KR100712462B1 - System and method for supporting location based communications, and a cell phone used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a location-based communication support system and method, and a portable terminal for the same. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication support system comprising: a wireless base station wirelessly connected to a subscribed portable terminal; A mobile switching station connected to the wireless base station in a predetermined area, the mobile switching station registering a location for a portable terminal in the area; A location server for generating a location code corresponding to the location information when receiving the location information of the mobile terminal from the mobile switching center; When the location code is received, the location code is written and stored in a location field corresponding to the identification code of the mobile terminal, and when a signal for requesting a buddy list in a predetermined area is received from the subscriber, a predetermined buddy for the subscriber is received. A management server for retrieving a location field of each subscriber of a group, generating a buddy list having a location code corresponding to a predetermined zone requested by the subscriber, and transmitting the buddy list to the mobile terminal of the subscriber; And a communication server configured to establish communication with a buddy belonging to the buddy list according to the subscriber's selection.

Location based, buddy list, location code, zone.

Description

Location-based communication support system and method, and a mobile terminal for the same, and a mobile terminal for the same.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a concept of a location-based communication service according to the present invention.

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a location-based communication system according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a location-based communication method according to the present invention.

4A to 4E are exemplary diagrams for describing an operation of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a location-based communication support system and a method thereof, and a portable terminal therefor, and more particularly, to a system for searching for buddies located within a predetermined area selected by a user and communicating with these buddies. A method, and a portable terminal for the same.

In the early days, communication using mobile terminals only supported voice calls between individuals by establishing a call connection using a phone number assigned to each mobile terminal. However, after that, a text transmission service for transmitting a simple text has been commercialized, and in recent years, a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC) service using a mobile phone as a radio has been commercialized.

In recent years, the Internet access using a mobile phone has enabled not only a chat service using a mobile phone, but also a multi-party call service that allows two or more users to talk at the same time. A service for providing location information of a specific user is also provided.

Based on this technology base, various services using a mobile phone have been proposed, and among them, a service supporting a call with an unspecified person based on a location has been proposed. The proposed service allows a particular subscriber to make a multi-party call with other unspecified subscribers in a certain area to which his / her location belongs. The proposed service has the effect of facilitating user's interest and information in a specific area.

However, these services are not commercially available, because in the first place calls to unspecified people may be interesting, but they are somewhat reluctant, and they make it possible to obtain information within a particular area (e.g. restaurants famous in the area). This is because it is practically not effective and useful.

On the other hand, a variety of services using such a mobile phone means that the mobile phone is so closely spread to the lives of modern people, and at the same time, it is required to propose a more diverse and useful service using the same.

The present invention is to provide a new and useful service using a mobile phone, if you want to perform a communication based on the location, it is easy to communicate with a birdie in a specific area without having to call all the buddy one by one to check It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the location-based communication support system according to the present invention, a wireless base station (BS: Base Station) which is wirelessly connected to the subscribing mobile terminal and connected to the wireless base station in a predetermined area, the area A mobile switching center (MSC) for registering a location for a mobile terminal within the mobile terminal; a location server for generating a location code corresponding to the location information when receiving the location information of the mobile terminal from the mobile switching station; Upon receiving the location code, the location code is written and stored in the location field corresponding to the identification code of the mobile terminal, and when a signal for requesting a buddy list in a predetermined area is received from the subscriber, a predetermined buddy group for the subscriber is received. Search for the location field of each subscriber, and having a location code corresponding to the predetermined zone requested by the subscriber. After generating a buddy list, it comprises a management server for transmitting it to the mobile terminal of the subscriber and a communication server for establishing communication with the buddy belonging to the buddy list according to the subscriber's selection.

Here, the buddy refers to another subscriber registered by the subscriber, and is an acquaintance registered by inputting another subscriber's ID (name or alias) and phone number. You can define a group of buddies such as 'family', 'friends', etc

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for supporting location-based communication, the method comprising: detecting location of a subscribed mobile terminal and storing location information of each mobile terminal; When a signal for requesting a buddy list in a predetermined zone is received from the subscriber, the terminal searches for location information on the mobile terminal of the subscriber belonging to a predetermined buddy group for the subscriber, and receives a buddy having a location code corresponding to the predetermined zone. Detecting and transmitting the detected buddy list to the mobile terminal of the subscriber; and receiving a communication request signal for a buddy belonging to the buddy list from the mobile terminal of the subscriber, communication with the mobile terminal of the corresponding buddy It characterized in that it comprises a step of setting.

In the location-based communication support system and method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the buddy list in the predetermined zone requested by the subscriber is a buddy list in any one zone selected from the zone in which the subscriber is currently located and the zone designated by the subscriber. . Further, the predetermined zone corresponds to the zone divided on the administrative zone, and the location server classifies the code assigned to the mobile switching station according to the administrative zone, thereby assigning a location code to the administrative zone, and the mobile switching center. When receiving the location information of the portable terminal from the, it is more preferably configured to generate a location code according to the administrative area.

In addition, according to the location-based communication support system and method according to the present invention, the step of setting the communication server and the communication, Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC), instant for the selected buddy at the request of the subscriber Set up the messaging service or the conference service.

In addition, according to the location-based communication support system and method according to the present invention, if a subscriber selects any name from the buddy list to request detailed location information, the location server according to the request detailed location information for the selected buddy By sending a so that the location is displayed on the subscriber's portable terminal with a map.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the portable terminal for using the above-described location-based communication support system or method, the portable terminal comprises a display unit, a keypad, a wireless module, and a microcomputer, When the user selects the location-based communication by using the keypad, the microcomputer selects one of the buddy groups previously stored from the user, and selects a predetermined zone from the user, and then selects a predetermined zone from the user. Connect to a location-based communication system to receive a buddy list in the predetermined area, and output the buddy list to the display unit.

According to the present invention, in order to receive input of the user's zone selection, the microcomputer selects two kinds of my zones corresponding to the current location of the user and a special zone for random selection of the user as a toggle menu. It is preferable to output.

Here, when the user selects a special zone, the microcomputer outputs a screen for inputting or selecting a region name according to an administrative zone to the display unit, and determines the predetermined zone according to a signal input through the keypad. It is preferable.

In addition, according to the present invention, the micom, if the user selects all or part of the buddy from the buddy list to request a push to talk over cellular (PoC), instant messaging service, or conference call service, the selected service Run the process for the configuration of.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the subscriber requests a detailed view by selecting any one of the buddy included in the buddy list, the microcomputer receives the detailed location information of the selected buddy and the location along with a map It is displayed on the display unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a concept of a location-based communication service according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that subscribers having portable terminals MT1 to MT9 are scattered over zones A to C. And, suppose all of these subscribers belong to one buddy group having a relationship such as, for example, the same corporate member, a friend, or a family.

For example, there may be a case where a subscriber having a mobile terminal of MT1 wants to search for and communicate with buddies currently located within a zone (eg, A zone) where buddies belonging to this buddy group are located. For example, a subscriber in zone A may want to send a message that he or she wants to meet with friends who are close to him or her. In other cases, if a subscriber with a MT1 mobile terminal, for example, signals an insurer to cause an accident, the insurer may wish to order an immediate dispatch to an employee of its company who is in the same area as the subscriber. .

In the conventional case, this should be done by sending a message or attempting a call to all friends or all employees. According to the present invention, however, the buddy list located in the area A is searched and sent to the buddy list of the requesting MT1, for example. Then, the subscriber having the mobile terminal of MT1 can receive a list of buddies (MT2 and MT4 in this example) in the same zone (zone A) as those of the buddies belonging to the buddy group.

Of course, the present invention is not intended to allow searching only for buddies in their own area where the subscriber is located. For example, a subscriber having the MT1 mobile terminal may request and receive a list of buddies located in the B zone or the C zone. In this case, in the following example, a subscriber having a mobile terminal of MT1 selects a zone A which is the same as the zone in which the subscriber is located as 'My Zone' and a zone arbitrarily selected by the subscriber such as zone B or zone C. Special Zone, which will be named and described.

In this example, the buddy list of zone B includes MT5, MT7, and MT9, and the buddy list of zone C includes MT3, MT6, and MT8.

With the buddy list thus obtained, the subscriber may select all or part of it and then send an instant message or make a PoC call.

In order to provide such a location-based communication support service, information about a current location of a registered mobile terminal must be updated in real time or at least at regular intervals, and a predetermined location code needs to be assigned according to an area.

Hereinafter, it will be described in more detail with a specific example for the realization of the present invention.

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a location-based communication system according to the present invention.

The present invention can be implemented using the existing mobile communication system as it is. Accordingly, the present disclosure does not list all the components for implementing the present invention, but focuses on the elements necessary for the practice of the present invention.

First, in a mobile communication system, a base station (BS) wirelessly connected to a subscribed portable terminal is scattered throughout a service area, and a mobile switching station (MSC) connected to these radio base stations (BS) every certain area. Mobile Switching Center) is installed. That is, a mobile switching center (MSC) is connected to a wireless base station in a predetermined area to register a location for a mobile terminal in that area.

According to this embodiment, an identification code can be assigned to each MSC, and an identification code of the MS can be assigned as a location code to a mobile terminal in the area covered by the MS.

Each MSC generates a location information by identifying a mobile terminal in an area covered by the MSC, and transmits the location information to a location server (LBS).

When the location server receives the location information of the mobile terminal from the mobile switching center, the location server generates a location code corresponding to the location information. The location server generates an ID and a location code of the mobile terminal. There are various methods for generating the location code. For example, a zone may be determined in units of a mobile switching center (MSC). In this case, a location code may be assigned for each mobile switching station. However, when the area is defined by the unit of the mobile switching center, it is difficult for the subscriber to predict the range of the area. In particular, when a subscriber arbitrarily selects a specific zone (i.e., sets a 'special zone'), it is not easy to input or select it.

Therefore, it is desirable to assign a location code for the area according to the administrative area. For this purpose, it is preferable to classify the mobile switching center (MSC) according to administrative zones and to assign the same location code to the mobile terminals covered by the mobile switching centers (MSCs) belonging to the same administrative zone.

When the management server (GLMS: Group List & Management Server) receives the location code from the location server, the management server (GLMS) writes the location code in the location field corresponding to the identification code of the mobile terminal and stores it. Then, when a signal is received from the subscriber requesting a buddy list in a predetermined zone, the subscriber searches the location field of each subscriber of the predetermined buddy group for this subscriber, and has a buddy having a location code corresponding to the predetermined zone requested by this subscriber. After the list is generated, it is transmitted to the subscriber's portable terminal.

For example, the management server stores the ID of each of these portable terminals and the corresponding location code. In addition, the buddy group registered for the subscriber's portable terminal may be stored. The registration of the buddy group may be made correctable after designation at the time of subscription, for example, or may be configured to receive the information of the buddy group stored in the subscriber's portable terminal upon request of the buddy list.

Although not shown, the communication server may further include a communication server that enables the subscriber to select all or part of the buddy list and then perform communication such as PoC call, instant messaging, conference call, and the like. The communication server sets up communication with a buddy belonging to the buddy list according to the subscriber's selection.

Of course, the communication server here means all components for realizing communication such as PoC call, instant messaging, multi-party call, and the like, since such communication is already realized in the related art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The invention is not obscured. The communication server of the present application also means any element for realizing such communication, and does not mean to limit only one physically independent server.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a location-based communication method using the above-described system.

The location-based communication method will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, but will be described below with schematic and representative steps.

In the location-based communication method of the present embodiment, first, the current location of the mobile terminal subscribed to each MSC is determined (S10). Knowing the position of the portable terminal has already been realized in the concept of the home position register (HLR) in the past, and the specific method thereof is omitted.

Next, the current location of the mobile terminal identified for each mobile switching center generates and stores a corresponding location code according to the area classified into the administrative area (S20). The generation and storage of the location code is preferably performed at regular intervals.

Next, it is determined whether a request for a buddy list is received from a specific subscriber (S30). In this case, the subscriber's ID (this can be, for example, a telephone number or a code linked to the telephone number), information about the buddy group (this may be pre-registered and stored), and which zone ('My Zone' In the case of the subscriber's current zone or 'Special Zone' (in the case of the selected zone) request information about whether to request a buddy list.

Next, based on the received request and information, retrieve the corresponding buddy list from the stored database (S40). This can be realized by determining, for the ID of the subscriber belonging to the corresponding buddy group, whether the location code written in the location field is the location code corresponding to the requested zone.

Next, the detected buddy list is transmitted to the mobile terminal of the requesting subscriber (S50).

Thereafter, the subscriber can select and communicate with the buddies shown in the buddy list, the following will be described an example of a mobile terminal for the subscriber's use of the service described above.

4 is an exemplary view for explaining the operation of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

4 illustrates a schematic configuration of a screen output through a display unit (generally an LCD window) of a portable terminal. The portable terminal according to the present invention comprises a display unit, a keypad, a wireless module, and a micom, and a user can select a menu through the keypad, and the micom uses a location-based communication service according to a user's selection input through the keypad. Outputs the screen for the display through the display.

Examples to be described later are merely examples, and a program for this purpose may be stored in a memory such as a ROM, for example, to be mounted in a portable terminal. However, examples of specific programs and methods of storing and executing the same may be extremely easily realized by those skilled in the art from the following description. Since it can be, description thereof will be omitted.

When the user selects the location-based communication service through the menu using the keypad of the portable terminal, a screen as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the microcomputer outputs a list of selected buddy groups (family or friends) to the display unit. The screen of FIG. 4A simultaneously outputs a frame from which a zone can be selected. For example, a menu in which 'My Zone' and 'Special Zone' can be toggled can be configured.

'My Zone' is for searching for buddies that are in the same zone as the user, and 'Special Zone' is for allowing the user to specify an arbitrary zone.

4B exemplarily illustrates a screen when a user selects 'Friends' as a buddy group and the search area selects 'My Zone'. In this case, the microcomputer of the portable terminal accesses the system of FIG. 2 through the wireless module, searches for a buddy located in the same area as the area corresponding to the current location of the user, and receives the buddy list. From the received buddy list, the microcomputer outputs the corresponding buddy list to the display unit. The user can select one from the buddy list to 'connect' the call, 'select' all or part of the call to send a message, or execute a PoC call.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a screen when a user selects 'friends' as a buddy group and the search zone selects 'special zone'. At this time, the microcomputer outputs a screen for inputting the zone from the user and waits for the user's input. The input of the zone may, for example, allow the user to enter a name on the administrative area using the keypad, or to list and select a name on the administrative area.

4D illustrates an example of a result screen when a zone is specified by selecting a zone as a 'special zone' and then entering 'apgujeong'. In this case, the microcomputer of the portable terminal connects to the system shown in FIG. 2 through the wireless module, transmits a location code corresponding to 'apgujeong', and receives a buddy list of buddies located at 'apgujeong' from the system. do.

According to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to select a specific buddy from a buddy list in a predetermined area and then to search for the detailed position of the buddy. 4E illustrates an example of a screen displaying a location of a buddy on a map when 'detail view' of a specific buddy is selected. That is, when the user selects one of the names included in the buddy list (eg, 'Hyori' in FIG. 4E) and selects 'detail view', the mobile terminal selects an ID (eg, a phone number, etc.) of the selected name. The location servo sends the detailed location information of the mobile terminal of the corresponding ID to the mobile terminal of the user. The user's portable terminal displays the location along with a map based on the received detailed location information. In this way, the user can grasp the detailed location on the map by selecting a specific name.

In the above, the operation of the portable terminal for providing a location-based communication service according to the present invention is illustrated, and the screen configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 is exemplary, and the design configuration may be different while performing the same functions and operations. . However, if such a design change is intended for the function and operation according to the present invention, those skilled in the art can be changed and changed as many as possible, and thus cannot be said to be outside the scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, since subscribers can search for buddies located in a specific area, for example, privately, they may have a meeting by communicating with buddies in the same area as themselves. In the case of communicating for work with members belonging to the same legal entity, it is possible to easily communicate with members of the same district or a specific district. For business purposes, for example, when providing a car breakdown service or the like, a member of the same area as the customer who requested the breakdown is searched for and dispatched to the customer, or when a police officer tracks a criminal, the police in the same area are called. Cooperation can be sought. Of course, these uses are merely exemplary, and various uses using location-based communication will be possible, and the present invention is not limited to such specific methods of use.

Claims (15)

A base station (BS) wirelessly connected to a subscribed mobile terminal; A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) connected to the wireless base station in a predetermined area and registering a location for a mobile terminal in the area; A location server for generating a location code corresponding to the location information when receiving the location information of the mobile terminal from the mobile switching center; When the location code is received, the location code is written and stored in a location field corresponding to the identification code of the mobile terminal, and when a signal for requesting a buddy list in a predetermined area is received from the subscriber, a predetermined buddy for the subscriber is received. A management server for retrieving a location field of each subscriber of a group, generating a buddy list having a location code corresponding to a predetermined zone requested by the subscriber, and transmitting the buddy list to the mobile terminal of the subscriber; A communication server configured to establish communication with a buddy belonging to the buddy list according to the subscriber's selection; The buddy list in the predetermined zone requested by the subscriber is a list of buddies located in any one zone selected from the currently located zone of the subscriber and the zone designated by the subscriber. delete The method of claim 1, The predetermined zone corresponds to a zone divided into administrative zones, The location server assigns a location code to an administrative area by classifying codes assigned to the mobile switching center according to the administrative area, and when receiving the location information of the mobile terminal from the mobile switching station, the location code according to the administrative area. Location-based communication support system, characterized in that for generating. The method according to claim 1 or 3, And the communication server sets up a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC), instant messaging service, or conference call service for a selected buddy according to the subscriber's request. The method according to claim 1 or 3, Wherein the location server, the location-based communication support system, characterized in that for transmitting the detailed location information for the selected buddy at the subscriber's request so that the location is displayed with a map on the mobile terminal of the subscriber. A location-based communication support method for allowing a mobile communication system to search for and communicate with a buddy in a predetermined area, Determining a location of a subscribed mobile terminal and storing location information of each mobile terminal; When a signal for requesting a buddy list in a predetermined zone is received from the subscriber, the terminal searches for location information on the mobile terminal of the subscriber belonging to a predetermined buddy group for the subscriber, and receives a buddy having a location code corresponding to the predetermined zone. Detecting and transmitting the detected buddy list to the mobile terminal of the subscriber; And If a communication request signal for a buddy belonging to the buddy list is received from the mobile terminal of the subscriber, establishing communication with the mobile terminal of the corresponding buddy; The buddy list in the predetermined zone requested by the subscriber is a list of buddies located in any one zone selected from the currently located zone of the subscriber and the zone designated by the subscriber. delete The method of claim 6, And storing the location information of each of the portable terminals is a step of storing a location code assigned according to an area according to an administrative area. The method of claim 6 or 8, The establishing of the communication may include setting up a Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC), instant messaging service, or conference call service for the selected buddy according to the subscriber's request. The method of claim 6 or 8, If the subscriber selects any one of the buddies included in the buddy list and requests detailed location information, the detailed location information of the selected buddy is sent to the mobile terminal of the subscriber, and the location is displayed along with a map to the mobile terminal. Location-based communication support method further comprising the step of displaying. A mobile terminal for using the location-based communication support system or method according to claim 1 or 6, The mobile terminal, A display unit; A keypad; Including wireless module and microcomputer, When the user selects the location-based communication using the keypad, the microcomputer selects one of the buddy groups previously stored from the user, and selects a predetermined area from the user, through the wireless module. And a buddy list within the predetermined area by connecting to a location-based communication support system and outputting the buddy list to the display unit. The method of claim 11, wherein The micom outputs a toggle menu of two types, a myzone corresponding to the current location of the user and a special zone for random selection of the user, to receive the zone selection of the user. Mobile terminal. The method of claim 12, When the user selects a special zone, the micom outputs a screen for inputting or selecting a region name according to an administrative region to the display unit, and determines the predetermined region according to a signal input through the keypad. Portable terminal. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, The micom, when the user selects a whole or partial buddy from the buddy list and requests Push to talk Over Cellular (PoC), instant messaging service, or conference call service, executes a process for setting the selected service. Portable terminal, characterized in that. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, When the subscriber requests a detailed view by selecting any one of the buddies included in the buddy list, the micom receives detailed location information of the selected buddy and displays the location along with a map on the display unit. A mobile terminal characterized by the above.

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