Patent Publication Number: US-2004058644-A1

Title: Relay device, information transmission device, and information transmission method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a relay device, an information transmission device, and an information transmission method.  
       [0003] 2. Related Background Art  
       [0004] Distribution of services (information distribution) provided through a network can be classified into two types, that is, a pull type and a push type. The service distribution of the pull type is a distribution method by which a user requests information through web browsing, file downloading or the like (for example, see Non-patent Literature 1). On the other hand, the service distribution of the push type is a distribution method by which a user passively receive information through mail distribution or the like (for example, see Non-patent Literature 1). Because of such a difference in the information distribution methods, a network to provide information mast be previously established in the case of service distribution of the pull type, while a network to provide information is not necessarily previously established in the case of service distribution of the push type. [Non-Patent Literature 1] 
       [0005] Satoshi Yamato, “What is push type information distribution?: FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF TERMS FOR MOBILE DEVICES, No. 79,” at http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/keyword/0,,8083,00.html, Feb. 5, 2002, (retrieved on Sep. 12, 2002).  
       [0006] In case of the push type service distribution, since the network to provide information is not necessarily previously established, information provision may not be successful when an information provider distributes information, because the network cannot be established for some reason. Two methods have been employed to deal with this problem of information distribution failure.  
       [0007] The first method of push type service distribution may be used when a client terminal used by the user periodically connects to a network to request information from the information provider (a service provider), thus substantially employing a method of the pull type service distribution. The second method is for the service provider provides information repeatedly until the information reaches the client terminal, which means the push type service distribution mast be done continuously.  
       [0008] In the case of the first method, the client terminals need to periodically transmit confirmation messages to the service provider to inquire whether there are undelivered services. Transmitting such confirmation messages increases the users&#39; communication costs, and at the same time becomes a load on the network band. Moreover, the service provider needs to deal with the confirmation messages transmitted from the client terminals, which is unsuitable when there are a large number of such target client terminals. In the case of the second method, since the information needs to be continuously transmitted until all the client terminal have connected to the network, this traffic becomes a load on the network band, and increases the service provider&#39;s communication costs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] Thus, objects of the present invention are to provide a relay device and an information transmission device, and to provide an information transmission method that can provide push type services suited to a network and a network user.  
       [0010] A relay device according to the present invention includes connection detection means for detecting a client terminal that can transmit/receive information through a network that is in a communicable state with the network.  
       [0011] The relay device of the present invention detects a client terminal that is in a communicable state. Therefore, for example, by transmitting notification of such a detection to a device such as an information transmission device, the information transmission device can transmit undelivered information to the client terminal. Thus, the information transmission device does not transmit undelivered information when the client terminal are not in a communicable state, and therefore it is possible to avoid a situation in which information needs to be continuously transmitted until the client terminal connects to the network. Moreover, since the client terminal does not need to ask for the undelivered information to be transmitted, the load on the network band is reduced and communication costs reduced.  
       [0012] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention in which the connection detection means acquires transmission-related information required to transmit information to the client terminal, and the relay device further comprises notification transmission means for transmitting results from the connection detection means and the acquired transmission-related information to an information transmission device for transmitting undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, for example, if transmission-related information such as an IP address of the client terminal is obtained and the obtained transmission-related information is outputted to the information transmission device, the undelivered information can be transmitted to the client terminal more efficiently.  
       [0013] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention comprises information transmission means (RD (Relay Device)) for transmitting the undelivered information to the client terminal, provided that the connection detection means detects the client terminal is in a communicable state with the network. Then, the undelivered information will not be transmitted when the client terminal are not in a communicable state. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid continuously transmitting information, until the client terminal connects to the network.  
       [0014] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention in which the information transmission means (RD) selects undelivered information to be transmitted to the client terminal from information stored in transmission information storage means, provided that the connection detection means detects the client terminal is in a communicable state with the network, and transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, for example, if there is undelivered information stored as undelivered services in the transmission information storage means, it is possible to efficiently transmit the undelivered information when the client terminal connects to the network.  
       [0015] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention in which the information transmission means (RD) transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal together with other information transmitted to the client terminal. If the other information can be transmitted, the client terminal is in the communicable state with the network. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted more efficiently since  
       [0016] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention in which the other information transmitted to the client terminal is information transmitted/received by use of HTTP; and the information transmission means (RD) adds the selected undelivered information by changing the HTTP header of the other information transmitted to the client terminal, and transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted to the client terminal together with the other information by so-called a piggyback system. Thus, it is possible to transmit the undelivered information to the client terminal more simply.  
       [0017] Furthermore, the relay device of the present invention in which the information transmission means (RD) transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal separately from the other information transmitted to the client terminal. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted at an appropriate. For example, when a mobile phone as the client terminal is used to make a call, the connection detection means detects the call and enables to transmit mail information as undelivered information to the mobile phone separately from the voice information.  
       [0018] The information transmission device of the present invention includes notification reception means for receiving notification concerning detection of a client terminal which can transmit/receive information through a network is in a communicable state with the network; and information transmission means (ITD (Information Transmission Device)) for transmitting undelivered information to the client terminal, provided that the notification reception means receives the notification.  
       [0019] In the information transmission device of the present invention, the information transmission means (ITD) receives results that a client terminal is in a communicable state, and transmits undelivered information to the client terminal. Thus, the information transmission device does not transmit undelivered information when the client terminal are not in a communicable state, and therefore it is possible to avoid a situation in which information needs to be continuously transmitted until the client terminal connects to the network. Moreover, since the client terminal does not need to ask for the undelivered information to be transmitted, the load on the network band is reduced and communication costs reduced.  
       [0020] Furthermore, the information transmission device of the present invention in which the information transmission means (ITD) selects undelivered information to be transmitted to the client terminal from information stored in transmission information storage means, provided that the connection detection means detects the client terminal is in a communicable state with the network, and transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, for example, if there is undelivered information stored as undelivered services in the transmission information storage means, it is possible to efficiently transmit the undelivered information when the client terminal connects to the network.  
       [0021] Furthermore, the information transmission device of the present invention in which the notification reception means receives transmission-related information required to transmit information to the client terminal; and the information transmission means (ITD) transmits the undelivered information to the client terminal, provided that the notification reception means receives the transmission-related information. Then, for example, if transmission-related information such as an IP address of the client terminal is obtained and the obtained transmission-related information is outputted to the information transmission device, the undelivered information can be transmitted to the client terminal more efficiently.  
       [0022] The information transmission method of the present invention includes a connection detection step of detecting, by use of connection detection means, that a client terminal which can transmit/receive information through a network is in a communicable state with the network; and an information transmission step of transmitting, by use of information transmission means, undelivered information to the client terminal, provided that the connection detection means detects the client terminal is in a communicable state with the network.  
       [0023] According to the information transmission method of the present invention, the information transmission means receives results that a client terminal is in a communicable state, and transmits undelivered information to the client terminal. Thus, the information transmission device does not transmit undelivered information when the client terminal are not in a communicable state, and therefore it is possible to avoid a situation in which information needs to be continuously transmitted until the client terminal connects to the network. Moreover, since the client terminal does not need to ask for the undelivered information to be transmitted, the load on the network band is reduced and communication costs reduced.  
       [0024] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention in which, in the information transmission step, the information transmission means selects undelivered information to be transmitted to the client terminal from information stored in transmission information storage means, provided that the connection detection means detects the client terminal is in a communicable state with the network, and transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, for example, if there is undelivered information stored as undelivered services in the transmission information storage means, it is possible to efficiently transmit the undelivered information when the client terminal connects to the network.  
       [0025] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention in which, in the information transmission step, the information transmission means transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal together with other information transmitted to the client terminal. If the other information can be transmitted, the client terminal is in the communicable state with the network. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted more efficiently since  
       [0026] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention in which the other information transmitted to the client terminal is information transmitted/received by use of HTTP, and in the information transmission step, the information transmission means adds the selected undelivered information by changing the HTTP header of the other information transmitted to the client terminal, and transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted to the client terminal together with the other information by so-called a piggyback system. Thus, it is possible to transmit the undelivered information to the client terminal more simply.  
       [0027] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention in which, in the information transmission step, the information transmission means transmits the selected undelivered information to the client terminal separately from the other information transmitted to the client terminal. Then, the undelivered information can be transmitted at an appropriate. For example, when a mobile phone as the client terminal is used to make a call, the connection detection means detects the call and enables to transmit mail information as undelivered information to the mobile phone separately from the voice information.  
       [0028] Furthermore, the information transmission method of the present invention in which further comprising an information acquiring step of acquiring, by use of the connection detection means, transmission-related information required to transmit information to the client terminal; and an information output step of outputting, by use of the connection detection means, the acquired transmission-related information to the information transmission means. Then, for example, if transmission-related information such as an IP address of the client terminal is obtained and the obtained transmission-related information is outputted to the information transmission device, the undelivered information can be transmitted to the client terminal more efficiently.  
       [0029] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.  
       [0030] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0031]FIG. 1 is a view explaining a mail server and a relay device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0032]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a method for transmitting mail information using the mail server and the relay device of an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0033]FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a method for transmitting mail information using the mail server and the relay device of an embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0034]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a mode of transmitting information by the replay device of an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0035] Findings of the present invention can be easily understood by considering the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which are shown only for the purpose of illustration. Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by referring to the attached drawings. Explanations for the corresponding parts in the drawings will not be repeated by applying the same reference numerals, if applicable. If applicable, the same reference numerals will be applied to the corresponding parts in the drawings and the explanations for these corresponding parts will not be repeated.  
     [0036] Description will be made for a mail server and a relay device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view explaining the mail server and the relay device. The mail server  10  and the relay device  20  constitute parts of a mobile communication network  1 . The mobile communication network  1  is constituted to enable the transmission/reception of information between mobile devices  30  and  60 . The mobile communication network  1  is further constituted to enable the transmission/reception of information between a personal computer  40  and a service provider terminal  50 .  
     [0037] The mobile devices  30  and  60  are mobile phones equipped with data communication functions. For the mobile devices  30  and  60 , mobile information terminals such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) having communication functions are also applicable instead of mobile phones, and large variety of other devices for which information communications are also applicable.  
     [0038] The personal computer  40  is constituted as a computer system which physically comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input device such as a mouse or keyboard, a display unit, a storage device such as a hard disk, a communication device such as a modem, etc. In this embodiment, the personal computer  40  is used as a terminal to transmit a mail to the mobile device  30 .  
     [0039] The service provider terminal  50  is constituted as a computer system which physically comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, a display unit, a storage device such as a hard disk, a communication device such as a modem, etc. In this embodiment, the service provider terminal  50  is used as a terminal to provide services such as information transmission to users of the mobile devices  30  and  60 .  
     [0040] The mail server  10  comprises a computer system (or a collection of computer systems) which physically comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, a display unit, a storage device such as a hard disk, etc.  
     [0041] The mail server  10  includes as functional components an information reception section  101 , an information transmission section (information transmission means)  102 , a notification reception section (notification reception means)  103 , and a transmission information storage section (transmission information storage means)  110 . Next, each component will be described in detail.  
     [0042] The information reception section  101  receives mail information transmitted to the mobile device which can transmit/receive information through the mobile communication network  1 . For example, information reception section  101  receives mail information transmitted from the personal computer  40  to the mobile device  30  through Internet  2 . The information reception section  101  outputs the received mail information to the information transmission section  102 , while storing it in the transmission information storage section  110 .  
     [0043] The information transmission section  102  transmits mail information to the mobile device, that can transmit/receive information through the mobile communication network  1 . The information transmission section  102  may transmit the mail information either when it is received from the information reception section  101 , or in accordance with the output of detection information received from the notification reception section  103  as described later. When the mail information is transmitted in accordance with the output of the detection information received from the notification reception section  103 , the information transmission section  102  reads the mail information stored in the transmission information storage section  110  and transmits it.  
     [0044] The notification reception section  103  receives detection information transmitted from relay device  20 . The detection information indicates that relay device  20  has detected a mobile device that can transmit/receive information through the mobile communication network  1  is able to communicate with the mobile communication network  1 . The notification reception section  103  outputs the received detection information it has received to the information transmission section  102 .  
     [0045] The transmission information storage section  110  stores mail information transmitted to each of the mobile devices that can transfer information through the mobile communication network  1 . The transmission information storage section  110  may store all, mail information received by the information reception section  101 , or only the mail information which the information transmission section  102  has tried to transmit but failed. The mail information stored in the transmission information storage section  110  is erased in a predetermined manner. For example, when transmitting mail information to the mobile device  30 , this predetermined manner may be when the mobile device  30  returns a message indicating the mail has been received. If such a mail received response is not returned, the corresponding mail information is stored. The stored mail information is transmitted by the information transmission section  102  the next time the mobile device  30  is in communication with the network.  
     [0046] The relay device  20  comprises a computer system which physically comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit), as a memory, an input device such a mouse or a keyboard, a display unit, a storage device such as a hard disk etc.  
     [0047] The relay device  20  includes a connection detection section (connection detection means)  201 , a notification transmission section (notification transmission means)  202 , an information transmission section (information transmission means)  203 , and an undelivered information storage section (transmission information storage means)  210  as functional components. Next, each component will be described in detail.  
     [0048] The connection detection section  201  detects that the mobile device that can transmit/receive information through the mobile communication network  1  that is able to in communicate with mobile communication network  1 . For example, the connection detection section  201  detects calls from mobile device  30  to mobile device  60 , requests from mobile device  30  for pull type services (web browsing or the like) from service provider terminal  50 , or the allocation of an IP address to the mobile device  30 , and thus determines that the mobile device  30  is able to communicate with mobile communication network  1 . The connection detection section  201  outputs the detection result to notification transmission section  202  and information transmission section  203 .  
     [0049] Notification transmission section  202  transmits the information obtained from the connection detection section to mail server  10 . More specifically, the notification transmission section  202  transmits the detection information together with information specifying the mobile device that has become communicable with the mobile communication network  1 .  
     [0050] The information transmission section  203  selects information to be transmitted to the mobile device that has become communicable with the mobile communication network  1  from the information stored in the undelivered information storage section  210  in accordance with the detection result of the connection detection section  201 , and transmits the selected information. The undelivered information storage section  210  stores, for example, mail information that mail server  10  has tried to transmit to mobile device  30  but failed, push information transmitted from the service provider terminal  50  to the mobile device  30  and the like, together with information specifying the mobile device  30  as a recipient. The information stored in the undelivered information storage section  210  is erased in a predetermined manner. For example, when transmitting mail information to the mobile device  30 , this predetermined manner may be when the mobile device  30  returns a message indicating the mail has been received. If such a mail received response is not returned, the corresponding mail information stored. The stored mail information is transmitted by the information transmission section  203  the next time the mobile device  30  becomes communicable.  
     [0051] Next, a method for transmitting mail information by use of the mail server  10  and the relay device  20  will be describes with reference to FIG. 2. A mail sender who intends to transmit mail to the mobile device  30  transmits mail information from the personal computer  40  (S 01 ). This mail information reaches the mobile communication network  1  through the Internet  2 . The main information that has reached the mobile communication network  1  is received by the information reception section  101  in the mail server  10 , and stored in the transmission information storage section  110  (S 02 ). In this description, it is assumed that the information reception section  101  outputs the mail information to information transmission section  102 , and the information transmission section  102  tries but fails to transmit the mail information to mobile device  30 .  
     [0052] The user of a mobile device  30  requests pull type services from the service provider terminal  50  (S 03 ). When the mobile device  30  requests the pull type services, that is, by web browsing or the like, the mobile device  30  is set in a communicable state with the mobile communication network  1 . The connection detection section  20  in relay device  20  detects this communicable state (S 04 ).  
     [0053] A result of the detection by the connection detection section  201  is outputted to notification transmission section  202 , and transmitted from notification transmission section  202  to the mail server  10  (S 05 ). The notification receiving section  103  in mail server  10  receives the detection information, and outputs it to the information transmission section  102 . Since the detection information specifies the mobile device  30 , the information transmission section  102  selects information to be transmitted to mobile device  30  from the information stored in the transmission information storage section  110 . The information transmission section  102  transmits the selected information (for example, mail information which has not been transmitted) to mobile device  30  (S 06 ).  
     [0054] Next, another method for transmitting mail information by use of the mail server  10  and the relay device  20  will be descruibed with reference to FIG. 3. A mail sender who intends to transmit mail to mobile device  30  transmits mail information from the personal computer  40  (S 11 ). This mail information reaches the mobile communication network  1  through the Internet  2 . The mail information that has reached the mobile communication network  1  is received by the information reception section  101  in mail server  10 , and outputted to the information transmission section  101 . The information transmission section  102  transmits the mail information to the mobile device  30 . Here, the information transmission section  101  determines whether the transmitting of the mail information has been completed (S 12 ) The information transmission section  101  transmits the mail information to the relay device  20  if it determines that the transmission of the mail information has not been received (S 13 ).  
     [0055] The mail information transmitted by the information transmission section  101  to the relay device  20  is stored in the undelivered information storage section  210  (S 14 ). The user of mobile device  30  requests pull type services from the service provider terminal  50  (S 15 ). When the mobile device  30  requests the pull type services, that is, by web browsing or the like, the mobile device  30  is set in a communicable state with mobile communication network  1 . The connection detection section  201  in relay device  20  detects the setting of this communicable state (S 16 ).  
     [0056] Since the detection information specifies mobile device  30 , the information transmission section  203  in the relay device  20  selects information to be transmitted to the mobile device  30  from the information stored in the undelivered information storage section  210 . The information transmission section  203  transmits the selected information (for example, mail information which has not been transmitted) to mobile device  30  (S 17 ).  
     [0057] In the foregoing description, the undelivered mail information or like was transmitted alone by either mail server  10  or relay device  20 . However, such information may be transmitted together with other information. FIG. 4 shows a method for transmitting undelivered information together with other information. According to the method of FIG. 4, when mobile device  30  requests pull type services from service provider terminal  50 , pull type services (for example, information of web browsing) having an HTTP header are transmitted from service provider terminal  50 . The pull type services having the HTTP header are transmitted to relay device  20  in the mobile communication network  1 . Relay device  20  changes the HTTP header received into the HTTP header containing undelivered information, adds the undelivered information to the pull type services, and then transmits the services to mobile device  30 .  
     [0058] According to the embodiment, since the connection detection section  201  detects mobile device  30  has been set in the communicable state, and information transmission section  102  in mail server  10  or information transmission section  203  in relay device  20  transmits undelivered information such as mail information to mobile device  30  in accordance with the detection, no mail information is transmitted when mobile communication network  1  and the mobile device  30  are not in a communicable state with each other. Thus, it is possible to avoid the situation in which information needs to be continuously transmitted to mobile communication network  1  until the mobile device  30  connects to mobile communication network  1 . Moreover, a client terminal does not need to request that the undelivered information to be transmitted, and the load on the network band is reduced.  
     [0059] When connection detection section  201  detects connection, information transmission section  102  or the information transmission section  203  selects mail information to be transmitted to mobile device  30  from the undelivered information stored in transmission information storage section  110  in mail server  10  or undelivered information storage section  210  in relay device  20  and transmits the selected information. Thus, it is possible to efficiently transmit mail information when mobile device  30  connects to mobile communication network  1 .  
     [0060] If information transmission section  203  transmits undelivered information together with other information to be transmitted to mobile device  30 , undelivered information can be transmitted more efficiently since mobile device  30  is in the communicable state with mobile communication network  1 . Especially, if the undelivered information is added to information transmitted/received by use of HTTP by changing the HTTP header, and transmitted to the mobile device  30 , the non-transmitted information can be transmitted to the mobile device  30  by a so-called piggyback system. Thus, the undelivered information can be transmitted to mobile device  30  more easily. On the other hand, if the undelivered information is transmitted separately from the other information to be transmitted to mobile device  30 , it is possible to transmit the undelivered information at an appropriate time.  
     [0061] Furthermore, if connection detection section  201  acquires information required to transmit information to mobile device  30 , and outputs that information to information transmission section  102  or information transmission section  203 , the undelivered information can be transmitted to mobile device  30  more efficiently.  
     [0062] According to the present invention, client terminals are detected when they are in the communicable state, and the undelivered information is transmitted to the client terminal in accordance with the detection, the undelivered information is not transmitted when the client terminal are not set in a communicable state. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation where information needs to be continuously transmitted until the client terminal connects to the network. Moreover, since the client terminal does not need to request that the undelivered information be transmitted, the load on the network band is reduced and communication costs reduction is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the objects of the present invention, that is, it is possible to provide the relay device, the information transmission device, and the information transmission method which can enable push-type services suited to the network as well as the network user.  
     [0063] From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the embodiments of the invention may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within the scope of the following claims.