JP2006121319A - Mobile communication area monitoring method and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication area monitoring means and a device therefor that enables a PS entrepreneur to confirm all communication areas at any time and provide detailed services for users. <P>SOLUTION: Disclosed is the mobile communication area monitoring method of acquiring position information data on a position outside the sphere of a base station 2 when a mobile communication terminal 3 outside the sphere originates and reporting the position information data acquired outside the sphere to a center device 5 of a mobile telephone entrepreneur when the mobile communication terminal 3 moves into the sphere of the base station device and communicates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal device such as a mobile phone terminal, a PC card type wireless terminal, and a PHS.

  Conventionally, for a communication area of a mobile communication terminal (hereinafter referred to as PS) such as a mobile phone terminal, a PC card type wireless terminal, and a PHS, first, the communication area is determined, and then the communication area is covered. The base station was designed on the desk and the base station was installed, and after the base station was installed, the PS operator went around the area and checked the communication area.

  However, there is a limit to the communication area confirmation work performed by the PS provider, and it has been impossible to confirm the entire communication area.

  Therefore, due to changes in the terrain and the environment of the base station installation location, an area where communication was not possible occurred due to an event unintended by the PS operator.

  Conventionally, as a solution to this problem, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a technique for notifying the user that the PS is an out-of-service area has been employed.

That is, in Patent Document 1, even if the PS user is visually impaired, there is some key input from the user to the PS mobile station for the purpose of recognizing information outside the service area and within the service area. When the station is out of the service area of the base station, an operation signal is transmitted from the mobile station controller to the PS vibration device, and the vibration device receiving the signal vibrates to notify the user that it is out of the service area Is disclosed.
JP-A-9-3079532

  However, this conventional technology is a technology that simply allows the user to recognize that the PS being used is an out-of-service area, and the PS operator confirms the entire communication area and provides a detailed service to the user. It wasn't.

  For this reason, the user cannot receive a stable communication service, and as a result, there are many complaints from the user to the PS provider, which has been a big problem in technical management.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication area monitoring method and apparatus that allow a PS operator to check all communication areas at any time and provide fine-tuned services to users.

  The mobile communication area monitoring method of the present invention obtains location information data in an out-of-service area by performing a transmission operation with a mobile communication terminal existing in the out-of-service area of the base station device, and the in-area of the base station device When communicating by moving to, the location information data acquired in the out-of-service area is notified to the center device of the mobile phone operator.

  Further, in the mobile communication area monitoring method of the present invention, the location information data acquired in the out-of-service area moves from the out-of-service area to the in-service area, and when the mobile communication terminal first communicates, It is added to a message from a communication terminal to the base station apparatus, and is transmitted to the center apparatus via the base station apparatus.

  Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring method of the present invention, the call operation by the mobile communication terminal is a key operation performed with the intention of the user to make a call.

  The mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention is a mobile communication terminal used in a base station, a center apparatus to which the base station is connected via a switching network, and a service area of the base station. The mobile communication terminal includes a transmission operation unit, a position detection unit, a memory unit that stores position information that is output from the position detection unit, and the mobile communication terminal exists in an out-of-service area of the base station. When the transmission operation unit is operated, means for storing the position information measured by the position detection unit in the memory unit, and the mobile communication terminal from the out-of-service area of the base station to the in-service area. When the transmission operation unit is operated for the first time after moving, the location information stored in the memory unit is transmitted to the center device via the base station. .

  Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the position detection unit is a GPS sensor or an acceleration sensor.

  Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the transmission operation unit is a key operation unit provided in the mobile communication terminal.

  Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the position information detected by the position detection unit is stored in the memory unit simultaneously with the operation of the key operation unit. .

  Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the location information stored in the memory unit is added to a call setup message transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the base station and transmitted to the base station. It is characterized by that.

Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the location information detected by the location detection unit is deleted from the memory unit when added to a message sent to the base station. Is.
Furthermore, in the mobile communication area monitoring device of the present invention, the location information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the base station is added to an authentication request message transmitted from the base station to the center device. It is transmitted to the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the PS operator can grasp the PS usage status of the user outside the communication area and the status of the communication area of the company at any time without making the PS user aware of it. It becomes possible to carry out the communication area service in detail. Therefore, the user can always use the communication service in a stable state, and the user's usage status can be grasped for handling complaints related to the service area from the user. Answer is possible. As a result, user complaints regarding the communication area service are drastically reduced, and the economic effects in terms of technical management and usage can be significantly improved.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the confirmation work of the communication area that has been performed by the PS operator is performed without being conscious of the PS user's transmission operation, there is no need for the worker to bother to visit the communication area. As a result, work efficiency can be greatly improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention. In-area 1 is a service area of a base station 2, and PS3 exists in that area. The base station 2 is connected to the center device 5 via the exchange network 4. Out-of-service area 6 means the outside of the area where radio waves from base station 2 do not reach, and shows the situation where PS 3 moves in the direction indicated by arrow 7, that is, within service area 1.

  FIG. 2 is an outline view of an example of a PS used in an embodiment of the present invention, that is, a mobile phone. FIG. 2A is a top view of a vertical mobile phone, and FIG. 2B is a foldable mobile phone. FIG. 2 is a top view of the antenna 8 for transmitting and receiving communication radio waves, the receiving unit 9 for receiving calls, the display unit 10, the key operation unit 11 having various keys necessary for transmission and reception, and the transmission for transmitting calls. Since the function of each component is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the PS according to the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals.

  In the figure, a wireless unit 13 for receiving radio waves from an antenna 8, a receiving unit 9 for receiving a call, a transmitting unit 12 for transmitting a call, an interface unit 14 connected to an external device such as a personal computer, A GPS unit 15 that detects the position of the PS, a memory unit 16 that stores the position information detected by the GPS unit 15, a clock unit 17 that measures time, and a display that displays the communication status and time 1, the key operation unit 11 (FIG. 1) having various keys for a user to perform a call operation, a control unit 18 that controls various communication functions by key operations from the key operation unit 11, and a power source The unit 19 and the like.

  Next, the operation of the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the PS transmission sequence of FIG.

  When a user of PS3 in the out-of-service area 6 performs a call operation, for example, operation of the PS key operation unit 11 without knowing that it is out-of-service area 6 (step S1), the area is confirmed (step S2). . If the current position is out of service area as a result of this area determination (step S3), position information data is acquired from the GPS unit 15 in FIG. 3 (step S4), and the acquired position information data is stored in the memory unit 16. (Step S5).

  This operation is repeated every time the user operates the key when the user is in the out-of-service area 6.

  Next, when the user moves in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIG. 1 and moves to the area 1 and performs a key operation (step S1), an area check (step S2) is performed in the same manner, and an area determination (step The result of S3) is determined to be within the range. Next, it is determined whether or not the key operation by the user is an operation for starting communication (step S6).

  As a result of the communication determination, if the operation is not a communication start operation, the process returns to step S1 to enter a key operation waiting state.

  On the other hand, if the operation is a communication start operation, the memory unit 16 in FIG. 3 is searched (step S7), and it is determined whether or not position information data is stored (step S8). As a result, if there is location information data in the memory unit 16, the location information data is read from the memory unit 16, and the location information data is added to the message sent from the PS 3 in FIG. 1 to the base station 2 (step S9). Communication, that is, telephone call or data communication is started (step S10).

  In this case, the position information data read from the memory unit 16 in FIG. 3 is not included in the message sent from the PS 3 to the base station 2 during the initial communication with the base station 2, as indicated by 20 in FIG. The position information data acquired in the area is added. At this time, the PS 3 deletes the position information data in the memory unit 16 from the memory.

  If there is no position information data in the memory unit 16, the process returns to step S10 to start normal communication, that is, telephone call or data communication.

  As shown by 20 in FIG. 5, position information data is added to the message from PS 3 in FIG. 1 to the base station 2, and this position information data is transmitted to the base station 2. Receiving this, the base station 2 stores the transmitted position information data in a memory (not shown) in the base station 2.

  When the base station 2 communicates with the center apparatus 5 via the switching network 4, the base station 2 transmits the position information data acquired from the PS 3 to the center apparatus 5 as indicated by 21 in FIG. Then, the base station 2 transmits the position information data to the center device 5, thereby deleting the position information data stored in the memory in the base station 2.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows a transmission sequence of PS3. This sequence is a normal mobile phone sequence, but in this embodiment, location information data is added to the message 20 from the PS 3 to the base station 2 and the location information data is transmitted to the base station 2. The base station 2 is different from the sequence by a normal mobile phone in that the position information data acquired from the PS 3 is added to the message 21 and transmitted to the center device 5.

  That is, when a call setup (SET UP) with location data added is performed from the PS 3 to the base station 2, the base station 2 makes an authentication request to the center device 5. In response to this authentication request, an authentication response is transmitted from the center apparatus 5 (FIG. 1) to the base station 2, and a call setting confirmation (CALL PROC) is transmitted from the base station 2 to the PS3.

  In this case, the call setting is transmitted between the base station 2 and the PS 3 via the switching network 4, and the call setting confirmation for the call setting is also made via the switching network 4 (FIG. 1). A response is sent.

  Further, between PS3, a call (ALERT) is transmitted via the switching network 4 and the base station 2, and at the same time, a response (CONN) is transmitted from the PS3 via the switching network 4 and the base station 2. In response to this response, the base station 2 sends a response confirmation (CONN ACK) to the switching network 4.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a PS3 user in the out-of-service area 6 performs a call operation without knowing that it is out-of-service area 6, the position information data of PS3 at that time is automatically detected. Then, when the user moves to the area 1 and makes a call operation, the position information data is automatically transmitted to the center device 5. Therefore, as described above, the position information data at various positions in the out-of-service area 6 is detected and collected in the center device 5 by many PS3 users. As a result, the boundary between the in-service area 1 and the out-of-service area 6 is detected and collected by many PS3 users and clarified by position information data, and the range of the out-of-service area 6 is constantly monitored.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the PS 3 user performs the PS key operation as the outgoing operation in the out-of-service area 6 without knowing that it is the out-of-service area 6. However, the operation for opening the folding terminal is described. Any operation may be used as long as it is a transmission operation performed with the intention of the user to transmit, such as an operation for performing the transmission, or a PC operation using a PC card type wireless terminal.

  In addition, the above-described communication using PS3 includes a telephone call, data communication, packet communication, and the like.

  Next, application examples of the present invention will be described.

  1. Even in an area, the radio wave condition varies depending on the location and the radio wave may be weak and cannot be transmitted. However, according to the present invention, the electric field level is measured by PS, Similarly, by sending the electric field level and position information data to the center device, the PS operator can specify a weak electric field area that is difficult to transmit.

  In an area where the electric field is weak, the electric field may change depending on the surrounding environment, time, and the like. Therefore, by adding PS time data, it is possible to grasp temporal changes in the weak electric field area.

  2. If there is no problem with the electric field level, but transmission is not possible due to traffic concentration or the like, the “electric field level + position information” data according to the present invention can also be used as a study material for traffic design of the base station network. Even if this "electric field level + location information" data suddenly increases during New Years or events, it is possible to understand the number of potential users, that is, the number of users who tried to send but could not send. If the PS counts the number of failed calls and adds it as data, the number of calls made by one user can be grasped.

  In addition, when there is chronic “electric field level + position information” data, it is possible to think that there is a problem in population increase or traffic design in the area.

  3. If the PS provider can specify the PS model or manufacturer by the PS set number or PS-ID number, the PS set number together with the electric field level measured by the PS, as in the above embodiment, Alternatively, by sending a PS-ID number or the like to the center device, the PS operator can check the terminal performance of each manufacturer, for example, the electric field level at which PS cannot be transmitted.

  Furthermore, by showing the terminal performance, for example, the standard of the electric field level at which PS can be transmitted, to the manufacturer based on the terminal performance of each manufacturer and model, it is possible to provide a stable PS that does not depend on the manufacturer or model of the PS to the user. Can be provided.

  4. Since the acceleration sensor is mounted on the PS, it is possible to measure the movement state and orientation of the PS, and the acceleration sensor data is transmitted to the center apparatus by the same method as in the above embodiment. Thus, the mobile phone operator can grasp the state of the PS at the time of transmission.

  This accelerometer is based on data such as the movement speed and direction of the terminal, whether it is moving at high speeds in cars or trains, moving at low speeds in walking, and in which direction the user is moving. In addition, the terminal orientation data makes it possible to predict whether the user is talking directly from the PS, mailing, or communicating via mobile connection.

  5. If the location information data cannot be obtained if the location information data is obtained by periodically obtaining the location information data, and the distance and direction from the location are always measured, for example, the location where GPS data cannot be obtained. However, it is possible to calculate the movement distance and direction from the position data acquired last and send the position information data to the center device.

It is the block diagram which showed the system configuration | structure which is embodiment of the mobile communication area monitoring method of this invention. 1A and 1B are outline views of a mobile phone showing an example of a PS used in an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A is a top view of a vertical mobile phone, and FIG. 1B is a top view of a foldable mobile phone. . It is the block diagram which showed the structure of PS used for embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement procedure of PS in the mobile communication area monitoring method by embodiment of this invention. It is a diagram showing a sequence for PS connection call in an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Area within area 2: Base station 3: PS (communication terminal device)
4: Switching network 5: Center device 6: Out-of-service area 7: Arrow (PS moving direction)
8: Antenna 9: Reception unit 10: Display unit 11: Key operation unit 12: Transmission / reception unit 13: Radio unit 14: Interface unit 15: GPS unit 16: Memory unit 17: Clock unit 18: Control unit 19: Power supply unit 20, 21: Message

Claims (10)

  When the mobile communication terminal located in the out-of-service area of the base station device performs a call origination operation to acquire position information data in the out-of-service area and communicates by moving to the in-service area of the base station device, the out-of-service area A mobile communication area monitoring method comprising: notifying location information data acquired within a mobile phone carrier center device.   The location information data acquired in the out-of-service area is moved from the out-of-service area to the service-area, and is added to the message from the mobile communication terminal to the base station device when the mobile communication terminal first communicates, The mobile communication area monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication area is transmitted to the center device via the base station device.   3. The mobile communication area monitoring method according to claim 2, wherein the transmission operation by the mobile communication terminal is a key operation performed with the intention of the user to transmit.   A base station, a center device to which the base station is connected via a switching network, and a mobile communication terminal used in a service area of the base station. And when the transmission operation unit is operated when the mobile communication terminal exists in the out-of-service area of the base station. Means for storing location information measured by the location detection unit in the memory unit; and after the mobile communication terminal has moved from an out-of-service area of the base station to the in-service area, the transmission operation unit is operated first. In this case, the mobile communication area monitoring apparatus transmits position information stored in the memory unit to the center apparatus via the base station.   5. The mobile communication area monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the position detection unit is a GPS sensor or an acceleration sensor.   6. The mobile communication area monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transmission operation unit is a key operation unit provided in the mobile communication terminal.   7. The mobile communication area monitoring apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the position information detected by the position detection unit is stored in the memory unit simultaneously with the operation of the key operation unit.   7. The mobile unit according to claim 6, wherein the location information stored in the memory unit is added to a call setup message transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the base station and transmitted to the base station. Communication area monitoring device.   9. The mobile communication area monitoring apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the location information detected by the location detection unit is deleted from the memory unit when added to a message sent to the base station.   10. The position information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal to the base station is added to an authentication request message transmitted from the base station to the center apparatus and transmitted to the center apparatus. Mobile communication area monitoring device.

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