JP2005073285A - Information distribution system and method for distributing information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution system having user friendliness and high reliability. <P>SOLUTION: The information distribution system includes a server unit for distributing electronic information to a user system through a wide-area network, and an access point unit for relaying a communication between a communication terminal and the server unit via a non-wide area network. The user system has a wide-area identifier and a non-wide area identifier for identifying in the wide-area network and in the non-wide area network. The access point unit has an access point identifier corresponding to the electronic information. The user system transmits the non-wide area identifier to the access point unit via the non-wide area network, and the access point unit transmits the received non-wide area identifier and the own access point identifier to the server unit. The server unit extracts the electronic information, corresponding to the received access point identifier, and provides the electronic information through the wide-area network, by using the wide-area identifier corresponding to the received non-wide area identifier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system and an information distribution method, and can be applied to, for example, a case where desired provision information is distributed to a mobile communication terminal according to a position rating for a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone.

  Conventionally, various methods have been used as a method for evaluating position information of a mobile communication terminal and providing provided information corresponding to the evaluation result to the mobile communication terminal.

  For example, there is a method of identifying the current position of a terminal holder using GPS (Global Positioning System) using radio waves from an artificial satellite for evaluation of position information and providing information corresponding to the current position. .

  In addition, there is a method of specifying the current position of the terminal holder using the roaming function of PHS (Personal Handy Horn System) and providing information corresponding to the current position.

  Furthermore, there is a method in which an access point (access point device) equipped with communication means using infrared rays is installed, data is transmitted and received between the mobile terminal and the access point, and information corresponding to the current position is provided.

  However, when the GPS terminal is in a place such as an underground shopping center or a building where radio waves do not reach, it is difficult to specify the location, so information based on location information about such a location is provided. It ’s difficult.

  Also, in the method using the PHS roaming function, the output of the PHS base station is not the same, and the geographical area of the covered area has a radius of 100 m or 500 m, and the information provider is free. It is also impossible to set the range.

  When the range to be covered is wide and a plurality of different information providers are registered in one cover area, the provided information cannot be narrowed down to only one by the evaluation result of the position information. That is, the accuracy of position information evaluation is lowered.

  In addition, cover areas such as PHS base stations are set so as to overlap each other in nature, but at a point where the cover areas overlap, one mobile communication terminal at the same time In this respect, the accuracy of the position information is low.

  In these cases, the terminal is flooded with a plurality of provision information based on the position information rating with low accuracy, and the terminal owner needs to search for the information.

  In order to avoid this, it is necessary for the data distribution side to execute a further search based on information other than the position information rating result and to narrow down the provided information to one, and a new operation or processing burden arises.

  In addition, in order to perform position information evaluation by the above-described method using infrared rays, due to the nature of infrared rays, it is necessary to obtain a line of sight between the infrared transmission / reception means of the mobile communication terminal and the infrared transmission / reception means on the access point side. There is a high possibility that the behavior of the terminal owner will be restricted.

  On the other hand, in any of the above methods, data (provided information) corresponding to location information is generally distributed from a data server on the network based on the location information rating result, but the privacy of the terminal owner is guaranteed. It is difficult to provide data with.

  In addition, for information providers who want to provide data based on location information, even if they want to select an information provision time zone according to the situation, the information provision is performed by the data server. Collaboration with the subject is essential.

  However, the management entity of the data server is often different from the information provider, and this cooperation requires work such as telephone contact, and prompt action according to the situation on the information provider side is required. It is hard to take. For this reason, for example, even if the information provider wants to immediately stop providing information, the information provision will continue until contact is made with the management entity of the data server.

  In order to solve this problem, the first invention is an information distribution system for distributing electronic information via a network to a user system that is registered in advance and includes a communication terminal connected to the network. A server device that supplies electronic information to a wide area network, distributes the electronic information to the user system via the wide area network, relays communication between the communication terminal and the server apparatus, and a non-wide area network. An access point device connected to the communication terminal via the network, the user system is associated with a wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the wide area network, and the wide area identifier, And a non-wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the non-wide area network The access point device is associated with the electronic information, and has an access point identifier for identifying the access point device, and the user system passes the non-wide area network through the non-wide area network. The non-wide area identifier is transmitted to the access point apparatus, and the access point apparatus transmits the non-wide area identifier transmitted from the user system and the access point identifier assigned thereto to the server apparatus, and the server The apparatus extracts the electronic information associated with the access point identifier using the access point identifier transmitted to the server apparatus, and further associates the electronic information with the non-wide area identifier transmitted to the server apparatus. For the user system using the generated global identifier And providing the electronic information through frequency network.

    The second invention includes a user system including a communication terminal connected to a network, a server device that supplies electronic information to the wide area network, and distributes the electronic information to the user system via the wide area network; An access point device that relays communication between the communication terminal and the server device and is connected to the communication terminal via a non-wide area network, and for the user system registered in advance, the wide area network An information distribution method for distributing electronic information via a network, wherein the user system is associated with a wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the wide area network, the wide area identifier, and the non-wide area A non-wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the network, The access point device is associated with the electronic information and has an access point identifier for identifying the access point device, and the user system transmits the access point device to the access point device through the non-wide area network. A step of transmitting a non-wide area identifier, a step of transmitting the non-wide area identifier transmitted from the user system and the access point identifier assigned to the access point apparatus to the server apparatus, and the server apparatus The electronic information associated with the access point identifier is extracted using the access point identifier transmitted to the server, and the wide area identifier associated with the non-wide area identifier transmitted to the server device is further extracted. Using the wide area network for the user system. And providing the electronic information through.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information distribution system and method that are easy to use and highly reliable.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an information distribution system and an information distribution method according to the present invention will be described. An object of the first embodiment is to provide position-dependent information provision that can protect the privacy of a mobile communication terminal holder as much as possible and can respond immediately to the wishes of the information provider.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment and Operation of Each Unit FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the information distribution system 10 of the first embodiment.

  2, the information distribution system 10 includes an Internet 11, a plurality of access point devices AP1 and AP2, an access server (access host) device 12, a mobile phone network 13, a PHS network 14, a base station 15, 16 and a plurality of mobile communication terminals TE1 to TE3.

  The management entity of the access point device AP1 is an information provider, and the management entity of the access server device 12 is an intermediary that provides provision of each provided information in response to requests from a plurality of information providers. 13 and the PHS network 14 are managed and operated by subscriber wireless communication carriers, and the mobile communication terminals TE1 to TE3 are used by owners of the terminals (usually the same as the owners).

  Among the mobile communication terminals TE1 to TE3, the mobile communication terminal TE1 is a mobile phone, the mobile communication terminal TE2 is a PHS terminal, and the mobile communication terminal TE3 is a personal digital assistant (PDA). It ’s just that. The present embodiment can be widely applied to mobile communication terminals having a wireless communication function.

  Depending on the type of mobile phone, PHS terminal, portable information terminal, etc., the mobile communication terminals TE1 to TE3 are equipped with different functions, but the functions necessary for applying this embodiment are shown in FIG. As shown, they are common. Therefore, description will be given assuming that the cellular phone TE1 is shown in FIG.

(A-1-1) Internal Configuration of Mobile Communication Terminal In FIG. 3, a mobile phone TE1 includes a general communication function unit 20, a screen display processing unit 21, an AP communication function unit 22, a TEID processing unit 23, an IN And a communication function unit 24.

  Among these, the general communication function unit 20 is a part equipped with a general communication function as a mobile phone. With the general communication function unit 20, the mobile phone TE <b> 1 can wirelessly communicate with the base station 15 in the mobile phone network 13.

  If the cellular phone TE1 is a PHS terminal TE2, the inside of the general communication function unit 20 corresponds to PHS, and if it is a PDA, the inside of the general communication function unit 20 corresponds to PDA. .

  The screen display processing unit 21 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays the provided information SI supplied from the base station 15 via the general communication function unit 20 on the screen.

  In the present embodiment, the provision information SI is information for advertising that is similar to a flyer distributed in a flyer distributed in the city.

  The AP communication function unit 22 is a part equipped with a function of communicating with the access point device AP1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the AP communication function unit 22 is equipped with a wireless communication function using an ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. The use of the ISM band focuses on the fact that wireless communication can be performed without obtaining a wireless station license.

  Since the AP communication function unit 22 is provided in addition to the general communication function unit 20, it can be said that the mobile phone TE1 constitutes a multimode terminal.

  The TEID processing unit 23 connected to the AP communication function unit 22 is a part that temporarily stores a TEID that is a terminal identifier assigned to the mobile phone TE1. The terminal identifier TEID is used to uniquely identify the mobile communication terminals TE2 and TE3 and other mobile phones (not shown) and the mobile phone TE1 when viewed from the access server device 12.

  The terminal identifier TEID is acquired by the IN communication function unit 24 connected to the TEID processing unit 23 via the Internet (IN) 11. The access server apparatus 12 assigns the terminal identifier TEID.

  However, if necessary, instead of automatically assigning via the Internet 11, the intermediary assigns a terminal identifier TEID to the owner of each terminal (for example, mobile phone TE1) by mail or the like, and each owner The terminal identifier TEID corresponding to the terminal may be set and operated. In that case, the IN communication function unit 24 can be omitted.

  It is preferable that a mail method or a method via the Internet can be selected according to the desire of the owner of each mobile communication terminal.

  The AP communication function unit 22 requests the service of the provided information SI by transmitting the terminal identifier TEID to the access point device AP1. The transmission of the terminal identifier TEID is automatically performed when the AP communication function unit 22 that has received the identifier request signal RQ1 constantly transmitted by the access point device AP1 in response to the transmission of the terminal identifier TEID responds to the reception. To be done.

  Therefore, this exchange between the AP communication function unit 22 and the TEID processing unit 23 is executed before the owner of the mobile phone TE1 is aware of it.

  The access point device AP1 may be configured to transmit the terminal identifier TEID spontaneously without transmitting the identifier request signal RQ1, but in this case, the owner of the mobile phone TE1 It is considered that the terminal identifier TEID is transmitted according to the button operation or the like, or the mobile phone TE1 is constantly transmitting the terminal identifier TEID.

  However, it is a burden for the owner to transmit the terminal identifier TEID according to the button operation or the like of the owner, and which area can deliver the terminal identifier TEID to the access point device AP1. It is generally considered difficult for the owner to recognize whether it is CA1.

  In addition, the configuration in which the mobile phone TE1 always transmits the terminal identifier TEID consumes the power supply power of the mobile phone TE1, and even in the ISM band where the influence of interference is a concern. This is not preferable because it also becomes a factor that further increases the influence of interference.

  Next, an internal configuration of the access point device AP1 that performs wireless communication with the cellular phone TE1 using the ISM band will be described with reference to FIG. Since the internal configuration of the access point device AP2 is substantially the same as the internal configuration of the access point device AP1, the description will proceed assuming that the access point device AP1 is shown in FIG.

(A-1-2) Internal Configuration of Access Point Device AP1 In FIG. 7, the access point device AP1 includes an IN communication function unit 30, an APID processing unit 31, a batch processing unit 32, and a terminal communication function unit 33. I have.

  The IN communication function unit 30 is a part equipped with a function for communicating with the access server device 12 via the Internet 11.

  The APID processing unit 31 connected to the IN communication function unit 30 is a part that stores an APID that is an access point identifier assigned to the access point device AP1 by the access server device 12. The access point identifier APID is used to uniquely identify the access point device AP2 and other access point devices (not shown) from the access server device 12 and the access point device AP1.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the access point identifier APID of the access point device AP1 is APID1, the access point identifier APID of the access point device AP2 is APID2, ..., access of other access point devices (not shown). It is assumed that the point identifier APID is APIDK (K at the end is a natural number).

  The terminal communication function unit 33 is a part facing the AP communication function unit 22 of the cellular phone TE1, and always transmits the identifier request signal RQ1 while the access point device AP1 is in operation.

  Since the terminal communication function unit 33 communicates with the AP communication function unit 22 of the cellular phone TE1, the mobile communication terminal is not limited to a cellular phone, but a PHS terminal (for example, TE2) or a portable information terminal (for example, TE3). Even in such a case, it is possible to communicate with the AP communication function unit 22 having basically the same hardware configuration and software configuration.

  Further, the terminal identifier TEID transmitted from the mobile phone TE1 in response to the identifier request signal RQ1 is temporarily stored in the batch processing unit 32 via the terminal communication function unit 33.

  The batch processing unit 32 accumulates a plurality of terminal identifiers TEID, collects each terminal identifier TEID, configures the ID information SS as a set with the access point identifier APID assigned to the access point device AP1, This is a part for transmitting ID information SS.

  For example, the terminal identifier TEID of the mobile phone TE1 is TEID1, and the terminal identifier TEID of a mobile phone or the like (not shown) that is in the cover area of the access point device AP1 following the mobile phone TE1 is TEID2, TEID3,. , TEIDL (L at the end is a natural number), the batch processing unit 32 collects TEID1 to TEIDL and accommodates them in the ID information SS.

  Since the ID information SS is sent to the Internet 11 by the IN communication function unit 30, the number of communication probabilities can be reduced by using batch processing.

  If necessary, the batch processing unit 32 collects a plurality of terminal identifiers TEID in the ID information SS and performs batch processing. The ID information SS may be transmitted by setting the access point identifier as a set.

  In addition, the coverage area CA1 of communication using the ISM band by the access point device AP1 is usually much narrower than the coverage area (not shown) of the cellular phone network 13 or the PHS network 14, and is limited geography. It is a target area.

  If the information distribution system 10 is used as an alternative system for handbill distribution, the cover area CA1 of the access point device AP1 may be appropriately selected from relatively busy streets in the city. In this case, the access point device AP1 is fixedly installed in the vicinity of the street or the like, and the communicable distance between the mobile phone ET1 and the access point device AP1 is, for example, within several tens of meters.

  Further, in communication between the access point device AP1 and the mobile phone TE1, only the identifier request signal RQ1 and the terminal identifier TEID are exchanged. Since the identifier request signal RQ1 and the terminal identifier TEID have only a small amount of information, they can be accommodated in a radio signal having a very short time length.

  On the other hand, the access server device 12 that communicates with the access point device AP1 via the Internet 11 has an internal configuration as shown in FIG.

(A-1-3) Internal Configuration of Access Server Device In FIG. 8, the access server device 12 includes an IN communication function unit 40, a distribution unit 41, a provision information storage unit 42, an ID table 43, and a subscriber. System communication function unit 44.

  Among them, the IN communication function unit 40 is a part equipped with a function for communicating with the access point device AP1 via the Internet 11, and faces the IN communication function unit 30 inside the access point device AP1, The ID information SS is received.

  The distribution unit 41 connected to the IN communication function unit 40 separates the received ID information SS into a terminal identifier TEID and an access point identifier APID, and supplies the terminal identifier TEID to the ID table 43, where the access point identifier APID is The information is supplied to the provision information storage unit 42.

  The ID table 43 is a storage unit that stores each terminal identifier TEID and the telephone number TI assigned to each terminal in association with each other.

  Similarly, the provided information storage unit 42 is a part that stores each access point identifier APID and each provided information SI in association with each other, and constitutes the main body of the database.

  When the terminal identifier TEID is supplied to the ID table 43 by the distribution unit 41, the telephone number TI of the mobile communication terminal specified by the terminal identifier is read and supplied to the subscriber communication function unit 44 to provide information When the access point identifier APID is supplied to the storage unit 42, the provision information SI requested by the access point device designated by the access point identifier is read and supplied to the subscriber communication function unit 44.

  Communication between the subscriber communication function unit 44 and each mobile communication terminal is performed in the same manner as when terminals (for example, mobile phones) communicate within the mobile phone network 13. That is, after a line is set for the mobile communication terminal specified by the telephone number TI, the provision information SI is supplied to the mobile communication terminal using the line.

  However, since the contents of the provided information SI are image information and text information having contents similar to those of a normal leaflet, data such as still images, videos, characters, etc., not voices exchanged with a normal mobile phone. It is. Of course, according to the request of the information provider side, voice information for advertising may be provided as the provided information SI.

(A-2) Overall Operation of First Embodiment Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. An operation sequence of the information distribution system 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  The operation sequence in FIG. 1 includes steps S1 to S14. The operation sequence can be classified into a partial sequence CQ1 configured by steps S1 to S6, a partial sequence CQ2 configured by steps S7 to S10, and a partial sequence CQ3 configured by steps S11 to S14. it can.

  Among these, the partial sequence CQ1 is a sequence for registration work necessary as a premise for executing the partial sequence CQ2 which is the original operation sequence, and the partial sequence CQ3 is used when supplying the provision information SI to each mobile communication terminal. This is a sequence for processing a burden such as a telephone charge generated by making a call.

  In FIG. 1, for example, when a registration request is issued from the cellular phone TE1 connected to the Internet 11 to the access server device 12 via the Internet, the telephone number TI1 of the cellular phone TE1 is supplied to the access server device 12 (S1). The terminal identifier TEID1 is supplied from the access server device 12 to the mobile phone TE1 (S2). As a result, the terminal identifier TEID1 is assigned to the mobile phone TE1.

  At this time, in the ID table 43 in the access server device 12 shown in FIG. 8, the terminal identifier TEID1 and the telephone number TI1 are stored in association with each other as shown in FIG. In the ID table 43, similarly to the mobile communication terminals other than the cellular phone TE1, the telephone numbers TI2 to TIN (the last N is a natural number) and the assigned terminal identifiers TEID2 to TEIDN are respectively Are stored in association with each other.

  In the registration request in step S1, the IN communication function unit 12 in the mobile phone TE1 shown in FIG. 3 may output almost regularly based on information such as the current time, or a button operation performed by the owner. Depending on the situation, it may be output from the cellular phone TE1.

  The contents of the terminal identifier TEID once assigned can be changed by updating the registered contents (S3). It is considered that updating such registered contents is effective for improving security and protecting the privacy of the owner (or owner) who uses the mobile phone TE1.

  In the following steps, it is assumed that a terminal identifier TEID1 is assigned to the mobile phone TE1.

  In step S4 following step S3, a registration request is issued from the access point device AP1 to the access server device 12, and an access point identifier APID is assigned to the access point device AP1 in response to the registration request (S5).

  Here, it is assumed that an access point identifier APID1 is assigned to the access point device AP1.

  Next, in step S6, the provision information SI is registered or updated.

  At this time, in the provided information storage unit 42 in the access server device 12 shown in FIG. 8, the provided information SI1 is associated with the access point identifier APID1 assigned to the access point device AP1, as shown in FIG. And memorized.

  In the provided information storage unit 42, access point devices other than the access point device AP1 (for example, the access point device AP2 etc.) are similarly accessed with access point identifiers APID2 to APIDK (K at the end is a natural number), Provided information SI2 to SIK designated for each access point device is stored in association with each other.

  When the access point device AP1 executes the process of step S6, the content of the provision information SI1 stored in the provision information storage unit 42 is rewritten and changed.

  The contents of the access point identifier APID that has been assigned may be changed by the same process as in step S3. Such a change in registered content is considered to be effective for enhancing security and protecting the privacy of the owner who uses the mobile phone TE1 and the trade secret of the information provider who manages the access point device AP1. It is done.

  In the subsequent steps, it is assumed that the access point device AP1 is assigned an access point identifier APID1.

  By the way, although the order of steps S1 to S6 is shown in the figure here, the temporal context of steps S1 and S2, the temporal context of steps S4 and S5, and the temporal context of steps S5 and S6. Except for the relationship, it is not necessary to limit to the illustrated one. For example, all or part of steps S4 to S6 may be executed prior to steps S1 to S3.

  In short, as a precondition for executing the partial sequence CQ2, the storage content shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the provision information storage unit 42 of the access server device 12, and the storage content shown in FIG. Further, the stored contents of FIG. 9 and the terminal identifier TEID stored in the TEID processing unit 23 in each mobile communication terminal such as the mobile phone TE1 are matched, and the storage of FIG. The content and the access point identifier stored in the APID processing unit 31 in each access point device such as the access point device AP1 need to be consistent.

  Next, the partial sequence CQ2 is started.

  For example, when the owner carrying the mobile phone TE1 accidentally enters the cover area CA1, the identifier request signal RQ1 that the access point device AP1 constantly transmits is transmitted by the AP communication function unit 22 of the mobile phone TE1. It will be received effectively.

  When the identifier request signal RQ1 is supplied from the AP communication function unit 22 to the TEID processing unit 23, the assigned terminal identifier TEID1 is output from the TEID processing unit 23, and the AP communication function unit 22 outputs the terminal identifier TEID1. Is wirelessly transmitted (S7).

  The wirelessly transmitted terminal identifier TEID1 is stored in the batch processing unit 32 via the terminal communication function unit 33 in the access point device AP1.

  During this period, the communication between the access point device AP1 and the mobile phone TE1 is completed in an extremely short time as described above without being conscious of the owner of the mobile phone TE1. Normally, the mobile phone TE1 moves out of the cover area CA1 together with the owner.

  The next step S8 may be performed immediately after the execution of step S7, but may be performed after a time interval of several hours or days. The time interval may be changed as desired by the information provider, but the maximum value is limited according to the storage capacity of the batch processing unit 32.

  Here, following the mobile phone TE1, the mobile communication terminal assigned with the terminal identifiers TEID2 to TEIDL enters the cover area CA1, performs the process of step S7, and executes a batch processing unit inside the access point device AP1. It is assumed that terminal identifiers TEID2 to TEIDL assigned to these mobile communication terminals are stored in 32.

  In step S8 executed after the time interval has elapsed following step S7, the access point identifier APID1 assigned to the access point device AP1 is output from the APID processing unit 31 in the access point device AP1. The access point identifier APID1 and the terminal identifiers TEID1 to TEIDL stored in the batch processing unit 32 constitute the ID information SS, which is sent to the Internet 11 via the IN communication function unit 30.

  This ID information SS is routed by the Internet 11 and reaches the access server device 12.

  In the next step S9, as shown in FIG. 9, the access server device 12 uses the telephone numbers TI1 to TIL associated with the terminal identifiers TEID1 to TEIDL to connect between the access server device 12 and each mobile communication terminal. As a result of the search using the access point identifier AP 1, the provision information SI 1 is obtained and supplied to the mobile phone network 13.

  The cellular phone network 13 delivers the provided information SI1 to each mobile communication terminal (for example, the cellular phone TE1) according to each set line (S10).

  For example, in the case of the cellular phone TE1, a line between the access server device 12 and the cellular phone TE1 is set in the cellular phone network 13 using the telephone number TI1, and the provision information SI1 is supplied.

  Thereby, the owner of the mobile phone TE1 located in the cover area of the mobile phone network 13 displays the display content determined by the content of the provided information SI1 when the time interval has elapsed since entering the cover area CA1. Will be recognized on the screen display processing unit 21.

  The same applies to owners of mobile communication terminals assigned with other terminal identifiers TEID2 to TEIDL.

  Next, in the partial sequence CQ3, the subscriber wireless communication carrier charges the telephone fee to the intermediary managing the access server device 12 that made the call (S11).

  The access server device 12 causes the information provider who benefits from the communication to bear the total charge for the information provider for providing the telephone fee and the information fee for providing the provision information (SI1). A request is made (S12).

  The information provider pays the information fee to the intermediary (S13) and pays the telephone fee to the subscriber wireless communication carrier that manages and operates the mobile phone network 13 (S14).

  The processes in steps S11 to S14 may be executed by mail or the like. However, while installing a communication device of a subscriber wireless communication carrier equipped with a charge processing function on the Internet 11, an access point device ( If a necessary fee processing function is installed in the access server device 12 or the like, it can be automatically executed via the Internet 11.

  In the processing of steps S1 to S14 described above, the access server device 12 can recognize the telephone number (TI1 etc.) assigned to each mobile communication terminal except for the assigned subscriber wireless communication carrier. (Or mediator) only. Therefore, it is possible to proceed to the access point device AP1 (or information provider) without notifying the telephone number, thereby protecting the privacy of the mobile communication terminal owner.

  Moreover, the owner of each mobile communication terminal does not have to pay any fees.

  If there is no charge burden and privacy is protected, there should be many mobile communication terminal owners who wish to receive provided information (SI1 and the like).

  On the other hand, for the information provider, by providing the provision information SI, not only can the advertising effect equivalent to the distribution of the leaflet be expected, but also the processing such as the provision stop of the provision information (eg, the SI1) and the resumption of provision can be quickly performed. Can be executed.

  For example, if the transmission operation of the identifier request signal RQ1 or the reception operation of the terminal identifier TEID is stopped by turning off the power supply of the access point device AP1, etc., the provision can be stopped immediately. By stopping the power supply of the device AP1, it is possible to immediately resume the stopped provision.

  The information provider may rewrite the provision information SI1 stored in the provision information storage unit 42 of the access server device 12 via the Internet 11 between the provision stop and the provision resumption.

  Thereby, it is possible to change the provided information quickly in response to a change in the business situation of the information provider.

  In addition, in order to improve quickness, it is good to set the time interval regarding the said batch process part 32 short.

  Further, whether or not to provide the provisional information changes depending on whether or not each mobile communication terminal has entered the small cover area CA1 by the access point device AP1, and within the cover area CA2 of a different access point device (for example, AP2). When each mobile communication terminal enters, different provision information (for example, SI2) can be supplied. Therefore, a series of processes of the partial sequence CQ2 provides provision information according to the evaluation result of the position information. be equivalent to.

  Note that the processing of the partial sequence CQ2 can also be expressed as shown in FIG.

  That is, in order to provide the provision information SI1 to the cellular phone TE1, the coordinated operation of the cellular phone TE1, the access point device AP1, the access server device 12, and the cellular phone network 13 is indispensable. Even if one of them is missing, the provision information SI1 is not provided. Therefore, when the power of the access point device AP1 is turned off, the provision of the provision information SI1 is stopped.

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment As described above, according to this embodiment, the intervention of an access point device is indispensable for providing provided information to each mobile communication terminal. Without cooperation with the access server device corresponding to the data server, it is possible to operate the access point device alone and quickly execute provision stop of provision information, resumption of provision, and the like.

  Thereby, it is possible to construct an information distribution system that is easy to use and highly reliable.

  In addition, since the location where the access point device is installed can be arbitrarily selected, in this embodiment, it is also possible to execute location information evaluation in an underground shopping mall or building, which was difficult with the conventional method using GPS. It is possible to provide the provided information according to the evaluation result.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since each information provider can freely select how each access point device is installed and what size cover area (for example, CA1) is set. Because it is free to set the coverage area to be smaller and improve the accuracy of location information evaluation, or to set so as not to overlap with the cover area of other access point devices, It can respond flexibly to the requests of information providers and has a high degree of freedom.

(B) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, only the difference of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, mail delivery is performed to the mobile communication terminal.

(B-1) Configuration and Operation of Second Embodiment The overall configuration of the information distribution system 50 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the information distribution system 50 includes a mobile phone TEM, an access point device APM (M at the end is a natural number), an access server device 52, a WAN (Wide Area Network) 53, a mobile phone network 54, And a base station 55 included in the mobile phone network 54.

  Among them, the mobile phone TEM basically has the same internal configuration as that shown in FIG. 3 and is equipped with the same functions as the mobile phone TE1 of the first embodiment. In addition, the WWW (World Wide Web) is provided. It is also necessary to have a function for viewing and receiving incoming e-mail.

  Further, the access point apparatus APM has the same internal configuration as that of FIG. 7, and has the same function as the access point apparatus AP1 of the first embodiment.

  However, in this embodiment, the installation location of the access point device APM is assumed to be inside the department store 57, and the cover area CAM of the access point device APM is limited to the inside of the department store 57. If necessary, this cover area CAM may be limited to a specific sales floor or a specific doorway in the department store 57.

  Further, the access server device 52 basically has the same internal configuration as that of FIG. 8, and has the same function as the access server device 12 of the first embodiment.

  However, in the access server device 52, an e-mail address that designates a mobile phone TEM or the like is used instead of the telephone number TI of the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in the registration request (S1) of the partial sequence CQ1 of FIG. 1 described above, the mail address is supplied to the access server device 52 (or an intermediary) instead of the telephone number, and in other processes, the telephone number is replaced. An email address is used.

  As a result, the owner of the mobile phone TEM entering the cover area CAM can access the WAN 53 (or the WAN 53 and the mobile phone network 54) from the access server device 52 when the time interval elapses. Electronic mail (Internet mail) IMM will be delivered. The contents of the e-mail IMM may be, for example, a thank-you note or a product guide.

  When the electronic mail IMM is transmitted, the access host device 52 records the communication record in association with the access point identifier APIDM assigned to the access point device APM.

  This communication record is used to make the information provider (in this case, the department store 57) who owns the access point device APM bear the telephone fee required for transmitting the electronic mail IMM.

(B-2) Effect of Second Embodiment As described above, according to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained for the distribution of e-mail.

(C) Third Embodiment Hereinafter, only the difference of the third embodiment from the first embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the entire information distribution system 60 exists within one local communication network.

(C-1) Configuration and Operation of Third Embodiment FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the information distribution system 60 of the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, the information distribution system 60 includes local PHS terminals TEX and TEY, access point devices APX and APY, a LAN (Local Area Network) 61, an access server device 62, a LAN 63, and a local PHS base station 64. And.

  Of these, the local PHS terminals TEX and TEY correspond to mobile communication terminals such as the mobile phone TE1 of the first embodiment, the access point devices APX and APY correspond to the access point device AP1 and the like, and the LAN 61 corresponds to the Internet 11. The access server device 62 corresponds to the access server device 12.

  However, in the present embodiment, the access point devices APX and APY are installed in predetermined premises such as a company, a theme park, and a school.

  Further, the cover area CAX of the access point apparatus APX and the cover area CAY of the access point apparatus APY are set at different positions within the premises. The cover areas CAX and CAY are usually limited areas that are sufficiently smaller than the entire area of the premises.

  In the present embodiment, a local PHS telephone number is used instead of the telephone number TI of the first embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the registration work corresponding to the partial sequence CQ1 of FIG. 1 may be carried out collectively by the administrator of the local communication network.

  In the present embodiment, each holder who moves on the premises with a PHS terminal TEX or TEY on the premises corresponds to the access point device APX or the access point device APY depending on the route (location where it has moved) on the premises. The provided provision information SI is provided.

(C-2) Effect of Third Embodiment According to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained for the local PHS that cannot be evaluated by the roaming function.

  However, in the case of the present embodiment, the mediator that manages the access server device (52) and the information provider that manages the access point device (such as APX) are legally the same person (administrator of the local communication network). If the physical distance between the access server device and the access point device is far apart or the traffic on the LAN (61) is high, even if they are the same person, Since the cooperative work cannot always be performed in a short time, the advantage of being able to respond quickly to changes in the situation according to the operation of each access point device is great.

(D) Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, only the difference of the fourth embodiment from the first embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the mobile communication terminal can move at a high speed with an automobile or the like.

(D-1) Configuration and Operation of the Fourth Embodiment FIG. 6 shows the overall configuration of the information distribution system 70 of the present embodiment.

  6, the information distribution system 70 includes in-vehicle terminals TEZ1 and TEZ2, an access point device APZ, a LAN 71, an access server device 72, a mobile phone / in-vehicle terminal network 73, and a base station 74. .

  Of these, the in-vehicle terminal TEZ1 is fixedly installed in a vehicle 75 that can move at high speed, and the mobile phone TEZ2 is carried by the owner who is in the vehicle 75.

  Here, the in-vehicle terminal TEZ1 and the mobile phone TEZ2 correspond to the mobile phone TE1 of the first embodiment, the access point device APZ corresponds to the access point device AP1, etc., and the LAN 71 corresponds to the Internet 11. The access server device 72 corresponds to the access server device 12, the mobile phone / vehicle terminal network 73 corresponds to the mobile phone network 12, and the base station 74 corresponds to the base station 15 and the like.

  In the present embodiment, if the in-vehicle terminal TEZ1 or the mobile phone TEZ2 and the access point device APZ communicate with each other while the vehicle 75 is moving, the wireless communication method for that is the ETC (Electric Toll Collection: automatic fee collection). It is better to implement with specifications using Manchester code etc. as applied to the system.

(D-2) Effect of Fourth Embodiment According to the present embodiment, an effect equivalent to the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained for a mobile communication terminal that can move at high speed.

(E) Other Embodiments As the types of mobile communication terminals, in addition to those listed in the first to fourth embodiments, car phones, pagers, pagers, satellite mobile phones, and the like can be used. .

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the ISM band is used. However, as long as wireless communication between the access point device and the mobile communication terminal can be performed without requiring acquisition of a radio station license, other The method may be adopted.

  As an example, communication using infrared rays may be performed. In this case, infrared is used only in the coverage area of the access point device, and what is actually used to provide provision information (SI) is a subscriber communication system having a vast coverage area. Therefore, the behavior of the terminal owner is not restricted as in the conventional method using infrared rays.

  In addition, since the cover area of the access point device of the present invention is usually very narrow, it is conceivable to use weak radio waves that are not subject to the regulations of radio wave regulations. Although it depends on the surrounding radio wave environment, in many cases, even such a weak radio wave can sufficiently perform effective radio communication at a distance of about several tens of meters to several tens of meters.

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the access point device is fixedly installed and only each mobile communication terminal has moved, but it is also possible to adopt a system configuration in which the access point device itself moves. .

  In that case, each of the above-described mobile communication terminals can be replaced with a fixedly installed wireless communication device.

  Further, in applying the present invention, changing the transmission power or changing the directing direction of the radio wave radiation of the antenna is equivalent to substantially moving even if it does not necessarily move geographically. Can be considered.

  Note that the LAN 63 in the third embodiment also corresponds to a wide area communication system in terms of application of the present invention in the sense that a cover area wider than the cover areas CAX and CAY is set.

It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st Embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information distribution system according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile communication terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the access point apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the access server apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of 1st Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 50, 60, 70 ... Information distribution system, 12, 52, 62, 72 ... Access server device, 11 ... Internet, 13 ... Mobile phone network, 15, 16 ... Base station, 20 ... General communication function, 21 ... Screen Display processing unit, 22 ... AP communication function, 23 ... TEID processing unit, 24, 30, 40 ... IN communication function unit, 31 ... APID processing unit, 32 ... Batch processing unit, TE1 to TE3 ... Mobile communication terminal, CA1, CA2 ... cover area.

Claims (13)

An information distribution system that distributes electronic information via the network to a user system that is registered in advance and includes a communication terminal connected to the network,
A server device that supplies the electronic information to a wide area network and distributes the electronic information to the user system via the wide area network;
Relaying communication between the communication terminal and the server device, and comprising an access point device connected to the communication terminal via a non-wide area network,
The user system is associated with a wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the wide area network and the wide area identifier, and is a non-wide area for identifying the user system within the non-wide area network An identifier,
The access point device is associated with the electronic information and has an access point identifier for identifying the access point device;
The user system transmits the non-wide area identifier to the access point device through the non-wide area network,
The access point device transmits the non-wide area identifier transmitted from the user system and the access point identifier assigned thereto to the server device,
The server device extracts the electronic information associated with the access point identifier using the access point identifier transmitted to the server device, and further extracts the electronic information associated with the non-wide area identifier transmitted to the server device. An information distribution system characterized in that the electronic information is provided to the user system through the wide area network using the associated wide area identifier.   The access point device further includes a batch processing unit that stores a plurality of the non-wide area identifiers, and associates the plurality of non-wide area identifiers and the access point identifiers stored in the batch processing unit with the server. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution system transmits the information to a device.   In response to a registration request from the user system, the server device associates the wide area identifier assigned to the user system with the non-wide area identifier and stores them in the storage unit of the server apparatus. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein registration is performed.   When the registration request is transmitted from the user system to the server device via the wide area network, and the wide area identifier assigned to the user system is supplied to the server device, the non-transmission from the server device via the wide area network. 4. The information distribution system according to claim 3, wherein a wide area identifier is assigned to the user system for registration.   The user system further includes a communication terminal having a text display function, and the electronic information is distributed as text information transmitted to the communication terminal having the text display function. The information distribution system described.   The user system further includes a communication terminal having an e-mail reception browsing function, and the electronic information is distributed by an e-mail transmitted to the communication terminal having the reception browsing function. The information distribution system according to claim 1.   The access point device or the server device further includes a fee processing function for charging a network fee for using the wide area network and an information fee for providing the electronic information on the wide area network. The information distribution system according to claim 1. A user system including a communication terminal connected to a network; a server device for supplying electronic information to a wide area network; and delivering the electronic information to the user system via the wide area network; the communication terminal and the server apparatus; An access point device connected to the communication terminal via a non-wide area network, and distributing electronic information to the user system registered in advance via the wide area network An information distribution method,
The user system includes a wide area identifier for identifying the user system within the wide area network, a non-wide area identifier associated with the wide area identifier and for identifying the user system within the non-wide area network, The access point device is associated with the electronic information and has an access point identifier for identifying the access point device,
The user system transmitting the non-wide area identifier to the access point device through the non-wide area network;
The access point device transmitting the non-wide-area identifier transmitted from the user system and the access point identifier assigned to the access point device to the server device;
The electronic information associated with the access point identifier is extracted using the access point identifier transmitted to the server device, and further, the electronic information associated with the non-wide area identifier transmitted to the server device Providing the electronic information to the user system through the wide area network using a wide area identifier. The access point device further includes a batch processing unit that stores a plurality of the non-wide area identifiers,
The step of the access point device transmitting the non-wide area identifier and the access point identifier to the server device includes associating the plurality of stored non-wide area identifiers and the access point identifiers with the batch processing unit. 9. The information distribution method according to claim 8, wherein the information is transmitted to the server device.   The step of storing in the server device is performed when the registration request is transmitted from the user system to the server device via the wide area network, and the wide area identifier assigned to the user system is supplied to the server apparatus. 9. The information distribution method according to claim 8, wherein a wide area identifier is assigned from the server device to the user system via the wide area network. The user system further includes a communication terminal having a text information display function,
9. The information distribution method according to claim 8, wherein the step of providing the electronic information is provided by text information distributed to a communication terminal having the text information display function. The user system further includes a communication terminal having an e-mail reception browsing function,
9. The information distribution method according to claim 8, wherein the step of providing the electronic information is provided by an electronic mail distributed to a communication terminal having the reception browsing function. The access point device or the server device further includes a fee processing function for charging a network fee for using the wide area network and an information fee for providing the electronic information on the wide area network. ,
The information distribution method according to claim 8, wherein the server device includes a step of charging the network fee and the information fee through the fee processing function.

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