JP4313092B2 - COMMUNICATION METHOD AND TERMINAL DEVICE USING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to communication technology. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication method for searching for a base station device to be connected and a terminal device using the communication method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a wireless communication system such as a mobile phone, a terminal device generally captures a control channel transmitted from a base station device, and communicates with the base station device that transmitted the control channel after the capture is completed. Further, in the mobile phone, roaming setting is performed in order to use a roaming destination operator other than the home operator who normally contracts. When roaming is set, the terminal device captures the control channel not only for the base station device of the home carrier but also for the base station device of the roaming destination carrier. More specifically, the terminal device scans the frequency transmitted by the base station device of the home carrier and the roaming destination carrier at predetermined time intervals, searches for a frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined reception level, and finds the desired frequency. For example, a control channel as broadcast information is received.
[0003]
The broadcast information includes a standby permission level, control channel structure information, regulation information, an operator code, and the like. Based on this broadcast information, it is determined whether a predetermined standby condition is satisfied, and the satisfied frequency is set as the standby frequency. And In order to acquire the control channel again when the out-of-service condition is reached due to the reception level of the standby frequency being deteriorated, the frequency transmitted by the base station device of the home operator and the roaming destination operator is scanned at predetermined time intervals. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-115851 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A terminal device that is set to roaming generally scans a frequency assigned to a home business operator and then scans a frequency assigned to a roaming business operator. Furthermore, even when the terminal device moves from the service area of the home business operator to the service area of the roaming business operator, the frequency assigned to the home business operator is scanned first. As a result, since the frequency assigned to the roaming destination operator is scanned after confirming that the control channel corresponding to the home operator cannot be acquired, the period until it enters the standby state becomes longer. Further, when a plurality of roaming destination operators are provided, the number of frequencies to be scanned increases, so the period until the standby state may be further increased.
[0006]
If the terminal device is in an environment where the control channel from the base station device of multiple roaming destination operators can be captured, for example, because the terminal device exists at the boundary of the service area of multiple roaming destination operators, The roaming destination operator corresponding to the base station apparatus that has transmitted the control channel that has been successfully captured and the control channel with the higher reception level is selected. On the other hand, if there is a clear difference in serviceability such as call charges among multiple roaming service providers, users using terminal devices should use roaming service providers with excellent serviceability such as lower call charges. I hope. However, the above-described control channel acquisition method may not be able to use a roaming service provider with excellent serviceability.
[0007]
The present inventor has recognized the above situation and made the present invention. The purpose of the present inventor is to quickly determine the service area of the home operator or roaming destination operator and quickly connect to the base station apparatus. A method and a terminal device using the method are provided.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  One embodiment of the present invention is a terminal device. This device indicates a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of carriers, a storage unit that stores area information and priority associated with each of the plurality of carriers, and a current position. A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information, a detection unit that detects power-on, and a preset when a power-on is detected by the detection unitOf home operatorsInitial information indicating initial candidates for base station equipmentFirstBased on the comparison between the initial information acquisition unit to be acquired, the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit, and the area information associated with each of the plurality of business operators stored in the storage unit, in the communication unit A specifying unit for specifying a communicable business operator and a control unit for performing communication with the business operator specified by the specifying unit by the communication unit. The specifying unit is indicated in the initial information acquired by the initial information acquiring unit. WasOf home operatorsIf the base station device to be actually communicated cannot be identified from the initial base station device candidates,nextThe position information is acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and a plurality of information stored in the storage unitRoaming destinationCommunication is possible in the communication department based on comparison with area information associated with each business operatorRoaming destinationIdentifies the operator, multipleRoaming destinationWhen a business operator is identified, one priority is given based on the priority stored in the storage unit.Roaming destinationSelect an operator.
[0009]
“Position information” is information indicating a currently existing position, and is indicated by latitude and longitude, for example, but may be identification information corresponding to a predetermined area.
The “plurality of base station apparatuses” may be a concept that can finally identify the base station apparatus, and may be anything corresponding to a base station such as a frequency or a base station ID.
With the above apparatus, since the base station apparatus is searched for in advance after the candidates for the base station apparatus are limited based on the position information, the period required for communication with the base station apparatus is shortened.
[0010]
  The storage unit has a plurality ofRoaming destinationBased on the carrier's call charges, multipleRoaming destinationYou may memorize | store the priority given to each of the provider.
[0011]
  The “priority order” is an order determined based on a predetermined standard such as a call charge.
[0012]
“Initial information” is information used when the power is turned on.
[0013]
  One embodiment of the present invention is a communication method. The method includes a step of acquiring position information indicating a current position, a step of detecting power-on, and a preset when a power-on is detected.Of home operatorsInitial information indicating initial candidates for base station equipmentFirstThe acquired location information and the area information associated with each of the plurality of business operators while referring to the memory for storing the step and the area information and the priority order associated with each of the plurality of business operators. And a step of identifying a provider capable of communication and a step of executing communication with the identified provider. The step of identifying is indicated in the acquired initial information.Of home operatorsIf the base station device to be actually communicated cannot be identified from the initial base station device candidates,nextAs well as acquiring the position information, the acquired position information and a plurality of stored in the memoryRoaming destinationCommunication is possible based on comparison with area information associated with each business operatorRoaming destinationIdentifies the operator, multipleRoaming destinationWhen a business operator is identified, one operator is identified based on the priority stored in memory.Roaming destinationSelect an operator.
[0014]
The time required for communication with the base station device to search for the base station device after limiting the candidate of the base station device in advance by position information from a device other than the base station device to communicate with the above method Becomes shorter.
[0015]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 relates to a terminal device in which roaming settings are made and the current position can be acquired by GPS (Global Positioning System). For example, a base to which a terminal device can be connected while a user with the terminal device moves Assume that a station device is searched. The terminal device according to the present embodiment acquires current position information such as latitude and longitude based on the measurement result by GPS, and compares the position information with the area-specific business operator information stored in advance. The operator to which the terminal device is currently connected is specified. In addition, since the business operators include a plurality of roaming business operators in addition to the home business operators, one business operator is usually identified from them. Further, a list of frequencies provided for the specified operator is read from a storage area that has been stored in advance, and the frequencies listed in the list of frequencies are sequentially scanned to search for a control channel from the base station apparatus. . When the control channel can be acquired, communication with the base station apparatus that has transmitted the control channel becomes possible after holding the frequency as it is and performing predetermined processing.
[0017]
“Home operator” generally refers to an operator who owns a terminal device and contracts for a communication service such as a telephone call. When the operator is different in each region such as Kanto and Kansai in Japan. Indicates, for example, a business operator who has jurisdiction over Kanto, of which users are contracted. “Roaming operator” refers to an operator other than the home operator who installs a base station device to which a terminal device can be connected, and in the above example, indicates an operator having jurisdiction outside Kanto. . In addition, the concept of “home business operator” and “roaming business operator” has been expanded globally, so that the business operator in Japan becomes “home business operator” and the overseas business operator becomes “roaming business operator”. However, in this embodiment, the description will be limited to Japan for the sake of simplicity.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the first embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a terminal device 10, a GPS-compatible antenna 12, a base station-compatible antenna 14, a first GPS satellite 16a, a second GPS satellite 16b, a third GPS satellite 16c, a fourth GPS satellite 16d, and a GPS antenna. 18, the first GPS antenna 18a, the second GPS antenna 18b, the third GPS antenna 18c, the fourth GPS antenna 18d, and the first base station apparatus 20a and the second base station apparatus 20b, which are collectively referred to as the base station apparatus 20. , A first base station antenna 22a, a second base station antenna 22b, and a network 24, collectively referred to as a base station antenna 22.
[0019]
The GPS satellite 16 transmits radio waves for using the global positioning system. In general, three GPS satellites 16 are arranged in six types of orbits, and there are one spare satellite on each orbit. Therefore, a total of 24 GPS satellites 16 are used. Assume that four arbitrary numbers are shown. In addition, a GPS antenna 18 for transmitting radio waves is provided.
[0020]
The base station apparatus 20 is connected to the backbone network 24 and communicates with the terminal apparatus 10 via the base station antenna 22 by assigning a predetermined channel to the terminal apparatus 10 described later. The base station device 20 and the terminal device 10 only need to be able to communicate with each other via a wireless line, and any wireless method or multiplexing method may be used. Examples thereof include a mobile phone system, a simplified mobile phone system, and a wireless LAN. Examples of the network 24 include a wired line such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), and a wireless line such as a microwave relay system.
[0021]
The terminal device 10 receives radio waves from the four GPS satellites 16 and measures the position, and selects and communicates with one base station device 20 based on the measured positions. Further, the user may move with the terminal device 10. Although the configuration and operation principle of the terminal device 10 will be described later, it may be an integrated device including the GPS-compatible antenna 12 and the base station-compatible antenna 14 as shown in the figure. It may be configured by a PC connected to a communication device having a position positioning function between and a communication device having a communication function with the base station device 20.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the terminal device terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 includes a GPS receiving unit 60, a position processing unit 62, an operator storage unit 28, an all CH storage unit 30, a home CH storage unit 32, a radio unit 34, a baseband processing unit 36, an interface unit 38, and an operation unit 40. The display unit 42 and the terminal control unit 56. The position processing unit 62 includes a position acquisition unit 64, an area correspondence unit 66, a limiting unit 68, and a channel setting unit 70. The radio unit 34 includes an amplification unit 44 and a frequency conversion unit 46. The baseband processing unit 36 includes A modem unit 48 and a control processing unit 50. Further, the control processing unit 50 includes a level detection unit 52 and a synchronization processing unit 54.
[0023]
The GPS receiving unit 60 receives radio waves from the GPS satellites 16, despreads the received signals with the C / A code, and acquires the arrival time of the radio waves from the GPS satellites 16. Here, a Gold code having 1024 code lengths is generally used for the despreading process of the C / A code.
[0024]
The position acquisition unit 64 calculates the current position from the arrival time of the radio wave from the GPS satellite 16 based on the simultaneous equations. In principle, the position can be calculated by a ternary simultaneous equation from the three GPS satellites 16, but the four GPS satellites 16 are used to correct the time error between the GPS satellite 16 and the GPS receiver 60. .
[0025]
The area correspondence unit 66 compares the position calculated by the position acquisition unit 64 with the area information of the company stored in the company storage unit 28, and identifies the company corresponding to the position where the terminal device 10 currently exists. . FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing an area for each business operator corresponding to a map of Japan. The numbers in the figure indicate the identification numbers of the operators. Here, as shown in the figure, it is assumed that ten operators cover each region of Japan. That is, the operator “1” covers the Hokkaido region, and the operator “2” covers the Tohoku region. FIG. 3B shows a data structure of business area information stored in the business memory 28. 1 to 10 in the “operator” column in the rightmost column correspond to the operators “1” to “10” in FIG. The “latitude” and “longitude” fields are positions calculated by the position processing unit 62. In other words, the area correspondence unit 66 identifies the “business operator” based on the data in FIG. 3B from the position calculated by the position processing unit 62.
[0026]
The limiting unit 68 limits the frequency channel corresponding to the carrier specified by the area corresponding unit 66 based on the all CH storage unit 30 or the home CH storage unit 32 from the frequency channels that can be used by the terminal device 10. . FIG. 4 shows a data structure of information in which all carriers in the CH storage unit 30 are associated with channels. As shown in the figure, the “channel” of the frequency corresponding to “operator” is stored as “α1, α2,..., ΑN”, and when one “operator” is selected, it corresponds to it. The selected “channels” are selected together. Up to this point, the home channel and the roaming site have been identified as “business” without distinction, but the home CH storage unit 32 has a frequency channel corresponding to the home business among all the CH storage units 30. It is remembered. The operation of the home CH storage unit 32 will be described later. Home CH storage unit 32 may be included in all CH storage units 30.
[0027]
The channel setting unit 70 selects one of the frequency channels limited by the limiting unit 68 in order to set a frequency channel of the frequency conversion unit 46 described later. For example, if the frequency channel defined by the limiting unit 68 is “α1, α2,..., ΑN”, “α1” is selected first. Furthermore, “α1” is changed to any one of “α2,..., ΑN” based on a predetermined control signal.
[0028]
The amplifying unit 44 amplifies a signal to be transmitted from the base station compatible antenna 14 and a signal received by the base station compatible antenna 14. Generally, different amplifiers are used for these amplifications, and when the power amplifier is used for the former and the low noise amplifier is used for the latter, the amplification unit 44 is constituted by them.
[0029]
The frequency conversion unit 46 converts the frequency with the modulation / demodulation unit 48 described later so that the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 can be transmitted and received via the base station-compatible antenna 14.
[0030]
The modem 48 modulates the signal to be transmitted and demodulates the received signal. Any modulation method may be used, for example, π / 4 shift QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), etc., and synchronous detection or delay detection is selected corresponding to the modulation method. The Here, since a mobile phone is assumed, π / 4 shift QPSK is used. In addition, when a signal based on a spread spectrum system is transmitted and received, it also has a function of performing spread processing and a function of despreading.
[0031]
The level detection unit 52 measures the reception level of the received signal and determines the detection of a predetermined signal. In particular, when the terminal device 10 searches for the base station device 20 to be communicated, it tries to detect the control channel from the base station device 20 among the frequency channels set by the channel setting unit 70. As the first stage, it is detected that the level of the received signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.
[0032]
The synchronization processing unit 54 establishes timing synchronization, frame synchronization, or synchronization in a higher layer as a second stage for the control channel received by the level detection unit 52 at a reception level equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. To do. When synchronization with the control channel can be established by the synchronization processing unit 54, communication is performed with the base station apparatus 20 using the frequency channel. On the other hand, when the control channel is not detected by the level detection unit 52 or the synchronization is not established by the channel setting unit 70, it is not shown in order to change the frequency channel for searching for the base station apparatus 20 to be communicated. The channel setting unit 70 is instructed to change the frequency channel via the signal line.
[0033]
The interface unit 38 converts the signal to be modulated by the modem unit 48 and the signal demodulated by the modem unit 48 into data that can be processed by the operation unit 40 and the display unit 42. Although not shown, data may be input / output to / from a device outside the terminal device 10.
The terminal control unit 56 performs timing control necessary for processing of the terminal device 10 and generation of other control signals.
[0034]
This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of an arbitrary computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a reservation management function loaded in memory. The functional block realized by those cooperation is drawn. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure from power-on to a standby state. The user turns on the terminal device 10 (S10). The limiting unit 68 sets a list of frequency channels of the home provider based on the data in the home CH storage unit 32 (S12). The channel setting unit 70 sets the first frequency channel in the list as the channel number 1 among the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 (S14). When the frequency conversion unit 46 receives the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the threshold (Y in S16), the synchronization processing unit 54 sets the standby condition. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied, that is, if synchronization is established (Y in S18), the terminal device 10 enters a standby state in which communication is possible (S42). On the other hand, when the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or higher than the threshold value (N in S16), or when the synchronization processing unit 54 does not determine that the waiting condition is satisfied (N in S18), the channel setting unit 70 If the current frequency channel is not the last channel number (N in S20), the channel number is incremented by 1 (S22) and the above processing is repeated.
[0036]
If the current frequency channel is the last channel number (Y in S20), the GPS receiving unit 60, the position acquiring unit 64, and the area corresponding unit 66 acquire position information (S24), and the limiting unit 68 is an all-CH storage unit. Based on the 30 data, a list of frequency channels of roaming service providers is set (S26). The channel setting unit 70 sets the first frequency channel in the list as the channel number 1 among the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 as in the case of the home business operator (S30). When the frequency conversion unit 46 receives the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the threshold (Y in S32), the synchronization processing unit 54 sets the standby condition. If it is determined that the above is satisfied (Y in S34), the terminal device 10 enters a standby state where communication is possible (S42).
[0037]
On the other hand, when the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or higher than the threshold (N in S32), or when the synchronization processing unit 54 does not determine that the waiting condition is satisfied (N in S34), the channel setting unit 70 If the current frequency channel is not the last channel number (N in S36), the channel number is incremented by 1 (S38) and the above processing is repeated. If the current frequency channel is the last channel number (Y in S36), it is determined that it is out of range (S40), and the process is terminated.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a channel holding procedure in a standby state which is a comparison target of the first embodiment, that is, when position information by GPS is not used. Here, in order to facilitate comparison with the present embodiment, description will be made using the components shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, it is assumed that the terminal device enters a standby state within the area of the home business operator. The terminal device is in a standby state (S50). The channel setting unit 70 acquires the channel number for the current frequency channel that has already been set (S52). When the frequency conversion unit 46 receives the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the threshold (Y in S54), the synchronization processing unit 54 sets the standby condition. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied (Y in S56), the terminal device 10 enters a standby state in which communication is possible (S80). On the other hand, when the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or higher than the threshold value (N in S54), or when the synchronization processing unit 54 does not determine that the standby condition is satisfied (N in S56), the channel setting unit 70 If the current frequency channel is not the last channel number (N in S58), the channel number is incremented by 1 (S60), and the above processing is repeated.
[0039]
On the other hand, if the current frequency channel is the last channel number (Y in S58), a list of frequency channels of roaming service providers stored in the ROM is set (S62). The channel setting unit 70 sets the first frequency channel in the list among the plurality of frequency channels set in the ROM as channel number 1 (S64). When the frequency conversion unit 46 receives the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the threshold (Y in S66), the synchronization processing unit 54 sets the standby condition. If it is determined that the above is satisfied (Y in S68), the terminal device 10 enters a standby state in which communication is possible (S80).
[0040]
On the other hand, when the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or higher than the threshold value (N in S66), or when the synchronization processing unit 54 does not determine that the standby condition is satisfied (N in S68), the channel setting unit 70 If the current frequency channel is not the last channel number (N in S70), the channel number is incremented by 1 (S72), and the above processing is repeated. If the current frequency channel is the last channel number (Y in S70), it is determined that the current channel is out of service (S74), and a list of frequency channels of the home operator stored in the ROM is set (S76). The channel setting unit 70 sets the first frequency channel in the list among the plurality of frequency channels set in the ROM as channel number 1 (S78), and repeats the above processing.
[0041]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a channel holding procedure in the standby state. The terminal device 10 is in a standby state (S100). The channel setting unit 70 acquires a channel number for a frequency channel that has already been set among the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 (S102). When the frequency conversion unit 46 receives the signal of the frequency channel set by the channel setting unit 70 and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is equal to or higher than the threshold (Y in S104), the synchronization processing unit 54 sets the standby condition. If it is determined that the condition is satisfied (Y in S106), the terminal apparatus 10 enters a standby state in which communication is possible again (S114). On the other hand, when the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (N in S104), or when the synchronization processing unit 54 does not determine that the standby condition is satisfied (N in S106), or when the channel number is the last In the standby state, if the GPS receiving unit 60, the position acquiring unit 64, and the area corresponding unit 66 have not acquired the position information (N in S108), the GPS receiving unit 60, the position acquiring unit 64, and the area corresponding unit 66 are the position information. And the channel number is set to 1 (S112), and the above processing is repeatedly executed.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the GPS receiver 60, the position acquisition unit 64, and the area correspondence unit 66 have acquired position information in the standby state (Y in S108), the channel number is incremented by 1 (S110), and the above processing is repeatedly executed. To do. Compared with the comparison target in FIG. 6, when the base station device 20 is not found in the list of frequency channels set in the standby state, the terminal device 10 limits the frequency channel using the positional information by GPS. Therefore, the search for a new base station device 20 becomes quick.
[0043]
The operation of the terminal device 10 having the above configuration will be described. Processing until the terminal device 10 enters the standby state will be described first. When the user turns on the power of the terminal device 10, the limiting unit 68 sets a list of frequency channels of the home provider based on the data in the home CH storage unit 32. The channel setting unit 70 sets one of the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 in the frequency conversion unit 46, and the frequency conversion unit 46 receives a signal. However, since the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not equal to or higher than the threshold value, the above-described processing is executed on the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 based on the instruction from the channel setting unit 70. Further, the area correspondence unit 66 acquires the position information, and sets the frequency channel list of the roaming service provider based on the data in all the CH storage units 30. The channel setting unit 70 sets one of a plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 in the frequency conversion unit 46 as in the case of the home business operator, and the frequency conversion unit 46 receives a signal. Thereafter, the level detection unit 52 detects the reception level, and the synchronization processing unit 54 determines the acquisition of the control channel by establishing synchronization, and connects to one base station apparatus 20 and enters a standby state.
[0044]
Processing after the terminal device 10 enters the standby state will be described next. Here, it is assumed that the home business operator is in a standby state. The frequency conversion unit 46 has received the signal of the frequency channel that has already been set by the channel setting unit 70, and the reception level detected by the level detection unit 52 is not greater than or equal to the threshold value. Change to the setting of the roaming company based on the measurement result. Subsequent detection of the reception level by the level detection unit 52 and determination of acquisition of the control channel by establishing synchronization by the synchronization processing unit 54 are performed as described above, connected to one base station apparatus 20, and in a standby state.
[0045]
According to the present embodiment, the roaming destination operator is specified from the position information acquired based on the GPS, and the frequency assigned to the roaming destination operator is scanned, so that the processing becomes faster. In particular, when a user with a terminal device passes through an area that is not covered by any operator such as the sea and moves from the area of the home operator to the area of the roaming operator, the terminal device by GPS Can be detected in the area of the roaming service provider, the frequency to be used can be quickly changed even in the standby state.
[0046]
(Embodiment 2)
As in the first embodiment, the second embodiment relates to a terminal device that identifies a business operator based on the current position based on GPS and searches for the base station device of the business operator. However, unlike the first embodiment, when there are a plurality of operators corresponding to the current position, for example, a case is assumed where there is a terminal device in an area near the boundary between the service area of a predetermined operator and another operator. To do. When the difference in communication quality with respect to these operators is small, the user generally desires connection with a provider having high serviceability such as a low call charge. The terminal device in the present embodiment determines the priority in advance based on the call charge, and identifies the business operator according to the priority when it is determined that the location information can be connected to a plurality of business operators. .
[0047]
The communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is effective as the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment, and the terminal device 10 is effective as shown in FIG. The content and the area selection method in the area corresponding unit 66 are different. Before explaining these, the arrangement of the terminal device 10 assumed in the present embodiment will be described.
[0048]
FIG. 8 shows the concept of a service area according to the second embodiment. The first base station device 20a and the second base station device 20b are base station devices 20 belonging to different operators. For example, the first base station apparatus 20a belongs to “provider 4” in FIG. 3A, and the second base station apparatus 20b belongs to “provider 5”. The circles in the figure indicate service areas that can be covered by the respective base station devices 20, the portion "a" is the service area that can be covered only by the first base station device 20a, and the portion "b" is The service area that can be covered only by the second base station apparatus 20b, the part “c” is the service area that can be covered by both the first base station apparatus 20a and the second base station apparatus 20b, and the part “d” is the first area A service area that cannot be covered by both the base station apparatus 20a and the second base station apparatus 20b is shown. This embodiment is intended for a portion where service areas of different operators overlap, and such a portion corresponds to the portion “c” as described above. When the terminal device 10 exists in the portion “c”, the area correspondence unit 66 first selects “business 4” and “business 5” based on the measurement result in the position acquisition unit 64.
[0049]
FIG. 9 shows the structure of fee data stored in the business entity storage unit 28, which is stored in addition to the data shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, call times of “8:00 to 19:00” and “19:00 to 8:00” are stored for each “operator”. Unlike FIG. 4, items related to serviceability are stored. Has been. The priority is set higher as the call charge is lower, and the area correspondence unit 66 selects an area with a higher priority, that is, an area with a lower call charge, when a plurality of areas are selected according to the position information. . The subsequent operation is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0050]
The operation of the terminal device 10 having the above configuration will be described. Since the operation for the area of the home business operator is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. When two or more areas correspond to the position information acquired by the area corresponding unit 66, the area with the lower call charge is selected. The limiting unit 68 sets a list of frequency channels of the roaming service provider according to the selected area. The channel setting unit 70 sets one of the plurality of frequency channels set by the limiting unit 68 in the frequency conversion unit 46, and the frequency conversion unit 46 receives a signal. Thereafter, detection of the reception level by the level detection unit 52 and determination of control channel acquisition by establishing synchronization by the synchronization processing unit 54 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0051]
According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of roaming destination operators can be used, a roaming destination operator having excellent serviceability can be used.
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.
[0052]
In the first and second embodiments, corresponding to the mobile phone system, all CH storage unit 30 stores a list of frequency channels, level detection unit 52 measures the reception level, and synchronization processing unit 54 establishes synchronization. It was. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in correspondence with CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), all CH storage units 30 store the pre-framing list, and the level detection unit 52 measures the standby permission level and the carrier signal strength versus the interference signal strength. Then, the synchronization processing unit 54 may acquire the pilot channel. According to this modification, the present invention can be applied to a wireless communication system other than the mobile phone system. That is, it is only necessary to perform processing suitable for the wireless communication system.
[0053]
In the first and second embodiments, area information and frequency channel information are stored in the operator storage unit 28 and the all CH storage unit 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be input from the outside via a predetermined interface. According to this modification, it is easy to change or update area information and frequency channel information. That is, when specifying an area, it is sufficient that these pieces of information can be used.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the service area of a home provider or a roaming destination provider can be determined rapidly, and it can connect to a base station apparatus rapidly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a communication system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A to 3B are diagrams showing a data structure of business area information stored in the area storage unit of FIG. 2 and areas corresponding to the data structure.
4 is a diagram showing a data structure of information in which carriers and channels are associated with each other in all the CH storage units in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure from power-on to a standby state according to FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a channel holding procedure in the standby state to be compared according to the first embodiment.
7 is a flowchart showing a channel holding procedure in the standby state of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a concept of a service area according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure of fee data stored in a business entity storage unit according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 terminal devices, 12 GPS compatible antennas, 14 base station compatible antennas, 16 GPS satellites, 18 GPS antennas, 20 base station devices, 22 base station antennas, 24 networks, 28 operator storage units, 30 all CH storage units, 32 home channel storage unit, 34 radio unit, 36 baseband processing unit, 38 interface unit, 40 operation unit, 42 display unit, 44 amplification unit, 46 frequency conversion unit, 48 modulation / demodulation unit, 50 control processing unit, 52 level detection unit , 54 synchronization processing unit, 56 terminal control unit, 60 GPS reception unit, 62 position processing unit, 64 position acquisition unit, 66 area correspondence unit, 68 limiting unit, 70 channel setting unit, 100 communication system.

Claims (4)

A communication unit configured to enable communication corresponding to a plurality of operators;
A storage unit that stores area information and priority associated with each of the plurality of operators;
A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the current position;
A detection unit for detecting power-on,
When the power-on is detected by the detection unit, an initial information acquisition unit that first acquires initial information indicating an initial candidate of a base station device of a home provider set in advance;
A business capable of communication in the communication unit based on a comparison between the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit and area information associated with each of a plurality of business operators stored in the storage unit A specific part for identifying the person,
A control unit that performs communication with the business operator specified in the specifying unit by the communication unit;
If the identification unit is unable to identify the base station device to be actually communicated from the initial candidates of the base station device of the home carrier indicated in the initial information acquired by the initial information acquisition unit, then The position information is acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit is compared with the area information associated with each of the plurality of roaming destination operators stored in the storage unit. Based on the above, when a roaming destination operator capable of communication is specified in the communication unit, and a plurality of roaming destination operators are specified, one roaming destination based on the priority stored in the storage unit A terminal device characterized by selecting an operator. The storage unit, on the basis of the call charge of the plurality of roaming operators, terminal device according to claim 1, characterized in that storing a plurality of roam operator priority given to each. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit determines that the service is out of service when a roaming destination operator is not specified. Obtaining position information indicating the current position;
Detecting power on; and
When the power-on is detected, first obtaining initial information indicating initial candidates of a base station device of a preset home business operator ; and
While referring to the area information associated with each of the plurality of businesses and the memory storing the priority order, the acquired location information is compared with the area information associated with each of the plurality of businesses. And a step of identifying an operator capable of communication,
Carrying out communication with the identified operator,
In the specifying step , if the base station device to be actually communicated cannot be specified from the initial candidates of the base station device of the home carrier indicated in the acquired initial information, the location information is acquired next. Identifying a roaming destination operator capable of communication based on a comparison between the acquired location information and area information associated with each of the plurality of roaming destination operators stored in the memory; When a roaming destination operator is specified, one roaming destination operator is selected based on the priority stored in the memory.

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