JP2001337882A - Method, system and apparatus for information delivery and communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to accept delivery of information at the time beneficial to him. SOLUTION: A mobile telephone terminal 3 sends DELIVERY REQUEST for music data to the content delivery server 2. The content delivery server 2, which received the DELIVERY REQUEST, estimates the time needed for delivery for each of the fixed periods of time, based on the past traffic records of communication lines and the data volume of the information delivery. Based on the estimated delivery times, the server selects, as the scheduled period of time, the period of time in which information can be delivered in the shortest time and notifies the period of time to the requester, mobile telephone terminal 3. The mobile telephone terminal 3 accepts information delivery at the time that conforms to the scheduled periods of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution method and an information distribution system for distributing various contents such as music contents, game programs, still image data and moving image data to communication terminals through a network such as a telephone network. The present invention relates to an information distribution device and a communication terminal used in these methods and systems.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Content distribution services for distributing various types of content such as music content, game programs, still image data, and moving image data have been provided through communication networks such as the Internet. For example, in the case of a music content distribution service, a user (user) uses a communication terminal such as a personal computer having a communication function to transmit a music content to a content distribution server device of a music content distributor such as a record company. to access.

[0003] Then, through a so-called homepage for providing music contents provided by the contents distribution server device, a user selects desired music contents, inputs a credit card number for payment, and the like. Is transmitted to the content distributor, the selected music content is transmitted from the music content provider to the communication terminal of the requesting user via the communication network.

[0004] The user's communication terminal receives the target music content transmitted through the communication network and stores it in the memory. This allows
The user can read and use the music content recorded in the memory of the communication terminal at any time.

[0005] As described above, when a user has a desired content, for example, in the case of music content, the user can use C
Go to a D (compact disc) store or the like, and obtain the required content through the communication network whenever necessary, without any trouble such as purchasing a CD on which the target music content is recorded. It is becoming possible to do it.

[0006]

In a content distribution service via a communication network, when a content provider server provided by a content provider is frequently accessed, a communication line is provided between the content provider server device and the content provider server device. Is connected, it takes time to connect the communication line, and it may not be possible to quickly receive the target information.

[0007] Even if a communication line is connected to the content supply server device, when the number of communication lines connected to the content supply server device is large, the load on the content supply server device increases, and the communication line is connected. In some cases, it takes longer to transmit content from the content providing server device to the communication terminal that has requested the content than when the number of connections is small.

If it takes time to transmit the content to the communication terminal, the communication cost (communication cost) of the user of the communication terminal increases, and the burden on the user of the communication terminal becomes larger than necessary. There is a possibility of becoming. In recent years, it has been considered to download and use various contents on a mobile phone terminal.

However, the communication cost when using a portable communication terminal is higher than when using a stationary communication terminal such as a personal computer used at home or the like.
Therefore, when information is provided using a mobile phone terminal, the communication cost to be borne by the user of the mobile phone terminal may increase depending on the degree of congestion of the communication line.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-162623
The information distribution center distributes part of the information to the terminal in advance until the designated time, and distributes the remaining information at the designated time, as in the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. By reducing the amount of information transmitted at one time and shortening the information transmission time, congestion on the transmission line may be reduced. This method assumes cable television distribution.

Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-173828, a request signal indicating a music data transmission request is periodically transmitted from a server to a sub-host so that music data is provided from the sub-host. If it is estimated that communication will be disabled due to communication congestion at the next request signal transmission tie, the communication within a predetermined period is not empty from the prepared timetable. It has been considered to search for a time zone in which it is located, and use that time as the next request signal transmission timing. This system assumes a communication karaoke system.

[0012] In both of the above-mentioned methods, it is considered that the communication cost can be reduced to some extent by reducing the congestion of communication and satisfactorily transmitting information. .

However, the former method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1)
According to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62623/1990), information is always transmitted at a designated time. There is a possibility that the transmission efficiency of information at and near time may be reduced. In this case, it takes time to transmit the information.

The latter method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-1738)
No. 28) is to distribute the transmission timing of a request signal from a server, which is normally transmitted periodically, within a predetermined period, and communication is congested within the predetermined period. If so, congestion mitigation may not be possible, and the request signal and music data may not be transmitted quickly.

As described above, there is a limit even if the communication cost is reduced by alleviating the congestion of the communication line. For this reason, when using a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone terminal having a relatively high communication cost, if the information transmission time increases, the communication cost to be borne by the user who receives the information increases. There is.
Therefore, in the content distribution system, it is required to take an aggressive measure to reduce the communication cost.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution method, an information distribution system, an information distribution device, and a communication terminal capable of receiving information distribution in a time zone advantageous for a user. Aim.

[0017]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information distribution method for transmitting a distribution request for information from a communication terminal to an information providing apparatus through a communication line. In the information providing apparatus, when the distribution request is received, the required distribution time of the information obtained from the congestion degree of the communication line obtained from the past use history and the data amount of the requested information is determined. A delivery time slot selecting step of selecting a scheduled delivery time zone based on the schedule, and a delivery time slot transmitting step of transmitting the scheduled delivery time zone selected in the delivery time slot selecting step to the communication terminal through the communication line. It is characterized by the following.

According to the information distribution method of the present invention, when the distribution request transmitted from the communication terminal is received by the information distribution device, the information distribution device performs the communication in the distribution time zone selecting step. The required distribution time of the requested information is determined from the degree of line congestion and the data amount (distribution amount) of the required information, and the time during which the information can be distributed in a shorter time based on the required distribution time. The band is selected as the scheduled distribution time period and transmitted to the requesting communication terminal.

Thus, the communication terminal knows a time zone in which information can be distributed earlier than at the time of communication line congestion, and can receive information distribution in that time zone. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and communication cost of the communication terminal by receiving the desired information in a short time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information distribution method according to the first aspect, wherein, in the distribution time period selecting step of the information providing apparatus, a communication line connection service is provided. According to a contract between a communication company and a user of the communication terminal, the scheduled delivery time zone is selected in consideration of a predetermined communication fee for each time zone of the communication terminal.

According to the information distribution method of the present invention, in the information distribution apparatus, in addition to the congestion degree of the communication line and the required distribution time of the information, a connection service of the communication line such as a telephone company is provided. Information can be satisfactorily distributed in consideration of the communication fee for each time zone of the communication terminal determined by the contract between the communication company providing the communication terminal and the user (user) of the communication terminal, and A time zone in which the communication cost borne by the user is relatively low is selected as the scheduled delivery time zone, and is transmitted to the requesting communication terminal.

[0022] Thus, the communication terminal can communicate satisfactorily and can know a time zone during which information can be distributed at a relatively low communication cost. Then, in the time zone, by receiving the provision of the information, it is possible to receive the desired information quickly and inexpensively.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information distribution method according to the first or second aspect, wherein in the distribution time period selecting step of the information distribution apparatus, a plurality of information distribution apparatuses are provided. Selecting the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones, and transmitting the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones selected in the delivery time zone selection step to the communication terminal in the delivery time zone transmission step of the information delivery device. It is characterized by the following.

According to the information distribution method of the present invention, a plurality of scheduled distribution times are selected in the distribution time zone selection step, and these are transmitted to the communication terminal in the distribution time zone transmission step. . This allows the communication terminal to receive the information in a time zone selected by the user from a plurality of scheduled distribution time zones in which the information can be satisfactorily distributed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information distribution method according to the first or second aspect, wherein the scheduled distribution time from the information distribution device is set at the communication terminal. A delivery time zone receiving step of receiving a band, and a start time of a process for receiving the information based on the scheduled delivery time zone received in the delivery time zone receiving step of the communication terminal. A start time setting step of setting the clock circuit in the communication terminal; and in the communication terminal, when the clock circuit detects the arrival of the set start time, a communication line is connected, and the information providing apparatus aims at the information providing apparatus. An information provision requesting step of transmitting an information provision request to receive the information distribution.

According to the information distribution method of the fourth aspect, in the distribution time zone receiving step of the communication terminal, information indicating the scheduled distribution time zone is received from the information distribution device, and the information is displayed based on the scheduled distribution time zone. Then, in the start time setting step of the communication terminal, a start time of a process for setting the clock circuit to receive target information is set.

When the clock circuit detects the arrival of the set start time, a communication line is connected to the information distribution device from the communication terminal, and an information provision request is transmitted. Then, the information according to the request is distributed from the information distribution device to the communication terminal.

In this manner, when the communication line is vacant, or when the communication line is vacant,
In addition, a communication line is automatically connected between the communication terminal and the information distribution device during a time period when the communication cost is low, so that the target information can be received. In addition, since the information provision request is transmitted from the communication terminal to the information distribution device, the information can be properly distributed to the communication terminal without imposing a large load on the information distribution device.

The information distribution method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the information distribution method according to the fourth aspect, wherein in the distribution time period selecting step of the information distribution device, a plurality of the scheduled Selecting a distribution time zone, and transmitting the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones selected in the distribution time zone selection step to the communication terminal in the distribution time zone transmission step of the information distribution device; A delivery time zone selecting step of selecting a target scheduled delivery time zone from among the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones received in the delivery time zone receiving step, wherein the delivery time setting step of the communication terminal In the method, the start time is set in a clock circuit of the communication terminal based on the scheduled delivery time zone selected in the delivery time zone selection step.

According to the information distribution method of the present invention, a plurality of scheduled distribution times are selected in the distribution time period selecting step, and these are transmitted to the communication terminal in the distribution time period transmitting step. In the communication terminal, information indicating a plurality of scheduled delivery time zones is received from the information distribution device in the delivery time zone receiving step, and a target scheduled delivery time zone is selected in the delivery time zone selecting step. .
Based on the selected scheduled delivery time zone, a time at which a process to start providing the target information to the clock circuit of the communication terminal is set.

Thus, a time zone in which the communication line is idle, or a time zone in which the communication line is idle, and a time zone in which the communication cost is low, and which is the most convenient time zone for the user of the communication terminal In addition, by automatically connecting a communication line between the communication terminal and the information distribution device, the target information can be promptly and inexpensively provided from the information distribution device.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information distribution method, an information distribution system, an information distribution device and a communication shelf according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, a case is described in which an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a music distribution system that distributes music data (music software) for each piece of music as content to a user through a communication line. An example will be described.

[Outline of Music Distribution System] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the music distribution system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the music distribution system according to this embodiment includes a content supply server device 1, a content distribution server device 2, and a mobile phone terminal 3 for receiving provision of music data. .

The content supply server device 1 is, for example,
A distribution (supply) contract for music is concluded with the artist, and is provided on the content provider side such as a record company that holds music data of the music to be distributed. The content distribution server device 2 operates a so-called homepage for music distribution, and a telephone company that distributes music data supplied from the content supply server device 1 to a mobile phone terminal that has requested the provision of the music data. Is provided on the side of the content distributor.

That is, the content supply server device 1
Has a function as a management warehouse on the content supplier side that creates and stores music data and distributes it. Further, the content distribution device server device 2 has a function as a store that sells music data provided from the content supply server device 1 to users. In this embodiment, the content supply server device 1 and the content distribution server device 2 form one content distribution device as an information distribution device.

Then, the user who purchases the music data,
By using its own mobile phone terminal 3, it is possible to receive the music data of the target music from the content distribution server device 2.

Then, in order to transmit and receive various data such as requests and music data between the devices, the content distribution server device 1 and the content distribution device 2 and the content distribution device 2 and the mobile phone terminal 3 Are connected by a public or dedicated communication line using electricity, light and radio waves.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the content supply server device 1 and the content distribution server device 2 are connected by a dedicated communication line 6,
The content distribution server device 2 and the mobile phone terminal 3 are connected by a public communication line (telephone line) through a base station 4 and a public communication network 5.

When the user of the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the distribution of the music data of the desired music, the user transmits the music data from the portable telephone terminal 3 to the content distribution server device 2.
A telephone line is connected by making a call, and a distribution request for music data is transmitted from the mobile phone terminal 3 to the content distribution device 2.

Upon receiving the distribution request from the portable telephone terminal 3, the content distribution server device 2 is obtained from the congestion degree of the communication line known from the past usage history (connection history) and the data amount of the requested music data. The user of the mobile phone terminal 3 is determined based on the required distribution time of the requested information and the time-based communication fee of the mobile phone terminal 3 determined by the contract between the telephone company and the user of the mobile phone terminal 3. However, it selects a scheduled distribution time zone in which music data can be distributed in a short time and at low cost, and transmits this to the mobile phone terminal 3 through a telephone line.

The mobile telephone terminal 3 receives the scheduled distribution time period from the content distribution server device 2 and accesses the content distribution server device 2 to its own clock circuit (timer) based on the scheduled distribution time period. Then, a start time at which a process for receiving distribution of the desired music data is started is set.

When the portable telephone terminal 3 detects the arrival of the start time set based on the scheduled distribution time zone in its own clock circuit as described above, the portable telephone terminal 3 communicates with the content distribution server device 2. A telephone line is automatically connected in the meantime, and a provision request (download request) of desired music data is transmitted.

Upon receiving the music data provision request from the mobile phone terminal 3, the content distribution server device 2 delivers the requested music data to the mobile phone terminal 3. At this time, if there is no music data in response to the request from the mobile phone terminal 3 in the content distribution server device 2, the target music data is supplied from the content supply server device 1, and this is supplied to the mobile phone terminal 3. Send to

Thus, the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the desired music data in a time zone where the communication line is not congested and the music data can be provided inexpensively. Be able to be.

When the portable telephone terminal 3 receives music data from the content distribution server device 2,
The user of the mobile phone terminal 3 is charged. The settlement for this billing is performed by using information unique to the user such as a credit card number notified by the user or a member number of the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 managed by the content distribution server device. For example, it is processed in the content distribution server device 2 or the like.

In this embodiment, the content distribution server device 2 stores and retains a certain amount of music data in its own device, and distributes the requested music data to the requesting portable telephone terminal as smoothly as possible. I can do it. Thus, the content distribution server device 2 has a database of music data that can be provided.

If the music data requested by the content distribution server device 2 is not in the database of the content distribution server device 2, the music data is received from the content supply server device 1 so that the portable telephone terminal To be able to reliably respond to requests from other users.

[Regarding Content Supply Server 1]
Next, each of the content supply server device 1, the content distribution server device 2, and the mobile phone terminal 3 constituting the music distribution system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the content supply server device 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the content supply server device 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the content supply server device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 11, a hard disk interface (hereinafter abbreviated as HDI / F) 12, a hard disk 13, and a communication processing unit 14. .

The control section 11 controls each section of the content supply server device 1 and has a CPU (Centra).
l Processing Unit) 111, ROM
(Read Only Memory) 112, RAM
(Random Access Memory) 113
Are connected by the CPU bus 114.

Here, the ROM 112 stores various processing programs and necessary data.
The RAM 113 is mainly used as a work area for processing, such as temporarily storing data generated in an intermediate stage of each processing.

The hard disk 13 stores music data of music to be distributed. Then, the HDI / F 12 is controlled by the control unit 11 of the content supply server device 1.
Through this, music data recorded on the hard disk 13 is read out, and can be supplied to the content distribution server device 2 through a communication processing unit 14 described later.

Although not shown, the control unit 11
The music data supplied through the input terminal of the content supply server device 1 is additionally recorded on the hard disk 13 through the HDI / F 12, or the music data recorded on the hard disk 13 is deleted. .

The communication processing unit 14 is connected to the dedicated communication line 6.
For communication with the content distribution server device 2 through Therefore, various notifications and requests from the content distribution server device 2 supplied through the dedicated communication line 6 are received by the communication processing unit 14,
The information is converted into information in a format that can be processed by the content supply server device 1 and supplied to the control unit 11.

Information such as music data from the content supply server device 1 is supplied from the control unit 11 to the communication processing unit 14. The information from the control unit 11 is converted into information for transmission in the communication processing unit 14, and then transmitted to the dedicated communication line 6 and transmitted to the content distribution server device 2.

As described above, the content supply server device 1 of this embodiment holds a large number of music data that can be distributed to the content distribution server devices provided in various places, and responds to a request from the content distribution server device. The requested music data is supplied to the content distribution server device.

Then, the music data of the new music is sequentially added to the disk 13 of the content supply server device, and the old music data and the unpopular music data are deleted, so that the attractive music data is deleted. They can be distributed at any time.

[Content distribution server device] Next, the content distribution server device 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the content distribution server device 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the content distribution server device 2 of this embodiment
Is provided with a control unit 21, HDI / Fs 22 and 24, hard disks 23 and 25, and communication processing units 26 and 27.

The control section 21 controls each section of the content distribution server device 2, and includes a CPU 211, a ROM
212 and a RAM 213 are connected by a CPU bus 214. Here, the ROM 212
It records various processing programs, necessary data, and the like, and records information for forming a homepage for providing music data to users. The RAM 213 is mainly used as a work area for processing, such as temporarily storing data generated at an intermediate stage of each processing.

A homepage for providing music data to a user includes a list of distributable music data,
An input field for request source identification information for identifying the mobile phone terminal 3 of the request source is provided, and the user accepts selection input of music data to be provided or input of request source identification information, and It is used for forming a distribution request and transmitting it from the mobile phone terminal 3 to the content distribution server device 2.

The hard disk 23 stores music data supplied from the content supply server device 1. Then, the control unit 21 of the content distribution server device 2 can read out the music data recorded on the hard disk 23 through the HDI / F 22 and provide the music data to the portable telephone terminal 3 connected by a telephone line. Has been.

The control unit 22 controls the dedicated communication line 6
Music data supplied from the content supply server device 1 through the hard disk 23 can also be recorded. As described above, the music data that can be distributed to the so-called end user such as the mobile phone terminal 3 is recorded on the hard disk 23 of the content distribution server device 2 according to the present embodiment in response to the supply from the content supply server device 1. Is held.

In this embodiment, the music data stored on the disk 23 of the content distribution server device 2 includes information indicating the data amount of the music data, the title of the music, and the artist (author or performer). ) Are recorded in association with music data, and can be referred to and used as needed.

The hard disk 25 stores various usage information (customer information) about a past use history (telephone line connection history) and a portable telephone terminal that can be connected to the content distribution server device 2 via a telephone line. ) Is stored. Here, the customer information includes requester identification information that is identification information of the mobile phone terminal 3 and a communication charge of the mobile phone terminal 3 that is predetermined by a contract between the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 and the telephone company. Information about the plan and the like are stored in association with each other.

The communication rate plan is provided by the telephone company, and a plurality of communication rate plans are prepared. The user of the mobile phone terminal makes a contract with the telephone company to make the mobile phone terminal available. At this time, it is selected by the user himself according to the usage form of the mobile phone terminal.

For example, the communication charge in the so-called daytime period from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm is high, but the communication charge in the so-called night time period from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am is discounted. Conversely, during the daytime, communication charges are discounted, but communication charges during the nighttime are higher, or communication charges from Monday to Friday are higher, but communication charges on Saturday and Sunday are higher. Various communication charge plans are prepared, such as a communication charge plan in which the charge is discounted, and conversely, a communication charge plan in which the communication charge from Monday to Friday is reduced, but the communication charge on Saturday and Sunday is not discounted.

When making a contract with the telephone company, the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 takes into account, for example, a time zone in which the mobile phone terminal is frequently used, according to the usage mode of the mobile phone terminal 3. Then, a communication charge plan that is considered to be advantageous for the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 is selected.

If the communication charge plan selected by the user of the mobile phone terminal is known, the communication charge (communication fee for each time zone) of each time zone of the mobile phone terminal can be known.
Then, in the control unit 21 of the content distribution server device 2, the required distribution time of the music data obtained from the congestion degree of the telephone line and the data amount of the requested music data,
The scheduled delivery time zone is selected in consideration of the communication fee plan of the mobile phone terminal 3 that has transmitted the music data delivery request.

That is, in this embodiment, information on the transmission time of music data per predetermined unit amount according to the congestion degree of the communication line is stored in the hard disk 25. Then, the control unit 21 of the content distribution server device 2 transmits the music data requested to be distributed based on the past congestion degree of the communication line and the transmission time of the music data per a predetermined unit amount according to the congestion degree. The time required for transmission (required distribution time) is predicted for each predetermined time period, such as a time period every hour in the future or a time period every 30 minutes in the future.

The control unit 21 selects a time zone in which the estimated required distribution time of the requested music data is short and the communication fee is low as the scheduled distribution time zone. As a child, the control unit 21 of the content server device 2 can quickly connect a telephone line with the content distribution server device 2 and satisfactorily distribute music data. It is possible to select a scheduled transmission time zone in which the user can receive music data at low cost.

The communication processing unit 26 is provided with the dedicated communication line 6.
To communicate with the content supply server device 1 through Accordingly, music data and the like supplied from the content supply server device 1 supplied through the dedicated communication line 6 are received by the communication processing unit 26 and converted into information in a format that can be processed by the content distribution server device 2. Supplied to

Information such as notifications and requests transmitted from the content distribution server device 2 to the content supply server device 1 is supplied from the control unit 21 to the communication processing unit 26. The information from the control unit 21 is converted into information for transmission in the communication processing unit 26, and then transmitted to the dedicated communication line 6 and transmitted to the content supply server device 1.

The communication processing section 27 is for communicating with the portable telephone terminal 3 of the user through the telephone line. Therefore, the music data provision request from the mobile phone terminal 3 supplied through the telephone line is received by the communication processing unit 27, converted into information in a format that can be processed by the content distribution server device 2, and transmitted to the control unit 21. Supplied.

Information such as music data supplied from the content distribution server device 2 to the portable telephone terminal 3 is supplied from the control unit 21 to the communication processing unit 27. Control unit 21
Is converted into information for transmission in the communication processing unit 25, and then transmitted to the telephone line to be transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 3.
Sent to.

As described above, the content distribution server device 2 according to the present embodiment promptly requests the portable telephone terminal 3 which has requested the distribution of music data, in consideration of the communication charge plan of the portable telephone terminal. In addition, it is possible to select a scheduled distribution time zone in which music data can be provided inexpensively, and to transmit this to the mobile phone terminal of the distribution request source.

[Cellular Phone Terminal] Next, the cellular phone terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for specifically explaining the mobile phone terminal 3 shown in FIG. 1, to which an embodiment of the communication terminal according to the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 50 of the mobile phone 3 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52,
AM53 and EEPROM (Electrically
Erasable and Programmable
e ROM) 54 is connected via a CPU bus 55.

Here, the ROM 52 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 51 and necessary data such as display fonts in advance. Also, RA
M53 is mainly used as a work area,
During the execution of the program, the CPU 51 is used to store data in the middle of calculation as necessary, or to temporarily store data exchanged between the control unit 50 and each unit.

The EEPROM 54 stores, for example, the immediately preceding setting conditions even when the power of the mobile phone terminal 3 is turned off, and sets the same settings when the power is turned on the next time. This is for storing parameters. That is, the EEPROM 54 is a non-volatile memory that does not lose data stored therein even when the power of the mobile phone terminal 3 is turned off.

The control unit 50 includes a key input unit 61
Are connected through a key I / F (I / F is an abbreviation of an interface; hereinafter the same in this specification) 61A, and the LCD 62 is connected through an LCD controller 62C. The control unit 50 includes a ringer 63,
The LED 64 is connected through a ringer driver 63D and an LED driver 64D.

The key input unit 61, LCD 62, ringer 63, and LED 64 mediate the transmission of information between the portable telephone terminal 3 and the user. That is, the control unit 50
Through the key operation unit 31, it is possible to receive an instruction input from a user and an input of necessary information.
Through the D62, the ringer 63, and the LED 64, for example, it is possible to notify the user of the state of the mobile phone terminal 3 or to issue a warning for an illegal operation.

A clock circuit 65 is connected to the control unit 50. The clock circuit 65 has a calendar function, can provide the current time, the current date, the day of the week, and the like, and has a so-called timer function, accepts the setting of the time, and receives the set time. Is detected, the controller 50 can be notified of this.

Next, the receiving system of the portable telephone terminal 3 of this embodiment will be described. The received signal received through the antenna 31 is received by the receiving unit 33 through the antenna duplexer 32.
Supplied to The receiving unit 33 performs necessary band limiting and AGC (Automa) so that the received signal is at an appropriate level.
tic Gain Control)
Based on the signal from the frequency synthesizer (local oscillator) 39, a process such as setting the frequency of the received signal to a constant frequency is performed, and the processed signal is supplied to the baseband processing unit 34.

The baseband processing section 34 performs A / D conversion of the signal from the receiving section 33, removes the influence of fading, discriminates the type of the received signal, deinterleaves, and corrects the error. To separate voice data and other communication data. The audio data separated here is a codec 3 having a DSP configuration.
5 and other communication data, for example, various control information, character data, music data, and the like are supplied to the control unit 50.

The codec 35 is a baseband processing unit 3
The audio data from D.4 is converted from analog to digital to form an analog audio signal, which is supplied to a speaker 36. As a result, sound corresponding to the analog sound signal from the codec 35 is emitted from the speaker 36.

On the other hand, if the communication data supplied from the baseband processing unit 34 to the control unit 50 is control data or character data for the portable telephone terminal 3, the control unit 50
Is temporarily stored in the RAM 53 to be used in the mobile phone terminal 3.

In the present embodiment, communication data other than control data and character data for the mobile phone terminal 3, such as music data provided from the content distribution server device 2 through a telephone line, are stored in the external memory I. /
The data is recorded in an external memory (external semiconductor memory) 80 detachable from the mobile phone terminal 3 through F71.

Next, the transmission system of the portable telephone terminal 3 of this embodiment will be described. The microphone 37 converts the collected sound into an analog sound signal and supplies the analog sound signal to the codec 35. The codec 35 includes a microphone 37
A / D-converts the analog audio signal from the digital audio signal to form a digital audio signal, and supplies the digital audio signal to the baseband processing unit 34.

The baseband processing unit 34
5 is encoded by a predetermined encoding method and compressed, collected into predetermined blocks,
8 The transmission unit 38 is a baseband processing unit 34
The D / A conversion of the digital data from the A / D converter to form an analog modulation signal, and in order to convert the analog modulation signal to a predetermined transmission frequency, the analog modulation signal and a signal for conversion from the frequency synthesizer 39 are converted. Mix to form an analog modulated signal for transmission. The transmission analog modulated signal formed in the transmission section 38 is transmitted from the transmission / reception antenna 31 via the antenna duplexer 32.

Then, the portable telephone terminal 3 of this embodiment
When a call is made from the mobile phone terminal 3 of this embodiment, an off-hook operation such as pressing an off-hook key of the key operation unit 61 is performed, and then the key operation unit The telephone number of the other party is selected from the telephone number list created in advance in the EEPROM 54 of the mobile telephone terminal 3 through the numeric keypad 61. Such an operation input from the user through the key operation unit 61 is supplied to the control unit 50 through the key I / F 61A.

The control unit 50 performs a dial operation based on the input telephone number or the instructed telephone number, forms a call request, and transmits the call request through the above-described transmission system. Thus, the telephone line is connected to the target telephone terminal. When the incoming call response is returned from the other party and the connection of the telephone line is confirmed, a call can be made by the operations of the receiving system and the transmitting system as described above.

At the time of standby reception, the control unit 50 of the portable telephone terminal 3 detects an incoming call to its own device by monitoring a reception signal from the baseband processing unit 34 at a predetermined interval, for example. I do. Then, the control unit 50
When an incoming call to the own device is detected, the ringer driver 63
By controlling D, the ringer 63 is driven to emit a ringing sound (ringer sound) to notify the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 of the incoming call.

When the user of the portable telephone terminal 3 responds to the incoming call by performing an off-hook operation such as pressing an off-hook key provided on the key operation unit 61, the control unit 50 A telephone line is connected through a transmission system by sending a connection response or the like, and a call can be made by the operations of the reception system and the transmission system as described above.

As described above, the portable telephone terminal 3 is capable of connecting a telephone line and making a telephone call in response to a call originated from the portable telephone terminal itself or a call received from the other party. . Then, if the other party performs an on-hook operation after the call, or if the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 performs an on-hook operation, the telephone line is disconnected, and the call ends.

Next, a description will be given of the recording / reproducing function of the music data provided by the mobile phone terminal 3 provided from the content distribution server device 2. In the mobile phone terminal 3 of this embodiment shown in FIG.
1, a decoder 41 and a headphone terminal 42 are parts for realizing a music data recording / reproducing function.

In this embodiment, an external memory 80 detachable from the portable telephone terminal 3 is used as a recording medium for music data.
In this embodiment, the external memory I / F 71 has a slot for loading the external memory 80.

In this embodiment, the external memory I / F 71 is a reader for recording music data in the external memory 80 loaded therein or reading out music data recorded in the external memory 80 loaded therein. It also has a function as a / writer (read / write device).

First, the music data recording function of the portable telephone terminal 3 will be described. The mobile phone terminal 3 of this embodiment is, for example, a content distribution server device 2
A telephone line is connected to the content distribution server device 2 so that the target music data can be provided (distributed) through a homepage provided by the content distribution server device 2. I have.

The music data provided through the telephone line from the content distribution server device 2
1. The signal is supplied to the control unit 50 through the antenna duplexer 32, the receiving unit 33, and the baseband processing unit 34, and is recorded in the external memory 80 through the external memory I / F 71.

As described above, the portable telephone terminal 3 of this embodiment receives the provision of the music data from the content distribution server device 2 via the telephone line, and transfers the music data to the external memory I / F.
External memory 8 connected to mobile phone terminal 3 through 71
0 can be recorded.

Next, the music data reproducing function of the portable telephone terminal 3 will be described. When performing a predetermined operation such as selecting an item to be selected when performing reproduction of music content from a menu prepared in advance, the mobile phone terminal 3 of this embodiment
Reads the music data recorded in the external memory 80 connected thereto via the external memory I / F 71. Then, the control unit 50 supplies the read music data to the decoder 41.

The decoder 41 decodes the supplied music data, and D / A converts the decoded music data into an analog audio signal. An analog audio signal from the decoder 41 is supplied to a headphone terminal 42.
Is supplied to the headphones connected thereto.
In this manner, the sound corresponding to the music data read from the external memory 80 can be heard through the headphones connected to the headphone terminal 42.

When music data of a plurality of music pieces are recorded in the external memory 80, the music data of the music piece intended for the user of the portable telephone terminal 3 is selected, and the music data of the selected music piece is stored. You can play it.

[Processing in Each Apparatus Constituting Music Distribution System] Next, in the music distribution system according to the present embodiment, the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the desired music data in the portable telephone terminal 3. The processing performed and the processing performed in the content distribution server device 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 and FIGS. In the following, the music data requested by the mobile phone terminal 3 is
The description will be made assuming that the content is stored in the disk 23 of the content distribution server device 2.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the processing performed by the mobile phone terminal 3 when the mobile phone terminal 3 receives music data distribution in the music distribution system of the present embodiment, and the contents distribution server apparatus 2. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process to be performed in association with the process.

In the flowcharts shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, steps S101 to S112
This processing is performed in the mobile phone terminal 3, and steps S <b> 201 to S <b> 209 are processing performed in the content distribution server device 2.

The mobile phone terminal 3 of this embodiment is a time zone in which the communication line is not crowded, and a time zone in which music data can be provided inexpensively according to its own communication charge plan. There is a so-called timer recording mode in which the music data is provided to the user, and a normal recording mode in which the target music data is provided immediately after the request.

Then, for example, the LCD of the portable telephone terminal 3
When the timer recording mode is selected from the list of operable functions displayed in 62, the control unit 50 of the mobile phone terminal 3 executes a series of processes from step S101 to step S112 in FIGS. Let it start.

First, the control unit 50 of the mobile telephone terminal 3 connects a telephone line with the content distribution server device 2 to receive distribution of music data by timer recording.
A distribution request (timer recording request) is formed and transmitted to the content distribution server device 2 (step S
101). The distribution request includes information indicating that the request is a distribution request and request source identification information for identifying the requesting mobile phone terminal 3. Requests distribution.

When the telephone line is connected, content distribution server device 2 receives a request from the portable telephone terminal (step S201). In step S201, when receiving a timer recording request, which is a distribution request, the content distribution server device 2 transmits the request. The list of possible contents is transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 3 that has requested the distribution (step S202). This distributable content list corresponds to a so-called homepage for providing music data provided by the content distribution server device 2.

Then, the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the list of distributable contents from the contents distribution server device 2 and displays it on the LCD 62 (step S10).
2). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a distributable content list displayed on the LCD 62 by the control unit 50 of the mobile phone terminal 3 in step S102.

As shown in FIG. 7, a list of distributable contents according to this embodiment includes a song name (music title),
It consists of an artist name, and a plurality of items are displayed on one screen. Then, the control unit 50 of the mobile phone terminal 3 receives a selection input of the content desired to be distributed (step S103).

Specifically, in the portable telephone terminal 3 of this embodiment, a so-called jog dial key provided on the portable telephone terminal 3 and capable of performing a rotating operation and a pressing operation is rotated, or By pressing an arrow key provided on the mobile phone terminal 3, cursor movement or so-called scroll display is performed, thereby enabling selection of music data as distribution desired content.

By pressing the jog dial key or by operating a predetermined confirmation key, the music data of the song specified by the song name and the artist name at the position where the cursor is positioned at that time is displayed. The identification information of the identified music data is transmitted to the content distribution server device 2 as selection input information through the connected telephone communication line, together with the request source identification information (as the music data requested to be distributed) ( Step S104).

Then, when the content distribution server device 2 receives the selection input information of the content to be distributed (step S203), the control section 21 of the content distribution server device 2 makes the control of the portable telephone terminal 3 stored in the disk 23 The information indicating the data amount of the selected (distribution requested) music data is read out, and information on the communication rate plan selected by the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 at the time of contract from the disk 25 and the past Read the usage history indicating the connection status of the communication line,
A plurality of scheduled delivery time zones are selected based on the information (step S204).

Specifically, the required distribution time of the requested music data is shortened, the time period during which communication to the content distribution server device 2 is not congested, and the portable telephone terminal 3 When music data distribution is received, a plurality of time zones in which communication costs (communication charges) are relatively low are selected as scheduled delivery time zones, and the selected scheduled delivery time zone information and request The time required for the distribution of the music data and the communication fee for the distribution of the requested music data are transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 3 that has requested the distribution (step S205).

The portable telephone terminal 3 receives a plurality of scheduled distribution time zone information and the like from the content distribution server device 2,
This is displayed on the LCD 62 (step S105). FIG. 8 shows the LC of the mobile phone terminal 3 in this embodiment.
It is a figure for explaining an example of a list of expected distribution time zone information displayed on D62.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the scheduled distribution time zone, the required distribution time of the requested music data (distribution time), and the communication required until all the requested music data are received. It consists of information indicating the cost (communication fee). In the case of the example of FIG. 8, the time zone from 1:00 am to 4:00 am, the time zone from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, and the time zone from 1:00 pm to 3 pm
The time zone up to the hour is displayed as the selected scheduled distribution time zone, and the distribution time and the communication fee for downloading the music data immediately are also displayed.

Then, the control unit 50 of the portable telephone terminal 3
The selection input of the scheduled distribution time zone via the jog dial key or the arrow key is received (step S106). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 50 of the mobile phone 3
Determines in step S106 whether immediate (immediate download) has been instructed (step S10).
7) If it is determined that the download is not immediate,
The control unit 50 of the mobile phone terminal 3 transmits information indicating the selected scheduled delivery time zone to the content delivery server device 2 (Step S108).

Then, the control unit 50 of the portable telephone terminal 3
Based on the selected scheduled delivery time zone, the clock circuit 65
Then, the time at which the process of receiving the target music data to be provided is set, and the connected telephone line is temporarily disconnected (disconnected) (step S109). And the clock circuit 6
5 performs processing for detecting the arrival of the set time (step S110).

On the other hand, when the content distribution server device 2 receives the information indicating the selected scheduled distribution time zone from the portable telephone terminal 3 (step S206), the music data requested to be distributed is buffered as necessary. The data is temporarily stored in the memory (step S207). This step S2
The process 07 is to secure music data that is known to be requested to be provided by the mobile phone terminal 3 at a place where it can be easily read.

Then, the arrival of the set time is detected by the clock circuit 65 of the portable telephone terminal 3, and when the arrival of the set time is notified to the control unit 50, the control unit 50 communicates with the content distribution server device 2 again through the telephone line. To form a request to provide the target music data (download request), and transmits the request to the content distribution server device 2 (step S1).
11).

The content distribution server device 2 receives the music data provision request (download request) from the portable telephone terminal 3 (step S208), and temporarily stores it in the buffer memory in step S207 in response to the received provision request. The music data requested to be provided is transmitted to the mobile phone terminal 3 (step S209), and the distribution process of the music data as the content is terminated.

On the other hand, the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the music data requested to be provided distributed from the content distribution server device 2, records it in the external memory 80 (step S112), and connects to the connected public communication line. Is disconnected, and the process for receiving the provision of the content ends.

In the determination processing of step S107 in the mobile phone terminal 3, when it is determined that the immediate download is selected, the controller 5 of the mobile phone terminal 3
In step S111, the process proceeds to step S111, where a request (download request) for providing the target music data is transmitted to the content distribution server device 2 so that the target music data is immediately provided.

In response, in content distribution server device 2, the processing from step S208 is performed.
In response to a music data provision request (download request) from the mobile phone terminal 3, the requested music data is immediately transmitted.

As described above, in the music distribution system according to the present embodiment, the content distribution server device performs the music data calculation based on the congestion degree of the communication line based on the past usage history and the data amount of the music data to be distributed. And the communication time plan selected by the user of the mobile phone terminal 3 at the time of contract with the telephone company. Set.

The scheduled distribution time period is a time period in which the connection of the communication line capable of quickly and appropriately transmitting the music data is not congested, and the user of the portable telephone terminal 3 can use the inexpensive transmission time period. This is a time zone during which music data can be provided. The mobile phone terminal 3 can transmit the music data provision request during the scheduled time zone from among the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones, and can receive the target music data.

Therefore, congestion of the communication line can be alleviated, and the communication fee (line usage fee) which is borne by the user of the portable telephone terminal can be reduced. In addition, music data can be reliably provided in a shorter time than when the connection of the communication line is congested, so that power consumption can be reduced. In particular, in the case of a mobile phone terminal, a rechargeable battery is used for power supply, but if the information distribution time is short, the power consumption is reduced and the consumption of the battery can be suppressed. large.

In the present embodiment, the scheduled delivery time zone information selected from the plurality of scheduled delivery time zone information is transmitted to the content delivery server device 2 by the process of step S108. By doing so, the content distribution server device 2 can know that the scheduled distribution time zone has been selected in the mobile phone terminal 3, so that the music data to be distributed later is stored in the buffer memory. It is possible to prepare for temporary storage in the memory.

However, after receiving the provision request (download request), the requested music data is read from the disk 23 or the content supply server device 1
Of course, the process of step S108 in the mobile phone terminal 3 can be performed.
Further, the processing of steps S206 and S207 in the content distribution server device 2 is not essential processing.

Therefore, the process of step S108 in the mobile phone terminal 3 and the processes of step S206 and step S207 in the content distribution server device 2 may be omitted. Also, the processing of step S108 in the mobile phone terminal 3 and the processing of step S206 in the content distribution server device 2 are not performed, but the processing of step S207 in the content distribution server device 2 is performed. Of course, it is also possible to prepare for the distribution of music data that will be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the content distribution server device 2 estimates the required distribution time of music data every hour and every 30 minutes after receiving the distribution request. However, the unit time zone for selecting the scheduled delivery time zone is not limited to every hour and every 30 minutes, but may be a relatively long time zone such as every two hours or every three hours, or 10 hours. A relatively short time period, such as every minute or every five minutes, may be used.

[0133] Also, the selectable period range of the scheduled delivery time zone is a range within 12 hours after receiving the delivery request,
Alternatively, the range may be determined in advance as a range within 24 hours, a range within 48 hours, or the like, and the operator may naturally specify the range as specified by the user.

In this embodiment, the content distribution server device 2 and the portable telephone terminal 3 have been described as being connected via a telephone line, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the mobile phone terminal 3 accesses the content distribution server device 2 via the Internet and receives music data distribution from the content distribution server device 2 via the Internet.

For example, the mobile phone terminal 3 used by the user
To connect a communication line with a predetermined ISP (Internet service prober) to access the intended content distribution server device 2 via the ISP and the Internet to receive distribution of music data. Can also.

In this case, the music data to be distributed may be possessed by the content distribution server device 2 or the content distribution server device acquires necessary music data from another server device via a communication network such as the Internet. Of course, this can be distributed.

As described above, even when the mobile phone terminal 3 receives content distribution via the Internet, the mobile phone terminal 3 transmits a distribution request to the content distribution server device 2. In the content distribution server device 2 that has received the distribution request, the communication fee that the user of the requesting mobile phone terminal 3 bears is inexpensive during a time when communication is not congested. Is selected as the scheduled delivery time zone, and this is provided to the requesting mobile phone terminal 3.

[0138] The portable telephone terminal 3 receives the provision of the scheduled distribution time period from the content distribution server device, and when the time according to the scheduled distribution time period is reached, sends the music data to the content distribution server device 2. Receiving the provision request (download request), and receiving the provision of the desired music data, downloads it to its own memory.

[0139] By doing so, the portable telephone terminal 3 can quickly distribute the target music data in a time zone where access to the content distribution server device 2 is small and a communication fee is low. And it can be received at low cost. In addition, since the music data is distributed when the communication line is not congested, the time required for the distribution is shortened, and the connection fee to the Internet can be reduced.

When music data is distributed through the Internet, it is possible to access various different content distribution server devices and receive various contents. In this case, it may be difficult for the content distribution server device of the content distribution source to grasp the subscribed rate plan for each of the accessed mobile telephone terminals.

Therefore, when music data and the like are distributed from an unspecified number of content distribution server devices via the Internet, the first distribution request includes content identification information such as request source identification information and music data identification information, and Information including a communication rate plan based on a contract with a telephone company and necessary information such as an Internet connection rate plan based on a contract with an ISP is transmitted, and based on the information, a content distribution server device is transmitted. , A scheduled delivery time zone may be selected and provided to the mobile phone terminal.

In the case where the distribution of music data is charged, a content distribution contract is concluded with the content distribution server device, and after the member is registered, the content is distributed. In some cases. In such a case, at the time of member registration, information indicating a communication rate plan based on a contract with the telephone company of the user of the mobile phone terminal to be a member, and information indicating an Internet connection rate plan based on a contract with the ISP, Since the content distribution server device holds and manages the member registration information, it is not necessary to transmit the distribution request including the information.

[0143] Recently, for example, an Internet connection service using a cable television network that provides a fixed fee even when connected to the Internet has been provided for 24 hours. Even if such a communication line is always used at a constant communication fee, the present invention can be applied to a content line or the like that takes a long time to download in a time zone when the communication line with a lot of access is crowded. Can be automatically downloaded when there is no congestion.

As described above, when the communication fee is always constant, there is no communication fee plan and the like, and it is not necessary to consider the communication fee for each time slot of each portable telephone terminal. For this reason, the content distribution server device 2 distributes the music data in a short time based on the required distribution time of the music data obtained from the congestion degree of the communication line, which is known from the usage history, and the data amount of the requested music data. May be selected as the scheduled delivery time zone, and this may be notified to the mobile phone terminal.

As described above, even when connecting to the content distribution server device via the Internet and receiving the provision of content such as music data, the present invention is applied, and when the communication line is not congested, By receiving the distribution of content, you can receive the required content in a short time,
It is possible to reduce the power consumed by the mobile phone terminal to receive the content distribution. Also, if a communication line usage fee is charged according to the usage time of the communication line,
The usage fee of the communication line can be reduced.

Therefore, by using the present invention, contents such as music data, which is not immediately required but which is desired to be reliably received and used, can be reliably and inexpensively provided and used. can do. Further, the mobile phone terminal of this embodiment also has an immediate distribution mode, so that information such as news that is to be immediately distributed and used is immediately distributed by using the immediate distribution mode. It can also be used.

[0147] In the above-described embodiment, in the mobile phone terminal 3, in the time zone selected from the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones from the content distribution server device 2,
The time for automatic connection is set, and the telephone circuit is automatically connected by the function of the clock circuit 65 to receive the desired music data.

However, the automatic connection using the timer function of the clock circuit need not be performed. For example, in response to a distribution request from the mobile telephone terminal 3, the content distribution server device 2 selects a plurality of scheduled distribution time zones and notifies the mobile telephone terminal 3 of the selection.

Then, the user of the portable telephone terminal 3 receives the provision of a plurality of scheduled delivery time zones from the content delivery server device 2 and
The user himself / herself may operate the mobile phone terminal 3 to connect a telephone line with the content distribution server device 2 so as to receive desired music data.

In the content distribution server device 2, instead of selecting a plurality of scheduled distribution time zones, music data can be distributed in a short time and one time zone where communication fees are low. May be selected as the optimal scheduled delivery time zone, and this may be notified to the mobile phone terminal 3.

In this case, in the mobile phone terminal 3,
There is no need to select the scheduled delivery time zone, and the start time of the process for receiving the distribution of the music data to the clock circuit 65 is set based on the provided one scheduled delivery time zone. Become.

In the above-described embodiment, the content distribution server device 2 selects a scheduled distribution time zone and notifies the portable telephone terminal 3 of the selected time frame. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the mobile phone terminal 3 can receive music data distribution quickly and inexpensively at any time within the time range indicated as the scheduled distribution time zone. Become.

Therefore, even if there is a certain number of mobile telephone terminals that have been notified of the same scheduled distribution time zone, for example, in each mobile telephone terminal, access to the content distribution server device is not overlapped. Of course, using random numbers or the like, the time at which the processing for receiving the distribution of the content set in its own clock circuit may be started may be dispersed in the same time zone. The user may of course set the time in the notified scheduled delivery time zone in the clock circuit.

In the above-described embodiment, when the arrival of the time to start the process of receiving the target music data set in the clock circuit 65 is detected in the portable telephone terminal 3. Turned on the power supply of the mobile phone terminal 3 so as to enable communication, formed a provision request, and transmitted the request. However, the mobile phone terminal 3
In this case, the standby reception may be performed, and in this case, the main power supply is not turned on, and the telephone line is immediately connected to the content distribution server device to request the provision. It is formed and transmitted.

Therefore, in order to maintain a state where music data can be received more quickly, the portable telephone terminal 3
If the user has performed an operation to turn off the main power supply, and the clock circuit 65 has set a time to start processing for receiving distribution of the target music data, This may be notified so that the main power is not turned off.

Although FIG. 1 used in the description of the above embodiment shows only one mobile phone terminal 3, only one mobile phone terminal 3 exists for each of a plurality of users. Can receive distribution of music data from the content distribution server device 2.

The number of content supply server devices is not limited to one. For example, a plurality of content supply server devices are provided for each of a plurality of record companies, and the plurality of content supply server devices are connected to the content distribution server device. Of course can be provided with music data.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of distributing music data for each music piece has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a so-called album in which a plurality of songs are collected, the music data can be distributed using a plurality of predetermined songs as a distribution unit.

The content to be distributed is not limited to music data, but may include moving image data such as a movie and audio data, text data such as a novel, still image data such as a photograph, and various types of data such as a game program. The present invention can be applied to an information distribution system that distributes contents.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given assuming that the user receives the distribution of the content using the portable telephone terminal, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a personal computer installed in a home or the like is used, when communication is performed using a so-called notebook or portable personal computer and a mobile phone terminal, or when a PDA (Per
The present invention can be applied to a case where content is distributed through a communication line using a terminal device called a so-called digital terminal assistant or other various communication terminals.

[0161]

As described above, according to the present invention, congestion of a communication line can be reduced. Also,
Since the target information (content) can be received when the communication line is not congested, the target information can be received in a shorter time than when the communication line is congested. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumed by the communication terminal to receive the information distribution.

In addition, the user of the communication terminal may determine the delivery time zone of the target information in consideration of information on communication charges such as a communication charge plan decided with a communication company such as a telephone company. As a result, the communication cost borne by the user of the communication terminal can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a music distribution system to which an embodiment of an information distribution system according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a content supply server device of the music distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a content distribution server device of the music distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mobile phone terminal of the music distribution system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the mobile phone terminal of the music distribution system of this embodiment and processing in the content distribution server device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart following FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of music data that can be provided from the content distribution server device to the mobile phone terminal (distributable content list).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of scheduled delivery time zone information provided from the content delivery server device to the mobile phone terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content supply server apparatus, 2 ... Content distribution server apparatus, 21 ... Control part, 211 ... CPU, 212 ... R
OM, 213 ... RAM, 214 ... CPU bus, 22, 2
4 HD I / F (hard disk interface), 23, 25 hard disk, 26 communication processing unit, 27 communication processing unit, 3 mobile phone terminal, 31 transmission / reception antenna, 32 antenna duplexer, 33 reception unit , 3
4 Baseband processing unit 35 Codec (DS
P), 36 speaker (receiver), 37 microphone (transmitter), 38 transmitter, 41 music data decoder, 42 headphone terminal, 50 controller, 51 CP
U, 52: ROM, 53: RAM, 54: EEPRO
M, 55: CPU bus, 61A: key I / F (key interface), 61: key operation unit, 62C: LCD controller, 62: LCD, 63D: ringer driver,
63 ... ringer, 64 ... LED driver, 64 ... LED,
65: clock circuit, 71: external memory I / F (external memory interface), 80: external memory

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A distribution request transmitting step of transmitting an information distribution request from a communication terminal to an information providing device via a communication line, wherein the information providing device obtains information from a past use history when the distribution request is received. A delivery time zone selecting step of selecting a scheduled delivery time zone based on a required delivery time of the information obtained from the congestion degree of the communication line and a data amount of the requested information; and Transmitting a selected scheduled delivery time zone to the communication terminal via the communication line. 2. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein, in the distribution time zone selection step of the information providing device, a communication company providing a communication line connection service and a user of the communication terminal. An information delivery method, wherein the scheduled delivery time zone is selected in consideration of a communication fee for each time zone of the communication terminal which is determined in advance by the contract. 3. The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein in the distribution time zone selecting step of the information distribution device, a plurality of the scheduled distribution time periods are selected. The information distribution method, wherein in the distribution time period transmitting step of the distribution device, the plurality of scheduled distribution time periods selected in the distribution time period selecting step are transmitted to the communication terminal. 4. The information delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal receives the scheduled delivery time zone from the information delivery device, and the communication terminal receives the scheduled delivery time zone. A start time setting step of setting, in a clock circuit of the communication terminal, a start time of a process for receiving the distribution of the information based on the scheduled distribution time zone received in the distribution time zone receiving step of the terminal; In the communication terminal, when the clock circuit detects the arrival of the set start time, a communication line is connected,
An information provision requesting step of transmitting a target information provision request to the information providing apparatus to receive the information distribution. 5. The information distribution method according to claim 4, wherein in said distribution time zone selecting step of said information distribution device, a plurality of said scheduled distribution time periods are selected. In the delivery time zone transmitting step, the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones selected in the delivery time zone selecting step are transmitted to the communication terminal, and the plurality of communication terminals receive in the delivery time zone receiving step. A delivery time zone selecting step of selecting a target scheduled delivery time zone from among the scheduled delivery time zones of the communication terminal, in the delivery time setting step of the communication terminal, An information distribution method, wherein the start time is set in a clock circuit of the communication terminal based on the scheduled distribution time zone. 6. An information distribution system for distributing information from an information distribution device to a communication terminal via a communication line, wherein the communication terminal transmits an information distribution request to the information providing device via a communication line. Request transmission means, the information distribution device, upon receiving the distribution request from the communication terminal, obtains from the congestion degree of the communication line obtained from the past usage history and the data amount of the requested information Distribution time zone selecting means for selecting a scheduled distribution time zone based on the required distribution time of the information, and transmitting the scheduled distribution time zone selected by the distribution time zone selection means to the communication terminal through the communication line. An information distribution system comprising: 7. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the distribution time zone selection means of the information distribution device is a communication time between a communication company providing a communication line connection service and a user of the communication terminal. An information distribution system, wherein the scheduled distribution time zone is selected in consideration of a communication fee for each time zone of the communication terminal which is determined in advance according to the contract. 8. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein, in the information distribution device, the distribution time zone selection means selects a plurality of the scheduled distribution time zones. The information distribution system, wherein the distribution time period transmitting means transmits the plurality of scheduled distribution time periods selected by the distribution time period selecting means to the communication terminal. 9. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the communication terminal receives the scheduled distribution time zone transmitted from the information distribution device via the communication line. A band receiving unit; a start time setting unit configured to set, in a clock circuit, a start time of a process of receiving the distribution of the information based on the scheduled distribution time period received by the distribution time period receiving unit; When the arrival of the set start time is detected by the clock circuit, communication line automatic connection means for automatically connecting a communication line with the information providing apparatus, and the communication line automatic connection means Through the communication line, send a request for providing the information of interest,
And a provision request transmission unit configured to receive provision of the information, wherein the information distribution device transmits a request when the provision request is transmitted through the communication line connected by the communication terminal. And an information transmitting means for transmitting the information corresponding to the information to the communication terminal. 10. The information distribution system according to claim 9, wherein in the information distribution device, the distribution time period selecting means selects a plurality of the scheduled distribution time periods. The band transmitting means transmits the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones selected by the distribution time zone selecting means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal receives the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones received by the distribution time zone receiving means. Selecting input receiving means for receiving a selection input for selecting a target scheduled delivery time zone from the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones, wherein the delivery time setting means of the communication terminal includes the selection input receiving means An information distribution system, wherein the start time is set in the clock circuit based on the scheduled distribution time zone selected by the selection input received through the network. 11. The communication terminal of an information distribution system for distributing information from an information distribution device to a communication terminal through a communication line, wherein the distribution request transmits an information distribution request to the information providing device through a communication line. Transmitting means, based on the scheduled delivery time zone received by the delivery time zone receiving means and the delivery time zone receiving means for receiving the scheduled delivery time zone transmitted from the information delivery device via the communication line, A distribution time setting unit configured to set a start time of a process for receiving the distribution of the information in a clock circuit; and, when the arrival of the set time is detected by the clock circuit, Communication line automatic connection means for automatically connecting a communication line between, and the communication line connected by the communication line automatic connection means, Sending a request to provide the information,
A communication terminal comprising: a provision request transmission unit configured to receive provision of the information. 12. The communication terminal according to claim 11, wherein the information distribution device selects a plurality of scheduled distribution time zones,
The distribution time zone receiving means can receive the plurality of scheduled distribution time zones from the information distribution device, and the distribution time zone receiving means And a selection input receiving unit that receives a selection input for selecting a target scheduled delivery time zone from among the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones to be received, wherein the delivery time setting means of the communication terminal includes: A communication terminal for setting the start time in the clock circuit based on the scheduled delivery time zone selected by the selection input received through the selection input receiving means. 13. The information distribution apparatus of an information distribution system for distributing information from an information distribution apparatus to a communication terminal through a communication line, wherein when the distribution request is received from the communication terminal, A delivery time zone selecting means for selecting a scheduled delivery time zone based on a required delivery time of the information obtained from a degree of congestion of the communication line obtained from a usage history and a data amount of the requested information; An information distribution apparatus, comprising: distribution time zone transmitting means for transmitting the scheduled distribution time zone selected by the band selecting means to the communication terminal via the communication line. 14. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said distribution time zone selection means is determined in advance by a contract between a communication company providing a communication line connection service and a user of said communication terminal. An information distribution apparatus, wherein the scheduled distribution time period is selected in consideration of a communication fee for each time period of the communication terminal. 15. The information distribution device according to claim 13, wherein the distribution time period selecting means selects a plurality of the scheduled distribution time periods, and wherein the distribution time period transmission is performed. The information delivery device, wherein the means transmits the plurality of scheduled delivery time zones selected by the delivery time zone selection means to the communication terminal. 16. The method according to claim 13, 14 or 1.
5. The information distribution device according to 5, wherein when the provision request is transmitted through the communication line connected by the communication terminal, the information according to the request is transmitted to the communication terminal. An information distribution device, comprising: an information transmission unit.