JP6200739B2 - Mobile station apparatus and position estimation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile station apparatus and a position estimation method of a wireless communication system, and provides approximate position information to the outside even in a situation where GPS positioning using assist data within a valid period of possession cannot be completed normally. The present invention relates to a mobile station apparatus and a position estimation method that can prevent unnecessary processing.

[Description of Prior Art]
In recent years, positioning (GPS positioning) using GPS (Global Positioning System) has been widely applied in positioning of mobile station devices in wireless systems such as mobile phones.
In the mobile station apparatus, GPS positioning is performed in response to a request from the user, and position information is notified to the outside. The notified location information is used for various services.

[Autonomous positioning method]
One of the GPS positioning methods is an autonomous positioning method (Stand Alone positioning method).
In Stand Alone positioning, information such as satellite orbit and time is obtained by demodulating signals received from GPS satellites without using GPS positioning assistance information (for example, initial position, time, satellite orbit information). Acquire and perform positioning calculation to estimate the position.

  However, in the Stand Alone positioning method, it is necessary to demodulate a signal received from a GPS satellite and acquire information from the signal. Therefore, in order to succeed in positioning, an environment in which a plurality of strong electric field satellites can be captured is required. There is a problem that even if positioning is successful, it takes a long time to complete positioning.

[A-GPS method]
Therefore, in order to speed up the positioning calculation in the mobile station device, GPS assist data (assist data) including satellite orbit information provided from GPS satellites and initial position information is obtained from a positioning server of the communication network, There is a method (A-GPS method) for performing positioning calculation using it.

In the A-GPS method, the mobile station apparatus performs positioning calculation using GPS assist data acquired from the network and the received GPS signal, and calculates the current position with high accuracy.
In the A-GPS method, when the positioning calculation is not completed within a preset time, it is possible to obtain a positioning result by setting the initial position included in the assist data as the approximate position. .

  However, in order to acquire assist data from the network, the mobile station device needs to communicate with the network every time positioning is performed, and there is a problem in terms of the utilization efficiency of radio resources.

[Another A-GPS system: FIG. 5]
There is another A-GPS method as a method for suppressing the number of times of access to the network.
In another A-GPS system, the mobile station apparatus holds the assist data acquired from the network for a certain period, and does not acquire new assist data within the effective period of the assist data, and holds it internally. Positioning calculation is performed using the assist data that is being used.

Another A-GPS system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a positioning operation in another A-GPS method in a conventional mobile station.
As shown in FIG. 5, in another A-GPS system, when starting the positioning, the mobile station apparatus determines whether it has valid assist data (502). Valid assist data is assist data within the valid period.

In the process 502, when valid assist data is held (in the case of Yes), the mobile station apparatus performs positioning using the valid assist data and the received GPS signal (504).
Then, it is determined whether or not the positioning is completed within a certain time (506). If the positioning is completed (in the case of Yes), the positioning result is output to the outside (radio base station or user interface) as position information. (508), and the process ends.

In the case where the positioning is not completed within a certain time in the processing 506 and timed out, the mobile station outputs “no positioning result” to the outside (510) and ends the processing.
This is because although the assist data that is held is within the valid period, there is a possibility that the location has moved from the time of acquisition, so the assist data is not necessarily appropriate for the actual mobile station position at that time. Because there is no limit.
If positioning is not completed within a certain period of time, positioning is interrupted by the user during positioning processing, signals from GPS satellites cannot be received, or positioning processing is performed until the time-out time. There are cases where positioning results could not be obtained.

  On the other hand, when valid assist data is not held in the process 502 (in the case of No), the mobile station apparatus requests new assist data from the network, and uses the acquired new assist data and the received GPS signal. Positioning is performed (512).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the positioning is completed within a certain time (514). If the positioning is completed (in the case of Yes), the mobile station apparatus outputs the positioning result to the outside as the position information (516). Finish the process.

Also, in the process 516, when the positioning does not complete within a certain time and times out (in the case of No), the mobile station apparatus outputs the initial position information included in the new assist data to the outside as a positioning result ( 518).
Thus, the positioning operation by another A-GPS system in the conventional mobile station apparatus is performed.

[Related technologies]
In addition, as a technique regarding the positioning in a mobile station apparatus, there exists Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2013-11085 "Mobile station apparatus" (Hitachi Kokusai Electric, patent document 1).
In Patent Document 1, the first approximate position is calculated from the reception level and the transmission power value from the base station at the first position, the first assist data is acquired, and the positioning process is performed. If the movement distance between the first approximate position and the second approximate position is less than the threshold value, the positioning process is performed using the first assist data without acquiring new assist data. Go and suppress server access.

JP 2013-101085 A

  However, in the conventional mobile station device, if the positioning process using the assist data within the valid period that is held is not completed within a certain time, the position information cannot be provided to the outside, and There is a problem in that useless processing may continue until the valid period of the assist data expires.

  In Patent Document 1, the position information when the positioning process is normally completed and the identification information of the cell connected at that time are stored in association with each other, and the retained assist data within the effective period is stored. If the positioning process performed using the system is not completed within a certain period of time, the position information stored corresponding to the identification information of the currently connected cell is output to the outside as the approximate position information of the mobile station apparatus. It is not described to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when positioning processing using assist data within an effective period is not completed within a certain period of time, it is possible to provide approximate position information not based on positioning processing to the outside. It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile station apparatus and a position estimation method that can prevent unnecessary processing.

The present invention for solving the problems of the above-described conventional example is a mobile station apparatus in a wireless communication system, an assist data acquisition unit that acquires and holds assist data from a network, and a GPS that uses assist data according to instructions A positioning processing unit that performs positioning processing and outputs position information, a cell identification information acquisition unit that acquires cell identification information of the connected main cell and connectable subcell , and position information associated with the cell identification information The storage unit to store and assist data within the effective period held in the assist data acquisition unit is attached to the positioning processing unit to instruct the positioning processing, and if the positioning processing is completed normally, the positioning position information and stores in association with the cell identification information of the acquired main cell and sub-cell in the cell identification information acquisition unit in the storage unit, the positioning formation position information As output to the outside, if the positioning process does not complete successfully, it searches the storage unit cell identification information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit as a key, the storage unit, not complete successfully the main cell same cell identification information and time if it is to have the location information is one stored which comprises as the cell identification information of the main cell outputs those said phase location information to the outside as a positioning result, the storage unit, Two or more pieces of location information having the same cell identification information as the main cell as the cell identification information of the main cell are stored, and the same as the first subcell when it is not normally completed. If one piece of location information having the cell identification information as the cell identification information of the first subcell is stored, the location information is output to the outside as a positioning result, and further, the same as the first subcell. Cell identification information Are stored as cell identification information of the first subcell, and among them, the same cell identification information as the second subcell when not completed normally is stored in the second subcell. If one piece of position information provided as cell identification information of the sub-cell is stored, a control unit that outputs the position information to the outside as a positioning result is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, in the mobile station apparatus, the control unit attaches assist data within an effective period held in the assist data acquisition unit, instructs the positioning processing unit to perform positioning processing, and the positioning processing is normally performed. without completing, cell Le identification result of searching the storage unit cell identification information acquired by the acquisition unit as a key, if the same cell identification information is not stored, to erase the assist data It is characterized by.

The present invention is also a position estimation method in a mobile station device, wherein a positioning processing unit performs positioning processing using assist data within an effective period held in the device, and a control unit performs positioning processing. stored when successfully completed, a positioning position information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit, the storage unit in association with the cell identification information of the main cell and which can be connected subcells are connected If the positioning process is not completed normally, the storage unit is searched using the acquired cell identification information as a key, and the same cell identification information as the main cell when the positioning process is not completed is stored in the storage unit. if a is in which position information is one stored which comprises as the cell identification information of the main cell, the person said phase location information output as the positioning result, the storage unit, the same cell identification information and the main cell Cell identification information of the main cell Two or more pieces of location information are stored, and the same cell identification information as that of the first subcell when it is not normally completed is provided as cell identification information of the first subcell. If one piece of position information is stored, the position information is output to the outside as a positioning result, and the same cell identification information as that of the first subcell is provided as the cell identification information of the first subcell. Two or more pieces of position information are stored, and among them, the position information having the same cell identification information as that of the second subcell when not completed normally as the cell identification information of the second subcell. If one is stored, the position information is output to the outside as a positioning result.

Further, according to the present invention, in the position estimation method, the positioning processing unit performs positioning processing using the assist data within the effective period held in the apparatus, and the control unit does not complete the positioning processing normally. , the result of searching the storage unit cell identification information of the connection to which the cell as a key, if the same cell identity is not stored is characterized in that to erase the assist data.

According to the present invention, a mobile station apparatus in a wireless communication system, which obtains and holds assist data from a network, performs GPS positioning processing using assist data according to an instruction, and outputs position information. A positioning processing unit, a cell identification information acquisition unit that acquires cell identification information of the connected main cell and connectable subcells , a storage unit that stores positional information in association with the cell identification information, and assist data acquisition If the positioning processing unit is instructed by attaching the assist data within the effective period held in the unit and instructing the positioning processing unit and the positioning processing is normally completed, the positioning information and the cell identification information acquisition unit stores in the storage unit acquired main cells and in association with the cell identification information of the subcell, and outputs to the outside the position information as the positioning result, the positioning processing If does not complete successfully, searches the storage unit cell identification information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit as a key, the storage unit, the main cell and the same cell when that did not complete successfully if the identification information is in that position information is one stored which comprises as the cell identification information of the main cell, the person said phase location information output as the positioning result, the storage unit, the same cell identity and the main cell Two or more pieces of position information having information as the cell identification information of the main cell are stored, and among them, the same cell identification information as that of the first subcell when it is not normally completed, If one piece of location information provided as cell identification information of the subcell is stored, the location information is output to the outside as a positioning result, and the same cell identification information as the first subcell is output to the first subcell. Cell identification Two or more pieces of location information provided as information are stored, and the same cell identification information as that of the second subcell when it is not normally completed is provided as cell identification information of the second subcell. If a single location information is stored, the mobile station device includes a control unit that outputs the location information as a positioning result to the outside. Even when the positioning process using the assist data is not normally completed, the approximate position information can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the control unit attaches the assist data within the effective period held in the assist data acquisition unit and instructs the positioning processing unit to perform the positioning processing, and the positioning processing is not completed normally. When the same cell identification information is not stored as a result of searching the storage unit using the cell identification information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit as a key, the mobile station apparatus erases the assist data. Therefore, in the next positioning process, it is possible to reliably output the positioning result using the new assist data, and there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the unnecessary positioning process from being performed many times.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a position estimation method in a mobile station device, wherein the positioning processing unit performs positioning processing using assist data within an effective period held in the device, and the control unit performs positioning. If the operation completes successfully, a positioning position information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit, connected to and association with the cell identification information of the main cells and connectable subcell storage unit When the positioning process is not completed normally, the storage unit is searched using the acquired cell identification information as a key, and in the storage unit, the same cell as the main cell when it is not completed normally if the identification information is in that position information is one stored which comprises as the cell identification information of the main cell, the person said phase location information output as the positioning result, the storage unit, the same cell identity and the main cell Information of the main cell Two or more pieces of position information provided as separate information are stored, and the cell identification information that is the same as the first subcell when it is not completed normally is used as the cell identification information of the first subcell. If one location information is stored, the location information is output to the outside as a positioning result, and the same cell identification information as the first subcell is provided as the cell identification information of the first subcell. Two or more pieces of location information stored therein, and among them, the same cell identification information as that of the second subcell when it is not normally completed as cell identification information of the second subcell if information is one stored, positioning since the position estimating method for outputting the position information to the outside as the positioning result, conventionally could not be providing position information, using the assist data within the validity period Even if the management is not completed successfully, there is an effect that can provide approximate location information.

  Further, according to the present invention, the positioning processing unit performs the positioning process using the assist data within the effective period held in the apparatus, and the control unit does not complete the positioning process normally. As a result of searching the storage unit using the cell identification information of the connected cell as a key, if the same cell identification information is not stored, the position estimation method for erasing the assist data is used. In the positioning process, it is possible to reliably output the positioning result using the new assist data, and there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the unnecessary positioning process from being performed many times.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a mobile station apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the general | schematic position information candidate database memorize | stored in the position information storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the GPS positioning control process in this mobile station apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the rough position determination process shown to the process 320 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the positioning operation | movement by another A-GPS system in the conventional mobile station.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Outline of the embodiment]
A mobile station apparatus and a position estimation method according to an embodiment of the present invention associate a position information when a positioning process is normally completed with cell information that is connected or located at that time in advance. If the positioning process started within the effective period of the retention assist data is not completed within a certain time, the database is searched using the cell information currently connected or located as a key and matches If there is cell information to be stored, the position information stored correspondingly is output to the outside as the approximate position information of the mobile station device. It is possible to prevent the unnecessary processing from being performed.

[Configuration of Mobile Station Apparatus According to Embodiment: FIG. 1]
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a mobile station apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile station apparatus (this mobile station apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a first radio section (radio section 1) 101, a baseband transmitting / receiving section 102, a radio quality measuring section 103, , Connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104, assist data acquisition unit 105, second radio unit (radio unit 2) 106, GPS positioning processing unit 107, GPS positioning control unit 108, and position information storage unit 109 The main control unit 110 is provided.

Each component of the mobile station apparatus will be specifically described.
The first radio unit 101 performs band conversion from a radio frequency band signal to a baseband signal, and a baseband signal to a radio frequency band, communicated between the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus of the radio communication system. Performs band conversion to the signal.

  The baseband transmission / reception unit 102 performs baseband demodulation processing and data decoding processing of the received signal converted into the baseband bandwidth, and data encoding processing and baseband modulation processing for transmitting data to the network.

The radio quality measuring unit 103 measures radio quality such as a reception level of a downlink signal from a base station in a cell where the mobile station apparatus is currently located or connected (hereinafter referred to as a connected cell), and the cell It is output as quality information.
Radio quality measurement unit 103 outputs cell quality information to GPS positioning control unit 108.

The connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 acquires identification information (cell identification information) such as, for example, a cell ID and a frequency that can identify and identify the current connected cell in the system from the downlink signal of the connected cell.
The connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 outputs the cell identification information to the GPS positioning control unit 108.

The assist data acquisition unit 105 transmits an assist data request to the network according to an instruction from the GPS positioning control unit 108, and receives and acquires assist data transmitted from the network positioning server.
The assist data acquisition unit 105 stores the acquired assist data therein.

The second radio unit 106 receives a signal in the radio frequency band of the GPS satellite and converts it into a baseband band.
The GPS positioning processing unit 107 calculates the position of the mobile station device (positioning) using assist data specified by the GPS positioning control unit 108 (to be described later) and the GPS signal received by the second radio unit 106. Calculation), and the position information is output to the GPS positioning control unit 108.

The GPS positioning control unit 108 is a characteristic part of the mobile station apparatus, controls the GPS positioning process as in the conventional case, and performs the approximate position determination process as a characteristic of the mobile station apparatus. The approximate position determination process corresponds to the position estimation method according to the present embodiment.
Specifically, when a positioning start instruction is input from the user, the GPS positioning control unit 108 starts a GPS positioning process, inputs assist data held in the assist data acquisition unit 105, and receives GPS positioning. A positioning process is instructed by attaching the assist data to the processing unit 107. When the positioning process is normally completed, a positioning result (position information) is acquired from the GPS positioning processing unit 107, and is output to the outside as a positioning result.
The GPS positioning control unit 108 instructs the assist data acquisition unit 105 to acquire new assist data if the validity period of the assist data input from the assist data acquisition unit 105 has expired.

  As a feature of the mobile station apparatus, when the positioning process is normally completed, the GPS positioning control unit 108 obtains the position information input from the GPS positioning processing unit and information on the connected cell and subcell at that time. And stored in the position information storage unit 109. Information regarding the connected cell and the subcell is input from the connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 and the radio quality measurement unit 103.

Further, as a feature of this mobile station apparatus, the GPS positioning control unit 108 is timed out because the positioning process using valid assist data (within the valid period) is not completed within a certain time, and the GPS positioning processing unit 107 When the information cannot be acquired, an approximate position determination process for obtaining approximate position information is performed. The approximate position determination process will be described later.
The GPS positioning control unit 108 corresponds to the control unit described in the claims.

The position information storage unit 109 is a characteristic part of the mobile station apparatus, and corresponds to the position information (rough position information candidate) when positioning is successful as information for determining the approximate position information. An approximate position candidate database that stores cell identification information of connected cells, data of communication quality with each cell, and the like is provided.
The position information storage unit 109 will be described later. The position information storage unit 109 corresponds to the storage unit described in the claims.

  The main control unit 110 performs call processing, positioning, and the like as a mobile station device while performing overall control of the above-described units.

[Position information storage unit 109: FIG. 2]
Next, the approximate position information candidate database stored in the position information storage unit 109 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the approximate position information candidate database stored in the position information storage unit 109.
The approximate position information candidate database is written by the GPS positioning control unit 108 when the positioning process in the GPS positioning processing unit 107 is successful, and corresponds to the position information obtained by the positioning process, Main cell and sub cell identification information and respective radio quality information are stored.
Each piece of position information corresponds to an approximate position information candidate.

  The main cell is a cell (connected cell) that was located or connected when positioning was successful, and in the approximate position information candidate database, the identification information of the main cell acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit 104 when positioning was successful, The wireless quality information of the main cell measured by the wireless quality measuring unit 103 is stored.

  The subcell is a cell that can be connected to other than the main cell, and stores the subcell identification information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit 104 when the positioning is successful, and the subcell radio quality information measured by the radio quality measurement unit 103. ing.

  In the example of FIG. 2, for example, corresponding to the position information (X1, Y1) by the positioning process, the date and time information on which the position information is positioned, the identification information “ID123” of the cell connected as the main cell, and its The wireless quality “−3 dB”, the identification information “ID456” and the wireless quality “−10 dB” of a cell that can be received as a sub cell other than the main cell are stored.

Further, when there are a plurality of pieces of subcell information, a plurality of pieces of subcell information (subcell (# 1),..., Subcell (#n)) are stored in order of good radio quality.
Similarly, in the approximate position information candidate database, information on main cells and subcells is stored when different position information (X2, Y2), (X3, Y3), (X4, Y4) is obtained. .
However, for the position information (X3, Y3), no subcell information is stored, and for (X4, Y4), only one subcell information is stored.

  And in this mobile station apparatus, when the GPS positioning process using the assist data within the effective period is not normally completed, as the approximate position information determination process, information on the main cell and subcell connected at that time is obtained. Then, a process of estimating the approximate position information is performed by collating with the main cell and sub cell information stored in the approximate position candidate database.

[GPS positioning control processing: FIG. 3]
Next, the GPS positioning control process in this mobile station apparatus is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a GPS positioning control process in the mobile station apparatus. Here, it is assumed that the processing of FIG. 3 is performed by the GPS positioning control unit 108.
As shown in FIG. 3, when there is a positioning start request from the user, the GPS positioning control unit 108 checks whether the assist data acquisition unit 105 has valid (within the valid period) assist data (within the valid period). 302).

When valid assist data is held (in the case of Yes), the GPS positioning control unit 108 reads the assist data and instructs the GPS positioning processing unit 107 with the assist data to perform the positioning process. (305).
In response to the instruction, the GPS positioning processing unit 107 performs GPS positioning processing. When the positioning is completed within a predetermined time, the GPS positioning control unit 108 is notified of the completion of positioning by adding position information.

Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 determines whether or not the positioning is completed (307). If the positioning is completed (Yes), the positioning result (position information) is output to the outside (308).
Further, the GPS positioning control unit 108 inputs the cell identification information of the currently connected main cell and subcell from the connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104, and receives the radio quality information of the main cell and subcell from the radio quality measurement unit 103. input.

  Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 associates the position information that is the positioning result, the date and time of positioning, the cell identification information and the radio quality information of the main cell and the subcell, and the approximate position information candidate database of the position information storage unit 109. (310), and the process ends.

Further, if the positioning is not completed within a certain time in the process 307 (in the case of No), the GPS positioning control unit 108 performs a rough position determination process that is characteristic of the mobile station apparatus (320), and ends the process. To do.
The approximate position determination process will be described later.

In the process 302, when valid assist data is not held (in the case of No), the GPS positioning control unit 108 outputs an instruction to acquire new assist data to the assist data acquisition unit 105.
When receiving the instruction, the assist data acquisition unit 105 requests the assist data from the network via the wireless unit 101 and the baseband transmission / reception unit 102, and acquires new assist data (new assist data).

Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 attaches the acquired new assist data and instructs the GPS positioning processing unit 107 to perform positioning processing (332).
The GPS positioning processing unit 107 performs GPS positioning processing in response to the instruction.

  The GPS positioning control unit 108 determines whether or not the positioning is completed (334). If the positioning is completed (Yes), the position information as the positioning result is output to the outside (336), and the process proceeds to processing 310. To do.

If the positioning is not completed in processing 334 (in the case of No), the GPS positioning control unit 108 outputs the initial position included in the new assist data to the outside as the positioning result (338), and the processing ends.
In this way, the GPS positioning control process in the mobile station apparatus is performed.

[Outline position determination processing: FIG. 4]
Next, the approximate position determination process which is a characteristic part of the mobile station apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the approximate position determination process shown in the process 320 of FIG. The approximate position determination process is performed by the GPS positioning control unit 108.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the approximate position determination process is started, the GPS positioning control unit 108 acquires the cell identification information of the currently connected main cell from the connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 (402). .

  Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 searches the approximate position information candidate database (DB) using the acquired cell identification information of the main cell as a key, and the same cell as the main cell currently connected from the approximate position information candidate DB Position information having the identification information as cell identification information of the main cell is extracted as a rough position information candidate (404).

Next, the GPS positioning control unit 108 determines whether there is an extracted approximate position information candidate (406).
If there is an approximate position information candidate (YES), the GPS positioning control unit 108 further determines whether there is one approximate position information candidate (408).

  If there is one approximate position information candidate in the process 408 (Yes), the GPS positioning control unit 108 outputs the extracted approximate position information candidate to the outside as a positioning result (410), and approximate position determination processing End.

For example, if the approximate position information candidate DB is the content of FIG. 2 and the cell identification information of the current main cell is “ID321”, the position information including the cell identification information as the cell identification information of the main cell is There is only one of (X3, Y3). In this case, the position information (X3, Y3) is output to the outside as a positioning result.
Similarly, if the cell identification information of the current main cell is “ID654”, the position information (X4, Y4) is extracted and output to the outside as a positioning result.

In addition, when there is not one approximate position information candidate extracted in process 408, that is, when there are a plurality of approximate position information candidates, the GPS positioning control unit 108 performs narrowing down based on the subcell information.
For example, when the identification information of the current main cell is “ID123”, the position information (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2) are approximate position information candidates, and the subcell information is narrowed down as a key.

When narrowing down, the GPS positioning control unit 108 acquires the cell identification information of the current subcell from the connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 (412).
Then, out of the plurality of extracted approximate position information candidates, the position information having the same cell identification information as the cell identification information of the current subcell as the cell identification information of the subcell is extracted as the approximate position information (414) Then, the process proceeds to process 410, the extracted approximate position information is output to the outside as a positioning result, and the process ends.
In the example of FIG. 2, when the cell identification information of the current subcell is “ID456”, the position information (X1, Y1) is extracted and output to the outside as a positioning result.

Although illustration is omitted, if approximate position information candidates cannot be narrowed down even by extraction using the first subcell (subcell (# 1), subcell with the best radio quality) as a key, the second subcell is selected. Similar processing is performed on the subsequent subcells to narrow down the approximate position information candidates.
Furthermore, if it cannot be narrowed down yet, the center of gravity of the finally remaining approximate position information candidates (Xm1, Ym1), (Xm2, Ym2),... (Xmn, Ymn) may be extracted as approximate position information. Is possible.

  If there is no extracted approximate position information candidate in process 406, that is, if the cell identification information of the current main cell is not stored as the cell identification information of the main cell in the approximate position information candidate DB (No In this case, the GPS positioning control unit 108 searches (searches) for position information including the identification information of the current subcell as the identification information of the main cell.

In FIG. 2, for example, when the cell identification information of the current main cell is “ID246”, there is no approximate position information candidate that can be extracted based on the information of the main cell.
Therefore, the GPS positioning control unit 108 acquires the cell identification information of the currently connected subcell from the connected cell identification information acquisition unit 104 (418).

Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 extracts, from the approximate position information candidate DB, position information including the cell identification information of the subcell as the cell identification information of the main cell as an approximate position information candidate (420).
For example, when the cell identification information of the current subcell is “ID321”, the GPS positioning control unit 108 uses the position information (X3, Y3) storing “ID321” as the cell identification information of the main cell as the approximate position. Extract as information.

  Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 determines whether there is an extracted approximate position information candidate (422). If there is (Yes), the candidate is narrowed down to one, and the process proceeds to processing 410. The extracted approximate position information is output to the outside as a positioning result.

If there are a plurality of approximate position information candidates in the process 422, the same subcell identification information is stored as the cell identification information of the subcell, using the cell identification information of the lower subcell as a key, as in the process described above. The approximate position information candidates may be extracted.
In addition, if the approximate position information candidates cannot still be narrowed down, the centroids of the plurality of approximate position information candidates may be extracted as approximate position information.

  In the process 422, when there is no approximate position information candidate (in the case of No), the cell identification information of the current main cell and subcell is stored as the main cell corresponding to the position information in the approximate position information candidate DB. In this case, the GPS positioning control unit 108 outputs no positioning result to the outside (426).

Then, the GPS positioning control unit 108 deletes the stored assist data (428) and ends the process.
If the assist data currently held is kept, there is a risk that the result of “no positioning” may continue even if the positioning process is repeated many times until the valid period of the assist data expires.
Furthermore, in that case, the processing must be continued until a time-out occurs at each positioning processing, which is extremely inefficient.
In this mobile station apparatus, in order to prevent wasteful processing, improve processing efficiency, and quickly return to a state where accurate position information can be provided, the assist data for which positioning processing could not be completed is deleted. is there.

As a result, since effective assist data is not held at the next positioning, new assist data can be acquired and positioning can be executed. Even if positioning is not completed normally, new assist data can be obtained. The initial position included in the data can be output as a positioning result.
In this way, the approximate position information determination process is performed in the mobile station apparatus.

[Expiration date of approximate location information candidate]
Furthermore, an expiration date may be provided for each approximate position information candidate in the approximate position information candidate DB shown in FIG.
For example, when a specific period has elapsed from the date and time stored corresponding to the position information, the position information and the corresponding main cell and subcell information are deleted from the database.
As a result, when the relationship between the connected cell identification information and the position information is changed, such as when a cell is reconfigured in the wireless system, it is possible to prevent erroneous approximate position information from being output due to old information. It can be done.

[Another embodiment]
A mobile station apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described.
In the approximate position information candidate DB shown in FIG. 2, cell identification information and radio quality are stored for the main cell and a plurality of subcells. The cell identification information and the received electric field strength (wireless quality) may be stored in the approximate position information candidate DB for the connected cell) and the neighboring cells. In this case, the neighboring cells are stored in the descending order of the received electric field strength.
Another mobile station apparatus can determine the approximate position information by performing the same processing as in FIG. 4 for the connected cell and the neighboring cells.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the mobile station apparatus and the position estimation method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the GPS positioning control unit 108 detects the position information when the positioning process is normally completed, and the main cell and subcell connected at that time. Is stored in the approximate position information candidate database in association with the cell identification information, and if the positioning process performed using the retention assist data within the valid period is not completed within a certain time, the current connection is established. The approximate location information candidate database is searched using the cell identification information of the main cell as a key, and if the same cell identification information is stored as the cell identification information of the main cell, the corresponding location information is used as the approximate location of the mobile station apparatus. Since it is extracted as information and output to the outside as positioning results, even if positioning using assist data within the valid period is not completed normally There is an effect that can provide approximate location information.

  Further, according to the mobile station apparatus and the position estimation method, when the approximate cell information of the main cell cannot be narrowed down to one approximate cell position information candidate, the cell identification information of the current subcell and a plurality of approximate cell information candidates Compared with the cell identification information of the main cell, the matching approximate position information candidate is output to the outside as the approximate position information, so that it is possible to specify the approximate position information with simple processing. .

  Further, according to the mobile station apparatus and the position estimation method, the cell identification information of the currently connected main cell and the cell identification information of the subcell are not stored in the approximate position information candidate database, and the approximate position information is extracted. If not, the assist data used for the positioning process will be deleted regardless of the expiration date, so when the next positioning process is performed, new assist data is acquired and the positioning process is performed. Position information can be output with certainty, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary processing from being performed many times.

  In addition, according to the mobile station apparatus and the position estimation method, an expiration date is set for each piece of position information stored in the approximate position information candidate database, and when a specific period has elapsed from the corresponding stored date and time, Since the location information and cell identification information corresponding to the location information are deleted from the database, when the cell is reconstructed in the wireless system and the relationship between the connected cell identification information and the location information is changed, There is an effect that it is possible to prevent erroneous approximate position information from being output by previous information.

  In addition, according to the mobile station apparatus and the position estimation method according to another embodiment of the present invention, the GPS positioning control unit 108 detects the position information when the positioning process is normally completed, the connection cell at that time, and the surrounding area. The cell identification information of the cell is stored in the approximate position information candidate database, and the cell identification of the currently connected cell is performed when the positioning process performed using the retention assist data within the valid period is not completed within a certain period of time. The approximate position information candidate database is searched using the information as a key, and if there is position information that matches the cell identification information of the connected cell, the position information is output to the outside as the approximate position information of the mobile station apparatus, and the valid period Even when positioning using the assist data is not completed normally, it is possible to provide approximate position information.

  The present invention can provide rough position information to the outside even in a situation where GPS positioning using the assist data within the valid period that it has cannot be completed normally, and can prevent wasteful processing. Suitable for station apparatus and position estimation method.

  101 ... first wireless unit, 102 ... baseband transmission / reception unit, 3 ... radio quality measurement unit, 104 ... connected cell identification information acquisition unit, 105 ... assist data acquisition unit, 106. .. second radio unit, 107 ... GPS positioning processing unit, 108 ... GPS positioning control unit, 109 ... position information storage unit, 110 ... main control unit

Claims (4)

A mobile station apparatus in a wireless communication system,
An assist data acquisition unit that acquires and holds assist data from the network;
A GPS positioning process using assist data according to the instructions, and a positioning processing unit for outputting position information;
A cell identification information acquisition unit for acquiring cell identification information of the connected main cell and connectable subcells ;
A storage unit for storing location information in association with cell identification information;
Attaching the assist data within the effective period held in the assist data acquisition unit to instruct the positioning processing unit, and when the positioning processing is completed normally, the positioning position information , stores in the storage unit in association with the cell identification information of the main cell and sub-cell obtained in the previous SL cell identification information acquiring unit, and outputs the positional information to the outside as the positioning result,
When the positioning process is not successfully completed, it searches the storage unit cell identification information acquired in the previous SL cell identification information acquisition unit as a key,
In the storage unit, the long as the positional information is provided as a cell identification information of the main cell main cell same cell identification information and when not completed successfully is one stored, the person said phase location information Output to the outside as positioning results ,
The storage unit stores two or more pieces of position information having the same cell identification information as that of the main cell as cell identification information of the main cell. If one piece of position information having the same cell identification information as that of one subcell is stored as the cell identification information of the first subcell, the position information is output to the outside as a positioning result,
Furthermore, two or more pieces of location information having the same cell identification information as the first subcell as the cell identification information of the first subcell are stored, and among them, when the normal completion is not completed If one piece of position information having the same cell identification information as that of the second subcell is stored as the cell identification information of the second subcell, a control unit that outputs the position information to the outside as a positioning result ; A mobile station apparatus comprising: Control unit instructs the positioning process to the positioning processor denoted by the assist data within the validity period held in the assist data acquisition unit, without successful the positioning processing, cell Le identification information acquisition unit 2. The mobile station according to claim 1, wherein if the same cell identification information is not stored as a result of searching the storage unit using the cell identification information acquired in step 1 as a key, the assist data is erased. apparatus. A position estimation method in a mobile station device, comprising:
The positioning processing unit performs positioning processing using assist data within the valid period held in the device,
Control unit, when the positioning processing is completed successfully, a positioning position information acquired by the cell identification information acquisition unit, and the cell identification information of the main cell and which can be connected subcells are connected Are stored in the storage unit in association with each other.
When the positioning process is not completed normally, the storage unit is searched using the acquired cell identification information as a key,
In the storage unit, the long as the positional information is provided as a cell identification information of the main cell main cell same cell identification information and when not completed successfully is stored only one, those said phase location information Is output to the outside as positioning results ,
The storage unit stores two or more pieces of position information having the same cell identification information as that of the main cell as cell identification information of the main cell. If only one piece of position information having the same cell identification information as one subcell as cell identification information of the first subcell is stored, the position information is output to the outside as a positioning result,
Furthermore, two or more pieces of location information having the same cell identification information as the first subcell as the cell identification information of the first subcell are stored, and among them, when the normal completion is not completed If only one piece of position information having the same cell identification information as that of the second subcell is stored as the cell identification information of the second subcell, the position information is output to the outside as a positioning result. A position estimation method. The positioning processing unit performs positioning processing using assist data within the valid period held in the device,
Control unit, the without the positioning process is completed successfully, the result of searching the storage unit cell identification information of the connection to which the cell as a key, if the same cell identification information is not stored, The position estimation method according to claim 3, wherein the assist data is deleted.

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