JP2010109681A - Mobile terminal, wireless local area network connection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress power consumption caused by a connection failure to an access point of a wireless LAN (local area network). <P>SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 100 comprises: a position detection means for obtaining positional information of the residence site; a communication means for connecting to communicate with an access point (AP) of the wireless LAN; and a storing part 101 for storing the positional information of the AP. The mobile terminal further comprises: a distance calculation part 112 for calculating the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the AP on the basis of the positional information obtained by the position detection means and the positional information of the AP; an area setting part 113 for relating the distance calculated by the distance calculation part 112 to the AP as the connection distance information to store in the storing part 101 when the communication means is successful in the connection to the AP; and an area determination part 114 for instructing the communication means to connect to the AP when the distance calculated by the distance calculation part 112 is shorter than that expressed by the connection distance information. The communication means tries to connect to the AP on the basis of the instruction from the area determination part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a wireless LAN connection method, and a program.

  In recent years, by connecting a mobile terminal to an access point of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) installed in a home or office, it has become possible to perform communication at a lower cost and faster than communication via a base station. ing.

  However, the access point has a narrower range in which a mobile terminal can be connected than a base station, and the location where the access point is located is also limited. For this reason, it is not efficient in terms of power consumption that a mobile terminal constantly searches for a nearby access point and tries to connect as it does for a base station.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, based on the received signal strengths of a plurality of surrounding base stations when the mobile terminal succeeds in connecting to the access point, a threshold is set for the received signal strengths of those base stations. Set the range that can be connected to the access point, and then determine whether or not the mobile terminal can connect to the access point based on the received signal strength of those base stations. The technology to try to connect is described.

  In Patent Documents 2 and 3, the location information of the access point of the wireless LAN and the information indicating the distance estimated to be connectable to the access point are stored in the mobile terminal, and the GPS (Global Positioning System) of the mobile terminal is stored. Use the function to calculate the distance between the access point and the mobile terminal, and if the calculated distance is shorter than the estimated distance that can be connected to the access point, determine that the mobile terminal is within the range that can be connected to the access point. A technique for attempting to connect to an access point is described.

  Here, taking the technique described in Patent Document 3 as an example, an operation in which the portable terminal attempts to connect to a wireless LAN access point will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a general portable terminal 400.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 400 includes a GPS antenna 401, a wireless LAN antenna 402, a telephone antenna 403, a key 404, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 405, a microphone 406, a speaker 407, a vibrator 408, and a position detection unit. 410, an area information storage unit 420, and a control unit 430. The control unit 430 includes an area determination unit 431, a notification control unit 432, a wireless LAN communication control unit 433, and a telephone communication control unit 434.

  The position detection unit 410 receives radio signals from a plurality of GPS satellites (not shown) constituting the GPS via the GPS antenna 401, and performs calculations based on the signals to obtain the latitude of the location of the mobile terminal 400. And position information indicating longitude is acquired.

  The area information storage unit 420 is an area of a non-volatile memory, and includes information indicating the latitude and longitude of the location of a wireless LAN access point (not shown), information on a distance estimated to be connectable to the access point, and the like. Contains area information.

  The control unit 430 includes hardware such as a CPU and a memory, and controls each unit of the mobile phone 400 based on a user operation performed through the key 404, position information acquired by the position detection unit 410, and the like.

  The area determination unit 431 is based on the area information stored in the area information storage unit 420, the position information acquired by the position detection unit 410, and the like, the notification control unit 432, the wireless LAN communication control unit 433, and the telephone communication control. The unit 434 is controlled.

  The notification control unit 432 controls the LCD 405, the microphone 406, the speaker 407, the vibrator 408, and the like to notify the user of events such as incoming calls.

  The wireless LAN communication control unit 433 controls communication between the portable terminal 400 and a wireless LAN access point.

  The telephone communication control unit 434 controls communication between the mobile terminal 400 and a base station (not shown).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of area information stored in the area information storage unit 420 illustrated in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the area information stored in the area information storage unit 420 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes access point information 510 and area boundary information 520.

  The access point information 510 includes an access point ID (Identification) 511, a latitude 512, and a longitude 513 for each access point of the wireless LAN. Here, the access point ID 511 is an identifier for identifying each access point, and the latitude 512 and the longitude 513 indicate the location of the access point.

  The area boundary information 520 includes a wide area boundary threshold value 521, a narrow area boundary threshold value 522, and a peripheral boundary threshold value 523, which are threshold values related to the distance between the mobile terminal 400 and the access point of the wireless LAN. . Here, the wide area boundary threshold value 521 indicates the upper limit distance estimated that the portable terminal 400 may be connected to the access point of the wireless LAN. The narrow boundary threshold value 522 indicates an upper limit distance that is estimated that the portable terminal 400 is likely to connect to a wireless LAN access point and continue the connection. The peripheral boundary threshold value 523 indicates an upper limit distance when the mobile terminal 400 cannot connect to a wireless LAN access point but is determined to be located in the vicinity of the access point.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 400 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of portable terminal 400 shown in FIG.

  First, in the mobile terminal 400, the position detection unit 410 repeatedly receives signals from GPS satellites at a predetermined time interval such as 30 seconds, and acquires position information of the mobile terminal 400 (step 601).

  Next, based on the area information stored in the area information storage unit 420 and the position information of the mobile terminal 400 acquired by the position detection unit 410, the area determination unit 431 determines that the mobile terminal 400 has the wide area boundary threshold 521. It is determined whether or not the wireless LAN is in a state where it is located within the indicated wide boundary (step 602). The area determination unit 431 determines that the distance between the mobile terminal 400 and the access point calculated based on the location information of the mobile terminal 400 and the latitude and longitude of the access point included in the area information is a wide area threshold 521. When the distance is shorter than the indicated distance, it is determined that the mobile terminal 400 is located within the wide area boundary.

  When the portable terminal 400 is located within the wide boundary of the access point and is not communicating by wireless LAN, the area determination unit 431 can output a notification sound through the speaker 407 and use wireless LAN communication. The notification control unit 432 is instructed to display on the LCD 105 for a certain period of time, for example, 10 seconds (step 603).

  Next, the area determination unit 431 instructs the wireless LAN communication control unit 433 to connect to the access point (step 604). In response, the wireless LAN communication control unit 433 starts so-called beacon signal detection processing from the access point. After detecting the beacon signal from the access point, the wireless LAN communication control unit 433 establishes a connection with the access point according to a predetermined protocol.

Next, when the connection to the access point is established in step 604 and the communication by the wireless LAN is successful (step 605), the area determination unit 433 has the telephone communication control unit 434 perform data communication via the base station. If so, the communication is disconnected (step 606) and the wireless LAN communication control unit 433 is caused to execute bidirectional data communication by the wireless LAN (step 607). If data communication is not performed via the base station, step 606 is skipped.
JP 2004-186762 A JP 2008-066781 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-080071

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have the following problems.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a range that can be connected to the access point is set using received signal strengths of a plurality of base stations around the access point, and whether or not connection to the access point is possible is determined. Yes.

  However, since the received signal strength of each base station varies depending on various factors such as weather, the range that can be connected to the access point set using the received signal strength of the base station may include a large error. . For this reason, even if it is determined that the mobile terminal can be connected to the access point, the mobile terminal may not actually connect to the access point and wasteful power consumption may occur.

  In the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the distance between the mobile terminal and the access point of the wireless LAN is calculated using GPS, and the calculated distance is larger than the distance estimated to be connectable to the access point. If the mobile terminal is short, it is determined that the mobile terminal is within a range that can be connected to the access point, and the connection to the access point is attempted.

  However, the distance estimated to be connectable to the access point used to determine whether or not the mobile terminal is located in a range connectable to the access point is an expected value set by a communication carrier that provides the service. In addition, the individual performance of the mobile terminal and the environment where the access point of the wireless LAN is installed are not considered. Therefore, even if it is determined that the distance that the mobile terminal can actually connect to the access point is shorter than the estimated distance that can be connected and is located within the connectable range, the mobile terminal can actually connect to the access point. Unnecessary power consumption may occur.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal, a wireless LAN connection method, and a program that can reduce the possibility of failure in connection to a wireless LAN access point and suppress power consumption due to connection failure.

In order to achieve the above object, the portable terminal of the present invention
In a mobile terminal having position detecting means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing position information of the access point,
A distance calculation unit that calculates a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detection unit and the position information of the access point;
An area setting unit that stores the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication unit succeeds in connecting to the access point; ,
An area determination unit that instructs the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
The wireless LAN communication unit attempts to connect to the access point based on the instruction from the area determination unit.

In order to achieve the above object, the wireless LAN connection method of the present invention includes:
Wireless communication performed by a mobile terminal having position detection means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing the position information of the access point A LAN connection method,
A distance calculating step of calculating a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detecting unit and the position information of the access point;
Area setting step of storing the distance calculated in the distance calculation step in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication means succeeds in connecting to the access point When,
An area determining step for instructing the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated in the distance calculating step is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
A connection processing step in which the wireless LAN communication means tries to connect to the access point based on the instruction in the area determination step.

In order to achieve the above object, the program of the present invention
A portable terminal having position detecting means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing the position information of the access point,
A distance calculation procedure for calculating a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detection unit and the position information of the access point;
Area setting procedure for storing the distance calculated in the distance calculation procedure in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication means succeeds in connecting to the access point When,
An area determination procedure for instructing the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated by the distance calculation procedure is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
And a connection processing procedure for causing the wireless LAN communication means to try to connect to the access point based on the instruction in the area determination procedure.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the mobile terminal succeeds in connecting to the access point of the wireless LAN, the distance between the mobile terminal and the access point is stored in the storage unit as connection distance information, Thereafter, when the distance between the mobile terminal and the access point is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information, the connection to the access point is attempted.

  In this way, since the connection between the mobile terminal and the access point is attempted when the distance to the access point is shorter than the distance at which the connection to the access point was actually successful, the connection can be successful with a high probability. And power consumption due to failure to connect to the access point can be suppressed.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a mobile terminal 100 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 of this embodiment includes an access point information storage unit 101, a GPS antenna 102, a wireless LAN antenna 103, a mobile phone antenna 104, a timer unit 105, a sound generation unit 106, and a display unit 107. The input unit 108 and the control unit 110 are provided.

  The control unit 110 includes a position detection unit 111, a distance calculation unit 112, an area setting unit 113, an area determination unit 114, a notification unit 115, a GPS communication control unit 116, a wireless LAN communication control unit 117, and a mobile phone communication control unit 118. The other components of the mobile terminal 100 are controlled. The control part 110 is comprised from a microcomputer, memory, etc., for example. In the present embodiment, the position detection unit of the present invention is configured by the position detection unit 111, the GPS communication control unit 116, and the GPS antenna 102, and the wireless LAN communication unit is the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 and the wireless LAN. The antenna 103 is configured. In the present embodiment, the storage unit of the present invention corresponds to the access point information storage unit 101.

  The access point information storage unit 101 is storage means for storing access point information including latitude information and longitude information indicating the location of an access point (not shown) of the wireless LAN. The access point information storage unit 101 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.

  The GPS antenna 102 receives a radio wave signal from a GPS satellite (not shown) and outputs a signal to the GPS communication control unit 116.

  The wireless LAN antenna 103 receives a radio signal from a wireless LAN access point, outputs a signal to the wireless LAN communication control unit 117, and outputs a signal from the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 to the access point as a radio signal. To do.

  The mobile phone antenna 104 receives a radio signal from a base station (not shown), outputs a signal to the mobile phone communication control unit 118, and outputs a signal from the mobile phone communication control unit 118 to the base station as a radio signal. To do.

  The timer unit 105 interrupts the distance calculation unit 112 at a predetermined time interval set by the user.

  The sound generation unit 106 is a means for reproducing various sounds such as a notification sound that conveys an incoming call, and is composed of, for example, an amplifier or a small speaker. Further, in addition to the amplifier and the speaker built in the mobile terminal 100, an output terminal may be provided in the mobile terminal 100 and connected to an external amplifier, speaker, or other device, and audio may be output from the external device.

  The display unit 107 is an image display unit. Here, the display unit 107 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of monochrome or color display, but is not particularly limited to a liquid crystal display.

  The input unit 108 is a unit that receives input from the user, and includes, for example, a button key, a jog dial, and the like.

  The position detection unit 111 receives signals from a plurality of GPS satellites constituting the GPS via the GPS antenna 102 and the GPS communication control unit 116, and performs calculation based on them to thereby determine the location of the mobile terminal 100. Obtain position information indicating latitude and longitude.

  The distance calculation unit 112 instructs the position detection unit 111 to acquire the position information of the mobile terminal 100 by interruption from the timer unit 105, and the latitude of the access point included in the acquired position information of the mobile terminal 100 and the access point information. Based on the information and the longitude information, the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the access point is calculated.

  The area setting unit 113 stores the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 in the access point information storage unit 101 as connection distance information of the access point when the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 succeeds in connecting to the access point. To do. Thereby, connection distance information is added to access point information. The area setting unit 113 does not store the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 in the access point information storage unit 101 when the connection distance information of the access point is already stored in the access point information storage unit 101. .

  When the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information of the access point and the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 is not connected to the access point, the area determination unit 114 The communication control unit 117 is instructed to connect to the access point.

  The notification unit 115 controls the sound generation unit 106 and the display unit 107 to notify the user of information indicating that an incoming call or connection to an access point is possible.

  The GPS communication control unit 116 communicates with a GPS satellite via the GPS antenna 102.

  The wireless LAN communication control unit 117 communicates with a wireless LAN access point via the wireless LAN antenna 103.

  The mobile phone communication control unit 118 communicates with the base station via the mobile phone antenna 104.

  Below, the structure of the access point information memorize | stored in the access point information storage part 101 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the access point information 210 stored in the access point information storage unit 101 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the access point information storage unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 stores, as the access point information 210, an access point ID 211, latitude information 212, longitude information 213, and range information for each wireless LAN access point. 214, connection distance information 215, and the like are recorded. Here, the access point ID 211 is an identifier for identifying each access point. Latitude information 212 and longitude information 213 indicate the location of each access point. The range information 214 indicates the upper limit distance estimated that the mobile terminal 100 can connect to each access point. The connection distance information 215 indicates the distance when the mobile terminal 100 has actually successfully connected to each access point. It is assumed that the access point ID 211, latitude information 212, longitude information 213, and range information 214 are recorded in the access point information storage unit 101 in advance. Further, the connection distance information 215 is not initially recorded in the access point information storage unit 101. When the mobile terminal 100 succeeds in connecting to each access point, the mobile terminal 100 and each access point at that time Is stored as connection distance information 215 of each access point.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the access point whose access point ID 211 is access point 1 is estimated to be connectable to the access point at a latitude of 35 degrees 40 minutes 00 north latitude and 139 degrees 46:00 seconds east longitude. The distance is 100 m, and the distance that the mobile terminal 100 is actually successfully connected is 90 m. For the access point whose access point ID 211 is access point 2, the location is 35 degrees 41 minutes 10 seconds north latitude, 139 degrees 42 minutes 20 seconds east longitude, the distance estimated to be connectable is 80 m, and it is still actually mobile This indicates that the terminal 100 has never been successfully connected.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of portable terminal 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1, the distance calculation unit 112 first detects the position of the mobile terminal 100 with respect to the position detection unit 111 at predetermined time intervals by interruption from the timer unit 105. Instructs the acquisition of information. In response to this, the position detection unit 111 instructs the GPS communication control unit 116 to receive a radio wave signal from a GPS satellite via the GPS antenna 102, and performs calculation based on the radio wave signal received by the GPS communication control unit 116. By doing so, the position information of the portable terminal 100 is acquired (step 301).

  Next, the distance calculation unit 112 includes latitude information 212 and longitude information 213 included in the access point information 210 stored in the access point information storage unit 101, and position information of the mobile terminal 100 acquired by the position detection unit 111. Based on the above, the distance between the portable terminal 100 and the access point of the wireless LAN is calculated, and the calculated distance information is output to the area determination unit 114 together with the access point ID 211 included in the access point information 210 (step 302). ).

  In response, the area determination unit 114 determines whether the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 is connected to the access point via the wireless LAN communication antenna 103 and is performing wireless LAN communication (step 303).

  If the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 is performing wireless LAN communication (step 303, Yes), the area determination unit 114 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 is not performing wireless LAN communication (No in step 303), the area determination unit 114 connects the corresponding access point based on the access point ID 211 output by the distance calculation unit 112. It is confirmed whether or not the distance information 215 is stored in the access point information storage unit 101.

  If the connection distance information 215 is not recorded in the access point information storage unit 101, the area determination unit 114 determines that the connection to the access point has not been successful, and steps beyond the distance indicated by the range information 214. In 302, it is determined whether or not the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 is shorter (step 304).

  On the other hand, when the connection distance information 215 is recorded in the access point information storage unit 101, the area determination unit 114 determines that the access point has been successfully connected, and the step 302 is greater than the distance indicated by the connection distance information 215. It is determined whether or not the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 is shorter.

  If the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 in step 302 is longer than the distance indicated by the range information 214 or the connection distance information 215 (step 304, No), the area determination unit 114 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 112 in step 302 is shorter than the distance indicated by the range information 214 or the connection distance information 215 (step 304, Yes), the area determination unit 114 sends a notification to the notification unit 115. Instructing the display unit 107 to output a notification sound for notifying the user that the access point can be connected via the sound generation unit 106 and inquiring the user whether to connect to the access point. (Step 305).

  Here, if the user inputs to the input unit 118 that the access point is not connected, the area determination unit 114 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the user inputs to the input unit 108 to connect to the access point (Yes in step 306), the area determination unit 114 outputs the access point ID of the access point to the wireless LAN communication control unit 117. Then, connection to the access point is instructed (step 307). In response to this, the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 tries to connect to the access point. Specifically, the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 starts detection processing of a beacon signal from the access point, and when detecting the beacon signal via the wireless LAN antenna 103, the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 communicates with the access point according to a predetermined protocol. Establish a connection for.

  If the connection to the access point fails, the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 ends the process (No in Step 308).

  On the other hand, if the connection to the access point is successful (step 308, Yes), the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 outputs the access point ID of the access point that has been successfully connected to the area setting unit 113. In response, the area setting unit 113 determines whether or not the connection distance information 215 of the access point is stored in the access point information storage unit 101 based on the access point ID output from the wireless LAN communication control unit 117, that is, It is determined whether or not the connection to the access point has been successful before (step 309).

  When the connection distance information 215 is not stored in the access point information storage unit 101 (step 309, Yes), the area setting unit 113 determines that the access point has never been successfully connected, and the distance calculation unit 112 calculates it. The distance is stored in the access point information storage unit 101 as connection distance information 215 of the access point (step 310).

  On the other hand, when the connection distance information 215 is stored in the access point information storage unit 101 (step 309, No), the area setting unit 113 determines that the access point has already been successfully connected, and the distance calculation unit 112 Is not stored in the access point information storage unit 101.

  In addition, the area determination unit 114 connects the mobile phone communication control unit 118 to the base station via the mobile phone antenna 104 when the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 succeeds in connecting to the access point (step 308, Yes). It is then determined whether or not communication is being performed (step 311).

  When the mobile phone communication control unit 118 is performing communication (step 311, Yes), the area determination unit 114 instructs the mobile phone communication control unit 118 to disconnect the communication (step 312).

  When the mobile phone communication control unit 118 is not performing communication (No in step 311) or after executing the processing of step 312, the area determination unit 114 causes the wireless LAN communication control unit 117 to perform communication by wireless LAN ( Step 313).

  As described above, in the mobile terminal 100 of the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 100 has successfully connected to the access point of the wireless LAN, the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the access point is accessed as the connection distance information 215. It is stored in the point information storage unit 101, and thereafter, when the distance between the mobile terminal 100 and the access point is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information 215, connection to the access point is attempted.

  As described above, since the connection between the mobile terminal 100 and the access point is attempted when the distance to the access point is shorter than the distance at which the connection to the access point is actually successful, the connection is successful with a high probability. Power consumption due to failure to connect to the access point can be suppressed.

  Further, even when the connection distance information 215 is not recorded in the access point information storage unit 101, it is determined whether or not to try to connect to the access point based on the range information indicating the distance estimated to be connectable to the access point. Therefore, although the probability is lower than in the case of using the connection distance information, the connection can be succeeded with a relatively high probability, and the power consumption due to the connection failure can be suppressed.

  In addition, you may apply the method performed with the portable terminal 100 of this invention to the program for making a computer perform. In addition, the program can be stored in a storage medium and can be provided to the outside via a network.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the portable terminal of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the access point information memorize | stored in the access point information storage part shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mobile terminal shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a common portable terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the area information memorize | stored in the area information storage part shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mobile terminal 101 Access point information storage part 102 GPS antenna 103 Wireless LAN antenna 104 Mobile phone antenna 105 Timer part 106 Sounding part 107 Display part 108 Input part 110 Control part 111 Position detection part 112 Distance calculation part 113 Area setting part 114 Area determination unit 115 Notification unit 116 GPS communication control unit 117 Wireless LAN communication control unit 118 Mobile phone communication control unit

Claims (9)

In a mobile terminal having position detecting means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing position information of the access point,
A distance calculation unit that calculates a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detection unit and the position information of the access point;
An area setting unit that stores the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication unit succeeds in connecting to the access point; ,
An area determination unit that instructs the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
The wireless LAN communication unit attempts to connect to the access point based on the instruction from the area determination unit. The mobile terminal according to claim 1,
The area setting unit does not store the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit in the storage unit when the connection distance information associated with the access point that has succeeded in the connection is already recorded in the storage unit. Mobile device. In the portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
In the storage unit, range information indicating a distance estimated to be connectable to the access point is recorded in association with the access point,
The area determination unit, when the connection distance information is not stored in the storage unit, when the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit is shorter than the distance indicated by the range information, to the wireless LAN communication means A mobile terminal that instructs connection to an access point. Wireless communication performed by a mobile terminal having position detection means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing the position information of the access point A LAN connection method,
A distance calculating step of calculating a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detecting unit and the position information of the access point;
Area setting step of storing the distance calculated in the distance calculation step in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication means succeeds in connecting to the access point When,
An area determining step for instructing the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated in the distance calculating step is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
A wireless LAN connection method comprising: a connection processing step in which the wireless LAN communication means attempts to connect to the access point based on the instruction in the area determination step. The wireless LAN connection method according to claim 4,
In the area setting step, when the connection distance information associated with the access point that has succeeded in connection is already recorded in the storage unit, the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit is not stored in the storage unit. Wireless LAN connection method. In the wireless LAN connection method according to claim 4 or 5,
In the storage unit, range information indicating a distance estimated to be connectable to the access point is recorded in association with the access point,
In the area determination step, if the connection distance information is not stored in the storage unit, or if the distance calculated in the distance calculation step is shorter than the distance indicated by the range information, the wireless LAN communication means A wireless LAN connection method for instructing connection to the access point. A portable terminal having position detecting means for acquiring position information of a location, wireless LAN communication means for connecting to and communicating with a wireless LAN access point, and a storage unit for storing the position information of the access point,
A distance calculation procedure for calculating a distance between the mobile terminal and the access point based on the position information acquired by the position detection unit and the position information of the access point;
Area setting procedure for storing the distance calculated in the distance calculation procedure in the storage unit in association with the access point as connection distance information when the wireless LAN communication means succeeds in connecting to the access point When,
An area determination procedure for instructing the wireless LAN communication means to connect to the access point when the distance calculated by the distance calculation procedure is shorter than the distance indicated by the connection distance information;
And a connection processing procedure for causing the wireless LAN communication means to attempt connection to the access point based on the instruction in the area determination procedure. The program according to claim 7,
In the area setting procedure, when the connection distance information associated with the access point successfully connected is already recorded in the storage unit, the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit is not stored in the storage unit. program. In the program according to claim 7 or 8,
In the storage unit, range information indicating a distance estimated to be connectable to the access point is recorded in association with the access point,
In the area determination procedure, if the connection distance information is not stored in the storage unit, or if the distance calculated in the distance calculation step is shorter than the distance indicated by the range information, the wireless LAN communication means A program for instructing connection to the access point.

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