JP6491575B2 - Terminal device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for connecting an external communication device to a network via a terminal device authenticated by the network.

  A mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone uses a storage medium (for example, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card) in which subscriber identification information is recorded to connect to a network managed and operated by a communication carrier. The subscriber identification information is identification information assigned to a subscriber who has signed a contract for performing voice communication or data communication with a communication carrier. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for sharing this subscriber identification information among a plurality of terminal devices. Specifically, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a personal computer acquires information of a SIM card attached to an external mobile terminal by communication and performs 3G communication, and the 3G communication ends. While this 3G communication is being performed, the mobile terminal does not perform 3G communication.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for calling a specific transceiver among a plurality of transceivers (slave units) under a relay device connected to a network. Specifically, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, the caller telephone set specifies a telephone number of a relay device and a radio number that uniquely identifies a specific transceiver under the relay device. Call the transceiver. When an incoming call is received, the relay device enables communication with the transceiver identified by the designated radio number.

JP 2012-160908 A JP 2014-87029 A

By the way, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, only one of the mobile terminal or the personal computer can perform 3G communication. For this reason, while the personal computer is performing 3G communication, the mobile terminal cannot accept incoming calls, and the user cannot make a call. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, when there is an incoming call addressed to the telephone number of the relay device, an operation is performed to call a transceiver that is explicitly designated on the transmission side.
On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to make a call or view a message via a communication device permitted on the receiving side when there is an incoming call or message addressed to a terminal device authenticated by the network. Is to provide technology.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a terminal device according to the present invention includes a first connection unit that connects to an authentication device that stores authentication information for connecting to a network, and the authentication device. A second connection means for wirelessly connecting to one or more communication devices existing within a predetermined distance, and a transfer of incoming calls or messages received from the network for each of the one or more communication devices. A determination unit configured to determine whether the transfer is permitted; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the incoming call received from the network to at least one of the communication devices determined to be permitted to transfer.

In the terminal device according to the present invention, the determination unit determines whether the transfer is possible based on a record of communication with the network performed by each of the one or more communication devices during connection with the authentication device. May be.
In the terminal device according to the present invention, the determination unit may determine whether or not the transfer is possible based on a result of authentication based on the authentication information of each of the one or more communication devices.

In the terminal device of the present invention, the transfer unit may transfer the incoming call to the communication device that has finally communicated with the network among the communication devices that have been determined to permit the transfer.
In the terminal device according to the present invention, the transfer unit may transfer the incoming call to the communication device operated by a user among the communication devices determined to permit the transfer.
In the terminal device of the present invention, the transfer unit may transfer the incoming call to all the communication devices that are determined to permit the transfer.
Further, the authentication information may be subscriber identification information given from a communication carrier.

  The program of the present invention includes a step of connecting to an authentication device storing authentication information for connecting to a network to a computer of a terminal device, a step of connecting to the network, and a connection between the authentication device and a predetermined device. Wirelessly connecting to one or more communication devices existing within a distance; determining whether each of the one or more communication devices is capable of transferring an incoming call or message received from the network; And a step of transferring the incoming call received from the network to at least one of the determined communication devices.

  According to the present invention, when there is an incoming call or message addressed to a terminal device authenticated by a network, a technique for making a call or browsing a message via a communication device permitted on the receiving side is provided. can do.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the vehicle-mounted terminal which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the management table which concerns on the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the authentication apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the communication apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the data registered into connection performance DB which concerns on the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the vehicle-mounted terminal which concerns on the same embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with a communication system, when the communication apparatus which concerns on the embodiment connects to a network. Explanatory drawing of the structure of connection performance DB which concerns on the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state of each apparatus of the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with a communication system, when the vehicle-mounted terminal which concerns on the embodiment connects to a network. The sequence diagram following FIG. 11 in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state of each apparatus of the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the state of each apparatus following FIG. 13 in the embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with a communication system when there exists an incoming call from a network in the same embodiment. The figure which shows the state of the transfer of the call in the communication system which concerns on the embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with a communication system, when the SMS message arrives from the network in the same embodiment. The sequence diagram (operation example 1) which shows the process performed with a communication system when there exists an incoming call from a network in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with a communication system when there exists an incoming call from a network in the same embodiment (operation example 2). It is a figure which shows the determination process of the transfer destination performed instead of step S34 in 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes an in-vehicle terminal 10, an authentication device 20, a plurality of communication devices 30 (30 </ b> A, 30 </ b> B), and a connection performance DB (Data Base) 40. Each of the in-vehicle terminal 10 and the plurality of communication devices 30 has a function of connecting to the network NW. The network NW is a communication line managed and operated by a predetermined communication carrier. The network NW is a public communication line including a mobile communication network, an exchange, a base station, and the like.

The authentication device 20 and the communication devices 30A and 30B are owned by a subscriber who has signed a contract for using the network NW with a communication carrier. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30A are owned by the same subscriber, and the communication device 30B is owned by another subscriber. The user who uses each device does not need to be the subscriber himself / herself, and may be, for example, a party related to the subscriber (for example, a subscriber's family or a person who belongs to the subscriber if the subscriber is a corporation). . The in-vehicle terminal 10 is owned by the owner of the automobile C, for example. The owner of the car C may be the same as or different from the subscriber. As an example of the latter case, there is a case where the automobile C is an automobile used in a vehicle allocation service (for example, car sharing).
In FIG. 1, two communication devices 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are shown as the communication device 30, but three or more communication devices 30 may exist.

  The authentication device 20 is a portable authentication device used for authentication to connect to the network NW. The authentication device 20 is issued by a telecommunications carrier and used for the same purpose as a conventional SIM card. The authentication device 20 stores subscriber identification information as authentication information unique to the own device. The subscriber identification information is identification information unique to a subscriber who has signed a contract for performing voice communication or data communication with a communication carrier. The subscriber identification information is uniquely associated with a telephone number assigned to the subscriber, and is used for voice communication and data communication performed via the network NW. Voice communication is communication for a user to make a voice call. The data communication includes, for example, transmission / reception of a message (hereinafter referred to as “SMS message”) by SMS (Short Message Service).

  The in-vehicle terminal 10 is a terminal device that is connected to a network NW that has authenticated its own terminal device using subscriber identification information of the authentication device 20 during wireless connection with the authentication device 20. The in-vehicle terminal 10 receives various communication services via the network NW. The content of the communication service is not particularly limited. The communication service may include a service related to the use of the car C, such as car navigation, or may include a service that is not directly related to the use of the car C, such as an Internet connection service.

  Similar to the in-vehicle terminal 10, the communication device 30 is a communication device that is connected to the network NW during wireless connection with the authentication device 20. The communication device 30 is a smartphone here, but may be another portable communication device such as a tablet computer, a feature phone, or a notebook computer. The communication device 30 may be a stationary communication device instead of a portable type.

  The connection performance DB 40 is a database for identifying the communication device 30 that has a history of connection with the authentication device 20 in the past. That is, in the connection record DB 40, information for specifying the communication device 30 connected to the network NW using the authentication device 20 is registered.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the in-vehicle terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a UI (User Interface) 12, a short-range wireless communication unit 13, a network communication unit 14, and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication unit 15. And a storage unit 16.

  The control unit 11 includes a processor including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic processing device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work area. The CPU controls each unit of the in-vehicle terminal 10 by reading out the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 16 to the RAM and executing it. The UI unit 12 is a display device that employs a touch screen, for example, and provides a user interface.

The short-range wireless communication unit 13 includes, for example, a wireless communication circuit and an antenna, and wirelessly connects to a communication device existing within a predetermined distance (first distance) by the first communication method. Here, the first communication method corresponds to short-range wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. For this reason, the short-range wireless communication unit 13 can wirelessly connect to an external device existing within a distance of about several meters to several tens of meters.
Note that the short-range wireless communication unit 13 may perform short-range wireless communication based on yet another standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication).

  The network communication unit 14 includes, for example, a wireless communication circuit and an antenna, and is connected to the network NW. The network communication unit 14 is an example of a first connection unit of the present invention. The network communication unit 14 connects to the network NW during the wireless connection between the authentication device 20 and the short-range wireless communication unit 13.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 15 includes, for example, a wireless communication circuit and an antenna, and wirelessly connects to an external device existing within a predetermined distance by the second communication method. The wireless LAN communication unit 15 wirelessly connects to an external device authenticated by authentication information (hereinafter referred to as “LAN authentication information”). The wireless LAN communication unit 15 is an example of a second connection unit of the present invention. The second communication method corresponds to, for example, wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi: registered trademark) standard. In this case, the LAN authentication information includes, for example, an encryption key according to SSID (Service Set Identifier) and WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). In general, the distance that can be wirelessly connected by the second communication method is longer than that of the first communication method.

  The storage unit 16 is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and stores various programs executed by the control unit 11. This program includes, for example, a program for managing communication performed by connecting to the network NW and a program for realizing a tethering function. Furthermore, the storage unit 16 stores a management table T. The management table T is a table that describes information that defines whether or not communication can be performed via the network NW for each of the communication devices 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management table T.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the management table T, fields corresponding to “voice incoming”, “voice outgoing”, and “SMS” are associated with the device identification information assigned to each of the communication devices 30. Information is stored. The device identification information is an identifier for uniquely identifying each communication device 30 and is, for example, IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). Assume that the device identification information of the communication device 30A is “NUM-30A” and the device identification information of the communication device 30B is “NUM-30B”.

When “permitted” is described in the “voice incoming” field of the management table T, the incoming call of the communication device 30 is permitted, and when “inhibited” is described, the incoming call of the communication device 30 is accepted. Indicates prohibited. When “permitted” is described in the “voice transmission” field, the communication device 30 is permitted to transmit a call. When “prohibited” is described, the communication device 30 is prohibited from transmitting a call. It shows that. When “permitted” is described in the “SMS” field, transmission / reception of the SMS message by the communication device 30 is permitted, and when “prohibited” is described, transmission / reception of the SMS message by the communication device 30 is prohibited. Indicates that In the example of FIG. 3, the communication device 30A is permitted to make and receive calls and send and receive SMS messages, and the communication device 30B is prohibited to make and receive calls and send and receive SMS messages.
The management table T is set according to the operation of the in-vehicle terminal 10 or the communication device 30 by the user, for example, but may be set by a method other than this.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the authentication device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the authentication device 20 includes a control unit 21, a short-range wireless communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23. Each hardware circuit of the authentication device 20 is the same as the hardware circuit of the same name of the in-vehicle terminal 10, for example.
The control unit 21 controls each unit of the authentication device 20. The short-range wireless communication unit 22 wirelessly connects to an external device and performs short-range wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard. The storage unit 23 stores subscriber identification information. The subscriber identification information is information for specifying a subscriber, and is, for example, IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). Here, it is assumed that the subscriber identification information of the authentication device 20 is “M-20”.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the communication device 30. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the communication device 30 includes a control unit 31, a UI unit 32, a short-range wireless communication unit 33, a network communication unit 34, a wireless LAN communication unit 35, a storage unit 36, and voice processing. Part 37. Each hardware circuit of the communication device 30 is the same as the hardware circuit of the same name of the in-vehicle terminal 10, for example.
The control unit 31 controls each unit of the communication device 30. The UI unit 32 provides a user interface. The short-range wireless communication unit 33 performs a short-range wireless communication by wirelessly connecting to an external device using the first communication method. The network communication unit 34 connects to the network NW during wireless connection between the authentication device 20 and the short-range wireless communication unit 33.

  The wireless LAN communication unit 35 is wirelessly connected to an external device using the second communication method. The storage unit 36 stores various programs executed by the control unit 31. Further, the storage unit 36 stores device identification information assigned to the communication device 30.

  The audio processing unit 37 includes, for example, a signal processing circuit, a microphone, and a speaker, and manages audio processing in the communication device 30. The audio processing unit 37 outputs, for example, audio related to audio communication from a speaker based on the audio signal supplied from the control unit 31, or converts audio related to audio communication input via a microphone into an audio signal. Or supplied to the control unit 31.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of data registered in the connection performance DB 40.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the connection record DB 40, device identification information and connection date / time information are registered in association with the subscriber identification information for each authentication device 20. The device identification information is device identification information of the communication device 30 that has a history of connection with the authentication device 20 in the past. The connection date and time information is information indicating the date and time when the communication device 30 is connected to the network NW using the authentication device 20.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 realizes functions corresponding to the connection control unit 111, the determination unit 112, the transfer unit 113, and the relay unit 114 by executing a program.
The connection control unit 111 controls the connection with the external device in the in-vehicle terminal 10. The connection control unit 111 authenticates the in-vehicle terminal 10 with the subscriber identification information of the authentication device 20 via the network communication unit 14 during wireless connection with the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 13. Connect with. In addition, the connection control unit 111 wirelessly connects to one or more communication devices 30 existing within a predetermined distance via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 during wireless connection with the authentication device 20.

  The determination unit 112 determines whether or not a call accepted from the network NW or an incoming SMS message can be transferred for each of the one or more communication devices 30 wirelessly connected via the wireless LAN communication unit 15, and is transmitted from the communication device 30. Whether or not the call or SMS message can be transferred. The determination unit 112 performs these determinations based on the management table T stored in the storage unit 16.

The transfer unit 113 transfers the incoming call received from the network NW to at least one of the communication devices 30 determined to be transferable by the determination unit 112. The transfer unit 113 controls whether transfer is possible based on the management table T. Further, the transfer unit 113 transfers the call or the SMS message transmitted from the communication device 30 determined to be transferable by the determination unit 112 to the network NW.
The transfer unit 113 transfers the subscriber identification information of the authentication device 20 to the communication device 30 via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 prior to incoming or outgoing transfer. This subscriber identification information is used for voice communication and data communication performed by the communication device 30 via the network NW.

  The relay unit 114 relays voice communication and SMS messages performed between the communication device 30 and the network NW. The relay unit 114 transmits / receives voice communication data to / from the communication device 30 via the wireless LAN communication unit 15, and transmits / receives voice communication data to / from the network NW via the network communication unit 14.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
<A: Operation when the communication device 30 is connected to the network NW>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing executed in the communication system 1 when the communication device 30 is connected to the network NW. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the connection performance DB 40. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state of each device of the communication system 1. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the connection with the network NW may be described as “NW connection”, and the connection with the wireless LAN may be described as “LAN connection”.

  First, it is assumed that the user uses the authentication device 20 to connect the communication device 30B to the network NW. In this case, the user brings the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30B close to each other (for example, makes contact). As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 22 of the authentication device 20 and the short-range wireless communication unit 33 of the communication device 30B are wirelessly connected and paired (step S1).

  Next, the control unit 21 of the authentication device 20 transmits the subscriber identification information “M-20” to the communication device 30B via the short-range wireless communication unit 22 (step S2). When the control unit 31 of the communication device 30B acquires the subscriber identification information via the short-range wireless communication unit 33, the acquired subscriber identification information and the device identification information “NUM-30B” stored in the storage unit 36 are obtained. Are transmitted to the network NW via the network communication unit 34 (step S3).

The network NW authenticates whether the connection of the communication device 30B is permitted based on the data transmitted in step S3. This authentication may be performed similarly to the authentication performed using the SIM card. After this authentication, the network NW registers the acquired subscriber identification information and device identification information in the connection performance DB 40 in association with the connection date and time information (step S4). The information registered in the connection performance DB 40 by the registration in step S4 is as shown in FIG. The connection date and time information indicates, for example, the date and time when connection to the network NW is permitted.
Then, the communication device 30B connects to the network NW as shown in FIG. 10A (step S5). The communication device 30B receives various communication services via the network NW.

Next, it is assumed that the user uses the authentication device 20 to connect the communication device 30A to the network NW. In this case, the user brings the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30A close to each other. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 22 of the authentication device 20 and the short-range wireless communication unit 33 of the communication device 30A are wirelessly connected and paired (step S6).
By the pairing in step S6, the pairing between the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30B is canceled (that is, the wireless connection is disconnected). By eliminating the pairing, the communication device 30B is disconnected from the network NW. As a result, the connection destination of the authentication device 20 is changed from the communication device 30B to the communication device 30A.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the authentication device 20 transmits the subscriber identification information “M-20” to the communication device 30A via the short-range wireless communication unit 22 (step S7). When the control unit 31 of the communication device 30 </ b> A acquires the subscriber identification information via the short-range wireless communication unit 13, the acquired subscriber identification information “M-20” and the device identification information stored in the storage unit 16. “NUM-30A” is transmitted to the network NW via the network communication unit 14 (step S8).

After authenticating the communication device 30A, the network NW registers the acquired subscriber identification information and device identification information in the connection result DB 40 in association with the connection date information (step S9). The information registered in the connection performance DB 40 by the registration in step S9 is as shown in FIG.
Then, the communication device 30A connects to the network NW as shown in FIG. 10B (step S10). The communication device 30A receives various communication services via the network NW.

  Next, an operation when the in-vehicle terminal 10 is wirelessly connected to the authentication device 20 will be described. For example, when the user carries the authentication device 20 and gets in the car C, the process described below is executed.

<B: Operation when the in-vehicle terminal 10 is connected to the network NW>
11 and 12 are sequence diagrams illustrating processing executed in the communication system 1 when the in-vehicle terminal 10 is connected to the network NW. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the state of each device of the communication system 1.
When the user tries to connect the in-vehicle terminal 10 to the network NW using the authentication device 20, the authentication device 20 and the in-vehicle terminal 10 are brought close to each other. As a result, the short-range wireless communication unit 22 of the authentication device 20 and the short-range wireless communication unit 13 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 are wirelessly connected and paired (step S11). By the pairing in step S11, the connection destination of the authentication device 20 is changed from the communication device 30A to the in-vehicle terminal 10 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the authentication device 20 transmits the subscriber identification information “M-20” to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 22 (step S12). When the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 acquires the subscriber identification information via the short-range wireless communication unit 13, the control unit 11 connects the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30 that has been connected in the past to the network via the network communication unit 14. An inquiry is made to the NW (step S13). At this point, the in-vehicle terminal 10 is connected to the network NW as shown in FIG. The inquiry data in step S13 includes at least subscriber identification information “M-20” of the authentication device 20.

  In response to the inquiry from the in-vehicle terminal 10, the network NW transmits (responds) the device identification information associated with the subscriber identification information of the authentication device 20 to the in-vehicle terminal 10 (step S14). Here, the network NW transmits device identification information “NUM-30A” and “NUM-30B”. In step S14, the network NW further transmits connection date and time information.

  When the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 acquires the device identification information from the network NW via the network communication unit 14, the control device 11 selects the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30 that has been connected in the past based on the acquired device identification information. Specify (step S15). Here, since the information registered in the connection result DB 40 is as shown in FIG. 9B, the control unit 11 determines that the communication device 30 </ b> A has the device identification information “NUM-30A” and the device identification information is “ The communication device 30B that is “NUM-30B” is specified.

  Next, the control part 11 starts a tethering function (step S16). By starting the tethering function, the in-vehicle terminal 10 can relay communication between the external device and the network NW.

  Next, the control part 11 starts the search process of the communication apparatus 30 via the near field communication part 13 (step S17). The search process is a process of searching for a communication device 30 that exists within a distance (first distance) that can be wirelessly connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 13, that is, within a communicable area. Here, it is assumed that the communication devices 30A and 30B exist in the communicable area of the short-range wireless communication unit 13 as illustrated in FIG. For example, when the communication devices 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B are used by a user who is in the car C, this state is set.

When the control unit 11 succeeds in searching for the communication devices 30A and 30B (step S18), each of the searched communication devices 30A and 30B determines whether there is a connection record with the authentication device 20 (step S19). Here, the control unit 11 determines “YES” for each of the communication devices 30A and 30B.
In response to the determination of “YES” in step S19, the control unit 11 sends an instruction to activate the function for using the wireless LAN including the LAN authentication information via the short-range wireless communication unit 13. It transmits to each of 30A and 30B (step S20). When acquiring the activation instruction via the short-range wireless communication unit 33, the control unit 31 of the communication devices 30A and 30B activates a function for using the wireless LAN, and further uses the LAN authentication information to perform wireless LAN communication. A wireless connection is requested to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the unit 35. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 wirelessly connects to the communication devices 30A and 30B via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 when the communication devices 30A and 30B are authenticated using the LAN authentication information included in the request ( Step S21). As a result, the connection state of each device in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG.

When the wireless connection is started, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 relays communication between the communication devices 30A and 30B and the network NW via the network communication unit 14 and the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S22). Through this relay, the communication devices 30A and 30B can communicate with the network NW via the in-vehicle terminal 10.
In addition, even when the control part 11 searches for the communication apparatus 30 which exists in a communicable area, when it determines with this communication apparatus 30 not having the connection performance to the authentication apparatus 20 (step S19; NO), Do not send startup instructions.
In addition, the control unit 11 fails to search for the communication device 30 existing outside the communicable area. In this case, the control unit 11 does not transmit an activation instruction to the communication device 30. Thereby, the possibility that a communication device unintended by the user of the authentication device 20 will be connected to the network NW is reduced.

<C: Operation when a call is received from the network NW>
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing executed in the communication system 1 when a call is received from the network NW. Before the process shown in FIG. 15, the connection state of each device in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 determines whether or not an incoming call addressed to the own terminal device is received from the network NW during execution of the tethering function (step S31). The controller 11 designates a telephone number associated with the subscriber identification information, and receives a calling signal when called from the calling telephone (step S32). When this call signal is received, the control unit 11 determines “YES” in step S31.

  Next, based on the management table T stored in the storage unit 16, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the received call signal can be transferred for each of the communication devices 30 that are wirelessly connected (step S33). When the management table T has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 determines that the communication device 30A is permitted to transfer the call signal and the communication device 30B is prohibited from transferring the call signal.

Next, the control unit 11 determines the transfer destination of the call signal from the communication devices 30 determined to be transferable (step S34). Here, since only one communication device 30A is permitted to transfer the call, the control unit 11 determines the communication device 30A as the transfer destination.
Next, the control unit 11 transmits (transfers) the received call signal as a transfer call signal to the communication device 30A via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S35). The control unit 11 does not transmit a transfer call signal to the communication device 30B.

  When receiving the transfer call signal from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A outputs a ringing tone using the voice processing unit 37 or uses the vibration function. To notify the user that a call has been received. Next, the control part 31 determines whether there was a response from a user (step S36). While receiving the transfer call signal, the control unit 31 waits for a response from the user (step S36; NO). When it is determined that there is a user response (step S36; YES), the control unit 31 transmits an incoming response signal indicating this response to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35 (step S37).

  When receiving the incoming response signal, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 transmits the stored subscriber identification information to the communication device 30A via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S38). When receiving the subscriber identification information, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A stores it in the storage unit 36.

Next, the control unit 11 transmits (transfers) the incoming response signal received from the communication device 30A as a transfer response signal to the network NW via the network communication unit 14 (step S39). As a result, the call transfer state in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG. The control unit 11 establishes a voice communication path between the in-vehicle terminal 10 and the network NW by transmitting the transfer response signal, and relays voice communication between the communication device 30A and the network NW (step S40). Based on the subscriber identification information stored in the storage unit 36, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A performs voice communication using the same method as, for example, Wi-Fi Calling.
Thereafter, when the voice communication is disconnected by the communication device 30A or the telephone on the calling side, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A deletes the subscriber identification information from the storage unit 36.

  In the case of call origination, the same processing as that for call arrival is performed. When a call is transmitted from the communication device 30A, the control unit 11 determines that the call transfer is permitted by executing the same process as in step S33. Then, the control unit 11 establishes a voice communication path between the communication device 30A and the network NW, and relays voice communication between the communication device 30A and the network NW. When a call is transmitted from the communication device 30B, the control unit 11 determines to prohibit the transfer of the call by executing the same process as step S33. In this case, a voice communication path is not established between the communication device 30A and the network NW.

  With the above processing, the communication device 30 can perform voice communication via the network NW even after the device authenticated by the authentication device 20 is switched from the communication device 30 to the in-vehicle terminal 10. Furthermore, the in-vehicle terminal 10 causes the communication device 30A used by the same user as the authentication device 20 to perform voice communication according to the setting of the management table T, while the communication device used by another user. It is possible to prevent voice communication with respect to 30B.

<D: Operation when an SMS message is received from the network NW>
FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed in the communication system 1 when an SMS message is received from the network NW. Before the process shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the connection state of each device in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 determines whether an incoming SMS message has been received from the network NW during execution of the tethering function (step S41). The control unit 11 specifies the telephone number associated with the subscriber identification information, and receives the SMS message when the SMS message is transmitted from the caller telephone (step S42). And the control part 11 determines with "YES" by step S41.

  Next, based on the management table T stored in the storage unit 16, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the SMS message can be transferred for each of the wirelessly connected communication devices 30 (step S43). When the management table T has the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 determines that the communication device 30A is permitted to transfer the SMS message and the communication device 30B is prohibited from transferring the SMS message.

Next, the control unit 11 determines the transfer destination of the SMS message from the communication devices 30 determined to be transferable (step S44). Here, since only one communication device 30A is permitted to transfer, the control unit 11 determines the communication device 30A as the transfer destination.
Next, the control unit 11 transmits (transfers) the received SMS message to the communication device 30A via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S45).

  When receiving the SMS message from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A stores the SMS message in the storage unit 36 or displays it using the UI unit 32 (step). S46).

  In the case of sending an SMS message, the same process as in the case of receiving an SMS message is executed. When the SMS message is transmitted from the communication device 30A, the control unit 11 determines that the SMS message can be transferred by executing the same process as step S43, and transfers the SMS message to the network NW. When the SMS message is transmitted from the communication device 30B, the control unit 11 determines to prohibit the transfer of the SMS message by executing the same process as step S43, and does not transfer the SMS message to the network NW.

  With the above processing, even after the device authenticated by the authentication device 20 is switched from the communication device 30 to the in-vehicle terminal 10, the user can browse the SMS message using the communication device 30A permitted on the receiving side. it can. Further, the in-vehicle terminal 10 causes the communication device 30A used by the same user as the authentication device 20 to transmit and receive the SMS message according to the setting of the management table T, while being used by other users. It is possible to prevent the communication device 30B from sending and receiving SMS messages.

[Second Embodiment]
The present embodiment is characterized in that the in-vehicle terminal 10 determines whether or not a call can be transferred without using the management table T.
Note that the hardware configuration and functional configuration of each device included in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment described above function in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

<Operation example 1>
FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing executed in the communication system 1 when a call is received from the network NW. Before the process shown in FIG. 18, the connection state of each device in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG.
The control part 11 determines with "YES" by step S31, when the calling signal addressed to the own terminal device is received (step S32). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the call signal can be transferred based on the results of communication with the network NW performed by each of the communication devices 30 during the connection with the authentication device 20 (step S33A). For example, the control unit 11 determines that the transfer of the call signal is permitted for the communication device 30 that has a history of communicating with the network NW via the in-vehicle terminal 10 at least once in the past. On the other hand, the control unit 11 determines that the transfer of the call signal is prohibited for the communication device 30 that has never had this communication record in the past. Here, the control unit 11 determines that the transfer is permitted to each of the communication devices 30A and 30B.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines the transfer destination of the call signal from the communication devices 30 determined to be transferable (step S34). Here, the control unit 31 sets each of the communication devices 30A and 30B as the transfer destination. Then, the control unit 11 transmits (transfers) the received call signal as a transfer call signal to each of the communication devices 30A and 30B via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S35).

When receiving the transfer call signal from the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35, the control unit 31 of the communication devices 30A and 30B notifies the user that there has been an incoming call. Next, the control part 31 determines whether there was a response from a user (step S36). If the control unit 31 of the communication device 30A determines that there is a response from the user (step S36; YES), an incoming response signal indicating this response is transmitted to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the wireless LAN communication unit 35. (Step S37). Subsequent processing may be the same as in the first embodiment described above.
The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 does not respond when the incoming response signal is received from the communication device 30 (here, the communication device 30A) to which the user responds after transmitting the transfer call signal in step S35. Waiting for a response from the communication device 30 (here, the communication device 30B) is stopped. Stopping of waiting for a response here means not receiving an incoming response signal or ignoring the received incoming response signal. The notification of the incoming call to the communication device 30 that the user has not responded to is stopped by the timer control by the network NW. However, the control unit 11, for example, before the stop by the timer control, Stop waiting for a response from 30.

The determination of whether or not transfer is possible based on the communication performance in step S33A may be performed by another method. For example, the control unit 11 may permit transfer of the communication device 30 that has a history of communication within a predetermined period (for example, one week) retroactive from the present time. Moreover, the control part 11 may permit transfer about the communication apparatus 30 in which the frequency | count of communication in the past is more than a threshold value.
According to this operation example 1, since only the communication device 30 that has communicated with the network NW in the past via the in-vehicle terminal 10 can be used for the call, there is a possibility that the third-party communication device 30 may be used for the call. Lower.

<Operation example 2>
FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing executed in the communication system 1 when a call is received from the network NW. Before the processing shown in FIG. 19, it is assumed that the connection state of each device in the communication system 1 is as shown in FIG. 14.
The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 communicates with the network NW via the network communication unit 14 and acquires, for example, information on connection results (connection result information) from the connection result DB 40 to the authentication device 20 periodically (connection history information). Step S51). Here, the control unit 11 acquires data having the contents shown in FIG.

  Next, the control part 11 of the vehicle-mounted terminal 10 determines with "YES" by step S31, when the paging signal addressed to the own terminal device is received (step S32). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the call signal can be transferred for each of the communication devices 30 based on the connection result with the authentication device 20 specified from the connection result information (step S33B). For example, the control unit 11 determines that the transfer of the call signal is permitted for the communication device 30 that has been connected to the authentication device 20 at least once in the past. In contrast, the control unit 11 determines that the transfer of the calling signal is prohibited for the communication device 30 that has never been connected to the authentication device 20 in the past. Subsequent processing may be the same as in the first operation example.

The determination of whether or not transfer is possible based on the connection record in step S33B may be performed by another method. The control unit 11 may permit transfer of the communication device 30 that has a connection record within a predetermined period (for example, one week) retroactive to the past from the present time. Moreover, the control part 11 may permit transfer about the communication apparatus 30 in which the frequency | count of the connection in the past is more than a threshold value.
According to this operation example 2, since only the communication device 30 that has been authenticated by the network NW in the past using the authentication device 20 can be used for the call, there is a possibility that the third-party communication device 30 may be used for the call. Becomes lower.

Even when a call is transmitted or an SMS message is received or transmitted, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not the call or the SMS message can be transferred by the method described above.
According to the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the user does not set the communication device 30 that permits transfer to the management table T in advance, the user makes a call using the communication device 30 permitted on the receiving side. Or, an SMS message can be viewed.

[Third Embodiment]
The present embodiment is characterized in a method for determining a call transfer destination in the in-vehicle terminal 10. The hardware configuration and functional configuration of each device included in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment described above function in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a transfer destination determination process executed instead of step S34 in the present embodiment.
<Operation example 1>
In the operation example 1 illustrated in FIG. 20A, the control unit 11 determines to transfer to the communication device 30 that has finally communicated with the network NW (step S34A). The communication here means that predetermined data, for example, data is exchanged with the network NW triggered by a user operation on the communication device 30. The communication device 30 that has communicated last is likely to be still being operated by the user, so that it is answered when an incoming call is received, and is immediately viewed when an incoming SMS message is received. It is estimated that the possibility is high.

<Operation example 2>
In the operation example 2 illustrated in FIG. 20B, the control unit 11 determines the communication device 30 being operated by the user as the transfer destination. For this purpose, the control unit 11 inquires of each of the communication devices 30 (here, communication devices 30A and 30B) that have been determined to be transferable via the wireless LAN communication unit 15 (step S341B). ). When this inquiry is received, the control unit 31 of the communication devices 30A and 30B responds with the operation status (step S342B). For example, the control unit 31 responds via the wireless LAN communication unit 35 with information indicating whether or not the operation is currently being performed, or information indicating the date and time when the operation was last received.
The response of the operation status is a function realized by a dedicated application program, for example.

  When receiving the response of the operation status via the wireless LAN communication unit 15, the control unit 11 determines the communication device 30 being operated by the user as a transfer destination based on the response (step S343B). For example, the control unit 11 may determine that an operation is in progress if there is an operation record within a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) retroactive from the present time. Since the communication device 30 in operation is highly likely to be used by the user, there is a possibility that the communication device 30 is answered when a call is received, and can be viewed immediately when an SMS message is received. high.

<Operation example 3>
In the operation example 3 illustrated in FIG. 20C, the control unit 11 determines to transfer to all the wirelessly connected communication devices 30 that are determined to be transferable (step S34C). If any communication device 30 responds to an incoming call and may receive an SMS message, this operation example 3 is preferably adopted.

[Modification]
The present invention can be implemented in a form different from the above-described embodiment. The present invention can also be implemented in the following forms, for example. Further, the following modifications may be combined as appropriate.
(Modification 1)
In the communication system 1, even if the subscriber identification information is not transmitted in step S38, if the communication device 30 can make a call or browse the SMS message, the configuration for transmitting the subscriber identification information may be omitted. Good.

(Modification 2)
The connection performance DB 40 may be provided in the authentication device 20, for example. In this case, when the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30 are paired, the control unit 31 of the communication device 30 transmits device identification information to the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 33. The control unit 21 of the authentication device 20 associates the device identification information acquired via the short-range wireless communication unit 22 with the subscriber identification information of the own device, and registers it in the connection performance DB 40 together with the connection date and time information. In step S15, the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 specifies a communication device that has been connected to the authentication device 20 in the past by wirelessly connecting to the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 13. The information of connection result DB40 is acquired. Other configurations and operations may be the same as those of the above-described embodiments.

(Modification 3)
The search processing described in steps S17 to S18 may be performed by the authentication device 20 instead of the in-vehicle terminal 10. In this case, after starting the tethering function in step S <b> 16, the control unit 11 transmits a search process execution command to the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 13. In response to this execution command, the control unit 21 of the authentication device 20 exists within a distance (first distance) that can be wirelessly connected to the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 22, that is, within a communicable area. The communication device 30 to be searched is searched. When searching for the communication device 30, the control unit 21 transmits a success notification including device identification information of the searched communication device 30 to the in-vehicle terminal 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 22. The control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 performs the processing after step S19 based on the device identification information included in the success notification acquired via the short-range wireless communication unit 13.
By omitting the search process, the in-vehicle terminal 10 may wirelessly connect to the communication device 30 existing within a distance (second distance) that can be wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN communication unit 15 to realize the tethering function. .

(Modification 4)
In each embodiment described above, the in-vehicle terminal 10 is wirelessly connected to the communication device 30 via the wireless LAN when the connection destination of the wireless connection by the short-range wireless communication of the authentication device 20 is changed to the own terminal device. It was. Instead, the in-vehicle terminal 10 may be wirelessly connected to the communication device 30 through a wireless LAN when instructed by the user's operation of the UI unit 12.

(Modification 5)
The terminal device of the present invention is not limited to an in-vehicle terminal. The terminal device of the present invention may be realized by a mobile router, for example. In this case, after the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30 are carried and the user returns home, the authentication of the authentication device 20 is changed to the mobile router installed at home. After this change, the mobile router connects to the network NW, while connecting to the communication device 30 and other communication devices (for example, home appliances) installed at home via a wireless LAN, and connects these devices to the network. Connect to NW. Further, the terminal device of the present invention may be realized by a device such as a smartphone, similarly to the communication device 30.

(Modification 6)
Some of the configurations and operations described in the above-described embodiments may be omitted.
The in-vehicle terminal 10 may not include a configuration for transmitting LAN authentication information to the authentication device 20 and the communication device 30 that has a connection record in the past.
The in-vehicle terminal 10 may relay communication between the communication device 30 and the network NW via the short-range wireless communication unit 13 and the network communication unit 14. In this case, each device of the communication system 1 may not have a configuration for communicating via the wireless LAN. Specifically, the control unit 11 includes the authentication device 20 and a communication device 30 that has been connected in the past within a predetermined distance during wireless connection with the authentication device 20 via the short-range wireless communication unit 13. At that time, in addition to the authentication device 20, control for wireless connection with the communication device 30 is performed.
Further, the order of the processes described in the above-described embodiments may be changed as appropriate.
Further, the wireless communication standards described in the above-described embodiments are merely examples.

(Modification 7)
The functions realized by the control unit 11 of the in-vehicle terminal 10 of each embodiment described above can be realized by a combination of a plurality of programs, or can be realized by linkage of a plurality of hardware resources. When the function of the control unit 11 is realized using a program, the program includes a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk (HDD (Hard Disk Drive), FD (Flexible Disk)), etc.), optical recording medium (optical disk). Etc.), may be provided in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magneto-optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory, or distributed via a network. The present invention can also be grasped as a communication control method.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... In-vehicle terminal, 11, 21, 31 ... Control part, 111 ... Connection control part, 112 ... Determination part, 113 ... Transfer part, 114 ... Relay part, 12, 32 ... UI part, 13, 22 33, near field communication unit, 14, 34 ... network communication unit, 15, 35 ... wireless LAN communication unit, 16, 23, 36 ... storage unit, 37 ... voice processing unit, 20 ... authentication device, 30, 30A, 30B ... communication equipment, 40 ... connection performance DB

Claims (8)

A first connection means for connecting to the network during connection with an authentication device storing authentication information for connection to the network;
A second connection means for wirelessly connecting to one or more communication devices existing within a predetermined distance during connection with the authentication device;
Storage means for storing information indicating whether or not communication via the network is possible for each of the one or more communication devices wirelessly connected via the second connection means;
When a wireless connection is established with the one or more communication devices via the second connection means, when a call or message to a destination corresponding to the authentication information stored in the authentication device is received, for each of the one or more communication devices, a determining unit that determines, based on the information whether the transfer of the incoming call or message and receives from the network is stored in the storage means,
A terminal device comprising: a transfer unit configured to transfer the incoming call received from the network to at least one of the communication devices determined to permit the transfer. The discrimination means includes
2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein during the connection with the authentication device, whether or not the transfer is possible is determined based on a record of communication with the network performed by each of the one or more communication devices. apparatus. The discrimination means includes
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein whether or not the transfer is possible is determined based on a result authenticated by the authentication information of each of the one or more communication devices. The transfer means includes
4. The incoming call is transferred to the communication device that has finally communicated with the network among the communication devices that have been determined to permit the transfer. The terminal device described. The transfer means includes
4. The incoming call is forwarded to the communication device operated by a user among the communication devices determined to be permitted to be transferred. 5. Terminal equipment. The transfer means includes
The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the incoming call is transferred to all the communication devices that are determined to be allowed to transfer. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the authentication information includes subscriber identification information given by a communication carrier. In the terminal computer,
A step of connecting to the network during connection with an authentication device storing authentication information for connection to the network;
Wirelessly connecting to one or more communication devices existing within a predetermined distance during connection with the authentication device;
For each of the one or more communication devices wirelessly connected through the wireless connection step, storing information indicating whether communication via the network is possible or not in a storage unit;
In the case of wireless connection with the one or more communication devices through the wireless connection step, when a call or message to a destination corresponding to the authentication information stored in the authentication device is received, For each of the one or more communication devices, determining whether or not to transfer a call or incoming message received from the network based on the information stored in the storage unit ;
A program for causing at least one of the communication devices determined to permit the transfer to transfer the incoming call received from the network.

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