JP2008263304A - Roaming control system, control unit, roaming destination relay device, mobile terminal, and roaming control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a roaming control system capable of improving certainty of connection with a specified roaming network and shortening the time up to roaming-out, to provide a control unit, to provide a roaming destination relay device, to provide a mobile terminal, and to provide a roaming control method. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 10 has a terminal transmission unit which transmits in-zone network information representing a list of roamable networks based upon search results to a home operator 20, and the home operator 20 has a control storage unit which previously stores priority level information representing a priority level of a roaming network to relay a communication connection, a control selector which selects a roaming network out of the list of roaming network indicated in the received in-zone network information based upon the priority level information stored in the control storage unit, and a control transmitter which transmits in-zone indication information instructing the mobile terminal to be in a zone of the selected roaming network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a roaming control system, a control device, a roaming destination relay device, a mobile terminal, and a roaming control method when a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search performs a roaming connection.

  In order to enable roaming, a telecommunications carrier that provides a mobile communication service using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone generally has a roaming contract with another telecommunications carrier. A relationship between communication service apparatuses (network operators, hereinafter referred to as operators) possessed by the communication service provider will be described with reference to FIG. The operator of the communication carrier with whom the user of the mobile phone 1 is directly contracted is referred to as a home operator 2. An operator that is a roaming relay network for communication connection between the mobile phone 1 and the home operator 2 is referred to as a relay operator 3. The home operator 2 includes a home communication network 2a that is a mobile communication network. Similarly, the relay operator 3 includes a relay communication network 3a in which the mobile phone 1 can be located. The mobile phone 1 can be connected to the home operator 2 via the relay operator 3.

  In a roaming contract using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone 1, a communication fee paid by a telecommunications carrier operating a home operator 2 to a telecommunications carrier operating a relay operator 3 is generally defined. Here, as the amount of communication through the same relay operator 3 increases, the discount rate of the communication fee to be paid to the communication carrier operating this relay operator 3 is set higher, and the communication fee may be reduced. Yes (so-called value discount benefits).

  A telecommunications carrier capable of receiving the benefit of such a privilege, when the communication fee paid to the telecommunications carrier operating the relay operator 3 is reduced, makes the usage fee charged to the user by the telecommunications carrier cheaper. You can also Therefore, for this communication carrier, the roaming out (that is, out of the home communication network 2a of the home operator 2 that was in the area and entering the relay communication network 3a of the relay operator 3) The mobile terminal is preferably connected to a specific relay operator. In addition, a better communication environment can be provided to the user by connecting to a relay operator in which communication conditions such as radio wave conditions are stable.

Currently, a technique in which roaming information for detecting a relay operator at a roaming destination is selected and obtained in advance by a user from a web page of a telecommunications carrier that operates the operator is being studied. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile terminal device that stores such roaming information obtained by a user and detects a relay operator using the roaming information at a roaming destination. . This reduces the time during which the mobile terminal device cannot be used by detecting the relay operator without searching all bands at the roaming destination.
JP 2007-28479 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, the user selects and obtains roaming information, and the roaming-out user's mobile terminal connects to the roaming network, which is a specific mobile communication network as much as possible. Such control has not been fully studied.

  In addition, the user needs to obtain the roaming information in advance before starting the movement. For example, when the movement destination is changed, appropriate roaming information cannot be obtained. In this case, since it is necessary to obtain the roaming information first in order to roam out at the destination, there is a problem that it takes too much time to roam out at the destination.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and improves the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network and can reduce the time until roaming out, It is an object to provide a control device, a roaming destination relay device, a mobile terminal, and a roaming control method.

  To achieve the above object, a roaming control system according to the present invention is based on a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located, and a search result of the band search. Control for controlling communication connection between a plurality of roaming networks, which are mobile communication networks in which the mobile terminal can be located, and a mobile terminal via any of the plurality of roaming networks when the mobile terminal performs roaming connection In the roaming control system comprising the apparatus, the mobile terminal has a terminal transmission unit that transmits to the control device the visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that can be located based on the search result. A control storage unit that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority order of the roaming network for relaying the connection, and the roaming indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal A control selection unit that selects a roaming network for relaying a communication connection based on priority information stored in the control storage unit, and a location that instructs the presence of the roaming network selected by the control selection unit And a control transmission unit that transmits the instruction information to the mobile terminal.

  In the roaming control system according to the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information to the control device, and the control device adds the priority information from the list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information. Based on this, a roaming network for relaying the above-described communication connection is selected, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be in the roaming network and is in service. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do.

  In addition, when the roaming network is not indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal, the control transmission unit preferably transmits band search instruction information for instructing to perform the band search again to the mobile terminal. Thereby, when there is no appropriate roaming network for the mobile terminal to be in the area, the roaming network can be searched by the band search.

  To achieve the above object, the control device according to the present invention enables a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search to detect a mobile communication network capable of being located to roam based on a search result of the band search. In the control device that controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any one of a plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks in which the mobile terminal can be located when the connection is performed, A control storage unit that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority order of the roaming network that relays the connection, and visited network information that indicates a list of roaming networks in which the mobile terminal can be located based on the search result is received from the mobile terminal The communication connection is relayed based on the priority information stored in the control storage unit from the list of roaming networks indicated in the control reception unit and the visited network information received by the control reception unit. A control selector for selecting that roaming network, characterized by and a control transmission unit that transmits to the mobile terminal the located instruction information that instructs located in the roaming network to control selection section has selected.

  In the control device according to the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information to the control device, and the control device is based on the priority order information from the list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information. Then, a roaming network for relaying the communication connection is selected, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be located in this roaming network, and is located. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do.

  Further, when the visited network information includes visited restriction information indicating a roaming network in which the mobile terminal is restricted, the roaming network list indicated in the visited network information is changed to the visited restriction information. It is preferable to further include a control suppression unit that excludes the indicated roaming network or lowers the priority of the roaming network indicated by the location restriction information in the priority information. Thereby, the location of the mobile terminal with respect to the roaming network that is not appropriate for the location of the mobile terminal can be prevented or suppressed.

  In addition, the control selection unit relays the communication connection when the priority stored in the control storage unit of the roaming network through which the visited network information received by the control reception unit passes is higher than that of other roaming networks. It is also preferable to select a roaming network through which the visited network information passes. Thereby, the certainty of connecting to a specific roaming network can be further improved.

  The control transmission unit transmits band search instruction information to the mobile terminal to instruct the mobile terminal to perform the band search again when the roaming network is not indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal. Is also preferable. Thereby, when there is no appropriate roaming network for the mobile terminal to be in the area, the roaming network can be searched by the band search.

  In order to achieve the above object, a roaming destination relay apparatus according to the present invention is based on a search result of a band search by a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network that can be located. When the roaming connection is performed, the control device controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any one of a plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks in which the mobile terminal can be located. When the roaming destination relay device receives from the mobile terminal the visited network information indicating the list of roaming networks in which the mobile terminal can be located based on the search result, the roaming destination relay device relays the communication connection. In the control device that stores the priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network in advance, the visited area request unit for transmitting the visited network information and the visited network information are received. When network selection information indicating the roaming network selected by the control device based on the priority information is received from the control device, the location instruction information for instructing the mobile terminal to be in the roaming network indicated by the network selection information is sent to the mobile terminal. And a location indicator that transmits the band search instruction information to the mobile terminal when receiving the band search instruction information from the control device for transmitting and instructing the mobile terminal to perform the band search again. And

  In the roaming destination relay device according to the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information to the control device, and the control device uses the priority order information from the roaming network list indicated in the visited network information. The roaming network for relaying the communication connection is selected based on the above, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be in the roaming network to be in the area. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do. Further, when the above band search instruction information is received, it is possible to instruct the mobile terminal to perform the band search again.

  In order to achieve the above object, the mobile terminal according to the present invention can perform a band search for detecting a mobile communication network that can be located, and establish a roaming connection based on a search result of the band search. In a mobile terminal where a control device performs control of communication connection via a roaming network that is located in any of a plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks that can be located, A terminal transmission unit for transmitting visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that can be located based on a search result to a control device that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network that relays the communication connection; Terminal receiving unit for receiving from the control device location instruction information for instructing to be in the roaming network selected based on the priority information by the control device that has received the visited network information , Characterized by having a a terminal processing unit which performs the serving process for roaming networks that the terminal receiver is shown in Visited instruction information received.

  In the mobile terminal according to the present invention, the visited network information is transmitted to the control device, and the control device receives the above-described priority order information from the roaming network list indicated in the visited network information. A roaming network for relaying the communication connection is selected, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be located in this roaming network. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do.

  In addition, the roaming network that excludes the roaming network that is not in the service area from the target of the band search or transmits the area restriction information indicating the roaming network that is not in the service area to the control device, and the roaming indicated by the service area instruction information It is also preferable that the roaming network that does not exist is not included in the network. Thereby, the location of the mobile terminal with respect to the roaming network that is not appropriate for the location of the mobile terminal can be prevented or suppressed.

  In addition, when the terminal receiving unit receives the band search instruction information for instructing to perform the band search again from the control device, the terminal receiving unit further includes a band search control unit for performing the band search again. It is also preferable to send visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that can be visited to the control device. Thereby, when there is no appropriate roaming network for the mobile terminal to be in the area, the roaming network can be searched by the band search.

  In order to achieve the above object, a roaming control method according to the present invention is based on a search result of a band search when a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network that can be located. In the roaming control method in which the control device controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any of a plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks in which the mobile terminal can be located when performing roaming connection, The roaming control method includes a control reception step in which a control device receives a visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks in which a mobile terminal can be located based on a search result, and a visited network received by the control reception step. The communication connection is relayed based on the priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network that relays the communication connection from the roaming network indicated in the information. A control selection step in which the control device selects the roaming network; and a control transmission step in which the location instruction information instructing to be in the roaming network selected in the control selection step is transmitted to the mobile terminal. And

  In the roaming control method according to the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information to the control device, and the control device adds the priority information from the list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information. Based on this, a roaming network for relaying the above-described communication connection is selected, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be in the roaming network and is in service. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a roaming control method according to the present invention is a roaming control method using a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located, When a roaming connection is made based on the search result of the band search, it is located in one of a plurality of roaming networks, which are mobile communication networks that can be located, and the communication connection via the roaming network in which it is located In the roaming control method using a mobile terminal in which control is performed by the control device, the roaming control method is based on the search result in the control device that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network for relaying the communication connection. A terminal transmission step in which the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks in which the terminal can be located, and the control that has received the visited network information The terminal reception step in which the mobile terminal receives from the control device the location instruction information that instructs to be in the roaming network selected based on the priority order information by the position, and the location indication information received by the terminal reception step. And a terminal processing step in which the mobile terminal performs a location processing for the indicated roaming network.

  In the roaming control method according to the present invention, the mobile terminal transmits the visited network information to the control device, and the control device adds the priority information from the list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information. Based on this, a roaming network for relaying the above-described communication connection is selected, and the mobile terminal is instructed to be in the roaming network and is in service. Thereby, the roaming network is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal can be located in this roaming network. As a result, the reliability of connecting to a specific roaming network can be improved. In addition, since the roaming network is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the roaming destination and shortens the time until roaming out. can do.

  According to the present invention, the roaming control system, the control device, the roaming destination relay device, the mobile terminal, and the roaming control capable of improving the certainty of connecting to a specific roaming network and reducing the time until roaming out. A method can be provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(1) Configuration of Roaming Control System First, the roaming control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the roaming control system 100 for controlling roaming of the mobile terminal and the flow of roaming control. The roaming control system 100 includes a mobile terminal 10 (mobile terminal), a home operator 20 (control device), and a plurality of relay operators 30, 40, and 50 (a roaming network configured to include a roaming destination relay device described later). , Including. Each of the home operator 20 and the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 is configured to include a mobile communication network. For example, the home operator 20 includes a home communication network 20a, and the relay operator 30 includes a relay communication network 30a.

  Here, it is assumed that there are three relay operators, but the number of relay operators is not particularly limited. In addition, although it is assumed that the cover areas of the relay communication networks 30a, 40a, and 50a provided by each of the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 are overlapped, the number of overlapping cover areas is not particularly limited. Each of the relay communication networks 30a, 40a, and 50a is a network that is roaming with the home communication network 20a provided by the home operator 20, and the mobile terminal 10 is connected to each of the relay communication networks 30a, 40a, and 50a for roaming. Can be in the area.

  In addition, here, the mobile terminal 10 will be described as being in a region where the above-described cover region overlaps. That is, the mobile terminal 10 can communicate by connecting to any one of the mobile communication networks 30a, 40a, and 50a. In the following, the relay operator 30 among the relay operators 30, 40, 50 will be described as a representative.

  Note that the relay communication network 30 a is under the jurisdiction of the relay operator 30. For this reason, the portable terminal 10 performs location registration with respect to the relay operator 30 via the relay communication network 30a in order to establish roaming connection. The home operator 20 controls communication connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the home operator 20 via the relay operator 30. By controlling communication connection by the home operator 20, the mobile terminal 10 can establish communication connection with the home operator 20 via the relay operator 30.

  The mobile terminal 10 is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, and a communication terminal capable of performing a band search. By performing a band search, it is possible to detect operators available at the current location of the mobile terminal 10. The physical configuration and functional configuration of the mobile terminal 10 will be described later.

  The home operator 20 is a device operated by a telecommunications carrier with whom the user of the mobile terminal 10 is directly contracted. The home operator 20 controls communication connection by roaming between the mobile terminal 10 and the own device (that is, the home operator 20) via any one of the relay operators 30, 40, and 50. The physical configuration and functional configuration of the home operator 20 will be described later.

  The relay operator 30 is a communication device network configured to include a roaming destination relay device that relays a communication connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the home operator 20. In other words, the relay operator 30 is a mobile communication network in which the mobile terminal 10 can be located when performing roaming connection based on the search result of the band search performed by the mobile terminal 10. When the mobile terminal 10 roams out (that is, when the mobile terminal 10 goes out of the area of the home communication network 20a that has been in the area and enters the relay communication network 30a of the relay operator 30), the mobile terminal 10 The location is registered with the relay operator for communication connection. “Location registration” refers to processing performed for an operator such as the relay operator 30 or the home operator 20 in order to complete the location processing of the mobile terminal 10 for the operator. The physical configuration and functional configuration of the relay operator 30 will be described later.

(2) Configuration of Home Operator Next, the configuration of the home operator 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating functional configurations of the home operator 20, the relay operator 30, and the mobile terminal 10. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the hardware configuration of the home operator 20 and the relay operator 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the home operator 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, which are main storage devices, a communication module 204 for performing communication, In addition, it is configured as a computer including hardware such as an auxiliary storage device 205 such as a hard disk. The function of the home operator 20 is exhibited by the operation of these components.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the home operator 20 includes a control storage unit 21, a control reception unit 22, a control selection unit 23, a control transmission unit 24, and a control suppression unit 25 as functional components. ,have. The control storage unit 21 is a storage device that stores priority order information in advance. The priority order information is information indicating the priority order of the relay operators that relay the communication connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the home operator 20. The priority information includes, for example, “Priority 1st = Relay Operator 30; Priority 2nd = Relay Operator 40; Priority 3rd = Relay Operator 50” and the like. This priority order is determined based on, for example, the degree of cheaper communication charges necessary for performing roaming communication, the good radio wave condition, and the like.

  The control receiving unit 22 is a communication device that receives visited network information from the mobile terminal 10 via the relay operator 30. The visited network information is a list indicating relay operators in which the mobile terminal 10 can be located based on a search result by the mobile terminal 10. That is, the visited network information is information requesting that a relay operator that relays the communication connection be selected from the above list.

  The control selection unit 23 relays the communication connection based on the priority order information stored in the control storage unit 21 from the list of relay operators indicated in the visited network information received by the control reception unit 22. Is an arithmetic processing unit for selecting. When the priority of the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) that has transmitted the visited network information is higher than that of other roaming networks (for example, the relay operator 50), the control selection unit 23 serves as a relay operator that relays the communication connection. The relay operator (for example, relay operator 40) is selected.

  Note that the control selection unit 23 sets the control transmission unit 24 when the relay operator indicated in the visited network information does not include a relay operator for which priority is given to relaying the communication connection with the mobile terminal 10. Band search instruction information to be described later may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 to perform a band search, or location registration of the mobile terminal 10 may be allowed for a relay operator who has transmitted the visited network information.

  The control transmission unit 24 is a communication device that transmits in-zone instruction information to the mobile terminal 10 via any one of the relay operators (for example, the relay operator 30). The in-zone instruction information is information for instructing the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) selected by the control selection unit 23 to be in the area. When the control transmission unit 24 transmits the location instruction information to the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal 10 issues a location registration request to the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) indicated by the location instruction information. .

  Note that the control transmission unit 24 displays the band search instruction information when there is no relay operator indicated in the visited network information received by the control reception unit 22 from the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30). The data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 via one of the operators (for example, the relay operator 30). The band search instruction information is information for instructing the mobile terminal 10 to perform a band search again. The mobile terminal 10 that has received the band search instruction information performs the band search again.

  When the visited network information includes the visited area restriction information, the control suppressing unit 25 selects the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) indicated in the visited area restriction information from the list of the relay operators indicated in the visited network information. It is an arithmetic processing unit that excludes or lowers the priority of the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) indicated by the location restriction information in the priority information stored in the control storage unit 21. The location restriction information is information indicating a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) whose location of the mobile terminal 10 is restricted. That is, the location restriction information is information indicating a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) that is not a target where the mobile terminal 10 is located.

(3) Configuration of Relay Operator Next, the configuration of the relay operator 30 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the physical components of the relay operator 30 are the same as those of the home operator 20 described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the relay operator 30 includes a located area request unit 31 and a located area instruction unit 32 as functional components.

  The visited area request unit 31 is a communication device that transmits the visited network information to the home operator 20 when receiving the visited network information indicated by the relay operator from the mobile terminal 10. As described above, the visited network information indicates a list of relay operators that can accept location registration based on the search result of the band search by the mobile terminal 10. In other words, the visited network information is information requesting to select a relay operator to relay the communication connection from the relay operators shown in this list.

  The located area instruction unit 32 is a communication device that transmits the located area instruction information to the mobile terminal 10 when the network selection information is received from the home operator 20. The network selection information is information indicating the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) selected based on the priority information by the home operator 20 that has received the visited network information. The location instruction information is information that instructs location registration and location for a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) indicated by the network selection information. In addition, when the location instruction unit 32 receives the band search instruction information from the home operator 20, it transmits the band search instruction information to the mobile terminal 10.

(4) Configuration of Mobile Terminal Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 9. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the mobile terminal 10 includes hardware such as a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an operation unit 104, a wireless communication unit 105, a display 106, and an antenna 107. When these components operate, the functions described below are exhibited.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 10 includes, as functional components, a terminal transmission unit 11, a terminal reception unit 12, a terminal processing unit 13, a band search control unit 14, and a broadcast information acquisition unit. 15, a broadcast information analysis unit 16, and a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) list storage unit 17. The terminal transmission unit 11 is a communication device that transmits the visited network information to the home operator 20 via any one of the relay operators (for example, the relay operator 30). The visited network information is information indicating a list of relay operators that can accept location registration, that is, can be located, based on a search result by band search by the band search control unit 14 described later.

  Further, the terminal transmission unit 11 transmits the location restriction information to the home operator 20 via any one of the relay operators (for example, the relay operator 30). The location restriction information is information indicating a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) that is not a target for which the mobile terminal 10 performs location registration. The location restriction information is input to the mobile terminal 10 by the user.

  The terminal reception unit 12 is a communication device that receives location instruction information from the home operator 20 via any one of the relay operators (for example, the relay operator 30). The location instruction information is information that instructs the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) selected by the home operator 20 that has received the above-described visited network information to be in the area.

  The terminal receiving unit 12 receives band search instruction information from the home operator 20 that has received the visited network information via a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30). The band search instruction information is information for instructing the mobile terminal 10 to perform a band search again.

  The terminal processing unit 13 is a device that performs a location process for a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) indicated in the location instruction information received by the terminal reception unit 12. That is, the terminal processing unit 13 transmits a signal requesting position registration to the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) indicated in the location instruction information.

  The band search control unit 14 is a part that performs band search. When the user turns on the mobile terminal 10 by turning on the power, the band search control unit 14 performs a band search. When the terminal receiving unit 12 receives the band search instruction information from the home operator 20 that has received the visited network information via the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30), the band search control unit 14 performs the band search again. . The band search instruction information is information for instructing the mobile terminal 10 to perform a band search again. Also, when roaming out (that is, out of the communication network of the operator who was in the area and entering the communication network of the relay operator), or when the mobile terminal 10 selects a cell when returning from the service area In addition, the band search control unit 14 performs a band search.

  Note that the band search control unit 14 can exclude a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) that is not a target for location registration (that is, a target that is not located) from a target of band search in advance. This is because, when the user of the mobile terminal 10 performs a band search, “a relay operator who has a selectable radio wave level but whose location registration is rejected due to some trouble or cause” (for example, the relay operator 50). This is possible if you know in advance. This process is effective when the home operator 20 cannot detect that the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 50) cannot register the position. This process can reduce the risk that the home operator 20 designates “a relay operator whose location cannot be registered” (for example, the relay operator 50). The certainty can be improved. As a result, since the band search time can be shortened, the power consumption of the mobile terminal 10 can be reduced.

  Here, in the state where “relay operator that cannot register (i.e., location)” (e.g., relay operator 50) has already been detected in the home operator 20, this relay operator (here, that cannot be location) cannot be registered (in this case). When the mobile terminal 10 tries to perform location registration with respect to the relay operator 50), regardless of whether or not the location registration is successful, the response to the request for location registration (that is, the signal for rejecting location registration) Information on “a relay operator that cannot be registered” (here, relay operator 50) is included and transmitted from the home operator 20 to the portable terminal 10 via the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30). When the mobile terminal 10 receives this response signal, the band search control unit 14 stores “a relay operator that cannot register a position” (here, the relay operator 50) and performs a process of excluding it from the band search target in advance.

  The broadcast information acquisition unit 15 is a part that instructs acquisition of all of the broadcast information that can be acquired when a band search is performed. The notification information is information that a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30) notifies the mobile terminal 10 via the base station. The notification information includes information necessary for the mobile terminal 10 to make a communication connection, such as information that allows the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 30) to be specified, and parameter information used when the mobile terminal 10 selects a cell. include. The notification information acquisition unit 15 transmits the acquired notification information to the notification information analysis unit 16.

  The broadcast information analysis unit 16 is an arithmetic processing device that extracts and acquires a PLMN list from the received broadcast information and a band search search result by the band search control unit 14. The PLMN list is a list (that is, visited network information) that indicates relay operators that can accept location registration (that is, the location of the mobile terminal). When the storage of the list in the PLMN list storage unit 17 ends, the broadcast information analysis unit 16 requests the terminal processing unit 13 to execute location registration.

  The PLMN list storage unit 17 is a storage device that stores the extracted PLMN list. Here, it is assumed that the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 are detected, and the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 are recorded in the PLMN list.

(5) Flow of Roaming Control Next, the flow of roaming control will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 1, a band search is performed in the mobile terminal 10, and a selectable PLMN list, that is, a list indicating relay operators that can accept location registration (that is, the mobile terminal is located) is collected. By this band search, all frequency bands that can be searched at the present time are searched. However, if the band search is frequently performed, the process in which the mobile terminal 10 is located (that is, the process of determining which cell of which relay operator to select) is delayed, and as a result, the subsequent Processing is delayed. For this reason, it is necessary to limit the execution timing of the band search in order to suppress the delay of the above-described in-zone processing as much as possible.

  Here, the first preferred band search execution timing is when a band search is instructed by the user of the mobile terminal 10. If the user himself / herself tries to select a relay operator, if a band search is performed, a list of relay operators that can be selected at the present time can be collected. The second preferred timing for performing the band search is that the mobile terminal 10 is turned on when the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, or the cell selection process is activated when the mobile terminal 10 changes from a state outside the communication range to a state within the communication range. When it becomes possible.

  Next, as stage 2, when the mobile terminal 10 performs location registration (that is, is located) with a relay operator (for example, relay operator 30), a location registration request signal including the PLMN list collected in step 1 is received. The data is transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 to the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30). This location registration request signal is a signal for requesting location registration for the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30).

  Next, as Step 3, a relay operator (here, relay operator 30) transmits an authentication request signal requesting to select a relay operator from the PLMN list to the home operator 20. This authentication request signal is a signal for a relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 30) to request authentication from the home operator 20, and includes a PLMN list.

  Next, as step 4, the home operator 20 selects a relay operator based on the priority order of the relay operator from the PLMN list included in the authentication request signal. Here, in the PLMN list, there is a “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” (for example, the relay operator 40), and this relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) to be given priority is If the priority is higher than the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 30) that has requested location registration, the location registration of the mobile terminal 10 at this time is rejected.

  Next, in step 5, the home operator 20 sends the location instruction information for instructing the selected relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) to register the location (that is, the location), to the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30). Send. More specifically, it indicates the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) who wants to give priority to the above connection, and is in-area instruction information for notifying the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30) of the mobile terminal 10 of the location registration rejection. The home operator 20 transmits a certain authentication rejection signal to the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30).

  Next, as Step 6, the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30) is a location registration which is location instruction information indicating the “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay” (here, the relay operator 40) indicated by the home operator 20. A rejection signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10.

  In step 7, the mobile terminal 10 can be in the service area by performing position registration for the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) indicated by the position registration rejection signal (in-service area instruction information).

(6) Processing executed in roaming control system and portable terminal Next, processing executed in the roaming control system 100 according to the present embodiment (roaming control method) and processing executed in the portable terminal 10 (roaming control method). Will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart in a case where the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, and there is a “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” (for example, the relay operator 40) in the PLMN list. It is. FIG. 5 shows a case where the power of the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, and there is no “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” (for example, the relay operator 40) in the PLMN list. It is a flowchart of. FIG. 6 is a flowchart when the mobile terminal 10 tries to perform location registration in a state where it does not have a PLMN list.

  Each of these processes is performed, for example, when the mobile terminal 10 is turned on (FIGS. 4 and 5) or the mobile communication network in which the mobile terminal 10 is currently located is detected out of range. This is done at time (FIG. 6). In other words, these processes are performed when the mobile terminal 10 may roam out.

(6-1) First Example of Processing First, when the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, and in the PLMN list, “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” (here A case where there is a relay operator 40) will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the portable terminal 10, when the power is turned on (S01), the band search control unit 14 performs a band search (S02). As a result, all frequency bands that can be searched at this time are searched, and a selectable PLMN list (that is, a list showing relay operators that can accept location registration) is collected (S03). Here, it is assumed that three relay operators 30, 40, and 50 are detected. Next, the cell of the relay operator 30 is selected by the user from the relay operators 30, 40, and 50, and is input to the mobile terminal 10 (S04). As a result, the relay operators 40 and 50 that are the remaining relay operators are shown in the PLMN list.

  Next, when the mobile terminal 10 performs location registration (that is, is located) with the relay operator 30, the location registration request signal including the PLMN list collected in step S03 is transmitted from the terminal transmission unit 11 to the relay operator 30. (S05, terminal transmission step). This location registration request signal is a signal for requesting location registration to the relay operator 30, and may be Attach. Relay operators 40 and 50 are shown in the PLMN list included in the location registration request signal.

  Next, the location request unit 31 that has received the location registration request signal transmits an authentication request signal requesting to select a relay operator from the PLMN list to the home operator 20 (S06, control reception step). This authentication request signal is a signal for requesting the home operator 20 for authentication.

  Next, the control selection unit 23 selects a relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) from the PLMN list included in the authentication request signal based on the priority information of the relay operator (S07, control selection step). Information indicating the priority order of the relay operators is stored in the control storage unit 21. If the relay operator that sent the authentication request signal (here, relay operator 30) has a higher priority than the relay operator in the PLMN list, the relay operator that sent the authentication request signal (here: The location registration of the mobile terminal 10 with respect to the relay operator 30) is permitted.

  Next, the control transmission unit 24 transmits to the relay operator 30 the location instruction information for instructing the selected relay operator 40 to be present (S08, control transmission step). More specifically, the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) who wants to give priority to the relay of the connection is indicated, and the authentication rejection signal for notifying the relay operator 30 of the mobile terminal 10 at this time is rejected. The transmission unit 24 transmits to the relay operator 30. The located area instruction unit 32 transmits an Attach or position registration refusal signal, which is the located area indicating information indicating that “the relay operator 40 wants to give priority to relay” transmitted from the home operator 20 to the mobile terminal 10 (S09, S09). Terminal reception step).

  Next, the terminal processing unit 13 of the mobile terminal 10 that has received the above-mentioned area instruction information selects the cell of the relay operator 40 indicated by the area instruction information (S10). Then, the terminal processing unit 13 performs a location process for the relay operator 40. In other words, in order to perform location registration for the relay operator 40, an Attach or location registration request signal is transmitted to the relay operator 40 (S11, terminal registration step).

  Thereby, the relay operator 40 is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal 10 can be located in the relay operator 40. As a result, the certainty of connecting to a specific relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) can be improved. In other words, it is possible to improve the certainty that the user can use a specific relay operator as much as possible. Further, since the relay operator 40 is appropriately selected based on the priority order information, the user does not need to obtain roaming information for detecting the roaming network at the destination to roam out, and the time until roaming out is obtained. It can be shortened.

(6-2) Second Example of Processing Next, it is a case where the power of the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, and there is no “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” in the PLMN list. The case will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the portable terminal 10, when the power is turned on (S21), the band search control unit 14 performs a band search (S22). As a result, all frequency bands that can be searched at the present time are searched, and a selectable PLMN list is collected (S23). Here, it is assumed that only the relay operator 30 is detected. Next, the cell of the relay operator 30 is selected by the user and input to the mobile terminal 10 (S24). Here, as an example, the cell of the relay operator 30 is selected by the user. However, in the 3GPP system, for example, manual PLMN selection (selection by the user) and automatic PLMN selection (preset in the mobile terminal 10) There are two types in the case of selection based on terminal settings), and automatic PLMN selection may be used instead of manual PLMN selection. As a result of selecting the cell of the relay operator 30, a list having no contents is shown in the PLMN list.

  Next, when the mobile terminal 10 performs location registration with respect to the relay operator 30 (that is, is located), the location transmission request signal including the PLMN list having no content collected in step S23 is transmitted to the terminal transmission unit 11. Is transmitted to the relay operator 30 (S25, terminal transmission step). This location registration request signal is a signal for requesting location registration to the relay operator 30, and may be Attach. The PLMN list included in the location registration request signal indicates a list having no content.

  Next, the location request unit 31 that has received the location registration request signal transmits to the home operator 20 an authentication request signal that requests to select a relay operator from the PLMN list (S26, control reception step). This authentication request signal is a signal for requesting the home operator 20 for authentication.

  Next, the control selection unit 23 tries to select a relay operator from the PLMN list included in the authentication request signal. However, the PLMN list shows a list that is blank because there is no content. Therefore, the control selection unit 23 selects the relay operator 30 that has transmitted the authentication request signal as a relay operator that relays the communication connection (S27, control selection step). Even when the PLMN list itself does not exist, the control selection unit 23 may select the relay operator 30 that has transmitted the authentication request signal as a relay operator that relays the communication connection.

  Next, the control transmission unit 24 transmits to the relay operator 30 the location instruction information for instructing the selected relay operator 30 to be present (S28, control transmission step). This location instruction information is a response signal (authentication success response signal) for notifying the success of the authentication in response to the authentication request signal in step S26. The located area instruction unit 32 sends an Attach or position registration response signal, which is located area information indicating “the relay operator 30 is selected as the relay operator to relay the communication connection” indicated by the home operator 20. (S29). As a result, the mobile terminal 10 can perform communication connection by roaming connection.

  In this way, if there is no relay operator that the home operator 20 wants to prioritize in the PLMN list received, or if there is no PLMN list itself, other than the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30) that sent the authentication request signal. It is determined that there is no relay operator, and the location registration of the portable terminal 10 is permitted for the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30) that has sent the authentication request signal.

(6-3) Third Example of Processing Next, the case where the mobile terminal 10 tries to perform location registration in a state where it does not have a PLMN list will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the mobile terminal 10, when performing location registration with respect to the relay operator 30 (that is, in the area), a location registration request signal not including the PLMN list is transmitted from the terminal transmission unit 11 to the relay operator 30 (S41). . This location registration request signal is a signal for requesting location registration to the relay operator 30, and may be Attach.

  Next, the location request unit 31 that has received the location registration request signal transmits an authentication request signal requesting to select a relay operator from the PLMN list to the home operator 20 (S42, control reception step). This authentication request signal is a signal for requesting the home operator 20 for authentication.

  Next, the control selection unit 23 of the home operator 20 determines that there is no PLMN list (S43). Then, the control selection unit 23 transmits an authentication rejection signal notifying the rejection of the location registration of the mobile terminal 10 at the present time to the relay operator 30 while instructing the collection of the PLMN list (S44).

  Next, the located area instruction unit 32 instructs the collection of the PLMN list and sends an Attach or position registration rejection signal, which is band search instruction information for notifying the rejection of the location registration of the mobile terminal 10 at the present time, to the mobile terminal 10. Transmit (S45).

  Next, in the mobile terminal 10 that has received the band search instruction information, the band search control unit 14 performs a band search (S46). Thereby, a PLMN list (that is, visited network information) that can be selected at the present time is collected (S47). Here, it is assumed that the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 are detected. Next, the cell of the relay operator 30 is selected from the relay operators 30, 40, and 50 by the user, and is input to the mobile terminal 10. As a result, the relay operators 40 and 50 that are the remaining relay operators are shown in the PLMN list.

  Next, in order for the mobile terminal 10 to perform location registration with respect to the relay operator 30 again (that is, to be located), the location registration request signal including the PLMN list collected in step S47 is relayed from the terminal transmission unit 11. It is transmitted to the operator 30 (S48, terminal transmission step). This location registration request signal is a signal for requesting location registration to the relay operator 30, and may be Attach. Relay operators 40 and 50 are shown in the PLMN list included in the location registration request signal.

  Next, the location request unit 31 that has received the location registration request signal transmits to the home operator 20 an authentication request signal that requests to select a relay operator from the PLMN list (S49, control reception step). This authentication request signal is a signal for requesting the home operator 20 for authentication. Relay operators 40 and 50 are shown in the PLMN list included in the authentication request signal.

  Next, the control selection unit 23 selects a relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) from the PLMN list included in the authentication request signal based on the priority order of the relay operator (S50, control selection step). Information indicating the priority order of the relay operators is stored in the control storage unit 21.

  Next, the control transmission unit 24 transmits to the relay operator 30 the location instruction information that instructs the selected relay operator 40 to be in the area (S51, control transmission step). More specifically, the control transmission unit 24 indicates a relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) who wants to give priority to the above connection, and an authentication rejection signal for notifying the rejection of the location registration of the mobile terminal 10 at this time. 30 for transmission. The located area instruction unit 32 transmits an Attach or position registration request signal, which is located area information indicating the “relay priority is given to the relay operator 40” indicated by the home operator 20, to the mobile terminal 10 (S52, Terminal reception step).

  Next, the terminal processing unit 13 of the mobile terminal 10 that has received the above-mentioned area instruction information selects the cell of the relay operator 40 indicated by the area instruction information (S53). Then, the terminal processing unit 13 performs a location process for the relay operator 40. In other words, in order to perform location registration for the relay operator 40, an Attach or location registration request signal is transmitted to the relay operator 40 (S54, terminal registration step). As a result, the mobile terminal 10 can perform communication connection by roaming connection.

  Thereby, when there is no PLMN list (S43) or when there is no relay operator to be prioritized, it is possible to instruct the mobile terminal 10 to collect the PLMN list (that is, visited network information). When instructing the collection of the PLMN list, the home operator 20 transmits an authentication rejection signal including the “instruction for collecting the PLMN list” to the relay operator 30 that has requested the location registration (S44). The relay operator 30 that has received the authentication rejection signal transmits an Attach or location registration rejection signal including a PLMN list collection instruction to the mobile terminal 10 (S45). As a result, a PLMN list is collected, and a relay operator that relays the communication connection can be selected from the PLMN list.

  As described above, in the roaming control system, the home operator 20, the relay operators 30, 40, 50, the mobile terminal 10, and the roaming control method according to the present invention, first, the mobile terminal 10 receives the visited network information (that is, the PLMN list). ) Is transmitted to the relay operator (for example, the relay operator 30), and the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 30) that receives the request requests to select the relay operator from the list of relay operators indicated in the visited network information. An authentication request signal is transmitted to the home operator 20. Next, the home operator 20 selects a relay operator (for example, the relay operator 40) that relays the communication connection from the list of relay operators indicated in the authentication request signal based on the priority information. Then, the home operator 20 sends, to the mobile terminal 10 via the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30), location instruction information for instructing the selected relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) to be present. The mobile terminal 10 is made to perform location registration for the relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) indicated in the location instruction information.

  As a result, a relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) is selected based on the priority information, and the mobile terminal 10 can perform location registration (that is, a location) for this relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40). . As a result, the certainty of connecting to a specific relay operator (here, the relay operator 40) can be improved. In other words, it is possible to improve the certainty that a user can use a specific relay operator as much as possible. Further, since the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 40) is appropriately selected by one judgment control based on the priority order information, the user obtains roaming information for detecting the relay operator at the destination to roam out. There is no need to do so, and the time until roaming out can be shortened.

  In addition, as described above, when there is no relay operator appropriate for the mobile terminal 10 to perform location registration (that is, to be in the area), an appropriate relay operator to perform location registration (that is, to be in the area) is selected. It can be searched again by band search. Further, as described above, by using the location restriction information, it is possible to prevent or suppress location registration for a relay operator that is not appropriate for the mobile terminal 10 to perform location registration (that is, to be in a location). In addition, as described above, by selecting a relay operator with a high priority, it is possible to more reliably perform location registration for a relay operator that is appropriate for the mobile terminal 10 to perform location registration (that is, to be in the area). Can do.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows a case where the mobile terminal 10 is turned on, and the PLMN list includes a “relay operator who wants to give priority to relay of connection with the mobile terminal 10” (here, the relay operator 30). It is a flowchart. A user of the mobile terminal 10 directly contracted with a carrier having the home operator 20 (PLMN A) turns on the power of the mobile terminal 10 in a place that is not an area of the mobile communication network provided by the home operator 20. An example of processing in the 3GPP system will be described below as an example when requesting location registration for other relay operators 30, 40, 50 (PLMN B, C, D).

  In this embodiment, the home operator 20 is an HLR (Home Location Register) which is also a roaming control device. The other operators, relay operators 30, 40, and 50, are mobile switching centers / visitor location registers (MSC / VLR) that are also mobile switching devices. Both the home operator 20 and the relay operators 30, 40, 50 are composed of a CPU, a memory, a storage, a communication device, and the like.

  In the 3GPP system, “user selected PLMN list (hereinafter referred to as“ user selected priority list ”)” and “home operator 20 record in advance in the USIM of the mobile terminal 10 of the user. “PLMN priority (Operator selected PLMN List: OPLMN List; hereinafter, home selection priority list)” is recorded. Note that the priority of the user selection priority list is higher than that of the home selection priority list.

  Steps S61 to S63 are the same as steps S01 to S03 in FIG. The terminal processing unit 13 extracts a selectable PLMN list (that is, a selectable PLMN list) from the PLMN list storage unit 17 and compares it with the user selection priority list and the home selection priority list in the USIM that the mobile terminal 10 has. Then, the relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 50) to be a PLMN for requesting location registration (Attach) and its cell are determined (S64, S65).

  Here, it is assumed that the mobile communication networks provided by the relay operators 30, 40, 50 all have a selectable level of radio wave intensity. Also, the relay operator 50 is recorded in the user selection priority list, the relay operators 30 and 40 are recorded in the home selection priority list, and the priority of the relay operator 30 is set high. To do. In this case, the terminal processing unit 13 selects the relay operator 50 in the user selection priority list, and selects the cell of the relay operator 50 (S65). In the present embodiment, the terminal processing unit 13 also performs RRC cell selection control.

  The terminal processing unit 13 that has selected the cell of the relay operator 50 requests the terminal transmission unit 11 to transmit a location registration request signal (that is, an Attach Request) to the relay operator 50. This location registration request signal includes the PLMN list collected above.

  The terminal transmission unit 11 transmits a location registration request signal (that is, an Attach Request) to the relay operator 50 by normal means in the 3GPP system (that is, wireless communication means that uses the RRC / RLC / MAC layer) ( S66, terminal transmission step).

  The location request unit of the relay operator 50 detects that the received location registration request signal is not a location registration request signal from the user of the relay operator 50 but a location registration request signal from the user of the home operator 20. Further, the location request unit of the relay operator 50 detects that there is a PLMN list in the location registration request signal. Then, the location request unit of the relay operator 50 transmits an authentication request signal including the PLMN list from the location request unit to the home operator 20 in order to make an authentication request to the home operator 20 (S67).

  The control receiving unit 22 of the home operator 20 that has received the authentication request signal detects that the received authentication request signal has been transmitted from the relay operator 50. Then, the control reception unit 22 transmits an authentication request signal to the control selection unit 23.

  Here, a case is considered in which the relay operator 30 recorded in the home selection priority list is given priority over the relay of the communication connection over the relay operator 50 that has sent the authentication request signal. In this case, the control selection unit 23 of the home operator 20 rejects the current location network and sends an authentication rejection signal including information indicating a relay operator (in this case, the relay operator 30) who wants to give priority to relay of communication connection. It transmits to the control transmission part 24 (S68). The control transmission unit 24 transmits to the relay operator 50 an authentication rejection signal including information indicating the relay operator (here, the relay operator 30) that is to give priority to relay of the communication connection (S69). When the control selection unit 23 accepts an authentication request from the relay operator 50, the control selection unit 23 writes the subscriber information (that is, information on which relay operator the user is currently in) into the control storage unit 21. .

  The relay operator 50 that has received the authentication rejection signal transmits a location registration request signal (Attach Reject) for requesting location registration to the relay operator 30 from the located area instruction unit 32 to the mobile terminal 10 (S70, terminal reception step). ). The mobile terminal 10 that has received the location registration request signal (Attach Reject) reselects the cell of the relay operator 30 (S71), and the terminal transmitter 11 sends a location registration request signal to the relay operator 30 (that is, an Attach Request). Is transmitted (S72, terminal registration step). As a result, the mobile terminal 10 can perform communication connection by roaming connection.

  In the above embodiment, the Attach Request is exemplified as the location registration request signal. However, even when other location registration request signals (such as Location Updating Request or Routing Area Update Request in the 3GPP system) are used, The procedure does not change.

It is a figure explaining the relationship between the conventional operators. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the roaming control system and roaming control in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows each function structure of the home operator, relay operator, and portable terminal in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st example of the process performed with the roaming control system in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 2nd example of the process performed with the roaming control system in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 3rd example of the process performed with the roaming control system in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the Example of the process performed with the roaming control system in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the home operator and relay operator in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the portable terminal in embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile phone, 2 ... Home operator, 2a ... Home communication network, 3 ... Relay operator, 3a ... Relay communication network, 10 ... Mobile terminal, 11 ... Terminal transmission part, 12 ... Terminal reception part, 13 ... Terminal processing part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Band search control part, 15 ... Broadcasting information acquisition part, 16 ... Broadcasting information analysis part, 17 ... List storage part, 20 ... Home operator, 20a ... Home communication network, 21 ... Control storage part, 22 ... Control receiving part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 23 ... Control selection part, 24 ... Control transmission part, 25 ... Control suppression part, 30, 40, 50 ... Relay operator, 30a, 40a, 50a ... Relay communication network, 31 ... In-zone request part, 32 ... In-zone instruction part 100, roaming control system, 101, 201 ... CPU, 102, 202 ... RAM, 103, 203 ... ROM, 104 ... operation unit, 105 ... wireless communication unit, 106 ... display, 107 Antenna, 204 ... communication module, 205 ... auxiliary storage device.

Claims (12)

A mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located, and when the mobile terminal performs roaming connection based on a search result of the band search, In a roaming control system comprising a plurality of roaming networks that are possible mobile communication networks, and a control device that controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any of the plurality of roaming networks,
The mobile terminal
A terminal transmission unit for transmitting visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that can be visited based on the search result to the control device;
The controller is
A control storage unit that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority of a roaming network that relays the communication connection;
Control selection for selecting a roaming network for relaying the communication connection based on the priority information stored in the control storage unit from a list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal And
A control transmission unit that transmits to the mobile terminal location instruction information instructing to be in the roaming network selected by the control selection unit;
A roaming control system comprising: When the roaming network is not indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal, the control transmission unit transmits band search instruction information instructing to perform a band search again to the mobile terminal.
The roaming control system according to claim 1, wherein: When a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located makes a roaming connection based on the search result of the band search, the mobile terminal capable of being located In a control device that controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any one of a plurality of roaming networks that are body communication networks,
The controller is
A control storage unit that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority of a roaming network that relays the communication connection;
A control receiving unit for receiving, from the mobile terminal, visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks in which the mobile terminal can be located based on the search result;
Control for selecting a roaming network for relaying the communication connection based on the priority information stored in the control storage unit from a list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information received by the control receiving unit A selection section;
A control transmission unit that transmits to the mobile terminal location instruction information instructing to be in the roaming network selected by the control selection unit;
A control device comprising: When the visited network information includes visited restriction information indicating a roaming network to which the mobile terminal is restricted, the visited restriction information is obtained from the list of roaming networks indicated in the visited network information. Further including a control suppression unit that excludes the roaming network shown in FIG. 8 or lowers the priority of the roaming network shown in the location restriction information in the priority information.
The control device according to claim 3, wherein: The control selection unit
As a roaming network that relays the communication connection when the priority stored in the control storage unit of the roaming network through which the visited network information received by the control reception unit is higher than other roaming networks Select the roaming network through which the visited network information passes.
The control device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above. The control transmitter is
When a roaming network is not indicated in the visited network information received from the mobile terminal, band search instruction information for instructing the mobile terminal to perform a band search again is transmitted to the mobile terminal.
The control device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein When a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located makes a roaming connection based on the search result of the band search, the mobile terminal capable of being located In the roaming-destination relay device constituting the roaming network in which control of communication connection with the mobile terminal via any one of the plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks is performed,
The roaming destination relay device
Based on the search result, upon receiving visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks in which the mobile terminal can be located from the mobile terminal, priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network that relays the communication connection is obtained. A visited area requesting unit for transmitting the visited network information to the control device stored in advance;
When network selection information indicating the roaming network selected based on the priority information by the control device that has received the visited network information is received from the control device, the network selection information may be located in the roaming network indicated by the network selection information. When the mobile terminal receives band search instruction information for instructing the mobile terminal to perform a band search again from the control device, the band search instruction information is transmitted to the mobile terminal. A location indicator that transmits,
A roaming destination relay device characterized by comprising: It is possible to perform a band search for detecting a mobile communication network that can be located, and when performing roaming connection based on a search result of the band search, a plurality of mobile communication networks that can be located In a mobile terminal that is located in any one of the roaming networks, and the control of the communication connection through the located roaming network is performed by the control device,
Terminal transmission for transmitting visited network information indicating a list of available roaming networks based on the search result to the control device that stores in advance priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network that relays the communication connection And
A terminal receiving unit for receiving from the control device location instruction information for instructing to be present in the roaming network selected based on the priority information by the control device that has received the visited network information;
A terminal processing unit that performs a location process for the roaming network indicated in the location instruction information received by the terminal reception unit;
A mobile terminal characterized by comprising: The roaming network that is not in the service area is excluded from the target of the band search, or the area transmitting information indicating the roaming network that is not in the service area is transmitted to the control device, and the area instruction information is instructed. To prevent roaming networks that are not located in the roaming network from being included,
The mobile terminal according to claim 8, wherein: When the terminal receiving unit receives band search instruction information for instructing to perform a band search again from the control device, the terminal receiving unit further includes a band search control unit that performs the band search again,
The terminal transmission unit transmits the visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that can be located based on a search result of the band search to the control device;
The mobile terminal according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by the above. When a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located makes a roaming connection based on the search result of the band search, the mobile terminal capable of being located In the roaming control method in which the control device controls communication connection with the mobile terminal via any one of a plurality of roaming networks that are body communication networks,
The roaming control method includes:
A control reception step in which the control device receives from the mobile terminal the visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks in which the mobile terminal can be located based on the search result;
A roaming network for relaying the communication connection based on priority information indicating a priority of the roaming network for relaying the communication connection from the roaming network indicated by the visited network information received by the control reception step. A control selection step selected by the control device;
A control transmission step of transmitting, to the mobile terminal, in-zone instruction information for instructing to be in the roaming network selected in the control selection step;
Having
Roaming control method characterized by the above. A roaming control method using a mobile terminal capable of performing a band search for detecting a mobile communication network capable of being located, wherein a roaming connection is performed based on a search result of the band search. In a roaming control method using a mobile terminal that is located in one of a plurality of roaming networks that are mobile communication networks that can be serviced, and a communication device controls the communication connection via the roaming network ,
The roaming control method includes:
In the control device that pre-stores priority information indicating the priority of the roaming network that relays the communication connection, the visited network information indicating a list of roaming networks that the mobile terminal can be located based on the search result, A terminal transmission step transmitted by the mobile terminal;
A terminal receiving step in which the mobile terminal receives from the control device location indication information instructing to be in the roaming network selected based on the priority information by the control device that has received the visited network information; ,
A terminal processing step in which the mobile terminal performs a location process for the roaming network indicated in the location instruction information received by the terminal reception step;
A roaming control method characterized by comprising:

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