JP2002330217A - Congestion prevention method for communication network, broadcasting reception system and information communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of congestion by suppressing the increase of load on a communication network while reducing the stress of a user by providing the user with game amusement in the connecting operation even when a large number of viewers, who view a broadcasting program, make communication from their portable telephone sets through the communication network to a specified connecting destination. SOLUTION: Connecting destination information such as telephone number and URL for a connection to the specified connecting destination shown by the broadcasting program is received through a television receiver 10 by a portable telephone set 20 and in the case of linking the broadcasting program and the portable telephone set 20 for connecting the destination from the portable telephone set 20 through a communication network 30 on the basis of the connecting destination information, a game, which can be played on the portable telephone set 20 by the user, is executed. On the basis of the result of the game, the connection of the portable telephone set 20 to the connecting destination is regulated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information communication terminal for receiving connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination indicated by a broadcast program, and establishing a communication network from the information communication terminal based on the connection destination information. The present invention relates to a method for preventing congestion of a communication network, a broadcast receiving system, and an information communication terminal for preventing congestion when a broadcast program connected to the connection destination via the information communication terminal such as a mobile phone is connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as a broadcast program received by a broadcast receiving apparatus such as a television and a radio, a quiz program and a popular vote program in which a viewer can participate are known. Viewers who watch or listen to these programs think about the quiz questions output from the broadcast receiving device as images and sounds, answers to the theme of popular voting, and the contents of the voting. Phone number output in F
AX number, mail address, URL (Uniform Resource
Locator, IP (Internet Protocol) address, etc., based on connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination designated by the broadcasting station side, making a telephone call, facsimile, sending an e-mail address, or WWW (World Wide Web) Answering and voting data are sent to the specific connection destination by accessing on the page. By summarizing the data sent to this specific destination, the broadcaster can immediately grasp the answers of many viewers and the results of voting, The side can immediately know the answer and the result of the vote.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned broadcast program in which the viewer participates, the viewer connects the answer to the quiz question and the theme of the popular vote and the data of the vote to the specific connection destination designated by the broadcast station. Each time, manually enter a phone number or fax number from a telephone, etc.
It was necessary to manually input an e-mail address and URL into a computer or the like. As a result, there are cases where it takes time and effort to answer and vote, and thus many viewers cannot participate. In addition, there is a possibility that an incorrect telephone number, fax number, or mail address may be connected by manual input of the telephone number or the like. Therefore, in order to reliably and easily transmit data from a viewer to a specific destination specified by the broadcast station, the broadcast station adds connection destination information such as a telephone number, a fax number, and an e-mail address to normal broadcast contents. And the connection destination information received by the broadcast receiving device,
It is conceivable to transfer the information to an information communication terminal such as a mobile phone that can be used by the viewer by short-range wireless transmission or the like.
The viewer can reliably and easily transmit data such as answers and voting to a specific destination specified by the broadcasting station based on the destination information received by the information communication terminal without manually inputting a telephone number or the like. Will be able to do it.

[0004] However, if data can be reliably and easily transmitted from the viewer side to a specific connection destination designated by a broadcasting station, the broadcast is viewed and the information communication terminal simultaneously transmits the data to the specific connection destination. The number of viewers who connect and access the communication network increases, and the load of information relay processing in base stations and exchanges in the communication network and the load of information transmission processing in transmission paths increase, and the communication network may fall into a congested state. is there. In order to prevent this communication network congestion, it is conceivable to restrict the connection from the user's information communication terminal to the above-mentioned connection destination. However, such connection restriction is forcibly enforced against the user's will. Attempting to do so may increase the stress of the user, and may reduce the participation of the viewer in a broadcast program utilizing cooperation with the information communication terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and it is an object of the present invention to allow a large number of viewers who watch a broadcast program to simultaneously connect to a specific connection destination from an information communication terminal via a communication network. Even when trying to communicate by using a communication network, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of congestion by preventing the occurrence of congestion by suppressing an increase in the load on the communication network while giving the user a gaming operation for the connection operation and reducing the stress on the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a congestion prevention method, a broadcast receiving system, and an information communication terminal.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an information communication terminal receives connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination indicated by a broadcast program, and receives the connection destination information. A method for preventing congestion in a communication network for preventing congestion at the time of cooperation between a broadcast program connected to the connection destination via the communication network from the information communication terminal and the information communication terminal based on the destination information, the method comprising: Prior to connecting to the connection destination from
A game in which a user can play a game is performed on the information communication terminal, and connection to the connection destination in the information communication terminal is regulated based on a result of the game. In the method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 1, prior to the connection from the information communication terminal that has received the connection destination information for connecting to the specific connection destination indicated by the broadcast program,
By executing a game that can be played by a user on the information communication terminal, the user is provided with a playability in a connection operation for connecting to a connection destination. Then, by restricting the connection of the information communication terminal to the connection destination based on the result of the game, an increase in load on the communication network is suppressed.

The above "information communication terminal" includes a PDC
(Personal Digital Cellular), GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communication), TIA (Tel
ecommunications Industry Association) mobile phones, IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)
mobile phones, PHS standardized by -2000
(Personal Handyphone Service), a telephone such as a car telephone, and an information terminal to which a mobile phone module is added. The “information communication terminal” may be either a fixed information communication terminal or a mobile information communication terminal. The “connection destination information” includes a telephone number, a fax number, a mail address, a URL, an I
P address and the like are included. In addition, the information transmission medium in the “communication network” includes a wired medium such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, in addition to a wireless medium using radio waves or the like. (The same applies to the following claims).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to the first aspect, the game is such that an achievement target to be achieved by a user is set in advance, and Permitting the information communication terminal to connect to the connection destination when the goal is achieved, and prohibiting the information communication terminal from connecting to the connection destination when the user fails to achieve the goal. It is characterized by the following. In the communication network congestion prevention method according to the second aspect, when a game executed on the information communication terminal can play a game and achieve a preset target, the information communication terminal is allowed to connect to the connection destination. I do. On the other hand, when the target cannot be achieved, the user is abandoned to connect to the connection destination and the increase in the load on the communication network is suppressed by prohibiting the information communication terminal from connecting to the connection destination. Here, the content of the above-mentioned achievement target may be changed. In this case, since the degree of connection restriction to the connection destination can be changed, the degree of load increase of the communication network due to connection from each information communication terminal to the connection destination can be reduced according to various conditions such as broadcast program contents. Can be controlled in advance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the method for preventing congestion of the communication network according to the first or second aspect, the connection destination information is transmitted from the broadcast receiving apparatus that has received the broadcast signal including the connection destination information to the information communication terminal. It is characterized by being received. In the method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to the third aspect, connection destination information included in a broadcast signal is transmitted to an information communication terminal from a broadcast receiving device that has received a broadcast signal including information of a broadcast program content and connection destination information. Therefore, even when the information communication terminal does not have a function of receiving the broadcast signal, it is possible to link a broadcast program with an information communication terminal connected to a specific connection destination.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for preventing congestion of a communication network according to the first or second aspect, the connection destination information is transmitted from the information communication terminal communication device to the information communication terminal in cooperation with a broadcast program. It is characterized by coming. In the method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 4, the connection destination information includes:
Since the information communication terminal is sent from the communication device for the information communication terminal to the information communication terminal in cooperation with the broadcast program, the user of the information communication terminal can connect even if the broadcast receiving device does not have the function of transmitting and receiving the connection destination information. You can get destination information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication network congestion prevention method according to the third or fourth aspect, a game execution for executing the game on the information communication terminal together with the connection destination information on the information communication terminal. Receiving the application data. According to the communication network congestion prevention method of the fifth aspect, since the information communication terminal can receive and execute game execution data, the content of the game is changed according to various conditions such as the content of a broadcast program. It is possible to control in advance the degree of increase in the load on the communication network due to the connection from the information communication terminal to the connection destination, and to prevent the user from getting bored.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving broadcast program information including connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination, and transmitting the connection destination information to an information communication terminal; A broadcast receiving system configured to receive the connection destination information transmitted from the device, and to combine with an information communication terminal capable of communicating by connecting to the connection destination via a communication network based on the connection destination information. Game execution means for the information communication terminal to automatically execute a game that can be played by the user based on a user's connection start operation to the connection destination;
Control means for controlling connection restriction for the connection destination based on a result of the game. In the broadcast receiving system according to the sixth aspect, prior to the connection from the information communication terminal that has received the connection destination information to the specific connection destination, the user can execute a game that can be played by the game execution means of the information communication terminal. In addition, a game operation is provided to a connection operation in which a user connects to a connection destination. Then, the control means of the information communication terminal controls connection restriction on the connection destination of the information communication terminal based on the result of the game, thereby suppressing an increase in load on the communication network. In particular, in this broadcast receiving system, the connection destination information included in the broadcast signal is transmitted to the information communication terminal from the broadcast receiving device that has received the broadcast signal including the information of the broadcast program content and the connection destination information. Even when the communication terminal does not have a function of receiving the broadcast signal, it is possible to link a broadcast program with an information communication terminal connected to a specific connection destination.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for an information communication terminal for transmitting connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination to an information communication terminal in cooperation with a broadcast program, and a broadcast receiving the broadcast program information. A receiving device, and an information communication terminal capable of receiving the connection destination information transmitted from the information communication terminal communication device and communicating with the connection destination via a communication network based on the connection destination information. A broadcast receiving system configured in combination, wherein the information communication terminal automatically executes a game that can be played by the user based on a user's connection start operation to the connection destination, Control means for controlling connection restriction for the connection destination based on a result of the game. In the broadcast receiving system according to the seventh aspect, prior to the connection from the information communication terminal that has received the connection destination information to the specific connection destination, the user can execute a game that can be played by the game execution means of the information communication terminal. In addition, a game operation is provided to a connection operation in which a user connects to a connection destination. Then, the control means of the information communication terminal controls connection restriction on the connection destination of the information communication terminal based on the result of the game, thereby suppressing an increase in load on the communication network. In particular, in this broadcast receiving system, the connection destination information is transmitted from the information communication terminal communication device to the information communication terminal in cooperation with the broadcast program.
Even when the broadcast receiving device does not have a function of transmitting and receiving the connection destination information, the user of the information communication terminal can acquire the connection destination information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the broadcast receiving system according to the seventh aspect, the communication device for the information communication terminal executes the game playable by the user on the information communication terminal together with the connection destination information. The information communication terminal is configured to transmit game execution data, and the information communication terminal includes a game execution data receiving unit that receives the game execution data from the information communication terminal communication device together with the connection destination information. It is characterized by the following. In the broadcast receiving system according to the eighth aspect, the game execution data transmitted from the information communication terminal communication device can be received and executed by the information communication terminal. By changing the content of the game, it is possible to control in advance the degree of load increase on the communication network due to the connection from each information communication terminal to the connection destination, and to prevent the user from getting bored.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination indicated by a broadcast program is received, and communication is performed by connecting to the connection destination via a communication network based on the connection destination information. An information communication terminal capable of automatically executing a game that can be played by the user based on an operation of starting connection to the connection destination by the user; and performing the connection based on a result of the game. And control means for controlling connection restriction to the destination. In the information communication terminal according to the ninth aspect, prior to the connection to the specific connection destination indicated by the broadcast program, the game execution means executes a game that can be played by the user, so that the user can connect to the connection destination. Give the operation a playability. Then, the control means controls connection restriction on the connection destination of the information communication terminal based on the result of the game, thereby suppressing an increase in load on the communication network.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information communication terminal according to the ninth aspect, game execution data for executing a game that can be played by a user on the information communication terminal is provided together with the connection destination information. And a game execution data receiving means for receiving data from a game communication device. In the information communication terminal according to the tenth aspect, since the game execution data transmitted from the information communication terminal communication device can be received and executed, the game content can be changed according to various conditions such as the broadcast program content. Thus, it is possible to control in advance the degree of increase in the load on the communication network due to the connection from each information communication terminal to the connection destination, and to prevent the user from getting bored.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information communication terminal of the ninth or tenth aspect, there is provided a broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast program information transmitted from a broadcasting station, and the connection destination information is transmitted to the broadcast receiving section by the broadcast receiving section. It is characterized by receiving. In the information communication terminal according to the eleventh aspect, the broadcast receiving unit can receive the broadcast program information and output the contents of the broadcast program, and can receive the connection destination information without passing through the broadcast receiving device. Need not be prepared separately.

The delivery of the program to be executed by the computer incorporated in the information communication terminal or the broadcast receiving device is performed by using a recording medium such as a memory card, an FD, a CD-ROM or the like on which the program is recorded as digital information. Alternatively, the communication may be performed using a communication line such as a computer network including a wired transmission line and a wireless transmission line. Further, the program may be incorporated in an information communication terminal, a broadcast receiving device, or the like before handing over to a user. Also, as a program used in the information communication terminal or the like, for example, there is a program written in Java language.
It is not limited to this.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system including a broadcast receiving system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The broadcast receiving system according to the present embodiment includes a television receiving device 10 as a broadcast receiving device that can receive a broadcast signal wirelessly transmitted from a television broadcasting station 100, and a broadcast signal transmitted from the television receiving device 10 through short-range wireless communication. Information that is transmitted between the mobile phone 20 and the connection destination so that the mobile phone 20 can receive the transmitted transmission signal and connect to and communicate with the connection destination specified by the telephone number, the mail address, and the like from the mobile phone 20. And a communication network including a mobile phone communication network 30 for performing the communication. The television receiver 10 and the mobile phone 20 are used at a viewing location 1 such as a home of a viewer who watches a broadcast.

The mobile telephone communication network 30 includes an exchange 33
(A circuit switch, a packet switch), a relay device such as a base station 32 provided for each predetermined communication area (cell), a short message service center 60 described later, a large-capacity data transfer system 61, a mail gateway system 62, and the like. It is configured. Each base station 32 and exchange 3
3, the exchange 33 and the short message service center 60, the large-capacity data transfer system 61, the mail gateway system 62 and the public network 40, and the mail gateway system 62 and the Internet 5
The access point 0 is connected by a wired or wireless transmission medium.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable telephone 20 and the television receiver 30 which can be used in the broadcast receiving system. This mobile phone 20
Has a function of receiving a transmission signal transmitted by the short-range wireless communication from the television receiver 30 together with a function capable of performing a normal voice call.
Data processing unit 23, output unit 24, operation input unit 25, RA
A data storage unit 26 including M and ROM is provided.

The wireless transmission / reception unit 22 includes an operation input unit 25
In order to wirelessly transmit the transmission data input from the base station 32 to a transmission signal of a predetermined radio frequency, the transmission data is transmitted from the antenna 21 and the reception signal received from the base station 32 by the antenna 21 is frequency-converted. Output unit 2
4 is output. The wireless transmission / reception unit 22 also has a function of receiving and demodulating a transmission signal transmitted from the television receiver 30 by short-range wireless communication. The demodulated data is processed by the data processing unit 23 and stored in the data storage unit 26 as needed.

The data processing unit 23 includes a voice conversion circuit,
A message communication unit, a clock unit, a frame assembly unit, an update processing unit, a connection processing unit, a message management unit, a display control unit, a control unit, and the like are provided. Among the elements constituting the data processing unit 23, the voice conversion circuit outputs the received voice signal to the speaker of the output unit 24, or outputs the received voice signal to the operation input unit 25.
The voice input from the microphone is output to the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 as a transmission signal. The message communication unit is a unit that performs processing for organizing a transmission message into a transmission signal and outputting the transmission signal to the wireless transmission / reception unit 32 and receiving the message and outputting the message to another unit. The clock section is a section that counts accurate date and time and generates time information for update processing and the like. Further, the display control unit is a unit that performs processing for reading and displaying the content recorded in the distribution message memory of the data storage unit 26. The control unit is configured by a CPU or the like, and controls each unit.

The output section 24 includes a speaker 24a, a liquid crystal display 24b, and the like, and is a section for displaying received contents and outputting sound information. The output unit 24 displays a display screen of the game when the game is executed, and outputs an effect sound. The operation input unit 25 includes a microphone, keys for various operations,
This part includes keys and the like for inputting characters and alphanumeric characters. The data storage unit 26 is composed of a RAM or a ROM, and functions as a delivery message memory for classifying and recording received contents for each category, a memory for storing a message data transmission processing program and the like, and a work memory for communication control and the like. I do. The data storage unit 2
6 stores various data used for access control described later and game software (program) as game execution data for executing the game.

Here, the game executing means for executing a game to be described later on the mobile phone 20 includes the data processing unit 23,
It comprises an operation input unit 25, an output unit 24 and the like. In particular,
Game software (program) written in Java language
Is executed, the data processing unit 23 is configured to have a function as a Java platform. The game execution data receiving means for receiving the game software (program) is constituted by the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 and the like. Further, control means for controlling the connection to a specific external connection destination to be permitted or prohibited based on the result of the game is configured using the data processing unit 23.

The television apparatus 30 has a function of receiving a normal television broadcast and a function of transmitting a transmission signal by short-range wireless communication to the portable telephone set 20. The antenna 11a for broadcast reception, the short-range wireless A communication antenna 11b, a broadcast receiving unit 12 for receiving a normal television broadcast, a short-range communication wireless transmitting / receiving unit 13, a data processing unit 1
4, an output unit 15, an operation input unit 16, a data storage unit 17 including a RAM and a ROM, and the like. The broadcast receiving unit 12 receives a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station 100 via the antenna 11a, separates the broadcast signal into an image signal and an audio signal, and demodulates the signal. The demodulated signal is sent to an output unit including a CRT or a speaker. The short-range communication wireless transmission / reception unit 13 generates a transmission signal based on the transmission data generated by the data processing unit 14,
1b, and receives and demodulates a transmission signal transmitted from the mobile phone 20 via the antenna 11b.

The portable telephone 20 and the television receiver 10
As a wireless communication system between the two, a 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial Scienti) suitable for short-range wireless communication is used.
The one that modulates in a ficMedical band using a spread spectrum method is preferable. Thus, the 2.4 GHz ISM
By adopting the spread spectrum method in the band, there is little adverse effect on other industrial equipment and medical equipment, and 1Mbps
It is possible to perform information transmission resistant to noise and interference at a transmission speed of the order. Further, as this spread spectrum method, a spread spectrum method of a spectrum frequency hopping type that spreads the frequency by periodically changing the frequency of the transmission signal can be used. Alternatively, a spread spectrum method may be used in which the frequency is spread by modulating using a predetermined pseudo-random code. The transmission power is 100m which does not require a license under the Radio Law.
W or less is preferable. 2 if the transmission distance is 10m or less
It may be about 0 to 30 mW.

Further, the communication system including the broadcast receiving system having the above-described configuration, based on connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination transmitted from the television receiving device 10,
The mobile phone 20 is configured to be able to connect to the specific connection destination and communicate by telephone or mail. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the exchange 33 of the mobile telephone communication network 30 is transmitted via the short message service center 60, the large-capacity data transfer system 61, the mail gateway system 62, and the web gateway system 63.
And the Internet 50 are connected.

The short message service center 60 and the large-capacity data transfer system 61 are connected between the exchange 33, the mail gateway system 62 and the web gateway system 63, and are connected to the mobile phone 20 and the two gateway systems 62 and 63. This is a part that performs processing for data transmission and reception between the devices and session control with the mobile phone 20.

The mail gateway system 62 includes:
It is connected to the Internet 50 and a post office (not shown) for storing mail, and controls transfer of mail data and the like. Web gateway system 6
Numeral 3 controls data transfer when the mobile phone 20 accesses a website or the like on the Internet.

In the communication system having the above-described configuration, contents are obtained from an information service provider (IP / SP) in response to a request from a user of the mobile phone 20, and an information service message is transmitted from the content database to the mobile phone 20. Send or Internet 50
Connect the device of the provider of the information service provider connected to another communication network with the mobile phone 20 to transmit an information service message to the mobile phone 20 and finally send the user request and the answer of the information service to the mobile phone 20. By providing a transaction-type messaging mode in which the information service is reciprocated a plurality of times until the required information service is obtained, it is possible to easily receive the required information service interactively. In particular, when the short message service center 60 is used as a distribution bearer, a system suitable for small-capacity data communication can be constructed. When the large-capacity data transfer system 61 is used, large-capacity data such as long-form mail, image data, or music data, which has been difficult with the short message service, can be easily transferred to the mobile phone 20. In addition, with the transfer of large amounts of data, a mobile device markup language (M-MM) capable of supporting various functions using a mobile device merge-up language (S-MML) in a short message service.
L). That is, the BGM file can be downloaded to the mobile phone 20 and repeatedly played back, or the animation image can be downloaded to the mobile phone 20 and displayed as a moving image.

The data processing unit 23 of the mobile phone 20
Is provided with a link processing unit for performing processing for connecting to and communicating with various connection destinations based on connection destination information wirelessly transmitted from the television receiver 10. The link processing unit recognizes an e-mail address, a homepage address, or a telephone number included in the received mail as connection destination information, and directly accesses the address or telephone number set as the connection destination by selecting the connection destination information. be able to.

As described above, in the communication system including the above-described broadcast receiving system, based on the connection destination information transmitted by the short-range wireless communication from the television receiving apparatus 10 that has received the broadcast program from a specific broadcast station 100. From the mobile phone 20 via the mobile phone communication network 30
Various data can be transmitted by connecting to and communicating with the user via telephone or e-mail, or by connecting to and communicating with a website managed by the broadcasting station 100. However,
When the content of the broadcast program is a viewer-participation type quiz program with various benefits or a program that accepts a popular vote, a request, a questionnaire, or the like, a viewer who has watched the broadcast program is transmitted from the television receiver 10. Based on the connection destination information, the mobile phone 20 accesses the broadcast station 100 via the mobile phone communication network 30 by telephone, facsimile, or e-mail all at once, or accesses the broadcast station's WWW page. Therefore, when trying to send answer data, voting data, and the like, the load of the information relay process in the base station 32 and the exchange 33 in the mobile phone communication network 30 and the load of the information transmission process in the transmission path increase, and the mobile phone communication network 30 May fall into a congested state.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the portable telephone 20
Prior to connecting to the website of broadcast station 100 from
A user can play a game that can be played on the mobile phone 20 and switch between allowing and prohibiting connection to the website of the broadcasting station 100 based on the result of the game.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a case where a program broadcasted from the broadcasting station 100 is a quiz program of a viewer participation type, in which the portable telephone 20 that can access the connection destination of the broadcasting station 100 is restricted. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of data processing. First, the mobile phone 20 of each viewer receives, from the television receiver 10, data of connection destination information of the broadcast station 100 and game software (program) as game execution data used for connection restriction by short-range wireless communication. (Step 1). Prior to this reception, a display such as “Download a game software since a game is required to participate in this broadcast program” may be displayed on the display of the mobile phone 20. Next, the broadcast station 100
When an access operation for transmitting answer data or the like is performed (step 2), the received game software is automatically started (step 3). Then, each viewer plays a game executed on the mobile phone 20, and attempts to achieve a predetermined goal set for the game. Here, when the achievement target of the game has been achieved, access to the connection destination of the broadcasting station 100 is permitted from the mobile phone 20 by telephone or e-mail, and answer data and the like can be transmitted (steps 4 and 5). . On the other hand, if the target of the game cannot be achieved, access to the connection destination of the broadcasting station 100 is prevented, and "disappointed"
"Game Over" or the like is displayed to inform the user that the answer data or the like cannot be transmitted (step 4,
6).

The game executed by the portable telephone 20 is preferably a relatively simple game, such as a roulette game, a slot machine game, a pachinko game, a pinball game, a quiz game, a lottery game, and a game for finding mistakes. The broadcast station 100 selects one of these games and transmits it to the mobile phone 20 side. At this time, data relating to the achievement target of the game may be transmitted together. The goal is to match a specific picture such as "777" within the time limit in the slot machine game, to win a specific winning lottery in the time limit in the lottery game, Acquiring a predetermined point in time. When the time limit is set, the remaining time may be displayed on the display of the mobile phone 20 at the time of playing the game, thereby giving a sense of reality to the game.

In addition, when the game software (program) is downloaded to the mobile phone 20, data relating to the achievement target, for example, data relating to a time limit, data relating to a combination of specific patterns to be combined in the slot machine game, and data relating to the lottery game Winning lottery data, target points to be acquired in the pinball game, and the like are downloaded together. The data such as the time limit relating to these achievement targets may be appropriately switched according to various conditions such as the content of the broadcast program, the time zone, the number of owners of the corresponding portable telephones, and the portable telephone 20 may be downloaded. By switching such conditions, the degree of connection restriction to the connection destination can be changed. Therefore, according to various conditions such as the contents of the broadcast program and the like, the communication network by connection from each mobile phone 20 to the connection destination can be changed. Can be controlled in advance.

Instead of downloading the game software (program) itself to the mobile phone 20, a plurality of types of game software (programs) are registered in the mobile phone 20 in advance, and the types of game software performed by the user May be downloaded to the mobile phone 20.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a viewer who has viewed the broadcast tries to transmit answer (voting) data by connecting from the mobile phone 20 to a broadcasting station, the user Suppresses an increase in load on the communication network by switching between permitting and prohibiting connection to the connection destination in the mobile phone 20 based on the result of the game while executing a game that can be played and giving the connection operation a playability. be able to. Therefore, even when a large number of viewers who have watched the broadcast program try to connect to and communicate with the broadcasting station 100 from the mobile phone 20 via the mobile phone communication network 30 at the same time, it is possible to provide the user with a connection operation with a playability. Thus, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of congestion by suppressing an increase in the load on the mobile phone communication network 30 while reducing the stress of the user. Further, when the game software is created in a specific program language or data format, the use of the content in the program language or the like can be promoted. For example, when the game software is content described in Java, the use of Java content can be promoted.

In the above-described embodiment, the broadcast program information is received by the television receiver 10 and the connection destination information related to the broadcast program is received by the mobile phone 20 via the television receiver 10. Alternatively, the mobile phone 20 may receive broadcast program information, connection destination information, and, if necessary, game software (program). FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile phone 20 that can receive a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station 100. The mobile phone 20 has a built-in broadcast receiving unit 27 for receiving a broadcast signal from the broadcast station 100. The broadcast receiving unit 27 is a specially designed IC or LSI.
An electronic element (chip) such as this may be configured to be incorporated into a substrate in the mobile phone 20, or a module formed by combining a plurality of electronic elements may be configured to be integrated into the mobile phone 20. . If the mobile phone 20 incorporating the broadcast receiving unit 27 is used, as shown in FIG.
Even in places where there is no ordinary television receiver, the mobile phone 20
It can receive broadcast programs, display video and output audio, acquire connection destination information related to broadcast programs, and access specific connection destinations related to broadcast programs. Become like Also in this case, the congestion of the communication network can be prevented by using the above-described method.

When the portable telephone 20 incorporating the broadcast receiving section 27 is used, the broadcast program information is received by the ordinary television receiver 10 and the connection destination information related to the broadcast program, game software (program), etc. As for, the signal transmitted from the broadcasting station may be directly received by the mobile phone 20. In this case, the video and audio of the broadcast program can be output and viewed from the television receiver 10. Then, the television receiver 10 and the mobile phone 2
Even if 0 has no function for transmitting and receiving data between the two, the mobile phone 20 can acquire the connection destination information and access a specific connection destination related to a broadcast program.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the mobile phone 20 receives the connection destination information and the game software (program) related to the broadcast program from the broadcast station 100 via the television receiver 10. The mobile phone 20 may receive the broadcast from the broadcasting station 100 via the mobile phone communication network 30.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system in which the mobile phone 20 can receive the connection destination information and the like via the mobile phone communication network 30. In this communication system, an information distribution device (communication for information communication terminals) for distributing various kinds of information including the connection destination information and game software (program) to each mobile phone 20 in the mobile phone communication network 30. (Device) 64 is provided.
The information distribution device 64 is connected to a server (not shown) in the broadcasting station 100, receives various information such as connection destination information related to a broadcast program, and can store the information in a storage unit (not shown). ing. The connection destination information is transmitted to the broadcast station 1 at a timing corresponding to the broadcast of the related broadcast program.
00, or the broadcast station 10
It may be received from 0. Further, the information distribution device 64
Distribution of the connection destination information and the like to each mobile phone 20 from
It may be performed at a timing corresponding to the broadcast of the related broadcast program, or may be performed at a predetermined regular distribution timing before the broadcast of the broadcast program.

When distributing various information such as connection destination information and game software related to the broadcast program to each cellular phone 20, the viewer is notified that information distribution related to the broadcast program is being performed. For this purpose, an eye catch signal may be included in the broadcast signal, and an eye catch such as a mobile phone mark may be superimposed and displayed on the screen of the television receiver 10. In particular, when distributing game software for restricting connection to a connection destination related to the broadcast program, an eye catch is configured to display that the game software is being distributed, and the connection is controlled. The user may be notified that it is necessary to play the game when connecting to the destination.

Further, in the example of the system shown in FIG. 6, the data of the game software (program) to be downloaded to the mobile phone 20 is obtained from the broadcasting station 100 and distributed from the information distribution device 64. Device 64
Manages the data of multiple game software within the telecommunications carrier where the is installed, and the telecommunications carrier appropriately controls the game software according to various conditions such as the content of the broadcast program, time zone, number of owners of compatible mobile phones, etc. Switching may be performed so that the mobile phone 20 downloads the data.

When the communication system shown in FIG. 6 is used, even if there is only a normal television receiver 10 which does not have a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the portable telephone 20 when going out, the connection destination information can be obtained. It can be obtained by the mobile phone 20 via the mobile phone communication network 30 and can access a specific connection destination related to a broadcast program. Also in this case, the congestion of the mobile phone communication network 30 can be prevented by using the above-described method.

In each of the above embodiments, connection regulation using the game may be performed for all portable telephones 20 that are to connect to a specific connection destination specified by a broadcast station in cooperation with a broadcast program. , Broadcast program content, time of day,
Depending on various conditions such as the number of owners of compatible mobile phones, connection control using the game may be performed for each area. For example, only for a communication area (cell) corresponding to a specific base station, game software may be downloaded to a mobile phone together with connection destination information, and connection control using the game may be performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the information communication terminal is the mobile phone 20 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where a PHS, a PDA, a personal computer or the like is used as the information communication terminal. In each of the above embodiments, the terrestrial wave and the communication satellite (CS: Communication
Satellite), Broadcasting Satellite (BS)
e) and the like have been described in the case of wireless television broadcasting. However, the present invention relates to wireless radio broadcasting and CATV (Ca
The present invention can be applied to a case of a cable television broadcast or a radio broadcast by ble Television or the like, and a similar effect can be obtained.

[0049]

According to the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, prior to the connection from the information communication terminal to the connection destination, the user can execute a game that can be played on the information communication terminal, thereby improving the playability of the connection operation. While giving, the restriction on the connection of the information communication terminal to the connection destination based on the result of the game can suppress an increase in load on the communication network. Therefore, even when a large number of viewers who watch a broadcast program try to connect to and communicate with a specific connection destination from an information communication terminal via a communication network at the same time, the connection operation of the user can be provided with a playability. There is an excellent effect that the load on the communication network can be suppressed and the occurrence of congestion can be prevented beforehand while reducing the stress on the user.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the user who played the game fails to achieve the preset achievement target, the connection to the connection destination is prohibited, and after the user is satisfied. Since the connection to the connection destination can be abandoned, there is an excellent effect that the occurrence of congestion can be prevented while reducing the stress on the user more reliably.

In particular, according to the third and sixth aspects of the present invention, even when the information communication terminal does not have a function of receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast station, a broadcast program and information to be connected to a specific connection destination There is an excellent effect that cooperation with a communication terminal becomes possible.

In particular, according to the fourth and seventh aspects of the invention, even when the broadcast receiving apparatus does not have a function of transmitting and receiving connection destination information, the user of the information communication terminal can acquire the connection destination information. Has an effect.

In particular, according to the fifth, eighth and tenth aspects of the present invention, the content of the game is changed in accordance with various conditions such as the content of the broadcast program, and the load on the communication network due to the connection from each information communication terminal to the connection destination. There is an excellent effect that the degree of increase can be controlled in advance, and the user can be prevented from getting tired.

In particular, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output broadcast program contents and connect to the specific connection destination without having to separately prepare a broadcast receiving apparatus. effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing data processing in a mobile phone in a broadcast receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system including the broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone and a television receiver in the broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system using the mobile phone.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system according to still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 viewing location 10 television receiver 11 a antenna for broadcast reception 11 b antenna for short-range wireless communication 12 broadcast reception unit 13 wireless transmission and reception unit for short-range communication 14 data processing unit 15 output unit 16 operation input unit 17 data storage unit 20 mobile Telephone 21 (21a, 21b) Antenna 22 Wireless transmission / reception unit 23 Data processing unit 24 Output unit 25 Operation input unit 26 Data storage unit 27 Broadcast reception unit 30 Cellular phone communication network 32 Base station 33 Switch 64 Information distribution device 100 Broadcast station

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 3/42 H04M 3/42 Z 11/08 11/08 H04N 7/173 620 H04N 7/173 620A F-term (Reference) 2C001 AA11 BA06 BB03 BB05 BD07 CB01 CB08 5C064 BA07 BB05 BC10 BC16 BC23 BC27 BD01 BD03 BD08 5K019 AA01 BB21 DC01 EA11 5K024 AA61 AA71 CC07 GG03 GG06 5K101 KK18 LL12 RR27

Claims (11)

[Claims] An information communication terminal receives connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination indicated by a broadcast program, and transmits the information to the connection destination via the communication network from the information communication terminal based on the connection destination information. A method for preventing congestion in a communication network for preventing congestion when a broadcast program to be connected and an information communication terminal cooperate with each other, wherein a user operates on the information communication terminal prior to connection from the information communication terminal to the connection destination. A method for preventing congestion in a communication network, comprising: executing a playable game; and restricting the information communication terminal from connecting to the connection destination based on a result of the game. 2. The method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 1, wherein the game is such that a goal to be achieved by a user is set in advance, and the user has achieved the goal. Communication, wherein the information communication terminal is allowed to connect to the connection destination, and when the user fails to achieve the goal, the information communication terminal is prohibited from connecting to the connection destination. A method for preventing network congestion. 3. The method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 1, wherein the connection destination information is transmitted to the information communication terminal from a broadcast receiving device that has received a broadcast signal including the connection destination information. A method for preventing congestion in a communication network. 4. The method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 1, wherein the connection destination information is transmitted from the communication device for an information communication terminal to the information communication terminal in cooperation with a broadcast program. Communication network congestion prevention method. 5. The method for preventing congestion in a communication network according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the information communication terminal receives, together with the connection destination information, game execution data for executing the game on the information communication terminal. A method for preventing congestion in a communication network. 6. A broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving broadcast program information including connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination, and transmitting the connection destination information to an information communication terminal, and a broadcast reception apparatus transmitted from the broadcast reception apparatus. A broadcast receiving system configured to receive the connection destination information and to combine with an information communication terminal capable of connecting to and communicating with the connection destination via a communication network based on the connection destination information, A terminal configured to automatically execute a game that can be played by the user based on an operation of starting connection to the connection destination by the user, and to control connection restriction for the connection destination based on a result of the game; A broadcast receiving system comprising: 7. A communication device for an information communication terminal for transmitting connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination to an information communication terminal in cooperation with a broadcast program, a broadcast receiving device for receiving broadcast program information, An information communication terminal configured to receive the connection destination information transmitted from the communication device for the information communication terminal, and to connect to and communicate with the connection destination via a communication network based on the connection destination information. A broadcast receiving system, wherein the information communication terminal automatically executes a game that can be played by the user based on a connection start operation by the user to the connection destination; Control means for controlling connection restriction for the connection destination based on the broadcast reception system. 8. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 7, wherein the communication device for the information communication terminal transmits the game execution data for executing the game playable by the user on the information communication terminal together with the connection destination information. Broadcasting, wherein the information communication terminal is provided with a game execution data receiving means for receiving the game execution data together with the connection destination information from the information communication terminal communication device. Receiving system. 9. An information communication terminal capable of receiving connection destination information for connecting to a specific connection destination indicated by a broadcast program and connecting to said connection destination via a communication network based on said connection destination information to enable communication. Game execution means for automatically executing a game that can be played by the user based on a user's connection start operation to the connection destination; and restricting connection to the connection destination based on a result of the game. An information communication terminal, comprising: control means for controlling. 10. The information communication terminal according to claim 9, wherein together with the connection destination information, game execution data for executing a game that a user can play on the information communication terminal is received from the information communication terminal communication device. An information communication terminal, comprising: a game execution data receiving unit. 11. The information communication terminal according to claim 9, further comprising: broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast program information transmitted from a broadcast station, wherein said connection destination information is received by said broadcast receiving unit. Information communication terminal.