JP2011055233A - Mobile machine in mobile communication system, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a period of time when call origination from a mobile machine is forbidden. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile machine 200 includes a band search unit 212 which performs band search and decides whether the mobile machine 200 belongs to a communicable zone or not, a user interface unit 204 which presents decision results from the band search unit 212 to a user, a call origination decision unit 206 which decides whether a call origination request of a user is a request for forced call origination or not, a communication unit 214 which performs communication with a wireless base station, and a call origination control unit 210 which controls the band search unit 212 to perform band search or controls the communication unit 214 to perform call origination depending on the decision results from the call origination decision unit 206. When the user interface unit 204 indicates the user that the mobile machine does not belong to a communicable zone and the call origination request from the user is the request for forced call origination, the call origination control unit 210 controls the band search unit 212 to perform band search, and when the mobile machine 200 belongs to a communicable zone, the call origination control unit 210 controls the communication unit 214 to perform call origination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile device and a method in a mobile communication system.

  When a mobile device used in a mobile communication system moves to a place where radio waves do not reach such as a subway, “out of service area” is displayed on the screen of the mobile device. When “out of service area” is displayed, if an attempt is made to transmit a voice or packet, “out of service area” is immediately displayed and transmission is prohibited. This is because the user interface (UI) restricts outgoing calls so as not to attempt useless outgoing calls when the mobile device belongs outside the service area.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the operation in such a case. First, the band search unit of the mobile device performs a band search, and detects that the mobile device belongs to the outside of the service area (S1). The detection result is notified to the user interface (UI) (S2). The user interface (UI) of the mobile device displays on the screen that the mobile device belongs to outside the service area (S3). After detecting that the band is out of service, the band search unit sets a band search timer to prepare for the next band search. For example, when the band search timer for about 5 seconds expires, the next band search is performed (S4). In the illustrated example, as a result of the band search, it is detected that the mobile device belongs to the area (S5). The detection result is notified to the user interface (UI) (S6). Then, the screen display of the mobile device changes from “out of service area” to “in service area”. Being within a range is displayed, for example, by a pictograph of an antenna (S7).

  It is assumed that the user requests transmission when “out of service area” is displayed on the user interface (UI) (S8). In this case, since “out of service area” is displayed, the call request is rejected (S9). On the other hand, when “out of service area” is not displayed, the call request (S10) from the user is not rejected by the user interface (UI), but is notified to the communication unit (S11), the radio base station, etc. Is sent to the network side (NW) (S12).

  The conventional techniques are described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-44700 JP 2005-26803 A JP 2006-108989

  By the way, the band search for confirming that the mobile device is out of the service area or within the service area is performed at regular intervals of about 5 seconds, for example. For this reason, the display of whether or not “out of service area” on the screen of the mobile device is maintained for at least about 5 seconds, and may not necessarily accurately reflect the actual state of the mobile device. Therefore, even if the mobile device returns from outside the service area to the service area, it takes some time for the display on the screen to reach the service area. For this reason, even if a user outside the service area is aware that the user has returned to an area where radio waves reach, the user's transmission is prohibited until the next band search confirms that the user is within the service area. Note that the specific number of seconds such as the above 5 seconds may differ depending on the mounting conditions of the mobile device. However, as long as the band search is performed at regular intervals, the user's transmission may be more or less prohibited.

  The subject of this invention is shortening the period when the transmission of such a mobile station is prohibited.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile device 200 in a mobile communication system is used.

Mobile device 200
A band search unit 212 that performs a band search and determines whether the mobile device 200 belongs to a communicable area;
A user interface unit 202/204 showing the determination result by the band search unit 212 to the user;
A call determination unit 206 for determining whether the user's call request is a forced call request;
A communication unit 214 for communicating with a radio base station;
A transmission control unit 210 that executes a band search by the band search unit 212 or a transmission by the communication unit 214 according to a determination result by the transmission determination unit 206, and the user interface unit 202/204 is out of service area. If the user is informed that the call request requested by the user is a forced call request, the call control unit 210 causes the band search unit 212 to perform a band search so that the mobile device can communicate. The transmission control unit 210 is a mobile device that causes the communication unit 214 to execute a transmission when the mobile station belongs to a certain area.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a method in mobile device 200 of a mobile communication system is used.

This method
Performing a band search, and determining whether or not the mobile device 200 belongs to a communicable area by the band search unit 212;
The determination result by the band search unit 212 is shown to the user by the user interface unit 202/204,
A step of determining by the transmission determination unit 206 whether or not the user's transmission request is a forced transmission request;
The transmission control unit 210 executes a band search by the band search unit 212 or a transmission by the communication unit 214 according to a determination result by the transmission determination unit 206, and the user interface unit 202/204 has the following steps: If the user is out of service area, and the call request requested by the user is a forced call request, the call control unit 210 causes the band search unit 212 to perform a band search, and the mobile device In the case of belonging to a communicable area, the transmission control unit 210 causes the communication unit 214 to perform transmission.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to shorten a period during which transmission of a mobile device is prohibited.

The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the conventional mobile apparatus. The block diagram of the mobile station by one Example. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mobile apparatus by one Example. The figure which shows the example of a screen display with respect to a normal call request and a forced call request.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the user interface UI displays “out of service area”, but if the user interface is actually in service area, the user can forcibly send a call request to the network. When the user desires such forced transmission, the band search unit of the mobile device performs a band search, and when it is confirmed that the mobile device is within range, the mobile device wirelessly transmits a transmission request to the network. As a result, the band search is not only performed at a predetermined period, but the band search is executed at an arbitrary timing requested by the user, and the period during which the transmission is prohibited can be shortened. In particular, the user interface UI displays “out of service area”, but when it is clear to the user that the user is actually in service area, the user can promptly request the mobile device to make a forced call. A band search is performed and transmission can be promptly made to an appropriate radio base station.

  The user interface UI may display an option as to whether to perform forced transmission. This is preferable from the viewpoint of clarifying the intention of forced transmission.

  Alternatively, when the user is shown to be out of service area, the user's call request may be uniformly processed as a forced call request. This is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the number of times the user operates the button when making a call.

  In addition to performing a band search when the periodically reset timer expires, a band search is also performed when the user's call request is a forced call request, in which case the timer is reset. Also good. This is preferable from the viewpoint of performing a forced band search promptly while performing a regular band search, while avoiding a useless band search.

  Examples according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a user, a mobile device 200, and a network NW. The mobile device 200 is typically a mobile phone, but may be any suitable user device capable of mobile communication such as a portable personal computer, an information terminal, a PDA, or the like. The network NW includes various entities connected to the radio base station and a core network in addition to the radio base station connected to the mobile device 200 via a radio link. The mobile device 200 includes a user interface (UI) 202, a display unit 204, a transmission determination unit 206, a transmission control unit 210, a band search unit 212, and a communication unit 214.

  A user interface (UI) 202 is an interface for performing communication between the user and the mobile device. The user interface (UI) 202 is typically a display having a display screen, but may alternatively or additionally include other interfaces. For example, not only a visual interface but also an audio interface may be provided. The user interface (UI) 202 may be constructed by a display, control panel, liquid crystal display (LCD), keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, trackball, microphone, speaker, or any suitable combination thereof. However, it is not limited to these.

  A user interface (UI) 202 includes output elements such as a display unit 204. The display unit 204 visually displays various information such as characters, figures, symbols, and images to the user. In particular, the display unit 204 indicates to the user whether or not the mobile device belongs to a non-service area.

  The user interface (UI) 202 has general input elements such as an input button for inputting characters, graphics, symbols, alphanumeric characters, etc., a determination button, and a cursor control button. In the present embodiment, the user interface (UI) 202 receives a call request from the user, particularly a “forced call request” from the user. The call may be made when the user inputs the destination telephone number and presses the call button. Alternatively, the transmission may be performed by selecting and pressing a determination button in the browser screen. Furthermore, the transmission may be performed by pressing a determination button for specific processing such as e-mail transmission, download, and other command transmission.

  The transmission determination unit 206 determines whether or not the transmission control unit 210 should be notified of a transmission request desired by the user. As will be described later, when a transmission request is notified to the transmission control unit 210, the transmission request is transmitted to a connectable radio base station. When the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 displays “within range”, the transmission request from the user is promptly notified to the communication unit 214 through the transmission control unit 210. When the display unit 204 displays “out of service area”, the call determination unit 206 determines whether the call request from the user is a “forced call request” (forced call request). To do. If it is not a forced call request, the call request is rejected. If the request is a forced transmission request, the transmission request is notified to the transmission control unit 210, and then the band search by the band search unit 212 is performed. This is a significant difference from conventional processing.

  When the display unit 204 displays “out of service area”, two types of transmission requests desired by the user can be considered. In some cases, the user may dare to make a call while being aware that “out of service area” is displayed, and this is referred to as a “forced call request”. On the other hand, there is no such awareness, and it may happen that the user was out of service area when the call was requested. This call request may be referred to as “normal call request”, “normal call request” or simply “call request” if there is no risk of confusion. Whether or not the transmission request is a “forced transmission request” can be distinguished by various methods.

For example, on the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202, in addition to being “out of service area”, an option as to whether or not to forcibly send may be displayed. As an example, in the screen indicating "out of range"
“Do you want to force the transmission?“ Yes ”“ No ””
It is possible to make an inquiry like this and inquire the user.

  There is another discrimination method. Normally, a voice call button is pressed once for voice, and a decision button is pressed once for packet transmission, etc., but if a user presses such a button multiple times (for example, three times) continuously, forced transmission It may be determined in advance as a request intention display. Some special symbols and buttons may be separately prepared for forced transmission.

  When the display unit 204 displays “out of service area”, it is not essential to distinguish whether or not the user intended “forced” transmission. That is, the “forced call request” and the “normal call request” may not be distinguished. When the display unit 204 displays “out of service area”, a call request requested by the user may be treated as a “forced call request”. In this case, the transmission determination unit 206 uniformly notifies the transmission control unit 210 of the transmission request received from the user regardless of the display on the display unit 204.

  The transmission control unit 210 performs control for the communication unit 214 to transmit the transmission request notified from the transmission determination unit 206 to a connectable radio base station. When the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 indicates that it is “within range”, a connectable radio base station is already known. In this case, the transmission control unit 210 instructs the communication unit 214 to transmit a transmission request signal to the radio base station. On the other hand, when the display unit 204 indicates “out of service area”, the connectable radio base station is unknown. In this case, the transmission control unit 210 instructs the band search unit 212 to perform a band search.

  The band search unit 212 performs a band search regularly and irregularly. By performing a band search, a wireless base station connectable to the mobile device is detected. When such a radio base station is detected, the mobile device belongs to the range, and when it cannot be detected, the mobile device belongs to the outside of the range. Such a determination result within or outside the range is notified to the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 and displayed. The band search unit 212 of the mobile device measures the reception level from neighboring radio base stations, receives a notification signal from a radio base station with a good reception level, and acquires information on connectable radio base stations. The band search may be performed with a period of about 5 seconds, for example. In the present embodiment, the band search unit 212 not only performs a band search periodically, but also performs a band search when receiving an instruction from the transmission control unit 210. When a band search is performed in response to an instruction from transmission control unit 210, a periodically performed band search timer (not shown) may be reset.

  The communication unit 214 is a communication interface for the mobile device to communicate with the radio base station. The communication unit 214 performs transmission in response to an instruction from the transmission control unit 210. The communication unit 214 receives a signal transmitted from the radio base station.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the mobile device.

  In step S1, the band search unit 212 of the mobile device performs a band search and detects that it is out of range. The band search unit 212 sets a timer in preparation for the timing of the next periodic band search. As described above, the period measured by the timer may be any appropriate number of seconds, but is about 5 seconds as an example.

  In step S2, the determination result (being out of service area) of the band search unit 212 is notified to the user interface (UI) 202. The display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 displays “out of service area”. For example, the display unit 204 may display a character “out of range”.

  In step S3, the user requests normal transmission. In the operation example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that “normal transmission request” and “forced transmission request” are distinguished. However, as described above, this distinction is not essential.

  In step S4, the transmission determination unit 206 determines whether the transmission request from the user is a “normal transmission request” or a “forced transmission request”. In the present case, the call request is a normal call request. Therefore, the transmission request is rejected without notifying the transmission control unit 210 (step S5). For example, a pop-up “out of service area” may be displayed on the display unit 204.

  In step S6, a “forced call request” is made from the user. At this point, it is assumed that the user has moved to a place where radio waves from the radio base station reach. For example, at the time when the band search in step S1 was performed, the user was in the elevator (although it was clearly out of range), but then moved to the platform of the station where radio waves seem to arrive. Conceivable.

  Also in step S7, the transmission determination unit 206 determines whether the transmission request from the user is a “normal transmission request” or a “forced transmission request”. In the present case, the outgoing call request is a forced outgoing call request. Therefore, the transmission request is notified to the transmission control unit 210 (step S8).

  In step S9, the transmission control unit 210 requests the band search unit 210 to perform a band search in response to receiving a forced transmission request notification.

  In step S10, the band search unit 212 performs a band search in response to a band search request. In the case of the current example, it is assumed that the timer set immediately after step S1 has not yet expired at the time of step S10. If the user at this time is in a place where radio waves from the radio base station reach, the band search unit 212 can detect a connectable radio base station. As described above, information on connectable radio base stations can be obtained from broadcast information transmitted from the radio base station. In the figure, a number of arrows pointing left from the network side (NW) conceptually indicate that such broadcast information is appropriately transmitted from the radio base station.

  In step S11, the band search unit 212 detects a radio base station to which the mobile device can be connected, and detects that the mobile device belongs to the area.

  In step S12, the band search unit 212 notifies the transmission control unit 210 of information on connectable radio base stations.

  In step S13, transmission control unit 210 instructs communication unit 214 to wirelessly transmit a forced transmission request signal.

  In step S14, the communication unit 214 wirelessly transmits a transmission request signal to a connectable wireless base station in response to an instruction from the transmission control unit 210.

  In step S15, the determination result (being within range) of the band search unit 212 is notified to the user interface (UI) 202. In response to this, the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 displays that it is “within range”. For example, the display unit 204 may display a pictograph of the antenna.

  In Steps S10 and S11, when the band search unit 210 cannot detect an appropriate radio base station that can be connected to the mobile device, permission of transmission in Step S13 is not performed. In that case, the user is notified that the forced call request was unsuccessful.

  FIG. 4 shows a screen display example for a normal call request and a forced call request. This screen display is performed on the display unit 204 of the user interface (UI) 202 of the mobile device. As shown in the left screen example in the figure, it is assumed that a request for outgoing voice communication is made when “out of service area” is displayed. In the example shown in the figure, the telephone number “09012345678” of the other party is input or called from the memory, and the call button is pressed. If this call request is a “normal call request” as in step S3 of FIG. 3, the call request is quickly rejected as shown in the upper right of FIG. On the other hand, if the call request is a “forced call request” as in step S6 of FIG. 3 (for example, if the call button is pressed three times in succession), the band search is not promptly rejected. If successful, the outgoing call processing is performed. For this reason, the display as shown in the lower right of FIG. 4 is performed.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, they are merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will appreciate various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. Although specific numerical examples have been described to facilitate understanding of the invention, these numerical values are merely examples, and any appropriate values may be used unless otherwise specified. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software is available on random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server and any other suitable storage medium May be. The present invention may be applied to any appropriate mobile communication system. For example, the present invention may be applied to HSDPA / HSUPA W-CDMA systems, LTE systems, IMT-Advanced systems, WiMAX, Wi-Fi systems, and the like. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

200 mobile
202 User interface (UI)
204 Display
206 Outgoing decision section
210 Transmission control unit
212 Band search part
214 Communication Department

Claims (5)

A mobile device in a mobile communication system,
A band search unit that performs a band search and determines whether the mobile device belongs to a communicable area;
A user interface unit showing a determination result by the band search unit to a user;
A call determination unit that determines whether the user's call request is a forced call request;
A communication unit for communicating with a radio base station;
A transmission control unit that executes a band search by the band search unit or a transmission by the communication unit according to a determination result by the transmission determination unit, and indicates that the user interface unit is out of service area, And when the transmission request requested by the user is a forced transmission request, the transmission control unit causes the band search unit to perform a band search, and if the mobile device belongs within a communicable area, The transmission control unit is a mobile device that causes the communication unit to perform transmission.   2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface unit displays an option as to whether to perform forced transmission.   The mobile device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the user is indicated to be out of service area, the user's call request is processed as a forced call request. The band search unit has a timer for measuring a band search cycle,
4. The band search unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the band search unit performs a band search and resets the timer when the user's call request is a forced call request in addition to when the timer expires. The mobile device described in. A method used in a mobile device of a mobile communication system, comprising:
Performing a band search and determining whether or not the mobile device belongs to a communicable area by a band search unit;
Showing the determination result by the band search unit to the user by the user interface unit;
Determining whether or not the user's call request is a forced call request by the call determination unit;
A transmission control unit that executes a band search by the band search unit or a transmission by a communication unit according to a determination result by the transmission determination unit, and informs a user that the user interface unit is out of service area. And when the transmission request requested by the user is a forced transmission request, the transmission control unit causes the band search unit to perform a band search, and the mobile device belongs to a communicable area The transmission control unit causes the communication unit to perform transmission.

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