Contents distribution method, server and radio channel controller

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a content distribution method, a server, and a wireless line control device for distributing content by wireless communication.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Mobile phones are becoming more sophisticated, and recently, mobile phones that can receive distribution services of various contents such as characters, music, and images are becoming widespread. In addition, with the spread of this type of mobile phone, businesses that distribute content are also preparing content with various tastes in order to meet the diverse needs of consumers. In such a situation, for contents that are popular with consumers, there is a situation in which a large number of consumers request content distribution at the same time.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By the way, when a mobile phone performs wireless communication, a different wireless channel is assigned to each telephone, so that the mobile phone can perform wireless communication individually without interfering with other mobile phones. It is possible. However, as described above, when a situation occurs in which distribution requests from a large number of mobile phones are concentrated on specific content, the content to be distributed is common to each mobile phone, but each of these phones Must be delivered using a number of different channels, each assigned to. In other words, the same content must be distributed using a large number of different wireless channels, and in such a distribution form, the limited network resources of wireless channels are efficiently used. I couldn't say that.

【0004】

The present invention has been made in the background as described above, and even when content distribution requests are concentrated from a large number of mobile communication terminals, content distribution can be efficiently performed by efficiently using wireless channels. It is an object of the present invention to provide a content distribution method, a server, and a wireless line control device that can be performed.

【0005】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a content distribution method for distributing content from a server connected to a mobile communication network to a mobile communication terminal accommodated in the network. When the first step of requesting the distribution of the content and the distribution request for the specific content are concentrated, the mobile communication terminal to which the content is distributed is set to the radio in which the terminal is located. A second step of grouping each base station forming a zone, a third step of defining a radio channel for distributing the content for each base station, and the server using the defined radio channel. It is characterized by comprising a fourth step of transmitting the content to the mobile communication terminal. [0006]

The invention according to claim 2 is the content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the second step is a step of grouping the mobile communication terminals to which the content is distributed on the server for each content. , The group for each content based on the step of notifying the mobile communication network side of the identification information of the mobile communication terminal grouped for each content and the notified identification information of the mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal is further grouped for each base station forming a radio zone in which the terminal is located.

【0007】

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the content distribution method according to claim 1, a request for distribution of the content is made to the server from a mobile communication terminal to which the content is distributed. To do.

【0008】

The invention according to claim 4 retransmits the content from the server to the mobile communication terminal which has not normally received the content transmitted from the server in the content distribution method according to claim 1. It is characterized by having steps.

【0009】

The invention according to claim 5 relates to the mobile communication terminal to which the content is distributed when a larger number of distribution requests for the specific content are concentrated in the content distribution method according to claim 1. , It is characterized in that it includes a step of transmitting the content using a broadcast wave.

【0010】

The invention according to claim 6 is a content distribution method in which a server that stores content distributes the content to a mobile communication terminal accommodated in the mobile communication network in response to a request from the terminal. The step of transmitting a request signal for requesting the distribution of the content from the terminal to the server using the packet switching channel, and the transmission of the content from the server to the mobile communication terminal using the circuit switching channel. It is characterized by having a step to perform.

【0011】

The invention according to claim 7 is a server that distributes content to a mobile communication terminal accommodated in a mobile communication network, and includes identification information of the mobile communication terminal to which the content is distributed, and the content. A receiving means for receiving a request signal requesting the delivery of the content, and a grouping means for grouping the identification information of the mobile communication terminal to which the content is delivered when the delivery request is concentrated on the specific content. , The identification information transmitting means for transmitting the identification information of the grouped mobile communication terminals to the wireless line control device that allocates the wireless channel to the mobile communication terminal, and the mobile communication terminal assigned by the wireless line control device. It is characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting the content via a wireless channel.

【0012】

The invention according to claim 8 is the server according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means receives a request signal transmitted from the mobile communication terminal.

【0013】

The invention according to claim 9 is the server according to claim 7, further comprising a resending means for retransmitting the content to the mobile communication terminal that has not normally received the content transmitted from the server. It is characterized by doing.

【0014】

The invention according to claim 10 accommodates a plurality of base stations, allocates a radio channel to a mobile communication terminal located in a radio zone formed by the base station, and from a server connected to the mobile communication network. In a wireless line control device that relays content delivered to the mobile communication terminal, a receiving means for receiving identification information of a plurality of the mobile communication terminals as information for designating a delivery destination of the content from the server. The grouping means for grouping a plurality of mobile communication terminals corresponding to the received identification information for each base station forming the radio zone in which the terminal is located, and the grouped mobile communication terminals. It includes a channel allocation means for allocating a radio channel for distributing content to each base station, and a transmission means for transmitting the content received from the server to the mobile communication terminal using the allocated radio channel. It is characterized by that.

【0015】

The invention according to claim 11 accommodates a plurality of base stations, allocates a wireless channel to a mobile communication terminal located in a wireless zone formed by the base station, and has a server connected to the mobile communication network. In a wireless line control device that relays data communication with a mobile communication terminal, when a data signal is transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the server, a means for allocating a wireless channel for packet exchange and the server When transmitting a data signal to the mobile communication terminal, it is characterized by providing a means for allocating a wireless channel for line exchange.

【0016】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea. A: Configuration (1) Overall system configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the content distribution system according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, this content distribution system is composed of a plurality of mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7, a mobile communication network 20, and a content server 30.

【0017】

Mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 are housed in the mobile communication network 20, and receive voice call service and data communication service via the network 20.

【0018】

The mobile communication network 20 includes base stations 21-1 to 21-6, wireless line control devices 22-1, 22-2, and a communication line connecting them. The mobile communication network 20 provides the above-mentioned voice call service and data communication service to the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 by a circuit switching method or a packet switching method. In addition, the mobile communication network 20 has a TDMA (Time Division) as a multiple access method. Multiple Access) is adopted. Each base station 21-1 to 21-6 forms a wireless zone with a radius of several hundred meters to several kilometers centered on its own position, and wireless communication is performed with the mobile phone 10 in the wireless zone. I do. The base stations 21-1 to 21-6 are installed at intervals such that each wireless zone covers the communication service area of the mobile communication network 20 without any gap. The wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 each accommodate a predetermined number of base stations 21 and control the wireless channel control process in the base station 21. For example, in the figure, the wireless line control device 21-1 performs the control processing of the wireless channel in the base stations 21-1 to 21-3, and the wireless line control device 21-2 performs the control processing of the wireless channels in the base stations 21-4 to 21-. Perform the control processing of the wireless channel in 6. Specifically, this control process includes a process of allocating a wireless channel for transmitting a wireless signal between each base station 21 and the mobile phone 10, as well as transmission and reception by each mobile phone 10-1 to 10-7. Refers to the process of relaying the signal to be received.

【0019】

The content server 30 is a computer connected to the mobile communication network 20 via a router (not shown). This content server 30 stores various contents, receives a content distribution request from mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 via the mobile communication network 20, and distributes the content in response to the request. ing. Here, the content means information expressed by at least one of characters, music, and images, such as news, electronic books, incoming melody, audio, video clips, and homepage, as well as game software and the like. It is a concept that also includes various computer programs.

【0020】

Here, there are cases where a large number of mobile phones 10 centrally give distribution requests for the same content to the content server 30. In such a case, in this content distribution system, instead of individually distributing the content using a different wireless channel for each mobile phone 10, the same wireless channel is used for a plurality of mobile phones 10 as much as possible. Content is distributed in an informative manner. Hereinafter, the configurations of the content server 30, the wireless line control device 22, and the mobile phone 10 that function to perform such distribution processing will be described in detail.

【0021】

(2) Configuration of content server 30 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content server 30. As shown in the figure, the content server 30 is composed of a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a hard disk device 33, and a bus 34 that connects them to each other.

【0022】

The communication unit 31 includes a modem, a communication control circuit, and the like (not shown), and is connected to the mobile communication network 20 via the router described above. The communication unit 31 performs data communication with the mobile phone 10 via the mobile communication network 20.

【0023】

The control unit 32 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (ReadOnly Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown). The ROM is a program memory for storing the control program, and the CPU controls the entire content server 30 by executing the control program read from the ROM. At this time, RAM is used as a work area of the CPU.

【0024】

The hard disk device 33 has three storage areas: a content storage unit 33a, a program storage unit 33b, and a distribution management table 33c. The content storage unit 33 stores content data corresponding to various contents together with an identification code for identifying the content, and also stores menu data for displaying the title of these contents on the mobile phone 10 as a menu. There is. The content data includes text data indicating characters and symbols, music data indicating audio and music, image data indicating still images and moving images, computer programs such as game software, and the like. Each of these content data has an appropriate compression method, for example, music data is in MP3 (MPEG Layer 3) format, image data is in GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) format, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, and MPEG (Moving Photographic Experts Group). It is compressed and stored in the format.

【0025】

The program storage unit 33b stores a content distribution program for receiving content distribution requests transmitted from mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 and distributing content data in response to the content distribution requests.

【0026】

Next, the contents stored in the distribution management table 33c will be described with reference to the format diagram shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the distribution management table 33c, the mobile phone 10 that has transmitted the distribution request of the content corresponding to the identification code (hereinafter referred to as C-ID) for identifying each content. An identification code (hereinafter referred to as MS-ID) for identifying is stored.

【0027】

The control unit 32 distributes the content to the mobile phone 10 by executing the content distribution program as described above, but when the distribution requests for the same content from a large number of mobile phones 10 are made almost at the same time, or the distribution is performed. If the amount of content data to be stored is large, the distribution process will take time. As a result, the distribution request from the mobile phone 10 has reached the content server 30, but the content has not yet been distributed. In such a case, the MS-IDs of the mobile phones 10 waiting for the distribution of the contents are stored in the distribution management table 33c from the left to the right in the figure in the order of arrival of the distribution requests. Then, the MS-IDs are sequentially read from the left in the figure, and the content distribution process is executed for the mobile phone 10 indicated by the MS-ID. For example, in FIG. 3, for the content corresponding to the C-ID "Content # 01", the seven mobile phones 10 corresponding to the MS-IDs "MS001" to "MS007" are waiting for distribution. Means. Similarly, three mobile phones 10 are waiting for distribution for content corresponding to "Content # 02", and mobile phones 10 waiting for distribution for content corresponding to "Content # 03". Means that it does not exist. Hereinafter, the column of MS-ID on the distribution management table 33c is referred to as a queue. On the distribution management table 32, when the queue corresponding to a specific content contains a predetermined number or more of MS-IDs, it is determined that distribution requests for the content are concentrated, and these MS- The IDs are grouped as mobile phones that indicate the broadcast destination of the content. Hereinafter, this MS-ID group will be referred to as a broadcast group.

【0028】

(3) Configuration of wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 Next, the configurations of the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 will be described. The wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 have a common configuration, and here, the configuration of the wireless line control device 22-1 will be described as an example with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the wireless line control device 22-1 is composed of a communication unit 221, a control unit 222, a work memory 223, and a bus 224 that connects them to each other.

【0029】

The communication unit 221 is connected to the base stations 21-1 to 21-3 and is also connected to a communication line arranged in the mobile communication network 20. The communication unit 221 notifies the wireless channel to be used by the mobile phone 10 via the base stations 21-1 to 21-3, and relays signals transmitted and received by the mobile phone 10.

【0030】

The control unit 222 is composed of a CPU, ROM, and RAM (not shown). The ROM is a program memory for storing the control program, and the CPU executes the control program read from the ROM to control the entire wireless line control device 22-1. In this ROM, in addition to a program for allocating a wireless channel to the mobile phone 10, a program for relaying content data distributed from the content server 30 to each mobile phone 10 is stored. The control unit 222 sets a call channel T-CH for transmitting voice signals and data signals for each base station 21, and also sets a control channel C-CH for controlling transmission of wireless signals. .. Six lines are set for each base station 21 in this call channel T-CH, and the line exchange method and the packet switching method are further divided into three lines each. When the control unit 32 performs the wireless channel allocation process, the wireless channel allocation table 223a for recording the wireless channel allocation status is generated in the work memory 223.

【0031】

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents recorded in the radio channel allocation table 223a. For example, as shown in the figure, in base station 21-1, the line exchange call channel T-CH1 is assigned to the mobile phone 10 indicated by the MS-ID "MS010", and the packet exchange call channel T- CH4 is on the mobile phone 10 indicated by MS-ID "MS001", packet exchange call channel T-CH5 is on mobile phone 10 indicated by MS-ID "MS002", and packet exchange call channel T-CH6 is on MS-ID " It is assigned to the mobile phone 10 indicated by "MS003". Further, the call channels T-CH2 to T-CH3 mean that they are free channels that are not assigned to any of the mobile phones 10. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that each base station 21 has 6 lines, but in reality, one base station 21 has more lines (for example, a number). About 10 channels) are set. Therefore, the radio channel allocation table 223a described above also stores the allocation status of several tens of channels set in each base station 21.

【0032】

(4) Configuration of mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 Next, the configurations of the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 will be described. All of the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 have a common configuration, and here, the mobile phone 10-1 will be described as an example with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 10-1 is composed of a wireless communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a user interface unit 13.

【0033】

The wireless communication unit 11 includes an antenna 11a, an antenna common unit 11b, a reception unit 11c, a demodulation unit 11d, a transmission unit 11e, a modulation unit 11f, a signal processing unit 11g, and a frequency synthesizer 11h. The antenna 11a transmits and receives radio signals. The antenna common unit 11b supplies the reception signal received by the antenna 11a to the reception unit 11c, and supplies the transmission signal supplied from the transmission unit 11e to the antenna 11a. The frequency synthesizer 11h outputs a frequency signal having the same frequency as the frequency of the radio channel assigned by the radio line control device 22 described above to the receiving unit 11c and the transmitting unit 11e. The reception unit 11c amplifies only the reception signal having the same frequency as the frequency signal output from the frequency synthesizer 11h from the reception signals supplied from the antenna common unit 11b, and outputs the reception signal to the demodulation unit 11d. The demodulation unit 11d demodulates the signal output from the reception unit 11c and supplies the signal as a baseband signal to the signal processing unit 11g. The signal processing unit 11g is CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide). Semiconductor) It consists of a processor, AD conversion circuit, voice codec circuit, etc. The signal processing unit 11g performs processing corresponding to the signal transmitted by circuit switching and the signal transmitted by packet switching by executing signal frame synchronization / separation, error detection / correction processing, and the like. .. The modulation unit 11f modulates the signal supplied from the signal processing unit 11g and outputs it to the transmission unit 11e. The transmission unit 11e converts the signal output from the modulation unit 11f into a signal having the same frequency as the frequency signal output from the frequency synthesizer, amplifies the signal, and supplies the signal to the antenna common unit 11b.

【0034】

The control unit 12 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (Electric Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), which are not shown, connected by bus. The ROM is a program memory, and the CPU loads the program read from the ROM into the RAM and controls the entire mobile phone 10. The program stored in the ROM includes a call program for the user to make a voice call and a browser for displaying a menu screen or the like provided by the content server 30. The EEPROM is a memory for storing content data distributed from the content server 30, telephone directory data registered by the user, and the like.

【0035】

The user interface unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display unit 13a for displaying the contents of characters and images, a keypad 13b for the user to perform various input operations, a speaker 13c for the user to make a call, and a microphone 13d. The music content may be output from the microphone 13d, or may be output from an external speaker connected to an earphone jack (not shown).

【0036】

A-2: Operation Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described. In the following, (1) reception of distribution request by content server 30, (2) distribution of content by content server 30, (3) relay of content distribution by wireless line control device 22, and (4) operation example of the entire system. The explanation will be given in order.

【0037】

(1) Acceptance of delivery request on the content server 30 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the control unit 32 of the content server 30 receives a distribution request transmitted from the mobile phone 10 by executing the above-mentioned content distribution program. In the figure, first, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a content distribution request signal has been received from the mobile phone 10 via the mobile communication network 20 (step Sa1). Here, if the delivery request signal is not received (step Sa1; No), the control unit 32 repeats the process of this step Sa1. On the other hand, when the delivery request signal is received (step Sa1; Yes), the process proceeds to step Sa2. Here, the distribution request signal transmitted from the mobile phone 10 to the content server 30 includes the MS-ID of the mobile phone 10 and the C-ID of the content to be distributed. The control unit 32 extracts the MS-ID and the C-ID from the received distribution request signal, and adds the MS-ID to the end of the queue corresponding to the C-ID in the distribution management table 33c. (Step Sa2). After that, the process of the control unit 32 returns to step Sa1 and repeats the above-mentioned routine.

【0038】

(2) Content distribution by the content server 30 Next, the operation of the control unit 32 of the content server 30 to deliver the content to the mobile phone 10 will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. In the figure, first, the control unit 32 refers to the distribution management table 33c, and the MS-ID included in the queue corresponding to the C-ID of the first content (here, Content # 01). Count the number (step Sb1).

【0039】

Next, the control unit 32 determines whether the content should be broadcast-delivered or individually delivered by comparing the counted number of MS-IDs with a predetermined threshold value (step Sb2). This threshold value is a value that serves as a reference for determining whether or not distribution requests are concentrated on the content, and here, a numerical value of "5" is used. Here, if the number of counted MS-IDs is less than "5" (step Sb2; No), the control unit 32 transfers the content to each mobile phone 10 corresponding to the MS-IDs included in the queue. Judging that it should be delivered individually, it shifts to the individual delivery process described later. On the other hand, if the number of counted MS-IDs is "5" or more (step Sb2; Yes), the control unit 32 distributes the contents to each mobile phone 10 corresponding to the MS-IDs included in the queue. Judging that it should be delivered in a newsletter, it shifts to the broadcast delivery processing described later.

【0040】

First, the above-mentioned individual distribution process will be described. The control unit 32 reads the MS-ID recorded at the head position of the queue from the queue corresponding to the C-ID Content # 01 (step Sb3).

【0041】

Next, the control unit 32 reads the content data corresponding to the C-ID Content # 01 from the content storage unit 33a, and transmits the content data to the wireless line control device 22 together with the MS-ID read in step Sb3 (step Sb4). ..

【0042】

Next, the control unit 32 erases the MS-ID transmitted to the wireless line control device 22 on the distribution management table 33c, and saves the MS-ID in the RAM in association with the C-ID "Content # 01". (Step Sb5). Here, the MS-ID and C-ID stored in the RAM mean that the content corresponding to the C-ID is being distributed to the mobile phone 10 corresponding to the MS-ID. The control unit 32 associates the MS-ID with the C-ID and saves it in the RAM, and at the same time, starts time counting for determining content retransmission, which will be described later.

【0043】

Next, the control unit 32 refers to the distribution management table 33c and determines whether or not the queue corresponding to the C-ID Content # 01 still contains the MS-ID (step Sb6). Here, if the queue still contains the MS-ID (step Sb6; Yes), the process returns to step Sb3 and the above process is repeated. On the other hand, if the queue does not include the MS-ID (step Sb6; No), the control unit 32 determines whether or not the distribution process has been performed for all the contents stored in the content server 30 (step). Sb7).

【0044】

Here, if the distribution process is performed for all the contents (step Sb7; Yes), the process of the control unit 32 ends. On the other hand, if there is content that has not yet been targeted for distribution processing (step Sb7; No), after changing the target of distribution processing to the next content (step Sb8), the process returns to step Sb1. Here, since there is content corresponding to C-ID "Content # 02" next to C-ID "Content # 01", the target of distribution processing is the content corresponding to C-ID "Content # 02". After making the change, return to step Sb1 and perform the distribution process.

【0045】

Next, the broadcast distribution process will be described. For example, when the broadcast distribution process of the content data corresponding to the C-ID "Content # 01" is started, the control unit 32 sets the MS-ID included in the queue of the C-ID "Content # 01". Group as an information group (step Sb9).

【0046】

Next, the control unit 32 transmits the MS-ID of the broadcast group to each wireless line control device 22 (step Sb10). Further, the control unit 32 reads the content data corresponding to Content # 01 from the content storage unit 33a and transmits it to each wireless line control device 22 (step Sb11).

【0047】

Next, the control unit 32 deletes the MS-ID included in the broadcast group transmitted to the wireless line control device 22 on the distribution management table 33c, while C-ID the MS-ID included in the broadcast group. Temporarily save to RAM with ID "Content # 01" (step Sb12). Here, the MS-ID and C-ID stored in the RAM mean that the content corresponding to the C-ID is being distributed to the mobile phone 10 corresponding to the MS-ID. The control unit 32 associates the MS-ID with the C-ID and stores it in the RAM, and at the same time, starts the time count for determining the content resending, which will be described later. After that, the control unit 32 shifts to the above-described step Sb7 transition process.

【0048】

(2)-Retransmission judgment processing at the time of individual delivery Next, the operation in which the control unit 32 executes the above-described retransmission determination process will be described. This process is different between individual delivery and broadcast delivery. In the following, first, the resend determination process at the time of individual delivery will be described. As described above, the control unit 32 starts the time count in step Sb5 shown in FIG. Then, when the timeout occurs, the subroutine for re-male determination showing the flow shown in FIG. 9 is started. First, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a reception completion notification indicating that the content has been received has been received from the mobile phone 10 during the period from the time count to the timeout (step Sc1). Here, if the control unit 32 does not receive the reception completion notification, it is determined that the mobile phone 10 has not normally received the content (step Sc1; No), and the content is retransmitted to the mobile phone 10. , Erase the MS-ID and C-ID stored in RAM, and add the MS-ID on the distribution management table 33c to the end of the queue corresponding to the C-ID (step Sc2). The MS-ID added at the end in this way is again the target of content distribution by the control unit 32. On the other hand, when the control unit 32 receives the reception completion notification, the mobile phone 10 determines that the content has been received normally (step Sc1; Yes), and erases the MS-ID and C-ID stored in the RAM. Then (step Sc4), the process ends.

【0049】

(2)-Retransmission judgment processing at the time of broadcast distribution Next, the resend determination process at the time of broadcast distribution will be described. As described above, the control unit 32 starts the time count in step Sb12 shown in FIG. Then, when the timeout occurs, the subroutine for determining retransmission, which shows the flow in FIG. 10, is started. First, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a reception completion notification indicating that the content has been received has been received from the mobile phone 10 during the period from the time count to the timeout (step Sd1). Here, if the control unit 32 does not receive the reception completion notification from all the mobile phones 10 (step Sd1; No), the process steps to retransmit the content to the mobile phones 10 that have not sent the reception completion notification. Proceed to Sd2. In step Sd2, the control unit 32 extracts the MS-ID of the mobile phone 10 that does not send the reception completion notification from the MS-ID and C-ID stored in the RAM, and extracts this from the distribution management table. Add to the end of the queue corresponding to the C-ID on 33c (step Sd2). The MS-ID added at the end in this way is again the target of content distribution by the control unit 32. After this, the MS-ID and C-ID stored in RAM are erased. On the other hand, when the control unit 32 receives the reception completion notification from all the mobile phones 10 (step Sd1; Yes), the control unit 32 erases the MS-ID and C-ID stored in the RAM (step Sd3). ), The process ends.

【0050】

(3) Content relay in the wireless line control device 22 Next, the operation in which the control unit 222 of the wireless line control device 22 relays the content transmitted from the content server 30 to the mobile phone 10 will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. In the figure, first, the control unit 222 determines whether or not the MS-ID of the mobile phone to which the content is distributed is received from the content server 30 (step Se1). Here, if the control unit 222 does not receive the MS-ID (step Se1; No), the control unit 222 repeats the process of this step Se1.

【0051】

On the other hand, when the control unit 222 receives the MS-ID (step Se1; Yes), the control unit 222 counts the number of received MS-IDs to determine whether the content is individually distributed or broadcasted (step Se2). That is, when the number of received MS-IDs is one, it is determined that the individual distribution is performed (step Se2; individual distribution), and the control unit 222 shifts to the individual distribution process described later. On the other hand, if the number of received MS-IDs is more than one, it is determined that the broadcast distribution is described later (step Se2; broadcast distribution), and the control unit 222 shifts to the broadcast distribution process.

【0052】

First, the individual delivery process will be described. The control unit 222 refers to the radio channel allocation table 223a and identifies which base station 21 the mobile phone 10 of the MS-ID received from the content server 30 is in the radio zone (step Se3).

【0053】

Next, the control unit 222 refers to the radio channel allocation table 223a, identifies a free channel of the circuit-switched channel in the base station 21 identified in step Se3, and notifies the mobile phone 10 of this channel name (step). Se4). By this notification, the mobile phone 10 can receive the radio signal transmitted on the radio channel of the notified channel name.

【0054】

Then, the control unit 222 transmits the content data transmitted from the content server 30 together with the MS-ID using the channel notified to the mobile phone 10 (step Se5). Then, the process of the control unit 222 returns to step Se1.

【0055】

Next, the broadcast distribution process will be described. First, the control unit 222 refers to the radio channel allocation table 223a and further groups the MS-ID broadcast group of the mobile phone 10 received from the content server 30 for each base station 21 (step Se8). This group for each base station is hereinafter referred to as a base station-specific broadcast group.

【0056】

Next, the control unit 222 extracts a free channel from the circuit-switched channels of each base station 21 with reference to the radio channel allocation table 223a, and allocates this as a broadcast channel to each base station-specific broadcast group. .. Further, the control unit 222 notifies the mobile phone 10 included in each base station-specific broadcast group of the channel name of the broadcast channel assigned to the base station-specific broadcast group (step Se9). By this notification, each mobile phone 10 can receive the radio signal on the notified broadcast channel.

【0057】

Next, the control unit 222 transmits the content data transmitted from the content server 30 following the MS-ID broadcast group to the mobile phone 10 using the broadcast channel (step Se10). Then, the process of the control unit 222 returns to step Se1.

【0058】

(4) Operation example of the entire system Next, an example of the operation of the entire system will be described with reference to the sequence shown in FIG. In the following, it is assumed that the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 shown in FIG. 1 request the content server 30 to deliver the content indicated by the C-ID Content # 01.

【0059】

First, the operation of requesting content will be described by focusing on the mobile phone 10-1. According to a predetermined operation of the user, the mobile phone 10-1 transmits a call request signal to the content server 30 using the control channel C-CH. This call request signal is received by the base station 21-1 that controls the wireless zone in which the mobile phone 10-1 is located, and is supplied to the wireless line controller 22-1 (step Sf1).

【0060】

When the wireless line control device 22-1 receives the above call request, the wireless line control device 22-1 refers to the wireless channel allocation table 223a and is a free call channel from the call channels T-CH4 to 6 corresponding to the base station 21-1. Is extracted, and this channel name is notified to the mobile phone 10-1 using the control channel C-CH (step Sf2). Here, it is assumed that the wireless line control device 22-1 notifies the call channel T-CH4 with reference to the wireless channel allocation table 223a shown in FIG. 13 (a). The mobile phone 10-1 is set so that it can receive the signal on the notified call channel T-CH4, which enables the transmission and reception of packet data. On the other hand, the wireless line control device 22-1 transmits the call request signal received from the mobile phone 10-1 to the content server 30 (step Sf3).

【0061】

In this way, the call channel T-CH4 is connected between the mobile phone 10-1 and the content server 30 (step Sf4). When the call channel T-CH4 is connected to the mobile phone 10-1, the content server 30 transmits the menu data stored in the content storage unit 33a to the mobile phone 10-1. The mobile phone 10 interprets the received menu data and displays it on the liquid crystal display unit 13a. As a result, the user can select the desired content (here, the content indicated by the C-ID "Content # 01") from the displayed menu by key input.

【0062】

When the desired content is selected by the user, the mobile phone 10-1 transmits a distribution request signal requesting distribution of the content to the content server 30 using the call channel T-CH4, and the content server 30 distributes this content. Receive the request signal (step Sf5).

【0063】

Further, the processes of steps Sf1 to Sf5 are also executed in the mobile phones 10-2 to 10-7. That is, the mobile phones 10-2 and 10-3 transmit the distribution request signal to the content server 30 via the base station 21-1 and the wireless line control device 22-1, and the mobile phones 10-4 and 10-5 send the distribution request signal. , The distribution request signal is transmitted to the content server 30 via the base station 21-2 and the wireless line control device 22-1. Further, the mobile phones 10-6 and 10-7 transmit a distribution request signal to the content server 30 via the base station 21-4 and the wireless line control device 22-2. As a result, the content server 30 receives the content distribution request signal from the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7, and the distribution management table 33c shows the C-ID "Content # 01" as shown in FIG. The MS-IDs "MS001" to "MS007" of mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 will be stored according to the content. Here, as shown in the wireless line allocation table 223a of FIG. 13 (b), the wireless line control device 22-1 has a base station 21 for the mobile phone 10-1 corresponding to the MS-ID MS001. The packet exchange call channel T-CH4 in -1 is assigned, and the packet exchange call channel T-CH5 is assigned to the mobile phone 10-2 corresponding to MS-ID "MS002", and the MS-ID "MS003" is assigned. The mobile phone 10-3 that supports "" is assigned the call channel T-CH6 for packet exchange. Further, the mobile phone 10-4 corresponding to the MS-ID "MS004" is assigned the communication channel T-CH10 for packet switching in the base station 21-2, and the mobile phone 10 corresponding to the MS-ID "MS005" is assigned. It is assumed that the call channel T-CH11 for packet switching is assigned to -5.

【0064】

By the way, since the five mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7, which are equal to or higher than the threshold value for the content of C-ID "Content # 01", are waiting for distribution, the content server 30 is described above. Move to the broadcast distribution processing of the content. First, the content server 30 groups the MS-IDs of these mobile phones to generate a broadcast group (step Sf6). Next, the content server 30 transmits the generated broadcast group to the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 (step Sf7).

【0065】

The wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 receive the above-mentioned broadcast group and generate a broadcast group for each base station (step Sf8). That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 14, when the wireless line control device 22-1 receives the MS-IDs "MS001" to "MS007" of the broadcast group, the wireless line control device 22-1 receives the MS-IDs "MS001" to "MS003". The group corresponding to the base station 21-1 and the MS-IDs "MS004" and "MS005" shall be the group corresponding to the base station 21-2. When the wireless line control device 22-2 receives the MS-IDs "MS001" to "MS007" of the broadcast group, the wireless line control device 22-2 sets the MS-IDs "MS006" and "MS007" to the group corresponding to the base station 21-4. To do.

【0066】

Next, the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 refer to their respective wireless channel allocation tables 223a, and select each base station from among the circuit-switched channels of the circuit-switched base station 21 whose contents should be relayed. Allocate a broadcast channel to another broadcast group and notify the mobile phone 10 of this (step Sf9). For example, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the wireless line control device 22-1 assigns the line exchange call channel T-CH2 as a broadcast channel to the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-3. In addition to notifying mobile phones 10-1 to 10-3 of the broadcast channel name, the line exchange call channel T-CH9 is assigned as a broadcast channel to mobile phones 10-4 and 10-5 for this broadcast. Notify mobile phones 10-4 and 10-5 of the channel name. Similarly, the wireless circuit-switched device 22-2 also assigns a broadcast channel to the mobile phones 10-6 to 10-7 and notifies the mobile phones 10-6 and 10-7 of the broadcast channel name. In addition, according to this notification, the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 establish a circuit-switched broadcast channel while the initially connected packet-switched packet-switched call channel remains connected. This is because, as will be described later, both the packet switching and the circuit switching channels are connected because it is easy to shift to the browsing state by packet switching immediately after the content distribution processing. Note that the packet switching call channel is billed according to the amount of transmitted data, so unlike circuit switching, it is not billed just by connecting the line.

【0067】

Next, the content server 30 transmits the content data to be distributed to the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2. The wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 transfer the content data using the broadcast channel notified to the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 (step Sf10).

【0068】

The mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 that have received the content data transmit a reception completion notification to the content server 30 using the control channel C-CH (step Sf11). Upon receiving the reception completion notification, the content server 30 transmits a broadcast channel opening request to the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 (step Sf12). When the wireless line control devices 22-1 and 22-2 receive the release request from the content server 30, they open the broadcast channel with the mobile phone 10 (step Sf13).

【0069】

Since the packet switching call channel remains connected even after the broadcast channel is opened, the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 can further display the menu screen and browse (step Sf14). .. Then, when the user performs the call termination operation of the mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 (step Sf15), the wireless line control devices 22-1 to 22-2 disconnect the line from the content server 30. At the same time (step Sf16), the call channel for packet switching between mobile phones 10-1 to 10-7 is disconnected (step Sf17).

【0070】

According to the above-described embodiment, when content distribution requests are concentrated on specific contents from a plurality of mobile phones 10, the wireless line control device 22 sets a common broadcast channel for each base station 21 and sets a common broadcast channel for each base station 21. Since the content is broadcasted by using it, the number of wireless channels used can be less than before. Further, since a circuit-switched channel is used instead of packet switching as the wireless channel for content distribution, the distribution processing time of content having a large amount of data is shortened.

【0071】

C: Modification example As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications such as the following are possible.

【0072】

C-1: Form of mobile communication terminal In the embodiment, the mobile phone 10 capable of voice call and data communication is used as the terminal for wireless communication, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) capable of wireless communication, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) dedicated to data communication, or the like may be used.

【0073】

C-2: Connection form between the content server 30 and the mobile communication network 20 In the embodiment, the content server 30 is directly connected to the mobile packet communication network 20 by a dedicated line, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be connected to the mobile communication network 20 via another network such as the Internet 30.

【0074】

C-3: Subject requesting content distribution In the embodiment, the subject requesting the content server 30 to deliver the content is the mobile phone 10 to which the content is delivered, but the present invention is not limited to such a form, and the request source of the content is. A communication device different from the mobile phone that is the delivery destination may be used. For example, the request source and the delivery destination may be different mobile phones 10. Further, the request source may be a personal computer connected to the content server 30 via the Internet or the like. When a communication device different from the delivery destination requests content delivery in this way, it is necessary to specify the mobile phone 10 of the delivery destination to the content server by a telephone number or the like.

【0075】

C-4: Form of wireless line control device 22 In the embodiment, the radio line control device 22 accommodates a plurality of base stations and controls the allocation of radio channels in these base stations. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wireless line control device 22 may be installed corresponding to each base station 21, and each device 22 may control the allocation of wireless channels in the corresponding base station 21.

【0076】

C-5: Type of channel used In the embodiment, a circuit-switched channel is used as a wireless channel for content distribution. This is because, as described above, circuit switching is more suitable for distribution processing of content with a large amount of data, but it is not necessarily limited to such a form, and content distribution is performed using a packet switching channel. May be done.

【0077】

Further, in FIG. 12, the control channel C-CH is used to transmit and receive a call request signal from the mobile phone 10 to the base station 21 and a control signal such as a notification from the base station 21 to the mobile phone 10. However, the proper use of the control channel / call channel in FIG. 12 is only an example of the embodiment, and for example, the above control signal may be transmitted using the call channel T-CH.

【0078】

Further, in the embodiment, a free channel is extracted from the circuit-switched channel group that can be individually assigned to each mobile phone 10 and used as a broadcast channel, but the present invention is not limited to this and is dedicated to the broadcast in advance. A group of dedicated broadcast channels may be set. 15 (a) to 15 (c) are schematic views showing the relationship between various channel groups. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a group of radio channels according to the above-described embodiment. That is, there are a circuit-switched channel group and a packet-switched channel group, and a vacant channel is set as a broadcast channel. In the figure (b), a channel dedicated to broadcasting is set in advance separately from the circuit-switched channel group and the packet switching channel group, and a vacant channel from the channel group dedicated to broadcasting is selected as a broadcasting channel. It is set as.

【0079】

Figure (c) shows a group of channels dedicated to broadcasting using broadcast waves such as terrestrial waves and satellite waves, in addition to the broadcast-only channel group, circuit-switched channel group, and packet-switched channel group shown in Figure (b). Is set in advance. In this case, the mobile phone 10 on the content receiving side includes, in addition to the wireless communication unit 11 described above, an antenna for receiving and demodulating broadcast waves, a reception control circuit, and the like. In addition, a broadcasting station that broadcasts content in response to an instruction from the content server 30 is connected to the mobile communication network 20. Then, when the queue on the distribution management table 33c includes, for example, an MS-ID of 5 or more and less than 20, the content server 30 sets a broadcast channel and transmits the content as in the above-described embodiment. Further, when the queue contains 20 or more MS-IDs, the content server 30 transmits the content data corresponding to the queue to the broadcasting station via the mobile communication network 20, and the content server 30 transmits the content data corresponding to the queue to the broadcasting station. Have the content data broadcast. That is, in the above-described embodiment, when a larger number of distribution requests are concentrated, the content is distributed using the broadcast wave.

【0080】

C-6: Channel connection during content distribution In the embodiment, even when the circuit-switched channel is connected to deliver the content, the packet-switched channel previously connected for browsing remains undisconnected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when connecting a circuit-switched channel, the packet-switched channel connected in advance may be disconnected.

【0081】

C-7: Content resending In the embodiment, the content is retransmitted when the content server 30 does not acquire the reception completion notification from the mobile phone 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content retransmission processing may be performed even when the mobile phone 10 requests retransmission. Specifically, the mobile phone 10 detects an error in the data received from the content server 30, and when an error is detected, requests the content server 30 to transmit the same content again. The content server 30 responds to the retransmission request received from the mobile phone 10 and transmits the content again using the broadcast channel.

【0082】

C-8: Type of multiple access method In the embodiment, TDMA is used as the multiple access method, but the present invention is not limited to this, and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) may be used. For example, when CDMA is used, the difference from the above-described TDMA embodiment is that the radio channel between the mobile phone 10 and the base station 21 is not defined by a time slot, but is multiplexed into a radio signal. The point is determined by the code. However, regardless of whether it is CDMA or TDMA, the free channel among the plurality of wireless channels is still allocated to the mobile phone 10. Therefore, also in CDMA, the wireless line control device 22 uses the same wireless channel allocation table 223a as in the embodiment to group the distribution destination mobile phones 10 for each base station 21, and these grouped mobile phones 10 It is possible to broadcast the broadcast using a free channel.

【0083】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, when distribution requests are concentrated on a specific content from a plurality of mobile communication terminals, a wireless channel is set for each base station forming a wireless zone in which the terminal is located. Since the content is broadcasted using the above, the wireless channel can be used efficiently.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system which concerns on 1 Embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content server in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 3]

It is a format diagram which shows an example of the contents stored in the distribution management table in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 4]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wireless line control device in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 5]

It is a format diagram which shows an example of the contents stored in the radio channel allocation table in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 6]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile phone in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 7]

It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the delivery request acceptance of the content server in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the content distribution of the content server in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 9]

It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the content relay of the wireless line control device in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 10]

It is a flowchart which shows the operation which concerns on the retransmission processing of the content server in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 11]

It is a flowchart which shows the operation which concerns on the retransmission processing of the content server in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 12]

It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the whole system in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 13]

It is a format diagram which shows the transition of the contents stored in the radio channel allocation table in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 14]

It is a schematic diagram which shows the MS-ID grouped for each base station in the same embodiment.

[Fig. 15]

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the channel group in the same embodiment and a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

10-1 ~ 10-7 Mobile phones (mobile communication terminals), 11 Wireless communication department, 12 ... Control unit, 13 ... User interface section, 20 Mobile communication network (mobile communication network), 21-1 ~ 21-6 Base station, 22-1, 22-2 ... Wireless line control device, 221 Communication unit (reception means, transmission means), 222 ... Control unit (grouping means, channel allocation means, retransmission means), 223 Wireless channel allocation table (channel allocation means), 30 Content server (server), 31 ... Communication unit (reception means, identification information transmission means, transmission means, retransmission means), 32 ... Control unit (grouping means, retransmission means), 33 Hard disk device, 33a Content storage, 33b Program memory, 33c Distribution management table.