user a direction to be taken by the user. Thus the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If such guide system is used in an accommodation facility such as a hotel, however, the user must associate his or her necessary logical concepts, such as a lodging, a dining hall for breakfast, with physical concepts, such as a room number, the name of the dining hall for breakfast, and thus memorize them. As such, if the user uses more accommodations in the hotel, it is difficult for the user to memorize such correspondence. Furthermore, this guide system cannot display information in a manner switched depending on the user, such as in languages switched depending on the user. Furthermore, this guide system having an internal map memory for storing data large in scale corresponding to a map, would disadvantageously increase the size of the device itself and render the device inconvenient to hold.

Furthermore, the user is required to input to the guide system both a start point and a destination, which is also required to be input in the form of a physical concept described above. As such, the system is inconvenient for the user to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to overcome the disadvantages described above and contemplates an information service system using user-memorable information to provide desired information, and a portable device and an information service device used in such information service system.

The present invention also contemplates an information service system providing information allowing a user to efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know the name of the destination, and a portable device and an information service device used in such information service system.

The present invention also contemplates an information service system capable of providing information allowing a user to reach a destination without inputting the user's start point, and a portable device and an information service device used in such information service system.

The present invention also contemplates a portable device convenient to hold.

In accordance with the present invention in one aspect an information service system includes a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group for output, and an information service device receiving the information contained in the second group and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a first conversion block connected to the input block and the first memory to receive the information contained in the first group and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group, and a first transmit block connected to the first conversion block to receive an output of the first conversion block and transmit the output of the first conversion block to the information service device. The information service device includes a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a first receive block receiving information from the first transmit block, and a second conversion block connected to the first receive block and the second memory to receive an output of the first receive block and refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA (corresponding to the name of the dining hall for breakfast)," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to store data large in scale, such as information in the form of a map. Thus the portable device can be miniaturized and thus easy for the user to hold.

Preferably the second memory includes a third memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and information contained in a fourth group, and a fourth memory storing an association between the information contained in the fourth group and the information contained in the third group. The second conversion block includes a third conversion block connected to the first receive block and the third memory to receive the output of the first receive block and refer to the association stored in the third memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the fourth group for output, and a fourth conversion block connected to the third conversion block and the fourth memory to receive an output of the third conversion block and refer to the association stored in the fourth memory to convert the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the third group for output.

If it is difficult to obtain an association between the information contained in the second group and that contained in the third group, an association between the information contained in the second group and the additionally prepared information contained in the fourth group and an association between the information contained in the fourth group and that contained in the third group can be used to allow the information contained in the second group to be converted into that contained in the third group.

For example, if the present system is used in an airport, the information contained in the first group may be the destination and time of an airplane to board, and the information contained in the second group may be the flight number of the airplane. Furthermore, the information contained in the fourth group may be a gate number and the information contained in the third group may be a direction to a boarding gate corresponding to the gate number. The destination and time of the airplane to board and the gate number for the airplane are previously not definite. In other words, when a ticket for the airplane is actually purchased the destination and time of the airplane and the gate number therefor do not yet have therebetween a definite association while the destination and time of the airplane and the flight number thereof already have a definite association therebetween. As such, introducing new information, or the flight number of the airplane, can distinctively separate an association definite when a ticket for the airplane is purchased (an association between the destination and time of the airplane and the flight number of the airplane) and an association definite on the day of the departure of the airplane (an association between the flight number of the airplane and the gate number for the airplane). The association between the destination, time and the flight number may be stored in the portable device at the first memory, and the association between the flight number and the gate number may be stored in the information service device at the third memory. If an association between a destination, time and a gate number can be separated in two, such association can be readily understood and controlled. For example, an association between a destination, time and a flight number, stored in the portable device, may be controlled by an airline, while an association between the flight number and a gate number, stored in the information service device, may be controlled by an airport management office.

Still preferably the portable device further includes an information output block outputting the information contained in the fourth group. The first memory stores an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the fourth group. The first conversion block is connected to the input block, the information output block and the first memory to receive the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the second group.

For example, the information contained in the first group may be the name of a bank which a user desires to use (the name of the bank of interest) and the information contained in the second group may be the name of a bank which accepts a bank book or a cash card of the bank of interest (the name of an affiliate bank). Furthermore, the information contained in the third group may be a direction to the affiliate bank and the information contained in the fourth group may be time. The first memory is adapted to store the name of the bank of interest, the name of the affiliate bank, and the business hours of the affiliate bank. As such, the user is only required to input the name of the bank of interest to obtain information on the name of any affiliate bank currently open for business and obtain information on a direction to the affiliate bank via the information service device. Thus the user efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know specifically the name, location or business hours of the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in another aspect a portable device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and converting information contained in a first group into information contained in a second group for output, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a first conversion block connected to the input block and the first memory to receive the information contained in the first group and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group, and a first transmit block connected to the first conversion block to receive and transmit an output of the first conversion block to the information service device.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to store data large in scale, such as information in the form of a map. Thus the portable device can be miniaturized and thus easy for the user to hold.

In accordance with the present invention in another aspect an information service device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and converting information contained in a first group into information contained in a second group for output, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group. The information service device includes a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a first receive block receiving from the portable device the information contained in the second group, and a first conversion block connected to the first receive block and the first memory to receive an output of the first receive block and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service system includes a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in the first group and an identifier of the portable device, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group and the identifier into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The portable device includes an identifier memory storing the identifier, an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, and a first transmit block connected to the input block and the identifier memory to receive the information contained in the first group and transmit to the information service device the information contained in the first group and the identifier stored in the identifier memory. The information service device includes a first receive block receiving information from the first transmit block, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group, the identifier and the information contained in the second group, a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a first conversion block connected to the first receive block and the first memory to receive an output of the first receive block and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the identifier into the information contained in the second group for output, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to receive an output of the first conversion block and refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to store data large in scale, such as information in the form of a map. Thus the portable device can be miniaturized and thus easy for the user to hold.

Preferably the information service system also includes a central control system connected to the first memory to rewrite the association between the information contained in the first group, the identifier and the information contained in the second group that is stored in the first memory.

The central control system collectively rewrites an association between the information contained in the first group, an identifier and the information contained in the second group that is stored in the first memory. This eliminates the necessity of rewriting the association between the information contained in the first group and that contained in the second group for each portable device and thus allows such association to be rewritten efficiently.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect a portable device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in the first group and an identifier of the portable device, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group and the identifier into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The portable device includes an identifier memory storing the identifier, an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, and a first transmit block connected to the input block and the identifier memory to receive the information contained in the first group and transmit to the information service device the information contained in the first group and the identifier stored in the identifier memory.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to store data large in scale, such as information in the form of a map. Thus the portable device can be miniaturized and thus easy for the user to hold.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in the first group and an identifier of the portable device, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group and the identifier into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The information service device includes a first receive block receiving an output of the portable device, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group, the identifier and the information contained in the second group, a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a first conversion block connected to the first receive block and the first memory to receive an output of the first receive block and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the identifier into the information contained in the second group for output, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to receive an output of the first conversion block and refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The information contained in the first group is adapted to be information easy for a user to memorize and the information contained in the second group is adapted to be information hard for the user to memorize. As such, the user can use the information easy for the user to memorize to obtain desired information contained in the third group. Thus the user can readily obtain desired information. For example, a logical concept, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a lodging, is prepared as the information contained in the first group, and a physical concept indicative of a destination, such as "AZALEA," "a corner on the third floor," is prepared as the information contained in the second group. Furthermore, a direction to a destination, such as a leftward direction, a rightward direction, is prepared as the information contained in the third group. Thus, if the user does not know the name of his or her destination, the user can efficiently reach the destination.

If the information service device is provided in a facility at various locations, simply by inputting a logical concept to the portable device the user can obtain from the information service device a direction to his or her destination. Thus, without inputting his or her current position the user can efficiently reach the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service system includes a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in the first group, and an information service device receiving the information contained in the first group and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, and a first transmit block connected to the input block to receive the information contained in the first group and transmit to the information service device the information contained in the first group. The information service device includes a first receive block receiving information from the first receive block, an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the fourth group, a second memory storing an association between the information stored in the second group and the information stored in the third group, a first conversion block connected to the first receive block, the information output block and the first memory to receive the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the second group, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to receive an output of the first conversion block and refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

For example, the information contained in the first group may be the name of a bank which a user desires to use (the name of the bank of interest) and the information contained in the second group may be the name of a bank which accepts a bank book or a cash card of the bank of interest (the name of an affiliate bank). Furthermore, the information contained in the third group may be a direction to the affiliate bank and the information contained in the fourth group may be time. The first memory is adapted to store the name of the bank of interest, the name of the affiliate bank and the business hours of the affiliate bank, and the second memory is adapted to store the name of the affiliate bank and the direction to the affiliate bank. As such, the user is only required to input the name of the bank of interest to obtain information on a direction to an affiliate bank currently open for business. Thus the user efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know specifically the name, location or business hours of the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect a portable device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and outputting information contained in a first group, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in the second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The portable device includes an input block inputting information contained in the first group, an identifier memory storing an identifier of the portable device, a transmit block connected to the input block and the identifier memory to transit to the information service device the information contained in the first group together with the identifier of the portable device, a receive block receiving from the information service device the information contained in the third group and the identifier of the portable device, and a display block connected to the receive block and the identifier memory to refer to a result of comparing the identifier received by the receive block with the identifier stored in the identifier memory to display the information contained in the third group.

The portable device transmits to the information service device an identifier which is in tern sent back to the portable device together with the information contained in the third group. As such, the portable device can display on the display block only the information transmitted thereto.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and outputting information contained in a first group, and an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output. The information service device includes a first receive block receiving information from the portable device, an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the fourth group, a second memory storing an association between the information stored in the second group and the information stored in the third group, a first conversion block connected to the receive block, the information output block and the first memory to receive the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group and refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the second group, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to receive an output of the first conversion block and refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

For example, the information contained in the first group may be the name of a bank which a user desires to use (the name of the bank of interest) and the information contained in the second group may be the name of a bank which accepts a bank book or a cash card of the bank of interest (the name of an affiliate bank). Furthermore, the information contained in the third group may be a direction to the affiliate bank and the information contained in the fourth group may be time. The first memory is adapted to store the name of the bank of interest, the name of the affiliate bank, and the business hours of the affiliate bank, and the second memory is adapted to store the name of the affiliate bank and the direction to the affiliate bank. As such, the user is only required to input the name of the bank of interest to obtain information on a direction to an affiliate bank currently open for business. Thus the user efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know specifically the name, location or business hours of the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service system includes a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and outputting the information contained in the first group, an information service device receiving the information contained in the first group and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between the portable device and the information service device. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, and a first transmit block connected to the input block to receive the information contained in the first group and transmit to the relay device the information contained in the first group. The relay device includes a first receive block receiving information from the first transmit block, and a second transmit block connected to the first receive block to receive the information contained in the first group and transmit to the information service device the information contained in the first group. The information service device includes a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a second receive block receiving information from the relay device, a first conversion block connected to the second receive block and the first memory to refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group for output, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The portable device and the information service device are adapted to communicate information with each other via a relay device. As such, if for example the information service device is an artificial satellite and the relay device is a cellular station, the information service system can provide information in a wide range of area.

Preferably the information service device also includes an information output block outputting information contained in a fourth group. The first memory stores an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the fourth group. The first conversion block is connected to the second receive block, the information output block and the first memory to refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the second group for output.

For example, the information contained in the first group may be the name of a bank which a user desires to use (the name of the bank of interest) and the information contained in the second group may be the name of a bank which accepts a bank book or a cash card of the bank of interest (the name of an affiliate bank). Furthermore, the information contained in the third group may be a direction to the affiliate bank and the information contained in the fourth group may be time. The first memory is adapted to store the name of the bank of interest, the name of the affiliate bank, and the business hours of the affiliate bank, and the second memory is adapted to store the name of the affiliate bank and the direction to the affiliate bank. As such, the user is only required to input the name of the bank of interest to obtain information on a direction to an affiliate bank currently open for business. Thus the user efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know specifically the name, location or business hours of the destination.

Still preferably the relay device also includes a relay device identifier memory storing an identifier of the relay device. The second transmit block is connected to the first receive block and the relay device identifier memory to transmit to the information service device the information contained in the first group together with the identifier of the relay device. The information service device also includes a third memory storing an association between the identifier of the relay device and information contained in a fifth group. The first memory stores an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group, the information contained in the fourth group and the information contained in the fifth group. The first conversion block is connected to the second receive block, the information output block, the first memory and the third memory to receive the identifier of the relay device and refer to the association stored in the third memory to convert the identifier of the relay device into the information contained in the fifth group, and further refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the fourth group and the information contained in the fifth group into the information contained in the second group for output.

For example, with the information contained in the fifth group corresponding to the location of a relay device, the first memory may store an association between the name of the bank of interest, the name of an affiliate bank, a direction to the affiliate bank, and the location of the relay device. As such, the information service device can refer to the location of the relay device having relayed data, to select an affiliate bank closest to the relay device and thus provide a direction to the affiliate bank. Thus the information service system can provide information depending on the user's position, as appropriate.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and outputting information contained in a first group, an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group and further converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between the portable device and the information service device. The information service device includes a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a receive block receiving the information from the relay device, a first conversion block connected to the receive block and the first memory to refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group for output, and a second conversion block connected to the first conversion block and the second memory to refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The portable device and the information service device are adapted to communicate information with each other via a relay device. As such, if for example the information service device is an artificial satellite and the relay device is a cellular station, the information service system can provide information in a wide range of area.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect the information service system includes a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group for output, an information service device receiving the information contained in the second group and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between the portable device and the information service device. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, a first memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a first conversion block connected to the input block and the first memory to refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group, and a first transmit block connected to the first conversion block to transmit to the relay device the information contained in the second group. The relay device includes a first receive block receiving information from the first transmit block, and a second transmit block connected to the first receive block to receive the information contained in the second group and transmit to the information service device the information contained in the second group. The information service device includes a second memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a second receive block receiving information from the second transmit block, and a second conversion block connected to the second receive block and the second memory to refer to the association stored in the second memory to convert the information received by the second receive block and contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The portable device and the information service device are adapted to communicate information with each other via a relay device. As such, if for example the information service device is an artificial satellite and the relay device is a cellular station, the information service system can provide information in a wide range of area.

Preferably the portable device also includes an information output block outputting the information contained in the fourth group. The first memory stores an association between the information contained in the first group, the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the fourth group. The first conversion block is connected to the input block, the information output block and the first memory to refer to the association stored in the first memory to convert the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the fourth group into the information contained in the second group for output.

For example, the information contained in the first group may be the name of a bank which a user desires to use (the name of the bank of interest) and the information contained in the second group may be the name of a bank which accepts a bank book or a cash card of the bank of interest (the name of an affiliate bank). Furthermore, the information contained in the third group may be a direction to the affiliate bank and the information contained in the fourth group may be time. The first memory is adapted to store the name of the bank of interest, the name of the affiliate bank, and the business hours of the affiliate bank, and the second memory is adapted to store the name of the affiliate bank and the direction to the affiliate bank. As such, the user is only required to input the name of the bank of interest to obtain information on a direction to an affiliate bank currently open for business. Thus the user efficiently reach a destination if the user does not know specifically the name, location or business hours of the destination.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect a portable device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving information contained in a first group and converting the information contained in the first group into information contained in a second group for output, an information service device receiving the information contained in the second group and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between the portable device and the information service device. The portable device includes an input block inputting the information contained in the first group, a memory storing an association between the information contained in the first group and the information contained in the second group, a conversion block connected to the input block and the memory to refer to the association stored in the memory to convert the information contained in the first group into the information contained in the second group for output, and a transmit block connected to the conversion block to transmit to the relay device the information contained in the second group.

The portable device and the information service device are adapted to communicate information with each other via a relay device. As such, if for example the information service device is an artificial satellite and the relay device is a cellular station, the information service system can provide information in a wide range of area.

In accordance with the present invention in still another aspect an information service device is used in an information service system including a portable device receiving and converting information contained in a first group into information contained in a second group for output, an information service device receiving and converting the information contained in the second group into information contained in a third group for output, and a relay device relaying information between the portable device and the information service device. The information service device includes a memory storing an association between the information contained in the second group and the information contained in the third group, a receive block receiving information from the relay device, and a conversion block connected to the receive block and the memory to refer to the association stored in the memory to convert the information received by the receive block and contained in the second group into the information contained in the third group for output.

The portable device and the information service device are adapted to communicate information with each other via a relay device. As such, if for example the information service device is an artificial satellite and the relay device is a cellular station, the information service system can provide information in a wide range of area.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an information service system of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates codes for logical concepts.

FIG. 3 illustrates codes for directions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 102.

FIG. 5 represents associations between logical concepts and physical concepts stored in an LC-PC correspondence memory 303.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 101.

FIG. 7 represents associations between physical concepts and directions stored in a PC-direction correspondence memory 313.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an association control system.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 102.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 101.

FIG. 11 shows an appearance of another example of the information service system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 202.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 201.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 202.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 201.

FIG. 17 shows an appearance of another example of the information service system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 1102.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 1101.

FIG. 21 illustrates associations stored in an LC-PC correspondence memory 1313, each between a logical concept, ID number and a physical concept.

FIG. 22 illustrates associations stored in PC-direction correspondence memory 1315, each between a physical concept and a direction.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 1102.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 1101.

FIG. 25 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 1202.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 1201.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 1202.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 1201.

FIG. 30 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 1202.

FIG. 32 illustrates associations stored in an LC-IC correspondence memory 2303, each between a logical concept and an intermediate concept.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 2101.

FIG. 34 illustrates associations stored in an IC-PC correspondence memory 2313, each between an intermediate concept and a physical concept.

FIG. 35 illustrates associations stored in a PC-direction correspondence memory 2315, each between a physical concept and a direction.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 2102.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 2101.

FIG. 38 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 2202.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stationary device 2201.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 2202.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart representing a process performed by stationary device 2201.

FIG. 43 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 2702.

FIG. 45 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a beacon 2701.

FIG. 46 illustrates an association between the name of the bank of interest, the name of an affiliate bank and the business hours of the affiliate bank that is stored in an LC-PC correspondence memory 2813.

FIG. 47 illustrates an association between the name of an affiliate bank and a direction to the affiliate bank that is stored in a PC-direction correspondence memory 2816.

FIG. 48 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 2702.

FIG. 49 is a flow chart representing a process performed by beacon 2701.

FIG. 50 shows an appearance of an information service system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable device 3102.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a beacon 3101.

FIG. 53 is a flow chart representing a process performed by portable device 3102.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart representing a process performed by beacon 3101.

FIG. 55 shows an appearance of an information service system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cellular station 3402.

FIG. 57 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an artificial satellite 3401.

FIG. 58 illustrates an association between the ID number of a cellular station and the exact location of the cellular station that is stored in a memory storing the locations of cellular stations 3511.

FIG. 59 illustrates an association stored in an LC-PC correspondence memory 3518 between the name of a bank, the location of the bank, the business hours of the bank and the name of the bank of interest with which the above bank is affiliated.

FIG. 60 is a flow chart representing a process performed by cellular station 3402.

FIG. 61 is a flow chart representing a process performed by artificial satellite 3401.

FIG. 62 shows an appearance of an information system according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cellular station 3702.

FIG. 64 illustrates an association between a cellular station's ID number, an affiliate bank's name and the affiliate bank's direction that is stored in artificial satellite 3701 at a PC-direction correspondence memory 3213.

FIG. 65 is a flow chart representing a process performed by a portable device 3703.

FIG. 66 is a flow chart representing a process performed by cellular station 3702.

FIG. 67 is a flow chart representing a process performed by artificial satellite 3701.

FIG. 68 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a guide system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 5-189690.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

An information service system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the information service system according to the first embodiment includes a portable device 102 which receives a logical concept indicating a destination, such as a dining hall floor breakfast, a public bath and the like, and uses the logical concept to search for a physical concept, such as "AZALEA (the name of a dining hall for breakfast)," a corner on the third floor and the like, transmits a retrieved physical concept to a stationary device 101 (described later) installed, e.g., at an intersection of passageways in a hotel, and receives from stationary device 101 a direction to be taken and displays such direction.

The information service system also includes stationary device 101 which receives a physical concept from portable device 102, searches for a direction to the physical concept and transmits such direction to portable device 102, and an association control system (not shown) which rewrites an association between a logical concept and a physical concept that is stored in portable device 102.

A physical concept herein refers to the name of an object itself, representing a concept associated with the exact location of the object. A logical concept corresponds, e.g., to a purpose which an object serves.

It should be noted that portable device 102 displays information in any language desired by the user. Accordingly, portable device 102 is adapted to receive logical concepts represented by codes common throughout the world, such as shown in FIG. 2. For example, if a logical concept corresponds to a dining hall for breakfast, then a code R001 is input to portable device 102. Furthermore, stationary device 101 is also adapted to transmit to portable device 102 a direction to a physical concept that is represented by a code common throughout the world, such as shown in FIG. 3. For example, if such direction is a rightward direction, then stationary device 101 transmits a code S001 to portable device 102. Portable device 102 having received code S001 displays a Japanese word corresponding to the word "right" if the user desires to use Japanese, and portable device 102 displays an English word "right" when the user desires to use English.

Referring to FIG. 4, portable device 102 includes a logical concept (LC) input block 301 receiving a logical concept input by a user indicative of a destination, a logical concept-physical concept (LC-PC) correspondence memory 303 storing an association between a logical concept and a physical concept, and an LC-PC association input block 307 connected to LC-PC correspondence memory 303 and externally receiving an association between a logical concept and a physical concept to store such association to LC-PC correspondence memory 303.

Portable device 102 also includes a physical concept (PC) search block 302 connected to LC input block 301 and LC-PC correspondence memory 303 to receive a logical concept input by the user and search LC-PC correspondence memory 303 for a physical concept corresponding to the logical concept and output a retrieved physical concept, and a PC transmit block 304 connected to PC search block 302 to externally transmit an output from PC search block 302.

Portable device 102 also includes a direction receive block 305 receiving from stationary device 101 a direction to a destination and a physical concept indicating a destination, and a direction display block 306 displaying a direction to a destination and a physical concept indicating a destination.

Referring to FIG. 5, LC-PC correspondence memory 303 stores an association between a logical concept and a physical concept, as has been described above. For example, logical concepts such as a lodging and a dining hall for breakfast are associated with physical concepts such as room no. 301, "AZALEA," respectively. LC-PC correspondence memory 303 stores information varying for each individual, i.e., for each portable device 102. For example, each individual can stay at a different room and each tour group can have breakfast in a different dining hall. For a dining hall for breakfast, in particular, each dining table may be more specifically indicated as a unit position. It should be noted that in effect the column for logical concepts in FIG. 5 stores such codes as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, stationary device 101 includes a PC receive block 311 receiving a physical concept transmitted from portable device 102, and a PC-direction correspondence memory 313 storing an association between a physical concept and a direction to a destination represented by the physical concept.

Stationary device 101 also includes a direction search block 312 connected to PC receive block 311 and PC-direction correspondence memory 313 to search PC-direction correspondence memory 313 for a direction to a destination represented by a physical concept received by PC receive block 311 and output a retrieved direction together with the physical concept, and a direction transmit block 314 connected to direction search block 312 to externally transmit an output from direction search block 312.

Referring to FIG. 7, PC-direction correspondence memory 313 stores an association between a physical concept and a direction, as has been described above. For example, physical concepts such as room no. 201, "AZALEA" are associated with directions, such as "turn right" and "go straight ahead," respectively. It should be noted that in effect the column for directions in FIG. 7 stores such codes as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 8, the association control system includes an association input block 321 receiving an association between a logical concept and a physical concept, an association creation block 322 connected to association input block 321 to create from an association input to association input block 321 an association in a form transmittable to portable device 102, and an association output block 323 connected to association creation block 322 to provide to the portable device's LC-PC association input block 307 an association created by association creation block 322.

The information service system according to the present embodiment is used for example as described below. In a hotel at its reception or the like the association control system is used to input to portable device 102 information depending on a user. More specifically, an association between a logical concept and a physical concept depending on the user is stored to LC-PC correspondence memory 303. Portable device 102 with information input depending on each user is provided to the user when the user checks in the hotel. The user inquires of stationary device 101 installed at an intersection or the like the direction to a destination. More specifically, when the user directs portable device 102 towards stationary device 101 and presses an icon indicative of a logical concept displayed on the portable device's input screen, a direction is displayed on direction display block 306 of portable device 102. The user proceeds in the direction displayed on direction display block 306. Thus the user can efficiently reach the destination.

Referring to FIG. 9, portable device 102 operates as described below: portable device 102 waits for data input by a user or from stationary device 101 (S801). If a user inputs data or LC input block 301 receives a logical concept (a user input at S801), then PC search block 302 searches LC-PC correspondence memory 303 for and outputs a physical concept corresponding to the logical concept received by LC input block 301 (S802). PC transmit block 304 receives the physical concept output from PC search block 302 and transmits such physical concept to stationary device 101 with portable device 102 opposite thereto (S803).

If via stationary device 101 data is input or direction receive block 305 receives a direction from stationary device 101 (an external input at S801), then direction receive block 305 converts the data of the received direction into a predetermined language used by the user and outputs such converted data (S804). Direction display block 306 receives and displays the data (S805).

If via LC-PC association input block 307 an association between a logical concept and a physical concept is input (an association input at S801), then LC-PC association input block 307 rewrites a content of LC-PC correspondence memory 303 (S806).

Referring to FIG. 10, stationary device 101 operates as described below: stationary device 101 waits for data input from portable device 102 (S601). When via portable device 102 data is input or PC receive block 311 receives a physical concept (YES at S601), then direction search block 312 searches PC-direction correspondence memory 313 for and outputs a direction to a destination represented by the received physical concept (S602). Direction transmit block 314 transmits to portable device 102 the direction output from PC-direction correspondence memory 313.

Referring to FIG. 11, portable device 102 may also display supplementary information on an input logical concept simultaneously. For example, if a user inputs "a dining hall for breakfast" then it may display a breakfast menu, or a distance to the input destination. In such example, PC-direction correspondence memory 313 stores supplementary information on a physical concept that is supplementary to an association between the physical concept and a direction. Direction search block 312 refers to the physical concept and thus searches for a direction and the supplementary information on the physical concept and outputs them together with the physical concept. Direction transmit block 314 transmits an output from direction search block 312. Direction receive block 305 receives the output and direction display block 306 displays the direction, the supplementary information on the physical concept, and the physical concept.

In the information service system as described above, the user is not required to input his or her current position and is only required to input a destination to obtain a direction to the destination and thus efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the user can input a destination through a logical concept. As such, the user can efficiently reach the destination if as in a hotel or other unfamiliar buildings the user does not know the name of a hall or the like corresponding to the destination or the positional relationship thereof.

Furthermore, the portable device capable of displaying information in a manner switchable depending on the user, such as in languages switchable used to display the information, can have enhanced operability.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to internally store data large in scale, such as a map. Thus the device can be miniaturized and thus have a structure convenient to hold.

While in the above description portable device 102 belongs to a hotel, it may belong to an individual.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 12, an information service system according to a second embodiment includes a portable device 202 responding to a logical concept indicative of a destination input, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a public bath and the like, by searching for a physical concept, such as "AZALEA," a corner on the third floor and the like, and transmitting a retrieved physical concept and an identification (ID) number of portable device 202 to a stationary device 201 (described hereinafter) installed, e.g., at an intersection of passageways in a hotel.

The information service system also includes stationary device 201 receiving from portable device 202 a physical concept and an ID number of portable device 202 and searching for a direction to the physical concept and displaying a retrieved direction together with the ID number and the physical concept, and an association control system (not shown) rewriting an association between a logical concept and a physical concept that is stored in portable device 202.

Referring to FIG. 13, portable device 202 includes an LC input block 401 receiving a logical concept indicative of a destination input by a user, an LC-PC correspondence memory 403 storing an association between a logical concept and a physical concept, and a PC search block 402 connected to LC input block 401 and LC-PC correspondence memory 403 to receive a logical concept input by the user and search LC-PC correspondence memory 403 for and output a physical concept corresponding to the logical concept input by the user.

Portable device 202 also includes an ID number memory 406 storing its ID number, a PC transmit block 404 connected to PC search block 402 and ID number memory 406 to externally transmit an output from PC search block 402 together with the ID number, and an LC-PC association input block 405 connected to LC-PC correspondence memory 403 to externally receive an association between a logical concept and a physical concept and store such association to LC-PC correspondence memory 403.

LC-PC correspondence memory 403 stores an LC-PC association similar to that stored in LC-PC correspondence memory 303 of portable device 102 of the first embodiment as described with reference to FIG. 5. Accordingly such association will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 14, stationary device 201 includes a PC receive block 411 receiving from portable device 202 a physical concept and an ID number, and a PC-direction correspondence memory 413 storing an association between a physical concept and a direction to a destination represented by the physical concept.

Stationary device 201 also includes a direction search block 412 connected to PC receive block 411 and PC-direction correspondence memory 413 to search PC-direction correspondence memory 413 for a direction to a destination represented by a physical concept received by PC receive block 411 and output a retrieved direction together with the physical concept and an ID number, and a direction display block 414 connected to direction search block 412 to display a physical concept, an ID number and a direction to a destination.

PC-direction correspondence memory 413 stores a PC-direction association similar to that stored in PC-direction correspondence memory 313 of stationary device 101 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7. Accordingly, such association will not be described in detail.

The association control system has a hardware block configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, each components thereof will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 15, portable device 202 operates as described below: portable device 202 waits for data externally input (S701). If a user inputs data or LC input block 401 receives a logical concept (a logical concept at S701), then PC search block 402 searches PC search block 402 for a physical concept corresponding to the logical concept received by LC input block 401 and outputs a retrieved physical concept (S702). PC transmit block 404 receives the physical concept output from PC search block 402 and transmits such physical concept together with an ID number to stationary device 201 with portable device 202 directed thereto (S703). If via LC-PC association input block 405 an LC-PC association is input (an association at S701), then LC-PC association input block 405 rewrites a content of LC-PC correspondence memory 403 (S704).

Referring to FIG. 16, stationary device 201 operates as described below: stationary device 201 waits for data input from portable device 202 (S611). When via portable device 202 data is input or PC receive block 411 receives a physical concept (YES at S611), then direction search block 412 searches PC-direction correspondence memory 413 for a direction to a destination represented by the physical concept and outputs a retrieved direction together with the physical concept. Direction display block 414 displays the direction to the destination and the physical concept (S613).

It should be noted that stationary device 201 may also simultaneously display supplementary information on a physical concept input via portable device 202, as shown in FIG. 17. For example, stationary device 201 may display the distance to an input destination or stationary device 201 may display a breakfast menu when a user inputs a dining hall for breakfast. In this example, PC-direction correspondence memory 413 stores supplementary information on a physical concept that is supplementary to an association between the physical concept and a direction. Direction search block 412 refers to a physical concept and thus searches for a direction and supplementary information on the physical concept and outputs them together with the physical concept. Direction display block 414 receives from direction search block 412 the physical concept, the direction and the supplementary information on the physical concept and displays them together with an ID number.

In the information service system as described above, the user is not required to input his or her current position and is only required to input a destination to obtain a direction to the destination and thus efficiently reach the destination.

Furthermore, the user can input a destination through a logical concept. As such, the user can efficiently reach the destination if as in a hotel or other unfamiliar buildings the user does not know the name of a hall or the like corresponding to the destination or the positional relationship thereof.

Furthermore, the stationary device can display a portable device's ID number. As such, if more than one portable device transmit information to the stationary device, a user can determine whether the information displayed on the stationary device is associated with the information transmitted by the user. Thus the user can obtain information accurately.

Furthermore, the portable device is not required to internally store data large in scale, such as maps. Thus the device can be miniaturized and thus have a structure convenient to hold.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 18, an information service system according to a third embodiment includes a user-portable device 1102 receiving a logical concept indicative of a destination, such as a dining hall for breakfast, a public bath, and transmitting such logical concept together with an ID number of the portable device, such as no. 001, to a stationary device 1101 (described later) installed, e.g., at an intersection of passageways in a hotel, and also receiving from stationary device 1101 a physical concept indicative of the destination, such as "AZALEA," a corner on the third floor, and a direction to be taken by the user and displaying the physical concept and the direction.

The information service system also includes stationary device 1101 receiving from portable device 1102 a logical concept and an ID number of portable device 1102, searching for a physical concept depending on the logical concept and the ID number, searching for a direction to the physical concept, and transmitting to portable device 1102 the physical concept and the direction to the physical concept, and a central control system (not shown) connected to stationary device 1101 to update an association between a logical concept, ID number and a physical concept that is stored in stationary device 1101.

Portable device 1102 displays information in a language as desired by a user. Accordingly, a direction to a physical concept and a logical concept are adapted to be represented by codes common throughout the world. Such codes are similar to those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 and will thus not be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 19, portable device 1102 includes an LC input block 1301 receiving a logical concept input by a user indicative of a destination, an ID number memory 132 storing an ID number of portable device 1102, and an LC transmit block 1303 connected to LC input block 1301 and ID number memory 1302 to externally transmit a logical concept and an ID number.

Portable device 1102 also includes a direction receive block 1304 receiving from stationary device 1101 a direction to a destination and a physical concept, and a direction display block 1305 connected to direction receive block 1304 to display a direction and a physical concept.

Referring to FIG. 20, stationary device 1101 includes an LC receive block 1311 receiving from portable device 1102 a logical concept and an ID number, an LC-PC correspondence memory 1313 storing an association between a logical concept, ID number and a physical concept, and a PC search block 1312 connected to LC receive block 1311 and LC-PC correspondence memory 1313 to search a correspondence stored in LC-PC correspondence memory 1313 for a physical concept corresponding to a logical concept and an ID number and output a retrieved physical concept.