JPH1155253A - Automatic line speed selection method for communication network, information terminal equipment and recording medium for recording automatic line selection program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic line speed selection method and information terminal equipment of a network for automatically selecting a line speed suitable for a desired service. SOLUTION: Time data are calculated from the difference in the elapsed time in the previous and this time for a scheduled service of a desired service (S1-S3), and presumed data amounts are calculated from the mean data amounts and time data, so that the total of presumed data amounts for all the desired services is obtained (S4-S8). The line speed of the service is read from a communication history file, the connecting time at each line speed and the total presumed data amounts are calculated (S9), the service charge for each connected line is calculated based on the above (S10), and connection with the most inexpensive line is established (S11-S14). The connecting time and the data mounts are counted, and the counted value and the used line speed or the like are registered, and when all the services are ended, the mean data amounts of the communication history file are updated by the registered current connecting time and data amounts (S15-S17).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for using a communication network, and more particularly to a technology for preparing a line connection of an information terminal device in a commercial communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In personal computer communication on a commercial communication network, an autopilot operation is common. Here, the auto-pilot operation means that a series of work procedures related to login, use of various communication services, logout, etc. are registered as macros before connecting to the communication line in PC communication, and after connecting to the communication line The registered work procedure is automatically performed.

In commercial personal computer communication, the usage fee (charging) charged (or charged) to a user by a personal computer communication service provider (operator) or a line connection provider (hereinafter, provider) depends on the line speed and the contents of the communication service. For example, in the case of the pay-as-you-go system, calculation is made such as charging = line charge x communication service charge per unit time x use time. In the case of the flat-rate system, charge = fixed amount + line charge x unit Calculations such as a communication service charge per hour (use time-predetermined time) are made.

[0004] Users ideally select and connect to access points having different charges depending on the line speed in accordance with the type of commercial personal computer communication (however, many users always connect at the same line speed).

[0005] The relationship between the line speed and the charge is set such that a line with a low line speed is inexpensive and a line with a high line speed is expensive. However, a line with a higher line speed has a larger amount of data that can be communicated for a fixed amount of money, so that the information cost per unit time represented by the cost per bit usually decreases. Therefore, when the amount of information is large, the line with the faster line speed is charged less than when the line with the slower speed is used, and when the amount of information is small, the line with the slower line is charged more than when the line with the earlier speed is used. Is reduced. The following example shows the relationship between the line speed and billing of a certain personal computer communication service provider.

[0006]

[Table 1]

Conventionally, when an information terminal device performs data communication by connecting to a communication network such as a public communication line via a telephone line or a wireless station irrespective of whether the information terminal device is wired or wireless, the information terminal device does not care about the data. The speed of the line to be connected was previously set to a fixed speed or set by the user.

[0008]

It is preferable that the usage fee be low from the user side of a communication network such as a personal computer communication or the Internet. For this purpose, a line speed (= access) suitable for the content of the communication service is used. Points). In such a case, conventionally, the user himself / herself determines the line speed according to the usage content based on his / her experience and selects an access point.

However, with the increase in the number of commercial personal computer communication service providers and Internet providers and the increase in the contents of communication services, the types of communication services used by users also increase, and the number of access points to be selected is large, and If the user himself / herself has empirically selected a line, there is a problem in that unnecessary costs are paid, connection time is lost, and an operation error occurs. In particular, the use of multimedia software in the future is basically based on the technology of using the Internet and personal computer communication, and there is still a problem of how to reduce the charge from the user side to receive the desired communication service. It is clear that the points will come soon.

Further, in the conventional information terminal device, when performing data communication by connecting to a network, as described above, the data terminal device remains connected to the same type (speed) line regardless of the amount of data. Unless the user changes the setting each time the connection is made, there is a problem that the connection remains on the high-cost high-speed line. Today, information terminals are not only stationary but also portable, such as notebook computers, portable word processors, portable facsimile machines, digital cameras and electronic notebooks. Information terminals, so-called "mobile"
And mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System)
Wireless terminals such as s) have emerged. These are modems and DSUs (Digital Service Units) when wired.
Can be connected to a communication network via a wireless LAN, and in the case of wireless communication, can be connected to a communication network via a base station connected to the communication network. Also, when using a communication network, these are connected to the line in the same connection selection method as in the case of the conventional information terminal, and thus have the same problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and problems and to provide one means for solving the above-mentioned near-future problems. To automatically select a line speed suitable for this use based on the evaluation points of communication and communication services, and to provide an information terminal device capable of automatically selecting a line speed of a communication network and a line speed automatically. .

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically selecting a line speed of a communication network. Estimating the total data amount from the line connection time up to and the average data amount, obtaining the connection time for each line speed of the communication network based on the total data amount, and calculating the usage fee for each line speed And a step of selecting a line speed with the lowest usage fee.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information terminal device, comprising: an access point candidate information file for registering access point candidate information for connecting the information terminal device to a communication network at a selected line speed; It is characterized by having a history file and automatic line selection means for selecting an optimal connection line based on the communication history.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information terminal device according to the second aspect, the access point candidate information file includes, for each access point, access point designation information, line speed, and charge information on the line speed. The communication history file includes a line speed, a connection time, and an average data amount for each used communication service.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the automatic line selecting means obtains the previous connection date and time from the communication history and calculates time data based on the elapsed time up to the current time. Time data calculating means, data connection estimating means for estimating the total data amount from the previous line connection time and the average data amount and the time data obtained from the communication history for the communication service desired this time, and the total data amount based on the total data amount. Obtain the connection time for each line speed of the communication network,
It is characterized by including a line selecting means for calculating a usage fee for each line speed based on the access point candidate information and selecting a line speed with the lowest usage fee.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method for automatically selecting a line speed of a communication network, based on a line speed adapted to each communication service obtained through the communication network and an evaluation point given to each communication service. A step of obtaining an evaluation point of a communication service desired this time, and a step of selecting a line speed based on a comparison result between the evaluation point of the communication service desired this time and a reference point.

The information terminal device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention records an access point candidate registration file for specifying an access point candidate for connecting the information terminal device to a communication network at a selected line speed, and line selection reference information. It is characterized by having a line selection criterion information file and automatic line selection means for selecting an optimum connection line based on the line selection criterion information.

According to a seventh aspect, in the information terminal device according to the sixth aspect, the access point candidate registration file includes, for each access point, access point designation information, line speed, and charge information of the line speed. Wherein the selection criterion information file includes, as line selection criterion information, a line speed adapted to each communication service of the communication network and an evaluation point given to each communication service.

In an eighth aspect based on the information terminal device according to the sixth aspect, the line automatic selection means reads, for each communication service desired this time, an evaluation point of the use service from the line selection reference information file. A line point calculating means for obtaining the total of the evaluation points of the desired use service, and comparing the total of the evaluation points with the reference value, and selecting the high-speed line if the total of the evaluation points is equal to or more than the reference value, When the total is less than the reference value, a line selecting means for selecting a low-speed line is included.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically selecting a line speed of a communication network, wherein, in an information terminal device for exchanging data with the communication network, a certain application is selected from network applications executable by the information terminal device. And determining a line speed corresponding to the selected network application.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information terminal device for exchanging data with a communication network, a line reference information registration unit registers a line speed corresponding to each of network applications executable by the information terminal device. Means, and when any one of the network applications is activated, a connection line of the activated network application is determined based on the information registered in the line reference information registration means, and a line for connection with the determined line is determined. Automatic selection means.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information terminal device according to the tenth aspect, the line determining means includes information registered in the line reference information registering means and an amount of information which can be received or transmitted by executing the activated network application. The connection line of the network application is determined based on

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<Embodiment 1> In a first embodiment of a line automatic selection method of the present invention, information such as a data amount, a line speed, and a connection time is stored for each service used in preparing a line connection of a communication network. Before connection, based on the time interval (date and time) of the previous time and the current time, the service used this time is compared with the past communication history to estimate the data amount, the optimal line speed is automatically determined, and the Connect the following terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information terminal device to which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied, wherein (a) shows an example of the configuration of the information terminal device, and (b) shows a control unit. (C) shows an example of connection to a communication network when the information terminal in (a) is a wireless information terminal. FIG.
In (a), the information terminal device 100 receives data from the communication line 9 via the modem 8 or sends data to the communication line 9. Although the modem 8 is shown as an external device in FIG. 1, it may be configured to be built in the information terminal device 100.

The information terminal device 100 includes a receiving unit 1 for receiving data demodulated by the modem 8 and supplying the data to the control unit 2, a control unit 2, a recording medium storage device for storing the recording medium 3, a line selection candidate, A display unit 4 for displaying a menu or the like, an input device 5 for inputting data, selecting or confirming by user's operation, and connecting the information terminal device 100 to the determined selected line, and selecting via the modem 8 And a transmitting unit 6 for transmitting data to the communication network 9. Further, in the example of (a), the modem 8 is used to exchange data with the communication line 9, but the communication line
In the case of DSU, DSU is used. When the information terminal is a wireless information terminal as shown in (c), an antenna 8 'is used instead of the modem 8.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the control unit 2
MPU composed of U21, RAM22, ROM23, etc.
(Microprocessor unit), based on a connection instruction from the input device 5, realizes the automatic line selection method of the present invention to automatically select a line suitable for the service to be used this time, and to set the contents of each service. The operation of the entire information terminal device 100 is controlled so as to be received and provided to the user. The ROM 23 has a control program for controlling the entire operation of the information terminal device 100 and a communication program for managing data exchange with a communication line (a base station in the case of a wireless information terminal) in accordance with a prescribed communication protocol. A control program and a line automatic selection means 10 (FIG. 3) comprising a group of programs for realizing the line automatic selection method of the present invention and automatically selecting a line suitable for the current service are stored. Be executed.

It should be noted that the automatic line selection means 10 is
When recording is performed in the RAM 22, the CPU 21 takes out the automatic line selection means 10 from the recording unit 3 and
And execute it.

The automatic line selection means 10 downloaded via the wired or wireless communication network
The program may be stored and executed in M22, or may be recorded in the recording unit 3. In this case, the automatic line selection means may be downloaded whenever necessary, or may be downloaded in advance and recorded in the recording unit 3.

The recording unit 3 comprises a removable storage medium such as a flash memory, a memory card, an FD (floppy disk), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. When the control unit 2 implements the automatic line selection method of the present invention. It has an access point candidate information file 31, a service information file 32, a communication history file 33, and a data file (not shown) for recording information obtained by the service.

Incidentally, the automatic line selection means may be configured to be recorded on the recording medium 3. Alternatively, the automatic line selection means downloaded via a wired or wireless communication network may be recorded on the recording medium 3.

The access point candidate information file 31 includes access points having different line speeds (charges) in the vicinity of the user, their access point designation parameters,
A line speed, a usage fee, and the like are registered in advance as access point information. As the access point candidate information file 31, access point candidate information registered in advance by a maker, a software manufacturer, a provider, a personal computer communication service provider, or the like can be used.
It is desirable that a predetermined registration unit (not shown) configured by a program be configured so that a user can register, update, or delete desired access point candidate information using the input device 5.

The use service information file 32 contains the use contents of each service used by the user this time (performed after automatic line selection), that is, each time the service is used, its connection date and time, use service name, connection service Information such as time, data amount, and line speed time used is recorded. These recordings are automatically performed under the control of the control unit 2. When the communication history file 33 is updated, the recorded contents of the service information file 32 are cleared by the communication history updating means 17 described later. It should be noted that instead of placing the use service information file 32 in the recording unit 3, the use information table is stored in the RAM 22.
Each time the service is used, information such as the connection date and time, the name of the service used, the connection time, the amount of data, the line speed used, and the like are stored, and when the communication history file 33 is updated, It is also possible to configure so that the usage history information table is cleared by the communication history updating means 17.

The communication history file 33 contains the contents of each service used by the user up to the previous time, that is, the line speed (unit: bp) for each service and line speed.
s), the connection time, and the average data amount in specified time units (daily, hourly, etc.) are registered as history. The average data amount of the communication history file 33 is updated by the communication history updating means 17 with the recorded contents of the service information file 32 when the line connection is completed.

In FIG. 1C, when the information terminal device is a wireless terminal device 100 ″ such as a portable telephone or a PHS, the wireless terminal device 100 ″ is transmitted from the communication line 9 via the antenna 8 ′ and the base station 90. It receives data and sends it out to communication line 9 via antenna 8 'and base station 90. Further, the information terminal device 100 "performs demodulation processing for extracting data from the received radio wave received by the antenna 8 'in the receiving unit 1, modulates transmission data in the transmitting unit 6, and emits the data to the antenna via the antenna 8'. Further, the control unit 2 performs the wireless transmission / reception control according to the wireless communication protocol, and realizes the above-described automatic line selection method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the automatic line selection means, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the execution order of each means which is a component of the automatic line selection means. In FIG. 2, the automatic line selection unit 10 includes an automatic line selection management unit 11, a time data calculation unit 12, and a data amount estimation unit 1.
3, a line selecting unit 14, a line connecting unit 15, a use status registering unit 16, and a communication history updating unit 17.
Each of these units is configured as a program module, and is stored in the ROM 23 or stored in the recording unit 3 as described above.
Is read out to the RAM 22 by the control program when the information terminal device 100 is started up, and is stored in the CPU 2.
1 is executed.

The line automatic selection management means 11 defines an operation other than the operation procedure specified in each of the means 12 to 17 as a main program, and the ROM 23 of each of the means 12 to 17 in cooperation with a control program and a communication control program. Alternatively, it manages the order of reading from the recording medium 3 and the order of execution (FIG. 3).

The time data calculating means 12 calculates the elapsed time by calculating the difference between the previous use date and time and the current use date and time, and divides the elapsed time by a specified time (a unit time such as days or one hour or two hours). To obtain time data.

The data amount estimating means 13 reads out the average data amount of the use service from the communication history file 33 for each of the use services desired this time registered in the use service file 32 (or the use information table), and The estimated data amount is estimated from the data amount and the above-mentioned time data, and the total of the data amounts estimated for each of the desired services used this time is defined as the estimated data amount.

The line selecting means 14 stores the communication history file 3
3, the line speed of the use service is read out, the connection time for each line speed is calculated from the estimated data amount and each line speed, and the access point candidate information file 31 is
Then, the access point designation parameter and the usage fee for each access point (connection line) are extracted from the above, and the usage fee for each line speed is calculated.

When the cheapest line speed is obtained, the line connection means 15 gives an access point designation parameter corresponding to the line speed to the communication control program, and prompts connection to the communication line at the selected line speed. in this case,
The communication control program attempts connection at the selected line speed via the transmission unit 6, and repeats the connection until the connection is established or the connection instruction is released.

The use status registration means 16 stores the use service name that the user inputs when instructing the line connection before connecting the line to R.
After the information terminal device is connected at the selected line speed, the connection time and the data amount are counted for each service executed sequentially after the information terminal device is connected at the selected line speed. The count value, the used line speed and the service name are stored in the service information file 32 (or the RAM 22 based on the service name).
And a service content registration unit 162 for registering the information in the service information table expanded in (2).

When all the desired services of the communication network are finished or stopped, the communication history updating means 17 updates the communication history file based on the current connection time and data amount of each service stored in the service information file 32. 32
And updates the total connection time and average data amount of each service, and clears the recorded contents (or the used service information table) of the used service information file 32.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control unit in this embodiment. In FIG. 4, when the user selects a desired commercial personal computer communication service provider or provider and inputs or specifies a service to be used from the input device 5, all the service names to be used are registered in the RAM 22 (step S1).

Since a certain amount of communication history is required in this embodiment, the communication history (total connection time) is compared with a reference value (step S2). In order to prompt the user to make a selection input, the display device 4 displays the line speed of the communication network, the usage status per unit time, and the like, and proceeds to step S14 (step S13).

If the communication history is equal to or larger than the reference value, time data for estimation is calculated (step S3), and then the RAM is used.
One of the service names registered in 22 is taken out in order from the top (step S4), and is matched with the service name of the communication history file 33 of the recording medium 3 to read out the average data amount of the corresponding service (step S5). The expected data amount of the current service is obtained from the calculation formula, expected data amount = time data × average data amount of the service (step S6), and the estimated data amount is calculated as estimated data amount = estimated data amount before addition + Add as expected data amount.

Next, the above steps S4 to S7 are repeated until the expected data amounts of all desired services are added (step S8). The operation of this step is performed by the above-mentioned automatic line selection management means 11.

When all the additions have been made, the line speeds of the registered and used services are sequentially read from the communication history file 33, and the connection time is calculated from the estimated data amount and each line speed as connection time = estimated data amount / reference data amount in minutes. Calculate the connection time for each line speed (step S
9) Based on this, the usage fee for each connection line is extracted from the access point candidate information file, and the usage fee for each line speed is calculated as usage fee = connection time × minute of usage time (step S).
10).

Next, the cheapest line (and connection time, estimated usage amount, etc.) is displayed on the display device 4 and waits for a user's confirmation input (step S11). The operation of this step is performed by the above-mentioned automatic line selection management means 11.

The user's confirmation input is determined (step S12). If the determination result is "No", step S1 is performed.
Then, if the result of the determination is "Yes", the line automatic selection management means 11 passes control to the communication control program, and the communication control program sends the information terminal device 10 to the selected line.
0 is connected (step S14). If the result of the determination is “No”, the process proceeds to step S13. Steps S11 and S12 are optional and can be omitted.

After the connection, the information terminal device 100 displays the service received by the receiving unit 1 on the display device 4 under the control of the control program, and logs in the desired received data to the recording medium. At the same time, the connection time and the data amount are counted, and each time one service is completed, the count value, the used line speed and the service name are registered in the used service information file 32 (or the used service information table). (Step S15).

Step S15 until all services are completed
(Step S16), and when all the services are completed, the total connection time and the average of the total connection time for each service in the communication history file are calculated based on the current connection time and the data amount registered in the used service information file 32 (or the used service information table). Update the amount of data. After the update, the contents of the used service information file 32 (or the used service information table) are cleared.

Assuming that the current connection time of a service is a, the data amount b, the total connection time A of the communication history file 32, and the average data amount B, the updated total connection time A '
= A + a, average data amount = {(A × B) + b} / A ′.

<Embodiment 2> In a second embodiment of the automatic line selection method of the present invention, line speeds suitable for various services of a commercial communication network are associated in advance in preparing a line connection in a communication network. Giving and holding an appropriate degree of line selection for each service as an evaluation point, calculating a line selection evaluation point for a desired use service, automatically determining an optimal line speed,
The following information terminal device is connected to the communication line.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information terminal device to which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied. The hardware configuration of the information terminal device 100 'is the same as that of the information terminal device 100 of FIG. The same applies to the recording medium 3 except that the usage information service file 32 and the communication history 3 shown in FIG.
3 in that a line selection reference information file 34 is provided instead of 3. The same applies to the case where the information terminal device is a wireless terminal device 100 ″ such as a mobile phone or a PHS (FIG. 1 (c)).

Hereinafter, a receiving unit 1, a display unit 4, and a transmitting unit 6 having the same configuration and function as the information terminal device 100 of FIG.
A description of the control unit 2 and the recording unit 3 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the control unit 2
MPU composed of PU21, RAM22 and ROM23
Based on the connection instruction from the input device 5, the line automatic selection method of the present invention is implemented to automatically select a line suitable for the service to be used this time, and receive individual service contents to provide the user with In order to provide the information, the operation of the entire information terminal device 100 'is controlled. The ROM 23 has a control program for controlling the entire operation of the information terminal device 100 ', a communication control program for managing the transmission and reception of data to and from a communication line according to a prescribed communication protocol, and a line automatic selection according to the present invention. A line automatic selection means 20 (FIG. 6) comprising a program group for realizing the method and automatically selecting a line suitable for the current service is stored.

When the automatic line selection means is configured to be recorded on the recording medium 3, the CPU 21 takes out the automatic line selection means from the recording unit 3, stores it in the RAM 22, and executes it.

The line automatic selection means 20 downloaded via the wired or wireless communication network
The program may be stored and executed in M22, or may be recorded in the recording unit 3. In this case, the line automatic selection means 20 may be downloaded whenever necessary,
It may be downloaded in advance and recorded in the recording unit 3.

The recording unit 3 comprises a removable storage medium such as a flash memory, a memory card, an FD, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc., and an access point required when the control unit 2 implements the automatic line selection method of the present invention. Access to the candidate information file 31 and the line selection reference information 34 and to a data file or the like for recording a communication history and recording information obtained by a service is performed via a recording medium storage device (not shown).

It should be noted that the automatic line selection means may be recorded on the recording medium 3. Alternatively, the automatic line selection means downloaded via a wired or wireless communication network may be recorded on the recording medium 3.

The access point candidate information file 31 contains access points having different line speeds (charges) in the vicinity of the user, their access point designation parameters,
A line speed, a usage fee, and the like are registered in advance as access point information. As the access point candidate information file 31, access point candidate information registered in advance by a maker, a software manufacturer, a provider, a personal computer communication service provider, or the like can be used.
It is desirable that a predetermined registration unit (not shown) configured by a program be configured so that a user can register, update, or delete desired access point candidate information using the input device 5.

The line selection criterion information file 34 preliminarily associates various services of the commercial communication network with line speeds suitable for the respective services and preliminarily registers evaluation points indicating the degree of appropriate line selection for the services. . As the line selection reference information file 34,
A line selection reference information file registered in advance by a maker, a software manufacturer, a provider, a personal computer communication service provider, or the like can be used, but the input device 5 can be used by a predetermined registration means (not shown) constituted by a program. It is desirable that the user can register, update or delete the evaluation points of each service. The access point candidate information file 31 is optional and need not be provided. Further, the access point candidate information file 31 and the line selection reference information file 34 can be configured as one file.

As a criterion for giving an evaluation point, for example, a high evaluation point is given to a service suitable for a high-speed line, and a low evaluation point is given to a service suitable for a low-speed line.
Also, a higher point is given to a service more suitable for a high-speed line, and a lower point (or a negative number) is given to a service more suitable for a low-speed line. In addition, services that are suitable for using high-speed and expensive lines as criteria for judging line selection evaluation points include downloading forums that transmit and receive large amounts of data, and downloading and uploading files. Services that are suitable for using are downloading and uploading of e-mail that receives a small amount of data, such as chat that includes selection operation by human judgment,
Information retrieval and the like are suitable for cheaper lines (corresponding to a negative number as a line selection evaluation point).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the automatic line selection means. In FIG. 6, the line automatic selection means 2
0 is a line automatic selection management unit 21, a service name registration unit 22, a line point calculation unit 23, a line selection unit 24,
Line connection means 25 is included. Each of these units is configured as a program module, and is stored in the ROM 23 or recorded in the recording unit 3 as described above, read out to the RAM 22 by the control program when the information terminal device 100 is started, and controlled by the CPU 21. Is executed by

The automatic line selection management means 21 comprises:
25 to 25, and manages the reading order and execution order of each means 22 to 25 from the ROM 23 or the recording medium 3 in cooperation with a control program and a communication control program. .

The service name registration means 22 stores in the RAM 22 a service name to be entered by the user when instructing a line connection before connecting the line.

The line point calculating means 23 is a RAM 22
The evaluation points of the used service are read out from the line selection reference information file 34 for each of the currently desired used services stored in the storage device, and the total of the evaluation points of the desired used service (total evaluation points) is calculated.

The line selecting means 24 compares the total evaluation point with the reference value, and selects the high-speed line when the total evaluation point is equal to or more than the reference value, and selects the low-speed line when the total evaluation point is less than the reference value. I do. In addition, access point candidate information file 3
When 1 is provided, the access point designation parameter of the access point corresponding to the selected line and the usage fee information are extracted from the access point candidate information file 31 based on the selected line.

The line connection means 25 gives the selected line speed and the corresponding access point designation parameter to the communication control program, and urges the connection to the communication line of the information terminal device 100 'at the selected line speed. In this case, the communication control program attempts connection at the selected line speed via the transmission unit 6, and repeats the connection until the connection is established or the connection instruction is released.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control unit in this embodiment. In FIG. 7, when the user selects or selects a desired communication service provider or service from the input device 5 and designates a desired service, all the service names to be used are registered in the RAM 22 (step T1). Next, one service name registered in the RAM 22 is sequentially extracted from the top (step T2),
The line selection evaluation point of the corresponding service is read out by matching with the service name of the line selection reference information file 34 of the recording medium 3 (step T3), and the line selection evaluation point is calculated as follows: total evaluation point = total evaluation point before addition + It is added as an evaluation point (step T4).

Next, the above steps T2 to T4 are repeated until the evaluation points of all desired services are added (step T5). The operation of this step is performed by the above-mentioned automatic line selection management means 21.

When all the additions are made, the total evaluation point is compared with the reference value (step T6). If the total evaluation point is less than the reference value, a high-speed line is selected (step T7), and the total evaluation point is determined. If not less than the reference value, a low-speed line is selected (step T8).

Next, the selected line type (and speed) is displayed on the display device 4 and waits for a user's confirmation input (step T).
9). The operation of this step is performed by the above-mentioned automatic line selection management means 21.

The user's confirmation input is determined (step T 10). If the determination result is “No”, the access point candidate information file 31 determines from the access point candidate information file 31 the parameters for specifying the access point of the commercial network, the line speed and the unit time. Then, a message for prompting the user to input a selection from the input device 5 is displayed on the display device 4 together with the usage fee, and the process proceeds to step T12 (step T11). On the other hand, if the determination result is “yes”, the line automatic selection management means 11 passes control to the communication control program, and the communication control program connects the information terminal device 100 to the selected line (step T12). Steps T9 and T10 are optional and can be omitted.

<Embodiment 3> A third embodiment of the automatic line selection method according to the present invention relates to a network application (for example, W
Internet navigation tools represented by WW browsers and e-mail reception confirmation applications,
Use an application to acquire an e-mail arrival confirmation list and body text via personal computer communication, connect a high-speed line for each long character mail (PHS sending / receiving application), or use a low-cost line Whether or not to make a connection is set in advance, and each time an application is started, a connection to the communication network is made through the set line. The user may be able to set the line settings for each network application. Here, the network application is a data transmission / reception program group that is represented by a certain name (or symbol or number) on the Internet, personal computer communication, PHS, or the like and is started by specifying the name. It is recorded on a recording medium for storing programs such as a ROM 23 flash memory or a magnetic disk.

The configuration of the information terminal device used in the present embodiment is the same as that of the information terminal 100 'of FIG. 5 described above, except that the recording medium 3 is replaced by the line selection reference information file 31 of FIG. The difference is that a reference information file 64 is provided. Also, if the information terminal device is a mobile phone or PHS
And the like (FIG. 1 (c)).

Hereinafter, a receiving unit 1, a display unit 4, and a transmitting unit 6 having the same configuration and function as those of the information terminal device 100 of FIG.
A description of the control unit 2 and the recording unit 3 will be omitted.

The control unit 2 operates as shown in FIG.
MPU composed of PU21, RAM22 and ROM23
Based on the connection instruction from the input device 5, the line automatic selection method of the present invention is implemented to automatically select a line suitable for the service to be used this time, and receive individual service contents to provide the user with In order to provide the information, the operation of the entire information terminal device 100 'is controlled. The ROM 23 has a control program for controlling the entire operation of the information terminal device 100 ', a communication control program for managing the transmission and reception of data to and from a communication line in accordance with a prescribed communication protocol, and a line automatic selection according to the present invention. A line automatic selection means 70 or 70 '(FIG. 8) comprising a group of programs for realizing the method and automatically selecting a line suitable for the current service is stored.

When the automatic line selection means 70 (70 ') is configured to record on the recording medium 3, the CPU
21 extracts RA from the recording unit 3 and selects RA
It is stored in M22 and executed.

The line automatic selection means 70 (7) downloaded via a wired or wireless communication network
0 ′) may be stored in the RAM 22 and executed, or may be recorded in the recording unit 3. In this case, the automatic line selection means 70 (70 ') may be downloaded each time it is necessary, or may be downloaded in advance and stored in the recording unit 3.
May be recorded.

The recording unit 3 is made of a removable storage medium such as a flash memory, a memory card, an FD, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc., and the access point required when the control unit 2 implements the automatic line selection method of the present invention. Access to the candidate information file 31 and the line selection reference information 34 and to a data file or the like for recording a communication history and recording information obtained by a service is performed via a recording medium storage device (not shown).

Incidentally, the automatic line selection means 70 (70 ') may be configured to record on the recording medium 3. Alternatively, the automatic line selection means downloaded via a wired or wireless communication network may be recorded on the recording medium 3.

The line selection reference information file 64 contains a network application name (or symbol or number) in advance.
And an application / line type table in which the respective line speeds are associated with each other are registered in advance (Tables 2, 3, and 4). The application / line type table may be registered in advance in the line selection reference information file 64 by a maker, a software manufacturer, a provider, a personal computer communication service provider, or the like, and may be used. Input device 5 by a predetermined registration means
, The user may be able to register / update the application / line type table.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the automatic line selection means. In FIG. 8, line automatic selection means 7
0 includes a line selecting means 72 and a line connecting means 73 as shown in FIG. When the network application is started, the line selecting means 72 determines the type of the connection line based on the type (name, symbol, or number) of the network. As an example of the determination method, in the embodiment, the line selection reference information file 64 is referred to, and the type of the connection line registered in the application / line type table is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

The line connection means 73 gives the type of the selected connection line and the corresponding access point designation parameter to the communication control program, and communicates the information terminal device 100 (100 ', 100 ") according to the selected line speed. In this case, the communication control program tries to connect at the selected line speed via the transmission unit 6,
The trial is repeated until the connection is established or the connection instruction is released.

Further, the automatic line selecting means 70 is provided with a registering means 71 as shown in (b), and the user registers the application / line type of the line selection reference information file 64 from the input device 5 for each network application.
You may make it updateable.

Each of these units is configured as a program module, and is stored in the ROM 23 or recorded in the recording unit 3 as described above.
At the start of 00, the program is read out to the RAM 22 by the control program and executed under the control of the CPU 21.

[Embodiment 1] This embodiment is an example in which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied to a network application in Internet or personal computer communication. Various information search means (navigation tools) have been developed and provided on the Internet. One of the typical navigation tools (programs) is a WWW browser (WWW = abbreviation for World Wide Wib). In the WWW browser, information distributed on the Internet is associated with and converted into hypertext. In order to use this information, the WWW browser uses UR.
The location of information is specified using a notation called L (Uniform Resource Locators). The URL is, for example, http: //www.ssjapa
The format is n.co.jp/data.htm (in this example,
HTTP (Hype) which is a communication protocol of WWW browser
r TextTransfer Protocol) connection target (= WW
Dat at the address of www.KKjapan.co.jp (the network address of the computer system of the search service company KK Japan) which is the link target of W
a.htm HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)
Format file). Information sources that can be specified by URL are not only based on HTTP, but also, for example,
You can access them by specifying email services.

Table 2 is a diagram showing the structure of one embodiment of a line selection reference information file 64 in which network applications available on the Internet and types of connection lines corresponding to the network applications are registered. In Table 2, a symbol or number indicating a network application is registered in the application name 641, and a symbol or number indicating a type of connection line such as a high-speed line connection or a low-cost line connection is registered in the line type column 642. I have. Note that an access point may be registered in the line type column 642.

[0090]

[Table 2]

FIG. 9 shows that the information terminal device 100 or the information terminal 100 ′ (excluding the PHS information terminal) can be connected to one or more networks and has a plurality of network applications for one or more networks. 9 is a flowchart showing an automatic line selection operation in the case where the operation is performed. In this example, the association between the network application and the line is designed as shown in Table 2.

In FIG. 9, when the network application is started, the control unit 2 obtains an application name (a symbol or a number (code) corresponding to a command or a name specifying an application program group) acquired at the time of starting the network application. Is acquired, and the line type corresponding to the application name is extracted with reference to the line selection reference information file 64 (U1).

Next, the extracted line type is checked (U
2) If the connection is a high-speed line, a connection operation with a high-speed line is performed (U3), and if the line type is a high-speed line, a connection operation with a low-cost line is performed (U4).

With the above configuration, in the case of the Internet, data transmission / reception by a WWW browser, or in a network application having a large amount of data such as mail reception and mail transfer, automatic connection to a high-speed line can be made. If the amount of data is small, it can be automatically connected to a low-cost line. Also, in the case of personal computer communication, the arriving e-mails of e-mails, receiving e-mails, downloading forums, downloading and uploading files, chatting, searching information, etc. By registering in the application / line type table of the information file 64, it is possible to connect to a line having an appropriate speed. Further, the transmission / reception of data with a mobile phone or other mobile devices can be similarly connected to a line having an appropriate speed by registering the data in the application / line type table of the line selection reference information file 64. As shown in FIG. 5, access points having different line speeds (charges) in the vicinity of the user for each type of connection line, access point designation parameters,
An access point candidate information file 61 in which the line speed, the usage fee, etc. are registered in advance as the access point information is provided, and in step U2, step U3 or U4 is performed.
Before executing the access point candidate information file 6
1, the connection line, speed, fee, etc. are displayed, and the user confirms the connection line.
4 may be executed. In this case, the user can select a desired line speed from the input device 5.

[Embodiment 2] In PHS, there is a short text mail service for transmitting and receiving text (including symbols) messages. In the case of PHS, the size of data to be transmitted and received is determined by standards, and the packet method is not adopted unlike the Internet and other communication networks. It cannot be handled as an electronic mail as in the case of a message (Example 1).

Note that short text mail (short message) transmits / receives messages up to the data size of the voice signal (defined by the standard), so there is no need to select a line. In the long text mail service for transmitting and receiving a message having a large number of characters by extension, the data size of the voice signal is exceeded, so that it is desirable that the line can be selected according to the amount of the message. This embodiment is an example in which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied to a PHS.

Table 3 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a line selection criterion information file 64 in which the types of connection lines corresponding to the network applications available in the PHS are registered. The application name column 641 and the line type column 64
The meaning of 2 is the same as in Table 2. The line type column 642
32kPIAFS and 64kPIAFS mean the line speed standard of PHS.

[0098]

[Table 3]

The automatic line selection operation in the case of the PHS information terminal device is the same as that in FIG. In this example, the correspondence between the network application and the line is designed as shown in Table 3.

According to the above configuration, in the case of a long text mail service using PHS, a network application having a large data amount, such as receiving a long text mail body, can automatically connect to a high-speed line (64 kPIAFS in this example). When the data amount is small, such as reception confirmation, a low-cost line (32 kPIAF in this example)
S) can be automatically connected.

[Embodiment 3] In each of the above embodiments, the line type is determined according to the type of the network application (see Table 2).
9 (Tables 2 and 3), for example, the number of mails (that is, the data amount) in the case of receiving a mail. Regardless of the above, the high-speed line is always selected, but in practice it is necessary to confirm whether the high-speed line can be selected based on the number of e-mails, and not to select the high-speed line if the number is small (= low-cost line selection) Is desirable.

In this embodiment, when a network application receives an e-mail text, it is determined whether a high-speed line or a low-cost line is to be used according to the amount of e-mail.

In FIG. 10, when the application name acquired when the network application is activated is “Receive E-mail (or long text mail)”, it is connected to a low-cost line (V1) and the number of received mails is A confirmation request is issued to obtain the number of mails (V2). The number of received e-mails is checked (V3). If the number of received e-mails is equal to or more than a predetermined value (10 in this example), a connection is made to a high-speed line and the state transits to V6 (V4). It connects to the line and transits to V6 (V5). When the line is connected, the control unit 2 starts a mail receiving operation (V
6). According to the above configuration, it is possible to confirm whether or not a high-speed line can be selected according to the number of mails when receiving a mail, and to automatically select a low-cost line when the number of mails is small, thereby reducing line usage fees.

[Fourth Embodiment] This embodiment is a generalized example of the third embodiment. In the case where the network application receives a mail text / transmits a mail text and transfers a file, it determines whether a high-speed line or a low-cost line is used depending on the amount of data. This is an example in which a decision is made. Table 4 is a diagram showing the structure of one embodiment of the line selection reference information file 64. In Table 4, a symbol or number indicating a network application is registered as the application name 641 in the line type column A6.
In the field 42, a symbol or number indicating the type of connection line such as a high-speed line connection or a low-cost line connection is registered.
In the line type column B643, a symbol or number indicating the type of connection line such as a low-cost line connection is registered when the network application is the reception of the mail body, the transmission of the mail body, or the file transfer. Nothing is registered (in this case, it is blank).

In the reference value column 644, a high-speed line determination reference value is registered when the network application is a mail text reception, a mail text transmission, or a file transfer, and the reference value is set to 0 for other network applications. I have. In the example of Table 4, the reference value = 10 (unit: sheets) in the case of receiving and transmitting the mail text,
In the case of file transfer, reference value = 20 (K bytes) is registered.

In the send / receive column 645, a code indicating whether the network application is sending or receiving mail body text, sending or receiving mail body text, or file transfer is registered. For other network applications, the reference value = 0. It has been. In the example of Table 4, code = 1 is registered for reception, and code = 2 is registered for transmission.
Note that an access point may be registered in the line type column 642.

[0107]

[Table 4]

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an automatic line selection operation of the information terminal apparatus 100 (100 ') for determining whether the line is a high-speed line or a low-cost line according to the data amount of the network application. In this example, the association between the network application and the line is designed as shown in Table 4.

In FIG. 11, the network application is started, and the line types A and B, the reference value, and the transmission / reception code corresponding to the application name are taken out (W
1). Next, it is checked whether the reference value is 0 or not.
, And if it is not 0, it transitions to W4 (W2).
If the reference value is 0 in step W3, the extracted line type is checked. If the extracted line type is a high-speed line connection, the state transits to W8, and if the line type is a high-speed line, the state transits to W9 (W3). . If the reference value is not 0 in step W3, the transmission / reception code is checked. If the transmission / reception code is 2, the flow transits to W5; otherwise, the flow transits to W6 (W4). If the transmission / reception code is 2 in step W4, the connection is made to a low-cost line (W5), a request for confirmation of the number of received mails is issued to the server, and the number of mails is acquired (W6). Next, the data amount is checked (W7), and if the data amount is equal to or larger than the reference value, a connection to a high-speed line is made (W7).
8) If less than the predetermined value, connect to a low-cost line (W9). With the above configuration, network applications with large amounts of data, such as mail reception and mail transfer, automatically connect to high-speed lines when the amount of data is large, and automatically connect to low-cost lines when the amount of data is small. Can connect. In addition to the examples in Table 4, forum downloads, file downloads and uploads,
And a line selection reference information file 64 for the connection line type of the network application such as chat, information retrieval, etc.
By registering in the application / line type table, a line with an appropriate speed can be connected.

[0110]

As described above, according to the automatic line speed selection method of the first invention and the information terminal device of the second to fourth inventions, an appropriate line speed is automatically set for each desired communication service. Can be used at a low price. In addition, the line speed can be selected using standard data regardless of the number of times of use, and the line selection is automatically performed by a program, so the time until connection is shorter than when the user manually specifies from the input device, In addition, it is possible to prevent a human error such as a user's empirical judgment error or an operation error.

According to the line speed automatic selection method of the fifth invention and the information terminal device of the sixth to eighth inventions, the line speed can be automatically selected according to the actual use of each communication service. Automatically select the line speed that suits your needs. Further, since the line selection is automatically performed by a program, the time required for connection can be reduced as compared with a case where the user manually designates from the input device. Mistakes can be prevented.

Further, according to the automatic line speed selection method of the ninth aspect and the information terminal device of the tenth aspect, the line speed is determined according to the type of the activated network application. For network applications where the connection is completed in a relatively short time, it automatically connects to a low-cost line. For network applications with a large data size or long connection to the communication network, a high-speed line is used. Automatically, the communication cost and billing can be reduced when the information terminal device is used without the user's operation, and the load on the high-speed line can be prevented from being concentrated on the line.

Further, according to the information terminal device of the eleventh aspect, a high-speed line or a low-cost line can be automatically selected and connected to the line depending on the amount of data, so that communication costs and billing are further reduced. It is possible to further reduce the load on the high-speed line.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information terminal device to which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a line automatic selection unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an execution order of each unit which is a component of a line automatic selection unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information terminal device to which the automatic line selection method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a line automatic selection unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a control unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a line automatic selection unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic line selection operation of the information terminal device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of automatic line selection operation of the information terminal device when the network application receives an e-mail text.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an automatic line selection operation of the information terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium 23 ROM (recording medium) 10, 20 Automatic line selection means 12 Time data calculation means 13 Data amount estimation means 14 Line selection means 23 Line point calculation means 24 Line selection means 31 Access point information file 33 Communication history file 34 Line Selection reference information file 61 Access point information file 64 Line selection reference information file (line reference information registration means) 70 Automatic line selection means 100, 100 'Information terminal device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04L 29/08 H04L 11/00 310C H04M 11/00 303 13/00 307C 15/16

Claims (14)

[Claims] In a line connection preparation operation in a communication network, for a communication service desired this time, a step of estimating a total data amount from an elapsed time from a previous connection date and time to a current time, a line connection time up to the previous time, and an average data amount. Obtaining a connection time for each line speed of the communication network based on the total data amount, calculating a charge for each line speed, and selecting a line speed with the lowest charge. A method for automatically selecting the line speed of a communication network. 2. An information terminal device for exchanging data with a communication network, comprising: an access point candidate information file in which access point candidate information for connecting the information terminal device to the communication network at a selected line speed is registered; An information terminal device, comprising: a communication history file in which is recorded, and line automatic selection means for selecting an optimum connection line based on the communication history. 3. The access point candidate information file includes, for each access point, access point designation information, a line speed, and usage fee information of the line speed. 3. The information terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the information terminal device includes a line speed, a connection time, and an average data amount. 4. The line automatic selection means obtains a previous connection date and time from the communication history and calculates time data based on an elapsed time up to the current time, and a time data calculation means for a communication service desired this time. Data amount estimating means for estimating a total data amount from the line connection time and average data amount up to the previous time obtained from the communication history and the time data, and a connection for each line speed of the communication network based on the total data amount Get time, calculate the usage fee for each line speed based on the access point candidate information,
3. The information terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a line selecting unit that selects a line speed with the lowest usage fee. 5. In a line connection preparation operation in a communication network, a communication service desired this time based on a line speed adapted to each communication service obtained through the communication network and an evaluation point given to each communication service. And a step of selecting a line speed based on a result of comparison between the evaluation point of the desired communication service and a reference point this time. 6. An information terminal device for exchanging data with a communication network, comprising: an access point candidate registration file for specifying an access point candidate for connecting the information terminal device to the communication network at a selected line speed; An information terminal device comprising: a line selection reference information file in which information is recorded; and a line automatic selection unit that selects an optimum connection line based on the line selection reference information. 7. The access point candidate registration file includes, for each access point, access point designation information, line speed and usage fee information of the line speed, and the selection criterion information file is used for each communication of the communication network. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, wherein a line speed adapted to the service and an evaluation point given to each communication service are included as line selection reference information. 8. The automatic line selection means reads out the evaluation points of the used service from the line selection criterion information file for each desired communication service at this time, and calculates a line point to obtain the total of the evaluation points of the desired used service. Means, comparing the sum of the evaluation points with a reference value, selecting a high-speed line if the total of the evaluation points is equal to or more than the reference value, and selecting a low-speed line if the total evaluation point is less than the reference value. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, comprising means. 9. An information terminal apparatus for exchanging data with a communication network, wherein a step of selecting an application from network applications executable by the information terminal apparatus, and a line speed corresponding to the selected network application Determining a line speed of a communication network. 10. An information terminal device for exchanging data with a communication network, wherein: line reference information registration means for registering a line speed corresponding to each of network applications executable by the information terminal device; When one of them is started, a connection line of the started network application is determined based on the information registered in the line reference information registration unit, and a line automatic selection unit that performs connection with the determined line. An information terminal device comprising: 11. The line determination unit determines a connection line of the network application based on information registered in the line reference information registration unit and an amount of information that can be received or transmitted by executing the activated network application. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein
Information terminal device as described in the above. 12. A recording medium in which a program for preparing connection to a communication network by an information terminal device is recorded. Estimating the total data amount from the connection time and the average data amount, obtaining the connection time for each line speed of the communication network based on the total data amount, calculating the usage fee for each line speed, A recording medium recording a line automatic selection program, wherein a line having the lowest line speed is selected. 13. A recording medium in which a program for preparing connection to a communication network by an information terminal device is recorded, wherein a line speed adapted to each communication service obtained via the communication network and a communication speed given to each communication service are provided. A line automatic selection program characterized by obtaining an evaluation point of a communication service desired this time based on the evaluation points obtained, and selecting a line based on a comparison result of the evaluation point of the communication service desired and a reference point this time. The recording medium on which it was recorded. 14. A recording medium recording a program for preparing for connection to a communication network by an information terminal device, wherein the information terminal device selects an application from network applications executable by the information terminal device, and selects the selected application. A recording medium on which a line automatic selection program is recorded, wherein a line having a line speed corresponding to a network application is selected.