JP2017011419A - Quality information sharing system, quality information sharing apparatus, communication terminal, quality information sharing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Quality information for each application used in a communication terminal is shared by cooperation between a telecommunications carrier and a user to improve communication QoE. One or more communication terminals and a quality information sharing apparatus connected to the communication terminal via a network are transmitted from the communication terminal when an application is used in any of the communication terminals. A quality information receiving unit that receives quality information of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, and a user experience quality (QoE) of communication in the communication area related to the quality information based on each quality information received by the quality information receiving unit. ) And an information transmission unit that transmits information for improving the user experience quality (QoE) to any one of the communication terminals based on the estimation result by the estimation unit. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a quality information sharing system, a quality information sharing device, a communication terminal, a quality information sharing method, and a program.

  With the spread of smartphones and tablet terminals, various applications via the Internet are provided on mobile networks. With the diversification of applications, the controlling factors of user quality of experience (QoE) have diversified due to factors other than network quality, and QoE is not determined only by network quality. For example, in applications such as video distribution, voice call, route guidance, and cloud storage, factors that greatly affect QoE are different from each other. In other words, it is not sufficient to consider only the network throughput.

  On the other hand, the current situation is that communication carriers are also required to cope with the tightness of network resources such as radio resources due to the rapid spread of mobile applications. In view of these circumstances, in the future mobile network, not only the quality improvement framework closed to the telecommunications carrier as in the past, but also the user himself provides information and resources to the network carrier. It is considered that a framework for improving QoE is useful by performing the above and cooperating with the communication carrier.

  Non-Patent Document 1 benefits ISP providers and end users by cooperating end users under the same ISP (Internet Service Provider) to users who are downloading files for the BitTorrent network. We propose a method that can do this and show its effectiveness.

T. Karagiannis, P. Rodriguez and K. Papagiannaki, "Should internet service providers fear peer-assisted content distribution ?," Proc. Internet Measurement Conference, 2005.

  However, Non-Patent Document 1 covers only a specific P2P (Peer to Peer) network, and the provider side that provides the communication service does not explicitly cooperate. In addition, for general-purpose applications, a collaborative model between end users and operators for the purpose of improving QoE has not been proposed so far.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to improve the QoE of communication by sharing quality information for each application used in a communication terminal by cooperation between a communication carrier and a user. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a quality information sharing system including one or more communication terminals and a quality information sharing apparatus connected to the communication terminal via a network, the communication terminal being connected to the communication terminal When the application is used, the quality information indicating the communication quality of the communication area to which the communication terminal belongs is transmitted to the quality information sharing device, and the quality information sharing device based on the quality information. An information receiving unit that receives information for improving quality of experience (QoE) related to communication performed by the communication terminal, and the quality information sharing apparatus is one of the communication terminals Receiving the quality information of the communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, transmitted from the communication terminal when the application is used in A quality information receiving unit; an estimation unit for estimating a user experience quality (QoE) of communication in a communication area related to the quality information based on each quality information received by the quality information receiving unit; and an estimation by the estimation unit And an information transmission unit configured to transmit information for improving the user experience quality (QoE) to any one of the communication terminals based on the result.

  Quality information for each application used in the communication terminal can be shared by cooperation between the communication carrier and the user, and communication QoE can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the quality information sharing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the quality information sharing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the quality information sharing system in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the whole process sequence. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a user information storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a quality information storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the area map screen in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which a communication terminal and a quality information sharing apparatus perform in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an area information storage part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the quality information sharing apparatus performs in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the high quality area screen in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the quality information sharing apparatus performs in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which one part communication terminal performed switching of the connection destination in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the state by which the ad hoc network was constructed | assembled in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which the quality information sharing apparatus performs in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which prefetch is performed about a specific application in 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a quality information sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the quality information sharing system 1 includes a plurality of communication terminals 20 of the communication terminals 20-1 to 20 -N and the quality information sharing apparatus 10.

  Each communication terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a feature phone, and is used by an end user of the quality information sharing system 1. In the present embodiment, each communication terminal 20 enjoys a service provided by the quality information sharing apparatus 10. Each communication terminal 20 can communicate with the quality information sharing apparatus 10 via a wireless communication network such as a wireless local area network (LAN) or a mobile communication network.

  The quality information sharing apparatus 10 is, for example, one or more computers installed by a telecommunications carrier that provides communication services to a plurality of communication terminals 20. The quality information sharing apparatus 10 provides a service for transmitting information for improving QoE related to communication by each communication terminal 20 to each communication terminal 20. The communication by each communication terminal 20 is communication performed with use of the application in the communication terminal 20, for example. Here, the application is, for example, an application used from each communication terminal 20 for Internet sharing. However, the application may be an application that is installed in each communication terminal 20 and performs communication via the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the quality information sharing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The quality information sharing apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 includes a drive device 100, an auxiliary storage device 102, a memory device 103, a CPU 104, an interface device 105, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the quality information sharing apparatus 10 is provided by a recording medium 101 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 101 storing the program is set in the drive device 100, the program is installed from the recording medium 101 to the auxiliary storage device 102 via the drive device 100. However, the program need not be installed from the recording medium 101 and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 102 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 103 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 102 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 104 executes functions related to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 103. The interface device 105 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  In addition, each communication terminal 20 should just have the hardware constitutions similar to a general communication terminal.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the quality information sharing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the quality information sharing apparatus 10 includes a use area registration unit 11, a quality information registration unit 12, a quality estimation unit 13, a quality estimation information disclosure unit 14, a user behavior control unit 15, and the like. Each of these units is realized by a process that the CPU 104 causes one or more programs installed in the quality information sharing apparatus 10 to execute. The quality information sharing apparatus 10 also uses a user information storage unit 16, an area quality storage unit 17, an application information storage unit 18, an area information storage unit 19, and the like. The user information storage unit 16, the area quality storage unit 17, the application information storage unit 18, the area information storage unit 19, and the like are, for example, storage devices that can be connected to the auxiliary storage device 102 or the quality information sharing device 10 via a network. Or the like.

  The use area registration unit 11 receives from each communication terminal 20 a registration request for area information indicating a communication area (hereinafter referred to as a “high use frequency area”) that is frequently used by a user of the communication terminal 20 at normal times. To do. As an example of the high usage frequency area, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) spots such as a coffee shop and a convenience store can be cited. The use area registration unit 11 stores the area information in the user information storage unit 16 in association with the user ID included in the registration request. A plurality of area information may be registered per user. Therefore, the user information storage unit 16 stores area information of one or more frequently used areas for each user. The area information is, for example, an ID of an access point (for example, SSID (Service Set Identifier)) related to a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot, an ID of a base station of a mobile communication network, or the like. In the case where the access point related to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot and the base station of the mobile communication network are not distinguished, they are hereinafter referred to as “radio base stations”. Note that the communication area refers to the reach of radio waves of the radio base station. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the communication area registered as the high usage frequency area is a communication area related to a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot. That is, the communication area related to the mobile communication network is not registered as a high usage frequency area. However, the communication area related to the mobile communication network may be registered as a high usage frequency area.

  The area information storage unit 19 stores, for each communication area managed by the communication carrier, the name of the communication area, identification information (that is, area information) of the radio base station in the communication area, and the like. The name of the communication area is a name such as “XXX coffee shop” or “YYY station” that is easy for the user to understand the location. The area information registered as the high usage frequency area may be selected from the area information stored in the area information storage unit 19.

  The quality information registration unit 12 receives information indicating the quality of communication by the communication terminal 20 (hereinafter referred to as “quality information”) transmitted from the communication terminal 20 in which use of some application is started. The quality information registration unit 12 stores the quality information in the area quality storage unit 17 in association with the area information of the communication area to which the communication terminal 20 belongs. The quality information is transmitted from each communication terminal 20 every time an application is used in each communication terminal 20. Therefore, the area quality storage unit 17 stores, for example, a history of quality information associated with the area information. The quality information may be a value of an index that generally evaluates communication quality, such as information indicating transfer quality such as throughput or a packet loss rate.

  The quality estimation unit 13 calculates quality estimation information based on the quality information stored in the area quality storage unit 17 and the information stored in the application information storage unit 18. The quality estimation information includes an area quality estimation value and an application quality estimation value. The area quality estimated value refers to an estimated value of QoE for each communication area. The area quality estimated value of a certain communication area is, for example, a statistical value (for example, an average value) of quality information stored in the area quality storage unit 17 within the latest fixed time for the communication area. On the other hand, the application quality estimated value refers to an estimated value of QoE for each application in a certain communication area. The application quality estimated value of a certain application is obtained, for example, by comparing the area quality estimated value calculated for the communication area with a threshold value for the application. The threshold value is a threshold value for determining a state in which the application can be comfortably used. Therefore, the app quality estimated value may be a value of “comfortable” or “non-comfortable”. Alternatively, the application quality estimated value may be a further fragmented value. When the application quality estimation value is further subdivided, a plurality of threshold values may be set for each application. The threshold for each application is stored in the application information storage unit 18 for each application.

  For example, in response to a request from each communication terminal 20, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 transmits, to the communication terminal 20, quality estimation information that is an estimation result by the quality estimation unit 13 with respect to a communication area around the communication terminal 20. To do. For example, quality estimation information for each Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) around the communication terminal 20 is transmitted. The quality estimation information transmitted to the communication terminal 20 by the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 is an example of information for improving QoE of communication by the communication terminal 20.

  The area quality storage unit 17 stores a history of communication area quality information related to the area information in association with the area information. Therefore, the quality information of the communication area can be extracted sufficiently quickly from the area quality storage unit 17 based on the area information of a certain communication area.

  Based on the quality estimation information that is an estimation result by the quality estimation unit 13, the user behavior control unit 15 controls information for improving QoE related to the use of an application in each communication terminal 20, information on recommendations or proposals (hereinafter, referred to as “optimization”). , “Recommend”) is transmitted to each communication terminal 20. Control information, recommendations, and the like transmitted to each communication terminal 20 by the user behavior control unit 15 are examples of information for improving the QoE of communication by the communication terminal 20.

  In FIG. 3, the user behavior control unit 15 includes a control message transmission unit 151, an access recommendation unit 152, an ad hoc recommendation unit 153, a protocol recommendation unit 154, a prefetch recommendation unit 155, and the like.

  The control message transmission unit 151 transmits, for example, a message (hereinafter referred to as “user behavior control message”) for prompting movement of the communication area to the communication terminal 20 whose communication quality has deteriorated.

  The access recommendation unit 152 uses, for example, the radio resource of the base station when the estimated application quality value is reduced in a part of the communication terminals 20 using the radio resource of a certain base station. Communication terminal 20 that is compatible with a communication standard (for example, 3G) that is different from the communication standard (for example, LTE) of the base station. Send a request to switch to. That is, the access recommendation unit 152 transmits a connection base station switching request to the communication terminal 20. Alternatively, the access recommendation unit 152 may transmit information indicating the optimum communication standard for each application to each communication terminal 20. For example, in a string-based application such as chat, 3G may be the optimal communication standard instead of LTE. Also, LTE may be the optimal communication standard for applications that download moving images. Information indicating an optimal communication standard for each application may be stored for each application in the application information storage unit 18.

  For example, when radio resources in a certain communication area are tight, the ad hoc recommendation unit 153 requests an ad hoc network to be constructed from some or all of the communication terminals 20 belonging to the communication area. For the ad hoc recommendation unit 153 and one communication terminal 20 selected from among the communication terminals 20 constituting the same ad hoc network (hereinafter referred to as “selected terminal”), the Internet using the radio resource is used. Notify the connection to continue. The selection method of the selection terminal is not limited to a predetermined method. For example, a communication terminal 20 that is not performing critical communication, a communication terminal 20 with a relatively small communication amount, or a communication terminal 20 to which sufficient radio resources are given may be selected as the selection terminal. For example, by constructing an ad hoc network between the communication terminals 20 that are downloading the same content, duplication of download of the same content is eliminated, and the tightness of radio resources can be eliminated. That is, the content is downloaded only by the selected terminal, and the other communication terminals 20 can acquire the content from the selected terminal.

  The protocol recommendation unit 154 functions in cooperation with the ad hoc recommendation unit 153, for example. That is, the protocol recommendation unit 154 requests each communication terminal 20 belonging to the ad hoc network constructed by the processing of the ad hoc recommendation unit 153 to use a P2P (peer to peer) type communication protocol. As a result, content can be efficiently shared between the communication terminals 20 using a P2P communication protocol.

  When the prefetch recommendation unit 155 determines that a specific application is frequently used in a certain communication area, the prefetch recommendation unit 155 transmits a prefetch execution request regarding the application to the communication terminal 20 belonging to the communication area. Prefetching is, for example, executing a part of processing executed with use of an application in advance (before using the application). The contents of the prefetch may be DNS (Domain Name System) prefetch. That is, name resolution of the access destination of the application may be performed in advance. Further, if the access destination of the application is a web search engine, a prefetch for searching for a specific word may be executed.

  On the other hand, the communication terminal 20 includes a use area registration request unit 201, a quality information measurement unit 202, a quality information transmission unit 203, a quality estimation information inquiry unit 204, a quality estimation information display unit 205, a control message reception unit 206, and an access switching unit 207. , An ad hoc operation unit 208, a P2P protocol operation unit 209, and a prefetch operation unit 210. Each of these units is realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the communication terminal 20 cause the communication terminal 20 to execute.

  The usage area registration request unit 201 transmits a registration request for area information of the high usage frequency area to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 in response to an instruction from the user. For example, the user instructs the communication terminal 20 to register the area information of the high usage frequency area when starting the service provided by the quality information sharing apparatus 10 or when using the service.

  For example, when the communication terminal 20 belongs to the high usage frequency area registered for the user of the communication terminal 20, the quality information measurement unit 202 relates to the communication terminal 20 when the use of any application is started. Measure quality information.

  The quality information transmission unit 203 transmits the quality information measured by the quality information measurement unit 202 to the quality information sharing apparatus 10. That is, in this embodiment, each communication terminal 20 actively transmits quality information to the quality information sharing apparatus 10.

  The quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 transmits a quality estimation information disclosure request to the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 and receives the returned quality estimation information.

  The quality estimation information display unit 205 displays the quality estimation information received by the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204.

  The control message reception unit 206 receives the user behavior control message transmitted by the control message transmission unit 151 and displays the user behavior control message.

  The access switching unit 207 executes processing for switching the communication standard to be used in response to the connection destination switching request transmitted from the access recommendation unit 152.

  The ad hoc operation unit 208 constructs an ad hoc network with the surrounding communication terminals 20 in response to the ad hoc network construction request transmitted from the ad hoc recommendation unit 153.

  The P2P protocol operation unit 209 transmits content to other communication terminals 20 belonging to the ad hoc network using the P2P communication protocol in response to the use request of the P2P communication protocol transmitted from the protocol recommendation unit 154. Share information.

  In response to the prefetch execution request transmitted from the prefetch recommendation unit 155, the prefetch operation unit 210 executes prefetch for the application specified in the execution request. Note that the prefetch operation unit 210 may start execution of prefetch after a random elapsed time after receiving the prefetch execution request. By doing so, the prefetch execution time in each communication terminal 20 can be shifted, and it is possible to avoid an excessive burden on the communication equipment.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure executed in the quality information sharing system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the outline of the entire processing procedure.

  In step S <b> 1, the usage area registration request unit 201 of the communication terminal 20 transmits a registration request for area information of the high usage frequency area to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 in response to an instruction from the user. The registration request includes one or more area information and a user ID.

  The selection of the high usage frequency area by the user may be performed from the area information stored in the area information storage unit 19, for example. For example, the use area registration unit 11 provides the use area registration request unit 201 with a list of communication area names and area information stored in the area information storage unit 19. The use area registration request unit 201 displays a list using the name and area information as options. When the user selects one or more options from the list, the use area registration request unit 201 issues a registration request for area information including area information corresponding to the selected option and a user ID to the quality information sharing apparatus. 10 to send. Note that the user ID may be stored in the communication terminal 20 in advance, or may be input by the user along with the selection of the high usage frequency area.

  The use area registration unit 11 of the quality information sharing apparatus 10 associates the user ID included in the received registration request with one or more area information and stores them in the user information storage unit 16 (step S2).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the user information storage unit 16. As shown in FIG. 5, the user information storage unit 16 stores area information of one or more high usage frequency areas in association with the user ID. In FIG. 5, <area A> indicates area information of area A. The same applies to <area B> and <area C>.

  Returning to FIG. 4, after that, for example, when the use of any application is started in the communication terminal 20 (step S <b> 3), the quality information measuring unit 202 registers the communication terminal 20 with respect to the user of the communication terminal 20. If it belongs to the high usage frequency area, the quality information is measured for the communication related to the communication terminal 20 (step S4). For example, throughput or the like is measured as quality information. The measurement target may be limited to communication related to the application, or may be all communication performed by the communication terminal 20. Whether or not the communication terminal 20 belongs to the high usage frequency area registered for the user of the communication terminal 20 is an area stored in the user information storage unit 16 in association with the user ID of the user. The determination may be made by comparing the information with the area information of the radio base station to which the communication terminal 20 is currently connected.

  When the quality information is measured, the quality information transmission unit 203 transmits the area information of the communication area to which the communication terminal 20 currently belongs and the measured quality information to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 (step S5). In addition, measurement and transmission of quality information may be performed at regular intervals, for example.

  Upon receiving the area information and the quality information, the quality information registration unit 12 of the quality information sharing apparatus 10 stores the area information and the quality information in the area quality storage unit 17 (Step S6).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the area quality storage unit. As shown in FIG. 6, each record in the area quality storage unit 17 includes items such as date and time, area information, and quality information. The date and time is the date and time when the record is added. As the area information and the quality information, the values received in step S6 are stored as they are. In this way, the area quality storage unit 17 stores area information and a history of quality information.

  Returning to FIG. 4, thereafter, at an arbitrary timing, the quality estimation unit 13 performs the quality estimation information based on the quality information stored in the area quality storage unit 17 and the information stored in the application information storage unit 18. (Area quality estimated value, application quality estimated value) is calculated (step S7). The arbitrary timing is, for example, a timing triggered by a request from the communication terminal 20 or a change in the communication status of each communication terminal 20.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 or the user behavior control unit 15 discloses quality estimation information or transmits a recommendation or a user control message (step S7).

  Hereinafter, steps S7 and S8 will be described more specifically in the first to fifth embodiments.

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that a certain user uses an application on the communication terminal 20 in, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot that is a high usage frequency area. If the user feels deterioration in communication quality, the user inputs an instruction to display an area map screen to the communication terminal 20. The area map screen is a quality estimation of a communication area (hereinafter referred to as “connection area”) and a peripheral communication area (hereinafter referred to as “peripheral area”) related to the radio base station to which the communication terminal 20 is currently connected. This is a screen showing information (hereinafter referred to as “area map screen”). The communication terminal 20 displays the area map screen in response to the input of the display instruction.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the area map screen according to the first embodiment. In the area map screen 510 shown in FIG. 7, on the map of the surrounding area centering on the connection area, a star symbol h1, black inverted triangle symbols b1 to b3, white inverted triangle symbols w1 to w3. , Ellipse symbols c1 to c3, etc. are superimposed and displayed.

  Symbol h1 indicates the position of the connection area. Symbols b <b> 1 to b <b> 3 indicate positions of the high usage frequency area of the user in the peripheral area. Symbols w1 to w3 do not correspond to the high usage frequency area of the user in the surrounding area, but are communication areas (Wi-Fi (registered trademark) that are estimated to be able to experience higher quality communication than the connection area. ) Indicates the position of the spot). Symbols c <b> 1 to c <b> 3 indicate the range of the LTE area where it is estimated that communication with higher quality than the connection area can be experienced. In the following, the symbols b1 to b3 are referred to as symbols b when not distinguished. Further, when the symbols w1 to w3 are not distinguished, they are referred to as symbols w. Further, when the symbols c1 to c3 are not distinguished, they are referred to as a symbol c.

  For example, when the user taps the symbol b (that is, one of the high usage frequency areas), the communication terminal 20 displays the application quality list screen 520 related to the communication area related to the tapped symbol b. The app quality list screen 520 is a screen showing an app quality estimated value (a comfortable app or a non-comfortable app) for each application.

  In addition, the user can use any symbol w (that is, any Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot that is estimated not to fall within the high usage frequency area of the user but to experience higher quality communication than the connection area. ), The communication terminal 20 displays a balloon n1 including the name related to the communication area related to the tapped symbol w, the number of registrants, and the area quality estimation value. The number of registrants is the number of users who have registered the communication area as a high usage frequency area.

  By such an operation, the user can search for a communication area in which an application currently being used can be used more comfortably.

  Area map screen 510 includes button 511. For example, when the symbol w1 is tapped and the balloon n1 is displayed, when the button 511 is tapped, the usage area registration request unit 201 transmits a registration request for the high usage frequency area to the quality information sharing apparatus 10. To do. In this case, the area information of the communication area related to the tapped symbol w1 is included in the registration request.

  An example of a processing procedure executed by the communication terminal 20 and the quality information sharing apparatus 10 to display each screen shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the communication terminal and the quality information sharing apparatus 10 in the first embodiment. The process of FIG. 8 corresponds to the process executed with respect to steps S7 and S8 in FIG.

  When a display instruction for the area map screen 510 is input to the communication terminal 20 by the user, the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 sends a generation request for the area map screen including the user ID of the user and the area information of the connection area to the quality information. It transmits to the shared apparatus 10 (step S101).

  In the quality information sharing apparatus 10, when the generation request is received by the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14, the quality estimation unit 13 is stored in the area information and area information storage unit 19 included in the generation request. Based on the information, the area information of the peripheral area is specified (step S102).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the area information storage unit 19. In FIG. 9, the area information storage unit 19 stores a name, position information, type, and the like in association with area information of each communication area. The name is a character string that allows the user to easily understand the location of the communication area. The position information is, for example, the latitude and longitude where the radio base station in the communication area is located. The type is a type of communication area classified based on a communication method or a communication standard. “WF” indicates Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

  In step S102, first, a record including area information of a connection area included in the generation request (hereinafter referred to as “connection area record”) is searched from the area information storage unit 19. Subsequently, for example, a record including position information indicating a position within a radius rkm (hereinafter referred to as “peripheral area record”) is searched from the position information of the connection area record. The area information of each searched peripheral area record is the area information of the peripheral area.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 classifies the peripheral area into a high usage frequency area of the user related to the generation request and a communication area that is not so (hereinafter referred to as “non-high usage frequency area”) (step S103). The high usage frequency area corresponds to a communication area related to the area information stored in the user information storage unit 16 in association with the user ID included in the generation request in the area information of the peripheral area. On the other hand, the non-high usage frequency area corresponds to a communication area that does not correspond to the high usage frequency area among the surrounding areas.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 calculates an area quality estimation value of the connection area (step S104). The area quality estimated value is a value stored in the area quality storage unit 17 in which the value of “area information” matches the area information of the connection area, and the “date and time” is within the most recent fixed period. Calculated based on the quality information of a record. For example, the average value of the corresponding quality information may be calculated as the area quality estimated value.

  Subsequently, when there is a peripheral area divided into non-high usage frequency areas in step S103, the quality estimation unit 13 calculates an area quality estimation value for each non-high usage frequency area (step S105). The method for calculating the area quality estimated value for each non-high usage frequency area may be the same as the method for calculating the area quality estimated value for the connected area, except that the area quality estimated value is calculated based on quality information for each non-high usage frequency area.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 specifies a non-high usage frequency area having a higher quality than the connection area among the peripheral areas divided into the non-high usage frequency areas in step S103 (step S106). Such a non-high usage frequency area can be identified by comparing the area quality estimation value of the connection area with the area quality estimation value of each high usage frequency area.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 generates an area map screen 510 based on the processing results of steps S102 to S106 (step S107). That is, the connection area is represented by the symbol h1. In addition, the peripheral area divided into the high usage frequency areas in step S103 is represented by the symbol b. Of the high quality non-high usage frequency areas identified in step S106, the non-high usage frequency area of type “WF” is represented by the symbol w. Furthermore, among the high-quality non-high usage frequency areas identified in step S106, the non-high usage frequency area of the type “LTE” is represented by the symbol c.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 returns the generated area map screen 510 to the communication terminal 20 that has transmitted the generation request (step S108).

  When the area map screen 510 is received by the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 of the communication terminal 20, the quality estimation information display unit 205 displays the area map screen 510 (step S109).

  When any symbol b indicating a high usage frequency area is tapped by the user in a state where the area map screen 510 is displayed (step S110), the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 corresponds to the tapped symbol b. An application quality estimated value disclosure request including area information of a communication area (hereinafter referred to as “target area”) to be transmitted is transmitted to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 (step S111).

  In the quality information sharing apparatus 10, when the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 receives the disclosure request, the quality estimation unit 13 is included in the disclosure request among the records stored in the area quality storage unit 17. The area quality estimate value of the target area is calculated based on the record that includes the area information that has the “date and time” within the latest fixed time (step S112).

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 compares the threshold for the area quality estimation value stored for each application in the application information storage unit 18 with the quality estimation value of the target area, and determines the application quality estimation value for each application. Determination is made (step S113). For example, an application quality estimation value of an application whose quality estimation value of the target area is equal to or greater than a threshold value for the application is determined to be “comfortable”. On the other hand, an application quality estimation value of an application whose target area quality estimation value is less than the threshold for the application is determined to be “uncomfortable”.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 returns an application quality estimation value for each application, which is a determination result by the quality estimation unit 13, to the communication terminal 20 that is the transmission request of the disclosure request (step S114).

  In communication terminal 20, when quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 receives an application quality estimation value for each application, quality estimation information display unit 205 displays application quality list screen 520 including the application quality estimation value for each application. (Step S115).

  When the user taps any symbol w indicating a non-high usage frequency area in the state where the area map screen 510 is displayed (step S121), the quality estimation information query unit 204 displays the tapped symbol. A communication area attribute information disclosure request including area information of a communication area corresponding to w (hereinafter referred to as “target area”) is transmitted to the quality information sharing apparatus 10 (step S121).

  In the quality information sharing apparatus 10, when the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 receives the disclosure request, the area quality estimation value is associated with the area information included in the disclosure request in the area information storage unit 19. The stored name is acquired (step S122).

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 refers to the user information storage unit 16 and counts the number of users (registrants) who have registered the area information included in the disclosure request as a high usage frequency area. (Step S123).

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 calculates an area quality estimation value of the target area (step S124).

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 returns the name of the target area, the number of registrants of the target area, and the area quality estimation value of the target area to the communication terminal 20 that has transmitted the disclosure request (step S125).

  In the communication terminal 20, when the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 receives the name of the target area, the number of registrants of the target area, and the area quality estimation value of the target area, the quality estimation information display unit 205 displays the name, A balloon n1 including the number of registered users and the area quality estimated value is displayed (step S126).

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that a user is using an application at a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) spot at a first visited place. In this case, since the high usage frequency area of the user does not exist in the vicinity, an area map screen showing the position of the communication area where the application can be used with higher quality than the point is displayed. That is, there is no communication area represented by the symbol b on the area map screen. The user refers to the area map screen and determines whether or not he / she moves.

  Note that the processing procedure executed in the second embodiment may be the same as that in FIG.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, when a user is using a video distribution application on the communication terminal 20, the communication terminal 20 sends a user behavior control message to the quality information sharing device in a situation where the quality of experience has occurred. An example of receiving from 10 will be described. In order to enable transmission of a user behavior control message when quality degradation occurs in the communication terminal 20, the quality information sharing apparatus 10 executes processing as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the quality information sharing apparatus 10 in the third embodiment. The process of FIG. 10 may be performed regularly, for example.

  In step S301, the quality estimation unit 13 identifies the communication terminal 20 that is using the application. For example, the communication terminal 20 using the application may be specified by referring to the communication history of each communication terminal 20. The communication history of each communication terminal 20 may be acquired by monitoring a network managed by a communication carrier. For example, a communication terminal that is using an application can be identified by referring to a DNS query or an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request in the communication history.

  If there is one or more communication terminals 20 that are using the application (Yes in step S302), the quality estimation unit 13 classifies the set of corresponding communication terminals 20 into groups by communication area and application (step S303). ). That is, each communication terminal 20 is classified for each group in which the communication area where the location is located and the application in use are common. The application being used by each communication terminal 20 may be specified based on a DNS query, an HTTP request, or the like in the communication history of each communication terminal 20.

  The subsequent steps S304 and thereafter are executed for each classified group. In the following description, a group to be processed is referred to as a “target group”.

  In step S <b> 304, the quality estimation unit 13 calculates an area quality estimation value for a certain period of time nearest to the communication area to which the target group belongs (hereinafter, “connection area”). Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 determines an application quality estimation value in the connection area for an application (hereinafter, referred to as “target application”) being used by the communication terminal 20 of the target group (step S305). The area quality estimation value calculation method and the application quality estimation value determination method are as described in the first embodiment.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 determines whether or not the determined application quality estimation value is “uncomfortable” (step S306). That is, it is determined whether or not QoE has deteriorated for the target application. If the estimated application quality value is “uncomfortable” (Yes in step S306), the quality estimation unit 13 identifies the peripheral area of the connection area (step S307). The peripheral area specifying method is as described in the first embodiment. Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 calculates an area quality estimation value of each peripheral area (step S308).

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 compares the area quality estimated value with the area quality estimated value of each peripheral area, and is referred to as a peripheral area having a higher area quality estimated value than the connected area (hereinafter referred to as “high quality area”). ) Is determined (step S309). When there is a high quality area (Yes in step S309), the quality estimation unit 13 identifies a high quality area (hereinafter referred to as “recommended area”) having the highest area quality estimation value in the high quality area. (Step S310).

  Subsequently, the control message transmission unit 151 transmits, for example, a user behavior control message that prompts movement to the recommended area to each communication terminal 20 belonging to the target group (step S311). For example, if the area C is a recommended area, a character string such as “communication quality is degraded. We recommend moving to the area C” is transmitted to each communication terminal 20 as a user action control message. The

  When receiving the user behavior control message, the control message receiving unit 206 of each communication terminal 20 that is the destination of the user behavior message displays the user behavior message, for example, by superimposing it on the screen of the currently used application. . The user refers to the user action message and determines his action. For example, if the target application is a video distribution application, the user stops viewing a moving image being played back by the video distribution application, and displays a map screen showing a more comfortable area (hereinafter referred to as a “high quality area screen”). ) Display instruction is input to the communication terminal 20. In this case, the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 of the communication terminal 20 transmits a high quality area screen generation request to the quality information sharing apparatus 10.

  The quality estimation information disclosing unit 14 of the quality information sharing apparatus 10 indicates the high quality area and the connection area determined in step S309 when the generation request for the high quality area screen is received (Yes in step S312). A high quality area screen including a map is generated (step S313). Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 transmits a high quality area screen to the communication terminal 20 that is the transmission source of the generation request (step S314). In the communication terminal 20, when the high quality area screen is received by the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204, the quality estimation information display unit 205 displays the high quality area screen.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a high quality area screen according to the third embodiment. In the high quality area screen 530 shown in FIG. 11, the range of the connection area and the range of each high quality area are shown on the map. Area B including the star is a connection area. Area A and area C are high quality areas. By referring to the high quality area screen 530, the user can know a peripheral area where the application can be used more comfortably than the connection area. At this time, the communication status display screen 540 is not displayed.

  When the user taps the range of the connection area on the high quality area screen 530 in order to obtain more detailed information, the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 of the user's communication terminal 20 requests the disclosure of the quality detailed information. It transmits to the quality information sharing apparatus 10.

  In the quality information sharing apparatus 10, when the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 receives the disclosure request (Yes in step S315), the quality estimation unit 13 estimates the future application quality regarding the target application in the connection area of the target group. The value is determined (step S316). Future application quality estimates may be determined based on trends in past quality information. For example, the transition of the area quality estimated value for the connection area in one day is obtained based on the quality information stored in the area quality storage unit 17, and the area quality estimated value for the next hour in the transition and the target application By comparing with the threshold value, the estimated app quality value for the next hour may be determined.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation unit 13 extracts a peripheral area having the highest area quality estimated value for each type from the high quality areas determined in step S309 (step S317). The type here refers to the value of “type” stored in the area information storage unit 19. Therefore, for example, for each “LTE” and “WF (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)”, a peripheral area having the highest area quality estimation value is extracted.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 determines an application quality estimation value of the target application for each peripheral area extracted for each type (step S318). That is, the application quality estimated value is determined by comparing the area quality estimated value calculated in step S308 for each peripheral area with the threshold value of the target application.

  Subsequently, the quality estimation information disclosing unit 14 determines the app quality estimated value for a certain period of time nearest to the connected area determined in step S305, the future app quality estimated value of the connected area determined in step S316, and the step The detailed quality information including the application quality estimated value determined for each type of the surrounding area in S318 is transmitted to the communication terminal 20 that has transmitted the disclosure request received in Step S315 (Step S319).

  In the communication terminal 20, when the quality detailed information is received by the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204, the quality estimation information display unit 205 displays a communication status display screen 540 including the quality detailed information.

  In FIG. 11, in the area 541 of the communication status display screen 540, as the current communication status, an app quality estimated value for a certain period of time immediately in the connection area is indicated by “O” or “X”, and the future communication status The future application quality estimation value of the connection area is indicated by “◯” or “×”. “◯” indicates “comfort”, and “x” indicates non-comfort. In FIG. 11, “◯” or “x” is shown for each of the LTE area and the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) area (for the sake of convenience, “WF” is used for Wi-Fi (registered trademark)). It is shown.). In order to enable display for each type, in each of steps S304 and S316, for example, if the connection area is an LTE area, the application quality estimation in the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) area closest to the connection area is performed. If a value is obtained and the connection area is a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) area, an application quality estimated value in the LTE area closest to the connection area may be obtained.

  The area 542 displays an application quality estimated value determined as a quality area (LTE) in the peripheral area having the highest area quality estimated value in step S318 and having a type of LTE. In other words, “recommended” displays the name of the surrounding area having the highest area quality estimate and the type is LTE, and “congestion” displays “free” based on the app quality estimate. Yes. As the “congestion status”, “free” is displayed if the app quality estimate is “comfortable”, and “congestion” is displayed if the app quality estimate is “uncomfortable”. .

  In area 543, as a quality area (WF) of high quality, an application quality estimation value determined for a peripheral area having the highest area quality estimation value in step S318 and having a type of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is displayed. ing. That is, the name of the surrounding area with the type of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) having the highest area quality estimate is displayed as “recommendation”, and “congestion status” is displayed based on the app quality estimate. "Free" is displayed. The display method of “congestion status” is the same as that in the area 542.

  The user refers to the communication status display screen 540 and determines whether or not to move to improve viewing quality.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the radio resources in the LTE base station of the communication carrier are tight due to the concentration of access from the communication terminal 20 or the like. In order to deal with such a situation, the access recommendation unit 152 or the like of the quality information sharing apparatus 10 executes, for example, the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the quality information sharing apparatus in the fourth embodiment.

  The access recommendation unit 152 waits for the generation of an LTE base station with a tight wireless resource (step S401). The LTE base station in which radio resources are tight may be specified based on an area quality estimation value calculated for each communication area by the quality estimation unit 13 at regular intervals, for example. That is, the LTE base station related to the communication area whose area quality estimated value is equal to or less than a predetermined value may be determined as an LTE base station in which radio resources are tight. Alternatively, the LTE base station in which the radio resource is tight may be identified by monitoring the actual state of the radio resource of each LTE base station.

  When any of the LTE base stations detects that the radio resources are tight (Yes in step S401), the access recommendation unit 152 is in the vicinity of the LTE base station (hereinafter referred to as “target base station”). The presence / absence of the 3G base station is determined with reference to the area information storage unit 19 (FIG. 9) (step S402). For example, a 3G base station whose distance from the location information of the LTE base station is within a predetermined value is searched.

  When one or more corresponding 3G base stations are searched in step S402 (Yes in step S403), the access recommendation unit 152 determines whether there is a 3G base station having a sufficient radio resource among the 3G base stations. (Step S403). Such a determination may be performed by inquiring the status of the radio resource of each 3G base station.

  When there is a corresponding 3G base station (Yes in step S403), the access recommendation unit 152 uses an application whose required communication bandwidth is equal to or less than a predetermined value among the communication terminals 20 connected to the target base station. The presence or absence of the communication terminal 20 is determined (step S404). For example, the application information storage unit 18 may store a necessary communication band for each application. Further, the application used by each communication terminal 20 may be notified from each communication terminal 20 when the application is activated, or may be specified by monitoring the communication content of each communication terminal 20. For example, by monitoring a DNS query from each communication terminal 20, an HTTP request from each communication terminal 20, an application used by each communication terminal 20 can be specified. This is because the contents of the DNS query, the transmission destination of the HTTP request, and the like are different for each application.

  When there are one or more corresponding communication terminals 20 (Yes in Step S404), the access recommendation unit 152 determines whether or not there is a communication terminal 20 capable of supporting 3G among the communication terminals 20 (Step S405). Note that information indicating the model of each communication terminal 20 is managed by the communication carrier. Therefore, with reference to such information, the presence or absence of a communication terminal 20 of a model that can support 3G may be determined among the communication terminals 20.

  When there are one or more corresponding communication terminals 20 (Yes in Step S405), the access recommendation unit 152 transmits a request for switching to 3G to each communication terminal 20 for the communication standard to be used (Step S406). The access switching unit 207 of the communication terminal 20 that has received the switching request executes switching to 3G. As a result, the connection destination of the communication terminal 20 is switched to the 3G base station. Note that the access switching unit 207 may inquire the user whether or not to switch to 3G on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the communication terminal 20 or may perform forced and automatic switching. Good.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a state in which some communication terminals perform switching of connection destinations in the fourth embodiment.

  (1) of FIG. 13 shows a state where radio resources of the LTE base station are tight. Each circle connected to the LTE base station by a broken line indicates one or more communication terminals 20 that are connected to the LTE base station.

  (2) shows a state realized by executing Step S406. That is, some of the communication terminals 20 that were originally connected to the LTE base station connect to the 3G base station. As a result, with respect to the LTE base station, the radio resources used by the part of the communication terminals 20 are released, and the tightness of the radio resources of the LTE base station can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of experience of the user of each communication terminal 20 can also be improved.

  The quality information sharing apparatus 10 may estimate the user context of each communication terminal 20 and select the communication terminal 20 to be switched to 3G based on the estimation result. The user context is, for example, a situation where the user is placed, a usage form of the application by the user, or the like. For example, the user's context is whether the user is using the application in a timely manner, or whether the user is using the application because of business necessity. Such a context may be estimated from, for example, the communication history of each communication terminal 20, and the communication terminal 20 related to the user who is using the application with time may be selected as a target for switching to 3G.

  Thereafter, the access recommendation unit 152 waits for a certain period of time (step S407). The waiting time may be a sufficient time until the switching to 3G is completed. When the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S407), the access recommendation unit 152 determines whether or not the wireless resource tightness of the target base station has been resolved (step S408). The cancellation of the tightness of the radio resources may be determined based on, for example, an area quality estimation value during the standby time calculated by the quality estimation unit 13 for the communication area related to the target base station. That is, if the area quality estimated value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it may be determined that the tightness of radio resources has been resolved.

  When the tightness of the radio resources of the target base station has not been resolved (No in step S408), the access recommendation unit 152 calls the ad hoc recommendation unit 153. In response to the call, the access recommendation unit 152 determines whether download of specific content is concentrated in the communication area related to the target base station (step S409). For example, it is determined whether or not the number of communication terminals 20 that are downloading the same content is a predetermined number or more. The download of the same content by each communication terminal 20 may be determined by monitoring the communication content of each communication terminal 20.

  When downloading of specific content is concentrated (Yes in step S409), the ad hoc recommendation unit 153 requests the communication terminal 20 that is downloading the content at the target base station to establish an ad hoc network. Is transmitted (step S410). Note that the ad hoc recommendation unit 153 also transmits a request for maintaining a connection to the Internet to one selected terminal selected from the communication terminals 20.

  The ad hoc operation unit 208 of each communication terminal 20 that has received the ad hoc network construction request constructs an ad hoc network. In addition, the selected terminal among the communication terminals 20 transitions to a state in which both the Internet connection and the connection to the ad hoc network are used.

  Note that the communication terminals 20 downloading the same content may be divided into a plurality of groups, and one selected terminal may be selected for each group.

  Subsequently, the protocol recommendation unit 154 transmits a request for using the P2P protocol to each communication terminal 20 to which the configuration request for the ad hoc network has been transmitted (step S411). The communication terminals 20 that have received the use request of the P2P type protocol perform mutual communication based on the P2P type protocol.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a state in which an ad hoc network is constructed in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the state transitions from (2) of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, a black circle indicates a selected terminal. Network Na represents an ad hoc network. In the state shown in FIG. 14, each communication terminal 20 can efficiently share the content downloaded by the selected terminal. Moreover, the concentration of access to the LTE base station can be greatly reduced.

  In the above, an example in which the switching destination base station is a 3G base station has been described, but a base station corresponding to the same communication standard as the target base station may be the switching destination base station. For example, when access to a certain base station is concentrated in an area where communication areas of a plurality of base stations overlap, switching to another base station may be executed.

  Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the fifth embodiment, it is assumed that a specific application is frequently used in a specific communication area of a telecommunications carrier due to a large event or the like. In order to deal with such a situation, the quality information sharing apparatus 10 executes a process as shown in FIG. 15, for example.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the quality information sharing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. For example, the processing procedure of FIG. 15 may be executed periodically.

  In step S502, the prefetch recommendation unit 155 specifies an application used in a specific communication area. The specific communication area may be set in advance for the prefetch recommendation unit 155 by, for example, a communication carrier that has received notification of a large event or the like. The application used in a specific communication area may be specified by monitoring the communication contents (DNS query, HTTP request, etc.) of each communication terminal 20 in the communication area. In step S502, all applications that have been used at least once are listed.

  Subsequently, the prefetch recommendation unit 155 calculates the usage frequency in the specific communication area for each application listed in step S502 (step S503). The usage frequency may be calculated based on a history of communication contents of each communication terminal 20 in the communication area. Further, the usage frequency may be, for example, a cumulative value of the number of times of use on the day when a large-scale event is held, a number of times of use per fixed time, a number of times of use per one communication terminal 20, or the like.

  Subsequently, the prefetch recommendation unit 155 determines whether there is an application whose usage frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (step S504).

  When there is one or more corresponding applications (Yes in step S504), the prefetch recommendation unit 155 transmits a prefetch execution request for each application to each communication terminal 20 belonging to the specific communication area (step S505). The execution request includes identification information of each application.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which prefetching is executed for a specific application in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 shows a state in which a prefetch execution request for “XXX application” is transmitted to the communication terminal 20 based on the presence of a large number of communication terminals 20 using the “XXX application”. .

  Receiving the execution request, the prefetch operation unit 210 of each communication terminal 20 executes prefetch for the application related to the identification information included in the execution request at random timing. However, an application that has already been prefetched or an application that has already been used may be excluded from the prefetch execution targets. Moreover, in step S505, it may be performed with respect to the communication terminal 20 that has entered the specific communication area.

  When a user uses a certain application in the specific communication area, if the prefetch is executed for the application, the application can be used at high speed. And since the application for which prefetch is performed is an application with high usage frequency in the specific communication area, there is a high possibility that it will be used by the user. Therefore, it is possible to improve the user's quality of experience regarding the use of the application.

  As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, each communication terminal 20 used by each user actively transmits quality information for quality improvement, and the QoE of the application is transmitted from the quality information sharing apparatus 10. By enjoying disclosure, recommendation, or control of quality estimation information for improvement, quality improvement can be positively realized. That is, the QoE of the application used in the communication terminal 20 can be improved by cooperation between the communication carrier and the user. As a result, the user can use a desired application with a more comfortable communication quality, and as a communication carrier, the use equalization and efficiency improvement of facility resources can be promoted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the quality estimation information inquiry unit 204 is an example of an information reception unit. The quality information registration unit 12 is an example of a quality information reception unit. The quality estimation unit 13 is an example of an estimation unit. The quality estimation information disclosure unit 14 and the user behavior control unit 15 are examples of an information transmission unit.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Quality information sharing system 10 Quality information sharing apparatus 11 Use area registration part 12 Quality information registration part 13 Quality estimation part 14 Quality estimation information disclosure part 15 User action control part 16 User information storage part 17 Area quality storage part 18 Application information storage part 19 area information storage unit 20, 20-1, 20-N communication terminal 100 drive device 101 recording medium 102 auxiliary storage device 103 memory device 104 CPU
105 Interface Device 151 Control Message Transmitter 152 Access Recommendation Unit 153 Ad Hoc Recommendation Unit 154 Protocol Recommendation Unit 155 Prefetch Recommendation Unit 201 Usage Area Registration Request Unit 202 Quality Information Measuring Unit 203 Quality Information Transmitting Unit 204 Quality Estimation Information Query Unit 205 Quality Estimation Information Display unit 206 Control message receiving unit 207 Access switching unit 208 Ad hoc operation unit 209 P2P protocol operation unit 210 Prefetch operation unit B bus

Claims (8)

A quality information sharing system including one or more communication terminals and a quality information sharing apparatus connected to the communication terminals via a network,
The communication terminal is
A quality information transmission unit that transmits quality information indicating communication quality of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs when an application is used in the communication terminal;
An information receiving unit that receives information for improving quality of experience (QoE) related to communication by the communication terminal, transmitted from the quality information sharing device based on the quality information,
The quality information sharing device includes:
A quality information receiving unit that receives quality information of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, transmitted from the communication terminal when an application is used in any of the communication terminals;
Based on each quality information received by the quality information receiving unit, an estimation unit that estimates a user experience quality (QoE) of communication in a communication area related to the quality information;
An information transmission unit that transmits information for improving the user experience quality (QoE) to any one of the communication terminals based on an estimation result by the estimation unit;
Quality information sharing system characterized by this. A quality information sharing apparatus connected to one or more communication terminals via a network,
A quality information receiving unit that receives quality information of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, transmitted from the communication terminal when an application is used in any of the communication terminals;
Based on each quality information received by the quality information receiving unit, an estimation unit that estimates a user experience quality (QoE) of communication in a communication area related to the quality information;
An information transmission unit that transmits information for improving the user experience quality (QoE) to any one of the communication terminals based on the estimation result by the estimation unit;
A quality information sharing apparatus comprising: In response to a request from any one of the communication terminals, the information transmission unit transmits information indicating an estimation result by the estimation unit regarding a communication area around the communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, to the communication terminal.
The quality information sharing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The information transmitting unit transmits a connection destination base station switching request to any of the communication terminals based on the estimation result by the estimating unit.
The quality information sharing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The information transmission unit transmits, to any of the communication terminals, a prior execution request of a part of processing executed with use of an application based on an estimation result by the estimation unit.
The quality information sharing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: A communication terminal connected to the quality information sharing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4 via a network,
A quality information transmission unit that transmits quality information indicating communication quality of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs when an application is used in the communication terminal;
An information receiving unit that receives information for improving user quality of experience (QoE) regarding communication by the communication terminal, transmitted from the quality information sharing device based on the quality information,
A communication terminal characterized by that. A quality information sharing method executed by one or more communication terminals and a quality information sharing apparatus connected to the communication terminals via a network,
The communication terminal is
A quality information transmission procedure for transmitting, to the quality information sharing apparatus, quality information indicating communication quality of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs when an application is used in the communication terminal;
An information reception procedure for receiving information for improving user experience quality (QoE: Quality of Experience) related to communication by the communication terminal, transmitted from the quality information sharing device based on the quality information,
The quality information sharing device is
A quality information reception procedure for receiving quality information of a communication area to which the communication terminal belongs, transmitted from the communication terminal when an application is used in any communication terminal;
An estimation procedure for estimating a user experience quality (QoE) of communication in a communication area related to the quality information based on each quality information received in the quality information reception procedure;
An information transmission procedure for transmitting information for improving the user experience quality (QoE) to any one of the communication terminals based on an estimation result in the estimation procedure,
Quality information sharing method characterized by the above.   The program for functioning a computer as each part as described in any one of Claims 2 thru | or 5.

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