JP5225160B2 - Communication terminal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus, and more particularly to a communication terminal apparatus capable of performing communication by setting conditions suitable for communication with a connection destination base station apparatus.

  Some mobile communication systems that employ a method of transmitting and receiving radio waves associated with a base station apparatus to which a mobile communication terminal device (for example, a mobile phone, a mobile personal computer, etc.) is fixed include a wireless local area network (WLAN). As described above, there is a type of system in which a communication terminal apparatus performs communication after setting communication conditions (referred to as a profile) with a connection destination base station apparatus. A communication terminal device of such a system searches for and finds a base station device (referred to as an access point (AP) in the case of WLAN) in the vicinity under the usage environment, sets a profile, and then passes through the AP. Network connection.

  That is, in order to carry and use the mobile communication terminal device as described above, it is necessary to set the WLAN profile according to changes in the surrounding communication environment each time the user moves. Since the operation of artificially switching the WLAN profile setting is complicated, it has been desired to put into practical use a communication terminal device that can automatically set the profile according to the usage or usage environment.

  Under such a background, a technique for automating WLAN profile setting is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Among these, the computer having the WLAN card disclosed in Patent Document 1 targets the AP by automatically switching the WLAN setting according to various communication conditions such as the communication speed, security strength, communication channel, and radio wave strength of the communication device. It is described that the user can always automatically switch to the best communication environment in the desired communication state without performing the WLAN setting operation in response to the change in the communication environment.

  The communication device disclosed in Patent Document 2 manages a list of service profiles (connection settings) in an order based on a user's judgment (request), and has a higher priority (priority order) in the list at the time of connection. Try to connect in order from the (highest) service. As a result, for example, when a station of a higher service cannot be found, or when the received radio wave intensity is lower than a reference value (threshold), the communication device suspends connection to such a service, It is described that a connection to a lower-order (lower priority) service is attempted.

  The communication terminal disclosed in the above Patent Document 3 includes a profile storage unit configured by a database or the like that can store a profile configured by combining one or more pieces of connection information, and a plurality of communication terminals according to connection requests. Profile acquisition means capable of acquiring a profile from the profile storage means, and profile selection means capable of sequentially selecting a profile connectable to a desired network among the plurality of profiles. It is described that the profile selection means can sequentially select a profile connectable to a desired network among a plurality of profiles in accordance with a predetermined priority order.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-176021 (5th page, FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-39571 (page 8, FIG. 6) JP 2006-196987 A (7th and 8th pages, FIG. 2)

  A computer having a WLAN card disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above receives a beacon from a nearby AP and acquires information such as a network name, communication speed, security strength, and electric field strength data. There is a problem that it is more convenient for a user who uses a WLAN in a repeater manner at a place that is stylized to some extent, to omit such an information acquisition process.

  The communication device disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above attempts to connect according to the priority order defined and listed for each service. Uniform use of a fixed list may not be sufficient to meet the needs of users who may change with each use.

  The communication terminal disclosed in Patent Document 3 described above selects a profile connectable to a desired network according to a predetermined priority order. There is a possibility that if the priority order is fixed and it can only be used uniformly, it may not be able to sufficiently meet the needs of users who may change each time it is used.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, both in the case where setting of communication conditions that are standardized to some extent is allowed and in the case where communication conditions need to be set flexibly according to the situation. And it aims at enabling the setting of the communication condition suitable for the user's needs.

To achieve the above object, a communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention can select a connection-destination base station apparatus and set a condition suitable for communication with the base station apparatus to perform communication. in the history storage means you store each a history of different connection conditions to the base station apparatus, as well as evaluate each history of the stored connection condition in the history storage means, in accordance with the order of the connection, change history of conditions of the connection, a forward position with means as stipulated priority of the connection between the plurality of base station apparatuses based on the history of the conditions of the connections the changed, the ranking means is determined characterized in that a varying puff that priority changing means the priority of the plurality of base stations.

  According to the present invention, the priority is determined based on the connection history and the setting can be made open to the user so that the communication condition can be changed to a certain level, and the communication condition can be changed. It is possible to set communication conditions suitable for the situation and the user's needs in both cases where it is necessary to flexibly set according to the situation.

1 is an external view of a communication terminal device (mobile communication terminal) according to a first embodiment of the invention. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure showing the internal structure relevant to the access function to AP of the mobile communication terminal which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the mobile communication terminal according to the first embodiment. The block diagram of the portable communication terminal which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the mobile communication terminal according to the second embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile communication terminal 1 that is a communication terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The mobile communication terminal 1 is configured by connecting a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 so as to be openable and closable. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are opened from the user side. However, the casing configuration of the mobile communication terminal 1 is not limited to the so-called folding type as shown in FIG.

  A display unit 14 made of, for example, a liquid crystal device is attached to the first housing 11. The display unit 14 can display a text or an image, and the mobile communication terminal 1 uses the display unit 14 to display an application with screen display (for example, e-mail transmission / reception, web page browsing, phone book creation and browsing, etc.). Can be executed. A receiver 15 is attached to the first housing 11. A transmitter 16 is attached to the second housing 12. The mobile communication terminal 1 can be used for voice calls by including the receiver 15 and transmitter 16.

  An operation unit 17 (represented by a dashed frame) is attached to the second housing 12 and includes a plurality of operation keys. The operation unit 17 may include operation keys provided on the side surface or the back surface of the first housing 11 or the second housing 12 (not shown). When an operation key belonging to the operation unit 17 is operated, the mobile communication terminal 1 can be activated, stopped, or a text or an operation command can be input. All of the display unit 14, the reception unit 15, the transmission unit 16, and the operation unit 17 described above function as a human interface unit of the mobile communication terminal 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile communication terminal 1. The mobile communication terminal 1 includes an antenna 19 and a transmission / reception unit 20 and can transmit and receive radio waves with a mobile communication base station (not shown). The mobile communication terminal 1 includes a voice interface unit 21, a control unit 22, a random access memory (RAM) 23, a read only memory (ROM) 24, and a storage unit 25.

  The transmission / reception unit 20 and the audio interface unit 21, the RAM 23 and the ROM 24, and the display unit 14 and the operation unit 17 described with reference to FIG. 1 are connected to the control unit 22 through a common bus, for example, and are monitored and controlled by the control unit 22. The The control unit 22 is configured by a single processing device such as a microprocessor or a combination of a plurality of chips.

  The RAM 23 is a memory that is used by the control unit 22 to read and write a required program or data as needed to realize the functions of the mobile communication terminal 1. The ROM 24 is a memory in which a program or data is written in advance. The storage unit 25 is a non-volatile memory in which data written by the control unit 22 is retained even when the power is turned off, and is configured by, for example, a hard disk, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or the like.

  In the case of a voice call, an encoded voice signal transmitted from the other party through the base station is received by the transmitting / receiving unit 20 via the antenna 19 and subjected to processing such as demodulation and error correction, and further, a voice interface unit. Decoded at 21 and reproduced from the receiver 15. The voice picked up by the transmitter 16 is encoded by the voice interface unit 21, error-correction encoded, modulated and amplified by the transmitter / receiver 20, and then transmitted from the antenna 19 to the base station.

  In the case of data communication, a data signal transmitted from the other party through the base station is received by the transmission / reception unit 20 via the antenna 19 and subjected to processing such as demodulation and error correction, and is transmitted to the control unit 22 and sent to the RAM 23. Alternatively, it is written in the storage unit 25 or displayed on the display unit 14. Data input from the operation unit 17 or read from the RAM 23 or the storage unit 25 is transmitted from the antenna 19 to the base station after being subjected to error correction coding, modulation and amplification in the transmission / reception unit 20.

  The mobile communication terminal 1 includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna (hereinafter abbreviated as a WLAN antenna) 30 and a WLAN transceiver (hereinafter abbreviated as a WLAN transceiver) 31, and a WLAN access point (not shown) (not shown). It corresponds to a base station apparatus in a WLAN system and can be transmitted and received with an AP). The mobile communication terminal 1 can perform voice or data communication via the AP in the same manner as voice or data communication via the mobile communication base station described above.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the mobile communication terminal 1 related to the access function to the AP will be described in a little more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration related to the access function to the AP of the control unit 22 and the storage unit 25.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 22 includes a WLAN communication management unit 220, a ranking unit 221, and a rank change management unit 222. The WLAN communication management unit 220, the ranking unit 221 and the ranking change management unit 222 are configured as a microprocessor program as an example. The storage unit 25 includes a history storage unit 251. The history storage unit 251 includes a specific partial area of the storage area of the storage unit 25 as an example.

  The WLAN communication management unit 220 executes transmission / reception of voice or data together with connection control with the AP via the above-described WLAN transmission / reception unit 31. Each time the WLAN communication management unit 220 connects to any AP, the history storage unit 251 stores connection history data including at least identification data of the AP, communication condition (communication profile) data, and connection date / time data. Can be remembered.

  The ranking unit 221 can refer to the connection history data stored in the history storage unit 251 with respect to a plurality of APs, and can prioritize the connection to the plurality of APs based on a predetermined criterion. As an example, connection priorities can be given in order of connection history (recently connected APs are traced back to the past). Further, it is possible to divide a predetermined period with respect to the connection date and time, and to give priority to connection in descending order of the number of connections within the period. Further, these conditions are combined and evaluated, and for example, the connection priority can be given in the order of the history from the first to the third and the order of the number of connections in the predetermined period from the fourth.

  The WLAN communication management unit 220 responds to a beacon signal from one or more APs via the WLAN antenna 30 and the WLAN transmission / reception unit 31 (the AP responds to a signal for searching for an AP from the communication terminal device, and communicates with the communication terminal device). When receiving a signal that includes data such as identification of the AP necessary for connection), the ranking unit 221 assigns the priority order of the APs that are the sources of these beacon signals as described above.

  Then, the order change management unit 222 causes the display unit 14 to display the list of APs together with the priority order. The user of the mobile communication terminal 1 who sees the display can change the priority order of the AP using the operation keys of the operation unit 17 as necessary before performing the connection operation with the AP.

  The operation of the mobile communication terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation. As a premise for entering the operation, the history storage unit 251 has connection history data of four APs (referred to as AP-S, AP-T, AP-U, and AP-V, respectively, in order of newest connection history). Is stored. Further, it is assumed that the ranking unit 221 gives the connection priority of APs in the order of the new connection history.

  When the process is started (START), the WLAN communication management unit 220 receives a predetermined operation in the operation unit 17, for example, and starts transmitting a signal for searching for an AP via the WLAN transmission / reception unit 31 and the WLAN antenna 30 ( Step S1). On the other hand, for example, if the number of APs for which a response is obtained within a predetermined search time is 1 or more (“YES” in step S3), the ranking unit 221 determines the connection of the AP for which the response is obtained. Priorities are assigned (step S5). If no response is obtained from the AP in step S3 ("NO" in step S3), the process ends (END).

  Here, it is assumed that a response is obtained from AP-S, AP-T, and AP-V among the above four APs. In that case, the ranking unit 221 refers to the storage contents of the history storage unit 251 in step S5, and ranks AP-S first, AP-T second, AP-V first, in order of newest connection history. Give third priority.

  Next, the order change management unit 222 causes the display unit 14 to display a list of AP-S, AP-T, and AP-V according to the above-described priority order. When the user who viewed the display changes the priority order of the AP using the operation key of the operation unit 17 (“YES” in step S7), the order change management unit 222 updates the priority order of the AP according to the operation. (Step S9). When the change operation has not been performed (“NO” in step S7), the process in step S9 is skipped.

  Subsequently, the WLAN communication management unit 220 tries to connect to the AP having the first priority, and if successful ("YES" in step S11), executes the WLAN communication via the AP. (Step S13). These processes follow a general WLAN communication protocol. Further, the connection history stored in the history storage unit 251 is updated (step S15), and the process ends (END).

  If the WLAN communication management unit 220 fails in the connection attempt with the AP given the first priority (“NO” in step S11), the WLAN communication management unit 220 communicates with the AP given the second highest priority. Attempt to connect between. If this is successful (“YES” in step S17), the process proceeds to the above-described steps after step S13.

  Hereinafter, when the connection attempt fails, the process of trying connection with the AP having the next priority is advanced, and the lowest priority (Nth in FIG. 4 is assumed. Based on the above assumptions). For example, if the connection attempt at the third-ranked AP-T corresponds to the lowest-ranked AP is unsuccessful ("NO" in step S19), the WLAN communication is determined to be unsuccessful (step S21). finish.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, priorities are given with reference to the connection history of the connection destination AP, and the priorities can be changed as needed, so that the connection automation with the AP is convenient. And flexibility.

  Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the mobile communication terminal 2 which is a communication terminal apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The mobile communication terminal 2 includes an electric field strength measurement unit 32 connected to the WLAN transmission / reception unit. The electric field strength measuring unit 32 can measure the received electric field strength of the beacon wave transmitted from the AP.

  Since the configuration and connection of the mobile communication terminal 2 excluding the electric field strength measuring unit 32 are the same as those of the mobile communication terminal 1 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. The internal configuration related to the access function to the AP of the control unit 22 and the storage unit 25 is also as shown in FIG. The electric field strength measuring unit 32 can send the measurement data of the received electric field strength of the beacon wave to the ranking unit 221 via a common bus, for example.

  The operation of the mobile communication terminal 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation. Note that the ranking unit 221 assumes that the connection priorities of APs are given in order of the newest connection history on the assumption that the received electric field strength of the beacon wave exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  After the start of the process (START), the process of step S1 is as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, for example, if the number of APs for which a response indicating the received electric field strength exceeding the threshold value is obtained within a predetermined search time is 1 or more (“YES” in step S30), the ranking unit 221 selects only APs whose received electric field strength exceeds the threshold value (step S31), and then prioritizes the selected APs with reference to the storage contents of the history storage unit 251 (step S50). .

  If no response is received from any AP in step S30 that the received electric field intensity exceeds the threshold value (“NO” in step S30), the process ends (END). Further, the processing of steps S7 to S21 following step S50 is as described with reference to FIG.

  Prioritization of APs using data of received electric field strength of beacon waves is not limited to the method described above. For example, in step S5 of FIG. 4, AP priorities may be assigned in the order of received electric field strength without referring to the storage contents of the history storage unit 251. Further, the priority order of APs may be set by weighting the contents stored in the history storage unit 251 and the received electric field strength for evaluation.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, there is an additional effect that priorities among APs can be given including evaluation of the electric field strength of the received wave from the AP.

  The type, shape, configuration, connection, processing flow, and the like of the mobile communication terminal in the above description are examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to a so-called WLAN terminal device, but can be applied to any type of communication terminal device that performs communication by setting conditions suitable for communication with a connection destination base station device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile communication terminal 11 1st housing | casing 12 2nd housing | casing 14 Display part 15 Reception part 16 Transmission part 17 Operation part 19 Antenna 20 Transmission / reception part 21 Voice interface part 22 Control part 220 WLAN communication management part 221 Ranking part 222 Order Change management unit 23 RAM
24 ROM
25 Storage unit 251 History storage unit 30 WLAN antenna 31 WLAN transmission / reception unit 32 Electric field strength measurement unit

Claims (5)

In a communication terminal device that can select a connection destination base station device and perform communication by setting conditions suitable for communication with the base station device,
A history storage means you store each a history of different connection conditions to the base station apparatus,
Each of the connection condition histories stored in the history storage means is evaluated, and the connection condition histories are changed according to the connection order, and a plurality of connection condition histories are changed based on the changed connection condition histories. a forward position with means as stipulated priority of the connection between the base station apparatus,
Communication terminal apparatus is characterized in that a varying puff that priority changing means the priority of the plurality of base stations, wherein the ranking means is determined. The ranking means as the history of a condition of the connection, sequentially with assessing each lot of the number of connections in the new order and a predetermined period of history of the history stored in the storage means connected to the order of the connection Accordingly, the connection history is changed in the newest order or the order of the number of connections in the predetermined period in descending order, and the priority order of the connection with a plurality of base station apparatuses is changed based on the changed connection condition history. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is defined . Further comprising a electric field intensity measurement means that measure the received signal strength, the ranking means as the history of a condition of the connection, in reverse chronological order, the predetermined period of connection history stored in said history storage means Each of the base stations in which the received electric field strength is determined to exceed a predetermined threshold as a result of the measurement by the electric field strength measuring means in the order of the number of times of connection, and according to the rank of the connection, Either the newest order of the connection history, the descending order of the number of connections in the predetermined period, or the limitation of the base station determined that the received electric field strength exceeds a predetermined threshold . the communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the benzalkonium prioritize the connection based on a condition. Further comprising a electric field intensity measurement means that measure the received signal strength, the ranking means as the history of a condition of the connection, in reverse chronological order, the predetermined period of connection history stored in said history storage means Evaluation is made in the order of the highest number of connections and the order of the received electric field strength obtained as a result of the measurement by the electric field strength measuring means , respectively, and in accordance with the order of the connection, the new order of the connection history, the predetermined 2. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the priority of the connection can be determined based on one of the connection conditions in the descending order of the number of connections or in the descending order of the received electric field strength. Terminal device. Receive further comprising a that electric field intensity measurement means measure the field strength, the ranking means as the history of a condition of the connection, the order of higher reception field intensity obtained as a result of measurement by the field strength measurement means and 2. The communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority of connection can be determined by weighting and evaluating the history of different connection conditions respectively stored in the history storage means.

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