JP2014060479A - Mobile terminal, its control method, and its control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To activate the radio communication function of a mobile terminal on the condition that the mobile terminal is in a state in which it can connect with a radio communication network.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal does not supply power to a module for connecting with a wireless LAN in the mobile terminal at the time of power on. The mobile terminal communicates with another terminal in a manner different from the wireless LAN at the time of power on. The mobile terminal determines whether it supplies power to the module or not on the basis of contents of the communication.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a control method thereof, and a control program thereof, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal connected to a wireless communication network based on a notification from another terminal, a control method thereof, and a control program thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a technique for arranging a notification device for notifying a mobile terminal in an area where a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) can be used that the mobile terminal exists in the area. By receiving the notification from the notification device, the portable terminal activates a function (wireless communication function) for connecting to the wireless LAN in the portable terminal without any operation from the user. Thereby, even if the wireless communication function is not always activated in the portable terminal, the wireless communication function can be automatically activated when the user carrying the portable terminal enters the area. Such a technology can automatically activate the wireless communication function when necessary without any special operation of the user carrying the portable terminal. Therefore, the wireless communication function is maintained while maintaining convenience in the portable terminal. Power saving can be realized rather than always starting.

  With regard to such a technology, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-115166), a terminal that already uses a wireless LAN in an area where the wireless LAN can be used is changed to another terminal. On the other hand, a technique for notifying that a wireless LAN can be used is disclosed.

JP 2006-115166 A

  However, as described in Patent Document 1, a device that notifies other terminals of a wireless LAN usable area notifies on the boundary line of the area (or a position slightly outside the boundary). there is a possibility. In such a case, even if the terminal that has received the notification activates the wireless LAN based on the notification, the connection is unstable even if the wireless LAN connection actually fails or the connection is successful, In some cases, it was not practically usable.

  Therefore, if it is intended to limit the notification range to a wireless LAN usable area, it has been necessary to provide a restriction such as fixing a notification device at a specific location.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to activate the wireless communication function of the mobile terminal on condition that the mobile terminal is in a state where it can be connected to the wireless communication network. That is.

  According to one embodiment, a mobile terminal is provided. The portable terminal includes a first communication unit for connecting to a wireless communication network, a second communication unit for communicating with another device in a mode different from the first communication unit, and a first communication unit. Control means for controlling the communication operation of the second communication means, wherein the second communication means is capable of communicating with a device connected to the wireless communication network. The communication function by the first communication means is activated based on the reception intensity of the radio wave from the wireless communication network in the apparatus.

  Preferably, the control means requests the apparatus to transmit the reception intensity of the radio wave from the wireless communication network.

  More preferably, the control means executes the request on the condition that the apparatus has a function of connecting to the wireless communication network.

  Preferably, when the control means determines that the first communication means does not start the communication operation, the control means accepts an input for starting the communication operation to the first communication means. The communication means is configured to start communication operation.

  Preferably, the control means again receives the radio wave reception intensity for the information received from the apparatus and the radio wave reception from the wireless communication network in the apparatus after a predetermined time when the first communication means decides not to start the communication operation. Based on the strength, it is determined whether to activate the communication function of the first communication means.

  According to another embodiment, a method for controlling a mobile terminal is provided. In this control method, the mobile terminal includes a first communication device for connecting to a wireless communication network, a second communication device for communicating with other devices in a manner different from the first communication device, and a processor. And. The control method includes a step in which the processor receives the radio wave reception intensity from the wireless communication network in the device from the device connected to the wireless communication network via the second communication device; Starting a communication function by the first communication device based on the reception strength of the radio wave for the received information and the reception strength of the radio wave from the wireless communication network in the device.

  According to yet another embodiment, the program is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method described above.

  In one aspect, the mobile terminal uses the radio wave reception strength of the information received from the device connected to the wireless communication network and the radio wave reception strength from the radio communication network in the device. Determine whether to activate the wireless communication function.

  Thereby, even if the apparatus can be connected to the wireless communication network, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the activation of the wireless communication function in the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal itself cannot be connected to the wireless network.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the communication system containing one Embodiment of a portable terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating the aspect of the judgment based on two receiving strengths in the terminal of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the principal part of the terminal of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the principal part of the terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process for determining whether the power supply to a communication part is performed in the terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process for determining whether the power supply to a communication part is performed in the terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process for determining whether the power supply to a communication part is performed in the terminal of FIG. It is a flowchart of the process for determining whether the power supply to a communication part is performed in the terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the terminal of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the terminal of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a mobile terminal will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, elements having the same function and action are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the same drawings, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[Power supply to communication module]
One of the features of the mobile terminal according to the present embodiment is an aspect of determining whether to supply power to the communication module of the mobile terminal. Hereinafter, an outline of the determination mode will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a communication system including an embodiment of a mobile terminal.
FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of terminals 1 to 4 having a function of connecting to a wireless communication network. The terminal 1 is an example of a mobile terminal. The terminals 2 to 4 are examples of “apparatus connected to a wireless communication network”. In FIG. 1, for the terminal 1, three positions represented by the terminal A, the terminal A ′, and the terminal A ″ are shown.

  The terminals 1 to 4 further have a function for communicating in a communication mode different from the communication by the wireless communication network. In the present embodiment, a wireless LAN is exemplified as an embodiment of a wireless communication network. In addition, communication according to Bluetooth (registered trademark) is exemplified as an embodiment of communication in a communication mode different from communication of a wireless communication network (wireless LAN). In the present embodiment, the terminal 1 moves sequentially in the positions indicated by the terminal A, the terminal A ′, and the terminal A ″ in FIG. 1, thereby enabling Bluetooth communication with the terminal 2 as an opponent. Furthermore, the state change in the terminal 1 that enables wireless LAN communication is described.

  In FIG. 1, an area 500 is a wireless LAN usable area. The area 520 is an area in which communication with the terminal 2 via Bluetooth is possible. Areas 530 and 540 are areas where communication with each of the terminals 3 and 4 is possible.

  When the power is turned on, the terminal 1 does not supply power to a module (“communication unit 45” to be described later) for connecting to the wireless LAN. When the power is turned on, the terminal 1 communicates with any of the terminals 2 to 4 in a manner different from the wireless LAN, and determines whether to start supplying power to the module based on the content of the communication.

  Specifically, the terminal 1 acquires the next reception intensity A and reception intensity B in Bluetooth communication with any one of the terminals 2 to 4.

[1] Radio wave reception strength A in a wireless communication network (wireless LAN) of a communication partner by Bluetooth
[2] Radio wave reception intensity B in communication by Bluetooth
Then, the terminal 1 determines whether or not the terminal 1 can receive the wireless LAN radio wave based on the two reception strengths. When the terminal 1 determines that it is in a state where it can receive radio waves from the wireless LAN, the terminal 1 determines to supply power to the module. On the other hand, if the terminal 1 determines that the wireless LAN radio wave is not received, the terminal 1 determines not to supply power to the module.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mode of determination by the terminal 1 based on the above two reception strengths.

FIG. 2 shows distances Lb and Lw corresponding to the two reception strengths.
Each terminal individually stores in advance a correspondence relationship between the reception intensity of Bluetooth radio waves and the distance to the communication partner as a database.

  The distance Lb is a value obtained by converting the reception intensity B in [2] (the reception intensity of communication by Bluetooth on the terminal 1 side) into the distance to the communication partner. The terminal derives the distance Lb based on the reception intensity B using, for example, the above database. Specific examples of the contents of the database are shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1, the reception intensity B and the distance Lb are associated with each other.

  In addition, as a method for deriving the distance Lb, in addition to a method in which the distance derived from the reception intensity B on the terminal 1 side is directly used as the distance Lb, the reception intensity on the communication partner side of the terminal 1 is acquired and the reception intensity is obtained. There is also a method in which the distance derived using the above and the database as described above is set as the distance Lb. In this case, the terminal 1 may receive the distance derived from the database held by the communication partner on the communication partner side instead of receiving the radio wave intensity from the communication partner. As another method, there is a method in which the distance Lb is obtained by taking the average of the distance derived from the reception intensity B on the terminal 1 side and the distance derived using the reception intensity on the communication partner side of the terminal 1. is there.

The distance Lb is shorter as the reception strength B is higher, and is longer as the reception strength B is lower.
Note that the conversion of the reception intensity B from the radio wave intensity to the distance Lb may be calculated in another manner as long as the same purpose is obtained.

  Each terminal individually holds in advance a correspondence relationship between the reception intensity of the radio wave of the wireless LAN and the distance that the radio wave reaches (a value obtained by subtracting the distance from the communication partner from the maximum communication distance) as a database.

  The distance Lw is a value obtained by converting the reception intensity A in [1] above into a distance that wireless LAN radio waves can reach from a position where a Bluetooth communication partner exists. For example, the terminal derives the distance Lw based on the reception intensity A using the database as described above. Specific examples of the contents of the database are shown in Table 2 below. In Table 2, the reception intensity A and the distance Lw are associated with each other.

  The distance Lw after conversion using the database held by each terminal may be transmitted from the terminals 2 to 4 to the terminal 1 instead of the reception intensity A of [1] above. The distance Lw is derived on the side of the terminals 2 to 4 based on the reception intensity A acquired by averaging the reception intensity of the wireless LAN radio waves for a certain period of time, so that a more accurate value (the actual radio wave arrives). Approach).

The distance Lw is longer as the reception intensity A is higher, and is shorter as the reception intensity A is lower.
Note that the conversion from the radio wave intensity of the reception intensity A to the distance Lw may be calculated in another manner as long as it has the same purpose.

  In this specification, the reception intensity of radio waves in a wireless LAN is also referred to as “wireless LAN connection information”.

  The distance Lw is usually different for each terminal. This is because the distance Lw varies depending on the position of the terminal (distance from the access point of the wireless LAN). In FIG. 1, areas 521, 531 and 541 indicate ranges within a distance Lw from each of the terminals 2 to 4 at a certain point in time. The sizes of the areas 521, 531 and 541 are different for each terminal. More specifically, the area 531 of the terminal 3 is the largest, followed by the area 521 of the terminal 2, and then the area 541 of the terminal 4. This means that when the communication capabilities of the terminals 2 to 4 are equal, the reception intensity of the wireless LAN radio wave is the largest at the terminal 3, followed by the intensity at the terminal 2, and then the intensity at the terminal 4. It can be said.

  In FIG. 2, a region 201 representing “distance Lw ≧ distance Lb” and a region 202 representing “distance Lw <distance Lb” are shown. An area 201 (distance Lw ≧ distance Lb) is an area in which the terminal 1 determines that the terminal 1 is in a state where radio waves of the wireless LAN can be received. An area 202 (distance Lw <distance Lb) is an area in which the terminal 1 determines that the terminal 1 is not in a state in which wireless LAN radio waves can be received.

  As described above, when the terminal 1 determines that the terminal 1 is in a state where it can receive radio waves from the wireless LAN, the terminal 1 supplies power to the module for connecting to the wireless LAN and determines that the terminal 1 is not in a state where the radio waves can be received. Then, no power is supplied to the module.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the terminal 1 obtains the reception strength A and the reception strength B by communication using Bluetooth, calculates the distance Lb and the distance Lw based on these, and the distance Lb is equal to or less than the distance Lw. In some cases (“distance Lw ≧ distance Lb”), power is supplied to the module. When the distance Lb exceeds the distance Lw (“distance Lw <distance Lb”), power is supplied to the module. Don't do it.

  Hereinafter, a mode in which the terminal 1 determines whether to supply power to the module according to the positional relationship with other terminals will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, when the terminal 1 moves sequentially through the positions indicated by the terminal A, the terminal A ′, and the terminal A ″, the terminal 1 cannot communicate with the terminal 2 using Bluetooth at the position of the terminal A. It becomes possible to communicate with the terminal 2 using Bluetooth at the position of the terminal A ′ because the position of the terminal A is outside the area 520, but the position of the terminal A ′ is within the area 520. However, the terminal 1 The power supply to the module is not performed at the position of the terminal A ′ because the position of the terminal A ′ is outside the area 521. Then, the terminal 1 moves to the position of the terminal A ″ within the area 521. Then, supply of power to the module is started.

  Therefore, with reference to FIG. 2, it will be described that power is supplied to the module in the terminal 1 when the terminal 1 moves.

  In FIG. 2, point P1 is a point representing the values of distance Lw and distance Lb when terminal 1 is at the position of terminal A ′. Point P2 is a point representing the values of the distance Lw and the distance Lb when the terminal 1 is at the position of the terminal A ″. When the terminal 1 moves from the position of the terminal A ′ to the position of the terminal A ″, The distance Lb decreases as the distance between 1 and the terminal 2 decreases, but the value of the distance Lw does not change (since the state of the terminal 2 itself does not change). As shown in FIG. 2, since the point P1 is within the region 202 (distance Lw <distance Lb), the terminal 1 does not supply power to the module. On the other hand, since the point P2 is within the region 201 (distance Lw ≧ distance Lb), the terminal 1 supplies power to the module.

[Hardware configuration of mobile terminal]
The terminal 1 is realized by a portable communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a laptop computer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a main part of the terminal 1.

  Referring to FIG. 3, terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 31, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, an input device 33, a display device 34, a media controller 35, and a storage device 36. , First communication device 37, second communication device 38, power supply circuit 39, and battery 39A.

  The CPU 30 realizes at least a part of the functions of the terminal 1 described in the present specification by executing a program stored in the ROM 31, the storage device 36, the recording medium 600, or the storage device on the network. The RAM 32 is used as a work area for the CPU 30. The recording medium 600 is a medium that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the terminal 1. The CPU 30 communicates with the recording medium 600 via the media controller 35.

  The power supply circuit 39 supplies the power of the battery 39 </ b> A to each part of the terminal 1 based on the control by the CPU 30.

  The recording medium 600 includes a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, an FD (Flexible Disk), a hard disk, Magnetic tape, cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disk), MD (Mini Disk), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. And a medium for storing the program in a nonvolatile manner.

  The first communication device 37 is a device for connecting to a wireless communication network. The first communication device 37 communicates with a wireless LAN access point and communicates with other devices via a public external communication network such as the Internet (“public external communication network 100” in FIG. 5 described later). Specifically, the first communication device 37 is connected to the Internet and transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as a service providing server or a notebook computer.

  The second communication device 38 is a communication device according to a communication mode different from the wireless LAN. The second communication device 38 communicates with other devices (such as the terminal 2) located at a short distance from the terminal 1 via Bluetooth. The short-range communication may be ZigBee (registered trademark) or the like in addition to Bluetooth.

  The input device 33 receives an input of an instruction signal from the user. The input device 33 is a known input device such as a touch sensor, a keyboard (cross key, determination key, character input key, etc.), a remote controller for the terminal 1, or a combination of a voice input unit and a voice recognition unit. Realized.

  The display device 34 includes an image of operation image data acquired by the terminal 1 from another device, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen including an operation screen for the user to operate the terminal 1, and / or the terminal 1 is a program. A screen showing the result of executing is displayed. The display device 34 is realized by a known display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a plasma display, or electronic paper.

The input device 33 and the display device 34 may be realized as a touch panel.
[Functional configuration of mobile terminal]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main part of the terminal 1.

  Referring to FIG. 4, terminal 1 includes a control unit 40, a storage unit 41, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, a short-range wireless communication unit 44, a communication unit 45, and a power supply unit 60 as functions.

  In the terminal 1, the control unit 40 is realized, for example, when the CPU 30 executes a program stored in the storage device 36 or the like. The operation unit 42 is realized by the input device 33. The display unit 43 is realized by the display device 34. The short-range wireless communication unit 44 is an example of a module for performing communication in a mode different from communication using a wireless LAN, and is realized by the second communication device 38. The communication unit 45 is an example of a module for communicating with a wireless LAN, and is realized by the first communication device 37. The storage unit 41 is realized by the storage device 36, the ROM 31, and / or the recording medium 600.

  The control unit 40 performs overall control of each unit included in the terminal 1, and includes at least the first communication processing unit 50, the second communication processing unit 52, the communication control unit 51, and the reception data processing unit 53 as functions. Including.

  The first communication processing unit 50 controls the communication operation of the short-range wireless communication unit 44. Specifically, the communication frequency in the short-range wireless communication unit 44 is set, and data transmitted and received is processed.

  The second communication processing unit 52 controls the communication operation of the communication unit 45. Specifically, the communication frequency in the communication unit 45 is set, and data to be transmitted and received is processed.

  The communication control unit 51 acquires data received by the short-range wireless communication unit 44 and / or an instruction signal input via the operation unit 42. Then, the communication control unit 51 determines whether to supply power to the communication unit 45 based on the data and / or the instruction signal, and controls the second communication processing unit 52 based on the determination result. Send a signal. The second communication processing unit 52 supplies power to the communication unit 45 or stops the power request according to the control signal from the communication control unit 51.

  The reception data processing unit 53 stores the data received by the short-range wireless communication unit 44 and / or the data received by the communication unit 45 in the storage unit 41 and uses it for display on the display unit 43.

  The power supply unit 60 is realized by the battery 39 </ b> A and the power supply circuit 39. The power supply unit 60 supplies each unit of the terminal 1.

[Process for starting wireless communication function]
5 to 8 are flowcharts of processing for determining whether or not to supply power to the communication unit 45 in the terminal 1. In this specification, starting power supply to the communication unit 45 is also referred to as “activating a wireless communication function”. The wireless communication function referred to here means a wireless communication function by the communication unit 45, and does not include a wireless communication function by the short-range wireless communication unit 44. The activation of the wireless communication function by the short-range wireless communication unit 44 is separately controlled based on an instruction signal or the like from the operation unit 42.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when power is turned on to terminal 1, control unit 40 first performs initial setting in step S01. According to the initial setting, the wireless LAN communication function (wireless communication function) is stopped (OFF). On the other hand, the Bluetooth communication function is in a standby state.

  When the terminal 1 moves from outside the area where Bluetooth communication with the terminal 2 is possible into the area, the control unit 40 executes a process for establishing Bluetooth communication with the terminal 2 in step S02.

  Next, in step S03, the control unit 40 checks whether it is possible to make an inquiry about the wireless LAN connection information with respect to a device connected by Bluetooth communication. More specifically, the control unit 40 transmits an inquiry as to whether or not a wireless LAN communication function is provided to a device (in this case, “terminal 2”) connected by Bluetooth communication.

  In step S04, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the wireless LAN connection information can be inquired based on the check result in step S03. Specifically, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the reply to the inquiry transmitted in step S03 includes information indicating that the terminal 2 has a wireless LAN communication function. If it is included, the control unit 40 determines that the inquiry can be made. If it is not included (or if information indicating that the wireless LAN communication function is not provided is included), the control unit 40 determines that the inquiry is not possible. If the terminal 1 determines that the above inquiry is possible, the process proceeds to step S05 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, if the terminal 1 determines that the above inquiry is not possible, it returns the process to step S01.

  Referring to FIG. 6, in step S <b> 05, control unit 40 receives “wireless LAN connection information” from terminal 2, which is a communication partner on Bluetooth, and proceeds to step S <b> 20. In step S05, for example, the control unit 40 requests the terminal 2 to transmit wireless LAN connection information, and receives a reply to the request from the terminal 2.

  In step S20, the control unit 40 determines whether the information received from the terminal 2 includes wireless LAN connection information. If the control unit 40 determines that the wireless LAN connection information is included, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S06. If control unit 40 determines that wireless LAN connection information is not included, control unit 40 proceeds to step S21 (see FIG. 7). The fact that wireless LAN connection information is not included in the received information means that, for example, the terminal 2 has a wireless LAN communication function but is not connected to the wireless LAN.

  In step S06, the control unit 40, based on the wireless LAN connection information received from the terminal 2 and the radio wave reception intensity in the Bluetooth communication with the terminal 2, the terminal 1 exists in an area where the wireless LAN can be used. Information for determining whether to perform or not is generated. The information generated here is, for example, the distance Lw and the distance Lb described with reference to FIG. Further, the presence of the terminal 1 in an area where the wireless LAN can be used means that the terminal 1 is in a state where it can receive the wireless LAN radio wave.

  Next, in Step S07, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the terminal 1 exists in an area where the wireless LAN can be used (connected to the wireless LAN) based on the information generated in Step S06. When the control unit 40 determines that the terminal 1 exists in the area, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S08 (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, if the control unit 40 cannot determine that the terminal 1 exists in the area according to the information, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S12.

  Referring to FIG. 8, in step S08, control unit 40 starts supplying power to communication unit 45 to activate (ON) the communication function of the wireless LAN, and advances the process to step S09.

  Note that when the wireless LAN communication function is activated by starting the power supply to the communication unit 45 in step S08, the control unit 40 notifies the information on the display unit 43. More specifically, the control unit 40 displays the screen 410 of FIG. 9 on the display unit 43, for example. Screen 410 includes a pop-up screen 411 for notifying that the wireless LAN communication function has been activated. The display of the pop-up screen 411 is canceled when the confirmation button 412 is operated.

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S <b> 09, the control unit 40 checks the connection state of the terminal 1 to the wireless LAN, and advances the process to step S <b> 10. Specifically, the control unit 40 detects the reception intensity of radio waves in the communication unit 45, for example.

  In step S10, the control unit 40 determines whether the connection of the terminal 1 to the wireless LAN has been released based on the result of the check in step S09. If the control unit 40 determines that the connection is released, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the connection has not been released yet, the control unit 40 proceeds to step S09.

  In step S11, the control unit 40 stops the wireless LAN communication function of the terminal 1 by releasing the power supply to the communication unit 45, and returns the process to step S01.

  When the wireless LAN communication function is stopped in step S11, the control unit 40 notifies the display unit 43 of the stop of the wireless LAN communication function. Specifically, for example, the screen 420 of FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 43. Screen 420 includes a pop-up screen 421 for notifying that the wireless LAN communication function has been turned off. The display of the pop-up screen 421 is canceled when the confirmation button 422 is operated.

  As described above, in the process described with reference to FIG. 8, after starting the power supply to the communication unit 45 based on the content received from the terminal 2, the control unit 40 according to the connection status to the wireless LAN, It is determined whether or not to continue power supply to the communication unit 45.

  Returning to FIG. 6, if it is not determined in step S <b> 07 that the wireless LAN can be used in the wireless LAN available area depending on the content received from the terminal 2, the control unit 40 determines in step S <b> 12 that the control unit 40 It is confirmed whether or not notification in step S14 described later has already been performed.

  In step S13, the control unit 40 refers to the confirmation result in step S12 and determines whether or not the notification has already been performed. Then, if controller 40 determines that it has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if control unit 40 determines that it has not been performed yet, it proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control unit 40 notifies the user that there is a possibility that the terminal 1 exists in the wireless LAN usable area, and whether or not to activate the wireless LAN communication function from the user. Accepts input of information to select. For example, the control unit 40 displays the screen 430 of FIG. 11 on the display unit 43, thereby receiving the notification and the input of information. The screen 430 includes a pop-up screen 431. The pop-up screen 431 displays a message notifying that the terminal 1 may exist in the wireless LAN usable area, and inquiring whether or not it is desired to activate the wireless LAN communication function. Message to inquire. The pop-up screen 431 includes buttons 432 and 433 for the user to input an answer to the inquiry.

  In step S15, the control unit 40 determines whether the information input in step S14 is for selecting activation of the wireless LAN communication function. When determining that the activation is to be selected, the control unit 40 advances the processing to step S08 (see FIG. 8). On the other hand, if the control unit 40 selects not to start, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, the control unit 40 initializes the wireless LAN connection information inquiry timer and advances the process to step S17. In the terminal 1, the time from when the terminal 1 receives the “wireless LAN connection information” in step S 05 to the time until the communication partner requests transmission of the information is set as a request interval time in advance. Is set. The wireless LAN connection information inquiry timer performs a time counting operation for the requested interval time. The timer is timed as background processing of the processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 after being initialized in step S16.

  In step S17, the control unit 40 checks the connection state of the Bluetooth communication with the device (here, the terminal 2) that started the Bluetooth communication in step S02. More specifically, for example, the control unit 40 reads the reception intensity of radio waves in Bluetooth communication with the device.

  In step S18, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the connection of the Bluetooth communication is released based on the check result in step S17. If it is determined that the control unit 40 has been released, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S01 (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the connection is continued, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the timer initialized in step S16 has completed timing. If not completed yet, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S17. If it has expired, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S05. Thereby, when the count-up of the wireless LAN connection information inquiry timer is completed, the control unit 40 receives “wireless LAN connection information” from the communication partner of the Bluetooth communication again in step S05, and the terminal 1 connects to the wireless LAN. It is determined whether or not the connection area exists (steps S20, S06, and S07).

  As described above, according to the processing described with reference to FIG. 6, if the control unit 40 cannot determine that the terminal 1 exists in an area where wireless LAN connection is possible, depending on the content of communication by Bluetooth communication, Whether to activate the communication function of the LAN is selected. When the user selects not to activate the wireless LAN communication function, the control unit 40 determines whether the terminal 1 exists in the wireless LAN usable area every time the request interval time elapses. Determine whether.

  On the other hand, when the terminal 1 cannot receive the wireless LAN connection information from the communication partner of the Bluetooth communication in step S20, the control unit 40 advances the process to step S21.

  Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 21, control unit 40 waits for a predetermined period of time before receiving a notification of connection to the wireless LAN from a communication partner of Bluetooth communication. When the certain time has elapsed, the control unit 40 advances the processing to step S22.

  In step S22, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the notification has been received from the communication partner during the predetermined time. When determining that the notification has been received, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S05 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, when determining that the notification has not been received, the control unit 40 advances the processing to step S23.

  In step S23, similarly to step S17, the control unit 40 checks the connection state of the Bluetooth communication with the communication partner, and proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, as in step S18, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the connection with the communication partner via Bluetooth communication has been released based on the check result in step S23. When determining that the connection is not released, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S21. On the other hand, when determining that the connection is released, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S01 (see FIG. 5).

  As described above, according to the processing described with reference to FIG. 7, when the control unit 40 cannot receive wireless LAN connection information from a communication partner by Bluetooth communication, the communication partner connects to the wireless LAN from the communication partner. Wait until you are notified.

[Modification]
In the present embodiment described above, the terminal 1 includes the short-range wireless communication unit 44 as an example of a module for performing communication in a mode different from the communication in the wireless LAN. Note that in the mobile terminal of the present embodiment, communication in a mode different from wireless LAN communication is not limited to short-range communication. The terminal 1 determines whether or not to start power supply to the wireless LAN communication module (communication unit 45) based on the result of communication in another mode. Therefore, as long as communication is performed by a module different from the module used for communication in the wireless LAN, the communication in a mode different from the communication in the wireless LAN may be any mode of communication.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment demonstrated above, the control part 40 requests | requires transmission of wireless LAN connection information with respect to the communicating party of Bluetooth communication in step S05. The terminal 2 transmits wireless LAN connection information to the terminal 1 in response to the request. In the network according to the present embodiment, the terminal may transmit wireless LAN connection information to a communication partner of Bluetooth communication even if such a request is not transmitted.

  In steps S21 to S22 of the present embodiment described above, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a wireless LAN connection notification has been received from a communication partner of Bluetooth communication at regular time intervals. Instead of waiting, the control unit 40 may request wireless LAN connection information from the communication partner in step S21 at regular time intervals. In response to this, the communication partner transmits wireless connection information to the terminal 1, and the control unit 40 receives it. In step S22, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the communication partner is connected to the wireless LAN based on the reception strength included in the received wireless LAN connection information. If it is determined that the connection is established, the control unit 40 returns the process to step S05, and if it is determined that the connection is not established, the control unit 40 proceeds to the process of step S23.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 40 transmits the wireless LAN connection information in step S05 on the condition that the communication partner of the Bluetooth communication has a communication function to the wireless LAN in step S04. A request is made to the communication partner. Here, the control unit 40 may omit determining whether the communication partner has a wireless LAN communication function. That is, the control unit 40 may request the communication partner to transmit wireless LAN connection information when connection by Bluetooth communication is completed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it has been described that only the terminal 1 is configured to be movable among the terminals 1 to 4 illustrated in FIG. 1, but the technical idea according to the present embodiment is applied. The communication system to be used is not limited to the communication system shown in FIG. At least one of the terminals 2 to 4 may also be movable. Even in such a case, if the terminal 1 calculates the distance Lb and the distance Lw described above, the terminal 1 can determine whether or not the own device exists in the wireless LAN usable area.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time and its modification are illustrations in all the points, and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims. It is intended that the techniques disclosed in the embodiments and the modifications thereof can be implemented alone or in combination as much as possible.

  1-4 terminals, 30 CPU, 31 ROM, 32 RAM, 33 input device, 34 display device, 35 media controller, 36 storage device, 37 first communication device, 38 second communication device, 39 power supply circuit, 39A battery, 40 Control unit, 41 storage unit, 42 operation unit, 43 display unit, 44 short-range wireless communication unit, 45 communication unit, 50 first communication processing unit, 51 communication control unit, 52 second communication processing unit, 53 received data processing unit , 60 power supply unit, 100 external communication network, 600 recording medium.

Claims (7)

First communication means for connecting to a wireless communication network;
Second communication means for communicating with other devices in a different manner from the first communication means;
Control means for controlling the communication operation of the first communication means,
The second communication means is capable of communicating with a device connected to the wireless communication network;
The control means includes
A portable terminal that activates a communication function of the first communication unit based on a reception strength of radio waves for information received from the device and a reception strength of radio waves from the wireless communication network in the device.   The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit requests the device to transmit reception intensity of radio waves from the wireless communication network.   The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes the request on condition that the device has a function of connecting to a wireless communication network. The control means includes
When it is determined that the first communication means does not start the communication operation, an input for starting the communication operation to the first communication means is received,
The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the input is received, the first communication unit is configured to start a communication operation.   The control means again receives a radio wave reception intensity for information received from the device and a radio wave from the wireless communication network in the device after a predetermined time when it is determined that the first communication device does not start a communication operation. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein whether or not to activate a communication function by the first communication unit is determined based on a reception intensity of the first communication unit. A method for controlling a portable terminal, wherein the portable terminal is a first communication device for connecting to a wireless communication network and a second communication device for communicating with other devices in a manner different from the first communication device. Communication device and a processor, and the control method includes:
The processor receives, from the device connected to the wireless communication network via the second communication device, reception intensity of radio waves from the wireless communication network in the device;
The processor activating a communication function by the first communication device based on a reception strength of radio waves for information received from the device and a reception strength of radio waves from the wireless communication network in the device; A method for controlling a portable terminal.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 6.

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