JP2006333449A - Radio system, communications terminal, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio system for enabling inter-terminal direct communication under prescribed conditions, while minimizing the influence on the existing charging models of a cellular phone system, a communications terminal, and a control method thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A base station (host station) 200 regulates communication via the base station by a communications terminal under a prescribed condition, permits the inter-terminal direct communication by a second communication means at the time of the communication regulation, and inhibits the inter-terminal direct communication of the second communication means at times, other than the communication regulation. Under the control of the base station 200, the communications terminal 100 suppresses the inter-terminal direct communication by the second communication means at times, other than the communication regulation and enables the inter-terminal direct communication by the second communication means at times of the communication regulation. There may be provided a charging means for performing charging for the utilization of communication by the second communication means and a reduction means for reducing a value, corresponding to the amount of the relay with respect to the communication terminal 100 turned to a relay station. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio system using a mobile phone system and its communication terminal (mobile station).

  Conventionally, in a wireless system consisting of a mobile station and a base station, when the mobile stations are close to each other, direct communication is performed between the mobile stations, and the direct communication time is limited by a timer. In order to improve the channel usage efficiency when performing communication with the mobile phone, there has been proposed one that prevents power loss at the base station (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, in a system (wireless ad hoc communication system) that communicates between terminals that do not go through a base station, it is possible to set relay / non-relay for each terminal, and to set a communication path that avoids terminals that indicate non-relay mode A technique for performing the above has been proposed (Patent Document 2). In such a system, a technology has also been proposed in which a network operator manages the amount of data relayed or relayed communication time in a terminal that performs relaying, and performs cash back according to the relay resource consideration (Patent Document 3). ).

Furthermore, when a large number of calls occur and the base station becomes congested, the base station broadcasts the call restriction information at the same time and performs call restriction, as well as call requests from terminals in specific areas such as disaster areas and A mobile communication system that preferentially performs call setting processing for a call request to the terminal has been proposed (Patent Document 4).
JP-A-6-90480 JP 2004-282268 A JP 2003-87245 A JP 2001-169360 A

  By the way, in the event of an event such as a fireworks display, or in other cases, a large number of terminal users are crowded in a specific place, and there are times when telephone contacts are made with friends in the same area. In such a case, there is a possibility that communication congestion occurs particularly in the area, and communication restriction such as call restriction described above may be performed. If communication restrictions are put in place, it will be extremely difficult to make a phone call to a terminal in the same area. In such a case, if the direct communication between the terminals is enabled as described in Patent Document 1 and the like, the channel use efficiency is expected to be improved, but the wireless resource of the mobile phone system is also used for the direct communication. Therefore, it is not practical to employ the technology described in Patent Document 1 in a situation where communication regulation is performed.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to perform direct communication between terminals by wireless communication in a frequency band different from the frequency band used in the mobile phone system. Such direct communication can be technically performed regardless of the communication restriction of the mobile phone. However, if the mobile phone has such a function, the existing charging model of the mobile phone system will be broken. Therefore, it is difficult to allow such direct communication between terminals unconditionally.

  The present invention has been made in such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide wireless communication that enables direct communication between terminals under predetermined conditions while minimizing the influence on the existing charging model of the mobile phone system. A system, a communication terminal, and a control method thereof are provided.

  The wireless system according to the present invention is a wireless system in which communication terminals as a plurality of mobile stations perform wireless communication via a base station. The communication terminal communicates with other communication terminals via a base station. 1 communication means, a second communication means for performing direct communication (direct communication between terminals) between communication terminals, and a control means for controlling the first and second communication means, Restricting communication via a base station by a communication terminal under a predetermined condition, permitting direct communication between terminals by the second communication means at the time of this communication restriction, The inter-terminal direct communication is prohibited, and the control means of the communication terminal suppresses direct inter-terminal communication by the second communication means under the control of the base station except when the communication is restricted, and when the communication is restricted. Direct communication between terminals by the second communication means To enable the trust.

  In this wireless system, direct communication between terminals by the second communication unit is suppressed in a normal state in which the first communication unit can be used by the base station. When the communication is restricted so that the terminal cannot use the first communication means, the base station allows the terminal to cancel the suppression of the inter-terminal communication by the second communication means. This enables direct communication between communication terminals without using radio resources of the base station when communication is restricted. Since the cancellation of the suppression of direct communication between terminals is allowed under limited conditions such as communication restrictions, the influence on the existing charging model is small.

  The direct communication by the second communication means between the first and second communication terminals may include communication using at least the third communication terminal as a relay station. Thereby, even when the communicable distance by the 2nd communication means is short, the distance can be extended.

  There may be provided charging means for charging the use of communication by the second communication means. Thereby, the existing billing system can be substantially maintained.

  Further, the relay station may be provided with return means for reducing the value according to the amount of the relay. This reduction functions as a compensation to the terminal user for the resources (for example, battery power and time) consumed by the terminal used as the relay station, whereby the user's own terminal is used as the relay terminal for the user. Incentives can be given.

  When the communication terminal further includes means for storing value data, the charging by the charging means and the return of value by the return means can be performed by changing the value data in the communication terminal. On the other hand, the charging by the charging unit and the reduction of the value by the returning unit can be performed on the base station side.

  A communication terminal according to the present invention is a communication terminal constituting a mobile station that performs radio communication with another communication terminal via a base station, and performs communication with another communication terminal via the base station. Communication means, second communication means for performing direct communication (direct communication between terminals) between communication terminals, and control means for controlling the first and second communication means, the control means comprising: Under the control of the base station, the terminal-to-terminal direct communication operation by the second communication means is suppressed except when the communication is restricted, and the terminal-to-terminal direct communication by the second communication means is enabled when the communication is restricted.

  Communication by the second control unit is inhibited in a normal state, and the control unit can receive the permission information from the base station and release the inhibition state. At this time, it is preferable that the control means notifies the user by display or voice that the terminal-to-terminal direct communication is permitted when the permission information is received.

  By canceling the suppression state based on the terminal user's intention display, the intention of the user is respected so that only the user who wants to use the direct communication between terminals by the second communication means can be used at the time of communication restriction. can do. The intention display can also function as an acknowledgment that the terminal may be used as a relay station.

  The communication terminal may further include means for storing value data and charging means for charging for the use of communication by the second communication means. This makes it possible to perform billing settlement within the terminal for the use of communication by the second communication means.

  In addition, when direct communication between other communication terminals is relayed, there may be provided means for receiving a reduction in value corresponding to the amount of relay.

  The communication terminal control method according to the present invention includes a first communication means for communicating with other communication terminals via a base station, and direct communication (inter-terminal direct communication) between the communication terminals. And a communication terminal control method for configuring a mobile station that performs wireless communication with another communication terminal via a base station, wherein the first communication means is available in the state where the first communication means is available. The step of inhibiting direct communication operation between terminals by the communication means of 2 and the inhibition of direct communication between terminals by the second communication means when use of the first communication means is restricted according to an instruction from the base station. And a step of releasing.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the first communication unit that performs communication via the base station, even if the terminal includes the second communication unit that performs direct communication between terminals without using the base station, In a normal state in which the communication means can be used, the function of the second communication means is suppressed, and in a special situation in which communication by the first communication means cannot be used as in communication restriction, the terminal directly by the second communication means is used. By allowing communication, even if communication restriction is performed, mutual communication between terminals necessary in the restriction area becomes possible.

  Further, even if direct inter-terminal communication by the second communication means is permitted in this limited situation, the influence on the existing billing system is small. Furthermore, if a new charge is made for direct communication between terminals by the second communication means, the existing charge system can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration of a radio communication system according to the present embodiment. This system includes a plurality of communication terminals (mobile stations) 100 such as mobile phones and a base station 200 as an upper station.

  The base station 200 registers the location of a communication terminal (hereinafter also simply referred to as a terminal) 100 in a predetermined area (cell) around the base station 200 and manages communication of individual terminals 100 in the area. That is, the terminal 100 in the area performs communication (call and data transmission / reception) with the communication partner via the base station 200. In the present embodiment, the base station 200 includes an ad hoc communication terminal management database (DB) 210, and is an ad hoc communication that is an inter-terminal direct communication for the terminals 100 in the area under a predetermined condition such as communication restriction. Allow. Each terminal 100 includes a communication means for performing short-range wireless communication in a frequency band different from the frequency band used in the mobile phone system. Normally, this communication means is used for direct communication between terminals. Is deterred.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, when the base station 200 restricts communication with respect to the terminal 100 in the communication restriction area 150, the terminal 100 is notified that ad hoc communication is possible. Receiving this notification, the terminal 100 displays and / or outputs a message for allowing the user to select whether or not to use the ad hoc communication. On the other hand, if the user performs an operation to display the intention of use, a message to that effect is returned to the base station 200. In response to this, the base station 200 transmits key data that permits ad hoc communication (that is, cancels the prohibition) to the terminal 100 that has made this reply. The terminal 100 shifts to a state in which ad hoc communication can be performed based on the ad hoc communication prohibition release key. In the present specification, the prohibition of ad hoc communication is not limited to the suppression of all functions of the ad hoc communication unit 107, and some functions such as a specific application (call, e-mail, etc.) are also suppressed. May be included.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the base station 200 uses the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 to recognize at least terminals (for example, telephone numbers) that desire ad hoc communication among terminals existing in the communication restriction area. Manage. In the example of the figure, status information indicating whether or not ad hoc communication is possible corresponding to the telephone numbers of all the terminals registered in the communication restriction area of the base station 200 (“OK” or “ NO ") is stored. Unlike this example, data of terminals that did not desire ad hoc communication may not be retained. The status information is not limited to “OK” or “NO”, and any information can be used.

  When ad hoc communication is permitted, the terminal 100 can communicate with another terminal 100 without going through a base station in the communication restricted area. In this embodiment, the terminal has a relay function for ad hoc communication, and a user who desires to use ad hoc communication is not used when the terminal uses ad hoc communication, but is used for relaying ad hoc communication by another user. Is also approved. By using the relay function, even short-distance wireless communication enables communication between terminals farther away than when there is no relay.

  In the example of FIG. 1, among the terminals A to D in the area of the base station 200, the terminals A, B, and C desire to perform ad hoc communication, and the terminal A and the terminal C relay the terminal B. It shows how ad-hoc communication is performed.

  In the present embodiment, for a user who uses ad hoc communication, a charge corresponding to the use is made to the user from the telecommunications carrier side. In this example, the terminal 100 is provided with an electronic money processing function. A predetermined charging process using electronic money is performed by one or both of a sender and a receiver of ad hoc communication. The billing destination may be different depending on the communication usage mode (call, mail, etc.). The billing amount may be a pay-as-you-go system depending on the usage time, the number of packets, or the like, or a fixed system.

  Further, the terminal 100 (terminal B in FIG. 1) used for relaying is not used by itself but is used by others, and the battery is consumed accordingly. Therefore, the cashback of the amount corresponding to the amount of relay is performed for the user of the relay terminal. Cash back in the present embodiment is performed with electronic money. However, as will be described later, the form of cash back is not limited to this.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic hardware configuration example of the terminal 100.

  The terminal 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an input unit 104, a display unit 105, a communication unit 106, an antenna 106a, an ad hoc communication unit 107, an antenna 107a, an electronic money storage unit 108, a proximity communication unit 109, an antenna 109a, and a storage unit 110. , A voice processing unit 111, a microphone 111a, a speaker 111b, and a power source 112.

  The CPU 101 is connected to the above-described units, and controls the operation of the terminal 100 by executing a program stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 stores fixed data such as fonts in addition to programs in a nonvolatile manner. The RAM 103 is usually a volatile memory, and is used by the CPU 101 as a work area and a temporary storage area for data. The storage unit 110 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various data such as address book data, mail data, and image data so as to be rewritable, and includes, for example, a flash ROM, a small hard disk device, and the like.

  The input unit 104 is a user interface for a user to input various instructions and data to the terminal 100, and usually includes various keys such as a power key, a call key, a numeric keypad, and a cursor operation key. The display unit 105 is a user interface for the terminal 100 to provide display information to the user, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

  The communication unit 106 performs wireless communication with a base station in the mobile phone system via the antenna 106a, and performs wireless communication with the communication partner via the base station and data communication (first communication unit). 1 communication means). In this embodiment, the ad hoc communication unit 107 is a wireless communication unit (second communication unit) for performing wireless communication directly between terminals without using a base station via the antenna 107a. It is realized using short-range wireless communication by executing a module (software) for ad hoc communication stored in a flash ROM or the like. As the short-range wireless communication used by the ad hoc communication unit 107, for example, a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used, and its use frequency band is different from that of the communication unit 106 and does not buffer each other. The communication by the first communication means is under direct charge management by the communication carrier, and the second communication means is not under direct charge management by the communication carrier. Therefore, when using the second communication means, indirect billing management is performed by notifying the base station 200 of usage information for communication between terminals.

  The electronic money storage unit 108 stores value information corresponding to currency or the like so as to be increased or decreased, and can be used in the terminal 100. The electronic money storage unit 108 can use and replenish electronic money by performing wireless communication in a non-contact state with an external reader / writer (not shown) via the antenna 109a by the proximity communication unit 109. ing. However, in this embodiment, it is not essential to perform non-contact communication with an external reader / writer via the antenna 109a.

  The sound processing unit 111 is connected to the microphone 111a and the speaker 111b, and performs sound processing and input / output processing for a call or the like.

  A program (corresponding to a function realized by the terminal) and data stored in the ROM 102 of the terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The browser 102a is a program for displaying web data described in a predetermined markup language. In the present embodiment, the browser 102a is a message for notifying communication restrictions, caution / explanation data regarding ad hoc communication, and a billing process result notification. Used to display data.

The notice / explanation data 102b regarding the communication restriction notification & ad hoc communication is display data stored in the ROM 102 in advance, which is displayed on the display unit 105 by the browser 102a based on a display command from the base station. Includes: These display data may be transmitted from the base station side each time.
(1) Notification of communication restriction (see FIG. 11A)
(2) Notification that ad hoc communication is permitted instead of entering the communication restriction state (see FIG. 11A)
(3) Notification of the possibility that the battery will be significantly reduced by ad-hoc communication (see FIG. 11B)
(4) Notification that cashback will be performed for the relayed amount (notice about the cost for using ad hoc communication) (see FIG. 11B)
(5) Instruction to the user when the user wishes to use ad hoc communication (see FIG. 11B)

  The ad hoc communication permission / prohibition management function 102c cancels the prohibition of the ad hoc communication of the terminal using the key data (in the RAM 103) transmitted from the base station in advance when the user replies that the ad hoc communication is performed. And a program for notifying the user to that effect. Similarly, when a communication restriction release notification is received from the base station, the terminal executes ad hoc communication prohibition processing for suppressing its own ad hoc communication accordingly.

  The ad hoc communication permission / prohibition notification data 102d is display data (and / or audio data) for notifying the user when the prohibition of ad hoc communication is released (see FIG. 12A). The ad hoc communication permission / prohibition notification data 102d is also display data (and / or voice data) for notifying that ad hoc communication is prohibited when the communication restriction is canceled from the base station (FIG. 12). (See (b)).

  The ad hoc communication function 102e is an application program for executing ad hoc communication. This function includes route search for ad hoc communication, data transmission / reception, and relay processing. This ad hoc communication function 102e is normally in an activation prohibited state (suppressed state), and can be activated when key data is transmitted from the base station when communication is restricted. When the communication restriction is lifted, the activation is again prohibited. Even if the activation is enabled, the suppression state is not canceled immediately, but the suppression state is canceled based on the intention display of the terminal user. Thereby, only a user who wants to use direct communication between terminals at the time of communication regulation can use. Conversely, users who do not want to use can refuse to use.

  The ad hoc communication amount & time billing management function 102f is activated at the same time as the ad hoc communication function of the terminal is activated, and the traffic amount and communication time when ad hoc communication or relay is performed during ad hoc communication and the corresponding billing amount or It is a program for calculating and managing cashback amount. Specifically, the settlement amount is calculated, and the balance of electronic money is changed (see FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C). At this time, the calculated and managed data is stored in the RAM 103.

  The ad hoc traffic & hour billing communication & notification function 102g communicates various data (stored in the RAM) calculated by the ad hoc traffic & hour billing management function 102f to a predetermined base station side, etc. It is a program for notifying. Alternatively, as will be described later, various data (stored in the RAM) calculated by the ad-hoc traffic & time billing management function 102f are notified to the base station side, and the result data subjected to the settlement process on the base station side It is a program for notifying a user.

  Note that the functions in the ROM 102 shown in FIG. 4 may be further subdivided or grouped.

  FIG. 5 shows instructions and various data stored in the RAM 103.

  A communication restriction notification & ad hoc communication notification display command 103a is a command transmitted from the base station to a terminal whose location is registered at the time of communication restriction. Based on this command, display data (communication application) stored in advance on the terminal side is activated, and display (and / or audio output) for notifying the user of information is performed.

  The ad hoc communication application prohibition release key data 103b is data transmitted from the base station together with a display command related to the communication restriction notification. When the user returns an intention to use ad hoc communication to the base station, the key data is used, the prohibition of ad hoc communication is released, and the ad hoc communication application as the ad hoc communication module described above is activated. Note that the key data 103b may be configured to be transmitted by the base station to the user who has returned an intention to use (ad hoc) communication (OK) instead of being transmitted together with the communication restriction notification command.

  The ad hoc communication path data 103c is data regarding a communication path (which may include a relay terminal) when performing ad hoc communication.

  The data (relay communication data) 103d regarding the relay amount / relay time of ad hoc communication is data regarding the relay time / relay data amount of the terminal at the time of ad hoc communication. This data is used as data to be cashed back to the relay terminal.

  The data (ad hoc communication data) 103e related to the communication amount / communication time of ad hoc communication is data related to the communication time / data amount as an end node (terminals at both ends of the communication path) at the time of ad hoc communication, and is charged for the terminal. Is used as data.

  Next, an example of the operation of the system related to ad hoc communication in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when communication restriction is performed in the base station, the base station sends a communication restriction state notification display instruction, a notice display instruction for ad hoc communication relay, and ad hoc communication prohibition release key data to a terminal in a predetermined area. (In this example, transmission is made to all terminals whose location is registered for the base station) (S1). The terminal receives these pieces of information (S11) and stores the key data in the RAM (S12). Next, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, for example, the terminal notifies the user of communication restriction (display and / or voice) and notifies information related to ad hoc communication (S13).

  On the other hand, when the user makes an intention to use the ad hoc communication (for example, an instruction of the “OK” button in the screen of FIG. 11B) (S14, Yes), the “ad hoc communication OK reply” is displayed on the terminal. (S15). This reply includes information for identifying the terminal. The base station that has received the “ad hoc communication OK reply” from the terminal records the ad hoc communication OK terminal information in the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 as described with reference to FIG. 2 (S2).

  The terminal that has performed “ad-hoc communication OK reply” cancels the ad-hoc communication function prohibition (S16) and activates the ad-hoc communication function (S17). Also, the ad hoc communication billing management function is activated (S18). The execution order of steps S17 and S18 may be reversed. Thereafter, as in the screen example shown in FIG. 12A, for example, the user is notified by display (and / or voice) that ad-hoc communication is enabled (S19).

  Thereafter, if there is an ad hoc communication call request by the user's terminal operation (S20, Yes), an ad hoc communication process is executed (S21), and the above ad hoc communication data is recorded (S22).

  If an ad hoc communication call request is received from another terminal to the own terminal (S23, Yes), an ad hoc communication process is executed (S24).

  If there is an ad hoc communication relay request from another terminal (S25, Yes), relay communication processing is executed (S26), and the relay communication data as described above is recorded (S27).

  The processes in steps S20 to S27 are repeatedly executed while ad hoc communication is enabled.

  Thereafter, when there is no longer a need for communication restriction, the base station issues a communication restriction release notification to at least each terminal registered as ad hoc communication OK (S3). This notification includes a communication restriction release notification display instruction and an ad hoc communication function prohibition instruction. Accordingly, the base station updates the ad hoc communication terminal management data in the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 so as to change the status of all terminals to “NO” (S4).

  The ad hoc communication of the terminal is also stopped when the terminal goes out of the communication restriction area 150 or when the user performs an explicit instruction operation.

  On the other hand, when the terminal receives the communication restriction release notification from the base station (S28), for example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the terminal displays a communication restriction release (warning) notification and an ad hoc communication prohibition notification (warning) ( S29). When communication restriction is canceled during a call, a warning by sound or the like may be generated. After a predetermined time elapses, the ad hoc communication function is prohibited (for example, the key data is deleted) (S30), ad hoc communication charge management settlement and notification to the user are performed (S31). The notification to the user can be performed by display (and / or voice) as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), for example. The execution order of steps S30 and S31 may be reversed. If there is an increase or decrease in the current electronic money amount due to ad-hoc communication billing management settlement (S32, Yes), the electronic money amount is updated (S33), for example, as shown in FIG. Completion notification is performed (S34). The execution order of steps S33 and S34 may be reversed.

  Next, a more specific process of the terminal in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This processing is basically the same as the processing of the terminal shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and some of the processing steps are shown in detail.

  In step S41, whether or not the communication restriction state notification display instruction, the ad hoc communication relay instruction display instruction, and the ad hoc communication prohibition release key data transmitted from the base station in step S1 of FIG. 6 have been received. It is a step which determines. Subsequent steps S42 to S49 correspond to steps S12 to S19 in FIG. 6 and are processes in which the ad hoc communication function is enabled according to the user's intention display during communication restriction.

  Subsequent steps S50 to S57 are processing of ad hoc communication driven by the user of the terminal, ad hoc communication driven by the other user, and relay communication, as in steps S20 to S27.

  Subsequent step S58 is a process for determining whether or not the user has requested to end the ad hoc communication. Step S59 is a process of determining whether or not the user has moved outside the communication restriction area of ad hoc communication. Step S60 is a process for determining whether or not a communication restriction release notification has been received from the base station. If any of these determination processing results is Yes, in step S61, the communication restriction cancellation (warning) is notified to the user, and the ad hoc communication prohibition notification (warning) is displayed.

  Subsequent steps S62 to S66 are billing and cashback processing related to ad hoc communication, as in steps S30 to S34 of FIG.

  FIG. 10 is basically the same as the processing of the base station shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and partially shows more detailed processing steps.

  When communication restriction becomes necessary (S71, Yes), the base station transmits the above-described communication restriction notification and key data for releasing the ad hoc communication prohibition to the terminals in the communication restriction area (S72). ).

  Thereafter, if a reply of intention display of ad hoc communication OK is sent from the terminal (S73, Yes), the ad hoc communication OK terminal information is recorded in the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 (S74).

  After that, when it is necessary to cancel the communication restriction (S75, Yes), the communication restriction release notification is sent to the terminal (S76), and the ad hoc communication data in the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 is updated, as in steps S3 and S4. (S77).

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 shows a schematic overall configuration of a radio communication system according to the second embodiment. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the first embodiment, billing management for ad hoc communication is performed on each terminal 100 side. In the second embodiment, billing management is performed on the base station 200 side. For this purpose, in addition to the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210, the base station 200 side records and manages communication information (ad hoc communication amount / time and relay communication amount / time charging) in terminals using ad hoc communication. A data management DB 220 is provided. After using the ad hoc communication, the terminal transmits communication information regarding the use to the base station.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the ad hoc communication terminal management DB 210 provided on the base station 200 side, in addition to the terminal ID and status shown in FIG. 2, the ad hoc (Ad) communication amount (number of packets) and the relay amount (packets) Number) data. Here, in addition to the communication amount, management by communication time can also be performed.

  The charging / cashback data management DB 220 records usage history information, charging amount, and electronic money balance for each terminal ID. In this example, the usage history information includes a usage date, a communication type (ad hoc communication or relay), and the number of packets. In the figure, “+” of the charge amount indicates charge to the terminal user, and “−” indicates cash back to the terminal user.

  The configuration of the terminal in the second embodiment can be substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

  An example of the operation of the system related to ad hoc communication in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. The base station processes S111 to S115 and the terminal processes S121 to S140 in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are the same as the base station processes S1 to S4 and the terminal processes S11 to S30 in FIG. This is the same, and a duplicate description is omitted.

  In step S140 of FIG. 17, the terminal prohibits (suppresses) the ad hoc communication function, and then performs ad hoc communication charging management and notification to the user in step S141. However, since actual settlement is performed on the base station side, ad hoc communication billing settlement data (ad hoc communication data and relay data) is transmitted to the base station in the subsequent step S142. The base station that has received this performs ad-hoc communication billing in step S115 and records necessary information in the billing / cashback data management DB 220. Therefore, if it is necessary to increase or decrease the amount of electronic money for the terminal (S116, Yes), the increase / decrease instruction data is transmitted to the terminal (S117). Upon receiving this instruction, the terminal performs electronic money increase / decrease processing (S143) and displays the result (S144).

  In the example of FIG. 17, the electronic money is stored on the terminal side, and the ad hoc communication charging settlement process is performed on the base station side, and the result is reflected on the terminal. On the other hand, the electronic money of each terminal user can be stored on the base station side without being stored on the terminal side. FIG. 18 shows an example of such processing. In this example, as a configuration of the terminal 100, the electronic money storage unit 108, the proximity communication unit 109, and the antenna 109a illustrated in FIG. 3 are not necessarily required.

  Steps S213 and S214 of the base station in FIG. 18 and steps S235 to S240 of the terminal are the same as steps S113 and S114 of the base station and steps S135 to S140 of the terminal in FIG. In addition, as shown in steps S58, S59, and S60 of FIG. 9, the ad hoc communication is terminated not only by the communication regulation release notification from the base station, but also by the user and the termination request and the user movement outside the communication regulation area. Including.

  In step S241 following step S240, the terminal transmits ad hoc communication data to the base station. In response, the base station performs ad hoc communication billing management production processing (S215), and records the result in the billing / cashback data management DB 220 as settlement data information (S216). Next, the base station transmits ad hoc communication billing settlement result notification data to the terminal (S217). Receiving this, the terminal displays the settlement result (S242). This screen is the same as that shown in FIGS. On the other hand, if it is necessary to increase / decrease the electronic money amount of the terminal user following step S217 (S218, Yes), the base station performs an increase / decrease process of the electronic money amount (S219), and notifies the terminal of the completion notification. (S220). Upon receiving this notification data, the terminal displays a notification of completion of increase / decrease in electronic money (S243). This screen is the same as that shown in FIG.

  19 and 20 show a configuration example of a radio communication system according to modifications of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. These wireless communication systems are similar to the systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, respectively, except that an access point (AP) 300, which is a master station of a wireless LAN, is used as an upper station instead of the base station 200. ing. The configuration of the terminal in the system of FIGS. 19 and 20 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, but the ad hoc communication unit 107 is configured by short-range wireless communication means such as a wireless LAN adapter and passes through the access point 300. Communication between the terminals is realized by one operation mode of the ad hoc communication unit 107. The operation of these wireless systems is substantially as described above.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various modifications and changes other than those mentioned above can be made.

  For example, “electronic money” does not need to be directly convertible into currency, and some value information is sufficient. For example, it may be a point that can be exchanged for goods or services. A part of the processing of the base station described above may be performed by a server on a network directly or indirectly connected to the base station.

  Although the cell of the base station and the communication restriction area have been shown as the same example, as long as the terminals in the communication restriction area 150 can be grasped, they may not necessarily be the same.

  When a wireless LAN or the like is used in direct communication between terminals, it does not matter whether an access point is used. Inter-terminal communication via an access point is also included in direct communication between terminals in the present invention in the sense that it does not go through a base station of a mobile phone system (or is not directly charged by a telecommunications carrier). Shall.

  Further, the first communication means (communication via a higher station or communication under direct charge management) and the second communication means (communication not via a higher station or direct charge management) However, it does not exclude that both communication means are configured by a single hardware configuration (for example, short-range wireless communication means). .

1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of a radio communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the ad hoc communication terminal management DB of the base station shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a rough hardware structure of the terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory content of ROM in the terminal shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory content of RAM in the terminal shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the system regarding the ad hoc communication in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example following FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the more concrete process of the terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process following the process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the more concrete process of the base station in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the base station in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of a screen of the base station in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of a screen of the base station in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the schematic whole structure of the radio | wireless communications system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an ad hoc communication terminal management DB and a charging / cashback data management DB of the base station shown in FIG. 14. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the system regarding the ad hoc communication in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example following FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another operation example following FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on the modification of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... terminal 102a ... browser 102b ... caution / explanation data 102c ... ad hoc communication permission / prohibition management function 102d ... ad hoc communication permission / prohibition notification data 102f ... time charge management function 102g ... ad hoc communication amount & time charge communication & notification function 103a ... Display command 103b ... Ad hoc communication application prohibition release key data 103c ... Ad hoc communication path data 103d ... Ad hoc communication relay amount / relay time data 104 ... Input unit 105 ... Display unit 106 ... Communication unit 106a ... Antenna 107 ... Ad hoc Communication unit 107a ... Antenna 108 ... Electronic money storage unit 109 ... Proximity communication unit 109a ... Antenna 110 ... Storage unit 111 ... Audio processing unit 111a ... Microphone 111b ... Speaker 112 ... Power supply 150 ... Communication restriction area 200 ... Base station 210 Ad hoc communication terminal management DB
220 ... Billing / Cashback Data Management DB
300 ... access point (AP)

Claims (18)

In a wireless system in which communication terminals as a plurality of mobile stations perform wireless communication via an upper station,
Communication terminal
A first communication means for communicating with another communication terminal via an upper station;
A second communication means for performing direct communication (direct communication between terminals) between communication terminals;
Control means for controlling the first and second communication means,
The upper station is
The communication terminal regulates communication via the higher-level station under a predetermined condition, and permits direct communication between terminals by the second communication means at the time of the communication restriction, and the second communication means except the communication restriction Prohibit direct communication between devices,
The control means of the communication terminal suppresses direct communication between terminals by the second communication means except when the communication is restricted under the control of the upper station, and between the terminals by the second communication means when the communication is restricted. A wireless system characterized by enabling direct communication.   2. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the direct communication between the first and second communication terminals by the second communication means includes communication using at least the third communication terminal as a relay station.   3. The wireless system according to claim 1, further comprising billing means for billing the use of communication by the second communication means.   4. The wireless system according to claim 2, further comprising a return unit that returns a value corresponding to the amount of relay to the relay station. The communication terminal further comprises means for storing value data,
5. The wireless system according to claim 4, wherein the charging by the charging unit and the return of value by the return unit are performed by changing the value data in a communication terminal.   5. The wireless system according to claim 4, wherein charging by the charging unit and value reduction by the return unit are performed on a higher-level station side.   When the upper station permits direct communication between terminals by the second communication means at the time of communication restriction, there is a reply to the communication terminal as to whether to use direct communication between terminals and to use it. 2. The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein direct communication between terminals is permitted to the communication terminal.   The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication unit includes a short-range wireless communication unit.   The wireless system according to claim 1, wherein the communication by the first communication means is under direct charge management by a communication carrier, and the second communication means is not under direct charge management by a communication carrier. A communication terminal that constitutes a mobile station that performs wireless communication with another communication terminal via an upper station,
A first communication means for communicating with another communication terminal via an upper station;
A second communication means for performing direct communication (direct communication between terminals) between communication terminals;
Control means for controlling the first and second communication means,
The control means suppresses direct inter-terminal communication operation by the second communication means except when communication is restricted under the control of the host station, and enables direct communication between terminals by the second communication means when communication is restricted. A communication terminal characterized by that.   11. The communication according to claim 10, wherein communication by the second control unit is suppressed in a normal state, and the control unit receives permission information from the upper station and releases the suppression state. Terminal.   12. The communication terminal according to claim 11, wherein the control means notifies the user by display or voice of permission to perform direct communication between terminals when receiving the permission information.   The communication terminal according to claim 12, wherein the inhibition state is released based on an intention display of the terminal user. Means for storing value data;
14. The communication terminal according to claim 10, further comprising a charging unit configured to charge for use of communication by the second communication unit.   The communication terminal according to claim 10 or 14, further comprising means for receiving a reduction in value corresponding to the amount of relay when the direct communication between the other communication terminals is relayed.   The communication terminal according to claim 10, wherein the inhibition of the direct communication operation between terminals by the second communication means is inhibition of all functions of the second communication means.   The communication terminal according to claim 10, wherein the suppression of the direct communication operation between terminals by the second communication unit is suppression of a specific application using the second communication unit. A first communication unit that communicates with another communication terminal via the upper station, and a second communication unit that performs direct communication (inter-terminal direct communication) between the communication terminals; A communication terminal control method for configuring a mobile station that performs wireless communication with another communication terminal via
Inhibiting the direct communication operation between terminals by the second communication means in a state where the first communication means is available;
A step of releasing the inhibition of direct communication between terminals by the second communication means when use of the first communication means is restricted according to an instruction from a higher-level station. Method.

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