JP2004048395A - Personal digital assistants wireless lan service system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) wireless LAN service system for distributing information to a user who owns a PDA. <P>SOLUTION: In a wireless LAN service system for transmitting information from an agent server to a PDA via radio communications when a user carrying the PDA passes through a specific point to detect the PDA, the PDA wireless LAN service system comprises (1) means for installing a wireless LAN client software in the PDA containing a WOR (Wake-ON Ring) function and being owned by the user having a contract of information providing services beforehand, and for enabling automatic aquisition of information from the agent server; and (2) means for transmitting information to the PDA on radio via an antenna from the agent server when the user carrying the PDA passes through the specific point, by installing the antenna for detecting user's terminal at the specific point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal wireless LAN service system that distributes information including text information, sound, video, and the like using a wireless LAN to a user who owns the portable information terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A personal digital assistant (PDA <Personal Digital (Data) Assistants>) is a battery-driven electronic device generally sized to fit in the palm of a hand, and is a specialized computer device having a liquid crystal display, a pen input function, and the like. .
[0003]
Although portable personal computers (portable personal computers) are becoming smaller and lighter and can be carried in bags, portable personal computers with full functions as personal computers are too large to carry in pockets or bags at all times. , Too heavy. In contrast, PDAs are generally palm-sized and can be used as pocket PCs. In particular, recently, the range of use has been expanded by linking to a wireless LAN. An example is a menu ordering system in a cafeteria. In this system, when an order from a customer is entered into a PDA with a pen, the contents of the order are input to a server via a wireless LAN. As a large-scale system, there is a custom-made system that connects a wireless LAN and the Internet (a dedicated line is also possible). For example, when an order for a car or the like is input to a PDA at a store, the order is transmitted to a wireless LAN server in the store, and further transmitted from the wireless LAN server to an order entry server in a factory via the Internet. At the factory, production is carried out based on the detailed order details of the ordered car. The advantage of the system in which the PDA is connected to the wireless LAN is that the PDA is small and lightweight and does not require wiring, so that data can be input on site and two-way communication is possible.
[0004]
Email using mobile phones and PHS is now a popular communication system. In particular, by connecting to the Internet, information provided on the Internet can be received by a mobile phone or PHS. By displaying train operation schedules and town information on the display of a mobile phone, it is becoming possible to freely browse famous shops in unknown places, hotel information, historic sites, and the like without a guidebook. Mobile phones and PHSs have a wake-on-ring function (Wake-on Ring <WOR>), which can be remotely turned on even when the power is turned off to enable return from sleep mode. This is the same as the emergency switch-on function provided by radio and TV, etc., when the main unit is completely turned off (for example, when the battery of the mobile terminal is running out or the power outlet of the TV is disconnected). ) Of course cannot be used. In the case of a computer, WOR is also called WOL (Wake-on LAN) or the like. In this document, "Wake-on" or "Wake-on function" will be described without discrimination between WOR and WOL within an unmistakable range.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Whether it's a mobile phone or a PHS, it needs a base station. In the case of PHS, the range of radio waves that can be reached is smaller than that of a mobile phone, and has a radius of about 100 meters. There is a system that utilizes this characteristic to position the PHS owner and provide area information around the user. Based on a similar idea, a new base station has been installed for a PDA, and the concept of a public wireless LAN has emerged. In the case of a wireless LAN, the range over which radio waves can reach is smaller than that of a PHS, and is limited to a limited narrow range such as a cafeteria or a store, as in the example described in the related art. Therefore, if all users can use the public wireless LAN in all areas, countless base stations are required, and realization is not easy or practical.
[0006]
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wireless LAN antenna at a specific point frequently used by a user and identify a user who has a portable information terminal when passing through the specific point. Another object of the present invention is to provide a service system for distributing information related to a user or an area thereof.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problem by linking a portable information terminal with a wireless LAN, waking on the portable information terminal when passing through a specific point (actually, a range where radio waves can reach), and performing wireless communication from a server. To build an information distribution service system that wirelessly distributes information via the Internet. Here, the specific point is a limited specific place such as a ticket gate of a station, an entrance of a department store or a hall, and an antenna for a wireless LAN is installed at such a specific point, and a radio wave is emitted from the antenna. As a result, the portable information terminal is turned on, personal information (such as a user ID) is read from the portable information terminal, and a user is specified to distribute the information. The information stored in the memory of the portable information terminal that has received the distribution can be referred to when the user likes. Since the radio wave is transmitted from the antenna, it is not necessary to be a perfect pinpoint even if it is a specific point, and it is possible to cover a narrow area (about a radius of 50 meters). Hereinafter, the portable information terminal is described as “PDA”.
[0008]
The basis of the present invention is a wireless LAN service system that distributes information from a wireless LAN server to a PDA via an antenna when a user carrying a PDA passes a specific point (a narrow area is also possible). In order to enable this system, wireless LAN client software for obtaining information in a PDA having a WOR (Wake-on Ring, automatic start) function owned by a user who has previously subscribed to an information providing service Must be installed so that information can be obtained automatically from the agent server as needed. On the other hand, the information providing side installs an antenna for transmitting / receiving data to / from the PDA owned by the user at the specific point where the information is provided, and when the user owning the PDA passes the specific point, , Wirelessly distributes information from the agent server to the user's PDA via an antenna, and records the information in the memory of the PDA.
[0009]
While the user is carrying the PDA, the power is generally turned off. Of course, even when the power is turned off, a weak current flows in the memory and the like, and the recording data is retained. Such a state is called a sleep mode (sleep state, suspend state). As long as the battery is not exhausted, the state can be switched on by an external signal, and a designated application can be started. This function is called Wake-on Ring, and it is used in mobile phones to automatically turn on the power by an external signal even when the user is carrying the device with the power turned off, for sending and receiving e-mail. ing. According to the present invention, information is delivered to a PDA in the sleep mode by waking on the PDA when passing through a specific point (specific area). Therefore, the user can receive information without knowing whether the power of the PDA is turned on or off.
[0010]
As described above, the information from the agent server is automatically stored in the memory of the PDA, but the information is distributed and stored in the memory of the PDA each time when passing through some specific area. As a result, information cannot be written to the memory. Therefore, at the time of data distribution, when the memory of the user's PDA becomes full, information that cannot be distributed according to preset contents is evacuated to the storage server. The set contents are, for example, an information ID and a date and time when the distribution is to be performed. After the user organizes the memory (makes an empty space), the user can connect the PDA to the Internet to obtain the undelivered contents. You can also do so. Alternatively, if the user passes through a specific area with a free space in the memory, the undelivered information is automatically redistributed.
[0011]
The information is freshest when it is linked to the area, and is often useful for users. Therefore, the agent server prepares means for selecting and distributing information related to the specific area to the PDA of the user who has entered the specific area.
[0012]
On the other hand, the information required differs from person to person. If you distribute information that you do not want, it may be annoying. Therefore, as an option, a means for allowing the user to obtain only the selected information is prepared. In this case, the agent server selects and distributes information requested by the user in advance to the PDA of the user who has entered the specific area. The requested information includes daily news, shopping information, and the like, and the manner of designating the genre, individual specific information, and the like is free.
[0013]
One application of the present invention is an information distribution service for railway users. Railroads are public facilities that users regularly use and have convenient conditions for providing information. For example, there is a ticket gate as a point where railway users always pass, and a specific area such as a platform or a ticket gate is a convenient place to catch the user for a certain period of time. Even if high-speed communication is possible, there is no time to distribute information when passing through a specific area. On the other hand, in the case of a railway, sufficient time is available for distributing information because the area is limited. Specifically, for a railway user who owns a PDA, the PDA is automatically activated when the user passes near a ticket gate, and is activated in a specific area (for example, in a station platform as well as in a ticket gate). ), Information such as railway information, railroad information, and news can be delivered to the user's PDA. In addition, the user can refer to the information received at the ticket gate or the platform inside the vehicle or the like, so that the user can effectively use the information processing.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention. The server that mainly provides information is an agent server, and information to be provided to users is obtained from each information providing company and accumulated. On the other hand, a user owns a portable information terminal (hereinafter, referred to as “PDA”) and receives information provided from an agent server via a wireless LAN. However, a gate server is provided between the agent server and the PDA so that the PDA can be used in the wireless LAN, and security check, product purchase determination, communication synchronization, and the like are performed.
[0015]
A PDA has advantages such as a multi-function, a large display screen, a pen input, and an easy operation as compared with a mobile phone. The function is lower than that of a portable personal computer (portable personal computer), but the range of use is expanding because it is small and lightweight and easy to handle. However, since it originally did not have a communication function, it was only used as an electronic organizer. However, in recent recent models, mobile communication cards such as DoCoMo's P-in can be inserted, and it is possible to browse the homepage and exchange e-mails by connecting to the Internet. The gate server provides an open portable service to mobile users such as PDAs (with a mobile communication card). Under the gate server, newspaper news, corporate sales support systems or groupware can be used. Become like Authentication using encryption is performed between the PDA and the gate server. From the above, when using the present invention, it is an essential condition that a mobile communication card is inserted in the PDA.
[0016]
The gate server allows secure data transmission and reception between the PDA and the agent server. However, the power is usually turned off while the PDA is being carried (during sleep mode). Therefore, in order to automatically distribute information to a PDA when a user passes a specific point (or within an area), it is necessary to remotely switch on the PDA and start up data reception software (client software). is there. The server that does that is the wake-on server. The wake-on function is the same function as WOR (Wake-on Ring) in PHS, and can perform automatic reception of mail and automatic execution of an application. That is, when a user who owns a PDA passes a specific point, it detects a weak radio wave emitted by the PDA, emits a radio wave from the wake-on server, turns on the PDA, and executes software necessary for information acquisition (here, software). This software is described as “client software”). After the PDA is powered on and is ready to receive, the gate server checks whether the PDA owner is a target user (a contracted user) to receive the services of the present invention. Is distributed by the agent server. The wake-on server is under the management of the agent server, and is operated by the WOR agent of the agent server. For example, in the above case, when the weak radio wave of the detected PDA is determined to be a protocol conforming to SSL at the gate server, a signal is transmitted to the agent server, a wake-on command is transmitted to the wake-on server by the WOR agent, and the wake-on operation is performed. Is executed by the server. Note that the wake-on is a case where the PDA is in a sleep state. If the PDA is already in a waiting state for transmission and reception, the PDA is directly transmitted from the agent server via the gate server when the PDA enters the specific area. Is transmitted. The former is called Wake-on Ring (WOR), and the latter is called Wake-on distribution. The system supports both cases.
[0017]
The portable information terminal wireless LAN service system is an information distribution service provided only to contract users. For this reason, the agent server performs user management. The basic functions of the basic software of the agent server include schedule management, address book management, information sharing, user-specific information, e-mail, etc. In addition, PC-less synchronization, which synchronizes when sending data to the PDA, from the information provider There are functions such as content cooperation that cooperates with the information providing system of the above, and file collection and distribution that manages transmission and reception of information with the PDA. What manages users is address book management, which manages users with an address book as shown in FIG. The address book is stored in a database, and each frame in the figure corresponds to a table (or a segment). Basic items such as a user ID, a password, and a name are registered in the route table. Although there are various methods for specifying an individual, a method using a user ID will be described as an example.
[0018]
The portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention is a system for automatically distributing information. When the PDA is in the sleep state, the information is distributed by the WOR technique, and when the reception preparation is ready, the information is distributed by the Wake-on distribution technique. In any case, it is necessary to specify which user terminal the PDA is. In this case, if the user ID is automatically transmitted from the client software installed in the PDA, the owner (user) information of the currently automatically connected PDA can be read from the address book.
[0019]
The information required varies depending on the user. It is checked whether the information providing the distribution service at the point (area) connected to the PDA now matches the information requested by the user, and only when the information matches, the information is distributed at that point. . All information is given an information ID (information identifier) so that the distribution information can be distinguished. If information such as genre and provider information is included in the information ID, the user can compare the contents (category such as genre and provider) of the distribution desired information table of the user with the information ID. Can be determined whether the information (content) is to be transmitted. FIG. 3 shows an example of the code system of the information ID.
[0020]
The distribution information is written in the memory of the PDA, and the information ID and the content are separately recorded. FIG. 4 shows the structure of the recording area of the distribution information. In the table of contents area, an information ID, a reception date (may be included up to time), content information, an evacuation sign, an information title, and the like are registered. Except for the information ID, title, and content information, the PDA client software automatically creates and records the information. In the content area, the content of information (content) is recorded, and is linked with the content information in the table of contents area. If the content area is full and the content cannot be written, the information ID (Mk information in the example in the figure) is written in the table of contents area, and the evacuation sign is set to "1" (ON, evacuation). I do. If the evacuation sign is on, that fact (specifically, information ID, access date and time, etc.) is also recorded in the evacuation information ID table of FIG. When the evacuation sign is turned on, when the content area of the PDA becomes available, the information can be obtained by connecting the PDA to the network and written in the content area. Alternatively, when a free area is created, if the user goes to a specific area (a wireless LAN service point other than the area in which this information is written is also possible), the content being evacuated is automatically distributed and written into the content area. When the distribution is completed, the evacuation sign of the PDA is turned off (0), the information ID of the evacuation information ID table of the agent server is moved to the distributed information ID table, and the corresponding evacuation information ID table is deleted. . In addition, by recording information such as how much information is currently written, how much memory is free, and where content can be written in the memory management table, efficient memory management of the reception information area should be performed. Can be.
[0021]
Returning to the address book of FIG. 2 again. The delivered information ID table is a table in which information IDs delivered to the user are recorded, and is also used for checking to prevent duplicate transmission of the same information to the user. The timing of deleting the delivered information ID from this table is when the delivery period of the delivery information has passed. When deleting the information ID for which the distribution period has passed from the distributed information ID table, the information ID is moved to the distribution information history table. The distribution information history table is provided to analyze what information has been distributed to the user. In the case of a user who wishes to charge according to the amount of information, the table is a table for knowing the amount of distribution information.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is an example showing a connection between servers when focusing on content management. The agent server provides a contact point with the user's PDA and the information provider. The user is managed by the address book database, the flow of information (content) between the user and the information provider is controlled, and the content server and the storage server are controlled. User management is performed by the user ID, and content management is performed by the information ID. A specific point where the wireless LAN is installed (a point / area serving as an information transmission base) is managed by an area ID. In the present invention, since information (contents) to be transmitted is different for each area and each user, a user ID and an area ID are delivered from a specific point to an agent server via a gate server. On the other hand, provided information (contents) from information providers (including companies, organizations, individuals, etc.) is received by the agent server, and information IDs and information distribution area IDs (area IDs can be set in advance by the information provider) The contents are passed to the content server with the addition. Content is managed by an information ID, an information distribution area ID, a provision period, and the like, and is stored in a content database. When there is a content provision request with an information ID from the agent server, the content server finds an information ID corresponding to the area ID and passes the content to the agent server. Further, the agent server receiving the information of the content server checks whether or not the information is to be transmitted to the target user from the address book database, and if the information is to be transmitted, transmits the information to the PDA of the user. That is, by storing the content in association with the information ID and the area ID, information can be selected and distributed for each specific area. Further, the address book database allows only the information desired by the user to be selected and distributed to the user.
[0023]
When the memory of the user's PDA is full, the information to be distributed cannot be distributed. In this case, the information ID and the save date and time are recorded in the save information ID table of the address book database, and at the same time, the agent server transmits the user ID, the information ID, the content, and the like to the storage server. The storage server that receives the data organizes and manages the transmitted information with the user ID and the information ID, and records the information together with the content in the save information database. In this way, when the user accesses or enters the special area, the evacuation information can be extracted from the storage server and distributed to the user's PDA (of course, in this case, Also, the memory of the PDA needs to be empty.)
[0024]
The range of radio waves that can be covered by one PHS base station is about 100 meters in radius. On the other hand, the range of the radio wave of the wireless LAN used in the present invention is about 50 meters in radius. Therefore, even in a city, it is difficult to provide a base station (special area) that covers all areas. However, the purpose of the present invention is not to provide information to an unspecified number of users uniformly, but to provide information according to the life patterns of the users. However, the special area corresponding to the PHS base station may be installed at a position along the life line of the user. The best place is a railway station. This is because the railway station is a place where the user regularly and frequently uses, and the behavior pattern of the user is regulated.
[0025]
When the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention is applied to a railway, an antenna for wireless LAN is installed on the ceiling of a ticket gate or the ceiling of a platform. To cover the entire 300 meter long home, set three antennas. If you walk at 4 kilometers per hour, you will pass 50 meters in 45 seconds, and 100 meters in 90 seconds. The information is collected with the amount of information that can deliver all the information within this time as the specific area distribution information. At home, there is a waiting time for trains, so you can afford to distribute. Nevertheless, if a large amount of information is distributed at one location at a time, information cannot be distributed at other locations, so it is important to manage the information volume in an easily viewable amount. This point is not a claim of the present invention but an operation method of the present invention.
[0026]
FIG. 6 is a cartoon showing an outline of an information distribution service on a railway. If the information to be viewed and the information to be heard are registered in advance from the PDA screen, the automatically selected information is automatically distributed to the PDA in a pocket or bag at a ticket gate or at a home, and is recorded in a memory of the PDA. . This recorded information can be viewed inside the vehicle. In the case of information including sound such as music, it is also possible to listen with earphones. When information (contents) to be distributed is registered in advance, the information (contents) can be registered in the distribution desired information division table of the address book database of the agent server. Although this item is not shown in the figure, it may be registered as “easy to add”. In this case, in addition to the user ID and the area ID, the desired information type needs to be read from the PDA and sent to the agent server of the information distribution destination. Desired information registered in the distribution desired information section table can be used as a long-term or default value, and PDA desired information can be used as a temporary or short-term request section. In any case, such usage depends on how the system of the present invention operates.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
Background of the invention of the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system according to the present invention is an improvement in performance and functions of a portable information terminal (PDA). This is because a mobile communication board can be inserted into a PDA, and a communication function equivalent to a mobile phone or a mobile personal computer can be used. Mobile phones and PHS have drawbacks in that the screen is small and data input is troublesome (especially for the elderly). On the other hand, portable personal computers have drawbacks such as being too large and too heavy in terms of carrying. PDA is an intermediate product among them, and has an advantage that it has an appropriate size (size enough to fit in a pocket) and weight, and has a display screen which is much larger than a mobile phone or the like and is easy to see. In addition, since a pen can be used as an input device, there is an advantage that input (mainly menu operation) is easy.
[0028]
Although the above is not the effect of the present invention, it is the basis on which the present invention can be effectively used. According to the present invention, since the information can be provided at a pinpoint by the wireless LAN, it is easy to provide information in close contact with an area. Regional information can also be provided by information distribution over the Internet using a mobile phone, but in order to automatically provide regional information, positioning from the GPS and a base station is required. In this respect, positioning is unnecessary because the radio wave range of the wireless LAN is short, and pinpoint area information can be easily distributed.
[0029]
In push-type distribution, distribution of intrusive information may be performed. When a large amount of information is distributed indiscriminately, it is not only thankful to the user but also annoying. On the other hand, in the present invention, since a mode in which only information selected by the user is distributed or a mode in which only information selected carefully for each area (distribution place) is distributed is enabled, the user is not required to live on the line of life. Information can be selected and obtained, and problems such as excessive information and annoying mass information can be avoided.
[0030]
With the information service system of the present invention, it is difficult to cover a wide area such as a mobile phone or a PHS. However, information distribution for wide-area unspecified majority users is not the object of the present invention. Since the object of the present invention is to provide information closely related to daily life, by installing an antenna along a place where the user frequently uses in daily life activities, the relationship between the user and the information provider can be made closer, It is easy to provide pinpoint information according to the needs of the user. For example, by applying to railways, it is possible to provide information according to daily activities of users. Information can be distributed at ticket gates and platforms at stations, and information can be used in line with life patterns, such as browsing information on commuter trains. Since the information can be automatically obtained by the wake-on function, no complicated operation is required, and the information can be obtained. This makes the system easy for a user who is unfamiliar with the computer operation. In addition, this system can also be used in fields such as event information in parks, zoos, amusement parks, and guidance within the park. As described above, this system can exert its power in the field of providing pinpoint area information and information according to a user's life pattern.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a table configuration diagram of an address book database for managing personal information in the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an example of an information ID code system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a memory area for storing information in a portable information terminal used in the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of content in the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the portable information terminal wireless LAN service system of the present invention is applied to a railway.

Claims (6)

A wireless LAN service in which information is sent from the agent server to the portable information terminal via wireless communication when the user carrying the portable information terminal passes a specific point (a narrow area is also possible) where the portable information terminal is detected. In the system,
(1) By installing wireless LAN client software for acquiring information in a portable information terminal having a WOR (Wake-ON Ring, automatic activation) function owned by a user who has previously subscribed to an information providing service. Means that can automatically obtain information from the agent server as needed,
(2) An antenna for detecting a portable information terminal owned by a user is installed at a specific point providing information, and when a user possessing the portable information terminal passes through a specific point (specific area), an agent is provided. Means for transmitting information from the server to the portable information terminal wirelessly via an antenna,
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising: The mobile information terminal wireless LAN service system according to claim 1,
Means to save the delivery information to the storage server according to the preset contents when the memory of the portable information terminal of the user is full at the time of data delivery, and the user saves the saved information later through the Internet. Means for obtaining evacuation information by accessing, or means for evacuating information being distributed when a user who has free space in the memory area and owns a portable information terminal passes through a specific area,
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising: The mobile information terminal wireless LAN service system according to claim 1,
Means for the agent server to select and distribute information associated with the specific area to the portable information terminal of the user who has entered the specific area,
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising: The mobile information terminal wireless LAN service system according to claim 1,
Means for the agent server to select and distribute only the information selected by the user in advance to the portable information terminal of the user who has entered the specific area (this information may be specified by genre or type, etc.);
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising: The mobile information terminal wireless LAN service system according to claim 1,
For a railway user who owns a portable information terminal, when the user passes through the wireless LAN radio waves set in the railway station yard, such as a ticket gate or a platform, the user's portable information terminal sends the train information and railroad information Means for distributing information such as news and storing it in a portable information terminal so that a user can browse the information in a vehicle or the like;
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising: 5. The means according to claim 1, 3 or 4, wherein when there are a plurality of portable information terminals, an optimal communication environment is automatically selected and distributed from user-specific information and a communication environment.
A portable information terminal wireless LAN service system comprising:

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