JP2014232968A - Terminal device, connection destination switching method of terminal device, connection destination switching program and connection destination switching system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide "a terminal device, a connection destination switching method of the terminal device, a connection destination switching program and a connection destination switching system" for releasing network connection to a currently connected network, when communication between the terminal device and an on-vehicle device is performed.SOLUTION: The terminal device comprise: wireless LAN connection means 142 for connecting to a home network by a home wireless LAN router or a network for vehicle by an on-vehicle device; short-distance communication means 144 capable of performing short-distance communication with a vehicle; and switching control means 146 for releasing connection to a currently connected wireless LAN and switching a connection destination to a new wireless LAN. Therefore, for example, when a user gets in a vehicle, a connection destination of a network of a terminal device can be automatically switched at the time of electrical connection between the terminal device and an on-vehicle device by short-distance communication.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network connection in a terminal device, and more particularly to a technology that can automatically switch a connection destination of a terminal device such as a smartphone (portable multi-function telephone) to a network.

  A portable terminal device such as a smartphone having a wireless LAN host function is brought into the vehicle, and connection to an access point (vehicle network) for enabling wireless communication mounted in the vehicle is being studied. When a smartphone is connected to a network at home or in an office, the network connection destination may not be switched to the vehicle network even if the user moves near the vehicle to bring the smartphone into the vehicle. In such a case, in order to connect the smartphone to the vehicle network, the network connection destination is generally manually switched.

  On the other hand, practical use of near field communication such as NFC (NFC: Near Field Communication) has been started as a non-contact communication technology, and cooperation between a smartphone and a vehicle using this has been strengthened. Since NFC does not require a complicated authentication procedure like Bluetooth (registered trademark), it is considered that NFC will be used in many applications in the future. In particular, if adaptation to a smart phone advances, it will be used for unlocking a vehicle door lock and starting an engine by authenticating the user through the smart phone.

  Patent Document 1 relates to a communication terminal device, and a user having a service using terminal can establish a medium to long distance wireless communication by selecting a physically providing service providing terminal without performing a special operation, In addition, a technique for shortening the time until establishment of mid-to-long range wireless communication is disclosed.

JP 2003-110579 A

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining network connection of a conventional portable terminal device. For example, when the user uses the smartphone 500 at home, the smartphone 500 is connected to a home network provided by the wireless LAN router 510 at home. Here, even if the user brings the smartphone 500 and moves to the vicinity of the vehicle 520, if the vehicle 520 is within the area of the home network, the connection with the home network is continued, and the in-vehicle device 530 provides The connection destination could not be switched to the vehicle network 540. In such a case, the user has to manually switch the connection destination of the network to the vehicle network 540 or to move out of the area where the home network can be connected.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and provides a terminal device capable of automatically switching a network connection destination, a terminal device connection destination switching method and program, and a terminal device connection destination switching system. With the goal.

  The terminal device according to the present invention has a wireless communication function, wireless connection means for wirelessly connecting to a first access point that enables connection to a network, and contactless communication that enables contactless communication with an external device And a connection control means for controlling the wireless connection means. The connection control means is connected by the wireless connection means when communication with a specific device is performed by the non-contact communication means. The connection of the first access point can be released.

  Preferably, the external device is an electronic device in the vehicle, and the wireless connection means is provided by the electronic device in the vehicle in response to the cancellation of the wireless connection to the first access point. When wireless connection to the second access point or user authentication is successful through the contactless communication means, the connection of the first access point can be released.

  Preferably, the connection control means releases the connection of the first access point in response to use of at least a part of the function of the vehicle via the non-contact communication means, or the non-contact communication. The connection of the first access point can be released in response to the release of the vehicle door lock via the means. In addition, when the wireless connection means is in a state where wireless connection to the first and second access points is possible, the connection control means can release the connection of the first access point.

  In the terminal device connection destination switching method according to the present invention, short-range wireless communication is performed between the step of wirelessly connecting to the first access point that enables connection to the network and the electronic device in the vehicle. Switching from a first access point to a second access point provided by an electronic device in the vehicle.

  In the terminal device connection destination switching program according to the present invention, short-range wireless communication is performed between the step of wirelessly connecting to the first access point that enables connection to the network and the electronic device in the vehicle. And switching the wireless connection from the first access point to the second access point provided by the electronic device in the vehicle.

  The terminal device connection destination switching system according to the present invention includes a terminal device and an in-vehicle device, and the in-vehicle device includes means for providing a second access point and authentication means for authenticating the terminal device. ing.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the connection destination of the network in a terminal device can be automatically switched by making a terminal device and a vehicle-mounted apparatus a communicable state.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the connection destination switching system of wireless LAN which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the smart phone used as a terminal device which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the smart phone shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows one structural example of the vehicle-mounted apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. An example of the data which an authentication information list hold | maintains is shown. It is an operation | movement flow explaining execution of an authentication program. It is an image figure which shows operation | movement of the connection switching system in the Example of this invention. It is an operation | movement flow explaining operation | movement of the connection switching system in the Example of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the switching of the conventional network connection.

  In the terminal device connection destination switching system according to the present invention, when the user brings the terminal device into the vehicle, the in-vehicle device provides the terminal device by releasing the connection with the currently connected home network or the like. Can be connected automatically.

  In a preferred embodiment, the terminal device holds authentication information for performing user authentication, and when user authentication is performed between the terminal device and the in-vehicle device, various functions of the vehicle can be used. For example, by using the terminal device, the user can release the door lock of the vehicle or start the engine. In a preferred embodiment, the terminal device has a function of communicating authentication information and the like by non-contact communication, and includes, for example, a multi-function mobile phone (smart phone), a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a mobile game machine, and the like. Can be a portable terminal.

  In addition to the authentication information, the terminal device holds connection information necessary for network connection with a plurality of wireless LAN routers to be used, for example, an SSID (Service Set Indetifier), a security type, a security key, etc. It can be connected to the network via a router. The stored connection information is registered in advance by the user.

  On the other hand, the wireless LAN router that the terminal device uses as a network access point compares the set connection information with the connection information issued from the terminal device. If the connection information matches, the user can use the network with a terminal device such as a smartphone in a place where a wireless LAN service is provided, such as a home, office, public facility, or mobile vehicle, according to connection authentication. Can do. For example, the wireless LAN router is not limited to one fixed at home or office, but may be a mobile wireless LAN router.

  The in-vehicle device is generally an electronic device mounted on a vehicle and can be mounted with various functions. For example, an in-vehicle device has a function of reproducing audio data and video data, a navigation function of guiding a route to a destination, a function of receiving a TV / radio broadcast, a communication function of connecting to a network such as the Internet, and a terminal device. It is possible to install a short-range communication function for performing authentication between each other.

  In a preferred embodiment, authentication information of a user who uses the vehicle is registered in advance in the in-vehicle device. The number of user authentication information corresponds to the number of users using the vehicle. The in-vehicle device compares the registered authentication information with the authentication information issued from the terminal device, and if the authentication information matches, the user authentication is performed, and the user uses the function of the in-vehicle device or the vehicle. Is possible. The in-vehicle device is electrically connected to a controller that controls an electrical component or an engine in the vehicle, and can receive a control signal from the controller or output a control signal to the controller.

  When the user authentication is performed through the short-range communication function, the controller enables operations such as door lock / release, air conditioner, ignition switch, and power window. In a certain aspect, the function mounted in the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle can be limited or varied depending on the authenticated user. For example, one user is provided with a user interface that can execute all the functions of the in-vehicle device, and another user is provided with a user interface that can execute some functions of the in-vehicle device. Is done.

  Next, a connection destination switching system for network connection of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless LAN connection destination switching system for a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A connection destination switching system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless LAN router that provides a smartphone 20 owned by a user and a network (hereinafter referred to as a home network for convenience) used by a user in a predetermined area such as a home or office. 30 and an in-vehicle device 50 that provides a vehicular network to be used in an area where the user moves with the vehicle 40.

  The smartphone 20 and the in-vehicle device 50 have, for example, a non-contact short-range communication (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as NFC) function, and the smartphone 20 is held in contact with a key point near the door lever outside the vehicle. The door can be locked and unlocked. When the door lock is released by such NFC, user authentication is performed between the in-vehicle device 50 and the smartphone 20. When the user authentication is successful, the controller (not shown in the figure) of the in-vehicle device 50 or the vehicle 40 validates the instruction from the smartphone 20 and releases the door lock or air conditioner, ignition switch, power window, etc. Make it available.

  The wireless LAN router 30 is configured by known means, and the smartphone 20 existing within a certain distance from the wireless LAN router 30 can be connected to the network via the wireless LAN router 30. The in-vehicle device 50 also has a wireless LAN router function for providing the vehicle network, and the smartphone 20 existing within a certain distance from the vehicle network uses the wireless LAN function of the vehicle network. It becomes possible to connect to the network. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 50 is electrically connected to a controller in the vehicle 40, and can control various functions of the vehicle in cooperation with the controller.

  In a present Example, when the smart phone 20 exists in the connectable area of both a home network and the network for vehicles, the connecting point of the network of the smart phone 20 is controlled. In a preferred example, when the smartphone 20 is connected to the home network, when the door lock of the vehicle 40 is released via the smartphone 20, the connection destination of the smartphone 20 is switched from the home network to the vehicle network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the smartphone 20. The smartphone 20 typically includes an input unit 100 that receives input from a user, a communication unit 110 that enables various wireless or wired communication with a home network, a vehicle network, an external electronic device, or the like. A display control unit 120 that controls display on the display, an audio output unit 130 that controls audio output from the speaker, a control unit 140 that controls each unit by executing a program including a microcontroller, a microprocessor, and the like, application software And a program memory 150 for storing programs such as firmware and a data memory 160 for storing various data.

  The communication unit 110 supports telephone communication for performing a voice call, data communication using a network, and NFC short-range communication. Communication unit 110 detects an access point that exists within a range that can be connected to smartphone 20, and transmits the detection result to control unit 140. The control unit 140 selects a predetermined access point from the detected access points, and enables connection to the network via the access point. In addition, the communication unit 110 detects a device that exists within a communication area with the smartphone 20 via NFC, and establishes communication with the device. In this embodiment, when the smartphone 20 is held over a specific area of the vehicle 40, user recognition is performed between the smartphone 20 and the in-vehicle device 50, and the smartphone 20 and the in-vehicle device 50 are paired.

  The program memory 150 stores a connection destination switching program for switching the connection destination of the network connection, in addition to a program for controlling basic operations of the smartphone 20. When one or more access points are detected by the communication unit 110, the connection destination switching program can display the access points on the display and allow the user to select a desired access point. Further, the connection destination switching program can automatically select one access point from one or a plurality of access points detected by the communication unit 110. For example, it is possible to select an access point with the best reception sensitivity from among a plurality of access points, select an access point that has been selected in the past, or select an access point that holds a password. .

  Furthermore, the connection destination switching program of the present embodiment gives priority to connection to the vehicle network with a certain condition as a trigger when the communication unit 110 detects both home network and vehicle network access points. To control the connection destination. As will be described later, the certain condition is when the user uses a part of the vehicle function using the smartphone 20 (for example, when the user unlocks the door using the user-authenticated smartphone). ), When the user authentication of the smartphone 20 is performed.

  The data memory 160 stores authentication information for user personal authentication and connection information for connecting to a wireless LAN. In the authentication information, for example, identification information such as a user name and a telephone number is stored. In the connection information, an SSID, a security type, a security key, and the like are stored for each wireless LAN router to be used.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for controlling communication of the control unit of the smartphone according to the present embodiment. The control unit 140 includes a wireless LAN connection unit 142 that enables connection to a home network by the wireless LAN router 30 and a vehicle network by the in-vehicle device 50, and short-range communication unit that enables short-range communication between the in-vehicle device 50 144 and a switching control unit 146 that controls switching of the connection destination by the wireless LAN connection unit 142.

  The wireless LAN connection unit 142 selects a desired access point from the access points detected by the communication unit 110, and establishes a connection to the home network or the vehicle network via the selected access point. As described above, when a plurality of access points are detected, the wireless LAN connection unit 142 selects an access point according to an instruction from the user, radio wave intensity, or a priority order defined in connection information.

  The short-range communication unit 144 performs user recognition when communication between the smartphone 20 and the vehicle 40 is enabled by NFC. The authentication result is transmitted to the control unit 140, and the control unit 140 can give an instruction to the in-vehicle device 50 or the controller via NFC.

  The switching control unit 146 performs switching control of the connection destination by the wireless LAN connection unit 142. In the preferred embodiment, when the access point of both the home network and the vehicle network is detected by the communication unit 110 and the access point of the home network is selected by the wireless LAN connection unit 142, the connection to the home network is released. . After canceling the connection to the home network, the switching control means 146 gives priority to the connection to the vehicle network by connecting to other networks except for the released home network.

  In another preferred embodiment, the switching control means 146 automatically switches to connection to the vehicle network when a plurality of access points are detected after releasing the connection to the home network. Good. In this case, information related to the access point of the vehicle network is registered in the smartphone 20 in advance, and this information is collated.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the in-vehicle device 50. The in-vehicle device 50 is a television / radio receiver that receives a multimedia reproduction unit 200 that reproduces audio data and video data stored in a CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, hard disk device, etc., digital television broadcast, AM / FM radio broadcast, etc. Unit 210, a navigation unit 220 that displays a road map around the vehicle position, guides a guidance route to the destination, and a communication unit 230 that can communicate with the smartphone 20 and other electronic devices wirelessly or by wire. , A situation detection unit 240 that detects a seat position when the user gets on, a vehicle operation state, and the like, an output unit 250 that outputs sound and images, a storage unit 260 that stores programs and data, and receives instructions from the user Professional including input unit 270, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc. Configured to include a control unit 280 for controlling each unit by executing the ram.

  In addition, this structure is an illustration, Comprising: The vehicle-mounted apparatus 50 is not limited to such a structure. The on-vehicle device 50 can be operated by a battery mounted on the vehicle even when the engine is stopped.

  The communication unit 230 supports data communication using a network, near field communication by NFC, and communication with a controller in a vehicle (not shown). That is, the communication unit 230 enables wireless LAN connection by the smartphone 20 brought into the vehicle, and enables NFC with the smartphone 20 that is close to the vehicle 40. Further, when the user authentication by NFC is successful, the communication unit 230 notifies the controller of the authentication result.

  The storage unit 260 stores an authentication program for authenticating the user of the smartphone 20 and an authentication information list. When the user uses the control function of the vehicle, the control unit 280 reads the authentication program from the storage unit 260 and activates the authentication program in order to confirm whether the user is a registered user.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of data held in the authentication information list. For example, when one vehicle is shared by three users U1, U2, and U3, the authentication information list holds authentication data assigned to the users U1, U2, and U3, respectively. For example, “XXX1” is assigned to the user U1 as authentication information. This authentication data is also held in the smartphone 20 held by the user. When a user who uses the vehicle is added, changed, or deleted, the contents of the authentication information list are rewritten via the input unit 270 or by a program.

  FIG. 6 is an operation flow for explaining the execution of the authentication program. First, when the user holds the held smartphone 20 over a key point in the vicinity of the external door lever of the vehicle 40, NFC enables communication and the smartphone 20 and the in-vehicle device 50 are connected wirelessly (S100). The key point is a sensor of the communication unit 230 having the NFC function, and the communication by NFC becomes possible by holding the smartphone 20. The sensor is supplied with electric power from, for example, a battery held by itself or a battery mounted on the vehicle.

  When the communication unit 230 detects that the smartphone 20 is connected by NFC, the communication unit 230 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 280. The control unit 280 receives the detection signal, reads the authentication program stored in the storage unit 260, and activates it (S102). At this time, the control unit 280 can read the authentication information list from the storage unit 260 simultaneously with the authentication program.

  Next, the control part 280 acquires the authentication information from the smart phone 20 according to an authentication program (S104). For example, the control unit 280 receives authentication data “XXX1” as authentication information from the smartphone 20. Next, the control unit 280 collates the received authentication data “XXX1” with the authentication information list in order to specify whether the user is a person registered in advance in the in-vehicle device 50 (S106).

  If the received authentication data is in the authentication information list, user authentication is established (S108), and the result of user authentication is also transmitted to the controller via the communication unit 230. Thereby, the in-vehicle device 50 and / or the controller permit use of various functions of the vehicle 40 in response to an instruction from the smartphone 20 (S110). If the authentication data acquired from the smartphone 20 is not in the authentication information list, the user authentication is not established, and therefore the smartphone 20 is not permitted to use various functions of the vehicle 40.

  Next, the operation of the connection destination switching system in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a connection destination switching operation for network connection. As shown in FIG. 7A, the smartphone 20 held by the user is, for example, in the connection area 32 of the home wireless LAN router 30 and the connection area 52 of the in-vehicle device 50, and the wireless LAN connection unit 142 includes: When a user connected to the access point of the wireless LAN router 30 gets into the vehicle 40, when the user authentication of the smartphone 20 is performed by the short-range wireless communication unit 144, or the door lock of the vehicle 40 is released by the smartphone 20. When this is done, the switching control unit 146 releases the connection to the wireless LAN router 30 by the wireless LAN connection unit 142. As a result, the wireless LAN connection unit 142 can prioritize the connection of the in-vehicle device 50 detected by the communication unit 110 to the access point.

  Alternatively, when there are a plurality of access points detected by the communication unit 110, the wireless LAN connection unit 142 selects an access point of the in-vehicle device 50 from among them and performs connection there Also good.

  FIG. 8 is an operation flow for explaining the operation of the connection destination switching system in the embodiment of the present invention. First, the user brings the smartphone 20 close to a key point near the external door lever of the vehicle 40 in order to release the door lock of the vehicle 40 (S200). Thereby, communication with the short-distance communication means 144 and the communication part 230 of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 50 is established (S202).

  When communication is established, user authentication of the smartphone 20 is performed (S204). The authentication result is shared by the smartphone 20 and the in-vehicle device 50 (and the controller), and the controller releases the door lock of the vehicle 40 in response to the user authentication (S206).

  When user authentication of the smartphone 20 is performed or when the door lock is released, the switching control unit 146 controls the wireless LAN connection unit 142 to release the connection to the home network (S208), and the in-vehicle device 50 The connection destination is switched to the vehicle network provided by (S210). At this time, in-vehicle device 50 performs connection authentication with smartphone 20 in the area using the wireless LAN function of communication unit 230 according to the connection authentication program, and permits connection to the vehicle network. As a result, the smartphone 20 is network-connected to the vehicle network.

  Thus, in the said Example, when user authentication is performed or a user cancels | releases the door lock of a vehicle, the connecting point of a smart phone can be automatically switched from a home network to the network for vehicles. As a result, the user does not need to manually set the connection destination of the network when getting into the vehicle.

  In the above embodiment, when the door lock is released, the connection destination of the network connection is switched. However, for example, when the communication between the smartphone and the vehicle is established, the connection destination of the network connection may be switched. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the connection destination is switched when the door lock is released. However, when the user uses a part of the vehicle function via the smartphone 20 (for example, activation of the ignition), the network connection The destination may be switched.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the connection destination is switched from the home network to the vehicle network. On the other hand, for example, when the user performs a door lock, the connection destination is switched from the vehicle network to the home network. It may be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example of connection switching when the smartphone 20 exists in an area where the connectable areas of the home network and the vehicle network overlap each other is not limited to this, but the smartphone and the vehicle communicate with each other by NFC. When it becomes possible or when user authentication is performed, the wireless LAN function by the communication unit 230 of the in-vehicle device may be enabled or operable, and the vehicle network connection with the smartphone 20 may be established. .

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims. In addition, the present invention can include carrying out the first or second embodiment individually or in combination.

10: connection destination switching system 20: smartphone 30: wireless LAN router 40: vehicle 50: in-vehicle device 100: input unit 110: communication unit 120: display control unit 130: audio output unit 140: control unit 142: wireless LAN connection means 144 : Near field communication means 146: switching control means 150: program memory 160: data memory

Claims (10)

A terminal device having a wireless communication function,
Wireless connection means for wirelessly connecting to a first access point that enables connection to a network;
Contactless communication means for enabling contactless communication with an external device;
Connection control means for controlling the wireless connection means,
The connection control means is a terminal device for releasing connection of the first access point connected by the wireless connection means when communication with a specific device is performed by the non-contact communication means. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the external device is an electronic device in a vehicle. 3. The wireless connection unit according to claim 1, wherein the wireless connection unit wirelessly connects to a second access point provided by an electronic device in the vehicle in response to the cancellation of the wireless connection to the first access point. Terminal equipment. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the connection control unit releases the connection of the first access point when user authentication is successful through the contactless communication unit. 3. The connection control unit according to claim 1, wherein the connection control unit releases the connection of the first access point in response to at least a part of the function of the vehicle being used via the non-contact communication unit. Terminal device. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the connection control unit releases the connection of the first access point in response to the door lock of the vehicle being released via the non-contact communication unit. 3. The connection control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the wireless connection unit is in a state where wireless connection to the first and second access points is possible, the connection control unit releases the connection of the first access point. Terminal device. A connection destination switching method for a terminal device having a wireless communication function,
Wirelessly connecting to a first access point that enables connection to a network;
And switching the wireless connection from the first access point to the second access point provided by the electronic device in the vehicle when short-range wireless communication is performed with the electronic device in the vehicle. Switching method. A connection destination switching program executed by a terminal device having a wireless communication function,
Wirelessly connecting to a first access point that enables connection to a network;
When short-range wireless communication is performed with an electronic device in the vehicle, the step of switching the wireless connection from the first access point to a second access point provided by the electronic device in the vehicle;
Connection destination switching program having A connection destination switching system including the terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and an in-vehicle device,
The vehicle-mounted device provides a second access point;
Authentication means for authenticating the terminal device;
Connection destination switching system having

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