JP2014187667A - Radio communication device and data transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collect information that can be used effectively.SOLUTION: A timing detection unit 161 detects new connection timing when new connection with a base station device 200 is established by a radio communication unit 110. When new connection timing is detected, a positional information acquisition unit 162 acquires the positional information on a mobile terminal device 100. When the new connection timing is detected, a sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquires a sensor value from a sensor unit 140. A transmission data generation unit 164 associates the positional information output from the positional information acquisition unit 162 with the sensor value output from the sensor value acquisition unit 163 and generates transmission data. Then, the transmission data generation unit 164 outputs the generated transmission data to the radio communication unit 110.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a data transmission method.

  In recent years, wireless communication devices such as mobile phones and tablet terminals have become widespread, and many users carry wireless communication devices. Therefore, recently, many wireless communication devices are scattered over a wide area while moving with the user. In addition, these wireless communication devices may be equipped with, for example, a temperature sensor that measures temperature or an atmospheric pressure sensor that measures atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it has been studied to collect environmental information such as temperature and atmospheric pressure measured by these sensors using wireless communication.

  Specifically, for example, the sensor measures the surrounding environment information when a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous measurement or a predetermined operation by the user, and the measurement result is transmitted from the wireless communication device. . The measurement result is transferred to the information collection device via a network such as the Internet, and the information collection device collects the measurement result transmitted from the wireless communication devices scattered in various places. By constructing such an information collection system, a wide range of environmental information can be collected at a low cost.

JP 2002-351927 A JP 2002-99576 A

  However, the information collection system described above has a problem that it is difficult to collect environmental information uniformly at many points. That is, the timing at which the sensor measures the environmental information is a timing for every predetermined time period or a timing at which the user performs a specific operation, but this timing is not always appropriate.

  For example, when the user is moving at a relatively high speed, the measurement points are sparsely present even if the environmental information is measured at the timing of every predetermined time period. Similarly, when a specific operation of the user is an opportunity for measuring environmental information, the environmental information is not measured unless the user performs a specific operation. As described above, in the information collection system described above, since the timing of environmental information measurement is uncertain depending on the user's behavior and situation, it is difficult to collect information that can be used effectively.

  The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a wireless communication device and a data transmission method capable of collecting information that can be effectively used.

  In one aspect, a wireless communication device disclosed in the present application is a wireless communication unit that establishes a connection between a memory, a sensor that measures ambient environment information, and a communication partner, and performs wireless communication with the communication partner with which the connection has been established. And a processor connected to the memory, the sensor, and the wireless communication unit. The processor detects a new connection timing at which the wireless communication unit newly establishes a connection with a communication partner, acquires position information of the own device at the detected new connection timing, and at the detected new connection timing by the sensor. A process for acquiring a measurement result of environmental information and transmitting transmission data obtained by associating the acquired position information and measurement result with each other from the wireless communication unit is executed.

  According to one aspect of the wireless communication device and the data transmission method disclosed in the present application, it is possible to collect information that can be effectively used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of transmission data according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a transmission data table according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal device according to the fourth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a wireless communication device and a data transmission method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In the following, a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone carried by a user will be described as an example of a wireless communication device. However, if wireless communication is possible, the present application discloses a terminal device that is attached to a vehicle and moves. Technology can also be applied.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information collection system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the information collection system, the mobile terminal device 100 performs wireless communication with the base station device 200, and the base station device 200 is connected to the information collection device 300 via the network N. Has been.

  The mobile terminal device 100 includes a sensor that measures environmental information such as temperature and atmospheric pressure, and wirelessly transmits a measurement result by the sensor to the base station device 200. Specifically, the mobile terminal device 100 measures the environment information at the timing of newly establishing a connection with the base station device 200, for example, at the time of startup or handover, and wirelessly transmits the measurement result. The wireless communication system used for wireless transmission of the measurement result by the mobile terminal device 100 is, for example, a cellular system such as 3G (3rd Generation) / LTE (Long Term Evolution), a wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network: hereinafter abbreviated as “WLAN”). Or WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) method.

  The base station device 200 is a base station device of a wireless communication method such as a cellular method, a WLAN method, or a WiMAX method, for example, and receives a measurement result of environment information transmitted from the mobile terminal device 100. Then, the base station apparatus 200 transmits the received measurement result to the information collection apparatus 300 via the network N.

  The information collecting apparatus 300 receives environmental information measurement results from various base station apparatuses 200 and accumulates the received measurement results. Then, the information collection device 300 analyzes the accumulated measurement results or provides them to the user as required.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. 2 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 120, an input / output unit 130, a sensor unit 140, a memory 150, and a processor 160.

  The wireless communication unit 110 performs wireless communication with the base station apparatus 200. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 110 includes a cellular wireless communication unit 111, a WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and a WiMAX wireless communication unit 113. The cellular radio communication unit 111 performs radio communication with a cellular base station apparatus 200 such as 3G / LTE. The WLAN wireless communication unit 112 performs wireless communication with the WLAN base station apparatus 200. The WiMAX wireless communication unit 113 performs wireless communication with the WiMAX base station apparatus 200.

  When the cellular wireless communication unit 111, the WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and the WiMAX wireless communication unit 113 detect that they have entered the communication area of the base station device 200 of the corresponding wireless communication method, Establish a connection. In addition, the cellular radio communication unit 111, the WLAN radio communication unit 112, and the WiMAX radio communication unit 113 switch the base station device 200 to be connected at the time of handover, and establish a connection with the base station device 200 that is the handover destination.

  Further, the cellular wireless communication unit 111, the WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and the WiMAX wireless communication unit 113 transmit transmission data generated by the processor 160, and includes transmission data including environmental information such as temperature and pressure.

  The GPS receiving unit 120 receives signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, and obtains the position of the mobile terminal device 100 based on the received signals. The position obtained by the GPS receiving unit 120 is represented by, for example, three-dimensional coordinates including three values of latitude, longitude, and altitude.

  The input / output unit 130 includes an input device such as a touch panel and a physical key, and an output device such as a display and a speaker. The input / output unit 130 notifies the processor 160 of a user operation input from the input device. Further, the input / output unit 130 outputs a processing result by the processor 160 through an output device.

  The sensor unit 140 includes a sensor that measures environmental information. Examples of the sensor included in the sensor unit 140 include a temperature / humidity sensor that measures temperature and humidity, and a pressure sensor that measures atmospheric pressure. The sensor unit 140 includes an illuminance sensor that measures ambient brightness, a color sensor that measures ambient color temperature, a radiation dosimeter that measures radiation dose, a microphone that measures sound volume, and the intensity of ultraviolet rays. There may be provided an ultraviolet sensor for measuring odor, an odor sensor for measuring ambient odor, and the like. The sensor unit 140 measures environmental information by each sensor in accordance with an instruction from the processor 160, and outputs a sensor value obtained as a result of the measurement to the processor 160.

  The memory 150 temporarily stores various information used by the processor 160. For example, the memory 150 temporarily stores transmission data generated by the processor 160 or temporarily stores data of an application executed by the processor 160.

  The processor 160 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and executes various applications using information stored in the memory 150. Further, the processor 160 detects the timing when the connection with the base station apparatus 200 is established by the wireless communication unit 110, and instructs the sensor unit 140 to measure environmental information at the detected timing. That is, when any of the cellular radio communication unit 111, the WLAN radio communication unit 112, and the WiMAX radio communication unit 113 establishes a connection with the base station apparatus 200, the processor 160 acquires environment information at that time. Therefore, the processor 160 acquires environmental information from the sensor unit 140 at a point where the mobile terminal device 100 is activated or a point where a handover occurs.

  Then, the processor 160 generates transmission data including the environment information and the position information of the position where the environment information is acquired, and outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless communication unit 110. Here, the processor 160 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor 160 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the processor 160 includes a timing detection unit 161, a position information acquisition unit 162, a sensor value acquisition unit 163, and a transmission data generation unit 164.

  The timing detection unit 161 detects a timing at which a connection with the base station apparatus 200 is newly established by the wireless communication unit 110 (hereinafter referred to as “new connection timing”). In other words, the timing detection unit 161 establishes a new connection with the base station apparatus 200 of the corresponding wireless communication method by any of the cellular wireless communication unit 111, the WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and the WiMAX wireless communication unit 113. Detect timing. Therefore, the timing detection unit 161 detects the timing when the mobile terminal device 100 is activated, the timing when the mobile terminal device 100 newly enters the communication area of the base station device 200, and the like. Then, the timing detection unit 161 notifies the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 that a new connection timing has been detected.

  When notified from the timing detection unit 161 that the new connection timing has been detected, the location information acquisition unit 162 acquires the location information of the mobile terminal device 100. At this time, the position information acquisition unit 162 may acquire the position obtained by the GPS reception unit 120 as position information, and the position obtained based on the received signal strength from the base station apparatus 200 in the wireless communication unit 110 It may be acquired as information. In addition, the position information acquisition unit 162 detects the position in the train, for example, by the acceleration sensor provided in the sensor unit 140, or detects the floor of the high-rise building, for example, by using the pressure sensor. You may get In this manner, the position information acquisition unit 162 acquires the position information of the mobile terminal device 100 at the new connection timing. Then, the position information acquisition unit 162 outputs the acquired position information to the transmission data generation unit 164.

  When the sensor value acquisition unit 163 is notified from the timing detection unit 161 that the new connection timing has been detected, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 instructs the sensor unit 140 to measure the environment information, and obtains the sensor value obtained as a result of the measurement. get. That is, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquires environmental information such as temperature and atmospheric pressure from the sensor unit 140 at the new connection timing. Then, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 outputs the acquired sensor value to the transmission data generation unit 164.

  The transmission data generation unit 164 associates the position information output from the position information acquisition unit 162 with the sensor value output from the sensor value acquisition unit 163 to generate transmission data. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the transmission data generation unit 164 associates the sensor information of each sensor with the position information (x, y, z) represented by three-dimensional coordinates, and transmits the transmission data. Generate. Therefore, this transmission data includes location information and environment information of the point where the connection establishment operation by the wireless communication unit 110 occurs. Then, the transmission data generation unit 164 outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless communication unit 110.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In a state where the mobile terminal device 100 is operating, it is monitored by the timing detection unit 161 of the processor 160 whether or not a new connection for establishing a new connection with the base station device 200 has occurred (step S101). . That is, whether the connection establishment operation is performed with the base station apparatus 200 of the corresponding wireless communication scheme by any of the cellular wireless communication unit 111, the WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and the WiMAX wireless communication unit 113. Monitored by the detector 161. As a result, while the connection establishment operation is not performed (No in step S101), monitoring is continued by the timing detection unit 161. When the connection establishment operation is performed (Yes in step S101), the timing detection unit 161 detects a new connection timing. Is done.

  In recent years, since base station apparatuses 200 of various wireless communication schemes are densely arranged, new connections occur uniformly over a wide range when the mobile terminal apparatus 100 moves. Accordingly, the new connection timing is detected at many points over a wide range. In particular, when the mobile terminal device 100 is compatible with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a new connection timing is detected when a new connection occurs in any one of the wireless communication systems. It will be detected at the point.

  When the new connection timing is detected by the timing detection unit 161, this is notified to the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163, and the position information acquisition unit 162 acquires the position information of the current position of the mobile terminal device 100. (Step S102). The position information may be acquired from the GPS receiving unit 120 or may be calculated from the received signal strength in the wireless communication unit 110. The acquired position information is output to the transmission data generation unit 164.

  On the other hand, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 instructs the sensor unit 140 to measure environmental information. In response to this instruction, the sensor unit 140 measures environmental information by various sensors, and a sensor value obtained as a result of the measurement is obtained by the sensor value obtaining unit 163 (step S103). The acquired sensor value is output to the transmission data generation unit 164.

  Then, the transmission data is generated by associating the position information with the sensor value by the transmission data generation unit 164 (step S104). The generated transmission data is output to the wireless communication unit 110 and transmitted from the wireless communication unit 110 to the base station apparatus 200 (step S105). At this time, the wireless communication method used for transmitting the transmission data may be any wireless communication method in which the mobile terminal device 100 can communicate with the base station device 200. That is, transmission data may be transmitted by a wireless communication method in which a new connection has occurred with the base station apparatus 200, and transmission data is transmitted by a wireless communication method that has already been established with the base station apparatus 200. May be.

  The transmitted transmission data is received by the base station apparatus 200 and transferred from the base station apparatus 200 to the information collecting apparatus 300 via the network N. As a result, the information collection device 300 can collect environment information at points where new connections occur between the mobile terminal device 100 and the base station device 200, and can collect environment information at many points evenly. it can.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, position information and sensor values are acquired at a new connection timing when a mobile terminal apparatus newly establishes a connection with a base station apparatus, and transmission in which the position information and sensor values are associated with each other. Data is transmitted wirelessly. For this reason, when the mobile terminal device moves and reaches a point where a new connection with various base station devices occurs, transmission data including environment information is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal device. As a result, environmental information at many points can be collected evenly, and information that can be used effectively can be collected.

(Embodiment 2)
The feature of the second embodiment is that even when a new connection timing is detected, if the position information has not changed since the previous transmission data was transmitted and the sensor value has not changed, the transmission data This is to reduce power consumption by omitting transmission.

  Since the configuration of the information collection system and the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment, the function of the processor 160 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor 160 according to the second embodiment. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the processor 160 includes a timing detection unit 161, a position information acquisition unit 162, a sensor value acquisition unit 163, a position information comparison unit 201, a sensor value comparison unit 202, and a transmission data generation unit 203. .

  The position information comparison unit 201 reads the previously transmitted transmission data from the memory 150 and compares the position information included in the read transmission data with the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162. That is, the position information comparison unit 201 compares the position information at the past new connection timing with the position information at the current new connection timing. Then, the position information comparison unit 201 outputs the position information at the current new connection timing together with the comparison result to the sensor value comparison unit 202.

  When the comparison result indicating that the position information has changed is output from the position information comparison unit 201, the sensor value comparison unit 202 uses the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163 as the position at the current new connection timing. The information is output to the transmission data generation unit 203 together with the information. That is, when the mobile terminal device 100 moves and the position changes, the sensor value comparison unit 202 outputs the position information and sensor value at the current new connection timing to the transmission data generation unit 203.

  On the other hand, when a comparison result indicating that the position information has not changed is output from the position information comparison unit 201, the sensor value comparison unit 202 reads the transmission data transmitted last time from the memory 150. The sensor value comparison unit 202 compares the sensor value included in the transmission data read from the memory 150 with the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163. That is, the sensor value comparison unit 202 compares the sensor value at the past new connection timing with the sensor value at the current new connection timing.

  As a result of the comparison, if the sensor value has changed, the sensor value has changed since the position information has not changed since the previous transmission data was transmitted. Therefore, the sensor value comparison unit 202 outputs the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163 to the transmission data generation unit 203 together with the position information at the current new connection timing. That is, the sensor value comparison unit 202 outputs the position information and the sensor value at the current new connection timing to the transmission data generation unit 203 when the environmental information changes even when the mobile terminal device 100 is not moving. On the other hand, if the sensor value has not changed, the position information has not changed and the sensor value has not changed after the previous transmission data was transmitted. Therefore, the sensor value comparison unit 202 discards the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163 and discards the position information at the current new connection timing. That is, the sensor value comparison unit 202 stops outputting position information and sensor values at the current new connection timing.

  The transmission data generation unit 203 associates the position information output from the sensor value comparison unit 202 with the sensor value and generates transmission data. That is, the transmission data generation unit 203 generates transmission data by associating the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162 at the current new connection timing with the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163. Then, the transmission data generation unit 203 outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless communication unit 110 and stores it in the memory 150. The transmission data stored in the memory is used for comparison by the position information comparison unit 201 and the sensor value comparison unit 202 at the next new connection timing.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of monitoring whether or not a new connection has occurred by the timing detection unit 161 of the processor 160 (step S101), when the new connection timing is detected (step S101 Yes), the position information acquisition unit 162 acquires the position information. (Step S102). Further, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquires a sensor value from the sensor unit 140 (step S103).

  When the position information acquisition unit 162 acquires the position information, the position information comparison unit 201 reads the previously transmitted transmission data from the memory 150, and the position information included in the transmission data and the position information acquisition unit 162. Therefore, the acquired position information is compared (step S201).

  As a result of the comparison, if the change in the position information is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S201), the mobile terminal device 100 has moved greatly between the previous transmission data transmission and the current new connection timing. It will be. For this reason, the position information and sensor value acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 at the current new connection timing are output to the transmission data generation unit 203 via the sensor value comparison unit 202. Then, the transmission data generation unit 203 generates transmission data in association with the position information and the sensor value (step S104).

  The generated transmission data is stored in the memory 150 by the transmission data generation unit 203 (step S203), and is output to the wireless communication unit 110 and transmitted (step S105).

  On the other hand, if the change of the position information is less than the predetermined threshold as a result of the comparison of the position information (No in step S201), the comparison result is obtained by the position information acquisition unit 162 at the current new connection timing. At the same time, it is output to the sensor value comparison unit 202. Then, the previously transmitted transmission data is read from the memory 150 by the sensor value comparison unit 202, and the sensor value included in the transmission data is compared with the sensor value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 163 ( Step S202).

  As a result of the comparison, if the change in the sensor value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (Yes in step S202), the mobile terminal device 100 has not moved between the previous transmission data and the current new connection timing. The environmental information of things has changed greatly. For this reason, the position information and the sensor value acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 at the current new connection timing are output to the transmission data generation unit 203. Then, the transmission data generation unit 203 generates transmission data in association with the position information and the sensor value (step S104).

  The generated transmission data is stored in the memory 150 by the transmission data generation unit 203 (step S203), and is output to the wireless communication unit 110 and transmitted (step S105).

  On the other hand, if the change in the sensor value is less than the predetermined threshold as a result of the comparison of the sensor values (No in step S202), the portable terminal device 100 is between the previous transmission data and the current new connection timing. This means that neither the location nor environmental information has changed. For this reason, at the current new connection timing, the position information and the sensor value are discarded, and the transmission of the transmission data is stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the same transmission data as the previously transmitted transmission data from being transmitted redundantly, and to reduce the power consumption of the mobile terminal device 100.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when both the position information and the sensor value acquired at the new connection timing have not changed from the time when the previous transmission data was transmitted, transmission of the transmission data is performed. Canceled. For this reason, the same transmission data is not transmitted unnecessarily, and the power consumption of the mobile terminal device can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
The feature of the third embodiment is that, when the next new connection timing is not detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the new connection timing is detected, the position information and the sensor value are acquired and the transmission data is transmitted. It is to collect information continuously.

  Since the configuration of the information collection system and the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those of Embodiment 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2), description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, the function of the processor 160 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor 160 according to the third embodiment. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the processor 160 includes a timing detection unit 301, a timer unit 302, a position information acquisition unit 162, a sensor value acquisition unit 163, and a transmission data generation unit 164.

  The timing detection unit 301 detects a new connection timing and resets the timer unit 302 to start counting a predetermined time each time a new connection timing is detected. Then, the timing detection unit 301 notifies the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 that a new connection timing has been detected. Further, the timing detection unit 301 notifies the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 that the timer has expired when the count of the predetermined time is completed without the timer unit 302 being reset.

  In the present embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquire the position information and the sensor value not only when the new connection timing is detected but also when the timer expires. That is, the timing detection unit 301 detects the new connection timing and the timing when the timer expires, and operates the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 at these detected timings.

  The timer unit 302 includes a timer that counts a predetermined time. When the timing detection unit 301 detects a new connection timing, the timer unit 302 starts counting the predetermined time. When the timer unit 302 completes counting for a predetermined time before the next new connection timing is detected, the timer unit 302 notifies the timing detection unit 301 to that effect.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of monitoring whether or not a new connection has occurred by the timing detection unit 301 of the processor 160 (step S101), whether or not the timer has expired by the timing detection unit 301 while no new connection timing is detected (No in step S101). Is monitored (step S302). Then, while the new connection timing is not detected and the timer does not expire (No in step S302), the timing detection unit 301 continues to monitor the new connection timing and whether the timer has expired.

  Then, when the new detection timing is detected by the timing detection unit 301 (step S101 Yes) or when it is detected that the timer of the timer unit 302 has expired (step S302 Yes), the timer of the timer unit 302 is reset (step S302). S301). That is, the timer of the timer unit 302 is reset every time a new connection timing is detected or expires, and starts counting for a predetermined time again.

  Then, when a new connection timing is detected or the timer of the timer unit 302 expires, a notification from the timing detection unit 301 is received, and position information is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162 (step S102). Further, the sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquires a sensor value from the sensor unit 140 (step S103). Then, the transmission data generation unit 164 generates transmission data in association with the position information and the sensor value (step S104). The generated transmission data is output and transmitted to the wireless communication unit 110 by the transmission data generation unit 164 (step S105).

  As described above, in this embodiment, not only when a new connection timing is detected, but also when a predetermined time elapses after the new connection timing is detected, the position information and the sensor value are acquired and the transmission data is acquired. Is sent. Therefore, even when the position of the mobile terminal device 100 does not change and a new connection does not occur, transmission data including environment information is transmitted when a predetermined time elapses from the previous new connection timing. For this reason, it is possible to continuously collect information about the same point and to monitor changes in environmental information over time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, position information and sensor values are acquired and transmission data is transmitted not only at a new connection timing but also at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed from the new connection timing. For this reason, for example, even when the mobile terminal device does not move and a new connection does not occur, environmental information around the mobile terminal device can be continuously collected.

(Embodiment 4)
The feature of the fourth embodiment is that when the mobile terminal device is located outside the communication range of the base station device, transmission data is generated and stored at the out-of-service search timing, and the mobile terminal device communicates with any of the base station devices. It is to transmit the accumulated transmission data when entering the area.

  Since the configuration of the information collection system and the configuration of the mobile terminal device according to the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the function of the processor 160 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the processor 160 according to the fourth embodiment. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the processor 160 includes an out-of-service search control unit 401, a timing detection unit 402, a position information acquisition unit 162, a sensor value acquisition unit 163, and a transmission data generation unit 403.

  The out-of-service search control unit 401 controls the wireless communication unit 110 to periodically execute out-of-service search while the mobile terminal device 100 is located outside the communication range of the base station device 200 of each wireless communication method. That is, the out-of-service search control unit 401 controls the cellular radio communication unit 111 while the mobile terminal device 100 is located outside the communication range of the cellular base station device 200, for example, and periodically performs the cellular base station device. 200 is searched. Accordingly, when the mobile terminal device 100 enters the communication range of the cellular base station device 200, it is possible to quickly resume the wireless communication using the cellular method.

  Further, the out-of-service search control unit 401 notifies the timing detection unit 402 when the time for executing the out-of-service search has come. Note that the timing for executing the out-of-service search may not arrive at a fixed period. In other words, for example, the out-of-service search is performed relatively frequently immediately after the mobile terminal device 100 goes out of the communication range, and the out-of-service search frequency decreases as time elapses after going out of the communication range. good. The out-of-service search control unit 401 manages the timing of such out-of-service search, and notifies the timing detection unit 402 every time the out-of-service search timing arrives.

  When the timing detection unit 402 detects the new connection timing, the timing detection unit 402 notifies the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 that the new connection timing has been detected. The timing detection unit 402 receives the notification from the out-of-service search control unit 401 and notifies the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 that the out-of-service search timing has arrived.

  In the present embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 acquire the position information and the sensor value not only when the new connection timing is detected but also when the out-of-service search timing comes. . That is, the timing detection unit 402 operates the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 at the new connection timing within the communication range, and operates the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 at the out-of-service search timing outside the communication range. Let

  The transmission data generation unit 403 generates transmission data by associating the position information output from the position information acquisition unit 162 with the sensor value output from the sensor value acquisition unit 163. Then, the transmission data generation unit 403 refers to the communication status in the wireless communication unit 110 and determines whether or not the wireless communication method for transmitting the transmission data is within the communication range. As a result of this determination, if the communication range is reached, the transmission data generation unit 403 outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless communication unit 110 and stores it in the memory 150. On the other hand, when it is outside the communication range, the transmission data generation unit 403 stores the generated transmission data in the memory 150 and does not output it to the wireless communication unit 110.

  The transmission data generation unit 403 stores the transmission data in a transmission data table in the memory 150 when storing the generated transmission data in the memory 150. Then, the transmission data generating unit 403 adds a flag indicating whether transmission has been performed or not transmitted to the transmission data stored in the transmission data table. That is, the transmission data generation unit 403 gives an untransmitted flag to the transmission data generated outside the communication area so that transmission data generated during the period outside the communication area can be identified.

  As a specific example, the memory 150 stores a transmission data table as shown in FIG. The transmission data generation unit 403 adds and stores a flag indicating transmission or non-transmission to the transmission data including the position information and the sensor value acquired by the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163. This makes it possible to distinguish between transmission data already transmitted from the wireless communication unit 110 and untransmitted transmission data.

  In addition, when the transmission data generation unit 403 determines that it is within a communication range and outputs the generated transmission data to the wireless communication unit 110, the transmission data generation unit 403 reads out the transmission data to which an untransmitted flag is assigned from the memory 150 Transmission data is also output to the wireless communication unit 110 at the same time. Then, the transmission data generation unit 403 changes the transmission data flag read from the memory 150 and output to the wireless communication unit 110 from untransmitted to transmitted.

  Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation when the mobile terminal device 100 is located outside the communication range of the base station device 200 of any wireless communication method.

  In a state where the mobile terminal device 100 is located outside the communication range, the out-of-service search control unit 401 of the processor 160 monitors whether or not a predetermined out-of-service search timing has arrived (step S401). As a result, while the out-of-service search timing has not arrived (No in step S401), the out-of-service search control unit 401 continues monitoring. When the out-of-service search timing arrives (step S401 Yes), the out-of-service search control unit 401 controls the wireless communication unit 110 to execute out-of-service search.

  Further, when the out-of-service search timing has arrived, this is notified to the position information acquisition unit 162 and the sensor value acquisition unit 163 via the timing detection unit 402, and acquisition of the position information (step S102) and acquisition of the sensor value are performed. (Step S103) is executed. Then, the transmission data generation unit 403 generates transmission data in association with the position information and the sensor value (step S104).

  The generated transmission data is stored in the transmission data table of the memory 150 by the transmission data generation unit 403 (step S402). At this time, the transmission data generation unit 403 refers to the communication status in the wireless communication unit 110, and it is determined whether or not the wireless communication method for transmitting the transmission data has returned to the communication range (step S403). If the result of this determination is that the communication range has not been returned (No at step S403), the transmission data generating unit 403 gives a flag indicating that the transmission data stored in the memory 150 is not yet transmitted (step S403). S405).

  On the other hand, when returning to the communication range (Yes in step S403), the transmission data generation unit 403 reads all transmission data to which an untransmitted flag is assigned from the transmission data table of the memory 150. Then, the read transmission data is output and transmitted to the wireless communication unit 110 together with the transmission data generated this time (step S404).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while the mobile terminal device is located outside the communication range, transmission data is generated every time the out-of-service search timing arrives, and a flag indicating that it is not transmitted is given. Accumulated on. Then, when the mobile terminal device 100 returns to the communication range, untransmitted transmission data is collectively transmitted. For this reason, environmental information can be collected even when the mobile terminal device is located outside the communication range and the new connection timing is not detected.

  The above embodiments can be implemented in combination. That is, for example, when there is no change in position information and sensor value, transmission data is continuously transmitted by a timer at timings other than new connection timing while transmission data transmission is stopped to reduce power consumption. It is possible to collect information.

  In the second embodiment, transmission of transmission data is stopped when there is no change in position information and sensor value. For example, the time interval at which new connection timing is detected is shorter than a predetermined interval. In this case, transmission of transmission data may be stopped. That is, when the next new connection timing is detected before a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission data was transmitted last time, transmission of transmission data may be stopped. When the mobile terminal device 100 is located at the boundary of the communication area of the two base station devices 200, handover may be frequently repeated depending on the radio quality between the mobile terminal device 100 and each base station device 200 . In such a case, if new connection timing is detected and transmission data is transmitted each time a handover is executed, the power consumption of the mobile terminal device 100 may increase. Therefore, when the elapsed time since the last transmission data was transmitted is very short, even if a new connection timing is detected, transmission of the transmission data is omitted, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption of the mobile terminal device 100. can do.

  In the fourth embodiment, a flag is assigned to the transmission data and stored in the transmission data table of the memory 150. However, if the transmission data that has already been transmitted is not stored in the memory 150, but only the transmission data that is generated outside the communication range is stored in the memory 150, it is not always necessary to add a flag to the transmission data. In this case, the transmission data generation unit 403 may transmit all the transmission data stored in the memory 150 together and erase the transmitted transmission data from the memory 150 when returning to the communication range.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, transmission data is generated at the new connection timing. However, transmission data may be generated at the timing at which location registration is executed. That is, while the mobile terminal device 100 is in the communication range of the base station device 200, the mobile terminal device 100 performs location registration with respect to the base station device 200 at a predetermined cycle. However, transmission data may also be generated at this timing.

  In each of the above embodiments, the wireless communication unit 110 includes the cellular wireless communication unit 111, the WLAN wireless communication unit 112, and the WiMAX wireless communication unit 113, and the mobile terminal device 100 supports three wireless communication methods. It was decided that However, the mobile terminal device 100 is not necessarily compatible with a plurality of wireless communication systems, and may be compatible with an arbitrary number of wireless communication systems.

  Note that the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 described in each of the above embodiments can be described as a program executable by a computer. In this case, this program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium and introduced into the computer. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, and a USB memory, and a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Wireless communication part 111 Cellular wireless communication part 112 WLAN wireless communication part 113 WiMAX wireless communication part 120 GPS receiving part 130 Input / output part 140 Sensor part 150 Memory 160 Processor 161, 301, 402 Timing detection part 162 Position information acquisition part 163 Sensor value Acquisition unit 164, 203, 403 Transmission data generation unit 201 Position information comparison unit 202 Sensor value comparison unit 302 Timer unit 401 Out-of-service search control unit

Claims (7)

Memory,
A sensor that measures the surrounding environment information;
A wireless communication unit that establishes a connection with a communication partner and wirelessly communicates with the communication partner with which the connection has been established;
A processor connected to the memory, the sensor, and the wireless communication unit;
The processor is
The wireless communication unit detects a new connection timing for newly establishing a connection with a communication partner,
Obtain the location information of the device at the detected new connection timing,
Obtain the measurement result of environmental information by the sensor at the detected new connection timing,
A wireless communication device that executes processing for transmitting transmission data obtained by associating acquired position information and measurement results from the wireless communication unit. The processor is
Compare the acquired location information with the location information included in the transmission data sent last time,
As a result of the comparison, when the change in the position information is less than a predetermined threshold, the acquired measurement result is compared with the measurement result included in the previously transmitted transmission data,
The process of canceling transmission of transmission data obtained by associating the acquired position information with the measurement result when the change in the measurement result is less than a predetermined threshold as a result of the comparison is further performed. The wireless communication device described. The processor is
When the new connection timing is detected, it starts counting a predetermined time,
When the count of the predetermined time is completed without detecting the next new connection timing, the position information of the own device and the measurement result of the environmental information by the sensor are acquired,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process of transmitting transmission data obtained by associating the acquired position information and measurement result from the wireless communication unit. The processor is
When there is no communication partner with which a connection has been established, the wireless communication unit is caused to execute an out-of-service search for searching for a communication partner capable of wireless communication with the own device,
Obtain the measurement results of the location information of the device itself and the environmental information by the sensor at the timing of executing the out-of-service search,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process of storing transmission data obtained by associating the acquired position information and measurement result in the memory. The processor is
As a result of the out-of-service search, when a connection with a communication partner capable of wireless communication is established, the wireless communication unit further transmits a process of transmitting untransmitted transmission data stored in the memory. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4. A data transmission method by a wireless communication device having a sensor for measuring ambient environment information, a wireless communication unit that establishes a connection with a communication partner and wirelessly communicates with the communication partner with which the connection is established,
The wireless communication unit detects a new connection timing for newly establishing a connection with a communication partner,
Obtaining the location information of the wireless communication device at the detected new connection timing,
Obtain the measurement result of environmental information by the sensor at the detected new connection timing,
Transmitting transmission data obtained by associating acquired position information and measurement results from the wireless communication unit. To a computer having a sensor for measuring ambient environment information, a wireless communication unit that establishes a connection with a communication partner and wirelessly communicates with the communication partner with which the connection is established,
The wireless communication unit detects a new connection timing for newly establishing a connection with a communication partner,
Obtaining the location information of the computer at the detected new connection timing,
Obtain the measurement result of environmental information by the sensor at the detected new connection timing,
A data transmission program for executing a process of transmitting transmission data obtained by associating acquired position information and measurement results from the wireless communication unit.

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