JP2008249723A - Mobile communication terminal, gps positioning method, and positioning calculation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten waiting time required for GPS positioning. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile communication terminal 1, having a GPS-receiving section 3 capable of receiving a positioning signal from a GPS satellite G1, which is capable of identifying a location by means of GPS positioning includes a GPS satellite capturing section 5 for capturing a GPS satellite, based on a positioning signal received by the GPS-receiving section 3; a measuring section 6 for measuring the number of GPS satellites captured by the GPS satellite capturing section 5; a determining section 7 for determining, based on the number of captured GPS satellites measured by the measuring section 6, whether a condition for stoppage of GPS positioning is satisfied; and a GPS-positioning control section 8 for stopping GPS positioning, when the GPS-positioning stop determining section 7 determines that the condition for stoppage of GPS positioning is satisfied, and for continuing GPS positioning, when the determining section 7 determines that the condition for stoppage of GPS positioning is not satisfied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention, GPS positioning method performs GPS positioning in the mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication terminal capable certain location by the GPS positioning, and about the positioning calculation system according to them.

In recent years, mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones having a GPS positioning function are known. As described in Patent Document 1, this type of mobile communication terminal receives a positioning signal from a GPS satellite and identifies its location. Furthermore, this mobile communication terminal determines whether it is outdoors or indoors depending on the number of captured satellites and the change state of the captured satellites. In the case of indoors, this mobile communication terminal increases the reception sensitivity of positioning signals. The number of GPS satellites necessary for GPS positioning can be acquired.
JP 2004-245657 A

  However, in conventional mobile communication terminals, positioning signals are continuously received until the number of GPS satellites captured reaches a predetermined number. As a result, the number of GPS satellites captured is a predetermined number required for GPS positioning. If it does not reach, the standby time required for GPS positioning is wasted time for the user of the mobile communication terminal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal, a GPS positioning method, and a positioning calculation system that can shorten the standby time required for GPS positioning .

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a receiving means capable of receiving a positioning signal from a GPS satellite, and a positioning signal received by the receiving means in a mobile communication terminal capable of specifying a location by GPS positioning. Satellite capture means for capturing GPS satellites based on the above, capture number measurement means for measuring the number of captures of GPS satellites captured by the satellite capture means, and GPS positioning cancellation based on the number of captures measured by the capture number measurement means The GPS positioning stop determining means for determining whether or not the condition is satisfied, and the GPS positioning stop determining means for stopping the GPS positioning when the GPS positioning stop determining means determines that the GPS positioning stop satisfying condition is satisfied. And GPS positioning control means for continuing GPS positioning when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied.

  According to such a mobile communication terminal, it is determined whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the number of captures measured by the capture number measuring means. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, the GPS positioning is continuously performed. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning is ended. As a result, the standby time required for GPS positioning can be shortened, and the useless time for the user of the mobile communication terminal can be shortened.

In addition, the satellite capturing means, based on the positioning signal received by the receiving means, when the reception level of the positioning signal received by the receiving means exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning. It captures a GPS satellite. Here, the reception level may indicate the strength of the received signal, or may indicate the quality of the received signal such as the ratio of noise to the signal.

  According to such a mobile communication terminal, GPS satellites that could only receive positioning signals at a low level are not measured as the number of acquisitions, so whether or not accurate GPS positioning results can be obtained in a short time by GPS positioning. The determination accuracy can be improved.

Further, the GPS positioning stop determining means has a positioning signal received level that is received by the receiving means exceeds a positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning when the satellite capturing means captures the GPS satellite. based on the reception level of the positioning signals relating no GPS satellite, it determined that GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied.

  According to such a mobile communication terminal, when there is a GPS satellite capable of receiving only a positioning signal with a low reception level, the accuracy of determining whether or not a GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time is improved. it can. That is, it can be determined more accurately whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped.

In addition, the GPS positioning stop determination unit sets the GPS positioning stop condition based on whether or not the information indicating the time can be acquired from the positioning signal from the GPS satellite when the satellite capturing unit captures the GPS satellite. It determined to fulfill.

  If the information indicating the time is acquired, the number of GPS satellites (from the positioning signals) used for the positioning calculation can be reduced, so that it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. . That is, it can be determined more accurately whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped.

In addition, it further includes a captured satellite position information storage unit that stores position information of a GPS satellite captured by the satellite capturing unit, and the GPS positioning stop determination unit is configured such that when the GPS capturing is repeatedly performed by the satellite capturing unit, When the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measurement means is two or more, the respective positions indicated by the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the acquisition satellite position information storage means and the assumptions indicated as their own positions angle formed by a line connecting the terminal position, if the predetermined angle or less at a preset predetermined number of times continuously, you determined that GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied.

In addition, it further includes a captured satellite position information storage unit that stores position information of a GPS satellite captured by the satellite capturing unit, and the GPS positioning stop determination unit is configured such that when the GPS capturing is repeatedly performed by the satellite capturing unit, When the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measurement means is two or more, based on the position information of a plurality of GPS satellites stored in the acquisition satellite position information storage means, The difference between the reception level of positioning signals from GPS satellites located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction and the reception level of positioning signals from other GPS satellites is less than a predetermined value for a predetermined number of consecutive times. in some cases, it determined that GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied.

  When the GPS satellites that can be captured are confined within a narrow area or are not included in the GPS satellites in the zenith direction, the GPS satellites that have been captured are likely to have been captured through a window or the like. The mobile communication terminal is likely to be in a closed indoor space. In such a case, even if the GPS positioning is continued, the possibility of obtaining the GPS positioning result in a short time is low. When the angle formed by the position information of a plurality of GPS satellites and the assumed terminal position information is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle, and reception of positioning signals from GPS satellites located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied in at least one of cases where the difference between the level and the reception level of the positioning signal from other GPS satellites is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the mobile communication terminal is set indoors or the like. It is possible to infer whether or not there is, and it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. That is, it can be determined more accurately whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped. In addition, when the angle formed by the position information of a plurality of GPS satellites and the assumed terminal position information is equal to or less than a predetermined angle, and a positioning signal from a GPS satellite located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position It may be determined by combining the cases where the difference between the reception level of the GPS signal and the reception level of the positioning signal from other GPS satellites is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Further, the GPS positioning stop determining means determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is based on the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measuring means, and when the satellite acquisition means repeatedly captures GPS satellites. and GPS satellites captured in the past and the latest GPS satellites captured by the, when the same at a preset predetermined number of times continuously, you determined that GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied.

  If there is no change in the GPS satellites when repeated acquisition is performed by the satellite acquisition means, it is unlikely that the number of GPS satellites that can be acquired will increase in a short time even if GPS positioning is continued. In addition to the number of GPS satellites captured, if the GPS satellites captured by the satellite capturing means are the same as the previously captured GPS satellites, the number of GPS satellites captured is reduced by determining that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied. It is possible to estimate whether or not the possibility of increase in time is low, and it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the positioning result can be obtained in a short time by GPS positioning.

  Further, the GPS positioning stop determination means determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop time set based on the number of captures measured by the capture number measurement means has elapsed since the start of GPS positioning. In this case, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and when it has not elapsed, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied.

  The greater the number of captures measured by the capture number measuring means, the higher the possibility that a positioning result will be obtained when GPS positioning is continued, and the lower the number is. If the GPS positioning stop time is set based on the number of GPS satellites captured, the GPS positioning stop time can be set depending on the possibility of obtaining the positioning result, and the GPS positioning stop depending on whether or not the GPS positioning stop time has elapsed. By determining whether or not the determination condition is satisfied, the standby time required for GPS positioning of the user of the mobile communication terminal can be efficiently reduced.

The GPS positioning control further includes communication means capable of receiving positioning-related information usable for positioning from the base station, and base station using positioning means for performing positioning based on the positioning-related information transmitted from the base station. It means, with stops the GPS positioning when it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied by the GPS positioning stop determining means, Ru switch to positioning by the base station positioning means.

  The mobile communication terminal further includes communication means capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the base station of the mobile communication network, and the GPS positioning control means satisfies the GPS positioning stop condition by the GPS positioning stop determination means. If it is determined, it is preferable to stop the GPS positioning and request the positioning server for positioning the mobile communication terminal based on the signal transmitted to and received from the base station to determine the position of the terminal itself. .

  A positioning calculation system according to the present invention is a positioning calculation system including the mobile communication terminal and a positioning server, and the positioning server receives a request for positioning of the mobile communication terminal from the mobile communication terminal. When the request is accepted by the accepting means and the accepting means, the positioning means for positioning the mobile communication terminal based on the signal transmitted and received between the mobile communication terminal and the base station, and the positioning result by the positioning means Transmitting means for transmitting to the mobile communication terminal.

  When the GPS positioning is stopped, the positioning result can be obtained instead by the base station using positioning means or the positioning server, so that the positioning result of the mobile communication terminal can be obtained even when the GPS positioning cannot be performed.

Further, the present invention has a receiving means capable of receiving positioning signals from GPS satellites, the GPS positioning method to shorten the waiting time required for the GPS positioning in a mobile communication terminal capable certain location by the GPS positioning, receiver A satellite capturing step for capturing a GPS satellite based on the positioning signal received by the receiving means when the reception level of the positioning signal received by the means exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning. And a capture number measurement step for measuring the number of captured GPS satellites captured in the satellite capture step, and a GPS positioning stop time set based on the number of captures measured in the capture number measurement step from the start of GPS positioning. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed, and if it has elapsed, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and has not elapsed If the GPS positioning stop determination step determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied in the GPS positioning stop determination step and the GPS positioning stop determination step, the GPS positioning is stopped. A GPS positioning control step for continuing GPS positioning when it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, a captured satellite position information storing step for storing position information of the GPS satellites captured in the satellite capturing step, and available for positioning a communication and step capable of receiving positioning-related information from the base station, seen including a base station positioning step of positioning, the based on the positioning related information transmitted from the base station, the GPS positioning stop determination step, satellite acquisition Receiving means when GPS satellite is captured in step It is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the reception level of the positioning signal related to the GPS satellites whose reception level of the received positioning signal does not exceed the level that can be used for GPS positioning, and the satellite When the GPS satellite is acquired in the acquisition step, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on whether or not the information indicating the time can be acquired from the positioning signal from the GPS satellite, and the satellite acquisition step In the case where GPS satellites are repeatedly captured in step 2, when the number of captures measured in the capture number measurement step is two or more, the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the capture satellite position information storage step is indicated. The angle formed by the straight line connecting each position and the assumed terminal position indicated as its assumed position is If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when the predetermined number of consecutive times is equal to or less than the predetermined angle, and the acquisition of GPS satellites is repeated in the satellite acquisition step, the acquisition number measurement step When the number of acquisitions measured in step 2 is two or more, the predetermined position in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position indicated as its own assumed position based on the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the acquisition satellite position information storage step When the difference between the reception level of the positioning signal from the GPS satellite located in the range of and the reception level of the positioning signal from the other GPS satellites is not more than a predetermined value continuously for a predetermined number of times, In addition to determining the GPS positioning stop condition based on the number of acquisitions measured in the acquisition number measurement step, the satellite determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied. When the acquisition of GPS satellites is repeated in the acquisition step, the latest GPS satellite acquired in the satellite acquisition step and the GPS satellite acquired in the past are the same for a predetermined number of consecutive times. If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied and the GPS positioning control step determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied in the GPS positioning stop determination step, the GPS positioning is stopped and the positioning in the base station using positioning step is performed. It is characterized by switching to.

  According to this GPS positioning method, if the number of acquisitions measured in the acquisition number measurement step is insufficient for the required number of positioning required for GPS positioning, does the GPS positioning stop condition be satisfied based on the number of acquisitions of GPS satellites? If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, the GPS positioning is continued. If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning is stopped. As a result, the standby time required for GPS positioning can be shortened, and the time that is easily wasted for the user of the mobile communication terminal can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, the standby time required for GPS positioning can be shortened.

  A mobile phone (mobile communication terminal) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. If possible, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile communication terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal 1 includes a communication unit (communication means) 2 that performs wireless communication with a base station 100, and a GPS reception unit that can receive positioning signals from GPS satellites G1 to G3 ( Receiving means) 3 and a GPS positioning unit 4 that performs arithmetic processing for GPS positioning based on positioning signals from GPS satellites G1 to G3. In FIG. 1, only three GPS satellites are shown, but normally, positioning signals from a large number (about 10) of GPS satellites are received.

  Furthermore, the mobile communication terminal 1 includes a GPS satellite capturing unit (satellite capturing unit) 5 that captures GPS satellites G1 to G3 based on the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 3, and a GPS captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5. Based on the number of captured satellites G1 to G3 (captured number measuring means) 6 and the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 (captured number) measured by the captured number measuring unit 6, the GPS positioning stop condition is set. A GPS positioning stop determination unit (GPS positioning stop determination unit) 7 that determines whether or not the condition is satisfied, and a GPS positioning control unit (GPS positioning control unit) 8 that stops GPS positioning based on the determination result of the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 And a base station use positioning unit 9 that performs positioning based on the data transmitted from the base station 100.

  Furthermore, the mobile communication terminal 1 includes a display unit 11 that outputs a positioning result, a time storage unit 12 that stores a standby time (GPS positioning stop time) required for GPS positioning in association with the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3, and A visible satellite information storage unit 13 that stores information on the visible satellites captured by the GPS satellite capture unit 5, and a GPS satellite orbit information storage unit 14 that stores the orbit information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the mobile communication terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal 1 physically includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, an operation unit 24, a display 25, a wireless communication module 26 that is a data transmission / reception device, and positioning signals from GPS satellites G1 to G3. Including a GPS receiver 27 and the like. Each function of the mobile communication terminal 1 reads predetermined software on hardware such as the CPU 21 and the RAM 22 and controls the wireless communication module 26, the GPS receiver 27, the operation unit 24, and the display under the control of the CPU 21. 25, and reading and writing data in the RAM 22.

  Hereinafter, each functional element will be described with reference to FIG.

  The communication unit 2 transmits and receives data to and from the base station 100 via the network, and mainly has a voice call function. The data obtained from the base station 100 includes base station position information such as the latitude and longitude of the base station 100 and distance information from the base station 100 to the mobile communication terminal 1 as positioning related information usable for positioning. Yes. Note that the mobile communication terminal 1 employs a cell system, and can assume an assumed terminal position indicated as an assumed position of the mobile communication terminal 1 based on a zone in which wireless communication with the base station 100 is possible. .

  The GPS receiver 3 can receive positioning signals transmitted from the GPS satellites G1 to G3. Four GPS satellites G1 to G3 are arranged on six orbits at an altitude of about 20,000 km, and move on the orbit as time passes. The positioning signals received from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 to the GPS receiver 3 include Sv (t) ID (identification information) for distinguishing and specifying the GPS satellites G1 to G3, orbit data and time data of the GPS satellites G1 to G3. It is included. The positioning signals received from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 to the GPS receiver 3 have different signal strengths (levels) depending on the observation conditions (such as weather, indoor or outdoor) where the mobile communication terminal 1 is located. The reception sensitivity of the GPS receiving unit 3 is set so that it can be received at least when the signal strength of the positioning signal exceeds a positioning possible level (for example, −135 dBm or more) that can be used for GPS positioning. In most cases, it is also possible to receive signals that are below the level where positioning is possible.

  The GPS positioning unit 4 extracts the position information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored as the position information of the visible satellites in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a described later, and further from each of the plurality of GPS satellites G1 to G3. The GPS positioning which calculates | requires the arrival time difference of the transmitted positioning signal and calculates | requires the positioning result (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the mobile communication terminal 1 from the arrival time difference by arithmetic processing is performed.

  The GPS satellite capturing unit 5 extracts Sv (t) ID from the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 3, and identifies the GPS satellites G1 to G3 captured based on the Sv (t) ID as visible satellites. . That is, the GPS satellites G1 to G3 from which Sv (t) ID can be extracted are set as visible satellites. Further, the orbit data and the time data at which the positioning signal is generated are extracted from the positioning signal, and the position information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 at the time when the positioning signal is generated is obtained. In order to extract the orbit data and the time data (information indicating the time) from the positioning signal, a predetermined positioning signal reception level (more than the positioning possible level) more than capturing the GPS satellites G1 to G3 is required. . Therefore, the orbit data may be acquired from the base station by the communication unit 2. For example, it is possible if the base station transmits orbit data of GPS satellites that may be captured in its own cell. The GPS satellite capturing unit 5 associates this position information with the Sv (t) ID extracted from the positioning signal, and stores it in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a described later as the position information of the visible satellite. The GPS receiver 3 receives the signal as a visible satellite when the signal strength of the positioning signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level that can be used for GPS positioning. Therefore, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 has a positioning signal with high signal strength. GPS satellites G1 to G3 can be captured based on the above. For example, if the positioning signals from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 do not reach the GPS receiving unit 3 directly and are reflected by some obstacle, the signal strength is low. Even if GPS positioning is performed based on such a low signal strength positioning signal, the GPS positioning result becomes inaccurate, and it takes too much time to obtain the positioning result. By excluding positioning signals with low signal strength, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not an accurate GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time by GPS positioning. However, the GPS receiving unit 3 also receives positioning signals of GPS satellites G1 to G3 that are less than the positioning possible level, and these positioning signals are also used in the mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment as will be described later.

  Furthermore, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 continuously captures the GPS satellites G1 to G3 at predetermined timing intervals. The GPS satellite capturing unit 5 performs the capture and the captured GPS every time the capture is repeated after the first capture is performed (every time the capture result is reported). The Sv (t) IDs of the satellites G1 to G3 are associated with each other and stored in the visible satellite history storage unit 13b described later. The Sv (t) IDs of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored in the visible satellite history storage unit 13b are referred to when determining whether or not the repeatedly captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 are the same.

  The captured number measuring unit 6 measures the captured number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 by counting Sv (t) IDs as visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a, and capture number flag memory (not shown). Is set to the value corresponding to the number of captures. For example, “1” is set when the number of captures is “0” or “1”, “2” is set when it is “2”, and “3” is set when it is “3” or more. To do.

The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to the value set in the captured number flag memory, searches the time storage unit 12 based on the value, and waits for GPS positioning (GPS positioning stop time) T ₁ , T to extract the _{2, T 3.} Here, when the value set in the captured number flag memory is “1”, the waiting time is the shortest “T ₁ ” (sec), and when “3”, the waiting time is the longest “T 1”. ₃ ”(sec). In the case of“ 2 ”,“ T ₂ ”(sec) is intermediate between“ T ₁ ”(sec) and“ T ₃ ”(sec). The smaller the number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 within a predetermined time, the lower the possibility that a positioning result can be obtained in a short time even if GPS positioning is continued. For this reason, the standby time is set to be short if the number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 is small, and is set to be long if the number is large. When the value set in the captured number flag memory is “0” (when the number of Sv (t) ID is “0”), the waiting time is the shortest “T ₁ ” (sec), and “2 in the case of "or more, the waiting time is the longest" _{T 3} "(sec), and the case of" 1 "," _{T 1} "(sec) and" _{T 3} "," _{T 2} of the intermediate (sec) (Sec).

When the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the standby time “T ₁ ” from the time storage unit 12, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning has exceeded the standby time “T ₁ ”. If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). On the other hand, if the waiting time “T ₁ ” is not exceeded, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and a value indicating the GPS positioning continuation is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory. Further, when the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the standby time “T ₃ ” from the time storage unit 12, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of the GPS positioning exceeds the standby time “T ₃ ”. If it exceeds, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). On the other hand, the process when the standby time “T ₃ ” is not exceeded will be described later.

Further, when the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the standby time “T ₂ ” from the time storage unit 12, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning has exceeded the standby time “T ₂ ”. If it exceeds, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown).

On the other hand, if the waiting time “T ₂ ” has not been exceeded, the visible satellite history storage unit 13b described later is referred to, and the Sv (t) IDs of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 repeatedly captured are the same. If they are the same, it is determined that the first stop condition is satisfied. If they are not the same, it is determined that the first stop condition is not satisfied.

  Repeatedly captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 having the same Sv (t) ID means that only the same GPS satellites G1 to G3 can be captured over time, and GPS positioning continues. Even so, it is unlikely that the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 will increase. Therefore, if the GPS satellites G1 to G3 have the same Sv (t) ID, it is determined whether or not the positioning result by GPS positioning can be obtained in a short time by determining that the first stop condition is satisfied. The determination accuracy can be improved, and it is possible to prevent the standby time required for GPS positioning from being wasted as a result for the user of the mobile communication terminal 1.

  In addition, when the first stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to a visible satellite position information storage unit 13a described later, and positions of two visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a. It is determined from the information whether Sv (t), that is, whether the angle between two visible satellites is equal to or less than a predetermined value φ, and further, determines whether the elevation angle of each visible satellite is within a predetermined range. To do. When the angle between the two visible satellites is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value φ and both elevation angles of the two visible satellites are included in the predetermined range, the position information of the visible satellite is included. Based on this, it is determined that the second stop condition is satisfied, and when at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, it is determined that the second stop condition is not satisfied.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the first sky plot SP1, which is created around the assumed terminal position P specified based on the base station position information transmitted from the base station 100, and has two orthogonal points. Of the axes, the direction indicating “0 °” indicates north, the direction indicating “90 °” indicates east, the direction indicating “180 °” indicates south, and the direction indicating “270 °” indicates west. Here, the sky plot shows the coordinates of the GPS satellites in the sky. Further, the elevation angle is shown concentrically with the assumed terminal position P as the center, and the elevation is lower as the center is at the zenith (elevation angle 90 °) and away from the assumed terminal position P. The angle between the two visible satellites is, for example, when the positions Ga and Gb of the first visible satellite and the second visible satellite are described in the coordinates on the first sky plot SP1, as shown in FIG. And an angle formed by two straight lines connecting the assumed terminal position P and the positions Ga and Gb. Then, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether this angle is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value φ (for example, 90 °). Further, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 has an elevation angle obtained from the positions Ga and Gb on the first sky plot SP1 equal to or higher than a predetermined elevation angle θ1 (for example, 6 °) and a predetermined elevation angle θ2 (for example, 50 °). ) Or not.

  When the visible satellites are confined in a narrow area, there is a high possibility that the visible satellites have been captured through a window or the like, and there is a high possibility that the mobile communication terminal 1 is located indoors. In addition, when it is assumed that the visible satellite capture area is not in the zenith direction because the elevation angle of the visible satellite is small, the mobile communication terminal 1 is likely to be located indoors in a building with a roof or the like. When the mobile communication terminal 1 is located at such a position, it is unlikely that a positioning result can be obtained in a short time even if GPS positioning is continued. Therefore, by determining whether or not the second stop condition is satisfied based on the position information of the visible satellite, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the positioning result by GPS positioning can be obtained in a short time. It is possible to prevent the standby time required for positioning from being wasted as a result for the user of the mobile communication terminal 1.

  In addition, when the second stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the first acquisition upper limit number M1 with reference to a capture number storage unit (not shown), and the GPS satellite G1 by the GPS satellite acquisition unit 5 It is determined whether or not the number of captures G3 has reached the upper limit number of captures M1, and if the number of captures has reached the upper limit number of captures M1, it is determined that the third stop condition is satisfied based on the number of captures. On the other hand, when the second stop condition is not satisfied, the second acquisition upper limit number M2 is extracted by referring to the acquisition number storage unit (not shown), and the GPS satellite acquisition unit 5 acquires the GPS satellites G1 to G3. It is determined whether or not the number of times has reached the upper limit number M2 of capture, and if the number of times of capture has reached the upper limit number M2 of capture, it is determined that the fourth stop condition is satisfied based on the number of times of capture. The acquisition number storage unit stores acquisition upper limit numbers M1 and M2 in association with the determination result of the second GPS positioning stop condition. The capturing upper limit number M2 is equal to or greater than the capturing upper limit number M1.

  The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when all of the first, second, and third stop conditions are satisfied, or when all of the first and fourth stop conditions are satisfied. Then, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). On the other hand, if any of the above conditions is not satisfied, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when any one of the above stop conditions is satisfied, and a value indicating GPS positioning continuation in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). May be set.

  The GPS positioning control unit 8 refers to the GPS positioning stop flag memory, and when the value indicating the GPS positioning stop is set, the GPS positioning control unit 8 stops the arithmetic processing for the GPS positioning performed in the GPS positioning unit 4 and performs positioning. The system is switched to the base station-based positioning system, and the base station-based positioning unit 19 is caused to execute calculation processing for positioning. On the other hand, when a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory, arithmetic processing for GPS positioning performed in the GPS positioning unit 4 is continuously performed.

  The display part 11 outputs the positioning result calculated | required by the arithmetic processing in the GPS positioning part 4 or the base station utilization positioning part 19 with a predetermined map image.

The standby time storage unit 12 stores standby times T ₁ , T ₂ , and T ₃ in association with values set in the captured number flag memory.

  The visible satellite information storage unit 13 includes a visible satellite position information storage unit (captured satellite position information storage unit) 13a and a visible satellite history storage unit (change history storage unit) 13b. The visible satellite position information storage unit 13a stores the Sv (t) ID of the visible satellite captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5, orbit information, time information when the positioning signal is issued, and position information in association with each other. The visible satellite history storage unit 13b stores the Sv (t) ID of the visible satellite repeatedly captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 in association with the capture time. The GPS satellite orbit information storage unit 14 stores GPS satellite orbit information in association with the Sv (t) IDs of the GPS satellites G1 to G3. This orbit information is data transmitted from the base station 100. Is updated at a predetermined timing.

  Subsequently, an operation in GPS positioning of the mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a GPS positioning procedure in the mobile communication terminal 1, and the step is abbreviated as “S”.

  When GPS positioning starts, “1” (times) is added to the acquisition number parameter (m) indicating the number of acquisitions (S1), and “1” (sec) is added to the timer parameter (t) to start time measurement. (S2). Furthermore, the positioning signals transmitted from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 are received by the GPS receiving unit 3 and input from the GPS receiving unit 3 to the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 and the captured number measuring unit 6.

  When the process proceeds to the subsequent step 3, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 executes the satellite capturing step, and based on the result of the satellite capturing step, the capturing number measuring unit 6 executes the capturing number measuring step. In the satellite capturing step, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 extracts Sv (t) ID from the input positioning signal, captures the GPS satellites G1 to G3 based on the Sv (t) ID, and identifies them as visible satellites. Further, the time and orbit data at which the positioning signal is issued are extracted from the positioning signals, and the position information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 at the time when the positioning signal is issued is obtained. The GPS satellite capturing unit 5 associates this position information with the Sv (t) ID as the visible satellite, stores it in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a as the position information of the visible satellite, and stores the captured Sv (t) ID. The visible satellite history storage unit 13b stores it in association with the value of the acquisition frequency parameter (m). Further, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 generates the first sky plot SP1 (see FIG. 4) based on the position information of the visible satellite and the assumed terminal position P. Further, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 reads the orbit information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored in the GPS satellite orbit information storage unit 14, and based on the orbit information of each GPS satellite G1 to G3 and the assumed terminal position P. A second sky plot SP2 (see FIG. 6) is generated.

  Thereafter, in the capture number measurement step, the capture number measurement unit 6 counts the number of Sv (t) IDs stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a as the Sv (t) number (capture number), and Sv (t) A value indicating the number is set in a captured number flag memory (not shown). Here, when the Sv (t) number is “0” or “1”, a value indicating “1” is set in the capture number flag memory, and when the Sv (t) number is “2”, A value indicating “2” is set in the captured number flag memory, and when the Sv (t) number is “3” or more, a value indicating “3” is set in the captured number flag memory.

  Next, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to the value set in the acquisition number flag memory and determines the number of visible satellites. Here, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the number of Sv (t) is insufficient for the required number of positioning necessary for GPS positioning, and when the required number of positioning is less than “3”. Determines whether the value set in the captured number flag memory is “1” or “2” (S4).

If it is determined in step 4 that the value set in the captured number flag memory is “1”, a GPS positioning stop determination step is executed by the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 (S5). GPS positioning stop determining unit 7 is associated to the set on the number of acquisitions flag memory value by reading GPS positioning stop time T ₁ stored in the time storage unit 12, the elapsed time t from start of GPS positioning It determines whether or not the elapsed GPS positioning stop time T _1, when has elapsed, it is determined that meets the GPS positioning stop conditions, satisfy the GPS positioning cancellation condition if not elapsed Judge that it is not. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), and it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied. Is set to a value indicating GPS positioning continuation in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown).

  When a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), a GPS positioning control step is executed by the GPS positioning control unit 8 (S10). Here, the GPS positioning control unit 8 deletes the Sv (t) ID and position information of the visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a, and performs arithmetic processing for GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 14. To stop GPS positioning, and cause the base station using positioning unit 9 to perform positioning instead. On the other hand, when a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), the GPS positioning control unit 8 proceeds to step 2 to continue the GPS positioning.

When the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines in step 4 that the value set in the capture number flag memory is “2”, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 executes a GPS positioning stop determination step, and is associated with this “2”. It reads the storage unit 12 waiting time T ₂ that is stored in, determines whether the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning has passed the waiting time T _2. When the elapsed time t is determined to have passed the waiting time T ₂ are, it determines that meets the GPS positioning stop condition, when the case has not elapsed does not satisfy the GPS positioning cancellation condition Determine (S6). If the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 sets a value indicating GPS positioning stop in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), and satisfies the GPS positioning stop condition. If it is determined that the GPS positioning is not completed, a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). When a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory, the GPS positioning control unit 8 executes a GPS positioning control step (S10). Here, the GPS positioning control unit 8 stops the GPS positioning and switches the positioning method to the base station using method, and the base station using positioning unit 9 obtains the positioning result by arithmetic processing and outputs the positioning result to the display unit 11 ( S16). Thereafter, the GPS positioning control unit 8 ends the positioning after a predetermined reset process such as resetting the GPS positioning stop flag memory or the captured number flag memory and erasing the data stored in the visible satellite information storage unit 13. When GPS positioning is stopped, positioning may be terminated without obtaining a positioning result by another positioning method such as a base station utilization method.

Further, the GPS positioning stop determining unit 7, in step 6, the elapsed time t is when determined not to have passed the GPS positioning stop time T _2, to perform the GPS positioning stop determination step. Here, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the Sv (t) ID stored in the visible satellite history storage unit 13b. The visible satellite history storage unit 13b stores the history of the Sv (t) ID extracted by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 at 1-second intervals, and the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 stores the Sv (t) related to the latest capture. ) It is determined whether or not the ID is the same as the Sv (t) ID related to the previous capture (time t-1) (S7). If not, the capture count parameter (m) is set to “0” (times). (S11), a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). Then, the GPS positioning control unit 8 proceeds to step 1 after a predetermined reset process in order to start a new GPS positioning.

  If the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that they are the same in step 7, it executes the next GPS positioning stop determination step (S8). Here, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the angle between Sv (t), that is, the angle between the two visible satellites is less than or equal to a predetermined value φ from the position information of the two visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a. It is determined whether or not the elevation angle of each visible satellite is within a predetermined range (S8). If the angle between the two visible satellites is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value φ and the elevation angle of each visible satellite is included in the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 9 to be described later, and at least one of them If the above condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to Step 11 described later.

  In step 9, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to a capture number storage unit (not shown) to extract the capture number upper limit M1, and the value of the capture number parameter (m) is equal to or less than the capture number upper limit M1. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the value of the acquisition count parameter (m) is equal to or less than the acquisition count upper limit M1, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and GPS positioning continuation is indicated in the GPS positioning stop flag memory. A value is set, and if it is determined that the acquisition count parameter (m) exceeds the acquisition count upper limit M1, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory.

  In step 11, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to a capture number storage unit (not shown) to extract the capture number upper limit M2, and the value of the capture number parameter (m) is equal to or less than the capture number upper limit M2. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the value of the acquisition count parameter (m) is equal to or less than the acquisition count upper limit M2, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and GPS positioning continuation is indicated in the GPS positioning stop flag memory. A value is set, and if it is determined that the number-of-capture parameter (m) exceeds the maximum number-of-capture value M2, the value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory.

  Thereafter, the GPS positioning control unit 8 refers to the GPS positioning stop flag memory, and when a value indicating that GPS positioning is to be continued is set, the process returns to step 1 and a value indicating that GPS positioning is stopped is set. If it is set, the GPS positioning is stopped, and the positioning method is switched from the GPS positioning to the base station using positioning (S10). The base station utilization positioning unit 9 performs positioning based on the data received from the base station 100. The data from the base station 100 includes base station position information composed of the latitude and longitude of the base station 100. The base station utilization positioning unit 9 uses, for example, the base station position information as the position information of the mobile communication terminal 1. Assuming that position information is obtained as a positioning result. Thereafter, the base station using positioning unit 9 outputs the obtained positioning result to the display unit 11 (S16), and ends positioning after a predetermined reset process.

In addition, as a result of referring to the captured number flag memory in step 3, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 stores time in association with the value set in the captured number flag memory when “3” is set. extracting the waiting time T ₃ that is stored in the section 12. Then, the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning is determined whether the elapsed waiting time T ₃ (S13), if the elapsed, the value indicating the GPS positioning discontinued GPS positioning stop flag memory Set. After that, the GPS positioning control unit 8 refers to the GPS positioning stop flag memory, stops the GPS positioning when the value indicating the GPS positioning stop is set, and switches the positioning method from the GPS positioning to the base station using positioning. Then, the positioning result is displayed on the display unit 11 (S10).

On the other hand, in step 13, when the elapsed time t is determined not to have passed the GPS positioning stop time T _3, the various GPS positioning unit 14 is activated, are stored in visible satellite position information storage unit 13a A calculation process for GPS positioning is performed based on the data and the arrival time difference between the positioning signals from the visible satellites, and the position information of the mobile communication terminal 1 is acquired as a positioning result (S14). When the GPS positioning unit 14 determines that the GPS positioning result exceeds the predetermined error range, the GPS positioning unit 14 determines that the GPS positioning result is inappropriate (S15), and returns to Step 2 to perform GPS positioning again. On the other hand, when the GPS positioning result is determined to be within the predetermined error range, it is determined that the GPS positioning result is appropriate (S15), the positioning result is output to the display unit 11 (S16), and positioning is performed after the predetermined reset process. Exit. Thereafter, these processes are repeated.

  Then, the effect | action and effect of the mobile communication terminal 1 are demonstrated. In the mobile communication terminal 1, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measurement unit 6. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, the GPS positioning is continuously performed. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning is ended.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the location of the mobile communication terminal 1 and the standby time required for GPS positioning, where the vertical axis indicates the standby time required for GPS positioning, the horizontal axis separates indoors and outdoors, and in the case of indoors, the window The distance from is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, when the mobile communication terminal 1 is indoors, the standby time required for GPS positioning increases as the distance from the window increases. In such a case, by canceling the GPS positioning based on the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3, for example, the mobile communication terminal 1 is about 10 m away from the window. By stopping GPS positioning in 20 seconds where the standby time takes 20 seconds or more, the user of the mobile communication terminal 1 does not have to wait for 20 seconds or more for GPS positioning.

  In addition, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 determines the positioning possible level when the signal strength (level) of the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 3 exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning. The GPS satellites G1 to G3 are captured based on the positioning signals that have exceeded. As a result, GPS satellites G1 to G3 that could only receive positioning signals with low signal strength are not measured as the number of captures, and therefore it is possible to determine whether or not accurate CPS positioning results can be obtained in a short time by GPS positioning. Can be improved.

  In addition, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the angle formed by the straight line connecting the positions of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 and the assumed terminal position P stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle. Since it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, it is possible to estimate whether the mobile communication terminal 1 is indoors or the like, and whether the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. Accuracy can be improved.

  When the GPS satellites G1 to G3 captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 and the previously captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 are the same as the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3, the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied. It is possible to estimate whether or not the number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 acquired in a short time is low, and whether or not the positioning result can be obtained in a short time by GPS positioning. The determination accuracy can be improved.

  In addition, the GPS positioning stop determination means determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the standby time set based on the number of captures has elapsed, so that the positioning result may be obtained by GPS positioning. The standby time can be set according to the height of the GPS, and by determining whether or not the GPS positioning stop determination condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the standby time has elapsed, the standby time required for the GPS positioning of the user of the mobile communication terminal 1 is efficiently Can be shortened well.

  In addition, when it is determined that it is difficult to obtain a positioning result by GPS positioning, the GPS positioning is stopped and the base station using positioning is switched, so that the waiting time required for the GPS positioning of the user of the mobile communication terminal 1 is shortened. However, a positioning result can be obtained.

  The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts the position information of the invisible satellites with reference to the orbit information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored in the GPS satellite information storage unit 14, and the position of the actually captured visible satellites It is also possible to determine whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the information and the position information of the invisible satellite. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the second sky plot using the orbit information of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored in the GPS satellite information storage unit 14 and the base station position information based on the data transmitted from the base station 100 is used. SP2 is generated, and the positions Gc and Gd of the visible satellites actually captured are reflected in the coordinates on the second sky plot SP2. On the second sky plot SP2, orbit information OR1 to OR6 of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 to be captured is shown, and the positions Gc and Gd of the captured visible satellites and the respective orbit information OR1 to OR6 are shown. By comparing, the orbit information OR2, OR3, OR5, OR6 of the invisible satellite is specified. When the invisible satellite capture area at the current time is specified from the orbit information of the invisible satellite and the capture area is included in a predetermined range indicating the zenith direction (for example, the elevation angle is 60 ° or more and 90 ° or less), It may be determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and if it is not included, it may be determined that it is not satisfied.

  In the above embodiment, when the GPS satellites G1 to G3 are repeatedly captured by the GPS satellite capture unit 5, the Sv (t) ID of the latest GPS satellites G1 to G3 stored in the visible satellite history storage unit 13b is used. Although it is determined whether or not the Sv (t) IDs of the past GPS satellites G1 to G3 related to the previous acquisition are the same, the GPS related to the previous acquisition for a predetermined number of times (for example, five times). It is determined whether or not the Sv (t) IDs of the satellites G1 to G3 and the Sv (t) IDs of the latest GPS satellites G1 to G3 are all the same. If they are the same, the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied. Among the Sv (t) IDs of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 related to the past acquisition for a predetermined number of times, one that is not the same as the Sv (t) ID of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 related to the latest acquisition is one. If there is one, GPS It may be determined not to meet the place stop conditions.

  In addition, the base station utilization positioning unit 9 combines the base station position information acquired from the data transmitted from the base station 100 and the arrival time difference of the positioning signals transmitted from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 to Position information may be obtained as a positioning result, or position information of the mobile communication terminal 1 may be obtained as a positioning result from distance information between the base station 100 and the mobile communication terminal 1 transmitted from a plurality of base stations 100. .

  Further, even when the number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 captured by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 is 3 or more, the GPS positioning stop determining unit 7 may execute the GPS positioning stop determining step. In this case, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 performs the same processing as in Step 7 or Step 8 above, and indicates that the GPS positioning stop flag memory indicates GPS positioning stop when it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied. If a value is set and it is not determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, a value indicating continuation of GPS positioning may be set.

[Modification]
Subsequently, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. In addition to the embodiment described above, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 may determine that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied as follows.

  That is, when the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 captures the GPS satellites G1 to G3, the GPS positioning stop determining unit 7 uses the reception level of the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 3 for GPS positioning. You may determine with satisfy | filling GPS positioning stop conditions based on the reception level of the positioning signal regarding the GPS satellites G1-G3 which has not exceeded the possible positioning possible level. That is, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied using the GPS satellites G1 to G3 that can receive the positioning signal while not being measured by the captured number measuring unit 6.

  Specifically, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 measures the CN value (Carrier to Noise ratio) of the positioning signals received from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 at each reception, and the CN value is determined from the past ( For example, if it has not increased (in comparison between the time point t-1 and the time point t), it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition (fifth stop condition) is satisfied. This is because if the CN value has not increased, it is unlikely that new GPS satellites G1 to G3 can be supplemented even if time elapses. On the other hand, if the CN value is increased, there is a high possibility that new GPS satellites G1 to G3 can be supplemented, so it is meaningful to continue GPS positioning. Note that the CN value is not necessarily used as information indicating the reception level, and an SN value (Signal to Noise ratio), reception power, or the like may be used. The CN value or the like measured for the above determination is stored in the visible satellite information storage unit 13 or the like and referred to at the time of determination. That is, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied using the GPS satellites G1 to G3 that can receive the positioning signal while not being measured by the captured number measuring unit 6.

  By determining the GPS positioning stop condition based on the positioning signal reception levels related to the GPS satellites G1 to G3 that do not exceed the positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning as described above, When there are GPS satellites G1 to G3 that can receive only a positioning signal with a low reception level, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. That is, it can be determined more accurately whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped.

  The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 uses the reception level of the positioning signal received by the GPS receiving unit 3 for GPS positioning when the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 captures the GPS satellites G1 to G3. Stop GPS positioning based on whether or not information indicating the time has been acquired from the positioning signals from GPS satellites G1 to G3 that exceed the possible positioning level (whether or not the time information indicating the time has been decoded from the positioning signal) You may determine with satisfy | filling conditions.

  Specifically, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether the time information has been acquired (decoded) from the positioning signals received from those GPS satellites G1 to G3. It is determined that (sixth cancellation condition) is satisfied. This is because if the time information cannot be acquired from the positioning signals from the GPS satellites G1 to G3, many positioning signals from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 are required for the positioning calculation. On the other hand, if the time information can be acquired from the positioning signals from the GPS satellites G1 to G3, the positioning signals from the GPS satellites used for the positioning calculation can be reduced, and it is meaningful to continue the GPS positioning. Thus, by determining whether time information can be acquired from the positioning signal, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped.

  In addition, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 may determine that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied as follows from the position information of the visible satellite with reference to the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a. In other words, the GPS positioning cancellation determination unit 7 detects from a visible satellite located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position P (for example, a range in which the elevation angle is 60 ° or more, a range in a circle having an elevation angle of 60 ° in FIG. 4). The difference between the reception level of the positioning signal and the reception level of the positioning signal from other visible satellites is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the difference value. The difference value is calculated, for example, by subtracting the reception level of positioning signals from other visible satellites from the reception level of positioning signals from visible satellites located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction. The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the difference value is less than or equal to a predetermined value set in advance. If it is determined that the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined value, 7 stop condition). Note that even when there is no visible satellite in a predetermined range in the zenith direction, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition (seventh stop condition) is satisfied. Further, when there are a plurality of visible satellites in a predetermined range in the zenith direction and other visible satellites, the visible satellite used for the determination such as selecting the visible satellite with the strongest reception level is appropriately determined. Moreover, it is good also as comparing the average value of each area (zenith direction and other than that).

  When the reception level of the positioning signal from the visible satellite in the zenith direction is weak or there is no visible satellite in the zenith direction, it is highly possible that the visible satellite has been captured through a window or the like, and the mobile communication terminal 1 has a roof or the like. It is highly likely that it is located inside a building. When the mobile communication terminal 1 is located at such a position, it is unlikely that a positioning result can be obtained in a short time even if GPS positioning is continued. Therefore, by determining whether or not the seventh stop condition is satisfied based on the position information of the visible satellite, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the positioning result by GPS positioning can be obtained in a short time. It is possible to prevent the standby time required for positioning from being wasted as a result for the user of the mobile communication terminal 1.

  The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when all of the first to third and fifth to seventh stop conditions, or the first and fourth to sixth stop conditions are satisfied, A value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a positioning stop flag memory (not shown). On the other hand, if any of the above conditions is not satisfied, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). As a modification, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when any one of the above stop conditions is satisfied, and the GPS positioning stop flag is stored in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). A value indicating continuation may not be set.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 uniformly performs GPS positioning when the standby time (T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ ) corresponding to the number of Sv (t) has elapsed. It was determined that the cancellation condition was met. However, depending on the positioning state of the GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 4, the capturing state of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5, and the measurement result of the capturing number of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the capturing number measuring unit 6 Depending on the elapse of time, there is a possibility that GPS positioning may be possible, so it may be better to continue GPS positioning.

  Therefore, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines the positioning state of the GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 4, the capturing state of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5, and the capturing of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the capturing number measuring unit 6 Even if it is determined that the GPS positioning is to be continued based on at least one of the measurement results of the number, and it is determined that the GPS positioning is to be continued, even if it is determined that the standby time has elapsed It may be determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied. In the present embodiment, determining whether to continue GPS positioning is referred to as stoppage determination.

  Specifically, for example, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS positioning is continued when the position of the terminal 1 can be calculated by the GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 4. The GPS positioning unit 4 calculates the speed of the own terminal 1 in the form of an estimated drift value (Drift value) by GPS positioning calculation. If the GPS positioning unit 4 calculates the moving speed of the terminal 1 (if it can be calculated), the GPS positioning cancellation determination unit 7 continues the GPS positioning assuming that the position of the terminal can be calculated by GPS positioning. I will let you. It is possible to determine whether or not the position is obtained by referring to the moving speed of the own terminal 1. If the position is obtained, the number of GPS-positionable satellites is visible, that is, in this case, the GPS positioning is performed. It is because it is preferable to continue. In addition, the position of the own terminal 1 that can be calculated here does not necessarily have to be a GPS positioning result. That is, the position of the own terminal 1 that can be calculated here is not required to be accurate (may be beyond a predetermined error range).

  Further, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 sets the level of positioning that can be used for the GPS positioning by the received level of the positioning signal received from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the GPS receiving unit 3 although the visible satellite is zero. The GPS positioning is continued when the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 detects a GPS satellite that does not exceed (however, a frequency that exceeds the level at which the frequency can be captured). The GPS satellites G1 to G3 that receive the positioning signals as described above can become visible satellites as time passes, and as a result, GPS positioning may be possible. Therefore, it is preferable to continue GPS positioning. It is. If a positioning signal at a level that can capture the frequency continues for a certain period of time (for example, several seconds such as 6 seconds, this time is determined in advance) but is not a visible satellite, it may become a visible satellite. Therefore, it is preferable not to continue GPS positioning after a certain period of time has elapsed (for example, several seconds such as 6 seconds, which is predetermined). Further, when there are a plurality of the GPS satellites G1 to G3, the GPS positioning may be continued.

The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 continues the GPS positioning when the number of GPS satellites G1 to G3 acquired by the acquisition number measurement unit 6 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, two or more). It is also possible to make it. Specifically, for example, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the elapsed time t from the positioning start time is a positioning timeout value T ₀ (timeout value for forcibly terminating GPS positioning, waiting times T ₁ , T ₂ , just before of T ₃ large value is set than) (e.g., the difference between the elapsed time and the time-out value is equal to or less than a preset threshold), the visible satellites is 2 or more, and from the positioning signal of the visible satellites When the time information can be acquired, the GPS positioning may be continued. Time information can be acquired when the reception level is strong. This is because if the time information is acquired, the positioning signal from the GPS satellite used for the positioning calculation can be reduced, and it is easy to perform GPS positioning.

Further, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 calculates the accuracy of the number of captures of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 based on the time change of the number of captures of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 measured by the capture number measurement unit 6, It is desirable to determine whether or not to continue GPS positioning based on accuracy. The accuracy of the number of captures indicates the degree to which the number of captures does not change over time. A method for calculating the accuracy of the number of captures will be described later. The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 has two or more visible satellites, the accuracy of the calculated number of satellites is less than or equal to a predetermined value set in advance (the number of captured satellites is likely to increase), and the positioning start time If the elapsed time from the more than predetermined time from the positioning timeout value T ₀ (for example, 2 seconds), it is also possible to continue the GPS positioning. This is because the above situation is a situation where GPS positioning is easy.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the mobile communication terminal 1, when the GPS positioning control unit 8 determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied by the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7, the positioning method is determined as the base station use positioning. By switching to the method, the base station using positioning unit 19 executes calculation processing for positioning. However, it is not necessary for the mobile communication terminal 1 to perform positioning using the base station-based positioning method, and the mobile communication terminal 1 is based on signals transmitted and received between the mobile communication terminal 1 (the communication unit 2 thereof) and the base station. It may be performed by a positioning server that performs one positioning. In that case, the GPS positioning control unit 8 requests the positioning server for positioning of the terminal itself (transmits a request signal).

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the positioning server 200 includes a reception unit 201, a positioning unit 202, and a transmission unit 203. The receiving unit 201 is a receiving unit that receives a request signal that is a request for positioning of the mobile communication terminal 1 from the mobile communication terminal 1. When the request is received by the receiving unit 201, the positioning unit 202 acquires information on transmission delay of a signal transmitted and received between the base station and the mobile communication terminal 1 related to the request signal from one or more base stations. Thus, it is a positioning means for positioning the mobile communication terminal 1 by calculating the position of the mobile communication terminal 1 by performing a positioning calculation from the information. For the positioning calculation, information on the sector where the mobile communication terminal 1 is transmitted, which is transmitted from the base station, may be used. Moreover, the positioning calculation which combined base station positioning and GPS positioning may be performed. In that case, the information regarding the GPS positioning acquired by the mobile communication terminal 10 is transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 10 to the positioning server 200 together with the request signal, for example. The transmission unit 203 is a transmission unit that transmits information (positioning result information) indicating the calculated position of the mobile communication terminal 1 to the mobile communication terminal 1 related to the request signal. The mobile communication terminal 1 receives positioning result information from the positioning server 200. The mobile communication terminal 1 and the positioning server 200 constitute a positioning calculation system. The positioning server 200 is connected to a mobile communication network including a base station that transmits and receives signals to and from the mobile communication terminal 1, and is configured as a computer including a CPU and a memory, for example.

  Subsequently, the operation in the GPS positioning of the mobile communication terminal 1 having the above-described configuration will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The GPS positioning is started by a user operation or the like as a trigger. At the time of starting GPS positioning, the time parameter (t) (sec) indicating the positioning time from the start of positioning and the acquisition frequency parameter (m) indicating the number of acquisitions held in the mobile communication terminal 1 are set to zero.

Subsequently, “1” (times) is added to the acquisition number parameter (m), and “1” (sec) is added to the timer parameter (t) (S21, corresponding to S1 and S2 in FIG. 3). This assumes that the output from the GPS receiver is performed at 1 second intervals. Even when returning in the middle of the flow, the timing of every other second is awaited. Subsequently, the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning is equal to or less than the positioning timeout value T ₀ is determined (S22). Here, if the elapsed time t has exceeded the positioning timeout value T ₀ , the positioning results up to that point are displayed on the display unit 11 (S 31, corresponding to S 16 in FIG. 3), and positioning ends.

When the elapsed time t is equal to or less than the positioning timeout value T ₀ , the positioning signals transmitted from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 are received by the GPS receiving unit 3, and the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 and the number of captures are received from the GPS receiving unit 3. Input to the measurement unit 6. Subsequently, the satellite acquisition step is executed by the GPS satellite acquisition unit 5, and the acquisition number measurement step is executed by the acquisition number measurement unit 6 based on the result of the satellite acquisition step (S23, corresponding to S3 in FIG. 3). To do). At this time, the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 acquires time information from a positioning signal that can acquire time information. In addition, a positioning signal whose signal strength is lower than a positioning possible level is input to the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7. The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 measures information (CN value) used for determination to be described later from these positioning signals, stores it in the visible satellite information storage unit 13 and the like, and refers to it at the time of determination.

  Subsequently, the GPS positioning unit 14 performs arithmetic processing for GPS positioning based on various data stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a and the arrival time difference of the positioning signal from each visible satellite, The position information of the mobile communication terminal 1 is acquired as a positioning result (S24, corresponding to S14 in FIG. 3). Subsequently, the GPS positioning unit 14 determines whether or not the GPS positioning result exceeds a predetermined error range (S25). When it is determined that the GPS positioning result is within a predetermined error range, the GPS positioning result is determined to be appropriate, and the positioning result is output to the display unit 11 (S31, corresponding to S16 in FIG. 3). The positioning is finished after the reset process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the GPS positioning result exceeds the predetermined error range, or when there is no GPS positioning result in the first place, it is determined that the GPS positioning result is inappropriate. In that case, subsequently, the accuracy of the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 is calculated by the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 (S26). Processing for calculating (predicting) accuracy of the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, an elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning is acquired. Then, progress of the positioning is calculated from the positioning timeout value _{T 0} (S261). The progress of the positioning, a degree indicating the percentage of the elapsed time t to a positioning timeout value T _0, for example, be determined by dividing the elapsed time t in the positioning timeout value T _0. Specifically, when the positioning timeout value T ₀ is 20 seconds and 10 seconds have elapsed, the progress is 50%. Subsequently, information indicating the current number of visible satellites is acquired (S262).

Subsequently, information indicating the past number of visible satellites (transition of the number of visible satellites) is acquired (S263). Then, the current number of visible satellites, from the past of the number of visible satellites of the transition, the progress of the positioning, the positioning timeout value T ₀ (at the time of positioning time-out) the number of visible satellites is predicted (S264). Specifically, for example, as shown in the graph of FIG. 9, a regression analysis using the current number of visible satellites and the transition of the past number of visible satellites is performed, and a function of the number of visible satellites according to time is calculated. Thus, prediction is performed (in FIG. 9, the solid line is a measured value and the broken line is a calculated function).

Subsequently, based on the predicted number of visible satellites, the visible satellite at the time of positioning timeout is compared with the current visible satellite, and the accuracy of the current number of visible satellites is calculated (S265). The precision, the variation in the number of visible satellites is large, because it is smaller degree, for example, as an input value the difference between the current visible satellites number of the number of visible satellites and positioning timeout value T _0, if the difference is greater The accuracy is calculated using a function that outputs a smaller function value. Also, the higher the degree of progress, the greater the accuracy. Specifically, for example, a value corresponding to the degree of progress is accurately added. The above is the processing for calculating the accuracy of the number of captured GPS satellites G1 to G3.

  Subsequently, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not to stop (S27 in FIG. 7). Processing for determining whether or not to stop is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the position of the terminal 1 can be calculated by GPS positioning (S24) by the GPS positioning unit 4 (S271). If it is determined that the position of the terminal 1 can be calculated by the GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 4, the GPS positioning is continued. Information indicating that the GPS positioning is continued is stored in the memory of the mobile communication terminal 1 (the same applies hereinafter).

  If the GPS positioning is not continued, the visible satellite is zero, but the reception level of the positioning signal received from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the GPS receiver 3 can be used for GPS positioning. It is determined whether or not the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 detects that the frequency is below the level where positioning is possible but exceeds the level at which the frequency can be captured. Further, it is determined whether or not the positioning signal is received for a certain time (for example, several seconds such as 6 seconds) (S272). As a result of the determination, if it is determined in the above determination that the reception has been performed for a certain time, the GPS positioning is not continued, and the information is stored in the memory of the mobile communication terminal 1.

If it is not the be continued GPS positioning, followed by immediately before the elapsed time t is positioning timeout value T ₀ from the positioning start time, number of acquisitions of GPS satellites G1~G3 by capturing number measurement unit 6 in advance It is determined whether or not the predetermined number (for example, two) is set and the time information is acquired from the positioning signal of the visible satellite (S273). Elapsed time t immediately before the positioning timeout value T _0, number of acquisitions is two or more, and, when the time information from the positioning signal of the visible satellites is determined to be acquired, is possible to continue GPS positioning The information is stored in the memory of the mobile communication terminal 1.

If the GPS positioning is not continued, then the number of captures of the GPS satellites G1 to G3 by the capture number measurement unit 6 is a predetermined number (for example, 2) or more, and the accuracy of the capture number is It is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and whether the elapsed time from the positioning start time preset time from the positioning timeout value T ₀ (e.g., several seconds such as 3 seconds) is more than is determined (S274). And the number of acquisitions is preset predetermined number or more, the accuracy of the number of acquisitions is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and, the elapsed time t from the positioning start time is more than time previously set from the positioning timeout value T ₀ determined Then, GPS positioning is to be continued. If the GPS positioning is not continued in the processing so far, the GPS positioning is not continued. In this embodiment, the GPS positioning is continued if any of the conditions for determining whether or not to stop is satisfied. However, the GPS positioning may be continued if a plurality of conditions are satisfied. . The above is the process for determining whether or not to stop.

Subsequently, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning has passed the GPS positioning stop times T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ corresponding to the number of captures. (Corresponding to S28 in FIG. 7 and S4, S5, S6 and S13 in FIG. 3). If it is determined that the time has elapsed, it is then determined whether or not the GPS positioning is to be continued (S29). This determination is made by confirming whether or not the information indicating that it is effective to continue the GPS positioning is stored in the memory of the mobile communication terminal 1 by the above-described stop propriety determination process.

  When it is determined that it is not effective to continue the GPS positioning, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that it is effective to continue the GPS positioning, the GPS positioning stop condition is determined. Is determined not to satisfy. If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), and it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied. When the GPS positioning is stopped, a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown).

  When a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), a GPS positioning control step is executed by the GPS positioning control unit 8 (S30, corresponding to S10 in FIG. 3). The GPS positioning control unit 8 deletes the Sv (t) ID and position information of the visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a, and cancels the arithmetic processing for GPS positioning by the GPS positioning unit 14. GPS positioning is stopped. Instead, the base station using positioning unit 9 performs positioning. The positioning result is output to the display unit 11 (S31, corresponding to S16 in FIG. 3), and the positioning ends. Here, positioning using both GPS positioning and base station positioning may be performed. Here, instead of the positioning performed by the base station using positioning unit 9, the positioning of the terminal 1 may be requested from the GPS positioning control unit 8 to the positioning server.

  When a value indicating GPS positioning continuation is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown), the GPS positioning control unit 8 shifts to the processing of S21 to continue the GPS positioning. The process is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S28 that the elapsed time t from the start of GPS positioning has not passed the GPS positioning stop times T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ according to the number of captures, the GPS positioning is continued. The stop determination unit 7 executes a GPS positioning stop determination step. Here, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS signal G1 to G3 whose positioning signal reception level exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for GPS positioning, that is, the GPS satellite corresponding to the Sv (t) ID. It is determined whether the time signal is acquired from the positioning signals from G1 to G3 (S35). If it is determined that the time signal can be acquired, “0” (times) is set in the acquisition number parameter (m) (S33, corresponding to S11 in FIG. 3), and a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). A value indicating continuation of GPS positioning is set. Thereafter, the GPS positioning control unit 8 shifts to the process of S21 after a predetermined reset process in order to start a new GPS positioning.

  When the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the time signal cannot be acquired from the positioning signal in S35, the next GPS positioning stop determination step is executed. Here, the Sv (t) ID stored in the visible satellite history storage unit 13b is extracted by the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7. The visible satellite history storage unit 13b stores a history of Sv (t) IDs extracted by the GPS satellite capturing unit 5 at 1-second intervals. The GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 performs Sv (t) related to the latest capture. ) It is determined whether or not the ID is the same as the Sv (t) ID related to the previous capture (time t-1) (S32, corresponding to S7 in FIG. 3). If they are not the same, “0” (time) is set in the number-of-captures parameter (m) (S33, corresponding to S11 in FIG. 3), and a value indicating GPS positioning continuation in a GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown) Is set. Thereafter, the GPS positioning control unit 8 shifts to the process of S21 after a predetermined reset process in order to start a new GPS positioning.

  If the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the same in S32, the next GPS positioning stop determination step is executed. Here, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the GPS signal G1 to G3 whose GPS signal reception level does not exceed the level that can be used for GPS positioning, that is, GPS satellites G1 to G1 other than Sv (t) ID. It is determined whether the CN value of G3 has increased from the previous capture (time t-1) (S34). If it has increased, “0” (time) is set in the number-of-acquisition parameter (m) (S33, corresponding to S11 in FIG. 3), and GPS positioning continuation is indicated in the GPS positioning stop flag memory (not shown). Value is set. Thereafter, the GPS positioning control unit 8 shifts to the process of S21 after a predetermined reset process in order to start a new GPS positioning.

  If the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 determines that the number has not increased in S34, the next GPS positioning stop determination step is executed. Here, based on the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a by the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7, from the visible satellites located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position P The difference between the reception level of the positioning signal and the reception level of the positioning signal from other visible satellites is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the difference value is equal to or less than a predetermined value ( S39). If the difference value is not less than or equal to a predetermined value set in advance, the process proceeds to S38 to be described later.

  When the difference value is equal to or less than a predetermined value set in advance, the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 further calculates Sv from the position information of the two visible satellites stored in the visible satellite position information storage unit 13a. During (t), that is, whether the angle between the two visible satellites is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value φ, it is further determined whether the elevation angle of each visible satellite is within a predetermined range. (S36, corresponding to S8 in FIG. 3). If the condition that the angle between the two visible satellites is less than or equal to the predetermined value φ and the elevation angle of each visible satellite is included in the predetermined range is satisfied, the process proceeds to S37 described later, and if the condition is not satisfied It progresses to S38 mentioned later.

  When the process proceeds to S37 (corresponding to S9 in FIG. 3), the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 extracts a capture number upper limit M1 with reference to a capture number storage unit (not shown), and the value of the capture number parameter (m) Is less than or equal to the capture number upper limit M1. Then, when it is determined that the value of the acquisition number parameter (m) is equal to or less than the upper limit value M1 of the acquisition number, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and the GPS positioning stop flag memory indicates GPS positioning continuation. Value is set. When it is determined that the acquisition number parameter (m) exceeds the acquisition number upper limit M1, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory.

  Further, when proceeding to S38 (S11 in FIG. 3), the GPS positioning stop determination unit 7 refers to a capture number storage unit (not shown) to extract the capture number upper limit value M2, and the value of the capture number parameter (m) is set. It is determined whether or not the number of times of capture is an upper limit value M2. Then, when it is determined that the value of the acquisition frequency parameter (m) is equal to or less than the acquisition frequency upper limit M2, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, and the GPS positioning stop flag memory is set to continue GPS positioning. The indicated value is set. When it is determined that the acquisition number parameter (m) exceeds the acquisition number upper limit M2, a value indicating GPS positioning stop is set in the GPS positioning stop flag memory. It should be noted that the determination of whether or not the GPS positioning is to be continued and the process branch (S29) in accordance with the determination is that the value of the acquisition frequency parameter (m) is not less than or equal to the acquisition frequency upper limit M2 in S37 or S38. It may also be performed when it is determined (immediately before S30).

  Thereafter, when the GPS positioning control unit 8 refers to the GPS positioning stop flag memory and a value indicating that GPS positioning is to be continued is set, the process returns to S21, and a value indicating that GPS positioning is to be stopped is set. If it is set, the GPS positioning is stopped, and the positioning method is switched from GPS positioning to base station-based positioning or the like (S30). Thereafter, the positioning result is output to the display unit 11 (S31), and positioning is terminated after a predetermined reset process. The above is the operation in the GPS positioning of the mobile communication terminal 1 according to this modification.

  As described above, if it is determined whether to continue GPS positioning based on the reception level such as the CN value, there are GPS satellites G1 to G3 that can only receive positioning signals with a low reception level. In this case, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. Further, if it is determined whether or not to continue GPS positioning based on whether or not the time information can be acquired from the positioning signal, it is possible to determine whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time. Can be improved. That is, it can be determined more accurately whether or not the GPS positioning should be stopped.

  Also, if it is determined whether or not to continue GPS positioning based on the reception level of positioning signals from the GPS satellites G1 to G3 in the zenith direction, whether or not the mobile communication terminal is indoors or not It is possible to make an estimation, and it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of whether or not the GPS positioning result can be obtained in a short time.

In addition, if it is estimated that the GPS positioning is possible as time elapses as described above, the GPS positioning stop time T ₁ , T ₂ , T ₃ has elapsed after the elapse of time. However, GPS positioning can be continued without stopping positioning when there is a possibility of positioning. As a specific determination method for determining whether or not to stop, the above-described method can be used.

  In addition, positioning is performed every second (this assumes that the output from the GPS receiver is performed at intervals of 1 second), but it is not always necessary to match the output interval from the GPS receiver. (It does not have to be every second). The elapsed time from the start may be measured without adding “1” (sec) to t at the beginning of the flow (including the case of returning), and the comparison of Sv (t) ID in S32 It may be compared with Sv (t) ID acquired at the time closest to.

  Even if GPS positioning cannot be performed, the positioning result of the mobile communication terminal can be obtained by requesting positioning from the positioning server.

It is a functional block diagram of embodiment of the mobile communication terminal which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the mobile communication terminal according to FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement procedure of a GPS positioning method. It is a figure which shows a 1st sky plot. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the location of a mobile communication terminal, and the waiting time required for GPS positioning. It is a figure which shows a 2nd sky plot. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation | movement procedure of a GPS positioning method. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which calculates the precision of the capture number of a GPS satellite. It is a graph which shows the change of the acquisition number of the GPS satellite according to positioning time. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a stop possibility determination. It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a positioning server according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile communication terminal, 2 ... Communication part, 3 ... GPS receiving part, 5 ... GPS satellite capture part, 6 ... Capture number measurement part, 7 ... GPS positioning stop determination part, 8 ... GPS positioning control part, 13a ... Visible satellite Position information storage unit, 19 ... base station utilization positioning unit, 100 ... base station, G1, G2, G3 ... GPS satellites.

Claims (4)

In a mobile communication terminal having a receiving means capable of receiving a positioning signal from a GPS satellite and capable of specifying a location by GPS positioning,
If the reception level of the positioning signal received by the receiving means exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for the GPS positioning, the GPS is based on the positioning signal received by the receiving means. Satellite capturing means for capturing the satellite;
Capture number measuring means for measuring the number of captures of the GPS satellites captured by the satellite capture means;
It is determined whether or not the GPS positioning stop time set based on the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measuring means has elapsed since the start of the GPS positioning. GPS positioning stop determining means that determines that the condition is satisfied and determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied if it has not elapsed,
When it is determined by the GPS positioning stop determining means that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning is stopped. When the GPS positioning stop determining means determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, the GPS positioning is stopped. GPS positioning control means to be continued;
Captured satellite position information storage means for storing position information of the GPS satellites captured by the satellite capture means;
Communication means capable of receiving positioning-related information usable for positioning from a base station; base station-based positioning means for performing positioning based on the positioning-related information transmitted from the base station;
With
The GPS positioning stop determining means is capable of positioning in which the reception level of the positioning signal received by the receiving means can be used for the GPS positioning when the GPS satellite is captured by the satellite capturing means. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the reception level of the positioning signal regarding the GPS satellite not exceeding the level, and the GPS satellite is captured by the satellite capturing means, the GPS satellite When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on whether or not the information indicating the time can be acquired from the positioning signal from, and when the GPS satellite is repeatedly captured by the satellite capturing unit, When the captured number measured by the captured number measuring means is two or more, stored in the captured satellite position information storage means An angle formed by a straight line connecting each position indicated by the position information of a number of GPS satellites and an assumed terminal position indicated as its assumed position is equal to or less than a predetermined angle continuously for a predetermined number of times. If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and the GPS satellite capture is repeatedly performed by the satellite capture unit, the number of captures measured by the capture number measurement unit is two. In the case of the above, based on the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the captured satellite position information storage means, the position located in a predetermined range in the zenith direction from the assumed terminal position shown as its assumed position The difference between the reception level of the positioning signal from the GPS satellite and the reception level of the positioning signal from other GPS satellites is a predetermined number of times set in advance. If the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when it is not more than a predetermined value in succession, and in addition to the determination of the GPS positioning stop condition based on the number of acquisitions measured by the acquisition number measurement means, When the GPS satellites are repeatedly captured by the satellite capturing unit, the latest GPS satellites captured by the satellite capturing unit and the GPS satellites captured in the past are continuously set a predetermined number of times. If they are the same, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied,
The GPS positioning control means stops the GPS positioning when the GPS positioning stop determining means determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and switches to the positioning by the base station using positioning means.
A mobile communication terminal characterized by the above. A communication means capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from a base station of the mobile communication network;
The GPS positioning control means stops the GPS positioning when it is determined by the GPS positioning stop determination means that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, and based on a signal transmitted to and received from the base station The mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal requests the positioning server that performs positioning of the mobile communication terminal to perform positioning of the terminal itself. In a GPS positioning method that has a receiving means capable of receiving a positioning signal from a GPS satellite, and shortens the waiting time required for GPS positioning in a mobile communication terminal capable of specifying the location by GPS positioning,
If the reception level of the positioning signal received by the receiving means exceeds the positioning possible level that can be used for the GPS positioning, the GPS is based on the positioning signal received by the receiving means. A satellite capture step to capture the satellite;
A capture number measuring step of measuring the number of captured GPS satellites captured in the satellite capturing step;
It is determined whether or not the GPS positioning stop time set based on the number of acquisitions measured in the acquisition number measurement step has elapsed since the start of the GPS positioning. A GPS positioning stop determination step that determines that the condition is satisfied and determines that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied if it has not elapsed,
When it is determined in the GPS positioning stop determination step that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied, the GPS positioning is stopped, and when it is determined in the GPS positioning stop determination step that the GPS positioning stop condition is not satisfied, the GPS positioning is performed. A GPS positioning control step to be continued;
A captured satellite position information storage step for storing position information of the GPS satellites captured in the satellite capture step;
A communication step capable of receiving positioning-related information available for positioning from a base station; a base station using positioning step for performing positioning based on the positioning-related information transmitted from the base station;
Only including,
In the GPS positioning stop determination step, when the GPS satellite is captured in the satellite capturing step, positioning is possible in which the reception level of the positioning signal received by the receiving means can be used for the GPS positioning. When it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on the reception level of the positioning signal related to the GPS satellite not exceeding the level, and the GPS satellite is captured in the satellite capturing step, the GPS satellite If it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied based on whether or not the information indicating the time can be acquired from the positioning signal from, and when the GPS satellite acquisition is repeatedly performed in the satellite acquisition step, When the captured number measured in the captured number measuring step is two or more, the captured satellite position An angle formed by a straight line connecting each position indicated by the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the information storage step and the assumed terminal position indicated as the assumed position of the GPS satellite is a predetermined value set in advance. If the GPS positioning stop condition is determined to satisfy the GPS positioning stop condition when the number of consecutive times is equal to or less than a predetermined angle, and the GPS satellite capture is repeatedly performed in the satellite capture step, the measurement is performed in the capture number measurement step. When the acquired number of acquisitions is two or more, based on the position information of the plurality of GPS satellites stored in the acquisition satellite position information storage step, from the assumed terminal position indicated as its assumed position, Reception level of the positioning signal from the GPS satellite located in a predetermined range and the GPS signal from other GPS satellites It is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied when the difference from the reception level of the position signal is not more than a predetermined value continuously for a predetermined number of times set in advance, and is measured in the acquisition number measuring step In addition to the determination of the GPS positioning stop condition based on the number of acquisitions, when the GPS satellite acquisition is repeated in the satellite acquisition step, the latest GPS satellite acquired in the satellite acquisition step and the past When the captured GPS satellites are the same for a predetermined number of consecutive times, it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied,
In the GPS positioning control step, when it is determined that the GPS positioning stop condition is satisfied in the GPS positioning stop determination step, the GPS positioning is stopped and the positioning is switched to the positioning in the base station using positioning step.
The GPS positioning method characterized by the above-mentioned. A positioning calculation system comprising the mobile communication terminal according to claim 2 and a positioning server,
The positioning server
Receiving means for receiving a positioning request of the mobile communication terminal from the mobile communication terminal;
When the request is accepted by the accepting means, positioning means for positioning the mobile communication terminal based on a signal transmitted and received between the mobile communication terminal and a base station;
Transmitting means for transmitting a result of positioning by the positioning means to the mobile communication terminal;
A positioning calculation system comprising:

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