Title of Invention	EMERGENCY INFORMATION DELIVERING METHOD, RADIO CONTROL APPARATUS, RADIO BASE STATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL
Abstract	An emergency information delivering method according to the present invention includes the steps of: notifying, to a mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency information in response to the notification by the paging signal; transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message; anddisplaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed information, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being received as the broadcast communication message.

Title of Invention

EMERGENCY INFORMATION DELIVERING METHOD, RADIO CONTROL APPARATUS, RADIO BASE STATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL

Abstract

An emergency information delivering method according to the present invention includes the steps of: notifying, to a mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency information in response to the notification by the paging signal; transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message; anddisplaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed information, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being received as the broadcast communication message.

Full Text	DESCRIPTION EMERGENCY INFORMATION DELIVERING METHOD, RADIO CONTROL APPARATUS, RADIO BASE STATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an emergency information delivering method for delivering emergency information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, and also relates to a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal. BACKGROUND ART [0002] The Japan Meteorological Agency is planning to start delivering the Earthquake Early Warning (emergency information) to the public (television, radio, administrative radio communication for disaster prevention, announcement in an amusement facility, and the like) on October 1, 2007. The Earthquake Early Warning (emergency information) is also expected to be delivered to mobile terminals. [0003] In addition, there is a request from local governments to deliver emergency information to a ma j ority of users in the event of emergency such as a disaster. Accordingly, there is a need to instantly deliver emergency information of a terror, a warning, a large-scale accident, or the like to a majority of users. [0004] However, a current mobile communication system (a mail delivery system and the like) is not capable of instantly delivering emergency information to a majority of mobile terminals in view of radio communication resources. Accordingly, a broadcasting system is needed to meet the requirements for such instant, large-scale delivery. [0005] The CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) and the MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) are known as schemes standardized in the 3GPP to build the broadcast system. However, it takes approximately 10 seconds for such an existing broadcast system to deliver emergency information to a majority of mobile terminals. [0006] This is because a network has to activate a broadcast communication function (for example, a CBS receiving function) of each mobile terminal, before delivering emergency information as a broadcast communication message. Keeping the broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal active all the time significantly influences the running time of the battery. [0007] It is strongly demanded socially to shorten as much as possible the time needed to deliver emergency information, such as Earthquake Early Warning, that may affect human lives, because the shortening of the time may lead to saving the human lives. The time needed to deliver emergency information should be reduced to several seconds [0008] There is also a demand for emergency information to be delivered to a user roaming in a country other than the user's own country. [0009] Each mobile terminal is configured to receive only the broadcast communication message having a message identifier included in a "reception ID list (a list of message identifiers each identifying a broadcast communication message to be received)" that the mobile terminal itself holds. For this reason, in order for the mobile terminal to receive a broadcast communication message notifying of emergency information in a country other than the user's own country, there is a need to define an internationally-common message identifier (emergency information message identifier) identifying a broadcast communication message notifying of emergency information. [0010] However, in Japan and other countries, each telecommunication carrier has already defined its own emergency informationmessage identifier, and a mobile terminal inamemory of which an emergency information message identifier defined by its own telecommunication carrier is written is already in widespread use. This results in the coexistence of a mobile terminal having a "reception ID list" in which an emergency communication message identifier common across the world is set and a mobile terminal having a "reception ID list" in which an emergency information message identifier unique to its own telecommunication carrier is set. [0011] In such a circumstance, the network for delivering emergency information as a broadcast communication message needs to transmit both of a broadcast communication message including an emergency informationmessage identifier that is common across the world and a broadcast communication message including an emergency information message identifier uniquely given by a telecommunication carrier. This causes the problem that reception delay occurs among the mobile terminals that receive the broadcast communication messages respectively including different emergency information message identifiers. [0012] To solve this problem, there should be a migration method taking account of a circumstance where there coexist a mobile terminal using an emergency information message identifier unique to its own carrier and a mobile terminal using an emergency information message identifier common across the world, the emergency information message identifiers being used to determine whether or not to receive an emergency information message. Specifically, the migration method is to conduct gradual unification to an emergency information message identifier common across the world, while delivering, as a broadcast communication message, emergency information also to a mobile terminal having an emergency information message identifier unique to its own telecommunication carrier, without reception delay among mobile terminals respectively using different emergency information message identifiers. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0013] The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problem and aims to provide an emergency information deliveringmethod, a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal which can notify, to each user, the presence of emergency information earlier than in the case where existing broadcasting systems notify the user of the presence of emergency information. [0014] In addition, the present invention aims to provide an emergency information delivering method, a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal can deliver emergency information efficiently without reception delay between coexisting mobile terminals, one having an emergency information message identifier unique to a telecommunication carrier and the other having an emergency communication message identifier common across the world. [0015] A first aspect of the present invention is summarized as an emergency information delivering method for delivering emergency information to a mobile terminal using broadcast communication, including the steps of: notifying, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency information in response to the notification by the paging signal; transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message; and displaying, at themobileterminal, the detailed information, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being received as the broadcast communication message. [0016] In the first aspect, the paging signal can include a type of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal can perform the notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding to the type of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [0017] In the first aspect, the paging signal can include an overview of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal can perform the notification to the user, by displaying the overview of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [0018] In the first aspect, the paging signal can include a terminal operation identifier specifying an operation of the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal can perform the notification to the user, by performing an operation specified by the terminal operation identifier included in the received paging signal. [0019] In the first aspect, the mobile terminal can manage a broadcast communication message to be received; and the mobile terminal can receive the broadcast communication message, even when the broadcast communication message is not managed as the broadcast communication message to be received, and if the broadcast communication message includes an emergency information identifier identifying the detailed information of the emergency information. [0020] A second aspect of the present invention is summarized as a radio control apparatus configured to transmit emergency information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, wherein the radio control apparatus is configured to notify, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the radio control apparatus is configured to transmit, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message, after transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal. [0021] A third aspect of the present invention is summarized as a radiobase station conf iguredtotransmit emergency information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, wherein the radio base station is configured to notify, to the mobile terminal, of generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the radio base station is configured to transmit, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message, after transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal. [0022] A fourth aspect of the present invention is summarized as a mobile terminal configured to receive emergency information with use of broadcast communication, wherein the mobile terminal being configured to notify, to a user, generation of emergency information to be received, when the generation of the emergency information to be received is notified by a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal being configured to display detailed information of the emergency information received as a broadcast communication message, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal. [0023] In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured to perform the notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding to a type of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [0024] In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured to perform the notification to the user, by displaying an overview of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [0025] In the fourth aspect, the paging signal can include a terminal operation identifier for specifying an operation of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal can be configured to perform the notification to the user, by performing an operation specified by the terminal operation identifier included in the received paging signal. [0026] In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured to manage a broadcast communication message to be received; and the mobile terminal can be configured to receive the broadcast communication message, even when the broadcast communication message is not managed as the broadcast communication message to be received, and if the broadcast communication message includes an emergency information identifier identifying the detailed information of the emergency information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining differences between an emergency information delivery scheme according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a conventional emergency information delivery scheme. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of an emergency information delivering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an emergency information delivering method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an emergency information delivering method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0028] (Configuration of Emergency Information Delivering System according to First Embodiment of Present Invention) A configuration of an emergency information delivering system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. [0029] First, with reference to Fig. 1, description will be given of differences between a conventional emergency information delivery scheme and an emergency information delivery scheme using the emergency information delivering system according to this embodiment. [0030] As shown in Fig. 1(a), in the conventional emergency information delivery scheme, a mobile terminal cannot notify, to a user, an occurrence of an emergency situation, before receiving emergency information (detailed information) transmitted as a broadcast communication message. [0031] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 1(b), in the emergency information delivery scheme according to this embodiment, when receiving a paging signal including a "type of emergency information" and an "overview of emergency information", amobile terminal can first notify, to a user, an occurrence of an emergency situation, the type of the emergency situation, and the overview of the emergency situation. Thereafter, the mobile terminal can notify, to the user, the details of the emergency situation, when receiving the detailed information of the emergency information. [0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the emergency information delivering system according to this embodiment includes an emergency information delivery apparatus 1, a core network apparatus 2, a radio control apparatus (or a radio base station) 3, and a mobile terminal 4. [0033] The emergency information delivery apparatus 1 includes a generator unit 11 and a delivering unit 12. [0034] The generator unit 11 is configured to generate emergency information when an emergency situation occurs. The delivering unit 12 is configured to deliver the emergency information generated by the generator unit 11, to the core network apparatus 2. [0035] The core network apparatus 2 includes a receiver unit 21, a generator unit 22, and a delivering unit 23. [0036] The receiver unit 21 is configured to receive the emergency information transmitted from the emergency information delivery apparatus 1. [0037] The generator unit 22 is configured to generate a "type of emergency information", an "overview of emergency information", "detailed information of emergency information", and a "terminal operation identifier" that specifies the operation of the mobile terminal 4, on the basis of the emergency information received by the receiver unit 21. [0038] The delivering unit 23 is configured to deliver the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier" generated by the generator unit 22, to the radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3. [0039] In addition, the delivering unit 23 may be configured to specify a delivery area of the emergency information (hereinafter, referred to as an emergency-information delivery area) to the radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3. [0040] The radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3 includes a receiver unit 31 and a delivering unit 32. [0041] The receiver unit 31 is configured to receive the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier" transmitted from the core network apparatus 2. [0042] The delivering unit 32 is configured to notify, to the mobile terminal 4, the generation of emergency information to be received (that is, the occurrence of the emergency situation) , by using a paging signal to activate a broadcast communication system of the mobile terminal 4. [0043] Specifically, the delivering unit 32 is configured to transmit the paging signal including the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the like described above, to the mobile station 4 that belongs to the aforementioned "emergency-information delivery area". [0044] In addition, the delivering unit 32 is configured to incorporate an "emergency information identifier" that identifies the detailed information of the emergency information in the aforementioned paging signal. [0045] Moreover, the delivering unit 32 is configured to transmit the "detailed information of emergency information" as a broadcast communication message to the mobile terminal 4, after transmitting the paging signal (after the broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal 4 is activated) . [0046] The mobile terminal 4 includes a receiver unit 41, an emergency information notifying unit 42, and a detailed information display unit 43. [0047] The receiver unit 41 is configured to receive the paging signal transmitted from the radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3, and to activate the broadcast communication function upon reception of the paging signal. [0048] In addition, the receiver unit 41 is configured to receive the detailed information of emergency information transmitted from the radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3 as a broadcast communication message, after activating the broadcast communication function. [0049] Moreover, the receiver unit 41 is configured to manage a broadcast communication message to be received. [0050] Specifically, the receiver unit 41 is configured to manage a message identifier for identifying the broadcast communication message to be received, using a reception ID list. [0051] In addition, the receiver unit 41 is basically configured to receive only the broadcast communication message managed as a broadcast communication message to be received, namely, the broadcast communication message including the message identifier managed in the reception ID list. [0052] However, the receiver unit 41 is configured to receive a broadcast communication message including the "emergency information identifier", even when the broadcast communication message is not managed as a broadcast communication message to be received, or in other words, even when the broadcast communication message does not include the message identifier managed in the reception ID list. [0053] In addition, the receiver unit 41 is similarly configured to receive the paging signal including the "emergency information identifier" without fail. [0054] The emergency information notifying unit 42 is configured to notify, to the user, the "generation of the emergency information to be received (the occurrence of the emergency situation), when the "generation of the emergency information to be received (the occurrence of the emergency situation)" is notified by using the paging signal received by the receiver unit 41. [0055] Specifically, the emergency information notifying unit 42 may be configured to perform the aforementioned notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding to the "type of emergency information" included in the paging signal received by the receiver unit 41 (a display of predetermined characters, images, or video images). [0056] For example, when the mobile terminal 4 is roaming, the emergency information notifying unit 42 may perform the display corresponding to the "type of emergency information" in a language of a roaming destination country. [0057] In addition, the emergency information notifying unit 42 may be configured to perform the aforementioned notification to the user, by displaying the "overview of emergency information" included in the paging signal received by the receiver unit 41. [0058] Moreover, the emergency information notifying unit 42 may be configured to perform the aforementioned notification to the user, by performing an operation specified by the "terminal operation identifier" included in the paging signal received by the receiver unit 41. [0059] For example, what is assumed as the operation specified by the "terminal operation identifier" is any selected operation such as a predetermined buzzer sound and a popup display. The detailed information display unit 43 is configured to display the "detailed information of emergency information" received as a broadcast communication message, after the broadcast communication function is activatedby thepaging signal received by the receiver unit 41. [0060] (Operation of Mobile Communication System according to First Embodiment of Present Invention) An operation of the emergency information delivering system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. [0061] First, with reference to Fig. 3, description will be given of the operation of delivering emergency information (Earthquake Early Warning) using the CBS system [0062] As shown in Fig. 3, in step S1001, an emergency information delivery apparatus CBE (Cell Broadcast Entity) delivers information required to deliver emergency information to a core network apparatus CBC (Cell Broadcast Center) . The information includes the "emergency-information delivery area", the "type of emergency information (for example, the kind of a disaster) ", the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier". [0063] Here, if there is only an "Earthquake Early Warning", as the "type of emergency information", the core network apparatus CBC understands the "type of emergency information", and hence the deliver of the "type of emergency information" can be omitted. [0064] In addition, if the "overview of emergency information" is generated in the core network apparatus CBC, the deliver of the "overview of emergency information" can be omitted. [0065] In step S1002, based on the information received from the emergency information delivery apparatus CBE, the core network apparatus CBC transmits the following in addition to a normal parameter for the CBS, to a radio control apparatus RNC (or a radio base station) covering the "emergency-information delivery area". Specifically, transmitted are the "emergency information identifier", the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery area". [0066] Specifically, the core network apparatus CBC adds the following information elements to a parameter "Write-Replace" defined in TS25.419(SABP), and transmits the information elements. Specifically, the information elements added are the "emergency information identifier", the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery area". [0067] In step S1003, when the "emergency information identifier" is set for the parameter "Write-Replace" that the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) has received from the core network apparatus CBC, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) incorporates the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier" in a CBS paging signal (defined in RRC:3GPP TS25.331), so as to notify to a mobile terminal UE that belongs to the "emergency-information delivery area". [0068] In step S1004, the mobile terminal UE that has received the CBS paging signal makes simplified notification to a user of the occurrence of an earthquake and an overview of the earthquake, while linking the "type of emergency information (Earthquake Early Warning)" and the "overview of emergency information". [0069] Further, the mobile terminal UE performs an operation specified by the "terminal operation identifier" (for example, a buzzer sound) when the mobile terminal UE performs the aforementioned notification. [0070] Here, the amount of information to be transmitted can be minimized by causing the mobile terminal UE to preliminarily determine a parameter for the "overview of emergency information" and where to insert the parameter for the "overview of emergency information" notified by the "overview of emergency information" in a defined format created by the mobile terminal UE. [0071] In step S1005, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) delivers the detailed information of the emergency information to the mobile terminal UE as a broadcast communication message (a BMC CBS message). [0072] In step S1006, the mobile terminal UE that has received the detailed information of the emergency information displays the detailed information of the emergency information accompanied with a buzzer sound, a popup, and the like, on the basis of the way specified by a serial number and the like. [0073] In step S1007, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) transmits a "Report-Success" to the core network apparatus CBC. In step S1008, the core network apparatus CBC transmits the "Report-Success" to the emergency information delivery apparatus CBE. [0074] Second, with reference to Fig. 4, description will be given of the operation of delivering emergency information (Earthquake Early Warning) using the MBMS system. [0075] As shown in Fig. 4, in step S2001, an emergency information delivery apparatus delivers information required to deliver emergency information to a core network apparatus BM-SC (Broadcast Multicast Service Center). The information includes the "emergency-information delivery area", the "type of emergency information (for example, the kind of a disaster)", the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier". [0076] Here, if there is only an "Earthquake Early Warning", as the "type of emergency information", the core network apparatus BM-SC understands the "type of emergency information", and hence the deliver of the "type of emergency information" can be omitted. [0077] In addition, if the "overview of emergency information" is generated in the core network apparatus BM-SC, the deliver of the "overview of emergency information" can be omitted. [0078] In step S2002, based on the information received from the emergency information delivery apparatus, the core network apparatus BM-SC transmits the following in addition to a normal parameter for the MBMS, to a radio control apparatus RNC (or a radio base station) covering the "emergency-information delivery area" through a switching system GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) /SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) . Specifically, transmitted are the "emergency information identifier", the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery area". [0079] Specifically, the core network apparatus BM-SC adds the following information elements to a parameter "Session Start Request (RAR(START))" defined in TS29.061(PDN), and transmits the information elements. Specifically, the information elements added are the "emergency information identifier", the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed information of emergency information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery area" (PDN/GTP/RANAP). [0080] In step S2003, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) transmits a "Session Start Response" to the core network apparatus BM-SC through the switching system GGSN/SGSN. [0081] In step S2004, when the "emergency information identifier" is set for the parameter "Session Start Request (RAR(START))" that the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) has received from the core network apparatus BM-SC, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) incorporates the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal operation identifier" in a MBMS paging signal (RRC), so as to notify to a mobile terminal UE that belongs to the "emergency-information delivery area." [0082] In step S2005, the mobile terminal UE that has received the MBMS paging signal makes simplified notification to a user of the occurrence of an earthquake and an overview of the earthquake, while linking the "type of emergency information (Earthquake Early Warning)" and the "overview of emergency information". [0083] In step S2006, after establishing a MBMS session with the mobile station UE, the core network apparatus BM-SC delivers the detailed information of the emergency information to the mobile station UE through the switching system GGSN/SGSN, as a broadcast communication message (an MBMS message). [0084] In step S2007, the mobile terminal UE that has received the detailed information of the emergency information displays the detailed information of the emergency information accompanied with a buzzer sound, a popup, and the like, on the basis of the way specified by a serial number and the like. [0085] (Advantageous Effects of Emergency Information Delivering System according to First Embodiment of Present Invention) The emergency information delivering system according to the first embodiment allows a broadcasting system using a conventional infrastructure (CBS or MBMS) to notify a mobile terminal of the overview of emergency information by a paging signal, before a broadcast communication message (the detailed information of the emergency information) is delivered. Thereby, the emergency information delivering system is capable of helping a user to take a first action quickly, and reducing an influence on human lives caused by an emergency situation such as a disaster. [0086] In addition, the emergency information delivering system according to this embodiment incorporates a terminal operation identifier in the paging signal, and thereby allows specification of the operation that the mobile terminal performs when receiving the overview of the emergency information. [0087] In future, if efforts for emergency information delivery are made across the world and thus the emergency information message identifier is defined internationally, there coexist a mobile terminal that is set to receive a message having an emergency information message identifier uniquely used by a telecommunication carrier and a mobile terminal that is set to receive a message having an emergency information message identifier commonly used across the world. Even in this case, according to the emergency information delivering system according to this embodiment, emergency information transmitted only once can reach both of the mobile terminals even by using the existing emergency information message identifier uniquely used by a telecommunication carrier. Thereby the emergency information message identifier can be smoothly shifted from the one unique to a telecommunication carrier to the one common across the world. [0088] Note that operations of the aforementioned mobile terminal, radio base station, and radio control apparatus may be performed by hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. [0089] The software module may be provided in a storage medium of any form including a RAM (RandomAccess Memory), a flashmemory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) , an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) , an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, and a CD-ROM. [0090] The storage medium is connected to the processor so that the processor can read and write information from and onto the storage medium. The storage medium may be integrated with the processor. In addition, the storage medium and the processor may be provided in an ASIC. The ASIC may be provided in the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB. Further, the storage medium and the processor may be provided in the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB as a discrete component. [0091] The present invention has been described above in detail by using the above embodiment. However, it is apparent for those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented as amended or modified forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the description of the scope of claims. The description of this specification has been given to illustrate the present invention, and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. [0092] Note that the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-280557 (filed on October 29, 2007) is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0093] As described above, the present invention provides an emergency information delivering method, a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal which can notify each user of the presence of emergency information earlier than with existing broadcasting systems. [0094] In addition, the present invention provides an emergency information deliveringmethod, a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal which can deliver emergency information efficiently without reception delay between coexistingmobile terminals, one having an emergency information message identifier unique to a telecommunication carrier and the other having an emergency communication message identifier common across the world. CLAIMS [1] An emergency information delivering method for delivering emergency information to a mobile terminal using broadcast communication, comprising the steps of: notifying, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency information in response to the notification by the paging signal; transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message; and displaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed information, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being received as the broadcast communication message. [2] The emergency information delivering method according to claim 1, wherein the paging signal includes a type of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding to the type of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [3] The emergency information delivering method according to claim 1, wherein the paging signal includes an overview of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user, by displaying the overview of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [4] The emergency information delivering method according to claim 1, wherein the paging signal includes a terminal operation identifier specifying an operation of the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user, by performing an operation specified by the terminal operation identifier included in the received paging signal. [5] The emergency information delivering method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mobile terminal manages a broadcast communication message to be received; and the mobile terminal receives the broadcast communication message, even when the broadcast communication message is not managed as the broadcast communication message to be received, and if the broadcast communication message includes an emergency information identifier identifying the detailed information of the emergency information. [6] A radio control apparatus configured to transmit emergency information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, wherein the radio control apparatus is configured to notify, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the radio control apparatus is configured to transmit, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message, after transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal. [7] A radio base station configured to transmit emergency information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, wherein the radio base station is configured to notify, to the mobile terminal, of generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the radio base station is configured to transmit, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message, after transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal. [8] A mobile terminal configured to receive emergency information with use of broadcast communication, wherein the mobile terminal being configured to notify, to a user, generation of emergency information to be received, when the generation of the emergency information to be received is notified by a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; and the mobile terminal being configured to display detailed information of the emergency information received as a broadcast communication message, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal. [9] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to perform the notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding to a type of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [10] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to perform the notification to the user, by displaying an overview of the emergency information included in the received paging signal. [11] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein the paging signal includes a terminal operation identifier for specifying an operation of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is configured to perform the notification to the user, by performing an operation specified by the terminal operation identifier included in the received paging signal. [12] The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to manage a broadcast communication message to be received; and the mobile terminal is configured to receive the broadcast communication message, even when the broadcast communication message is not managed as the broadcast communication message to be received, and if the broadcast communication message includes an emergency information identifier identifying the detailed information of the emergency information. An emergency information delivering method according to the present invention includes the steps of: notifying, to a mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency information in response to the notification by the paging signal; transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast communication message; anddisplaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed information, after the broadcast communication function is activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being received as the broadcast communication message.

Full Text

DESCRIPTION
EMERGENCY INFORMATION DELIVERING METHOD, RADIO CONTROL
APPARATUS, RADIO BASE STATION AND MOBILE TERMINAL
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present invention relates to an emergency information
delivering method for delivering emergency information to a
mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, and also
relates to a radio control apparatus, a radio base station, and
a mobile terminal.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
The Japan Meteorological Agency is planning to start
delivering the Earthquake Early Warning (emergency information)
to the public (television, radio, administrative radio
communication for disaster prevention, announcement in an
amusement facility, and the like) on October 1, 2007. The
Earthquake Early Warning (emergency information) is also
expected to be delivered to mobile terminals.
[0003]
In addition, there is a request from local governments to
deliver emergency information to a ma j ority of users in the event
of emergency such as a disaster. Accordingly, there is a need
to instantly deliver emergency information of a terror, a warning,
a large-scale accident, or the like to a majority of users.
[0004]
However, a current mobile communication system (a mail
delivery system and the like) is not capable of instantly
delivering emergency information to a majority of mobile
terminals in view of radio communication resources.
Accordingly, a broadcasting system is needed to meet the
requirements for such instant, large-scale delivery.
[0005]
The CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) and the MBMS (Multimedia
Broadcast Multicast Service) are known as schemes standardized
in the 3GPP to build the broadcast system.
However, it takes approximately 10 seconds for such an
existing broadcast system to deliver emergency information to
a majority of mobile terminals.
[0006]
This is because a network has to activate a broadcast
communication function (for example, a CBS receiving function)
of each mobile terminal, before delivering emergency information
as a broadcast communication message. Keeping the broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal active all the
time significantly influences the running time of the battery.
[0007]
It is strongly demanded socially to shorten as much as
possible the time needed to deliver emergency information, such
as Earthquake Early Warning, that may affect human lives, because
the shortening of the time may lead to saving the human lives.
The time needed to deliver emergency information should be
reduced to several seconds
[0008]
There is also a demand for emergency information to be
delivered to a user roaming in a country other than the user's
own country.
[0009]
Each mobile terminal is configured to receive only the
broadcast communication message having a message identifier
included in a "reception ID list (a list of message identifiers
each identifying a broadcast communication message to be
received)" that the mobile terminal itself holds. For this
reason, in order for the mobile terminal to receive a broadcast
communication message notifying of emergency information in a
country other than the user's own country, there is a need to
define an internationally-common message identifier (emergency
information message identifier) identifying a broadcast
communication message notifying of emergency information.
[0010]
However, in Japan and other countries, each
telecommunication carrier has already defined its own emergency
informationmessage identifier, and a mobile terminal inamemory
of which an emergency information message identifier defined
by its own telecommunication carrier is written is already in
widespread use. This results in the coexistence of a mobile
terminal having a "reception ID list" in which an emergency
communication message identifier common across the world is set
and a mobile terminal having a "reception ID list" in which an
emergency information message identifier unique to its own
telecommunication carrier is set.
[0011]
In such a circumstance, the network for delivering emergency
information as a broadcast communication message needs to
transmit both of a broadcast communication message including
an emergency informationmessage identifier that is common across
the world and a broadcast communication message including an
emergency information message identifier uniquely given by a
telecommunication carrier. This causes the problem that
reception delay occurs among the mobile terminals that receive
the broadcast communication messages respectively including
different emergency information message identifiers.
[0012]
To solve this problem, there should be a migration method
taking account of a circumstance where there coexist a mobile
terminal using an emergency information message identifier
unique to its own carrier and a mobile terminal using an emergency
information message identifier common across the world, the
emergency information message identifiers being used to
determine whether or not to receive an emergency information
message. Specifically, the migration method is to conduct
gradual unification to an emergency information message
identifier common across the world, while delivering, as a
broadcast communication message, emergency information also to
a mobile terminal having an emergency information message
identifier unique to its own telecommunication carrier, without
reception delay among mobile terminals respectively using
different emergency information message identifiers.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the
aforementioned problem and aims to provide an emergency
information deliveringmethod, a radio control apparatus, a radio
base station, and a mobile terminal which can notify, to each
user, the presence of emergency information earlier than in the
case where existing broadcasting systems notify the user of the
presence of emergency information.
[0014]
In addition, the present invention aims to provide an
emergency information delivering method, a radio control
apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal can deliver
emergency information efficiently without reception delay
between coexisting mobile terminals, one having an emergency
information message identifier unique to a telecommunication
carrier and the other having an emergency communication message
identifier common across the world.
[0015]
A first aspect of the present invention is summarized as
an emergency information delivering method for delivering
emergency information to a mobile terminal using broadcast
communication, including the steps of: notifying, to the mobile
terminal, generation of emergency information to be received,
by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from
the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency
information in response to the notification by the paging signal;
transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of
the emergency information as a broadcast communication message;
and displaying, at themobileterminal, the detailed information,
after the broadcast communication function is activated by the
paging signal, the detailed information being received as the
broadcast communication message.
[0016]
In the first aspect, the paging signal can include a type
of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal can perform
the notification to the user, by performing a display
corresponding to the type of the emergency information included
in the received paging signal.
[0017]
In the first aspect, the paging signal can include an
overview of the emergency information; and the mobile terminal
can perform the notification to the user, by displaying the
overview of the emergency information included in the received
paging signal.
[0018]
In the first aspect, the paging signal can include a terminal
operation identifier specifying an operation of the mobile
terminal; and the mobile terminal can perform the notification
to the user, by performing an operation specified by the terminal
operation identifier included in the received paging signal.
[0019]
In the first aspect, the mobile terminal can manage a
broadcast communication message to be received; and the mobile
terminal can receive the broadcast communication message, even
when the broadcast communication message is not managed as the
broadcast communication message to be received, and if the
broadcast communication message includes an emergency
information identifier identifying the detailed information of
the emergency information.
[0020]
A second aspect of the present invention is summarized as
a radio control apparatus configured to transmit emergency
information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast
communication, wherein the radio control apparatus is configured
to notify, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency
information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to
activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile
terminal; and the radio control apparatus is configured to
transmit, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of the
emergency information as a broadcast communication message,
after transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal.
[0021]
A third aspect of the present invention is summarized as
a radiobase station conf iguredtotransmit emergency information
to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast communication, wherein
the radio base station is configured to notify, to the mobile
terminal, of generation of emergency information to be received,
by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; and the radio
base station is configured to transmit, to the mobile terminal,
detailed information of the emergency information as a broadcast
communication message, after transmitting the paging signal to
the mobile terminal.
[0022]
A fourth aspect of the present invention is summarized as
a mobile terminal configured to receive emergency information
with use of broadcast communication, wherein the mobile terminal
being configured to notify, to a user, generation of emergency
information to be received, when the generation of the emergency
information to be received is notified by a paging signal used
to activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile
terminal; and the mobile terminal being configured to display
detailed information of the emergency information received as
a broadcast communication message, after the broadcast
communication function is activated by the paging signal.
[0023]
In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured
to perform the notification to the user, by performing a display
corresponding to a type of the emergency information included
in the received paging signal.
[0024]
In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured
to perform the notification to the user, by displaying an overview
of the emergency information included in the received paging
signal.
[0025]
In the fourth aspect, the paging signal can include a
terminal operation identifier for specifying an operation of
the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal can be configured to
perform the notification to the user, by performing an operation
specified by the terminal operation identifier included in the
received paging signal.
[0026]
In the fourth aspect, the mobile terminal can be configured
to manage a broadcast communication message to be received; and
the mobile terminal can be configured to receive the broadcast
communication message, even when the broadcast communication
message is not managed as the broadcast communication message
to be received, and if the broadcast communication message
includes an emergency information identifier identifying the
detailed information of the emergency information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining differences between
an emergency information delivery scheme according to a first
embodiment of the present invention and a conventional emergency
information delivery scheme.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of an emergency
information delivering system according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an emergency
information delivering method according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an emergency
information delivering method according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0028]
(Configuration of Emergency Information Delivering System
according to First Embodiment of Present Invention)
A configuration of an emergency information delivering
system according to a first embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.
[0029]
First, with reference to Fig. 1, description will be given
of differences between a conventional emergency information
delivery scheme and an emergency information delivery scheme
using the emergency information delivering system according to
this embodiment.
[0030]
As shown in Fig. 1(a), in the conventional emergency
information delivery scheme, a mobile terminal cannot notify,
to a user, an occurrence of an emergency situation, before
receiving emergency information (detailed information)
transmitted as a broadcast communication message.
[0031]
In contrast, as shown in Fig. 1(b), in the emergency
information delivery scheme according to this embodiment, when
receiving a paging signal including a "type of emergency
information" and an "overview of emergency information", amobile
terminal can first notify, to a user, an occurrence of an emergency
situation, the type of the emergency situation, and the overview
of the emergency situation. Thereafter, the mobile terminal
can notify, to the user, the details of the emergency situation,
when receiving the detailed information of the emergency
information.
[0032]
As shown in Fig. 2, the emergency information delivering
system according to this embodiment includes an emergency
information delivery apparatus 1, a core network apparatus 2,
a radio control apparatus (or a radio base station) 3, and a
mobile terminal 4.
[0033]
The emergency information delivery apparatus 1 includes
a generator unit 11 and a delivering unit 12.
[0034]
The generator unit 11 is configured to generate emergency
information when an emergency situation occurs. The delivering
unit 12 is configured to deliver the emergency information
generated by the generator unit 11, to the core network apparatus
2.
[0035]
The core network apparatus 2 includes a receiver unit 21,
a generator unit 22, and a delivering unit 23.
[0036]
The receiver unit 21 is configured to receive the emergency
information transmitted from the emergency information delivery
apparatus 1.
[0037]
The generator unit 22 is configured to generate a "type
of emergency information", an "overview of emergency
information", "detailed information of emergency information",
and a "terminal operation identifier" that specifies the
operation of the mobile terminal 4, on the basis of the emergency
information received by the receiver unit 21.
[0038]
The delivering unit 23 is configured to deliver the "type
of emergency information", the "overview of emergency
information", the "detailed information of emergency
information", and the "terminal operation identifier" generated
by the generator unit 22, to the radio control apparatus (or
the radio base station) 3.
[0039]
In addition, the delivering unit 23 may be configured to
specify a delivery area of the emergency information (hereinafter,
referred to as an emergency-information delivery area) to the
radio control apparatus (or the radio base station) 3.
[0040]
The radio control apparatus (or the radio base station)
3 includes a receiver unit 31 and a delivering unit 32.
[0041]
The receiver unit 31 is configured to receive the "type
of emergency information", the "overview of emergency
information", the "detailed information of emergency
information", and the "terminal operation identifier"
transmitted from the core network apparatus 2.
[0042]
The delivering unit 32 is configured to notify, to the mobile
terminal 4, the generation of emergency information to be
received (that is, the occurrence of the emergency situation) ,
by using a paging signal to activate a broadcast communication
system of the mobile terminal 4.
[0043]
Specifically, the delivering unit 32 is configured to
transmit the paging signal including the "type of emergency
information", the "overview of emergency information", the
"terminal operation identifier", and the like described above,
to the mobile station 4 that belongs to the aforementioned
"emergency-information delivery area".
[0044]
In addition, the delivering unit 32 is configured to
incorporate an "emergency information identifier" that
identifies the detailed information of the emergency information
in the aforementioned paging signal.
[0045]
Moreover, the delivering unit 32 is configured to transmit
the "detailed information of emergency information" as a
broadcast communication message to the mobile terminal 4, after
transmitting the paging signal (after the broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal 4 is activated) .
[0046]
The mobile terminal 4 includes a receiver unit 41, an
emergency information notifying unit 42, and a detailed
information display unit 43.
[0047]
The receiver unit 41 is configured to receive the paging
signal transmitted from the radio control apparatus (or the radio
base station) 3, and to activate the broadcast communication
function upon reception of the paging signal.
[0048]
In addition, the receiver unit 41 is configured to receive
the detailed information of emergency information transmitted
from the radio control apparatus (or the radio base station)
3 as a broadcast communication message, after activating the
broadcast communication function.
[0049]
Moreover, the receiver unit 41 is configured to manage a
broadcast communication message to be received.
[0050]
Specifically, the receiver unit 41 is configured to manage
a message identifier for identifying the broadcast communication
message to be received, using a reception ID list.
[0051]
In addition, the receiver unit 41 is basically configured
to receive only the broadcast communication message managed as
a broadcast communication message to be received, namely, the
broadcast communication message including the message
identifier managed in the reception ID list.
[0052]
However, the receiver unit 41 is configured to receive a
broadcast communication message including the "emergency
information identifier", even when the broadcast communication
message is not managed as a broadcast communication message to
be received, or in other words, even when the broadcast
communication message does not include the message identifier
managed in the reception ID list.
[0053]
In addition, the receiver unit 41 is similarly configured
to receive the paging signal including the "emergency information
identifier" without fail.
[0054]
The emergency information notifying unit 42 is configured
to notify, to the user, the "generation of the emergency
information to be received (the occurrence of the emergency
situation), when the "generation of the emergency information
to be received (the occurrence of the emergency situation)" is
notified by using the paging signal received by the receiver
unit 41.
[0055]
Specifically, the emergency information notifying unit 42
may be configured to perform the aforementioned notification
to the user, by performing a display corresponding to the "type
of emergency information" included in the paging signal received
by the receiver unit 41 (a display of predetermined characters,
images, or video images).
[0056]
For example, when the mobile terminal 4 is roaming, the
emergency information notifying unit 42 may perform the display
corresponding to the "type of emergency information" in a
language of a roaming destination country.
[0057]
In addition, the emergency information notifying unit 42
may be configured to perform the aforementioned notification
to the user, by displaying the "overview of emergency
information" included in the paging signal received by the
receiver unit 41.
[0058]
Moreover, the emergency information notifying unit 42 may
be configured to perform the aforementioned notification to the
user, by performing an operation specified by the "terminal
operation identifier" included in the paging signal received
by the receiver unit 41.
[0059]
For example, what is assumed as the operation specified
by the "terminal operation identifier" is any selected operation
such as a predetermined buzzer sound and a popup display. The
detailed information display unit 43 is configured to display
the "detailed information of emergency information" received
as a broadcast communication message, after the broadcast
communication function is activatedby thepaging signal received
by the receiver unit 41.
[0060]
(Operation of Mobile Communication System according to First
Embodiment of Present Invention)
An operation of the emergency information delivering system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention will
be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
[0061]
First, with reference to Fig. 3, description will be given
of the operation of delivering emergency information (Earthquake
Early Warning) using the CBS system
[0062]
As shown in Fig. 3, in step S1001, an emergency information
delivery apparatus CBE (Cell Broadcast Entity) delivers
information required to deliver emergency information to a core
network apparatus CBC (Cell Broadcast Center) . The information
includes the "emergency-information delivery area", the "type
of emergency information (for example, the kind of a disaster) ",
the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal
operation identifier".
[0063]
Here, if there is only an "Earthquake Early Warning", as
the "type of emergency information", the core network apparatus
CBC understands the "type of emergency information", and hence
the deliver of the "type of emergency information" can be omitted.
[0064]
In addition, if the "overview of emergency information"
is generated in the core network apparatus CBC, the deliver of
the "overview of emergency information" can be omitted.
[0065]
In step S1002, based on the information received from the
emergency information delivery apparatus CBE, the core network
apparatus CBC transmits the following in addition to a normal
parameter for the CBS, to a radio control apparatus RNC (or a
radio base station) covering the "emergency-information
delivery area". Specifically, transmitted are the "emergency
information identifier", the "type of emergency information",
the "overview of emergency information", the "detailed
information of emergency information", the "terminal operation
identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery area".
[0066]
Specifically, the core network apparatus CBC adds the
following information elements to a parameter "Write-Replace"
defined in TS25.419(SABP), and transmits the information
elements. Specifically, the information elements added are the
"emergency information identifier", the "type of emergency
information", the "overview of emergency information", the
"detailed information of emergency information", the "terminal
operation identifier", and the "emergency-information delivery
area".
[0067]
In step S1003, when the "emergency information identifier"
is set for the parameter "Write-Replace" that the radio control
apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) has received from the
core network apparatus CBC, the radio control apparatus RNC (or
the radio base station) incorporates the "type of emergency
information", the "overview of emergency information", and the
"terminal operation identifier" in a CBS paging signal (defined
in RRC:3GPP TS25.331), so as to notify to a mobile terminal UE
that belongs to the "emergency-information delivery area".
[0068]
In step S1004, the mobile terminal UE that has received
the CBS paging signal makes simplified notification to a user
of the occurrence of an earthquake and an overview of the
earthquake, while linking the "type of emergency information
(Earthquake Early Warning)" and the "overview of emergency
information".
[0069]
Further, the mobile terminal UE performs an operation
specified by the "terminal operation identifier" (for example,
a buzzer sound) when the mobile terminal UE performs the
aforementioned notification.
[0070]
Here, the amount of information to be transmitted can be
minimized by causing the mobile terminal UE to preliminarily
determine a parameter for the "overview of emergency information"
and where to insert the parameter for the "overview of emergency
information" notified by the "overview of emergency information"
in a defined format created by the mobile terminal UE.
[0071]
In step S1005, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio
base station) delivers the detailed information of the emergency
information to the mobile terminal UE as a broadcast
communication message (a BMC CBS message).
[0072]
In step S1006, the mobile terminal UE that has received
the detailed information of the emergency information displays
the detailed information of the emergency information
accompanied with a buzzer sound, a popup, and the like, on the
basis of the way specified by a serial number and the like.
[0073]
In step S1007, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio
base station) transmits a "Report-Success" to the core network
apparatus CBC. In step S1008, the core network apparatus CBC
transmits the "Report-Success" to the emergency information
delivery apparatus CBE.
[0074]
Second, with reference to Fig. 4, description will be given
of the operation of delivering emergency information (Earthquake
Early Warning) using the MBMS system.
[0075]
As shown in Fig. 4, in step S2001, an emergency information
delivery apparatus delivers information required to deliver
emergency information to a core network apparatus BM-SC
(Broadcast Multicast Service Center). The information includes
the "emergency-information delivery area", the "type of
emergency information (for example, the kind of a disaster)",
the "overview of emergency information", and the "terminal
operation identifier".
[0076]
Here, if there is only an "Earthquake Early Warning", as
the "type of emergency information", the core network apparatus
BM-SC understands the "type of emergency information", and hence
the deliver of the "type of emergency information" can be omitted.
[0077]
In addition, if the "overview of emergency information"
is generated in the core network apparatus BM-SC, the deliver
of the "overview of emergency information" can be omitted.
[0078]
In step S2002, based on the information received from the
emergency information delivery apparatus, the core network
apparatus BM-SC transmits the following in addition to a normal
parameter for the MBMS, to a radio control apparatus RNC (or
a radio base station) covering the "emergency-information
delivery area" through a switching system GGSN (Gateway GPRS
Support Node) /SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) . Specifically,
transmitted are the "emergency information identifier", the
"type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency
information", the "detailed information of emergency
information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the
"emergency-information delivery area".
[0079]
Specifically, the core network apparatus BM-SC adds the
following information elements to a parameter "Session Start
Request (RAR(START))" defined in TS29.061(PDN), and transmits
the information elements. Specifically, the information
elements added are the "emergency information identifier", the
"type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency
information", the "detailed information of emergency
information", the "terminal operation identifier", and the
"emergency-information delivery area" (PDN/GTP/RANAP).
[0080]
In step S2003, the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio
base station) transmits a "Session Start Response" to the core
network apparatus BM-SC through the switching system GGSN/SGSN.
[0081]
In step S2004, when the "emergency information identifier"
is set for the parameter "Session Start Request (RAR(START))"
that the radio control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station)
has received from the core network apparatus BM-SC, the radio
control apparatus RNC (or the radio base station) incorporates
the "type of emergency information", the "overview of emergency
information", and the "terminal operation identifier" in a MBMS
paging signal (RRC), so as to notify to a mobile terminal UE
that belongs to the "emergency-information delivery area."
[0082]
In step S2005, the mobile terminal UE that has received
the MBMS paging signal makes simplified notification to a user
of the occurrence of an earthquake and an overview of the
earthquake, while linking the "type of emergency information
(Earthquake Early Warning)" and the "overview of emergency
information".
[0083]
In step S2006, after establishing a MBMS session with the
mobile station UE, the core network apparatus BM-SC delivers
the detailed information of the emergency information to the
mobile station UE through the switching system GGSN/SGSN, as
a broadcast communication message (an MBMS message).
[0084]
In step S2007, the mobile terminal UE that has received
the detailed information of the emergency information displays
the detailed information of the emergency information
accompanied with a buzzer sound, a popup, and the like, on the
basis of the way specified by a serial number and the like.
[0085]
(Advantageous Effects of Emergency Information Delivering
System according to First Embodiment of Present Invention)
The emergency information delivering system according to
the first embodiment allows a broadcasting system using a
conventional infrastructure (CBS or MBMS) to notify a mobile
terminal of the overview of emergency information by a paging
signal, before a broadcast communication message (the detailed
information of the emergency information) is delivered.
Thereby, the emergency information delivering system is capable
of helping a user to take a first action quickly, and reducing
an influence on human lives caused by an emergency situation
such as a disaster.
[0086]
In addition, the emergency information delivering system
according to this embodiment incorporates a terminal operation
identifier in the paging signal, and thereby allows specification
of the operation that the mobile terminal performs when receiving
the overview of the emergency information.
[0087]
In future, if efforts for emergency information delivery
are made across the world and thus the emergency information
message identifier is defined internationally, there coexist
a mobile terminal that is set to receive a message having an
emergency information message identifier uniquely used by a
telecommunication carrier and a mobile terminal that is set to
receive a message having an emergency information message
identifier commonly used across the world. Even in this case,
according to the emergency information delivering system
according to this embodiment, emergency information transmitted
only once can reach both of the mobile terminals even by using
the existing emergency information message identifier uniquely
used by a telecommunication carrier. Thereby the emergency
information message identifier can be smoothly shifted from the
one unique to a telecommunication carrier to the one common across
the world.
[0088]
Note that operations of the aforementioned mobile terminal,
radio base station, and radio control apparatus may be performed
by hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a
combination of the two.
[0089]
The software module may be provided in a storage medium
of any form including a RAM (RandomAccess Memory), a flashmemory,
a ROM (Read Only Memory) , an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) ,
an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM), a
register, a hard disk, a removable disk, and a CD-ROM.
[0090]
The storage medium is connected to the processor so that
the processor can read and write information from and onto the
storage medium. The storage medium may be integrated with the
processor. In addition, the storage medium and the processor
may be provided in an ASIC. The ASIC may be provided in the
mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB. Further, the
storage medium and the processor may be provided in the mobile
station UE and the radio base station eNB as a discrete component.
[0091]
The present invention has been described above in detail
by using the above embodiment. However, it is apparent for those
skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited
to the embodiment described in this specification. The present
invention can be implemented as amended or modified forms without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention,
which is defined by the description of the scope of claims. The
description of this specification has been given to illustrate
the present invention, and therefore is not intended to limit
the present invention.
[0092]
Note that the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2007-280557 (filed on October 29, 2007) is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0093]
As described above, the present invention provides an
emergency information delivering method, a radio control
apparatus, a radio base station, and a mobile terminal which
can notify each user of the presence of emergency information
earlier than with existing broadcasting systems.
[0094]
In addition, the present invention provides an emergency
information deliveringmethod, a radio control apparatus, a radio
base station, and a mobile terminal which can deliver emergency
information efficiently without reception delay between
coexistingmobile terminals, one having an emergency information
message identifier unique to a telecommunication carrier and
the other having an emergency communication message identifier
common across the world.
CLAIMS
[1] An emergency information delivering method for delivering
emergency information to a mobile terminal using broadcast
communication, comprising the steps of:
notifying, to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency
information to be received, by use of a paging signal used to
activate a broadcast communication function of the mobile
terminal;
notifying, from the mobile terminal to a user, the
generation of the emergency information in response to the
notification by the paging signal;
transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information
of the emergency information as a broadcast communication
message; and
displaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed
information, after the broadcast communication function is
activated by the paging signal, the detailed information being
received as the broadcast communication message.
[2] The emergency information delivering method according to
claim 1, wherein
the paging signal includes a type of the emergency
information; and
the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user,
by performing a display corresponding to the type of the emergency
information included in the received paging signal.
[3] The emergency information delivering method according to
claim 1, wherein
the paging signal includes an overview of the emergency
information; and
the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user,
by displaying the overview of the emergency information included
in the received paging signal.
[4] The emergency information delivering method according to
claim 1, wherein
the paging signal includes a terminal operation identifier
specifying an operation of the mobile terminal; and
the mobile terminal performs the notification to the user,
by performing an operation specified by the terminal operation
identifier included in the received paging signal.
[5] The emergency information delivering method according to
any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
the mobile terminal manages a broadcast communication
message to be received; and
the mobile terminal receives the broadcast communication
message, even when the broadcast communication message is not
managed as the broadcast communication message to be received,
and if the broadcast communication message includes an emergency
information identifier identifying the detailed information of
the emergency information.
[6] A radio control apparatus configured to transmit emergency
information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast
communication, wherein
the radio control apparatus is configured to notify,
to the mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to
be received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; and
the radio control apparatus is configured to transmit, to
the mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency
information as a broadcast communication message, after
transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal.
[7] A radio base station configured to transmit emergency
information to a mobile terminal with use of broadcast
communication, wherein
the radio base station is configured to notify, to the
mobile terminal, of generation of emergency information to be
received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; and
the radio base station is configured to transmit, to the
mobile terminal, detailed information of the emergency
information as a broadcast communication message, after
transmitting the paging signal to the mobile terminal.
[8] A mobile terminal configured to receive emergency
information with use of broadcast communication, wherein
the mobile terminal being configured to notify, to a user,
generation of emergency information to be received, when the
generation of the emergency information to be received is
notified by a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; and
the mobile terminal being configured to display detailed
information of the emergency information received as a broadcast
communication message, after the broadcast communication
function is activated by the paging signal.
[9] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein
the mobile terminal is configured to perform the
notification to the user, by performing a display corresponding
to a type of the emergency information included in the received
paging signal.
[10] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein
the mobile terminal is configured to perform the
notification to the user, by displaying an overview of the
emergency information included in the received paging signal.
[11] The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein
the paging signal includes a terminal operation identifier
for specifying an operation of the mobile terminal,
the mobile terminal is configured to perform the
notification to the user, by performing an operation specified
by the terminal operation identifier included in the received
paging signal.
[12] The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 8 to
11, wherein
the mobile terminal is configured to manage a broadcast
communication message to be received; and
the mobile terminal is configured to receive the broadcast
communication message, even when the broadcast communication
message is not managed as the broadcast communication message
to be received, and if the broadcast communication message
includes an emergency information identifier identifying the
detailed information of the emergency information.

An emergency information delivering method according to
the present invention includes the steps of: notifying, to a
mobile terminal, generation of emergency information to be
received, by use of a paging signal used to activate a broadcast
communication function of the mobile terminal; notifying, from
the mobile terminal to a user, the generation of the emergency
information in response to the notification by the paging signal;
transmitting, to the mobile terminal, detailed information of
the emergency information as a broadcast communication message;
anddisplaying, at the mobile terminal, the detailed information,
after the broadcast communication function is activated by the
paging signal, the detailed information being received as the
broadcast communication message.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=XC8mPjDBPwmzUJ24TasjQg==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==

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Patent Number

271495

Indian Patent Application Number

1750/KOLNP/2010

PG Journal Number

09/2016

Publication Date

26-Feb-2016

Grant Date

23-Feb-2016

Date of Filing

14-May-2010

Name of Patentee

NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Applicant Address

11-1, NAGATACHO 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-6150 JAPAN

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	OHGUSHI, RYOHEI	C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT, NTT DOCOMO, INC., SANNO PARK TOWER, 11-1, NAGATACHO 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-6150 JAPAN
2	ENDOH, EISUKE	C/O INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT, NTT DOCOMO, INC., SANNO PARK TOWER, 11-1, NAGATACHO 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-6150 JAPAN

PCT International Classification Number

H04Q 7/38,H04M 11/04

PCT International Application Number

PCT/JP2008/069541

PCT International Filing date

2008-10-28

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	2007-280557	2007-10-29	Japan