Information transmission system

Abstract

Provided is an information transmission system or the like capable of transmitting information from a portable terminal to a server even during a disaster.　This information transmission system comprises a first server communication unit, an information server, and a temporary recording server. A terminal information database includes at least position information acquired by a position information acquisition unit of a first communication terminal and transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit. When a first condition is satisfied, instead of reception of the position information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal not via the temporary recording server by the first server communication unit, a second server communication unit receives the position information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal, a second server recording unit records the position information of the first communication terminal, and then the second server communication unit transmits the position information of the first communication terminal recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

Description

Information Transmission System

[0001] The present invention relates to an information transmission system that transmits location information and the like from a mobile terminal to another mobile terminal via a server.

[0002] Patent Document 1 and the like propose a location information system in which a mobile terminal discloses location information of the mobile terminal and other mobile terminals.

[0003] JP 2009-165091 A

[0004] However, during a disaster, the amount of communication traffic increases, and it may become difficult to send location information and other data from mobile devices to the server.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information transmission system or the like that allows information to be transmitted from a mobile terminal to a server even during a disaster.

[0006] An information transmission system according to the present invention includes an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database including location information of each of the plurality of communication terminals, and a temporary recording server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit. The terminal information database includes at least location information acquired by a location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal, the location information being transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit. The first server communication unit receives the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server. When the first condition is met, instead of the first server communication unit receiving the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server, the second server communication unit receives the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal, the second server recording unit records the location information of the first communication terminal, and then the second server communication unit transmits the location information of the first communication terminal recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

[0007] If the information server is not in a state where updates can be performed, location information and other information is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server and later sent to the information server. This prevents data reception and terminal information database update processing from concentrating on the information server, and allows information transmission from communication terminals to continue even when communications are congested during a disaster or other such event.

[0008] Preferably, the first server recording unit is a storage, and the second server recording unit is a temporary storage medium.

[0009] The terminal information database can be stably recorded in the first server recording unit, and compared to a configuration in which the second server recording unit is composed of storage, it is possible to quickly write location information to the second server recording unit and delete the location information after transferring it to the information server.

[0010] Preferably, in the first server communication unit, a first communication device that communicates with the first communication terminal and a second communication device that communicates with the second server communication unit are configured with different NICs (Network Interface Controllers). In the second server communication unit, a third communication device that communicates with the first communication terminal and a fourth communication device that communicates with the first server communication unit are configured with different NICs. The second communication device and the fourth communication device are connected via a network different from a network through which the first communication device, the third communication device, and the multiple communication terminals communicate, or are directly connected by a LAN cable. Transmission of the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal to the first communication device of the first server communication unit is performed using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). Transmission of the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal to the third communication device of the second server communication unit is performed using UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Transmission of the location information of the first communication terminal from the fourth communication device to the second communication device is performed using TCP. The second server communication unit transmits, to the first communication terminal, a packet including the location information of the first communication terminal transmitted from the first communication terminal.

[0011] Even if at least one of the first and third communication devices is unable to communicate, as long as the second and fourth communication devices are able to communicate, communication between the first communication unit of the information server and the second communication unit of the temporary storage server can be continued. This eliminates the need to wait for an ACK packet to be sent, and allows the communication terminal to complete transmission of location information and other information without congesting the communication. By receiving the same information as the transmitted information, it is possible to confirm that transmission from the communication terminal to the temporary storage server has been completed.

[0012] Also, preferably, as the first condition, when transmission from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit results in an error a predetermined number of times, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary recording server.

[0013] When the information server is not in a state where it can perform update processing, it is possible to switch to sending to the temporary recording server, thereby reducing the load on the information server.

[0014] Also, preferably, as the first condition, when specified information is included in the data transmitted from the information server to at least the plurality of communication terminals, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary recording server.

[0015] When the update process is not possible, the information server sends data containing specified information to the communication terminal, which switches to sending to the temporary recording server, thereby reducing the load on the information server.

[0016] More preferably, the predetermined information is information about an IP address of the temporary storage server. When the load average of the information server is equal to or greater than a load average threshold and / or the CPU utilization rate of the first server control unit of the information server is equal to or greater than a utilization rate threshold, the information server includes the predetermined information in data transmitted to the plurality of communication terminals.

[0017] When the information server is not in a state where update processing is possible, such as when the load average of the information server is high, the information server transmits data including predetermined information to the communication terminal, which switches to transmission to the temporary recording server, thereby reducing the load on the information server.

[0018] Preferably, the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals, and the first condition is that, during a first period of time after the information server transmits first disaster information including information on a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary storage server.

[0019] Immediately after the first disaster information has been sent, if there is a high possibility that communication is congested and update processing is not possible, the information server can send data containing specified information to the communication terminal, thereby switching to sending to a temporary recording server and reducing the load on the information server.

[0020] Preferably, the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals. When a first condition is satisfied, the first server communication unit receives, via the temporary storage server, information regarding a response to the first disaster information from the first communication terminal when the information server transmits, to the first communication terminal, first disaster information including information regarding a disaster of a predetermined scale or larger among the disaster information.

[0021] Immediately after the first disaster information is transmitted, when the transmission of information relating to responses to the first disaster information increases and there is a high possibility of communication congestion, it is possible to switch to transmission to a temporary recording server, thereby reducing the load on the information server.

[0022] An information transmission system according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal, an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database including location information of each of the plurality of communication terminals, and a temporary recording server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit. The terminal information database includes at least location information acquired by a location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal, the location information being transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit. The communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server. When the first condition is met, instead of the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmitting the location information of the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server, the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to the second server communication unit, the second server recording unit records the location information of the first communication terminal, and then the second server communication unit transmits the location information of the first communication terminal recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

[0023] If the information server is not in a state where updates can be performed, location information and other information is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server and later sent to the information server. This prevents data reception and terminal information database update processing from concentrating on the information server, and allows information transmission from communication terminals to continue even when communications are congested during a disaster or other such event.

[0024] Preferably, the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals. When a communication unit of the first communication terminal receives first disaster information from the information server, the first disaster information includes information about a disaster of a predetermined scale or larger among the disaster information, a location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal acquires location information, and the communication unit of the first terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to either the information server or the temporary storage server.

[0025] The latest location information can be obtained quickly immediately after a disaster occurs, without being affected by the specifications of the communication terminal's OS (Operating System), such as positioning at regular intervals.

[0026] More preferably, the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals. When the communication unit of the first communication terminal receives first disaster information from the information server, the first disaster information includes information about a disaster of a predetermined scale or larger among the disaster information, the location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal increases the frequency of determining the location information compared to before receiving the first disaster information.

[0027] This will enable detailed understanding of changes in the location information of communication terminal users immediately after a disaster occurs.

[0028] More preferably, when an operation is performed on the first communication terminal to send a safety response to either the information server or the temporary recording server, the location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal sets the positioning frequency of the location information to the same as before receiving the first disaster information.

[0029] This makes it possible to reduce power consumption due to positioning.

[0030] More preferably, the first server recording unit records the disaster information and an identification number corresponding to the disaster information.

[0031] In cases where multiple disasters such as earthquakes occur within a short period of time, it will be easier to understand which disaster the safety response corresponds to.

[0032] The information transmission system according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal, an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database, and a temporary storage server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit. The information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals. The terminal information database contains information regarding a response to the first disaster information from the first communication terminal when the information server transmits first disaster information to the first communication terminal, the first disaster information including information regarding a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information. The communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits information regarding the response to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary storage server. When a first condition is met, instead of the communication unit of the first communication terminal sending information regarding the response to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server, the communication unit of the first communication terminal sends information regarding the response to the second server communication unit, the second server recording unit records the information regarding the response, and then the second server communication unit sends the information regarding the response recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

[0033] When the information server is not in a state where updates can be performed, information related to responses such as safety confirmation replies is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server and later transmitted to the information server. This prevents data reception and terminal information database update processing from concentrating on the information server, and allows information transmission from communication terminals to continue even when communications are congested during a disaster or other such event.

[0034] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information transmission system that can transmit information from a mobile terminal to a server even in the event of a disaster.

[0035] 1 is a configuration diagram of an information transmission system in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing example contents of a terminal information database before an earthquake occurs. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing example contents of a group information database. FIG. 4 is a display example of the first screen of a first communication terminal before an earthquake occurs, in which an upper region of a user location information display area is displayed. FIG. 5 is a display example of the first screen of a first communication terminal before an earthquake occurs, in which a lower region of a user location information display area is displayed. FIG. 6 is a display example of the second screen of a first communication terminal. FIG. 7 is a display example of a first interrupt screen. FIG. 8 is a display example of a second interrupt screen. FIG. 9 is a display example of the first screen of a first communication terminal after an earthquake occurs, in which an upper region of a user location information display area is displayed. FIG. 10 is a display example of the first screen of a first communication terminal after an earthquake occurs, in which a lower region of a user location information display area is displayed. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing example contents of a terminal information database after an earthquake occurs.

[0036] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment is not limited to the following embodiment. In principle, the content described in one embodiment is also applicable to other embodiments. Each embodiment and each modified example can be combined as appropriate.

[0037] The information transmission system 1 in this embodiment includes an information source unit 20, an information server 30 (first server communication unit 31, first server recording unit 33, first server control unit 35), a temporary recording server 40 (second server communication unit 41, second server recording unit 43, second server control unit 45), and communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, a configuration is described in which five communication terminals are used to share location information and safety information with each other, but the number of communication terminals is not limited to five. Note that the relationship between the latitude and longitude information and area names shown in FIG. 2 and other figures may not match those that actually exist.

[0038] (Configuration of communication terminal) Each of the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) has a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, a recording unit 13, a control unit 15, and a location information acquisition unit 16. Note that the communication terminal is preferably a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, but may also be a device that is fixed in a predetermined location.

[0039] (Communication unit 11) The communication unit 11 communicates with the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31, communicates with the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41, and communicates with a base station that forms a wireless link with the communication terminal.

[0040] (Display unit 12, recording unit 13, control unit 15) The display unit 12 displays at least a first screen P1 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 8 to 10), a second screen P2 (see FIG. 6), a first interrupt screen Pi1 (see FIG. 7), and a second interrupt screen Pi2 (see FIG. 8). A location information program (information transmission program) according to this embodiment is installed in the recording unit 13. The control unit 15 executes the location information program and controls each unit of the communication terminal (communication unit 11, display unit 12, recording unit 13, and location information acquisition unit 16).

[0041] (Location Information Acquisition Unit 16) The location information acquisition unit 16 has a positioning device such as a GPS and an acceleration sensor, and detects the location information and acceleration of the communication terminal.

[0042] The location information acquisition unit 16 acquires location information at regular intervals (e.g., a first time T1) or when the communication terminal moves a first distance di1 or more (T1 = 30 minutes, di1 = 500 m). However, if the communication terminal receives first disaster information (described later), the location information acquisition unit 16 acquires location information immediately thereafter, and thereafter, the location information acquisition unit 16 acquires location information at a second time T2, which is shorter than the first time T1, or when the communication terminal moves a second distance di2 or more, which is shorter than the first distance di1 (T2 = 15 minutes, di1 > di2 = 250 m). In other words, when the communication unit 11 receives first disaster information from the information server 30, the location information acquisition unit 16 of the communication terminal increases the frequency of positioning the location information compared to before receiving the first disaster information. The location information obtained by the location information acquisition unit 16 and information regarding the response to the first disaster information from the communication terminal (described later) (safety response information) are transmitted to the information server 30 or the temporary recording server 40 via the communication unit 11. After the safety response information is transmitted, the positioning frequency of the location information is restored. That is, when a specific operation (safety response operation, first operation or second operation described later) for transmitting a safety response to either the information server 30 or the temporary recording server 40 is performed on the communication terminal, such as tapping the "Report I'm Safe" button 601, the location information acquisition unit 16 of the communication terminal restores the positioning frequency of the location information to the same frequency as before receiving the first disaster information.

[0043] (Procedure for transmitting location information, etc.) First, at least one of location information and safety response information is transmitted to the information server 30 via the communication unit 11. When transmission from the communication unit 11 of the communication terminal to the information server 30 is successful and the information server 30 is able to perform processing such as updating the terminal information database D1, the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 receives at least one of the location information of the communication terminal and safety response information regarding the safety of the user of the communication terminal from the communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server 40. Transmission of at least one of the location information and safety response information to the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 via the communication unit 11 is performed using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).

[0044] When the first condition is met, i.e., when transmission from the communication unit 11 of the communication terminal to the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 fails a predetermined number of times, such as when the information server 30 is unable to process, a packet containing at least one of location information and safety response information is transmitted to the temporary recording server 40 via the communication unit 11. Transmission of at least one of the location information and safety response information to the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 via the communication unit 11 is performed using UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Possible conditions in which the information server 30 is unable to process include a condition in which the load average of the information server 30 (the sum of the number of processes running and waiting to be executed and the number of processes waiting for I / O) is greater than or equal to a load average threshold, a condition in which the CPU utilization rate of the first server control unit 35 of the information server 30 is greater than or equal to a utilization rate threshold, etc.

[0045] The packet containing the information transmitted to the temporary recording server 40 is transmitted to the communication unit 11 via the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41. At this point, at least one of the location information and the safety response information has only been temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server 40, and at least one of the location information and the safety response information has not yet reached the information server 30, and the terminal information database D1 has not been updated.

[0046] If the packet is not received from the temporary recording server 40 after a third time T3 has elapsed since the communication terminal transmitted at least one of the location information and safety response information to the temporary recording server 40, it is determined that the location information and / or safety response information was not transmitted successfully to the temporary recording server 40, and at least one of the location information and / or safety response information is retransmitted to the temporary recording server 40 (for example, T3 = 10 seconds). At least one of the location information and / or safety response information is retransmitted to the temporary recording server 40 after a fourth time T4 has elapsed. The fourth time T4 is set using a random number. The procedure by which at least one of the location information and / or safety response information transmitted to the temporary recording server 40 is transmitted to the information server 30 will be described later.

[0047] (Location information program) In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a user with user ID: 11 (user name: Papa, Taro) logs in to the location information program (information transmission program) installed on the 51st communication terminal M51 using user ID: 11, a user with user ID: 12 (user name: Hanako) logs in to the location information program installed on the 52nd communication terminal M52 using user ID: 12, a user with user ID: 13 (user name: Susumu) logs in to the location information program installed on the 53rd communication terminal M53 using user ID: 13, a user with user ID: 23 (user name: Grandpa) logs in to the location information program installed on the 54th communication terminal M54 using user ID: 23, and a user with user ID: 24 (user name: Grandma) logs in to the location information program installed on the 55th communication terminal M55 using user ID: 24. In addition, the screen display examples in Figures 4 to 10 are displayed after a user with user ID: 11 (user name: Papa, Taro) logs in to the location information program installed on the 51st communication terminal M51 using user ID: 11.

[0048] Furthermore, the "first communication terminal" set forth in the claims will be described as corresponding to the 51st communication terminal M51, but is not limited to the 51st communication terminal M51. The "second communication terminal" set forth in the claims will be described as corresponding to any one of the 52nd communication terminal M52 to the 55th communication terminal M55, but is not limited to the 52nd communication terminal M52 to the 55th communication terminal M55. The "plurality of communication terminals" set forth in the claims will be described as corresponding to any one of the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55, but is not limited to the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55.

[0049] Information transmission and reception between the information server 30 and the communication terminal, and information transmission between the temporary recording server 40 and the communication terminal are performed via a location information program. Note that, in this embodiment, a form in which a location information program installed in each communication terminal is used is described, but a form in which each communication terminal accesses a server of an ASP (Application Service Provider) via a network and uses the location information program stored in the server of the ASP may also be used.

[0050] (Information source transmission unit 20) The information source transmission unit 20 outputs disaster information to the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30. The disaster information includes at least information about the location of the disaster, and in this embodiment, information about the type, location, and date and time of the disaster. In this embodiment, the disaster information is described as disaster information about earthquakes, but it may also be information about other disasters such as floods. Furthermore, the disaster information may not only include information about past occurrences such as earthquake occurrence reports, but also information about future occurrences predicted, such as lightning warnings and earthquake predictions.

[0051] Disaster information is classified into first disaster information, which is information about a disaster that includes information about a disaster that is equal to or greater than a predetermined scale; second disaster information, which is information about a disaster that includes information about a disaster that is less than a predetermined scale; and cancellation information (information that cancels the first disaster information or the second disaster information) that is issued within a fifth time T5 (for example, T5 = several seconds to several tens of seconds) after the issuance of the first disaster information or the second disaster information. In this embodiment, information about earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5 or greater is defined as first disaster information, and information about earthquakes with a seismic intensity of less than 5 and information about disasters other than earthquakes is defined as second disaster information.

[0052] The information source transmitting unit 20 is installed at a location from which disaster information can be transmitted, such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, in a state where it can be connected to the information server 30 via a network. However, the information source transmitting unit 20 may not be installed, and a user who receives information related to the disaster information may input the disaster information into the information server 30 via an input / output terminal 70, and the information server 30 may transmit the disaster information to a communication terminal based on this.

[0053] In this embodiment, the information server 30 receives disaster information (first disaster information) from the information source transmission unit 20, which has the following information: "Type of disaster: earthquake (magnitude 7.1 with maximum predicted seismic intensity of 6- in the Shikoku region), location: Shikoku region, date and time: 8:30 on August 3, 2016," and the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 transmit their own location information and the like to the information server 30 as shown below before the information server 30 receives the first disaster information and after the information server 30 receives the first disaster information.

[0054] The 51st communication terminal M51 transmitted location information acquired at 8:08 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 52nd communication terminal M52 transmitted location information acquired at 8:04 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 53rd communication terminal M53 transmitted location information acquired at 8:05 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 54th communication terminal M54 transmitted location information acquired at 7:30 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 55th communication terminal M55 transmitted location information acquired at 7:45 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30.

[0055] The 51st communication terminal M51 transmitted location information and safety response information acquired at 8:50 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 52nd communication terminal M52 transmitted location information acquired at 8:46 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 52nd communication terminal M52 did not receive the disaster information. The 53rd communication terminal M53 transmitted location information acquired at 8:45 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30. The 53rd communication terminal M53 did not receive the disaster information. The 54th communication terminal M54 transmitted location information acquired at 8:12 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30, but did not transmit safety response information to the information server 30. The 55th communication terminal M55 transmitted location information acquired at 8:27 on August 3, 2016 to the information server 30, but did not transmit safety response information to the information server 30.

[0056] (Information Server 30) Next, each unit of the information server 30 (first server communication unit 31, first server recording unit 33, first server control unit 35) will be described.

[0057] (First server communication unit 31 of information server 30) The first server communication unit 31 includes a first communication device 31a and a second communication device 31b. The first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 supports TCP, communicates with each of the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) registered in the terminal information database D1, and obtains location information of each communication terminal before transmitting disaster information to these communication terminals.

[0058] For example, a configuration is conceivable in which each communication terminal transmits location information to the first communication device 31 a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 using a location information program installed in each communication terminal.

[0059] When the location of the communication terminal itself can be determined using GPS positioning or the like and this information is sent to the information server 30, the ICCID corresponding to the identification number of the SIM card included in the communication terminal, the latitude and longitude information of the communication terminal, and the date and time when the latitude and longitude information was acquired are used as the location information of the communication terminal.

[0060] When acquiring location information of each communication terminal, there is no limit to the level of detail of the location information, and the most detailed level of location information that can be acquired is acquired and recorded in the terminal information database D1. However, when disclosing location information of a communication terminal (first communication terminal) or another communication terminal (second communication terminal), the level of detail of the location information is adjusted based on the "level of detail of location information to be disclosed (first detail parameter dp1, second detail parameter dp2)" set by the user of the communication terminal.

[0061] In addition, the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 receives disaster information from the information source transmission unit 20, and after receiving the disaster information (or after the disaster information is input by the input / output terminal 70), transmits the disaster information, etc. to the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) based on the terminal information database D1 and the group information database D2, and receives safety response information from the communication terminals.

[0062] Furthermore, the second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 supports TCP. The second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 and the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 (described later) are connected via a network separate from the network over which the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31, the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41, and the multiple communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) communicate, or are directly connected via a LAN cable. The second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 communicates with the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 using TCP, and receives data temporarily recorded in the second server recording unit 43, such as location information.

[0063] In the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30, it is desirable that the first communication device 31a that communicates with the information source transmission unit 20 and the communication unit 11 of the communication terminal, and the second communication device 31b that communicates with the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40, be configured with different NICs (Network Interface Controllers).

[0064] (First server recording unit 33 of information server 30) The first server recording unit 33 of the information server 30 is composed of storage such as a hard disk, and records a terminal information database D1 and a group information database D2. The first server recording unit 33 also records disaster information together with an identification number corresponding to the disaster information. The first server recording unit 33 also has installed therein a first program that corresponds to a location information program (information transmission program) installed in the communication terminal, communicates with the communication terminal, and transmits and receives disaster information and the like.

[0065] (Terminal Information Database D1) The terminal information database D1 shows the relationship between information about users of communication terminals, communication terminals (communication terminal names), information about the locations of the communication terminals, and information about safety transmitted from the communication terminals (see FIGS. 2 and 11). The information about users of communication terminals in the terminal information database D1 is information input by users via each communication terminal (information set by user setting operations), and includes a user name, user ID (an identification number for logging in to a location information program), and user mark (which may be a photograph) corresponding to each communication terminal. The user names may be in a form in which different names are used for different groups, such as user names: Papa, Taro corresponding to user ID: 11.

[0066] The information relating to the location of the communication terminal includes latitude and longitude information corresponding to each communication terminal, the name of the area corresponding to the latitude and longitude information, and the date and time of positioning.

[0067] The latitude and longitude information and positioning date and time in the terminal information database D1 are obtained by the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 communicating with the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) registered in the terminal information database D1.

[0068] The area names corresponding to the latitude and longitude information in the terminal information database D1 are obtained by converting the latitude and longitude information of the communication terminal into area names using a table (not shown) that converts latitude and longitude information into area names.

[0069] The safety-related information in the terminal information database D1 indicates whether or not a safety response operation has been performed from the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) registered in the terminal information database D1 by the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30. This information is initialized when the first disaster information is transmitted, and the parameter in the safety type field (safety type parameter sp) is set to an initial value (sp = 1) indicating that the safety of the users of all communication terminals is unknown (no safety response operation has been performed). However, the safety type parameter sp for communication terminals to which the first disaster information has not been transmitted is not initialized. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the first disaster information is transmitted to the 51st communication terminal M51, the 54th communication terminal M54, and the 55th communication terminal M55, and the safety type parameters sp for the 51st communication terminal M51, the 54th communication terminal M54, and the 55th communication terminal M55 are initialized.

[0070] After initialization, the safety information in the terminal information database D1 is updated when safety response information is received from the communication terminal.

[0071] When a specific operation for replying to a safety question (safety reply operation) is performed by the user of the communication terminal on the location information program installed on the communication terminal, the parameter value in the safety type field is changed to 0 (safety type parameter sp=0 indicating that a reply has been made). In other words, when the specific operation for replying to a safety question (safety reply operation) is not performed, the initial value: 1 is maintained.

[0072] (Group Information Database D2) The group information database D2 shows the relationship between information about groups used in group chats (group messages) within the location information program and information about users belonging to the groups (see FIG. 3). The information about the groups is information input by users via their communication terminals (information set in a group setting operation) and includes a group name, a group ID (group identification number), and a group mark (which may be a photo). The information about users belonging to the group is information input by users via their communication terminals (information set in a location information disclosure designation operation) and includes the names of users belonging to the group, user IDs belonging to the group, and the level of detail (first level of detail parameter dp1) of location information to be disclosed during normal times (while the safety type parameter sp is 0) and the level of detail (second level of detail parameter dp2) of location information to be disclosed during disasters (while the safety type parameter sp is 1).

[0073] In this embodiment, the first level of detail parameter dp1 and the second level of detail parameter dp2 have three levels (1: discloses rough location information (for example, prefecture level) without altitude information, 2: discloses medium-level location information (for example, city / town level) with altitude information, 3: discloses fine location information (for example, street address level) with altitude information), but they may also have two levels or four or more levels.

[0074] It is desirable that the second level of detail parameter dp2 be set to a level of detail equal to or finer than that of the first level of detail parameter dp1. For example, the first level of detail parameter dp1 may be adjustable by the user in one of three levels, and the second level of detail parameter dp2 may be fixed at the finest level of detail.

[0075] In this embodiment, the group name: Tanaka family (group ID: G001) includes a user with user ID: 11 (user name: Dad, first level of detail parameter dp1: 2, second level of detail parameter dp2: 3), a user with user ID: 12 (user name: Hanako, first level of detail parameter dp1: 3, second level of detail parameter dp2: 3), and a user with user ID: 13 (user name: Susumu, first level of detail parameter dp1: 1, second level of detail parameter dp2: 3). In addition, the group name: Parents' home (group ID: G002) includes a user with user ID: 23 (user name: Grandpa, first level of detail parameter dp1:2, second level of detail parameter dp2:3), a user with user ID: 24 (user name: Grandma, first level of detail parameter dp1:3, second level of detail parameter dp2:3), and a user with user ID: 11 (user name: Taro, first level of detail parameter dp1:1, second level of detail parameter dp2:3).

[0076] (First Server Control Unit 35 of Information Server 30) The first server control unit 35 of the information server 30 executes the program installed in the first server recording unit 33 and controls the first server communication unit 31 and the first server recording unit 33.

[0077] Specifically, when the information server 30 receives disaster information from the information source unit 20, the first server control unit 35 transmits the disaster information to the communication terminals (the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55) registered in the terminal information database D1 via the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31. However, the first server control unit 35 transmits the disaster information only to communication terminals whose relationship to the location satisfies a second condition based on information about the location of the disaster included in the disaster information. The second condition may be, for example, within a third distance di3 from the location. In this case, the disaster information is transmitted to communication terminals whose latest location information is within the third distance di3 from the location (e.g., di3 = 500 km). The third distance di3 may vary depending on the type and scale of the disaster. For example, the third distance di3 may be set to a large value in the case of first disaster information, and the third distance di3 may be set to a small value in the case of second disaster information. Furthermore, the second condition is not limited to one based on distance, but may be a pre-set area (city, town, or village) to be notified corresponding to the location of the disaster, and the disaster information may be sent to communication terminals whose location information is included in the set area.

[0078] In addition, the first server control unit 35 updates the terminal information database D1 and the group information database D2 recorded in the first server recording unit 33 when the information server 30 receives information about the user, information about the group to which the user belongs, and information about the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed from the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 through a user setting operation, a group setting operation, a location information disclosure designation operation, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, when the information server 30 receives the location information of the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 without going through the temporary recording server 40, the first server control unit 35 updates the location information in the terminal information database D1 recorded in the first server recording unit 33. Furthermore, when the information server 30 receives the location information of the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 via the temporary recording server 40, the first server control unit 35 also updates the location information in the terminal information database D1 recorded in the first server recording unit 33.

[0080] Furthermore, when the information server 30 receives safety response information from the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 based on a safety response operation by the user of the communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server 40, the first server control unit 35 updates the safety type parameter sp in the terminal information database D1 recorded in the first server recording unit 33. Furthermore, when the information server 30 receives safety response information from the 51st communication terminal M51 to the 55th communication terminal M55 via the temporary recording server 40 based on a safety response operation by the user of the communication terminal, the first server control unit 35 also updates the safety type parameter sp in the terminal information database D1 recorded in the first server recording unit 33.

[0081] Furthermore, the first server control unit 35 transmits location information and safety information of other users (other people) who belong to the group to which the user (the user) who logged in to the location information program belongs to the communication terminal of the user (the user) who logged in to the location information program, via the first communication device 31a of the first server communication unit 31, based on the terminal information database D1 and the group information database D2. For example, since a user with user ID: 11 (user names: Dad and Taro) belongs to a group named Tanaka Family (group ID: G001) and a group named Parents' Home (group ID: G002), the location information and safety information of users who belong to these groups (user with user ID: 12 and user ID: 13 who belong to the group named Tanaka Family (group ID: G001), and user with user ID: 23 and user ID: 24 who belong to the group named Parents' Home (group ID: G002)) are transmitted to the 51st communication terminal M51 corresponding to user ID: 11.

[0082] The location information transmitted from the information server 30 to the communication terminal is the location information with the finest level of detail, and the level of detail of the location information displayed on the display unit 12 of the communication terminal is adjusted based on the safety information (safety type parameter sp). Specifically, for users whose safety type parameter sp is 0, the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed under normal circumstances (first level of detail parameter dp1), and for users whose safety type parameter sp is 1, the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed in the event of a disaster (second level of detail parameter dp2). However, when transmitting location information from the information server 30 to each communication terminal, the location information may be transmitted to each communication terminal with the level of detail changed for each transmitting communication terminal and for each user to whom the location information is disclosed, based on the safety information (safety type parameter sp) recorded in the terminal information database D1.

[0083] (Temporary Recording Server 40) Next, the respective units (second server communication unit 41, second server recording unit 43, second server control unit 45) of the temporary recording server 40 will be described. The temporary recording server 40 is configured separately from the information server 30.

[0084] The second server communication unit 41 includes a third communication device 41a and a fourth communication device 41b. The third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 supports UDP and communicates with each of the communication terminals (51st communication terminal M51 to 55th communication terminal M55) registered in the terminal information database D1 to acquire at least one of location information and safety response information. The fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 supports TCP and communicates with the second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 to transmit data temporarily recorded in the second server recording unit 43, such as location information, to the second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30. The second server recording unit 43 of the temporary recording server 40 is composed of a temporary storage medium such as a memory and temporarily records at least one of location information and safety response information received from a communication terminal, along with identification information of the communication terminal that transmitted the information. Also, a second program corresponding to the location information program (information transmission program) installed in the communication terminal is installed in the second server recording unit 43. The second program communicates with the communication terminal and temporarily records location information, etc. The third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41 transmits a packet including at least one of the received location information and safety response information to the communication terminal that is the sender.

[0085] It is desirable that the third communication device 41a in the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40, which communicates with the communication unit 11 of the communication terminal, and the fourth communication device 41b, which communicates with the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30, be configured with different NICs.

[0086] The second server control unit 45 communicates with the second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 via the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41 to confirm whether the information server 30 is in a processable state. Possible states for the information server 30 to be in a processable state include a state in which the load average of the information server 30 (the sum of the number of processes running and waiting to be executed and the number of processes waiting for I / O) is lower than a load average threshold, and a state in which the CPU utilization rate of the first server control unit 35 of the information server 30 is lower than a utilization rate threshold. If the information server 30 is in a processable state, the second server control unit 45 transmits the data temporarily recorded in the second server recording unit 43 to the information server 30 via the second server communication unit 41. Transmission of the temporarily recorded data from the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 to the second communication device 31b of the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 is performed via TCP. The first server recording unit 33 of the information server 30 updates the terminal information database D1 and the like based on the information transmitted from the temporary recording server 40 .

[0087] (Location Information Program) Next, details of the location information program will be described. The location information program has a function of displaying a first screen P1 (displaying disaster information and location information for each user), a second screen P2 (displaying a list of disaster information), a first interrupt screen Pi1 (interrupt display of disaster information), and a second interrupt screen Pi2 (interrupt display of safety response) on the display unit 12 of the communication terminal. Under normal circumstances, the first screen P1, the second screen P2, etc. are displayed on the display unit 12 of the communication terminal in response to a user's operation. In the event of a disaster, i.e., when first disaster information is received from the information server 30, the first interrupt screen Pi1 is displayed on the display unit 12 of the communication terminal in an interrupt manner above the first screen P1, the second screen P2, etc. displayed. After a predetermined operation (e.g., clicking the OK button 501a), the second interrupt screen Pi2 is displayed. The first interrupt screen Pi1 may also be displayed in an interrupt manner when second disaster information is received from the information server 30.

[0088] (First Screen P1) The first screen P1 has a first disaster information display area 101, a user position information display area 103, and a screen switching button display area 105 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 to 10).

[0089] The first disaster information display area 101 displays information about the most recent earthquake (area, date and time, maximum seismic intensity, magnitude), with a map centered on the area included in the information about the earthquake displayed in the background. The first disaster information display area 101 indicates the scale of the disaster (the numerical value of the maximum predicted seismic intensity) for the first disaster information and the second disaster information, and a disaster level mark ma1 indicating that the information is canceled is displayed in the case of canceled information. In this embodiment, the disaster level mark ma1 is displayed in white text for the first disaster information, in black text for the second disaster information, and in black text with an X on a hatched background for canceled information.

[0090] If no earthquake has occurred within a certain period of time in the past, the first disaster information display area 101 displays "No earthquake has occurred" along with detailed location information of the communication terminal. Note that the first disaster information display area 101 may only display "No earthquake has occurred" without displaying detailed location information of the communication terminal. Figures 4 and 5 show examples in which "No earthquake has occurred" is displayed in the first disaster information display area 101. Figures 8 to 10 show examples in which the first disaster information is displayed in the first disaster information display area 101.

[0091] Furthermore, during a sixth time T6 from when the information server 30 transmits the first disaster information until the information server 30 receives safety responses from all users in the group who use the communication terminals that received the first disaster information, or until the information server 30 receives cancellation information from the information source unit 20, the first disaster information display area 101 or a display area nearby it is displayed in a state different from that during times other than the sixth time T6. For example, during the sixth time T6, the first disaster information display area 101 and its nearby display areas are displayed in a color primarily based on red, and during times other than the sixth time T6, the first disaster information display area 101 and its nearby display areas are displayed in a color primarily based on a color other than red, such as green.

[0092] The sixth time T6 is determined for each user of the communication terminal based on the safety information (safety type parameter sp) in the terminal information database D1, and the sixth time T6 corresponds to the user of the communication terminal during a period during which the safety type parameter sp of at least one of the users of the communication terminal to which the first disaster information was transmitted and who belong to the group to which the user of the communication terminal belongs is 1. In this embodiment, the sixth time T6 corresponding to user ID 11 is a period during which the safety type parameter sp of at least one of the users of the communication terminal to which the first disaster information was transmitted and who belong to the first group (group name: Tanaka family, group ID: G001) to which the user of the communication terminal (user ID: 11) belongs and who is the user of the communication terminal to which the first disaster information was transmitted and the users of the communication terminal to which the first disaster information was transmitted and who belong to the second group (group name: parents' home, group ID: G002).

[0093] If the disaster information is cancellation information, a text display area (not shown) indicating "cancellation information" is provided in the first disaster information display area 101. Furthermore, if the disaster information immediately before the cancellation information is the first disaster information, the safety type parameter sp in the terminal information database D1 is reset to 0 for all users.

[0094] In the user location information display area 103, for each group to which the user of the communication terminal belongs, there are provided a group mark, a group name, a user mark for the belonging user, the user name, location information, and the date and time when the location information was obtained. Figures 4, 5, 8 to 10 show examples in which the location information etc. of users belonging to each group is displayed for two groups to which a user with user ID: 11 belongs (first group name: Tanaka family, group ID: G001, second group name: Parents' home, group ID: G002).

[0095] The user location information display area 103 has a group member location information display switch button 103a and a chat display switch button 103b. When the group member location information display switch button 103a is tapped, the display switches to a user location information map display (not shown). The user location information map display includes location information of the user of the communication terminal and the users of the group corresponding to the tap operation. When the chat display switch button 103b is tapped, the display switches to a group chat screen (not shown) for the group.

[0096] When the amount of information to be displayed in the user position information display area 103 is large, the information is displayed in a manner that allows vertical scrolling. Figures 4, 8, and 9 show the state in which the upper area of ​​the user position information display area 103 is displayed, and Figures 5 and 10 show the state in which the lower area of ​​the user position information display area 103 is displayed.

[0097] The level of detail of the location information displayed in the user location information display area 103 is determined based on the safety information (safety type parameter sp) in the terminal information database D1 and the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed in the group information database D2 (first level of detail parameter dp1, second level of detail parameter dp2). For a user whose safety type parameter sp is 0, i.e., a user who has received a safety response, the location information of that user is displayed with the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed under normal circumstances, based on the first level of detail parameter dp1.

[0098] 4, 8, and 9 show examples in which the safety type parameter sp of a user named Hanako who belongs to the group named Tanaka Family is 0, and the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed under normal circumstances (first level of detail parameter dp1:3 (fine location information level)). FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 show examples in which the safety type parameter sp of a user named Susumu who belongs to the group named Tanaka Family is 0, and the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed under normal circumstances (first level of detail parameter dp1:1 (coarse location information level).

[0099] 4 and 5 show an example in which the safety type parameter sp of the user name: Grandpa who belongs to the group name: Parents' Home is 0, and the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed under normal circumstances (first level of detail parameter dp1: 2 (medium-coarse location information level)). FIG. 10 shows an example in which the safety type parameter sp of the user name: Grandma who belongs to the group name: Parents' Home is 1, and the location information is displayed with the level of detail of the location information disclosed under normal circumstances (first level of detail parameter dp1: 3 (fine location information level).

[0100] Furthermore, even if the user ID is the same, the level of detail of the location information disclosed can be different for each group. Figures 4, 5, 8 to 10 show an example in which a user with user ID 11, whose user name is Dad and who is in a group named Tanaka Family, normally displays medium-level location information (Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture) based on the first level of detail parameter dp1, and whose user name is Taro and who is in a group named Parents' Home, normally displays coarse location information (Okayama Prefecture) based on the first level of detail parameter dp1.

[0101] For a user whose safety type parameter sp1 is 1, i.e., a user who has not performed a safety response operation, the user's location information is displayed at the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed in the event of a disaster, based on the second level of detail parameter dp2. FIGS. 8 to 10 show an example in which the safety type parameter sp of a user named: Grandpa who belongs to a group named: Parents' Home is 1, and the location information is displayed at the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed in the event of a disaster (second level of detail parameter dp2: 3 (fine location information level)). FIG. 10 also shows an example in which the safety type parameter sp of a user named: Grandma who belongs to a group named: Parents' Home is 1, and the location information is displayed at the level of detail of the location information to be disclosed in the event of a disaster (second level of detail parameter dp2: 3 (fine location information level)).

[0102] Additionally, a safety unconfirmed mark ma2 is provided near any of the user mark, user name, and location information. The safety unconfirmed mark ma2 lights up when the safety type parameter sp is 1 (no safety response has been provided) or when the safety type parameter sp is 0 (a safety response has been provided), and is turned off in the other case. In this embodiment, the safety unconfirmed mark ma2 is provided in the upper right corner of the user mark as a mark (a diamond with an exclamation point inside) that lights up when the safety type parameter is 1 (no safety response has been provided) and is turned off when the safety type parameter is 0 (a safety response has been provided). However, the shape of the safety unconfirmed mark ma2 is not limited to this and may be another shape, such as a circular frame surrounding the user mark.

[0103] The screen switching button display area 105 has a home button 105a, a weather button 105b, a disaster information button 105c, an evacuation shelter button 105d, and a settings button 105e. When the home button 105a is tapped, the display switches to the first screen P1. If the home button 105a is tapped while the first screen P1 is displayed, the screen does not switch. When the weather button 105b is tapped, the display switches to a weather forecast screen (not shown). When the disaster information button 105c is tapped, the display switches to a chronological list display of disaster information (second screen P2, see FIG. 6). When the evacuation shelter button 105d is tapped, the display switches to a list of evacuation shelters (not shown). When the settings button 105e is tapped, the display switches to an operation screen display (not shown) for setting group users, etc.

[0104] By displaying the first screen P1, it becomes possible to output location information of a user of a communication terminal other than the communication terminal displaying the first screen P1.

[0105] (Second Screen P2) The second screen P2 has a disaster timeline display area 201 and a screen switching button display area 105. The disaster timeline display area 201 displays information about earthquakes (region, date and time, maximum seismic intensity, magnitude) in chronological order. In the disaster timeline display area 201, the areas displaying each type of disaster information indicate the magnitude of the earthquake (the numerical value of the maximum predicted seismic intensity) for the first disaster information and the second disaster information, and a disaster level mark ma1 indicating the cancellation information is provided for the cancellation information. In this embodiment, the disaster level mark ma1 is displayed in white text for the first disaster information, in black text for the second disaster information, and in black text with an X on a hatched background for the cancellation information. It is also conceivable that the disaster level mark ma1 associated with the first disaster information has a warm (advancing) background color, and the disaster level mark ma1 associated with the second disaster information has a cool (retreating) background color. The disaster chronological display area 201 may display a mark (identification number mark ma3) including an identification number corresponding to disaster information recorded by the first server recording unit 33 of the information server 30. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the identification number mark ma3 is displayed in the upper left of the disaster level mark ma1. The third screen P3 allows past disasters to be visually recognized in chronological order.

[0106] (First interrupt screen Pi1) The first interrupt screen Pi1 has a second disaster information display area 501 (see FIG. 7). The second disaster information display area 501 displays information about the most recent earthquake (area, date and time, maximum seismic intensity, magnitude). The second disaster information display area 501 is larger than the first disaster information display area 101 provided on the first screen P1. The second disaster information display area 501 is provided with an OK button 501a, and when the OK button 501a is tapped, the interrupt display of the first interrupt screen Pi1 ends. The second disaster information display area 501 is provided with a disaster level mark ma1 indicating the numerical value of the maximum predicted seismic intensity, and while the first interrupt screen Pi1 is displayed, the disaster level mark ma1 in the second disaster information display area 501 rotates around an axis that is perpendicular to the screen and passes through approximately the center of the disaster level mark ma1.

[0107] After the first interruption screen Pi1 has finished interrupting the display, the first screen P1 displays a second interruption screen Pi2 prompting users to provide a safety response at the bottom of the first disaster information display area 101 (see FIG. 8 ). FIG. 8 shows an example in which the second interruption screen Pi2 is displayed in an interruption position superimposed on an area including the group member location information display switch button 103a and the chat display switch button 103b. A safety unconfirmed mark ma2 is displayed on the user mark on the first screen P1 until the corresponding user's safety type parameter sp changes from 1 to 0. The user's location information on the first screen P1 is displayed with the level of detail (second detail parameter dp2) of location information to be disclosed in the event of a disaster until the corresponding user's safety type parameter sp changes from 1 to 0.

[0108] (Second interrupt screen Pi2) The second interrupt screen Pi2 has a "Report that you are safe" button 601 and a "Send message" button 603. When a first operation is performed by tapping the "Report that you are safe" button 601, the communication terminal transmits information about the first operation (safety response information) and the location information of the communication terminal after receiving the first disaster information to the information server 30. If the location information has not been determined after receiving the first disaster information, the communication terminal first transmits information about the first operation to the information server 30, and after the location determination is completed, transmits the location information of the communication terminal to the information server 30.

[0109] When the information server 30 is unable to process the data and transmission from the communication terminal to the information server 30 results in an error a predetermined number of times, the communication terminal transmits a packet containing at least one of location information and safety response information via the communication unit 11 to the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 via UDP. When the information server 30 becomes ready to process the packet containing the information transmitted to the temporary recording server 40, the packet is transmitted to the information server 30 via the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41. The information server 30 updates the location information of the communication terminal that transmitted the data in the terminal information database D1 and changes the safety type parameter sp from 1 to 0. The interrupt display on the second interrupt screen Pi2 also ends, the safety unconfirmed mark ma2 corresponding to the user of the communication terminal is turned off, and the user location information corresponding to the user of the communication terminal is displayed with the level of detail (first level of detail parameter dp1) of the location information normally disclosed.

[0110] When the "Send a message" button 603 is tapped, the second interrupt screen Pi2 changes from a state displaying the "Report that you are safe" button 601 and the "Send a message" button 603 to a display for inputting a message (not shown). When a message such as text, image, or voice is input on the display for inputting the message and a send operation is performed, the communication terminal transmits information (safety response information) that a second operation including the message has been performed and the location information of the communication terminal to the information server 30. If the location information has not been determined, the communication terminal first transmits information that the second operation has been performed to the information server 30, and then transmits the location information of the communication terminal to the information server 30 after the location determination is completed.

[0111] When the information server 30 is unable to process the data and transmission from the communication terminal to the information server 30 results in an error a predetermined number of times, the communication terminal transmits a packet containing at least one of the location information and the safety response information to the third communication device 41a of the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary recording server 40 via the communication unit 11 using UDP. When the information server 30 becomes able to process the packet containing the information transmitted to the temporary recording server 40, the packet is transmitted to the information server 30 via the fourth communication device 41b of the second server communication unit 41. The information server 30 updates the location information of the communication terminal that transmitted this information in the terminal information database D1, and changes the safety type parameter sp from 1 to 0.

[0112] The information server 30 transmits the message to the communication devices of all users belonging to the group to which the user of the communication device belongs. As a result, the message is added to the group chat of the group to which the user of the communication device belongs as a message from the user of the communication device. If the user of the communication device belongs to multiple groups, the message is added to the group chat of all of the groups. In addition, the interrupt display on the second interrupt screen Pi2 ends, the safety unconfirmed mark ma2 corresponding to the user of the communication device is turned off, and the user location information corresponding to the user of the communication device is displayed with the level of detail of the location information normally disclosed (first detail parameter dp1).

[0113] (Effect of transmitting location information and the like via temporary recording server 40 when the first condition is met) When the information server 30 is not in a state where it can perform update processing, the location information and the like is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server 40 and later transmitted to the information server 30. This prevents data reception and update processing of the terminal information database D1 at the information server 30 from concentrating, and allows information transmission from the communication terminal to continue even when communication is congested during a disaster or other such event.

[0114] (Effect of temporarily recording location information, etc. on a temporary storage medium) The terminal information database D1 can be stably recorded in the first server recording unit 33, and compared to a configuration in which the second server recording unit 43 is configured as storage, it is possible to quickly write location information, etc. to the second server recording unit 43 and delete the location information, etc. after transfer to the information server 30.

[0115] (Advantages of using separate NICs) The receive buffer and queue buffer are allocated for each NIC. Therefore, even if at least one of the first communication device 31 a and the third communication device 41 a is unable to communicate, as long as the second communication device 31 b and the fourth communication device 41 b are able to communicate, communication between the first server communication unit 31 of the information server 30 and the second server communication unit 41 of the temporary storage server 40 can continue.

[0116] (Effect of sending location information, etc. to temporary recording server 40 using UDP) There is no need to wait for the transmission of an ACK packet, and it is possible to complete the transmission of location information, etc. from the communication terminal without congesting the communication.

[0117] (Effect of sending received location information, etc. back to the communication terminal) By receiving the same information as the information that was sent, it becomes possible to confirm that the transmission from the communication terminal to the temporary recording server 40 has been completed.

[0118] (Effect of triggering switching when there is a transmission error from the first server communication unit 31 to the first communication device 31a) When the information server 30 is not in a state where it can perform update processing, it is possible to switch to transmission to the temporary recording server 40, thereby reducing the load on the information server 30.

[0119] (Effect of triggering switching based on the presence or absence of specified information contained in the data sent from the information server 30) When the update process is not possible, the information server 30 can send data containing specified information to the communication terminal, thereby switching to sending to the temporary recording server 40 and reducing the load on the information server 30.

[0120] (Effect of using numerical values ​​such as load average as a trigger for switching) When the information server 30 is not in a state where update processing is possible, such as when the load average of the information server 30 is high, the information server 30 can send data containing specified information to the communication terminal, which will switch to sending to the temporary recording server 40, thereby reducing the load on the information server 30.

[0121] (Effect of using the start and end of the first period Pe1 as a trigger for switching) Immediately after the first disaster information has been sent, when there is a high possibility that communication is congested and update processing is not possible, the information server 30 can send data containing specified information to the communication terminal, thereby switching to sending to the temporary recording server 40 and reducing the load on the information server 30.

[0122] (Effect of transmitting information regarding responses to the first disaster information via the temporary recording server 40) Immediately after transmitting the first disaster information, when the transmission of information regarding responses to the first disaster information increases and there is a high possibility of communication congestion, it becomes possible to switch to transmission to the temporary recording server 40 and reduce the load on the information server 30.

[0123] (Effect of transmitting location information and the like via temporary recording server 40 when the first condition is met) When the information server 30 is not in a state where it can perform update processing, the location information and the like is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording server 40 and later transmitted to the information server 30. This prevents data reception and update processing of the terminal information database D1 at the information server 30 from concentrating, and allows information transmission from the communication terminal to continue even when communication is congested during a disaster or other such event.

[0124] (Effect of measuring location information immediately after receiving the first disaster information) The latest location information can be obtained quickly immediately after a disaster occurs, without being affected by the specifications of the communication terminal's OS (Operating System), such as positioning every first time T1.

[0125] (Effect of Increasing the Frequency of Measuring Location Information Immediately After Receiving First Disaster Information) It becomes possible to grasp in detail changes in the location information of the user of the communication terminal immediately after the occurrence of a disaster.

[0126] (Effect of restoring the frequency of positioning after the safety response) It becomes possible to reduce power consumption due to positioning.

[0127] (Effect of recording identification numbers corresponding to disaster information) When multiple disasters such as earthquakes occur within a short period of time, it becomes easier to know which disaster the safety response corresponds to.

[0128] (Application Example of the Configuration of the Information Server 30 and the Temporary Recording Server 40) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the information server 30 and the temporary recording server 40 are configured as separate entities. However, the information server 30 and the temporary recording server 40 may be configured as a single server. In this case, the network port of the information server 30 and the network port of the temporary recording server 40 are configured as separate entities, or the first program executed by the information server 30 and the second program executed by the temporary recording server 40 are configured as separate threads.

[0129] (Application Example of Transmission to Temporary Recording Server 40) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the first condition is satisfied when a predetermined number of transmissions from the communication terminal to the information server 30 result in an error, and data is transmitted from the communication terminal to the temporary recording server 40. However, the first condition, i.e., the condition for transmitting data from the communication terminal to the temporary recording server 40, is not limited to this. For example, data may be transmitted from the communication terminal to the temporary recording server 40 when the communication terminal receives first disaster information. In this case, predetermined information (the IP address field of the temporary recording server 40) is provided in the data transmitted from the information server 30 to the communication terminal. If the information server 30 is capable of performing updates, the IP address field of the data transmitted from the information server 30 to the communication terminal does not contain a value (predetermined information is not included). If the information server 30 is not capable of performing updates, the IP address field of the data transmitted from the information server 30 to the communication terminal contains a value (predetermined information is included). The communication terminal that receives the data transmits the data to the temporary recording server 40 based on the value contained in the IP address field. In addition, the cancellation of transmission from the communication terminal to the temporary recording server 40 may be performed when a first period Pe1 (e.g., Pe1 = 1 hour) has elapsed since the communication terminal received the first disaster information.

[0130] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0131] 1 Information transmission system 11 Communication unit 12 Display unit 13 Recording unit 15 Control unit 16 Location information acquisition unit 20 Information source transmission unit 30 Information server 31 First server communication unit 31a First communication device 31b Second communication device 33 First server recording unit 35 First server control unit 40 Temporary recording server 41 Second server communication unit 41a Third communication device 41b Fourth communication device 43 Second server recording unit 45 Second server control unit 70 Input / output terminal 101 First disaster information display area 103 User location information display area 103a Group member location information display switch button 103b Chat display switch button 105 Screen switch button display area 105a Home button 105b Weather button 105c Disaster information button 105d Evacuation shelter button 105e Settings button 201 Disaster time series display area 501 Second disaster information display area 501a OK button 601 "Report safety" button 603 "Send message" button D1 Terminal information database D2 Group information database D3 Map information database di1 First distance (movement range that triggers positioning, in normal times) di2 Second distance (movement range that triggers positioning, in the event of a disaster) di3 Third distance (range from the location of the disaster, for sending disaster information) dp1 First level of detail parameter dp2 Second level of detail parameter M51 Fifty-first communication terminal M52 Fifty-second communication terminal M53 Fifty-third communication terminal M54 Fifty-fourth communication terminal M55 Fifty-fifth communication terminal ma1 Disaster level mark ma2 Safety unconfirmed mark ma3 Identification number mark P1 First screen (display of disaster information, location information for each user) P2 Second screen (group chat display) P3 Third screen (display of disaster information list) Pe1 First period (a certain period of time after receiving the first disaster information) Pi1 First interrupt screen (disaster information interrupt display) Pi2 Second interrupt screen (safety response interrupt display) sp Safety type parameter T1 First time (positioning interval for location information, during normal times) T2 Second time (positioning interval for location information, during a disaster) T3 Third time (time to confirm transmission to the temporary recording server)T4 Fourth hour (waiting time for retransmission to the temporary storage server) T5 Fifth hour (time until cancellation information is issued) T6 Sixth hour (time until all safety confirmation replies are received)

Claims

1. An information transmission system comprising: an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal, and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database including location information of each of the plurality of communication terminals; and a temporary recording server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit, wherein the terminal information database includes location information acquired by a location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal, and transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit; and the first server communication unit receives the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server. An information transmission system in which, when a first condition is met, instead of the first server communication unit receiving the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal without going through the temporary recording server, the second server communication unit receives the location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal, the second server recording unit records the location information of the first communication terminal, and then the second server communication unit transmits the location information of the first communication terminal recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

2. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the first server recording unit is a storage and the second server recording unit is a temporary storage medium.

3. In the first server communication unit, a first communication device that communicates with the first communication terminal and a second communication device that communicates with the second server communication unit are configured with different NICs (Network Interface Controllers); in the second server communication unit, a third communication device that communicates with the first communication terminal and a fourth communication device that communicates with the first server communication unit are configured with different NICs; the second communication device and the fourth communication device are connected via a network different from a network over which the first communication device, the third communication device, and the multiple communication terminals communicate, or are directly connected by a LAN cable; transmission of location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal to the first communication device of the first server communication unit is performed using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol); transmission of location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal to the third communication device of the second server communication unit is performed using UDP (User Datagram Protocol); and transmission of location information of the first communication terminal from the fourth communication device to the second communication device is performed using TCP. The information transmission system according to claim 1 , wherein the second server communication unit transmits a packet including the location information of the first communication terminal transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first communication terminal.

4. An information transmission system as described in claim 1, wherein, as the first condition, when transmission from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit results in an error a predetermined number of times, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary recording server.

5. An information transmission system as described in claim 1, wherein, as the first condition, when predetermined information is included in the data transmitted from the information server to at least the plurality of communication terminals, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary recording server.

6. An information transmission system as described in claim 5, wherein the predetermined information is information regarding the IP address of the temporary recording server, and when the load average of the information server is greater than or equal to a load average threshold and / or the CPU utilization rate of the first server control unit of the information server is greater than or equal to a utilization rate threshold, the information server includes the predetermined information in the data transmitted to the plurality of communication terminals.

7. The information transmission system of claim 1, wherein the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals, and the first condition is that, during a first period of time from when the information server transmits first disaster information including information on a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information, the first server communication unit receives location information of the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal via the temporary recording server.

8. The information transmission system described in claim 1, wherein the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals, and when a first condition is satisfied, the first server communication unit receives, via the temporary recording server, information regarding a response to the first disaster information from the first communication terminal when the information server transmits first disaster information to the first communication terminal, the first disaster information including information regarding a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information.

9. An information transmission system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal; an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database including location information of each of the plurality of communication terminals; and a temporary recording server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit, wherein the terminal information database includes at least location information acquired by a location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal and transmitted from the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit, and the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server. An information transmission system in which, when a first condition is met, instead of the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmitting the location information of the first communication terminal to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server, the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to the second server communication unit, the second server recording unit records the location information of the first communication terminal, and then the second server communication unit transmits the location information of the first communication terminal recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

10. The information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals, and when the communication unit of the first communication terminal receives first disaster information from the information server, which includes information about a disaster of a predetermined scale or larger among the disaster information, the location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal acquires the location information, and the communication unit of the first terminal transmits the location information of the first communication terminal to either the information server or the temporary recording server. An information transmission system as described in claim 9.

11. The information transmission system described in claim 9, wherein the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals, and when the communication unit of the first communication terminal receives from the information server first disaster information including information about a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information, the location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal increases the frequency of positioning the location information compared to before receiving the first disaster information.

12. An information transmission system as described in claim 11, wherein when an operation is performed on the first communication terminal to send a safety response to either the information server or the temporary recording server, the location information acquisition unit of the first communication terminal sets the positioning frequency of the location information to the same as before receiving the first disaster information.

13. An information transmission system as described in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the first server recording unit records the disaster information and an identification number corresponding to the disaster information.

14. An information transmission system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals including at least a first communication terminal; an information server having a first server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a first server recording unit that records a terminal information database; and a temporary recording server having a second server communication unit that communicates with the plurality of communication terminals and a second server recording unit, wherein the information server transmits disaster information to the plurality of communication terminals; the terminal information database contains information regarding a response to the first disaster information from the first communication terminal when the information server transmits first disaster information to the first communication terminal, the first disaster information including information regarding a disaster of a predetermined scale or greater among the disaster information; and the communication unit of the first communication terminal transmits information regarding the response to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server. An information transmission system in which, when a first condition is met, instead of the communication unit of the first communication terminal sending information regarding the response to the first server communication unit without going through the temporary recording server, the communication unit of the first communication terminal sends information regarding the response to the second server communication unit, the second server recording unit records the information regarding the response, and then the second server communication unit transmits the information regarding the response recorded in the second server recording unit to the first server communication unit.

Images