DNP, PARC Jointly Develop Recommender System for Mobile Terminals
Dai Nippon Printing, September 26, 2007
News release:
Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd. (DNP) in conjunction with Palo Alto Research Center Inc. (PARC) (*1) has developed a context- and activity-aware system that recommends information about “local area” activities, such as shopping and dining, matching the consumer’s location, time of day and personal tastes.
Background
As mobile communications devices proliferate, they are used increasingly as information-gathering tools to browse websites and download content, in both inside and outdoor venues. In response to this trend, DNP has been collaborating since 2005 with PARC to develop a system for distributing information tailor-made to match specific consumer conditions, and to promote the use of “local area” information via mobile terminals. By using this system, consumers can obtain timely information that matches their present conditions—with no need to initiate a mobile-based search.
System Overview
- Using contextual information (*2), such as time of day or positional information obtained via a mobile Global Positioning System (GPS) (*3), this system uses a unique algorithm to forecast, with a high probability of success, the kinds of “eating”, “shopping”, “seeing” and “playing” opportunities for the consumer to enjoy in the neighborhood they happen to be in.
- The system goes one step further to select retail outlets, restaurants, events, etc., which relate to the consumer’s likely activity based on a previously registered set of personal preferences, and/or browsing history, then distributes that information to the consumer’s mobile terminal.
- Consumers use this system merely by installing the application on their mobile terminals and registering their personal preferences.
- Recommendations are displayed on the consumer’s terminal screen in the order of how well they match the consumer’s preferences.
- The recommended information can be displayed as a list, and also on a map to show the consumer the location of the event or activity.
- The system can distribute information designed to match specific conditions related to selected activity, time or venue.
Forward Looking Developments
From early 2008 DNP is scheduling a series of feasibility studies for distributing the “local area” information, using this newly developed system as a prototype. The company is also looking to promote active cooperation with domestic retail outlets, publishing companies, communication carriers and mobile terminal makers, with the intention for commercial release in 2009.
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