JPH10336352A - Information distribution method and information distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the information distribution method and the information distribution device where information stored at distribution from an external information source is not useless updated thereby preventing connection of useless calls in an external stationary network and newest information is distributed to each terminal at all times. SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of an information distribution request from a mobile terminal 40a, a base station 10 connects an information service device 30 once to the request to acquire only an updated date and time of the requested information. An information management means 15 collates the acquired update date and time with an update date and time of the information stored in an information storage means 14 to discriminate which is newest. When the information stored in the information storage means 14 is newest, a control section 16 distributes the information from the information storage means 14 to the mobile terminal 40a, and when the information in the information service device 30 is newest, the control section 16 acquires the newest information from the information service device 30 and distributes the information to the mobile terminal 40a and updates the information in the information storage means 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus for acquiring and distributing information from an external information source based on an information distribution request from a terminal, and more particularly to an improvement in a method for distributing the acquired information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a typical example of an information distribution apparatus for performing this kind of information communication service, for example, PHS (Pers)
2. Description of the Related Art A base station in a communication system such as an online handy-phone system is known.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information communication service system mainly including the base station.
In this system, the base station 10 is connected to a mobile terminal (PHS terminal) 40 via a wireless line and to an information providing device 30 via a fixed network 20.

[0004] When the base station 10 receives a request for information after receiving a call connection request from the mobile terminal 40, the relay unit 13 sends the request to the information providing apparatus 30 on a different network to which the information request is to be sent. And secures a transmission path in accordance with the designated information distribution destination from the server, acquires information from the information providing apparatus 30, and sends the information to the requesting mobile terminal 40.
Deliver to.

In such a base station 10, a mobile terminal 40
Every time there is an information distribution request from the base station 10, a call is connected to the external fixed network 20 side network connected to the base station 10, and the information search means of the information providing apparatus 30 serving as an information source is simultaneously activated. The disadvantage of excessively wasting time and money occurs.

As a countermeasure for this, conventionally, a part of the information to be subjected to the information service is stored in the base station, and when the request for the information service is received from the mobile terminal, the stored information is searched for from the stored information. Then, a method of distributing to mobile terminals has been adopted. However, with this method, it is unclear whether the information stored in the base station is always up-to-date, and the service provided to the information provider lacks immediacy.

Therefore, a method is generally adopted in which information stored in a base station is always updated to the latest information. However, in this method, regardless of whether or not there is a request for an information service from a mobile terminal, a call is periodically or irregularly connected to an external fixed network side network to constantly obtain the latest information. And a useless call connection occurs in the external fixed network.

[0008]

As described above, in the above-described conventional system, the base station that distributes information to the terminal always keeps the latest information from the external information source regardless of whether the terminal requests the information service. Since the unnecessary update operation of acquiring the above information and updating the information not related to the information service is performed, there is a problem that a useless connection of a call to an external information source occurs.

In view of the above, the present invention eliminates the above problem and does not perform useless updating of information stored at the time of distribution from an external information source, thereby preventing useless call connection in an external fixed network. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information distribution method and an information distribution device capable of transmitting the latest information to a terminal.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a terminal is accommodated by a predetermined communication means and connected to an external information source via a fixed network.
Information distribution in an information distribution device that connects to an external information source via the fixed network based on an information distribution request from the terminal, acquires the information requested to be distributed from the external information source, and distributes the information to the requesting terminal The method, comprising: a storage step of storing information obtained from the external information source; and a management step of managing a registration date and time of the information stored in the storage step, at a time when an information distribution request is generated from the terminal. Determining whether or not it is necessary to update the distribution-requested information based on a management result in the management step, and performing update and distribution control of the distribution-requested information according to the determination result. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the information distribution request is generated from the terminal, the registration date and time of the requested provided information is referred to a corresponding external information source. And a search step of searching for the registration date and time stored in the storage step for the information requested for distribution.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the second aspect, the registration date and time queried in the inquiry step and the registration date and time searched in the search step are compared to determine whether the information in the external information source is the latest. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the information stored in the storage step is the latest, based on whether the information needs to be updated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, when the information in the external information source is the latest, the connection with the external information source for the inquiry is maintained, and Acquiring the information, distributing it to the requesting terminal, and updating the information by storing the information in the storage step, and when the information stored in the storage step is the latest, the external information source and And releasing the information stored in the storage step to the request source terminal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to communicate with a communication terminal by a predetermined communication means and to be connected to an external information source. In an information distribution method in an information distribution device for acquiring requested information and distributing the information to the request source terminal, storing information acquired from the external information source and predetermined parameters associated with the information Steps, and in response to an information distribution request from the terminal,
An inquiry step of inquiring the predetermined parameter to an external information source, a comparison step of comparing the predetermined parameter queried in the inquiry step with the predetermined parameter stored in the storage step, and a comparison result in the comparison step. Accordingly, an information update necessity determination step of determining whether update of the information stored in the storage step is required, and updating of the information stored in the storage step is performed when it is determined that the update is required in the determination step. And an update step of controlling the distribution of the updated information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the comparing step compares the parameter stored in the storing step with the parameter queried in the query step, and the two match. Then, the information stored in the storage step is not updated in the information update necessity determination step.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, in the comparing step, the parameter stored in the storing step is compared with the parameter queried in the query step. At the time of the information update necessity determination step, it is determined that the information is updated, in the update step, the connection with the external information source for the inquiry in the inquiry step is maintained, further,
The information requested by the terminal for distribution is acquired from the external information source, replaced with the information stored in the storage step, updated, and the updated information is distributed controlled.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth or seventh aspect, the predetermined parameter stored in the storing step is at least information obtained last from the external information source in the storing step. The information is a date, and the predetermined parameter to be queried in the querying step is at least a date when the information was last registered in the external information source.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a terminal is accommodated by a predetermined communication means, connected to an external information source via a fixed network, and externally connected via the fixed network based on an information request from the terminal. An information distribution device that connects to an information source, acquires the requested information from the external information source, and distributes the acquired information to the requesting terminal; a storage unit that stores the information acquired from the external information source; and the storage unit. Means for managing the registration date and time of the information stored in the terminal, and, when an information distribution request is issued from the terminal, determining whether or not the information requested to be distributed needs to be updated based on the management result of the management means It is characterized by comprising: a determination unit; and an update / distribution control unit that performs update and distribution control of the information requested to be distributed according to a determination result by the determination unit.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the information distribution request is issued from the terminal, the management means inquires a registration date and time of the requested information to a corresponding external information source. It is characterized by comprising an inquiry means and a search means for searching the registration date and time of the requested information stored in the storage means.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the judging means has a comparing means for comparing the registration date and time inquired by the inquiring means with the registration date and time searched by the searching means. Then, as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, it is determined whether or not the information needs to be updated according to whether the information in the external information source is the latest or the information in the storage means is the latest.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, when the information in the external information source is the latest, the update / distribution control means establishes a connection with the external information source for the inquiry. Maintaining, updating the information by acquiring the information from the external information source, distributing the information to the requesting terminal, and storing the information in the storage means, and updating the information in the storage means. Disconnecting the connection with the external information source, and distributing the information from the storage unit to the request source terminal.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the communication device can communicate with a communication terminal by a predetermined communication means, is connected to an external information source, and receives the information from the external information source based on an information distribution request from the terminal. Get the requested information,
In an information distribution device that distributes the information to the request source terminal, a storage unit that stores information acquired from the external information source and a predetermined parameter attached to the information, and in response to an information distribution request from the terminal, Inquiring means for inquiring the predetermined parameter to an external information source; comparing means for comparing the predetermined parameter queried by the query means with the predetermined parameter stored in the storage means; Information updating necessity determining means for determining whether updating of the information stored in the storage means is necessary, and updating the information stored in the storage means when the determination means determines that updating is necessary. And updating means for controlling the distribution of the updated information.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the comparing means compares the parameter stored in the storage means with the parameter queried by the query means, and the two match. Then, the information update necessity determination means does not update the information stored in the storage means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the comparing means compares the parameter stored in the storage means with the parameter queried by the query means, and the two do not match. In the case, the information update necessity determining means determines that the information is to be updated, the updating means maintains the connection with the external information source for the inquiry by the inquiry means, and further, the terminal It is characterized in that the requested information is obtained from the external information source, replaced with the information stored in the storage means and updated, and the updated information is distributed controlled.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, at least the predetermined parameter stored in the storage means is at least information obtained from the external information source by the storage means. The information is a date, and the predetermined parameter to be inquired by the inquiry means is at least a date when the information was last registered in the external information source.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an information communication service system according to the present invention, and portions having the same functions as those of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this system, a base station 10 includes an antenna 11 and mobile terminals 40a, 40b via the antenna 11.
A wireless unit 12 for transmitting and receiving a wireless signal to and from the terminal, having a protocol conversion function for the fixed network 20, connecting to an information providing apparatus 30 serving as an external information source via the fixed network 20 based on an information distribution request from a terminal, A relay unit 13 for acquiring the distributed information from the information providing device 30 and distributing the information to the requesting terminal, an information storage unit 14 for storing the acquired information, and an information storage unit 14 to be described later. It comprises an information management means 15 for judging information update and a control unit 16 for controlling the entire apparatus.

Here, the outline of the information providing service operation in the base station 10 of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1, first, a base station 10 receives a signal from a mobile terminal 40a connected via a radio channel, and receives an antenna 11,
When the information service request is received by the wireless unit 12, the corresponding information providing apparatus 30 is accessed by the relay unit 13 to obtain the information desired by the mobile terminal 40a.
This information is distributed to the mobile terminal 40a via the wireless unit 12 and the antenna 11. At this time, the information is stored in the information storage unit 14. Thereafter, when an information distribution request is received from the mobile terminal 40b, the relay unit 13 similarly accesses the corresponding information providing apparatus 30 and acquires only the update date and time of the information desired by the mobile terminal 40b on the information providing apparatus 30. I do.
Thereafter, the information management unit 14 determines whether the stored information is the latest by comparing the update date and time with the update date and time of the information stored in the information storage unit 14.

If it is determined that the information stored in the information storage means 14 is the latest, the base station 10
Distributes the stored information to the mobile terminal 40b that has requested the information service. On the other hand, if the information stored in the information storage unit 14 has already been updated on the information providing apparatus 30 based on the above-described determination result, the base station 1
0 indicates that the relay means 13 obtains the updated information from the information providing apparatus 30 and distributes the updated information to the mobile terminal 40a which has requested the information service via the radio unit 12 and the antenna 11; 14 is updated.

As described above, by updating at the requested time, it is not necessary to periodically update the information stored in the base station, and it is possible to prevent useless call connection in an external fixed network. can do.

Next, a more detailed operation of the information communication service in the base station will be described.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing processing operations when a request for an information communication service is generated from a mobile terminal (PHS terminal) of a PHS base station according to the present invention. The base station 10 of the PHS shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a storage form of information in an information storage unit 14 in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the information storage means 14, the connection destination address for accessing the information of each item with respect to the content itself (information item) of the provided information classified by item, And the update date and time of the information are stored in association with each other. The information items in this example include, for example, "weather forecast", "movie show time", "bus timetable" and the like. In this example, the connection destination address for the provided information item “weather forecast” is “URL: www.TENKI.co.jp.”. Also, in this example, the update date and time in the information providing device 30 regarding each of the above items is “'96 .12.20;
13:00 ".

Now, the case where the mobile terminal 40a requests the information service of the information item "weather forecast" shown in FIG. 4 will be described first with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, first, in the mobile terminal 40a, the connection address “URL: www.T” corresponding to the provided information “weather forecast”.
ENKI. co. jp. ". In response to this input, the base station 10 determines that an information service request for the information "weather forecast" has been issued from the mobile terminal 40a (step 201) and connects to the information providing apparatus 30 via the external fixed network 20. (Step 202). At this time,
For example, when the information “weather forecast” requested by the mobile terminal 40a is not stored in the information storage unit 14 in the base station 10 (NO in step 203), the base station 10 maintains the connection with the information providing apparatus 30. This information providing device 3
0 to obtain the information “weather forecast” (step 20).
4), the obtained information “weather forecast” is stored in the information storage unit 14 (step 205). At this time,
The update date and time of the information “weather forecast” “'96 .12.2
0; 13:00 ”(see FIG. 4). Next, the base station 10 distributes the obtained information “weather forecast” to the mobile terminal 40a that requests the information “weather forecast” (Step 205). After this distribution is completed (step 206
YES), base station 10 releases the connection with information providing apparatus 30 (step 207), and ends the information service for mobile terminal 40a.

Next, a case where an information service request for the above-mentioned information "weather forecast" is generated from another mobile terminal 40b after the end of this information service will be described with reference to FIG. First, in the mobile terminal 40b, the connection address “URL: www.TENKI.
co. jp. ". In response to this input, the base station 10 determines that an information service request for the information “weather forecast” has been issued from the mobile terminal 40b (step 2).
01, and is once connected to the information providing apparatus 30 via the external fixed network 20 (see FIG. 2 in step 202).

Since the information distributed to the mobile terminal 40a is already stored in the information storage means of the base station 10, the aforementioned step 203 becomes YES,
The process moves to the next step 301 (see FIG. 3). The base station 10 acquires only the update date and time (A) on the information providing device 30 of the information “weather forecast” of the information service target (step 301), and stores the update date and time (A) in the information storage unit 14. Update date and time of the relevant information "weather forecast" (B)
"'96 .12.20; 13:00" is compared (step 302). As a result of this comparison, the update date and time (B) of the information “weather forecast” stored in the information storage unit 14
"'96 .12.20; 13:00" and the information providing device 3
0, that is, when the information “weather forecast” on the information providing apparatus 30 has not been updated yet (step 303YE).
S), the base station 10 immediately releases the connection with the information providing device 30 (step 309), and distributes the information “weather forecast” stored in the information storage unit 14 to the mobile terminal 40b (step 310). , After the end of distribution (step 311
YES), the information service for the mobile terminal 40b ends.

On the other hand, as a result of the comparison in step 302, the update date and time (B) “'96 .12.20; 13:00” of the information “weather forecast” stored in the information storage means 14 and the information providing device 30 If the above update date and time (A) does not match, that is, if the information “weather forecast” on the information providing device 30 has already been updated to the latest one (step 303NO), the base station 10 The updated latest information “weather forecast” is acquired from the information providing device 30 while maintaining the connection with the information providing device 30 (step 304). After that, the base station 10
Is updated to the latest one (step 305), and the mobile terminal 40b
Then, the updated latest information “weather forecast” is delivered (step 306). After distribution (Step 307)
YES), base station 10 releases the connection with information providing apparatus 30 (step 308), and ends the information service for mobile terminal 40b.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the PHS has been described, but another wireless communication device including a mobile terminal and a base station may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, whether or not information has been updated is determined based on the date and time of information update. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the information to be distributed, the base station may obtain information from the information providing device. The date (or acquisition date and time) is compared with the information update date (or update date and time) on the information providing apparatus, and if they do not match, the information stored in the information storage means in the base station is updated. It is also possible to distribute to terminals. By doing so, it is possible to distribute information that is more optimal and requires less useless updating work according to the information to be distributed.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Stores information obtained from an external information source, manages the registration date and time of the stored information, and determines whether the requested information needs to be updated based on the management result when an information distribution request is generated from the terminal. However, according to the determination result, the requested information is updated and the distribution is controlled, so that the information stored at the time of distribution from the external information source is not updated wastefully, and the information is not used in the external fixed network. Call connections can be prevented, thereby saving time and money. Also, the latest information can be always delivered to the terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an information communication service system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an information communication service operation in a base station of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an information communication service operation in the base station of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of a storage form of information in an information storage means of the base station of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional information communication service system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Base station 11 Antenna 12 Radio part 13 Relay means 14 Information storage means 15 Information management means 16 Control part 20 Fixed network 30 Information providing device 40a, 40b Mobile terminal 41a, 41b Antenna

Claims (16)

[Claims] A terminal is accommodated by a predetermined communication means, connected to an external information source via a fixed network, and connected to an external information source via the fixed network based on an information distribution request from the terminal. In an information distribution method in an information distribution device for acquiring the information requested to be distributed from the external information source and distributing the information to the request source terminal, a storage step of storing the information acquired from the external information source; And a management step of managing the registration date and time of the stored information. When an information distribution request is generated from the terminal, it is necessary to update the information requested to be distributed based on the management result in the management step. And performing distribution control and updating of the distribution-requested information according to a result of the determination. 2. A management step comprising: when an information distribution request is issued from the terminal, inquiring a registration date and time of the requested provided information to a corresponding external information source; and storing the information relating to the requested distribution information. 2. The information distribution method according to claim 1, further comprising a search step of searching for the registration date and time stored in the step. 3. A comparison is made between the registration date and time queried in the inquiry step and the registration date and time searched in the search step,
3. The information distribution method according to claim 2, wherein whether the information in the external information source is the latest or the information stored in the storing step is the latest is determined as to whether the information needs to be updated. 4. If the information in the external information source is the latest, maintain a connection with the external information source for the inquiry, obtain the information from the external information source, distribute it to the requesting terminal, and The information is updated by storing the information in the storage step, and when the information stored in the storage step is the latest, the connection with the external information source is released, and the information is stored in the storage step. 4. The information distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the distributed information is distributed to the request source terminal. 5. A communication device capable of communicating with a communication terminal by a predetermined communication means, connected to an external information source, and acquiring the information requested to be distributed from the external information source based on an information distribution request from the terminal. A method of distributing the information to the request source terminal, the method for distributing information in the information distributing apparatus, comprising: a step of storing information acquired from the external information source and a predetermined parameter associated with the information; In response to an information distribution request, an inquiry step of inquiring the predetermined parameter from an external information source; a comparison step of comparing the predetermined parameter inquired in the inquiry step with the predetermined parameter stored in the storage step; Information update necessity determination for determining whether information stored in the storage step needs to be updated according to the comparison result in the comparison step And an updating step of updating the information stored in the storing step when it is determined that the updating is required in the determining step, and controlling the distribution of the updated information. Delivery method. 6. The comparing step compares the parameter stored in the storing step with the parameter queried in the query step, and when they match, in the information update necessity determining step, The information stored in the storing step is not updated.
Information distribution method described. 7. The comparing step compares the parameter stored in the storing step with the parameter queried in the query step. If the parameters do not match, the information updating necessity determining step determines the information In the updating step, maintaining the connection with the external information source for the inquiry in the inquiry step, further obtains the information requested by the terminal from the external information source, 6. The information distribution method according to claim 5, wherein the information is updated by replacing the information stored in the storage step, and the updated information is distributed. 8. The predetermined parameter stored in the storage step is at least a date when information was last obtained from the external information source in the storage step, and the predetermined parameter to be queried in the inquiry step is at least 8. The information distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the date is the date when the information was last registered in the external information source. 9. A terminal accommodated by predetermined communication means, connected to an external information source via a fixed network, and connected to an external information source via the fixed network based on an information request from the terminal, An information distribution device that acquires the requested information from an external information source and distributes the information to the requesting terminal; a storage unit that stores the information acquired from the external information source; and a registration of the information stored in the storage unit. Management means for managing the date and time; determination means for determining, at the time when an information distribution request is issued from the terminal, whether or not the information requested to be distributed needs to be updated based on the management result of the management means; An update / distribution control unit for updating the information requested to be distributed and controlling the distribution in accordance with the result of the determination. 10. A management unit comprising: an inquiry unit for inquiring a registration date and time of the requested information to a corresponding external information source when an information distribution request is issued from the terminal; and a storage unit for the requested information. 10. The provided information management apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a search unit for searching for the stored registration date and time. 11. The determining means includes comparing means for comparing the registration date and time inquired by the inquiring means with the registration date and time searched by the searching means. 11. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 10, wherein whether the information needs to be updated is determined according to whether the information is the latest or the information in the storage unit is the latest. 12. The update / distribution control means, when the information in the external information source is the latest, maintains a connection with the external information source for the inquiry and acquires the information from the external information source. The information is updated by distributing it to the requesting terminal and storing the information in the storage means, and when the information in the storage means is the latest, the connection with the external information source is released, and 12. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the information is distributed from a storage unit to the request source terminal. 13. A communication device capable of communicating with a communication terminal by a predetermined communication means, connected to an external information source, and acquiring the information requested to be distributed from the external information source based on an information distribution request from the terminal. An information distribution device for distributing the information to the request source terminal; a storage unit for storing information acquired from the external information source and a predetermined parameter associated with the information; Query means for inquiring the predetermined parameter to an external information source; comparing means for comparing the predetermined parameter queried by the query means with the predetermined parameter stored in the storage means; Information updating necessity determining means for determining whether updating of the information stored in the storage means is necessary according to a result; and when the determining means determines that updating is necessary, Updates the stored information in 憶 means, information distribution apparatus, characterized in that a updating means for distributing control of the updated information. 14. The comparing means compares the parameter stored in the storage means with the parameter queried by the query means. 14. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information stored in the storage unit is not updated. 15. The comparison means compares the parameter stored in the storage means with the parameter queried by the inquiry means. If the two do not match, the information update necessity determination means determines the information update necessity. Is determined to be updated, the updating unit maintains a connection with the external information source for an inquiry in the inquiry unit, and further obtains information requested by the terminal from the external information source, 14. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the information is updated by replacing the information stored in the storage unit, and the updated information is distributed. 16. The predetermined parameter stored in the storage means is at least a date when information was last obtained from the external information source in the storage means, and the predetermined parameter to be queried by the query means is at least 16. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the information is a date when the information was last registered in the external information source.