JP7580146B2 - Electronic devices and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, electronic devices and programs that provide information to users.

Conventionally, for example, the on-board devices mounted on vehicles such as rental cars are shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

Patent Document 1 discloses a record-keeping system that records the running and driving conditions of a vehicle to be used as evidence in insurance processing procedures when an accident occurs. Patent Document 2 discloses an in-vehicle terminal that makes an emergency call to an emergency call center in the event of an accident to request rescue from a fire department or the like. Patent Document 3 discloses a vehicle tracking device that outputs important terms and conditions information by voice when the vehicle departs, forcing the renter to listen to it in order to avoid trouble caused by not reading the rental terms and conditions when renting a car, and transmits the current location of the missing vehicle to a specific address on a communication network if the vehicle goes missing. Patent Document 4 discloses a video movie camera management system that transmits an operation permission signal to a video movie camera only when location information transmitted from the video movie camera is received when renting a video movie camera to a rental car user, in order to prevent theft of the rented video movie camera, and disables the video movie camera if the video movie camera cannot receive the operation permission signal.

JP 2003-168006 A JP 2002-140403 A JP 2005-135325 A JP 2006-129088 A

The devices and systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 are intended for use by vehicle managers to manage vehicles or equipment, or in the event of an emergency such as an accident, and are unable to provide the wide variety of information desired by vehicle users. Users of electronic devices such as in-vehicle devices want to be provided with the information they want from the electronic devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide, for example, an electronic device and a program that enable a user to obtain various pieces of information more easily than ever before.
The purpose of the present invention is not limited to this, and the applicant intends to obtain rights for configurations that aim to obtain effects from parts of the configurations disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc., through divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, this specification discloses a problem in which the phrase "can be" is read as "the problem is," and the applicant intends to obtain rights for configurations that solve this problem through divisional applications, amendments, etc. The applicant intends to include part of the configurations described in this specification in the claims by amendment or divisional application.

(1) An electronic device that provides information to a user,
It is preferable that the electronic device acquires user information, which is information about the user, via an acquisition means that acquires the information without the user having to input it directly, and outputs information corresponding to the acquired user information from among information prepared in advance to an output means.

A user can obtain information corresponding to user information from an electronic device without directly inputting user information about himself/herself. As a configuration that does not require the user to input information directly, for example, a configuration in which the user does not have to recognize the contents of the user information to be input and perform the operation of inputting the information may be used. Also, a configuration in which the user does not have to manually input a character string representing the user information using an input device such as a touch panel, pointing device, or keyboard may be used. By using such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the effect that the user can be saved the trouble of understanding the contents of the user information and the trouble of manually inputting the information. Also, a configuration in which the user information is input without the user being involved in the input of the user information at all may be used.

The electronic device may be used at home, but is particularly useful when away from home or traveling. When away from home or traveling, there is often no time to perform cumbersome manual input, and so an electronic device that does not require manual input of user information is particularly effective when used away from home or traveling. The electronic device may be, for example, an electronic device used in conjunction with a vehicle. Examples of electronic devices used in conjunction with a vehicle include navigation devices and drive recorders mounted on the vehicle, and portable navigation devices used inside and outside the vehicle. The electronic device may also be an electronic device used by unspecified persons, unrelated to the vehicle. Examples of such electronic devices include printers installed in print service providers such as convenience stores.

The user information may be, for example, information that changes as the user moves, or information that specifies the user's behavior in the future adjacent to the present. Information that changes as the user moves may include, for example, location information that indicates the user's current location. Information that specifies the user's behavior in the future adjacent to the present may include information that specifies the purpose of vehicle use. For example, longitude and latitude may be used as location information that indicates the user's current location. Information that specifies the purpose of vehicle use may specify one of various purposes, such as tourism or business purposes.

Prepared information may be, for example, information associated with a specific location or area. Examples of such information include information indicating tourist destinations, tourist facilities, etc., and information identifying the location of a company to be visited. Examples of information associated with a specific location or area include the names of tourist destinations and tourist facilities, information identifying an application that is prepared in association with a region or facility and provides useful information to visitors to the region or facility, information identifying a local government that provides gifts in return for hometown tax donations, map information, etc.

The information corresponding to the user information to be output to the output means may be stored in a database in association with the user information in a storage device of the electronic device. Furthermore, the information corresponding to the user information to be output to the output means may be extracted by referring to this database based on the user information.

As an acquisition means, for example, it is preferable to have the processing means acquire the user information without requiring the user to recognize and input the contents of the user information.

Such an acquisition means may be, for example, a recording medium on which the contents of the user information are recorded, and a reading device that reads the information recorded on this recording medium. The recording medium may be, for example, a contactless IC card that supports near field communication (NFC). The contactless IC card may be a dedicated card for recording user information, such as an NFC-compatible driver's license. The reading device may be, for example, a communication device that can communicate with an NFC-compatible contactless IC card. The recording medium may be, for example, a paper medium on which the contents of the user information are recorded in coded form. In this case, the reading device may be a reading device that optically reads the code recorded on the paper medium.

Such an acquisition means may be, for example, a server that stores the contents of user information in association with each of a plurality of users, and an identification means that identifies the user. The identification means may be, for example, a contactless IC card that records the user's identification information and a contactless card reader. The identification means may also be a means for identifying the user using biometric authentication technology such as fingerprint authentication, iris authentication, or face authentication. The processing means can acquire the user information by transmitting user information associated with the user identified by the user's identification information from the server to the processing means.

Such an acquisition means may, for example, be a means that causes the processing means to acquire user information without any operation by the user being aware of it. An example of such an acquisition means may be a position detection device that acquires location information of the current location of the electronic device. For example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or the like may be used as this position detection device. When the user carries the position detection device, the processing means can acquire user information including location information of the user's current location.

The processing means may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) capable of receiving information via the acquisition means, and a storage device that stores a program for operating the CPU.

As a mode for outputting information corresponding to the user information to the output means, the information may be displayed on a display screen serving as the output means. When the electronic device is used in association with a vehicle, the user of the vehicle can use the vehicle while visually recognizing the information corresponding to the user information. As a mode for providing information corresponding to the user information to the user, the information may be printed on a paper medium. The user can carry the paper medium on which the information is printed and visually recognize the information printed on the paper medium.

(2) the electronic device is configured to be used in a vehicle;
The user information may include information indicating the purpose of use of the vehicle, and the processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output information corresponding to the purpose of use indicated in the information indicating the purpose of use of the vehicle.

The vehicle user can obtain information from the electronic device depending on the purpose of using the vehicle. It is preferable that the vehicle user is not limited to a specific person, but can be unspecified. Even if the vehicle user changes, or if a person other than the vehicle owner uses the vehicle, information can be provided to the user depending on the user information of the current user.

The vehicle may be one that is used by unspecified persons. A vehicle that is used by unspecified persons may be, for example, a vehicle that is rented out to unspecified persons, such as a vehicle used for rental cars or car sharing. Although the vehicle is rented out to unspecified persons, the user can receive information corresponding to the user information from the electronic device as if the vehicle were his or her own. Furthermore, a vehicle that is used by unspecified persons may be a vehicle that is rented out by a vehicle renter who receives a usage fee from the user. If an electronic device is rented out in conjunction with the rented vehicle, the electronic device provides information corresponding to the user information of the user of the vehicle, thereby adding value to the vehicle rental service.

It is advisable for the vehicle rental company to register information about the user on a server before rental. The processing means of the electronic device may acquire the user information from the rental company's server through the acquisition means. Alternatively, the user information may be copied from the rental company's server to a removable memory card, a contactless IC card, etc., and the contents of the memory card, contactless IC card, etc. may be read into the acquisition means of the electronic device, thereby allowing the processing means of the electronic device to acquire the user information.

The electronic device should be one that can be used inside the vehicle. The electronic device that can be used inside the vehicle may be one that can be brought into the vehicle as needed, but is particularly preferably one that is pre-installed in the vehicle or one that can be installed later. It is particularly preferably one that is installed in the vehicle and cannot or is difficult to remove outside the vehicle. By making it difficult or impossible to remove outside the vehicle, it becomes difficult to take the electronic device out of the vehicle, so that it is possible to avoid as much as possible the occurrence of a situation in which the electronic device is taken out of the vehicle and the vehicle user is unable to use the electronic device.

Examples of the purpose of use indicated by the information indicating the purpose of vehicle use include tourism and business purposes. For example, if the acquisition means of the electronic device is a barcode reader, and if the processing means determines that it has read a two-dimensional barcode on a company business card, the purpose of use can be determined to be business purposes, and if the processing means determines that it has read a barcode displayed in a tourist guidebook, the purpose of use can be determined to be tourism.

When the purpose of use indicated by the information indicating the purpose of use is tourism, the information according to the purpose of use may be information that can identify the tourist destination or tourist facility, for example the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility. It is even better to provide tourist information in addition to the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility. The user can receive services from the electronic device equivalent to those provided by a tourist guide.

When the purpose of use indicated by the information indicating the purpose of use is a business purpose, the information according to the purpose of use may be information that can identify the company, for example, information indicating the location of the company.

(3) The user information may include information indicating a relationship between the user and a person who shares the user's activities, and the processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output information corresponding to the information indicating the relationship between the user and a person who shares the user's activities.

The vehicle user can receive information from the electronic device according to the relationship indicated in the information indicating the relationship between the person who is traveling with the vehicle user and the person who is traveling with the vehicle user. Examples of the relationship between the person who is traveling with the vehicle user and the person who is traveling with the vehicle user include a family relationship, a romantic relationship, a friend relationship, etc.

For example, when the relationship between the person who is accompanying the user and the user is that of family, the processing means may cause the output means to output, as information corresponding to the user information, information indicating tourist spots, tourist facilities, etc. suitable for visiting with a family, such as information indicating an amusement park. For example, when the relationship between the person who is accompanying the user and the user is that of a lover, the processing means may cause the output means to output, as information corresponding to the user information, information indicating tourist spots, tourist facilities, etc. suitable for visiting with a lover, such as date spots. For example, when the relationship between the person who is accompanying the user and the user is that of friends, the processing means may cause the output means to output, as information corresponding to the user information, information indicating places suitable for visiting with friends.

(4) The pre-prepared information may include information for providing a specific benefit to the user, and the processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output at least a portion of the information for providing the specific benefit to the user in accordance with the user information.

The user can obtain information on whether or not a specific benefit can be obtained according to the user information. Examples of specific benefits include preferential treatment. Examples include the benefit of being able to eat, drink, or enter for free, or the benefit of being able to eat, drink, or enter at a discounted price from the regular price.

The information for granting the specified benefit may be information about a coupon for granting the specified benefit, for example, information that identifies the coupon. The user can obtain information about the coupon for granting the specified benefit. The information for granting the specified benefit may be provided to the user by displaying it as an image on the display screen of the electronic device. The user can visually recognize the information for granting the specified benefit.

The coupon-related information can be transferred from the electronic device to the user's mobile device using short-range wireless communication or the like, and the user can receive the specified benefit by holding the mobile device over a terminal installed at the entrance gate of the facility. Alternatively, the coupon-related information transferred to the mobile device can be displayed on the mobile device, and the user can receive the specified benefit by showing the displayed information to a staff member at the facility.

The information about the provision of the specified benefit may be provided to the user by displaying the information about the provision of the specified benefit on the display screen of the electronic device. The user can see the display screen showing the information about the provision of the specified benefit and recognize what kind of benefit he or she will receive.

(5) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of erasing the acquired user information when a predetermined erasure condition for erasing the user information is satisfied.

Even if the vehicle is used in a manner that allows it to be rented out to unspecified persons, the user can prevent information about himself/herself from being seen by other users. For example, personal information can be used as user information. In this way, the user can prevent his/her personal information from being known by other users of electronic devices.

The predetermined deletion condition may be that the user has performed an deletion operation. The vehicle in which the electronic device is used may be one that is rented to a user with a designated return location, such as a rental car. In this case, the predetermined deletion condition may be that the vehicle has been returned to the return location.

(6) The vehicle is used in a manner that it is rented to the user for set time periods, the user information includes information indicating a planned time for using the vehicle, and the processing means is an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output information corresponding to the information indicating the planned time.

The user can obtain information from the electronic device according to the planned time for which the vehicle will be used. For example, if the vehicle is used in a manner that allows it to be rented to unspecified persons, the planned time for which the vehicle will be used may be the time from when the vehicle is rented to when it is returned.

The processing means may cause the output means to output, as information corresponding to the user information, only information that can be used within the planned time for which the vehicle is to be used, from among the information prepared in advance. For example, the processing means may cause the output means to output, as information corresponding to the user information, information relating to places that can be traveled to and from within the planned time for which the vehicle is to be used. By excluding from the output targets information of little use relating to places that cannot be visited within the planned time for which the vehicle is to be used, the user can obtain only information of high use relating to places that can be traveled to and from within the planned time.

(7) The vehicle is used in a manner in which it is rented to the user by specifying a return location, the user information includes information indicating the return location, and the processing means is an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output, when the distance between the current location of the vehicle and the return location becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, location information of a refueling facility located on a route from the current location of the vehicle to the return location, or location information of a refueling facility located within a predetermined area including the current location of the vehicle.

When the distance between the current location and the vehicle return location is within a specified distance, the user can recognize the location of a facility suitable for refueling before returning the vehicle. The specified area including the current location may be, for example, an area centered on the current location, such as a circular area of a specified radius centered on the current location. In this way, even if there is no refueling facility on the route from the current location to the vehicle return location, the vehicle user can recognize a relatively nearby refueling facility that can be reached by making a slight detour.

The vehicle return location may be a storage location when the vehicle is not rented out, such as a rental car company store or a paid parking lot where car sharing vehicles are kept. In this way, before returning the rented vehicle to the storage location, the vehicle user can recognize the location of refueling facilities that are on the route from the current location to the vehicle storage location, or the location of refueling facilities that are in the area including the current location.

The refueling facility may be a service station for vehicles located along a road, such as a gas station. If the rented vehicle is a vehicle that is powered by electricity charged from an external source, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) or an electric vehicle (EV), the refueling facility may be a charging station. This allows the user to know the location of an appropriate facility according to the type of driving energy of the vehicle.

(8) The vehicle is used in such a manner that it is rented to the user by specifying an end time of use, the user information includes information indicating the end time of use, and the processing means is an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output, at a predetermined timing, information indicating the remaining time from the current time to the time indicated by the information indicating the end time of use.

The user can easily recognize the remaining time until the end of the vehicle's use. The end of the vehicle's use should be the final time by which the rented vehicle must be returned by paying the usage fee, and should be the time at which an additional fee must be paid if the vehicle is not returned by that time. The user can use the notified information indicating the remaining time to decide whether or not to head home. By making an appropriate decision as to whether or not to head home, the user can avoid paying an additional fee.

(9) The user information includes identification information that identifies a specific individual,
The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of readably recording a history of the vehicle's travel route in association with the identification information.

The driving route history for each user can be read out separately through the electronic device. The identification information that identifies a specific individual can be assigned to each user by the vehicle rental business. This allows the vehicle's driving route history to be managed for each user. For example, the identification information assigned to the vehicle's user at the store that rents out the vehicle can be recorded on a contactless IC card from the store's terminal via short-range wireless communication, and then transferred from the contactless IC card to the electronic device. This allows the electronic device to easily obtain the identification information assigned to the user.

(10) The vehicle is used in such a manner that the user is rented out to a designated return location, the user information includes information indicating the return location, and the processing means is an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output a message urging the user to refuel when the distance between the current position of the vehicle and the return location becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

When the distance between the current location and the vehicle return location is within a predetermined distance, the user can determine whether or not refueling is necessary by noticing a notification encouraging the user to refuel. The vehicle return location may be a location where the vehicle is stored with a full tank of fuel, such as a rental car company store or a pay parking lot for car sharing vehicles. This can prevent the vehicle user from returning the vehicle without refueling. The predetermined distance for issuing a notification encouraging the user to refuel may be a distance at which there is a high possibility that there is at least one service station, such as a gas station, between the current location of the vehicle and the vehicle return location, such as 1 km. This can eliminate or reduce the trouble of the vehicle user having to turn around to stop at a service station to refuel while driving to the vehicle return location.

(11) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of calculating the amount of fuel remaining in a storage unit based on information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit for storing fuel of the vehicle obtained from an electronic control unit of the vehicle, and reading out and recording information indicating the calculated amount of remaining fuel.

The vehicle manager can find out how much fuel is remaining by reading the information indicating the amount of fuel remaining that is recorded in the electronic device.

The processing means may obtain information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit from a device for controlling the vehicle's engine via an in-vehicle network, for example from an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling the vehicle's engine via a controller area network (CAN). In this way, the processing means can obtain information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit from an existing device provided in the vehicle via an existing network. Since there is no need to install a new device or system for obtaining information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit, information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit can be obtained at low cost.

Examples of storage units that store fuel include a gasoline tank that stores gasoline and a battery that stores electricity. The information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit may be information that makes it possible to determine the remaining amount of fuel stored in the storage unit, such as the measurement result of gasoline consumption. In this way, the remaining amount of fuel stored in the storage unit can be determined using information obtained from the vehicle's electronic control unit.

The readable record may be, for example, a record that can be read on an external recording medium via short-range wireless communication. An example of an external recording medium is a contactless IC card. In this way, a reading device for this recording medium may be installed in the store of a rental company that rents out vehicles that are used in a manner that allows them to be rented out to unspecified persons. A store employee can know the remaining amount of fuel by holding the recording medium up to the store's reading device, which displays information indicating the amount of remaining fuel, without having to go to the vehicle to check the fuel gauge.

(12) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of calculating the fee required to fill up the fuel storage unit with fuel based on information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit that stores the fuel of the vehicle obtained from the electronic control unit of the vehicle, and outputting the calculation result to the output means.

The user can easily recognize the cost of filling up the fuel in the storage unit, and can prepare the cost required for refueling in advance before refueling. As a configuration for obtaining information from the vehicle's electronic control unit, for example, a configuration for obtaining information from the vehicle's ECU via a CAN is preferable. In this way, the processing means can obtain information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit from an existing device provided in the vehicle via an existing network. By eliminating the need to install a new device or system, information regarding the amount of fuel in the storage unit can be obtained at low cost.

Examples of storage units that store fuel include gasoline tanks that store gasoline and batteries that store electricity. The information on the amount of fuel in the storage unit may be information that makes it possible to determine the amount of fuel consumed or the remaining amount stored in the storage unit, such as the measurement result of gasoline consumption. The user can be notified of a fee that corresponds to the degree of fuel reduction that occurs as the vehicle travels. The fuel for the vehicle may be fuel that is replenished in the storage unit by paying a fee, such as gasoline or electricity. In this way, the user of the vehicle can be aware of the fee when paying a fee to replenish fuel in the storage unit.

(13) The processing means may be an electronic device that stores information about contacts to be contacted when a problem occurs with the vehicle and has a function of outputting the information about the contacts to the output means.

A user can easily know the contact number to contact when a vehicle trouble occurs. The vehicle trouble can be a trouble that is likely to upset the vehicle user, for example, a vehicle accident or breakdown. In this way, even if the vehicle user is upset because of a trouble with the vehicle, the vehicle user can contact the contact number to inform them of the trouble. The contact number in the event of a trouble can be the telephone number of the management company that manages the vehicle, for example, the telephone number of the rental car company that rented the vehicle. In this way, when a vehicle user has trouble with the vehicle, the vehicle user can contact the company that manages the vehicle and receive instructions from the management company on how to deal with the problem in accordance with the management regulations of the management company.

(14) The vehicle further includes a storage means for storing parking prohibition information that defines a parking prohibition area by location information,
The processing means should be an electronic device having a function of determining whether the vehicle is parked or not, and if the current position of the vehicle when it is determined that the vehicle is parked is within a no-parking area defined in the no-parking information, readably recording information indicating that the vehicle has been parked in a no-parking area.

The vehicle manager can know whether or not the vehicle was parked in a no parking area by reading the information indicating that the vehicle was parked in a no parking area. The location information may be latitude and longitude calculated using signals received from a GPS satellite. The no parking area may be an area that is subject to enforcement under the Road Traffic Act if the vehicle is parked in such an area, such as an area that includes publicly-publicized priority or highest priority areas for no parking.

The information indicating that a vehicle has been parked in a no parking area may be information indicating the amount of time the vehicle has been continuously parked in the no parking area. In this way, the vehicle manager can refer to the record to determine whether the user of the vehicle is likely to have committed a parking violation, and if this is likely, can check with the user of the vehicle whether they have committed a parking violation. This reduces the burden of the checking work compared to checking with all users of the vehicle to see if they have committed a parking violation.

The no parking information may be, for example, information that defines a no parking area in map data. The no parking information may be stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM. In this way, when the supply of power from the power source to the electronic device is stopped by turning off an accessory switch provided in the vehicle, and then the supply of power from the power source to the electronic device is resumed by turning on the accessory switch, the no parking information can be used again.

(15) The electronic device is used in a manner that moves with the user,
the user information includes location information indicating a current location of the electronic device,
the prepared information includes information identifying a plurality of applications executable by the electronic device;
The information according to the user information may include information for identifying a part of applications selected from a plurality of applications based on location information indicating a current location of the electronic device.

When the electronic device is used in a manner that moves with the user, the location information of the current location of the electronic device can effectively indicate the user's current location. When the processing means selects an application based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device, the user can learn of the existence of an application that can be conveniently used, for example, near the location indicated by the location information, without having to search for the application himself.

The prepared information may be stored in advance in a storage device of the processing means, and is particularly preferably stored in an external server that can communicate with the electronic device. If stored in an external server, when adding or updating information, the information in the server can be added or updated without having to add or update each electronic device separately. It is particularly preferably that the server is connected to a public network such as the Internet so that multiple electronic devices can access it.

The information identifying the selected portion of the applications according to the location information of the current location of the electronic device may be displayed, for example, as an icon on a display screen serving as an output means. By looking at the icon, the user can learn of the existence of the selected portion of the applications.

The multiple applications prepared in advance may include so-called "local apps" that are useful in tourist spots, shopping districts, etc. As electronic devices, smart phones, tablet terminals, portable navigation devices, car navigation devices, etc. may be used. For example, as electronic devices, devices equipped with an OS such as Android (registered trademark) or iOS (registered trademark) may be used. As location information of the current location of the electronic device, for example, latitude and longitude information obtained by GPS may be used.

Some applications selected according to the location information of the current location of the electronic device may be automatically downloaded from a server and installed, or may be downloaded and installed by user operation as explained in (16) below.

The processing means may cause the output means to output only those applications that are already installed among those selected based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device. The user can specify the application that he or she wants to run from among applications that can be run immediately without the need to newly download and install them. The processing means may cause the output means to output only those applications that are not installed among those selected according to the location information of the current location of the electronic device. The user can become aware of the existence of new applications that he or she has not noticed before. The processing means may output all applications selected based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device to the output means, regardless of whether they are already installed or not. By increasing the selection of applications that the user wants to run, the user can find more useful applications.

Conventionally, navigation devices have competed on the basis of their ability to guide users from their current location to their destination. Portable navigation devices can be taken out of a vehicle and carried on foot, and provide guidance on the walking route from the point where the user gets off the vehicle to the destination. Such devices are known, for example, as "walking navigation."

When sightseeing by car or on foot on one's own, there have been no devices that provide detailed guidance on tourist attractions, etc. At best, navigation devices that store information on tourist attractions listed in tourist guidebooks and are equipped with a function that links the navigation function with the information on tourist attractions are known. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain detailed tourist guide information on tourist spots when traveling individually, compared to when a tourist guide accompanies you to show you the tourist attractions, as in a sightseeing tour. Map data providers and navigation device manufacturers can create detailed tourist guide information for tourist spots and store it in navigation devices, but creating tourist guide information for every tourist spot in the country would require enormous costs and is not realistic.

On the other hand, local apps are becoming more and more available as applications for smartphones and tablet devices, rather than navigation devices, provided by various providers such as tourism associations, local governments, local communities such as shopping districts, and individuals. There are also businesses that create these local apps. Local apps created for each area include applications that provide tourist guide information on tourist destinations, tourist facilities, shopping districts, etc., applications that use augmented reality (AR) technology in connection with location information, applications for participating in stamp rallies that visit various points in the area, and applications that provide games related to the area.

People visiting tourist destinations can become aware of the existence of these applications by chance seeing brochures or signs at tourist destinations, or by searching for the name of the area on an application provider website. However, people who do not notice the brochures or signs, or do not actively search for the application, will not be aware of the application's existence. Travelers may be unaware of the existence of these local apps while traveling, and end up feeling frustrated when they realize they exist after the trip is over. Also, despite the fact that many local apps are provided free of charge, the current situation is that the number of application downloads is not increasing.

Electronic device users can easily become aware of the existence of these local apps based on the location information of their electronic device. Application providers can expect the benefit of an increase in the number of downloads of local apps.

(16) When the user performs an operation to specify at least one application based on the information identifying the selected portion of the applications, the processing means may be configured to cause the electronic device to download and install the specified application.

When a user is provided with information identifying a selected set of applications, the user can select the application that interests them from the selection and download the application so that it becomes executable.

The operation of specifying an application may be, for example, an operation of selecting an icon corresponding to the application displayed on the touch panel by tapping or the like. Icons corresponding to applications that have already been installed may be displayed on the touch panel in a manner different from icons corresponding to applications that have not been installed. For example, an overlay icon indicating that the application is already installed may be displayed superimposed on the icon corresponding to the installed application.

An install button and an execute button may be displayed together with information identifying some of the applications selected based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device. When a user taps the install button, the processing means may install the application corresponding to the tapped icon. When a user taps the execute button, the processing means may install and automatically execute the application corresponding to the tapped icon. For applications that have already been installed, it is preferable to display only the execute button without displaying the install button.

Applications specified by user operation should be downloaded and installed in the background. For example, an electronic device can download and install applications silently while performing a navigation function.

(17) When the user specifies a downloaded application and performs an operation to execute the application, the processing means may be an electronic device that executes the specified application.

A user can select only the applications they want from the installed applications and run them when they want. For example, when a user arrives at a tourist destination or facility, they can select and run a local app related to that tourist destination or facility.

(18) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of setting a destination to which the user is heading and a function of searching for a route from the current location to the destination, and a function of selecting some applications from a plurality of applications based on location information of the destination and location information of intermediate points on the route, and outputting information identifying the selected applications to an output means.

When departing for a destination, users can learn about the existence of highly useful applications at the destination and along the route to the destination. For example, users can learn about tourist attractions and facilities along the route to the destination, and can make plans to stop at tourist attractions and facilities that interest them.

The information identifying the application selected based on the location information of intermediate points on the route to the destination may be displayed in order of earliest scheduled arrival time at points on the route associated with the application. Furthermore, the information identifying the application may be displayed together with the area name and the scheduled arrival time. This allows the user to intuitively recognize the order in which to stop at tourist sites and facilities on the route to the destination.

When the processing means detects that the electronic device has entered an area where an installed application is highly useful, it may notify the user of information indicating that a highly useful application is present near the current location. For example, it may display a guide window on the display screen that displays information identifying a useful application. If the user has forgotten about the existence of a useful application, it is possible to remind the user of the existence of the application.

For example, the area where an application is highly useful may be determined from the map data stored in the electronic device and the name of the application. For example, if the name representing the application includes the name of a tourist destination or tourist facility, the area where the application is highly useful may be defined as a circular area of a specified radius centered on a point identified by location information associated with the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility included in the map data. For example, if the name representing the application includes the name of a local government, the area within the administrative district identified by the name of the local government included in the map data may be defined as the area where the application is highly useful.

If the electronic device is configured to be used while mounted on a vehicle, when the processing means detects that the vehicle has been turned off in an area where the installed application is of high utility, the application corresponding to the location where the power was turned off may be automatically executed. This can prevent the user from forgetting about the existence of the application and going sightseeing without executing the application.

If multiple applications corresponding to the location where the vehicle was powered off are installed, the user may be allowed to select an application to be executed from the multiple applications. For example, icons identifying multiple applications corresponding to the location where the vehicle was powered off may be displayed on the display screen, and the user may be allowed to select one icon. Since these applications are already installed, they may be launched immediately.

(19) A storage unit stores information for identifying a plurality of applications in association with location information for each application,
It is preferable that the electronic device has a function of comparing location information that serves as the basis for selecting some applications from a plurality of applications with location information stored in the storage means, and selecting some applications from the plurality of applications based on the comparison result.

Information that identifies popular applications and applications that are considered to be highly convenient for users can be stored in advance in a storage means. This allows highly convenient applications to be carefully selected and provided to the user. Users can eliminate applications that are considered to be of no use to them from the selection candidates and are provided with only information that identifies applications that are likely to be useful. This reduces the effort required to find an application that the user would like to use.

(20) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of utilizing a database that associates location information with keywords, extracting keywords from location information that is the basis for selecting a portion of applications from a plurality of applications, transmitting the extracted keywords to a search server that searches for applications, and selecting an application based on the results returned from the search server.

The electronic device can select an application using an external search server without storing information about the application on the electronic device itself.

As a database that associates location information with keywords, map data that stores, for example, prefecture names, city/town/village names, names of public facilities, names of tourist spots and tourist facilities, names of stores, names of roads, names of train stations, etc. in association with location information may be used. This map data may be stored, for example, in a storage device of a processing means. Keywords may be, for example, the name of the city/town/village of a location indicated by the location information that is the basis for selecting an application, and the names of public facilities, tourist spots, tourist facilities, stores, roads, train stations, etc. that are within a specified distance from that location. By using these names as keywords, it is possible to select applications that are highly useful near the location indicated by the location information that is the basis for selecting an application.

The search server may be, for example, a server of a search site on the Internet that searches for applications. Examples of such search sites include Google Play (registered trademark) and App Store (registered trademark), which provide distribution services for applications, etc. The application search site returns information identifying multiple applications extracted based on keywords as search results. The processing device may provide the user with information identifying all applications included in the search results. If the number of applications included in the search results is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the processing device may provide the user with information identifying a predetermined number of applications from the top of the multiple applications listed in the search results. This reduces the user's effort in checking all the provided applications.

(21) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of outputting information inquiring of the user as to whether or not to uninstall the application that satisfies a predetermined uninstallation condition for an installed application when the uninstallation condition is satisfied, and uninstalling the application that is the subject of the uninstallation operation when the user performs an uninstallation operation.

The user can easily know which applications have met the uninstallation conditions. If there are too many installed applications, for example, a large number of icons will be displayed on the launcher, making it difficult to find the desired application from among the many installed applications. By uninstalling applications for which the uninstallation conditions have been met, it is possible to prevent the number of installed applications from becoming too large. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of memory space occupied by applications in the non-volatile memory that stores the applications, for example.

The specified uninstallation condition may be that the current location of the electronic device is outside the area in which the service is provided by the application. The area in which the service is provided by the application may be, for example, an area within the administrative district of each local government, such as a prefecture or city, ward, town, or village, that is identified from the name of the application. If the name of the local government is not identified from the application, the area may be defined as, for example, an area within a specified distance from a facility, shopping district, or other location that is identified from the name of the application.

For example, if the electronic device is used together with a vehicle that is rented out to a user, the specified uninstallation condition may be that the electronic device has returned to the location where the vehicle was rented out. For example, if the vehicle is rented out from a store near an airport or train station, it may be determined that the specified uninstallation condition has been met when the distance between the current location of the electronic device and the store that rented out the vehicle is less than a specified distance.

The location information of the user's home may be registered on the electronic device, and when the electronic device returns to the user's home, it may be determined that the specified uninstallation conditions are met. In addition, for each installed application, a period during which the electronic device is not within the area in which the service is provided by that application may be calculated, and the specified uninstallation conditions may be determined to be met when the calculated period continues for a specified period, for example, one month. This allows applications that have become less useful to be presented to the user as candidates for uninstallation.

The information inquiring of the user as to whether or not to uninstall the application may be, for example, displayed on the display screen of the electronic device as an inquiry such as "Do you want to uninstall the XX application?" along with "Yes" and "No" buttons. When the user taps the "Yes" button, the processing means may start the process of uninstalling the application.

When a predetermined uninstallation condition is met, the processing means may automatically uninstall the application without asking the user. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the hassle of the user having to decide whether or not to uninstall the application, and the trouble of having to carry out the uninstallation operation.

(22) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output a message indicating that the electronic device can connect to a wireless LAN that can be used free of charge when the processing means detects that the electronic device has entered an area where the electronic device can connect to a wireless LAN that can be used free of charge.

The user can realize that wireless LAN can be used free of charge. When the user switches the network used by the electronic device from a mobile communication network to a wireless LAN, high-speed communication can be achieved without consuming the data communication capacity of the mobile communication service to which the user has contracted. In addition, even if the mobile communication service to which the user has contracted is bandwidth-limited, high-speed communication can be achieved via wireless LAN.

One example of a wireless LAN that can be used free of charge is a wireless LAN called "local Wi-Fi." For example, local Wi-Fi is provided by tourist spots, tourist facilities, shopping streets, etc.

It is advisable to store in advance in the storage device of the electronic device the local WiFi identification name (SSID) and location information defining the area in which the wireless LAN can be used. When the processing means detects that the current location of the electronic device has entered an area in which the wireless LAN stored in the storage device can be used, it is advisable to notify the user that connection to the wireless LAN is possible.

It is preferable to notify the user that the wireless LAN is available and output information inquiring the user as to whether or not to connect to the wireless LAN. When the user notices this inquiry and performs an operation to connect to the wireless LAN, the processing means may start processing to connect to the wireless LAN.

Depending on the local WiFi, it may be necessary to input user information, such as an email address, before using the local WiFi. It is preferable that the information to be input before using the local WiFi is registered in advance for each local WiFi in the storage device of the processing means, and the processing means has a function to automatically input the information to be input. The user can use the local WiFi without having to perform the troublesome operation of inputting information.

(23) The electronic device is used in a manner that moves with the user,
The user information includes location information of a current location of the electronic device,
The prepared information includes information indicating a local government that provides a gift in return for a hometown tax donation,
The information corresponding to the user information may be an electronic device that includes information identifying a portion of municipalities selected from a plurality of municipalities offering gifts based on location information of the current location of the electronic device.

The user can find out which local governments are offering gifts based on the current location of the electronic device. As a method for selecting a local government based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device, for example, the processing means may select a local government such as a prefecture and a city, town, or village that corresponds to the administrative district that includes the current location of the electronic device.

The hometown tax system was originally established to make it easier for people to donate to the prefectures, cities, towns, and villages where they grew up or to local governments that they feel an attachment to. In order to attract donations using the hometown tax system, many local governments offer donors gifts related to the local government. Donations tend to be concentrated in local governments that offer gifts with high cost performance or popular products as return gifts. As a result, donations are often made only once, which is far from the original purpose of having donors feel that the local government to which they donate is their "hometown."

By being provided with information identifying some of the local governments selected based on the location information of the electronic device's current location, the user of the electronic device can easily find out whether the area he or she is currently visiting is a local government that offers gifts in return. Based on the information provided to the user, the user can decide whether or not to make a donation to the local government that he or she is actually visiting. Because the local government to which the donation is made is the local government that the user is currently visiting, the user can make the donation with a sense of attachment to the local government, as opposed to donating to a local government with which the user has no connection. For the local government, this has the effect of increasing donations, while also encouraging people to feel attached to the local government, which leads to continued donations.

To select some of the multiple municipalities offering gifts based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device, for example, an introduction site on the Internet that introduces municipalities offering gifts may be used. For example, the name of the municipality corresponding to the administrative district that includes the current location of the electronic device may be provided as information (search query) to be provided in the search box of the introduction site, and a search request may be made. The search site may return information that identifies the municipality offering the gift, for example, from the municipality corresponding to the administrative district that includes the current location, or from municipalities in the vicinity of the administrative district. The processing means may, for example, display the returned information on a display screen. For example, the name of the municipality may be displayed.

(24) The information according to the user information may include information identifying a portion of the local governments selected based on location information of the current location of the electronic device, as well as information identifying gifts offered by the local governments, and the processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output the information identifying the portion of the selected local governments and the information identifying the gifts.

Users can learn about the local governments offering the gifts in return, as well as information that identifies the gifts offered by those local governments. Users can decide whether or not to make a donation based on the information that identifies the gifts.

As information identifying the return gift, for example, the product name of the return gift, an illustration representing the return gift, etc. may be displayed on the display screen. The information identifying the return gift can be obtained, for example, from a website introducing the local government that provides the return gift, together with information identifying the local government.

It is advisable to include information specifying the category of the return gift in the user information. For example, it is advisable to register information specifying the category of return gifts that the user is interested in in the user information. The processing means may select information specifying the local government to be output by the output means based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device and the information specifying the category of return gifts. For example, it is advisable to cause the output means to output information specifying a local government that offers return gifts that correspond to the administrative district that includes the current location of the electronic device and belong to the category specified by the user information. This allows the user to easily find a local government that offers an item that interests the user as a return gift. Examples of categories of return gifts include "meat," "rice," "fruit," "vegetables," "alcohol," "confectionery," and "crafts."

If the information specifying the category of the return gift is not registered in advance as user information, the user may be allowed to specify the category of the return gift from the information specifying the local government and the information specifying the return gift outputted to the output means. The processing means may screen local governments offering return gifts that belong to the return gift category specified by the user, and cause the output means to output information specifying the local government selected by the screening.

(25) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function to set a destination to which the user is heading and a function to search for a route from the current location of the electronic device to the destination, and a function to select some municipalities from a plurality of municipalities offering return gifts based on location information of the destination and location information of points along the route, and to output information identifying the selected some municipalities to the output means.

The user can receive information identifying a selected portion of multiple municipalities offering gifts based on location information of the destination and location information of points along the route to the destination. For example, if the municipality in which the destination is located and municipalities passed through on the way to the destination offer gifts in return, the user can obtain information identifying these municipalities offering gifts. The user can use this information as a factor in deciding whether or not to make a donation.

The user information may include information identifying the category of the return gift. The processing means may screen for municipalities offering return gifts that belong to the category of return gifts identified in the user information from among the municipalities in which the destination is located and the municipalities passed through on the way to the destination, and cause the output means to output information identifying the screened municipalities.

(26) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of causing the output means to output information indicating locations where products corresponding to the return gifts offered in the selected portion of local governments are sold.

Based on the information indicating the places where the products corresponding to the gift are sold, users can visit the places where the products are sold. Users can see the actual products corresponding to the gift and decide whether or not to make a donation.

For example, the information indicating the location where the product corresponding to the return gift is sold may be information indicating the location of the store or the roadside station. If the store or roadside station does not have parking, information indicating the location of nearby parking lots may be provided to the user along with information about the store, etc. This saves the user the trouble of having to search for nearby parking lots when visiting a store that does not have a parking lot.

It would be good if users could receive the gift on the spot by presenting a certificate proving that they have made a donation at a store or other such outlet. If the gift is a voucher for accommodation or a trial ticket for an activity such as the right to receive horse riding services, it would be good if users could exercise their right to stay overnight or experience an activity on the spot. After obtaining the gift, users can avoid the trouble of having to go to the location to exercise their right based on the gift.

When a gift is provided at a retail store, etc., it is recommended that a salesperson at the store inputs into the system that manages the provision of gifts to donors that the gift has already been provided. This will prevent the occurrence of situations in which gifts are provided in duplicate.

Being able to immediately receive a gift in return can motivate users to donate to local governments. For local governments that provide gifts in return, this has the effect of helping to increase donations.

If the number of gifts provided in return for a donation is not enough for a user, the user can receive the gift at a store or other outlet and purchase additional products that correspond to the gift. In addition, the user can purchase other products that are different from the gift. This allows the store or other outlet to increase sales, which contributes to the development of the local area.

For example, if the local government offering the gift is a fruit-producing region and the gift is apples, which do not spoil easily, a store that sells peaches and grapes in addition to apples can increase sales of peaches and grapes. Also, a store could sell a set of apples, peaches, and grapes, and offer a discount equivalent to the price of the apples to purchasers who make a donation, thereby providing them with a gift in return.

For example, if the gift is a local sake, the user can purchase other brands of sake in addition to the local sake they received as a gift. In addition, retailers may sell the local sake as a gift in a set with other brands of sake.

(27) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of having the user specify at least one local government from among a portion of local governments selected based on location information of the current location of the electronic device, and further having a function of carrying out the donation procedure for the local government specified by the user.

The user can select the local government to which they wish to make a donation from among a selection of local governments selected based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device, and complete the donation procedure on the spot. Personal information, credit card information, etc. required for the donation procedure may be stored in advance in the storage device of the electronic device. The processing means may use the information about the user stored in the storage device to complete the donation procedure.

When a donation is made by designating a local government, as explained in (26) above, the user may be notified of the location where the product corresponding to the gift is sold. Once the donation procedure is completed, the server that accepts donations may send information to the electronic device certifying that the donation has been made. It is particularly preferable to allow the user to receive the gift on the spot by presenting the information certifying that the donation has been made at a store or the like.

When carrying out the donation procedure, information that serves as criteria for determining whether or not it is OK to proceed with the procedure, such as an upper limit on the total donation amount, an upper limit on each individual donation amount, and an upper limit on the number of recipient municipalities, can be registered in the storage device of the electronic device. If the donation procedure application request specified by the user does not meet these criteria, the processing means can notify the user of a message asking whether or not it is OK to proceed with the donation procedure. This prevents the user from making an unexpected donation due to a misremembered or incorrect operation.

For example, when a user performs an operation to make a donation, the processing means may compare the donation amount specified by the user with the upper limit of individual donation amounts, and if the specified donation amount exceeds the upper limit of individual donation amounts, notify the user to that effect. The processing means may accumulate the individual donation amounts, and if the accumulated value exceeds the upper limit of the total donation amount, notify the user to that effect. The processing means may count the number of donation recipient municipalities, and if an operation is performed to make a donation that exceeds the upper limit of the number of donation recipient municipalities, notify the user to that effect. After performing these notifications, the processing means may allow the user to choose whether to proceed with or cancel the donation procedure.

The "Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System" has been introduced, which eliminates the need to file a tax return if the number of recipient municipalities is five or less. For example, it is a good idea to set the upper limit on the number of recipient municipalities to "5", which is the upper limit on the number of recipient municipalities that can use the Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System. Users can become aware that they will no longer be able to use the Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System by noticing the notification from the processing means.

The processing means may subtract the total amount of past donations from the upper limit of the total donation amount and inform the user of the remaining amount that can be donated. The user can use the remaining amount that can be donated as a basis for deciding whether or not to donate to the currently introduced local government.

Under the current hometown tax payment system, whether the entire amount remaining after deducting the 2,000 yen self-payment amount from the donation amount is eligible for deduction depends on the donor's income, etc. The processing means may calculate the upper limit of the donation amount that can be fully deducted from the user's expected income and notify the user. The user's expected income may be calculated, for example, by having the user input the contents of their pay slip and deriving it from the input value.

The processing means may have a function of displaying on the display screen buttons such as "Apply for Donation," "Interested," "Show Sales Point," and "Share on SNS" for the gift, along with information identifying a portion of the local government selected based on location information of the current location of the electronic device. When the user taps the "Apply for Donation" button, the processing means may, for example, carry out the donation procedure and obtain a certificate proving that the donation has been made from the donation management server. When the user taps the "Interested" button, the processing means may, for example, add information indicating the local government and the gift to a favorites list so that the user can retrieve it later. When the user taps the "Show Sales Point" button, the processing means may, for example, display a map on the display screen and perform a route search using the sales point as a stopover or destination. When the user taps the "Share on SNS" button, the processing means may, for example, automatically input information indicating the local government and the gift into a posting screen for SNS.

Some local governments allow users to specify how donations will be used. Examples of uses include industrial promotion, environmental conservation, cultural property protection, childcare, welfare, and disaster relief. It is advisable to prioritize the multiple uses of donations in advance and store the priorities in a storage device. For example, the processing means may rearrange the multiple uses of donations according to their priorities and display them on a display screen so that the user can specify a use. The user can easily find the use he or she wants to specify from the multiple uses. The processing means may also display the multiple uses on the display screen with the use with the highest priority selected as the default value. This allows the user to omit the operation of specifying the use when inputting the use.

When the processing means receives a request to process a donation to one local government, it is preferable for the processing means to provide the user with information identifying other local governments to which people who have donated to that local government are donating (hereinafter referred to as "recommended local governments"). For example, it is preferable for the recommended local governments to be provided to the user with priority information identifying local governments nearby the current location. For example, it is preferable to prioritize local governments in the same prefecture as the destination local government where the donation process was completed. Regardless of the location of the local government, it is also possible to provide the user with priority information identifying local governments with many donors. It is particularly preferable to provide the user with both information prioritizing nearby local governments and information prioritizing local governments with many donors.

(28) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of switching between a corporate mode and an individual mode, and when switched to the corporate mode, carrying out the donation procedure according to the procedure for corporate donations, and when switched to the individual mode, carrying out the donation procedure according to the procedure for individual donations.

The donation procedure differs depending on whether the donor is an individual or a corporation. By providing a corporate mode and a personal mode, users can donate as either an individual or a corporation. For example, if the electronic device is a car navigation device installed in a company car, it can be switched to the corporate mode, and if the electronic device is a car navigation device installed in a private car, it can be switched to the personal mode.

Hometown tax donations made by individuals and corporate hometown tax donations made by companies differ in the local government to which donations are made, whether or not a gift is given in return, the method of tax deduction, etc. It is preferable to make the criteria for selecting a local government different depending on user information when the processing means is operating in corporate mode and when it is operating in personal mode. For example, when the processing means is operating in corporate mode, it is preferable to select only from local governments that are eligible for donations in the corporate hometown tax donation. It is also preferable to change the information output by the output means when the processing means is operating in corporate mode and when it is operating in personal mode. For example, in the corporate hometown tax donation system, donations are made to the "Town, People, and Job Creation Donation Utilization Project" planned by each local government. The processing means may output the details of the "Town, People, and Job Creation Donation Utilization Project" in addition to the information identifying the local government. The user can use the information output by the output means as a basis for deciding whether or not to make a donation.

(29) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of registering a person other than the individual identified by the user information as another user, and having a function of identifying a user who will be the subject of the donation from among multiple registered users when carrying out the donation procedure, and carrying out the donation procedure with the identified user as the subject.

For example, when traveling with multiple people, each traveler can make a donation via electronic device.

To identify a single user making a donation from multiple registered users, for example, the processing means may display information identifying each registered user as a list on a display screen, and allow the user making a donation to select information that identifies him or her from the list. Donors may be identified by holding a near field communication (NFC) standard-compatible card owned by each user over a reading device. Examples of NFC standard-compatible cards include transportation cards and driver's licenses on which a person's name is registered. Users making donations may also be identified using personal authentication systems such as fingerprint authentication systems and face authentication systems.

The information on the credit card used for donations should be registered in advance in a storage device for each of multiple users. If the name of the donor does not match the name on the credit card, there is a possibility that the donation will not be eligible for tax deduction. The processing means should have a function of comparing the name of the registered user with the name on the credit card registered in association with that user, and notifying the user of this fact if there is a mismatch. This can prevent a donor from making a donation using a credit card under a different name, resulting in the donor being unable to receive a tax deduction.

(30) The electronic device is used in a manner that the electronic device is loaned to the user,
The processing means has a function of allowing the user to specify a local government of interest from among the selected portion of local governments,
It is preferable that the electronic device have a function of providing information about the specified local government of interest in a form that can be read by the user even after the electronic device is returned.

Even after returning the electronic device, users can retrieve information about the local government they specified while using the device. This information can be kept as a memento of their trip and can also motivate them to revisit the local government.

The processing means may display information identifying some of the municipalities selected based on the location information of the current location of the electronic device on the display screen, and may also display an "interested" button so that the user can tap the "interested" button to specify the municipality that is of interest.

For example, the electronic device may be installed in a rental car and lent to a user, and when the rental car is returned, the user may be asked whether to upload information about the local government of interest to a cloud that the user can read, or to delete it. As a question to the user, the processing means may display the content of the question on a display screen. The cloud that the user can read may be a cloud managed by the rental car company, and the rental car company may notify the user of key information, such as a security code, for reading information about the local government of interest to the user from the cloud. The user may access the rental car company's cloud and enter the key information to read information about the local government of interest that the user specified.

It would be even better if information about local governments that interest the user were always uploaded to the cloud when returning the rental car. Even if the user thinks that they do not need information about local governments that interest them when returning the rental car, they may later decide that they would like to know that information. In this case, the user can read the information about the local government that interests them that has been uploaded to the cloud.

The conditions for determining whether the current time is the time to return the rental car may be, for example, that the fuel tank is full, that the current location coincides with the rental car return location, and that the rental car has been stopped at that location for a predetermined period of time, for example, five minutes. Or, the engine of the rental car has been stopped at the return location.

(31) The electronic device is a printer installed in a print service store,
The user information includes location information of a print service store visited by the user of the printer,
The prepared information is map information,
The information according to the user information may be an electronic device including a map of a certain area including the location of a print service provider that the user visited, the map being printed out by the printer.

A user can obtain a map of an area including his/her current location on paper without having to input the location information of the place where the printer is installed. Compared to maps displayed on smartphones, tablet devices, etc., a large map such as A4 size, B4 size, A3 size, etc. can be obtained. A large map is suitable for use in a form where multiple people can look at it at the same time and discuss it. Furthermore, a wide area on the map can be viewed at once without scrolling. Also, a map output on paper can be easily marked by, for example, writing or folding. In particular, when traveling with multiple people, a map can be printed out at a print service store at the travel destination and the printed map can be referred to during the trip.

It is preferable that the printed map be in a manner that allows the print service provider that printed the map to be distinguished from other facilities. Examples of ways to allow the print service provider that printed the map to be distinguished from other facilities include marking the location of the print service provider, using a color on the map symbol that indicates the print service provider that is different from the color of symbols that indicate other facilities, placing the print service provider in the center of the map, etc.

For example, examples of print service providers include convenience stores found all over the country. The location information of the print service provider should be registered on the printer when the printer is installed. The printer identification information and location information may be stored in association with each other in the printer management server. The printer can obtain location information from the printer management server by inquiring about its own location information from the printer management server. In this way, it is no longer necessary to set location information on the printer when it is installed, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to set location information or setting it incorrectly.

(32) The printer may be an electronic device having a function of providing information for displaying a map of the same area as the printed map on a mobile device carried by the user.

The user can obtain information for displaying the printed map and display the map on a mobile device. The information for displaying the printed map may be, for example, information identifying a server on the Internet that provides the map data for that map. By accessing that server, the user can display the printed map on the mobile device. Examples of mobile devices include smartphones and tablet devices.

The information identifying the site provided to the mobile terminal may be provided to the mobile terminal by printing out information specifying the URL of the site together with a map. Examples of information specifying the URL include text information indicating an abbreviated URL, and a two-dimensional barcode representing the URL. The information specifying the URL may also be transferred from the printer to the mobile terminal by wireless communication. For example, wireless communication conforming to the NFC standard may be used as the wireless communication.

(33) The printer prints out information identifying a portion of the map together with the map;
Furthermore, the electronic device may have a function of providing information that identifies the area on a printed map to which the current location of a mobile terminal carried by a user belongs, based on location information of the current location of the mobile terminal.

With the help of information that identifies the area, users can easily find their own location on the map. Mobile devices usually have a function that fixes the current location of the mobile device to a specific point within the display screen and displays a map of an area surrounding the current location on the display screen. When the current location of the mobile device moves, the mobile device automatically scrolls the map so that the current location does not move within the display screen. For this reason, while a map displayed on a mobile device is useful for users to know the situation around their current location, it is not suitable for understanding their own relative location within a specific area that is larger than the area displayed on the display screen. In contrast, when a printed map is used, users can easily understand their own relative location within the specific area shown on the map by finding their own location on the map.

For example, text information such as "up," "down," "left," and "right" can be used as information to identify a portion of a map. The printer can print the words "up," "down," "left," and "right" at the top, bottom, left, and right ends of the map to be printed out. For example, a mobile device can indicate a point on a map using the center and any of the terms up, down, left, and right, such as "Your current location is at the point to the upper right of the center."

As information for identifying a portion of a map, for example, the entire area of a printed map may be divided into multiple sections in a matrix, and information for identifying rows and information for identifying columns may be used. For example, columns may be identified by letters A, B, C, D, etc. from left to right, and rows may be identified by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. from top to bottom. Each section on the map can be identified by a combination of letters and numbers. For example, a mobile device can notify a user of their current location using information for identifying sections, such as "You are currently located in section A1."

A mobile device with a direction detection function may, for example, notify the user of the correspondence between the top direction of the mobile device's screen at the current time and the up, down, left, and right directions of a printed map. For example, the user may be informed that "the top direction of the screen is to the right on the map."

In the explanation of (33) above, the printer that printed out the map had the function of providing information that identifies the area on the map to which the mobile terminal's current location belongs, but this function may also be provided by a server that distributes map data to the printer. This specification discloses an invention for an electronic device that is composed of two devices: a printer and a server that has the function of providing information that identifies the area on the map to which the mobile terminal's current location belongs.

(34) The processing means may be an electronic device having a function of printing out advertisements for stores within the area to be printed together with the map.

The user can obtain information about stores (souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.) located near the current location. Store advertisements can include information, such as coupons, indicating the right to receive special benefits at the store. For users who print out the map, such as travelers or business travelers, the effect is that they can receive special benefits at the store, such as a 200 yen discount on food and drink. Part or all of the cost of printing out the map can be offset by an amount equivalent to the special benefit received by the user. For stores, the effect is that they can attract travelers and the like to their stores.

(35) The printer may be an electronic device having a function of printing out advertisements based on advertisement data received from a server that provides advertisement providers with an advertisement creation support service.

A provider of advertisements such as a store can easily create advertisements by receiving an advertisement creation support service from the server. The advertisement creation support service may, for example, be a service that allows advertisements to be created using an advertisement template. For example, it may be possible for an advertisement provider to create an advertisement simply by inserting photos and text into the template. It may be possible to prepare multiple templates and allow an advertisement provider to select a favorite template from the multiple templates. It may be possible for an advertisement provider to download template data from the server to his/her terminal, create an advertisement on the terminal using the template, and upload the created advertisement data to the server, thereby storing the advertisement data on the server. An advertisement provider may also create an advertisement directly using a template on the server via a browser on his/her terminal, and store the advertisement data on the server.

It is possible to charge stores an advertising fee, but it is especially good to make it free. Free advertising offers great benefits to stores that provide advertising. For businesses that provide map printing services, it is expected to have the effect of increasing the number of advertising providers.

As the number of advertisements offered increases, it becomes difficult to print out all of the advertisements on the map. In such a case, the printer can filter using specified filtering conditions to extract a portion of the large number of advertisements to be printed. The specified filtering conditions can be provided to the printer by the user operating the printer. For example, it is preferable to allow the user to select the type of business of the store offering the advertisements that the user wishes to print out. The printer can extract advertisements for stores in the type of business selected by the user from the large number of advertisements, and print out the advertisements for the extracted stores together with the map.

Filtering conditions can be set in advance on the server providing the advertisement creation support service or on the user's mobile terminal, and the set filtering conditions can be applied to extract advertisements that should be printed out from a large number of advertisements.

This specification discloses an invention for an electronic device that is composed of at least two devices: a printer and a server that provides an advertisement creation support service. Furthermore, this specification discloses an invention for a server that provides an advertisement creation support service.

(36) The printer may be an electronic device having a function of printing out information identifying the map together with the map, receiving from the server location information of an installation location of an information acquisition device that has read the information identifying the map among information acquisition devices installed within the area represented by the map as location information of a location visited by the user, and printing out a new map in a manner that allows the location visited by the user to be identified.

A map user can look at the new map printed out in a manner that allows the visited locations to be identified, and recognize the locations that he or she has visited while carrying the map from the print service store where the original map was printed out. The printer that printed out the original map and the printer that prints out the new map do not need to be the same printer. It is convenient to have multiple printers, each with the function of printing out the original map and the function of printing out a new map, installed at multiple print service stores. For example, the user can print out the original map at a print service store at the travel destination, and then print out a new map that allows the user to recognize the locations that he or she has visited at a print service store near his or her home. This new map can be kept as a memento of the trip.

As the information acquisition device, it is advisable to use a humanoid robot or electronic signboard (signage) with an information reading function. The user can input the map's identification information into the information acquisition device by having the barcode reader or camera of the information acquisition device read, for example, a barcode printed out together with the map. The humanoid robot or electronic signboard is installed, for example, in a store.

When a humanoid robot installed in a store reads the map's identification information, it can speak words to introduce the store to the map user. For example, it can obtain the name of the print service store that printed the map from the map's identification information and speak something like, "You came from store XX. I recommend XX."

The name of the print service store that printed out the map can be obtained, for example, by the humanoid robot reading the map's identification information and querying a server that stores the map's identification information in association with the name of the print service store. Alternatively, the name of the print service store can be obtained by performing image recognition on the entire map.

When the server receives the map identification information from the information acquisition device, it may associate and store the map identification information with the location information of the location where the information acquisition device is installed (visited location). When the server receives a request from the printer to specify the map identification number and provide location information of the visited location, it may have a function of transmitting the location information of the visited location associated with the map identification information to the printer. For example, a unique number that identifies the map may be used as information for identifying the map. The information for identifying the map may be printed out together with the map, for example in the form of a barcode or the like.

It is advisable to register the user's payment card information on the server, and the server will acquire location information of stores where the user has made purchases using the registered payment card, and store this store's location information as location information of visited locations. Even if an information acquisition device is not installed in a store, if the user has made a purchase using the payment card, information that the user has visited the store can be left on the server.

It is further preferable that the server has a function of storing identification information for identifying the user's terminal in association with the identification information of the map, and distributing to the user's terminal location information of the visited points associated with the identification information of the map, and location information of the location where the printer that printed out the map is installed.

Based on the location information delivered to their own device, map users can recognize the places they have visited while carrying the map. By operating their device, the user can upload the information about the places they have visited while carrying the map to a social networking service (SNS) server and share it with multiple people. The above-mentioned location information can also be delivered to the devices of friends who traveled together with the map user.

(37) The printer may be an electronic device having a function of receiving from a server augmented reality information acquired by the user using a terminal within the range shown on the map, and synthesizing the augmented reality information received from the server onto a map of the same range as the map and printing it out.

By looking at the map printed out from the printer, the user can recognize the augmented reality information obtained at the locations visited. The augmented reality information may include, for example, image information of a character that appears in the augmented reality world corresponding to a specific location in the real world, and location information of the location where the character appears. The map printed out by the printer may include an image of the character appearing at the location on the map that corresponds to the location where the character appeared.

The server should have a function to obtain augmented reality information acquired by a user using a terminal within the range shown on the map, and store the information in association with the identification information of the map, and a function to transmit the identification information of the map and the augmented reality information to a printer that has received a transmission request.

This specification discloses an invention for an electronic device that is composed of two devices: a printer and a server described in at least one of the above descriptions (35) to (37). It is particularly preferable to install and operate a plurality of printers that communicate with the server. Furthermore, this specification discloses an invention for a server described in at least one of the above descriptions (35) to (37).

(38) It may be a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device described in any one of (1) to (37) above.

The inventions shown in (1) to (38) above can be combined in any way. For example, a different invention can be obtained by adding at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards to all or a part of the configuration of the invention shown in (1). In particular, it is preferable to add at least a part of the configuration of at least one of the inventions from (2) onwards to the invention shown in (1). In addition, any configuration may be extracted from the inventions shown in (1) to (38) and the extracted configurations may be combined. The applicant of this application intends to obtain rights to inventions including these configurations.

A user of the electronic device of the present invention can obtain information corresponding to user information from the electronic device without directly inputting user information about himself/herself.
The effects of the invention of this application are not limited to this, and effects achieved from the configuration parts disclosed in this specification and drawings, etc. are also disclosed, and it is the intention to obtain rights for the configurations that achieve these effects by divisional applications, amendments, etc. For example, in this specification, the parts that state "can..." are descriptions that clearly indicate the effects that are achieved, and there are also parts that show the effects even without the description "can...".

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a navigation device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a navigation device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a navigation device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the control unit of the navigation device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of the navigation device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit when the third screening method is adopted in the navigation device according to the first modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of a navigation device according to a second modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit of a navigation device according to a third modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of an image displayed on the display unit of the navigation device according to the third modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image when application icons are displayed on a display unit in order of earliest expected arrival time. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed by the control unit of the navigation device according to the fourth modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit, which shows information inquiring of the user as to whether or not to uninstall an application in the fifth modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image on the display unit in a state where information for informing the user that connection to a free wireless LAN is possible is displayed in the sixth modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of processing executed by the control unit of the navigation device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of the navigation device according to the first modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit of a navigation device according to a third modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit of a navigation device according to a fourth modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a display unit of a navigation device according to a fifth modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit of a navigation device according to a sixth modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit of a navigation device according to the seventh modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of a navigation device according to an eighth modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display unit of a navigation device according to a tenth modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of a printer according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the flow of a process in which a printer provides information to a user. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a printed map. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a printed map and advertisement. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a map and a one-dimensional barcode printed out on paper. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a new map printed out in a manner that allows the user's visiting points to be identified. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a map that has been printed out with augmented reality information integrated therein. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the flow of processing executed by a plurality of electronic devices according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the personal computer 160 when creating an album using the electronic device according to the sixth embodiment.

Electronic devices used in vehicles include, for example, navigation devices, drive recorders, and radar detectors.

The navigation device has the function of guiding the vehicle from its departure point to its destination.

A drive recorder has the function of recording images of the surroundings of a vehicle while it is moving, such as the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle's location information. Drive recorders may be installed in rental cars. Rental cars are rented out after an employee of the rental car company checks the body of the vehicle for dents, scratches, and other damage. After the vehicle is returned, if damage is found to the vehicle other than the damage checked by the rental car company employee before the vehicle was rented out, it is determined that the damage was caused by the user who rented the vehicle, and the rental car company treats the damage as an accident and charges the user of the vehicle a non-operation charge (NOC (business security deposit)). Drive recorders can be used to prove the existence of the above-mentioned accidents.

A radar detector, for example, has three basic functions: a radar warning function, a radio warning function, and a GPS warning function. The radar warning function is a function that issues a warning when it detects electromagnetic waves emitted toward a vehicle from a speed measuring device installed on the road. The radio warning function is a function that issues a warning when it receives radio waves of a known frequency from police radio. The GPS warning function is a function that issues a warning when a vehicle approaches an automatic speed violation enforcement device.

The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of the navigation device>
The configuration of a navigation device 1 as an electronic device in a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a navigation device 1 in this embodiment, and Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device 1 in this embodiment.

The navigation device 1 is configured to be installable in a rental car as described below, and is used by an unspecified person in the rental car when that person uses the rental car. Such a rental car is rented to a user by the rental car company, who receives a usage fee from the user according to the rental time, for example.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the navigation device 1 has a display unit 5, lamps 6, a touch panel 8, a card insertion slot 9, a microwave receiver 11, a GPS receiver 12, a wireless transceiver 13, a control unit 18, a database 19, a speaker 20, a memory card reader 21, and an on-board diagnostics (hereinafter referred to as "OBD") connector 24.

The navigation device 1 is supported on the dashboard of the vehicle via the cradle 3. The bottom surface of the cradle 3 is attached to the dashboard of the vehicle, thereby fixing the navigation device 1 to the dashboard. The navigation device 1 is detachable from the cradle 3, and is used by placing it together with the cradle 3 on the dashboard of the rental car.

The display unit 5 is provided on the front of the navigation device 1 (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver's side)). The display unit 5 is composed of, for example, a 3.2-inch color TFT liquid crystal display. The display unit 5 displays a menu screen under the control of the control unit 18, which serves as a processing means. The control unit 18 realizes the navigation function, information provision function, return time notification function, refueling notification function, remaining fuel recording function, fee notification function, and contact notification function, which will be described later.

The lamp 6 issues an alarm or gives a notification by lighting up or blinking according to control from the control unit 18.

The touch panel 8 is provided on the display unit 5. The touch panel 8 detects the position on the display unit 5 that is touched by the vehicle user. The detection result by the touch panel 8 is provided to the control unit 18.

The card insertion slot 9 is provided on the right side of the navigation device 1. A memory card 22 serving as a removable storage medium is inserted into the navigation device 1 through the card insertion slot 9. As the memory card 22, for example, a micro SD memory card (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as SD) is used.

The microwave receiver 11 receives microwaves of a specific frequency emitted from an external speed measurement device. The microwave receiver 11 detects the signal level of the received microwaves and outputs the detection result to the control unit 18.

The GPS receiver 12 is located inside the navigation device 1, at the top center on the rear side. The GPS receiver 12 receives GPS signals from multiple GPS satellites, and determines the current position (longitude, latitude) based on the received GPS signals. The GPS receiver 12 outputs position information of the determined current position to the control unit 18. The GPS receiver 12 receives time information from the GPS satellites, and outputs the received time information to the control unit 18.

The wireless transceiver 13 has a function of performing short-distance wireless communication with a communication partner such as a contactless IC card or a terminal such as a personal computer. Using this short-distance wireless communication function, the navigation device 1 performs data communication with the communication partner.

The control unit 18 starts up by receiving power from an in-vehicle battery (not shown) when an accessory switch (not shown) provided in the vehicle is turned on. When the accessory switch is turned off, the navigation device 1 continues to operate using power from the built-in battery, and displays a dialogue on the display unit 5 for a grace period, for example 10 seconds, asking the user whether or not to continue operating on battery power. If there is an input to continue operating on battery power, the navigation device 1 continues to operate on battery power. If there is no input to continue operating on battery power within the grace period, the navigation device 1 stops operation and turns off the power.

The control unit 18 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, an I/O interface, etc. The control unit 18 realizes a navigation function, an information provision function, a return time notification function, a fuel remaining amount recording function, a refueling notification function, a fee notification function, a contact notification function, a parking record function, etc. by the CPU executing a program stored in the EEPROM. The control unit 18 determines which position on the display unit 5 was touched based on the detection result of the touched position input from the touch panel 8, and executes a program that realizes each of the above functions according to the determination result. Details of each function will be described later.

The control unit 18 is connected to each of the above-mentioned units, and executes a predetermined process based on the information and detection results input from the various input devices (touch panel 8, GPS receiver 12, microwave receiver 11, wireless transceiver 13, etc.) and OBD connector 24, and further, if necessary, using information stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18, and issues an alarm or gives a notification using output devices (display unit 5, speaker 20, etc.). These basic configurations can basically be the same as those of the conventional device. For example, sound is output by the control unit 18 reproducing PCM data stored in the EEPROM. The control unit 18 has a real-time clock function that keeps the current time even when the power is turned off.

The database 19 is stored in an EEPROM externally attached to the control unit 18. Map data is stored in the database 19 at the time of shipment. The map data stored in the database 19 includes location information indicating each point on the map. The map data also includes location information for gas stations and rental car companies, and location information indicating no parking areas. Here, no parking areas are areas that are subject to enforcement under the Road Traffic Act when a vehicle is parked, and include priority and most important no parking areas.

The database 19 includes a table (hereinafter referred to as the "tourist destination table") that stores information indicating the names of tourist destinations or tourist facilities, tourist guide information for those tourist destinations or tourist facilities, and location information indicating the locations of those tourist destinations or tourist facilities, in association with each other. The database 19 also includes a table (hereinafter referred to as the "business destination table") that stores information on company names, company guide information for companies with those company names, and location information indicating the locations of those companies, in association with each other. The tourist destination table and the business destination table are each assigned information that identifies the tourist destination table and the business destination table. The map data, tourist destination table, and business destination table stored in the database 19 are updated as appropriate.

The speaker 20 is built into the bottom of the navigation device 1. The speaker port of the speaker 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the navigation device 1. The speaker 20 issues an alarm or gives a notification according to the control from the control unit 18.

The memory card reader 21 is built into the inside of the card insertion slot 9 in the navigation device 1, and has a reader function and a writer function. A memory card 22 can be inserted into the memory card reader 21 through the card insertion slot 9.

The OBD connector 24 is connected to an OBD connector (not shown) that is provided in the rental car, which is the other connection side. The OBD connector provided in the rental car is connected to an ECU (electronic control unit) (not shown) that is installed in the rental car. By connecting the OBD connector 24 to the OBD connector provided in the rental car, the control unit 18 obtains measurement results of the consumption of gasoline in the gasoline tank from the ECU installed in the rental car. The OBD connector 24 has a terminal for communication via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a K-line.

<Operation of the navigation device>
The operation of the navigation device 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

{Actions taken at a rental car company store when renting a car}
A cradle 3 is installed on the dashboard of a rental car for rent managed by a rental car company store. When a rental car is returned to the rental car company store, the navigation device 1 is removed from the cradle 3. When the navigation device 1 is taken out of the rental car, it is charged within the store.

A clerk at the rental car company's store lends a navigation device 1 along with the rental car to a user who has applied to use the rental car, and attaches the rented navigation device 1 to a cradle 3 installed in the rental car. The rental car user can receive an explanation from the clerk at the rental car company's store of the setting procedures for the navigation device 1 that are necessary to receive each function provided by the navigation device 1, as well as an explanation of how to operate the rental car.

The navigation device 1 is connected to the vehicle battery via an accessory switch, and when the accessory switch is turned on, power is supplied to the navigation device 1 from the vehicle battery. The control unit 18 is started up when power is supplied from the vehicle battery, and the CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM and displays a menu screen on the display unit 5. This menu screen displays start buttons for starting the provision of the navigation function, information provision function, return time notification function, and contact notification function. The control unit 18 starts an operation to provide a function corresponding to the start button on the menu screen selected by the user operating the touch panel 8.

First, we will explain the operation of the navigation device 1 to provide an information provision function. Here, the information provision function is a function that provides information from the navigation device 1 according to the purpose of the user's use of the rental car.

There are various needs for rental cars depending on whether you want to transport people or luggage. Furthermore, the needs differ depending on the attributes of the rental car user, such as gender, age, occupation, hobbies, etc., or the purpose for using the rental car. Specifically, the needs will be different when renting a car on a date with a partner than when renting a car for a girls' night out.

The navigation device 1 switches the information it provides to rental car users according to their needs for the rental car, and in particular switches the information it provides according to the purpose of using the rental car. The navigation device 1 switches the information it provides depending on whether the vehicle is used for leisure or business, broadly speaking.

The purpose of using the rental car is declared to the rental car company when the user applies to use the rental car. A clerk at the rental car company's store inputs information specifying the purpose of use declared by the user, and the navigation device 1 stores this information in the EEPROM of the control unit 18. This allows the control unit 18 to refer to this information and determine whether the current purpose of use of the user is tourism or business.

When the purpose of using the rental car is tourism, the control unit 18 has a function to select a tourism purpose table based on the identification information assigned to each table of the database 19, read information on the names of multiple tourist destinations and tourist facilities from the tourism purpose table, and display the read information on the names of multiple tourist destinations and tourist facilities selectably on the display unit 5. When the purpose of using the rental car is business, the control unit 18 has a function to select a business purpose table based on the identification information assigned to each table of the database 19, read information on multiple company names from the business purpose table, and display the read information on multiple company names selectably on the display unit 5.

The device has a function that allows a user to operate the touch panel 8 and select an interesting tourist spot, tourist facility, or company name displayed on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 has a function to store information selected by the user from the information showing the tourist spot, tourist facility, or company name displayed on the display unit 5 in the EEPROM of the control unit 18.

Next, the operation of the navigation function of the navigation device 1 will be described. Here, the navigation function is basically a function provided in a general car navigation device, such as displaying a route from the current location to the destination on a map displayed on the display unit 5. In addition to the above functions, the navigation function includes various other functions, such as a map display function that displays a map on the display unit 5, a voice route guidance function, an intersection zoom display function, and a surrounding facility search function.

Selection of the start button to instruct the user to start providing the navigation function is detected from operation of the touch panel 8 by the user. The control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display an input screen for inputting the departure point and destination of the rental car. The rental car user inputs the departure point and destination by looking at the input screen displayed on the display unit 5 and operating the touch panel 8. The destination can be determined, for example, based on information indicating tourist spots, tourist facilities, etc. displayed on the display unit 5 according to user information. The control unit 18 determines the route from the input departure point to the destination. The control unit 18 reads map data stored in the database 19, causes the display unit 5 to display a map, and causes the determined route to be displayed on the map displayed on the display unit 5.

In this embodiment, the navigation device 1 further has the following functions as navigation functions. After the control unit 18 determines the above route, the CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM, and causes the display unit 5 to display a button for selecting to display the rental car return location on a map. When the above button displayed on the display unit 5 is selected, the control unit 18 reads out the rental car company's store information stored in the database 19 and displays it selectably on the display unit 5. Information indicating the store selected by the user from the rental car company store information displayed on the display unit 5 is stored in the EEPROM as the rental car return location, and an icon indicating the store at the return location is displayed on the map displayed on the display unit 5. Store location information can be obtained from the database 19.

Next, we will explain the operation of the return time notification function of the navigation device 1. Here, the return time notification function is a function that notifies the user of the remaining time until the end of the rental car use.

Before the navigation device 1 is rented to a user, a clerk at the rental car company sets in the navigation device 1 end-of-use time information that specifies the planned time when the use of the rental car will end (hereinafter referred to as the end-of-use time). Here, the end-of-use time is the planned time when the rental car that has been rented out is returned by paying the usage fee, and is the time when an additional fee must be paid if the rental car is not returned by that time. The control unit 18 displays a start button for instructing the start of the return time notification function on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 5. When the user instructs the start of the return time notification function by selecting this start button, the control unit 18 calculates the remaining time, which is the difference between the time indicated by the set end-of-use time information and the current time kept by the real-time clock function or the current time calculated from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12, and starts the process of reporting information regarding the calculated remaining time.

Next, we will explain the operation of the contact notification function of the navigation device 1. Here, the contact notification function is a function that notifies emergency contact information.

If you have trouble with your rental car, you must contact the rental car company, explain the situation, and receive instructions from them. This is because rental car companies always have automobile insurance or mutual aid on their rental cars.

Emergency contact information indicating the telephone number of an emergency contact is set in the navigation device 1. The operation of setting the emergency contact information in the navigation device 1 is performed, for example, by a clerk at the rental car company's store. The emergency contact information includes, for example, the telephone number of the store that rented the rental car.

{Actions when using a rental car}
After completing the above settings, the rental car user drives the rental car and departs from the rental car company's store. The navigation device 1 operates to provide the following functions while the rental car user is using the rental car: navigation function, information provision function, return time notification function, remaining fuel amount recording function, refueling notification function, fee notification function, contact information notification function, and parking record function. Each function will be described in detail below.

First, we will explain the operation of the navigation function of the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 provides a map display function that displays the current location as an icon on the route to the destination on the map displayed on the display unit 5 based on the current location information input from the GPS receiver 12.

The control unit 18 displays an icon indicating the rental car return location at a position corresponding to the return location on the map displayed on the display unit 5 based on information indicating the store where the rental car is to be returned that is stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18. This allows the rental car user to recognize the rental car return location.

It is assumed that rental car users will return and drop off their rental car at a designated location, and then rent another rental car at a different location to continue to their destination. Specifically, if a rental car user is traveling from Tokyo to Nagoya, they may drop off the rental car in Shizuoka, take a train to Hamamatsu, rent another rental car in Hamamatsu, and continue to their destination of Nagoya. In this way, by making it possible to drop off rental cars, it is possible to eliminate the waste of time that would result from the rental car being left unused when staying overnight during a rental car trip.

In this case, it is conceivable that the rental car user may not know where to return the rental car because the location where the rental car was picked up is different from the location where the rental car is returned. In such a case, the rental car user can easily find out where to return the rental car by looking at the icon indicating the location where the rental car is returned.

Next, we will explain the operation of the information provision function of the navigation device 1.

The navigation device 1 provides a navigation function as well as an information provision function.

First, we will explain the case where the purpose of using the rental car is tourism. When the distance between the current location of the rental car and the location indicated by the location information associated with the information indicating the names of tourist destinations and tourist facilities registered in the tourist destination table is within a predetermined distance r1, the control unit 18 starts providing information indicating the names of the tourist destinations and tourist facilities registered in the tourist destination table and the tourist guide information. Then, when the distance between the current location of the rental car and the location indicated by the location information associated with the information indicating the names of the tourist destinations or tourist facilities registered in the tourist destination table is within a predetermined distance r2 (r1>r2), the control unit 18 stops providing information related to the tourist guide information.

This allows rental car users to receive tourist information from the navigation device 1 instead of a human tourist guide that is available when using Hato Bus, Kobe City Loop Bus, etc.

The predetermined distance r1 may be set to the distance at which the user is estimated to be visiting the tourist spot or facility for which the distance from the rental car is to be measured, for example, about 1 km. The predetermined distance r2 may be set to the distance at which the rental car in which the navigation device 1 is installed is estimated to have almost arrived at the target tourist spot or facility, for example, about 20 m.

Next, we will explain the case where the purpose of using the rental car is business. When the distance between the current location of the rental car and the location indicated by the location information associated with the information on the company name registered in the business purpose table is within a predetermined distance r1, the control unit 18 starts providing information on the company name registered in the business purpose table and information on the company guide. Then, when the distance between the current location of the rental car and the location indicated by the location information associated with the information on the company name registered in the business purpose table is within a predetermined distance r2 (r1>r2), the control unit 18 stops providing information on the company guide.

The predetermined distance r1 may be set to a distance that the user is estimated to be when he or she is about to visit the company for which the distance to the rental car is to be measured, for example, about 1 km. The predetermined distance r2 may be set to a distance that the rental car equipped with the navigation device 1 is estimated to have almost arrived at the target company, for example, about 20 m.

As described above, if the purpose of using the rental car is tourism, tourist information and the like can be provided, and if the purpose of using the rental car is business, information about the company and the like can be provided. In this way, the rental car user can receive information from the navigation device 1 according to the purpose of using the rental car.

The tourist destinations and tourist facilities for which tourist information is to be provided may be limited to those selected by the user by operating the touch panel 8 when renting a car. This makes it possible to exclude tourist destinations and tourist facilities that do not interest the user and provide tourist information on tourist destinations and tourist facilities that are of interest.

Next, we will explain the operation of the return time notification function of the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display information regarding the remaining time until the end of use of the rental car for a predetermined time each time the rental car's engine is stopped and the accessory switch is turned off at a tourist spot or the like that is visited while using the rental car, and the accessory switch is turned on again and the engine is started in order to move from the tourist spot or the like to the next destination. The predetermined time for displaying the remaining time on the display unit 5 should be a sufficient time for the user to notice the remaining time displayed on the display unit 5 after starting the engine, for example, 10 seconds or more. In addition, when a time period during which the user is assumed to have noticed the remaining time displayed on the display unit 5 has elapsed, for example, 30 seconds, the display of the information regarding the remaining time should be stopped.

This allows the rental car user to plan their return to the rental car return location by the time the rental car's use ends, minimizing the need to unintentionally extend the rental car's use time due to not making it in time for the rental car's use end time. In addition, by notifying the user of information indicating the time remaining until the rental car's use end time for a predetermined period of time when the accessory switch is turned on, it is possible to avoid the annoyance of information indicating the time remaining until the rental car's use end time being notified more frequently than necessary.

If the rental car user is using the rental car and the end time for the rental car has passed, the user can receive the following services from the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 stores the identification information of the rental car to which the navigation device 1 is attached in the EEPROM of the control unit 18. The rental car identification information is information for identifying one rental car from among all rental cars owned by the rental car company. When the current time obtained from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real-time clock function passes the end time of use stored in the EEPROM, the control unit 18 reads out the character data to be notified when the end time of use stored in advance in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 has passed and the rental car identification information stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18, and displays the characters of the read character data on the display unit 5 to notify, and displays the rental car identification information on the display unit 5 to notify. Specifically, the control unit 18 notifies by displaying the characters "The return time has passed, so please contact XXX store" and the rental car identification information on the display unit 5. The rental car user sees the display on the display unit 5 and contacts the rental car company store where the rental car was rented by telephone or the like to inform them that the rental car use time will be extended, the extension time, and the rental car's identification information. Here, the extension time refers to the additional time the rental car is used for beyond the initial rental car use time corresponding to the fee paid, on the condition that an additional fee is paid. The store that receives this notification manages the rented rental cars on its terminal, and by searching using the received identification information as a search key, it becomes easy to find information about the rental car on the terminal.

When the control unit 18 issues the above notification, the CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM, and displays a selection screen for selecting the extension time on the display unit 5. The rental car user sets the extension time for the rental car that they contacted the store for in the navigation device 1. The control unit 18 acquires information regarding the extension time input on the selection screen of the display unit 5. The control unit 18 acquires the time after the extension time indicated in the acquired information regarding the extension time from the current time acquired from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real-time clock function, and acquires the remaining time after the extension from the difference between the current time and the time after the acquired extension time has elapsed. Each time the accessory switch is turned on, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display the information regarding the acquired remaining time after the extension for the above-mentioned predetermined time.

This allows rental car users to easily select the extended time, making it easier for rental car companies to increase revenue from additional fees associated with the extension, improving profits. In addition, by making it easier for rental car companies to receive notification from rental car users that they will be extending the usage time, they can determine relatively early on how many rental cars that were supposed to be returned within the original usage time will not be returned.

Next, the operation of the remaining fuel amount recording function of the navigation device 1 will be described. Here, the remaining fuel amount recording function is a function that records the amount of gasoline remaining in the gasoline tank of the rental car.

The vehicle is equipped with an engine ECU, a body ECU, etc. The body ECU controls door locks, hazard lights, etc. When the body ECU receives an instruction from the radar detector to turn on the hazard lights, it turns on the hazard lights. Controlling the vehicle's ECU to operate the vehicle in this way is called active control. In contrast, control that only receives information is called passive control. As active control, the radar detector instructs each ECU to perform emergency stop signal control, which flashes the hazard lights at high speed when it detects sudden braking, and control that automatically locks the doors when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value. By communicating with such ECUs, the navigation device 1 can also obtain the measurement results of the amount of gasoline consumed in the rental car's gasoline tank.

When the OBD connector 24 is connected to an OBD connector (not shown) on the rental car side, the control unit 18 obtains the measurement results of the amount of gasoline consumed in the gasoline tank from the engine ECU installed in the rental car. The control unit 18 calculates the remaining amount of gasoline by subtracting the amount of gasoline consumed indicated by the measurement results obtained from the engine ECU from the amount of gasoline when the gasoline tank is filled up, which is pre-recorded in the EEPROM, and records the calculated information on the remaining amount of gasoline while overwriting it in the EEPROM. The control unit 18 performs the overwriting and recording of the remaining amount of gasoline at a predetermined cycle while the accessory switch is on.

Next, the operation of the refueling notification function of the navigation device 1 will be described. Here, the refueling notification function is a function that notifies the driver that gasoline needs to be refueled.

Rental car users must fill up the gas tank of their rental car before returning it to the rental car company's store. At this time, rental car users are often advised to refuel at a gas station designated by the rental car company. Rental car users may also be required by the rental car company to submit the receipt they received from the last gas station, or a full tank certificate with a stamp or signature from the last gas station where they refueled. If rental car users return the rental car without filling up the gas tank, they must pay an adjustment fee calculated from the mileage of the rental car. This adjustment fee is set higher than the fee for refueling at a gas station.

The control unit 18 compares the store location information, which is the rental car return location stored in the EEPROM, with the current location information input from the GPS receiver 12 at a predetermined interval, and starts providing the refueling notification function when the distance from the current location to the rental car return location is a distance where there is a high probability that there is at least one gas station (hereinafter referred to as the notification distance), for example, within 1 km. The period for comparing the store location information with the current location information should be set to a time that is sufficiently shorter than the time required to travel the notification distance when traveling at the legal speed, for example. For example, the above comparison should be performed at a period that is less than 1/10 of the time required to travel the notification distance when traveling at 60 km/h.

The control unit 18 notifies the driver by displaying on the display unit 5 that the driver is approaching the rental car return location, and further reads character data stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 encouraging the driver to refuel with gasoline, and displays the characters of the read character data on the display unit 5 to notify the driver to refuel with gasoline and fill up the gas tank. Specifically, the control unit 18 displays on the display unit 5 that the driver is approaching the rental car return location, and the text "Is your tank full?".

This allows the rental car user to know whether or not they need to refuel the gas tank before returning the rental car when they approach the rental car company's store. In addition, the rental car user can avoid as much as possible the inconvenience of arriving at the rental car return location before refueling and being charged the adjustment fee, or having to go back and look for a nearby gas station after approaching the rental car return location.

When the distance from the current location to the rental car return location is within 1 km, the control unit 18 displays a gas station icon at the gas station's location on the map displayed on the display unit 5. In particular, the control unit 18 determines a recommended route from the current location to the rental car return location, and if a gas station is on this recommended route, it is preferable to display the icon corresponding to this gas station more emphasized than icons corresponding to other gas stations.

This allows rental car users to find the locations of gas stations along the route from their current location to the rental car company's store, minimizing the need to wander around looking for a gas station.

Next, the operation of the fee notification function of the navigation device 1 will be described. Here, the fee notification function is a function that notifies the driver of the fee (gasoline cost) required to fill up the rental car's gas tank before the tank is filled up.

The control unit 18 starts providing the fee notification function when the distance between the current location indicated by the current location information input from the GPS receiver 12 and the location indicated by the location information of the store where the rental car is to be returned, which is stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18, is within 1 km.

The control unit 18 prestores the fee per standard amount of gasoline and the adjustment fee per standard mileage in the EEPROM of the control unit 18. The control unit 18 acquires the measurement results of the amount of gasoline consumed in the gasoline tank of the rental car by communicating with the ECU installed in the rental car via the OBD connector 24 connected to an OBD connector (not shown) on the rental car side. The control unit 18 multiplies the amount of gasoline consumed indicated by the acquired measurement results by the fee per standard amount of gasoline to obtain the fee for refueling with that amount of gasoline consumed. The control unit 18 multiplies the mileage from the time the rental car was rented to the present time by the adjustment fee per standard mileage to obtain the adjustment fee corresponding to that mileage.

The distance traveled from the time the rental car was rented to the present time can be calculated by subtracting the accumulated distance traveled at the time the rental car was rented from the accumulated distance traveled at the present time. The accumulated distance traveled at the present time of the rental car can be obtained from the rental car's ECU via the OBD connector 24. The accumulated distance traveled at the time of the rental car being rented can be obtained by the navigation device 1 from the rental car's ECU when the navigation device 1 is installed in the rental car and the accessory switch is turned on for the first time. When the rental car is rented, a store clerk may read the accumulated distance traveled of the rental car and set it in the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 displays the price when refueling at a gas station and the adjustment fee side by side on the display unit 5. This allows the rental car user to look at the display unit 5 and compare the price when refueling at a gas station and the adjustment fee.

This allows the rental car user to easily decide whether to refuel at a gas station and pay the fee, or to pay an adjustment fee, based on the fee notified to them.

Next, we will explain the operation of the contact notification function of the navigation device 1. Here, the contact notification function is a function that notifies the user of emergency contact information.

If the rental car user's rental car breaks down or an accident occurs, they may become so upset that they are unable to remember the emergency contact number of the rental car company's store. In this case, the rental car user looks at the selection screen displayed on the display unit 5 and operates the touch panel 8 to display information indicating the rental car company's store's phone number on the display unit 5.

For example, when an operation is performed to display information indicating the telephone number of a rental car company store, the control unit 18 reads out information indicating the telephone number of the rental car company store stored in the EEPROM, and displays the read telephone number on the display unit 5.

This means that if an accident or breakdown occurs with the rental car, the rental car user can contact the emergency contact number even if they are unable to remember the emergency contact number of the rental car company or cannot find the paper with the emergency contact number written on it due to being upset, etc.

Next, we will explain the operation of the parking record function of the navigation device 1. Here, the parking record function is a function that records that the vehicle has been parked in a no-parking area.

Rental car companies would like people to stop parking rental cars in no-parking areas. The reason for this is that if a rental car user commits a parking violation while the rental car company is renting out the car and fails to pay the fine, the rental car company will have to pay the fine on behalf of the rental car user. After the fine is paid, the rental car company could consider collecting the debt from the rental car user, but due to the time and effort required for debt collection, the rental car company usually ends up just putting up with it. Here, a parking violation refers to parking a rental car in a no-parking area for a specified period of time or more in a state where it cannot be driven immediately.

According to the National Rental Car Association, there were more than 16,000 such parking violations recorded by the industry as a whole in the one year period between June 2006 and May 2007. Of these, rental car users paid fines in about 10,000 cases, and in 3,004 cases (about 18%) a "payment order" was ultimately sent to the rental car company. Some rental car companies have paid 15 million yen in fines over a period of one and a half years.

When the position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 is within a no parking area identified by information indicating a no parking area stored in the database 19, the control unit 18 measures the time that the rental car has been continuously parked in the no parking area using the current time determined based on the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real time clock function. Specifically, the control unit 18 records in the EEPROM information indicating that the current position of the rental car is within the no parking area and the elapsed time from the time parking started to the time driving started. The time parking started is determined, for example, from the time the vehicle was switched off. The time driving started is determined from the time the vehicle's driving speed exceeded 0.

When the control unit 18 determines that the current location of the rental car is within a no-parking area identified by the information indicating the no-parking area recorded in the database 19 and that parking has begun, it causes the speaker 20 to emit an alarm.

{Actions at the rental car company store when returning a rental car}
When the rental car user returns to the rental car company's store where the rental car is to be returned, he or she stops the engine of the rental car and turns off the accessory switch. This stops the supply of power from the vehicle battery installed in the rental car to the navigation device 1. The store staff removes the navigation device 1 from the cradle 3 and takes it into the store. The navigation device 1 starts up by receiving a supply of power from a power source in the rental car company's store, and performs the following operations related to the information provision function, refueling notification function, remaining fuel recording function, and parking recording function.

First, we will explain the operation of the navigation device 1's information provision function.

The CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM, and causes the display unit 5 to display a button for erasing the information on tourist destinations, tourist facilities, and company names recorded in the EEPROM. When the button displayed on the display unit 5 is selected, a process is performed to erase the information showing the names of tourist destinations, tourist facilities, and companies. This allows the rental car user to prevent the above information from being known to a third party without the user's knowledge. In particular, if the above information is personal information, the rental car user can prevent their personal information from being known to a third party without the user's knowledge.

Next, we will explain the operation of the remaining fuel amount recording function of the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 transfers the information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline stored in the EEPROM to a terminal in the store via the wireless transceiver 13. The terminal in the store displays the information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline transferred from the control unit 18 on a display.

By referring to the information showing the amount of gasoline remaining on the terminal display, the clerk at the rental car company's store can determine whether the rental car's gasoline tank is full when the rental car is returned without looking at the rental car's fuel gauge. If the rental car's gasoline tank is not full, the clerk at the rental car company's store charges the rental car user an adjustment fee calculated based on the mileage of the rental car.

Next, we will explain the operation of the parking recording function of the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 transmits information recorded in the EEPROM indicating the time the vehicle has been continuously parked in the no parking area to the store's terminal. The store's terminal displays the information indicating the time the vehicle has been continuously parked in the no parking area on the display of the terminal.

This allows the rental car company's store clerk to determine the possibility that the user of the rental car has committed a parking violation based on the length of time indicated by the information on the display of the store's terminal indicating the continuous time the car has been parked in a no parking area. Specifically, the rental car company employee can determine that the longer the time the car has been parked in a no parking area, the more likely it is that the user has committed a parking violation, and can check only with rental car users who are most likely to have committed a parking violation whether or not they have committed a parking violation. In this way, the rental car company's store clerk only needs to check whether or not all rental car users have committed a parking violation, which reduces the burden on them compared to checking with all rental car users.

[First Modification of the First Example]
The navigation device 1 in the first modification of the first embodiment takes into consideration the usage time of the rental car when providing the information providing function and the navigation function.

The control unit 18 calculates the distance from the current location of the rental car to the location of the tourist spot, tourist facility, or company selected by the information provision function. The control unit 18 calculates the required round trip time from the current location to the tourist spot, tourist facility, or company based on the calculated distance and the standard vehicle speed pre-stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18.

If the time obtained by adding the calculated required time to the current time obtained from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real-time clock function does not exceed the time indicated by the use end time information provided by the return time notification function, the control unit 18 displays the tourist route around the tourist spot or facility on the display unit 5, thereby providing the information provision function and the navigation function. If the time obtained by adding the calculated required time to the current time obtained from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real-time clock function exceeds the time indicated by the use end time information recorded in the EEPROM, the control unit 18 displays on the display unit 5 that the user will not be able to return within the use time. Note that if the control unit 18 is not set to provide the return time notification function, the control unit 18 stores the rental car use end time information in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 by an operation similar to the operation of storing the use end time information by the return time notification function.

This allows the rental car user to receive from the navigation device 1 tourist routes that can be completed within the rental car usage time. In addition, since the rental car user is not provided from the navigation device 1 with tourist routes that cannot be completed within the rental car usage time, it is possible to minimize the need for unintentional extension of the rental car usage time by going to a distant tourist site or facility that the user cannot return to within the rental car usage time.

[Second Modification of the First Embodiment]
The navigation device 1 according to the second modification of the first embodiment provides information specifying a coupon that provides a predetermined benefit.

The database 19 includes a table (hereinafter referred to as the "coupon selection table") that stores names of tourist destinations or tourist facilities, information identifying coupons that can be used at the tourist destinations or tourist facilities, and location information indicating the location of the tourist destinations or tourist facilities in association with each other. When providing tourist information using the information provision function, the control unit 18 refers to the coupon selection table and determines whether or not information identifying a coupon is associated with the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility for which tourist information is provided. If information identifying a coupon is associated with the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility for which tourist information is provided, the display unit 5 displays the information identifying the coupon associated with the tourist destination or tourist facility together with the tourist information. The information identifying the coupon includes information such as the name of the facility where the coupon can be used, the details of the preferential treatment, and the expiration date. The rental car user can look at the coupon identifying information displayed on the display unit 5 and find a coupon that can be used at the tourist destination or tourist facility for which tourist information is provided from among the coupons they have.

When the distance between the current location of the rental car and the tourist spot or facility becomes equal to or less than the above-mentioned predetermined distance r1, information identifying the coupon is displayed on the display unit 5. This makes it possible to avoid, as much as possible, a situation in which a coupon that is likely to be used soon is buried under coupons that are unlikely to be used for the time being, making it impossible to find the coupon that is likely to be used soon.

The rental car user compares the coupon identifying information displayed on the display unit 5 with the coupons they have. Then, based on the coupon identifying information provided by the navigation device 1, the rental car user can identify from among the coupons they have that can be used near their current location. This allows the rental car user to receive benefits such as being able to use the identified coupon to eat and drink at a restaurant at a discounted price from the regular price, or being able to enter a tourist spot or facility at a discounted admission fee from the regular admission fee.

If the rental car user does not have a coupon, information identifying the coupon provided by the navigation device 1 may be transferred from the navigation device 1 to the user's mobile device via short-range wireless communication, and the coupon may be displayed on the user's mobile device based on the information identifying the coupon, allowing the coupon displayed on the mobile device to be used in the same way as a paper coupon. The user can receive preferential treatment by holding the mobile device displaying the coupon over a reading device installed at the entrance gate of the facility, or by showing the mobile device to a facility staff member.

In some regions, integrated services are provided within the framework of railway companies, tourist associations, or local governments such as prefectures. It would be preferable for rental car companies to be included in this framework. Specifically, a service that bundles railway and rental cars, plus a service that includes tourist information and coupons for tourist destinations or facilities, would be provided to those who rent cars for leisure.

The above set can be marketed to rental car users as a single product when renting out a car. For example, an Odaiba set can be marketed to rental car users that includes railways, rental cars, tourist information, and coupons for the Odaiba area. This helps promote tourism and highlights the variety of ways to enjoy rental cars.

[Third Modification of the First Embodiment]
When providing a navigation function, the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 according to the third modified example of the first embodiment causes the display unit 5 to display a tourist course that is a model course including a tourist destination or facility when the rental car approaches the tourist destination or facility.

Specifically, the control unit 18 reads out from the tourist destination table information representing the names of tourist destinations or tourist facilities where the distance calculated from the location specified by the current location information input from the GPS receiver 12 and the location of the location information associated with the information representing the names of the tourist destinations or tourist facilities in the tourist destination table is less than 1 km. The control unit 18 determines a tourist course that sequentially visits the tourist destinations or tourist facilities corresponding to the read information. The CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM, and causes the display unit 5 to display a button for selecting the start of guidance for the determined tourist course. Then, when the user operates the touch panel 8 to select this button, the control unit 18 causes the determined tourist course to be displayed on the map displayed on the display unit 5.

As a result, the rental car user can receive a sightseeing course that allows the user to stop at tourist spots or tourist facilities that the user was not aware of, without having to set a destination in the navigation device 1 himself/herself.

[Fourth Modification of the First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a rental car is used as a vehicle used by unspecified persons, but in the fourth modified example of the first embodiment, a rental bicycle is used as a vehicle used by unspecified persons. A rental bicycle is convenient for short-distance travel.

Normally, a rental bicycle is not equipped with a power source for supplying power to the navigation device 1. It is preferable that the navigation device 1 rented out together with the rental bicycle has a built-in battery. In order to make it possible to use a navigation device 1 that does not have a built-in battery on a rental bicycle, it is preferable to rent out an external mobile battery together with the navigation device 1.

When the bicycle is not in use, it is locked with a key capable of short-distance wireless communication. A mobile terminal with the same functions as the navigation device 1 receives and stores unlocking information consisting of a four-digit number sent to an email address that the mobile terminal can receive. The key is unlocked by holding up the mobile terminal with the unlocking information stored therein. This allows the bicycle to be used. The email address for receiving the unlocking information is registered in advance with the bicycle rental management company using the World Wide Web.

The mobile device used for such bicycle rentals can provide a navigation function when an unspecified person renting a bicycle does not know the location of a no-bicycle parking area or a bicycle port where bicycles can be rented or borrowed.

This allows the user of a mobile device to receive information on the locations of bicycle parking prohibited areas or cycle ports from the mobile device. In addition, by receiving information on the locations of cycle ports, the user of a mobile device can return a rental bicycle that needs to be returned within a short period of time within the time limit.

[Fifth Modification of the First Embodiment]
In a fifth modification of the first embodiment, a paper medium such as a travel magazine is linked to a mobile terminal having the same functions as the navigation device 1. By photographing a QR code printed in a travel magazine with the mobile terminal, only the necessary pages of the travel magazine can be downloaded to the mobile terminal. Such a mobile terminal can be used by a rental car user when using the rental car.

Paper travel magazines and the like are bulky and inconvenient to carry around. A user of a mobile device with the same functions as the navigation device 1 can obtain information about tourist destinations or facilities from the mobile device without looking at a paper travel magazine, eliminating the hassle of carrying around a paper travel magazine.

[Sixth Modification of the First Embodiment]
In a sixth modification of the first embodiment, a portable terminal having the same functions as the navigation device 1 provides a navigation function by displaying a route from a train station exit to a tourist spot or facility where a coupon can be used. This portable terminal is useful when the direction from the train station exit to the tourist spot or facility where a coupon can be used is unknown.

Specifically, database 19 includes a table (hereinafter referred to as the "guide table") that stores, in association with each other, information on train stations, information on the names of tourist destinations or facilities, information identifying coupons that can be used at the tourist destinations or facilities, location information indicating the location of the tourist destinations or facilities, benefit information indicating whether a coupon is used for free or at a discount, price information indicating the regular price when no coupon is used and the discount amount when a coupon is used, and image information of pictures or photographs showing the exterior of the tourist destinations or facilities.

The CPU of the control unit 18 executes a program stored in the EEPROM, causing an input screen for inputting the name of a station and the name of a tourist spot or facility to be displayed on the display unit 5. When a user inputs the name of a station and the name of a tourist spot or facility by looking at the input screen displayed on the display unit 5, the control unit 18 determines the input name, finds a route from the station to the tourist spot or facility via an exit of the station that is closest to the tourist spot or facility, and displays the found route on a map displayed on the display unit 5, providing a navigation function. The displayed route includes identification information that specifies one of the station's multiple exits.

The control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display information and image information that identify a coupon associated with the information on the name of a tourist destination or tourist facility in the information table, and also causes the display unit 5 to display bonus information and amount information that are associated with the information on ...

As a result, a user of a mobile terminal having the same functions as the navigation device 1 can receive from the mobile terminal a navigation function that provides route guidance from a train station exit to a tourist spot or facility. Furthermore, by receiving image information, the user of this mobile terminal can visually confirm the tourist spot or facility he or she is heading for. Furthermore, by receiving special offer information, the user of this mobile terminal can find out before using a coupon whether it will be free or a discount will be available when using the coupon at the tourist spot or facility. Furthermore, by receiving price information, the user of this mobile terminal can determine how much of a financial benefit there is when using the coupon compared to not using the coupon.

[Other Modifications of the First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, when the control unit 18 provides the parking record function while the rental car is being used, information indicating the time the car has been continuously parked in a no parking area is recorded in the EEPROM, but time information indicating the time when the current position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 went from outside the no parking area to inside the no parking area (hereinafter referred to as "entry time information") and time information indicating the time when the current position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 subsequently went from inside the no parking area to outside the no parking area (hereinafter referred to as "exit time information") may also be recorded in the EEPROM. When the rental car returns to the store, a clerk at the rental car company transfers the entry time information and the exit time information from the navigation device 1 to a terminal at the store and displays them on the display of the terminal.

The rental car company store clerk refers to the entry time information and exit time information displayed on the terminal, calculates the time from the time indicated by the entry time information to the time indicated by the exit time information, and can determine that the longer the calculated time, the more likely it is that a parking violation has occurred. Therefore, the clerk can ask only those rental car users who are determined to have a high probability of having committed a parking violation whether they have committed a parking violation. This reduces the processing load on the control unit 18 compared to recording the time that the vehicle is continuously parked in a no-parking area, and therefore reduces any decrease in the processing speed of the navigation function, etc. of the navigation device 1 during the period when the parking recording function is provided by the navigation device 1.

In the first embodiment, when the parking record function is provided during use of the rental car, information indicating the time the car has been continuously parked in a no parking area is recorded. However, one-bit data indicating whether the car has been parked in a no parking area may be recorded in the parking record area of the non-contact IC card as information indicating whether the car has been parked in a no parking area. When the rental car returns to the store, the clerk at the rental car company holds the non-contact IC card on which the data indicating whether the car has been parked over a terminal at the rental car company, thereby transferring the data from the non-contact IC card to the terminal, and the information regarding whether the car has been parked in a no parking area is displayed on the display unit of the terminal. The clerk at the rental car company can determine whether the car has been parked in a no parking area by referring to the information regarding whether the car has been parked in a no parking area displayed on the display unit of the terminal, and can therefore ask only users of rental cars that have been parked in no parking areas whether they have committed a parking violation. The data length of the data indicating whether the car has been parked can be shorter than the data length of the data indicating the parking time, thereby shortening the time required for recording on the non-contact IC card.

In the first embodiment, the information provision function provides information about the company when the rental car is used for business purposes, but it may also be possible to provide only a general navigation function. This eliminates the need to store a business purpose table, thereby reducing the capacity of database 19.

In the first embodiment, various information is provided by displaying it on the display unit 5 for the information provision function, return time notification function, refueling notification function, fee notification function, and contact notification function, but it is also possible to provide various information by voice or sound from the speaker 20. This allows the rental car user to receive each function without looking at the display unit 5, and to concentrate on driving, especially while driving the rental car.

In the first embodiment, various information is provided by displaying it on the display unit 5 in the return time notification function and the refueling notification function, but it is also possible to provide various information by turning on or blinking the lamp 6. This allows the rental car user to receive each function without looking at the display unit 5, and allows the user to concentrate on driving, especially while driving the rental car.

In the first embodiment, when providing the information provision function, the navigation device 1 provides tourist information or company information by acquiring information on the names of tourist spots, tourist facilities, or companies. However, if the rental car user and the person traveling with them in the rental car are the user's family, partner, or friend, information indicating the relationship between the user and the person accompanying them may be acquired to provide information for family, partner, or friends.

Specifically, database 19 includes a table (hereinafter referred to as the "type table") that stores type information indicating the type of relationship between the rental car user and the person who uses the rental car and the like (family, lover, friend, etc.), tourist information on tourist spots or facilities, or company information on a company, in association with location information indicating the location of the tourist spots, facilities, or companies. In the type table, tourist information on tourist spots or facilities suitable for family visits, such as amusement parks, is associated with family type information, tourist information on tourist spots or facilities suitable for visiting with a lover, such as date spots, is associated with lover type information, and tourist information on tourist spots or facilities suitable for visiting with friends is associated with friend type information.

The type information may be declared by the user when applying for a rental car. A clerk at the rental car company's store may set the type information in the navigation device 1 based on the user's declaration. When applying for a rental car using an Internet website or a terminal installed in the store, the type information may be transferred to the navigation device 1 from a server that manages the rental car application status.

Alternatively, a category information input button may be displayed on a menu screen displayed on the display unit 5 by the control unit 18. When the user selects the category information input button displayed on the menu screen, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display a dialog box that prompts the user to input category information. When the user inputs category information, the control unit 18 stores the input category information in the EEPROM.

Note that the operations at the rental car company's store during rental car use and when returning the rental car are the same as when the information provision function is provided using the tourist destination table and business destination table, so their explanation is omitted.

This allows the user of the rental car to receive information from the navigation device 1 that is intended for family members, partners, or friends who will be traveling together using the rental car.

In the first embodiment, when providing the information provision function, the navigation device 1 provides tourist information or company information based on the current location information of the vehicle and the location information of the tourist spot, tourist facility, or company. However, tourist information or company information may be provided based on information indicating the rental car destination. Examples of information indicating the destination include location information of the destination, the name of the destination tourist spot, tourist facility, or company, etc. This allows the rental car user to receive information according to the rental car destination from the navigation device 1.

When the purpose of using the rental car is tourism, for example, after the navigation device 1 starts the navigation function, the user operates the touch panel 8 to input information indicating the destination, and the control unit 18 can obtain tourist guide information from the tourist destination table based on the information indicating the destination.

In the first embodiment, when providing the return time notification function, the remaining time until the end of the rental car use is notified each time the accessory switch is turned on and power supply from the vehicle battery begins. However, if the rental car is rented for, for example, six hours, the remaining time may be notified every three hours, one hour, and 30 minutes until the end of the rental car use.

For example, while the rental car is being used, the control unit 18 notifies the user of the remaining time until the rental car's end time each time the difference between the end time indicated by the information relating to the end time recorded in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 and the current time determined from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time kept by the real-time clock function reaches 3 hours, 1 hour, and 30 minutes.

This allows rental car users to be more aware of the remaining time as it gets shorter.

Also, the notification may be set to start when the remaining time is one hour or less. This allows the rental car user to use the rental car without being aware of the remaining time when there is still plenty of time left.

In the first embodiment, when providing the refueling notification function, icons indicating gas stations located along the route from the current location to the rental car return location are displayed superimposed on the map, but when this display is performed, icons indicating gas stations located within a circular area with a radius of 1 km centered on the current location may also be displayed superimposed on the map.

Specifically, the control unit 18 compares the location information of the store where the rental car is returned with the current location information input from the GPS receiver 12 at a predetermined timing. When the distance from the current location to the rental car return location is within 1 km, the control unit 18 reads information about gas stations included in a circular area with a radius of 1 km centered on the current location indicated by the current location information from the map data. The control unit 18 displays an icon indicating the gas station at the location of the gas station on the map displayed on the display unit 5.

This allows the vehicle user to find out about gas stations within a circular area with a radius of 1 km from the vehicle's current location when approaching a rental car store.

In the first embodiment, a rental car is used as the vehicle used by unspecified persons, but a vehicle used for car sharing may also be used. If the vehicle used by unspecified persons is a vehicle used for car sharing, the return location of the vehicle is a paid parking lot. In addition to rental cars and vehicles used for car sharing, vehicles used by unspecified persons may also be private cars used by people other than family members or company cars used by people other than employees. The navigation device 1 attached to the vehicle used by unspecified persons may obtain information about the user based on information stored in an IC chip built into the driver's license.

In the first embodiment, the store where the rental car was rented was notified as the emergency contact, but an affiliated store of the store where the rental car was rented may also be notified as the emergency contact. Specifically, the database 19 stores information indicating the telephone number of the affiliated store of the rental car company where the rental car was rented in association with location information. The control unit 18 identifies the nearest affiliated store from the current location of the rental car, and displays the telephone number of the identified affiliated store on the display unit 5 as the emergency contact. This allows the rental car user to contact the nearest affiliated store even if they have trouble with the rental car in a location far away from the store where they rented the car.

In the first embodiment, the navigation device 1 is detachably attached to the cradle 3, but the navigation device 1 may be attached to the cradle 3 so that it is impossible or difficult to remove from the cradle 3. Furthermore, the navigation device 1 may be realized by installing (including pre-installing) a specific application program on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The application program may itself have a navigation function, or may be for accessing a server on which a system for performing navigation is implemented and using the system. This specification discloses inventions for various types of such navigation systems.

When downloading the required pages of a travel magazine to a mobile device, coupons in electronic data format may also be downloaded.

The vehicle used by unspecified persons may be an electric one-seater vehicle. This allows the user of the vehicle to receive information from the navigation device 1 according to the purpose of using the vehicle.

In addition, rental car users can hold their contactless IC card over a short-range wireless communication device of a rental car company terminal connected to a server that stores electronic data related to coupons, and have the electronic data related to the coupons transferred and stored from the server to the contactless IC card. Rental car users can receive specified benefits by holding the contactless IC card that stores the coupon information over a short-range wireless communication device of a terminal installed at a tourist spot or facility where the coupons can be used.

In the first embodiment, the rental car is a vehicle that runs on gasoline, but it may also be a vehicle that runs on electricity stored in an on-board battery, such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) or an electric vehicle (EV). In this case, when providing the refueling notification function, the navigation device 1 displays the locations of charging stations for charging the on-board battery on a map and notifies the user.

In the first embodiment, when providing the refueling notification function, a notification is issued to encourage the driver to refuel when the distance between the current location and the rental car company store where the rental car is returned is within 1 km. In addition to this condition, a notification may be issued to encourage the driver to refuel when the amount of gasoline in the gas tank has decreased to a level that requires refueling. Here, a case where the amount of gasoline in the gas tank has decreased to a level that requires refueling should be when the needle on the rental car's fuel gauge has dropped even slightly from the level that indicates a full tank. This allows the vehicle user to refuel the gasoline tank of the rental car without having to determine whether or not it is necessary to refuel the gasoline tank.

In the first embodiment, the navigation device 1 provided the information provision function while providing the navigation function, but the destination set for receiving the navigation function and the tourist destination or tourist facility set for receiving the information provision function may be different, and the navigation function and the information provision function may be provided separately.

In the first embodiment, the refueling notification function and the fee notification function were started when the distance between the current location of the rental car and the return location became 1 km or less, but the distance between the current location of the rental car and the return location for starting the refueling notification function and the fee notification function can be set arbitrarily.

In the first embodiment, the user inputs user information, including the purpose of using the rental car, into the navigation device 1 without the user directly inputting the information manually or otherwise performing other operations, but the rental car user may operate the touch panel 8 to input information indicating the purpose of using the rental car. For example, the control unit 18 may display a plurality of pieces of user information on the display unit 5 in a selectable manner, and the user may select from the displayed user information.

In the first embodiment, the navigation device 1 is installed and used in a vehicle, but the navigation device 1 may be removed from the cradle 3 and used as a portable navigation device (PND). A navigation device 1 that can be used as a PND has a built-in battery, and when the navigation device 1 is used outside the vehicle, the navigation device 1 receives power from the built-in battery.

In the first embodiment, the rental car use end time is set in the navigation device 1 by a clerk at the rental car company store, but the navigation device 1 may have the rental car user set the use end time information. For example, when a start button is selected to instruct the start of provision of the return time notification function displayed on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 5, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display a reception screen that accepts input of the rental car use end time. When the user operates the touch panel 8 to input use end time information indicating the use end time, the control unit 18 stores the input use end time information.

In the first embodiment, the emergency contact information was preset in the navigation device 1, but the rental car user may set the emergency contact information in the navigation device 1. For example, a start button for setting emergency contact information may be included in the menu screen that the control unit 18 displays on the display unit 5. When the user selects this start button, the control unit 18 causes the display unit 5 to display a reception screen for accepting input of emergency contact information. The rental car user inputs information indicating the telephone number of the rental car company store where the rental car was rented as emergency contact information into the navigation device 1. The control unit 18 stores the information indicating the telephone number of the rental car company store that was input into the reception screen on the display unit 5. For example, the user may input the telephone number of the rental car company store while asking a clerk at the rental car store for the telephone number.

In the first embodiment, various information such as information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline was sent directly between the navigation device 1 and the store's terminal, but information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline may also be sent and received via a contactless IC card. For example, a contactless IC card may be brought close to the wireless transceiver 13 of the navigation device 1, data may be transferred from the navigation device 1 to the contactless IC card, and the contactless IC card may then be held up to a reader in a terminal installed in the store, thereby transferring information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline from the contactless IC card to the store's terminal.

[Second embodiment]
<Drive recorder configuration>
The configuration of a drive recorder 2 as an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a drive recorder 2 according to the second embodiment. In Figure 3, parts that are the same as those in Figure 2 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

The drive recorder 2 is configured to be installable in a rental car as described below, and is used by an unspecified person using the rental car in the rental car when the unspecified person uses the rental car.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive recorder 2 has a lamp 6, a microwave receiver 11, a GPS receiver 12, a wireless transceiver 13, a camera 17, a speaker 20, a memory card reader 21, a control unit 50, a display unit 52, an input unit 53, an acceleration sensor 54, and a database 60.

The camera 17 is built into the housing of the drive recorder 2 in a position and orientation that allows it to capture an image of the area in front of the rental car when the drive recorder 2 is attached to the rental car. The camera 17 captures an image of the area in front of the rental car under the control of the control unit 50, and outputs the captured image data to the control unit 50.

The control unit 50 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, an I/O interface, etc. The control unit 50 performs processing to provide a driving history recording function, etc., by the CPU executing a program stored in the EEPROM. Here, the driving history recording function is a function that readably records the driving history of a rental car in association with the identification information of the rental car user. The identification information of a rental car user is information assigned to each user when the rental car is rented out, and is a combination of multiple alphabets, a combination of multiple numbers, or a combination of alphabets and numbers.

The control unit 50 records the video data captured by the camera 17 on the memory card 22 via the memory card reader 21 based on the acceleration detection value input from the acceleration sensor 54, the comparison result between the position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 and the position indicated by the position information of the place (point requiring attention) stored in the database 60, or the detection result input from the microwave receiver 11.

For example, based on the detected acceleration value input from the acceleration sensor 54, the occurrence of an event such as an accident, sudden acceleration, sudden stop, or sudden turn is detected. When the control unit 50 determines that such an event has occurred, it records video data captured by the camera 17 during a predetermined period before and after the event occurrence on the memory card 22. This predetermined period should be a period during which it is estimated that useful video footage remains for analyzing the cause of an accident or the like. For example, it should be a period from one minute before to one minute after the event occurrence.

For example, video data captured by camera 17 may be recorded on memory card 22 during a period when the distance from the vehicle's current position to the caution point is less than a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance may be, for example, 500 m, a distance sufficient to confirm how the vehicle was driven through the caution point. Caution points may be, for example, locations where fixed automatic speed violation enforcement devices are installed, or locations where enforcement of speeding violations, stop sign violations, etc. is frequently conducted, etc.

For example, based on the strength of the radio waves input from the microwave receiver 11, video data captured by the camera 17 during a predetermined period before and after the time when it is determined that microwaves from a speed enforcement device have been received may be recorded on the memory card 22. This predetermined period may be a period sufficient to confirm how the vehicle was traveling at the time when the microwaves from the speed enforcement device were received, for example, a period from 30 seconds before to 30 seconds after the time when the microwaves from the speed enforcement device were received.

When the distance calculated from the position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 and the position indicated by the position information of the caution area recorded in the database 60 becomes 500 m or less, the control unit 50 issues an alarm by flashing or lighting the lamp 6, or by outputting a sound from the speaker 20, etc.

When a switching signal for switching the screen is input from the input unit 53, the control unit 50 switches between a process of displaying the current image captured by the camera 17 on the display unit 5 and a process of reading out images of the driving history captured in the past by the camera 17 and recorded on the memory card 22 and displaying them on the display unit 5.

The display unit 52 is provided on the front surface of the drive recorder 2 (the surface facing the rear of the vehicle (the driver's side)). Under the control of the control unit 50, the display unit 52 displays the current image captured by the camera 17 or images of the past driving history recorded on the memory card 22.

The input unit 53 detects an input operation to switch between the current image captured by the camera 17 and images of the driving history captured in the past by the camera 17 and recorded on the memory card 22, and outputs a switching signal to the control unit 50. The input unit 53 may be, for example, a push button. The input operation to switch images may be performed, for example, by the user pressing the push button. It is preferable to provide a separate push button for each function.

The acceleration sensor 54 detects the acceleration applied to the drive recorder 2 and outputs the detected value to the control unit 50. The acceleration applied to the drive recorder 2 is a value that reflects the acceleration applied to the vehicle in which the drive recorder 2 is installed.

The database 60 is constructed using an EEPROM externally attached to the control unit 50. The database 60 stores location information indicating the locations of places where attention should be given.

<Drive recorder operation>
The operation of the drive recorder 2 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

{Actions taken at a rental car company store when renting a car}
A drive recorder 2 is attached to a rental car for rent managed by a rental car company store.

A clerk at the rental car company's store lends a rental car equipped with a drive recorder 2 to a user who has applied to use the rental car. The rental car user can receive an explanation from the clerk at the rental car company's store about how to operate the rental car, as well as an explanation of the setting procedures for the drive recorder 2 that are necessary to receive the driving history recording function from the drive recorder 2.

The drive recorder 2 is connected to the vehicle battery, and when the accessory switch is turned on, power is supplied to the drive recorder 2 from the vehicle battery. The control unit 50 is started up when power is supplied from the vehicle battery, and the CPU of the control unit 50 executes a program stored in the EEPROM and displays a menu screen on the display unit 5. A start button for starting the driving history recording function is displayed on this menu screen. When the user looks at the menu screen and performs an operation to start the driving history recording function, the control unit 50 starts an operation to provide the driving history recording function. The operation to start the driving history recording function can be performed, for example, by the user pressing a push button.

The rental car company assigns identification information to the rental car user to manage the user. A clerk at the rental car company's store records the identification information that identifies the rented vehicle and the user's identification information on a memory card 22, and inserts the memory card 22 into the drive recorder 2 installed in the rental car.

The control unit 50 reads the vehicle identification information and the user identification information from the memory card 22 and records them in the EEPROM. This allows the control unit 50 to record the identification information and the driving history in association with each other in the memory card 22.

A contactless IC card may be used to set the vehicle identification information and the user identification information in the drive recorder 2. For example, a store clerk may record the vehicle identification information and the user identification information on a contactless IC card, and when the store clerk brings the contactless IC card close to the wireless transceiver 13 of the drive recorder 2, the control unit 50 may read the vehicle identification information and the user identification information from the contactless IC card.

{Actions when using a rental car}
The drive recorder 2 provides a driving history recording function to a rental car user while the user is using the rental car.

When the detected acceleration value input from the acceleration sensor 54 exceeds a predetermined value, when the distance from the position indicated by the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12 to the position indicated by the position information of the place to be warned recorded in the database 60 falls below 500 m, or when the detection result of receiving radio waves of a predetermined frequency is input from the microwave receiver 11, the control unit 50 associates the video data of the image captured by the camera 17, the identification information of the rental car user input from the wireless transceiver 13, the current time calculated from the time information input from the GPS receiver 12 or the current time information kept by the real-time clock function, and the current position information input from the GPS receiver 12, and records them on the memory card 22 via the memory card reader 21.

{Actions at the rental car company store when returning a rental car}
When the rental car returns to the rental car company's store where the rental car is returned, the drive recorder 2 ends the provision of the driving history recording function. For example, when a store clerk presses a push button on the drive recorder 2, the control unit 50 ends the processing of the driving history recording function. When the rental car returns to the store where the rental car is returned, the store clerk removes the memory card 22 from the drive recorder 2 and takes it into the store. Then, the memory card 22 is attached to a memory card reader of a terminal in the rental car company's store, and the identification information, driving history, time information, and current location information recorded in the memory card 22 are transferred to the store terminal. The store terminal associates the identification information, driving history, time information, and current location information transferred from the memory card 22 with the user of the rental car, and records them, for example, in a folder or file for each user.

When a rental car company employee wants to view the driving history recorded on the terminal, they search for the file or folder that records the driving history, using the identification information associated with the driving history they want to view. The rental car company's terminal displays the driving history recorded in the folder or file found by the search on the terminal's display.

This allows a person looking at the driving history to search for the driving history they want to view on the rental car company's terminal using the identification information associated with that history, making it relatively easy to find the driving history they want to view.

For example, if new damage that was not present before the rental is found on a returned vehicle, the vehicle manager may be able to find the cause of the damage by looking at the vehicle's driving history. Also, if the rental car company is notified by the police after the vehicle is returned that there has been a violation of the Road Traffic Act, the rental car company staff can confirm whether or not there was a violation by looking at the driving history of the vehicle that was the subject of the violation notice.

The driving history of the rental car recorded on the memory card 22 by the drive recorder 2 installed in the rental car is personal information of the user. The driving history of each rental car user recorded on the memory card 22 must not be viewed by third parties unless each user who uses the rental car gives permission. The driving history recorded on the memory card 22 must not be viewed by even employees of the rental car company unless each user who uses the rental car gives permission.

When the above-mentioned identification information associated with the driving history is assigned to a rental car user, if the identification information is not known to the rental car company, at least a part of the identification information can be used as a key when searching the driving history. In order to keep the identification information from being known to the rental car company, the rental car user can set the identification information themselves without the rental car company seeing it. The rental car user inputs the identification information they set themselves into the rental car company's terminal as an encryption key for the folder or file in which their driving history is recorded, and encrypts the folder or file. A person who wants to view their own driving history can display their own driving history on the rental car company's terminal by inputting their own identification information used as the encryption key. In this way, the identification information is used as a key when viewing the driving history.

This allows rental car users to prevent third parties from viewing their driving history without their knowledge.

In the second embodiment, the driving history recording function records the driving history on the rental car company's store terminal via a memory card, but when the rental car approaches the store, the driving history may be transmitted to the rental car company's store terminal via wireless transceiver 13 using short-range wireless communication such as wireless LAN to be recorded there. This saves the store staff the trouble of removing the memory card from drive recorder 2 and inserting the memory card into the memory card reader of the store terminal.

[Third Example]
Next, a navigation device 1 as an electronic device according to a third embodiment will be described. Below, a description of the configuration common to the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted.

Figure 4 shows the flow of processing executed by the control unit 18 (Figure 2) of the navigation device 1 (Figures 1 and 2) according to the third embodiment. When the power of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 is turned on, the navigation device 1 is started up and the control unit 18 acquires position information indicating the current location of the vehicle from the GPS receiver 12 (step S01) and displays a map of the surrounding area of the current location on the display unit 5 (Figures 1 and 2). The position information indicating the current location of the vehicle can be used as information indicating the current location of the navigation device 1 and information indicating the current location of its user, and can be referred to as information about the user (user information).

The control unit 18 extracts keywords for selecting an application based on the map data stored in the database 19 (FIG. 2) and the vehicle's current location information (step S02). The map data stores location information (point or area information) such as latitude and longitude in association with prefecture names, city, ward, town, and village names, names of public facilities, tourist destinations and tourist facilities, names of stores and shopping streets, names of roads, names of train stations, and the like. For example, the control unit 18 extracts as keywords the prefecture names and city, ward, town, and village names of the administrative division to which the vehicle's current location belongs, and names of public facilities, tourist destinations, tourist facilities, stores, shopping streets, roads, train stations, and the like that exist within a specified area centered on the vehicle's current location.

The control unit 18 makes a search request to the application search server 62 using the extracted keyword as a search key (step S03). The search request can be made, for example, by the control unit 18 sending a search request signal to the application search server 62 via the wireless transceiver 13 and the Internet.

The application search server 62 searches a database in which multiple applications executable on the navigation device 1 are stored, using a search key, to select some of the applications. The database of the application search server 62 stores so-called "local applications" that are highly useful in tourist spots, shopping districts, etc. After the search, the application search server 62 returns information identifying the selected application to the navigation device 1 (step S04). Examples of such application search servers 62 include servers such as Google Play (registered trademark) and App Store (registered trademark), which provide distribution services for applications, etc. The information identifying the application includes, for example, the name of the application, a general description of the application's functions, and image information of an icon indicating the application. The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 displays information identifying the application selected by the application search server 62, superimposed on the map displayed on the display unit 5 (step S05). The search key may be generated by a process in which the same operation as a human search is performed on a server providing a distribution service for applications, etc. (for example, a process such as robotics process automation (RPA) in which a character string is input into a dialog box for inputting a search key, a search start button is pressed, and information identifying the application of the search results displayed in the search app is obtained by scraping, etc.), or the search key may be generated by a process in which the same data as that sent by a human in such a search app is sent to the application search server 62, a response to which is received, and information identifying the application of the search results is extracted. However, if the application search server 62 has published an API such as a web API for searching applications, the name of the prefecture and the name of the administrative district to which the current location of the vehicle belongs, and the names of public facilities, tourist spots, tourist facilities, stores, shopping streets, roads, train stations, etc. existing in a specified area centered on the current location of the vehicle are sent to the API as search keys, and the information identifying the application responded to by the API is received. This also applies to the following exchange with the application search server.

Figure 5 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5. In the example shown in Figure 5, a map of the area around Ueno Station is displayed on the display unit 5. The scale of the map can be changed by a setting operation (touching the button area marked "200m" in the upper left corner of the screen in Figure 5). Information indicating whether or not to display each name for each scale is stored in association with the name, and the name that is to be displayed at the current map scale is displayed on the screen. The control unit 18 extracts, as keywords to be search keys, names that exist in the position area corresponding to the currently displayed screen range from the map data and are displayed on the screen at the current map scale. In the example of Figure 5, railway station names such as "Ueno Station" and "Inaricho Station", names of tourist spots such as "Shinobazu Pond" and names of tourist facilities such as "Ueno Zoo", "National Museum", and "Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum" are extracted, and further, the names of municipalities such as "Tokyo" and "Taito Ward" are extracted from the address of the current location. The application search server 62 selects applications such as "Ueno Zoo Navi", "Asakusa Tourist Guide", and "Ueno Okachimachi Tourist Guide" based on these keywords. The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 displays icons 65 of these applications on the display unit 5, superimposed on the map. Such a search for applications is performed whenever the name displayed on the map changes as the vehicle moves. And whenever the information identifying the application in the search result changes, the display of the icon is updated. In this way, the user can display the icon of the application related to the name of the range including the current position displayed on the screen. Also, by simply pressing the scale button, the icon of the application displayed can be changed to an appropriate range. Also, since the result is a search by the character string displayed on the screen, the user can easily know what keyword the application was searched by. The number of icons is preferably displayed in a row from the upper right to the left, up to a maximum of six icons, and then displayed in a row in the same manner in the next row below, up to a maximum of four icons in the downward direction, up to a total of about 24 icons. In this way, it is preferable to control the display so that the scale button and menu button in FIG. 5 are not hidden by the icons. If a part other than the icon is touched, the icon is erased and the original map display is restored.

The user of the navigation device 1 looks at the icons 65 displayed on the display unit 5 and selects the icon 65 of the application they wish to download, thereby specifying the application to be downloaded (step S06). The icon 65 can be selected, for example, by tapping on the touch panel 8 (FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the icon 65. The control unit 18 identifies the application specified by the user's operation (step S07) and transmits a download request signal for that application to the application search server 62 (step S08).

The application search server 62 delivers the application that is the subject of the download request to the navigation device 1 (step S09). The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 stores the downloaded application in the storage device and executes an installation process (step S10). The application download and installation process are executed by the control unit 18 in the background while the navigation function is being executed.

When the user performs an operation to display a list of installed applications (step (S11), the control unit 18 displays icons of the installed applications on the display unit 5 (step S12). The user specifies the application by tapping the icon of the application that the user wants to execute (step S13). The control unit 18 executes the application specified by the user's operation (step S14).

[Effects of the third embodiment]
Next, the advantageous effects of the third embodiment will be described.
By using the navigation device 1 in a manner that moves together with the user, the current location of the user can be substantially indicated by the location information indicating the current location of the navigation device 1. Since the control unit 18 uses the application search server 62 to select an application based on the location information indicating the current location of the navigation device 1, the user can know the existence of highly useful applications near the user's current location by looking at the icons 65 displayed on the display unit 5, without having to perform an operation to search for an application by himself/herself.

The user can select an application of interest from among the applications shown by the icon 65 displayed on the display unit 5, and download the application and make it executable.

When sightseeing by car or on foot on one's own, there have been no devices that provide detailed guidance on tourist attractions, etc. At best, navigation devices that store information on tourist attractions listed in tourist guidebooks and are equipped with a function that links the navigation function with the information on tourist attractions are known. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain detailed tourist guide information on tourist spots when traveling individually, compared to when a tourist guide accompanies you to show you the tourist attractions, as in a sightseeing tour. Map data providers and navigation device manufacturers can create detailed tourist guide information for tourist spots and store it in navigation devices, but creating tourist guide information for every tourist spot in the country would require enormous costs and is not realistic.

On the other hand, local apps are becoming more and more available as applications for smartphones and tablet devices, rather than navigation devices, provided by various providers such as tourism associations, local governments, local communities such as shopping districts, and individuals. There are also businesses that create these local apps. Local apps created for each area include applications that provide tourist guide information on tourist destinations, tourist facilities, shopping districts, etc., applications that use augmented reality (AR) technology in connection with location information, applications for participating in stamp rallies that visit various points in the area, and applications that provide games related to the area.

People visiting tourist destinations can become aware of the existence of these applications by chance seeing pamphlets or signs at tourist destinations, or by searching for the local name on an application provider website, but those who do not notice the pamphlets or signs or do not actively search for the application will not be aware of the application's existence. Travelers may be unaware of the existence of these local apps while traveling, and end up feeling frustrated when they realize they exist after the trip is over. Also, despite the fact that many local apps are provided free of charge, the current situation is that the number of application downloads is not increasing.

Users of the navigation device 1 can easily become aware of the existence of these local apps based on their current location information. Application providers can expect the benefit of an increase in the number of downloads of local apps.

Application downloads and installations are performed in the background while the navigation function is running, so users can use the navigation function even during downloads and installations.

The user can select only the desired application from the installed applications and execute it at the desired time. For example, the user can remove the navigation device 1 from the vehicle and carry it with them, and when the user arrives at a tourist spot or facility, he or she can select and execute a local app related to that tourist spot or facility.

Since so-called local apps are stored in the database of the app search server 62, the navigation device 1 can select an application according to user information without storing information about the application in the storage device of the navigation device 1 itself. When adding or updating an application, there is no need to add or update the database for each navigation device 1. This reduces the maintenance work for the database of the navigation device 1.

The control unit 18 extracts keywords based on the user's current location, and can inform the user of applications that are highly useful near the user's current location.

[First Modification of the Third Example]
Next, a first modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the control unit 18 displays the icon for identifying the application transmitted from the application search server 62 on the display unit 5 without screening (step S05). However, in the first modified example, screening is performed.

As a first screening method, the control unit 18 extracts only those applications that have already been installed from among those notified by the application search server 62, and displays their icons 65 on the display unit 5. The user can specify the application that he or she wants to run from among the applications that can be run immediately, without the need for a new download and installation.

As a second screening method, the control unit 18 extracts only those applications that have not been installed from among those notified by the application search server 62, and displays their icons 65 on the display unit 5. The user can become aware of the existence of new applications that he or she has not noticed before.

As a third screening method, the control unit 18 displays icons 65 of all applications notified by the application search server 62, regardless of whether they are installed or not, in a manner that allows the user to know whether they are installed or not.
A selection item for the user to select which screening method is to be used for processing is provided in the setting screen, and display processing, etc. is performed using the screening method selected on the screen. This selection screen also provides a selection item for turning on the display processing of the icon that identifies the application, or turning it off so that the icon that identifies the application is not displayed, and processing is performed by determining whether or not to execute the display processing of this icon according to this.

Figure 6 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 when the setting is set to display icons identifying applications and the third screening method is adopted. The control unit 18 adds an overlay icon 66 of a tick symbol to the icon 65 of an installed application, and an overlay icon 67 of a cloud symbol to the icon 65 of an application that is not installed. In this way, the two are displayed in a distinguishable manner.

Compared to the first and second screening methods, this method can present more applications to the user, which has the effect of providing the user with more application options. By looking at the overlay icons 66, 67, the user can know whether the application indicated by the icon is already installed. By referring to the information on whether the application is already installed, the user can select an application of interest from multiple applications. For example, if the current communication environment is not suitable for downloading an application, the user can select an application of interest from among the installed applications.

[Second Modification of the Third Example]
Next, a second modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the control unit 18 displays the icon 65 indicating the application notified from the application search server 62 on the display unit 5. However, in the second modified example, in addition to the icon 65, an install button and an execute button are displayed.

Figure 7 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the second modified example of the third embodiment. The control unit 18 displays an icon 65, as well as an execute button 68 and install buttons 69 and 70 in its vicinity. The install button 70 corresponding to the icon 65 indicating an installed application is displayed in a grayed-out state, and cannot be selected by the user.

When the user taps the install button 69, the control unit 18 downloads and installs the corresponding application. When the user taps the run button 68 corresponding to an application that is not installed, the control unit 18 downloads and installs the corresponding application, and then automatically runs the application. When the user taps the run button 68 corresponding to an application that is already installed, the control unit 18 runs the corresponding application.

A user can execute an application that is not installed with a single operation. Furthermore, because the Install button 70 is grayed out, the user can know that the application corresponding to that Install button 70 has already been installed. Note that for applications that have already been installed, the Install button 70 may not be displayed, and only the Run button 68 may be displayed.

[Third Modification of the Third Example]
Next, a third modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the control unit 18 selects an application based on location information of the user's current location, but in the third modified example of the third embodiment, the control unit 18 selects an application based on location information of a destination and location information of intermediate points on the route to the destination in addition to the current location. The function of setting a destination and the function of searching for a route to the destination are basic functions of the navigation device 1.

Next, the procedure for selecting an application by the control unit 18 when a destination is set and a route is searched will be described. The control unit 18 extracts keywords based on the location information of the destination and the location information of intermediate points on the route to the destination, and transmits a search request signal to the application search server 62 (Figure 4) using these keywords as search keys. The control unit 18 can obtain information specifying the application selected by the application search server 62 for each destination and intermediate point on the route.

Figure 8 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the third modified example of the third embodiment. The control unit 18 displays, on the display unit 5, a symbol 74 indicating the current location (hereinafter simply referred to as "current location"), a symbol 75 indicating the destination (hereinafter simply referred to as "destination"), and a curved line indicating a route 76 to the destination, together with a map. The control unit 18 displays an icon 77 indicating an application selected based on the position information of the current location 74 near the current location 74, and displays an icon 78 indicating an application selected based on the position information of the destination 75 near the destination 75. Furthermore, the control unit 18 displays an icon 79 indicating an application selected based on the position information of multiple points along the route 76 (for example, an app searched for based on the names of points within a width of 5 km on both sides of the route) near the points corresponding to the application.

If there are too many icons corresponding to one location to display them side by side, the icons will be displayed with some overlapping. If the map is enlarged to ensure there is enough space to display the icons side by side, the icons will be displayed side by side.

The processing that occurs after the user specifies an application by tapping an icon is the same as the processing that occurs when the user taps icon 65 shown in FIG. 5 in the third embodiment.

When the control unit 18 detects that the vehicle has entered an area where installed applications are highly useful, it notifies the user of information indicating the presence of highly useful applications near the current location. For example, it selects up to four locations corresponding to applications searched for based on names within a range of 5 km on either side of the road (5 km to the left and 5 km to the right perpendicular to the route direction) on the route from the current location in the direction of travel to the destination, in order of proximity to the current location, and displays the app icons for those locations. For example, the control unit 18 displays a guide window on the display unit 5 that displays information identifying useful applications.

Figure 9 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 displays a guidance window 80 on the display unit 5. Within the guidance window 80, icons 81 corresponding to applications that are highly useful near the current location are displayed. When the user specifies an application by tapping the icon 81 within the guidance window 80, the control unit 18 executes the specified application.

For example, the area where the application is highly useful may be determined from the map data stored in the navigation device 1 and the name of the application. For example, if the name representing the application includes the name of a tourist destination or tourist facility, the area where the application is highly useful may be defined as a circular area of a specified radius centered on a point identified by location information associated with the name of the tourist destination or tourist facility included in the map data. For example, if the name representing the application includes the name of a local government, the area within the administrative district identified by the name of the local government included in the map data may be defined as the area where the application is highly useful.

According to the third variant of the third embodiment, when departing for a destination, the user can learn of the presence of highly useful applications at the destination and on the way to the destination. The user can learn of tourist attractions and tourist facilities that exist on the way to the destination, for example, and can make plans to stop at tourist attractions and tourist facilities that interest the user.

When the vehicle enters an area where applications are highly useful, a guide window 80 (Figure 9) is displayed, so that if the user has forgotten about a useful application, the user can be reminded of the existence of the application.

The information identifying the application selected based on the location information of the intermediate points on the route to the destination may be displayed in order of the earliest scheduled time of arrival at the points on the route associated with the application.

Figure 10 shows an example of an image when application icons are displayed on the display unit 5 in order of earliest expected arrival time. A list window 83 is displayed on the display unit 5, and within the list window 83, icons 84 representing applications are displayed in order of earliest expected arrival time, in association with the expected arrival time. Furthermore, the icon 84 representing the application may also be displayed together with the name of a region that is closely related to the application.

By displaying application icons in order of earliest expected arrival time, users can intuitively recognize the order in which to stop at tourist attractions and facilities along the route to their destination.

When the control unit 18 detects that the vehicle has been turned off in an area where applications installed in the navigation device 1 are highly useful, the application corresponding to the location where the power was turned off may be automatically executed. This can prevent the user from forgetting about the existence of an application and going sightseeing without executing the application.

When multiple applications corresponding to the location where the vehicle was powered off are installed, the user may be allowed to select an application to be executed from the multiple applications. For example, icons identifying multiple applications corresponding to the location where the vehicle was powered off may be displayed on the display unit 5, and the user may be allowed to select one icon. Since these applications are already installed, they may be immediately launched.

[Fourth Modification of the Third Embodiment]
Next, a fourth modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the navigation device 1 selects an application related to the current location by using the database of the application search server 62. In the fourth modified example of the third embodiment, information for identifying a plurality of applications is stored in the storage device of the navigation device 1 as a position information application correspondence table 86 in association with position information for each application.

Figure 11 shows the flow of processing executed by the control unit 18 (Figure 2) of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth modified example of the third embodiment. Below, explanations of steps common to the processing executed by the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 according to the third embodiment shown in Figure 4 will be omitted.

When the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 acquires current location information (step S01), the control unit 18 selects some applications from the multiple applications registered in the location information application correspondence table 86 based on the current location information and the location information application correspondence table 86 (step S20). For example, the control unit 18 compares the current location information with the location information registered in the location information application correspondence table 86, and selects an application corresponding to the location information that satisfies the condition that the distance between the points indicated by the two pieces of location information is shorter than a predetermined distance.

The process of displaying an icon representing the selected application on the display unit 5 (step S05) and subsequent processes are the same as those in the third embodiment (Figure 4).

Information that identifies popular applications and applications that are considered to be highly convenient for the user can be stored in advance in the storage device of the navigation device 1. This allows highly convenient applications to be carefully selected and provided to the user. The user can eliminate applications that are considered to be of no use to them from the selection candidates and be provided with only information that identifies applications that are likely to be useful. This reduces the effort required to find an application that the user would like to use.

[Fifth Modification of the Third Embodiment]
Next, a fifth modified example of the third embodiment will be described. In the fifth modified example of the third embodiment, when a predetermined uninstallation condition of an installed application is satisfied, the control unit 18 displays information on the display unit 5 inquiring of the user as to whether or not to uninstall the application that satisfies the uninstallation condition. The predetermined uninstallation condition may be, for example, that the current location of the navigation device 1 is out of an area in which the application has a high utility value, or may be a condition in which the navigation device 1 moves to a location significantly farther away than this area. For example, a condition in which the navigation device 1 moves to a different prefecture or moves 200 km or more away may be used. For example, an area in an administrative district of each local government, such as a prefecture or a city, town, or village, specified from the name of the application, may be used as an area in which the application has a high utility value. When the name of the local government is not specified from the application, for example, an area within a predetermined distance from a facility, shopping street, or other location specified from the name of the application may be used as an area in which the application has a high utility value.

Figure 12 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 showing information inquiring of the user as to whether or not to uninstall an application. The control unit 18 displays an uninstall application candidate window 88 on the display unit 5. Icons indicating applications for which the uninstallation conditions are met are displayed in the uninstall application candidate window 88.

When the user performs an uninstallation operation by tapping the icon representing the application that the user wishes to uninstall, the control unit 18 uninstalls the application that was the target of the uninstallation operation.

By looking at the icons displayed in the uninstall application candidate window 88, the user can easily know which applications satisfy the uninstallation conditions. If there are too many installed applications, for example, a large number of icons will be displayed on the launcher, making it difficult to find the desired application from among the many installed applications. By uninstalling applications for which the uninstallation conditions are satisfied, it is possible to prevent the number of installed applications from becoming too large. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of storage space occupied by applications out of the total storage space of the storage device that stores the applications, for example.

If the navigation device 1 is installed in a rental car, the specified uninstallation condition may include a condition that the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed has returned to the rental point. For example, if the vehicle is rented from a store near an airport or train station, the control unit 18 determines that this uninstallation condition is met when the distance between the current location of the navigation device 1 and the store that rented the vehicle becomes less than a specified distance.

The location information of the user's home may be registered in the navigation device 1, and the predetermined uninstallation condition may include a condition that the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 has returned to the user's home. In addition, for each installed application, a period during which the current location of the navigation device 1 was not included in an area in which the application has high utility value may be calculated, and the predetermined uninstallation condition may include a condition that the calculated period continues for a predetermined period, for example, one month. In this way, applications that have become less useful can be presented to the user as candidates for applications to be uninstalled.

The uninstall app candidate window 88 (FIG. 12) may display "Yes" and "No" buttons together with an icon representing the application. When the user taps the "Yes" button, the control unit 18 starts the process of uninstalling the application. When the user taps the "No" button, the control unit 18 erases the icon representing the application from the uninstall app candidate window 88.

When a certain uninstallation condition is met, the control unit 18 may automatically uninstall the application without asking the user. In this way, the user can be spared the trouble of having to decide whether or not to uninstall the application, and the trouble of having to perform the uninstallation operation.

[Sixth Modification of the Third Embodiment]
Next, a sixth modified example of the third embodiment will be described.

In a sixth modified example of the third embodiment, when the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 detects that the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 has entered an area where connection to a wireless LAN that can be used free of charge is possible, the control unit 18 displays information on the display unit 5 to inform the user that connection to the wireless LAN that can be used free of charge is possible. An example of a wireless LAN that can be used free of charge is a wireless LAN called "local WiFi." For example, local WiFi is provided by tourist spots, tourist facilities, shopping streets, etc.

Figure 13 shows an example of an image on the display unit 5 in a state where information is displayed to inform the user that a free wireless LAN can be connected to. A connectable wireless LAN notification window 89 is displayed on the display unit 5. The connectable wireless LAN notification window 89 displays the identification name (SSID) of the wireless LAN that can be connected to for free, and a connection button.

When the user taps the connection button to specify a wireless LAN and connect to that wireless LAN, the control unit 18 executes a procedure to enable communication via the specified wireless LAN. When this process is complete, various applications installed on the navigation device 1 are able to communicate via the wireless LAN.

The user can be aware that the wireless LAN can be used free of charge. When the network used by the navigation device 1 is switched from a mobile communication network to a wireless LAN, high-speed communication can be performed without consuming the data communication capacity of the mobile communication service to which the user has subscribed. Furthermore, even if the mobile communication service to which the user has subscribed is band-limited, high-speed communication can be performed via the wireless LAN.

The SSID of the local WiFi and location information defining the area in which the wireless LAN is available may be stored in advance in the storage device of the navigation device 1. When the control unit 18 detects that the current location of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1 has entered an area in which the wireless LAN stored in the storage device is available, it notifies the user that connection to the wireless LAN is possible.

Depending on the local WiFi, it may be necessary to input user information, such as an email address, before using the local WiFi. The information that needs to be input before using the local WiFi may be preregistered for each local WiFi in the storage device of the control unit 18, and the control unit 18 may have a function to automatically input the information that needs to be input. By adopting this configuration, the user can use the local WiFi without having to go through the trouble of inputting information.

[Other Modifications of the Third Embodiment]
When the number of applications selected based on the location information of the current location (step S04 in FIG. 4) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, icons indicating a predetermined number of applications from the top of the multiple applications lined up as search results may be displayed on the display unit 5. This reduces the user's effort in checking all the provided applications.

The navigation device 1 may be a dedicated in-vehicle navigation device, a portable navigation device that can be used outside the vehicle, or the like. Alternatively, the navigation device 1 may be a smartphone or tablet terminal on which an application with a navigation function is installed. The navigation device 1 may be a device equipped with an OS such as Android (registered trademark) or iOS (registered trademark), for example.

The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 according to the third embodiment downloads and installs an application selected according to the location information of the current location of the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is mounted, by operation of the user, but the application selected according to the location information of the current location may be downloaded and installed automatically without operation by the user.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a navigation device 1 as an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a description of the configuration common to the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be omitted. In this embodiment, the search for whether or not donations are accepted for a prefecture and the return gifts may be performed in the same manner as the search for the app in the third embodiment.

The navigation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment is used in a manner that moves with the user. The navigation device 1 may be an in-vehicle navigation device or a portable navigation device known as a "walking navigation." It may also be realized as a smartphone application. User information relating to the user of the navigation device 1 includes location information of the current location of the navigation device 1. The control unit 18 displays on the display unit 5 information identifying some municipalities selected from a plurality of municipalities offering return gifts, based on the location information of the current location of the navigation device 1.

Figure 14 shows the flow of processing executed by the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 acquires current location information from the GPS receiver 12 (Figure 2) (step S31). From the current location information and map data, the control unit 18 acquires the names of the prefectures and municipalities that correspond to the administrative division that includes the point indicated by the current location information (step S32). The control unit 18 transmits a search request signal to the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 using the name of the municipality as a search key (step S33).

The hometown tax donation introduction server 90 may be, for example, a server on an internet site that introduces local governments that offer gifts in return under the hometown tax donation system. The hometown tax donation introduction server 90 includes a database that stores information that identifies local governments that offer gifts in return under the hometown tax donation system, and information that identifies the gifts offered by those local governments. The navigation device 1, for example, provides the name of the local government to the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 as information (search query) to be provided in the search window of the introduction site, and requests a search.

The hometown tax donation introduction server 90 searches this database using the received name of the local government as a search key, and selects a local government that is offering a gift in return. For example, if the local government specified by the received name of the local government offers a gift in return, the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 selects that local government. Furthermore, if there is a local government that offers a gift in return among the neighboring local governments specified by the received name of the local government, the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 selects that local government.

The hometown tax donation introduction server 90 returns information identifying the selected local government to the navigation device 1 (step S34). The navigation device 1 displays the information identifying the local government received from the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 on the display unit 5 (step S35).

Figure 15 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. A local government introduction window 91 is displayed on the display unit 5. The local government introduction window 91 displays the names 92 of the local government to which the current location belongs and of neighboring local governments that are offering gifts in return. In addition to the names 92 of the local governments, a donation application button 93 is also displayed.

The user taps the donation application button 93 corresponding to the name 92 of the local government to which the user wishes to make a donation, thereby specifying the local government to which the donation should be made (step S36). The control unit 18 executes the procedure for making a donation to the local government to which the user wishes to make a donation (step S37). Personal information, credit card information, etc. required for the donation procedure are stored in advance in the storage device of the navigation device 1. The control unit 18 executes the donation procedure using the information about the user stored in the storage device.

[Effects of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, the excellent effects of the fourth embodiment will be described.
The user can find out which local governments are offering gifts based on the current location of the navigation device 1.

The hometown tax system was originally established to make it easier for people to donate to the prefectures, cities, towns, and villages where they grew up or to local governments that they feel an attachment to. In order to attract donations using the hometown tax system, many local governments offer donors gifts related to the local government. Donations tend to be concentrated in local governments that offer gifts with high cost performance or popular products as return gifts. As a result, donations are often made only once, which is far from the original purpose of having donors feel that the local government to which they donate is their "hometown."

By being provided with information identifying some of the municipalities selected based on the location information of the current location of the navigation device 1, the user of the navigation device 1 can easily find out whether the municipality he or she is currently visiting or a nearby municipality is offering a gift in return. Based on the information provided to the user, the user can decide whether or not to make a donation to the municipality he or she is actually visiting or a nearby municipality. Because the municipality to which the donation is to be made is the municipality he or she is currently visiting or a nearby municipality, the user can make the donation with a sense of attachment to the municipality, compared to donating to a municipality with which he or she has no connection. For the municipality, this has the effect of increasing donations, while also encouraging people to feel attached to the local area, leading to continued donations.

Furthermore, users can make a donation on the spot by tapping the donation application button 93.

[First Modification of the Fourth Example]
Next, a first modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
In a first modification of the fourth embodiment, the hometown tax donation introduction server 90 transmits to the navigation device 1 information specifying the return gift provided by the local government in addition to the name of the local government. Examples of information specifying the return gift include the category of the return gift, the product name, and an illustration representing the return gift. Examples of categories of return gifts include "meat,""rice,""fruit,""vegetables,""alcohol,""confectionery," and "handicrafts."

The control unit 18 displays the name of the local government, a donation application button, and the category of return gifts on the display unit 5.

Figure 16 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of a navigation device 1 according to the first modified example of the fourth embodiment. In a local government introduction window 91, in addition to the name of the local government 92 and a donation application button 93, categories 94 of gifts in return offered by the local government are displayed.

Users can learn about the local governments offering gifts in return, as well as the categories of gifts they offer. Users can then decide whether or not to make a donation based on the gift category.

[Second Modification of the Fourth Example]
In a second modification of the fourth embodiment, the user information includes information specifying a category of return gifts. For example, information specifying a category of return gifts in which the user is interested is registered in the user information. The control unit 18 selects a local government that offers a return gift that belongs to the category of return gifts specified by the user information from among the local governments specified by the information received from the hometown tax donation introduction server 90. The control unit 18 displays the name of the selected local government, the category of return gifts, and a donation application button in the local government introduction window 91 (FIG. 16).

Users can easily find local governments that offer items that interest them as rewards.

If information specifying the category of the return gift is not registered in advance as user information, the user may be allowed to specify the category of the return gift from among the names of the local governments and categories of return gifts displayed in the local government introduction window 91. The control unit 18 screens local governments offering return gifts that belong to the return gift category specified by the user, and displays on the display unit 5 the names of the local governments selected by the screening.

[Third Modification of the Fourth Example]
Next, a third modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. The navigation device 1 has a function of setting a destination to which the user is heading and a function of searching for a route from the current location to the destination. The control unit 18 has a function of selecting some municipalities from among a plurality of municipalities offering return gifts based on location information of the destination and location information of points on the route to the destination, and displaying information identifying the selected some municipalities on the display unit 5.

Figure 17 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of a navigation device 1 according to the third modified example of the fourth embodiment. A current location 74, a destination 75, and a route 76 from the current location 74 to the destination 75 are displayed on the display unit 5, and names 95 of municipalities that offer gifts among those that the route 76 passes through are also displayed on the display unit 5.

When a user taps on the name 95 of a local government to specify the local government, the control unit 18 pops up a window 96 displaying the details of the return gifts offered by that local government. FIG. 17 shows an example in which a user specifies "Chonan Town" and a window 96 pops up displaying the details of the return gifts offered by Chonan Town.

Users can find out which municipalities are offering gifts in return, including the municipality in which their destination is located and the municipalities they will pass through on the way to their destination. They can also find out the types of gifts offered by each municipality. Users can use this information to decide whether or not to make a donation.

In the third modified example of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a donation application button 93 may be displayed near the name 95 of the local government displayed on the display unit 5. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, a category 94 of return gifts may be displayed.

[Fourth Modification of the Fourth Example]
Next, a fourth modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
The control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth modified example of the fourth embodiment has a function of displaying on the display unit 5 the name of a local government selected based on the position information of the current location, and displaying on the display unit 5 information indicating a place where a product corresponding to a gift provided by the local government is sold. For example, when a user specifies a local government by tapping on the name 92 (FIGS. 15 and 16) of a local government displayed on the display unit 5, the control unit 18 displays on the display unit 5 information indicating a place where a product corresponding to a gift provided by the local government is sold. Examples of places where a product corresponding to a gift is sold include a store, a roadside station, etc.

Figure 18 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of a navigation device 1 according to a fourth modified example of the fourth embodiment. On a map displayed on the display unit 5, the symbol of the store that sells the product corresponding to the gift is displayed at the location of the store, and the name of the store is also displayed. In addition, the category of gifts sold at each store is displayed.

If a dealer or roadside station displayed on the display unit 5 does not have a parking lot, the display unit 5 has a function to display the location of a nearby parking lot along with information about the dealer, etc. When the user specifies a dealer by tapping the name of the dealer, etc. displayed on the display unit 5, the control unit 18 searches for a route from the current location to the dealer and displays it on the display unit 5.

When a user operates navigation device 1 to make a donation, the server that accepted the donation sends electronic data of a certificate proving that a donation has been made to navigation device 1. The user can receive a gift on the spot by displaying this certificate on display unit 5 and presenting it at a store or the like. If the gift is a hotel voucher, a ticket to experience an activity such as the right to receive horse riding services, or the like, the user can exercise their right to stay overnight or experience an activity on the spot. When a gift is provided to a user of navigation device 1 at a store or the like, a staff member at the store inputs into a system that manages the provision of gifts to donors that the gift has been provided. This registers in the system that the gift has been provided.

A user of the navigation device 1 according to the fourth modified example of the fourth embodiment can easily visit the store or the like displayed on the display unit 5. The user can see the actual product corresponding to the gift and decide whether or not to make a donation. In addition, since parking lots near the store are displayed on the display unit 5, the user can save the trouble of searching for a nearby parking lot when visiting a store that does not have a parking lot. If the gift is an experience ticket or the like, the user can save the trouble of having to visit the store after obtaining the experience ticket or the like in order to exercise the rights based on the experience ticket.

When a gift is provided by a retailer, the system that manages the provision of gifts registers that the gift has already been provided, preventing duplicate gifts from being provided.

Being able to receive a gift immediately after making a donation can motivate users to donate to local governments. For local governments that provide gifts, this has the effect of helping to increase donations.

If the number of gifts provided in return for a donation is not enough for a user, the user can receive the gift at a store or other outlet and purchase additional products that correspond to the gift. In addition, the user can purchase other products that are different from the gift. This allows the store or other outlet to increase sales, which contributes to the development of the local area.

For example, if the local government offering the gift is a fruit-producing region and the gift is apples, which do not spoil easily, a store that sells peaches and grapes in addition to apples can increase sales of peaches and grapes. Also, a store could sell a set of apples, peaches, and grapes, and offer a discount equivalent to the price of the apples to purchasers who make a donation, thereby providing them with a gift in return.

For example, if the gift is a local sake, the user can purchase other brands of sake in addition to the local sake they received as a gift. Also, retailers can sell the local sake as a gift together with other brands of sake as a set.

[Fifth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
In a fifth modification of the fourth embodiment, when a donation procedure is executed, information that serves as criteria for determining whether or not the procedure may be continued, such as an upper limit on the total donation amount, an upper limit on each individual donation amount, and an upper limit on the number of donation recipient municipalities, is registered in a storage device of the control unit 18. If a request to execute the donation procedure specified by a user does not satisfy these criteria, the control unit 18 has a function of notifying the user of a confirmation message asking whether or not the donation procedure may be continued.

For example, when a user performs an operation to make a donation, the control unit 18 compares the donation amount specified by the user with the upper limit of the individual donation amount, and when the specified donation amount exceeds the upper limit of the individual donation amount, displays a message to that effect on the display unit 5 to notify the user. The control unit 18 accumulates the individual donation amounts, and when the accumulated value exceeds the upper limit of the total donation amount, displays a message to that effect on the display unit 5 to notify the user. The control unit 18 counts the number of donation recipient municipalities, and when an operation is performed to make a donation that exceeds the upper limit of the number of donation recipient municipalities, displays a message to that effect on the display unit 5 to notify the user. After performing these notifications, the control unit 18 allows the user to select whether to proceed with or cancel the donation procedure, and executes the donation procedure only when the user performs an operation to proceed with the donation procedure.

Figure 19 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the fifth modified example of the fourth embodiment. The display unit 5 displays the upper limit of the total donation amount, the upper limit of each individual donation amount, and the upper limit of the number of recipient municipalities, which have been registered in advance, and further displays the total donation amount after this donation, the current donation amount, and the total number of recipient municipalities after this donation.

Furthermore, the control unit 18 displays a message 97 on the display unit 5 inquiring whether or not to proceed with the donation procedure, even though the current donation does not meet the criteria for determining whether or not it is OK to proceed with the donation procedure, along with "Yes" and "No" buttons.

When the user taps the "Yes" button, the control unit 18 executes the donation procedure. When the user taps the "No" button, the control unit 18 stops the donation procedure.

The fifth variant of the fourth embodiment prevents an unexpected donation from being made due to a user's misremembering or incorrect operation.

The "Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System" has been introduced, which eliminates the need to file a tax return if the number of recipient municipalities is five or less. For example, it is preferable to set the upper limit on the number of recipient municipalities to "5", which is the upper limit on the number of recipient municipalities that can use the Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System. When the user notices the message displayed on the display unit 5, they can recognize that they will no longer be able to use the Hometown Tax One-Stop Special System.

The control unit 18 may subtract the total amount of past donations from the upper limit of the total donation amount and inform the user of the remaining amount that can be donated. The user can use the remaining amount that can be donated as a factor in deciding whether or not to donate to the currently introduced local government.

Under the current hometown tax payment system, whether the amount remaining after deducting the 2,000 yen self-payment amount from the donation amount is fully deductible or not depends on the donor's income, etc. The control unit 18 may have a function to calculate the upper limit of the donation amount that can be fully deducted from the user's expected income and notify the user. The user's expected income can be calculated from the value entered by having the user input the contents of their pay slip, for example.

[Sixth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described.
20 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the sixth modified example of the fourth embodiment. The control unit 18 displays a local government introduction window 91 on the display unit 5, and within that, displays buttons for each local government, including "Apply for donation,""Interested,""Show sales outlet," and "Share on SNS."

When the user taps the "Apply for Donation" button, the control unit 18 processes the donation and obtains electronic data of a certificate proving that the donation has been made from the donation management server. When the user taps the "Interested" button, the control unit 18 adds information indicating the local government and the return gift to a favorites list in the storage device. The contents of the favorites list can be read by the user later, for example, after returning the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed to the rental car company. When the user taps the "Show Sales Point" button, the control unit 18 displays a map on the display unit 5 and searches for a route using the sales point as a stopover or destination. When the user taps the "Share on SNS" button, the control unit 18 automatically enters information indicating the local government and the return gift into the SNS posting screen.

Next, the process when the user taps the "interested" button will be described in detail.
When returning the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 1, the control unit 18 displays a message on the display unit 5 inquiring of the user as to whether to upload information about the local government of interest to a cloud where the user can read the information, or to delete the information. If the user selects uploading to the cloud, the control unit 18 uploads the information stored in the favorites list to the cloud. If the user selects deleting, the control unit 18 deletes the information stored in the favorites list.

The cloud that the user can read is managed by the rental car company, and the rental car company notifies the user of key information such as a security code for reading information about the local government of interest to the user from the cloud. The user can access the rental car company's cloud and input the key information to read information about the local government of interest that the user has specified.

Even after returning the vehicle in which the navigation device 1 is installed, the user of the navigation device 1 can retrieve information about the local government of interest that was specified while using the navigation device 1. This information can be kept as a memory of the trip and can also motivate the user to revisit the local government.

When returning the vehicle, information about the local government that is of interest to the user may be constantly uploaded to the cloud. Even if the user thinks that they do not need information about the local government that is of interest to them when returning the rental car, they may later decide that they would like to know that information. In this case, the user can read the information about the local government that is of interest to them that has been uploaded to the cloud.

The criteria for determining whether the current time is the time to return the vehicle may be, for example, that the fuel tank is full, the vehicle's current location matches the vehicle's return location, and the vehicle has been parked at that location for a specified period of time, for example, five minutes. Or, the engine of the rental car has been turned off at the return location.

[Seventh Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a seventh modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
Some local governments allow users to specify how donations are to be used. Examples of uses include industrial promotion, environmental conservation, cultural property protection, child rearing, welfare, disaster relief, etc. Priorities are assigned to the multiple uses of donations in advance, and the priorities are stored in the storage device of the control unit 18 as part of user information.

Figure 21 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the seventh modified example of the fourth embodiment. Figure 21 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 when a user operates the navigation device 1 to apply for a donation to a local government. The control unit 18 displays a use designation window 98 on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 displays, in the use designation window 98, buttons indicating uses that can be selected in the local government to which the donation is to be made, and a button for not specifying a use. If priorities are set for the uses based on the user information, the buttons indicating the uses are displayed in descending order of priority. When the user specifies a use by tapping a button indicating one of the uses, the control unit 18 transmits the use designated by the user to the hometown tax payment reception system.

According to the seventh modification of the fourth embodiment, a user can make a donation to a local government by specifying the use of the donation he or she wishes. The buttons indicating the use of the donation are displayed in order of priority, so that the user can easily find the use he or she wishes to specify from among multiple uses.

The control unit 18 may display multiple uses on the display screen with the use with the highest priority selected as the default value. This allows the user to omit the operation of selecting a desired use from multiple uses.

[Eighth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an eighth modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 22 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the eighth modified example of the fourth embodiment. When the process of the donation procedure to one local government is completed, the control unit 18 displays a recommended local government introduction window 99 on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. 22. The recommended local government introduction window 99 displays the names of other local governments (hereinafter referred to as "recommended local governments") to which people who have made donations to the donation destination local government for which the donation procedure has already been completed have made donations. This mechanism can be realized by applying a known recommendation engine to the donation destination of the local government. The control unit 18 provides the user with information that specifies local governments in the vicinity of the current location as the recommended local government, with priority. For example, the control unit 18 gives priority to local governments in the same prefecture as the donation destination local government to which the donation procedure has been completed. The control unit 18 may give priority to local governments with many donors to the user, regardless of the location of the local government. The control unit 18 may give the user both information that gives priority to nearby local governments and information that gives priority to local governments with many donors.

For users, this has the benefit of increasing the number of local governments to which they can donate. For local governments, this has the benefit of leading to an increase in donations.

[Ninth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a ninth modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
The navigation device 1 according to the ninth modification of the fourth embodiment has a function of switching between a corporate mode and an individual mode. When switched to the corporate mode, the control unit 18 processes donations according to the procedure for corporate donations, and when switched to the individual mode, the control unit 18 processes donations according to the procedure for individual donations.

The donation procedure differs depending on whether the donor is an individual or a corporation. By providing a corporate mode and a personal mode, the user can donate as either an individual or a corporation. For example, if the navigation device 1 is installed in a company car, it can be switched to the corporate mode, and if the navigation device 1 is installed in a private car, it can be switched to the personal mode.

Hometown tax donations made by individuals and corporate hometown tax donations made by companies differ in the local government to which donations are made, whether or not a gift is given in return, the method of tax deduction, etc. The control unit 18 may use different criteria for selecting a local government based on user information when operating in corporate mode and when operating in individual mode. For example, when the control unit 18 is operating in corporate mode, it may select candidate local governments only from local governments that are eligible to receive donations in the corporate version of hometown tax donations.

It is also advisable to change the information displayed on the display unit 5 depending on whether the control unit 18 is operating in corporate mode or individual mode. For example, in a corporate version of the hometown tax payment system, donations are made to the "Town, People, and Job Creation Donation Utilization Project" planned by each local government. The control unit 18 may display the details of the "Town, People, and Job Creation Donation Utilization Project" in addition to information identifying the local government. Users can use the information displayed on the display unit 5 as a deciding factor for whether or not to make a donation.

[Tenth Modification of the Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a tenth modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
In a tenth modification of the fourth embodiment, the control unit 18 of the navigation device 1 has a function of registering a person other than an individual identified by the user information as another user. When carrying out a donation procedure, the control unit 18 identifies a user who will be the main donor from among multiple registered users, and carries out the donation procedure with the identified user as the main donor.

Figure 23 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 5 of the navigation device 1 according to the tenth modification of the fourth embodiment. When a user performs an operation to apply for a donation, the control unit 18 displays a donor selection window 100 on the display unit 5. The donor selection window 100 displays a list of the names of multiple users who have been registered in advance.

When a user designates a user to be a donor by tapping the name of one of the multiple users displayed in the donor selection window 100, the control unit 18 proceeds with the donation procedure with the designated user as the main person.

The credit card information used for donations is registered in advance for each of the multiple users in the storage device of the control unit 18. If the donor's name does not match the name on the credit card, the donation may not be eligible for tax deduction. The control unit 18 has the function of comparing the registered user's name with the name on the credit card registered in association with that user, and notifying the user if they do not match.

When using the navigation device 1 according to the tenth modification of the fourth embodiment, when multiple people are traveling, each traveler can make a donation via the navigation device 1. If the name of the user making the donation does not match the name on the credit card, the control unit 18 notifies the user of this fact, preventing the user from making the donation using a credit card in a different name and becoming ineligible for tax deduction.

A single user making a donation may be designated from among multiple registered users by holding a near field communication (NFC) standard-compatible card owned by each user over a reading device. Examples of cards compatible with the NFC standard include transportation cards and driver's licenses. In addition, a personal authentication system such as a fingerprint authentication system or face authentication system may be used to identify the user making the donation.

[Fifth Example]
Next, a printer installed in a print service shop will be described as an electronic device according to the fifth embodiment. Examples of print service shops include convenience stores located all over the country. This printer is used by unspecified persons.

Figure 24 shows a functional block diagram of a printer 105 according to the fifth embodiment. The printer 105 includes a control unit 110, a communication device 111, a short-range wireless communication device 112, a display device 113, and an input device 114.

The control unit 110 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, and an I/O interface. The CPU of the control unit 110 executes a program stored in the storage device to realize the function of providing information to the user. An EEPROM, for example, can be used as the non-volatile memory. In addition to the program, the non-volatile memory stores various data necessary for the control unit 110 to realize the function of providing information to the user, such as location information of the print service provider where the printer 105 is installed. The location information of the print service provider is registered in the printer 105 by the installer when the printer 105 is installed.

The user visits the print service provider to receive information provided by the printer 105. Because the location information of the print service provider matches the location information of the user's current location, the location information of the print service provider can be considered to be one piece of information (user information) about the user receiving the information service. The information provided by the printer 105 to the user includes a map of a certain area including the user's current location (the location of the print service provider).

The communication device 111 has a function of performing data communication with the management server 120 via the communication network 140. For example, the Internet is used as the communication network 140. The management server 120 stores map data, and upon request from the printer 105, transmits the map data, including the location of the print service provider where the printer 105 is installed, to the printer 105.

The short-range wireless communication device 112 has a function of performing data communication with the user's mobile terminal 130. For example, the NFC standard, the Bluetooth standard, etc. can be adopted as the wireless communication standard. The mobile terminal 130 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.

The display device 113 displays various images under the control of the control unit 110. For example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence display, etc., may be used as the display device 113.

The input device 114 is operated by the user to input various commands to the control unit 18. For example, a touch panel, operation buttons, etc. may be used as the input device 114.

Figure 25 shows the process flow by which the printer 105 provides information to a user. First, the user operates the input device 114 (Figure 24) of the printer 105 to request the printer 105 to print out a map (step S30). When the control unit 110 of the printer 105 accepts the printout request, it sends a signal to the management server 120 requesting map data (step S31). This signal contains location information of the print service provider where the printer 105 is installed.

Based on the location information of the print service provider, the management server 120 distributes map data including that location to the printer 105 (step S32). The control unit 110 of the printer 105 that has received the map data prints out a map based on the distributed map data (step S33).

Figure 26 shows an example of a printed map. The map is printed out on paper of A4 size, B4 size, A3 size, etc. The user specifies the size of the paper to the printer 105 by operating the input device 114. The characters "up", "down", "left", and "right" are printed near the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the paper, respectively. In addition, the control unit 18 prints a two-dimensional barcode 150 on the paper, which serves as information for displaying a map of the same area as the printed map on the mobile terminal 130.

The two-dimensional barcode 150 represents a character string that identifies the URL of the management server 120. Instead of a two-dimensional barcode, a character string indicating an abbreviated URL may be printed as information that identifies the URL. On the printed map, a mark 151 such as a star is printed at the location of the print service provider that printed the map.

[Effects of the Fifth Embodiment]
A user can obtain a map of a certain area including his/her current location on paper without performing an operation to input the location information of the place where the printer 105 is installed. For example, if the printer 105 is installed in all convenience stores of a particular convenience store chain, a map including the location of the convenience store can always be obtained by simply finding the convenience store of the chain and printing it on the printer 105 of the store. In particular, if the location of the convenience store is placed near the center as shown in FIG. 26 and the map is printed, the user can go from one convenience store to another and always obtain a map centered on the user's location. Compared to maps displayed on smartphones, tablet terminals, etc., large maps such as A4 size, B4 size, and A3 size can be obtained. Large maps are suitable for use by multiple people to consult with each other while looking at them at the same time. Furthermore, a wide area on the map can be viewed at once without scrolling. In addition, a map output on paper can be easily marked by writing, folding, etc., for example. In particular, when multiple people are traveling, a map can be printed out at a print service store at the travel destination and the printed out map can be referred to during the trip.

By finding the marker marked on the printed map at the location of the print service provider, the user can easily ascertain his/her current location on the map. Instead of marking the location of the print service provider with a marker, the symbol on the map indicating the print service provider may be colored a different color from the color of the symbols indicating other facilities. Also, the print service provider may be placed in the center of the map, making it easier to find the location of the print service provider.

By having the mobile terminal 130 read the two-dimensional barcode 150 printed out together with the map, the user can easily access the management server 120 with the mobile terminal 130 and download the map data from the management server to the mobile terminal 130. The mobile terminal 130 displays the downloaded map data on the display screen.

It is preferable that the mobile terminal 130 has a function of providing the user with information that identifies the area on the map to which the current location of the mobile terminal 130 belongs, based on the location information of the current location of the mobile terminal 130. For example, the mobile terminal 130 may perform processing to indicate a location on the map using the term center or any of the terms up, down, left, and right, such as "Your current location is a point to the upper right of the center." It is particularly preferable to perform such processing in a map app or a route guidance app.

With the help of information that identifies the area, the user can easily find the location on the map where he or she is. The mobile terminal 130 usually has a function of displaying a map of an area around the current location on the display screen, with the current location of the mobile terminal 130 fixed at a specific point on the display screen. When the current location of the mobile terminal 130 moves, the mobile terminal 130 automatically scrolls the map so that the current location does not move on the display screen. For this reason, the map displayed on the mobile terminal 130 is useful for the user to know the situation around the user's current location, but is not suitable for grasping the user's relative location in a specific area that is larger than the area displayed on the display screen. In contrast, when a printed map (Figure 26) is used, the user can easily grasp the user's relative location within the specific area shown on the map by finding the user's location on the map.

As information for identifying a portion of a map, for example, the entire area of a printed map may be divided into multiple sections in a matrix, and information for identifying rows and information for identifying columns may be used. For example, columns may be identified by letters A, B, C, D, etc. from left to right, and rows may be identified by numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. from top to bottom. Each section on the map can be identified by a combination of letters and numbers. For example, a mobile device can notify a user of their current location using information for identifying sections, such as "You are currently located in section A1."

It is preferable to provide the mobile terminal 130 with an orientation detection function. It is preferable to provide the mobile terminal 130 with an orientation detection function with a function to notify the user of the correspondence between the current upward direction on the screen of the mobile terminal 130 and the up, down, left, and right directions of a printed out map. For example, the mobile terminal 130 can be provided with a function to notify the user that "the upward direction on the screen is the right direction on the map." In particular, when the mobile terminal app displays a map in heading up mode, this has the excellent effect of reducing the loss of correspondence with the printed out paper map.

The printer identification information and location information may be stored in association with each other in the management server 120 (Figure 24). The printer 105 can obtain location information from the management server 120 by inquiring about its own location information from the management server 120. In this way, it is not necessary to set location information on the printer 105 on-site when the printer is installed, and it is possible to prevent forgetting to set location information or setting it incorrectly.

Instead of having the mobile terminal 130 read the two-dimensional barcode 150 (Figure 26) printed with the map, information specifying the URL may be transferred from the printer 105 to the mobile terminal 130 via short-range wireless communication.

In the fifth embodiment, the printer 105 has a function for providing information that identifies the area on the map to which the current location of the mobile device belongs, for example, a function for printing the characters "up," "down," "left," and "right." However, this function may also be provided in the management server 120 that distributes map data to the printer 105.

[First Modification of the Fifth Example]
Next, a printer 105 according to a first modification of the fifth embodiment will be described.
In a first modification of the fifth embodiment, the control unit 110 of the printer 105 has a function of printing out, together with the map, advertisements for shops within the area of the map to be printed out. Data for the advertisements to be printed is distributed to the printer 105 together with the map data from the management server 120. The management server 120 provides advertisement providers with a support service for creating advertisements.

Figure 27 shows an example of a printed map and advertisements. Several advertisements 152 are printed on the edge of the paper.

By looking at the printed advertisement 152, the user can obtain information about stores (souvenir shops, restaurants, etc.) located near their current location. The store advertisement 152 can include information indicating the right to receive a special benefit at that store, such as a coupon. For users who print out the map, such as travelers or business travelers, the effect is that they can receive a special benefit at the store, such as a 200 yen discount on food and drink. Part or all of the cost of printing out the map can be offset by an amount equivalent to the special benefit received by the user. For stores, the effect is that they can attract travelers and the like to their stores.

Providers of advertisements such as stores can easily create advertisements by receiving the advertisement creation support service from the management server 120. The advertisement creation support service may be, for example, a service that allows advertisements to be created using advertisement templates. For example, it may be possible for advertisement providers to create advertisements simply by inserting photos and text into the templates. It may be possible to prepare multiple templates and allow advertisement providers to select a favorite template from the multiple templates. It may be possible for advertisement providers to download template data from the management server 120 to their own terminals, create advertisements on their terminals using the templates, and upload the created advertisement data to the management server 120, thereby storing advertisement data in the management server 120. It may also be possible for advertisement providers to directly create advertisements using templates on the management server 120 via the browser of their own terminals, and store advertisement data in the management server 120.

It is possible to charge stores an advertising fee, but it is especially good to make it free. Free advertising offers great benefits to stores that provide advertising. For businesses that provide map printing services, it is expected to have the effect of increasing the number of advertising providers.

As the number of advertisements provided increases, it becomes difficult to print out all of the advertisements on the map. In such a case, the control unit 110 of the printer 105 may filter using predetermined filtering conditions to extract a portion of the large number of advertisements to be printed. The predetermined filtering conditions may be provided to the printer 105 by the user operating the printer 105. For example, it may be possible for the user to select the type of business of the store that is providing the advertisement that the user wishes to print out. The control unit 110 of the printer 105 may extract advertisements for stores in the type of business selected by the user from the large number of advertisements, and print out the advertisements for the extracted stores together with the map.

Filtering conditions can be set in advance on the management server 120 that provides the advertisement creation support service or on the user's mobile terminal 130, and the set filtering conditions can be applied to extract advertisements that should be printed out from a large number of advertisements.

[Second Modification of the Fifth Example]
Next, a printer 105 according to a second modification of the fifth embodiment will be described.
The printer 105 according to the second modification of the fifth embodiment prints out information for identifying a map together with the map. The information for identifying a map is unique to that map, and different users who print out a map give different identification information to the map.

The information identifying the map may be, for example, a unique number that identifies the map. The management server 120 sends the information identifying the map to the printer 105 together with the map data when the map data is distributed (step S32). The control unit 110 of the printer 105 prints out the received identification information together with the map in the form of a barcode or the like.

Figure 28 shows an example of a map and a one-dimensional barcode 153 printed out on paper. For example, the one-dimensional barcode 153 is printed in a corner of the paper. This one-dimensional barcode 153 represents information that identifies the printed map.

When a user of the map reads the identification information into an information acquisition device installed within the area represented by the map, the map identification information is transferred from the information acquisition device to the management server 120. When the management server 120 receives the map identification information from the information acquisition device, it associates and stores the map identification information with the location information of the location where the information acquisition device is installed (visited location). When the management server 120 receives a request from the printer 105 specifying the map identification number and providing location information of the visited location, the management server 120 has the function of transmitting the location information of the visited location associated with the map identification information to the printer 105.

When the printer 105 receives location information of visited locations from the management server 120, the control unit 110 of the printer 105 has the function of printing out a new map in a manner that makes it possible to identify the user's visited locations.

Figure 29 shows an example of a new map that has been printed out in a way that makes it possible to identify the places visited by the user. Numbers in circles are printed on the newly printed map at the places visited in the order in which they were visited.

A map user can look at the new map (Figure 29) printed out in a manner that allows the visited locations to be identified, and recognize the locations that the user has visited while carrying the map from the print service store where the original map was printed out. The printer 105 that printed out the original map and the printer 105 that prints out the new map do not need to be the same printer. It is convenient to install multiple printers 105, each having the function of printing out the original map and the function of printing out a new map, at multiple print service stores. For example, the user can print out the original map (Figure 28) at a print service store at the travel destination, and then, after returning from the trip, print out a new map (Figure 29) at a print service store near his/her home, allowing the user to recognize the locations that he/she has visited. This new map can be kept as a memento of the trip.

A humanoid robot with an information reading function or an electronic signboard (signage) can be used as the information acquisition device. A user can input the map's identification information into the information acquisition device by having a barcode reader or camera of the information acquisition device read identification information such as a barcode printed out together with a map. The humanoid robot and the electronic signboard are installed in a store, for example.

When a humanoid robot or the like installed in a store reads the map's identification information, it can speak words to introduce the store to the map user. For example, it can obtain the name of the print service store that printed out the map from the map's identification information and speak something like, "You've come from store XX. I recommend XX."

The name of the print service store that printed out the map can be obtained, for example, by the humanoid robot reading the map's identification information and querying the management server 120, which stores the map's identification information in association with the name of the print service store. Alternatively, the name of the print service store can be obtained by performing image recognition on the entire map.

The information of the user's payment card may be registered in the management server 120, and the management server 120 may acquire location information of the store where the user has made a purchase using the registered payment card, and store this store's location information as location information of the visited location. Even if an information acquisition device is not installed in the visited store, if the user has made a purchase using the payment card, information that the user has visited the store can be left in the management server 120.

The management server 120 may store identification information for identifying the user's terminal in association with the map's identification information, and may have a function for distributing to the user's terminal location information of the visited points associated with the map's identification information, and location information of the location where the printer 105 that printed out the map is installed.

Based on the location information delivered to their own device, the map user can recognize the places they have visited while carrying the map. By operating their device, the user can upload the information about the places they have visited while carrying the map to a social networking service (SNS) server and share it with multiple people. The above-mentioned location information may also be delivered to the devices of friends who traveled together with the map user.

[Third Modification of the Fifth Example]
Next, a printer 105 according to a third modification of the fifth embodiment will be described.
The printer 105 according to the third variant of the fifth embodiment has the function of receiving from the management server 120 augmented reality information obtained by the user using the mobile terminal 130 within the range shown on the map, and printing out a new map by combining the augmented reality information received from the management server 120 with a map of the same range as the map originally printed out.

The management server 120 has a function to obtain augmented reality information acquired by a user using a terminal within the range shown on the map, and store the information in association with the map identification information. It also has a function to transmit the map identification information and augmented reality information to the printer 105 that has requested transmission.

Figure 30 shows an example of a map that has been printed with augmented reality information. An image 155 of a character captured in the augmented reality world is printed at the point on the map where the character was captured.

The user can recognize the augmented reality information obtained at the places visited by looking at the newly printed map (Figure 30) from the printer 105. The user can keep this map as a memento of the trip.

[Sixth Example]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
The functions of the electronic device according to the sixth embodiment are realized by a plurality of electronic devices such as a personal computer at home, a drive recorder mounted on a vehicle, a camera carried on a trip, and a server connected to the Internet.

Figure 31 shows the flow of processing executed by these multiple electronic devices. PC 160 has a storage device for storing a travel itinerary 165. Server 163 has a photo database 167 for making photos corresponding to each tourist spot available to the public. PC 160, drive recorder 161, camera 162, and server 163 have the function of exchanging data with each other. Data may be exchanged between these electronic devices using wireless or wired communication, or data may be exchanged via a contactless IC card, removable memory card, etc.

A user of the electronic device according to the sixth embodiment decides on tourist spots to visit before traveling by operating a personal computer 160 at home or the like (step S41). After deciding on tourist spots to visit, the user adds the tourist spots to the travel itinerary 165 as tourist spots to be visited (step S42). The travel itinerary 165 includes information that identifies the tourist spots, such as the names of the tourist spots, location information of the tourist spots, and photos of the tourist spots.

The user transfers the location information of the tourist spots to be visited, which are registered in the travel itinerary 165, from the PC 160 to the drive recorder 161, thereby registering the location information of the tourist spots to be visited in the drive recorder 161 (step S43).

The drive recorder 161 has the function of constantly recording the surroundings of the vehicle, for example the scenery ahead. When there is no free space in the video recording area, new video is overwritten in the area in which old video is recorded. Furthermore, when the drive recorder 161 detects that the vehicle is approaching a tourist spot that is planned to be visited, it records the scenery around the vehicle in the recording area for the tourist spot (step S44). The recording area for the tourist spot is set to not be overwritten, so video recorded in the recording area for the tourist spot is not automatically overwritten and erased.

The user gets off the vehicle at the tourist spot they plan to visit and takes pictures of the tourist spot using the camera 162. The captured images are recorded in the camera's memory (step S45).

When the trip is over, the user transfers the video recorded in the tourist spot recording area of the drive recorder 161 to the computer 160 (step S46). In addition, the user transfers the video captured by the camera 162 to the computer 160 (step S47).

When the user operates the computer 160, the computer 160 remixes the images taken by the drive recorder 161, the images taken by the camera 162, and the public photos of tourist spots and the like stored in the database 167 of the server 163, and automatically creates an album (step S48). The photos and videos to be used in creating the album can also include photos and videos that the user has taken in the past and uploaded to a photo backup site.

For example, when a user selects the remix button displayed on the screen of the PC 160, the PC 160 automatically creates an album by combining and laying out photos and videos. The combination of photos and videos may be based on, for example, location information of the location where the photos and videos were taken.

The user selects the photos and videos that he or she has taken that he or she wishes to make public, and selects the public release button displayed on the screen of computer 160, thereby selecting the photos and videos to be made public (step S49). Computer 160 uploads the selected photos and videos to server 163 (step S50). Server 163 stores the uploaded photos and videos in database 167 of photos to be made public (step S51).

Figure 32 shows an example of an image displayed on the screen of personal computer 160 when creating an album (step S48). Personal computer 160 displays thumbnails 170 of photos publicly available on server 163, photos taken with camera 162, footage taken with drive recorder 161, and photos previously uploaded by the user to a photo backup site, categorized by tourist spots visited, in table format on the display screen. In addition, the display screen displays an album creation button 171, a remix button 172, and a public release button 173.

When the user selects a portion of the list of thumbnails displayed on the display screen and then selects the create album button 171, the personal computer 160 determines the layout of the photos and videos that correspond to the thumbnails selected by the user and creates an album. The created album is displayed on the display screen of the personal computer 160. When the user selects the remix button 172, the personal computer 160 changes the combination and layout of the photos and videos and creates a new album. The user can also select some of the photos that make up the created album and replace them with other photos.

When the user selects a portion of the list of thumbnails displayed on the display screen and then selects the public release button 173, the personal computer 160 uploads the photos and videos corresponding to the thumbnails selected by the user to the server 163 as photos and videos for public release (step S50).

[Effects of the Sixth Embodiment]
By using the personal computer 160, drive recorder 161, camera 162, and server 163 according to the sixth embodiment, the user can easily create an album using photos and videos taken by the drive recorder 161 and camera 162 during a trip. In addition, a prototype of the album can be created in a short time, and the degree of completion of the album can be improved by replacing the photos and videos as necessary.

[Modification of the sixth embodiment]
Photos and videos uploaded to the server 163 for public viewing may be made available for sale to third parties for a fee. In the list of thumbnails shown in Fig. 32, thumbnails 170 of publicly available photos may be displayed so that it is possible to distinguish whether the thumbnails 170 are free or paid. For example, the character string "paid" or "free" may be added to the edge of the thumbnail.

The list of thumbnails shown in FIG. 32 may include thumbnails of screenshots of images displayed on the display unit 5 (FIGS. 1 and 2) while an application installed in the navigation device 1 according to the third embodiment is running. The user can import image information related to the application used while sightseeing into the album.

The list of thumbnails shown in FIG. 32 may include thumbnails of images related to donations made under the hometown tax system using the navigation device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. For example, thumbnails of the name of the local government and images of gifts in return may be included. The user can import into the album the name of the local government to which he or she made a donation while sightseeing and images of the gifts provided at that time.

In the sixth embodiment, the album is created (step S48) using the personal computer 160, but the server 163 may also be provided with the album creation function. In this case, the photos taken by the camera 162 and the video taken by the drive recorder 161 are uploaded to the server 163, and the album is created via the browser of the personal computer 160 connected to the server 163.

The electronic device according to the sixth embodiment is composed of multiple electronic devices such as a personal computer 160, a camera 162, a drive recorder 161, and a server 163, but this specification discloses inventions for the individual electronic devices such as the personal computer 160, the camera 162, the drive recorder 161, and the server 163, as well as inventions for a device that arbitrarily combines these electronic devices.

It is preferable to have a configuration that combines the above first to sixth embodiments. In particular, it is preferable to have a configuration that combines the contents described in the modified examples of each embodiment. For example, the user's device may have at least one of the functions described in each embodiment and each modified example, and preferably all of the functions. Also, for example, the server or cloud may have at least one of the server functions described in each embodiment and each modified example, and preferably all of the functions. It is preferable to make it possible to refer to this information in chronological order on the user's device. In this way, a record of a series of journeys can be obtained in chronological order. For example, you can rent a car at the airport, download a local app on the rental car's portable navigation device with a built-in drive recorder, start up a certain app, go sightseeing using the app's directions, stop at a convenience store during the tour to get a paper map, use a coupon on the paper map to do some shopping, make a hometown tax donation and apply for a thank-you gift, get back in the car and continue driving, make a hometown tax donation while on the road and immediately enjoy an activity that is part of the thank-you gift, return the rental car, return home, and later automatically refer to the album of photos taken on the portable navigation device with a built-in drive recorder. It is advisable to associate time information with each piece of information and store it, and provide a function to sort the information in order of this time information and display it on the user's device.

In each embodiment and each modified example, the information to be sent to the server and/or the information received by the server may be sent to the blockchain system by the user's device and/or the server. The information to be sent by the server or the information received from the server may also be sent by the user's device and/or the server to the blockchain system. In this way, the transactions of the information sent from the user's device and the information sent from the server are recorded in a series of blockchains. The series of records of the journey can be referenced by referring to this information. For example, in the diagrams showing each of the above-mentioned sequences, it is preferable that each terminal or system on the side sending the information (the base side of the arrow) sends the contents of the information to the blockchain system on the Internet when it sends the information to the other party. It is preferable that each terminal or system on the side receiving the information (the end side of the arrow) sends the contents of the information to the blockchain system on the Internet when it receives the information from the other party in each of the above-mentioned sequence diagrams. It is more preferable that both of these processes are performed. As the blockchain system, a private system may be used, but it is particularly preferable to use a public system. It is even better to send to both. A good example of a blockchain system would be one based on Ethereum or the Hyperledger Project.

Also, for example, in the diagrams showing each of the above-mentioned sequences, it is preferable that the system of the other party (the start point of the arrow) also sends advertisements to the point where the user's device is the side receiving information (the end of the arrow). In particular, in the case of a system using a blockchain, it is preferable to send transactions regarding advertisement information to the blockchain as well. For example, an advertisement server that sends link destination information (URL, etc.) as advertisement information to the user's device and also sends transactions regarding these advertisements to the blockchain is provided in the blockchain system, and the advertisement server selects advertisement information to be distributed based on transaction occurrence information at the point where the user's device is the side receiving information (the end of the arrow) earlier in time (the point relatively higher in the sequence diagram), and transmits advertisement information to the user's device at the point where the user's device is the side receiving information (the end of the arrow) later in time for the user's device terminal (the point relatively lower in the sequence diagram).

In each embodiment and each modified example, the map may be the most recent map that is closest to the present, but it may also be a map that includes past maps alongside the most recent map. For example, the server may transmit two maps, one new and one old, as map information, but it may transmit one map that includes both the old and new maps. In this way, there is no need to create a special process to display the two maps, one new and one old. In particular, the past map may be searched for to see if there is a record of the user having been to the same place in the past in the user's device or server, and if there is, the map from the past that is closest to that time may be used. In this way, the user can check his/her current location by comparing the most recent map from a time when he/she previously visited with the most recent map of the current time. In this way, even if the scenery of the city has changed since the previous visit, the user can compare the previous map with the current map, and compare and confirm the memories of the past visit with the current townscape, such as "Oh, the place that was there has changed to this," and enjoy the changes of the times as he/she moves. In each embodiment and each modified example, the components that are output to the user, such as display, may be performed by voice or voice and movement. For example, it would be good to output this from a communication robot.

Although various aspects of the present invention have been described above using examples and modifications, it should be noted that the description of these examples and modifications is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention, but is provided to aid in the understanding of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations explicitly described in the specification, and this specification also discloses other inventions obtained by combining various aspects of the present invention described. The applicant of this application has specified the configuration of the invention for which a patent is sought in the appended claims, but intends to include in the scope of the claims in the future inventions that are not currently specified in the claims and that include at least one component disclosed in this specification.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. The components of each of the above-mentioned embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any of the components of each of the embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily combined with any of the components described in the means for solving the invention or any of the components that embody any of the components described in the means for solving the invention. We intend to obtain rights to these as well through amendments to this application or divisional applications, etc.

1 Navigation device 2 Drive recorder 3 Cradle 5 Display unit 6 Lamp 8 Touch panel 9 Card insertion slot 11 Microwave receiver 12 GPS receiver 13 Wireless transceiver 17 Camera 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 21 Memory card reader 22 Memory card 24 OBD connector 50 Control unit 52 Display unit 53 Input unit 54 Acceleration sensor 60 Database 62 Application search server 65 Application icon 66 Overlay icon indicating installed 67 Overlay icon indicating not installed 68 Execute button 69, 70 Install button 74 Current location 75 Destination 76 Route to destination 77 Icon corresponding to application selected based on location information of current location 78 Icon corresponding to application selected based on location information of destination 79 Icon corresponding to application selected based on location information of point on route 80 Guidance window 81 Icon 83 List window 84 Icon 86 Location information application correspondence table 88 Uninstall application candidate window 89 Wireless LAN notification window 90 Hometown tax donation introduction server 91 Municipality introduction window 92 Name of municipality 93 Donation application button 94 Gift category 95 Names of municipalities along the route that offer gifts 96 Window displaying the contents of the gifts 97 Message asking whether to proceed with the donation procedure 98 Use designation window 99 Recommended municipality introduction window 100 Donor selection window 105 Printer 110 Control unit 111 Communication device 112 Short-range wireless communication device 113 Display device 114 Input device 120 Management server 130 Portable terminal 140 Communication network 150 Two-dimensional barcode 151 Mark indicating the location of a print service provider 152 Advertisement 153 One-dimensional barcode 155 Image of character captured in augmented reality world 160 Personal computer 161 Drive recorder 162 Camera 163 Server 165 Travel schedule 167 Database of photos to be made public 170 Thumbnail 171 Album creation button 172 Remix button 173 Public release button

Claims (4)

An electronic device for use in a vehicle,
A first function of acquiring current location information;
a second function of recording a time during which the vehicle is continuously parked in a no-parking area when the position indicated by the current position information is in the no-parking area; and
a third function of performing a process of transmitting or transferring information indicating the time that the vehicle has been continuously parked in the no parking area that has been stored;
An electronic device having the a fourth function of recording entry time information indicating a time when the vehicle entered the no parking area and exit time information indicating a time when the vehicle left the no parking area;
a fifth function of performing a process of transmitting or transferring the intrusion time information and the exit time information;
The electronic device according to claim 1 , The vehicle is a rental car,
3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission or transfer process performed by the third function and the fifth function is a process for displaying the transmitted or transferred information on a terminal at a store of the rental car company. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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