JP5341030B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and WAN side line switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication device switching between a mobile communication line and a wireless LAN line as a WAN side line, and a WAN side line switching method. <P>SOLUTION: A radio communication device which has a function of connecting with a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, and connects with the wireless LAN line inside a wireless LAN area and connects with a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area, comprises moving state determination means which acquires positional information from a GPS signal periodically received and further calculates a moving average speed from the time series positional information to determine whether the radio communication device is in a vehicle being moving through a predetermined pathway or out thereof, and control means which continues to connect with the mobile communication line even in coming to inside the wireless LAN area from outside the wireless LAN area when determined to be in the vehicle by the moving state determination means, and connects with the wireless LAN line if being inside the wireless LAN area when determined to be out of the vehicle by moving state determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a WAN-side line switching method for switching between a mobile communication line and a wireless LAN line as a WAN-side line, for example, in a train on a railway line or in a station premises where the train is alighted.

  Here, the wireless communication device may be a terminal device having two interfaces (IF) that can be connected to the mobile communication line and the wireless LAN line, or the wireless LAN terminal is connected to the mobile communication line or the wireless LAN line. It may be a communication function unit on the WAN side of the wireless relay device (mobile wireless router). The mobile communication line is a mobile phone line, a WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for microwave access) line, etc., but for the sake of simplicity, a mobile phone line will be described below as an example.

  In a wireless communication apparatus including a plurality of WAN side line IFs, an optimum WAN side line is automatically selected and connected. When the wireless communication device can support a mobile phone line and a wireless LAN line, for example, when using a wireless LAN line when in a public wireless LAN service area such as a station platform, and when moving outside the area, a mobile phone The line is automatically switched (Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1).

  That is, when in the connectable wireless LAN area, the WAN side is connected to the wireless LAN line, and when moving from the wireless LAN area to the outside of the area, the WAN side line is detected as a mobile phone line by detecting disconnection of the wireless LAN line. Switch to. Also, when moving from outside the wireless LAN area to inside the area, if the wireless LAN area is detected based on the reception level of the wireless LAN line, the WAN side line is switched to the wireless LAN line and the cellular phone line is disconnected. To do.

JP 2010-021878 A (Wireless Relay Device)

Portable cognitive wireless router http://www.ntt-bp.net/pc/company/news/090715.html

  In a wireless communication apparatus that selects and connects a cellular phone line or a wireless LAN line on the WAN side, when switching to the other WAN side line while connected to the network via one WAN side line, the time during which communication is not possible Will occur.

  When using such a wireless communication device while traveling on a train or the like, while traveling on a train, connect to a mobile phone line outside the public wireless LAN area, and enter the public wireless LAN area when stopped at a station. Switch from mobile phone line to wireless LAN line. Thereafter, when the train leaves and leaves the station, the WAN side line is frequently switched every time it arrives at the station, such as switching to the mobile phone line again. As described above, when the WAN-side line is frequently switched, a time during which communication cannot be performed frequently occurs.

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of WAN-side lines, and suppresses switching of the WAN-side line depending on the situation such as getting on or getting off, and realizes stable communication and the WAN side An object is to provide a line switching method.

The first invention has a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN-side lines including a wireless LAN line, and is connected to a wireless LAN line within the wireless LAN area and connected to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area. To obtain position information from GPS signals received at regular intervals, and further calculate a moving average speed from time-series position information to determine whether the vehicle is getting on or off a vehicle traveling on a predetermined route In addition to registering the get-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle traveling on the predetermined route, the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the registered get-off position information are collated, and the vehicle is at the place to get off. determining that in off, the moving state determination means for determining the in riding it be in a place where the get off, if it is determined that during ride movement state determination means, a radio from outside the wireless LAN area Well into the AN area continues to connect the mobile communication network, and a control means for connecting, if the wireless LAN area in Wireless LAN when it is determined in off at moving state determination means.

Moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value greater than or equal _to V _0, ride if the moving average speed becomes a predetermined value greater than or equal _to V ₀ within a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ determine a medium, a structure moving average velocity to determine the in off if even after a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ is less than a predetermined value V _0.

Moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value V ₂ or more, the predetermined value within a predetermined time moving average speed from becoming less than the predetermined value _{V 1 (V 1 <V 2} ) If it becomes V ₂ or more, it is determined that the vehicle is getting on, and if the moving average speed is less than the predetermined value V ₁ and it is less than the predetermined value V ₂ even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the vehicle is getting off.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of being connected to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connected to the wireless LAN line within the wireless LAN area, and connected to the mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area. , Register the getting-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle traveling on the predetermined route, obtain the position information from the GPS signal received at a fixed period, and the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the registered getting-off position If the moving state determining means determines that the vehicle is not in the place to get off by comparing with the information, the moving state determining means determines whether the vehicle is at the place to get off from the wireless LAN area. Even if it enters, the connection of the mobile communication line is continued, and if it is determined that it is in the place to get off by the moving state determination means, it is connected to the wireless LAN line if it is within the wireless LAN area. And a that control means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of being connected to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connected to the wireless LAN line within the wireless LAN area, and connected to the mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area. , The position information of the route on which the vehicle moves and the line mode indicating whether or not the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle for each route are registered, and the position information is obtained from the GPS signal received at a fixed period. The moving state determining means for comparing the position information obtained from the position information of the registered route with the registered route information to determine whether or not the vehicle is on the registered route, and the route vehicle registered by the moving state determining means If it is determined that the vehicle is on board, the line mode of the route is referred to, and if the wireless LAN line is available in the vehicle, the wireless LAN line is preferentially switched to the mobile communication line. Control to “wireless LAN priority mode”, control to “mobile communication priority mode” that does not switch to the wireless LAN line with priority given to the mobile communication line if the wireless LAN line cannot be used in the vehicle When it is determined that the vehicle is not on a registered route vehicle by the state determination unit, the control unit includes a control unit that performs control for setting the “normal mode” to connect to the mobile communication line when the wireless LAN line cannot be connected.

  In the wireless communication device of the third invention, the control means performs reconnection processing even when the wireless LAN line is temporarily disconnected in the wireless LAN priority mode, and wirelessly performs one or more reconnection processing. When reconnection to the LAN line is not possible, control may be performed so as to switch to the normal mode and connect to the mobile communication line.

4th invention has the function which can be connected to several WAN side line | wires including a wireless LAN line | wire, The wireless communication apparatus which connects to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connects to a mobile communication line outside a wireless LAN area In the WAN side line switching method, the moving state discriminating means obtains position information from GPS signals received at regular intervals, and further calculates the moving average speed from the time-series position information to move the vehicle on a predetermined route. In addition to determining whether you are getting on or getting off , register the getting-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle traveling on the predetermined route, and the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the registered getting-off position information by matching bets determined that during off if put into place to the get off, it is determined that the riding if are in place to the get off, if it is determined that during ride movement state determination means, radio Even enter from outside AN area wireless LAN area to continue to connect the mobile communication network, connected to a Wireless LAN if the wireless LAN area when it is determined in off at moving state determination means.

Moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value greater than or equal _to V _0, ride if the moving average speed becomes a predetermined value greater than or equal _to V ₀ within a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ determine a medium, to determine the moving average speed is in off if even after a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ is less than a predetermined value V _0.

Moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value V ₂ or more, the predetermined value within a predetermined time moving average speed from becoming less than the predetermined value _{V 1 (V 1 <V 2} ) If it becomes V ₂ or more, it is determined that the vehicle is on board, and if it is less than the predetermined value V ₂ even if a certain time elapses after the moving average speed becomes less than the predetermined value V ₁ , it is determined that the vehicle is getting off.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area In the WAN side line switching method, the moving state discriminating means registers the getting-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle moving on the predetermined route, acquires the position information from the GPS signal received at a constant period, The position information obtained from the signal and the registered getting-off position information are collated to determine whether or not the vehicle is at the place to get off, and when it is determined by the moving state determining means that the vehicle is not at the place to get off, the wireless LAN area Even if you enter the wireless LAN area from outside, the mobile communication line will continue to be connected. To connect to the Wireless LAN.

  A sixth invention has a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN-side lines including a wireless LAN line, and is connected to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area and connected to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area In the WAN side line switching method, the moving state discriminating means registers the position information of the route on which the vehicle moves and the line mode indicating whether or not the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle for each route, and receives them at regular intervals. The position information is obtained from the GPS signal, the position information obtained from the GPS signal is compared with the position information of the registered route to determine whether or not the vehicle is on the registered route, and the moving state determination means If it is determined that the vehicle is on the route registered in step 1, the line mode of the route is referred to, and if the wireless LAN line is available in the vehicle, the wireless LAN line is given priority. Control is made to “wireless LAN priority mode” that does not switch to the communication line, and if the wireless LAN line cannot be used in the vehicle, the “mobile communication priority mode” is set so that the mobile communication line is preferentially not switched to the wireless LAN line. When it is determined that the vehicle is not in the vehicle registered on the route registered by the moving state determining means, control is performed to set the “normal mode” for connecting to the mobile communication line when the wireless LAN line cannot be connected.

  In the WAN side line switching method of the wireless communication device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the wireless LAN priority mode is set, reconnection processing is performed even if the wireless LAN line is temporarily disconnected, and one or more reconnection processing is performed However, when reconnection to the wireless LAN line is impossible, control may be performed to switch to the normal mode and connect to the mobile communication line.

  The present invention determines whether a user carrying a wireless communication device is on a train, and if the user is on a train, the mobile communication line (mobile phone line) is used without connecting to the wireless LAN base station. Continue the connection. As a result, when the train being boarded stops at the station and departs immediately, it is possible to suppress connection to the station's wireless LAN line, reducing the time during which communication cannot be performed due to frequent switching of the WAN side line, Stable communication can be realized.

  On the other hand, when getting off the train or arriving at a pre-registered station, connect to the wireless LAN line immediately, or connect to the wireless LAN line if a wireless LAN service is provided on the train. Can be continued. This makes it possible to use higher-speed communication than a mobile communication line (mobile phone line) by connecting to a wireless LAN line while suppressing frequent switching of WAN-side lines and realizing stable communication. It becomes.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration example to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 1 of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a WAN side line switching procedure according to the first embodiment. 3 is a time chart showing an example of WAN side line selection in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of the position information storage part 16 in Example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st example of the on-boarding flag determination procedure using a GPS signal. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd example of the boarding flag determination procedure using a GPS signal. It is a time chart which shows the operation example of the 2nd example of the on-boarding flag determination procedure using a GPS signal. It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 2 of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of the getting-off station position information storage part 18 in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a WAN side line switching procedure according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for determining a boarding flag in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of Example 3 of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of the path | route information storage part 19 in Example 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a connection mode setting procedure according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the WAN side line switching procedure in "normal mode". It is a flowchart which shows an example of the WAN side line switching procedure in "wireless LAN priority mode".

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, a user carries a wireless communication device (mobile wireless router) 10 and a wireless LAN terminal 30 that can be connected to a wireless LAN line or a mobile phone line, and travels on a train. In that case, it shall stop at one or more stations before getting off. Normally, the wireless communication device 10 is always on with a battery power supply, and is connected to either a wireless LAN line or a mobile phone line. The wireless LAN terminal 30 is turned on as necessary, is connected to the wireless communication apparatus 10 via a wireless LAN, and is connected to a wireless LAN line or a mobile phone line via the wireless communication apparatus 10. Thereby, the wireless LAN terminal 30 is connected to the network via the wireless communication device 10, the wireless LAN base station AP, or the mobile phone base station BS. The wireless communication device 10 may have a communication function capable of communicating with a network via the wireless LAN base station AP or the mobile phone base station BS alone.

  While the train is running, connect to a mobile phone line because it is outside the area of the wireless LAN installed at the station, and if you stop at the station, you will enter the area of the wireless LAN. Become. In this case, in the conventional configuration, switching from the cellular phone line to the wireless LAN line and from the wireless LAN line to the cellular phone line frequently occur, and the time during which communication is impossible increases. In the present embodiment, switching from the mobile phone line to the wireless LAN line is restricted if the user gets on the train even when arriving at the station. Valid. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given, including a method for distinguishing whether the vehicle is getting on or off at the station where it has stopped.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of Embodiment 1 of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention. Here, a configuration example of a wireless relay device (mobile wireless router) 10 that connects the wireless LAN terminal 30 to a mobile phone line or a wireless LAN line is shown.

  In FIG. 2, a wireless communication device 10 includes a WAN-side wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 11 connected to a wireless LAN line on the WAN side and a WAN-side mobile phone transmission / reception unit 12 connected to a mobile phone line, and a wireless LAN terminal on the LAN side. 30 includes a LAN-side wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 13 connected to 30, and a control unit 14 that switches connection of the WAN-side line.

  For example, the control unit 14 detects the reception level of a wireless LAN line that can be connected by the WAN-side wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 11, and determines that the wireless LAN area is within the connectable wireless LAN area if the reception level exceeds a threshold. The wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 11 and the LAN side wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 13 are connected. As a result, the wireless LAN terminal 30 is connected to the network via the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless LAN line. On the other hand, if the reception level is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the wireless LAN area is outside (mobile phone area), and the WAN side mobile phone transmission / reception unit 12 and the LAN side wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 13 are connected. As a result, the wireless LAN terminal 30 is connected to the network via the wireless communication device 10 and the mobile phone line. The selection and switching of the WAN side line described above is automatically performed according to the reception level of the wireless LAN line connectable on the WAN side or by detecting the disconnection of one WAN side line. The communication quality of the wireless LAN line on the WAN side and the cellular phone line may be compared to connect to the WAN side line with good communication quality.

  Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment receives GPS signals (Global Positioning System) from four or more GPS satellites at a constant cycle, calculates latitude, longitude, and altitude position information of the reception point, and A GPS signal receiving unit 15 for calculating the moving speed, a position information storing unit 16 for registering the position information and the moving speed, and an on-board flag indicating whether the user carrying the wireless communication device 10 is getting on or off the vehicle are registered. A boarding flag storage unit 17 is provided. In addition, the boarding flag is “1” when boarding and “0” when getting off.

For example, the moving speed is estimated from the change in position information obtained from the GPS signal per time, the moving average speed Va is calculated from a plurality of moving speeds, and the moving average speed Va is not less than a threshold value V ₂ as shown in FIG. Then, the train is running, and even if the moving average speed Va becomes less than the threshold value V ₁ , if it becomes more than the threshold value V ₂ within a certain time (V ₁ <V ₂ ), it will get on even if it stops at the station. Since the train has just started, the boarding flag is set to “1 (during boarding)”. On the other hand, the moving average speed Va is less than the threshold value V ₂ after a predetermined time from when the threshold value V ₁ or less, and "0 (in off)" ride flag is regarded as being in the station premises get off. Here, a predetermined time is from the moving average speed Va is the threshold V ₁ time becomes zero velocity, and the maximum stop time of each station, a moving average velocity time Va is obtained by adding the time at which the speed 0 to the threshold value V ₂ . The threshold value V ₁ is, for example, 2 km / h at which the train stops, and the threshold value V ₂ is, for example, 15 km / h, which is slightly faster than the walking speed. That is, even the moving average speed Va becomes the threshold value V ₁ or less, immediately ride flag instead of a "0 (in off)" and, within a predetermined time from when the moving average speed Va is the threshold V ₁ or less to determine during off or during ride whether becomes the threshold value V ₂ or more. A detailed boarding flag determination procedure will be described separately.

  In the wireless communication device 10 of the present invention, the control unit 14 performs WAN-side line switching control based on the on-board flag as described below.

FIG. 3 shows a WAN side line switching procedure of the first embodiment.
In FIG. 3, the WAN side line of the wireless communication device 10 is connected to the mobile phone line (S1), and the on-boarding flag determined from the GPS signal received at regular intervals while the mobile phone line is connected (S2). With reference to this, it is determined whether the vehicle is getting on or off (S3, S4).

  When the boarding flag is “0 (getting off)”, the wireless LAN base station is searched at a constant period to determine whether or not it is a station wireless LAN area (S5, S6). If a wireless LAN base station is found, connection processing for the wireless LAN line is performed (S7), and the WAN side line is switched from the mobile phone line to the wireless LAN line. As a result, the wireless communication device 10 is connected to the network via the wireless LAN base station. After that, if it is within the wireless LAN area of the station, it remains connected to the wireless LAN line. In addition, when connected to the wireless LAN line, if the user gets on the train and leaves the station, or exits the wireless LAN area of the station and detects disconnection of the wireless LAN line or a decrease in the reception level (S8), the mobile phone is connected to the wireless LAN line. In order to switch to the telephone line, the process returns to the mobile telephone line connection process in step S1.

  When the boarding flag is “1 (riding)”, the wireless LAN base station is not searched and the WAN side line remains connected to the mobile phone line (S4 → S2). Keep connected.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of WAN line selection in the first embodiment. Conventionally, if a wireless LAN base station is found when stopping at a station, switching from the mobile phone line to the wireless LAN line each time, and switching from the wireless LAN line to the mobile phone line when leaving the station occurs. Was. In the present embodiment, even if the vehicle is stopped at the station, if the on-board flag is “1 (riding)”, the connection on the mobile phone line can be continued without switching the mobile phone line to the wireless LAN line. . On the other hand, if the boarding flag is “0 (getting off)”, the mobile phone line can be switched to the wireless LAN line.

FIG. 6 shows a first example of the on-boarding flag determination procedure using the GPS signal.
In FIG. 6, the GPS signal receiving unit 15 receives GPS signals at a constant period, calculates the position information of the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the reception point and registers them in the position information storage unit 16 (S11). Furthermore, the elapsed time is obtained from the difference between the reception times of the two GPS signals, the movement distance is obtained from the difference between the latitude, longitude, and altitude, the movement distance / elapsed time is calculated, and the movement speed between them is calculated. Registration in the storage unit 16 (S12). An example of GPS signal reception time, position information, and moving speed registered in the position information storage unit 16 is shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the vehicle is in a boarding state and determines a boarding flag as follows. First, the moving average speed Va is calculated from the moving speeds for a predetermined number of times (for example, five times) registered in the position information storage unit 16 (S13).

Here, the boarding flag is determined (S14). For example, if the wireless communication device 10 is connected to the wireless LAN line in the station premises and the boarding flag is “0 (getting off)”, the moving average speed Va. Is greater than or equal to a threshold value V ₀ (for example, 15 km / h) (S15). If Va ≧ V ₀ , it is determined that the boarded train has departed, and the on-boarding flag is set to “1 (on boarding)”. (S16), and the process returns to receiving the GPS signal. At this time, switching to the mobile phone line is performed by disconnecting the connected wireless LAN line or lowering the reception level. On the other hand, if Va <V ₀ , the riding flag remains “0” and the process returns to receiving the GPS signal. At this time, if it is connected to the wireless LAN line, it continues as it is.

When the boarded train is running and the boarding flag is “1 (boarding)”, it is determined whether or not the moving average speed Va is equal to or higher than the threshold value V ₀ (S17). If Va ≧ V ₀ , It is considered that the user is on the running train, and the on-board flag remains “1”. Here, processing (S18) for resetting the getting-off determination counter value Cs is entered, which will be described later. At this time, if it is on board and connected to the mobile phone line, it continues as it is. On the other hand, if the Va <V _0, and increments the off determination counter value Cs (S19). The moving average speed Va becomes less than the threshold value V ₀ , stops at the station, and Cs ≧ C ₀ with respect to the threshold value C ₀ corresponding to a predetermined time when the moving average speed Va of the train that has departed reaches the threshold value V _0. Until it becomes (S20), the processing from step S11 to step S20 is repeated. Each time GPS signal reception is repeated, the moving average speed Va is updated. When Va <V ₀ continuously, and Cs ≧ C ₀ , the moving average speed Va is less than the threshold value V ₀ even if the train departs. For this reason, it is assumed that the passenger has got off the train, the getting-off determination counter value Cs is reset (S21), the on-boarding flag is changed to "0 (getting off)" (S22), and the process returns to receiving the GPS signal. At this time, if the mobile phone line is connected, the wireless LAN base station is searched by getting off and switched to the wireless LAN line.

Also, if Va ≥ V ₀ until Cs ≥ C ₀ , the vehicle does not get off the train that stops at the station, and it is considered that the train is departing and the getting-off determination counter value Cs is reset (S18). ) The on-board flag remains “1”. At this time, if the mobile phone line is connected, the connection to the mobile phone line is continued without switching to the wireless LAN line while stopping at the station.

It is determined that the train has stopped at the station, the threshold value V ₀ for starting the increment of the getting-off determination counter value Cs, and the determination that the train stopped at the station has departed, and the getting-off determination counter value Cs is reset. Thus, the threshold values V ₀ of the speed at which the “1 (riding)” of the boarding flag is maintained may be V ₁ and V ₂ , respectively, and may have hysteresis such that V ₁ <V ₂ . For example, the threshold value V ₁ for starting the increment of the getting-off determination counter value Cs is set to V ₁ = 2 (km / h), which is the speed at which the train almost stops, and the case where the train departs from the case of getting off is distinguished. The threshold value V ₂ to be set is V ₂ = 15 (km / h), which is a slightly faster speed than the walking speed. Thereby, the time can be set more accurately as the threshold value C ₀ . In addition, when the stop time differs for each station, the threshold value C ₀ may be changed each time according to the stop time of each station. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show a second example and an operation example of the on-board flag determination procedure in this case.

In the second example of the on-boarding flag determination procedure shown in FIG. 7, steps S23 and S24 are inserted before step S17 of the first example shown in FIG. 6, and the on-boarding flag is “1 (on boarding)”. If the getting-off determination counter value Cs is the initial value 0, when the moving average speed Va becomes equal to or less than the threshold value V ₁ (when the vehicle stops), the getting-off determination counter value Cs starts incrementing. after starting the increment, until becomes Cs ≧ C _0, it is determined whether becomes Va ≧ V _2.

  Instead of receiving the GPS signal and estimating the moving speed, it may be determined whether the vehicle is getting on or off by using a sensor such as an acceleration sensor, and the on-boarding flag may be determined. However, when the acceleration value obtained by the acceleration sensor is used, it is not possible to distinguish whether the train is traveling at a constant speed or when the train is stopped, so that the on-board flag is “0 (getting off)”. However, even if the wireless LAN base station is searched in steps S5 and S6, it is rare that a wireless LAN base station is found between the traveling stations, and as a result, it remains connected to the mobile phone line and there is no problem. . However, if the absolute value of the acceleration exceeds the threshold value within a certain time, it is necessary to return the boarding flag to “1 (riding)” while the train is running (accelerating or decelerating).

  In the first embodiment, the mobile phone line connection is continued without switching to the wireless LAN line immediately after stopping at the station, and the moving average speed Va of the portable wireless device 10 reaches the predetermined travel after the stoppage time of the train. When the speed was not reached, it was assumed that the user got off the train and switched from the cellular phone line to the wireless LAN line. Therefore, after stopping at the station, it takes more than the stop time to change the boarding flag to “0 (getting off)” and switch to the wireless LAN line. The second embodiment is characterized in that, when it is known that the getting-off station registered in advance is located at the getting-off station from the position information obtained from the GPS signal, it is immediately switched to the wireless LAN line.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of Embodiment 2 of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention.
In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a getting-off station position information storage unit 18 that registers position information of the getting-off station. An example of the position information of the getting-off station registered in the getting-off station position information storage unit 18 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 illustrates a WAN side line switching procedure according to the second embodiment.
In FIG. 11, the WAN side line of the wireless communication apparatus 10 is connected to the mobile phone line (S1), and the mobile phone line is connected (S2), and is calculated from the latest GPS signal registered in the location information storage unit 16. The obtained position information is compared with the position information of the getting-off station registered in the getting-off station position information storage unit 18 to determine whether or not the wireless communication device 10 is at the getting-off station (S31, S32). In the determination process, the distance between the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the position information of each getting-off station is calculated, and if the shortest distance is less than a predetermined value (for example, within 200 m), it is determined that the user is at the getting-off station.

  When the user is at the getting-off station, the wireless LAN base station is searched at a constant cycle to determine whether or not the station is a wireless LAN area (S5, S6). If a wireless LAN base station is found, connection processing to the wireless LAN base station is performed (S7), and the WAN side line is switched from the cellular phone line to the wireless LAN line. As a result, the wireless communication device 10 is connected to the network via the wireless LAN base station. After that, if it is within the wireless LAN area of the station, it remains connected to the wireless LAN line. In addition, when connected to the wireless LAN line, if the user gets on the train and leaves the station, or exits the wireless LAN area of the station and detects disconnection of the wireless LAN line or a decrease in reception level (S8), the wireless LAN line is disconnected. In order to switch to the mobile phone line, the process returns to the mobile phone line connection process in step S1.

  If the station is not at the station, it is on board at the station where it stopped, so the wireless LAN base station is not searched and the WAN side line remains connected to the mobile phone line (S4 → S2). Keep connected.

  Thus, if it is not a registered getting-off station, connection with a mobile telephone line can be continued without switching a mobile telephone line to a wireless LAN line. On the other hand, when arriving at the registered station, the mobile phone line can be immediately switched to the wireless LAN line.

In the boarding flag determination procedure according to the first embodiment, when the boarding flag is “1 (riding)” and the moving average speed Va is less than the threshold value V ₀ or less than the threshold value V ₂ , You may make it determine whether it exists in. For example, FIG. 12 shows an example applied to the on-boarding flag determination procedure shown in FIG. 6. When the moving average speed Va is less than the threshold value V _{0 in} step S17, the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the registered get-off The position information of the station is collated (S31, S32), and if it is at the getting-off station, the getting-off determination counter value Cs is not incremented and the boarding flag is immediately set to “0 (getting off)”. As a result, a search for a wireless LAN base station is performed at a fixed period, and if a wireless LAN base station is found, a connection process to the wireless LAN base station can be performed. The same applies to the on-boarding flag determination procedure shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, when a wireless LAN base station is installed in a train and a wireless LAN line can be used while riding, the wireless LAN line is prioritized on the route both when riding and when it is stopped. Do not switch to the line (hereinafter referred to as “wireless LAN priority mode”). On the other hand, when a wireless LAN base station is not installed in the vehicle, the cellular phone line is given priority on the route both when the vehicle is on board and when the vehicle is stopped, and the wireless LAN is not switched (hereinafter referred to as “mobile phone priority mode”). ).

  When the position information obtained from the GPS signal matches the registered route, the wireless communication device 10 selects a connection mode corresponding to the matching route. Also, if the location information obtained from the GPS signal deviates from the route, it is determined that the vehicle has got off, and priority is given to the wireless LAN line. ”Is selected.

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of Embodiment 3 of the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention.
The wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment includes a route information storage unit 19 and a connection mode storage unit 20 instead of the boarding flag storage unit 17 and the getting-off station position information storage unit 18 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. An example of registration information in the route information storage unit 19 is shown in FIG. The registration information designates “wireless LAN line” or “mobile phone line” as the WAN side line depending on route information of the route to be used in advance and whether or not each train has a wireless LAN base station. This is WAN side line information. As the route information of the route, the latitude and longitude information of the route is registered, but a plurality of latitudes and longitudes on the route are registered like a GPX (GPS eXchange Format) file. In the connection mode storage unit 20, any one of “normal mode”, “wireless LAN priority mode”, and “mobile phone priority mode” that defines the connection mode of the wireless communication device 10 is set.

FIG. 15 shows a connection mode setting procedure of the third embodiment.
In FIG. 15, the GPS signal receiving unit 15 receives GPS signals at a constant cycle, calculates the position information of the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the reception point and registers them in the position information storage unit 16 (S41). Next, the control unit 14 collates the position information in the position information storage unit 16 with the route information in the route information storage unit 19, calculates the shortest distance that is the difference (S42), and the shortest distance is within a certain value. It is determined whether or not there is (S43). If the shortest distance is within a certain value, it is determined that the vehicle is on the route information route. Then, the WAN line mode of the route is determined (S44), and when the WAN line mode is a wireless LAN, “wireless LAN priority mode” is set in the connection mode storage unit 20 (S45). When the WAN line mode of the route is a mobile phone, “mobile phone priority mode” is set in the connection mode storage unit 20 (S46). On the other hand, when the distance between the position information obtained from the GPS signal and the route information exceeds a certain value, it is determined that the vehicle is not on the registered route, and “normal mode” is set in the connection mode storage unit 20 (S47). ).

  FIG. 16 shows a WAN line switching procedure in the “normal mode”. In the normal mode, if it is within the wireless LAN area, it is connected to the wireless LAN, and if it is outside the wireless LAN area, a cellular phone line is used.

  In FIG. 16, a wireless LAN line is selected as the WAN side line and connection processing is performed (S51). If the wireless LAN line can be connected, the wireless LAN line is used as it is (S52, S53). If the connection to the wireless LAN line could not be established (S52: No), or if the wireless LAN line was disconnected once after being connected to the wireless LAN line (S53: No), the mobile phone line The connection process is performed (S54). In order to determine whether or not the mobile LAN line has moved to the wireless LAN area even when connected via a mobile phone line, a search for a wireless LAN base station is performed at regular intervals (S55, S56). As a result of the search, if a connectable wireless LAN base station is found, the process returns to step S51 to perform connection processing using the wireless LAN line. Note that the WAN line switching procedure shown in the first embodiment or the second embodiment may be adopted as the normal mode.

  FIG. 17 shows a WAN line switching procedure in the “wireless LAN priority mode”. In the wireless LAN priority mode, it can be inferred that there is a wireless LAN base station in the vicinity of the train on the registered route, and therefore, control is performed to connect to the wireless LAN base station as much as possible.

  In FIG. 17, a wireless LAN line is selected as the WAN side line and connection processing is performed (S61). If the wireless LAN line can be connected, the wireless LAN line is used as it is (S62). Here, even if the wireless LAN line is disconnected, it can be determined that the radio wave intensity has temporarily decreased rather than being out of the wireless LAN area. Therefore, the mobile phone line is not immediately switched to the wireless LAN line. (S63, S64). If one or more times of reconnection processing to the wireless LAN line is performed and connection to the wireless LAN line is still not possible, the connection mode is changed to “normal mode” (S65), and connection processing to the mobile phone line is performed. (FIG. 16: S54).

  In the WAN line switching procedure in the “mobile phone priority mode”, the wireless LAN base station is not searched, and the connection is continued through the mobile phone line.

  With the above operation, the connection with the wireless LAN line is continued on the route provided with the wireless LAN base station in the vehicle, and the connection with the mobile phone line is continued on the route not provided with the wireless LAN base station in the vehicle. If the route is other than the route, it can be connected to the wireless LAN in the “normal mode” and within the wireless LAN area, and the cellular phone line can be used outside the wireless LAN area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless communication apparatus 11 WAN side wireless LAN transmission / reception part 12 WAN side mobile telephone transmission / reception part 13 LAN side wireless LAN transmission / reception part 14 Control part 15 GPS signal reception part 16 Location information storage part 17 Boarding flag storage part 18 Get off station position information storage Unit 19 path information storage unit 20 connection mode storage unit 30 wireless LAN terminal

Claims (12)

In a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside a wireless LAN area,
Other to determine whether a fixed period to acquire the position information from the GPS signal received by a further calculates a moving average speed from the position information of the time series or off during a riding in a vehicle to move a predetermined path If the vehicle is located at a place where the user gets off by registering the position information obtained from the vehicle traveling on a predetermined route and comparing the position information obtained from the GPS signal with the registered position information. Moving state determining means for determining that the vehicle is getting off, and for determining that the vehicle is getting on if the vehicle is not in the place to get off ;
If the moving state determining means determines that the user is in the boarding state, the mobile communication line continues to be connected even if the user enters the wireless LAN area from outside the wireless LAN area. And a control means for connecting to the wireless LAN line if it is within the wireless LAN area when determined. The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value greater than or equal _to V _0, the moving average speed is a predetermined value greater than or equal _to V ₀ within a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ In this case, it is determined that the vehicle is getting on, and if the moving average speed is less than the predetermined value V _{0 and the} predetermined average time is less than the predetermined value V ₀ , it is determined that the vehicle is getting off. Wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value V ₂ or more, the moving average speed is lower than the predetermined value _{V 1 (V 1 <V 2} ) since it within a certain time When the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value V ₂ , it is determined that the vehicle is on board, and when the moving average speed is less than the predetermined value V ₁ , if it is less than the predetermined value V ₂ even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the vehicle is getting off. A wireless communication device characterized by the above. In a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside a wireless LAN area,
Registering the getting-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle traveling on the predetermined route, acquiring the position information from the GPS signal received at a fixed period, the position information obtained from the GPS signal, the registered getting-off position information, A moving state discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the vehicle is in a place to get off,
If it is determined by the movement state determination means that the vehicle is not at the place to get off, the connection of the mobile communication line is continued even when entering the wireless LAN area from outside the wireless LAN area, and the movement state determination means And a control means for connecting to the wireless LAN line if it is within the wireless LAN area when it is determined that the vehicle is in the place to get off. In a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside a wireless LAN area,
Register the position information of the route on which the vehicle moves and the line mode indicating whether or not the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle for each route, obtain the position information from the GPS signal received at a fixed period, A moving state determining means for comparing the obtained position information with the position information of the registered route and determining whether or not the vehicle is on the registered route;
When it is determined by the movement state determination means that the vehicle on the registered route is being boarded, the line mode of the route is referred to, and if the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle, the wireless LAN line Is controlled so that the wireless communication line is not switched to the mobile communication line, and if the wireless LAN line cannot be used in the vehicle, the mobile communication line is given priority to the wireless LAN line. When the mobile state priority mode is controlled so as not to be switched, and the mobile state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not on the registered route, the mobile communication is performed when the wireless LAN line cannot be connected. A wireless communication apparatus comprising: control means for performing control for setting to a “normal mode” connected to a line. The wireless communication device according to claim 5 , wherein
The control means performs reconnection processing even when the wireless LAN line is temporarily disconnected in the wireless LAN priority mode, and cannot be reconnected to the wireless LAN line even by one or more reconnection processes. Sometimes, the wireless communication device is configured to perform control to switch to the normal mode and connect to the mobile communication line. WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area In
The moving state discriminating means acquires position information from GPS signals received at regular intervals, calculates a moving average speed from time-series position information, and gets on or off a vehicle traveling on a predetermined route. In addition to discriminating whether there is a vehicle, the vehicle location information indicating the location to get off from a vehicle traveling on a predetermined route is registered, and the location information obtained from the GPS signal is compared with the registered vehicle location information to check If you are in a place to go, determine that you are getting off, if you are not in the place to get off, determine that you are getting on,
If the moving state determining means determines that the user is in the boarding state, the mobile communication line continues to be connected even if the user enters the wireless LAN area from outside the wireless LAN area. A WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus, wherein if the wireless LAN area is within the wireless LAN area when determined, the wireless LAN line is connected to the wireless LAN line. In the WAN side circuit switching method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of Claim 7 ,
The moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value greater than or equal _to V _0, the moving average speed is a predetermined value greater than or equal _to V ₀ within a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ radio communication apparatus characterized by familiar if determined that riding, the moving average speed is determined to in off is less than the predetermined value V ₀ even after the lapse of a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₀ WAN side line switching method. In the WAN side circuit switching method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of Claim 7 ,
The moving state determination means, the moving average speed is determined that riding if the predetermined value V ₂ or more, the moving average speed is lower than the predetermined value _{V 1 (V 1 <V 2} ) since it within a certain time it is determined that the riding if the predetermined value V ₂ or more, the moving average speed is determined to in off if even after a predetermined time from when less than the predetermined value V ₁ lower than the predetermined value V ₂ to A WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus. WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area In
The moving state discriminating means registers the getting-off position information indicating the place to get off from the vehicle moving on the predetermined route, acquires the position information from the GPS signal received at a fixed period, and registers the position information obtained from the GPS signal. To determine whether you are in a place to get off,
If it is determined by the movement state determination means that the vehicle is not at the place to get off, the connection of the mobile communication line is continued even when entering the wireless LAN area from outside the wireless LAN area, and the movement state determination means The WAN side line switching method of the wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless LAN line is connected to the wireless LAN line if it is within the wireless LAN area when it is determined that the vehicle is in the place to get off. WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus having a function capable of connecting to a plurality of WAN side lines including a wireless LAN line, connecting to a wireless LAN line within a wireless LAN area, and connecting to a mobile communication line outside the wireless LAN area In
The moving state discriminating means registers the position information of the route on which the vehicle moves and the line mode indicating whether or not the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle for each route, and obtains the position information from the GPS signal received at a constant cycle. The position information obtained from the GPS signal and the position information of the registered route are collated to determine whether the vehicle is on the registered route,
When it is determined by the movement state determination means that the vehicle on the registered route is being boarded, the line mode of the route is referred to, and if the wireless LAN line can be used in the vehicle, the wireless LAN line Is controlled so that the wireless communication line is not switched to the mobile communication line, and if the wireless LAN line cannot be used in the vehicle, the mobile communication line is given priority to the wireless LAN line. When the mobile state priority mode is controlled so as not to be switched, and the mobile state determination unit determines that the vehicle is not on the registered route, the mobile communication is performed when the wireless LAN line cannot be connected. A WAN side line switching method for a wireless communication apparatus, characterized in that control is performed to make a “normal mode” for connecting to a line. In the WAN side circuit switching method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of Claim 11 ,
In the wireless LAN priority mode, when the wireless LAN line is temporarily disconnected, reconnection processing is performed, and when the wireless LAN line cannot be reconnected even by one or more reconnection processes, the normal A WAN side line switching method of a wireless communication apparatus, characterized in that control for switching to a mode and connecting to the mobile communication line is performed.

Images