JP2005080175A - Portable terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal device capable of switching communication function modules at an optimal timing is obtained.
Communication function holding means for holding a plurality of types of communication function modules, user profile holding means for holding a user profile in which a predetermined timing for switching the communication function modules is designated, and the user Based on the priority specified in the profile and the broadcast information broadcast from the base station, the communication function selection means 105 for selecting one optimal communication function module, and a predetermined time specified in the user profile The communication function switching time determining means 108 for determining whether or not it is the timing, and when the communication function switching time determining means determines that the current time is the predetermined time, the current communication function module is selected as the selected communication. Communication function switching means to switch to function module It was constructed and 06 are provided.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone that is used while switching a plurality of different communication functions on software on a single hardware.

  In recent years, with the development of mobile communication technology, a variety of wireless communication system services have been provided. Each of these wireless communication systems has advantages and disadvantages, and a user can use them depending on their use and location. For example, the technology called software defined radio discussed at http://www.sdrforum.org requires that the communication function be implemented only in software, and that the software be downloaded and used as necessary. Is assumed.

  A conventional portable terminal device includes an RF / IF / baseband processing unit and a wireless link connection unit composed of a protocol processing unit, a data processing unit for processing data communicated with a base station, Input / output means for displaying the selected wireless communication service on an LCD or the like and receiving an instruction to select any one wireless communication system selected by the user, wireless link connection control program storage means for storing a plurality of software programs, location information A wireless link mode detecting means for determining a wireless communication service received at the position from the obtained current position information, a position information obtaining means for obtaining the current position information of the terminal, a GPS antenna, and a wireless communication antenna Configure. A wireless communication system that can receive a service from the location information that the user is currently in and a table that stores the priority order of users are selected to select the wireless communication system with the highest priority (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when the communication environment deteriorates due to a change in the wireless communication environment or when a new wireless communication is started, another conventional portable terminal device selects a wireless communication means that is not currently used, A communication mode search is performed at the multi-mode wireless communication control station, and an optimal wireless communication method is selected from a plurality of wireless communication methods by receiving this response (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-199451 (first page, FIG. 3) JP 2001-217858 A (first page, FIG. 1)

  In the conventional portable terminal device as described above, even if an optimal communication function module can be selected or a communication function module with a high priority specified by the user can be selected, the communication function module is switched at any timing. It is unknown what should be done. If the timing is wrong, switching occurs frequently, and there is a problem that it may take only switching time rather than performing original communication. Further, when the communication function module is downloaded and switched, it is necessary to download the communication function module after determining whether or not it should be downloaded, and it is unclear regarding the determination of this timing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a portable terminal device capable of switching communication function modules at an optimum timing.

  A portable terminal device according to the present invention is a portable terminal device that performs communication by switching a communication function module that is software, and includes a communication function holding unit that holds a plurality of types of communication function modules, and the communication function module. User profile holding means for holding a user profile in which a priority order to be used and a predetermined timing for switching the communication function module are specified, a priority order specified in the user profile, and a current position notified from the base station Communication function selection means for selecting one optimal communication function module based on broadcast information indicating communication function modules available in the area and the surrounding area, and whether the current time is a predetermined timing specified in the user profile Communication function switching time determination means for determining whether or not Communication function switching for switching the currently used communication function module to the communication function module selected by the communication function selecting means when the communication function switching time determining means determines that the current time is the predetermined timing. Means.

  The portable terminal device according to the present invention has an effect that the communication function module can be switched at an optimal timing.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication service system including a portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol shows the same or equivalent part.

  In FIG. 1, a base station 1 is in a communication service area 6 and notifies local service information to a portable terminal device 5 such as a mobile phone. The local service information is information on communication services (communication function modules) that can be used in the area and information on communication services (communication function modules) that can be used in areas around the area. Similar to the base station 1, the base station 2 broadcasts local service information and the like to the portable terminal device 5 in the adjacent communication service area 7. The base stations 3 and 4 also notify local service information to the portable terminal device 5 in the communication service areas 8 and 9, respectively.

  The notified service information of the area is notified by using a communication service available in the area, and in the portable terminal device 5, it can be determined to which area the mobile terminal device 5 belongs based on the strength of the radio wave. It is possible to determine which area the GPS device is in.

  In many cases, it is difficult to specify because the server can be accessed via multiple base stations, but in addition to the radio field strength, which base station and which base station radio wave enters, where You can also identify if you are in Moreover, even if it is not possible to completely identify one area, it may be considered that a plurality of communication service areas are collected and belong to somewhere in the service area group.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the portable terminal device 5 can hold a plurality of types of communication function modules (software) 102 by the communication function holding means 101. Further, the user profile holding unit 103 holds the user profile 104 in which the priority order and switching timing of the communication function modules are specified by the user.

  In addition, the portable terminal device 5 includes a communication function selection unit 105 for selecting an optimal communication function module 102 from a plurality of types of communication function modules 102 held by the communication function holding unit 101, and a communication function Communication function switching means 106 for switching the communication function module 102 selected by the function selection means 105 to the communication function module 102 currently in use, and the communication function module 102 from the outside of the portable terminal device 5 using wireless communication or the like. Download means 107 that can download and hold the communication function using the communication function holding means 101, communication function switching time determination means 108 that switches the communication function module 102 at an optimal timing, and a communication function module 102 to be downloaded It is determined whether it can be executed by the portable terminal device 5. Includes a function confirmation unit 109 to confirm, the download timing determining means 110 for determining when to perform the download of the communication function module 102.

  Next, the operation of the portable terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This will be described according to the flow shown in FIG.

  First, in step 201, the portable terminal device 5 receives broadcast information (regional service information) from the base station using the currently used communication function module 102.

  Next, in step 202, the notification information is analyzed. The broadcast information flows in a fixed format, and communication function modules that can be used at the place where the user is currently listed are listed, and this information is acquired. Also, if information about the area around the place where you are currently informed, this is acquired in the same way.

  Next, in step 203, the communication function selection means 105 determines which communication function module should be used based on the acquired notification information. For example, there is information that the communication function module A is currently used and the communication function module B can also be used in the current area. However, it is possible to determine that the communication function module B should be used in the case where the communication function module B can be used in all areas but the communication function module A cannot be used.

  Next, in step 204, the download timing determination unit 110 determines whether the communication function module B needs to be downloaded, that is, whether the communication function module B is actually available on the portable terminal device 5. The communication function holding unit 101 of the portable terminal device 5 checks whether or not the communication function module B is present. If the communication function module B does not exist, the download is necessary, and the process proceeds to step 206. If the communication function module B exists, downloading is not necessary, and the process proceeds to step 205.

  In step 205, the communication function switching unit 106 determines whether the communication function module can be switched. For example, it may be determined that switching is not performed if communication is currently being performed, or it may be determined that switching is performed immediately if switching is possible. Switching is performed by the communication function switching means 106.

  In step 206, the download unit 107 downloads the communication function module B using the communication function module A and stores it in the communication function holding unit 101. Then, it progresses to step 205.

  First, when switching from the application, it looks like it is running, and then stops the current communication function module, changes the address of the I / F call unit common to each communication function module, or selects which communication function module The communication function module is replaced by a method such as changing a flag to be called, and then activated to make it appear as if it is continuously executed from the application. That is, each communication function module corresponds to a common I / F calling unit, and the communication function switching unit 106 stops the currently used communication function module, and the I / F calling unit of each communication function module. Is changed to a different communication function module, and another communication function module is activated.

  In addition, the memory layout of the communication function module may be physically replaced instead of rewriting the address of the I / F calling unit. That is, the communication function switching means 106 stops the currently used communication function module, changes the arrangement of the communication function module on the memory, changes to another communication function module, in other words, is currently used. Another communication function module is overwritten on the memory of the communication function module, and another communication function module is activated.

  When the switching is completed, the communication function module 102 is switched by entering a loop of deciding what to do next by looking at the notification information again.

  Here, step 203 for determining which communication function module is to be used will be described with a more detailed example. It is assumed that the communication function module A and the communication function module B can be used at the place where the user is present with the information obtained from the notification information. In addition, as the user profile information specified in the user profile 104, information as to which communication function module is prioritized is also confirmed. According to this priority information, it is determined whether the communication function module A or the communication function module B is selected.

  Furthermore, information on neighboring areas may be used. The communication function module A and the communication function module B can be used in the area where the user is present. If there is an area where the communication function module B cannot be used even in one of the adjacent areas, the communication function module A is used. Further, when the communication function modules A, B, and C can be used in the area where the user is present, and the communication function modules A and C are all available in the surrounding area, the communication function is referred to the user profile 104. The method of selecting the higher priority among modules A and C may be used.

  If there are no communication function modules that can be used in all adjacent areas, select a communication function module that can be used in as many areas as possible, or refer to the information in the user profile 104 if there are multiple candidates. You can also follow the priority order.

  That is, the communication function selection unit 105 selects a communication function module having the highest priority specified in the user profile 104 from among communication function modules that can be used in the current area, or a communication function that can be used in the current area. Among the communication function modules that can be used in all adjacent areas, select the communication function module with the highest priority specified in the user profile 104 or use the communication function module in the current area. Among the communication function modules that can be used in the most neighboring areas, the communication function module having the highest priority in the user profile 104 is selected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the download operation of the portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The download method in step 206 will be described in detail using the flow shown in FIG.

  Download the necessary communication function modules using the communication function modules that are currently available. In downloading, first, in step 301, the portable terminal device 5 transmits a download request to the server that provides the service by the download means 107.

  Next, in step 302, in order to specify which communication function module is required by the download means 107 and the communication function module operable on the terminal, the terminal identification code, CPU, amount of installed memory, etc. Is sent to the server.

  On the server side, a communication function module that can be executed by the portable terminal device 5 is specified, and the specified communication function module is transmitted to the portable terminal device 5.

  In step 303, the download function 107 downloads a communication function module that can be executed by the portable terminal device 5 from the server.

  When the information on the portable terminal device 5 is sent between step 302 and step 303, the server side sends the required memory capacity and the requirements regarding the detailed specifications of the terminal such as platform information. May be determined and confirmed by the function confirmation means 109 on the terminal side and downloaded if there is no problem.

  Whether the communication function module is checked on the server side or the terminal side, whether the memory or other resources are sufficient, or whether the platform has sufficient functions, is the specified platform Execute from the same point of view.

  The download timing determination means 110 determines when to download. The download timing may be a method of downloading if the communication function module is not selected on the portable terminal device 5 at the stage of selection.

  Further, the switching of the communication function module may be performed immediately after the download is completed, or may be performed immediately after the currently used application is terminated, or may be executed at the user's discretion by asking for confirmation. Alternatively, it may be executed when the communication function module is disconnected. An example of switching these by specifying them in the user profile 104 will be described using the flow of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the communication function switching operation of the portable terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the detailed operation of steps 204 to 206 in FIG.

  First, step 401 corresponds to steps 204 and 206 in FIG.

  Next, in step 402, if it is specified by the communication function switching time determination means 108 that the user profile 104 always switches immediately after downloading, it is determined whether the communication function module is the optimum communication function module again in step 407 immediately after downloading. Is switched after confirming, for example, by the communication function selection means 105.

  Next, in step 403, when the user profile 104 specifies that the communication function switching time determination means 108 should not switch immediately after downloading, it is determined again immediately after the area has changed, and immediately after the area has changed. If it is designated to switch if necessary, the process proceeds to step 407 immediately after the area is changed, and it is switched again by determining whether or not it is optimal.

  Next, in step 404, if the communication function switching time determination means 108 does not specify switching even if the region changes in the user profile 104, whether or not switching should be performed when the application is terminated is described in the user profile 104. If it is specified that the application is to be switched immediately after the application is terminated, the process proceeds to step 407 again immediately after the application is terminated and switched.

  Next, in step 405, if the communication function switching time determination means 108 specifies that the user profile 104 should not be switched even when the application is terminated, it is determined whether or not switching should be performed due to communication interruption during application execution. If it is designated to switch when communication is interrupted, the communication is interrupted while the application is being executed, and the process proceeds to step 407 to determine again whether it is optimal or not.

  Next, at step 406, the communication function switching time determination means 108 immediately proceeds to step 407 at the end of communication, that is, when the currently used communication function module is not used. Determine and switch.

  In this way, the designated conditions are checked sequentially and switched when necessary. Therefore, the flow shown in FIG. 5 does not necessarily have to be processed in the order shown, and may be implemented as an event-driven flow when a specified condition occurs. When the area existing in the flow changes, or when the radio wave intensity changes, there may be a case where the flow progresses halfway, or the flow is restarted from the beginning.

  According to the first embodiment, in the portable terminal device 5 that replaces and executes wireless function modules as in software radio, when the communication function modules are switched at an optimal timing, It does not take time for replacement or download of the communication function module, and there is an effect that it can be used as if using an ordinary portable terminal device. By using software defined radio seamlessly, there is also an effect that the communication function module can be used in a desirable usage form in consideration of cost for the user.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the radio | wireless communication service system containing the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the download operation | movement of the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of communication function switching of the portable terminal device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2, 3, 4 Base station, 5 Portable terminal, 6, 7, 8, 9 Communication service area, 101 Communication function holding means, 102 Communication function module, 103 User profile holding means, 104 User profile, 105 Communication Function selection means, 106 communication function switching means, 107 download means, 108 communication function switching time determination means, 109 function confirmation means, 110 download timing determination means.

Claims (8)

A portable terminal device that performs communication by switching a communication function module that is software,
Communication function holding means for holding a plurality of types of communication function modules;
User profile holding means for holding a user profile in which a priority order of using the communication function module and a predetermined timing for switching the communication function module are specified;
One optimal communication function module is selected based on the priority order specified in the user profile and the broadcast information notified from the base station and indicating the communication function module usable in the area of the current position and the surrounding area. A communication function selection means;
Communication function switching time determination means for determining whether or not the current time is a predetermined timing specified in the user profile;
A communication function that switches the currently used communication function module to the communication function module selected by the communication function selection means when the communication function switching time determination means determines that the current time is the predetermined timing. A portable terminal device comprising: switching means. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising download means for downloading another communication function module from a server and storing it in the communication function holding means. The portable terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined timing specified in the user profile is immediately after downloading. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing specified in the user profile is a time when an existing region has changed. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined timing specified in the user profile is an application end timing. The portable terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined timing specified in the user profile is a time when communication is interrupted during execution of the application. The portable terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined timing specified in the user profile is a case where the current communication function module is not used. When the communication function module to be selected by the communication function selection unit is not in the communication function holding unit, the download unit downloads the communication function module to be selected from a server and stores it in the communication function holding unit The portable terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising a determination unit.

Images