JP4893848B2 - Information distribution system, server, and relay device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system, a server, and a relay device, and can be applied to a case where desired provision information is distributed to a transmission destination.

  Conventionally, various methods have been used as a method for evaluating location information of a mobile communication terminal and providing provided information corresponding to the evaluation result to the mobile communication terminal (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). .

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

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

JP 10-327472 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-285053 JP 2000-115857 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-219481 JP-A-7-297756 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-124632 JP 2000-99187 A

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

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

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

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

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

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

An information distribution system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes (1) a wireless communication device that stores device identification information and receives provided information by a first wireless method , and (2) a first wireless method by a second wireless method. (3) the first relay device that receives the device identification information of the wireless communication device that has entered the cover area, and transmits the first relay device identification information and the device identification information that are assigned to the wireless communication device in advance; 2 receives the device identification information of the wireless communication device that has entered the second cover area that does not overlap the first cover area in the second wireless method, and the second relay device identification information assigned to itself in advance A second relay device that transmits the device identification information; and (4) the first relay device identification information and the first provision information are stored in association with each other, and the second relay device identification information and the second provision information are associated with each other. The device identification information and the device identification information 1 providing information and transmission destination information that is the transmission destination of the second provision information in association with each other, and (5) the server (5-1) relay device identification information transmitted by the relay device And (5-2) specifying provision information corresponding to the relay apparatus identification information, and (5-3) providing information specified for the transmission destination specified by the apparatus identification information. Is transmitted.

  The server of the second invention is (1) a server applicable to the information distribution system of the first invention, and (2) stores the first relay device identification information and the first provision information in association with each other. And first storage means for storing the second relay device identification information and the second provision information in association with each other, and (3) transmission destination information that is a transmission destination of the first provision information and the second provision information. Second storage means for storing the device identification information in association with each other; (4) receiving the relay device identification information and the device identification information transmitted by the relay device, and specifying the provision information corresponding to the relay device identification information And a transmission means for transmitting the specified provided information to the transmission destination specified by the device identification information.

  The relay device according to the third aspect of the present invention is (1) a relay device applicable to the information distribution system according to the first aspect of the present invention, and (2) storage means for storing relay device identification information assigned to itself in advance. And (3) receiving means for receiving the apparatus identification information of the wireless communication apparatus that has entered the cover area, and (4) transmitting means for transmitting the relay apparatus identification information and the apparatus identification information to a server. It is characterized by having.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  However, since the content of the provided information SI is image information and text information having the same contents as a normal leaflet, it is not a voice exchanged with a normal mobile phone, but a still image, a movie, a text, etc. It is data. Of course, according to the request of the information provider side, voice information for advertising may be provided as the provided information SI.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Next, the partial sequence CQ2 is started.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The information provider pays the information fee to the intermediary (S13), and pays the telephone fee to the subscriber wireless communication carrier managing and operating the mobile phone network 13 (S14).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Among these, the mobile phone TEM basically has the same internal configuration as that shown in FIG. 3 and has the same functions as the mobile phone TE1 of the first embodiment, but in addition to this, the WWW (World Wide Web ) It is also necessary to have a function for browsing and receiving e-mails via.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(D-1) Configuration and Operation of Fourth Embodiment The overall configuration of the information distribution system 70 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Furthermore, in the first to fourth embodiments, the access point device is fixedly installed, and only each mobile communication terminal has moved, but a system configuration in which the access point device itself moves can also be adopted. . In that case, each of the above-described mobile communication terminals can be replaced with a fixedly installed wireless communication device.

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

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

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

Claims (25)

A wireless communication device that stores device identification information and receives provision information in a first wireless method;
The second wireless method receives the device identification information of the wireless communication device that has entered the first cover area, and transmits the first relay device identification information and the device identification information assigned to the device in advance. 1 relay device,
Receiving the device identification information of the wireless communication device within the second cover area that does not overlap the first cover area in the second wireless method, and identifying a second relay device assigned to the device in advance A second relay device for transmitting information and the device identification information;
The first relay device identification information and the first provision information are stored in association with each other, the second relay device identification information and the second provision information are stored in association with each other, the device identification information, the first provision information, and the A server that stores the destination information as the destination of the second provided information in association with each other,
The server
Receiving the relay device identification information and the device identification information transmitted by the relay device;
Identify the provision information corresponding to the relay device identification information,
The specified distribution information is transmitted to the transmission destination specified by the device identification information.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission destination information is a telephone number.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the provided information is audio information. The providing information, the information distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a still image, the data of the moving image, or characters.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission destination information is a mail address, and the provision information transmitted from the server is an electronic mail.   6. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission to the transmission destination transmits the provision information at a time interval.   The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the time interval is several hours or several days.   The said 1st relay apparatus, the said 2nd relay apparatus, or the said server is provided with the charge process function part which processes the charge concerning the transmission to the said transmission destination, The one in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information distribution system.   The said 1st relay apparatus, the said 2nd relay apparatus, or the said server is provided with the charge process function part which processes the charge concerning in order to provide the said provision information. Information distribution system.   By turning off the power of the first relay device, the transmission of the provision information relating to the first relay device is stopped and / or by turning off the power of the second relay device, the second relay device The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein transmission of the provision information regarding is canceled.   When the wireless communication device receives the request signal from the first relay device, the wireless communication device transmits the device identification information to the first relay device or receives the request signal from the second relay device. The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the device identification information is transmitted to a device.   The wireless communication device spontaneously transmits the device identification information, and the first relay device or the second relay device receives the device identification information. Information distribution system. A server applicable to the information distribution system according to claim 1,
First storage means for storing the first relay device identification information and the first provision information in association with each other, and storing the second relay device identification information and the second provision information in association with each other;
Second storage means for storing transmission destination information as a transmission destination of the first provision information and the second provision information in association with the device identification information;
The relay device identification information and the device identification information transmitted by the relay device are received, the provision information corresponding to the relay device identification information is specified, and the specified provision information is specified in the transmission destination specified by the device identification information. A server comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting.   The server according to claim 13, wherein the destination information is a telephone number.   The server according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the provided information is voice information.   The server according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the provided information is still image data, moving image data, or character data.   14. The server according to claim 13, wherein the transmission destination information is a mail address, and the provision information transmitted from the transmission unit is an electronic mail.   The server according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the transmission to the transmission destination has a function that can be set to transmit the provision information at a time interval.   The server according to claim 18, wherein the set time interval is several hours or several days.   The server according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a fee processing function unit that processes a fee for transmission to the transmission destination.   The server according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising a fee processing function unit that processes the fee for providing the provision information. A relay device applicable to the information distribution system according to claim 1,
Storage means for storing relay device identification information assigned to the device in advance;
A relay comprising: a receiving unit that receives the device identification information of the wireless communication device that has entered a cover area; and a transmission unit that transmits the relay device identification information and the device identification information to a server. apparatus.   The relay apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the relay apparatus stops transmission of the relay apparatus identification information and the apparatus identification information by turning off the power of the relay apparatus.   The relay device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the relay device transmits a request signal to the wireless communication device and receives the device identification information transmitted from the wireless communication device.   The relay device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the relay device receives the device identification information spontaneously transmitted by the wireless communication device.

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