JP3703994B2 - Service information providing apparatus and information terminal - Google Patents

Description

【００４７】
表１は、端末接続情報の構成を示す。或る情報端末７の端末接続情報は、情報端末７がいずれの位置登録エリアに属しているかを示す情報であり、情報端末７を識別するための識別子と、位置登録エリアを識別する識別子とによって構成される。位置登録エリアの識別子は、位置登録エリアの地域情報に相当し、通信システム１のサービスエリア内のどこに位置登録エリアがあるかを示す。
【００４８】
【表２】

【００４９】
表２は、端末装置識別テーブル４３の構成を示す。端末装置識別テーブル４３は、ｎ個のエントリからなる。数値「ｎ」は、提供装置４がサービスを提供し得る情報端末７の台数に等しい。端末装置識別テーブル４３の各エントリは、情報端末７の識別子と、履歴テーブルポインタとによって構成される。或るエントリの履歴テーブルポインタは、該エントリの情報端末識別子が示す情報端末７に対応する端末装置別接続履歴テーブル４４を読込むためのアドレス情報である。
【００５０】
【表３】

【００５１】
表３は、任意の１台の情報端末の接続履歴テーブル４４の構成を示す。接続履歴テーブル４４は、情報端末７固有の情報テーブルであり、提供装置４がサービスを提供し得る情報端末７の台数と同数、すなわちｎ個作成される。１つの情報端末の接続履歴テーブル４４は、ｍ個のエントリからなる。接続履歴テーブル４４の各エントリは、位置登録エリアの識別子と、継続時間とによって構成される。継続時間は、情報端末７が同一の位置登録エリアに属し続けた滞在時間に相当する数値である。情報端末７が常に移動する場合、全エントリの経過時間は全て１になる。
【００５２】
ｍ ＝ ３０×２４×６０ ＝ ４３，２００ …（１）
「ｍ」は可変の数値であり、情報端末７の移動頻度と、提供装置４が情報端末７の移動履歴を蓄積する期間の長さとに応じて定められる。情報端末７が全く移動しない場合、数値ｍは１になる。情報端末７が常に移動し、提供装置４が移動制御データベース部２６から端末接続情報を１分に１回取込み、取込んだ端末接続情報を３０日間蓄積する場合、式１に示すように数値ｍは４３２００になる。
【００５３】
【表４】

【００５４】
表４は、位置登録エリア識別テーブル４５の構成を示す。位置登録エリア識別テーブル４５は、Ｌ個のエントリからなる。数値Ｌは、位置登録エリアの数に等しい。位置登録エリア識別テーブル４５の各エントリは、位置登録エリアの識別子と、サービス情報テーブルポインタとによって構成される。サービス情報テーブルポインタは、位置登録エリア識別子が示す位置登録エリア９に対応する位置登録エリア別サービス情報テーブル４６を読込むためのアドレス情報である。
【００５５】
【表５】

【００５６】
表５は、任意の１つの位置登録エリアのサービス情報テーブル４６の構成を示す。サービス情報テーブル４６は、ｋ個のエントリからなる。ｋは、サービス情報提供装置４が情報端末７に提供し得るサービス情報の数に等しい。サービス情報テーブル４６の各エントリは、提供装置４が情報端末７に提供するサービス情報の実体とサービス識別子とによって構成される。サービス識別子は、サービス情報の実体を識別するための識別子である。
【００５７】
提供装置４において、情報端末７の移動履歴は、移動制御データベース部２６から取得された端末接続情報に基づいて作成される。表１〜表３を参照して、提供装置４における情報端末７の移動履歴の具体的な作成手順を以下に説明する。移動制御データベース部２６は、全情報端末７に関する表１の端末接続情報を、常に有している。処理装置３２は、まず情報取得部５１として動作し、移動制御データベース部２６が保存する端末接続情報のうち、サービス情報を提供する対象となる情報端末７の端末接続情報を取得する。
【００５８】
端末接続情報が取得された後、処理装置３２は、移動履歴作成部５２として動作する。処理装置３２は、まず表２の端末装置識別テーブル４３を参照して、取得された端末接続情報の情報端末識別子が示す情報端末に対応する表３の端末装置別接続履歴テーブル４４を、全接続履歴テーブルのうちから選ぶ。次いで処理装置３２は、選ばれた接続履歴テーブル４４の全エントリのうちから最新のエントリを選び、選ばれたエントリの位置登録エリア識別子と端末接続情報の位置登録エリア識別子を比較する。両者の位置登録エリア識別子が一致すれば、処理装置３２は、選ばれたエントリの継続時間に１を加算して更新する。両者の位置登録エリアの識別子が相互に異なれば、処理装置３２は、選ばれている接続履歴テーブル４４に新たなエントリを追加し、追加したエントリの位置登録エリア識別子に端末接続情報の位置登録エリア識別子を複写し、追加したエントリの継続時間を１に設定する。以上の処理によって、接続履歴テーブル４４には、情報端末７が属した位置登録エリアの識別子が蓄積されるので、情報端末７の移動履歴が作成される。
【００５９】
端末接続情報の情報端末の識別子が端末装置識別テーブル４３から検索される際、該情報端末識別子が端末装置識別テーブル４３になければ、処理装置３２は、取得された端末接続情報が示す情報端末はサービス情報提供サービスの対象外の情報端末であると判断する。対象外の情報端末に関しては、たとえば、移動履歴の作成およびサービス情報の提供が行われないので、この時点で処理が終了する。
【００６０】
端末接続情報は、情報取得部５１が自発的に移動制御データベース部２６から読出してもよく、移動制御データベース部２６が情報取得部５１に与えても良い。前者の場合、情報取得部５１は、予め定めるタイミング毎に、移動制御データベース部２６にアクセスして、端末接続情報を読出す。具体的には、情報取得部５１は、１分間に１回、端末接続情報を取りに行く。これによって、網側設備２に負担をかけることなく端末接続情報が取得されるので、処理装置３２は、網側設備２に負担をかけることなく移動履歴を作成することができる。また移動制御データベース部２６が端末接続情報を与える場合、移動制御データベース部２６は、たとえば、位置登録エリアに対して新たな位置登録が行われるたびに、端末接続情報を情報取得部５１に与える。この場合、端末接続情報が更新された時点にだけ、端末接続情報提供のための呼が発生するので、不要な呼が起こらない。これによって、移動体通信システム１において、移動制御データベース部２６と提供装置４との間の伝送路のトラフィックおよび通信網６のトラフィックが端末接続情報の取得に起因して増大することは、防止されている。
【００６１】
以上説明したように、端末接続情報は、定期的に取得されてもよく、不定期に取得られても良い。端末接続情報が定期的に取得される場合、処理装置３２は、情報端末７が移動しているか否かに拘わらず、情報端末７の移動履歴を更新することができる。移動履歴が定期的に更新される場合、位置登録エリア識別子の比較結果に基づき最新のエントリの継続時間が更新されているので、最新の位置登録エリア９における情報端末７の滞在時間が計測されていることになる。ゆえに処理装置３２は、移動履歴作成部５２として動作する間、位置登録エリアの情報端末７の滞在時間の計測手段としても動作することができる。
【００６２】
処理装置３２は、或る情報端末７にサービス情報を提供する場合、概略的には、まず該情報端末７が移動中か否かを判断し、移動中であれば将来属するであろう位置登録エリアを予測する。将来属するであろう位置登録エリアとは、現時点属している位置登録エリアの次に属するであろう位置登録エリア、または、近い将来、たとえば端末接続情報の更新が１〜９回行われた後に属するであろう位置登録エリアを示す。以下に、表１〜表３を用いた処理装置３２における位置登録エリアの予測処理を、詳細に説明する。
【００６３】
処理装置３２は、まずサービス情報の提供先である情報端末７（以後「当該情報端末７」と称する）の現時刻の端末接続情報を、移動制御データベース部２６から読込む。処理装置３２は、さらに、当該情報端末７の端末装置別接続履歴テーブル４４を読込み、読込んだ接続履歴テーブル４４の最新のエントリの位置登録エリア識別子と、先に移動制御データベース部２６から読込んだ現時刻の端末接続情報の位置登録エリア識別子とを比較する。両者の位置登録エリアの識別子が同一であれば、処理装置３２は、情報端末７が移動中ではないと判断する。当該情報端末７の接続履歴テーブル４４の最新のエントリが示す位置登録エリア識別子と、現時刻の端末接続情報５の位置登録エリア識別子とが異なる場合、処理装置３２は、当該情報端末７が移動中であると判断する。以上説明した処理によって処理装置３２は、当該情報端末７が移動中か否かを判断することができる。このように処理装置３２は、位置登録エリアの予測に先立ち、情報端末７が移動しているか否かを判断する移動判断部として動作する。
【００６４】
当該情報端末７が移動中である場合、処理装置３２は、エリア予測部５３として動作し、当該情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアを予測する。この予測処理のために、処理装置３２は、まず当該情報端末７の接続履歴テーブルのうち、最新のエントリから該最新のエントリを起点としてｘ個分溯ったエントリまでのｘ個のエントリによって構成される列（以後「参照エントリ列」と称する）を取込む。参照エントリ列は、当該情報端末７が属する最新の位置登録エリアへの来歴を示している。数値ｘは、１以上でありかつ接続履歴テーブル４４の全エントリの数ｍの半分以下の任意の数値に常に設定されればよい。
【００６５】
処理装置３２は、次いで、取込まれた参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列を、当該情報端末７の接続履歴テーブル４４の全エントリから検索する。最新の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列が接続履歴テーブル４４から発見できない場合、数値ｘを１減じて更新し、更新した数値ｘを用いて参照エントリ列の取込みおよびエントリ列の検索をやり直す。上述のエントリ列の検索処理は、最新の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列が接続履歴テーブル４４から発見できるまで、数値ｘを更新しつつ繰返される。数値ｘが大きくなるほど、移動距離の長い来歴を移動履歴から検索することができ、数値ｘが小さくなるほど、移動距離の短い来歴を移動履歴から検索することができる。
【００６６】
最新の参照エントリ列と同一の複数のエントリ列が発見された場合、発見された複数のエントリ列のうち、最も新しいエントリ列を、位置登録エリアの予測処理に採用することが好ましい。また最新の参照エントリ列と同一の複数のエントリ列が発見された場合、数値ｘに予め定める値αを加算して更新し、更新された数値ｘを用いてエントリ列を再検索し、再検索結果に基づいて位置登録エリアの予測処理を行っても良い。エントリ列が再検索される場合、情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアの予測の精度が、より高くなる。数値ｘが１になるまでエントリ列の検索処理が繰返された結果、数値ｘを１にしても参照エントリ列と同一のエントリを接続履歴テーブル４４から発見できない場合、当該情報端末７は過去に例のない移動行動を行っていると判断されるので、将来属するであろう位置登録エリアは予測されない。
【００６７】
最新の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列が接続履歴テーブル４４から検索された場合、処理装置３２は、該同一のエントリ列の末尾のエントリの次のエントリから接続履歴テーブル４４の最新のエントリまでの部分を用いて、情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアの識別子を選ぶ。以上説明した処理によって、当該情報端末７が移動中である場合、処理装置３２は、将来属するであろう位置登録エリアを、情報端末７の移動履歴に基づいて予測することができる。たとえば処理装置３２は、移動履歴内の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列の末尾の次のエントリに記載される位置登録エリア識別子を、情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアの識別子として選ぶ。これによって識別子選択のための処理が極めて簡単になるので、処理時間の短縮および処理装置３２の負荷の軽減が図られる。
【００６８】
参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列の末尾の次のエントリに識別子が記載される位置登録エリアは、情報端末の所有者にとって目的地ではなく単なる通過点である場合がある。このような場合、通過点でしかない位置登録エリアを、将来属するであろう位置登録エリアとして選択することを防止することが好ましい。このために処理装置３２は、移動履歴内の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列よりも後の部分内で、情報端末の滞在時間が最も長い位置登録エリアの識別子を選択する。またこのために処理装置３２は、移動履歴内の参照エントリ列と同一のエントリ列よりも後の部分内で、情報端末の滞在時間が予め定める基準の滞在時間よりも長い位置登録エリアの識別子を選択してもよい。このような２つの手順のうちのいずれか一方で識別子が選択される際、予測精度の向上のために、選択対象のエントリを、移動履歴内において、前記同一のエントリ列の末尾の次のエントリに記載の位置登録エリアに属した時刻から、該時刻から所定時間先の時刻までの部分に限定することが好ましい。前記所定時間は、たとえば１時間である。
【００６９】
将来属する位置登録エリアが予測された場合、予測された位置登録エリアの識別子に基づいて、サービス情報が提供される。将来属する位置登録エリアが予測されない場合、当該情報端末７の現時刻の端末接続情報の位置登録エリア識別子に基づいて、サービス情報は提供される。このために処理装置３２は、エリア予測部５３の処理結果に基づいて位置登録エリアを指定し、指定された位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報を、該情報端末７の所有者にとって最適のサービス情報として選択する。処理装置３２がサービス情報選択部５４として動作する間の処理は以下のとおりである。
【００７０】
将来属する位置登録エリアが予測された場合、処理装置３２は、まず当該情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリア９の識別子を記載したエントリを、表４の位置登録エリア識別テーブル４５の中から選択する。次いで処理装置３２は、選択されたエントリが示すサービス情報テーブルポインタが示すサービス情報テーブルを選ぶ。このように選ばれたサービス情報テーブルは、当該情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアに対応している。将来属する位置登録エリアが予測されなかった場合、処理装置３２は、まず当該情報端末７の現時刻の端末接続情報の位置登録エリア９の識別子を記載したエントリを、表４の位置登録エリア識別テーブル４５の中から選択する。次いで処理装置３２は、選択されたエントリが示すサービス情報テーブルポインタが示すサービス情報テーブルを選ぶ。このように選ばれたサービス情報テーブルは、当該情報端末７が現時点で属している位置登録エリア９に対応している。
【００７１】
最終的に処理装置３２は、提供部５５として動作し、サービス情報選択部５４によって選ばれたサービス情報テーブル４６を読込む。処理装置３２は、読込んだテーブル４６内の任意のサービス情報を、回線接続部３１と通信網６と基地局５とを介して、当該情報端末７に提供する。当該情報端末７は、提供されたサービス情報を取得した後、目視表示または音響表示等の手法で、該サービス情報を情報端末７の所有者に提示する。
【００７２】
以上説明したように、提供装置４は、移動中の携帯型の情報端末７に対して、将来属するであろう位置登録エリアと関連するサービス情報を、提供することが可能になる。したがって提供装置４は、広範囲にわたって移動する情報端末７に対して、最適なサービス情報を提供することができる。また上述したように、提供装置４は、当該情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアの予測のために、情報端末７の移動履歴内の最新の来歴を参照エントリ列として取出し、移動履歴の中から最新の来歴と一致する部分を検索する。この結果発見された部分に続く次の位置登録エリアが、該情報端末７が将来接続するであろう位置登録エリアであると見なされる。これによって提供装置４は、移動履歴だけを用いて情報端末７が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアを容易に予測することができる。また提供装置４は、位置登録エリアの予測が難しい場合、現在属する位置登録エリアに基づいてサービス情報を提供している。これによって提供装置４は、位置登録エリアの予測が難しい場合でも、サービス情報を情報端末７に提供することができる。
【００７３】
処理装置３２は、エリア予測部５３の代わりに、第１エリア選択部５６を兼ねていてもよい。第１エリア選択部５６は、全位置登録エリア９のうちから、情報端末７が頻繁に属する位置登録エリアを選択する。頻繁に属する位置登録エリアは、情報端末７の所有者が頻繁に訪問する場所を含んでいる。頻繁に属する位置登録エリアを選択するには、第１エリア選択部５６は、接続履歴テーブル４４を解析して、情報端末７が過去に属した回数が最も多い位置登録エリアを選択すればよい。具体的には、第１エリア選択部５６は、移動履歴内の最新のエントリから表３の継続時間を所定期間分過去に溯った部分を選び、選ばれた部分に基づいて位置登録エリア毎の情報端末の所属回数の統計をとり、最も所属回数が多い位置登録エリアを選択する。所定期間が１週間であり、端末所属情報が１分に１回ずつ取得されている場合、移動履歴内の現時点から１００８０分前までの部分までが、統計の対象となる。
【００７４】
第１エリア選択部５６が備えられる場合、処理装置３２は、将来属すると予測された位置登録エリアの代わりに、第１エリア選択部５６が選択した位置登録エリアを指定し、指定された位置登録エリアに対応するサービス情報テーブル４６を選択する。ゆえに処理装置３２は、情報端末７が頻繁に属する位置登録エリアに対応するサービス情報テーブル４６内のサービス情報を、情報端末７に提供する。これによって提供装置４は、広範囲に移動する情報端末７に対して、情報端末７の現在位置にとらわれることなく、情報端末７の所有者が頻繁に訪問する場所を含む位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報を提供することができる。したがって提供装置４は、情報端末７に対して、最適なサービス情報を容易に提供することができる。
【００７５】
また処理装置３２は、エリア予測部５３の代わりに、第２エリア選択部５７を備えていても良い。第２エリア選択部５７は、全位置登録エリア９のうちから、情報端末７の滞在時間の合計が長い位置登録エリアを選択する。滞在時間の合計が長い位置登録エリアは、情報端末７の所有者がよく居る場所を含んでいる。滞在時間の合計が長い位置登録エリアを選択するには、接続履歴テーブル４４を解析して、情報端末７の過去の滞在時間の合計が最も位置登録エリアを選択すればよい。具体的には、第２エリア選択部５７は、移動履歴内の最新のエントリから表３の継続時間を所定期間分過去に溯った部分を選び、選ばれた部分に基づいて位置登録エリア毎の情報端末の滞在時間の統計をとり、最も滞在時間の総和が多い位置登録エリアを選択する。所定期間が１週間であり、端末所属情報が１分に１回ずつ取得されている場合、移動履歴内の現時点から１００８０分前までの部分までが、統計の対象となる。
【００７６】
第２エリア選択部５７が備えられる場合、処理装置３２は、予測された次の位置登録エリアの代わりに、第２エリア選択部５７が選択した位置登録エリアを指定し、指定された位置登録エリアに対応するサービス情報テーブル４６を選択する。ゆえに提供装置４は、情報端末７が長期間滞在した位置登録エリアに対応するサービス情報テーブル４６内の任意のサービス情報を、情報端末７に提供することができる。これによって提供装置４は、広範囲に移動する情報端末７に対して、情報端末７の現在位置にとらわれることなく、情報端末７がよく居る位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報を提供することができるので、情報端末７に対して最適なサービス情報を容易に提供することができる。また提供装置４は、移動範囲が狭い情報端末７および静止中の情報端末７に対しても、最適なサービス情報を、より効果的に提供することができる。
【００７７】
以上説明したように、情報端末７に提供されるサービス情報は、当該情報端末７の移動履歴に基づいて選択されている。情報端末７の移動履歴の作成、および提供するべきサービス情報に関連する位置登録エリアの指定は、サービス情報提供装置４の代わりに、情報端末７が行っても良い。さらに情報端末７は、将来属するであろう位置登録エリアの予測処理、頻繁に属する位置登録エリアの選択処理、および長時間滞在する位置登録エリアの選択処理のうちの少なくとも１つをさらに行い、行われた処理の結果に基づいて、提供するべきサービス情報に関連する位置登録エリアを指定すればよい。この場合、情報端末７は指定した位置登録エリアに関するサービス情報の提供を、サービス情報提供装置４に要求し、提供装置４は、要求された位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報を情報端末７に提供すればよい。
【００７８】
このように情報端末７が自身が移動履歴の作成および位置登録エリアの指定を行うためには、通信システム６１が図３に示すような構成であればよい。図３の通信システム６１の構成のうち、以下に説明する構成以外の他の構成は、図１の通信システム１の構成と等しい。図３の通信システム６１の構成要素のうち、第１の実施の形態の通信システム１の構成要素と等しいのものには同じ参照符を付し、詳細な説明は省略する。
【００７９】
通信システム６１は、複数の基地局５と、通信網６と、携帯型の情報端末６３と、サービス情報提供装置６４とを含む。提供装置６４は、回線接続部３１と、サービス情報記憶部３４と、処理装置６６とを含む。提供装置６４の処理装置６６は、提供部６７を兼ねている。情報端末６３は、無線通信部７１と、移動履歴記憶部７２と、処理装置７３とを含み、これら３つの処理部はバスラインを介して相互に接続されている。無線通信部７１は、処理装置７３の制御に基づき、基地局５との無線通信を行う。移動履歴記憶部７２は、情報端末６３の接続履歴テーブルを記憶している。情報端末６３の処理装置７３は、移動履歴作成部７６、エリア予測部５３、第１エリア選択部５６、第２エリア選択部５７、エリア指定部７７、および要求部７８を兼ねている。
【００８０】
移動履歴作成部７６は、情報端末が属する位置登録エリアの情報を移動履歴記憶部７２に蓄積して、情報端末の移動履歴を作成する。移動履歴作成部７６の移動履歴の作成処理の詳細は、図１の提供装置４の移動履歴作成部５２の移動履歴の作成処理の詳細と等しい。エリア指定部７７は、作成された移動履歴に基づいて、サービス情報を要求するべき位置登録エリアを指定する。要求するべき位置登録エリアの指定処理の処理手順は、第１の実施の形態においてサービス情報選択部５４がサービス情報を提供するべき位置登録エリアを指定する処理の処理手順と等しい。ゆえに位置登録エリアの指定には、エリア予測部５３、第１エリア選択部５６、および第２エリア選択部５７のうちのいずれか１つの処理結果が参照される。要求部７８は、エリア指定部７７によって指定された位置登録エリアに関するサービス情報の提供を、無線通信部６３と基地局５と通信網６とを介して、提供装置６４に要求する。提供装置６４の提供部６７は、情報端末６３から要求された位置登録エリアに関するサービス情報を、通信網６と基地局５とを介して、情報端末６３に対して提供する。提供されたサービス情報は、目視表示または音響表示等の手法で、情報端末６３の所有者に提示される。
【００８１】
このように通信システム６１において、情報端末６４の移動履歴の作成と、移動履歴６４に基づくサービス情報の提供要求とは、情報端末自身が行っている。情報端末の移動履歴は、情報端末の所有者の行動記録に相当する。通信システム６１において、情報端末の所有者の行動記録は該情報端末６３以外の構成要素に与えられていないので、所有者のプライバシーを保護することができる。
【００８２】
移動履歴として蓄積される位置登録エリアの情報としては、情報端末６７が基地局に対して位置登録のために送信する位置登録エリアの情報を用いることが好ましい。すなわち移動履歴作成部７６は、位置登録が行われるたびに位置登録の結果を記憶しており、位置登録の履歴が移動履歴になる。これによって、移動履歴の作成のために、情報端末６３と移動制御データベース部２６との間に呼は発生しない。したがって、移動体通信システム６１において、移動履歴の作成に起因するトラフィックの増大を防止することができる。
【００８３】
以上説明した実施の形態は、本発明に係わるサービス情報提供装置および通信システムの例示であり、主要な構成が等しければ、他の様々な形で実現することができる。特に提供装置４，６４内の処理部および情報端末６３内の処理部は、同じ処理結果が得られれば、上述した構成に限らず他の構成によって実現されてもよい。
【００８４】
図１の通信システム１では、位置登録エリア９に複数の基地局５が設けられているとしている。単一の位置登録エリアに単一の基地局が設けられている場合、情報端末７の端末接続情報は、基地局単位で管理されている。この場合提供装置４は、提供するべきサービス情報に関連する基地局を、サービス情報の提供先である情報端末７が将来接続するであろうと予測される基地局、当該情報端末７が頻繁に接続する基地局は、または当該情報端末７が長時間接続する基地局に基づいて指定し、指定した基地局に基づいてサービス情報を選択して、選択されたサービス情報を提供すればよい。このような場合の提供装置４の処理は、図２および表１〜表５の説明において、「位置登録エリア」を「基地局」または「基地局の呼出しエリア」に読換えればよい。また図３の通信システム６１は、単一の位置登録エリアに単一の基地局が設けられている構成であってもよい。
【００８５】
図１の通信システム１において、提供装置４４と移動制御データベース部２６との接続は、共通線信号ネットワーク２５を介する代わりに、専用線を用いてもよい。提供装置４は、情報端末７の位置情報を、移動制御データベース部２６からではなく、基地局５から読込んでもよい。また提供装置４は、図１のように網側設備２の外に設置される代わりに、移動制御データベース部２６と同一センタ内に置かれてもよい。
【００８６】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、移動体通信システムに備えられたサービス情報提供装置は、情報端末の移動履歴と、情報端末の来歴とに基づいて情報端末が将来属するであろう位置登録エリアを予測し、予測された位置登録エリアと関連するサービス情報を情報端末に提供する。このように将来属するであろう位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報を情報端末に提供することで、広範囲に移動する情報端末の所有者に対して、最適なサービス情報を効果的に提供することができる。
たとえば来歴を用いて将来位置を予測することで、通過点でしかない位置登録エリアのサービス情報を提供することを防ぐことができる。また来歴を用いて将来位置を予測することで、以前に移動したことがある位置を将来位置として予測することができ、将来位置の予測ミスを抑えることができる。また情報端末の来歴を構成する情報が増えるにつれて、予測の精度を高くすることができる。また将来予測処理を簡単にすることができ、処理時間を短縮することができる。
【００８７】
また本発明によれば、情報端末の移動履歴の作成のために、サービス情報提供装置は、情報端末が属する位置登録エリアの情報を自発的に取得している。これによってサービス情報提供装置は、最適なサービス情報を、移動体通信システムに負担をかけることなく情報端末に提供することができる。さらにまた本発明によれば、サービス情報提供装置において、情報端末が属する位置登録エリアの情報は、移動制御データベース手段が自発的にサービス情報提供装置に与えている。これによって移動体通信システムにおけるトラフィックの増大が抑えられる。また本発明によれば、移動履歴は、情報端末が属する位置登録エリアの情報と該位置登録エリアにおける情報端末の滞在時間とを含む。これによってサービス情報提供装置は、情報端末の移動経路だけでなく滞在時間も考慮して、最適なサービス情報を選択することができる。
【００８８】
また本発明によれば、サービス情報提供装置のエリア予測手段は、情報端末の来歴と情報端末の移動履歴とを照合して、前記来歴と等しい部分を抽出し、前記移動履歴内の前記来歴と等しい部分よりも後に記載される位置登録エリアを、前記情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアとして抽出する。これによってエリア予測手段は、サービス情報提供先の情報端末の来歴および移動履歴に基づいて、情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアを予測することができる。
【００８９】
また本発明によれば、エリア予測手段は、前記移動履歴内の前記来歴と等しい部分の末尾の次に記載される位置登録エリアを、該情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアとして抽出する。これによってエリア予測手段は、将来属する位置登録エリアを、極めて簡単に予測することができる。さらにまた本発明によれば、エリア予測手段は、前記移動履歴内の前記来歴と等しい部分よりも後に記載される位置登録エリアのうち、前記情報端末の滞在時間が最も長い位置登録エリアを、該情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアとして抽出する。また本発明によれば、エリア予測手段は、前記移動履歴内の前記来歴と等しい部分よりも後に記載される位置登録エリアのうち、前記情報端末の滞在時間が予め定める基準の滞在時間よりも長い位置登録エリアを、該情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアとして抽出する。これらの処理によってエリア予測手段は、情報端末の移動の際の通過点に過ぎない位置登録エリアが情報端末が将来属する位置登録エリアとして選択されることを、防止することができる。
【００９０】
さらにまた本発明によれば、サービス情報提供装置は、情報端末が過去に頻繁に属した位置登録エリアと関連するサービス情報を、情報端末に提供する。また本発明によれば、サービス情報提供装置は、情報端末が長時間滞在する位置登録エリアと関連するサービス情報を、情報端末に提供する。これらによってサービス情報提供装置は、広範囲に移動する情報端末に対して、現在地にとらわれることなく、最適なサービス情報を、より効果的に提供することができる。
【００９１】
さらにまた本発明によれば、単一の位置登録エリア内に複数の基地局が設置されている。これによってサービス情報提供装置は、位置登録エリア単位で情報端末の位置が管理される場合、最適なサービス情報を情報端末に提供することができる。また本発明によれば、単一の位置登録エリア内に単一の基地局が設置されている。これによってサービス情報提供装置は、基地局単位で情報端末の位置が管理される場合、最適なサービス情報を情報端末に提供することができる。
【００９２】
また本発明によれば、サービス情報提供装置を備えた移動体通信システムにおいて、情報端末の移動履歴および情報端末の来歴の作成と、移動履歴に基づくサービス情報の提供要求とは、情報端末が行っている。これによって移動体通信システムにおいて、所有者のプライバシーを保護することができる。また本発明によれば、情報端末は、位置登録時に作成した位置登録エリアの情報を蓄積して、移動履歴および来歴を得ている。これによって情報端末は、移動体通信システムにおけるトラフィックの増加を防止することができる。
また、情報端末は、情報端末の移動履歴と、情報端末の来歴とに基づいて情報端末が将来属するであろうと予測される位置登録エリアを予測し、予測した位置登録エリアに関連するサービス情報の提供を、サービス情報提供装置に要求する。これによって情報端末は、広範囲に移動する情報端末の所有者に対して、最適なサービス情報をより効果的に取得することができる。また情報端末は、現在属する位置登録エリアに関するサービス情報だけを提供する場合に比較して、情報端末の所有者にとって価値のあるサービス情報を提供することができる。
たとえば来歴を用いて将来位置を予測することで、通過点でしかない位置登録エリアのサービス情報を提供することを防ぐことができる。また来歴を用いて将来位置を予測することで、以前に移動したことがある位置を将来位置として予測することができ、将来位置の予測ミスを抑えることができる。また情報端末の来歴を構成する情報が増えるにつれて、予測の精度を高くすることができる。また将来予測処理を簡単にすることができ、処理時間を短縮することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の一形態であるサービス情報提供装置４を含む移動体通信システム１のシステム構成を示す図である。
【図２】図１のサービス情報提供装置４の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の他の形態である情報端末６３を含む移動体通信システム６１のシステム構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１，６１ 移動体通信システム
４，６４ サービス情報提供装置
５ 基地局
６ 通信網
７，６３ 情報端末
９ 位置登録エリア
２６ 移動制御データベース部
３３，７２ 移動履歴記憶部
３４ サービス情報記憶部
５１ 情報取得部
５２，７６ 移動履歴作成部
５３ エリア予測部
５４ サービス情報選択部
５５，６７ 提供部
５６ 第１エリア選択部
５７ 第２エリア選択部
７７ エリア指定部
７８ 要求部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a service information providing apparatus that provides service information to a portable information terminal, and an information terminal that provides service information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-98473 discloses a mobile communication system that provides various service information to a local information automatic display terminal device, which is a portable information terminal, via a base station and a communication network. A base station of a mobile communication system always transmits an identification signal including a base station ID used for location registration of an information terminal. An advertising phrase that is service information is added to the identification signal. The local information automatic display terminal device receives the identification signal transmitted from the base station, extracts the promotional phrase from the received identification signal, and displays the extracted promotional phrase.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The area information automatic display terminal device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-98473 acquires optimum service information based on an identification signal of a base station that can be wirelessly connected at the current time. In such a mobile communication system, it is possible to provide optimum service information to an information terminal having a narrow movement range and continuing to connect to the same base station. If the information terminal moves widely and the connectable base station is frequently updated, the location of the base station that is currently connectable is only a passing point, so it is optimal based on the identification signal of the base station. It is difficult to provide service information to an information terminal.
[0004]
The present invention relates to a service information providing apparatus and a service information providing apparatus capable of providing optimum service information to a portable information terminal in which base stations that can move and connect widely are updated frequently. The purpose is to provide an information terminal capable of requesting optimum service information.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the first invention, a base station installed in each of a plurality of preset location registration areas, a communication network connecting the base stations, and a location connection via a base station that is wirelessly connected to the base station In a service information providing apparatus provided in a mobile communication system including an information terminal to perform, and a mobility control database unit that stores information on a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs based on a result of location registration,
  In association with the location registration area,Service information storage means for storing service information to be provided to the information terminal;
  Information acquisition means for acquiring information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs, from the movement control database means;
  By information acquisition meansAccumulate the information of the acquired location registration area,The information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs is arranged in the order in which the information terminal has moved.A movement history creation means for creating a movement history of the information terminal;
  Created by travel history creation meansRefer to the movement history of the information terminal,In the movement history of the mobile terminal,Location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongsTo information on the location registration area that is back by the predetermined number in the order in which the information terminal has moved.Area prediction means for predicting a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future based on the history of the information terminalWhen,
  Service information selection means for selecting service information related to the location registration area predicted by the area prediction means from service information stored in the service information storage means;
  Providing means for providing the service information selected by the service information selection means to the information terminal via the communication network and the base station.This is a service information providing apparatus.
[0006]
  According to the present invention, service information is provided to an information terminal using a mobile communication system. The provided service information is selected based on the movement history of the information terminal. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can provide service information optimum for the owner of the information terminal.
  The service information providing deviceThe movement history of the information terminal and the history of the information terminal are obtained, and the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future is predicted. Here, the movement history of the information terminal is an information table configured by arranging information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in order of movement of the information terminal. In addition, the history of the information terminal is from the information of the location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongs to the information of the location registration area that goes back by a predetermined number in the order of movement of the information terminal in the movement history of the mobile terminal. It is an information table configured by arranging information.
  In this way, based on the movement history of the information terminal and the history of the information terminalLocation registration area where information terminals are expected to belong in the futurePredicted location registration areaService information related to is provided to the information terminal. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide the optimum service information to the owner of the information terminal moving over a wide range. Further, the service information providing apparatus can provide valuable service information for the owner of the information terminal as compared with the prior art apparatus that provides only the service information related to the location registration area to which it currently belongs.
  For exampleBy predicting future positions using history,It is possible to prevent providing service information of a location registration area that is only a passing point.Further, by predicting the future position using the history, it is possible to predict a position that has been moved before as the future position, and it is possible to suppress a prediction error of the future position. Moreover, as the information constituting the history of the information terminal increases, the prediction accuracy can be increased. Further, future prediction processing can be simplified, and processing time can be shortened.
[0007]
In the service information providing apparatus of the second invention, the information acquisition means reads out information on a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs at a predetermined timing from the movement control database means, and provides the information to the movement history creation means. It is characterized by.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the information acquisition unit of the service information providing apparatus voluntarily acquires information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs from the movement control database unit. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can create a movement history without imposing a burden on the mobile communication system, and therefore providing optimum service information to the information terminal without imposing a burden on the mobile communication system. Can do.
[0009]
In the service information providing apparatus of the third invention, the movement control database means provides the service information providing apparatus with information on a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs at every predetermined timing,
The information acquisition means receives the information given from the movement control database means and gives the information to the movement history creation means.
[0010]
According to the present invention, in the service information providing device, the location control area information to which the information terminal belongs is voluntarily given to the service information providing device by the movement control database means. As a result, unnecessary calls do not occur, so that an increase in traffic due to the creation of a movement history can be suppressed in the mobile communication system.
[0011]
In the service information providing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the movement history includes information on a location registration area where the information terminal has performed location registration, and time when the information terminal has stayed in the location registration area where the location registration has been performed. And at least.
[0012]
According to the present invention, in the service information providing apparatus, since the movement history includes the location registration area information and the staying time, the optimum service information by the owner of the information terminal is determined not only by the movement route of the information terminal. It can be selected in consideration of the staying time.
[0015]
  In a service information providing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the area prediction means includes:
    (A) collating the history of the information terminal with the movement history of the information terminal;
    (B) Extracting a part equal to the history of the information terminal from the movement history,
    (C) A location registration area described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.
[0016]
According to the present invention, the area predicting means of the service information providing apparatus can easily predict the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future based on the history and movement history of the information terminal of the service information providing destination.
[0017]
  In the service information providing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the area predicting means uses the location registration area described next to the end of the portion equal to the history in the travel history as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. It is characterized by extracting.
[0018]
According to the present invention, the area predicting means of the service information providing apparatus can very easily predict the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.
[0019]
  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the service information providing apparatus, the area predicting unit is a position registration having the longest stay time of the information terminal in a position registration area described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history. The area is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.
[0020]
According to the present invention, the area prediction means of the service information providing apparatus, when predicting the location registration area, sets the location registration area that is only a passing point when the information terminal moves as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. It can be prevented from being selected. When service information is provided based on the location registration area predicted in this way, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide optimal service information to the owner of the information terminal that is moving. Can do.
[0021]
  In the service information providing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the area predicting means is a standard for predetermining the staying time of the information terminal in a location registration area described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history. A location registration area longer than the staying time is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.
[0022]
According to the present invention, the area prediction means of the service information providing apparatus, when predicting the location registration area, sets the location registration area that is only a passing point when the information terminal moves as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. It can be prevented from being selected. When service information is provided based on the location registration area predicted in this way, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide optimal service information to the owner of the information terminal that is moving. Can do.
[0023]
  The service information providing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the invention further includes first area selecting means for referring to the movement history of the information terminal and selecting a location registration area where the information terminal belongs most frequently,
  The service information storage means stores service information in association with a location registration area,
  The service information selection unit selects service information related to the location registration area selected by the first area selection unit.
[0024]
According to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus provides the information terminal with service information related to the location registration area to which the information terminal frequently belongs in the past. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide optimal service information to an information terminal moving in a wide range without being caught by the current position of the information terminal. Further, the service information providing apparatus can provide valuable service information for the owner of the information terminal as compared with the prior art apparatus that provides only the service information related to the location registration area to which it currently belongs.
[0025]
  The service information providing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention further includes second area selecting means for referring to the movement history of the information terminal and selecting a location registration area having the longest total stay time of the information terminal,
  The service information storage means stores service information in association with a location registration area,
  The service information selection unit selects service information related to the location registration area selected by the second area selection unit.
[0026]
According to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus provides service information related to the location registration area where the information terminal stays for a long time to the information terminal. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide optimal service information to an information terminal moving in a wide range without being caught by the current position of the information terminal. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can provide service information that is valuable to the owner of the information terminal, as compared with the prior art apparatus that provides only the service information related to the current location registration area.
[0027]
  The service information providing apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is characterized in that two or more base stations are installed in a single location registration area.
[0028]
According to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus provides the optimum service information based on the movement history to the information terminal when the position of the information terminal is managed in a location registration area unit in which a plurality of base stations are installed. Can be provided.
[0029]
  In a service information providing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, only one base station is installed in a single location registration area.
[0030]
According to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus manages the location of the information terminal in units of location registration areas in which a single base station is installed, that is, manages the location of the information terminal in units of base stations. If so, the optimum service information based on the movement history can be provided to the information terminal.
[0031]
  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to a base station installed in each of a plurality of preset location registration areas, a communication network that connects the base stations, and a service that stores service information in association with each location registration area In an information terminal provided in a mobile communication system including a service information providing device having information storage means,
  Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the base station;
  Accumulating location registration area information to which the information terminal belongs,The information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs is arranged in the order in which the information terminal has moved.A movement history creation means for creating a movement history of the information terminal;
  Created by travel history creation meansRefer to the movement history of the information terminal,In the movement history of the mobile terminal,Location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongsTo information on the location registration area that is back by the predetermined number in the order in which the information terminal has moved.Based on the history of the information terminal, area prediction means for predicting the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future;
  Location registration area predicted by the area prediction meansInRequesting means for requesting the service information providing apparatus to provide related service information via the wireless communication means, a communication network, and a base station;
  The service information providing apparatus reads service information related to a location registration area requested from the information terminal from a service information storage unit, and provides the service information to the information terminal via a communication network and a base station. Information terminal.
[0032]
  According to the present invention, the information terminal is used in a mobile communication system provided with a service information providing apparatus. In a mobile communication system, creation of a movement history of an information terminal and a service information provision request based on the movement history are performed by the information terminal itself. Thereby, in the mobile communication system, the movement history of the information terminal, that is, the action record of the owner of the information terminal is not given to the configuration other than the information terminal, so that the privacy of the owner can be protected.
  Further, the information terminal requests the service information providing apparatus to provide service information related to the location registration area where the information terminal is expected to belong in the future.Here, the information terminal predicts a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future based on the movement history of the information terminal and the history of the information terminal. The movement history of the information terminal is an information table configured by arranging information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in the order in which the information terminal has moved. In addition, the history of the information terminal is from the information of the location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongs to the information of the location registration area that goes back by a predetermined number in the order of movement of the information terminal in the movement history of the mobile terminal. It is an information table configured by arranging information.
  As a result, the information terminal can acquire the optimum service information more effectively for the owner of the information terminal moving in a wide range. In addition, the information terminal can provide service information that is valuable to the owner of the information terminal as compared with the case where only the service information related to the location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongs is provided.
  For exampleBy predicting future positions using history,It is possible to prevent providing service information of a location registration area that is only a passing point.Further, by predicting the future position using the history, it is possible to predict a position that has been moved before as the future position, and it is possible to suppress a prediction error of the future position. Moreover, as the information constituting the history of the information terminal increases, the prediction accuracy can be increased. Further, future prediction processing can be simplified, and processing time can be shortened.
[0033]
  The information terminal of the fourteenth aspect of the invention further includes a location registration means for performing location registration via the base station every time the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs is changed.
  The movement history creating means accumulates location registration area information transmitted to the base station at the time of location registration.
[0034]
According to the present invention, the movement history creation means of the information terminal obtains the movement history by accumulating information of the location registration area created by the location registration means at the time of location registration. Therefore, in the mobile communication system, a call for acquiring information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs does not occur. As a result, the information terminal can prevent an increase in traffic due to the creation of the movement history in the mobile communication system.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1 including a service information providing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “providing apparatus”) 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1 includes a plurality of base stations 5, a communication network 6, and a portable information terminal 7 in addition to the providing device 4. The base station 5 and the communication network 6 constitute the network side equipment 2. The information terminal 7 corresponds to a mobile station of the mobile communication system 1. The mobile communication system composed of the network side equipment 2 and the information terminal 7 is widely used for mobile communication capable of receiving incoming calls using terrestrial waves. For example, the PHS network currently used in Japan. And mobile phone / car phone network.
[0036]
In the area where the network side equipment 2 is installed, a plurality of location registration areas 9 are set in advance for location registration of the information terminal 7. In the single location registration area 9, at least one base station 5 is installed. A single location registration area 9 is formed by calling areas of all base stations 5 belonging to the area. The calling area is determined for each base station 5, and an information terminal existing in the calling area can be wirelessly connected to a base station belonging to the calling area.
[0037]
  The communication network 6 includes at least one connection device 22, a subscriber exchange 23, a toll exchange 24, a common line signal network 25, and a movement control database unit 26. A base station 5 installed in each location registration area 9 is connected to a subscriber exchange 23 via a communication line and a connection device 22. The subscriber exchange 23 is connected to the toll exchange 24 via a communication line in the same manner as a wired telephone network. The toll exchange 24 is connected to each other via a communication line. As a result, the mobile communication system 1 forms a wide area telephone network that can communicate with a remote place. The information terminal 7 is connected to the nearest base station among all the base stations 5 by wireless communication.
[0038]
The location where the location registration area 9 is set, the number of location registration areas 9, the location where the base station 5 is installed, and the number of base stations 5 are, for example, mobile phones provided by the telephone company using the mobile communication system 1 This is determined based on the size of the service area or the output of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. In general, the larger the service area or the shorter the reach of wireless communication used by the information terminal 7, the more base stations 5 are installed.
[0039]
In the example of FIG. 1, two location registration areas 9 are set, and four base stations are installed in a single location registration area 9. In the example of FIG. 1, there are two connection devices 22, subscriber exchanges 23, and toll exchanges 24 each. In the following description, when distinguishing between the right position registration area and the left position registration area in FIG. 1, reference numerals of components related to the left area are denoted by “A”, and the right area registration area is related to the right area. The reference numerals of the constituent elements are indicated by “B”.
[0040]
The subscriber exchange 23 is further connected to the mobility control database unit 26 via the common line signal network 25. The movement control database unit 26 stores a database having information on all information terminals 7 in the mobile communication system 1 and information on the location registration area 9 to which each information terminal 7 currently belongs. The database is used to select the subscriber exchange 23 and the base station 5 to be used for wireless communication from all the subscriber exchanges 23 and the base station 5 when calling the information terminal 7. In the example of FIG. 1, when calling the information terminal 7 located in the left location registration area 9A, it is necessary to call the information terminal 7 using the left subscriber exchange 23A. For this purpose, the movement control database unit 26 holds information (hereinafter referred to as “terminal connection information”) that associates the information terminal 7 with the location registration area 9A on the left side.
[0041]
Usually, the information terminal 7 communicates by wirelessly connecting to any one of the nearest base stations of all the base stations. When the information terminal 7 moves, the base station to be wirelessly connected is changed one after another as the information terminal 7 moves. In this case, if all of the plurality of base stations connected wirelessly belong to the same location registration area, it is not necessary to update the terminal connection information in the mobility control database unit 26. If the location registration area 9 to which the wirelessly connected base station belongs changes, the terminal connection information in the mobility control database unit 26 needs to be updated.
[0042]
In the example of FIG. 1, when the information terminal 7 located in the left position registration area 9A moves to the right position registration area 9B, the information terminal 7 includes the base station 5B belonging to the right position registration area 9B. Connect to one of the stations. In this case, the information terminal 7 transmits information indicating that it has moved to the right position registration area 9B as an electromagnetic wave for position registration. The transmitted information is transmitted to the mobility control database unit 26 via the subscriber exchange 22B on the right side and the common line signal network 25. Based on the information transmitted from the information terminal 7, the movement control database unit 26 changes the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 indicated by the terminal connection information belongs from the location registration area 9A on the left side to the location registration area 9B on the right side. To update the terminal connection information.
[0043]
  The providing device 4 is a feature of the present invention and is connected to the subscriber exchange 23 and further connected to the mobility control database unit 26 via the common line signal network 25. The providing device 4 generally uses the radio telephone network of the mobile communication system 1 to select service information selected based on the movement history of the information terminal 7 out of service information prepared in advance. 7 to provide.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the providing device 4. The providing device 4 includes a line connection unit 31, a processing device 32, a movement history storage unit 33, and a service information storage unit 34. The movement history storage unit 33 stores a terminal device identification table 43 and a connection history table 44 of each information terminal. The service information storage unit 34 stores a location registration area identification table 45 and a service information table 46 for each location registration area. The line connection unit 31, the processing device 32, the movement history storage unit 33, and the service information storage unit 34 are connected to a bus line and can exchange signals and data with each other. The processing device 32 also serves as an information acquisition unit 51, a movement history creation unit 52, an area prediction unit 53, a service information selection unit 54, and a provision unit 55. The five processing units 51 to 55 that the processing device 32 also serves are virtually realized by the arithmetic processing of the processing device 32.
[0045]
The line connection unit 31 performs communication line connection control between the providing device 4 and the information terminal 7, and further performs communication line connection control between the providing device 4 and the movement control database unit 26. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires terminal connection information, which is information related to the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 belongs, from the movement control database unit 26 via the line connection unit 31 and the common line signal network 25. The movement history creation unit 52 accumulates the read terminal connection information in the connection history table 44 for each information terminal 7. Thereby, a movement history of the information terminal 7 is created. The area prediction unit 53 refers to the connection history table 44 and predicts a location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future. The service information selection unit 54 refers to the connection history table 44 and selects service information to be provided to the information terminal 7 from the service information in the service information storage unit 45. The providing unit 55 provides the selected service information to the information terminal 7 via the line connection unit 31 and the communication network 6.
[0046]
[Table 1]

[0047]
Table 1 shows the configuration of the terminal connection information. The terminal connection information of a certain information terminal 7 is information indicating to which location registration area the information terminal 7 belongs, and includes an identifier for identifying the information terminal 7 and an identifier for identifying the location registration area. Composed. The identifier of the location registration area corresponds to the regional information of the location registration area, and indicates where the location registration area is in the service area of the communication system 1.
[0048]
[Table 2]

[0049]
Table 2 shows the configuration of the terminal device identification table 43. The terminal device identification table 43 includes n entries. The numerical value “n” is equal to the number of information terminals 7 to which the providing device 4 can provide a service. Each entry of the terminal device identification table 43 includes an identifier of the information terminal 7 and a history table pointer. The history table pointer of an entry is address information for reading the terminal device-specific connection history table 44 corresponding to the information terminal 7 indicated by the information terminal identifier of the entry.
[0050]
[Table 3]

[0051]
Table 3 shows the configuration of the connection history table 44 of any one information terminal. The connection history table 44 is an information table unique to the information terminal 7 and is created in the same number as the number of information terminals 7 that the providing device 4 can provide services, that is, n. The connection history table 44 of one information terminal consists of m entries. Each entry in the connection history table 44 includes an identifier of a location registration area and a duration time. The duration is a numerical value corresponding to the staying time during which the information terminal 7 continues to belong to the same location registration area. When the information terminal 7 always moves, all the elapsed times of all entries are 1.
[0052]
m = 30 × 24 × 60 = 43,200 (1)
“M” is a variable numerical value and is determined according to the movement frequency of the information terminal 7 and the length of the period during which the providing device 4 accumulates the movement history of the information terminal 7. If the information terminal 7 does not move at all, the numerical value m is 1. When the information terminal 7 always moves and the providing device 4 fetches the terminal connection information from the movement control database unit 26 once a minute and accumulates the fetched terminal connection information for 30 days, the numerical value m as shown in Equation 1 Becomes 43200.
[0053]
[Table 4]

[0054]
Table 4 shows the configuration of the location registration area identification table 45. The location registration area identification table 45 includes L entries. The numerical value L is equal to the number of location registration areas. Each entry of the location registration area identification table 45 includes an identifier of the location registration area and a service information table pointer. The service information table pointer is address information for reading the service information table 46 by location registration area corresponding to the location registration area 9 indicated by the location registration area identifier.
[0055]
[Table 5]

[0056]
Table 5 shows the configuration of the service information table 46 for any one location registration area. The service information table 46 includes k entries. k is equal to the number of service information that the service information providing apparatus 4 can provide to the information terminal 7. Each entry of the service information table 46 is configured by the service information entity provided by the providing apparatus 4 to the information terminal 7 and the service identifier. The service identifier is an identifier for identifying the entity of service information.
[0057]
In the providing device 4, the movement history of the information terminal 7 is created based on the terminal connection information acquired from the movement control database unit 26. With reference to Tables 1 to 3, a specific procedure for creating the movement history of the information terminal 7 in the providing device 4 will be described below. The movement control database unit 26 always has the terminal connection information of Table 1 regarding all information terminals 7. The processing device 32 operates as the information acquisition unit 51 first, and acquires the terminal connection information of the information terminal 7 that is the target for providing service information, among the terminal connection information stored in the mobility control database unit 26.
[0058]
After the terminal connection information is acquired, the processing device 32 operates as the movement history creation unit 52. The processing device 32 first refers to the terminal device identification table 43 in Table 2 to obtain the connection history table 44 for each terminal device in Table 3 corresponding to the information terminal indicated by the information terminal identifier in the acquired terminal connection information. Choose from the history table. Next, the processing device 32 selects the latest entry from all the entries in the selected connection history table 44, and compares the location registration area identifier of the selected entry with the location registration area identifier of the terminal connection information. If the two location registration area identifiers match, the processing device 32 adds 1 to the duration of the selected entry and updates it. If the identifiers of the two location registration areas are different from each other, the processing device 32 adds a new entry to the selected connection history table 44, and adds the location registration area of the terminal connection information to the location registration area identifier of the added entry. Copy the identifier and set the duration of the added entry to 1. Through the above processing, the location history area identifier to which the information terminal 7 belongs is accumulated in the connection history table 44, so that a movement history of the information terminal 7 is created.
[0059]
When the identifier of the information terminal of the terminal connection information is retrieved from the terminal device identification table 43, if the information terminal identifier is not in the terminal device identification table 43, the processing device 32 determines the information terminal indicated by the acquired terminal connection information. It is determined that the information terminal is not subject to the service information providing service. For information terminals that are not subject to this, for example, no movement history is created and no service information is provided, so the processing ends at this point.
[0060]
The terminal connection information may be voluntarily read from the movement control database unit 26 by the information acquisition unit 51, or may be given to the information acquisition unit 51 by the movement control database unit 26. In the former case, the information acquisition unit 51 accesses the movement control database unit 26 and reads out terminal connection information at predetermined timings. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 51 goes to obtain terminal connection information once a minute. As a result, the terminal connection information is acquired without imposing a load on the network-side facility 2, so that the processing device 32 can create a movement history without imposing a load on the network-side facility 2. When the movement control database unit 26 provides the terminal connection information, the movement control database unit 26 provides the terminal connection information to the information acquisition unit 51 every time a new position registration is performed for the position registration area, for example. In this case, since a call for providing terminal connection information is generated only when the terminal connection information is updated, unnecessary calls do not occur. As a result, in the mobile communication system 1, it is possible to prevent the traffic on the transmission path between the mobility control database unit 26 and the providing device 4 and the traffic on the communication network 6 from increasing due to the acquisition of terminal connection information. ing.
[0061]
As described above, the terminal connection information may be acquired periodically or irregularly. When the terminal connection information is periodically acquired, the processing device 32 can update the movement history of the information terminal 7 regardless of whether the information terminal 7 is moving. When the movement history is periodically updated, the duration of the latest entry is updated based on the comparison result of the location registration area identifier, so the stay time of the information terminal 7 in the latest location registration area 9 is measured. Will be. Therefore, while operating as the movement history creation unit 52, the processing device 32 can also operate as a means for measuring the staying time of the information terminal 7 in the location registration area.
[0062]
When providing the service information to a certain information terminal 7, the processing device 32 generally determines whether or not the information terminal 7 is moving, and if it is moving, the location registration to which it will belong in the future. Predict areas. The location registration area that will belong in the future belongs to the location registration area that will belong next to the location registration area that currently belongs, or in the near future, for example, after the terminal connection information is updated 1 to 9 times Indicates the location registration area that will be. The position registration area prediction process in the processing device 32 using Tables 1 to 3 will be described in detail below.
[0063]
The processing device 32 first reads from the mobility control database unit 26 the terminal connection information at the current time of the information terminal 7 (hereinafter referred to as “the information terminal 7”) to which the service information is provided. The processing device 32 further reads the terminal device-specific connection history table 44 of the information terminal 7, and reads the location registration area identifier of the latest entry of the read connection history table 44 and the movement control database unit 26 first. The location registration area identifier of the terminal connection information at the current time is compared. If the identifiers of both location registration areas are the same, the processing device 32 determines that the information terminal 7 is not moving. When the location registration area identifier indicated by the latest entry in the connection history table 44 of the information terminal 7 is different from the location registration area identifier of the terminal connection information 5 at the current time, the processing device 32 indicates that the information terminal 7 is moving. It is judged that. By the processing described above, the processing device 32 can determine whether or not the information terminal 7 is moving. In this way, the processing device 32 operates as a movement determination unit that determines whether or not the information terminal 7 is moving prior to the prediction of the location registration area.
[0064]
When the information terminal 7 is moving, the processing device 32 operates as the area prediction unit 53 and predicts a location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future. For this prediction processing, the processing device 32 is first composed of x entries from the latest entry to x entries starting from the latest entry in the connection history table of the information terminal 7. (Hereinafter referred to as “reference entry string”). The reference entry column indicates the history of the latest location registration area to which the information terminal 7 belongs. The numerical value x may be set to an arbitrary numerical value that is 1 or more and less than or equal to half of the number m of all entries in the connection history table 44.
[0065]
Next, the processing device 32 searches the entire entry history in the connection history table 44 of the information terminal 7 for the same entry string as the fetched reference entry string. If the same entry sequence as the latest reference entry sequence cannot be found from the connection history table 44, the numeric value x is updated by 1, and the reference entry sequence is retrieved and the entry sequence is searched again using the updated numeric value x. The entry string search process described above is repeated while updating the numerical value x until the same entry string as the latest reference entry string can be found from the connection history table 44. As the numerical value x increases, a history with a long moving distance can be searched from the moving history, and as the numerical value x decreases, a history with a short moving distance can be searched from the moving history.
[0066]
When a plurality of entry strings that are the same as the latest reference entry string are found, it is preferable to employ the newest entry string among the plurality of found entry strings for the position registration area prediction process. In addition, when a plurality of entry strings that are the same as the latest reference entry string are found, the numerical value x is updated by adding a predetermined value α, and the entry string is re-searched using the updated numerical value x, and the search is performed again. A position registration area prediction process may be performed based on the result. When the entry string is searched again, the accuracy of prediction of the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future becomes higher. If the entry string search process is repeated until the numerical value x becomes 1, and if the same entry as the reference entry string cannot be found from the connection history table 44 even if the numerical value x is 1, the information terminal 7 is in the past. Since it is determined that the user is performing a moving action without a position, a location registration area that will belong in the future is not predicted.
[0067]
When the same entry string as the latest reference entry string is retrieved from the connection history table 44, the processing device 32 performs the process from the entry next to the last entry in the same entry string to the latest entry in the connection history table 44. Using the portion, the identifier of the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future is selected. When the information terminal 7 is moving by the processing described above, the processing device 32 can predict a location registration area that will belong to the future based on the movement history of the information terminal 7. For example, the processing device 32 selects the location registration area identifier described in the next entry at the end of the same entry sequence as the reference entry sequence in the movement history as the location registration area identifier to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future. . This greatly simplifies the process for selecting an identifier, so that the processing time can be shortened and the load on the processing device 32 can be reduced.
[0068]
The location registration area in which an identifier is described in the next entry at the end of the same entry string as the reference entry string may not be a destination but a simple passing point for the owner of the information terminal. In such a case, it is preferable to prevent selection of a location registration area that is only a passing point as a location registration area that will belong in the future. For this purpose, the processing device 32 selects the identifier of the location registration area with the longest stay time of the information terminal in the part after the same entry string as the reference entry string in the movement history. For this purpose, the processing device 32 sets the identifier of the location registration area that is longer than the predetermined stay time of the information terminal in the portion after the same entry row as the reference entry row in the movement history. You may choose. When an identifier is selected in one of these two procedures, the entry to be selected is the next entry at the end of the same entry sequence in the movement history in order to improve prediction accuracy. It is preferable to limit to a portion from the time belonging to the location registration area described in the above to a time ahead of the predetermined time. The predetermined time is, for example, 1 hour.
[0069]
When a future location registration area is predicted, service information is provided based on the predicted location registration area identifier. If a location registration area that will belong in the future is not predicted, service information is provided based on the location registration area identifier of the terminal connection information at the current time of the information terminal 7. For this purpose, the processing device 32 designates a location registration area based on the processing result of the area prediction unit 53, and obtains service information related to the designated location registration area as service information optimum for the owner of the information terminal 7. Choose as. Processing while the processing device 32 operates as the service information selection unit 54 is as follows.
[0070]
When a future location registration area is predicted, the processing device 32 first adds an entry describing the identifier of the location registration area 9 to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the location registration area identification table 45 of Table 4. Select from. Next, the processing device 32 selects the service information table indicated by the service information table pointer indicated by the selected entry. The service information table selected in this way corresponds to a location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future. If a location registration area that will belong in the future is not predicted, the processing device 32 first adds an entry that describes the identifier of the location registration area 9 of the terminal connection information at the current time of the information terminal 7 to the location registration area identification table of Table 4. Select from 45. Next, the processing device 32 selects the service information table indicated by the service information table pointer indicated by the selected entry. The service information table selected in this way corresponds to the location registration area 9 to which the information terminal 7 currently belongs.
[0071]
Finally, the processing device 32 operates as the providing unit 55 and reads the service information table 46 selected by the service information selecting unit 54. The processing device 32 provides arbitrary service information in the read table 46 to the information terminal 7 via the line connection unit 31, the communication network 6, and the base station 5. After acquiring the provided service information, the information terminal 7 presents the service information to the owner of the information terminal 7 by a technique such as visual display or acoustic display.
[0072]
As described above, the providing device 4 can provide service information related to a location registration area that will belong in the future to the portable information terminal 7 that is moving. Therefore, the providing device 4 can provide optimum service information to the information terminal 7 that moves over a wide range. In addition, as described above, the providing device 4 extracts the latest history in the movement history of the information terminal 7 as a reference entry sequence for the prediction of the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future, Search for the part that matches the latest history. As a result, the next location registration area following the discovered part is regarded as a location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will be connected in the future. Accordingly, the providing device 4 can easily predict the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 will belong in the future using only the movement history. In addition, when it is difficult to predict the location registration area, the providing device 4 provides service information based on the location registration area that currently belongs. Accordingly, the providing device 4 can provide service information to the information terminal 7 even when it is difficult to predict the location registration area.
[0073]
The processing device 32 may also serve as the first area selection unit 56 instead of the area prediction unit 53. The first area selection unit 56 selects a location registration area to which the information terminal 7 frequently belongs from among all the location registration areas 9. The frequently registered location registration area includes places where the owner of the information terminal 7 frequently visits. In order to select a location registration area that frequently belongs, the first area selection unit 56 may analyze the connection history table 44 and select a location registration area with the largest number of times the information terminal 7 has belonged to the past. Specifically, the first area selection unit 56 selects a part of the latest entry in the movement history that has been stored in the past for a predetermined period of time in Table 3, and determines the location registration area for each location registration area based on the selected part. Statistics of the number of affiliations of the information terminal are taken, and the location registration area with the most affiliation times is selected. If the predetermined period is one week and the terminal affiliation information is acquired once per minute, the portion from the current time to 10080 minutes before in the movement history is the target of statistics.
[0074]
When the first area selection unit 56 is provided, the processing device 32 designates the location registration area selected by the first area selection unit 56 instead of the location registration area predicted to belong in the future, and the designated location registration. The service information table 46 corresponding to the area is selected. Therefore, the processing device 32 provides the information terminal 7 with service information in the service information table 46 corresponding to the location registration area to which the information terminal 7 frequently belongs. As a result, the providing device 4 can provide services related to a location registration area including a place where the owner of the information terminal 7 frequently visits without being caught by the current location of the information terminal 7 with respect to the information terminal 7 moving over a wide range. Information can be provided. Accordingly, the providing device 4 can easily provide optimum service information to the information terminal 7.
[0075]
The processing device 32 may include a second area selection unit 57 instead of the area prediction unit 53. The second area selection unit 57 selects a position registration area having a long total stay time of the information terminal 7 from the all position registration areas 9. The location registration area with a long total stay time includes a place where the owner of the information terminal 7 is often located. In order to select a location registration area with a long total stay time, the connection history table 44 is analyzed, and the location registration area with the longest total stay time of the information terminal 7 may be selected. Specifically, the second area selection unit 57 selects a part of the latest entry in the movement history that has been stored in the past for a predetermined period of time in Table 3, and determines the location registration area for each location registration area based on the selected part. Statistics of the staying time of the information terminal are taken, and a location registration area with the largest sum of staying time is selected. If the predetermined period is one week and the terminal affiliation information is acquired once per minute, the portion from the current time to 10080 minutes before in the movement history is the target of statistics.
[0076]
When the second area selection unit 57 is provided, the processing device 32 designates the location registration area selected by the second area selection unit 57 instead of the predicted next location registration area, and designates the designated location registration area. The service information table 46 corresponding to is selected. Therefore, the providing device 4 can provide the information terminal 7 with any service information in the service information table 46 corresponding to the location registration area where the information terminal 7 has stayed for a long time. As a result, the providing device 4 can provide service information related to the location registration area where the information terminal 7 is often located, without being caught by the current position of the information terminal 7 to the information terminal 7 moving in a wide range. The optimum service information can be easily provided to the information terminal 7. Further, the providing device 4 can more effectively provide the optimum service information to the information terminal 7 having a narrow movement range and the stationary information terminal 7.
[0077]
As described above, the service information provided to the information terminal 7 is selected based on the movement history of the information terminal 7. Creation of the movement history of the information terminal 7 and designation of a location registration area related to service information to be provided may be performed by the information terminal 7 instead of the service information providing apparatus 4. Furthermore, the information terminal 7 further performs at least one of a prediction process of a location registration area that will belong in the future, a selection process of a location registration area that frequently belongs, and a selection process of a location registration area that stays for a long time, The location registration area related to the service information to be provided may be specified based on the result of the broken processing. In this case, the information terminal 7 requests the service information providing device 4 to provide service information related to the designated location registration area, and the providing device 4 provides the information terminal 7 with service information related to the requested location registration area. do it.
[0078]
In this way, in order for the information terminal 7 itself to create a movement history and specify a location registration area, the communication system 61 may be configured as shown in FIG. 3 other than the configuration described below is the same as the configuration of the communication system 1 in FIG. Among the components of the communication system 61 in FIG. 3, the same components as those of the communication system 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0079]
The communication system 61 includes a plurality of base stations 5, a communication network 6, a portable information terminal 63, and a service information providing device 64. The providing device 64 includes a line connection unit 31, a service information storage unit 34, and a processing device 66. The processing device 66 of the providing device 64 also serves as the providing unit 67. The information terminal 63 includes a wireless communication unit 71, a movement history storage unit 72, and a processing device 73, and these three processing units are connected to each other via a bus line. The wireless communication unit 71 performs wireless communication with the base station 5 based on the control of the processing device 73. The movement history storage unit 72 stores a connection history table of the information terminal 63. The processing device 73 of the information terminal 63 also serves as a movement history creation unit 76, an area prediction unit 53, a first area selection unit 56, a second area selection unit 57, an area designation unit 77, and a request unit 78.
[0080]
The movement history creation unit 76 accumulates information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in the movement history storage unit 72 and creates a movement history of the information terminal. The details of the movement history creation process of the movement history creation unit 76 are the same as the details of the movement history creation process of the movement history creation unit 52 of the providing device 4 of FIG. The area designating unit 77 designates a location registration area where service information is requested based on the created movement history. The processing procedure for specifying the location registration area to be requested is the same as the processing procedure for processing for specifying the location registration area where the service information selection unit 54 should provide service information in the first embodiment. Therefore, the processing result of any one of the area prediction unit 53, the first area selection unit 56, and the second area selection unit 57 is referred to for specifying the location registration area. The request unit 78 requests the providing device 64 to provide service information related to the location registration area designated by the area designating unit 77 via the wireless communication unit 63, the base station 5, and the communication network 6. The providing unit 67 of the providing device 64 provides service information regarding the location registration area requested from the information terminal 63 to the information terminal 63 via the communication network 6 and the base station 5. The provided service information is presented to the owner of the information terminal 63 by a technique such as visual display or acoustic display.
[0081]
As described above, in the communication system 61, the information terminal itself makes a movement history of the information terminal 64 and a service information provision request based on the movement history 64. The movement history of the information terminal corresponds to an action record of the owner of the information terminal. In the communication system 61, since the action record of the owner of the information terminal is not given to the components other than the information terminal 63, the privacy of the owner can be protected.
[0082]
As the location registration area information stored as the movement history, it is preferable to use the location registration area information transmitted from the information terminal 67 to the base station for location registration. That is, the movement history creation unit 76 stores the result of position registration every time position registration is performed, and the position registration history becomes the movement history. As a result, no call is generated between the information terminal 63 and the movement control database unit 26 in order to create a movement history. Therefore, in the mobile communication system 61, it is possible to prevent an increase in traffic due to the creation of the movement history.
[0083]
The embodiment described above is an example of the service information providing apparatus and the communication system according to the present invention, and can be realized in various other forms as long as the main configuration is the same. In particular, the processing units in the providing devices 4 and 64 and the processing unit in the information terminal 63 may be realized not only by the above-described configuration but also by other configurations as long as the same processing result is obtained.
[0084]
In the communication system 1 in FIG. 1, a plurality of base stations 5 are provided in the location registration area 9. When a single base station is provided in a single location registration area, the terminal connection information of the information terminal 7 is managed in units of base stations. In this case, the providing apparatus 4 frequently connects the base station related to the service information to be provided to the base station that the information terminal 7 to which the service information is provided is expected to connect in the future. The base station to be designated may be designated based on the base station to which the information terminal 7 is connected for a long time, service information may be selected based on the designated base station, and the selected service information may be provided. The processing of the providing device 4 in such a case may be performed by replacing “location registration area” with “base station” or “base station calling area” in the description of FIG. 2 and Tables 1 to 5. Further, the communication system 61 in FIG. 3 may have a configuration in which a single base station is provided in a single location registration area.
[0085]
In the communication system 1 of FIG. 1, a dedicated line may be used for connection between the providing device 44 and the movement control database unit 26 instead of the common line signal network 25. The providing device 4 may read the position information of the information terminal 7 from the base station 5 instead of from the mobility control database unit 26. Further, the providing device 4 may be placed in the same center as the movement control database unit 26 instead of being installed outside the network equipment 2 as shown in FIG.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, a service information providing apparatus provided in a mobile communication system includes:Based on the movement history of the information terminal and the history of the information terminalA location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future is predicted, and service information related to the predicted location registration area is provided to the information terminal.By providing the information terminal with service information related to the location registration area that will belong in the future in this way,Optimal service information can be effectively provided to owners of information terminals that move over a wide range.
  For exampleBy predicting future positions using history,It is possible to prevent providing service information of a location registration area that is only a passing point.Further, by predicting the future position using the history, it is possible to predict a position that has been moved before as the future position, and it is possible to suppress a prediction error of the future position. Moreover, as the information constituting the history of the information terminal increases, the prediction accuracy can be increased. Further, future prediction processing can be simplified, and processing time can be shortened.
[0087]
According to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus voluntarily obtains information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in order to create a movement history of the information terminal. Accordingly, the service information providing apparatus can provide optimal service information to the information terminal without imposing a burden on the mobile communication system. Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the service information providing apparatus, the location control area information to which the information terminal belongs is voluntarily given to the service information providing apparatus by the movement control database means. This suppresses an increase in traffic in the mobile communication system. According to the present invention, the movement history includes information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs and the stay time of the information terminal in the location registration area. Accordingly, the service information providing apparatus can select the optimum service information in consideration of not only the travel route of the information terminal but also the staying time.
[0088]
  Further, according to the present invention, the area prediction means of the service information providing device collates the history of the information terminal with the movement history of the information terminal, extracts a portion equal to the history, and extracts the history in the movement history. A location registration area described after the equal portion is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. Thereby, the area prediction means can predict the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future based on the history and movement history of the information terminal of the service information providing destination.
[0089]
Further, according to the present invention, the area prediction means extracts a location registration area described next to the end of a portion equal to the history in the movement history as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. As a result, the area predicting means can predict the location registration area belonging to the future very easily. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the area prediction means selects a location registration area having the longest stay time of the information terminal among location registration areas described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history. Extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. According to the invention, the area predicting means is longer than a predetermined stay time of the information terminal in the location registration area described after the portion equal to the history in the movement history. The location registration area is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. By these processes, the area prediction means can prevent a location registration area that is only a passing point when the information terminal moves from being selected as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.
[0090]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the service information providing apparatus provides the information terminal with service information related to a location registration area to which the information terminal frequently belongs in the past. According to the invention, the service information providing device provides the information terminal with service information related to the location registration area where the information terminal stays for a long time. As a result, the service information providing apparatus can more effectively provide optimal service information to an information terminal that moves in a wide range without being limited to the current location.
[0091]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, a plurality of base stations are installed in a single location registration area. Accordingly, the service information providing apparatus can provide optimum service information to the information terminal when the position of the information terminal is managed in units of location registration areas. According to the present invention, a single base station is installed in a single location registration area. Accordingly, the service information providing apparatus can provide optimal service information to the information terminal when the position of the information terminal is managed in units of base stations.
[0092]
  According to the invention, in the mobile communication system provided with the service information providing apparatus, the movement history of the information terminalAnd history of information terminalsThe information terminal makes a request for provision of service information based on the movement history. As a result, the privacy of the owner can be protected in the mobile communication system. According to the present invention, the information terminal accumulates the information of the location registration area created at the time of location registration,And provenanceHave gained. Thereby, the information terminal can prevent an increase in traffic in the mobile communication system.
  In addition, the information terminalBased on the movement history of the information terminal and the history of the information terminalLocation registration area where information terminals are expected to belong in the futurePredicted location registration areaThe service information providing apparatus is requested to provide service information related to the service information. As a result, the information terminal can acquire the optimum service information more effectively for the owner of the information terminal moving in a wide range. In addition, the information terminal can provide service information that is valuable to the owner of the information terminal as compared with the case where only the service information related to the location registration area to which the information terminal currently belongs is provided.
  For exampleBy predicting future positions using history,It is possible to prevent providing service information of a location registration area that is only a passing point.Further, by predicting the future position using the history, it is possible to predict a position that has been moved before as the future position, and it is possible to suppress a prediction error of the future position. Moreover, as the information constituting the history of the information terminal increases, the prediction accuracy can be increased. Further, future prediction processing can be simplified, and processing time can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1 including a service information providing device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a service information providing apparatus 4 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a mobile communication system 61 including an information terminal 63 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,61 Mobile communication system
4,64 service information providing device
5 base stations
6 Communication network
7,63 Information terminal
9 Location registration area
26 Mobility control database section
33, 72 Movement history storage unit
34 Service information storage
51 Information acquisition unit
52,76 Movement history creation part
53 Area prediction section
54 Service information selector
55,67 Providing Department
56 First area selector
57 Second area selector
77 Area specification part
78 Request section

Claims (14)

A base station installed in each of a plurality of preset location registration areas, a communication network connecting the base stations, an information terminal wirelessly connected to the base station and performing location registration via the base station, and information In a service information providing apparatus provided in a mobile communication system, including movement control database means for storing information on a position registration area to which a terminal belongs based on a result of position registration
Service information storage means for storing service information to be provided to the information terminal in association with the location registration area ;
Information acquisition means for acquiring information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs, from the movement control database means;
The movement history that accumulates the information of the location registration area acquired by the information acquisition means and creates the movement history of the information terminal configured by arranging the information of the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in the order in which the information terminal moved Creating means;
Movement history with reference to the movement history of the information terminal that is created by the creation means, among the movement histories of the mobile terminal, the information of the position registration area information terminal currently belongs, the number of predetermined to move the order of the information terminal Based on the history of the information terminal configured by arranging information up to the information of the location registration area traced back, area prediction means for predicting the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future ,
Service information selection means for selecting service information related to the location registration area predicted by the area prediction means from service information stored in the service information storage means;
An apparatus for providing service information , comprising: providing means for providing service information selected by the service information selecting means to an information terminal via a communication network and a base station .   2. The service information according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition means reads out information on a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs at every predetermined timing from the movement control database means and gives the information to the movement history creation means. Providing device. The movement control database means provides the service information providing apparatus with information on a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs at each predetermined timing,
2. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition means receives information given from the movement control database means and gives the information to the movement history creation means.   The movement history includes at least information on a location registration area where the information terminal has performed location registration, and time when the information terminal has stayed in the location registration area where the location registration has been performed. The service information providing apparatus according to 1. The area prediction means includes
(A) collating the history of the information terminal with the movement history of the information terminal;
(B) Extracting a part equal to the history of the information terminal from the movement history,
(C) The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location registration area described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future.   6. The area prediction means extracts a location registration area described next to the end of a portion equal to the history in the movement history as a location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future. Service information providing device.   The area prediction unit is configured to register a position registration area in which the information terminal will belong to the future in a position registration area described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history, in which the stay time of the information terminal is the longest. 6. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the service information providing apparatus is extracted as an area.   The area prediction means includes a position registration area that is longer than a predetermined stay time of the information terminal among the position registration areas described after a portion equal to the history in the movement history. 6. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information terminal is extracted as a location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in the future. A first area selecting means for referring to the movement history of the information terminal and selecting a location registration area with the largest number of times the information terminal belongs;
The service information storage means stores service information in association with a location registration area,
2. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service information selecting unit selects service information related to the location registration area selected by the first area selecting unit. A second area selecting means for referring to the movement history of the information terminal and selecting a location registration area having the longest total stay time of the information terminal;
The service information storage means stores service information in association with a location registration area,
2. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the service information selecting unit selects service information related to the location registration area selected by the second area selecting unit.   The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two or more base stations are installed in a single location registration area.   2. The service information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only one base station is installed in a single location registration area. A service having a base station installed in each of a plurality of preset location registration areas, a communication network connecting the base stations, and service information storage means for storing service information in association with each location registration area In an information terminal provided in a mobile communication system including an information providing device,
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the base station;
Movement history creation means for accumulating information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs and creating a movement history of the information terminal configured by arranging information on the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs in the order in which the information terminal has moved When,
Movement history with reference to the movement history of the information terminal that is created by the creation means, among the movement histories of the mobile terminal, the information of the position registration area information terminal currently belongs, the number of predetermined to move the order of the information terminal Based on the history of the information terminal configured by arranging information up to the information of the location registration area traced back, area prediction means for predicting the location registration area to which the information terminal will belong in the future,
Providing service information associated with the location registration area, which is predicted by the area predicting means, via said wireless communication means and the communication network and a base station, and a request means for requesting the service information providing apparatus,
The service information providing apparatus reads service information related to a location registration area requested from the information terminal from a service information storage unit, and provides the service information to the information terminal via a communication network and a base station. Information terminal. Each time the location registration area to which the information terminal belongs is changed, it further has location registration means for performing location registration via the base station,
14. The information terminal according to claim 13, wherein the movement history creating means accumulates location registration area information transmitted to the base station at the time of location registration.

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