JP2010028416A - Portable communication terminal, and wireless communication system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable communication terminal in which switching of wireless communication system modes does not cause any inconvenience. <P>SOLUTION: The portable communication terminal includes: a wireless LAN communication section 202 for communication by a wireless LAN; a mobile WiMAX communication section 204 for communication by a mobile WiMAX; a determining section (communication mode determining section) 208 for determining whether communication by the wireless LAN communication section 202 is possible or not; and a control section (communication mode determining section 208 and communication mode switching section 207) for maintaining the communication by the mobile WiMAX until the end of real-time data communication when the mobile WiMAX communication section 204 is performing real-time data communicating even if the determining section determines that communication by the wireless LAN communication section 202 is possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal capable of wireless communication using two types of wireless communication methods and a wireless communication system including the portable communication terminal, and more particularly to wireless communication using two types of wireless communication methods having different wireless communication ranges. The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal capable of communication and a wireless communication system including the same.

  Mobile PCs and mobile phones having a function capable of connecting to a wireless local area network (LAN) compliant with IEEE 802.11 are widely spread. Mobile PCs and mobile phones having a function capable of connecting to a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE802.11 realize VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) in the wireless LAN and enable voice calls via the wireless LAN (for example, patents). Reference 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Patent Document 1 discloses a portable information device that performs line switching so as to selectively use one of a wireless telephone line and a wireless LAN line. Patent Document 2 discloses a wireless LAN telephone system that integrates an existing public telephone network and a wireless LAN so that a slave station in the wireless LAN and a general telephone in the public telephone network can communicate with each other. is doing.

  On the other hand, a service for the next-generation high-speed wireless communication method “Mobile WiMAX”, which is a wireless communication method having a wider wireless communication range than a wireless LAN, is started by UQ Communications Inc. in March 2009. “Mobile WiMAX” is a mobile wireless communication standard compliant with IEEE 802.16e.

  In addition to the mobile WiMAX described above, HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which has already started services, and a full-scale service around 2010 are available as wireless communication methods with a wider wireless communication range than wireless LAN. There is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) that is expected to be started.

  HSDPA is a communication standard established by a standard generation organization 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) of W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), and data of the communication method “W-CDMA” of the third generation mobile phone (3G). It is also called “3.5G” because it is an extended standard that speeds up communication. HSDPA is a communication standard that improves the communication speed in the downlink (base station → terminal) direction, and can increase the communication speed from about 384 kbps to 2 Mbps in 3G to a maximum of 14.4 Mbps (theoretical value).

  LTE is a communication standard that is being standardized by the W-CDMA standardization organization 3GPP, and is positioned as a communication system for 3.9G mobile phones (3.9G). It aims to realize high-speed communication of 100 Mbps or more in the terminal direction and 50 Mbps or more in the upstream (terminal → base station) direction.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-110751 JP 2002-247647 A

  Mobile communication terminals are capable of wireless communication such as mobile WiMAX, LTE, HSDPA and other wireless communication methods with a wide wireless communication range, and wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard infrared communication, etc. Consider which wireless communication system with a narrower range is desirable.

  Wireless communication systems with a wide wireless communication range such as mobile WiMAX, LTE, and HSDPA have a maximum communication distance compared to wireless communication systems with a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and IrDA standard infrared communication. Therefore, the power consumption of the portable communication terminal is larger than that of a wireless communication method having a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and IrDA standard infrared communication. For this reason, when the communication data exchanged between the base station and the mobile communication terminal is the same, a wireless communication system having a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and IrDA standard infrared communication as much as possible The battery of the mobile communication terminal lasts longer when communicating with the mobile phone.

  In addition, a wireless communication method such as mobile WiMAX, LTE, HSDPA and the like, which has a wide wireless communication range, is performed by a communication carrier as a business, and therefore a communication fee is generated. For this reason, it is possible to save communication costs by performing communication using a wireless communication method having a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and IrDA standard infrared communication as much as possible.

  In addition, wireless communication methods such as mobile WiMAX, LTE, and HSDPA that have a wide wireless communication range have a wide wireless communication range, so that the wireless band affects a wide range. For this reason, it is possible to use the wireless band more efficiently by performing communication by a wireless communication method having a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA standard infrared communication as much as possible.

  Automatic switching between a wireless communication system with a wide wireless communication range such as mobile WiMAX, LTE, and HSDPA and a wireless communication system with a narrow wireless communication range such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and IrDA standard infrared communication The following problems arise when it is simply performed based on the examination results.

  For example, since a mobile communication terminal equipped with a wireless LAN module and a mobile WiMAX module is located outdoors and cannot communicate with a wireless LAN access point, streaming data such as video data and audio data in mobile WiMAX communication. Assume that you are communicating. Then, when the user carries the mobile communication terminal and enters the building where the wireless LAN access point is installed, the wireless LAN access is performed by simply performing the automatic switching of the wireless communication system based on the examination result. As soon as the connection with the point is established, the wireless communication system is switched from the mobile WiMAX to the wireless LAN. At this time, it takes time to switch from the mobile WiMAX to the wireless LAN, and the streaming data is inevitably interrupted.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication terminal that does not cause inconvenience when switching between wireless communication methods and a wireless communication system including the portable communication terminal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that performs communication in a first wireless communication method capable of wireless communication in a first wireless communication range, and the first communication unit. Whether the second communication unit that performs communication by the second wireless communication method capable of wireless communication in the second wireless communication range that is wider than the wireless communication range and communication by the first communication unit are possible When the determination unit and the second communication unit communicate real-time data, even if the determination unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible, the real-time data And a control unit that maintains communication according to the second wireless communication method until the communication is completed.

  According to such a configuration, when the second communication unit is communicating real-time data, even if the determination unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible, the real-time data Since the communication by the second wireless communication method is maintained until the communication is completed, there is no problem that the real-time data is interrupted during the communication.

  In addition, when the control unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible when the second communication unit is communicating non-real time data, communication of the non-real time data is performed. The wireless communication method may be switched from the second wireless communication method to the first wireless communication method without waiting for completion.

  According to such a configuration, when the two communication units are communicating non-real time data, if the determination unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible, communication of the non-real time data is performed. Since the wireless communication method is switched from the second wireless communication method to the first wireless communication method without waiting for completion, the battery life of the mobile communication terminal is extended, the communication cost is reduced, and the wireless is efficient. Bandwidth usage can be realized.

  Further, the non-real time data may include at least one of Internet WEB browsing data and electronic mail data.

  The real time data may include streaming data.

  The streaming data may include at least one of moving image data and audio data.

  The second wireless communication system may include at least one of WiMAX, LTE, and HSDPA.

  The first wireless communication method may include at least one of a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication.

  In order to achieve the above object, a wireless communication system according to the present invention provides a first communication between a mobile communication terminal having any one of the above configurations and a first communication unit mounted on the mobile communication terminal. A first base station that performs communication using a wireless communication method and a second base station that performs communication using a second wireless communication method between a second communication unit mounted on the mobile communication terminal. The configuration.

  According to the portable communication terminal and the wireless communication system including the portable communication terminal according to the present invention, communication is performed using the second wireless communication method capable of wireless communication in the second wireless communication range that is wider than the first wireless communication range. When the second communication unit that performs communication communicates real-time data, even if the determination unit performs communication using the first wireless communication method that enables wireless communication in the first wireless communication range. Even if it is determined that communication is possible, communication according to the second wireless communication method is maintained until communication of the real-time data is completed, so that the problem that the real-time data is interrupted during communication does not occur.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Overall configuration of wireless communication system)
1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to the present invention. A wireless communication system according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B includes a mobile phone 101 equipped with a wireless LAN module and a mobile WiMAX module, a mobile WiMAX base station 102, and a wireless installed in a building 104. A LAN access point 103 is included. The mobile WiMAX base station 102 and the wireless LAN access point 103 are connected to the Internet line 105, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, when the mobile phone 101 is located outside the building 104 and connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 cannot be established, the mobile phone 101 functions as a mobile WiMAX terminal, and the mobile WiMAX base station 102 Connected to the Internet line 105 via the mobile communication terminal, mobile WiMAX communication with another wireless communication terminal (not shown) becomes possible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the mobile phone 101 is located in the building 104 and the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, the mobile phone 101 functions as a wireless LAN terminal, and the wireless LAN access point It is connected to the Internet line 105 via 103, and wireless LAN communication with other wireless communication terminals (not shown) becomes possible.

  In other words, the mobile phone 101 has a function of automatically switching the wireless communication method depending on whether or not the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, and when the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established. The wireless LAN is automatically selected, and if the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 cannot be established, the mobile WiMAX is automatically selected.

  Here, it is assumed that the mobile phone 101 is located outside the building 104 and the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 cannot be established, and therefore streaming data such as video data and audio data is communicated by mobile WiMAX communication. To do. When the user carries the mobile phone 101 and enters the building 104 where the wireless LAN access point 103 is installed, the wireless communication system is established as soon as the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 is established. Is switched from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN, it takes time to switch from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN, and streaming data is inevitably interrupted.

  Therefore, even when the mobile phone 101 can communicate with the wireless LAN access point 103, if the communication data is real-time data such as streaming data, the wireless communication method is switched until the communication of the real-time data is completed. I am trying not to. On the other hand, when the communication data is non-altime data such as Internet WEB browsing data or e-mail data, the mobile phone 101 performs wireless communication without waiting for the communication of the non-real time data to be completed. Switch the method from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the mobile phone 101 will be described in detail.

(Configuration and operation of mobile phone)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile phone 101. 2 includes a wireless LAN communication antenna 201, a wireless LAN communication unit 202, a mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203, a mobile WiMAX communication unit 204, a communication data type determination unit 205, and a connection information storage. Unit 206, communication method switching unit 207, communication method determination unit 208, communication method input unit 209, communication data conversion unit 210, output unit 211, transmission communication data creation unit 212, and transmission communication data And a storage unit 213.

  First, the operation of the mobile phone 101 when receiving communication data will be described with reference to FIGS. When the mobile phone 101 starts receiving communication data, the mobile phone 101 checks whether or not the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, and the connection between the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and the mobile WiMAX base station 102 is established. Check whether it can be established.

  When only the connection between the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and the mobile WiMAX base station 102 can be established, the mobile phone 101 starts receiving communication data by the flow operation shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN access point 103 and the connection between the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and the mobile WiMAX base station 102 can be established, the mobile phone 101 communicates by the flow operation shown in FIG. Start receiving data.

  Here, the flow operation shown in FIG. 3 of the mobile phone 101 will be described. The mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 receives communication data transmitted from the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S110).

  In step S120 following step S110, the communication method determination unit 208 determines whether or not wireless LAN communication is possible. For example, the communication method determination unit 208 uses the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 to send a connection establishment request signal to the wireless LAN access point 103 (the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN access point 103 When the wireless LAN access point 103 returns in response to the connection establishment request signal, it may be determined that wireless LAN communication is possible.

  If wireless LAN communication is not possible (NO in step S120), communication method determination unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and maintains mobile WiMAX communication. Thereby, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 continues to receive communication data transmitted from the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S140).

  On the other hand, if wireless LAN communication is possible (YES in step S120), the communication data type determination unit 205 is real-time data such as streaming data or non-real-time data such as Internet WEB browsing data. Is determined (step S130). In step S130, the connection information storage unit 206 records the current connection information (the current connection destination URL, the IP address of the computer, etc.) so as to connect to the same connection destination even if the wireless communication method is changed. .

  As a result of the determination in step S130, when the communication data is real-time data (YES in step S130), the communication method determination unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from the mobile WiMAX to the wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and maintains mobile WiMAX communication. Thereby, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 continues to receive communication data transmitted from the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S140), and ends the flow operation. If the reception of communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 3 is started again.

  As a result of the determination in step S130, when the communication data is non-real time data (NO in step S130), the communication method determination unit 208 determines to switch the wireless communication method from the mobile WiMAX to the wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the wireless LAN by supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and not supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204, and changes from mobile WiMAX communication to wireless LAN communication. As a result, the wireless LAN communication unit 202 specifies a connection destination from the current connection information recorded by the connection information storage unit 206, and is transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201. Data reception starts (step S150), and the flow operation ends. And if reception of communication data is not completed, the flow operation | movement shown in FIG. 4 mentioned later is started.

  According to the above operation, when the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 is receiving real-time data, even if the communication method determination unit 208 determines that wireless LAN communication is possible, reception of real-time data is completed. Until this is done, the wireless communication system is maintained as mobile WiMAX, so that there is no problem that real-time data is interrupted during reception.

  Further, according to the above operation, when the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 receives non-real time data, if the communication method determination unit 208 determines that wireless LAN communication is possible, the non-real time data Since the wireless communication method is switched from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN without waiting for the reception to be completed, the battery life of the mobile phone 101 can be extended, the communication cost can be reduced, and the efficient use of the wireless band can be realized. it can.

  Note that the communication data received by the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 or the wireless LAN communication unit 202 reaches the output unit 211 via the communication method switching unit 207 and the communication data conversion unit 210. The output unit 211 configured by a display, a speaker, and the like performs video output, audio output, and the like according to the communication data subjected to the conversion processing by the communication data conversion unit 210.

  The communication method input unit 209 inputs the instruction content from the user regarding the selection of the wireless communication method. When the distance between the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 is short and the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 of the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, both mobile WiMAX communication and wireless LAN communication can be selected. become. In this case, the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 may prioritize the instruction content over the flow operation shown in FIG. Thereby, the automatic switching of the wireless communication system from the mobile WiMAX communication to the wireless LAN can be invalidated by the user's will.

  In addition, the wireless LAN access point 103 may be provided with a communication method input unit for inputting contents specified by the user regarding selection of a wireless communication method. When the distance between the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 is short and the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 of the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, both mobile WiMAX communication and wireless LAN communication can be selected. become. In this case, the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 receives the instruction content via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 and the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and prioritizes the instruction content over the flow operation shown in FIG. You may make it make it. Thereby, the automatic switching of the wireless communication system from the mobile WiMAX communication to the wireless LAN can be invalidated by the user's will.

  Next, the flow operation shown in FIG. 4 of the mobile phone 101 will be described. When communication is possible using a wireless LAN, it is a normal setting to communicate using a wireless LAN as much as possible. However, in the flow operation shown in FIG. 4, the communication method of the communication method input unit 209 or the wireless LAN access point 103 is used. When the input unit inputs an instruction content from the user to select mobile WiMAX and the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 is non-real-time communication data, the instruction is more than the normal setting. The content is prioritized.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 202 receives communication data transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 (step S210).

  In step S220 following step S210, the communication data type determination unit 205 determines whether the communication data is real-time data such as streaming data or non-real-time data such as Internet WEB browsing data. In step S220, the connection information storage unit 206 records the current connection information (the current connection destination URL, the IP address of the computer, etc.) so that the connection destination is connected even if the wireless communication method is changed. .

  As a result of the determination in step S220, if the communication data is real-time data (YES in step S220), the communication method determination unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from the wireless LAN to the mobile WiMAX. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the wireless LAN by supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and not supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204, and maintains wireless LAN communication. Thereby, the wireless LAN communication unit 202 continues to receive communication data transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 (step S230), and ends the flow operation. If the reception of communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 4 is started again.

  If the communication data is non-real-time data as a result of the determination in step S220 (NO in step S220), the communication method determination unit 208 is a user input by the communication method input unit 209 or the communication method input unit of the wireless LAN access point 103. It is determined that the wireless communication method is switched from the wireless LAN to the mobile WiMAX in accordance with the instruction content from. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and changes from wireless LAN communication to mobile WiMAX communication. Accordingly, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 specifies a connection destination from the current connection information recorded by the connection information storage unit 206, and is transmitted from the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203. Data reception starts (step S240), and the flow operation ends. If the reception of communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 3 described above is started.

  Note that communication data received by the wireless LAN communication unit 202 or the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 reaches the output unit 211 via the communication method switching unit 207 and the communication data conversion unit 210. The output unit 211 configured by a display, a speaker, and the like performs video output, audio output, and the like according to the communication data subjected to the conversion processing by the communication data conversion unit 210.

  When the user carries the mobile phone 101 and goes out of the building 104 where the wireless LAN access point 103 is installed and it becomes difficult to connect to the wireless LAN access point 103, the mobile phone 101 Display to the user on the display of the output unit 211 and allow the user to switch to mobile WiMAX communication by allowing the real-time data to be interrupted, or whether the wireless LAN communication can be continued until the reception of the real-time data is completed. The determination result may be input by the operation unit of the mobile phone 101.

  Next, the operation of the mobile phone 101 when transmitting communication data will be described with reference to FIGS. When the mobile phone 101 starts transmission of communication data, the mobile phone 101 checks whether or not the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, and the connection between the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and the mobile WiMAX base station 102 is established. Check whether it can be established.

  Here, the flow operation shown in FIG. 5 of the mobile phone 101 will be described. The mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 transmits communication data to the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S310). The communication data transmitted to the mobile WiMAX base station 102 is data created in the transmission communication data creation unit 212 or data stored in advance in the transmission communication data storage unit 213.

  In step S320 following step S310, the communication method determination unit 208 determines whether or not wireless LAN communication is possible. For example, the communication method determination unit 208 uses the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 to send a connection establishment request signal to the wireless LAN access point 103 (the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and the wireless LAN access point 103 When the wireless LAN access point 103 returns in response to the connection establishment request signal, it may be determined that wireless LAN communication is possible.

  If wireless LAN communication is not possible (NO in step S320), communication method determining unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and maintains mobile WiMAX communication. Thereby, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 continues to transmit communication data to the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S340).

  On the other hand, if wireless LAN communication is possible (YES in step S320), the communication data type determination unit 205 is real-time data such as streaming data or non-real-time data such as Internet WEB browsing data. Is determined (step S330). In step S330, the connection information storage unit 206 records the current connection information (the current connection destination URL, the IP address of the computer, etc.) so as to connect to the same connection destination even if the wireless communication method is changed. .

  As a result of the determination in step S330, when the communication data is real-time data (YES in step S330), the communication method determination unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from the mobile WiMAX to the wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and maintains mobile WiMAX communication. As a result, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 continues to transmit communication data to the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 (step S340), and the flow operation ends. If the transmission of communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 5 is started again.

  As a result of the determination in step S330, when the communication data is non-real time data (NO in step S330), the communication method determination unit 208 determines to switch the wireless communication method from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the wireless LAN by supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and not supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204, and changes from mobile WiMAX communication to wireless LAN communication. As a result, the wireless LAN communication unit 202 specifies a connection destination from the current connection information recorded by the connection information storage unit 206 and transmits communication data to the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201. Is started (step S350), and the flow operation is terminated. If transmission of communication data is not completed, a flow operation shown in FIG. 6 described later is started.

  According to the operation as described above, when the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 is transmitting real-time data, transmission of real-time data is completed even if the communication method determination unit 208 determines that wireless LAN communication is possible. Until this is done, the wireless communication system is maintained as mobile WiMAX, so there is no problem that real-time data is interrupted during transmission.

  Also, according to the above operation, when the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 is transmitting non-real time data, if the communication method determining unit 208 determines that wireless LAN communication is possible, the non-real time data Since the wireless communication method is switched from mobile WiMAX to wireless LAN without waiting for the transmission to be completed, the battery life of the mobile phone 101 can be extended, the communication cost can be reduced, and the efficient use of the wireless band can be realized. it can.

  The communication method input unit 209 inputs the instruction content from the user regarding the selection of the wireless communication method. When the distance between the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 is short and the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 of the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, both mobile WiMAX communication and wireless LAN communication can be selected. become. In this case, the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 may prioritize the instruction content over the flow operation shown in FIG. Thereby, the automatic switching of the wireless communication system from the mobile WiMAX communication to the wireless LAN can be invalidated by the user's will.

  In addition, the wireless LAN access point 103 may be provided with a communication method input unit for inputting contents specified by the user regarding selection of a wireless communication method. When the distance between the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 is short and the connection between the wireless LAN communication unit 202 of the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN access point 103 can be established, both mobile WiMAX communication and wireless LAN communication can be selected. become. In this case, the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 receives the instruction content via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 and the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and prioritizes the instruction content over the flow operation shown in FIG. You may make it make it. Thereby, the automatic switching of the wireless communication system from the mobile WiMAX communication to the wireless LAN can be invalidated by the user's will.

  Next, the flow operation shown in FIG. 6 of the mobile phone 101 will be described. When communication is possible using a wireless LAN, it is a normal setting to communicate using a wireless LAN as much as possible. However, in the flow operation shown in FIG. 6, the communication method of the communication method input unit 209 or the wireless LAN access point 103 is used. When the input unit 209 inputs an instruction content from the user to select mobile WiMAX, and the communication method determination unit 208 of the mobile phone 101 is non-real time data, Priority is given to the instruction content.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 202 transmits communication data to the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 (step S410).

  In step S420 subsequent to step S410, the communication data type determination unit 205 determines whether the communication data is real-time data such as streaming data or non-real-time data such as Internet WEB browsing data. In step S420, the connection information storage unit 206 records the current connection information (the current connection destination URL, the IP address of the computer, etc.) so that the connection destination is connected even if the wireless communication method is changed. .

  As a result of the determination in step S420, if the communication data is real-time data (YES in step S420), the communication method determination unit 208 determines that the wireless communication method is not switched from the wireless LAN to the mobile WiMAX. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the wireless LAN by supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202 and not supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204, and maintains wireless LAN communication. As a result, the wireless LAN communication unit 202 continues to transmit communication data to the wireless LAN access point 103 via the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 (step S430), and the flow operation ends. If the transmission of the communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 6 is started again.

  As a result of the determination in step S420, if the communication data is non-real time data (NO in step S420), the communication method determination unit 208 is the user input by the communication method input unit 209 or the communication method input unit of the wireless LAN access point 103. It is determined that the wireless communication method is switched from the wireless LAN to the mobile WiMAX in accordance with the instruction content from. Then, according to the determination result, the communication method switching unit 207 selects the mobile WiMAX by supplying power to the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 and not supplying power to the wireless LAN communication unit 202, and changes from wireless LAN communication to mobile WiMAX communication. As a result, the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 identifies the connection destination from the current connection information recorded by the connection information storage unit 206, and transmits communication data to the mobile WiMAX base station 102 via the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203. Is started (step S440), and the flow operation is terminated. If the transmission of the communication data is not completed, the flow operation shown in FIG. 5 described above is started.

  When the user carries the mobile phone 101 and comes out of the building 104 where the wireless LAN access point 103 is installed, and the connection with the wireless LAN access point 103 is about to be disconnected, the mobile phone 101 Whether the real-time data is interrupted and switched to mobile WiMAX communication, or until the transmission of the real-time data is completed, the wireless LAN communication remains within the range where the real-time data can be transmitted. May be determined by the user, and the determination result may be input by the operation unit of the mobile phone 101.

(Deformation etc.)
In the above-described embodiment, the wireless LAN communication antenna 201 of the wireless LAN module is externally attached to the mobile phone 101 and the wireless LAN communication unit 202 is built in the mobile phone 101 (see FIG. 2). May be externally attached to the mobile phone 101, or the entire wireless LAN module may be built in the mobile phone 101.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile WiMAX communication antenna 203 in the mobile WiMAX module is externally attached to the mobile phone 101 and the mobile WiMAX communication unit 204 is built in the mobile phone 101 (see FIG. 2). The entire WiMAX module may be externally attached to the mobile phone 101, or the entire mobile WiMAX module may be embedded in the mobile phone 101.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone 101 includes the mobile WiMAX module. However, instead of the mobile WiMAX module, another wireless communication system module (for example, an HSPDA module or an LTE module) having a wide wireless communication range is used. May be installed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone 101 includes the wireless LAN module. However, instead of the wireless LAN module, another wireless communication system module (for example, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, IrDA standard infrared communication module) may be mounted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile phone 101 is taken as an example. However, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is not limited to the mobile phone, and may be a mobile PC, for example.

These are figures which show an example of the whole structure of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on this invention. These are figures which show an example of the whole structure of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on this invention. These are block diagrams which show the example of 1 structure of the mobile telephone which concerns on this invention. These are the flowcharts which show operation | movement of the mobile telephone based on this invention when receiving communication data by mobile WiMAX communication. These are the flowcharts which show operation | movement of the mobile telephone based on this invention when communication data are received by wireless LAN communication. These are the flowcharts which show operation | movement of the mobile telephone based on this invention when transmitting communication data by mobile WiMAX communication. These are flowcharts which show operation | movement of the mobile telephone based on this invention when communication data are transmitted by wireless LAN communication.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Mobile phone 102 Mobile WiMAX base station 103 Wireless LAN access point 104 Building 105 Internet line 201 Wireless LAN communication antenna 202 Wireless LAN communication unit 203 Mobile WiMAX communication antenna 204 Mobile WiMAX communication unit 205 Communication data type determination unit 206 Connection information storage 207 Communication method switching unit 208 Communication method determination unit 209 Communication method input unit 210 Communication data conversion unit 211 Output unit 212 Transmission communication data creation unit 213 Transmission communication data storage unit

Claims (8)

A first communication unit that performs communication in a first wireless communication method capable of wireless communication in a first wireless communication range;
A second communication unit that performs communication in a second wireless communication method capable of wireless communication in a second wireless communication range that is wider than the first wireless communication range;
A determination unit that determines whether or not communication by the first communication unit is possible;
When the second communication unit communicates real-time data, even if the determination unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible, the first communication unit completes communication of the real-time data until completion. And a control unit that maintains communication using the wireless communication system of No. 2. The control unit is
When the second communication unit is communicating non-real time data, the determination unit determines that communication by the first communication unit is possible without waiting for the communication of the non-real time data to be completed. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system is switched from the second wireless communication system to the first wireless communication system.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein the non-real-time data includes at least one of Internet WEB browsing data and electronic mail data.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the real-time data includes streaming data.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein the streaming data includes at least one of moving image data and audio data.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication method includes at least one of WiMAX, LTE, and HSDPA.   The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication method includes at least one of a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication. The mobile communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A first base station that communicates with a first communication unit installed in the mobile communication terminal by a first wireless communication method;
A wireless communication system, comprising: a second base station that communicates with a second communication unit installed in the mobile communication terminal by a second wireless communication method.

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