JPH11196454A - Geographic information service system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a geographic information system utilizing a cellular system and a method for providing geographic information. A mobile station (310) that transmits a geographic information service request message and receives geographic information, and a mobile station (310).
Base stations 322, 324, 326 for relaying a geographic information service request message and geographic information from the base station 32.
2, 324, and 326, receives the geographic information service request message, registers the location information of the mobile station 310, and if the service message pattern matches the service request message pattern set as the geographic information service, uses the searched geographic information as the base station. And a processor for converting mobile station location information from the mobile telephone exchange 330 into an index for searching geographic information and searching for geographic information corresponding to the index. And

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a geographic information system and a method for providing geographic information, and more particularly to a geographic information system and a method for providing geographic information using a cellular system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a geographic information system is a system that informs each user who uses this system of a current position. A representative example of such a geographic information system is a global positioning system (GPS). GPS uses a number of satellites to provide geographic information to users who have receivers. Therefore,
People who work long hours outdoors, such as huntsmen, long-distance field travelers, mountain climbers, or anglers, can use GPS to perform their desired activities without getting lost. The GPS receiver can also be mounted on an automobile, in which case the driver can use the geographic information received through the receiver to move to a desired destination without trial and error.

[0003] However, in order to use such GPS, a large number of artificial satellites must be arranged in the sky, so that the initial investment cost for constructing the system is enormous. In addition, there is a problem that the system user must purchase another receiver. Further, when the user has another personal information device such as a cellular phone or a PDA, it is very inconvenient to carry the GPS terminal with them.

On the other hand, mobile devices (M
The method of positioning of the obil unit was registered in US Pat. No. 5,602,903 (Frederick W. Leblanc on Feb. 11, 1997, and the title of the invention was POSITIONING SYSTEM AND MET
HOD). In this method, the base station (B
For each of the base stations, determine a plurality of RF measurements for the base station for each of the predetermined plurality of distances and directions in cooperation with the wireless receiver, and determine for each of the base stations. Was
Model the RF measurements in the form of a scale contour with maximum and minimum boundaries that can be projected on the map information system, determine RF measurements from neighboring base stations, and apply the RF measurements of neighboring base stations Determine where the contours intersect to form a bounding polygon area that describes the location of the mobile device in the maximum and minimum error estimation terms.

However, the location confirmation method disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,602,903 is for a service provider to grasp the location of a cellular phone user in order to provide an emergency service such as a 911 service to a user. Thus, such position information is not for providing to the user. Further, the above method requires measurement of various RF data for each base station, and requires modeling of a wide area where RF measurement is not performed. Also,
There is a problem that the modeling is incomplete due to various characteristics of factors that influence RF measurement values.

[0006]

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a geographic information system which enables a cellular phone user to grasp the current location and geographic information around the cell phone using the cellular phone. is there. Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide a method of providing geographic information for providing geographic information to a cellular phone user using a cellular phone system.

[0007]

A geographic information providing system according to the present invention for solving the above technical problem transmits a geographic information service request message and receives geographic information in a geographic information service apparatus of a cellular communication system. A mobile station, a base station for relaying a geographic information service request message and geographic information from the mobile station moving within a predetermined service area, and a mobile station receiving a geographic information service request message from the base station. A mobile telephone exchange for transmitting the searched geographical information to the base station if the service message pattern matches a service request message pattern set as a geographic information service; and a mobile station from the mobile telephone exchange. Converts location information into an index for geographic information search, Characterized in that it comprises a processor to search for information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing geographical information, comprising: a mobile station using a predetermined number in a cellular communication system including a mobile switching center, a base station, and a mobile station; Transmitting a service request signal from the mobile station through the base station to the mobile telephone exchange through a predetermined control channel when requesting geographical information about the current location from the mobile telephone exchange. Allocating a communication channel between the mobile station and the base station, obtaining a geographic information search index from the location information of the base station, and reading geographic information corresponding to the index from a database. Transmitting the read geographic information from the mobile switching center to the mobile station via the base station.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a general cellular telephone communication system. The cellular communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a public switched telephone network (Public Sw
itched Telephone Network: PSTN 110, Mobile Telephone Switch
ing Center (hereinafter referred to as MTSC) (Mobile Telephone Exchange) 12
0, 130, 140, a base station including a cell site transceiver (BS) and a mobile station serving as a mobile communication service subscriber terminal (MS).
154).

The MS 154 is a terminal of a wireless subscriber, and communicates with another subscriber terminal (wired or wireless terminal) through a BS at a location where the MS 154 is located. Typical MSs include general mobile phones (also referred to as HHP or cellular phones) and wireless data transmission devices (for example, a notebook PC coupled to an RF modem). The BS transmits RF signals within the cell site and receives RF signals transmitted from one or more MSs 154 moving within its cellular service area. Here, the cellular service area includes an area from a radius of several kilometers to 200 to 300 meters depending on the strength of a signal transmitted and received between the BS and the MS 154 as an area that can be served by one BS. Two frequencies are allocated to a communication channel used in one cell site so that a full-duplex transmission can be performed. That is, one frequency transmits a signal from the BS to the MS 154, and another frequency transmits a signal from the MS 154 to the BS. One control channel is allocated to the BS, and the remaining channels are used as voice and data channels for transmitting voice or data.

When the MS 154 is in an idle state (a state where the power is turned on and not used), the signal is tuned to the strongest control channel (generally, the control channel of the cell in which the MS 154 is located at that time), and then the BS Then, it transmits its own unique identification number to be transmitted to the MTSCs 120, 130, 140. The MS 154 will continue to monitor the control channel to tune to the strongest control channel when moving. When the MS 154 is connected to the BS, the subscriber knows this through the terminal's serviceable indicator. When a wireless subscriber calls, BS
The first connection to is made through the control channel. BS
Assigns unused audio channels at this time,
4 and BS are connected to this voice channel during a call.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conceptual diagram of a general cellular communication system service. The first cell site 220 includes an MS and a first BS (BS1), and the second cell site 2 includes a second BS (BS2).
10, including MTSC transceiver 232 and central call processor 234
It consists of MTSC230.

When trying to call another MS from one MS or a general telephone connected to the PSTN 110, the caller first calls the figure.
Should be connected to one cellular telephone system. This is performed by dialing the unique identification number (telephone number) of each MS. M as shown in FIG.
The TSC 230 receives the call request signal from the first cell site 220 and the second cell site 210, and the central call processor 23 therein.
Instruct 4 to start call processing. At this time, the central paging processor 234 transmits a paging signal through another dedicated control channel to other MSs to inform them that it is being paging. The calling signal includes the identification number (telephone number) of the called MS. If the MS moves to another service area, that is, another cell site while maintaining a service state (for example, a call state) in the service area of the cellular telephone system, the MTSC 230 will be the first BS.
The call is handed off or handed over from (BS1) to the second BS (BS2) so that the service is performed continuously. At this time, the MTSC 230 selects an unused channel among the audio channels of the second BS (BS2), and selects the first audio channel currently being used in the first BS (BS1) in the second channel of the newly selected second BS (BS2). A handoff message is transmitted to instruct the second BS (BS2) to switch to the voice channel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a geographic information service apparatus using the cellular communication system according to the present invention.
310, a plurality of BS322, 324, 326, MTSC 330, service subscriber list 340, geographic information search processor 350, and geographic information database 360.

As shown in FIG. 3, when power is applied, MS 310 scans the control channels, selects the strongest channel, and transmits the MTSC through that channel.
A signal for registering its own identification number and position is transmitted to 330.

A mobile phone subscriber who desires a geographic information service presses a function key (Function Key) and then inputs a set service code (for example, a function key "# 180") through the MS keypad to enter his / her MS 310. To access the MTSC 330 from. After the MS subscriber enters the service code through the MS310 keypad and presses the “SEND” key, the MS310
Transmits a service call message consisting of the input service code and MS identification number to a corresponding BS through a control channel having a cell site of a current location as a service area.
To be transmitted. The corresponding BS relays the service request message from MS 310 to MTSC 330. The MTSC 330 compares the identification number of the MS 310 received from the corresponding BS with the identification number stored in the service subscriber list 340 to confirm whether or not the subscriber is a registered subscriber. Register information and assign voice / data channels for data transmission. When the service request message received from the BS matches a service request pattern set as a geographic information service (e.g., # 180), the MTSC 330 sends geographic information around the base station from the geographic information search processor 350. It is input and transmitted to the corresponding base station.

The geographic information search processor 350 converts the information on the position of the corresponding MS 310 from the MTSC 330, that is, the identification information of the corresponding MS, into a search index of the geographic information database 360. Also, the geographic information search processor 350 searches the geographic information database 360 for geographic information corresponding to the current position of the MS 310 using the search index, and transmits the geographic information to the MS 310 through the corresponding BS. At this time, MTSC330 and MS
310 / TCP / IP (Tran
Use a data transmission protocol such as Smission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). The geographic information database 360 stores geographic information according to the search index of the geographic information search processor 350.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the MS 310 of FIG. 3, including an RF data transmitting / receiving module unit 410 including an RF data transceiver 412 and a keypad 414, an interface unit 420, a geographic data processor 432, and a display unit 434. It comprises a geographic information display section 430.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RF data transceiver 412
Receives the RF data of the geographic information read from the geographic information database 360 through the antenna 408, and receives the keypad 414
The service code set by is transmitted. The geographic data processor 432 performs the appropriate processing required by the geographic information received from the RF data transceiver 412 through the interface 420, that is, JPEG-coded geographic information.
The decoding is performed, and the result is displayed on the display unit 434. In addition, the RF data transmission / reception module unit 410 requires a data transmission protocol for transmitting geographic information. The RF data transmission / reception module unit 410 and the geographic information display unit 430 are directly connected by an interface 420 for connecting serial binary data, or a connector such as EIA / TIA-232-E is connected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a geographic information service between the MTSC 330 and the MS 310 in FIG. First, MS310
Requests a connection to request geographical information for the current location by dialing the MTSC 330 through a predetermined number (step 510). The MTSC 330 confirms the type of the service request and connects the MS 310 by assigning an unused channel among the voice and data channels of the corresponding BS 322, 324, 326 to the MS 310 (step 520). MS31
If 0 requests data from the MTSC 330 (step 530), the geographic information extracted from the geographic information database 360 is transmitted to the MS 310 through the corresponding BS (step 540).

When the MS 310 moves between cells while providing the geographic information service, the MTSC 330 performs a handoff between the BSs 322, 324, and 326 to perform a handoff during a voice call. If the MS 310 moves from the first cell site to the second cell site, the MTSC 330 selects an available voice and data channel in the second cell site and selects the first BS in the first cell site.
To instruct the MS to transmit a handoff message. The handoff message includes information informing the selected voice and data channel from the second cell site to tune the MS. The MTSC 330 transmits the updated geographic information through the newly set channel. At this time, the MTSC 330 searches the geographic information database using the identification number of the second BS, and transmits the geographic information corresponding to the input identification number to the MS through the voice and data channels changed at the time of handoff. The MS displays the received geographic information. When the voice call service releases the service call in the same manner as using a mobile phone, the MS returns to the standby or idle state again.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention. That is, a mobile phone having a data transmission function and a TIA / EIA-232-E connection device and a display unit having a geographic information data processing function are connected to a mobile station to provide a geographic information service through a cellular communication network. A mobile phone having a data transmission function and an EIA / TIA-232-E connection device and a PDA having a geographic information data processing function can be connected to a mobile station to provide a geographic information service through a cellular communication network.
Also, in the case of a portable information terminal having a cellular communication network connection function, the geographic information service can be realized by simply adding a geographic information processing function.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, a simple control between a base station and a mobile station without additional location search or calculation procedures to obtain geographical information on the location of the mobile station. After ascertaining the location of the MS as a procedure, the corresponding geographic information can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a general cellular phone communication system.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a conceptual diagram of a general cellular communication system service.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a geographic information service device of a cellular communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the MS of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a geographic information service between the MTSC and the MS of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

310 mobile station (MS) 322, 324, 326 BS 330 mobile telephone switching center (MTSC; mobile telephone exchange) 350 geographic information search processor 360 geographic information database 410 RF data transmission / reception module 430 geographic information display section 432 geographic data processor

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A geographic information service device for a cellular communication system, comprising: a mobile station transmitting a geographic information service request message and receiving geographic information; and a geographic information service request from the mobile station moving within a predetermined service area. A base station that relays a message and geographic information, a service message that receives a geographic information service request message from the base station, registers location information of the mobile station, and matches a service request message pattern set as a geographic information service If the pattern, the mobile telephone exchange transmitting the searched geographic information to the base station; and converting the mobile station location information from the mobile telephone exchange into an index for geographic information search and searching for the geographic information corresponding to the index. A geographic information providing system, comprising: 2. The geographic information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the service request message of the mobile station includes a set service code and an identification number. 3. The geographic information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a geographic information database storing a plurality of pieces of geographic information based on a search index of the geographic information search processor. 4. The mobile telephone switching center allocates voice and data channels for data transmission if the identification number stored in the subscriber list matches the identification number received from the mobile station. Item 2. The geographic information providing system according to item 1. 5. The mobile station includes an RF data transmission / reception module for receiving the geographic information data, and a geographic information display for performing signal processing according to the geographic information data received from the RF data transmission / reception module and displaying the processed signal on a screen. The geographic information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. 6. The geographic information display unit includes a geographic data processor for decoding received geographic information data and outputting a decoded signal, and a display unit for displaying the decoded signal. The geographic information providing system according to claim 5, wherein 7. The geographic information providing system according to claim 6, wherein the display unit is a liquid crystal display panel. 8. The geographic information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile telephone exchange transmits the geographic information according to a predetermined data transmission protocol. 9. The geographic information providing system according to claim 8, wherein said data transmission protocol is TCP / IP. 10. The geographic information according to claim 1, further comprising an information terminal connected to the mobile station, wherein the transmitted geographic information is displayed on a display unit of the information terminal. Delivery system. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the information terminal is a PDA. 12. The mobile station and the information terminal are EIA / TI
11. The geographic information providing system according to claim 10, wherein the system is connected by A-232-E. 13. The geographic information providing system according to claim 10, wherein the mobile station and the information terminal are directly connected. 14. The geographic information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted geographic information is compressed according to a JPEG standard. 15. A cellular communication system including a mobile switching center, a base station, and a mobile station, wherein the mobile station uses a predetermined number to provide geographical information about the current location of the mobile switching center. Transmitting a service request signal from the mobile station to the mobile switching center via the base station via a predetermined control channel, and allocating a communication channel between the mobile station and the base station. Obtaining a geographic information search index from the location information of the base station, and reading the geographic information corresponding to the index from a database; and reading the read geographic information from the mobile telephone exchange via the base station. Transmitting the geographic information to the mobile station.