KR20040072116A - Method for Providing Contents over Wireless Internet Based on Traffic of Base Station - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for providing contents in a wireless Internet based on base station traffic is provided to reduce cost for using music contents by discounting a normal price based on traffic deciding elements. CONSTITUTION: A contents providing server accepts a request for use from a user(200). The contents providing server accepts a request for wanted music(202). The contents providing server judges whether the user is in a cell having the small number of subscribers while continuously tracking a location of the user in a wireless telephone network(204,206). If so, the contents providing server confirms the type of a terminal by referring to a user table of a database server(208). The contents providing server generates a short message informing that the user is within a music zone and is able to use music contents at a discount for predetermined time, and transmits the generated message to the terminal(210). If the user receiving the short message connects to the contents providing server, the contents providing server judges whether the user is in the music zone(212,214). If so, the contents providing server provides contents at a discount(216). If not, the contents providing server provides contents at a normal price(218).

Description

Method for Providing Contents over Wireless Internet Based on Traffic of Base Station}

The present invention relates to a method for providing content through a communication network, and more particularly, to a method for providing a music video or other video content through a wireless Internet.

As the use of wireless terminals is becoming more common, wireless communication services are not limited to conventional voice communication, but are rapidly expanding in scope to data services. In particular, the digital wireless communication network has evolved from the first generation network according to the IS-95A, and the CDMA2000 1x based on Qualcomm's High Data Rate (HDR) technology through the CDMA2000 1x network according to the IS-95C. Given the evolution of the Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network and the development of more advanced wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) networks in the future, these data services are expected to expand rapidly.

However, in such a wireless communication network, since the frequency resources allocated to each base station are limited, the number of data communication users or the communication speed is inevitably limited. For example, in the case of increasing the data transmission speed, the quality of voice communication may be degraded and the number of data communication users may be reduced. Inevitably, the data transfer rate is reduced. In areas with high concentrations of data service users, data transfer rates can be significantly below the system average, which can increase user dissatisfaction and limit the growth in demand for wireless data services. Therefore, it can be said that a plan for distributing data service demand in time and region is greatly required from a wireless data service provider or a wireless network operator.

The present invention is to solve such a problem, the user who wants to download the music content, such as all music or music video through the wireless network or to be serviced by the streaming method to receive the service at a low cost, and also such music content It is a technical task of the present invention to provide a music content providing method that can greatly reduce the burden of establishing and operating a network facility of a wireless data service provider or a wireless communication network operator according to a provided service.

1 is a view showing a network environment of a music content providing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view showing the configuration of a music content providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a music content providing method according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of a music content providing method according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of a music content providing method according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

10a ~ 10c: wireless terminal 20: wireless telephone network

22a to 22c: base station transceiver (BTS) 24a to 24b: base station controller (BSC)

50: Data Core Network (DCN) 52a, 52b: Packet Data Service Node (PDSN)

54: Home Agent (HA) 56: Authentication (AAA) Server

70: music content providing system

The music content providing method of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem provides music content data based on traffic of any one base station or a plurality of adjacent base stations in providing music content data to a wireless terminal through a wireless communication network. First, the content providing system (a) determines whether or not to discount for one or more base stations in the wireless communication network based on one or more of the traffic determining factors including the time zone, day of week, region, and the number of subscribers in the region. Next, if it is determined that the discount is possible, the content providing system pushes a message indicating that discount service is available to the wireless terminal, and when the wireless terminal is connected, provides the music content data selected by the user of the wireless terminal and predetermined discounts. According to the rate system, the fee for providing music content data is charged.

In one embodiment, the music zone may be set for each base station if the number of in-cell subscribers in the base station is higher than a predetermined criterion. In this case, after receiving a service request from the user of the wireless terminal in advance, it is preferable to push the guide message when the wireless terminal enters the music zone or is located in an adjacent area while the system tracks the location of the wireless terminal. In addition, the service processing time for the corresponding terminal in the music zone can be shortened by receiving the desired song in advance from the user of the wireless terminal.

In another embodiment, a time period for providing a discount service is scheduled based on the traffic trend data at the base station, and the wired / wireless internet is informed that the music zone is set at the base station at the time for providing the discount service, thereby increasing the utilization rate of users. do.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 shows a network environment of a music content providing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the music content providing system provides music content, such as all music or all music videos, to the wireless terminal 10a through a wireless Internet based on a packet network in a download or streaming manner. In addition, the music content providing system can provide music contents to the wireless terminals 10b and 10c through the wireless Internet based on the wireless application protocol (WAP), and also provide the music contents to the wired client 12 through the wired internet. Can provide. In particular, according to the present invention, the music content providing system provides a service by discounting the music content fee based on location information in the entire wireless telephone network or based on traffic information or subscriber number information in a predetermined region.

In FIG. 1, the wireless telephone network 20 provides a voice communication service for the wireless terminals 10a to 10c, and mediates a WAP-based wireless internet service provided by the music content providing system 70 to the wireless terminals 10a to 10c. do. In addition, the radiotelephone network 20 provides a radio access network (RAN) of a packet network through a high speed packet data service provided by the music content providing system 70 to the radio terminals 10a to 10c according to the cdma2000 1xEV-DO protocol. . The packet data core network (DCN) 50 provides packet data received from the wireless terminals 10a to 10c to the music content providing system 70 through the wireless access network of the wireless telephone network 20 and provides music contents. By transmitting the packet data from the system 70 to the wireless terminals 10a to 10c, the packet data service is mediated to the mobile subscriber.

In the radiotelephone network 20, a base station transmitter / receiver (BTS) 22a to 22c that transmits and receives a radio signal with the radio terminals 10a to 10c and modulates and demodulates a signal transmitted and received is wireless via a base station controller (BSC: 24a to 24b). It is connected to an exchange (MSC) 26. The WAP gateway 30 is connected to the wireless switch 26 via an interworking function 28. The IWF 28 is a gateway that allows the wireless communication network and the wired communication network to be connected. Since the device is well known to operators in the wireless communication field, detailed description thereof will be omitted. The WAP gateway 30 converts the HTTP protocol stack into the WAP protocol stack, and conversely, converts the WAP protocol stack into the HTTP protocol stack.

On the other hand, a short message service center (SMSC) 34 for providing a short message service is connected to the wireless switch 26, and at least one short message service server (SMSS) 36 is connected to the short message service center 34 again. The short message service center 34 is connected to the switchboard 26 using a common line (SS No. 7) signaling method to store and transmit a short message transmitted and received by each terminal user, and the short service server 36 is connected to an external network. Perform the interlock function of.

On the other hand, the packet data service nodes PDSN 52a, 52b of the DCN 50 are connected to each base station controller 24a, 24b of the radiotelephone network 20, respectively. The PDSNs 52a and 52b are core components of the DCN 50. The PDSNs 52a and 52b interoperate with the wireless network and the DCN so that data from the wireless network and data to be provided to the wireless network can be transmitted in packet units through the IP network. Do it. That is, the PDSNs 52a and 52b terminate the data link layer from the radio terminals 10a to 10c and route to the upper layer protocol on the data network. In the case of IP calls, it connects to the home agent (HA) 54 through the GRE tunnel. The home agent 54 acts as a gateway for the mobile IP user to access the Internet. That is, the home agent 54 performs a function of delivering a mobile IP call packet from the home network to the PDSN while tracking current location information through mobile IP registration of each wireless terminal 10a to 10c. The AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) server 56 performs authentication, authorization verification, and billing functions for the user. To this end, the AAA server 56 performs a simple IP / mobile IP-based service billing information collection function, a mobile IP registration authentication function, dial-in service user authentication / authorization verification. In one embodiment, the home agent 54 and the AAA server 56 may be provided separately with respect to the music content providing system 70.

Under such a network environment, the music content providing system 70 is connected to the WAP gateway 30 via a wireless interface gateway (WIG) 32. The music content providing system 70 is also connected to the SMSS 36 either directly or via the WIG 32 or a separate short gateway server. In addition, the music content providing system 70 is connected to the IP network through a gateway router. Accordingly, the service user presses a wireless internet access key (for example, a "NATE" key) among the keypads of the wireless terminals 10a to 10c to access the initial screen of wireless internet provided by the WAP gateway 30, and then selects music contents by selecting a menu. The music content providing system 70 is connected by selecting a service provided by the providing system 70. In addition, the user may press a separate access key provided in the terminal, that is, a hot key, to directly access the music content providing system 70 through the packet network. In addition, as described later, the music content providing system 70 may be connected to the music content providing system 70 by pressing a reply key in response to a short message or a text broadcast (CBS) transmitted by the music content providing system 70. In the state of being connected to the music content providing system 70, the user can apply for a download service or a streaming service of all the music or music video to use.

2 shows a configuration of a music content providing system 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the music content providing system 70 includes a content providing server 100, a content storing unit 140, and a database server 150.

In the content providing server 100, the music zone setting unit 102 is one base station service area or two or more base station service areas adjacent to each other based on the number of subscribers in the wireless telephone network, such as time zone, day of the week, area, and number of subscribers in the area. Is set to the music zone. Of course, at any point in time, such music zones may be set in many places nationwide. As a specific method of setting the music zone, it may be set in a suburban area where traffic is usually low, or may be temporarily set in an urban area where voice traffic is significantly reduced on weekends. It may also be set for a particular time zone (e.g., midnight) for all or some of the base station zones. In addition, the above method may be used in combination, or may be set to an event method that is not noticed in the hot spot area on the weekend. In addition, it may be set in consideration of ancillary factors such as weather.

The message transmitter 104 transmits a message to all terminals in the music zone or a terminal to which the user has previously applied for service use, that the user is in the music zone and can use the music contents at a discounted rate within a certain time range. do. In one embodiment, the message is a short message sent individually to each user. However, in an embodiment in which this embodiment is modified, the text message (CBS) may inform the users that they are in the music zone and that the music contents can be used at a discounted rate instead of a short message.

The service request receiving unit 106 receives a content providing request from the user when the user connects through the wireless Internet, and provides the corresponding music content through the transmission managing unit 112. At this time, the service request receiving unit 106 receives the user's telephone number from the WAP gateway 30 or the IP network, reads the telephone number of the user from the database server 150 through the user identification unit 108, and then confirms the user's telephone number. The unit 108 checks whether the user is still in the music zone and provides the service.

After the user and user location check is completed, the transmission management unit 112 reads the corresponding content file from the database server 150 according to the instruction of the service request receiving unit 106 to download service unit 114 or the streaming service unit 116. It is provided to the user's wireless terminal (10a ~ 10c) through.

Meanwhile, the database server 150 includes a content table 152, a user table 154, a transmission queue 156, a service history table 158, and a user-specific billing table 160. In addition, a table for storing information of a content provider (CP) that provided the content and a table for storing a payment history with the wireless telephone company may be added.

The content table 152 stores data such as a code, a song name, a singer, an original author, a genre, and the like for each music content file stored in the content storage unit 140. The user table 154 stores telephone numbers, wired Internet connection IDs and passwords, terminal types, and other personal information of each user. The transmission queue 156 temporarily stores a music content file that the transmission management unit 112 transmits to the user's wireless terminal 10a to 10c through the download service unit 114 or the streaming service unit 116. The contents of the transmission queue 156 may be generated after the user connects to make a content request, but may also be generated when the message transmitter 104 transmits a message to potential users in the music zone. The service history table 158 stores information such as a user identifier, a phone number, a music content code, a fee, and the like, for each use for all the users who have received the service. The billing table 158 stores billing information for users.

3 shows a music content providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the content providing server 100 tracks the location of the terminal for the user who has previously made a use request, and notifies the user when the terminal enters a cell with a small number of subscribers in the cell, and the discounted price. Provide music content.

First, the content providing server 100 first receives a use application from the user (step 200). When receiving the use request, the content providing server 100 may also accept the request for the desired song (step 202). The content providing server 100 continuously tracks the position in the wireless telephone network with respect to the user terminal that has applied for the service use (step 204), and determines whether the number of subscribers in the cell is in a cell having a small number (step 206). The location tracking in step 204 and the intra-cell traffic determination in step 206 may be performed using information registered in a home subscriber location register (HLR) and a visitor location register (VLR) of a wireless telephone network. To this end, the content providing server 100 may at least selectively connect to the HLR and / or the VLR. On the other hand, the number of subscribers in the cell may be determined by whether the ratio of the number of subscribers to the capacity of the subscribers in the cell is lower than a predetermined reference value, and the reference value may be changed in consideration of the change rate of the number of subscribers in the cell.

If it is determined in step 206 that the terminal is in a cell having a low subscriber distribution in the cell, the content providing server 100 checks the corresponding terminal model by referring to the user table 154 of the database server 150 and mounts only the WAP browser. In step 208, it is determined whether the terminal is a mobile station or a terminal capable of a high-speed packet data service. Next, the content providing server 100 generates and sends a short message to the terminal informing the fact that the corresponding user is in the music zone and can use the music contents at a discounted rate within a predetermined time range (step 210). . In this case, the form of the short message may vary according to the terminal type. For example, when the user terminal is equipped with only the WAP browser 1 and the high speed packet data service is not available, the URL of the content providing server 100 is included in the callback URL of the short message. On the other hand, if the user terminal is a model that is not capable of high-speed packet data service, the callback URL of the short message may include a separate URL different from the WAP connection URL or may include a different reply number.

A user who has been informed of being in a music zone by a short message or text broadcasting (CBS) may access the content providing server 100 to use a music content providing service. When the user connects in step 212, the content providing server 100 determines whether the access user is in the music zone, that is, in a cell having a low subscriber distribution (step 214), and when the user is in the music zone, the discounted price. In step 216, the content is provided. In this case, when the access user applies for service use in advance and selects a desired song in step 202, the access user immediately presents a desired song menu, and immediately provides the desired song selected by the user. On the other hand, if the access user is not in the music zone in step 214, content is provided at a normal rate without discount (step 218).

Figure 4 shows a music content providing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the content providing server 100 searches for a base station having a small number of subscribers in a cell, sets a service zone of a base station having a small number of subscribers as a music zone, and the terminal users in the music zone are discounted. Make music content available at a price. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the service may be provided centering on the user who has previously made a use application.

First, the content providing server 100 receives the cell-specific subscriber information from the HLR and / or VLR of the wireless telephone network and searches for a base station having a small number of subscribers located in the service area (step 250). Here, the content providing server 100 may receive subscriber distribution information for each cell from a mobile density administration system (MODAS) of a wireless telephone network instead of the HLR or VLR. In step 252, the content providing server 100 sets a service zone of one base station or a plurality of base stations determined to be a base station with few subscribers as a music zone (step 252). Then, the content providing server 100 checks the terminal MIN number in the music zone, and then a short message for guiding the fact that the user is in the music zone and can use the music contents at a discounted rate within a certain time range. It generates and transmits to the terminal (steps 254 and 256). The method of constructing the short message is as described above.

A user who has been informed of being in a music zone by a short message or text broadcasting (CBS) may access the content providing server 100 to use a music content providing service. In step 258, the content providing server 100 determines whether the access user is in a music zone, that is, in a cell having a low subscriber distribution (step 260). The content is provided (step 262). Here, as in the embodiment of Fig. 3, when the connection user selects the desired song in advance, the desired song menu may be immediately presented, and then the desired song selected by the user may be immediately provided. On the other hand, if the access user is not in the music zone in step 260, content is provided at a normal rate without discount (step 264).

5 shows a music content providing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, some service areas of the wireless telephone network are pre-registered with the content providing server 100 to be operated as a music zone for a predetermined time, and this fact is informed to potential users, Accordingly, the music contents are provided at a discounted price. Here, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, a service may be provided centering on a user who has previously made a use application.

First, in step 300, a service area of one base station or a plurality of base stations is previously set as a music zone and registered in the content providing server 100. The music zone setting may be manually registered in the database 140 by the music content providing system 70 operator based on the traffic fluctuation trend data by day / date / time zone, or the content based on traffic fluctuation trend data by day / date / time zone. Providing server 100 may be automatically performed to register in the database 140 after the operator confirmation. On the other hand, such a music zone setting may be set according to a predetermined schedule, or may be made by an event method that proceeds within a short time.

After the music zone is set, the content providing server 100 informs potential users of the music zone setting scheduled contents through the wired / wireless internet (step 302). In step 304, the content providing server 100 receives a request for a desired song from users. You can receive a separate application for service before requesting a song. On the other hand, the user who applied for the desired song in advance may be additionally discounted when receiving the service in the music zone. On the other hand, it is a matter of course that the information to be set through the wired and wireless Internet may not be made in advance.

In operation 306, when the music zone execution time zone arrives, the content providing server 100 may use the music content for a user terminal in the music zone at a discounted rate within the music zone and within a predetermined time range. A short message guiding the fact is generated and sent to the terminal. Here, the user may request that the music zone is in effect regardless of the location of the terminal for the user who applied for the service and / or the user who applied for the desired song.

A user who has been informed of being in a music zone by a short message or text broadcasting (CBS) may access the content providing server 100 to use a music content providing service. In step 308, when the user connects, the content providing server 100 determines whether the access user is in the music zone (step 310), and provides content at a discounted price in the music zone (step 312). . Here, when the connection user selects the desired song in advance, the desired song menu may be provided immediately after the desired song menu is presented. On the other hand, if the access user is not in the music zone in step 310, content is provided at a normal rate without discount (step 314).

In an embodiment in which the embodiment of FIG. 5 is modified, the music zone is set based on a base station zone determined through cell planning in a wireless telephone network, or in the base station zone by day / date / It may also be set in consideration of the time-varying traffic fluctuation trend data.

More specifically, in a mobile communication system, a zone is set as a unit of several base stations in order to facilitate paging of subscribers roaming in a radio switching area, and a zone within a recently registered zone when a call is received to a terminal. After performing primary paging through the base stations, if there is no response from the terminal to the primary paging, secondary paging is performed through all base stations in the exchange area. For example, in a CDMA system, to facilitate zone-based registration, the 'system parameter message' transmitted by the base station to the terminal through a paging channel includes a field called 'TOTAL_ZONES', which is a zone. Indicates the number of registration zones the terminal should maintain for -based registration purposes. Unless the 'TOTAL_ZONES' field is set to "000" in zone-based registration, a registration that notifies the base station of its location, status, number, slot cycle and other characteristics each time a terminal enters a new zone. In performing the procedure, the exchange and the base station can effectively page the terminal when establishing the terminal incoming call.

In one embodiment, the content providing server 100 establishes a music zone by associating a plurality of base stations in the same unit as the base station zone. In addition, the content providing server 100 may determine the number of terminals in the music zone and the time point at which each terminal enters the music zone and provide a service based on terminal location information registered in the HLR or VLR through the registration procedure of the terminal. . In this case, since the terminal location information is automatically registered in the VLR at the time of entering the music zone, the terminal may use the information to notify the terminal of the music zone without a separate terminal location in the form of a short message or a text broadcast. Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the content providing server 100 may set a music zone by grouping base stations with low traffic based on the base station zone setting state of the mobile communication system.

In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. For example, in the above description, the message is transmitted to the terminals located in the music zone in the short message or the text broadcasting. However, the guidance message can be transmitted not only in the music zone but also in terminals adjacent to the music zone. have. Furthermore, the fact that the music zone is set up for all the terminals that have applied for the service or the desired song in advance may be informed by a short message or a text broadcast.

On the other hand, if the traffic rapidly increases due to the increase in the number of service users in the music zone, limit the number of simultaneous users of the service to a certain number, limit the download service and allow streaming service only, or differentiate the usage fee according to the access point. It is desirable to. In such a case, it is desirable to provide a guide message to the user who wishes to use the service after receiving the guidance message. On the other hand, it is preferable to inform in advance that the number of simultaneous users of the service for each music zone is limited to within a certain number, and in order to prevent a sudden increase in connection, a short message may be transmitted in steps of a certain number of terminals.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative in all respects and not as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

As described above, according to the present invention, a music content providing service is provided at a discount from a normal rate based on at least one of traffic determining factors including a time zone, a day of the week, and a region at the base station. Accordingly, the cost burden of users who want to download music content such as music or music video through the wireless network or to be serviced by streaming method is reduced. In addition, by inducing users to concentrate on music content providing services when the base station traffic is at the shortest time or in a low traffic area, frequency resources can be used more efficiently, and wireless data service providers or wireless network operators It has the effect of greatly reducing the network facility construction and operation burden.

Claims (9)

In the method for providing music content data to a wireless terminal through a wireless communication network, (a) determining whether or not to discount one or more base stations within the wireless communication network based on one or more factors of traffic determining factors including time zone, day of week, region, and number of subscribers in the region; (b) if it is determined that the discount is possible in step (a), pushing a message indicating that discount service is available to the wireless terminal; And (c) providing the music content data selected by the user of the wireless terminal when the wireless terminal is connected, and charging a fee for providing the music content data according to a predetermined discount rate system; Traffic-based music content data providing method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a) determines to provide a discount service when the number of subscribers in a cell in the base station is higher than a predetermined criterion. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) Receiving a desired song from the user of the wireless terminal; And, in step (c), provides music content data providing music content for the desired song. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) Scheduling a discount service providing time based on the traffic trend data at the base station; And Guiding the discount service provision plan through a wired or wireless internet; Music content data providing method comprising a. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in step (b), the wireless terminal pushes the message when the wireless terminal is located in a base station area or a neighboring area where the discount service is available. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) Receiving a service request from the user of the wireless terminal; And Determining the discount for the base station in which the wireless terminal exists while tracking the location of the wireless terminal; Music content data providing method comprising a. In the method for providing music content data to a wireless terminal through a wireless communication network, (a) setting a discount service providing time zone for at least one base station zone among a plurality of base station zones preset for roaming in the wireless communication network; And (b) when the music content data request is received from the wireless terminal during the discount service providing time within the set base station zone, provides the music content data requested by the user of the wireless terminal and the music content according to a predetermined discount rate system. Charging a fee for providing the data; Music content data providing method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein step (b) (b1) pushing a message indicating that discount service is available to the wireless terminal to terminals registered in the set base station zone to induce a music content data request of the wireless terminal user; Music content data providing method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein step (b) (b1) moving to the set base station zone to inform incoming terminals that they have entered the music zone and notifying them that a discount service is available; Music content data providing method comprising a.