JP2004328153A - Radio communication apparatus, access point selecting method therefor, access point selecting program, and recording medium record thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication apparatus which quickly selects a suitable access point. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication apparatus 10 for performing a radio communication to an access point 20 comprises an AP information acquirer 12 for acquiring a connectable access point 20, a history information acquirer 13 for acquiring history information about the acquired access point, and an AP selector 14 for selecting an access point suited to a specified service among connectable access points, based on the acquired history information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point, an access point selection method in the device, an access point selection program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, a wireless communication terminal such as a mobile phone terminal, a mobile PC (Personal Computer), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) has been used for an access point installed in a place where people gather, such as in a station yard or a shopping center, to UWB ( By connecting using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Ultra Wide Band, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or Bluetooth (registered trademark), various services such as an information distribution service and an Internet connection service can be wirelessly provided from an access point. Receiving is being done.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-268819 (published on September 28, 2001)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the short-range wireless communication technology, a service provided by an access point may differ depending on the access point. Furthermore, some short-range wireless communication technologies have a specification that the service provided by the access point cannot be recognized during the detection processing of the access point, and can be recognized for the first time by an inquiry after the connection processing to the access point. .
[0005]
For example, according to the specification of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication technology, it is possible to determine whether or not a device is an access point at the time of an access point detection process. However, if the device is an access point that supports a PAN (Personal Area Network) profile. It cannot be determined whether the access point is an access point corresponding to the LAN profile. The specification is such that the profile corresponding to the device can be recognized only at the time of the service detection process after the process of connecting to the device.
[0006]
In a communication technology having such a specification, a series of operations of a detection process, a connection process, and a service detection process for a device are required until a service provided by a device serving as an access point is recognized. Therefore, after connecting the terminal to a certain access point, if it is found that the access point does not support the service desired by the user, it is necessary to connect to another access point, which takes time. Become.
[0007]
On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses that a mobile wireless terminal to be connected to by detecting a connection partner efficiently and quickly detects a wireless base station of a handover destination, and consumes power for selecting a wireless base station at the time of handover. There is disclosed a mobile radio terminal of a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system capable of reducing the CDMA.
[0008]
In this mobile radio terminal, a communication history in which the radio base station before the handover is associated with the radio base station after the handover is stored, and when a handover is necessary, the communication history before the handover is used based on the communication history. The radio base stations from the radio base stations are listed in the order of the number of the radio base stations with high frequency as the handover destinations, and the handover is verified in the order of the list.
[0009]
Thereby, the number of times of handover from the radio base station before the handover is large, and the handover is verified from the radio base station having a high possibility as a moving destination. Can be detected.
[0010]
However, as described above, the access points used in the short-range wireless communication technology do not always provide the same service to the wireless communication terminal at all the access points. Service is not always likely to be provided. For example, even if a user connects to a certain access point but does not provide the service desired by the user, and thus connects to another access point and receives the service desired by the user, the connection to each access point can be performed. The number of times will be the same.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device for quickly selecting an appropriate access point, an access point selection method in the device, an access point selection program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a wireless communication apparatus of the present invention includes: a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication with an access point; an access point acquisition unit that acquires a connectable access point; and history information about the acquired access point. And an access point selecting means for selecting an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the obtained history information. .
[0013]
Here, the history information is information obtained when the mobile terminal has been connected to and communicated with the access point in the past. Examples of the history information include a communication characteristic such as a connection processing time, a communication time, and a transfer rate, a corresponding service type, and a transition of a connected access point. As a source of the history information, input from a server or a user may be considered in addition to the storage unit of the own device. Further, it is desirable that the predetermined service is a service desired by the user input by the input means or the like.
[0014]
According to the above configuration, the access point selecting means selects an access point suitable for a predetermined service. As a result, it is possible to omit a time loss when it is determined that the mobile terminal is connected to an access point but is not suitable for a predetermined service and is connected to another access point again. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to an access point suitable for a predetermined service.
[0015]
Further, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the history information includes service history information that is history information of a service that can be provided by an access point, and the access point selection unit includes the service history information. , An access point that can provide a predetermined service is selected.
[0016]
According to the above configuration, by using service history information as history information, an access point that does not provide a predetermined service can be excluded from the connectable access points. Therefore, it is possible to reliably connect to an access point that provides a predetermined service.
[0017]
Further, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the history information includes communication characteristic history information that is history information regarding communication characteristics with an access point, and the access point selecting unit includes the communication characteristic. An access point having communication characteristics suitable for a predetermined service is selected with reference to history information.
[0018]
According to the above configuration, by connecting to and communicating with an access point having communication characteristics suitable for a predetermined service, a predetermined service can be promptly received from the access point.
[0019]
Further, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, in the above-described configuration, the history information acquiring unit acquires a service weighting table including importance of a characteristic for the service together with the history information, and the access point selecting unit includes In addition, a characteristic important for a predetermined service is extracted from the service weighting table, and an access point suitable for the extracted characteristic is selected based on the history information.
[0020]
According to the above configuration, since an access point is selected by referring to information important for a predetermined service from various pieces of history information, an access point suitable for a predetermined service can be reliably selected.
[0021]
Further, the wireless communication device of the present invention is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point, wherein an access point acquiring means for acquiring a connectable access point, and a history information acquiring device for acquiring history information on the acquired access point. Means, and access point selecting means for selecting an access point from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information, wherein the history information includes a connection indicating a transition of the connected access point. History information, the access point selecting means, based on the connection history information, from the most recently connected access point, the number of times of connection to a certain access point among the connectable access points Then, of the connectable access points, the other access point The percentage of times that is connected to the cement, is characterized in that said calculated for each connectable access points, selecting the connectable access points in the ascending order of the calculated ratio.
[0022]
According to the above-described configuration, among the connectable access points, the access points having a smaller rate of reconnection are sequentially selected, so that the rate of occurrence of time loss due to reconnection can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to an appropriate access point.
[0023]
The above configuration is also effective when applied to a terminal of a wireless communication system that provides the same quality of service at each access point, such as a mobile phone system.
[0024]
Further, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, an output unit for outputting a selection result in the access point selecting unit is provided.
[0025]
According to the above configuration, the user can specify an appropriate access point from the plurality of access points selected by the access point selecting means via the input means or the like. Therefore, it is possible to connect to an access point suitable for a predetermined service and desired by the user.
[0026]
Furthermore, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, a history information adding means for acquiring a communication status with an access point and adding the acquired information to history information.
[0027]
According to the above configuration, the latest history information can be acquired, so that it is possible to immediately respond to changes in access points and changes in characteristics of access points, and to reliably select an access point suitable for a predetermined service. can do.
[0028]
Furthermore, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, in the above configuration, includes a history information deletion unit that deletes the corresponding history information when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time of creation of the history information to the current time. And
[0029]
According to the above configuration, the old history information can be deleted, so that it is possible to cope with a change in the access point and a change in the characteristics of the access point without error, and to surely select an access point suitable for a predetermined service. You can choose.
[0030]
An access point selection method in a wireless communication device of the present invention is an access point selection method for selecting a connectable access point in a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point, and obtains a connectable access point. An access point obtaining step, a history information obtaining step of obtaining history information about the obtained access point, and an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the obtained history information. Selecting an access point to be selected.
[0031]
According to the above method, an access point suitable for a predetermined service is selected in the access point selecting step. As a result, it is possible to omit a time loss when it is determined that the mobile terminal is connected to an access point but is not suitable for a predetermined service and is connected to another access point again. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to an access point suitable for a predetermined service.
[0032]
An access point selection method in a wireless communication device of the present invention is an access point selection method for selecting a connectable access point in a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point, and obtains a connectable access point. An access point obtaining step, a history information obtaining step of obtaining history information about the obtained access point, and an access point selecting step of selecting an access point from the connectable access points based on the obtained history information. The history information includes connection history information indicating transition of the connected access point, the access point selecting step, based on the connection history information, from the recently connected access point , The accessible For the number of times a point is connected to a certain access point, the percentage of the number of times the next connectable access point is connected to another access point is calculated for each connectable access point, It is characterized in that the connectable access points are selected in ascending order of the calculated ratio.
[0033]
According to the above-mentioned method, since the access points that can be connected are selected in ascending order of the rate of reconnection, the rate of time loss due to reconnection can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to an appropriate access point. Note that the above method is also effective when applied to a terminal of a wireless communication system that provides the same quality of service at each access point, such as a mobile phone system.
[0034]
Each unit in the wireless communication device can be executed on a computer by an access point selection program. Further, by storing the access point selection program on a computer-readable recording medium, the access point selection program can be executed on any computer.
[0035]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for selecting an access point suitable for a service desired by a user (hereinafter, referred to as “desired service”) by using history information from a plurality of connectable access points, and any device. It can be applied to Hereinafter, a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example with reference to the drawings.
[0036]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the wireless communication device 10, any device can be used as long as the device can be used by a user and can connect to the access point 20 using the short-range wireless communication technology and acquire various services from the access point 20. . Examples of the service from the access point 20 include a mail service, a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, and the like.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 11, an AP (access point) information acquisition unit 12, a history information acquisition unit 13, an AP selection unit 14, a selection result notification unit 15, and a storage unit 16. It is a configuration provided.
[0038]
The communication unit 11 has a function of connecting to and communicating with the access point 20 using short-range wireless communication technology. In addition, the communication unit 11 has a function of detecting a connectable access point 20 according to an instruction from the AP information acquisition unit 12. Information on the detected connectable access points 20 is sent to the AP information acquisition unit 12.
[0039]
An example of the access point information 20 is shown in FIG. The information of the access point 20 includes identification information for identifying each. Specific examples of the identification information include a MAC (Media Access Control) address, the name of the access point 20, a serial number, a product name, and the like. The names AP-A to AP-C of the illustrated access points 20 are given for convenience of description.
[0040]
Further, the communication unit 11 has a function of acquiring the status in the connection process and the communication process, and transmitting the status to the storage unit 16 as the history information of the access point 20. Specific examples of the status in the connection process and the communication process include a time required for the connection process, a communication speed, a communication error rate, and the like.
[0041]
The AP information acquisition unit 12 has a function of acquiring information on a connectable access point 20 from the communication unit 11 by instructing the communication unit 11. The acquired information of the access point 20 is sent to the history information acquisition unit 13.
[0042]
The history information acquisition unit 13 stores history information on the connectable access points 20 based on the information on the access points 20 received from the AP information acquisition unit 12 and stores the history information on the AP history information DB (database) 17 stored in the storage unit 16. It has a function to acquire from. The acquired history information is sent to the AP selection unit 14.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, service history and communication characteristic history information of the access point 20 are used as history information included in the AP history information DB 17. FIG. 3 shows an example of this history information. As shown, this history information is prepared for each access point 20. Specific examples of the service history of the access point 20 include whether or not various services such as a mail service and a VoIP standby service are provided. Further, specific examples of the communication characteristic history of the access point 20 include an average time required for connection processing, an average communication time, an average transfer rate, and the like.
[0044]
Further, the history information acquisition unit 13 has a function of acquiring the service weighting table 18 from the storage unit 16. The obtained service weighting table is sent to the AP selecting unit 14.
[0045]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the service weighting table 18 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the service weighting table 18 stores indispensable services to be provided by the access point 20 and communication characteristics required for the access point 20 for each of various services such as a mail service and a VoIP standby service. The importance is defined. The service weighting table 18 is used as a criterion when selecting an access point.
[0046]
The AP selection unit 14 uses the history information on the connectable access points 20 received from the history information acquisition unit 13 and the service weighting table to select a suitable service from the plurality of connectable access points 20 for the desired service. It has a function of selecting the access point 20. Information on the selected access point 20 is sent to the selection result notifying unit 15. A specific method for selecting the access point 20 will be described later.
[0047]
The selection result notifying unit 15 has a function of notifying the communication unit 11 of the access point 20 selected by the AP selecting unit 14.
[0048]
The storage unit 16 has a function of storing the AP history information DB 17 and the service weighting table 18. In addition, the storage unit 16 has a function of adding the history information of the access point 20 received from the communication unit 11 to the AP history information DB 17 and a function of deleting old history information from the AP history information DB 17.
[0049]
The storage unit 16 includes a built-in memory of the wireless communication device 10, a built-in hard disk, and the like. Further, it may be constituted by an external storage device. A specific example of using an external storage device is to record the history information stored in a certain wireless communication device A on a flexible disk and read the history information from the flexible disk by another wireless communication device B for use. and so on.
[0050]
A processing procedure in the wireless communication device 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, an outline of the processing procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
First, information of a connectable access point (see FIG. 2) is obtained (Step S1 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as “S1”; the same applies to other steps)). Next, history information (see FIG. 3) relating to a connectable access point is obtained (S2). Next, an access point suitable for a desired service is selected using the acquired history information (S3). Then, it connects to the selected access point (S4). Through the above processing, an access point suitable for a service desired by the user can be detected from a plurality of connectable access points.
[0052]
Next, details of steps S1 to S4 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S1. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the information of the connectable access point 20 is acquired by detecting the connectable access point 20 by the communication unit 11 (S11).
[0053]
The function of detecting an access point includes, for example, an inquiry (Inquiry) function of Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is one of short-range wireless communication technologies. The inquiry function is a function of detecting the presence of the related device by broadcasting a certain detection pattern and receiving a reply from a Bluetooth (registered trademark) related device in the vicinity. It is possible to specify the presence of the device that is the access point from the content of the reply.
[0054]
FIG. 7 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S2. As shown in the drawing, in the present embodiment, the information of the connectable access point 20 acquired in step S11 is notified to the storage unit 16 (S21), and the AP history information DB 17 stored in the storage unit 16 is stored. From inside, history information on the corresponding access point 20 is acquired (S22). At this time, the service weighting table 18 is also obtained from the storage unit 16.
[0055]
FIG. 8 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S3. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, first, using the history information acquired in step S22 and the information in the service weighting table, the access point 20 that does not correspond to the desired service is excluded from selection targets (S31). ).
[0056]
For example, it has a service weighting table as shown in FIG. 4, and under a situation where the user desires the mail receiving service, the access points AP-A, AP-B, AP- as shown in FIG. It is assumed that an access point is selected from C.
[0057]
From the service weighting table shown in FIG. 4, it is found that it is essential that the access point provide the mail service when the mail receiving service is desired. On the other hand, according to the history information shown in FIG. 3, it is found that the access points AP-A and AP-B correspond to the mail service, but the access point AP-C does not correspond to the mail service. Therefore, in step S31, the access point AP-C is excluded from selection targets.
[0058]
As described above, by comparing the essential service in the service weighting table with the service history of the access point included in the history information, it is possible to narrow down the access points to be selected.
[0059]
Next, an appropriate access point is selected based on the history information acquired in step S22 and the information in the service weighting table (S32). For example, if the above assumption is continued, it is clear from the information in the service weighting table shown in FIG. 4 that the communication characteristics that are important for desiring the mail receiving service are the communication time and the transfer rate. Therefore, the access point AP-B obtains an important communication characteristic value from the history information shown in FIG. 3 and performs an operation as shown in FIG. It turns out to be more appropriate.
[0060]
As described above, by extracting the value of the communication characteristic to be emphasized from the service weighting table from the history information and calculating the value, it is possible to select the access points in an order suitable for the desired service.
[0061]
Note that the selection result of the access point may be a case where there are a plurality of access points suitable for the desired service, all of them, some may be listed as a representative, or only one may be considered. Can be Further, when a plurality of access points are selected, information on the degree of conformity to the desired service may be included.
[0062]
FIG. 10 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S4. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, first, the result of the selection in step S32 is notified to the communication unit 11 (S41). Then, the communication unit 11 performs a connection process to the access point indicated by the notified selection result (S42). This realizes a function of automatically connecting to an appropriate access point for receiving a desired service.
[0063]
Next, a process of creating history information in the wireless communication device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, as described above, the communication unit 11 performs a connection process for the selected access point (S51). Next, the communication unit 11 grasps a situation during communication (S52). Then, when the connection is terminated, the communication unit 11 sends the connection status and the communication status up to that time to the storage unit 16 as history information (S53), and ends the history information creation process.
[0064]
Next, a process of storing history information in the wireless communication device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the storage unit 16 receives history information (S61). In the present embodiment, the history information created by the communication unit 11 is received from the communication unit 11. However, history information created by another device can be received via the communication unit 11. The history information created by another device can be recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, and the recording medium can be read by the storage unit 16 to receive the history information.
[0065]
Next, the storage unit 16 determines whether or not the information of the creation date and time exists in the received history information (S62). If the information of the creation date and time does not exist, the storage unit 16 sets the current time as the creation date and time of the history information. (S63). Then, the storage unit 16 stores the history information (S64), and ends the storage process of the history information.
[0066]
Next, a process of deleting history information in the wireless communication device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the storage unit 16 compares the creation date and time of the stored history information with the current time (S71). Then, the storage unit 16 determines whether or not there is history information for which a predetermined period has elapsed since the creation (S72), and if so, selects the access point because the history information is old. It is considered inappropriate as the above judgment material, and the history information is deleted (S2603). Then, the history information deletion processing ends.
[0067]
Therefore, in the wireless communication device 10 of the present embodiment, the AP selecting unit 14 selects the access point 20 suitable for the desired service. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a time loss when it is determined that the connection to the access point 20 is not suitable for the desired service, but the connection to another access point is made again. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to the access point 20 suitable for the desired service.
[0068]
Furthermore, by using the service history information as the history information, the access points 20 that do not provide the desired service among the connectable access points 20 can be excluded. Therefore, it is possible to reliably connect to the access point 20 that provides the desired service. Also, by using the communication characteristic history information as the history information, it is possible to connect to and communicate with the access point 20 having the communication characteristic suitable for the desired service, so that the desired service can be promptly received from the access point 20. .
[0069]
In addition, since the access point 20 is selected by referring to the important information for the desired service from the various pieces of history information by using the service weighting table 18, the access point 20 suitable for the desired service is reliably selected. can do.
[0070]
In addition, the communication unit 11 and the storage unit 16 obtain the communication status with the access point 20 and add the communication status to the history information. Therefore, since the latest history information can be obtained, it is possible to immediately respond to a change in the access point 20 and a change in the characteristics of the access point 20, and to surely select an access point 20 suitable for a desired service. Can be.
[0071]
In addition, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the creation of the history information to the current time, the storage unit 16 deletes the corresponding history information. Therefore, since the old history information can be deleted, it is possible to cope with a change in the access point 20 and a change in the characteristics of the access point 20 without error, and the access point 20 suitable for the desired service is reliably selected. be able to.
[0072]
The desired service may be directly searched from the history information without using the service weighting table 18. Also, in the case of an e-mail receiving service, the data transfer amount is important, and the data transfer amount is a product of the transfer rate and the communication time. Good.
[0073]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 shows a schematic configuration of the wireless communication device 30 of the present embodiment. The wireless communication device 30 of the present embodiment is different from the wireless communication device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 in that the information of the connection history to the access point is used as the history information, The only difference is that the result is notified to the input / output unit 31, and the other configuration is the same. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0074]
The input / output unit 31 has an output function of transmitting a situation to the user 21 and an input function of receiving an input from the user 21 and transmitting the input to each processing unit. The output function part of the input / output unit 31 includes a display panel, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp, a speaker, and the like, and communicates the status of the wireless communication device 10 to the user 21 using a light or sound that can be perceived by a human. . The input function part of the input / output unit 31 includes a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.
[0075]
In the present embodiment, the input / output unit 31 has a function of outputting the plurality of access points notified from the selection result notifying unit 15 and notifying the communication unit 11 of the access point designated by the user 21.
[0076]
FIG. 15 illustrates an example of information of a connection history to an access point used as history information in the present embodiment. As illustrated, the history information includes transition information of the access point every day.
[0077]
The processing procedure in the wireless communication device 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The processing procedure of this embodiment differs from the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 only in the details of the processing in steps S3 and S4, and the other processing is the same. The processes performed in the same manner as the processes described in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0078]
FIG. 16 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S3 in the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, first, a pattern search of the connection history is performed from the history information acquired in step S22 (see FIG. 7) (S34). Then, an appropriate access point is selected from the result of the pattern search (S35).
[0079]
This processing will be described with an example. For example, when the wireless communication device 10 was connected to the access point AP-A, the wireless communication device 10 moved out of the radio coverage area of the access point AP-A, and thus the connection with the access point AP-A was disconnected. It is assumed that a service is continuously received by searching for and connecting to a possible access point.
[0080]
At this time, it is assumed that two access points AP-B and AP-C are detected as connectable access points in step S11 (see FIG. 6). Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the history information acquired in step S22 (see FIG. 7) is different from one of the access points AP-A, AP-B, and AP-C. It is assumed that the history information has been switched to one.
[0081]
In the above assumption, when the pattern of the connection history switched from the access point AP-A to the access point AP-B or the access point AP-C in step S34 is searched, a result as shown in FIG. 17 is obtained.
[0082]
Using this result, the ratio of the access point AP-A, which has been switched from the original access point AP-A to one of the connectable access points AP-B and AP-C, to the other, is determined by the connectable access point AP-A. -Calculate and compare each of B and AP-C. That is, of the switching from the access point AP-A to the access point AP-B, the ratio of switching to the access point AP-C, and the switching from the access point AP-A to the access point AP-C, The ratio of the one that has been switched to the access point AP-B is compared.
[0083]
From this comparison result, it can be understood that the ratio of the case where the mobile terminal is connected to the access point B but must be reconnected to the access point C is higher than the reverse case. That is, switching from the access point AP-A to the access point AP-C has a lower probability of reconnecting than switching from the access point AP-A to the access point AP-B, and suppresses time loss due to reconnection. Can receive more stable services.
[0084]
Therefore, it turns out that connecting to the access point AP-C is more appropriate than connecting to the access point AP-B. As described above, by extracting from the connection history to the access point and calculating the access point, the access points can be selected in an order suitable for the desired service.
[0085]
FIG. 18 shows a detailed processing procedure of step S4 in the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, first, the selection result is notified to the input / output unit 31 (S43), and the input / output unit 31 outputs the notified selection result. As a result, a function of proposing an appropriate access point for receiving the desired service to the user 21 can be realized. The selected access point is not limited to one, and there may be a case where a plurality of candidates determined to be appropriate are given. In this case, the function proposed to the user works particularly effectively.
[0086]
Next, when the user 21 designates one of the proposed access points, the input / output unit 31 notifies the communication unit 11 of the access point designated by the user 21 (S45). Then, the communication unit 11 performs a connection process to the notified access point (S46). Thus, a function of connecting to an appropriate access point for receiving a desired service can be realized.
[0087]
Therefore, the wireless communication device 30 of the present embodiment selects the access points 20 that can be connected in descending order of the rate of reconnection, so that the rate of occurrence of time loss due to reconnection is reduced. can do. Therefore, it is possible to quickly connect to an appropriate access point 20. The wireless communication device 30 is also effective when applied to a terminal of a wireless communication system that provides the same quality of service at each access point 20, such as a mobile phone system.
[0088]
In addition, the selection result in the AP selection unit 14 is output to the user via the selection result notification unit 15 and the input / output unit 31, and the user designates an access point 20 that is considered appropriate, and outputs the result via the input / output unit 31 The communication unit 11 is notified. This makes it possible to connect to the access point 20 suitable for the desired service and desired by the user.
[0089]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Further, the present invention is obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0090]
For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, information on connectable access points is acquired from the communication unit 11. On the other hand, when the server owns the information on the connectable access points, as shown in FIG. 19, the communication unit 11 connects to the server and downloads the information on the connectable access points from the server. By doing so, information on connectable access points can be obtained (S12).
[0091]
The server having the information of the connectable access points includes, for example, a base station of a mobile phone system. In this case, the nearest access point from a mobile phone terminal equipped with the wireless communication device 10 of the present embodiment is It is conceivable that the base station provides point information.
[0092]
In addition, when obtaining information on an access point connectable from the user, as shown in FIG. 20, access point information connectable from the user can be obtained via the input / output unit 31 (S13).
[0093]
Further, when information on connectable access points is stored in the storage unit 16, the information is obtained by reading the information on connectable access points stored in the storage unit 16, as shown in FIG. Can be performed (S14).
[0094]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, history information on connectable access points is obtained from the storage unit 16. On the other hand, when the history information is owned by the server, as shown in FIG. 22, the information of the connectable access point is notified to the communication unit 11 (S23), and the communication unit 11 transmits the history information. It is possible to connect to the server owned by the user and download history information on connectable access points from the server (S24).
[0095]
Further, the selection result notifying unit 15 may have a function of switching the notification destination of the selection result to one of the communication unit 11 and the input / output unit 31. In this case, the notification destination may be switched by the setting of the user 21 from the input / output unit 31, or the notification destination may be switched based on the content of the selection result.
[0096]
In addition, in each unit and each processing step of the wireless communication device 10 of the above embodiment, an arithmetic unit such as a CPU executes a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM or a RAM, and an input unit such as a keyboard, and a display unit. It can be realized by controlling output means or communication means such as an interface circuit. Therefore, various functions and various processes of the wireless communication device 10 of the present embodiment can be realized only by a computer having these units reading a recording medium on which the program is recorded and executing the program. Further, by recording the program on a removable recording medium, the various functions and various processes described above can be realized on an arbitrary computer.
[0097]
The recording medium may be a program medium such as a memory (not shown) such as a ROM for processing by a microcomputer, or a program reading device (not shown) as an external storage device. It may be a program medium that can be read by inserting a recording medium therein.
[0098]
In any case, the stored program is preferably configured to be accessed and executed by the microprocessor. Further, it is preferable that the program is read, and the read program is downloaded to a program storage area of a microcomputer and the program is executed. It is assumed that the download program is stored in the main device in advance.
[0099]
The program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD, or the like. A disk system of an optical disk, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card), a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, and the like. There is also a recording medium or the like that fixedly carries a program.
[0100]
In addition, if the system configuration is such that a communication network including the Internet can be connected, it is preferable that the recording medium be a recording medium that carries the program fluidly so that the program can be downloaded from the communication network.
[0101]
Further, when the program is downloaded from the communication network as described above, it is preferable that the program for the download be stored in the main device in advance or installed from another recording medium.
[0102]
Further, the present invention can be configured as follows.
[0103]
For example, the wireless communication device according to the present invention includes a selection unit that selects an access point suitable for a desired service using history information from a plurality of connectable access points, Notification means for notifying the selected access point.
[0104]
Thus, the wireless communication apparatus is provided with a function of determining the access point that performs the service desired by the user at the stage before performing the connection processing operation by using the history information.
[0105]
The component of the device notified by the notifying unit is a connecting unit for connecting to an access point suitable for a desired service or an output unit for notifying a user of an access point suitable for a desired service.
[0106]
According to the former, the wireless communication device is provided with an automatic connection function that can connect to an access point suitable for a desired service without the user's intention. According to the latter, by presenting a list of a plurality of access points suitable for the desired service to the user and selecting a connection destination, the user can satisfy the conditions suitable for the desired service while improving the convenience for the user. A wireless communication device is provided with a connection confirmation function for connecting to a high access point.
[0107]
Further, the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention further includes a connection unit connected to at least one of the access points notified by the notification unit, and at least one of the selection unit, the notification unit, and the connection unit. Storage means for storing two results as history information. This gives the wireless device a function that is customized according to normal usage conditions.
[0108]
The selecting means may provide the wireless communication device with a function of selecting an access point using a weighting table set for each desired service and a function of selecting an appropriate access point according to characteristics of a desired service. Can be.
[0109]
The storage unit may store the date and time when the history information is created or updated as time information, and use the time information for managing the history information. In this case, it is possible to delete the history information in consideration of the fact that the history information which has been created or updated and which has passed the time is not useful as a determination factor when selecting an access point. This has the effect of increasing the accuracy of the function of selecting the access point of the wireless communication device.
[0110]
An access point selecting method according to the present invention is a wireless communication method, comprising the steps of selecting an access point suitable for a desired service using history information from a plurality of connectable access points; Notifying the component of the device to be mounted of the access point selected in the selecting step. As a result, there is an effect that the access point that performs the service desired by the user can be determined at the stage before the connection processing operation is performed by using the history information.
[0111]
Further, in the access point selection method according to the present invention, the component of the device notified in the notifying step may further include a connection processing unit for connecting to an access point suitable for the desired service, or an access point suitable for the desired service. Is an access point selection method which is an output unit for notifying the user of the access point. According to the former, there is an effect that it is possible to automatically connect to an access point suitable for a desired service without the user's intention. According to the latter, by presenting a list of a plurality of access points suitable for a desired service to a user and selecting a connection destination, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user while satisfying conditions suitable for the desired service. It has the effect of connecting to a high access point.
[0112]
Further, the access point selecting method according to the present invention further includes a step of connecting to at least one of the access points notified in the notifying step, a step of selecting, a step of notifying, and a step of connecting. Storing at least one result as history information. As a result, there is an effect that an access point suitable for a usual use situation of a device implementing the present invention can be selected.
[0113]
In the case where the selecting step is to select an access point using a weighting table set for each desired service, there is an effect that an appropriate access point can be selected according to the characteristics of the desired service. .
[0114]
Also, the storing step stores the date and time when the history information is created or updated as time information, and when the time information is used for management of the history information, the time has elapsed since the creation or update. The history information is deleted in consideration of the fact that the history information is not useful as a determination factor when selecting an access point. This has the effect of increasing the accuracy when selecting an access point.
[0115]
An access point selection program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the above access point selection method. Alternatively, an access point selection program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as each unit included in the wireless communication device in order to solve the above-described problems. This allows a general-purpose computer to execute the access point selecting method of the present invention or the access point selecting function of the wireless communication device of the present invention, and to obtain the above-described functions and effects.
[0116]
Further, a recording medium according to the present invention is characterized by recording the above access point selection program. Thus, by installing the access point selection program from the recording medium to a general-purpose computer, the access point selection method of the present invention can be executed, and the above-described functions and effects can be obtained.
[0117]
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, even in an environment where a plurality of access points are present, a communication device, a communication method, and a computer that enable a user to quickly find an access point that performs a service desired by a user are used. Thus, it is possible to provide a program for realizing the method and a storage medium storing the program.
[0118]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the wireless communication device of the present invention includes an access point acquisition unit that acquires a connectable access point, a history information acquisition unit that acquires history information about the acquired access point, Access point selecting means for selecting an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the access point.
[0119]
As a result, it is possible to omit a time loss when reconnecting the access point, and thus it is possible to quickly connect to an access point suitable for a predetermined service.
[0120]
Furthermore, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, as described above, in the above configuration, the history information includes service history information that is history information of a service that can be provided by an access point, and the access point selection unit includes: And an access point capable of providing a predetermined service with reference to the service history information.
[0121]
Thus, among the connectable access points, the access points that do not provide the predetermined service can be excluded, so that there is an effect that it is possible to reliably connect to the access points that provide the predetermined service.
[0122]
Further, as described above, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, in the above configuration, the history information includes communication characteristic history information that is history information regarding communication characteristics with an access point, and the access point selecting means Is a configuration in which an access point having communication characteristics suitable for a predetermined service is selected with reference to the communication characteristic history information.
[0123]
Accordingly, since it is possible to connect to and communicate with an access point having communication characteristics suitable for a predetermined service, it is possible to quickly receive a predetermined service from the access point.
[0124]
Further, as described above, in the wireless communication device of the present invention, in the above configuration, the history information obtaining means obtains a service weighting table including the importance of the characteristic for the service together with the history information, The access point selecting means is configured to extract characteristics important for a predetermined service from the service weighting table, and select an access point suitable for the extracted characteristics based on the history information.
[0125]
Thereby, since the access point is selected by referring to the important information for the predetermined service from the various pieces of history information, an effect that the access point suitable for the predetermined service can be reliably selected.
[0126]
Further, as described above, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention includes: an access point acquisition unit for acquiring a connectable access point; a history information acquisition unit for acquiring history information on the acquired access point; Based on the information, comprising an access point selection means for selecting an access point from the connectable access points, the history information includes connection history information indicating the transition of the connected access point, The access point selecting means may determine, based on the connection history information, a number of times that the most recently connected access point has been connected to a certain access point among the connectable access points, Of the number of connections to other access points among the It was calculated for each potential access point, which is the configuration for selecting a connectable access point ascending order of the calculated ratio.
[0127]
As a result, since the access points that can be connected are selected in order from the one that has the lowest reconnection rate, the rate at which time loss occurs due to reconnection can be reduced. It has the effect of being able to connect to The above configuration is also effective when applied to a terminal of a wireless communication system that provides the same quality of service at each access point, such as a mobile phone system.
[0128]
Further, as described above, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention has the above-described configuration, and further includes an output unit that outputs a selection result of the access point selecting unit.
[0129]
As a result, the user can specify an appropriate access point via the input means or the like, so that the user can connect to an access point desired for the predetermined service and desired by the user.
[0130]
Further, as described above, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which, in the above-described configuration, a history information adding unit that acquires a communication status with an access point and adds the obtained information to history information.
[0131]
Accordingly, the latest history information can be obtained, so that it is possible to immediately respond to a change in the access point or a change in the characteristics of the access point, and to provide an effect that the access point suitable for a predetermined service can be reliably selected.
[0132]
Furthermore, as described above, the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, in the above configuration, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time of creation of the history information to the present time, deletes the corresponding history information. It is a structure provided with.
[0133]
As a result, since the old history information can be deleted, it is possible to cope with a change in the access point and a change in the characteristics of the access point without error, and it is possible to reliably select an access point suitable for a predetermined service.
[0134]
Further, the access point selection method in the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, as described above, an access point acquisition step of acquiring a connectable access point, a history information acquisition step of acquiring history information about the acquired access point, And selecting an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information.
[0135]
As a result, it is possible to omit a time loss when reconnecting to the access point, so that there is an effect that it is possible to quickly connect to an access point suitable for a predetermined service.
[0136]
Further, the access point selection method in the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention, as described above, an access point acquisition step of acquiring a connectable access point, a history information acquisition step of acquiring history information about the acquired access point, And an access point selecting step of selecting an access point from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information, wherein the history information includes transition history information indicating transition of the connected access point. And the access point selecting step, based on the connection history information, from the most recently connected access point, the number of times of connection to a certain access point among the connectable access points, Next, select another access point among the connectable access points. The percentage of times that is connected to Seth point, calculated for each of the connectable access points, a method of selecting the connectable access points in the ascending order of the calculated ratio.
[0137]
As a result, the rate of occurrence of time loss due to reconnection can be reduced, so that there is an effect that connection can be quickly made to an appropriate access point. Note that the above method is also effective when applied to a terminal of a wireless communication system that provides the same quality of service at each access point, such as a mobile phone system.
[0138]
Each unit in the wireless communication device can be executed on a computer by an access point selection program. Further, by storing the access point selection program on a computer-readable recording medium, the access point selection program can be executed on any computer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of access point information acquired by the wireless communication device in a table format.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing, in a table format, an example of information of a service history and a characteristic history of an access point among history information acquired by the wireless communication device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing, in a table format, an example of a service weighting table stored in the wireless communication device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for selecting an access point suitable for a service desired by a user in the wireless communication device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure for receiving access point information in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure for acquiring history information in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure for selecting an access point in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a calculation formula and a calculation result for obtaining an optimum access point based on a service weighting table in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for connecting to an access point selected based on the processing shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for creating history information in the wireless communication device.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the storage unit stores the history information so that the history information includes the creation date and time in the wireless communication device.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for deleting stored history information in the wireless communication device.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a wireless communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing, in a table format, history information acquired by the wireless communication device, which is information on a connection history to an access point.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing procedure for selecting an access point in the wireless communication device.
17 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a procedure for obtaining an optimum access point based on the history information shown in FIG.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for notifying a user of an access point selected based on the processing shown in FIG.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing another example of the detailed processing procedure for receiving access point information in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the detailed processing procedure for receiving access point information in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing another example of the detailed processing procedure for receiving access point information in FIG.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing another example of the detailed processing procedure for acquiring history information in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10.30 Wireless communication device
11 Communication unit (history information adding means)
12 AP information acquisition unit (access point acquisition means)
13 History information acquisition unit (history information acquisition means)
14. AP selection unit (access point selection means)
16 storage unit (history information adding means, history information deleting means)
17 AP service history and communication characteristic history information (service history information, communication characteristic history information)
18 Service Weight Table
20 access points
21 users
31 input / output unit (output means, input means)
32 AP connection history information (connection history information)

Claims (12)

In a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point,
Access point acquisition means for acquiring a connectable access point;
History information acquisition means for acquiring history information about the acquired access point;
An access point selecting unit that selects an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information. The history information includes service history information that is history information of a service that the access point can provide,
2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access point selection unit selects an access point that can provide a predetermined service with reference to the service history information. The history information includes communication characteristic history information that is history information regarding communication characteristics with the access point,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access point selecting unit selects an access point having communication characteristics suitable for a predetermined service with reference to the communication characteristic history information. The history information obtaining means obtains a service weighting table including the importance of the characteristic for the service together with the history information,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the access point selecting unit extracts a characteristic important for a predetermined service from the service weight table, and selects an access point suitable for the extracted characteristic based on the history information. A wireless communication device according to claim 1. In a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point,
Access point acquisition means for acquiring a connectable access point;
History information acquisition means for acquiring history information about the acquired access point;
Access point selecting means for selecting an access point from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information,
The history information includes connection history information indicating a transition of the connected access point,
The access point selecting means may determine, based on the connection history information, the number of times that the most recently connected access point has been connected to a certain access point among the connectable access points. Calculating the ratio of the number of times of connection to other access points among the access points, and selecting the connectable access points in ascending order of the calculated ratio. Wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs a selection result in the access point selection unit. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a history information adding unit configured to acquire a communication status with the access point and add the history information to the history information. 6. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a history information deletion unit that deletes the history information when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time when the history information was created to the present time. An access point selection method for selecting a connectable access point in a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point,
An access point obtaining step of obtaining a connectable access point;
A history information acquisition step of acquiring history information about the acquired access point;
An access point selection step of selecting an access point suitable for a predetermined service from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information. An access point selection method for selecting a connectable access point in a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with an access point,
An access point obtaining step of obtaining a connectable access point;
A history information acquisition step of acquiring history information about the acquired access point;
An access point selecting step of selecting an access point from the connectable access points based on the acquired history information,
The history information includes connection history information indicating a transition of the connected access point,
The access point selecting step includes, based on the connection history information, the number of times that the most recently connected access point has been connected to a certain access point among the connectable access points, Calculating the ratio of the number of times of connection to other access points among the access points, and selecting the connectable access points in ascending order of the calculated ratio. An access point selection method in a wireless communication device. An access point selection program for operating the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the access point selection program causes a computer to function as each of the units. A computer-readable recording medium on which the access point selection program according to claim 11 is recorded.

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