JP2003284112A - Mobile wireless communication terminal and communication method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile wireless communication terminal for decreasing a frequency of detection operations with respect to an approaching information communication apparatus so as to reduce wasteful access processing. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile wireless communication terminal is provided with: an own position information acquisition section for acquiring geographical information of a present position; a first wireless access section capable of making wireless access to at least one information communication apparatus or more providing or relaying an information service; an information acquisition section for acquiring identification information of the information communication apparatus and its position information; a storage section for storing the acquired information as management information in cross-reference with each other; and an access opposite party selection section for selecting the information communication apparatus close to the current position on the basis of the information included in the management information, and the wireless access section accesses the information communication apparatus selected by the access opposite party selection section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wireless communication portable terminal and a wireless communication method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of wireless communication technology, portable terminals (for example, notebook personal computers and PDAs (Personal)
A compact and power-saving wireless communication technology suitable for mounting on Data Assistants, mobile phones, portable game machines, etc. has been developed. In particular, Blu
The wireless communication method called ETOTH or wireless LAN is
By standardizing specifications globally, we ensure communication compatibility between communication device manufacturers, communication component manufacturers, and information service providers, and can easily provide and use information services in a wide range of application fields. .

By mounting such a wireless communication system on a fixedly installed information communication device (for example, a kiosk device, a street corner information providing device, an internet access point, an information service device installed at a convenience store, etc.), Many proposals have been made to provide various information services between a mobile terminal and an information communication device. In particular, an information service that installs an information communication device in a public facility or a place where people can easily gather (hot spot) and provides information on the vicinity of the installation place of the information communication device to users of mobile terminals is like Bluetooth. This is a good example of using the characteristics of a wireless communication system that enables ad-hoc connection in a short distance.

Examples of other services include a navigation service, an internet connection service, a telephone service, an electronic mail service, an electronic bulletin board service, an emergency contact service, a public information service, and a disaster information service.

[0005]

However, when a wireless communication connection is made between arbitrary wireless communication devices (such as a mobile terminal and an information communication device) which are relatively close to each other, a connectable partner is detected. However, it is necessary to obtain the identification information (for example, the device ID or the IP address) regarding the connection to the other party to be detected from the detected other parties, and then perform the wireless communication connection.

[0006] For example, in the above-mentioned Bluetooth, for example, as a means for this, a connection partner discovery and identification information (Bluetooth) called "Inquiry" is used.
The specification defines the means for acquiring the Device Address). However, when the above-mentioned Inquiry is used, all devices within the range where radio waves reach each other can be the target of connection, so in a place where many devices exist, before connecting to the target device. There is a problem that it takes time. As a method for efficiently detecting and selecting a connection partner in the vicinity, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-144781, 2001-156704, and 2001-156723.
In this, there is proposed a method using the characteristics of the communication medium, such as a means for varying the reach of radio waves, a received electric field strength, and a directional antenna to limit the connection partner.

However, in any of these methods, when an information service user having a portable terminal moves out of the connectable range with the connected information communication device, the connection is disconnected and the connection partner is connected again. Must be detected and selected. Therefore, even if you want to use the same information service while moving, it takes a wasteful time because it is necessary to detect a new connection partner and reselect each time you disconnect, so you can use the information service. There is a problem that it takes time to go.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and when a mobile terminal connects to an information communication device using a wireless communication system, the frequency of detecting a nearby information communication device is reduced. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication method and a wireless communication device that realizes high-speed connection and can selectively and automatically connect to a nearby information communication device that provides a service to be used And

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a self-position information acquiring unit for acquiring geographical information of a current position and at least one information communication device for providing or relaying an information service can be wirelessly connected. No. 1 wireless connection unit, an information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the information communication device and its position information, a storage unit that stores the acquired information in association with each other, and information included in the management information. A connection partner selecting unit that selects an information communication device close to the current position based on the above, and the first wireless connection unit connects to the information communication device selected by the connection partner selecting unit. The present invention provides a characteristic wireless communication portable terminal.
According to this, it is possible to reduce the frequency of detection processing with respect to a nearby information communication apparatus, reduce the time required for connection and useless connection operation, and realize high-speed connection processing with respect to a desired information communication apparatus.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the present invention, a wireless communication portable terminal is an information processing apparatus intended for a user to carry and obtain desired information from an information communication apparatus installed at a station, a convenience store or the like. It is a device. The self-position information acquisition unit and the first wireless connection unit are configured by hardware and programs that realize a transmission function and a reception function based on a predetermined communication standard and procedure. In addition, the information acquisition unit and the connection partner selection unit are centered on the CPU, and the ROM, RAM,
It is composed of hardware such as a microcomputer including a timer and an I / O controller, and a program for causing the hardware to execute each function. The programs are semiconductor memory devices such as ROM and RAM, CD-ROM, hard disk, IC
It is provided in a form embedded in a storage medium such as a card or a memory card, or in a form downloaded from a server or the like via a network. The storage unit is hardware that stores various kinds of information, and a readable / writable semiconductor storage element (RAM or the like) or a storage medium (hard disk, memory card or the like) is used.

Further, the present invention obtains geographical information of the current position, compares the positional information on a plurality of information communication devices already stored in the storage unit with the geographical information of the current position, A communication method for a wireless communication mobile terminal, characterized by selecting an information communication device close to a position and wirelessly connecting to the selected information communication device.

According to this, instead of attempting the detection operation and the connection operation for all the information communication devices located in the vicinity of the current position of the portable terminal, the position information is previously stored in the storage unit of the information communication devices in the vicinity. Since the connection operation is performed only with respect to the information communication device in which is stored, high-speed connection processing can be realized by reducing the frequency of detection processing and reducing unnecessary connection operation.

Further, in the present invention, a communicable distance is stored in advance in the storage unit, and the connection partner selection unit stores the geographical information of the current position and the position information of each information communication device included in the management information. It is possible to select the shortest information communication device in which the distance between the current position and each information communication device obtained from is less than or equal to the communicable distance. Further, when all the position information of the information communication device included in the management information does not exist within the communicable distance, it is preferable that the connection partner selection unit does not select a new information communication device. According to this, useless connection operations can be further reduced.

Service type information used in the storage unit is stored in advance, and the information acquisition unit acquires the service type information provided from the information communication device and stores it in the storage unit as the management information. The connection partner selection unit may search the management information and select the information communication device that provides the service type information that matches the previously stored service type information. According to this, it becomes possible to connect to the information communication device that provides the service desired by the user faster, and it is possible to further reduce unnecessary connection operations.

Further, the information acquisition unit further comprises a second wireless connection unit for connecting to an information notification wireless communication device storing identification information about a plurality of information communication devices and position information thereof, and the information acquisition unit has a second wireless connection. The predetermined information regarding the information communication device may be acquired from the information communication wireless communication device connected by the unit. According to this, since information about a plurality of information communication devices can be collectively obtained from one information communication wireless communication device, it is possible to reduce the connection operation to the information communication device.

Further, according to the present invention, a first wireless connection unit capable of wirelessly connecting to an information communication device within a predetermined distance from a designated position of route information from a departure place to a destination, and identification of the information communication device. An information acquisition unit that acquires information and its position information, a storage unit that stores the route information and the acquired information of the information communication device, and when an arbitrary point included in the route information is designated, A connection partner selecting unit for selecting an information communication device closest to the position information of the specified point calculated from the position information of the specified point and the acquired position information of the information communication device, and selecting a connection partner The first wireless connection unit connects to the information communication device selected by the wireless communication portable terminal.

According to this, when the user carries the portable terminal on a predetermined route, the information communication device closest to the instructed point is connected, so that the user's location such as GPS exists. Even if the self-position information acquisition unit that acquires the current position is not provided, it is possible to efficiently acquire information without performing unnecessary connection processing to an unrelated information communication device.

Further, a first wireless connection unit capable of wirelessly connecting to at least one or more information communication devices that provide or relay information service, and identification information of the information communication device,
An information acquisition unit that acquires the position information and the connection time information, a storage unit that stores the acquired information in association with each other as management information, position information of a plurality of information communication devices connected in the past, and the connection time thereof. A prediction unit that uses information to predict the location of the destination after a predetermined time has passed from the present,
A connection partner selecting unit that selects, from the management information, the information communication device closest to the destination predicted by the predicting unit, and the first wireless connection unit for the information communication device selected by the connection partner selecting unit. The present invention provides a wireless communication portable terminal characterized by making a connection.

According to this, since the near future destination position of the user holding the portable terminal is predicted from the history information such as the position information of the information communication apparatus which has been connected, G
Efficient connection operation and information acquisition can be performed by connecting to the information communication device closest to the predicted destination position without having a self-position information acquisition unit such as PS that acquires the current position of the user's location. Is possible.

In the present invention, as the information communication device connected by the wireless connection unit, various information processing devices such as a traffic signal control device or an information providing device for providing predetermined information to the public can be targeted. Further, as a communication method of a wireless communication portable terminal of the present invention, when selecting the information communication device, the current position and each information obtained from the geographical information of the current position and the position information regarding each of the information communication devices. You may make it select the shortest information communication apparatus whose distance to a communication apparatus is below a predetermined communicable distance.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied. The mobile terminal 1 includes a wireless communication unit 10,
Antenna unit 11, control unit 12, storage unit 13, input unit 1
4, a display unit 15, a power supply unit 16, and a position acquisition unit 17. The information communication device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 20, an antenna unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a power supply unit 24. The mobile terminal 1 is mainly carried by an individual user and carried around, and is a small device having a size similar to that of a mobile phone, a PDA or the like. The information communication device 2 is a device mainly installed in stations, public facilities, airports, shops, underground malls, buildings, theme parks, intersections, sidewalks, bus stops, and the like.

The radio communication units 10 and 20 mutually convert an electric signal and a radio signal and amplify the signal.
Generally, it is composed of an RF controller, a baseband controller, a link controller, and the like, and may have a memory for storing identification information regarding connection. As a wireless communication system, for example, Bluetooth or wireless LA
There are N, HomeRF, etc., which are wireless communication systems in which a connection request can be made from a mobile terminal to an information communication device. Further, the distance at which wireless communication is possible between the mobile terminal 1 and the information communication device 2 is not particularly limited, but for example, Blu
In ETOTH, the communicable distance is about 10 m at most, and in the wireless LAN, it is about several hundred m.

The antenna units 11 and 21 send and receive wireless data and wireless commands. The antenna may be built in the housing of the mobile terminal 1 or the information communication device 2 by using a chip antenna or the like, or may be exposed to the outside of the housing by using a dipole antenna or the like. Further, in particular, the antenna unit 21 of the information communication device 2 may have directivity in order to limit the service range.

The storage unit 13 and the storage unit 23 have an area for performing operation processing and an area for holding programs, data and the like. Memory (RAM etc.) that can read and write at high speed,
It is preferable to have a non-volatile memory (such as a hard disk) capable of holding data even when power is not supplied. In addition, the storage unit 23 of the information communication device 2
Is a CD-ROM or DV to provide a lot of information.
A storage medium such as a D-ROM or a memory card may be further provided.

Identification information necessary for starting communication between the mobile terminal 1 and the information communication device 2 is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 or the storage unit 2.
3 or may be set in a memory (flash memory or the like) inside the wireless communication unit 10 or 20, and mutually notify each other as necessary. Further, the storage unit 23 of the information communication device 2 may store not only the identification information of the device itself but also the identification information of other information communication devices known to exist around the device in advance. Further, other information such as position information, service type information, area information and the like may be stored in advance in association with the identification information.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the identification information stored in the storage unit 23 of the information communication device 2 and the information held in association with it. Here, the identification information (ID) J1
Reference numeral 1 is information that is collated when wirelessly connecting to the information communication device 2, and in many cases is information unique to the device. In the case of Bluetooth, the BD address (Blue
This corresponds to the Ethernet Device Address). In other examples, IP address and MAC
It corresponds to an address. The position information J12 is geographical numerical information, and it is particularly preferable to use latitude and longitude information which is quantitative position information.

The service type information J13 is information that classifies what kind of service each information communication device 2 can provide. For simplification of information, symbols or numbers can be used according to a predetermined classification. In this example, the service is represented by characters such as "A" and "B". For example, “A” is a location information notification service and “B” is a public information providing service. Based on this information, the mobile terminal 1 selects only the information communication device 2 that provides the available service,
It is possible to select only the information communication device 2 that provides the service to be used.

As the area information J14, an address, an area name, or the like is used directly, or one converted into a numerical code is used. What is important is that the mobile terminal acquires this regional information J14 from a nearby information communication device, recognizes the current location area, compares it with the management information that it holds, and communicates other information within the same area as the current location area. It is possible to grasp the existence of the device. As a result, the mobile terminal 1 can efficiently select only the nearby information communication device 2.

FIG. 2, FIG. 3, which will be described later, FIGS. 11A and 11B.
In the embodiment of FIG. 13, BD is used as the identification information J11.
The address and position information J12 is represented by longitude and latitude (north latitude, east longitude), the service information J13 is coded characters, and the region information J14 is a temporary city name.

It is desirable that these pieces of information can be set in the storage unit even in the initial state before using wireless communication. As the method, there are a method of manually operating the input unit, a method of rewriting and exchanging the storage medium, and a method of setting in the storage unit from an external device by wireless communication or wired communication.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the management information stored in the storage unit 13 of the mobile terminal 1. Here, by managing the information related to each information communication device in a list, there is a list and it is easy to update or delete. Therefore, in the following embodiment, the management information is the management list. The identification information J21, the position information J22, the service type information J23, and the area information J24 in FIG. 3 are information acquired by the terminal device 1 connecting to each information communication device 2 in the initial state or the like, and FIG. Information (J11-J
14).

The acquisition update time J25 indicates the date and time when the portable terminal 1 acquired and updated each piece of identification information and the like. Update time J
By managing each information together with 25, it becomes possible for the mobile terminal 1 to delete old information based on a certain set time or exclude it from the target device at the time of selecting a connection partner.

In addition to the information of the management list shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 1 periodically or constantly acquires geographical information of the current position of the terminal device 1 and stores it in the storage unit 13. As this geographical information, the same longitude / latitude information as the position information J22 can be used. The information on the current position of the terminal device is used when calculating the distance L to the information communication device, as described later.

Further, the communicable distance R is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the terminal device 1. The communicable distance is normally determined by the mutual wireless communication performance and the positional relationship between the mobile terminal 7 and the communication device 2, the surrounding environment, etc. Here, the mobile terminal has an omnidirectional characteristic and the theory in an ideal environment. Let R be a typical communication range. Furthermore, a selection reference date to be compared with the update date may be stored in advance, and an information communication device having an update date updated after this selection reference date may be selected. As the selection reference date, for example, the date one month ago or one year ago from the current date and time can be set. Also, the service type information that the person who uses the terminal device inputs in advance and wants to use is stored in the storage unit 13, or the service type information that the terminal device can provide is stored in advance in the storage unit 13.

Next, an example of the operation of the mobile terminal 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 4
4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the mobile terminal 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. First, at 40, if the control unit 12 determines that it is already connected to the information communication device, the process ends without selecting and connecting. In the management list call 41, the control unit 12 calls the management list shown in FIG. 3 from the storage unit 13.

Next, at 42, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the information communication device 2 to be connected is selected from the management list. Here, the mobile terminal 1 has (a) an initial state, (b)
When you want to update the management list again at the current position,
(C) If there is another condition that the management list cannot be used, the process proceeds to a normal detection process 47 such as Inquiry automatically or by a manual instruction. Currently (a), (b),
The state of (c) is detected by the control unit 12 comparing each information in the management list with the current position and the current time.

Subsequently, the connection partner selection process 43 is executed in the following procedure. First, in the connection target device selection processing 430, the information communication device 2 to be connected is selected. The acquisition / update time J25 is read from the management list, and the information communication device 2 newer than the preset time is selected. For example, only the information communication device 2 acquired or updated in the last year is selected. Old information not selected at this time may be deleted. Then, the information communication device 2 having the service type information J23 that the user wants to use and the service type information J23 that the mobile terminal 1 can use is selected.

By the connection target device selection processing 430, it is judged whether the information communication device 2 which the user wants to use is in the management list of FIG. 3 (431). If there are information communication devices 2 to be connected, the distances between all the information communication devices 2 and the terminals, the position information J22 of each information communication device 2 and the current position information of the mobile terminal 1 are calculated next. It is calculated by comparison (432). When the current position information of the mobile terminal 1 is represented by latitude and longitude, the straight line distance L between the mobile terminal 1 and the plurality of information communication devices 2 can be calculated from the position information J22 of the latitude and longitude. Based on this calculation result, it is checked whether or not the information communication device is within the preset communicable distance (433). For example, the communicable distance R of the mobile terminal is compared with the linear distance L between the mobile terminal 1 and the information communication apparatus 2 to check whether there is any information communication apparatus 2 with R ≧ L.

Next, if the information communication device 2 is within the communicable distance, the closest information communication device 2 is selected (4
34). The connection processing 44 is performed using the identification information (ID) registered in association with the information communication device 2 selected in this way. When a plurality of information communication devices 2 are selected as a result of the connection partner selection process 43, the connections may be made in the order of the management list.

If there is no information communication device 2 in the communicable range in the processing 433, the flow processing is terminated without performing the connection processing 44 and the like. This termination operation prevents the mobile terminal from issuing useless connection request signals.
There is an advantage that the power consumption and the band of wireless communication can be saved.

In the connection partner selection processing 43, the mobile terminal 1 is assumed to be equipped with GPS or other position information acquisition means capable of calculating the latitude and longitude of the place where the mobile terminal 1 is currently located.

After the connection process 44, general information is acquired from the connected information communication device 2, and an acquisition process 45 of identification information about the device and other known information communication devices 2 in the vicinity is performed to create a management list. Update (46). First
In the embodiment, since the same wireless communication as the communication of the information service is used, the acquisition processing 45 notifies the information communication device 2 immediately after the connection is established, or the mobile terminal 1 or the information communication device 2 is notified while the service is being used. Notification or acquisition will be carried out in response to the request.

In the management list update processing 46, the identification information and the like acquired in the acquisition 45 of the identification information and the like are reflected in the management list to add / update, and if there is a change, it is stored in the storage unit 13. At this time, available service type information J2
The information of the information communication device 2 that does not have 3 may not be added. If the number of items to be managed is limited and cannot be managed any more, the information of the information communication device having the oldest acquisition / update date or the information of the information communication device 2 farthest from the mobile terminal 1 can be overwritten.

In the processing of 431, when there is no information communication device 2 to be connected in the management list, the process 47 of detecting the information communication device from the portable terminal using a general method.
I do. Here, the general method is, for example, Bluetooth.
In th, this is a detection process defined as Inquiry.

Next, in the selection processing 48, the detection processing 47
If there is an information communication device 2 that can use the service among the devices detected by (49), it is selected and the connection processing 44 is performed. As a selection method, as in the prior art,
Generally, a method of displaying on the display unit of the mobile terminal 1 and selecting by the user can be considered. After connecting in this way,
Similar to the above, the acquisition process 45 of the identification information and the like and the update process 46 of the management list are performed. In the subsequent connection, the frequency of the detection process 47 is reduced, and it becomes possible to quickly connect to an appropriate communication partner in the vicinity.

The execution of this series of operation flows may be automatically performed after the connection is cut off or every time a fixed time elapses regardless of whether the connection is established or not. Alternatively, it may be manually performed at any time.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a wireless street corner information service using a portable terminal and an information communication device. As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal A in the communicable range a in which the street corner information service can be used
Therefore, it is assumed that information communication devices Bl, B2, B3, which are known to each other, are fixedly installed around the mobile terminal A. Further, it is assumed that there are wireless communication devices Cl, C2, C3 unrelated to the street corner information service. For the sake of explanation, the mobile terminal A is in an initial state in which it has no identification information regarding the information communication device.

First, in order to use the street corner information service, the portable terminal A calls the management list, but there is no device to be connected because of the initial state (42). Therefore, normal detection processing 47 is performed. At this time, a large number of wireless communication devices (Cl, C2) in the communicable range of the mobile terminal A, including the information communication device Bl, are also detected. Therefore, in the next selection process 48, the information communication device to be connected is selected from a plurality of detected devices (three in total) to be connected, and it takes time and procedure until the connection.

However, as described above, the mobile terminal A, once connected to the information communication device Bl, has the information communication device Bl.
It is possible to acquire the identification information and the like regarding the known information communication devices B2 and B3 from the information communication device Bl (process 45 in FIG. 4) and register them in the management list of the mobile terminal A ( Process 46). Of course, wireless communication devices (Cl, C2, C3) unrelated to the street corner information service
Is not added to the list.

As a result, even if the portable terminal A moves as shown by the arrow and the connection with the information communication device Bl is interrupted,
The distances L (1) to L (3) between the mobile terminal A and the information communication devices Bl, B2, B3 are determined based on the position information in the management list instead of detecting the information communication devices in the vicinity again. By calculating each, it is possible to selectively and automatically connect to the closest information communication device B2 existing within the communicable range a. In this way, the user who uses the street corner information service can selectively and automatically connect the information communication device that is easily connected while moving.

Although the wireless communication with the information communication device as a device for providing various information installed on the street corner has been described above, as another application example, the signal of the traffic signal is turned on at the request of the terminal 1 installed at the intersection. It can also be applied to wireless communication with a device that controls time.

<Second Embodiment> Next, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the configuration of a second embodiment of a radio communication system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 1
Is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that it further includes a wireless communication unit 18 for acquiring identification information and the like. A communication system other than the wireless communication unit 10 is used for the wireless communication unit 18 for acquiring the identification information and the like. Since the information communicated by the wireless communication unit 18 is limited to only the identification information, the position information, the service type information, and the area information, which have a small amount of information, the communication speed may be slower than that of the communication system of the wireless communication unit 10, and only the reception is performed. One-way communication may be used. However, it is desirable to have a wider communication range with respect to the communicable range R of the wireless communication unit 10. Specifically, there are wireless data broadcasting systems such as AM / FM broadcasting systems, PHS systems, and mobile phone communication systems such as PDC.

In the second embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 1 receives a plurality of pieces of information under the control of the identification information etc. notification wireless communication apparatus 19 from the identification information etc. notification wireless communication apparatus 19 other than the information communication apparatus 2. It is characterized in that identification information or the like regarding the communication device 2 is acquired. That is, the function of detecting the information communication device 2 may not be provided. In FIG. 6, the identification information etc. notifying wireless communication device 19 is a device capable of notifying the mobile terminal 1 of the identification information etc. regarding the plurality of managed information communication devices 2, and is mainly composed of a control unit. It Also,
The device 19 acquires in advance identification information, position information, service type information, area information and the like for a plurality of information communication devices 2 through a wired or wireless network line and stores them in a storage device such as a hard disk.

Next, an example of the operation of the portable terminal 1 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the mobile terminal 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment. What is different from the first embodiment is that wireless communication for obtaining identification information and the like (74 and 75 in FIG. 7) is performed, so that the identification information and the like can be obtained without connecting to the information communication device 2. Can be acquired and processed. Therefore, the identification information etc. acquisition process 74 and the management list update process 75 are independent of the connection flow with the information communication device 2. By independently performing the wireless communication for acquiring the identification information, it becomes possible to notify the existence of the surrounding information communication device 2 from the wireless communication device 19 in advance, and thus the information communication device 2 is subjected to the detection processing. No need. Therefore, if there is no connection target device in the management list in 721, the flow ends.

In this case, the area information such as the area code and the address code of the apparatus 19 is acquired from the latest identification information notification wireless communication apparatus 19 by the identification information acquisition wireless communication (process 74). The information communication device 2 stored in the management list of the terminal 1 is held as the current location area of the terminal 1.
By comparing the local information J24 with the local information J24, the neighboring information communication device 2 in the same area as the mobile terminal 1 can be selectively known. For example, whether they are in the same prefecture or the same municipality is also included. If this is used, only the information communication device 2 in the same area can be selected as the connection target device, so that the selection process can be performed efficiently.

Next, the portable terminal 1 according to the second embodiment
A specific example of the operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, there is a mobile terminal A that can use the street corner information service, and around the mobile terminal A, information communication devices Bl that are known to each other,
It is assumed that B2 and B3 are fixedly installed.
In addition, a wireless communication device Cl unrelated to the street corner information service,
C2 and C3 are also present. Further, it is assumed that a wireless communication device D for notifying the identification information and the like having a wireless communicable range of d is installed.

In FIG. 8, since the portable terminal A is within the wireless notification possible range d of the wireless communication device D for notifying the identification information, the wireless communication (process 74) for acquiring the identification information allows the device D to be transmitted from the device D. The identification information and the like regarding the information communication devices Bl, B2, and B3 that provide the surrounding street corner information service are acquired, and the management list is updated (process 75). When the information of the information communication devices Bl, B2, B3 is added to the management list,
Distance L between mobile terminal A and information communication devices Bl, B2, B3
(1) to L (3) are calculated, and the information communication device B2 that is the closest in the communicable range of the mobile terminal A is selectively and automatically connected.

<Other Embodiments> In both of the above-described two embodiments, it is premised that the mobile terminal is equipped with some position acquisition function such as GPS. However, when the user of the mobile terminal inputs the destination to the mobile terminal and holds the route search result information from the current time to the destination, or when the mobile terminal retains the connection history of the information communication device connected in the past. The present invention can be applied even if the position acquisition function is not necessarily provided.

An embodiment in which the route search result is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart thereof, and FIG. 10 is an example of arrangement of each node and each information communication device. 90 is a step of selecting the information communication device 2 on the route and creating a list. The mobile terminal 1 holds position information regarding a plurality of nodes such as the departure point 101, the relay point 102, and the destination 103 selected by the route search, and defines a line connecting the respective nodes as a route (see FIG. 10). ). An example of a node representing the route of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 11A.

First, at 901, a starting point, a relay point, and a destination are set as a node J31 together with its position information J32. This can be automatically obtained from another route guidance means. At 902, each node J31 confirms whether or not it exists within the communicable distance R of the portable terminal 1 to call all the peripheral information communication devices 2 of interest from the management list. And the position information J3 of each node
2 and respective linear distances L ₁₁ from the position information J22 in the management list including the information communication devices Bl, B2, B3,
L ₂₁ , L ₃₁ , L ₁₂ , L ₂₂ , L ₃₂ , L ₁₃ , L ₂₃ , and L ₃₃ are calculated. (903).

Next, the information communication device 2 having the shortest linear distance is selected for each node and stored in the device list on the route (9
04). In this example, node 101 has Bl, node 10
2 is calculated as Bl and the node 103 is calculated as B3 as the proximity information communication device 2, and is stored together with their identification information J43 and position information J44. An example of the on-route device list created in this way is shown in FIG. 11B.

After that, it is assumed that the portable terminal 1 is held and moved along the route. First, specify the departure node 101 (9
1), the information communication device 2 designated by 101 is selected (92), and the associated identification information J43 is used to connect to the information communication device 2 to acquire information (9).
3). Upon arrival at the next relay station 102, the node 102 at that point is designated (94), and information is similarly obtained from the information communication device 2 registered in the predetermined node 102 (92, 93).

Destination 1 while moving along this route
Continue until 03. If the node is the destination, information is similarly obtained from the proximity information communication device 2 of the destination node 103 (96, 97). In the example of FIG. 10, as long as the user moves on the route search result, it is not necessary to perform unnecessary detection processing and connection processing for the information communication device B2. Figure 11 at each node
Information communication device 2 stored in device list on route B
You can obtain information efficiently because you select only.

Next, an embodiment of a selection method in the case where the portable terminal has a function of holding the connection history of the information communication apparatus connected in the past will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the mobile terminal A
Suppose that the user moves while connecting to the information communication devices Bl, B2, and B3 in this order. FIG. 13 shows an example of the connection history at this time. Using the list information J51 and J52, the average moving speed of each position is obtained, and the latitude and longitude of the next moving destination of the mobile terminal A are predicted. In the case of this example, the predicted position B4 at 12:30 on September 20, 2001 is N35.00.28.700, E135.
It becomes 46.19.800. The predicted position thus obtained becomes more accurate as the connection history update date and time is newer and the number is larger. Latitude / longitude information J5 of the obtained predicted movement position B4
1 and position information J22 of the information communication device 2 in the management list
And the information communication device 2 that may be connected in the near future can be predicted and connected.

[0066]

According to the present invention, when the portable terminal is connected to the information communication device by wireless communication, the frequency of detection processing can be reduced, and the connection time and procedure can be reduced. As a result, reduce the power consumption of mobile terminals,
It is possible to suppress consumption of the band of wireless communication.
Further, even when there are a plurality of wireless communication devices, it is possible to selectively and automatically connect to a nearby information communication device that provides a service to be used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a first embodiment in a wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of identification information held by the information communication device of the present invention and information associated therewith.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of management information (management list) managed in the storage unit of the mobile terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the mobile terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of a second embodiment in a wireless communication system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the mobile terminal according to the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the operation of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal has a route search function or a route search result acquisition function relating to a moving destination in the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a mobile terminal uses a route search result,
It is an explanatory view of the operation which selects the information communication device on the route.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an on-route device list held by a mobile terminal.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram when the mobile terminal has a function of holding the connection history of the information communication device connected in the past.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a connection history held by a mobile terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 mobile terminal 2 Information and communication equipment 10, 20 Wireless communication section 11, 21 Antenna part 12, 22 Control unit 13, 23 Storage 14 Input section 15 Display 16, 24 Power supply 17 Position acquisition unit 18 Wireless communication unit for acquisition of identification information 19 Wireless communication device for notifying identification information Communication range of mobile terminal R Mobile terminal communication range J11, J21 identification information J12, J22, J51 location information J13, J23 service type information J14, J24 area information J25 acquisition update time J31 and J41 nodes Position information of J32 and J42 nodes J43 identification information J44 Position information J52 connection date and time

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A self-position information acquisition unit that acquires geographical information of a current position, a first wireless connection unit that can be wirelessly connected to at least one or more information communication devices that provide or relay information services, and An information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the information communication device and its position information, a storage unit that stores the acquired information in association with each other as management information, and a proximity to the current position based on the information included in the management information. A wireless communication portable terminal, comprising: a connection partner selecting unit for selecting an information communication device to be connected, wherein the first wireless connecting unit connects to the information communication device selected by the connection partner selecting unit. 2. The present invention obtained by pre-storing a communicable distance in the storage unit, and the connection partner selection unit obtaining the geographical information of the current position and the position information of each information communication device included in the management information. The wireless communication mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the position and each information communication device is equal to or less than the communicable distance and the shortest information communication device is selected. 3. The connection partner selecting unit does not select a new information communication device when all the position information of the information communication device included in the management information does not exist within the communicable distance. The wireless communication mobile terminal according to claim 2. 4. The service type information used in the storage unit is stored in advance, and the information acquisition unit acquires the service type information provided from the information communication device and stores it in the storage unit as the management information. 2. The wireless communication mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection partner selection unit searches the management information and selects an information communication device that provides service type information that matches the previously stored service type information. 5. A second wireless connection unit for connecting to an information notification wireless communication device storing identification information and position information of a plurality of information communication devices, wherein the information acquisition unit has a second wireless connection. The wireless communication mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein predetermined information regarding the information communication device is acquired from an information notification wireless communication device connected by a unit. 6. A first wireless connection unit capable of wirelessly connecting to an information communication device within a predetermined distance from a designated position of route information from a departure place to a destination, identification information of the information communication device, and its position. An information acquisition unit that acquires information, a storage unit that stores the route information and the acquired information of the information communication device, and when an arbitrary point included in the route information is designated, the designated point And a connection partner selecting unit that selects an information communication device that is closest to the position information of the designated point calculated from the position information of the information communication device and the acquired position information of the information communication device, and is selected by the connection partner selecting unit. A wireless communication mobile terminal, wherein the first wireless connection unit connects to the information communication apparatus. 7. A first wirelessly connectable to at least one or more information communication devices that provide or relay information services.
Wireless connection unit, an information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the information communication device, its position information, and connection time information, a storage unit that associates the acquired information and stores it as management information, and A prediction unit that predicts the location of the destination after a lapse of a predetermined time from the present by using the position information of a plurality of information communication devices that have been connected and the connection time information, and the destination that the prediction unit predicted A connection partner selecting unit for selecting a nearby information communication device from the management information, and the first wireless connection unit connects to the information communication device selected by the connection partner selecting unit. Wireless communication mobile terminal. 8. The information communication device connected by the wireless connection unit is a signal control device or an information providing device that provides predetermined information to the public, according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Wireless communication mobile terminal. 9. Geographical information of the current position is acquired, position information regarding a plurality of information communication devices already stored in the storage unit is compared with geographical information of the current position, and the position is approached. A communication method for a wireless communication mobile terminal, comprising selecting an information communication device and wirelessly connecting to the selected information communication device. 10. When selecting the information communication device, the distance between the current position and the information communication device, which is obtained from the geographical information of the current position and the position information regarding each of the information communication devices, can be predetermined to be communicated. The communication method of a wireless communication mobile terminal according to claim 9, wherein the shortest information communication device having a distance or less is selected. 11. A procedure for acquiring geographical information of a current position, position information regarding a plurality of information communication devices already stored in a storage unit, and geographical information of the current position are compared with each other, and proximity to the current position is obtained. A program of a wireless communication mobile terminal for executing a procedure of selecting an information communication apparatus to be performed and a procedure of wirelessly connecting to the selected information communication apparatus.