JPH11355355A - Distributed information registration method in mobile communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain charging based on a meter rate. SOLUTION: A mobile communication network 4 is provided with a PDN (a communication network that conducts packet data communication based on the meter rate) interface 22 so that a terminal 21 can register distribution information via a packet data network 20, and the PDN interface 22 measures a communication information amount to make charging on the meter rate. The result of measurement is sent to a detail center 23, where details are generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network for distributing information to a specific mobile station from an information server installed in the mobile communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional system will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal connected to the mobile device 3 via the adapter 2, for example, a mobile personal computer. Reference numeral 2 denotes an adapter (cable) for connecting the mobile device 3 to the terminal 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a mobile device, which can use an automobile telephone, a mobile telephone, a PHS telephone, or the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a mobile communication network, and reference numeral 5 denotes an information server (described later). Reference numeral 6 denotes a fixed telephone network such as PSTN / ISDN, and reference numeral 7 denotes the same or another mobile communication network as the mobile communication network 4. Reference numeral 8 denotes an adapter, the terminal 9 and the fixed-line telephone network 6,
For example, an adapter for connecting to ISDN (usually called a terminal adapter or digital modem in the case of ISDN).

Reference numeral 9 denotes a terminal such as a personal computer. Reference numeral 10 denotes a mobile device, 11 denotes an adapter, and 12 denotes a terminal.

[0004] In the mobile communication network 4, an information server 5 for storing information to be distributed (hereinafter collectively referred to as distribution information).
Is installed. The information server 5 calls a specific mobile device 3 when requested by a user or at a specific time, and distributes the distribution information stored in the information server 5 to the mobile device 3. The distribution information received by the mobile device 3 is transferred to the terminal 1 and, for example, in the form of characters or the like,
Visually displayed. In order to register the distribution information in the information server 5, the user needs the fixed network telephone network 6 or the mobile communication network 7
The distribution information is transmitted from the terminals 9 and 12 to the information server 5 via the.

[0005]

The fixed network telephone network 6 and the mobile communication network 7 are charged according to the connection time regardless of the amount of information. Therefore, when registering information with a small amount of information in the information server 5, telephone charges tend to be expensive.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network that enables distribution information to be registered in an information server by charging based on a pay-as-you-go system.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to a mobile communication system for distributing information from an information server installed in a mobile communication network to mobile devices. In the method for registering distribution information in a communication network, an interface having a packet address and connecting to a packet data network is provided in the mobile communication network, and the interface is provided from a terminal connected to the packet data network to the information server. Receiving the distribution information to be registered, calling the information server, and transferring the received distribution information to be registered to the information server.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the first aspect, the interface authenticates the terminal before receiving the distribution information to be registered from the terminal. And

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the first aspect, an identifier indicating that the type of information is distribution information is added to the distribution information to be registered. The interface identifies the type of information to be accepted by the identifier.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the first aspect, the mobile communication network manages position information and subscriber information of a mobile station to which the distribution information is distributed. A home memory is provided, and the information server acquires the position information from the home memory to determine an information distribution area.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network for distributing information to a mobile device from an information server installed in the mobile communication network, the method comprising a packet address, An interface for connecting to a data network is provided in the mobile communication network, the interface receives distribution information to be registered in the information server from a terminal connected to the packet data network, and calls the information server,
Transferring the received distribution information to be registered to the information server, measuring the information amount of the distribution information, and transmitting the measured information amount of the distribution information for billing to a specification center that creates a specification. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method for registering distribution information in a mobile communication network according to the fifth aspect, a plurality of destinations of a mobile device to be distributed are added to the distribution information to be registered. The information server broadcasts the distribution information based on the plurality of destinations, the interface counts the number of the plurality of destinations, and transmits the counting result together with the information amount to the specification center. I do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the fifth aspect, the distribution information to be registered is added with distribution area information indicating a distribution area. Is characterized in that the distribution information is distributed in an area indicated by the distribution area information.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the seventh aspect, a total of the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information is calculated, and the calculation result is also described in the specification. It is transmitted to the center.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method in the mobile communication network according to the fifth aspect, the distribution information to be registered is added with the number of distributions, and the interface is provided with only the number of distributions. The distribution information to be registered is received from the terminal, the number of receptions is counted, the counting result is transmitted to the specification center together with the information amount, and the information server distributes the distribution information by the distribution number. It is characterized by the following.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the distribution information registration method for a mobile communication network according to the fifth aspect, arrival confirmation presence / absence information indicating presence / absence confirmation of arrival of the distribution information is added to the distribution information to be registered. When the arrival confirmation presence / absence information indicates that there is arrival confirmation, the information server retransmits the distribution information within a predetermined number of times until there is a response of arrival confirmation from the mobile device. It is characterized by the following.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of a broadcast communication system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those of the conventional system of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A first difference between the system of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 and the conventional system shown in FIG. 1 is that registration of distribution information is performed via a packet data network (communication network for performing packet data communication on a metered basis, PDN) 20. It is the point which did so. The second difference is that an interface (referred to as a PDN interface) 22 for receiving distribution information for registration transmitted from the PDN 20 and transferring the information to the information server 5 is installed on the mobile communication network 4 side. The point is that the information amount of the distribution information is counted and transmitted to a specification center (described later).

In the mobile communication network 4, a computer system (hereinafter referred to as a specification center) 23 for storing and printing out billing information to be notified to a broadcast service subscriber is installed. The statement center 23 calculates the price charged to the user based on the information amount of the distribution information received from the PDN interface 22 and other information, and creates a statement.

Further, a computer system (referred to as a distribution area storage unit) 24 for storing the distribution destination when there are a plurality of distribution destinations of the broadcast communication is installed in the mobile communication network 4. The PDN interface 22 and each of the information server 5, the detail center 23, and the distribution area storage unit 24 are connected by a communication line, and can exchange information.

Hereinafter, the registration processing of the distribution information in the system of FIG. 2 will be described. The information shown in FIG. 3 is registered in the information server 5.

In FIG. 3, the information distribution identifier is
The information transmitted from 1 is information relating to broadcast communication, and identification information for identifying a user who uses broadcast communication.

The destination address group is information such as the numbers of a plurality of mobile stations to be broadcast (multicast) and packet addresses for mobile communication.

The destination area is the area (area) of the mobile communication network.
Is specified, the information indicates the name of the area. The distribution schedule is information indicating the time and the number of times of transmitting the distribution information.

The delivery confirmation is information indicating whether or not to confirm receipt of information from the receiver. The distribution content is distribution information to be distributed to a plurality of mobile devices 3.

FIG. 4A shows an example of a communication format of communication performed between the terminal 21 and the PDN interface 22.
Shown in 4, reference numeral 100 denotes a destination IP address description field, 101 denotes a transmission source IP address description field, and 102 denotes an information field description field for communicating the information shown in FIG. The communication format is not limited to this, but is determined by the communication protocol used.

Next, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. PD
N interface (PDN IF) 22 is PDN 20
It is assumed that the above packet address is assigned. It is also assumed that a number that can be uniquely identified in the network is assigned to the information server 5, the detail center 23, and the distribution area storage unit 24.

When the terminal 21 registers distribution information, the terminal 21
3 is transmitted to the PDN interface 22 using the packet address of the DN interface 22.

In the PDN interface 22, the terminal 21
, Via the PDN 20, the distribution information (FIG. 3) is transferred to the information server 5 according to the processing procedure of FIG. That is, the request for registration of the distribution information to the information server is identified by the format (the number of digits and the range of values) of the information distribution identifier of FIG. 3, and the transmission source IP of FIG.
The address is verified against the built-in registration list to authenticate the user who has requested the information distribution service (steps S10 to S20 in FIG. 5).

If the authentication fails in the user authentication, the received packet is discarded (step S2).
5). If the data of the information distribution identifier matches the predetermined format, wins, or matches the transmission source IP address, the PDN interface 22 stores the received packet in the internal memory. Hereinafter, the following processing is repeated for each packet received continuously (steps S20 to S30).
Loop processing).

Next, the PDN interface 22 analyzes the stored distribution information (see FIG. 3). More specifically, the distribution destination area information is extracted from the destination area column, the distribution destination (packet address or mobile device number) is extracted from the distribution destination address group column, and the number of destinations is counted. Destination area information and number of destinations are P
It is stored in the internal memory of the DN interface 22.
At this time, the total area size indicated by the destination area information is calculated. In the present embodiment, an index indicating the size corresponding to the area name is stored in advance, and the indices are summed. Various parameters such as an area area may be used instead of the index. The example in FIG. 3 shows that Tokyo and Chiba are designated as distribution destination areas. This area information is stored in the distribution area storage unit 24 by a process described later.
Is stored.

Further, detailed information related to charging, for example,
The source IP address for specifying the user is also extracted from the received packet.

When the distribution schedule included in the distribution information is three times and a plurality of times (two or more) as shown in FIG. 3, the terminal 21 registers the distribution information three times. The number of registrations of the distribution information by the terminal 21 so far on that day is also counted. More specifically, an initial value 0 of the counting result is stored for each transmission source address, and when distribution information (all packets) is received from the terminal 21, the value stored as the counting result is incremented (increased) by one. Let it.
When the counting result reaches the designated number of times, the counting result is reset to the initial value 0.

When the number of distributions is not described in the distribution schedule or when the number of distributions is one, the process of counting the number of registrations of distribution information is omitted.

After that, the PDN interface 22 transmits the distribution information to be registered to the information server 5. More specifically, dial-up is performed from the PDN interface 22 to the information server 5, and a connection between the information server 5 and the PDN interface 22 is established by a response from the information server 5 (step S50).
→ S60). At that time, a normal numbering procedure may be used. The PDN interface 22 is the terminal 21 of FIG.
Is transferred to the information server 5 via the dedicated line or the fixed telephone network (steps S70 → S
80). Therefore, the information server 5 receives the distribution information as the conventional terminal (reference numeral 9 in FIG. 1) and apparently receives and stores (registers) the information in the PDN interface 22.

The information stored is transmitted from the information server 5 to the plurality of mobile devices 3 specified by the destination address group according to the distribution schedule shown in FIG.

The PDN interface 22 counts the information amount each time distribution data (packet data form) is transmitted (step S90).

The above-described processing is repeated until all the distribution information to be registered is transferred (steps S70 to S70).
90 loop processing).

When all the distribution information received from the terminal 21 is transferred to the information server 5, the PDN interface 2
2 stores the counted information amount in the internal memory, requests the information server 5 to release the connection, waits for a response from the information server 5, disconnects the connection with the information server 5, and registers the distribution information. (Steps S100 → S11 in FIG. 6)
0).

Next, the PDN interface 22 executes the detailed information stored in the internal memory in the above processing, ie, the counted information amount of the distribution information, the counted number of registrations (indicating the order of information registration), The distribution contents and the transmission source IP address included in the received packet are transmitted to the specification center 23 (step S120). The transmission processing of the specification center 23 also calls the specification center 23 from the PDN interface 22, transmits data after waiting for a reception permission response from the specification center 23, and performs data communication in response to a connection release request from the PDN interface 22 to the specification center 23. Needless to say, it ends.

Finally, the PDN interface 22 transmits information on the destination area (Tokyo and Chiba in the example of FIG. 3) and the source IP address to the distribution area storage unit 24 (step S130). In this transmission processing, as in the communication with the information server 5 and the specification center 23, the communication is started and ended by the interactive processing between the data transmission source and the data reception destination.

When the data transmission process is completed, the PDN interface 21 sends the terminal 2 that has made the distribution information registration request.
1 That is, an information registration confirmation packet indicating that the distribution information of the communication format of FIG. 4B has been registered in the information server 5 is transmitted to the terminal 21 of the source IP address of the received packet, and the procedure ends. (Step S140 → end).

The registration process of the distribution information and the information distribution process of the information server 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

When receiving a transmission request from the PDN interface 22, the information server 5 transmits a reception permission response when reception becomes possible, and sends the P in accordance with the control procedure of FIG.
The distribution information to be registered is received from the DN interface 22 (step S200). The received distribution information is registered in the storage column of the same distribution identifier in the internal database (Step S210).

The information server 5 sets the registration of the distribution information to P
In addition to performing the processing in response to a request from the DN interface 22, the processing procedure of FIG. That is, the distribution schedule data of each distribution identifier in the database is read and compared with the current time (step S300). When the distribution time indicated by the distribution schedule data substantially matches the current time (within the allowable range), the information to be distributed (the distribution content in FIG. 3) is transmitted to the distribution destination (terminal 1 in FIG. 2) indicated by the destination address group. (Step S31)
0 → S320).

At this time, the distribution area information stored in the distribution area storage unit 24 is referred to, and through the exchange (not shown) of the mobile communication network 4 in the area indicated by the distribution area information. A call to the mobile device 3 is made.

At this time, if the delivery information in FIG. 3 indicates that the delivery confirmation is present, the retransmission of the delivery information is repeated until the reception confirmation is received from the terminal 1 (loop processing of steps S320 to S340). The retransmission process includes a call until the mobile device 3 answers. Note that a predetermined upper limit is set for the number of retransmission processes. For example, when three retransmissions are performed, the retransmission process is stopped.

On the other hand, when the delivery confirmation is not instructed, the distribution process is stopped even if there is no response of the arrival confirmation of the terminal 1, and the distribution is performed to the next destination (step S320 → S3).
50 → S320).

When the distribution of the distribution information is successful (including when the retransmission reaches the upper limit) (YES in step S340), the information server 5 updates the distribution destination to another destination and repeatedly executes the above-described distribution processing. (Step S350 → S
320). When distribution to all destinations ends (YES determination in step S350), this procedure ends.

If there is no distribution schedule data in the database that matches the current time, the procedure proceeds to step S
The process proceeds from 310 to end, and the distribution process is not performed. By performing the above-described processing for each information distribution identifier in the database with a fixed period interruption, all registered distribution information can be distributed to a specified destination at a specified time.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, the following embodiment can be implemented.

1) In the above-described embodiment, distribution information is distributed (broadcast) almost simultaneously to a plurality of mobile devices. In the mobile communication network 4, an information processing device called a home memory, which manages subscriber information and the position (information) of the mobile device 3, is installed. Therefore, the home memory is used as the distribution area storage unit 24. You can also. If the distribution area information is not included in the distribution information of the user, the information server 5
When the distribution information is distributed, the location information of the mobile device to be distributed may be acquired from the home memory. This allows
The information server 5 can determine a distribution area in the mobile communication network 4.

2) The communication between the PDN interface 22 and the information server 5 uses a fixed telephone network in the above-described embodiment, but is not limited to this, and various communication forms can be used.

3) After the data transfer between the terminal 21 and the PDN interface 22 in FIG.
Data transfer between the PDN interface 22 and the PDN interface 22 may be performed. In this case, the information amount is counted based on the internally stored distribution information.

4) The information to be distributed can handle various types of information such as voice data, document data in the form of character codes, and image data such as facsimile. And H
A document that handles information managed by images and characters, which is called a TML document, can also be used as distribution information.

5) In the above-described embodiment, the distribution area storage unit 24 and the information server 5 are provided separately, but information stored in the distribution area storage unit 24 may be stored in the information server 5.

6) The information transmitted from the PDN interface 22 to the specification center 23 may include the date and time when the distribution information was registered, in addition to the above.

7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the billing for information distribution was not described in detail, but the billing amount is determined based on the number of destinations or the total area size. Furthermore, the charge amount may be determined by an arithmetic expression that combines the number of destinations, the total area size, the amount of distribution information, and the like.

[0059]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, distribution information to be distributed from a terminal connected to a packet data network is received via an interface, so that an account (charge) based on a pay-as-you-go system can be obtained. ) Is possible. Thus, when the volume of the distribution information is small, the telephone charge can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, registration of distribution information of only a legitimate user can be received by performing terminal authentication processing at the time of receiving distribution information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by attaching an identifier to distribution information, for example, various types of distribution information can be handled, and when performing not only distribution information but also various information services, The distribution information can be distinguished from other information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when a mobile device of a distribution destination exists in a plurality of areas, information about the position of the mobile device is transmitted and received between the information server and the home memory, so that the information server can transmit the information. The distribution area can be determined.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an account (billing) on a pay-as-you-go basis can be made by accepting distribution information to be distributed from a terminal connected to a packet data network via an interface. Further, the counted information amount is totaled in the detail center. Thus, when the volume of the distribution information is small, the telephone charge can be reduced. In addition, the charge for information distribution can be determined based on the amount of information.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when distribution is performed to a plurality of destinations as in the case of broadcast communication, the number of destinations is counted, so that accounting according to the number of destinations becomes possible. Furthermore, since the destination is specified each time the information is registered, the user can variably set the destination for each registration of the distribution information.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the information for designating the distribution area is added to the distribution information, so that the area for calling the distribution destination mobile device can be limited. It is also possible to charge the distribution information in consideration of the distribution area.

According to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to charge for information distribution according to the size (total) of the distribution area.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the interface counts the number of registrations of the distribution information and distributes the information a plurality of times a day, the number of information registrations for that is counted. Instead, billing can be performed in consideration of the number of distributions.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by adding information indicating the presence or absence of delivery confirmation to the delivery information, the information server can confirm delivery of delivery information based on this information. This makes it possible to provide a distribution information service in which the reliability of information distribution and the charge are balanced in accordance with the user's request.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a conventional example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of distribution information.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a communication format.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a PDN interface.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a PDN interface.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing contents of the information server 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing contents of the information server 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 9, 12, 21 Terminal 2, 8, 11 Adapter 3, 10 Mobile device 4, 7 Mobile communication network 5 Information (distribution) server 6 Fixed network telephone network 21 Packet data network 22 PDN interface 23 Details center 24 Distribution area storage Department

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04M 3/42 H04L 11/00 310C 11/08 11/02 F 15/00 H04Q 7/04 H (72) Inventor Teruki Niwa (72) Inventor Hideo Morita NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. 2-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hideo Morita 2-10-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network for distributing information from an information server installed in the mobile communication network to a mobile device, the method including a packet address and connecting to a packet data network. An interface for receiving the distribution information to be registered in the information server from a terminal connected to the packet data network, calling the information server, and receiving the received registration. A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network, wherein distribution information is transferred to the information server. 2. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein the interface authenticates the terminal before receiving the distribution information to be registered from the terminal. Information registration method in. 3. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein the distribution information to be registered is added with an identifier indicating that the type of information is distribution information, and the interface is A method of registering distribution information in a mobile communication network, characterized by identifying a type of information to be accepted by the identifier. 4. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication network is provided with a home memory for managing position information and subscriber information of a mobile station to which the distribution information is distributed. Wherein the information server obtains the location information from the home memory to determine an information distribution area, the distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network. 5. A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network for distributing information from an information server installed in a mobile communication network to a mobile device, comprising a packet address and connecting to a packet data network. An interface for receiving the distribution information to be registered in the information server from a terminal connected to the packet data network, calling the information server, and receiving the received registration. A mobile communication network for transferring distribution information to the information server, measuring an information amount of the distribution information, and transmitting the measured information amount of the distribution information for billing to a specification center for preparing a specification; Information registration method in. 6. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of destinations of a mobile device to be distributed are added to the distribution information to be registered, and Broadcast communication of the distribution information based on the destination, the interface counts the number of the plurality of destinations, and transmits the counting result to the specification center together with the information amount. Delivery information registration method. 7. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 5, wherein the distribution information to be registered is added with distribution area information indicating a distribution area, and the information server is configured to store the distribution area information. A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network, wherein said distribution information is distributed in an area indicated by: 8. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 7, wherein a total of the distribution area sizes indicated by the distribution area information is calculated, and the calculation result is also transmitted to the specification center. A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network, characterized in that: 9. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 5, wherein the distribution information to be registered has a distribution count added thereto, and the interface has the distribution information to be registered for the distribution count. While receiving from the terminal, counting the number of times of reception, transmitting the counting result to the specification center together with the information amount,
A distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network, wherein the information server distributes the distribution information by the distribution count. 10. The distribution information registration method in a mobile communication network according to claim 5, wherein the distribution information to be registered is added with arrival confirmation presence / absence information indicating presence / absence of arrival confirmation of the distribution information. When the arrival confirmation presence / absence information indicates that there is arrival confirmation, the information server retransmits the distribution information within a predetermined number of times until there is a response of the arrival confirmation from the mobile device. A method for registering distribution information in a mobile communication network.