JP2005286657A - Population density information collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide population density information through a network such that the population density of an arbitrary or specific area is collected and information pertaining to the population density can be browsed from other communication apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A base station 10 transmits a terminal confirmation signal toward a wireless communication terminal 20 being served, and the wireless communication terminal transmits a response signal of the terminal confirmation signal to the base station. The base station transmits information pertaining to the response signal to a data base unit 40. The data base unit grasps the number of wireless communication terminals being served by each base station by totalizing the information from respective base stations pertaining to the response signal of wireless communication terminals being served, stores the totalization results (population density information) in an information storage means 46, and provides the population density information, while processing into intelligible form, to an arbitrary communication apparatus (PC 50 or PHS terminal 51) which accesses the data base unit through a network 30, e.g. the Internet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement in a technique for collecting information related to a wireless communication terminal using a wireless communication technique.

  Conventionally, a telephone call, data communication, and the like using a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital assistance), and a mobile computer are possible. Further, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for optimizing communication related to each wireless communication terminal by the base station side acquiring a communication state, a movement state, and the like from each wireless communication terminal. Has been.

  Also, for example, in Patent Document 2 below, each base station provides the mobile station (wireless communication terminal) with channel numbers and position information of its own station and neighboring base stations, and the mobile station receives the neighboring base stations. The level is detected and the distance between each base station and the mobile station is calculated. Based on the position information of each base station, a circle whose radius is the distance from each base station is obtained. A technique is disclosed that makes it possible to calculate the exact position of a mobile station by calculating the current position of the mobile station from the intersection of the two. Also, according to this technology, the base station side can grasp the accurate location information of each mobile station by receiving the location information notification from each mobile station.

On the other hand, as a conventional method for grasping the current congestion situation of destinations such as red light districts, resort areas, department stores, and the congestion situation of destinations in terms of season, month, day of the week, or hourly, TV, radio, Internet There are a method of getting information on the homepage of the site and a method of actually making a phone call and listening to the site.
JP-A-7-30945 (FIG. 5, paragraph 0033) JP 2000-165936 A (FIGS. 1 to 4)

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is intended to optimize communication related to each wireless communication terminal by the base station side acquiring a communication state, a moving state, and the like from each wireless communication terminal. Therefore, the base station side obtains information from each wireless communication terminal and optimizes communication in units of wireless communication terminals, and does not use information from each wireless communication terminal secondarily. Absent.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 is for grasping the accurate position of a mobile station. Therefore, the calculation process of position information in the mobile station is complicated. In addition, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, regarding secondary use of position information of each mobile station, movement detection based on the position information of each mobile station is suggested. Is not particularly suggested.

  Further, in the case of the conventional method of grasping the congestion situation as described above, for example, in the method of grasping the congestion situation by broadcasting such as television or radio, the destination information is not broadcast, or the congestion situation is confirmed on the Internet. In some cases, the target web page may not be found by the grasping method. That is, the conventional method has a problem that the user cannot grasp the congestion situation of a desired place or spends a lot of time until grasping.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention collects information on the population density (congestion status) of an arbitrary or specific area, and enables browsing of information related to the population density in other communication devices. An object of the present invention is to provide a population density information collection system for providing population density information through a network.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, each base station transmits a terminal confirmation signal to a wireless communication terminal existing thereunder, and information related to a response signal of the terminal confirmation signal received from the wireless communication terminal. By transmitting to the database device, the database device grasps the number of wireless communication terminals existing under each base station, and the wireless device grasped as described above in response to a browsing request from any communication device. The information on the number of communication terminals is provided after processing.

That is, according to the present invention, one or a plurality of wireless communication terminals and a wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal are possible, and one or a plurality of base stations having the wireless communication terminal under the control, and the base A database device capable of communicating with a station, and a communication device capable of accessing the database device, wherein each of the base station, the database device, and the communication device is connected via a predetermined network. Population density information for collecting population density information in the communication area based on the number of responses from the wireless communication terminals existing in the communication area covered by the base station, which is configured by being connected A collection system,
The base station is
When a transmission request is received from the database device, subordinate when the traffic volume of radio communication with the radio communication terminal is smaller than a predetermined traffic volume, or when a certain time has passed Means for transmitting a terminal confirmation signal to all the wireless communication terminals existing in
Means for transmitting information related to the response signal to the database device when a response signal of the terminal confirmation signal is received from the wireless communication terminal;
The wireless communication terminal is
Means for transmitting the response signal to the base station when the terminal confirmation signal is received from the base station;
The database device is
When the information related to the response signal is received from the base station, the aggregation processing based on the received information related to the response signal is performed, and the response signal that exists under the base station is transmitted. Tally processing means for generating the population density information based on the number of responses from the wireless communication terminal in a state capable of
Population density information storage means for storing the population density information generated by the aggregation processing means;
The communication area that covers the desired area when receiving a request for browsing the current population density information related to the desired area from the communication device that accesses the database device through the predetermined network. A terminal confirmation signal transmission request means for making a transmission request of the terminal confirmation signal to a base station;
The communication area that covers the desired area when receiving a browsing request for past population density information related to the desired area from the communication apparatus that accesses the database device through the predetermined network. Information reading means for reading out the population density information relating to the base station from the population density information storage means;
From the information related to the response signal received from the base station that has performed processing based on the transmission request by the terminal confirmation signal transmission request unit, the population density information generated by the aggregation processing unit, or the information reading Data processing means for processing the population density information read by the means;
There is provided a population density information collecting system including means for providing the communication device with the population density information processed by the data processing means.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, when the wireless communication terminal receives the terminal confirmation signals from two or more base stations simultaneously or within a predetermined time, the two or more There is provided a population density information collecting system having means for controlling to transmit the response signal only to any one of the base stations.

  The population density information collection system according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, collects population density in any or a specific area, and allows browsing of information related to population density in other communication devices. It is possible to provide population density information through the network. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to view a congestion situation in a desired area in real time or to view a history of past congestion situations through a network such as the Internet. In particular, according to the present invention, it is also possible for a user to grasp a person's flow (movement situation) based on a history of past congestion situation in a desired area through a network such as the Internet. By collecting user attribute information in a desired region at the same time, it is possible to collect and provide information related to marketing of advertisements and product sales (advertising strategy / sales strategy).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a population density information collection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The population density information collecting system shown in FIG. 1 includes a base station 10, a wireless communication terminal 20, a network 30, a database device 40, a PC (Personal Computer) 50, a PHS terminal 51, and a PHS communication network 52. Yes.

  The base station 10 has an antenna for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal 20, and provides a connection point for wireless communication with respect to the wireless communication terminal 20 existing in a predetermined communication area (hereinafter referred to as a cell) 13. provide. In FIG. 1, only one base station 10 is shown, but a plurality of base stations 10 may exist. In addition, the base station 10 includes terminal confirmation signal control means 11 and database communication means 12.

  The terminal confirmation signal control unit 11 is a unit that performs processing related to a predetermined signal (hereinafter referred to as a terminal confirmation signal) for confirming the existence in the cell 13 with respect to the wireless communication terminal 20. Note that the terminal confirmation signal control unit 11 performs all processes related to the terminal confirmation signal, such as a process related to the response signal of the terminal confirmation signal from the wireless communication terminal 20 and a process related to a transmission request for the terminal confirmation signal from the database device 40. Shall be performed. The base station 10 not only transmits a terminal confirmation signal in accordance with a terminal confirmation signal transmission request from the database device 40, but also transmits, for example, a terminal confirmation signal every predetermined time or wireless communication with the base station 10. When the traffic between the terminals 20 is monitored and the traffic volume is small (for example, the traffic volume of the communication between the base station 10 and the radio communication terminal 20 is compared with a predetermined traffic volume set in advance) It is also possible to transmit a terminal confirmation signal when the amount of traffic is smaller than the predetermined traffic amount. The database communication unit 12 is a unit for communicating with the database device 40 via the network 30.

  The endless communication terminal 20 is a portable communication device capable of performing wireless communication with the base station 10, such as a mobile phone, a PHS terminal, a PDA, or a mobile computer. The wireless communication terminal 20 can access the network 30 through connection with the base station 10 by wireless communication. In FIG. 1, only one wireless communication terminal 20 is illustrated. However, a plurality of wireless communication terminals 20 may exist, and a plurality of base stations 10 (within the cell 13) may have a plurality of wireless communication terminals 20. There may be a wireless communication terminal 20. Further, the wireless communication terminal 20 includes a terminal confirmation signal control unit 21 and an additional information setting unit 22.

  The terminal confirmation signal control means 21 is a means for performing processing for transmitting a response signal to the base station 10 when a terminal confirmation signal is received from the base station 10. Further, the additional information setting means 22 includes attribute information (for example, “male: 40s: office worker”) of the user of the wireless communication terminal 20 such as gender, age, and occupation in the response signal transmitted to the base station 10. ) As additional information. Note that the wireless communication terminal 20 does not necessarily have the additional information setting unit 22, that is, the response signal does not necessarily include additional information. The type of information set as additional information is arbitrary.

  The network 30 is a communication network such as the Internet, for example. Here, the network 30 functions as a relay network for communication between the base station 10 and the database device 40 and communication between the database device 40 and the PC 50. Yes.

  Further, the database device 40 collects information on the wireless communication terminal 20 existing under the base station 10 from the base station 10 and provides the collected information to a communication device connected to the PC 50 or another network. Specifically, the number of radio communication terminals 20 existing under each base station 10 and additional information from each radio communication terminal 20 are collected, subjected to statistical analysis, and the result after analysis is processed. And provided to the PC 50 or the like.

  The database device 40 includes a base station communication unit 41, a data totaling analysis unit 42, an interface unit 43, a data processing unit 44, a server unit 45, and an information storage unit 46. The base station communication means 41 is means for communicating with the base station 10 via the network 30. In addition, when the result of the response signal, which is a response to the terminal confirmation signal, is received from the base station 10, the data tabulation analysis unit 42 counts the result of the response signal, This is means for analyzing the correspondence (mapping) with the base station 10 in which the cell 13 is formed in the area. For example, in the data totaling analysis means 42, the response signal count (count of the number of radio communication terminals 20 existing under the base station 10) and the statistics related to the additional information when the additional information is included in the response signal. Processing is performed. The result of the response signal aggregation by the data aggregation analysis means 42 indicates the number of wireless communication terminals 20 that are under the control of each base station 10 and are capable of transmitting the response signal. This is used as population density information that serves as an index for grasping the number of people existing in the communication area covered by the station 10.

  The server means 45 is means for realizing a function as a server that provides information to the PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 that are accessed via the network 30. The interface unit 43 is an interface that allows the server unit 45 to input information from the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 to which access is permitted. For example, the server means 45 has a Web server function for publishing information on the Internet, and the interface means 43 is a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) that enables information input through the Internet.

  The data processing means 44 is a means for processing data into a form that is easy for the user of the PC 50 or PHS terminal 51 to understand when providing population density information to the PC 50 or PHS terminal 51 through the server means 45. . For example, the population density information is overlapped with the map data by the data processing means 44 to be processed into visual information and displayed so as to be viewable on the display screen of the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51.

  The information storage means 46 is an information storage medium capable of storing information to be held in the database device 40. The information stored in the information storage means 46 includes, for example, population density information aggregated by the data aggregation analysis means 42, history information of additional information, map data used at the time of data processing by the data processing means 44, and base station information. Arrangement information, Web data provided to the PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 accessed from the server means 45, other programs and data, and the like. The information is roughly classified into information that can be disclosed through the network 30 and information that should not be disclosed through the network 30. Whether or not such disclosure is possible is determined by setting whether or not each data can be disclosed. It is preferable that the information storage means 46 be realized by an information storage medium that stores information that can be disclosed and an information storage medium that stores information that should not be disclosed.

  The PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 are communication devices that can be connected to the network 30. For example, the database device 40 functioning as a Web server can be accessed from the PC 50, that is, information provided from the database device 40 can be viewed on the PC 50. Similarly, the PHS terminal 51 can access the database device 40 through the PHS communication network 52. The PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 are examples of communication devices for accessing the database device 40, and any communication device other than the PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 can be used.

  Next, a specific arrangement example of the base station 10 and the wireless communication terminal 20 at a certain time will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of base stations and wireless communication terminals in the embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows in detail only the base station 10, the wireless communication terminal 20, and the network 30 shown in FIG. 1, and the database device 40, the PC 50, the PHS terminal 51, and the PHS communication network 52 that can be connected to the network. Are not shown in the figure.

  In FIG. 2, four base stations 10 (base stations 10A to 10D), each of which forms a cell 13 (cells 13A to 13D), and 20 movable radio communication terminals 20 (radio communication terminals 20A). -1 to 20A-5, 20B-1 to 20B-4, 20C-1 to 20C-3, and 20D-1 to 20D-8).

  The radio communication terminals 20A-1 to 20A-4 exist in the cell 13A formed by the base station 10A. Further, the radio communication terminals 20B-1 to 20B-3 exist in the cell 13B formed by the base station 10B. Further, the radio communication terminals 20C-1 to 20C-3 exist in the cell 13C formed by the base station 10C. Further, the radio communication terminals 20D-1 to 20D-8 exist in the cell 13D formed by the base station 10D. Further, the radio communication terminal 20A-5 exists in an overlap area between the cell 13A and the cell 13B. Therefore, the radio communication terminal 20A-5 is in a state where radio signals can be transmitted and received with both the base station 10A and the base station 10B. Similarly, the radio communication terminal 20B-4 exists in the overlap area between the cell 13B and the cell 13D. Therefore, the radio communication terminal 20B-4 is in a state where radio signals can be transmitted and received with both the base station 10B and the base station 10D.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the population density information collection system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the sequence chart shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the population density information collection system in the embodiment of the present invention. In the operation described below, each of the base stations 10A to 10D is configured to periodically transmit a terminal confirmation signal in each of the cells 13A to 13D, and the base station 10 and the radio communication terminal 20 Are arranged as shown in FIG. In the sequence chart shown in FIG. 3, only two of the radio communication terminals 20 existing in each of the cells 13A to 13D of the base stations 10A to 10D are shown, Alternatively, one or three or more wireless communication terminals 20 may exist.

  First, each of the base stations 10A to 10D periodically transmits a terminal confirmation signal in each of the cells 13A to 13D (steps S301 to S307). In addition, the transmission cycle of the terminal confirmation signal in the base stations 10A to 10D can be arbitrarily set, and is adjusted so that the transmission of the terminal confirmation signal is performed at the same time in each of the base stations 10A to 10D. It is desirable. Here, a case will be described in which each base station 10A to 10D is configured to spontaneously transmit a terminal confirmation signal every predetermined period. The database device 40 requests the base stations 10A to 10D to transmit terminal confirmation signals at predetermined intervals, and each of the base stations 10A to 10D receives the terminal confirmation signal from the database device 40. A terminal confirmation signal may be transmitted in response to the transmission request.

  The radio communication terminals 20 existing in the respective cells 13A to 13D of the base stations 10A to 10D receive the terminal confirmation signals transmitted in steps S301 to S307. And the radio | wireless communication terminal 20 transmits the response signal of the received terminal confirmation signal to base station 10A-10D (step S309-S323). At this time, if the wireless communication terminal 20 has the additional information setting means 22 and addition of additional information is permitted, a response signal with additional information added is transmitted.

  For example, in the arrangement example as shown in FIG. 2, the radio communication terminals 20A-1 to 20A-4 receive the terminal confirmation signal from the base station 10A. Further, the radio communication terminals 20B-1 to 20B-3 receive the terminal confirmation signal from the base station 10B. Also, the radio communication terminals 20C-1 to 20C-3 receive the terminal confirmation signal from the base station 10C. Also, the radio communication terminals 20D-1 to 20D-8 receive the terminal confirmation signal from the base station 10D. Each of the wireless communication terminals 20A-1 to 20A-4, 20B-1 to 20B-3, 20C-1 to 20C-3, and 20D-1 to 20D-8 is transmitted from the base station 10A that is the transmission source of the terminal confirmation signal. A response signal is transmitted to 10D.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the radio communication terminal 20A-5 existing in the overlap area between the cell 13A and the cell 13B receives the terminal confirmation signal from both the base station 10A and the base station 10B, and receives the radio communication terminal 20B-4. Can receive terminal confirmation signals from both the base station 10B and the base station 10D. At this time, the wireless communication terminal 20A-5 and the wireless communication terminal 20B-4 may transmit the response signal twice. As described later, the database device 40 uses the wireless communication terminal 20 based on the response signal. Therefore, when the wireless communication terminal 20A-5 and the wireless communication terminal 20B-4 transmit the response signal twice, the number of the wireless communication terminals 20A-5 and 20B-4 is determined. It will be counted twice.

  Therefore, for example, the terminal confirmation signal control means 11 of the radio communication terminal 20 transmits a response signal to the same base station 10 or another base station 10 for a certain time after transmitting the response signal. It is desirable to prevent the duplication of the count of the number in the database device 40. The terminal confirmation signal control means 11 controls, for example, the base station 10A that first receives the terminal confirmation signal to transmit a response signal, while regarding the terminal confirmation signal received subsequently, By controlling not to perform a response, it is possible to perform a control to transmit a response signal only once within a certain time.

  Each of the base stations 10A to 10D that has received the response signal from the wireless communication terminal 20 in steps S309 to S323 transmits the response signal result to the database device 40 (steps S325, S329, S333, and S337). In the transmission of the response signal result, the base station 10 may transfer the response signal received from each wireless communication terminal 20 to the database device 40 as it is, or the response signals received from the plurality of wireless communication terminals 20 may be transmitted. The contents may be collected and notified to the database device 40. Further, in order for the database device 40 to know which base station 10A to 10D is the result of the response signal, the response signal result transmitted from each base station 10A to 10D to the database device 40 includes It is desirable that identification information of the base stations 10A to 10D is added.

  The database device 40 that has received the response signal results from the base stations 10A to 10D in steps S325, S329, S333, and S337 performs the aggregation of the response signal results related to the base stations 10A to 10D, and stores the aggregation results as information. The data is stored in the storage means 46 (steps S327, S331, S335, and S339). At this time, for example, the database device 40 aggregates the number of received response signals and the additional information set in the response signals by the data aggregation analysis unit 42 and creates a database for each base station 10 unit. Thereby, the final count result (population density information) for each base station 10 related to the response signal of the wireless communication terminal 20 that has received the terminal confirmation signal from the base station 10 is periodically stored in the database device 40. The

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing data stored in the information storage means of the database device in the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the population density information stored in the database device 40 is updated periodically (for example, every hour), but the past data is not deleted, and the history of the data is stored in the database. It is desirable to be held within the device 40. In addition, by setting the acquisition density of population density information (terminal check signal transmission period) to be short, not only the population density information at each time but also the flow (movement situation) of users who have the wireless communication terminal 20 is grasped. become able to.

  FIG. 4 shows the latest data (2003/9/30 15:00 data) collected by the series of operations shown in FIG. 3 and the previous and previous data (2003/9/30 14:00 data). 2003/9/30 13:00 data). The data at each time has the total number of users (number of users) in each base station 10, the total number of additional information acquired (additional information), and attribute information (gender, age, occupation) described in the additional information.

  As described above, since one response signal is transmitted from one radio communication terminal 20, the number of response signals and the number of radio communication terminals 20 have a correspondence relationship. Therefore, the database device 40 counts the number of response signals for each of the base stations 10A to 10D, and regards this count result as the number of users (number of users) of the radio communication terminals 20 existing under each of the base stations 10A to 10D. And stored in the information storage means 46. Some response signals include additional information. The database device 40 stores the total number of additional information acquired in the information storage unit 46 and simultaneously stores the total result of the attribute information, which is the content of the additional information, in the information storage unit 46. The attribute information collected in this way can be used as information relating to marketing of advertising and product sales (advertising strategy / sales strategy).

  In addition, by a series of operations shown in the sequence chart of FIG. 3, the counting results stored in the database device 40 can be viewed from any communication device (for example, the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51) through the network 30 such as the Internet. It is configured. For example, the database device 40 establishes communication with the PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 accessed via the network such as the Internet by the server unit 45, and necessary parameters for the PC 50 and the PHS terminal 51 by the interface unit 43. Provides an input interface.

  Then, in response to a request from the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 by inputting necessary parameters (conditions), the requested data is specified by the data totaling analysis means 42 and specified by the data processing means 44. After the data is processed so as to be in an easily understandable form (for example, visual display) on the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51, the processed data is provided to the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51.

  The necessary parameters input from the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 include, for example, a “region” parameter for designating a region to be browsed, a “time” parameter for designating a time to be browsed, and the like. That is, the area and time are set by the user of the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51, and the database device 40 specifies the data of the specified area and the specified time, processes the data, and then the PC 50 or PHS terminal. Provide data to 51. It is desirable that the user of the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 can designate a region by a place name that is conventionally used, and the database device 40 uses the place name that is used for the designation of the region. It is desirable to hold mapping data between the base station 10 and each region so that the base station 10 corresponding to the region can be identified.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which data provided from the database device to the PC is displayed on the display screen of the PC in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is designated by the user. FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically showing map data including information related to the arrangement of base stations (cell arrangement) in the area designated by the user. FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the population density information is superimposed on the map data and displayed on the display screen of the PC.

  The database device 40 holds, in the information storage means 46, map data of an area that provides a population density information providing service, information related to the arrangement of base stations 10 in the area, and the like. For example, when a user of the PC 50 requests browsing of population density information in a predetermined region and a predetermined time via the network 30, the database device 40 firstly stores a predetermined number specified by the user. Map data (see FIG. 6A) including the area is prepared, the base station 10 (see FIG. 6B) included in the predetermined area is specified, and the user at the specified base station 10 is further specified. The population density information relating to the time specified by is read out. Then, the data processing unit 44 superimposes the arrangement of the cells 13 and the population density information on a map including a predetermined area designated by the user, and processes the data into visual display data (see FIG. 6C). Then, by providing the processed data to the PC 50, it is possible to provide population density information in a form that is easy for the user to understand. Although not reflected in FIG. 6 (c), for example, by changing the display color in the cell according to the number of people existing in each cell 13, the population density situation in each cell is more visually recognized. It is possible to realize a display that makes it easy to grasp (the congestion situation).

  In addition, as shown in FIG.6 (c), it is also possible to employ | adopt the display aspects other than the aspect which superimposes and displays population density information on the map which shows a specific area. In addition, the data processing means 44 can also create information from which the history of past population density information can be understood from the population density information accumulated in the information storage means 46, for example. Is preferably processed into data that enables display of a graph with the number of people on the vertical axis and the time on the horizontal axis. In addition to providing population density information, additional information (attribute information) can be processed into easy-to-understand visual information and provided. In addition, for example, the number of users under the control of each base station 10 is divided by the range of the cell 13 of each base station 10 to calculate the number of users per unit area, and this calculation result is used as the PC 50 or PHS terminal. 51 can also be provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the wireless communication terminal 20 that has received the terminal confirmation signal periodically transmitted from the base station 10 transmits the response signal to the base station 10, and the base station 10 However, by transmitting the response signal results received from the wireless communication terminal 20 to the database device 40, the database device 40 performs aggregation based on the response signal results. Thereby, for example, the number of response signals from each base station 10 is counted by the database device 40, and the number of radio communication terminals 20 (number of users) existing under each base station 10 is counted at a constant cycle. It becomes possible. Also, attribute information of the user of the wireless communication terminal 20 is inserted into the response signal as additional information and sent to the database device 40, so that the database device 40 causes the wireless communication terminal 20 existing under each base station 10. Statistical processing relating to the attribute information of the user can be performed. Further, the response signal and the total result of the additional information are accumulated in the database device 40, and the population accessed to the users who are accessed via the network 30 using a communication device such as the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51. It can be provided as congestion information. Further, the database device 40 can perform data processing in a form that is easy for the user to understand when providing the population density information.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, information related to the radio communication terminals 20 existing under each base station 10 is periodically acquired, and the information related to the radio communication terminals 20 existing under each base station 10 is aggregated. The results are stored in the database device 40 at regular intervals, and the totaled results can be viewed from a communication device such as the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51, but the communication device such as the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 It is also possible to make it possible to browse the tabulation result of information related to the wireless communication terminal 20 currently existing under each base station 10 almost in real time.

  Hereinafter, referring to the sequence chart shown in FIG. 5, a communication device such as the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 browses a total result of information related to the wireless communication terminal 20 currently under the control of each base station 10 in almost real time. The case will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing another example of the operation of the population density information collection system in the embodiment of the present invention. For the basic system configuration, the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be referred to.

  In the sequence chart shown in FIG. 5, first, the PC 50 accesses the database apparatus 40 through the network 30 and inputs a predetermined condition for designating a region to be browsed and a time to be browsed (step S501). The data is transmitted to the database device 40 (step S503). Note that access to the database device 40 and condition input by the PC 50 are realized by the server means 45 and the interface means 43 of the database device 40.

  Here, as an example, the user of the PC 50 is wondering in which of two shopping streets (“A shopping street” and “Z shopping street”) that are on sale, and is currently relatively free. Suppose you want to go shopping in the shopping street you are in. The user of the PC 50 first accesses the database device 40 through the Internet, inputs “A shopping street” in the designated area column of the displayed predetermined input screen, and further enters the designated time column in the predetermined input screen. It is assumed that “current” is entered. At this time, it is also possible to specify a display mode of population density information (for example, presence or absence of additional display such as map display, graph display, and color coding).

  The database device 40 makes a determination related to the conditions input by the user, and determines the processing to be performed thereafter (step S505). For example, first, the base station 10 that covers the designated “A shopping street” is searched, and it is found that the base station 10A and the base station 10B cover the entire communication range of the “A shopping street”. The Further, the database device 40 detects that “current” is designated as the time condition input by the user, and shifts to the real-time counting process described below. At this time, if it is detected that the user has specified a past time, the database device 40 is stored in the information storage means 46 as described in the above embodiment. Based on the counting result, population density information is provided to the PC 50.

  In the real-time counting process when “current” is specified as the time condition, first, a transmission request for a terminal confirmation signal is sent from the database device 40 to each base station 10 (base station 10A and base station 10B). This is performed (steps S507 and S509). In the sequence chart shown in FIG. 5, it is illustrated that different terminal confirmation signal transmission request messages are transmitted to the base station 10 </ b> A and the base station 10 </ b> B. The message for the base station 10A and the base station 10B may be transmitted by multicast.

  The base station 10A and the base station 10B collect response signals from the subordinate radio communication terminals 20 and transmit the response signal results to the database device 40 (steps S511 to S523, S527). Note that the processes in steps S511, S515, S517, and S523 related to the base station 10A are the same as the processes in steps S301, S309, S311, and S325 shown in FIG. 3, and steps S513, S519, and S521 related to the base station 10B. , S527 are the same as steps S303, S313, S315, and S329 shown in FIG. 3, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  And the database apparatus 40 totals the result of the response signal relevant to each of base station 10A and base station 10B (step S525, S529). This aggregation process is also the same as steps S327 and S331 shown in FIG. 3, but the aggregation results obtained in steps S525 and S529 are not necessarily stored in the information storage unit 46 so that they can be referred to as history data later. There is no need to store the data, and the database device 40 may hold these total results temporarily.

  Then, for example, the data processing means 44 processes the aggregation result (population density information) based on the conditions such as the display mode input in step S501 (step S531), and FIG. Population density information is provided to the PC 50 as visual information for generating such a display screen (step S533).

  As described above, according to the present invention, the database device 40 that has received a browsing request for the current population density information from a communication device such as the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 places the cell 13 in the area requested by the communication device. A transmission request for a terminal confirmation signal is made to the base station 10 to be formed. The base station 10 that has received the transmission request for the terminal confirmation signal transmits the terminal confirmation signal in its own cell 13, and the wireless communication terminal 20 that has received the terminal confirmation signal transmitted from the base station 10 transmits the response signal to the base station 10. The base station 10 transmits the response signal results received from the radio communication terminal 20 to the database device 40, and the database device 40 performs aggregation based on the response signal results. As a result, the database device 40 can process the count results and provide the current population density information to the PC 50 or the PHS terminal 51 that has requested the browsing.

  According to the population density information collection system according to the present invention, it is possible to collect information on the population density of an arbitrary or specific area, and to browse information related to the population density in other communication devices. It is possible to provide population density information through a network, and it can be applied to a technology for collecting information on wireless communication terminals using a wireless communication technology.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the population density information collection system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the base station and radio | wireless communication terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows an example of operation | movement of the population density information collection system in embodiment of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows typically the data stored in the information storage means of a database apparatus. It is a sequence chart which shows another example of operation | movement of the population density information collection system in embodiment of this invention. In embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows a mode that the data provided to PC from the database apparatus are displayed on the display screen of PC, (a) is map data including the area designated by the user. A diagram schematically showing (b) is a diagram schematically showing map data including information related to base station placement (cell placement) in an area designated by the user, and (c) is a map data on the map data. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the population density information was superimposed and displayed on the display screen of PC.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D Base station 11, 21 Terminal confirmation signal control means 12 Database communication means 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D Cell (communication area)
20, 20A-1 to 20A-5, 20B-1 to 20B-4, 20C-1 to 20C-3, 20D-1 to 20D-8 Wireless communication terminal 22 Additional information setting means 30 Network 40 Database device 41 Base station communication Means 42 Data total analysis means 43 Interface means 44 Data processing means 45 Server means 46 Information storage means 50 PC
51 PHS terminal 52 PHS communication network

Claims (2)

A database capable of wireless communication between one or a plurality of wireless communication terminals and the wireless communication terminal, and communication between the one or a plurality of base stations having the wireless communication terminal and the base station Device, and a communication device capable of accessing the database device, and each of the base station, the database device, and the communication device is connected via a predetermined network. In addition, the population density information collection system collects population density information in the communication area based on the number of responses from the wireless communication terminals existing in the communication area covered by the base station,
The base station is
When receiving a transmission request from the database device, subordinate when the traffic volume of radio communication with the radio communication terminal is smaller than a predetermined traffic volume, or when a certain time has passed Means for transmitting a terminal confirmation signal to all the wireless communication terminals existing in
Means for transmitting information related to the response signal to the database device when a response signal of the terminal confirmation signal is received from the wireless communication terminal;
The wireless communication terminal is
Means for transmitting the response signal to the base station when the terminal confirmation signal is received from the base station;
The database device is
When the information related to the response signal is received from the base station, the aggregation processing based on the received information related to the response signal is performed, and the response signal that exists under the base station is transmitted. Tally processing means for generating the population density information based on the number of responses from the wireless communication terminal in a state capable of
Population density information storage means for storing the population density information generated by the aggregation processing means;
The communication area that covers the desired area when receiving a request for browsing the current population density information related to the desired area from the communication device that accesses the database device through the predetermined network. A terminal confirmation signal transmission request means for making a transmission request of the terminal confirmation signal to a base station;
The communication area that covers the desired area when receiving a browsing request for past population density information related to the desired area from the communication apparatus that accesses the database device through the predetermined network. Information reading means for reading out the population density information relating to the base station from the population density information storage means;
From the information related to the response signal received from the base station that has performed processing based on the transmission request by the terminal confirmation signal transmission request unit, the population density information generated by the aggregation processing unit, or the information reading Data processing means for processing the population density information read by the means;
A population density information collection system comprising: means for providing the communication device with the population density information processed by the data processing means. When the wireless communication terminal receives the terminal confirmation signal from two or more base stations at the same time or within a predetermined time, only one of the two or more base stations The population density information collecting system according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling to transmit the response signal.

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