JPH09305508A - Communication terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch an interface(I/F) for cable communication and an I/F for radio communication each other without interrupting communication. SOLUTION: When the communication is started by a cable I/F#1 16, an I/F switcher 2 detects whether the destination currently communicated through a radio I/F 18 or a cable I/F#2 17 can be accessed or not. When an output signal showing the cable I/F#1 16 is not connected with a network cable is inputted to the I/F switcher 2 by a cable attachment/detachment detector 3, the cable I/F#1 16 under using is switched to the usable I/F while continuing the current communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a portable personal computer or a facsimile equipped with a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of communication, research and development of a portable communication terminal device that can be easily carried around has been actively conducted. Along with this, a wired communication interface for performing wired communication using a public line or a communication cable, as well as a wireless communication interface for performing wireless communication using electromagnetic waves (radio waves) or light (infrared rays), A communication system that enables communication even when moving is constructed by a communication terminal device equipped with these. In the case of wired communication, a fixed installation of the device is required, but the data communication speed is fast and excellent in high speed, and the error rate in data communication is low and the reliability is excellent. In the case of wireless communication, although high speed and reliability are difficult, it is excellent in mobility such that communication can be performed while moving the device itself. Therefore, the user selects the interface according to the environment in which the communication terminal device is used, considering the advantages and disadvantages of the wired communication and the wireless communication.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-171261 includes a telephone line interface unit, a car telephone interface unit, and a wireless interface unit, one of which is mounted to perform wired or wireless facsimile communication. A facsimile apparatus that performs the above is disclosed.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-319467 has a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface, and when a communication cable is connected to the wired communication interface, the wireless communication is disturbed. There is disclosed a printing apparatus which performs wired communication without using the printing apparatus.

[0005]

However, in the conventional communication terminal device having a plurality of types of communication interfaces, each communication interface has its own address and independently functions to provide a certain communication interface. When using to communicate with the communication terminal device of the communication destination, the communication interface must be used from the start to the end of the communication (including the end due to an error). It was not possible to switch the communication interface while maintaining communication.

When switching the communication interface, it is necessary to once terminate the current communication and then restart the communication using another communication interface. For example, wired communication in which a communication terminal device is fixedly installed. When moving the communication terminal device in the middle of the, since the communication is temporarily interrupted, in order to recommunicate the communication contents at that time through the wireless communication interface, it is necessary to reconnect with the communication terminal device of the communication destination, Usability was poor.

In view of the above, the present invention is a communication terminal device that can switch between a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface without interrupting communication, and can secure a good communication state when switching. For the purpose of providing.

[0008]

A means for solving the problems according to the present invention comprises a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface, and a detecting means for detecting an interface usable for communication with a communication destination from the interfaces. And switching means for switching the interface between the usable interfaces while continuing the communication with the communication destination, and the interface according to various conditions without interrupting the current communication. Can be switched smoothly.

Here, the detection of the usable interface is performed by transmitting and receiving data with the communication destination through each interface. The usable interface includes the interface in communication.

Then, communication line connection detecting means for detecting the connection state between the wired communication interface and the communication line is provided, and when the interface is switched according to the change in the connection state, the current communication is not interrupted. The communication terminal device can be switched between a fixed state in which communication is performed using the communication interface and a moving state in which communication is performed using the wireless communication interface.

Further, if the communication destination has a plurality of interfaces and the interface used for communication can be easily switched, the interface can be used for communication with the communication destination at the beginning. The interface of the communication source may become unusable, but if the detection by the detection unit is performed at regular intervals, the usable interface can be surely grasped.

Further, comparison means for comparing the communication capacities of the usable interfaces is provided, and the interfaces are switched according to the communication capacities. Here, the communication capability is a communication speed of each interface set in advance, an effective speed when actually used for communication with a communication destination detected during communication, etc., and communication with a wired communication interface. Depending on the change in the connection status with the line, an interface with a high communication capacity can be selected and switched among the available interfaces, or an interface with a high communication capacity can be actively selected and switched regardless of the change in the connection status. be able to.

Further, a storage means for storing connection information in communication with a communication destination of each interface is provided, and the interface is switched according to the connection information at the next communication with the communication destination. Here, the connection information is information that can determine the priority of each interface used for communication such as access permission / inhibition information with the communication destination, effective speed, billing, etc. in each interface obtained through communication with the communication destination. . Therefore, it is not necessary to detect an available interface each time communication is performed with the communication destination, and it is possible to reduce transmission and reception of data with the communication destination for detection.

Further, a data distribution means for allocating the transmission data to the usable interface is provided to perform the transmission processing at a high speed, or the usable interface is switched sequentially or randomly at the time of transmitting the confidential data, so that the network can be controlled. Make it difficult to eavesdrop on sensitive data that is flowing.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 3 schematically shows a communication terminal device such as a portable personal computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This communication terminal device has a user interface with a user and is provided with a communication function, and includes a plurality of types of communication interfaces (connectable to the terminal device 1 and each communication line such as a public line and a network cable ( Hereinafter, communication I / F # ₁ to _#n ) and an interface switching device (hereinafter, referred to as I / F switching device) 2 that switches the communication I / F # ₁ to _#n used for communication are provided. The communication I / Fs # ₁ to _#n are connected to the terminal device 1 via the I / F switching device 2, and input / output of communication data is performed with respect to the terminal device 1 through the communication I / Fs # ₁ to _#n. It is like this. Further, the I / F switching device 2 has a communication I / F #
A communication line connection detection device (hereinafter, referred to as a cable attachment / detachment detection device) 3 that detects a connection state between the wired communication interface of ₁ to _#n and the communication line is connected to the I / F.
The switching device 2 is configured to switch the communication I / Fs # ₁ to _#n while continuing the current communication according to the connection state.

Here, the structure of the communication terminal device will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the terminal device 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 10 is an RA which is a main storage device having a program stored in the ROM 11 as a work area.
The M12 is used for execution processing, and includes a display device 13 such as a liquid crystal display, an input device 14 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a storage device 15 for storing processing contents.

The communication I / Fs # ₁ to _#n are LANs.
A first interface (hereinafter referred to as a wired I / F # ₁ ) 16 for wired communication connected to a network cable (for example, Ethernet), and wired communication connected to a public line via a modem or the like with a connection line Second interface (hereinafter, referred to as wired I / F # ₂ ) 17 for wireless communication and a wireless communication interface using radio waves (hereinafter, wireless I / F)
18). The wired I / F # ₂ 17 can be connected to the information processing device 20 connected to the network cable by the wired / wired connection device 19 installed on the network cable through the public line.
Communication with the information processing apparatus 20 using F # ₂ 17 is possible. Also, from the wireless I / F 18 to the antenna 1
The radio wave transmitted through 8a is received by the antenna 21a of the wireless / wired connection device 21 that mediates wireless and wired communication installed in the network cable, or the radio wave transmitted from the antenna 21a is an antenna. 18a
The communication with the information processing device 20 using the wireless I / F 18 is possible by being received by. Here, the maximum communication speed when each of the I / Fs 16, 17, and 18 is used has a relationship of wired I / F # ₁ 16> wireless I / F 18> wired I / F # ₂ 17.

Each of the I / Fs 16, 17, and 18 has its own physical address and logical address on the network so that it can communicate with other communication terminal devices on the network by wire communication or wireless communication. You can do it. The logical address is usually I /
It is an address set by the user to obtain a physical address unique to F, and each I / F is based on the logical address.
16, 17, 18 get unique physical addresses. Specifically, by adding the physical address of the communication source and the physical address of a specific communication destination to the packet sent on the network, the packet is transmitted between the communication source and the specific communication destination, and communication is possible. Becomes

As shown in FIG. 5, the I / F switching device 2 includes a switching device 30 such as a switching element for switching the I / Fs 16, 17 and 18, and a CPU for controlling the switching device 30.
31; RAM 32; ROM 33; connected I / Fs 16, 17, 18 type, physical address, logical address, used protocol type, I / F 16, 1
Communication speed when using 7 and 18, each I / F 16,1
A connection interface parameter table (connection I / F parameter table) 34 that stores static information such as whether or not to charge for using 7, 18 and a physical address of a communication destination when communication is actually performed. And a connection status table 35 that describes dynamic information such as the relationship between the logical address and the I / F used.

Then, the I / F switching device 2 is provided with each I / F 1
The received packets received by 6, 17, and 18 and the transmission data transferred from the terminal device 1 are temporarily stored in the RAM 32, and C
The PU 31 is configured to execute a process of reconstructing a received packet stored in the ROM 33 into received data and a process of converting transmitted data into a transmitted packet.

The cable attachment / detachment detection device 3 has a wired I / O
The I / F switching device 2 includes a micro switch, an optical sensor, or the like for detecting attachment / detachment of the F # ₁ 16 and the network cable and attachment / detachment of the wired I / F # ₂ 17 and the connection line. It is configured to output to the CPU 31.

Then, in the communication terminal device of the present embodiment, the CPU 31 of the I / F switching device 2 uses the I / F 1
6, 17 and 18, a detection function that detects an I / F that can be used for communication with a specific communication destination, and controls the switch 30 according to a change in an output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3, It has a switching function of switching from an I / F being used for communication with a specific communication destination to another usable I / F while continuing the current communication.

Next, the operation of the communication terminal device having the above-mentioned configuration when performing communication will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in with the communication terminal apparatus is fixedly installed state of connecting a network cable and wired I / F # ₁ 16, the wired I / F
When the communication is started using # ₁ 16 and the output signal indicating that the cable I / F # ₁ 16 is connected by the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3 is input to the I / F switching device 2, the information is displayed. The communication to the processing device 20 is wired I / F # ₁ 1
6 is set to be performed.

When this communication terminal device is accessed from the network, each I / F 16, 1
Reference numerals 7 and 18 select only packets to which unique physical addresses are added and perform processing. Here, when communication with a communication terminal device of a specific communication destination is started using the wired I / F # ₁ 16, the I / F switching device 2 causes the physical address of the communication destination,
The logical address and the physical address of the communication source are newly created in the connection status table 35.

The I / F switching device 2 uses the wireless I / F
18 or wired I / F # ₂ 17 to detect whether or not it is possible to access the communication terminal device of the communication destination that is currently communicating, the physical address of the communication destination obtained through the wired I / F # ₁ 16 , A packet irrelevant to the communication content with the wireless I / F 18 added as the physical address of the communication source is transmitted through the wireless I / F 18, and the wired I / F
/ F # sends independent packets and communication content added with those wired I / F # ₂ 17 as the physical address of the communication source through ₂ 17, waits for a response from the communication destination of the communication terminal device for this. And wireless I / F 18 and wired I / F
F # is registered with a logical address and physical address of the communication destination results in the connection status table 35 for the answer from the communication terminal apparatus of the resulting communication destination through ₂ 17.
This makes it possible to detect an I / F that can be used for communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination.

[0026] Here, in the communication using a wired I / F # ₁ 16, when removed for the mobile communications terminal device a network cable from the wired I / F # ₁ 16, in the conventional wired communication I If a packet is transmitted via / F, the transmitted packet will be lost, so
A resend request is returned from the communication terminal device at the communication destination. Further, when a packet is received through the wired communication I / F, the received packet is lost. Therefore, after switching to another usable I / F, the retransmission request is sent to the communication terminal device of the communication destination. Will be sent.

In the communication terminal device of this embodiment, an output signal indicating that the wired I / F # ₁ 16 is not connected is input to the I / F switching device 2 by the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3 and the I / F switching device 2 is operated. The switching device 2 uses the connection status table 35.
It is determined whether the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17 can be used as an alternative based on the information described in (1).

Here, the wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F
When both # ₂ 17 can be used, the wireless I / F 18 having a high communication speed is adopted based on the information stored in the connection I / F parameter table 34, and the wired I / F #
Only the packet that was being communicated through ₁ 16 is communicated using the physical address of the wired I / F # ₁ 16.
As a result, it is possible to switch from the wired I / F # ₁ 16 being used to the usable wireless I / F 18 while continuing the current communication.

In this case, the communication through the wireless I / F 18 is performed by a communication terminal device that accesses a physical address assigned as the wireless I / F 18 and a wired I / F # _1.
The communication terminal device of a specific communication destination that has been communicating through 16 is permitted.

The wireless I / F 18 cannot be used and the wired I / F 18 cannot be used.
If / F # ₂ 17 is available, employ a wired I / F # ₂ 17, the physical address of the wired I / F # ₁ 16 wired only packets that were communicating through I / F # ₁ 16 Use to communicate. Furthermore, wireless I / F 18 and wired I / F
If both F # ₂ 17 are unusable, the terminal device 1
The CPU 10 is notified that communication cannot be performed.

If the network cable and the wired I / F # ₁ 16 are connected again during communication through the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17, the cable I / F is detected by the cable attachment / detachment detecting device 3. An output signal indicating that # ₁ 16 is connected is input to the I / F switching device 2,
F switching device 2 transmits a packet to detect whether the current communication terminal of the communication destination is a communication carried out device and accessible through a wired I / F # ₁ 16, the communication of the communication destination hand If there is a response from the terminal device, the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17 in use is connected to the wired I / F.
# ₁ 16 is switched while continuing to communicate with the current communication destination of the communication terminal device, the connection uses the state table 35
Update.

In addition, the wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F #
₂ 17 cannot be used together, communication is terminated while switching to communication via the wireless I / F 18 or wired I / F # ₂ 17, or communication via wired I / F # ₁ 16 is resumed. When the communication ends in the switched state, each I / F 1 in the connection state table 35 being used
Data such as access permission information necessary for accessing 6, 17, and 18 are deleted.

In the above description, the wired I / F # ₁ 1
Connect the network cable to the wired I /
Has been described the operation of detaching from the F # ₁ 16, when removing the connection line in communication using a wired I / F # ₂ 17 from the wired I / F # ₂ 17 or FIG. 6,
As shown in FIG. 7, even when the wired I / F # ₁ 16 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17 is connected during communication using the wireless I / F 18, the current communication is continued and other usage is possible. I / F
Switch to

As described above, in the communication terminal device of this embodiment, the I / F that can be used for communication with the communication destination is detected, and the change in the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3, that is, the I / F for wired communication is detected. In response to a change in the connection state of the communication lines of the F / Fs 16 and 18, the I / F being used for communication with the communication destination is switched to the usable I / F while continuing the current communication. Fixed installation of terminal device for wired communication I /
In the case where the communication terminal device is moved to perform communication through the wireless communication I / F 17 while communicating through F16 and 18, and vice versa, the conventional communication waits until the current communication ends. It is not necessary to give up the current communication or to access the communication destination again through the I / F that has been switched and it is possible to smoothly switch the I / F without interrupting the current communication.
Usability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the second embodiment, a timer 40 is provided in the I / F switching device 2 as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 31 of the I / F switching device 2 detects the I / F that can be used for communication with a specific communication destination among the I / Fs 16, 17, and 18 for a certain time (preset setting time N ) Every time.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
During communication using F # ₁ 16, the time T measured by the timer 40 becomes a preset set time N, the communication being currently communicating via the wireless I / F18 and wired I / F # ₂ 17 A packet for detecting whether or not it is possible to access the previous communication terminal device is transmitted, and the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F 18 is connected.
Sequentially updates the result of the response from the communication terminal apparatus of the resulting communication destination through F # ₂ 17 in the connection state table 35. After that, the cable I / F is detected by the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3.
The output signal indicating that # ₁ 16 is not connected is I /
When it is input to the F switching device 2, the processing at the time of disconnecting the cable described in the first embodiment is performed. As a result, the I / F that can be used for communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination can be detected at regular intervals. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

Thus, if the communication terminal device of the communication destination also has a plurality of I / Fs and the structure is such that the I / F used for communication can be easily switched, the I / F can be switched. The I / F of the communication source, which was initially available for communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination, may become unusable, but can be used for communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination at regular time intervals. By detecting the I / F, the usable I / F can always be grasped, the I / F in use can be surely switched to the usable I / F, and stable communication can be continued. It can be done and is highly reliable.

(Third Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the third embodiment, the CPU 31 of the I / F switching device 2 is
Each I that can be used for communication with a communication terminal device of a specific communication destination
/ F16,17,18 is provided with a comparison function for comparing the communication capacities of the I / F16,17,18 which can be used according to the change of the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3. Switching is performed by selecting a high I / F. Here, as the communication capability of each I / F 16, 17, 18, the statistical data of the amount (appearance rate) of error packets when each I / F 16, 17, 18 is used for communication, and each I / F 16, When I / F 17 and 18 are used to communicate with the information processing apparatus 20, the I / Fs 16, 17, and 18 obtained from the response speed from the packet transmission to the information processing apparatus 20 until the packet reception The target is the effective speed when used for actual communication.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the wired I / F
# During communication using ₁ 16, the wireless I / F18 and wired I
/ F # ₂ 17 detects whether the current communication destination which communication communicating terminal apparatus and accessible through, monitors packets reaching each I / F17,18 of this time, the wireless I / F18 If the wired I / F # ₂ 17 is accessible, the statistical data and the response speed of the error packet appearance rate when these are used for communication are sequentially stored in the connection state table 35 as collected data.

When an output signal indicating that the wired I / F # ₁ 16 is not connected is input to the I / F switching device 2 by the cable attachment / detachment detecting device 3, the I / F switching device 2 Based on the information described in the connection status table 35, it is determined whether or not the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17 can be used as a substitute, and the wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F # _{2 are determined.} When both 17 are available, the effective speed of each of the wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F # ₂ 17 is calculated based on the statistical data of the error packet appearance rate and the response speed described in the connection status table 35. Of the wired I / F # ₁ 1 which is in use by selecting an I / F having a high effective speed capable of better communicating with the communication destination by comparing
The I / F selected from 6 is switched while continuing the current communication. After that, the processing at the end of communication described in the first embodiment is performed. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

As a result, it is possible to switch to an I / F having a high effective speed suitable for the communication network condition and ensure a good communication state.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the fourth embodiment, each I / F 16, 1 that can be used regardless of the change in the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3 is used.
The I / F having the highest communication capability is selected from among 7 and 18 to perform switching.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the wired I / F
# During communication using ₁ 16, the wireless I / F18 and wired I
/ F # ₂ 17 is used to detect whether or not it is possible to access the communication terminal device of the communication destination that is currently communicating, and the statistical data and response speed of the error packet appearance rate in the wired I / F # ₁ 16 are detected. The collected data is sequentially stored in the connection status table 35. Further, when the wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F # ₂ 17 can be used, the connection state table 3 is obtained by collecting statistical data and response speed of the error packet appearance rate when these are used for communication.
Sequentially store in 5.

Here, the I / F switching device 2 determines the wireless I / F based on the information described in the connection status table 35.
18 or wired I / F # ₂ 17 can be used as a substitute, and the wireless I / F 18 and wired I / F # ₂ can be determined.
When both 17 can be used, the wired I / F # ₁ 16 based on the statistical data of the appearance rate of error packets and the response speed described in the connection status table 35,
The wireless I / F 18 and the wired I / F # ₂ 17 are compared with each other in effective speed, and an I / F having a high effective speed capable of better communicating with the communication destination is selected, and the wire being used I / F
# Switch while continuing the current communication I / F which is selected from ₁ 16. When the communication is completed, the data described in the connection status table 35 is deleted. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the third embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

As a result, it is possible to always switch to the I / F having a high effective speed suitable for the communication network condition and secure a good communication state.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the fifth embodiment, the connection I is defined as the communication capability of each I / F.
I / F stored in the / F parameter table 34
Targets the communication speed when F is used, and I / F
The CPU 31 of the switching device 2 uses each I / F 1 that can be used regardless of a change in the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3.
The I / F having the highest communication capability is selected from among 6, 17, and 18 to perform switching.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the wired I / F
# During communication using ₁ 16, the wireless I / F18 and wired I
/ F # by detecting whether the current communication terminal of the communication destination is a communication carried out device and accessible through ₂ 17, connection I /
Wired I / O stored in F parameter table 34
The communication speed in F # ₁ 16 is compared with the communication speed in the accessible I / F, and the I / F is switched to the highest-speed transferable I / F with the highest communication speed. When communication is completed,
The data described in the connection status table 35 is deleted. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the third embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

Thus, it is possible to always select and switch the optimum I / F within the range of the data stored in advance without needing the collected data such as the statistical data of the appearance rate of error packets and the response speed. .

(Sixth Embodiment) Even if the communication terminal device is moved, the place to be used can be specified, the change in the network configuration is small, and a specific information processing device 20 serving as a reference in a specific I / F can be used. If the user can access the communication terminal device as a default, a space on the network in which the communication terminal device exists is defined in the I / F switching device 2, and the communication terminal device on this network and another I / F can be accessed. By detecting whether or not it is possible to omit the transmission of a packet irrelevant to the communication content on the network and the response thereto.

Therefore, in the communication terminal device according to the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a connection state selection table 50 capable of defining the network space in which the communication terminal device exists in the I / F switching device 2. And each I / F 16,1
A connection state table storage device 51, which is a storage unit that stores connection information in communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination 7, 18, is provided, and the CPU 31 of the I / F switching device 2 is provided.
Detects whether the communication terminal device on the network set in the connection state selection table 50 and an I / F other than the one in use are accessible at the next communication with the communication terminal device of the communication destination, If accessible, the I / F is switched according to the connection information stored in the connection state table storage device 51.

Here, the connection information means each I / F 16, 1
Access permission information with a specific communication destination in 7, 18
This is information that can determine the priority of the I / F used for communication such as effective speed and billing.

Regarding the operation, when the communication terminal device is turned on or when the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detecting device 3 changes, the communication terminal device other than the communication terminal device on the network set in the connection state selection table 50 is not in use. I / F
Of the I / F 16, 17 and 18 stored in the connection status table storage device 51 is used as it is if the communication destination has a history of access before. Since it is possible, I / O other than the one in use, such as sending a packet unrelated to the communication content,
The access information of F is not checked, the connection information stored in the connection status table storage device 51 is copied to the connection status table 35, and the optimum I / F with the highest priority is selected according to this connection information. And switch.

It should be noted that if a certain time or more has passed since the connection information was stored in the connection status table storage device 51, that is, if the reliability of the previous access history was low, then I other than I / F access check is performed to update the connection information. Then, at the end of communication or due to a change in the output signal from the cable attachment / detachment detection device 3, the connection information of the connection state table 35 being used is stored in the storage area of the connection state table storage device 51 corresponding to the network space. . Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the first embodiment, and members having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

As a result, the I / F access check can be omitted as much as possible, and the most suitable I / F can be selected and switched. The I / F can be switched by reducing the traffic on the network and shortening the switching time. The processing speed can be increased.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the I / F switching device 2 distributes the transmission data to usable I / Fs. A transmission data distributor 60, which is a dividing unit, is provided.

During communication using the wired I / F # ₁ 16, whether or not it is possible to access the communication terminal device of the communication destination which is currently communicating through the wireless I / F 18 or the wired I / F # ₂ 17 Of the transmission data temporarily stored in the RAM 32, the distributor 60 detects that the wired I / F # ₁ 1
The available I / Fs including 6 are distributed according to the communication speed ratio described in the connection I / F parameter table 34. These transmission data are transmitted at once or sequentially from each available I / F via the switch 30.
The received data is received through a single I / F. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. As a result, the transmission process as the communication terminal device can be performed efficiently at high speed.

(Eighth Embodiment) In the communication terminal device according to the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, a random number timing for causing the I / F switching device 2 to generate the timing for switching the I / F. The generator 70 is provided, and the CPU 31 of the I / F switching device 2 sequentially uses the I / Fs that can be used by the confidential data transmission signal from the application used in the communication terminal device in accordance with the timing from the random number timing generator 70. Or it is designed to switch randomly.

[0058] Then, the confidential during communication using a wired I / F # ₁ 16, when a situation requiring the steganographic that transmits confidential data for I / F switching device 2 from the application By transmitting the data transmission signal, the usable I / F including the wired I / F # ₁ 16 is sequentially or randomly switched according to the timing from the random number timing generator 70, and the confidential data is transmitted to a plurality of I / Fs. Send through F. The other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. As a result, it becomes more difficult to reconfigure the confidential data flowing on the network by eavesdropping, as compared with the case where the confidential data is transmitted through a single I / F, and it is possible to ensure confidentiality of information.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the present invention. For example, the I / F installed in the communication terminal device is a wired I / F #
₁ 16, the wired I / F # ₂ 17, not limited to the three types of wireless I / F18, or what kind if wired communication I / F and the wireless communication I / F.

[0060]

As is apparent from the above description, claim 1
According to the invention, it is possible to switch from an interface being used for communication with a communication destination to an available interface while continuing the current communication, and it is necessary to wait until the current communication is completed as in the conventional case. , It is not necessary to give up the current communication and access the communication destination again through the switched interface, and smooth interface switching can be performed without interrupting the current communication.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the interface is switched according to the change of the connection state between the wired communication interface and the communication line, the communication terminal device is fixedly installed and the communication is performed through the wired communication interface. When the communication terminal device is sometimes moved to perform communication through the wireless communication interface or vice versa, the communication terminal device is switched between the fixed state and the moving state without interrupting the current communication. Therefore, the usability can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the communication destination also has a plurality of interfaces and the interface used for communication can be easily switched, the interface is switched to the original communication destination. Although the interface of the communication source that was available for communication becomes unavailable, it is possible to grasp the current available interface by detecting the interface available for communication with the communication destination at regular intervals, Interface can be switched surely,
Stable communication can be achieved and reliability is improved.

According to the invention of claim 4, the interface can be switched according to the communication capability such as the communication speed of each preset interface or the effective speed when actually used for communication with the communication destination. Therefore, it is possible to switch to an interface having a high communication capability suitable for the communication network condition and secure a good communication state.

According to the invention of claim 5, the interface is switched according to the connection information in each interface obtained by the communication with the communication destination, and therefore it is necessary to detect the available interface each time the communication with the communication destination is performed. It is possible to reduce the transmission / reception of data to / from the communication destination for this detection, reduce the traffic on the network and shorten the time required for switching, thereby speeding up the interface switching processing.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the transmission data is distributed to the usable interfaces, the transmission processing as the communication terminal device can be performed at high speed and efficiently.

According to the invention of claim 7, the usable interface is switched sequentially or randomly to transmit the confidential data. Therefore, when the reconfiguration by interception of the confidential data flowing on the network is transmitted through a single interface, Compared with this, it becomes more difficult, and information can be kept confidential.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart when switching a wired I / F # ₁ to another I / F in a communication terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart when switching the wired I / F # ₁ to another I / F.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a communication terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an I / F switching device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart when switching a wireless I / F to another I / F.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart when switching the wireless I / F to another I / F.

FIG. 8 shows I in the communication terminal device according to the second embodiment.
/ F switching device block diagram

FIG. 9 is a flowchart when switching I / F.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for switching I / F in the communication terminal device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for switching I / F in the communication terminal device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for switching I / F in the communication terminal device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an I / F switching device in a communication terminal device according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an I / F switching device in a communication terminal device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an I / F switching device in a communication terminal device according to an eighth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 I / F switching device 3 Cable attachment / detachment detection device 16 Wired I / F # ₁ 17 Wired I / F # ₂ 18 Wireless I / F 51 Connection state table storage device 60 Transmission data distributor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A communication device comprising: a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface, detecting means for detecting an interface that can be used for communication with a communication destination from among the interfaces, and the communication between the usable interface. A communication terminal device comprising switching means for switching an interface while continuing communication with the destination. 2. A communication line connection detecting means for detecting a connection state between the wired communication interface and the communication line is provided.
The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the interface according to a change in the connection state. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the detection by the detection means is performed at regular intervals. 4. The comparison means for comparing the communication capacities of the usable interfaces is provided, and the switching means switches the interfaces according to the communication capacities. Communication terminal equipment. 5. A storage unit for storing connection information in communication with a communication destination of each interface is provided, and the switching unit switches the interface according to the connection information at the next communication with the communication destination. The communication terminal device according to claim 1 or 2. 6. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a data distribution unit that distributes transmission data to a usable interface. 7. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the switching means switches the available interfaces sequentially or randomly when the confidential data is transmitted.