Information notification system and method, and navigation system and method

An information notification system which notifies a user of service information according to a current position of the user and profile information of the user, comprising:

• a first input device through which the user inputs the profile information of the user, and one of a notification time of the service information and a notification time interval of the service information;
• a position detecting device which detects the current position of the user;
• a recording device which previously records the service information associated with the current position of the user and the profile information of the user;
• a retrieving device which retrieves and selects the service information recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile and the detected current position of the user;
• and
• a display device which displays the selected service information to notify the user at the inputted one of the notification time and the notification time interval.

An information notification method of notifying a user of service information according to a current position of the user and profile information of the user, the method comprising:

• inputting the profile information of the user;
• detecting the current position of the user;
• previously recording the service information in a recording device associated with the current position of the user and the profile information;
• retrieving and selecting the service information recorded in the recording device according to the inputted profile information and the detected current position of the user;
• and
• displaying the selected service information to notify the user.

A navigation system comprising:

• a storing device which previously stores destination information matching situational information in action by the user, associated with profile information of the user;
• an input device through which the user inputs the profile information of the user;
• a processing device which selects action information associated with the inputted profile information from the destination information stored in the storing device according to a predetermined algorithm;
• and
• a notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action information.

A navigation system comprising:

• a storing device which previously stores destination information matching situational information in action by the user, associated with purpose information on a purpose of action by the user;
• an input device through which the user inputs the purpose information of the action;
• a processing device which selects action information associated with the inputted purpose information from the destination information stored in the storing device according to a predetermined algorithm;
• and
• a notifying device which notifies the user of the selected action information.

A navigation method for guiding a user in accordance with a course provided by a service server with information being exchanged between a portable terminal of the user and the service server, said method comprising:

• transmitting a course menu from the service server to the portable terminal of the user;
• selecting by the user a desired course from the course menu and transmitting course selection information from the portable terminal to the service server;
• selecting by the service a course in accordance with a predetermined algorithm according to at least the course selection information;
• and
• guiding the user to the destination included in the selected courses,
• wherein said course menu comprises at least one of:
• a course which is designated by a purpose comprising at least one of eating, drinking, shopping, and sightseeing;
• and
• a course which is designated by a budget pertaining to a route taken in accordance with an instruction of said service server.