JP3816858B2 - Information distribution method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multimedia terminal device that reproduces a plurality of types of media information recorded on a recording medium and provides a multimedia service, a multimedia based on a plurality of types of media information distributed via a predetermined network The present invention relates to a multimedia terminal device that provides a service, a display device applied to the multimedia terminal device, and a communication system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of small and portable electronic devices, various services using these devices are provided. Services provided so far include electronic publishing, schedule management, data management, and the like. In addition, these small and portable electronic devices (called terminals) are equipped with wireless communication functions, and handling of moving images, still images, voices, etc. due to remarkable improvements in processing capabilities accompanying advances in LSI technology, etc. In addition to recording media such as CD-ROMs, it is also possible to provide multimedia services via communication such as IOD (Information On Demand) and VOD (Video On Demand).
[0003]
A terminal capable of providing such a multimedia service is generally called a multimedia terminal device, has excellent processing capability, is small and portable, and is a medium for providing various services. The future is expected.
[0004]
By the way, it can be expected that there are many users who want to know how to improve, such as cooking, golf, tennis, swimming, knitting, fishing, go, and shogi. This is because TVs and radio programs that provide such methods and how to improve are actively broadcast, and many books and videotapes are sold and rented at bookstores and video shops. Can be easily guessed. However, since the provision by TV and radio programs is a one-way provision from the program producer to the user, it is not possible to answer the questions of each user, and it is shortened or omitted due to the broadcast time. There are many parts that are aired. In addition, the provision of books and videotapes is one-way, and there are various problems that cannot be explained in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0005]
The problem will be described with reference to an example of a dish that frequently performs a plurality of processes in parallel. For example, when making spaghetti, both (1) the work of boiling spaghetti and (2) the work of making sauce must be performed in parallel. Moreover, those tasks are completed at the same time, and delicious spaghetti cannot be made unless it is made with fresh spaghetti and sauce. However,
A: The time required for the work of (1) and (2) is different,
B: If attention is paid only to the work of (1), (2) is sparse and the source is burnt.
[0006]
With books and videotapes, it is not possible to explain how to cook in consideration of the problems A and B. Although it seems to be possible at first glance when using videotapes, the image information and the text information that displays the cooking time are not managed separately and output, so the time displayed when the tape is rewound Information becomes completely meaningless. Similarly, the audio to be careful not to burn the source is not output in time management, but is simply output in conjunction with the image, so it is appropriate advice to rewind the tape Can not.
[0007]
In addition, when trying to make multiple dishes, explanations using books and videotapes are becoming increasingly insufficient. This is because it is ideal to create multiple dishes at the same time as possible, but books and videotapes cannot be explained in consideration of making multiple dishes at the same time.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in order to popularize a small and portable multimedia terminal device, it is necessary to meet various needs of users.
[0009]
As described above, one of them is to provide a multimedia service that is comfortable and more convenient for the user.
[0010]
In order to provide an easy-to-understand multimedia service as described above, various output devices such as image information, text information (including time information), audio information, etc. and a time measuring device (timer) are independently provided as necessary. In addition to TV, radio, books, videotapes, etc., the management control function for operating these devices or operating some or all of these devices in a coordinated manner is essential. Such a multimedia terminal apparatus has not been provided with such a management control function. Therefore, there is a problem that a service that provides a user with an appropriate method, procedure, and advice cannot be provided.
[0011]
Second, since portable multimedia terminal devices need to use limited power efficiently, measures to reduce power consumption are indispensable. However, no appropriate power saving measures have been taken for the display device (display) of the multimedia terminal. For example, in most cases, the power is always on regardless of whether the user uses it. Some have a function called a screen saver that turns off the display only when the terminal is not allowed to be used for a certain period of time. However, the function called the screen saver is also performed on the entire screen.
[0012]
In this way, even when only a part of the screen is used without using the entire screen, the entire power must be turned on, including the unused part, and the power consumption is larger than necessary. There is a problem of becoming.
[0013]
Thirdly, it should not be an economic burden on the user who uses the multimedia terminal device. That is, particularly when receiving a large amount of media information necessary for providing a multimedia service via a network, while considering the limited resources (power consumption, storage capacity, etc.) of the multimedia terminal device, It is necessary to use network communication resources efficiently.
[0014]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia terminal device that can provide a multimedia service that is comfortable for the user and more convenient.
[0015]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can efficiently use network communication resources and limited resources (power, storage capacity, etc.) of multimedia terminal devices when providing multimedia services by communication. To do.
[0016]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a multimedia terminal device including a display device that can reduce power consumption.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) A communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including a server connected to a predetermined network and a terminal device that receives various information distributed from the server via the network. Information distributed to the terminal device is distributed over the network by dividing or distributing the information distributed to the terminal device according to at least one of the storage capacity and remaining battery capacity of the terminal device. Can be efficiently utilized network communication resources and limited resources (power, storage capacity, etc.) of terminal devices.
[0018]
(2) A terminal device according to the present invention is a terminal device that receives various types of information distributed from a server connected to a predetermined network, and at least of a usable storage capacity and a remaining battery level of the terminal device. By providing means for receiving the information distributed from the server in a batch or divided according to one, when distributing information over the network, the communication resources of the network and the terminal device are limited Resources (power, storage capacity, etc.) can be used efficiently.
[0019]
(3) A terminal device according to the present invention is a terminal device that receives various types of information distributed from a server connected to a predetermined network, and at least of a usable storage capacity and a remaining battery capacity of the terminal device. And a means for selecting desired information from a plurality of pieces of information provided from the server, and a means for receiving the selected information distributed from the server. When distributing information, network communication resources and limited resources (power, storage capacity, etc.) of terminal devices can be used efficiently.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
Here, the multimedia terminal device refers to code data (numerical values or characters), image data (for providing multimedia services via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or communication such as IOD or VOD). It processes various media information such as still images and moving images) and audio data.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a multimedia terminal apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]
In FIG. 1, a multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 1 includes an information processing unit 2, an image information output unit 3 for outputting image information, and a sound information output unit 4 for outputting sound information. , A time information output unit 5 for outputting time information, timers 6a and 6b for measuring time, a display 10, a speaker 11, and a management control unit 7 for controlling these components.
[0024]
Here, an example of the terminal 1 having two timers 6a and 6b has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or a plurality of timers may be appropriately used according to the multimedia service to be processed. .
[0025]
One of the control functions in the management control unit 7 is to coordinately control the information processing unit 2, the image information output unit 3, the sound information output unit 4, the time information output unit 5, and the timers 6a and 6b.
[0026]
Here, the cooperative control means that media information such as image information, character information, and voice information is output in time synchronization so as to be convenient for the user. When the discrepancy occurs, it means control for adjusting the output timing of all or part of the media information in accordance with this time lag. In addition, timer control for adjusting output timing is included in the cooperative control.
[0027]
Pictures, characters, and the like output from the image information output unit 3 are displayed on the display 10 (see FIG. 2) provided in the terminal 1.
[0028]
The sound information output from the sound information output unit 4 is output via a speaker 11 (see FIG. 2) provided in the terminal 1.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, the image information output unit 3, the sound information output unit 4, and the time information output unit 5 are illustrated separately. However, when the time information is reported as an image, the image information output unit 3 and the time information are not necessarily displayed. There is no need to separate the output unit 5. The same applies when the time information is notified by sound.
[0030]
Next, operations (mainly cooperative control operations of the above-described units) when providing multimedia services by the multimedia terminal 1 having such a configuration will be described.
[0031]
Here, as a specific example of the multimedia service, a cooking guide (for example, spaghetti peperoncini) that is made while watching will be described as an example.
[0032]
Information for the cooking guide is recorded in advance on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and the information processing unit 2 reads the information, performs predetermined information processing, and appropriately manages information necessary for cooperative control. Send to 7.
[0033]
Based on the information sent from the information processing unit 2, the management control unit 7 performs control so that each piece of media information is cooperatively output from each output unit.
[0034]
Any method for providing information to the terminal 1 may be used.
[0035]
First, the user inputs the amount of cooking, taste preference, etc., to the terminal 1 via the user interface provided in the information processing unit 2, for example, and performs initial settings (hereinafter, four standard peperoncini people). About minutes).
[0036]
The management control unit 7 controls the image information output unit 3 and the sound information output unit 4, and as shown in FIG. 2, 400g of pasta, 8 pieces of garlic, 8 pieces of pepper, olive oil 60cc, salt / pepper appropriate amount, Instruct them to prepare a 4 liter pot and a 30 cm class frying pan with pictures, letters, and sounds. At this time, pictures, characters, and sounds are displayed in cooperation with each other.
[0037]
Hereinafter, similarly, various instructions are displayed by pictures and characters through the image information output unit 3, sounds through the sound information output unit 4, and the like.
[0038]
Next, it asks whether there is a change in the thickness, material, cooking utensils, etc. of the pasta through pictures, letters, sounds, etc. The user inputs the thickness of the pasta, and inputs any changes in ingredients and cooking utensils. For example, if you are not good at garlic, you can input to the terminal to reduce the amount of garlic, or if you cannot prepare a 3-4 liter pan, enter the size of the pan that the user can prepare.
[0039]
The information processing unit 2 confirms whether or not the cooking procedure and time have been changed due to changes in ingredients and cooking utensils. If there is a change, the cooking method corresponding to the change is appropriately based on the recorded contents of the CD-ROM. To guide. This is because even if the pot size is changed, the time required to boil the water changes, which may change other cooking procedures.
[0040]
Instruct them to put water in a pan and set it on high heat. At this time, since coordinated control with time is necessary, the information processing unit 2 calculates the time until the water boils, notifies the management control unit 7 of the time, and starts the timer 6a.
[0041]
Remove the garlic and instruct it to crush it with the knife's belly (how to crush the garlic).
[0042]
If it can be determined from the value of the timer 6a that the water has boiled, under the control of the management control unit 7, when the water has boiled, an instruction is given to fill the spoon with salt when the water has boiled ( When putting pasta, twist the bunch of pasta and put it in hot water so that the pasta does not get stuck while it is boiled.
[0043]
When the user inputs that the pasta is put in the pan, the management control unit 7 similarly restarts the timer 6a in accordance with the boiled time of the pasta. Since the boiled time of pasta is especially important, the time information output unit 5 is used to always display the elapsed time.
[0044]
The information processing unit 2 performs a reverse calculation of the time for which the frying pan is set on fire from the scheduled time when it is raised with hot water of pasta. When the time is right, instruct the frying pan to light. When the frying pan gets hot, instruct them to add all the oil oil. When the olive oil feels dull, instruct them to add crushed garlic. Moreover, after putting garlic, another timer 6b is started.
[0045]
Based on the elapsed time of the timer 6b, when the garlic comes out, an instruction is given to add 8 pieces of garlic (showing how the garlic comes out).
[0046]
Instruct the garlic and red pepper to fry until they are slightly burnt (displays slightly burnt color).
[0047]
In addition, referring to the elapsed time of the timer 6a, an instruction is given to stir occasionally so that pasta does not stick, and an instruction is given to be careful not to burn garlic and pepper.
[0048]
If there is a request from the user, the garlic and red pepper in a slightly burnt state are displayed as many times as necessary. In this case, the time information output unit 5 operates independently of the image information output unit 3 and the sound information output unit 4. That is, even when the same screen is repeatedly displayed, the time information output unit 5 displays the elapsed time of the timer 6a independently (see FIG. 3). This operation is effective in the following cases. For example, the image information output unit 3 that is activated when the garlic fails to be fried and re-fry again needs to operate independently for the time information output unit 5 that is activated to manage the time to boil the pasta. Because there is. Moreover, it may be necessary to delay the time of the next cooking with such restart. For example, if you can't really feel the olive oil dry, the time to start frying garlic must be delayed. The management control unit 7 responds using a timer.
[0049]
Next, prepare four dishes and instruct them to warm the dishes.
[0050]
Eight minutes after issuing an instruction to put in pasta (the management control unit 7 determines based on the value of the timer 6a), an instruction to check the boiled state of the pasta is issued. For example, a pasta is picked up with chopsticks, and a moving image is displayed together with the degree of deflection when heated up with hot water, indicating that the degree of deflection can be adjusted with hot water. Based on the moving image, the user inputs the rising state with hot water of pasta.
[0051]
Instruct them to place the pasta in hot water immediately in a frying pan with garlic, pepper and olive oil.
[0052]
In addition, instruct the ladle to put the juice in a frying pan with 2 cups (300 cc) of pasta hot water.
[0053]
Pour half salted pepper and pepper and instruct the pasta to entangle olive oil quickly. Instruct them to put out the fire and put it on the plate.
[0054]
As described above, in the first embodiment, media information such as an image, a code (character), and a sound read from the recording medium by the information processing unit 2 are respectively converted into the image information output unit 3 and the sound information output unit. 4 when necessary, the management control unit 7 performs coordinated control of all or one of these and the timers 6a and 6b that measure time as necessary, so that it is comfortable and more convenient for the user. It is possible to provide a good multimedia service.
[0055]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the multimedia terminal device plays multimedia information recorded on the recording medium and provides the multimedia service has been described. Here, the multimedia terminal device is a predetermined network. A case will be described in which a multimedia service is provided by performing communication through the network.
[0056]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a usage pattern of the multimedia terminal device according to the second embodiment. Here, a communication system when the multimedia terminal device 1 performs wireless communication is shown. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 1 further includes a transmission / reception unit 501 and an antenna for transmitting / receiving a radio signal to / from a predetermined radio base station. 502 is provided. Other parts are the same as those in FIG.
[0057]
In FIG. 4, a plurality of (for example, two in FIG. 4) wireless base stations 200 and servers 300 are connected to the network 100 so that they can communicate with each other.
[0058]
Each radio base station 200 is connected to the network 100 in response to a call from the terminal 1 belonging to the service area 400 formed by the radio base station 200 or an incoming call from another radio terminal or the like to the terminal 1. Under the call setting control by a control database (not shown), the terminal 1 is provided with a two-way radio channel, and the terminal 1 is connected to the network 100.
[0059]
A terminal 1 connected to the network 100 via a wireless channel provided from the wireless base station 200 communicates with a server 300 or another wireless terminal that is also connected to the network 100.
[0060]
The server 300 receives desired multimedia information (voice, image, data, etc.) in response to a request from the network 100, the terminal 1 connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the wireless base station 200, and other wireless terminals. ).
[0061]
Under such a usage pattern, the user can use the terminal 1 to receive, for example, information related to a required cooking procedure from the server 300 connected to the network 100 via the wireless base station 200. It becomes possible.
[0062]
For example, when actually cooking in the kitchen, the terminal 1 is brought into the kitchen, and cooking is performed while looking at the display provided in the terminal 1. If the user does not need to be in the kitchen, such as laying down the material, but only needs time management, the user may bring the terminal 1 to the living room or the like. Since the terminal 1 notifies the time information with sound or the like when necessary, the user can immerse himself / herself in work or hobbies with peace of mind. Of course, you may enjoy playing a game etc. using the terminal 1.
[0063]
When the terminal 1 finishes laying down the material, the terminal 1 notifies the user by sound or image. This is also a function of the management control unit 7. Further, the change of the cooking procedure accompanying the change of the ingredients and the like can be performed by the server 300 instead of the information processing unit 2 of the terminal 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the terminal 1 with the high-performance information processing unit 2, and the price of the terminal can be reduced. In particular, when providing a procedure for preparing a plurality of dishes at the same time, the server 300 can be used for complicated information processing instead of the information processing unit 2 in the terminal 1, which is effective.
[0064]
In addition, the information transmitted from the terminal 1 is a signal for selecting a dish or a small amount of information such as a change in ingredients / cooking tools, while the signal received by the terminal 1 is a large amount of information such as moving image information. It is. Therefore, as the radio channel, radio circuits having different transmission rates for the uplink channel (terminal 1 to radio base station 200) and the downlink channel (radio base station 200 to terminal 1) described in Japanese Patent Application No. H07-176791 are particularly suitable. Yes.
[0065]
Since the operation of the terminal 1 is the same as the description of the first embodiment (the description of the operation based on the cooking guide or the like), the duplicate description is omitted.
[0066]
By the way, when the terminal 1 is used to receive the multimedia service via the wireless communication as described above, the terminal 1 must receive a large amount of information.
[0067]
If the terminal 1 has a storage device having a sufficient capacity, a large amount of information can be received in a batch. In this case, the terminal 1 provides a service as shown in the first embodiment.
[0068]
On the other hand, when the terminal 1 does not have a sufficient storage device, the server 300 divides necessary information via the radio base station 200 and delivers it to the terminal 1. For example, the material and the processing procedure necessary for preparation are delivered first, and the next processing procedure is delivered at a time when the preparation is likely to end.
[0069]
However, in this case, effective utilization of radio resources and service prices are problems. For example, to cook the spaghetti peperoncini described above requires at least 10 minutes. In addition, for stewed dishes such as stew, many hours of cooking time are required. If the communication line between the terminal 1 and the radio base station 200 is extended all the time during cooking, the necessary communication fee is not cheap even though the rate has been reduced in recent years. . Further, since information is not always delivered during this period, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of effective use of frequency and low power consumption of the terminal.
[0070]
Therefore, it is advantageous to extend the communication line continuously while providing the service, although there is an advantage that the control is easy, but only when the communication fee is negligible and sufficient radio resources can be considered. It is not an effective method for both users and service providers. Of course, if the service provision time is very short, it can be considered that the communication fee is low and the radio resources are sufficient, so that it is effective to keep the communication line from the merit that the control is easy.
[0071]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a case where a communication line between the multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 1 and the radio base station 200 is extended only when necessary will be described. Here, only the wireless communication system having the configuration shown in FIG. 6 (described in Japanese Patent Application No. H07-176791) will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this system.
[0072]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a usage pattern of the multimedia terminal device according to the third embodiment.
[0073]
6, at least one narrowband radio base station 210, wideband radio base station 220, and server 300 are connected to the network 100 so that they can communicate with each other.
[0074]
The narrowband radio base station 210 transmits and receives radio signals to and from the terminal 1 in the service area 211 via a narrowband radio channel that is bidirectional in both directions.
[0075]
The broadband radio base station 220 transmits radio signals to the terminals 1 in the service area 221 via the downlink broadband radio channel.
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 1 further includes a narrowband transmission / reception unit 510, an antenna 511, and a wideband wireless channel for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from the narrowband wireless base station 210 via the narrowband wireless channel. A broadband receiving unit 512 and an antenna 513 for receiving a radio signal from the broadband wireless base station via the network are provided. Other parts are the same as those in FIG.
[0077]
Each of the radio base stations 210 and 220 uses a control database (not shown) connected to the network 100 in response to an outgoing call from the terminal 1 or an incoming call from another radio terminal or the like to the terminal 1. Under the call setting control, the terminal 1 is provided with an asymmetrical upper and lower wireless channel, and the terminal 1 is connected to the network 100.
[0078]
The terminal 1 connected to the network 100 via the wireless channels provided from the wireless base stations 210 and 220 communicates with the server 300 and other wireless terminals that are also connected to the network 100.
[0079]
The server 300 provides the desired multimedia information (voice, image, data, etc.) in response to a request from the terminal 1 or the like connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network 100 and the wireless base stations 210 and 220. To do. The information provided from the server 300 has a relatively large capacity and is transmitted to the terminal 1 via a broadband wireless channel.
[0080]
The broadband wireless channel is a high-speed wireless channel having a wider bandwidth than the narrow-band wireless channel.
[0081]
Under such a usage pattern, the user can use the terminal 1 to, for example, a server connected to the network 100 via the broadband wireless base station 220, for example, information on the required cooking procedure. It is possible to receive from 300.
[0082]
Next, as an example of the multimedia service, the operation of the terminal 1 will be described by taking as an example the case of providing a cooking guide that is made while watching as described above.
[0083]
In particular, here, communication between the terminal 1 and the narrowband radio base station 210 is assumed to be RCR STD 28 (PHS: Personal Handy-phone System).
[0084]
A large amount of information necessary for the cooking guide is delivered to the terminal 1 via a broadband wireless base station 220 capable of high-speed transmission, and a narrowband wireless channel (PHS) is used to control information transmission through the broadband wireless channel. Used as a channel. Specifically, only when performing information transmission via the broadband wireless base station 220, a broadband wireless channel is allocated to the terminal 1 using PHS ("Wireless communication system and its transmission control procedure" (Japanese Patent Application No. 8- No. 9531) and “Radio communication system and power supply control method thereof” (see Japanese Patent Application No. H7-235845).
[0085]
As a result, it is possible to eliminate useless use of a wideband wireless channel that is usually more expensive and consumes more power than a narrowband wireless channel. However, although it is relatively inexpensive, using a PHS line for a long time is not a preferable method.
[0086]
Therefore, a method of using the PHS line in a burst manner will be described. There are two methods of using PHS in a burst manner, a method using circuit switching and a method using packet switching. Here, only a method using circuit switching will be described.
[0087]
There are cases where the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 determines whether to use a line in a burst manner or a user.
[0088]
When the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 determines, the determination is made according to the amount of information to be delivered, the service time of the service provided to the terminal 1, and the like. For example, the terminal 1 notifies the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 of the usable storage capacity of the storage device of the terminal 1 as an initial setting when receiving the service. If the notified storage capacity is greater than the storage capacity sufficient to provide the service, the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 delivers information at a time.
[0089]
In addition, the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 checks the service time of the service to be provided, and determines that the PHS line is continuously used if the service time is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time. If it is longer than a predetermined time, it is determined to use the PHS line intermittently.
[0090]
That is, for example, for a cooking method such as a ham egg cooking time of several minutes, the PHS line is continuously extended, and for a dish such as stew where cooking time is several hours, the PHS line is intermittently connected. Tighten. Of course, a determination method combining both the amount of information to be delivered and the service time may be used, or a determination method including at least one of the information amount to be delivered and the service time may be used. However, even if the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 determines the line usage method in this way, it is assumed that the user confirms whether or not the user accepts the selection result. It has a user interface for performing the confirmation.
[0091]
On the other hand, when the user selects whether to use the PHS line in a burst manner, the server 300 or the broadband wireless base station 220 uses at least one of the information amount and the service time to be delivered as the initial setting information to the terminal. 1, the user decides how to use the PHS line based on at least one of the notified information, the usable storage capacity of the storage device included in the terminal 1, and the remaining battery level of the terminal 1. To do. For this purpose, the terminal 1 includes a user interface for selecting a wireless channel connection method.
[0092]
As the line usage method, the service providing method when the PHS line is continuously extended and all the remaining information is received at once is as described above. Therefore, in the following, the PHS line is intermittently extended and the remaining information is divided. A service providing method in the case of reception is described. In particular, reconnection of PHS lines, which is indispensable for providing intermittent services, will be described. The reconnection method in this case is roughly divided into the following two types. (A) A case where a reconnection procedure is taken from the terminal 1, and (B) a case where a reconnection procedure is taken from the server 300 or the narrowband radio base station 210.
[0093]
First, the case of (A) will be described. For example, after delivering information on ingredients necessary for cooking, the broadband and narrowband wireless channels are disconnected.
[0094]
The terminal 1 receives this distributed information via the broadband wireless channel and broadband receiver 512, and under the cooperative control of the management controller 7, as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. A character or the like is displayed on the display 10, and if there is sound information, it is output via the speaker 11.
[0095]
The user prepares the designated material based on this. Then, after preparing the ingredients, the user requests the next instruction (for example, pressing a “cooking method” button as shown in FIG. 8). Upon detecting this, the information processing unit 2 of the terminal 1 transmits a narrowband wireless channel allocation request to the network 100 via the narrowband transmission / reception unit 510 under the control of the management control unit 7, and performs channel allocation. After receiving it, it receives assignment of a broadband wireless channel, and receives necessary information via the broadband wireless channel. The information transmitted at this time is information regarding the next instruction. Therefore, these pieces of information have an identification number for identifying the service, and the service identification number is added to the instruction request from the terminal 1. Server 300 or broadband wireless base station 220 delivers the requested service information based on the service identification number.
[0096]
Further, when the capacity of the storage device provided in the terminal 1 is very small, it is not possible to store all the information transmitted from the broadband wireless base station 220. Therefore, old information must be deleted during the service. Even when the erased information is required again, the request signal as described above is transmitted (a service identification number is added), and the necessary information is received. For example, when you are making spaghetti peperoncini and boiled spaghetti, you failed to fry garlic and received another explanation of how to fry garlic. At this time, time management is important, but since it has already been described, redundant description is omitted.
[0097]
Next, the case of (B) will be described. For example, after a part of information on the cooking procedure is delivered, the line between the broadband wireless channel and the narrowband wireless channel is disconnected. As described above, the user cooks according to the procedure displayed on the terminal 1. At this time, for example, when cooking “baked rice noodles”, it is necessary to put the rice noodles in plenty of lukewarm water (40 ° = the temperature of hot water in a bath). Time is needed. Therefore, the server 300 or the broadband radio base station 220 calls the terminal 1 via the narrowband radio base station 210 after the time necessary for such preparation, and allocates a narrowband radio channel. Do. Next, broadband wireless channels are allocated and the next necessary procedure is delivered via the broadband wireless channels. However, when the narrowband radio base station 210 calls (receives) the terminal 1, it is preferable that the terminal 1 automatically receives without ringing a ringing tone like a normal incoming call.
[0098]
Further, when trying to perform the above (A) and (B), it is conceivable that the PHS channel is not allocated because the PHS line is congested and information cannot be received at a desired time. Similarly, it is conceivable that a broadband wireless channel cannot be allocated. As a countermeasure, the following method is used.
[0099]
For example, in the case of cooking, as described in (B), the time for the next operation is roughly determined. Therefore, after the server 300 or the narrowband wireless base station 210 and the broadband wireless base station 220 reserve the narrowband wireless channel and the broadband wireless channel for the next information delivery and notify the terminal 1 of the reservation contents. Disconnect the broadband wireless channel and the narrowband wireless channel. That is, the narrowband wireless base station 210 and the broadband wireless base station 220 or the server 300 recognize the time and wireless channel for delivering information to the terminal 1 next, and similarly, the terminal 1 also receives information next. Recognize delivery time and channel.
[0100]
When the reconnection process is performed according to the above conditions (A) and (B) in such a state, the next cooking can be started immediately. The reserved time and channel may be recognized by each of the narrowband radio base station 210 and the broadband radio base station 220, or may be recognized by the server 300, and the narrowband radio base station 210 A configuration may be adopted in which both broadband wireless base stations 220 are instructed to deliver information.
[0101]
A detailed description of the case where the PHS channel is handled in a packet switching manner is omitted, but at least the terminal 1 has a user interface for changing a channel once established by circuit switching to a packet switching channel. .
[0102]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, as a fourth embodiment, an operation of the multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 1 will be described taking a multimedia service other than cooking as an example. That is, here, taking electronic publishing as an example, the operation when the terminal 1 is used in the usage pattern shown in FIG. 4, for example, will be briefly described. Note that the configuration of the terminal 1 is, for example, the same as that shown in FIG. 5 and the main operation is the same as described above, so that other characteristic parts will be described here.
[0103]
The terminal 1 accesses the server 300 that provides information via the radio base station 200 and performs call setting. Next, multimedia information relating to a publication list or the like is received from the server 300 and output to a display or the like (see FIG. 9A).
[0104]
The user selects, for example, a newspaper item from the list. Next, the newspaper that the user wants to read is selected from the newspaper items (see FIG. 9B). For example, assume that “AB newspaper” is selected. Then, the server 300 first downloads information necessary for downloading the AB newspaper to the terminal 1. For example, information on storage capacity is downloaded. However, it cannot be received unless the storage capacity of the storage device of the terminal 1 is sufficient to download the AB newspaper. Also, even if there is sufficient storage capacity, if the remaining battery level is low, even if the download is made, the battery may run out during the download, and all may not be received. However, if the article desired by the user is only an article relating to the stock price of the AB newspaper, it is not necessary to download everything, and only the necessary information portion may be downloaded.
[0105]
The terminal 1 of the present invention includes, for example, the user interface shown in FIG. Here, for example, when “Society” is selected, the remaining memory capacity is displayed as 11 Mbit (= 40 Mbit−29 Mbit), and the necessary fee at that time is displayed (assuming weight charging). The user confirms the displayed fee, and if that is OK, presses the “Approve” button. Thereafter, the selected information is transmitted from the server 300 to the terminal 1.
[0106]
On the other hand, the terminal 1 or the server 300 determines from the information amount of the selected information whether the terminal 1 has a sufficient remaining battery charge for receiving it. Specifically, when the terminal 1 determines, the server 300 notifies the terminal 1 of the time required to transmit the information from the information amount of the selected information. Receiving this, the terminal 1 calculates a receivable time from its own battery level, and compares it with the information obtained from the server 300 for determination. The determination result is informed to the user in an easy-to-understand manner using the user interface.
[0107]
Further, when the server 300 determines, the terminal 1 calculates the receivable time of the own terminal from the remaining battery level of the own terminal and notifies the server 300 of it. Receiving it, the server 300 calculates the time required to transmit the information from the information amount of the selected information, compares it with the information obtained from the terminal 1, and notifies the terminal 1 of the determination result. . The terminal 1 notifies the user of the notified determination result in an easy-to-understand manner using the user interface.
[0108]
Accordingly, since the user can confirm whether or not there is a sufficient battery for receiving desired information before starting the service, the battery runs out during the service and the service is not interrupted.
[0109]
As described above, when there is not enough storage capacity or there is not enough battery power, only necessary information can be downloaded, so that the user can comfortably receive the electronic publishing service. In addition, while downloading information, the service is not interrupted due to insufficient storage capacity or insufficient battery.
[0110]
As described above, when a multimedia service is provided through communication, a vertically asymmetric wireless communication system as shown in FIG. 6 is considered in consideration of the amount of multimedia information downloaded to the multimedia terminal device 1. Is particularly suitable.
[0111]
(Fifth embodiment)
By the way, when providing a multimedia service that is comfortable and more convenient for the user, it is necessary to consider the display method of the multimedia information obtained through the recording medium and communication as described above.
[0112]
For example, if you want to take your own golf swing with a video camera and want to check the swing, or if you want to shoot your own swing, you want to shoot on a vertically long screen, but a normal camera is basically landscape. Therefore, the user takes a picture by tilting the camera by 90 degrees. When the recorded image is taken home and reproduced on a home television, there is a problem that the image is tilted by 90 degrees and is very difficult to see.
[0113]
Next, as a fifth embodiment, a multimedia terminal apparatus further provided with a function for solving such problems will be described.
[0114]
FIG. 10 schematically shows the appearance of a multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal) 1 according to the fifth embodiment.
[0115]
In FIG. 10, the terminal 1 includes an image information input unit 601 mainly composed of a lens and the like, and a display (monitor screen) 10 that can display an image captured by the image information input unit 601 as it is. .
[0116]
When recording a swing such as golf, there is generally a demand for recording in portrait orientation as shown in FIG. 11 (b) rather than recording in landscape orientation as shown in FIG. 11 (a).
[0117]
As shown in FIG. 11A, after the terminal 1 is imaged in a state rotated 90 degrees from the normal direction, the terminal 1 is played back on a general household television 606 via a predetermined connection cable 605. When viewed, the image itself is rotated by 90 degrees, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the television 606 cannot be easily changed. Therefore, the video is very difficult to see as shown in FIG.
[0118]
In such a case, the terminal 1 is provided with an image information conversion unit 603 as shown in FIG. 12, and first, the image input (captured) by the image information input unit 601 is rotated 90 degrees vertically and horizontally. After that, input is made to the television 606 via the external interface unit 604 connection cable 605.
[0119]
In addition, the image information conversion unit 603 has a function that allows the user to select which direction to rotate 90 degrees. Thus, the user can comfortably view the vertically captured video on the conventional television 606 (see FIG. 13).
[0120]
(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a display function as a countermeasure for reducing power consumption of a portable multimedia terminal device will be described based on a specific example.
[0121]
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the display device provided in the multimedia terminal device 1 according to the present invention mainly includes a display 10 capable of setting a plurality of work areas, and a plurality of (for example, 2 in FIG. 1). ) Timers 6a and 6b, and a management control unit 7 that performs these cooperative controls. Each timer starts measurement when there is no input to each work area. The work area refers to both a work area generally called a window and a work area other than the window.
[0122]
As shown in FIG. 14, a case where a work is performed in a work area 821 of the window 801 displayed on the display 10 of the multimedia terminal device (hereinafter simply referred to as terminal) 1 and the display 10 in which no window is opened is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown.
[0123]
It is assumed that the mouse cursor 811 is moved from the work area 821 other than the window 801 to the window 811 and work using the window 811 is started. At this time, the work area 821 is regarded as work interruption (step S1), and a timer provided in the display 10 is started (step S3). Thereby, the work interruption time in the work area 821 can be measured. This measurement time is, for example,
・ Turn off the display.
[0124]
・ Reduce the brightness of the display.
[0125]
And so on (that is, control for switching from the normal mode in which work can be performed on the work area to the power saving mode) can be used as an effective parameter, and thus the power consumption of the terminal can be reduced.
[0126]
Next, the operation of the display 10 will be described based on another specific example.
[0127]
As shown in FIG. 16, a case will be described in which work is performed in a window 801 and a window 802 displayed on the display 10 of the terminal 1 and a work area 821 of the display 10 in which no window is opened.
[0128]
For example, it is assumed that the user starts to write a patent specification in the window 801 after reading an e-mail in the window 802. At this time, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the window 802 is regarded as a work interruption (step S1), and a timer is started (step S3). When the predetermined time elapses (step S4), the window 802 is turned off as shown in FIG. 18 (step S5). From this state, for example, when the mouse cursor 811 is moved into the area of the window 802, it is determined that the work on the window 802 has started (step S6), and the power of the window 802 is turned on again (step S6). Step S7).
[0129]
In this way, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the display device 10 and thus the terminal 1 as a whole.
[0130]
As in the case of the work area other than the window, when it is considered that the work has not been performed for a predetermined time or more, the power of the area part of the display may be turned off.
[0131]
In the above description, for each window, the interruption of work on the window is detected and control such as power on / off is performed.
[0132]
Next, a case will be described in which the display 10 includes a plurality of sub-displays, and the display power is managed in units of the sub-displays.
[0133]
For example, it is assumed that the timer has elapsed for a predetermined time in step S4 from the state in which the windows 801 and 802 are opened on the display 10 as shown in FIG. 16 according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. Then, the power of the sub-display including the area of the window 802 (for example, a sub-display portion other than the sub-display including the working window 801) is turned off.
[0134]
This is shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, each portion shown on the display 10 divided by a dotted line is a sub-display. The sub-display whose power is turned off is indicated by hatching in FIG.
[0135]
In FIG. 19, when the sub display including the window 802 in the work stop state displays the window 801 being worked, the power of the sub display is not turned off.
[0136]
In this way, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the display device 10 and thus the terminal 1 as a whole.
[0137]
In the above description, the control for switching from the normal mode to the power saving mode has been described by taking as an example the case where the power of the corresponding part of the display is turned off. However, the control is performed so as to reduce the luminance of the corresponding part of the display. Is the same as described above.
[0138]
(Seventh embodiment)
In recent years, wide-screen televisions having a horizontal to vertical ratio of 16: 9 have been rapidly spread. As a result, 16: 9 video cameras are expected to spread. Hereinafter, it will be referred to as a wide video camera. In this wide video camera, the problem described in the fifth embodiment becomes significant. That is, depending on the display direction of the image, it may be very difficult to see.
[0139]
The present invention can cope with such a case and can comfortably view the video. That is, when recording a swing such as golf as described above on the terminal 1 having a wide video camera as the image information input unit 601 in FIG. Then, a margin part is generated on the side of the television screen. For example, in the case of a 16: 9 wide TV, as shown in FIG. 20A, the margin is about twice as large as the required image information portion.
[0140]
The multimedia terminal device 1 of the present invention has a function of controlling such a blank portion of an image so that a plurality of screens are displayed and effectively used. For example, in the case of a golf progress method providing service, as shown in FIG. 20B, the screen of the wide TV 607 is vertically divided into three, one image serving as a model and one prior to user guidance. 3 videos, such as a video after the user's guidance, are simultaneously reproduced and displayed separately on each screen.
[0141]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the management control unit 7 controls the information processing unit 2, the image information output unit 3, the sound information output unit 4, the time information output unit 5, and the timer 6 to coordinate these three. Two images are displayed synchronously.
[0142]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal device capable of providing a multimedia service that is comfortable for the user and more convenient.
[0143]
Further, when providing multimedia services by communication, it is possible to provide a communication system that can efficiently use communication resources of the network and limited resources (power, storage capacity, etc.) of the terminal device.
[0144]
Furthermore, a terminal device including a display device that can reduce power consumption can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a multimedia terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows how the sound information output unit and the image information output unit of the multimedia terminal apparatus output respective media information (sound, image, code, etc.) via the display and speakers under the cooperative control of the management control unit. The figure for demonstrating based on a specific example.
FIG. 3 shows the sound information output unit, the image information output unit, and the time information output unit of the multimedia terminal device through respective displays and speakers through the cooperative control of the management control unit. Is a diagram for explaining a state in which the sound information is output based on a specific example, and in particular, an example in which the time information output unit operates independently of the image information output unit and the sound information output unit is illustrated.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a usage pattern of a multimedia terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of the overall configuration of a communication system when the multimedia terminal device performs wireless communication. Figure.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the multimedia terminal device of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows an example of a usage pattern of a multimedia terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of the overall configuration of another communication system when the multimedia terminal device performs wireless communication. The figure shown.
7 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the multimedia terminal device of FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 8 shows how the sound information output unit and the image information output unit of the multimedia terminal apparatus output respective media information (sound, image, code, etc.) via the display and speakers under the cooperative control of the management control unit. The figure for demonstrating based on a specific example.
FIG. 9 shows an example of providing a multimedia service called electronic publishing via a multimedia terminal device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and uses the resources (storage capacity, power) of the multimedia terminal device. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement for using efficiently, and especially the example of a display of the display of a multimedia terminal device is shown.
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an appearance of a multimedia terminal device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a problem in displaying an image.
12 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the multimedia terminal device of FIG. 10;
13 is a diagram showing an example of a usage pattern of the multimedia terminal device of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining functions of a display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which a working window in a work area on a display provided in the multimedia terminal device and opening of the window; A screen display example of a non-working area is shown.
15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the display device from the state shown in FIG. 14 until the timer is started.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining functions of a display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which two windows are opened in a work area on a display provided in the multimedia terminal device; The example of a screen display is shown.
FIG. 17 shows that a work interruption on one window is detected from the state shown in FIG. 16, the work area including the window is switched from the normal mode to the power saving mode, and then the start of the work is detected to start from the power saving mode. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement switched to normal mode.
18 is a diagram showing a screen display example of the display when the work area including one of the windows shown in FIG. 16 is switched to the power saving mode (power is turned off).
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the display device when the display is composed of a plurality of sub-displays and the power source of the display is managed in units of the sub-displays.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the function of a display device provided in a multimedia terminal device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, that is, a display method in the case of displaying an image connected to a wide TV, for example. Figure.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multimedia terminal device, 2 ... Information processing part, 3 ... Image information output part, 4 ... Sound information output part, 5 ... Time information output part, 6a, 6b ... Timer, 7 ... Management control part, 10 ... Display, 11 speakers 100 100 network 200 wireless base station 210 narrowband wireless base station 220 broadband wireless base station 300 server 501 transmission / reception unit 502 antenna antenna 510 narrowband transmission unit 512 ... Broadband receiving unit, 601... Image information input unit, 603... Image information conversion unit, 604... External interface unit, 801 and 802.

Claims (4)

  An information distribution method in a communication system including a terminal device and a server that distributes an information group including a plurality of pieces of information to the terminal device,
  A first step of notifying an item name and an information amount corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of information from the server to the terminal device;
  The terminal device displays a user interface screen for selecting an item name of information having an amount of information within the storage capacity available for the terminal device from among the item names notified from the server device. Two steps,
  A third step of notifying an item name of information selected from the user interface from the terminal device to the server;
  A fourth step of notifying a time required to transmit the selected information from the server to the terminal device;
  A fifth step in which the terminal device calculates a receivable time from a remaining battery level of the terminal device;
  A sixth step in which the terminal device displays a comparison result between the time calculated in the fifth step and the time notified in the fourth step;
  After the terminal device displays the comparison result, when the user of the terminal device is instructed to download the selected information, the terminal device requests the server to download the selected information. 7 steps,
  An eighth step in which the server downloads information requested from the terminal device to the terminal device;
  An information distribution method characterized by comprising:   An information distribution method in a communication system including a terminal device and a server that distributes an information group including a plurality of pieces of information to the terminal device,
  A first step of notifying an item name and an information amount corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of information from the server to the terminal device;
  The terminal device displays a user interface screen for selecting an item name of information having an amount of information within the storage capacity available for the terminal device from among the item names notified from the server device. Two steps,
  A third step of notifying an item name of information selected from the user interface from the terminal device to the server;
  A fourth step in which the terminal device calculates a receivable time from the remaining battery level of the terminal device;
  A fifth step of notifying the time calculated in the fourth step from the terminal device to the server;
  A sixth step for the server to calculate the time required to transmit the selected information;
  A seventh step of notifying the terminal device of the comparison result between the time calculated in the sixth step and the time notified in the fifth step;
  After the terminal device displays the comparison result, when the user of the terminal device is instructed to download the selected information, the terminal device requests the server to download the selected information. 8 steps,
  A ninth step in which the server downloads information requested from the terminal device to the terminal device;
  An information distribution method characterized by comprising:   The information requested in the seventh step is the terminal device in which the amount of information is within the storage capacity of the terminal device among the plurality of pieces of information and is calculated from the remaining battery capacity of the terminal device The information distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the information is receivable within a receivable time.   The information requested in the eighth step can be received by the terminal device whose amount of information is within the storage capacity of the terminal device and calculated from the remaining battery capacity of the terminal device among the plurality of information. 3. The information distribution method according to claim 2, wherein the information is receivable within a short time.

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