JP4732189B2 - Mobile communication system and information distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication system and an information distribution method in which a large number of mobile terminals can acquire the same information almost simultaneously.

In order to use a mobile terminal connected to the Internet, it is necessary to establish a wireless communication line between the mobile terminal and the base station for communication. For this reason, for example, when trying to purchase a popular ticket on the Internet, a mobile communication network including a base station may be congested, and a failure may occur in which a mobile terminal cannot be connected to the Internet. In addition, when a mobile terminal user tries to acquire disaster information in the event of a disaster, simultaneous access to the Internet using the mobile terminal occurs, and it is impossible to connect at the current communication speed (capacity). There is a high possibility of falling into a situation.
On the other hand, as a prior art, there is known a method in which desired information is downloaded in advance in a time zone where the mobile communication network is not congested, such as daytime on weekdays, in order to eliminate the congestion of the mobile communication network ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3613550

  However, it is extremely difficult to predict the occurrence of a disaster, and when acquiring information that is frequently updated to new information, such as disaster information, as shown in Patent Document 1, it is desired in advance. There is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the method of downloading the information. Furthermore, the method of Patent Document 1 is intended only for information acquisition using wired communication, and with the rapid increase in the number of wireless connection users due to the spread of broadband in recent years, it is essential to eliminate network congestion in wireless connection. It has become.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a mobile communication system and information in which a large number of mobile terminals can acquire the same information almost simultaneously without increasing traffic of a communication network including a base station. The purpose is to provide a delivery method.

A mobile communication system according to the present invention is a mobile communication system including a plurality of mobile terminals provided with wireless communication means capable of performing wireless communication between terminals, and a base station apparatus wirelessly connected to the plurality of mobile terminals. The base station apparatus includes location information receiving means for receiving location information from the mobile terminal, terminal selection means for selecting a mobile terminal to be a host mobile terminal with reference to the location information, and the terminal selection Information delivery means for delivering information to a host mobile terminal selected by the means, wherein the host mobile terminal is configured to receive information received from the base station apparatus via the wireless communication means. Te, and a re-distribution means for re-distributing the distribution information to other mobile terminals, divided child traffic amount of available traffic volume in use in the base station apparatus Depending on the degree of congestion of communication based on the congestion ratio obtained by either communicating the mobile terminal as the host terminal, characterized in that it comprises a center apparatus for indicating whether to perform normal communication.

  The mobile terminal includes redistribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information redistributed from the host mobile terminal via the wireless communication means, and transfers the distribution information to another mobile via the wireless communication means. It is characterized by redistributing to the terminal.

An information distribution method according to the present invention is a mobile communication system including a plurality of mobile terminals provided with wireless communication means capable of wireless communication between terminals, and a base station apparatus wirelessly connected to the plurality of mobile terminals. In the information distribution method, the base station apparatus receives a location information from the mobile terminal, and selects a mobile terminal to be a host mobile terminal by referring to the location information. An information distribution step of distributing information to the host mobile terminal selected by the terminal selection step, wherein the host mobile terminal receives the distribution information from the base station device, and via the wireless communication means, the distribution information and a re-distribution step of re-distributed to other mobile terminals, traffic in use in the base station apparatus In accordance with the communication congestion level based on the congestion ratio obtained by dividing the amount of traffic that can use either communicates said mobile terminal as the host terminal, and a step of instructing whether to perform normal communication It is characterized by having.

The mobile terminal has a redistribution information receiving step of receiving distribution information redistributed from the host mobile terminal via the wireless communication means, and the distribution information is sent to the other information via the wireless communication means. It is characterized by redistributing to a mobile terminal.

  According to the present invention, since the mobile terminal to be the host is selected and the information to be distributed to the client mobile terminal is distributed via the host mobile terminal, the processing load on the base station apparatus is increased. Thus, an effect is obtained that a large number of mobile terminals can simultaneously acquire the same information.

  Hereinafter, a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, reference numerals 11 to 15 denote mobile terminals that establish information communication with the base station 2 and perform information communication. Reference numeral 3 denotes a network to which a plurality of base stations 2 are connected. Reference numeral 4 denotes a center device that is connected to the network 3 and controls the operation of the base station 2. Since the five mobile terminals 11 to 15 have the same configuration, only the two mobile terminals 11 and 12 will be described in detail here.

  The mobile terminal 11 is a host mobile terminal selected from the base station 2 (hereinafter referred to as the host mobile terminal 11). The mobile terminal 12 is a mobile terminal that is not a host (hereinafter referred to as a client mobile terminal 12). The mobile terminals 13 to 15 are also client mobile terminals. Reference numeral 110 denotes a control unit that performs overall control of processing operations of the host mobile terminal 11. Reference numeral 111 denotes a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless communication line with the base station 2. Reference numeral 112 denotes a short-range wireless communication unit that performs information communication with surrounding client mobile terminals using a wireless LAN or the like. Reference numeral 113 denotes a storage unit that stores information received via the base station 2.

  Reference numeral 120 denotes a control unit that performs overall control of processing operations of the client mobile terminal 12. Reference numeral 121 denotes a short-range wireless communication unit that performs information communication with the host mobile terminal 11 using a wireless LAN or the like. Reference numeral 122 denotes a wireless communication unit that establishes a wireless communication line with the base station 2. Reference numeral 123 denotes a storage unit that stores information received via the host mobile terminal 11.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when the congestion degree of the base station 2 is relatively high will be described with reference to FIG. Here, in order to simplify the description, only two client mobile terminals 12 and 13 will be described. First, a mobile terminal existing in the communication area of the base station 2 notifies the base station 2 of its own location information obtained using a GPS function or the like in advance. Then, when a disaster or the like occurs and the network 3 is expected to be congested, the center device 4 outputs an instruction to execute control for restricting connection to the base station 2 (step S1). In response to this, the base station 2 refers to the location information notified from each mobile terminal, and selects a mobile terminal that is located near the base station 2 in order to make the mobile terminal a host mobile terminal. At this time, the base station 2 determines the number of mobile terminals to be host mobile terminals according to the number of mobile terminals existing in its own communication area, and designates this number of mobile terminals as host mobile terminals. To do. Here, it is assumed that one host mobile terminal 11 has been selected.

  Next, the base station 2 distributes the information to be distributed to the selected host mobile terminal 11 (step S2). At this time, the base station 2 notifies the host mobile terminal 11 of information that can identify the client terminal existing in its own communication area. In response to this, the control unit 110 of the host mobile terminal 11 receives the information transmitted from the base station 2 via the wireless communication unit 111 and stores it in the storage unit 113. Subsequently, the control unit 110 selects a client mobile terminal based on the information that can identify the client terminal notified from the base station 2, and communicates with the selected client mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication unit 112. Establish a short-range wireless communication line between them. And the control part 110 redistributes the information which should be delivered memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 113 with respect to the client mobile terminal 12 via the near field communication part 112 (step S3).

  Next, the control unit 120 of the client mobile terminal 12 receives the information distributed by the host mobile terminal 11 via the short-range wireless communication unit 121, stores it in the storage unit 123, and further receives the received information as another In order to redistribute to the client mobile terminal, a short-range wireless communication line is established with another client mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication unit 121. Then, the control unit 120 redistributes the information to be distributed stored in the storage unit 123 to another client mobile terminal (for example, the client mobile terminal 13) via the short-range wireless communication unit 121. Perform (step S4). The client mobile terminal 13 that has received this information returns a response for notifying that the distribution information has been received to the mobile terminal (here, the client mobile terminal 12) that is the information distribution source (step S5). . Subsequently, when receiving a response from the client mobile terminal 13, the control unit 120 of the client mobile terminal 12 returns a response for notifying that the delivery information has been received to the host mobile terminal 11 (step S6). .

  As described above, when the base station 2 is relatively crowded, the host mobile terminal is selected, and information to be distributed to the client mobile terminal is distributed via the host mobile terminal. Therefore, it becomes possible to distribute information to a large number of mobile terminals without further increasing the congestion level of the base station 2, and the mobile terminals can acquire the same information almost simultaneously. In addition, when the client mobile terminal receives the distribution information, the client mobile terminal notifies the host mobile terminal that the information has been received. Therefore, the client mobile terminal further sends new information or terminates the distribution operation. It is possible to determine the processing.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when the congestion level of the base station 2 is very high will be described. Here, in order to simplify the description, only two client mobile terminals 12 and 13 will be described. First, a mobile terminal existing in the communication area of the base station 2 notifies the base station 2 of its own location information obtained using a GPS function or the like in advance. When a disaster or the like occurs and the network 3 is expected to be congested, the center device 4 outputs an instruction to execute control for restricting connection to the base station 2 (step S11). In response to this, the base station 2 refers to the location information notified from each mobile terminal, and selects a mobile terminal that is located near the base station 2 in order to make the mobile terminal a host mobile terminal. At this time, the base station 2 determines the number of mobile terminals to be host mobile terminals according to the number of mobile terminals existing in its own communication area, and designates this number of mobile terminals as host mobile terminals. To do. Here, it is assumed that one host mobile terminal 11 has been selected.

  Next, the base station 2 distributes the information to be distributed to the selected host mobile terminal 11 (step S12). At this time, the base station 2 notifies the host mobile terminal 11 of information that can identify the client terminal existing in its own communication area. In response to this, the control unit 110 of the host mobile terminal 11 receives the information transmitted from the base station 2 via the wireless communication unit 111 and stores it in the storage unit 113. Subsequently, the control unit 110 selects a client mobile terminal based on the information that can identify the client terminal notified from the base station 2, and communicates with the selected client mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication unit 112. Establish a short-range wireless communication line between them. And the control part 110 redistributes the information which should be delivered memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 113 with respect to the client mobile terminal 12 via the near field communication part 112 (step S13).

  Next, the control unit 120 of the client mobile terminal 12 receives the information distributed by the host mobile terminal 11 via the short-range wireless communication unit 121, stores it in the storage unit 123, and further receives the received information as another In order to redistribute to the client mobile terminal, a short-range wireless communication line is established with another client mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication unit 121. Then, the control unit 120 redistributes the information to be distributed stored in the storage unit 123 to another client mobile terminal (for example, the client mobile terminal 13) via the short-range wireless communication unit 121. Perform (step S14).

  Thus, when the base station 2 is very crowded, the host mobile terminal is selected, and information to be distributed to the client mobile terminal is distributed via the host mobile terminal. Therefore, it becomes possible to distribute information to a large number of mobile terminals without further increasing the congestion level of the base station 2, and the mobile terminals can acquire the same information almost simultaneously. In particular, when the client mobile terminal receives the distribution information, the client mobile terminal is not notified to the host mobile terminal that the information has been received. Therefore, the information is sent to a large number of mobile terminals without increasing the load on the host mobile terminal. Distribution becomes possible.

  Next, an operation of switching between the sequence shown in FIG. 2 and the sequence shown in FIG. 3 according to the congestion degree of the base station 2 will be described. The center device 4 identifies the current congestion level by always knowing the total number of mobile terminals that can communicate and the traffic (capacity) of communication. The congestion level is calculated based on the congestion rate obtained by dividing the traffic volume in use by the traffic volume that can be used. When the congestion rate is 0 to 69%, the congestion level is “0”, the congestion rate is 70 to 89%, the congestion level is “1” (the congestion level is relatively high), and the congestion rate is 90% or more. Is the degree of congestion “2” (a very high degree of congestion). When the congestion degree value is “0”, the center device 4 instructs the base station 2 to perform communication in a normal state. Then, when the degree of congestion becomes “1”, the base station 2 is instructed to perform information distribution in the sequence shown in FIG. 2 (sequence when the degree of congestion is relatively high). Further, when the congestion level becomes “2”, the base station 2 is instructed to perform information distribution in the sequence shown in FIG. 3 (sequence when the congestion level is very high). This makes it possible to distribute information to a large number of mobile terminals without increasing the loads on the base station 2 and the host mobile terminal 11 when congestion is expected.

  As described above, when wireless network connection to the Internet is expected, such as when a network is congested, a mobile terminal close to the base station is operated as a host mobile terminal, and client mobile terminals other than the host mobile terminal Since information communication is performed only between mobile terminals without going through the base station, it is possible to distribute information to a large number of mobile terminals without increasing the load on the base station and the host mobile terminal. As a result, the number of mobile terminals via the base station is remarkably reduced, so that it is possible to prevent troubles such as network down due to concentration of access to the base station. Further, even in communication between terminals, a configuration is such that no load is applied to one mobile terminal, so that all users can acquire Internet information.

  The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a mobile phone using mobile communication, a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a mobile communication function, a mobile terminal, a car navigation device, and the like.

  1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed, thereby executing information distribution processing. You may go. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (when the degree of congestion is very high).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Mobile terminal (host), 110 ... Control part, 111 ... Wireless communication part, 112 ... Short-range wireless communication part, 113 ... Memory | storage part, 12 ... Mobile terminal (client) ), 120... Control unit, 121... Wireless communication unit, 122 .. near field communication unit, 123... Storage unit, 13... Mobile terminal (client), 14. (Client), 15 ... mobile terminal (client), 2 ... base station (base station device), 3 ... network, 4 ... center device

Claims (4)

A mobile communication system comprising a plurality of mobile terminals provided with wireless communication means capable of wireless communication between terminals, and a base station device wirelessly connected to the plurality of mobile terminals,
The base station device
Position information receiving means for receiving position information from the mobile terminal;
A terminal selection means for selecting a mobile terminal to be a host mobile terminal with reference to the location information;
Information distribution means for distributing information to the host mobile terminal selected by the terminal selection means;
The host mobile terminal
Information receiving means for receiving distribution information from the base station device;
Redistribution means for redistributing the distribution information to other mobile terminals via the wireless communication means;
Depending on the congestion degree of communication based on the congestion rate obtained by dividing the amount of traffic in use in the base station device by the amount of usable traffic , the mobile terminal performs communication as the host terminal, or normal A mobile communication system comprising a center device that instructs whether to perform communication. The mobile terminal
Redistribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information redistributed from the host mobile terminal via the wireless communication means,
The mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution information is redistributed to another mobile terminal via the wireless communication means. An information distribution method in a mobile communication system comprising a plurality of mobile terminals provided with wireless communication means capable of wireless communication between terminals, and a base station device wirelessly connected to the plurality of mobile terminals,
The base station device
A location information receiving step for receiving location information from the mobile terminal;
A terminal selection step of referring to the location information and selecting a mobile terminal to be a host mobile terminal;
An information distribution step of distributing information to the host mobile terminal selected in the terminal selection step;
The host mobile terminal
An information receiving step for receiving distribution information from the base station device;
Redistribution step of redistributing the distribution information to other mobile terminals via the wireless communication means;
Depending on the congestion degree of communication based on the congestion rate obtained by dividing the amount of traffic in use in the base station device by the amount of usable traffic , the mobile terminal performs communication as the host terminal, or normal And a step of instructing whether to perform communication . The mobile terminal
Redistribution information receiving step of receiving distribution information redistributed from the host mobile terminal via the wireless communication means,
4. The information distribution method according to claim 3, wherein the distribution information is redistributed to another mobile terminal via the wireless communication unit.

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