JP2002218545A - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal that can select an optimum access point by which the communication charge can be reduced. SOLUTION: The communication terminal making communication with an information provider via the access point is provided with a position acquisition means that acquires a current position, a mobile communication means 24 that makes channel connection to the access point to make communication with the information provider, an enterprise identification means that identifies a communication enterprise of the mobile communication means 24 and an access point selection means that selects an access point, by which the communication charge can be most reduced, on the basis of the charging system different from each communication enterprise and the position information acquired by the position acquisition means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a communication terminal device, and more particularly, to a communication terminal device for acquiring various information by communicating with an information provider via an access point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication terminal device capable of acquiring various information from a moving body such as a vehicle has been put to practical use. For example, there is a communication terminal device used in combination with a mobile phone as a mobile terminal and a navigation device.

As one of information providing services for automobiles in such communication terminal devices, MONET (MONET: Mobi) provided by Toyota Media Station Co., Ltd.
le Network) from Monet's service menu.
When the user requests a desired menu, the user is connected to the Monet information center from a cellular phone or a car phone, and various information, such as road traffic information and menus, are transmitted from the information center.
Information, weather forecasts, e-mails, town maps, shop information, or Internet information by connecting to the Internet. These information can be displayed, and a navigation device can be displayed. For route guidance.

An automatic mode and a manual mode can be considered as a method of connecting such an information center such as Monet. In the automatic mode, a nearest connection point (hereinafter referred to as an access point) for connecting to an information center is automatically selected, and the telephone number of the access point is called to connect to the information center. To communicate. In the manual mode,
The user inputs a predetermined telephone number notified from the customer center, calls the input telephone number, connects to the information center, and performs communication.

[0005] Usually, when an individual who has a relatively short usage time connects to an information center or an information network such as the Internet, a connection provider (hereinafter referred to as a provider) that provides an Internet connection service. In many cases, a connection is made to the Internet or the like using the access point of the provider as a connection relay point.

[0006] Such communication requires a communication fee to the access point. Although the setting of the access point differs depending on the provider, one or a plurality of points are often set for each area code or each fixed area. Therefore, if the communication fee is based on the metered system, it will be charged according to the connection time, and if a remote access point with a different charge area is selected,
Communication charges may be high. Therefore, the user can suppress the communication fee by selecting and connecting to the access point having the lowest communication fee.

[0007]

However, the cost required for communication between the communication terminal device and the information provider has not been sufficiently considered even in the conventional communication terminal device mounted on a mobile body.

That is, in the selection of an access point for accessing an information providing center such as an information providing center from a communication terminal device, in the case of manual setting by a user, input of the access point is troublesome, and There is a problem that it is difficult to know which access point has the lowest communication fee.

[0009] Further, when the setting of the access point is fixed, there is a problem that the setting of the access point at which the communication fee is the lowest is not possible.

In the case where an access point is automatically set, a nearest access point is determined,
The closest access point is selected. However, the communication charges of mobile phones are often set for each area, and the access point that is closest to the distance is not necessarily the cheapest, but the communication charge is the lowest. There has been a problem that such an access point has not yet been optimized so that it can be selected.

[0011] The selection of an access point is normally performed based on conditions at the time of access. However, in a moving body such as a vehicle, the access point where the communication fee is the lowest changes depending on the moving conditions because the position changes every moment, so the communication fee may be higher depending on the setting at the time of access. There was also.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a communication terminal device capable of selecting an optimal access point at a low communication fee.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, a communication terminal device (1) according to the present invention is a communication terminal device that communicates with an information provider via an access point. Position acquisition means for acquiring
Mobile communication means for making a line connection to an access point and communicating with an information provider, a carrier identification means for identifying a communication carrier of the mobile communication means, and a fee form different for each communication carrier And an access point selecting means for selecting an access point having the lowest communication fee based on the position information acquired by the position acquiring means.

According to the communication terminal device (1), a communication carrier of the connected mobile communication means is identified, and a charge form different for each communication carrier and the current location information acquired by the location acquisition means are identified. The access point with the lowest communication fee based on the selected access point, and obtains information from the information provider by connecting to the selected access point. It is possible to select the access point with the lowest communication fee in consideration of different fee types for each business operator, and reduce the communication cost.

[0015] The communication terminal device (2) according to the present invention comprises:
The above-mentioned communication terminal device (1) is characterized in that it comprises an information storage means for storing charge form information and access point-related information for each communication carrier of the mobile communication means. According to the communication terminal device (2), since the information storage means for storing a plurality of access point related information and the charge form information of the mobile communication means is provided, the charge form information and the access point related information are stored. It is not necessary to sequentially access the information provider to know, and the communication cost can be reduced. Further, it is possible to quickly read the access point in the toll area where the communication fee is the lowest corresponding to the current position during the movement.

Further, the communication terminal device (3) according to the present invention comprises:
The communication terminal device (2) is characterized in that the charge form information includes time zone / day of the week division information and charge area division information. According to the communication terminal device (3), since the fee form information includes the time zone / day of the week division information and the charge area division information,
In accordance with the current position, date and time, and toll area while moving,
By taking into account a detailed fee system, it can be used for selecting an optimal access point with the lowest communication fee, and communication costs can be reduced.

Further, the communication terminal device (4) according to the present invention comprises:
In any of the communication terminal devices (1) to (3),
The access point selecting means includes a proximity area determining means for determining whether the current position is located in a predetermined proximity area with an adjacent toll area, and a determination that the current position is located in the proximity area by the proximity area determining means. In the case where it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in the direction of the adjacent toll area from the position information acquired by the position acquiring means, A first adjacent access point selecting means for selecting an access point in a toll area adjacent to the traveling direction when it is determined that the vehicle is in progress.

According to the communication terminal device (4), before entering the adjacent toll area, it is predicted that the vehicle will enter the adjacent toll area, and the access point of the adjacent toll area is selected in advance. Instead of selecting the access point with the lowest communication fee at the current position, the destination is predicted based on the position information and route information obtained from the position obtaining means, and the communication is most performed when the information is obtained. It is possible to select an access point whose charge is low, and it is possible to reduce the total communication cost for acquiring information.

Further, the communication terminal device (5) according to the present invention comprises:
In any of the communication terminal devices (1) to (3),
The access point selecting means includes a communication time calculating means for calculating a communicable time from a current position to an adjacent toll area based on a set guidance route, and the communicable time calculated by the communication time calculating means. A second adjacent access point selecting means for determining whether or not to connect to an access point in an adjacent toll area based on the information acquisition time predetermined for each information menu to be acquired in advance. It is characterized by.

According to the communication terminal device (5), an access point with the lowest communication fee at the current position is selected and connected in consideration of the information acquisition time predetermined for each menu, Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether to select and access an access point in an adjacent toll area that switches while moving, and that even if the toll area switches while moving, the toll from the start of information acquisition to the end of information acquisition can be determined. It is possible to select an access point with the lowest communication cost of the unit, thereby reducing the communication cost.

Further, the communication terminal device (6) according to the present invention comprises:
In any of the communication terminal devices (1) to (3),
The access point selection means includes a travel time calculation means for calculating a travel time from a current position to an adjacent toll area based on the set guidance route, and the travel time calculated by the travel time calculation means. A third adjacent access point selecting means for determining whether or not to connect to an access point in an adjacent toll area based on the information acquisition time defined for each information menu acquired in advance. It is characterized by.

According to the communication terminal device (6), in consideration of the information acquisition time predetermined for each menu, whether to select and connect to the access point at the current position where the communication fee is the lowest, Alternatively, it is possible to determine whether to select an access point in an adjacent toll area that is switched during the movement and to make a connection. Even if the toll area is switched during the movement, the toll from the start to the end of the information acquisition can be determined. It is possible to select an access point with the lowest communication cost of the unit, thereby reducing the communication cost.

Further, the communication terminal device (7) according to the present invention comprises:
In any one of the communication terminal devices (1) to (6),
An information acquisition unit for acquiring and storing, from the information provider, fee form information and access point-related information for each communication carrier of the mobile communication unit stored in the information storage unit. I have.

According to the communication terminal device (7), since the latest communication connection information is constantly updated and stored by the information acquisition means, the selection of the access point with the lowest communication fee based on the accurate information can be made. And the accuracy for selecting an optimal access point can be improved.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a communication system using a communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a mobile station on which a communication terminal device 2 is mounted, and reference numeral 3 denotes a radio base station for communicating with the mobile station 1. Each radio base station 3 is a radio wave transmission / reception facility that covers an area having a radius of about several kilometers. The plurality of radio base stations 3 are connected to the mobile switching center 4. The mobile switching center 4 is a facility for controlling each radio base station 3 and connecting to a public line network. In general, the mobile switching center 4 controls a plurality of areas.

The mobile switching center 4 is connected to the telephone switching center 5. The telephone exchange 5 is connected via a fixed line network 6 to an access point 7 set by a provider, and from the access point 7 to an information providing center 9 and the Internet 10 via a dedicated line 8. The information providing center 9 and the Internet 10 connected from the access point 7 via the dedicated line 8 are collectively called a server side 11.

The information providing center 9 collects road traffic information, news, weather forecasts, town maps, e-mails, shop information, etc. through an external organization or independently and centrally manages them for communication. The service provided to the terminal device 2 is performed. On the server side 11, an information providing center 9 and a plurality of access points 7 are connected by a dedicated line 8, and the communication terminal device 2 accesses the server side 11 via any one of the access points 7. And receive various information services.

At this time, communication between the communication terminal device 2 mounted on the mobile station 1 and each access point 7 is performed via the fixed line network 6, so that a call charge is imposed. In order to reduce the communication cost between the communication terminal device 2 and the access point 7, the communication terminal device 2
It is necessary to select the access point 7 with the lowest connection fee and access the server side 11 therefrom.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of the communication terminal apparatus according to Embodiment (1). The communication terminal device 2 includes a navigation device 21 having a function as a position detecting means for detecting the position of the own vehicle, a character image information output from the navigation device 21 and a communication control unit 27.
A display control unit 22 for controlling the display of character image information and the like output from the display unit, a display unit 23 including a display panel for displaying an image controlled by the display control unit 22, and the server side 11. Information for storing a mobile phone 24 as a mobile communication means for making a line connection, charge mode information for each communication carrier of the mobile phone 24, and access point related information of a provider contracted by the user. Storage unit 25
And an operation unit 26 for the user to give various control instructions to the communication control unit 27, and control of the communication terminal device 2 and selection of an access point with the lowest communication charge, and connection of the line. Communication control unit 2 having a function of performing
7 is included.

The navigation device 21 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the vehicle speed and detecting the traveling distance to detect the position of the vehicle and a gyro sensor (not shown) for obtaining the traveling direction. GPS data from a GPS receiver, road data, background data, etc., and DVD-ROM (large-capacity storage device such as CD-ROM) in which road data is stored. It is configured to include a DVD drive or the like (none of which is shown) capable of performing a route guidance to a destination set by obtaining a position of the own vehicle, obtained mileage information, traveling direction information, and GPS. The longitude and latitude of the own vehicle position are calculated based on the signal, and the longitude and latitude information of the own vehicle position is transmitted to the communication control unit 27 as own vehicle position information. Further, by matching the determined vehicle position with the road data (so-called map matching processing is performed), a map showing the vehicle position accurately is displayed on the display unit 23 via the display control unit 22. It is shown on the panel.

The information storage unit 25 stores information necessary for selecting the access point 7 with the lowest communication fee. Such information includes a contract with a user to access a server side 11 such as an information providing center 9 or the Internet 10 for providing various information to the communication terminal device 2. Access point-related information of the provider (for example, information such as the longitude and latitude coordinates of the access point 7 and the telephone number), and charge setting information for each communication carrier of the mobile phone 24 (for example, the time zone of the call charge,
Day of the week information, fee area classification information, etc.).

The communication control unit 27 identifies the communication carrier of the connected mobile phone 24 by command communication at the time of connection with the mobile phone 24, and sets the charge setting information of the identified communication carrier from the information storage unit 25 and the provider. Access point-related information, and based on the read information and the longitude / latitude information of the vehicle position transmitted from the navigation device 21, the access point 7 at which the communication fee is the lowest.
Is selected, and control is performed to connect to the telephone number of the selected access point 7. Further, control is performed to store information obtained from the server side 11 through the fixed line network 6 through the mobile phone 24 in the information storage unit 25, and to display necessary information on the display unit 23 through the display control unit 22. It is supposed to do.

The mobile telephone 24 is connected to the access point 7 at the lowest communication fee from the nearest wireless base station 3 via the mobile switching center 4, the telephone switching center 5, and the fixed line network 6 by wireless communication. Then, various data are transmitted and received from the server side 11 through the access point 7.

The operation unit 26 is used by the user to input predetermined information and to issue a processing command to the communication control unit 27.
A key, a button switch, a jog dial and the like (all not shown) are provided.

Next, the processing operation performed by the communication control unit 27 in the communication terminal device according to the embodiment (1) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When acquiring information by communication from the server 11 serving as an information provider,
The user operates a switch or the like of the operation unit 26 to output a signal for causing the communication control unit 27 to display a menu screen. In response, the communication control unit 27 sends a signal to the display control unit 22 to display a menu selection screen on the display panel of the display unit 23, and the user selects a menu of information to be acquired while referring to the screen. To connect to the line and obtain necessary information from the server side 11.

First, the user has to obtain information.
The mobile phone 24 is connected so that communication with the communication control unit 27 can be performed using a communication cable (not shown). When the power of the communication terminal device 2 is turned on, the communication control unit 2
7 transmits a communication command for identifying the operator of the connected mobile phone 24 and identifies the connected operator of the mobile phone 24 from the signal returned from the mobile phone 24.

In the flowchart of FIG.
3 shows a processing operation performed by the communication control unit 27 when a function of connecting to a line for acquiring information is selected after the communication carrier is identified.

First, in step S1, the current position coordinates are fetched as current position information detected by the navigation device 21, and the flow advances to step S2. In step S2,
The charge form list of the identified communication carrier of the mobile phone 24 is read from the information storage unit 25, and a charge area to which the longitude / latitude coordinate area applies is selected.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the information storage unit 25.
2 shows an example of the charge form list stored in the list of the charge forms. FIG.
(A) shows an example of a charge category list of call charges of the mobile phone 24. In this case, it is assumed that the area of the same fee is set for each prefecture. According to FIG. 4 (a), when making a call within the same prefecture (for example, when making a call from the Osaka area to the Osaka area), it is possible to call 10
You can communicate in a circle for 25 seconds. In addition, when calling to an adjacent prefecture (for example, when calling from the Osaka area to the Hyogo area), it is possible to communicate for 20 seconds at 10 yen during the daytime on weekdays. When calling to prefectures other than the same prefecture and neighboring prefectures (for example, when calling from the Osaka area to the Okayama area), it is possible to communicate for 15 seconds at 10 yen during the daytime on weekdays.

Under such a charge form, the communication charge can be minimized when the source and destination are located in the same charge area. Therefore, in order to reduce the communication fee, it is necessary to consider the relationship between the current location as the transmission source, the location of the access point as the destination, and the toll area.

FIG. 4B shows an area division list of call charges. In the item column, a charge area division code for dividing the charge area, charge area information indicating the range of the charge area by longitude and latitude, and an adjacent charge area division code indicating the adjacent charge area division are provided. Contains. In this case, since the toll area is set for each prefecture as described above, toll area classification codes (01 to n) are provided for each prefecture. Also, Osaka Prefecture is Hyogo Prefecture,
Since it is adjacent to Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama prefectures, Hyogo 02, Kyoto 03, Nara 04, and Wakayama 05 are included in the adjacent toll area code corresponding to the toll area code of Osaka 01. To be included.

Therefore, in step S2, it is searched where the current position coordinates (X, Y) fetched in step S1 are included in the area shown in the charge area information in FIG. Is specified, and the flow advances to step S3.

Then, in step S3, the current position is
It is determined whether the toll area specified by the toll area classification code in step S2 is located in a predetermined proximity area between the toll area and its adjacent toll area. In this case, as the proximity area, a range of about several km before the boundary with the adjacent toll area may be provided as the proximity area. Note that the proximity area may be set according to the size of the toll area, the moving speed, and the like. In other words, if the moving speed is different,
The time required to pass through the proximity area is also different. In the case of a proximity area of a certain size, as the traveling speed increases, the transit time becomes shorter, and the proximity area becomes relatively narrower. A map may be provided in which the size of the proximity area is set according to the distance, and the proximity area may be selected and set according to the moving speed.

For example, FIG. 5 shows an area map and position data of a toll area provided with a predetermined proximity area in order to determine whether or not the current position of the vehicle is located in a predetermined proximity area. FIG. FIG. 5 shows that the current position is located in an area adjacent to the toll area in the Osaka 01 toll area (area indicated by oblique lines).

If it is determined that the current position of the vehicle is located in a predetermined proximity area with the adjacent toll area as shown in FIG. 5, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the route information of the vehicle detected by the navigation device 21 is fetched, and it is determined from the traveling locus whether the vehicle is traveling in the boundary direction with the adjacent toll area. For example, in the case of FIG. 5, it is determined that the own vehicle position is located in a region adjacent to the adjacent toll area, and that the vehicle is traveling in the direction of the adjacent toll area of Hyogo from the traveling locus (curve shown by the solid line). I do.
If it is determined in step S4 that the vehicle is traveling in the boundary direction, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, an access point in a toll area adjacent in the traveling direction is selected. FIG. 6 shows an example of the access point related information list stored in the information storage unit 25. The information list shown in FIG. 6 includes an access point identification code for identifying an access point in each charge area, a charge area division code in which the access point is set, access point position coordinates indicated by longitude and latitude. Including phone number.

The access point identification code is a code for identifying an access point. The access point position coordinates are for specifying the location of each access point identified by the identification code, and the toll area classification code can be specified from the location. If the communication fee is determined not by the area but by the distance from the caller, the distance to the caller is calculated from the position coordinates of these access points and used to select the access point with the lowest communication charge. You can also.
The telephone number is the telephone number of each access point identified by the access point identification code.

In step S5, in the charge form list shown in FIG. 4B, the adjacent charge area is narrowed down from the adjacent charge area division code at the current position, and the adjacent charge area in the traveling direction is specified from among them. And then FIG.
The access point of the specified adjacent charge area classification code is selected from the access point related information list.

For example, in the case of FIG. 5, the toll area classification code at the current position is Osaka 01 from FIG. 4B, and the adjacent areas are Hyogo 02, Kyoto 03, and Nara from the adjacent area classification codes. 04, narrowed down to Wakayama 05. From the toll area information adjacent to Osaka 01 and the route information to the current position, Hyogo 01, which is a toll area adjacent in the traveling direction, is specified, and the toll area classification code for Hyogo 01 is identified from the access point related information list. Hyogo AP01, which is an access point having a password, is selected, and the selection of the access point ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the current position is not located in an area adjacent to the toll area adjacent to the toll area, that is, in FIG. Select the access point of the location's toll area In this case, since the toll area identification code of the current position is Osaka 01, FIG. 6 shows that Osaka A where the toll area classification code is Osaka 01.
Select P01 as an access point.

If it is determined in step S4 that the vehicle is not traveling in the boundary direction of the toll area where the vehicle is currently located,
Proceeding to step S6, the access point in the toll area at the current position is selected in the same manner as described above.

Then, step S5 or step S6
When the selection of the access point is completed, the line connection to the telephone number of the access point is performed, and the information is provided by the information providing center 9 or the Internet 10 or the like.
It is communicably connected to the server 11.

When the line connection between the communication terminal device 2 and the access point 7 is established as described above, the display unit 23
A menu selection screen is displayed on the display panel of, and the user operates the operation unit 26 while referring to the screen to perform menu selection of necessary acquired information, and browses and collects information.

After the browsing and acquisition of necessary information is completed, a line disconnection request signal is output to the communication control unit 27 by a key operation or the like provided on the operation unit 26 by the user. In order to update the access point information of the provider and the charge form information of the communication carrier by the information acquisition function of the communication control unit 27, access the server of the communication carrier, the information control center, etc., and update the information. If there is information, the data is downloaded, and after adding / changing the information stored in the information storage unit 25, the line is disconnected.

In this case, after obtaining necessary information,
The line may be automatically disconnected irrespective of the user's disconnection request, and the update information may be obtained by accessing the server when the line is connected, even before the line is disconnected. Then, if there is update information, it may be stored.

According to the communication terminal device according to the above-described embodiment (1), the communication carrier of the connected mobile phone 24 is identified, and the charge form and the navigation system differ for each communication carrier.
Based on the current position information detected by the
Since the access point with the lowest communication fee is selected and connected to the selected access point and information is obtained from the information provider, the charge differs depending on the communication carrier of the mobile phone 24 connected to the current location being moved. An access point with the lowest communication fee can be selected in consideration of the form and the communication cost can be reduced.

An information storage unit 2 for storing a plurality of access point-related information and charge mode information of the mobile phone 24.
5, it is not necessary to sequentially access the information provider in order to know the charge form information and the access point related information, and the communication cost can be reduced. Further, it is possible to quickly read the access point in the toll area where the communication fee is the lowest corresponding to the current position during the movement.

Further, before entering the adjacent toll area, it is predicted that the vehicle will enter the adjacent toll area, and the access point of the adjacent toll area is selected in advance.
Instead of selecting the access point where the communication fee is the lowest at the current position, the destination is predicted based on the route information acquired from the navigation device 21, and the communication fee becomes the highest when the information acquisition is completed. It is possible to select an inexpensive access point, and to reduce the total communication cost for acquiring information.

Further, since the latest communication connection information is constantly updated and stored by the information acquisition function of the communication control unit 27,
An access point with the lowest communication fee can be selected based on accurate information, and the accuracy for selecting an optimal access point can be improved.

Next, a communication terminal apparatus according to Embodiment (2) will be described. However, the configuration of the communication terminal apparatus according to Embodiment (2) is the same as that of FIG.
Since the communication terminal is the same as the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1, different reference numerals are given to the communication controller, and the description of the other components is omitted here.

The processing operation performed by the communication control unit 37 in the communication terminal apparatus according to the embodiment (2) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, a description will be given of a processing operation of selecting an access point for connecting a line after a communication operator of the mobile phone 24 is identified and an information menu desired to be obtained is selected by a user.
It is also assumed that a navigation route to the destination is set in the navigation device 21 in advance.

First, in step S11, current position information and guidance route information are fetched from the navigation device 21, and the flow advances to step S12. In step S12, the charge form list shown in FIG. 4B is read from the information storage unit 25, and the charge area at the current position coordinates is specified from the charge area information.

At step S13, it is determined whether or not the guidance route to the destination extends over a plurality of toll areas. If it is determined in step S13 that the access point does not extend over a plurality of toll areas, the process proceeds to step S14, where the access point of the toll area at the current location is selected from the access point related information list, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the area extends over a plurality of toll areas, the process proceeds to step S15, where the current position information, the guide route information, and the toll area information are used to extend from the current position to the adjacent toll area, that is, Calculate the estimated travel time in the current toll area. The estimated travel time is calculated by calculating the distance from the current position coordinates to the adjacent toll area on the guidance route and the average traveling speed of a certain section immediately before, and calculating the estimated travel time in the current toll area from these. I do.

In step S16, a preset information acquisition time of the information acquisition menu selected by the user is read. In step S17, the read information acquisition time is longer than the scheduled traveling time calculated in step S15. Determine if it is long. In this way, the average information acquisition time is set in advance for each information menu to be acquired. For example, X seconds for traffic information, Y seconds for news, etc. If the information acquisition time is set to correspond to the communication speed of the mobile phone 24 of the body communication means and the amount of information to be acquired, or if the communication time such as information search on the Internet or the like becomes longer, What is necessary is just to be able to set or select the scheduled connection time or the like so that the information acquisition time can be set.

If it is determined in step S17 that the scheduled travel time in the current toll area is longer, step S1 is executed.
Proceeding to 4, the access point in the toll area at the current position is selected from the access point related information list, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the information acquisition time is longer, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the information acquisition time is equal to or longer than twice the scheduled traveling time in the current toll area. Is determined. And it is not more than twice the time in step S18,
That is, if it is determined that the communication time when connecting to an access point in the current toll area is longer, the process proceeds to step S14, where the access point in the current toll area is selected from the access point related information list and the processing is performed. finish.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the time is more than twice, that is, that the communication time when connecting to the access point in the adjacent toll area is longer, the process proceeds to step S19, and the adjacent route on the guidance route is determined. The access point in the toll area is selected from the access point related information list, and the process ends. After selecting an access point as described above, a process for connecting a line to the telephone number of the access point is performed, communication with the server side is performed, and necessary information is browsed and acquired.

According to the communication terminal apparatus of the above embodiment (2), the access point at the current position where the communication fee is lowest is selected in consideration of the information acquisition time predetermined for each menu. It is possible to determine whether to connect or to select an access point in the adjacent toll area that switches while moving, and to connect. Even if the toll area switches during the move, the information acquisition starts and ends. The access point with the lowest total communication cost can be selected, and the communication cost can be reduced.

In the embodiment (2), the communication scheduled time in the current toll area is calculated and compared with the information acquisition time. However, as another embodiment, traveling in the current area is performed. Similar effects can be obtained by calculating the scheduled time and comparing it with the information acquisition time.

In the above embodiments (1) and (2), the communication control units 27 and 37 of the communication terminal device and the mobile phone 24 are connected via the communication cable. Even without using, short-range wireless data communication, such as Blue
The present invention can be similarly implemented by providing a communication terminal device with a transmission / reception function such as a tooth.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a communication system using a communication terminal device according to Embodiment (1).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a main part of a communication terminal device according to Embodiment (1).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed by a communication control unit in the communication terminal device according to Embodiment (1).

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a charge category list of communication charges in a charge form list stored in an information storage unit.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a call charge area division list in a charge form list stored in an information storage unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between an area map of a toll area in which a proximity area is provided and a current position.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access point related information list stored in an information storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed by a communication control unit in the communication terminal device according to Embodiment (2).

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Communication Terminal Device 7 Access Point 21 Navigation Device 22 Display Control Unit 23 Display Unit 24 Mobile Phone 25 Information Storage Unit 26 Operation Unit 27, 37 Communication Control Unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A communication terminal device for communicating with an information provider via an access point, a position acquiring means for acquiring a current position, and a mobile unit for making a line connection to the access point and communicating with the information provider. Mobile communication means, a carrier identification means for identifying a communication carrier of the mobile communication means, and a communication fee based on a fee form different for each communication carrier and location information acquired by the location acquisition means. A communication terminal device comprising: an access point selecting means for selecting an access point which is cheapest. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising information storage means for storing charge form information and access point related information for each communication carrier of said mobile communication means. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the fee form information includes time zone / day of the week division information and charge area division information. 4. An access point selecting means, comprising: a proximity area determining means for determining whether or not a current position is located in a predetermined proximity area to an adjacent toll area; When it is determined that the vehicle is located in the direction, the traveling direction determining unit determines whether or not the vehicle is proceeding in the direction of the adjacent toll area from the position information acquired by the position acquiring unit. A first adjacent access point selecting means for selecting an access point in an adjacent toll area when it is determined that the vehicle is proceeding in the direction of the area.
3. The communication terminal device according to any one of items 3. 5. An access point selecting means, comprising: a communication time calculating means for calculating a communicable time from a current position to an adjacent toll area based on a set guidance route; Second adjacent access point selecting means for determining whether or not to connect to an access point in an adjacent toll area based on the communicable time and the information acquisition time determined for each information menu acquired in advance. The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 6. An access point selecting means, comprising: a travel time calculating means for calculating a scheduled travel time from a current position to an adjacent toll area based on a set guidance route; Third adjacent access point selecting means for determining whether or not to connect to an access point in an adjacent toll area based on the scheduled travel time and the information acquisition time determined for each information menu acquired in advance; The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 7. An information acquisition means for acquiring and storing, from the information provider, fee form information and access point related information for each communication carrier of the mobile communication means stored in the information storage means. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: