JP2012023506A - Electronic apparatus and communication change-over method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly efficiently and reliably change over a communication mode concerning an electronic apparatus corresponding to multiple communication modes and a communication change-over method in the apparatus.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus 10 includes: a communication part 13 having multiple communication devices respectively corresponding to multiple communication modes; and a communication change-over processing part 20. The communication change-over processing part 20 acquires information on a position and information on the communication mode available at the position, and selects the prescribed communication mode among the multiple communication modes, based on the acquired information. The communication change-over processing part 20 then detects a radio wave state at the current position in the selected prescribed communication mode, and selects the prescribed communication device among the multiple communication devices in the communication part 13, based on the detection result of the radio wave state.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a communication switching method, and more particularly to an electronic device capable of supporting a plurality of communication methods and a communication switching method thereof.

  Conventionally, various technologies have been proposed in order to support a plurality of wireless communication systems (hereinafter simply referred to as communication systems) with one information processing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for efficiently selecting a predetermined communication method from a plurality of communication methods in an information processing apparatus that performs non-contact proximity wireless communication between a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card and a reader / writer. Proposed.

  An information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a position measurement unit that acquires current position information, a list storage unit that stores a priority list of a plurality of communication methods, and a predetermined communication method based on the priority list and position information. And an information processing unit for selecting. And in the information processing apparatus of patent document 1, the priority order list | wrist corresponding to the positional infomation on the present location is read from a memory | storage part, and a predetermined | prescribed communication system is selected based on the read priority order list | wrist.

  Conventionally, as an information processing apparatus that can handle a plurality of communication methods, a function of performing wireless communication with the outside via an access point, such as a wireless local area network (LAN), for example, other than non-contact proximity communication is provided. Mobile information processing apparatuses have also been proposed. In this specification, a communication method for performing wireless communication with the outside via an access point, such as a wireless LAN, is referred to as a wireless LAN communication method.

JP 2009-303107 A

  As described above, various information processing apparatuses that can handle a plurality of communication systems have been proposed in the past. However, information processing apparatuses that can support a plurality of wireless LAN communication systems have the following problems. .

  As information processing apparatuses capable of supporting a plurality of wireless LAN communication systems are further reduced in size, it becomes difficult to provide a communication module such as an antenna for each communication system due to hardware restrictions. In this case, for example, a communication module is shared between a plurality of communication methods, and a plurality of communication methods cannot be used simultaneously. Also, in this case, while using one communication method, it is difficult to grasp the radio wave condition of the other communication method, which causes a problem that it is difficult to switch the communication method efficiently.

  The problem described above also occurs when a communication module is shared among some communication methods among a plurality of wireless LAN communication methods. Further, even in an information processing apparatus that does not share a plurality of communication modules, the above problem also occurs when only some of the communication modules are turned on from the viewpoints of energy saving and power saving. Furthermore, not only in the information processing device but also in any device having a communication function capable of supporting a plurality of wireless LAN communication methods, when sharing a communication module or turning only some of the communication modules into an ON state A similar problem occurs.

  In other words, in an electronic device that can handle a plurality of wireless LAN communication methods, the communication method cannot be switched efficiently when the communication module is shared or when only some of the communication modules are turned on. Problems arise.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to switch a communication system to an optimal communication system more reliably and efficiently in, for example, an electronic apparatus capable of supporting a plurality of wireless LAN communication systems and a communication switching method in the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus of the present invention has a configuration including a communication unit and a communication switching processing unit, and the configuration and function of each unit are as follows. The communication unit includes a plurality of communication devices that can respectively correspond to a plurality of communication methods. The communication switching processing unit acquires information about a position and information about a communication method that can be used at the position, and selects a predetermined communication method from a plurality of communication methods based on the acquired information. The communication switching processing unit detects a radio wave situation at the current position of the selected predetermined communication method, and based on the detection result of the radio wave situation, a predetermined communication device from a plurality of communication devices in the communication unit Select.

  The communication switching method of the present invention is a communication method switching method in the electronic apparatus of the present invention, and is performed according to the following procedure. First, the communication switching processing unit acquires information regarding the position of the electronic device. Next, the communication switching processing unit acquires information regarding a communication method that can be used at the position based on the acquired information regarding the position. Next, the communication switching processing unit selects a predetermined communication method from a plurality of communication methods based on the acquired information on the position and information on the communication method usable at the position. Next, the communication switching processing unit detects a radio wave condition at the current position of the selected predetermined communication method. And a communication switching process part switches a communication system based on the detection result of a radio wave condition.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined communication device is selected from a plurality of communication devices by selecting a communication method based on position information and confirming a radio wave condition in the selected communication method. Therefore, in the electronic device and the communication switching method of the present invention, the communication method can be switched to the optimum communication method more reliably and efficiently.

It is a block block diagram of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the spot information used in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority list | wrist used in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating switching operation | movement of the communication system in the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication switching process in the information processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in step S1 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in step S2 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in step S4 in FIG. It is a block block diagram of the information processing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection list | wrist of the communication system used by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the prefetch function at the time of the communication switching process in the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication switching process in the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the prefetch process in the information processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a mobile computer device (information processing device) having a communication function will be described as an example of the electronic device. However, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this.
1. 1. First embodiment: basic configuration example of information processing apparatus Second embodiment: Configuration example of information processing apparatus having prefetch function 3. Various application examples

<1. First Embodiment>
[Configuration of information processing device]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic block configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows only the configuration of the main part that operates when the communication method is switched, and the other configuration is the same as that of a conventional mobile information processing apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes a position measurement unit 11 (position information acquisition unit), a position measurement antenna 12, a communication unit 13, a communication antenna 14, a storage unit 15, a display unit 18, and an operation unit 19. And an information processing unit 20 (communication switching processing unit).

  The position measurement unit 11 includes, for example, a position sensor and acquires information related to the current position of the information processing apparatus 10 from the outside via the position measurement antenna 12. Then, the position measurement unit 11 outputs the acquired position information (information regarding the position) to the information processing unit 20.

  As the position information, any information can be used as long as the information indicates the current position of the information processing apparatus 10. For example, position information obtained from GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, or position information estimated by radio wave intensity such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity: registered trademark) can be used. Further, the position information may be acquired periodically (at a predetermined time interval) or may be acquired constantly.

  The communication unit 13 includes a communication device or the like necessary for connecting the information processing apparatus 10 to, for example, a predetermined network via the communication antenna 14. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 13 includes a plurality of communication devices that can respectively correspond to a plurality of wireless LAN communication methods. For example, the communication unit 13 includes communication devices that can support communication methods such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network), and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access: registered trademark). Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the communication unit 13 includes communication devices that can respectively correspond to communication methods such as WiFi (registered trademark) and LTE (Long Term Evolution: registered trademark). Note that the communication unit 13 may include a communication device that can support communication methods other than the communication methods described above.

  The communication unit 13 also has a communication device switching function. When the information processing apparatus 10 performs wireless communication with the outside, a plurality of communication devices in the communication unit 13 are switched by this switching function so that only one communication device is turned on. In addition, this invention is not limited to this, You may switch so that some communication devices may be in an ON state among several communication devices. However, the operation of the communication device switching function in the communication unit 13 is controlled by the information processing unit 20.

  The communication antenna 14 may be composed of a plurality of antennas individually provided for a plurality of communication methods, or may be composed of one antenna shared for all of the plurality of communication methods. May be. Further, the communication antenna 14 may include an antenna that shares some communication methods among a plurality of communication methods.

  The storage unit 15 includes a spot information storage unit 16 and a priority list storage unit 17, and stores various data (information related to the communication method) described later used when switching the communication method.

  The spot information storage unit 16 stores data (hereinafter referred to as spot information) such as the position of the access point in each communication system, the communication range at the access point, the location name of the access point, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of spot information stored in the spot information storage unit 16. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the spot information includes various data such as the position (latitude x, longitude y) of the access point (base station), the location name of the access point, the communication range, and the communication method. The spot information having such a configuration is provided from a service provider (hereinafter referred to as a vendor) of each communication method. Note that the configuration of the spot information is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, and may be set as appropriate according to the application, for example, and may include data other than the data shown in FIG. 2. Further, the data specifying the communication method is not limited to the communication method name shown in FIG. 2, and for example, data such as a communication device name and a number associated with each communication device may be used.

  On the other hand, the priority list storage unit 17 stores data (hereinafter referred to as a priority list) indicating the priority of communication methods when switching communication methods.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the priority list stored in the priority list storage unit 17. The priority order of the communication methods is appropriately set by the user according to, for example, the communication speed and the communication fee. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the priority order list is composed of data such as priority, communication speed, and communication fee set for each communication method (communication device). Note that the priority list shown in FIG. 3 is a configuration example when the communication system priorities are set in descending order of communication speed. Further, the configuration of the priority list is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. For example, the priority list may be set based on the radio wave intensity by including the radio wave intensity data in the priority list.

  The display unit 18 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 18 displays predetermined content acquired from the Internet or the like via the communication unit 13. In the present embodiment, the display unit 18 also displays information such as the current position of the information processing apparatus 10 obtained based on the position information acquired by the position measurement unit 11 and the currently usable communication method.

  The operation unit 19 includes operation elements such as a jog dial, a keypad, and buttons that are used when the user performs various operations on the information processing apparatus 10.

  Based on the position information acquired by the position measurement unit 11 and the above-described various data stored in the storage unit 15, the information processing unit 20 determines the currently available communication method and the necessity of switching communication methods. I do. Then, the information processing unit 20 controls the communication unit 13 based on the determination result to perform a communication method switching process. In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 20 also detects whether or not communication is possible by detecting the radio field intensity status (hereinafter simply referred to as radio wave status) of the selected communication method.

[Overview of switching operation of communication method]
Next, the outline of the switching operation of the communication method in the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state when the information processing apparatus 10 moves from the area of the communication method A to the area C where both the communication methods A and B can be used.

  In the movement example of the information processing apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 4, first, the information processing apparatus 10 selects the communication method A and performs wireless communication with the outside in the area of the communication method A (in FIG. 4). Dashed arrow A).

  Next, the information processing apparatus 10 moves to an area C where both communication methods A and B can be used (open arrows in FIG. 4). Thereafter, in the area C, the information processing apparatus 10 acquires information on the current position from, for example, GPS (solid line arrow in FIG. 4). Then, the information processing apparatus 10 determines a usable communication method based on the acquired current position information and the spot information (FIG. 2) stored in the spot information storage unit 16 (note that a determination method at this time) Will be detailed later). In area C, a determination result is obtained that both communication methods A and B can be used. In addition, although the example which acquires position information from GPS is shown in FIG. 4, this invention is not limited to this, Arbitrary methods can be used as a method of acquiring position information. For example, position information estimated (positioned) by radio wave intensity, such as WiFi (registered trademark), may be acquired.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 10 selects a communication method having a higher priority order among the communication methods A and B based on the priority list (FIG. 3) stored in the priority list storage unit 17. For example, when the communication method B has a higher priority than the communication method A, the information processing apparatus 10 switches the communication method from the communication method A to the communication method B.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 10 checks the radio wave status of communication method B (whether or not communication is possible) at the current position. When communication is possible using the communication method B, the information processing apparatus 10 maintains the communication method switched (communication method B).

  However, for example, when communication of the communication method B is not possible at the current position due to the influence of surrounding terrain, buildings, or the like, the information processing apparatus 10 returns the communication method to the communication method A. In the switching example shown in FIG. 4, the communication method is automatically switched in this way.

  As described above, in the communication method switching method of this embodiment, when a plurality of communication methods can be used in the transfer destination area of the information processing apparatus 10, the communication method is based on the priority of the communication method and the radio wave condition. Switch.

[Procedure for switching communication method]
Next, an example of a communication method switching process in the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a communication method switching method in the information processing apparatus 10. 6, 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedures in steps S1, S2 and S4 in FIG. 5, respectively.

  First, the information processing unit 20 of the information processing apparatus 10 confirms the current position information (step S1).

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the information processing unit 20 first determines whether or not a signal related to position information from, for example, GPS is input to the position measurement unit 11 (step S <b> 11). When the information processing apparatus 10 exists in a place where position information from GPS or the like cannot be obtained (for example, indoors), a signal related to position information is not input to the position measurement unit 11. In such a case, step S11 is NO, and the information processing unit 20 ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, if a signal related to position information is input to the position measurement unit 11 in step S11, step S11 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 acquires the current position information (latitude and longitude) from the position measurement unit 11, for example, from GPS or the like (step S12), and proceeds to the process of step S2 described later.

  Next, the information processing unit 20 checks whether or not spot information (for example, spot information having a configuration as shown in FIG. 2) corresponding to the acquired position information is stored in the storage unit 15 (step S2).

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the information processing unit 20 first accesses the spot information storage unit 16 in the storage unit 15 (step S21). Next, the information processing unit 20 determines whether or not spot information corresponding to the acquired position information exists in the spot information storage unit 16 (step S22).

  More specifically, in step S22, the information processing unit 20 determines whether the acquired position information (latitude, longitude) is included in the area of [position data (latitude, longitude) + communication range data] in the spot information. Determine whether. When the acquired position information (latitude, longitude) is included in the area of [position data (latitude, longitude) + communication range data] in the spot information, the information processing unit 20 corresponds to the acquired position information. It is determined that the spot information exists in the spot information storage unit 16.

  In step S22, if spot information corresponding to the acquired position information exists, step S22 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 reads spot information corresponding to the current position from the spot information storage unit 16 (step S23). At this time, when there are a plurality of spot information corresponding to the current position, that is, when there are a plurality of communication methods that can be used at the current position, the information processing unit 20 reads all the plurality of spot information. Then, after performing the process of step S23, the information processing section 20 proceeds to the process of step S3 described later.

  On the other hand, if there is no spot information corresponding to the acquired position information in step S22, step S22 is NO, and the information processing section 20 ends the communication method switching process.

  Next, the information processing unit 20 determines whether or not there are a plurality of pieces of spot information read in step S2 (step S3).

  In step S3, if the spot information read in step S2 is plural, step S3 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 acquires a priority list (for example, a list having a configuration as shown in FIG. 3) from the priority list storage unit 17 in the storage unit 15 (step S4).

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the information processing unit 20 first accesses the priority list storage unit 17 (step S41). Next, the information processing unit 20 reads a priority list of communication devices (communication methods) from the priority list storage unit 17 (step S42). And after performing the process of step S42, the information processing part 20 transfers to the process of below-mentioned step S5.

  Next, the information processing unit 20 uses a plurality of communication devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of spot information (including communication method data) acquired in step S2 based on the priority data included in the priority list read in step S4. Is determined (step S5).

  Next, the information processing unit 20 first switches the communication device to the communication device with the highest priority based on the determination result of step S5 (step S6). At this time, if the communication method selected in step S6 is the currently used communication method, the information processing unit 20 maintains the selected state of the currently used communication device without switching the communication device. On the other hand, when the communication method selected in step S6 is different from the communication method currently in use, the information processing unit 20 switches the communication device from the currently used communication device to the communication device selected in step S6.

  Next, the information processing unit 20 checks the radio wave status (whether communication is possible) at the current position of the communication device selected in step S6 (step S7).

  In step S7, if the selected communication device can communicate, step S7 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 maintains the communication device (communication method) in the switched state, and ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, if the selected communication device cannot communicate in step S7, step S7 is NO. In this case, the information processing unit 20 determines whether or not all of the plurality of communication devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of spot information acquired in step S2 have been selected (step S8).

  In step S8, if all of the plurality of communication devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of spot information acquired in step S2 are selected, step S8 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, if all the plurality of communication devices respectively corresponding to the plurality of spot information acquired in step S2 are not selected in step S8, step S8 is NO. In this case, the information processing unit 20 returns to step S6 and switches the communication device to the communication device with the next highest priority. Thereafter, the processing after step S7 is repeated.

  Here, it returns to step S3 again, and when the spot information read by step S2 is not plurality, ie, when the read spot information is one, the process procedure after step S3 is demonstrated.

  If the spot information read in step S2 is one, step S3 is NO, and the information processing unit 20 switches the communication device to the communication device corresponding to the spot information read in step S2 (step S6). At this time, if the communication method selected in step S6 is the communication method currently in use, the information processing unit 20 maintains the selected state of the communication device currently in use without switching the communication device. On the other hand, when the communication method selected in step S6 is different from the communication method currently in use, the information processing unit 20 switches the communication device from the currently used communication device to the communication device selected in step S6.

  Next, the information processing unit 20 checks the radio wave status (whether communication is possible) at the current position of the communication device selected in step S6 (step S7).

  In step S7, if the selected communication device can communicate, step S7 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 20 maintains the communication device (communication method) in the switched state, and ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, if the selected communication device cannot communicate in step S7, step S7 is NO. In this case, the information processing unit 20 determines whether all the communication devices corresponding to the spot information acquired in step S2 have been selected (step S8).

  However, if the spot information read in step S2 is one (step S3 is NO determination), step S8 is automatically determined as YES. Therefore, if step S7 is NO, the information processing unit 20 automatically ends the communication method switching process. That is, in this embodiment, when the spot information read in step S2 is one, the information processing unit 20 maintains the communication device (communication method) in a switched state regardless of the radio wave condition determination result in step S7. Then, the communication system switching process is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the communication method (communication device) is switched in this way. Note that the communication method switching process described above may be performed periodically at predetermined intervals, or may be performed as necessary. Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the example which reads spot information from the spot information storage part 16 in step S2, this invention is not limited to this. When the spot information can be provided from the vendor of the communication method in use, the spot information may be acquired from the vendor in step S2.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus and the communication method switching method according to the present embodiment, for example, the current position information from the GPS or the like is acquired, and the communication method that can be used at the current position is determined based on the position information. Sort out. Further, in the present embodiment, the radio wave condition in the selected communication method is confirmed, and the communication method is switched based on the confirmation result. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to switch the communication device between the optimum communication method efficiently and more reliably.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the radio wave status of the communication method selected for each switching process is confirmed. Therefore, when communication is disabled by the selected communication method due to the terrain around the information processing apparatus 10 or the building, the position information indicating that communication is disabled may be provided to the selected communication method vendor. In this case, the vendor can grasp the area where the radio wave does not reach in more detail and accurately, leading to improvement of service to the user.

<2. Second Embodiment>
In the information processing apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the example has been described in which the currently usable communication method is determined based on the current position information and the communication method is switched. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a function for estimating a position at the next switching process using data such as current position information and selecting a communication method that can be used at the next switching process based on the estimated position information (hereinafter referred to as prefetching). It may be configured to have a function). In the present embodiment, an example of the configuration will be described.

[Configuration of information processing device]
FIG. 9 shows a schematic block configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 shows only the configuration of the main part that operates when the communication method is switched, and the other configuration is the same as that of a conventional mobile information processing apparatus. Moreover, in the information processing apparatus 30 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and shown to the same structure as the information processing apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment shown in FIG.

  The information processing device 30 includes a position detection unit 31, a communication unit 13, a communication antenna 14, a storage unit 15, a display unit 18, an operation unit 19, and an information processing unit 35 (communication switching processing unit). Prepare. Since the configuration other than the position detection unit 31 and the information processing unit 35 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description of these configurations is omitted. In this embodiment, the communication method switching process is performed at predetermined intervals.

  The position detection unit 31 includes a position measurement unit 11 (position information acquisition unit), a position measurement antenna 12, an acceleration measurement unit 32, a direction change measurement unit 33 (direction measurement unit), and a time measurement unit 34. .

  Note that the position measurement unit 11 and the position measurement antenna 12 of the present embodiment have the same configuration as those of the first embodiment, and components other than the position measurement unit 11 and the position measurement antenna 12 are prefetched. It is newly provided to realize the function. That is, in the present embodiment, when the position detection unit 31 is configured by the position measurement unit 11 and the position measurement antenna 12 (when the prefetch function is not provided), the information processing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment is the first implementation described above. It becomes the same structure as the information processing apparatus 10 of a form.

  The acceleration measuring unit 32 includes, for example, an acceleration sensor and measures the acceleration of the information processing device 30. Then, the acceleration measuring unit 32 outputs the measured acceleration data to the information processing unit 35.

  The direction change measurement unit 33 includes, for example, a gyro sensor and measures the moving direction of the information processing apparatus 30. Then, the direction change measurement unit 33 outputs the measured movement direction data to the information processing unit 35.

  The time measurement unit 34 counts time and measures elapsed time. Then, the time measuring unit 34 outputs the measured elapsed time data to the information processing unit 35.

  The information processing unit 35 moves the information processing device 30 based on the acceleration data measured by the acceleration measurement unit 32, the movement direction data measured by the direction change measurement unit 33, and the elapsed time data measured by the time measurement unit 34. Calculate speed and direction of movement. The moving speed is calculated from acceleration data and elapsed time data.

  In addition, the information processing unit 35 is based on the calculated information on the moving speed and moving direction of the information processing device 30 and the position information acquired by the position measuring unit 11 and information at the time of switching between the plurality of communication methods from the next time. The position of the processing device 30 is estimated.

  Further, the information processing unit 35 is used at the next switching based on a plurality of estimated positions of the information processing apparatus 30 at the time of a plurality of subsequent switching processes and the spot information and priority list obtained at each estimated position. The possible communication methods and their selection order are determined. Then, the information processing unit 35 stores the determination result as communication method selection information (hereinafter referred to as a selection list) at the next switching process.

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a selection list created by the information processing unit 35. The selection list includes, for example, data (for example, a communication device name, a communication method name, a number associated with each communication device, etc.) specifying a communication device (communication method) to be selected at the next switching process, and its Selection order and the like are included. Further, the created selection list is stored in the storage unit 15. When the information processing unit 35 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example, the selection list may be temporarily stored in the RAM.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, data related to a plurality of communication methods is included in the selection list. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there is one communication method that can be used at the estimated position at the next switching process. In some cases, the selection list includes only data relating to one communication method. The method for creating the selection list will be described later in detail.

  In addition, the information processing unit 35 controls the communication unit 13 based on the selection list created (updated) during the previous switching process and the radio wave condition at the current position of the communication method selected based on the selection list. Then, the communication device (communication method) is switched.

[Overview of prefetch function]
Next, an overview of the prefetch function in the information processing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 30 passes from an area where communication method A can communicate to an area where both communication methods A and B can be used (area D sandwiched between broken lines in FIG. 11). The state when moving to the area of communication method A is shown. Further, FIG. 11 shows a change in the position of the information processing apparatus 30 for each switching process (times t1, t2, t3, t4... In FIG. 11). However, in this example, the switching processing interval Δt (= t _{k + 1} −t _k : k = 0, 1, 2, 3...) Is constant. Furthermore, in area D, communication method B has a higher priority than communication method A.

  Here, the communication method of the information processing apparatus 30 at the position at time t1 in FIG. 11, that is, the position immediately before entering the area D where both of the communication methods A and B can be used from the communicable area of the communication method A. An overview of the switching process and the prefetch process will be described.

  At the position of time t1, the information processing apparatus 30 performs a predetermined process based on the communication device selection list (FIG. 10) obtained in the prefetching process at the time of the previous switching process (time t0) and the radio wave condition at the current position. Select (switch) the communication device. In the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 30 selects the communication method A and performs wireless communication with the outside at the position of the time t1 (communication method A area) (in FIG. 11). Dashed arrow A).

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 30 estimates the position of the information processing apparatus 30 at the time of a plurality of subsequent switching processes based on various measurement parameters obtained from the position detection unit 31 during the switching process at time t1. Here, an example of estimating the position of the information processing apparatus 30 at times t2, t3, and t4 in FIG. 11 will be described.

  Next, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the communication devices that can be used at the estimated positions at the times t2, t3, and t4 and their priorities based on the spot information and the priority list stored in the storage unit 15. In the example of FIG. 11, at this time (at time t1), the information processing device 30 enters the area D of the communication method B having a higher priority than the communication method A at the times t2 and t3, and the information processing device 30 at the time t4. Is obtained again as a result of entering the communication system A area.

  Then, the information processing apparatus 30 moves to a communication device area having a higher priority than the communication device currently in use for a predetermined period ΔT after the next switching process based on the determination result at the estimated positions at times t2, t3, and t4. It is determined whether or not the information processing apparatus 30 exists. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether or not the difference between the time t4 and the time t1 is longer than a predetermined period ΔT.

  Note that the predetermined period ΔT used for the determination of the switching of the communication method described above is set, for example, to a period that does not matter to the user even if communication is interrupted. However, the predetermined period ΔT is appropriately set in consideration of, for example, usage, required switching sensitivity, user preference, and the like, and data of the predetermined period ΔT is stored in the storage unit 15 or the like, for example.

  Then, the information processing apparatus 30 creates (updates) a selection list (FIG. 10) used in the next switching process based on the determination result of the magnitude relation between the time difference t4-t1 and the predetermined period ΔT, for example.

  For example, when the determination result is a predetermined period ΔT ≦ t4-t1, the information processing apparatus 30 exists in the area D of the communication method B having a higher priority than the communication method A for a relatively long period. Therefore, in this case, the information processing apparatus 30 creates a selection list so that the communication method B is selected first in the next switching process (time t2). Specifically, the information processing apparatus 30 creates a selection list in which the selection order of communication devices of the communication method B is higher than that of the communication method A as a selection list used at the next switching process (time t2) ( Update. By creating such a selection list, at the time of the next switching process (time t2), the communication method is switched from communication method A to communication method B based on the selection list.

  However, also in the present embodiment, the radio wave condition of the communication method B is confirmed after the communication method is switched from the communication method A to the communication method B at the position of time t2, as in the first embodiment. If the communication method B is communicable at the position of the time t2, the communication method is maintained in the switched state. However, when communication by the communication method B is impossible, the communication method is changed to the communication method A. Return to.

  On the other hand, for example, when the determination result is a predetermined period ΔT> t4-t1, the information processing apparatus 30 has only a relatively short period in the area D of the communication method B having a higher priority than the communication method A. In the present embodiment, the predetermined period ΔT is set to a period that does not matter to the user even if communication is interrupted, for example. Therefore, for example, from the viewpoint of power consumption, it is preferable not to switch the communication device, rather than switching the communication method in a short period of time.

  Therefore, when the predetermined period ΔT> t4-t1, the information processing apparatus 30 selects so that the communication method A with the lower priority in the area D is selected first in the next switching process (time t2). Create a list. Specifically, the information processing apparatus 30 creates a selection list in which the selection order of communication devices of the communication method A is higher than that of the communication method B as a selection list used at the next switching process (time t2) ( Update. By creating such a selection list, at the time of the next switching process (time t2), the communication system is maintained at communication system A based on the selection list (communication system switching is not performed).

[Operation when switching communication method]
(1) Communication Method Switching Procedure Next, an example of communication method switching processing in the information processing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a communication method switching method in the information processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the information processing unit 35 of the information processing apparatus 30 acquires a communication device selection list created during the previous switching process (step S51).

  Next, the information processing section 35 selects the highest communication device in the selection list (step S52). At this time, if the selected communication device and the currently used communication device are the same, the communication device is not switched and the current connection state is maintained. On the other hand, when the selected communication device is different from the currently used communication device, the communication device is switched from the currently used one to the selected communication device.

  Next, the information processing unit 35 confirms the radio wave status (whether communication is possible) at the current position of the communication device selected (switched) in step S52 (step S53).

  In step S53, if the selected communication device can communicate, step S53 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 35 maintains the communication device (communication method) in the switched state, and ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, when the selected communication device cannot communicate in step S53, step S53 is NO. In this case, the information processing section 35 determines whether or not all communication devices in the selection list acquired in step S51 have been selected (step S54).

  If all the communication devices in the selection list are selected in step S54, step S54 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 35 ends the communication method switching process.

  On the other hand, if all the communication devices in the selection list are not selected in step S54, step S54 is NO. In this case, the information processing section 35 returns to step S52 and switches the communication device to the communication device with the next highest selection order. Thereafter, the processing after step S53 is repeated. In the present embodiment, the communication device (communication method) is switched as described above.

(2) Processing Procedure of Prefetch Processing Next, an example of the above-described prefetch processing in the information processing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a specific procedure of prefetch processing.

  First, the information processing unit 35 of the information processing apparatus 30 confirms the current position information (latitude and longitude) in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S1 in FIG. 5 and the flowchart in FIG. 6) ( Step S61).

  Next, the information processing unit 35 acquires various movement parameters (acceleration data, direction change data, and elapsed time data) of the information processing device 30 at the current position from the position detection unit 31 (step S62).

  Next, the information processing unit 35 estimates the position of the information processing device 30 at the next and subsequent switching processes based on the current position information acquired in step S61 and the various movement parameters acquired in step S62. (Step S63).

  Next, the information processing unit 35 stores spot information corresponding to each estimated position in the spot information storage unit 16 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S2 in FIG. 5 and the flowchart in FIG. 7). It is confirmed whether it has been done (step S64). At this time, if spot information corresponding to each estimated position is stored in the spot information storage unit 16, the information processing unit 35 reads the spot information. On the other hand, when spot information corresponding to each estimated position is not stored in the spot information storage unit 16, the information processing unit 35 ends the prefetching process.

  Next, the information processing section 35 selects a predetermined estimated position from the plurality of estimated positions, and determines whether or not there is a plurality of spot information read in step S64 at the predetermined estimated position (step S65).

  In step S65, if the spot information read in step S64 is not plural at the predetermined estimated position, that is, if the spot information is one, step S65 is NO. In this case, the information processing section 35 proceeds to the process of step S68 described later.

  On the other hand, if there is a plurality of read spot information in step S65, step S65 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 35 acquires a priority list from the priority list storage unit 17 (step S66) in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S4 in FIG. 5 and the flowchart in FIG. 8).

  Next, the information processing unit 35 determines the priority of the communication device at the selected predetermined estimated position based on the spot information read in step S64 and the priority list read in step S66 (step S67).

  Next, the information processing unit 35 determines whether all the estimated positions have been selected (step S68). If all the estimated positions are not selected in step S68, step S68 is NO. In this case, the information processing section 35 selects an estimated position that has not been selected, and repeats the processing after step S65.

  On the other hand, if all the estimated positions are selected in step S68, step S68 is YES. In this case, the information processing unit 35 acquires the priority information of the communication device obtained at each estimated position and a predetermined period ΔT set in advance. Based on the acquired information, the information processing unit 35 exists in the communication device area having a higher priority than the communication device currently in use for a predetermined period ΔT after the next switching process. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S69).

  If it is determined in step S69 that the information processing apparatus 30 exists in the area of the communication device having a higher priority than the communication device currently in use for the predetermined period ΔT after the next switching process, the determination in step S69 is YES. It becomes. That is, if it is estimated that the information processing apparatus 30 exists in the area of the communication device having a higher priority than the communication device currently in use for a certain long period after the next switching process, the determination in step S69 is YES. .

  In this case, the information processing unit 35 defines the selection order of communication devices to be selected at the next switching process based on the priority information of the communication devices at the estimated position at the next switching process obtained in step S67. The selection list is updated (created) (step S70). Specifically, the information processing unit 35 updates (creates) the selection list so that the selection order of communication devices with high priority is higher than the communication device currently in use.

  Then, the information processing unit 35 stores the created selection list in, for example, the storage unit 15 or the like, and ends the prefetching process. When the selection list is updated (created) in step S70, the information processing unit 35 displays a message indicating that the communication method switching area is approaching on the display unit 18, and the communication method is to be switched soon. You may make it inform a user.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S69 that the information processing apparatus 30 does not exist in the communication device area having a higher priority than the communication device currently in use for the predetermined period ΔT after the next switching process, step S69 is performed. Is NO. That is, after the next switching process, when it is estimated that the information processing apparatus 30 exists in the communication device area with a high priority for only a relatively short time or does not enter the communication device area with a high priority at all. Step S69 is NO.

  In this case, the information processing unit 35 does not switch the communication method, and thus ends the prefetching process without updating the selection list. In the selection list at the current time (the selection list created during the previous switching process), the highest-level communication device is the currently used communication device. Therefore, if the selection list is not updated, the communication device is not switched during the next switching process. In the present embodiment, the prefetch process is performed in this way.

  Note that the above-described prefetching process is preferably performed after the above-described communication device switching process from the viewpoint of shortening the switching process time. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the prefetching process is performed before the switching process. May be. Further, when an information processing unit that performs communication device switching processing and an information processing unit that performs prefetch processing are provided separately, both processes may be performed in parallel. However, in these cases, the selection list at the previous switching process acquired in step S51 in FIG. 12 and the selection list updated (generated) in step S70 in FIG. 13 are stored separately.

  As described above, in the information processing apparatus 30 and the communication method switching method thereof according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the communication method is selected based on the position information (estimated position information). Switch the communication method after confirming the radio wave condition of the selected communication method. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the communication method is switched based on the selection list created (updated) during the previous switching process. Therefore, in this embodiment, the switching time can be further shortened. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the above-described prefetch function is provided, the communication method can be switched efficiently with lower power consumption.

  Note that the information processing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment may be provided with a function of turning off the above-described prefetch processing. In this case, when the prefetch process is turned off, the communication method may be switched in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[Modification]
In the modification, an example in which a temperature sensor is further added to the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) of the first embodiment or the information processing apparatus 30 (FIG. 9) of the second embodiment will be described.

  In an information processing apparatus including a plurality of communication devices, for example, there may be a case where a plurality of communication devices cannot be turned on simultaneously due to heat generated from a communication device that is turned on due to a hardware configuration or the like. In the modified example, in order to solve the problem of heat generated in the communication device, a temperature sensor is provided in the information processing apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the modified example, first, the information processing unit compares the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a predetermined threshold value. Next, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the information processing unit performs control so that a plurality of communication devices (communication methods) are not simultaneously turned on. At this time, the communication device selection (switching) method described in the first and second embodiments is used as a method for selecting (switching) a predetermined communication device from a plurality of communication devices.

  In the configuration and operation of the above-described modification example, as in the first and second embodiments, the communication device can be switched efficiently and more reliably to the optimum communication method, and the above-described thermal problem is solved. It can be solved (the effect of heat countermeasures can also be obtained).

<3. Various application examples>
In the first and second embodiments, the mobile computer device has been described as an example of the electronic device having the communication method (communication device) switching function of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication method switching function of the present invention described above may be applied to a mobile portable terminal such as a cellular phone.

  Moreover, you may install the electronic device provided with the switching function of the communication system (communication device) of this invention mentioned above in moving means, such as a motor vehicle, for example. In such an application, the range of movement of the user becomes wider and the opportunity for switching the communication method increases, so that the communication method switching method of the present invention described above becomes more effective.

  For example, in a moving means such as an automobile, the moving speed is usually measured sequentially. Therefore, when the electronic device having the look-ahead function of the second embodiment is installed for such an application, the acceleration measuring unit 32 shown in FIG. 9 need not be provided.

  Furthermore, for example, when the electronic device having the prefetch function of the second embodiment is installed in a car or the like having a car navigation function, data such as position information, speed, and direction measured by the car navigation function is used. Thus, the above-described prefetching process may be performed. In this case, the position detector 31 shown in FIG. 9 may not be provided.

  Moreover, you may mount | wear with the existing arbitrary apparatuses (apparatus) by making the switching function of the communication system of this invention mentioned above into a module. In this case, if the device to be mounted includes a communication antenna, the communication antenna 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 may not be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 30 ... Information processing apparatus, 11 ... Position measurement part, 12 ... Position measurement antenna, 13 ... Communication part, 14 ... Communication antenna, 15 ... Storage part, 16 ... Spot information storage part, 17 ... Priority list storage part , 18 ... display unit, 19 ... operation unit, 20, 35 ... information processing unit, 31 ... position detection unit, 32 ... acceleration measurement unit, 33 ... direction change measurement unit, 34 ... time measurement unit

Claims (9)

A communication unit having a plurality of communication devices each capable of supporting a plurality of communication methods;
Information on a position and information on a communication method usable at the position are acquired, a predetermined communication method is selected from the plurality of communication methods based on the acquired information, and the selected predetermined communication method An electronic apparatus comprising: a communication switching processing unit that detects a radio wave condition at a current position of the first communication point and selects a predetermined communication device from the plurality of communication devices in the communication unit based on a detection result of the radio wave condition. The communication switching processing unit acquires information on a current position, a moving speed and a moving direction at the current position, estimates a plurality of positions in a plurality of subsequent switching processes based on the acquired information, and A selection list that obtains information on communication methods that can be used at each estimated position and defines the order of communication methods to be selected at the next switching process based on information on communication methods that can be used at each estimated position The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined communication method is selected based on the selection list generated at the time of the previous switching process, and a radio wave condition of the predetermined communication method at a current position is detected. machine. Furthermore, a position information acquisition unit that acquires information about the current position;
A time measurement unit that measures the passage of time;
An acceleration instrumentation unit for measuring acceleration at the current position;
A direction measuring unit for measuring the moving direction at the current position,
The communication switching processing unit acquires the information on the moving speed and the moving direction including the elapsed time, the acceleration, and the data on the moving direction, and the information on the current position, and based on the acquired information The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of positions at the time of a plurality of switching processes after the next time are estimated. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores information regarding the communication method. The information regarding the communication method includes information indicating a type of the communication method, position information of an access point of the communication method, information of a communication range of the communication method, and priority of the communication method. Electronic equipment. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an antenna shared for at least a part of the plurality of communication methods. Furthermore, a location information acquisition unit that acquires information about the current location is provided,
The communication switching processing unit acquires information on a communication method usable at the current position based on the information on the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and based on the acquired information on a usable communication method The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined communication method is selected. In addition, it has a temperature sensor,
The communication switching processing unit compares the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a predetermined threshold, and if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold, the communication switching processing unit The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein selection processing is performed. The communication switching processing unit of an electronic device including a communication unit capable of supporting a plurality of communication methods and a communication switching processing unit that switches the communication methods, and acquiring information related to the position of the electronic device;
The communication switching processing unit acquiring information on a communication method usable at the position based on the information on the acquired position;
The communication switching processing unit selecting a predetermined communication method from the plurality of communication methods based on the information on the acquired position and information on a communication method usable at the position;
The communication switching processing unit detecting a radio wave condition at a current position of the selected predetermined communication method;
The communication switching processing unit including a step of switching a communication method based on the detection result of the radio wave condition.

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