JP2002164860A - Mobile communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication device capable of acquiring broadcast contents by a simple operation through a communication like when receiving a broadcast with a TV receiver or a radio receiver. SOLUTION: A portable telephone (mobile communication device) 1 is equipped with a storage means in which position information of broadcast servers 2 and 3 which distribute broadcast contents through a communication network 4 is related to a broadcast station information corresponding to the broadcast contents and then stored. It specifies the position information of the broadcast server to be accessed based on a selected information among the broadcast station information stored in the storage means, and accesses the broadcast server 2 or 3 based on the position information through the communication network 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mobile communication device capable of acquiring a broadcast content by accessing a broadcast station that distributes a broadcast program via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, radio and television broadcasting stations broadcast programs using radio waves such as ground waves, but cannot receive the broadcast programs in areas where radio waves do not reach. However, with the recent development of streaming technology,
Audio and video data can be transmitted in real time via a communication line, and broadcast programs can be received over a wide area, both in Japan and overseas, via a communication network such as the Internet. In addition, many broadcast stations have been distributing broadcast programs (broadcast contents) via communication networks.

In order to receive the broadcast contents, a user accesses a broadcast server installed in a broadcast station via a communication network using a personal computer to obtain the broadcast contents. At the time of this access, a URL (Uniform Resource) corresponding to each broadcast server is used.
Locator) to connect a personal computer to a desired broadcast server.

[0004]

However, in the above-described access to the broadcast server by the conventional personal computer, the user can acquire the broadcast content only at a limited place such as at home and enjoy the content. Can not.
In addition, URLs are composed of symbols such as alphabets, and are difficult for users to understand and handle.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a simple operation, such as when a broadcast is received by a television receiver or a radio receiver, via a communication network. An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication device capable of acquiring broadcast content.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data via a communication network, wherein the mobile communication device transmits and receives data via a communication network. A storage unit that stores the location information of the broadcast server that distributes the content and the broadcast station information corresponding to the broadcast content in association with each other, and stores information selected from among the broadcast station information stored in the storage unit. The location information of the access destination is specified based on the location information, and the broadcast server is accessed via the communication network based on the location information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, display means for displaying broadcast station information stored in the storage means on a broadcast station selection screen, and the broadcast station information is displayed on the display means. Operating means for selecting broadcast station information in accordance with the broadcast station selection screen.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the broadcast station information is a broadcast frequency or a broadcast station name. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the type of the broadcast station information or the location information is first displayed on the broadcast station selection screen, and then, based on the information content of the selected type. , The broadcast station name is displayed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the broadcast server is a radio broadcast server that distributes radio broadcast content, or a television broadcast content. , Which stores a broadcast station attribute corresponding to the broadcast content in the storage unit together with the broadcast station information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the broadcast station information relating to the broadcast station attribute corresponding to the television broadcast content further includes a channel number for television broadcast. I do.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast content distribution system for acquiring broadcast content by a mobile communication device (mobile phone) according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a mobile phone having a wireless telephone function, which also has a communication terminal function of transmitting and receiving data via a wireless communication line. Sign 2
Is a radio broadcast server provided in a radio broadcast station, and distributes broadcast content via the communication line 102. Reference numeral 3 denotes a television broadcast server provided in a television broadcast station, which distributes broadcast contents via the communication line 103. Reference numeral 4 denotes a communication network that provides a communication line through which data can be transmitted. As the communication network 4, a telephone line network, a dedicated line network, or a computer network called the Internet can be used.

The portable telephone 1 is connected to a communication network 4 via a communication line 101 established by a wireless telephone. Radio broadcast server 2, TV broadcast server 3
Are connected to the communication network 4 via communication lines 102 and 103, respectively. The communication network 4 connects the mobile phone 1 and the radio broadcast server 2 or the television broadcast server 3.

In the broadcast content distribution system shown in FIG. 1, a radio broadcast server 2 and a television broadcast server 3
Has a WWW (World Wide Web) function.
Broadcast content is distributed via a homepage provided by the W function. The homepages of the broadcast servers 2 and 3 include U which is position information corresponding to each broadcast server.
The location is indicated by an RL (Uniform Resource Locator). In addition, the mobile phone 1 includes the broadcast servers 2 and 3
To the homepage indicated by the URL of communication network 4
, And each broadcast content can be obtained. As the radio broadcasting server 2 and the television broadcasting server 3, broadcasting servers 2 and 3 of a plurality of broadcasting stations can be connected to the communication network 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an antenna, and reference numeral 12 denotes a wireless unit that transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna 11. A control unit 13 performs communication control and data communication control for establishing a wireless telephone line via the wireless unit 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes a voice processing unit that processes voice transmitted and received via the wireless telephone line established by the control unit 13, and reference numeral 15 denotes a transmitting unit that includes a microphone for inputting voice to the voice processing unit 14. , Code 16
This is a receiver including a speaker that outputs the sound input from the sound processor 14. The control unit 13 has a WWW browser function (WWW search / circulation function) and can access a home page indicated by the URL of each of the broadcast servers 2 and 3.

Reference numeral 17 denotes an operation unit provided with various input keys such as a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number and the like.
Outputs input data to Reference numeral 18 denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display panel and a display control circuit.
The data input from 3 is displayed. Reference numeral 19 denotes a storage unit readable and writable by the control unit 13, and stores various data such as the content information table 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of scroll keys provided on the operation unit 17, wherein an up / down key for performing up / down scrolling, a left / right key for performing left / right scrolling, And a selection key located at the intersection of the up / down key and the left / right key. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display screen of the display unit 18 and includes a plurality of display screens. By operating the up / down key or the left / right key in FIG. 3, the user moves the cursor to any one of the plurality of display screens in FIG.
The screen can be selected by the selection key of.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the content information table 20 stored in the storage unit 19. In the content information table 20, as content information,
Position information corresponding to each of the broadcast servers 2 and 3 and broadcast station information corresponding to the broadcast content are stored in association with each other. In FIG. 5, an access point (U
RL) is recorded in association with a broadcast station attribute, a broadcast station name (title) as broadcast station information, and a broadcast frequency (broadcast frequency). The broadcast station attribute indicates an attribute corresponding to broadcast content distributed by each of the broadcast servers 2 and 3, and is “radio” for radio broadcast content, and “TV” for television broadcast content. ". If the broadcast station attribute is TV, the corresponding channel number is also recorded as broadcast station information.

Next, a description will be given of an operation in which a user obtains broadcast content using the mobile phone 1 in the broadcast content distribution system shown in FIG. First, the user operates the operation unit 17 to register a title in the mobile phone 1. In the title registration process, first, the user operates the operation unit 17 to instruct the display of the title registration screen. Next, the control unit 13 of the mobile phone 1
When a title registration screen display instruction is input from 7, a title registration screen data stored in the storage unit 19 is read in advance and displayed on the display unit 18. Next, the control unit 13
Stores the data (broadcast station attribute, title, frequency, URL) input from the operation unit 17 in the content information table 2.
Record at 0.

In the title registration process, the user may connect the mobile phone 1 to each of the broadcast servers 2 and 3 to acquire the content information. In this case, the user connects to each of the broadcast servers 2 and 3 to acquire the content information of the desired title and registers it in the mobile phone 1.
3 records the acquired content information in the content information table 20.

Next, the user operates the operation unit 17 to
Select the title that distributes the broadcast content you want to watch. In this title selection process, first, the user operates the operation unit 17 to instruct the display of the broadcast station (title) selection screen. Next, when a title selection screen display instruction is input from the operation unit 17, the control unit 13 reads out the title selection screen data and the data of the content information table 20 stored in the storage unit 19 in advance, and
To be displayed. FIGS. 6 to 9 show this broadcasting station (title).
FIGS. 6 and 7 show configuration examples of a selection screen in which the broadcast station attribute is a radio title selection screen, and FIGS. It is a structural example of a selection screen. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, on the radio title selection screen, each piece of content information (title, channel, frequency, access point) is displayed in the column direction for each content information type, and is displayed in the row direction for each title. You. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, on the title selection screen of the television, each piece of content information (title, frequency, access point) is displayed in the column direction for each content information type, and is displayed in the row direction for each title. You.

Next, when the title selection screen is displayed, the user operates the operation unit 17 to select one of the titles. Here, when a selection instruction of the content information type of the title selection screen is input from the operation unit 17, the control unit 13 sorts and displays the content information based on the input content information of the content information type.

For example, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the title is selected as the content information type,
3 shows the result of rearranging in the column direction based on the title information. This rearrangement may be performed in alphabetical order of the titles or in alphabetical order. In FIG. 7, the frequency is selected as the content information type, and the control unit 13 displays the result of the rearrangement in the column direction based on the frequency information. This rearrangement is performed in the order of ascending and descending frequencies, and in FIG.
The frequency may be displayed in descending order of the frequency according to the setting of the user.
In FIG. 9, access point is selected as the content information type, and control unit 13 displays the result of rearranging in the column direction based on the access point information. This sorting is performed in alphabetical order. When a channel is selected, the channels are rearranged in ascending / descending order of channel numbers.

Next, the user scrolls the cursor on the title selection screen with the up and down keys of the operation unit 17 to move the cursor to a desired title. For example, in FIG. 7, the cursor is moved by scrolling on “XXX radio”. Next, when the user selects a title using the selection key of the operation unit 17, the control unit 13 performs a process of connecting the selected title to the access point. Next, when the connection to the access point is completed, the control unit 13 acquires broadcast content from the connected broadcast server 2 or 3. Here, the control unit 13 selects an output method of the acquired broadcast content based on the broadcast station attribute recorded in the content information table 20. If the broadcast station attribute is television, an image is displayed on the display unit 18 and sound is output from the receiver 16. If the broadcast station attribute is “radio”, a sound is output from the receiver 16. As a result, the user's trouble of selecting the output method of the broadcast content can be saved.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 13 of the mobile phone 1 receives the title selection screen display instruction and causes the display unit 18 to display a title selection screen as shown in FIGS. However, on the title selection screen, only the content information type may be displayed first, and then the title may be displayed based on the information content of the selected content information type. For example, when a frequency is selected as the content information type, the control unit 13 first displays the title of the lowest frequency among the frequencies recorded in the content information table 20, and presses the up / down key of the operation unit 17 to display the title. Each time a direction is selected, a title with a higher frequency is displayed one by one. Alternatively, the title of the highest frequency is displayed first, and each time the down direction is selected by the up / down key of the operation unit 17, the title of the lower frequency is displayed one by one. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the title selection screen in this case. In FIG. 10, the corresponding broadcast station attribute “radio” and the title “@radio” are displayed together with the frequency “77.7 MHz” selected as the content information type. Then, the frequency is sequentially switched to any one of the high and low frequencies and the corresponding title.

When another content information type is selected, the control unit 13 also determines the information content of the selected content information type, for example, the order of the Japanese syllabary or the information content of the selected content information type. The corresponding title is displayed in the same manner in alphabetical order. As a result, the user can search for the title (broadcast station name) of the access destination according to the selected content information type. As a result, the user can easily select the broadcast server from which the desired broadcast content is obtained. Is obtained.

The control unit 13 connects to an access point of a certain title in accordance with a predetermined rule when an access destination is not selected even when all of the titles recorded in the content information table 20 are displayed. You may do so. For example, when the frequency is selected as the content information type, even if the title of the lowest frequency is displayed first, and then the corresponding title is sequentially displayed at the higher frequency, none of the titles is selected. If not, the terminal connects to the access point with the title of the highest frequency displayed last. Similarly, even if the title with the highest frequency is displayed first and the titles are sequentially displayed at lower frequencies, if no title is selected, the access to the title with the lowest frequency is performed. Connect to a point. Alternatively, the title registration time may be recorded in the content information table 20, and a connection may be made to an access point having the newest registration time among registered titles.

In the above embodiment, the user selects the title displayed on the title selection screen. However, the operation unit 17 directly inputs the broadcast station information (title, frequency, channel number). Either may be input. In this case, the control unit 13 connects to the access point associated with the input information.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described where the present invention is applied to a mobile phone as a mobile communication device. However, the present invention is similarly applicable to a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminal. In addition, the present embodiment may be applied to a portable information terminal. In this case, it is only necessary to connect to a communication network using a wireless or wired telephone line and access a broadcast server.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and a design change or the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. included.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A mobile communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data via a communication network, comprising: a storage unit that associates and stores position information of a broadcast server that distributes broadcast content via the communication network with broadcast station information corresponding to the broadcast content. The location information of the access destination is specified based on any one of the broadcast station information stored in the storage means, and the broadcast server is accessed via the communication network based on the location information. Therefore, the user can select the broadcast server from which the broadcast content is to be acquired based on the broadcast station information, such as when receiving a broadcast with a television receiver or a radio receiver. As a result, the communication network can be easily operated. The effect of being able to acquire broadcast content via the terminal is obtained.

Further, there are provided display means for displaying the broadcast station information stored in the storage means on the broadcast station selection screen, and operation means capable of selecting the broadcast station information in accordance with the broadcast station selection screen displayed on the display means. By doing so, the user can select desired broadcast station information based on the broadcast station information displayed on the broadcast station selection screen, so that the broadcast station information to be selected can be simplified without directly inputting the selected broadcast station information. An effect that broadcast contents can be obtained through a communication network by a simple operation is obtained.

Further, if the type of the broadcast station information or the position information is first displayed on the broadcast station selection screen, and then the broadcast station name is displayed based on the information content of the selected type, the user can It is possible to search for the broadcast station name of the access destination according to the selected type, and as a result, it is possible to easily select a broadcast server from which a desired broadcast content is obtained.

[0033] The broadcast server is either a radio broadcast server that distributes radio broadcast content or a television broadcast server that distributes television broadcast content, and the broadcast station attribute corresponding to the broadcast content is indicated by the broadcast station information. In addition, if stored in the storage means, it is possible to select an output method of the acquired broadcast content based on the broadcast station attribute. As a result, an effect is obtained that the user's trouble of selecting an output method of the broadcast content can be saved.

Further, if the broadcast station information relating to the broadcast station attribute corresponding to the television broadcast content further includes a channel number for television broadcast, the user can use the channel number to obtain the broadcast server from which the broadcast content is obtained. Can be selected, and it is possible to obtain the effect that the broadcast content can be acquired through a communication network with a simple operation as in the case of receiving a broadcast with a television receiver.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast content distribution system for acquiring broadcast content by a mobile communication device (mobile phone 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile phone 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a scroll key provided in an operation unit 17 shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a display screen of a display unit 18 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a content information table 20 shown in FIG.

6 is a first diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcast station (title) selection screen displayed on a display unit 18 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a second diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcast station (title) selection screen displayed on the display unit 18 shown in FIG. 1;

8 is a third diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcast station (title) selection screen displayed on the display unit 18 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

9 is a fourth diagram illustrating a configuration example of a broadcast station (title) selection screen displayed on the display unit 18 illustrated in FIG. 1;

10 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a broadcast station (title) selection screen displayed on the display unit 18 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 mobile phone (mobile communication device) 2 radio broadcast server 3 television broadcast server 4 communication network 11 antenna 12 radio unit 13 control unit 14 voice processing unit 15 transmission unit 16 reception unit 17 operation unit 18 display unit 19 storage unit 20 content information Table 101-103 Communication line

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mobile communication device capable of transmitting and receiving data via a communication network, wherein position information of a broadcast server that distributes broadcast contents via the communication network is associated with broadcast station information corresponding to the broadcast contents. Storage means for storing the location information of the access destination based on the information selected from the broadcast station information stored in the storage means, and the broadcast information is transmitted via the communication network based on the location information. A mobile communication device for accessing a server. Display means for displaying broadcast station information stored in said storage means on a broadcast station selection screen; operation means capable of selecting broadcast station information in accordance with the broadcast station selection screen displayed on said display means; The mobile communication device according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The mobile communication device according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast station information is a broadcast frequency or a broadcast station name. 4. The type of the broadcast station information or position information is first displayed on the broadcast station selection screen, and then the broadcast station name is displayed based on the information content of the selected type. The mobile communication device according to claim 3. 5. The broadcast server is one of a radio broadcast server that distributes radio broadcast content and a television broadcast server that distributes television broadcast content, and the broadcast server attribute corresponding to the broadcast content is set to the broadcast station. The mobile communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mobile communication device is stored in the storage unit together with station information. 6. The mobile communication device according to claim 5, wherein the broadcast station information relating to the broadcast station attribute corresponding to the television broadcast content further includes a channel number for television broadcast.