JP2012169971A - Communication route selection device, communication route selection method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adaptively select a connection destination communication route of a client terminal having a plurality of communication routes.SOLUTION: A communication route selection device 1 comprises: a communication unit 10 acquiring connection settings of a mobile telephone network and a wireless LAN set in a client terminal, and information on the client terminal; a connection settings confirmation unit 201 determining the connection settings; a data base 203 storing a table mapping the information on the client terminal and a connection destination showing the mobile telephone network or a wireless LAN access point; and a communication route determination unit 202 referring to the data base 203 and determining the connection destination mapped to the information on the client terminal to be a connection destination communication route, when the connection settings confirmation unit 201 determines that the connection status shows both of the mobile telephone network and the wireless LAN are on or only wireless LAN is on.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication path selection device, a communication path selection method, and a program for adaptively selecting a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths.

  In recent years, mobile terminals typified by smartphones often have a plurality of communication paths. Specifically, it has a communication path such as a mobile phone network such as a 3G line, a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark) (for connection with a mobile router). Although the cellular phone network is limited to connection with a contracted carrier, public wireless LAN environments that can be used free of charge such as FON, Freespot, and restaurants are increasing. In addition, portable wireless LAN access points (hereinafter simply referred to as “portable access points”) are also increasing. In such an environment having a plurality of communication paths, a technique for switching a wireless LAN access point (AP) according to a communication situation has been proposed (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the connectivity to the wireless LAN access point is determined using the location information, and if the location of the mobile phone is within the range of the wireless LAN, the wireless LAN is used, and if it is out of the range of the wireless LAN, the 3G line is used. A technique has also been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

Morioka, Higashino, Tsukamoto, Komaki, “Proposal of AP Selection Agent System in Wireless LAN”, IEICE Technical Report, MoMuC 2007-05 (2007-05), p. 21-26 Imai, Kashimura, Yoshihara, “Implementation and Evaluation of Wireless LAN Power Saving Standby System in Dual Terminals”, FIT2010 (9th Information Science and Technology Forum), (4th volume), p. 385-386

  In the case where both a wireless LAN and a mobile phone network can be used, the wireless LAN has always been used. In most current terminals, first, data transmission to the wireless LAN is attempted, and if data cannot be transmitted due to some problem (for example, authentication or the like), the data is transmitted to the mobile phone network. For this reason, when there is a wireless LAN with unstable connection or a wireless LAN using browser authentication in the vicinity, and the terminal is connected to the access point, the wireless LAN times out. In a wireless LAN with unstable connection, the IP address was successfully assigned, but at the time of sending the important data, the received radio wave intensity is insufficient and the communication speed may not be increased. For example, when going from a building to an outdoor parking lot at a university, the received radio wave strength of the wireless LAN tends to decrease and the connection becomes unstable. Does not switch to the net. Also, wireless LAN based on browser authentication is used in places such as public wireless LANs and lounges at major airports, but since an IP address is assigned before authentication, it is recognized that communication is possible when viewed from the application layer. In reality, data may not be transmitted.

  In the case where a plurality of wireless LANs can be used, conventionally, an access point with a strong received radio wave intensity has always been selected. If there are multiple access points (for example, access points for each faculty / department, each laboratory, etc. in universities) and you want to access a printer or server in the wireless LAN of the laboratory, for example, You may grab an access point of a department that is stronger than other access points. In this case, it is impossible to connect to the wireless LAN of the laboratory which is the original purpose, and a procedure of switching the connection destination again occurs.

  In addition, when the portable access point is held, the portable access point is in a familiar bag or the like, so that when viewed from the terminal, the portable access point is the access point with the highest received radio wave intensity. For this reason, in the case of the conventional method of selecting an access point with strong reception strength, the wireless LAN intended by the user is connected to a portable access point. For example, there are many cases where a company intends to access an in-house wireless LAN, but is not connected to a printer or network drive because it is actually connected to a portable access point on hand. In addition, since the portable access point is ahead of the mobile phone network, there are many cases where the portable access point is connected to the portable access point if the communication speed is considered to be slow.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, a communication path selection device and a communication path that can dynamically (adaptively) switch a mobile phone network, a wireless LAN, and a plurality of wireless LAN access points. To provide a selection method and a program.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication path selection apparatus according to the present invention is a communication path selection apparatus that adaptively selects a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths, and is set in the client terminal A communication unit that acquires connection settings of a mobile phone network and a wireless LAN and information of a client terminal, and whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, whether only the mobile phone network is ON, or wireless A connection setting confirmation unit for determining whether only the LAN is on, or whether both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN are off, information on the client terminal, and a connection destination indicating the mobile phone network or the wireless LAN access point. The connection state is ON for both the cellular phone network and the wireless LAN by the database storing the associated table and the connection setting confirmation unit. Or a communication path determination unit that determines a connection destination associated with the information of the client terminal as a connection destination communication path with reference to the database when it is determined that only the wireless LAN is on. It is characterized by that.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication route selection method according to the present invention includes a client terminal having a plurality of communication routes by a communication route selection device including a communication unit, a connection setting confirmation unit, and a communication route determination unit. A communication path selection method for adaptively selecting a connection destination communication path, wherein the communication unit obtains connection settings of a mobile phone network and a wireless LAN set in the client terminal and information on the client terminal And the connection setting confirmation unit determines whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, only the mobile phone network is ON, only the wireless LAN is ON, or the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN. Determining whether both are off, and whether the connection state is on for both the cellular phone network and the wireless LAN by the connection setting confirmation unit; When it is determined that only the LAN is on, the client terminal is referred to by referring to a database that stores a table in which information of the client terminal is associated with a connection destination indicating a mobile phone network or a wireless LAN access point. And determining a connection destination associated with the information as a connection destination communication path.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a portable terminal set in a client terminal in a computer that functions as a communication path selection device that adaptively selects a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths. A step of acquiring connection settings of a telephone network and a wireless LAN and information of a client terminal; whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, whether only the mobile phone network is ON, or only for the wireless LAN Determining whether the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN are both off, and determining that the connection state is both on the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, or that only the wireless LAN is on. In this case, a table in which the information of the client terminal is associated with a connection destination indicating a mobile phone network or a wireless LAN access point. It refers to the database that stores the bets and determining a destination associated with the information of the client terminal as a connection destination communication path, also characterized as a program to be run.

  According to the present invention, in a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths, it is possible to dynamically (adaptively) select an appropriate communication path according to the situation (communication context) in which the communication device is used. Become.

It is a figure which shows the example which can utilize both wireless LAN and a mobile telephone network. It is a figure which shows the example which can utilize a some wireless LAN access point. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication path selection apparatus of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority setting database of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication path selection apparatus of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the starting example of the communication path selection part of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the connection state confirmation example of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication path selection apparatus of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of determination of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of access point determination of 1st Embodiment by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication path selection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the policy database of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of determination of 2nd Embodiment by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of access point determination of 2nd Embodiment by this invention.

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

  In the present invention, when the client terminal has a plurality of communication paths, the communication path is adaptively selected. Therefore, first, an example in which a client terminal has a plurality of communication paths will be described in order to help understanding of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which both a wireless LAN and a mobile phone network can be used. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example in which an indoor user who uses an indoor wireless LAN has subsequently moved outdoors. Wireless LAN received radio waves tend to attenuate because they move away from the wireless LAN access point, but if the connection is barely connected, even if the received radio wave intensity from the base station of the mobile phone network outdoors is stronger, If there is, the wireless LAN is continuously used.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of connection to an access point of a browser authentication type public wireless LAN such as FON or MobilePoint. Conventionally, such an authentication type public wireless LAN connection has a connection history in the client terminal even if it is used occasionally. Therefore, the client terminal refers to the history and tries to connect to the authentication type public wireless LAN after the second time. Also, since browser authentication is performed, an IP address is assigned before authentication, so even if the authentication type public wireless LAN connection is not authenticated, it is misunderstood that communication is possible when viewed from the application, Even if the received radio wave intensity from the base station of the telephone network is stronger, conventionally, data is transmitted to the unauthenticated authentication type public wireless LAN.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when both the wireless LAN and the cellular phone network can be used, the wireless LAN is not always selected, but depending on the position and time and the status (communication context) of the communication device performed, the wireless LAN is selected. Select the mobile phone network adaptively.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of wireless LAN access points (APs) can be used. Here, the availability of an access point refers to an access point that has been connected in the past. When a plurality of access points can be used, conventionally, the access point having the highest received radio wave intensity is always selected from the available access points. For this reason, for example, in an office where the access point of the adjacent department is closer due to the arrangement of seats, or when a mobile access point is installed in the cage, the access point of the own department in the company that is originally intended to be connected Instead, they are connected to those access points with strong received signal strength.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when a plurality of wireless LAN access points can be used, the wireless LAN access point is not necessarily selected according to the received radio wave intensity, but is selected depending on the communication device status (communication context) such as the attenuation tendency, position and time. Select LAN adaptively.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the communication path selection device 1. The communication path selection device 1 includes a communication unit 10 and a communication path selection unit 20. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the communication path selection device 1 is mounted on a client terminal.

  First, the configuration of the communication unit 10 will be described. The communication unit 10 includes a communication state acquisition unit 101, a 3G module 102, a WiFi module 103, and a GPS reception unit 104.

  The 3G module 102 acquires a communication state with respect to the mobile phone network. Here, the communication state with respect to the mobile phone network is information such as the received radio wave intensity from the base station, and may include information on the inside / out of service area. Further, based on an instruction from the communication path selection unit 20, the mobile phone network is connected via the base station.

  The WiFi module 103 acquires a communication state with the wireless LAN. Here, the communication state with the wireless LAN is information such as the received radio wave intensity from the access point, SSID (Service Set Identifier), and the like, and may include information within / out of service area. In addition, based on an instruction from the communication path selection unit 20, the wireless LAN is connected via the access point.

  The communication state acquisition unit 101 acquires the respective communication states from the 3G module 102 and the WiFi module 103, and outputs the acquired communication state to the communication path selection unit 20. In addition, the communication state acquisition unit 101 acquires the position information of the client terminal and outputs the acquired position information to the communication path selection unit 20. In addition to time information, time (time) information may also be acquired and output to the communication path selection unit 20. The position information is acquired from the position of the wireless LAN access point, a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal received by the GPS receiving unit 104, and the like. The time information is acquired from a clock built in the client terminal, a GPS signal acquired by the GPS receiving unit 104, or the like. In FIG. 3, the communication unit 10 includes the GPS receiving unit 104. However, only the GPS signal may be acquired from the GPS receiving unit built in the client terminal.

  In addition, the communication state acquisition unit 101 activates the communication path selection unit 20 with a change in a state serving as a reference as a trigger (in this case, a value serving as a trigger is periodically monitored). For example, a change in a reference state such as a disconnection of communication, a change in received radio wave intensity, or a change in position can be used as a trigger. When a change in received radio wave intensity or position is used as a trigger, since it is necessary to constantly monitor the received radio wave intensity or position, a disconnection of communication is generally used as a trigger.

  Next, the configuration of the communication path selection unit 20 will be described. The communication path selection unit 20 includes a connection setting confirmation unit 201, a communication path determination unit 202, and a database 203.

  The connection setting confirmation unit 201 confirms the connection setting of the client terminal set by the user. Connection settings include (1) 3G (cell phone network) on, WiFi (wireless LAN) on, (2) 3G on, WiFi off, (3) 3G off, WiFi on, (4) 3G off, WiFi off. There are four types. The connection setting confirmation unit 201 determines a communication path selection method for each combination.

  The database 203 stores a table that associates terminal information of client terminals with communication paths. In the communication path selection device 1 according to the first embodiment, a case where the database 203 is a table in which position information (and time information) that is terminal information, a connection destination, and a minimum received radio wave intensity are associated with each other will be described. To do. In order to distinguish it from the database of the second embodiment to be described later, it is hereinafter referred to as a priority setting database. The priority setting database 203 specifies a specific connection destination (cellular phone network or wireless LAN access point) to be prioritized.

  By associating the position information with the connection destination, an access point close to the position of the client terminal can be set as the connection destination. Further, although time information is not necessarily required, it is possible to perform control such that connection to a mobile phone terminal network is always performed in a specific time zone by associating time information with a connection destination. In addition, when these are combined and stayed at a certain place for a certain period of time or more, control such as switching from 3G to a browser authentication public wireless LAN is possible.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in the priority setting database 203. The order of arrangement of each setting represents priority, and the settings are arranged in the order of setting with higher priority. If it matches multiple settings, the setting registered at the top is applied. Note that ap1 and ap3 in the figure indicate SSIDs that are identifiers of access points.

  The communication path determination unit 202 refers to the priority setting database 203 and determines a connection destination associated with the position information (and time information) of the client terminal as a connection destination communication path. Here, the “connection destination communication path” is a communication path that is actually connected among a plurality of communicable communication paths. That is, when the connection destination associated with the location information of the client terminal is a mobile phone network, the connection destination communication path is the mobile phone network, and the connection destination associated with the location information of the client terminal is a wireless LAN access. In the case of a point, the connection destination communication path is a wireless LAN that can be connected via the wireless LAN access point.

  Next, the operation of the communication path selection device 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication path selection device 1. In the communication path selection device 1, the communication unit 10 activates the communication path selection unit 20 based on a change in a reference state. (Step S101). Next, the communication path selection device 1 uses the connection setting confirmation unit 201 to confirm the connection state of the client terminal set by the user (step S102). Next, the communication path selection device 1 determines the connection destination by the communication path determination unit 202 (step S103). The communication path selection device 1 starts communication by connecting to the connection destination determined in step S103 by the communication unit 10 (step S104).

  FIG. 6 shows in detail the operation of step S101 of FIG. 5, and is a flowchart showing an example of activation of the communication path selection unit 20 by the communication unit 10 (communication state acquisition unit 101). In the example shown here, a disconnection of communication, a change in received radio wave intensity, and a change in position are used as triggers.

  First, the communication state acquisition unit 101 determines whether or not the connection to the communication path is maintained (step S201), and determines that the connection is not maintained, that is, is not connected (is not connected). In that case, the communication path selection unit 20 is activated (step S206).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the connection is maintained, the communication state acquisition unit 101 acquires the received radio wave intensity and obtains the amount of change per unit time (step S202). Then, the communication state acquisition unit 101 determines whether or not the attenuation amount of the received radio wave intensity per unit time exceeds the threshold value (step S203), and determines that the attenuation amount of the received radio wave intensity exceeds the threshold value. The communication path selection unit 20 is activated (step S206).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the attenuation amount of the received radio wave intensity is equal to or less than the threshold value, the communication state acquisition unit 101 acquires the position information of the client terminal and moves the movement distance per unit time (that is, movement) Speed) is obtained (step S204). The moving speed may be acquired by an acceleration sensor.

  Then, the communication state acquisition unit 101 determines whether or not the moving distance of the client terminal per unit time exceeds a threshold (step S205), and determines that the moving distance exceeds the threshold, the communication path selection unit 20 is started (step S206). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the moving distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, the process returns to step S201, and the above process is repeated.

  Note that the communication status acquisition unit 101 may periodically acquire the communication status and periodically start the communication path selection unit 20. In this case, the update interval can be set by the user. However, if the update interval is shortened, the optimum route can always be selected, while battery consumption and frequent route changes (communication at each layer for each change). Overhead associated with the start).

  FIG. 7 shows details of the operation in step S102 of FIG. 5, and is a flowchart showing an example of connection state confirmation by the connection setting confirmation unit 201. The connection setting confirmation unit 201 acquires the connection state of the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN from the communication state acquisition unit 101 (step S301). If it is determined in step S302 that both the cellular phone network (3G) and the wireless LAN (WiFi) are off, the connection setting confirmation unit 201 does not select a communication path because communication is impossible (step S303). If it is determined that only the cellular phone network (3G) is on (step S304—Yes), the connection destination communication path is determined to be the cellular phone network (step S305).

  Further, the connection setting confirmation unit 201 is a communication path determination unit when both the cellular phone network (3G) and the wireless LAN (WiFi) are on, or when only the wireless LAN (WiFi) is on (step S304-No). 202 is instructed to perform communication path determination processing (step S306).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication path selection device 1 and shows the configuration of the communication path determination unit 202 in more detail. The communication path determination unit 202 can uniquely determine the communication path associated with the location information (and time information) of the client terminal with reference to the priority setting database 203, but here, the wireless LAN is selected. In this case, a method of extracting available access points and determining the final connection destination access point with reference to the priority setting database 203 again will be described. In this case, the communication path determination unit 202 includes a determination unit 204, an AP extraction unit 205, and an AP determination unit 206.

  The determination unit 204 refers to the priority setting database 203 and determines whether there is a priority route associated with the position information. Here, the priority route is one of a mobile phone network and a wireless LAN. For example, referring to the priority setting database 203, when the setting with the highest priority is 3G, the priority route is the cellular phone network, and otherwise, the priority route is the wireless LAN.

  The AP extraction unit 205 extracts available access points and outputs a list of available access points to the AP determination unit 206. Conventionally, if there is a usage history, the AP can be used. However, the AP extraction unit 205 extracts, as usable access points, access points that have a use history and whose received radio wave intensity exceeds a threshold value. This is to prevent connection to an access point with weak received radio wave intensity. Further, parameters such as the amount of change in received radio wave intensity per unit time may be further added to the conditions of available access points.

  The AP determination unit 206 again checks the list of available access points input from the AP extraction unit 205 with the priority setting database 203 to determine an access point that matches the available access point. The connection destination communication path is determined as a wireless LAN connectable via the access point.

  The communication path operation by the communication path determination unit 202 in step S103 of FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determination by the determination unit 204. The determination unit 204 acquires the communication state and position / time information from the communication state acquisition unit 101 (step S401), and refers to the priority setting database 203 using the position / time information as a key (step S402). Then, the determination unit 204 determines whether there is a priority route (step S403). If it is determined in step S403 that there is a priority route, the determination unit 204 determines whether or not the priority route is a mobile phone network (step S404). When it is determined in step S404 that the priority route is the mobile phone network, the determination unit 204 determines the connection destination communication route as the mobile phone network (step S405).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S403 that there is no priority route, or if it is determined in step S402 that the priority route is a wireless LAN, the determination unit 204 determines the communication route as a wireless LAN (step S406). ), The AP extraction unit 205 is activated. Here, “there is no priority route” means that the communication route associated with the acquired position / time information does not exist in the priority setting database 203. In addition, when there is no priority route, priority is given to the wireless LAN connection as in the conventional case.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining an access point by the AP determination unit 206. The AP determination unit 206 acquires position / time information and a communication state from the communication state acquisition unit 101 (step S501), and acquires a list of available access points from the AP extraction unit 205 (step S502). Then, the AP determination unit 206 refers to the priority setting database 203 based on the position / time information acquired in step S501 and the received radio wave intensity (step S503), and there is an access point that matches the acquired access point. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S504).

  If it is determined in step S504 that there is a matching access point, the AP determination unit 206 determines that the connection destination communication path is a wireless LAN that can be connected via the access point (step S505). If there are a plurality of matching access points, the access point registered at the top of the priority setting database 203 is applied. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S504 that there is no matching setting, the AP determination unit 206 determines the connection destination communication path based on the received radio wave intensity and the usage history as in the conventional case (step S506). .

  If it is determined in step S403 that there is no priority route in the priority setting database 203, it is determined in step S504 that there is no matching access point. Based on this, the connection destination communication path is determined. Therefore, if it is determined in step S403 that there is no priority route, the determination unit 204 may directly determine the connection destination communication route based on the received radio wave intensity and the usage history.

  Here, in order to function as the communication path selection apparatus 1, a computer can be preferably used, and such a computer can store a program describing processing contents for realizing each function of the communication path selection apparatus 1. This program can be realized by reading out and executing this program by a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer.

  Thus, according to the communication path selection device 1 of the first embodiment, in a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths, an appropriate communication path is set according to the situation (communication context) in which the communication device is used. It becomes possible to select adaptively.

  For example, even if a portable access point is used by determining priority based on position information, if the received radio wave intensity from another wireless LAN access point exceeds a threshold, the other wireless LAN access point It becomes possible to switch the connection.

  In addition, even if the received radio wave intensity of a certain communication path is not the strongest among the plurality of communication paths, if the received radio wave intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the connection may be preferentially made according to the selection policy of the communication device. It becomes possible. For example, even when the access point of the adjacent department is closer and the received radio wave intensity is higher, it is possible to connect to the access point of the own department by determining the priority based on the position information.

  In addition, since the minimum received radio wave strength and moving speed information are also used as an index for determining the priority, the mobile phone network is used when the received radio wave strength from the wireless LAN access point is weak or the received radio wave strength changes greatly. It is possible to give priority to the mobile phone network when the connection to the mobile phone is stable. Furthermore, by determining the priority based on the position information, it is possible to perform control such that the cellular phone network is always prioritized at a specific location.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the same reference number is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted. In the communication route selection device 1 of the first embodiment, the communication route is selected based on the position / time information. However, in the communication route selection device 2 of the second embodiment, the communication mode setting set in the client terminal is set. The communication path is automatically selected based on this.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication path selection apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The communication unit 10 of the communication path selection device 2 is the same as that in the first embodiment. The communication path selection unit 20 of the communication path selection device 2 includes a connection setting confirmation unit 201, a communication path determination unit 202, and a policy database 208.

  The policy database 208 is a database in which a plurality of conditions for selecting a communication path to be used is accumulated, and includes a communication mode, a priority communication path (priority path), a minimum received radio wave intensity, and a priority AP (priority). AP) and information (database) in which the AP selection method when there is no priority AP point is associated.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in the policy database 208. Here, the communication mode is set in the client terminal by the user, and includes a power saving mode, a wireless LAN only mode, a maximum communication speed mode, and the like. A typical communication mode may be prepared in advance, or the user may be able to additionally register the communication mode independently. It is assumed that the user has previously set one communication mode for communication.

  The communication path determination unit 202 can uniquely determine the communication path associated with the communication mode with reference to the policy database 208, but here, when selecting a wireless LAN, an access point that can be used is selected. A method of extracting and determining the final connection destination access point with reference to the policy database 208 again will be described. In this case, the communication path determination unit 202 includes a determination unit 204, an AP extraction unit 205, an AP determination unit 206, and a mode confirmation unit 207. The mode confirmation unit 207 confirms the communication mode setting of the client terminal set by the user.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determination unit 204. The determination unit 204 acquires the communication state and position information from the communication state acquisition unit 101, acquires the communication mode from the mode confirmation unit 207 (step S601), and refers to the policy database 208 using the communication mode as a key (step S602). ). Then, the determination unit 204 determines whether there is a priority route (step S603). The priority route is set for each communication mode as shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S603 that there is a priority route, the determination unit 204 determines whether or not the priority route is a mobile phone network (step S604). If it is determined in step S604 that the priority route is the mobile phone network, the determination unit 204 determines the communication route as the mobile phone network (step S605).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S603 that there is no priority route, or if it is determined in step S602 that the priority route is a wireless LAN, the determination unit 204 determines the communication route as a wireless LAN (step S606). ), The AP extraction unit 205 is activated.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of access point determination by the AP determination unit 206. The AP determination unit 206 acquires the communication state and position information from the communication state acquisition unit 101, and acquires the communication mode from the mode confirmation unit 207 (step S701). In addition, the AP determination unit 206 acquires a list of available access points from the AP extraction unit 205 (step S702). Then, the AP determination unit 206 refers to the policy database 208 based on the communication mode acquired in step S701 (step S703), and determines whether there is an access point that matches the acquired access point (step S703). Step S704). If it is determined in step S704 that there is a matching access point, the AP determination unit 206 determines the access point as a connection destination wireless LAN access point (step S705).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S704 that no matching setting exists, the AP determination unit 206 determines a connection destination access point based on the selection method registered in the policy database 208 (step S706). Referring to FIG. 12, when ap1 is registered as the priority access point when the communication mode is the power saving mode, ap1 does not exist in the list of available access points acquired from the AP extraction unit 205. Determines an access point as a connection destination based on access point selection (here, frequency priority) associated with a communication mode.

  Access point selection includes connection frequency, location priority, time priority, and the like. Here, when the access point selection is “connection frequency”, an access point with a high connection frequency is set as a connection destination. When the communication path selection unit 20 further includes the priority setting database 203 described in the first embodiment, “location priority” and “time priority” can be added to the access point selection. When the access point selection is “position priority”, the priority setting database 203 is referred to, and the connection destination associated with the position information is acquired. When the access point selection is “time priority”, the priority setting database 203 is referred to, and the connection destination associated with the time information is acquired.

  If it is determined in step S603 that there is no preferred route in the policy database 208, it is determined in step S704 that there is no matching access point, and therefore the selection registered in the policy database 208 in step S706. The connection destination communication path is determined based on the method. Therefore, if it is determined in step S603 that there is no priority route, the determination unit 204 may directly determine the connection destination communication route based on the selection method registered in the policy database 208.

  Here, similarly to the first embodiment, in order to function as the communication path selection device 2 of the second embodiment, a computer can be suitably used. It can be realized by storing a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function in a storage unit of the computer, and reading and executing the program by the CPU of the computer.

  Thus, according to the communication path selection device 2 of the second embodiment, it is possible to determine the priority according to the communication mode. For example, if the communication mode is set to the maximum communication speed mode, it is possible to connect only to a wireless LAN that is faster than the mobile phone network.

  Although the above embodiment has been described as a representative example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  For example, the communication path selection unit combines a “selection method according to position and time” using the priority setting database 203 and an “automatic selection method based on communication mode setting” using the policy database 208 to select a communication path. It is also possible to decide. For example, the priority setting database 203 may be used first, and the policy database 208 may be used when a connection destination is not found.

  As described above, according to the present invention, which communication path is used can be appropriately selected according to the situation, so that it can be used in a terminal (for example, a smartphone) that can be connected to a plurality of communication paths. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Communication path selection apparatus 10 Communication part 20 Communication path selection part 101 Communication state acquisition part 102 3G module 103 WiFi module 104 GPS receiving part 201 Connection setting confirmation part 202 Communication path determination part 203 Priority setting database 204 Determination part 205 AP extraction Unit 206 AP decision unit 207 Mode confirmation unit 208 Policy database

Claims (10)

A communication path selection device for adaptively selecting a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths,
A communication unit configured to obtain connection settings of the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN set in the client terminal and information of the client terminal;
A connection for determining whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, only the mobile phone network is ON, only the wireless LAN is ON, or both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN are OFF. A setting confirmation section;
A database for storing a table in which the information on the client terminal is associated with a connection destination indicating a mobile phone network or a wireless LAN access point;
When the connection setting confirmation unit determines that the connection state is on for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, or only the wireless LAN is on, the database is referred to and the information of the client terminal is referred to. A communication path determination unit that determines the associated connection destination as a connection destination communication path;
A communication path selection device comprising:   The communication path selection device according to claim 1, wherein the information on the client terminal is position information on the client terminal.   The communication path selection device according to claim 1, wherein the information of the client terminal is a communication mode setting set in the client terminal. The communication path determination unit refers to the database when the connection setting confirmation unit determines that the connection state is on for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, and connects to the location information. It is determined whether there is a destination, and when the connection destination is a mobile phone network, a determination unit that determines the connection destination communication path as a mobile phone network,
When the connection setting confirmation unit determines that the connection state is only wireless LAN, and when the determination unit determines that the connection destination is a wireless LAN access point, an available access point is selected. An AP extraction unit for extraction;
The access point matching the available access point extracted by the AP extraction unit is determined among the connection destinations associated with the location information with reference to the database, and the access point communication path is determined as the access point. An AP determination unit that determines a wireless LAN connectable via
The communication path selection device according to claim 2, further comprising: The communication path determination unit includes a mode confirmation unit that acquires the communication mode setting;
When the connection setting confirmation unit determines that the connection state is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, the database is referred to and there is a connection destination associated with the communication mode setting. If the connection destination is a mobile phone network, a determination unit that determines the connection destination communication path as a mobile phone network,
When the connection setting confirmation unit determines that the connection state is only wireless LAN, and when the determination unit determines that the connection destination is a wireless LAN access point, an available access point is selected. An AP extraction unit for extraction;
The access point that matches the available access point extracted by the AP extraction unit is acquired from the connection destinations associated with the communication mode setting by referring to the database, and the connection destination communication path is acquired. An AP determination unit that determines a wireless LAN connectable via an access point;
The communication path selection device according to claim 3, further comprising: The database has access point selection information indicating an access point selection method associated with the communication mode setting,
The AP determination unit selects an access point based on the access point selection information when the access point that matches the available access point extracted by the AP extraction unit cannot be obtained, and sets a connection destination communication path. 6. The communication path selection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication path selection apparatus is determined as a wireless LAN that can be connected through the selected access point.   The AP extraction unit extracts an access point having a use history and a reception radio wave intensity exceeding a threshold value as the usable AP. The communication route selection device according to 1.   The communication unit is at least one of whether the connection to the communication path is maintained, whether the attenuation of the received radio wave intensity exceeds a threshold, or whether the moving speed of the client terminal exceeds the threshold. The communication path selection device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the communication path determination unit is repeatedly performed according to a condition. A communication path selection method for adaptively selecting a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths by a communication path selection device including a communication unit, a connection setting confirmation unit, and a communication path determination unit,
Obtaining the mobile phone network and wireless LAN connection settings set in the client terminal and the client terminal information by the communication unit;
The connection setting confirmation unit determines whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, only the mobile phone network is ON, only the wireless LAN is ON, or both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN are OFF. A step of determining whether or not
When it is determined by the connection setting confirmation unit that the connection state is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, or only the wireless LAN is ON, the information on the client terminal and the mobile phone network or wireless Determining a connection destination associated with the information of the client terminal as a connection destination communication path with reference to a database storing a table in which a connection destination indicating a LAN access point is associated;
A communication path selection method comprising: In a computer functioning as a communication path selection device that adaptively selects a connection destination communication path of a client terminal having a plurality of communication paths,
Obtaining the connection settings of the mobile phone network and wireless LAN set in the client terminal, and information of the client terminal;
Determining whether the connection setting is ON for both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN, only the mobile phone network is ON, only the wireless LAN is ON, or both the mobile phone network and the wireless LAN are OFF When,
If it is determined that both the cellular phone network and the wireless LAN are on, or only the wireless LAN is on, the information on the client terminal and the connection destination indicating the cellular phone network or the wireless LAN access point Determining a connection destination associated with the information of the client terminal as a connection destination communication path, referring to a database that stores a table that associates
A program for running

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