JP5959360B2 - Wireless communication terminal, method, program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio communication terminal in a mobile communication system, and more particularly to a technique for the radio communication terminal to select a radio communication system.

  In recent years, with the spread of high-function wireless communication terminals such as smartphones, the traffic volume has increased rapidly. Against the backdrop of such traffic distribution, mobile carriers offer mobile communication services using various wireless communication methods such as the LTE (Long Term Evolution) method that enables high-speed and low-delay wireless communication. . Wireless communication systems such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and GSM (Registered Trademark) (Global System for Mobile Communications) continue to be used repeatedly, and a wireless communication terminal in a mobile communication system has a plurality of wireless communication terminals. It corresponds to the communication method. Wireless communication terminals are also required to reduce power consumption while improving user convenience by supporting a plurality of wireless communication systems.

  There are various techniques for controlling the wireless communication system of a wireless communication terminal according to changes in the communication environment. International Publication No. 2006/129600 (Patent Document 1) discloses a communication system that links transmission path switching and application switching. In Patent Document 1, a wireless communication terminal selects a transmission path suitable for an application by acquiring the state of the transmission path between the wireless communication terminal and a communication partner terminal and comparing the state with a reference for each application. Further, in Patent Document 1, by changing the content related to communication to a content suitable for the state of the transmission path, it is possible to provide a service according to the communication status.

International Publication No. 2006/129600

  As described above, various applications are provided as high-performance wireless communication terminals such as smartphones become widespread. When multiple communication protocols such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are used in one application among various applications, it is necessary depending on the usage pattern of the user. Different bandwidths. For example, when a user uses SNS (social networking service), users who frequently access such as posting photos and messages, regularly viewing posts such as photos and videos of other participants, etc. In other words, some users only view text data, and the required bandwidth varies from user to user. Even for the same user, the required bandwidth may differ depending on the application usage scene and usage time zone. For example, there are cases where text data such as e-mail is mainly transmitted and received while the user is working, whereas video data is often transmitted and received in hobbies and exchanges with others.

  However, according to the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document, since the standard for each application is used, it is difficult to cope with such diversification of application usage forms. As described above, there is a need for a technique for controlling a wireless communication method according to a usage mode of an application by a user.

  A wireless communication terminal according to an embodiment corresponds to a plurality of wireless communication systems, and includes a storage unit, a determination unit, an acquisition unit, and a communication control unit. The storage unit includes a plurality of usage patterns for classifying application usage modes by the user, determination conditions for determining which usage pattern the application usage mode corresponds to, and communication in each usage pattern Are stored in association with throughput setting values to be secured. The determination unit determines a usage pattern based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal and a determination condition. The acquisition unit acquires communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication schemes by a packet transmitted and received by the wireless communication terminal. The communication control unit switches the wireless communication method based on the comparison result between the communication throughput information of the application being executed acquired by the acquisition unit and the throughput setting value corresponding to the usage pattern determined by the determination unit. Control.

  Preferably, the storage unit includes an address list associating the usage pattern with information for identifying an access destination candidate address of the wireless communication terminal as the determination condition, and the determination unit includes the access destination accessed by the application The usage pattern may be determined by comparing the information for identifying the address with the address list.

  Preferably, the storage unit includes, as a determination condition, an application list in which application name information is associated with each usage pattern, and the determination unit includes name information of the application being executed and name information in the application list. The usage pattern may be determined by comparison.

  Preferably, the storage unit includes a keyword list in which a usage pattern and a keyword are associated as a determination condition, and the determination unit compares the data acquired by the wireless communication terminal with the keyword list to determine the usage pattern. It may be determined.

  Preferably, the communication throughput information may include a traffic data amount of wireless communication of the application.

  Preferably, the throughput setting value is obtained by associating each usage pattern with a band to be secured for communication, and the communication control unit reserves for communication, which is associated with the determined usage pattern. It is also possible to sequentially compare the power band and the amount of traffic data to be acquired, and control the switching of the wireless communication method according to the comparison result.

  Preferably, the acquisition unit acquires the traffic data amount for each wireless communication method, and the communication control unit determines the bandwidth indicated by the throughput setting value and the traffic data amount of each wireless communication method for the determined usage pattern. May be switched to a wireless communication system with minimum power consumption that enables communication by band.

  Preferably, the communication throughput information may include a delay time of each packet of the application wireless communication.

  Preferably, the throughput setting value is obtained by associating an allowable delay time allowed at the time of communication with each usage pattern, and the communication control unit is acquired with an allowable delay time associated with the determined usage pattern. It is also possible to sequentially compare the delay time of each packet and control the switching of the wireless communication method according to the comparison result.

  Preferably, the communication control unit may switch to a wireless communication system with minimum power consumption that allows communication within an allowable delay time based on the delay time of each acquired packet.

  Preferably, the communication control unit periodically causes the determination unit to determine the usage pattern and the acquisition unit to acquire communication throughput information, and causes the storage unit to store the determination result and the acquisition result as history information. As a result of the determination, the wireless communication method may be switched when the usage pattern changes or when the acquired communication throughput information does not satisfy the throughput setting value.

  According to another embodiment, a method for communication control of a wireless communication terminal is provided. The wireless communication terminal supports a plurality of wireless communication methods, and determines a usage pattern to classify a usage pattern of an application by a user and a usage pattern to which the usage pattern of the application corresponds. A storage unit for storing the determination condition and the throughput setting value to be secured for communication in each usage pattern in association with each other. The communication control method of the wireless communication terminal includes a step in which the wireless communication terminal determines a usage pattern based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal and a determination condition, and the wireless communication terminal transmits and receives in the wireless communication terminal. A step of acquiring communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication methods by a packet to be transmitted, a communication throughput information of an application being executed, which is acquired by the wireless communication terminal, and a throughput corresponding to the determined usage pattern And a step of controlling switching of the wireless communication method based on a comparison result with the set value.

  According to another embodiment, a program for controlling communication of a wireless communication terminal is provided. The wireless communication terminal includes a processor and a memory, and the memory corresponds to a plurality of wireless communication schemes, and any of a plurality of usage patterns for classifying application usage modes by a user and an application usage mode. This is for storing the determination condition for determining whether the usage pattern corresponds to the throughput setting value to be secured for communication in each usage pattern in association with each other. The program causes the processor to determine a usage pattern based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal and a determination condition, and causes the processor to transmit at least one of the wireless communication packets by a packet transmitted and received in the wireless communication terminal. Wireless communication based on a step of acquiring communication throughput information of the communication method, and a comparison result between the acquired communication throughput information of the running application and the throughput setting value corresponding to the determined usage pattern. Controlling the switching of the method.

  The wireless communication terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention can switch the wireless communication method in accordance with a change in the usage mode of the application by the user, and thus has an effect of reducing power consumption.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a mobile communication system including a wireless communication terminal 100 and a network 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication terminal 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern determination information. It is a figure which shows the throughput setting information. It is a figure which shows the band information 24 according to communication system. It is a figure which shows the power consumption priority information 25. FIG. It is a figure which shows the monitoring history information. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the radio | wireless communication terminal 100 controls a radio | wireless communication system. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the usage condition of the application by a user as a usage pattern. 5 is a flowchart showing control of a wireless communication system by a communication system control unit 19.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Hereinafter, a wireless communication terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a mobile communication system including a wireless communication terminal 100 and a network 1.

<1 Network configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the network 1 includes a server group (online game server 50, server 51, SNS (Social Network Service) server 52, video service server 53), a network 54, a gateway 55, Gateway 56, router 57, router 58, wireless LAN router 59, LTE (Long Term Evolution) / UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) / GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) radio base station 60, LTE / UMTS / GSM wireless base station 61 and a plurality of wireless communication terminals 100 (wireless communication terminals such as wireless communication terminal 100A, wireless communication terminal 100B, wireless communication terminal 100C, and wireless communication terminal 100D are collectively referred to as wireless communication terminal 100). including.

  The LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 60 and the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 61 are radio base stations that support a plurality of radio communication schemes such as LTE, UMTS, and GSM. UMTS is a third generation (3G) mobile communication technology, sometimes referred to as 3G.

  The wireless base station communicates wirelessly with wireless communication terminals in a certain range of surrounding area. The area of the certain range covered by the radio base station is called “cell”. As shown in FIG. 1, the radio communication terminal 100A is located in an area covered by the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 60, and is controlled by the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 60. 60 and wireless communication. Similarly, the radio communication terminal 100B, the radio communication terminal 100C, and the radio communication terminal 100D perform radio communication with the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 61 according to the control of the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 61.

  When the wireless communication terminal 100 is located in each area of the surrounding wireless base stations, the wireless communication terminal 100 performs wireless communication with the wireless base station by switching the communication method to save power. For example, since LTE tends to consume more power than 3G, if a 3G band is necessary and sufficient, the wireless communication terminal 100 selects the 3G method. The wireless communication terminal 100 switches the wireless communication method according to the power consumption while ensuring the necessary bandwidth for communication as much as possible. That is, unnecessary power consumption is prevented by performing communication using LTE with large power consumption despite sufficient communication quality even in the 3G band.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the user of the wireless communication terminal 100A mainly uses SNS (social networking service). It is assumed that most of the traffic of the wireless communication terminal 100A is transmission / reception of text data and messages. Further, users of the wireless communication terminal 100B, the wireless communication terminal 100C, and the wireless communication terminal 100D mainly use the moving image distribution service, and most of the traffic is reception of moving image data or the like for reproducing the moving image. And

  Compared to sending and receiving text data and messages, the bandwidth required for receiving moving image data is larger. Therefore, for example, a wireless communication terminal that receives moving image data, such as the wireless communication terminal 100B, selects a communication method capable of relatively high-speed wireless communication such as LTE in order to secure a band. On the other hand, in the wireless communication terminal 100A in which transmission / reception of text data is mainly performed, 3G is selected in order to reduce power consumption when a necessary band can be secured by communication using the 3G method.

  The wireless LAN router 59 is an access spot for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) corresponding to a standard such as IEEE802.11n. The wireless communication terminal 100 accesses the network by wirelessly connecting to such a wireless LAN access spot.

  The router 57 and the router 58 are communication devices that interconnect the networks. The router 57 and the router 58 store a routing table and the like, and transfer or discard data transmitted / received through the network.

  The gateway 55 and the gateway 56 are devices that enable communication between different networks by mutually converting data having different protocols on the network. By being connected to each other by these gateways, the wireless communication terminal 100 can communicate with the online game server 50, the server 51, the SNS server 52, the moving image service server 53, and the like connected by the network 54.

  In this embodiment, the online game server 50 is a server for providing an online game service. The online game server 50 sequentially transmits and receives data to and from terminals used by online game users.

  In the present embodiment, the server 51 is a server that has an address corresponding to a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), accepts access via the Internet, and displays a Web page.

  The SNS server 52 is a server for providing an SNS site as service contents through the Internet. The SNS server 52 refers to SNS user information or the like from a database (not shown), and provides a service to a user such as the wireless communication terminal 100.

  The moving image service server 53 is a server for providing a moving image distribution service through the Internet. The moving image service server 53 processes an access request to the moving image from the user terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gateway 56, the router 58, and the LTE / UMTS / GSM radio base station 60 have a network configuration corresponding to the mobile communication system.

<Configuration of 2 wireless communication terminal 100>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless communication terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

<2.1 Overview of Wireless Communication Terminal 100>
As shown in FIG. 2, the radio communication terminal 100 includes a UMTS radio communication unit 21, a UMTS antenna 22, an LTE radio communication unit 31, an LTE antenna 32, a GSM radio communication unit 41, a GSM antenna 42, and a base. A band unit 10, a display unit 6, an audio output unit 7, an audio input unit 8, and an operation unit 9 are provided.

  The UMTS wireless communication unit 21 corresponds to a communication method using UMTS. The UMTS wireless communication unit 21 includes an amplifier and the like, converts a signal from the baseband unit 10 into an antenna transmission frequency, and converts an antenna reception signal into a frequency that can be processed by the baseband unit 10.

  The UMTS wireless communication unit 21 receives, by the UMTS antenna 22, a wireless signal related to voice communication or data communication from another wireless communication terminal or a server connected to the Internet. The UMTS wireless communication unit 21 performs signal processing on the received signal and outputs the signal to the baseband unit 10. Further, the UMTS wireless communication unit 21 performs signal processing or the like on the transmission signal generated by the baseband unit 10, and transmits the processed transmission signal to another radio through the wireless base station through the UMTS antenna 22. Transmit to a communication terminal or a communication device connected to the Internet.

  The LTE wireless communication unit 31 corresponds to a communication method based on LTE. The LTE wireless communication unit 31 includes an amplifier or the like, converts a signal from the baseband unit 10 into an antenna transmission frequency, and converts an antenna reception signal into a frequency that can be processed by the baseband unit 10. That is, when the LTE radio communication unit 31 receives a radio signal related to data communication via the radio base station by the LTE antenna 32, the LTE radio communication unit 31 performs signal processing on the received signal and outputs the signal to the baseband unit 10. Further, the LTE wireless communication unit 31 performs signal processing or the like on the transmission signal generated by the baseband unit 10 and transmits the processed transmission signal through the LTE antenna 32.

  The GSM wireless communication unit 41 corresponds to a communication method using GSM, converts a signal from the baseband unit 10 into an antenna transmission frequency, and converts an antenna reception signal into a frequency that can be processed by the baseband unit 10. To do. The GSM wireless communication unit 41 performs signal processing on the transmission signal generated by the baseband unit 10 and transmits the processed transmission signal through the GSM antenna 42.

  The display unit 6 includes a display or the like, and displays various information such as characters, symbols, and figures by being controlled by a baseband unit 10 described later. The audio output unit 7 includes a speaker or the like, converts audio data from the baseband unit 10 into audio, and outputs the audio to the outside. The audio input unit 8 includes a microphone or the like, converts audio input from the outside into audio data, and outputs the audio data to the baseband unit 10. The operation unit 9 includes a touch panel or the like, detects an operation from the user, and outputs the operation to the baseband unit 10.

  The baseband unit 10 includes a storage unit 13, a control unit 16, a UMTS processing unit 23, an LTE processing unit 33, and a GSM processing unit 43. The baseband unit 10 includes a processor (not shown). When the processor reads and executes the program stored in the storage unit 13, the baseband unit 10 exercises the functions of the control unit 16 and the like to manage the operation of the wireless communication terminal 100 in an integrated manner.

<2.2 Configuration of baseband unit 10>
The configuration of the wireless communication terminal 100 will be described in detail.

  The storage unit 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores programs and data. The storage unit 13 holds pattern determination information 14, throughput setting information 15, communication method band information 24, power consumption priority information 25, and monitoring history information 26, which will be described later.

  The user uses the application in various ways. For example, when using it for work, when using it for using an SNS site, or when using it for using a video distribution service, the usage mode of such an application is referred to as a “use pattern”. Classify as

  As will be described in detail later, the pattern determination information 14 indicates a determination condition for classifying which usage pattern of the application by the user corresponds to which of a plurality of usage patterns. The determination condition is, for example, a URL or an IP (Internet Protocol) address that is a candidate for an access destination of the wireless communication terminal 100.

  Throughput setting information 15 indicates a set value of throughput to be secured for communication of the wireless communication terminal 100 for each usage pattern. The communication system band information 24 indicates the band in the wireless communication terminal 100 in association with each wireless communication system such as LTE. The power consumption priority information 25 indicates the priority order of the wireless communication schemes for the wireless communication terminal 100 to switch the wireless communication schemes with priority on power consumption. The monitoring history information 26 indicates a history of packet monitoring results by the throughput acquisition unit 17 described later.

  The UMTS processing unit 23 supports communication by the UMTS system, and performs modulation processing and demodulation processing on data to be transmitted and received. The LTE processing unit 33 supports communication using the LTE scheme, and performs modulation processing and demodulation processing on data to be transmitted and received. The GSM processing unit 43 supports GSM communication, and performs modulation processing and demodulation processing on data to be transmitted and received.

  The control unit 16 controls data processing of the wireless communication terminal 100. The control unit 16 includes a throughput acquisition unit 17, a pattern determination unit 18, and a communication method control unit 19 described below.

  The throughput acquisition unit 17 acquires the throughput of each wireless communication method by monitoring packets transmitted and received by the wireless communication terminal 100.

  The pattern determination unit 18 determines which of the plurality of usage patterns corresponds to the usage mode of the application by the user. The pattern determination unit 18 determines a usage pattern based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal 100, data transmitted and received, and pattern determination information 14 and the like.

  The communication system control unit 19 determines the wireless communication system based on the throughput acquisition result for each communication system such as LTE, UMTS, and GSM by the throughput acquisition unit 17 and the set value of the throughput indicated in the throughput setting information 15. Control switching. In the present embodiment, the communication method control unit 19 selects a wireless communication method so as to select a wireless communication method that enables communication in a band necessary for the user's usage pattern and consumes less power. These processes will be described later.

<3 Data of wireless communication terminal 100>
Next, the pattern determination information 14, the throughput setting information 15, the communication method band information 24, the power consumption priority information 25, and the monitoring history information 26 stored in the storage unit 13 will be described.

<3.1 Pattern Determination Information 14>
As described above, the pattern determination information 14 indicates a determination condition for classifying which usage pattern of the application by the user corresponds to which of a plurality of usage patterns.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the pattern determination information 14.
FIG. 3 shows three determination conditions constituting the pattern determination information 14. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3D, the pattern determination information 14 includes a URL / IP address list 14 </ b> A, an application list 14 </ b> B, and a keyword list 14 </ b> C. .

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a URL / IP address list 14A that is a determination condition based on a URL and an IP address. As shown in FIG. 3A, the record of the URL / IP address list 14A includes a usage pattern 71 and a URL / IP address 72. The usage pattern 71 indicates a name for classifying the usage mode of the application by the user. The URL / IP address 72 indicates a URL or IP address corresponding to the usage pattern 71.

  The pattern determination method using the URL / IP address 72 can be performed as follows, for example. The wireless communication terminal 100 acquires the URL to be accessed at the time of packet monitoring in the throughput acquisition unit 17. The pattern determination unit 18 determines the usage pattern by comparing the URL of the access destination indicated in the packet and the IP address of the access destination with the URL / IP address 72 of the URL / IP address list 14A.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an application list 14B that is a determination condition based on the name of the application. As shown in FIG. 3B, the record of the application list 14B includes a usage pattern 71 and an application name 73. The application name 73 indicates the name of the application corresponding to the usage pattern.

  The pattern determination method based on the application name 73 can be performed as follows, for example. The wireless communication terminal 100 acquires a list of names of activated applications, and compares the activated applications with the application list 14B to determine a usage pattern. For example, when the wireless communication terminal 100 frequently activates an application for using the SNS, the pattern determination unit 18 compares the application name with the application list 14B, and the usage pattern is the application list 14B. It is determined that “SNS” is included.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a keyword list 14C that is a determination condition based on keywords. As shown in FIG. 3C, the record of the keyword list 14 </ b> C includes a usage pattern 71 and a keyword 74. The keyword 74 indicates a keyword corresponding to the usage pattern.

  The pattern determination method using the keyword 74 can be performed as follows, for example. The wireless communication terminal 100 is configured by the wireless communication terminal 100 such as an application being executed, text temporarily stored in a memory by a user, a character string of a URL, and a history of URLs accessed by the wireless communication terminal 100. By executing the application, character string data temporarily stored at a specific address in the memory is acquired, and a keyword is extracted by parsing the acquired data. The wireless communication terminal 100 determines the usage pattern by comparing the extracted keyword with the keyword 74 of the keyword list 14C.

<3.2 Throughput Setting Information 15>
As shown in FIG. 3, the usage pattern includes “game” indicating that the user plays a game with the wireless communication terminal 100. The usage pattern includes “game (net)” in which the wireless communication terminal 100 sequentially accesses the online game server 50 that manages the execution of the game and transmits / receives data, such as an online game, among game play. . For example, when a plurality of wireless communication terminals are connected to the online game server 50 and the players battle each other, user operations and the like in game play are sequentially transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 100 to the online game server 50. In addition, since the operation contents of other players are reflected in the wireless communication terminal 100, data is sequentially transmitted from the online game server 50 to the wireless communication terminal 100.

  In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 3, the usage patterns are classified according to the use of the user, and the usage pattern “work” indicates a situation in which the user is performing communication for work. The usage pattern “hobby” indicates a usage pattern that is more easily classified as a personal hobby compared to work. The usage pattern “IP communication” indicates, for example, a situation in which the user uses a service by IP communication such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) by the wireless communication terminal 100. The usage pattern “moving image” indicates a usage state in which the user receives moving image data from the moving image service server 53 by the wireless communication terminal 100 and views the moving image on the wireless communication terminal 100. The usage pattern “SNS” indicates a situation in which the user connects to the SNS server 52 by the wireless communication terminal 100 and uses the SNS.

  Each of the above usage patterns has a different bandwidth required for communication and an allowable delay time. For example, in the case of the usage pattern “game (net)”, real-time performance is often required, so that the allowable delay time is shortened and the necessary bandwidth is increased compared to other usage patterns. Also, for example, when a voice call is made using the usage pattern “IP communication”, the bandwidth required for the communication is often not as necessary as the reception of moving image data, but the problem of voice call due to data delay is avoided. Therefore, the allowable delay time is relatively small.

  Therefore, as described above, in the throughput setting information 15, the setting value of the throughput to be secured for the communication of the wireless communication terminal 100 is associated with each usage pattern.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the throughput setting information 15.
FIG. 4 shows two throughput setting values constituting the throughput setting information 15. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4C, the stored content of the storage unit 13 includes throughput setting information 15 including allowable delay time information 15A and necessary bandwidth information 15B.

  FIG. 4A shows the allowable delay time information 15A. The allowable delay time information 15A indicates an allowable value of delay time in communication as a throughput setting value. As shown in FIG. 4A, the record of the allowable delay time information 15A includes a usage pattern 71 and an allowable delay time 75. The allowable delay time 75 indicates a set value of the delay time allowed at the time of communication for each usage pattern.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the necessary bandwidth information 15B. The necessary bandwidth information 15B indicates a communication bandwidth necessary for each usage pattern as a throughput setting value. As shown in FIG. 4B, the record of necessary bandwidth information 15B includes a usage pattern 71 and a necessary bandwidth 76. The necessary band 76 indicates a communication band necessary for communication in each usage pattern.

<3.3 Band information 24 by communication method>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the communication system band information 24. The communication system band information 24 indicates a band for each communication system. The record of the communication method band information 24 includes a communication method 77, a band 78, and a delay time 81.

  The communication method 77 indicates the name of each communication method. In the example shown in FIG. 5, “EGPRS (Enhanced GPRS)”, “EVDO (Evolution Data Only)”, “HSPA (High Speed Packet Access)”, and “LTE” are shown as communication methods.

  A band 78 indicates a band of each communication method. Each band indicated by the band 78 may store the throughput value acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17 of the wireless communication terminal 100 for each communication method.

  The delay time 81 indicates a delay time due to communication of each communication method. The throughput value acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17 may be stored as a delay time for each communication method.

<3.4 Power Consumption Priority Information 25>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the power consumption priority information 25. The power consumption priority information 25 indicates the priority order of each communication method, which is determined based on the power consumption. The record of the power consumption priority information 25 includes a communication method 77 and a communication power consumption priority 79.

  The communication power consumption priority 79 indicates the priority of each communication method. As shown in FIG. 6, the priority order of “EGPRS” and “EVDO” is set high as a communication method with low power consumption. “HSPA” and “LTE” are set with low priority.

  For example, when there are a plurality of communication methods that match the usage pattern, the wireless communication terminal 100 selects the communication method based on the power consumption priority indicated in the power consumption priority information 25, thereby reducing the necessary bandwidth. While ensuring, power consumption can be reduced.

<3.5 Monitoring history information 26>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the monitoring history information 26. The monitoring history information 26 is a diagram showing a history of the throughput value acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17 of the wireless communication terminal 100 and the determination result determined by the pattern determination unit 18. In the wireless communication terminal 100, by holding a history of determination results of the pattern determination unit 18, it is possible to detect a change in application usage by the user.

  The wireless communication terminal 100 periodically acquires a throughput value by the throughput acquisition unit 17 and determines a usage pattern by the pattern determination unit 18. As shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring history information 26 is associated with the measurement cycle, and the traffic data amount in the communication method in communication is used as the result of use pattern determination by the pattern determination unit 18 and the throughput value by the throughput acquisition unit 17. (D) and delay time (L) are stored.

<4 Operation of Wireless Communication Terminal 100>
The operation of the wireless communication terminal 100 will be described using the drawings. Hereinafter, the control of the wireless communication system by the wireless communication terminal 100 and the operation of the pattern determination unit 18 will be described in detail.

<4.1 Control of Wireless Communication System of Wireless Communication Terminal 100>
The communication system control unit 19 controls the wireless communication system according to a change in the application usage mode by the user. Even if the user uses the same application, the required bandwidth may change. For example, the user uses SNS, and there is a time zone in which transmission / reception of text data is centered, and there is a time zone in which viewing of moving images and the like is centered. As described above, the communication method control unit 19 controls the wireless communication method according to the change in the usage pattern of the user while reducing the power consumption.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the wireless communication terminal 100 controls the wireless communication method.

  As described above, the wireless communication terminal 100 periodically acquires a throughput value by the throughput acquisition unit 17, and determines a usage pattern of the user's application as a usage pattern by the pattern determination unit 18. In step S81, the control unit 16 waits until the measurement cycle arrives (step S81: NO). When the measurement cycle arrives (step S81: YES), the control unit 16 proceeds to step S83, and the pattern determination unit 18 determines the usage pattern. To do. The process of step S83 will be described later.

  In step S85, the throughput acquisition unit 17 acquires an effective throughput value in the wireless communication scheme used by the wireless communication terminal 100 for communication by monitoring the packet. Specifically, the throughput acquisition unit 17 uses the packet monitoring to determine the traffic data amount (D) and the packet delay time (L) based on the packets transmitted and received during a certain period in the wireless communication system in communication. Measure. At this time, the effective throughput values of all wireless communication methods may be acquired.

  In step S87, the control unit 16 stores the processing result of step S83 and the processing result of step S85 in the monitoring history information 26 in association with the measurement cycle.

  In step S89, the communication system control unit 19 refers to the bandwidth required for the usage pattern by the throughput setting information 15 based on the usage pattern determined by the pattern determination unit 18, and this bandwidth and the throughput acquisition unit 17 The wireless communication method is controlled by comparing with the obtained throughput value. Details will be described later.

<4.2 Usage pattern determination processing>
Next, the operation of the pattern determination unit 18 in step S83 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a usage pattern of an application by a user as a usage pattern. In step S91, the pattern determination unit 18 performs monitoring of packets transmitted and received by the wireless communication method in communication.

  In step S <b> 93, the pattern determination unit 18 acquires a list of applications that are being executed in the wireless communication terminal 100. For example, the pattern determination unit 18 acquires a list of active applications managed by an OS (Operating System) that controls the operation of the wireless communication terminal 100. The application executed in the wireless communication terminal 100 is compared with the application list 14B of the pattern determination information 14, and the usage pattern corresponding to the application shown in the application list 14B is extracted.

  In step S95, the pattern determination unit 18 refers to the transmission destination IP address included in the header of the packet monitored in step S91 and the access destination URL of the wireless communication terminal 100. The pattern determination unit 18 compares the transmission destination IP address, the URL of the access destination of the wireless communication terminal 100, and the like with the URL / IP address list 14A, and the usage pattern corresponding to the URL shown in the URL / IP address list 14A. To extract.

  In step S97, the pattern determination unit 18 acquires character string data temporarily stored in the memory when the wireless communication terminal 100 executes an application, and parses the character string based on the acquired data. For example, the keyword is acquired. The pattern determination unit 18 compares the acquired keyword with the keyword list 14C, and extracts a usage pattern corresponding to the keyword shown in the keyword list 14C.

  In step S99, the pattern determination unit 18 determines the usage pattern of the user of the wireless communication terminal 100 as a usage pattern based on the usage pattern extraction results in steps S93, S95, and S97.

<4.2.1 Determination Method Based on Extracted Usage Pattern>
(Number of extractions)
As described above, there are various methods for determining the usage pattern based on the pattern determination information 14. For example, the pattern determination unit 18 counts the number of extractions every time a usage pattern is extracted based on each of the URL / IP address list 14A, application list 14B, and keyword list 14C, and the largest number is extracted. May be used as the determination result of the usage pattern.

(Judgment based on past history)
In addition, the pattern determination unit 18 may refer to the monitoring history information 26 and use the determined usage pattern as a determination result with priority in the determination result history of the pattern determination unit 18. For example, every time a usage pattern is extracted, the number of extractions is counted, and correction is performed so that the count value is incremented for usage patterns that have been determined in the past. Thereby, the pattern determination part 18 can determine based on the tendency of the usage pattern of the past user.

(Judgment based on weighting)
In addition, the pattern determination unit 18 weights each of the usage patterns 71 shown in FIG. 3, and determines the usage pattern by reflecting the weighting for each of the usage patterns extracted in step S93 and the like. Also good. For example, each time a usage pattern is extracted, the number of extractions is counted, and a specific usage pattern is weighted to correct the count value. By determining based on the result of the weighting, the pattern determination unit 18 can determine the usage pattern by reflecting the tendency of the usage pattern of the user.

  For example, when the frequency of playing a game by the wireless communication terminal 100 is high, a high weight is given to “game” and “game (net)” in the usage pattern 71 shown in FIG. The pattern determination unit 18 counts the usage patterns extracted in steps S93, S95, and S97. For “game” and “game (net)”, the weight is reflected in the number of times of extraction, and each usage is reflected. The usage pattern may be determined by comparing the number of times extracted for the pattern.

<4.3 Wireless communication system control processing>
Next, the operation of the communication system control unit 19 for executing the wireless communication system switching control will be described with reference to the drawings. When the usage pattern of the application by the user changes and the usage pattern judgment result by the pattern judgment unit 18 changes, the communication system control unit 19 can perform communication using the band necessary for the changed usage pattern and consumes less power. Select the wireless communication method. If there is no change in the usage pattern, the communication system control unit 19 compares the bandwidth required for communication with the usage pattern with the throughput value acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17 and is suitable for performing communication using the usage pattern. Select a wireless communication method.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control of the wireless communication system by the communication system control unit 19.

(When usage pattern changes)
In step S101, the communication system control unit 19 reads the monitoring history information 26, and extracts the usage pattern determination history determined by the pattern determination unit 18 and the effective throughput value history acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17. To do.

  In step S <b> 103, the communication system control unit 19 refers to the usage pattern determination history to determine whether the usage pattern determination result has changed. For example, when the determination result of the usage pattern by the pattern determination unit 18 is different from the determination result in the previous cycle, it is determined that the determination result has changed.

  When the usage pattern determination result has changed (step S103: YES), in step S105, the communication system control unit 19 determines the throughput setting value (allowable delay time and necessary) corresponding to the determined usage pattern. Is read from the throughput setting information 15. The communication method control unit 19 extracts a wireless communication method capable of communication using the read throughput setting value with reference to the communication method-specific band information 24.

  In step S107, the communication system control unit 19 refers to the power consumption priority information 25 among the wireless communication systems extracted in step S105, and selects the one that has the minimum power consumption.

  In step S113, the communication system control unit 19 switches to the wireless communication system selected in step S107.

  For example, a case will be described where the usage pattern changes from “moving image” to “game” in the above processing. In this case, in step S105, the bandwidth necessary for communication using the usage pattern “game” is read with reference to the necessary bandwidth information 15B (100 kbps). The communication system control unit 19 extracts a wireless communication system capable of communication based on the read throughput setting value (requires a bandwidth of 100 kbps) with reference to the communication system band information 24. In this case, the communication method control unit 19 refers to the communication method-specific band information 24 and extracts four communication methods of “EGPRS”, “EVDO”, “HSPA”, and “LTE”. In step S <b> 107, the communication system control unit 19 refers to the power consumption priority information 25 and selects the communication system “EGPRS” with the lowest power consumption.

(When usage pattern has not changed)
If it is determined in step S103 that the usage pattern determination result has not changed (step S103: NO), the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the communication system control unit 19 indicates the effective throughput value acquired by the throughput acquisition unit 17 in the throughput setting information 15 corresponding to the usage pattern determined by the pattern determination unit 18 in the most recent measurement cycle. Determine whether the required bandwidth or allowable delay time is exceeded. In step S109, when the traffic data amount of the acquired effective throughput value exceeds the necessary bandwidth indicated in the throughput setting information 15, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S109, when the delay time of the acquired effective throughput value exceeds the allowable delay time indicated in the throughput setting information 15, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S109, when the effective throughput value does not exceed the necessary bandwidth indicated in the throughput setting information 15 and the allowable delay time (step S109: NO), the process proceeds to step S105.

  When the effective throughput value exceeds the necessary bandwidth corresponding to the usage pattern indicated in the throughput setting information 15, the usage mode of the user's application may change, and the traffic volume may be increasing. In step S111, the communication system control unit 19 refers to the communication system-specific band information 24 and selects a wireless communication system by giving priority to the band.

  When the effective throughput value exceeds the allowable delay time corresponding to the usage pattern indicated in the throughput setting information 15, there is a possibility that it may be a problem for the user. In step S <b> 115, the communication system control unit 19 extracts a wireless communication system that can communicate with a delay time that is equal to or less than the allowable delay time, corresponding to the usage pattern, from the communication system-specific band information 24.

  In step S117, the wireless communication method with the minimum power consumption is selected with reference to the power consumption priority information 25 among the wireless communication methods extracted in step S115.

  In this way, even when there is no change in the determination result of the usage pattern, if the effective throughput value exceeds the throughput setting value set in the throughput setting information 15 in association with the usage pattern, the communication method control unit 19 Selects a wireless communication method. Thereby, when a user's usage mode is changing, selection of a radio | wireless communication system is controlled and a user's communication environment is maintained.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and 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.

  The present invention can be used for a wireless communication terminal in a mobile communication system or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network network, 6 Display part, 7 Voice output part, 8 Voice input part, 9 Operation part, 10 Baseband part, 12 Band information according to communication system, 13 Storage part, 14 Pattern determination information, 15 Throughput setting information, 16 Control Unit, 17 throughput acquisition unit, 18 pattern determination unit, 19 communication method control unit, 21 UMTS wireless communication unit, 22 UMTS antenna, 23 UMTS processing unit, 24 band information by communication method, 25 power consumption priority information, 26 monitoring history information 31 LTE wireless communication unit 32 LTE antenna 33 LTE processing unit 41 GSM wireless communication unit 42 GSM antenna 43 GSM processing unit 50 online game server 51 server 52 SNS server 53 video service server 54 network , 55 gateway, 5 6 gateway, 57 router, 58 router, 59 wireless LAN router, 60 LTE / UMTS / GSM wireless base station, 61 LTE / UMTS / GSM wireless base station, 100 wireless communication terminal.

Claims (17)

A wireless communication terminal supporting a plurality of wireless communication methods,
Multiple usage patterns for classifying application usage by the user, judgment conditions for determining which usage pattern the application usage corresponds to, and each usage pattern should be reserved for communication A throughput setting value is stored in association with each other, and information for specifying the number of times that each usage pattern is determined as a usage pattern of an application that was being executed when a determination was made in the past is stored. And
A determination unit that determines a usage pattern of an application that is currently being executed based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal, the determination condition, and a past determination count of each usage pattern specified by the information ; ,
An acquisition unit that acquires communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication methods by a packet transmitted and received by the wireless communication terminal;
Switching of the wireless communication method based on a comparison result between the communication throughput information of the currently executing application acquired by the acquisition unit and a throughput setting value corresponding to a usage pattern determined by the determination unit Including a communication control unit for controlling
Wireless communication terminal. The storage unit
The determination condition includes an address list in which the usage pattern is associated with information for identifying an address of a candidate for an access destination of the wireless communication terminal,
The determination unit
The usage pattern is determined by comparing the address list with information identifying an access destination address accessed by the application.
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. The storage unit
As the determination condition, for each usage pattern, including an application list that associates name information of the application,
The determination unit
Determining the usage pattern by comparing the name information of the currently executing application with the name information in the application list;
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. The storage unit
The determination condition includes a keyword list in which the usage pattern is associated with a keyword,
The determination unit
The usage pattern is determined by comparing the data acquired by the wireless communication terminal with the keyword list.
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. The communication throughput information is
Including traffic data volume of wireless communication of the application,
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. The throughput setting value associates each usage pattern with a bandwidth to be secured for communication,
The communication control unit sequentially compares a bandwidth to be secured for the communication, which is associated with the determined usage pattern, and the acquired traffic data amount, and the wireless communication method according to a comparison result Control the switching of
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 5. The acquisition unit
For each wireless communication method, obtain the traffic data amount,
The communication control unit sequentially compares the bandwidth indicated by the throughput setting value with the traffic data amount of each wireless communication method for the determined usage pattern, and enables communication using the bandwidth. Switch to a wireless communication system with less power consumption,
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 6. The communication throughput information is
Including the delay time of each packet of the wireless communication of the application,
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. The throughput setting value is associated with an allowable delay time allowed at the time of communication for each usage pattern,
The communication control unit sequentially compares the allowable delay time associated with the determined usage pattern with the delay time of each acquired packet, and controls switching of the wireless communication method according to the comparison result To
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 8. The communication control unit switches to a wireless communication method with the minimum power consumption that enables communication within the allowable delay time based on the delay time of each acquired packet.
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 9. The communication control unit
Periodically, the determination of the usage pattern by the determination unit and the acquisition of the communication throughput information by the acquisition unit are performed, the determination result and the acquisition result are stored in the storage unit as history information, As a result of the determination, when the usage pattern changes, or when the acquired communication throughput information does not satisfy the throughput setting value, the wireless communication method is switched.
The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1. A communication control method for a wireless communication terminal, comprising:
The wireless communication terminal supports a plurality of wireless communication methods, and determines a usage pattern for classifying application usage modes by a user and which usage pattern the application usage mode corresponds to. Are stored in association with the throughput setting value to be secured for communication in each usage pattern, and the usage of the application that was being executed when each usage pattern was determined in the past Including a storage unit for storing information for specifying the number of times determined as a pattern ,
The method
The wireless communication terminal uses the application pattern currently being executed based on the data processed in the wireless communication terminal, the determination condition, and the number of past determinations of each usage pattern specified by the information. Determining
The wireless communication terminal acquires communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication methods by a packet transmitted and received in the wireless communication terminal;
The wireless communication terminal switches the wireless communication method based on a comparison result between the acquired communication throughput information of the currently executing application acquired and a throughput setting value corresponding to the determined usage pattern. Including the step of controlling
Method. A program for controlling communication of a wireless communication terminal,
The wireless communication terminal includes a processor and a memory, and the memory corresponds to a plurality of wireless communication schemes, and uses a plurality of usage patterns for classifying application usage modes by a user, and application usage modes. Is stored in association with the determination condition for determining which usage pattern corresponds to the throughput setting value to be secured for communication in each usage pattern, and each usage pattern is determined in the past. It is for storing information for specifying the number of times determined as the usage pattern of the application that was being executed when
The program is
In the processor, data processed in the wireless communication terminal, the determination condition,
A step of determining a usage pattern of an application that is currently being executed based on a past determination count of each usage pattern specified by the information ;
Causing the processor to acquire communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication methods by a packet transmitted and received in the wireless communication terminal;
The processor controls the switching of the wireless communication method based on a comparison result between the acquired communication throughput information of the currently executing application acquired and a throughput setting value corresponding to the determined usage pattern. Including the step of
program. The determination unit determines a usage pattern of the currently executing application by weighting each usage pattern according to the number of times determined in the past of each usage pattern,
When the first usage pattern and the second usage pattern are related, the determination unit weights the first usage pattern based on a past determination count of the first usage pattern and the first usage pattern. Based on the past determination count of the second usage pattern, and the weighting of the second usage pattern is determined based on the past determination count of the first usage pattern and the past determination count of the second usage pattern. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 1, which is performed based on A wireless communication terminal supporting a plurality of wireless communication methods,
Multiple usage patterns for classifying application usage by the user, multiple judgment conditions for determining which usage pattern the application usage corresponds to, and securing for communication in each usage pattern A storage unit that stores the throughput setting value to be associated with each other;
A determination unit that determines a usage pattern of an application that is currently being executed based on data processed in the wireless communication terminal and the plurality of determination conditions;
An acquisition unit that acquires communication throughput information of at least one of the wireless communication methods by a packet transmitted and received by the wireless communication terminal;
Switching of the wireless communication method based on a comparison result between the communication throughput information of the currently executing application acquired by the acquisition unit and a throughput setting value corresponding to a usage pattern determined by the determination unit A communication control unit for controlling
The determination unit extracts a usage pattern of the application currently being executed based on each determination condition, and counts the number of extractions of the extracted usage pattern each time a usage pattern is extracted. A wireless communication terminal that determines a usage pattern of the currently executing application as the usage pattern of the currently executing application. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 15, wherein the determination unit corrects the count value of the number of extractions of the usage pattern to be incremented according to the number of times the usage pattern is determined in the past. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 15, wherein when the extracted usage pattern is a specific usage pattern, the determination unit weights and corrects the count value of the usage pattern extraction count.

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