JP6669960B2 - Terminal device, communication program, and communication method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, a communication program, and a communication method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Mobile phone carriers (carriers) provide various services to improve user convenience. One of the services is a service that allows a user to use both a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) with one contract.

  Among them, the wireless WAN is a network for connecting to a communication network of a business operator through a mobile phone line such as 4G (Generation) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), and is provided to a subscriber for a fee. On the other hand, a wireless LAN is a network for connecting to an operator's communication network via an access point installed at a station, a store, or the like, and a wireless WAN subscriber can often use it free of charge.

  The user can connect to the Internet from both the wireless WAN and the wireless LAN. However, as described above, by making the wireless LAN free, the user is encouraged to use the wireless LAN when connecting to the Internet. As a result, the effect of reducing the traffic of the wireless WAN used for voice communication can be expected.

  However, the terminal device is equipped with a SIM (Subscriber Identify Module) card that stores the identification number of the user or the operator, and the terminal device must be connected only to the communication network of the operator specified by the identification number. Can not.

  In order to connect a terminal device to a communication network of a plurality of operators, a plurality of SIM cards for each operator may be attached to the terminal device.

  At this time, if roaming is performed between wireless WANs of multiple operators, data communication can be performed using the wireless WAN even if the terminal device moves, but in the wireless WAN, each operator charges as described above. Will be done.

  On the other hand, when roaming to a free wireless LAN attached to a wireless WAN contract, data communication can be performed free of charge using the wireless LAN, which can contribute to the convenience of the user.

JP 2006-217586 A JP-T-2009-542149 JP-T-2013-511189A International Publication No. 2004/102930

  By the way, when a plurality of SIM cards are attached to a terminal device as described above, a communication network to which the terminal device can be connected is limited to a communication network of a business specified by each SIM card.

  However, when a terminal device is located in a range of a plurality of wireless LANs, the terminal device has no means for identifying which carrier provides the wireless LAN. Therefore, there is a problem that the terminal device 1 cannot specify a free wireless LAN among a plurality of wireless LANs, and the terminal device cannot automatically roam to a free wireless LAN.

  In one aspect, the disclosed technology aims to automatically roam a terminal device to a wireless LAN.

In one aspect, a first card storing first information for connecting to a first communication network and a second card storing second information for connecting to a second communication network are provided. A terminal device equipped with the terminal acquires access point information for specifying a plurality of access points of the wireless LAN provided in the second communication network, and the terminal device acquires the first information of the first card. The terminal device wirelessly connects to the first communication network, and the terminal device uses the state of the first radio wave currently used for connection with the first communication network and the access point information. The state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points identified is monitored, and the terminal device determines which of the first radio wave state and the second radio wave state obtained by the monitoring is different. whether is good, an index indicating the state of said first radio wave The at least one of the second index indicating the state of radio waves, said terminal device is determined in a state in which the weighting factor changes depending on the region located is multiplied, by the judgment of the second radio wave condition Is determined to be better than the state of the first radio wave, the terminal device uses the second information of the second card to transmit the second information via the access point. A communication method for connecting to the wireless LAN of the communication network.

  The terminal device can automatically roam to the wireless LAN.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a network configuration to which a terminal device according to the first embodiment connects. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a first communication network according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining IMSI. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating functions of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram (part 1) for describing the operation of the selection unit of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram (part 2) for describing the operation of the selection unit of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an initial operation of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating the initial operation of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (part 1) illustrating a state of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram (part 2) illustrating a state of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (part 3) illustrating a state of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram (part 4) illustrating a state of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram (part 1) illustrating how the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment changes over time. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram (part 2) illustrating how the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment changes over time. FIG. 17 is a network diagram (part 1) corresponding to the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a network diagram (part 2) corresponding to the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a network diagram (part 3) corresponding to the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a network diagram (part 4) corresponding to the state of the terminal device according to the first example of the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the roaming method according to the second example of the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart (part 1) for describing the communication method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flowchart (part 2) for describing the communication method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart for describing connection processing of the communication method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the processing content of the determination processing according to the first example of the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a network configuration to which terminal devices are connected in the second example of the second embodiment. FIG. 27 is a functional configuration diagram of a terminal device according to a second example of the second embodiment. FIG. 28 is a flowchart (part 1) for describing a communication method according to a second example of the second embodiment. FIG. 28 is a flowchart (part 2) for describing the communication method according to the second example of the second embodiment.

(1st Embodiment)
The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Network configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a network configuration to which a terminal device according to the first embodiment connects.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 1 connects to the Internet 2 via one of a first communication network N1 and a second communication network N2 provided by different operators.

  The first communication network N1 is provided with a plurality of base stations 3 for wireless WAN and a plurality of access points 4 for wireless LAN. The terminal device 1 connects to the Internet 2 via the first communication network N1 by wirelessly connecting to one of the base station 3 of the wireless WAN and the access point 4 of the wireless LAN. The same applies to the second communication network N2.

  The first server 5 and the second server 6 are connected to the Internet 2.

  Among them, the first server 5 is a server managed by a first provider that provides the first communication network N1, and stores the first access point information 8. The first access point information 8 is information for specifying a plurality of access points 4 provided in the first communication network N1. For example, a list of SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) of each access point 4 is the first. It is stored as access point information 8.

  Further, the second server 6 is a server managed by a second provider that provides the second communication network N2, and stores the second access point information 9. The second access point information 9 is information for specifying a plurality of access points 4 provided in the second communication network N2. For example, a list of SSIDs of each access point 4 is used as the second access point information 9. It is memorized.

  When the number of the access points 4 is increased or decreased or the SSID is changed, each provider reflects these changes in the access point information 8 and 9.

  In addition, instead of each company individually preparing the servers 5 and 6 as described above, a server that collectively manages the SSIDs of the access points 4 of these companies is provided, and each access point is provided in the server. Information 8 and 9 may be stored.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the first communication network N1.

  Note that the configuration of the second communication network N2 is the same as that described above, and a description thereof will be omitted below.

  The first communication network N1 is a communication network conforming to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network architecture formulated by the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), and includes a base station 3 of the wireless WAN and an access point of a wireless LAN. 4 has an EPC 22 as a connection destination.

  The access point 4 is divided into a first access point 4a and a second access point 4b depending on whether or not it has a function of encrypting an IP (Internet Protocol) packet received from the terminal device 1.

  The first access point 4 a encapsulates the received IP packet by L2 (Layer 2) level GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) without encrypting the received IP packet, and transmits the encapsulated IP packet to the EPC 22. Such a wireless LAN using GRE is also called untrusted Wi-Fi.

  On the other hand, the second access point 4 b encrypts the IP packet by IP Sec and transmits the IP packet to the EPC 22. Such a wireless LAN using IP Sec is also called trusted Wi-Fi.

  Note that only one of the first access point 4a and the second access point 4b may be provided.

  The base station 3 is a Node B or eNode B that is a 3G or LTE base station.

  On the other hand, the EPC 22 includes an SGW 24, an ePDG 25, a TWAG 26, an authentication server 27, an MME / SGSN 28, an HSS / HLR 29, and a PGW 30.

  The SGW (Serving Gate Way) 24 is a gateway that transfers an IP packet transferred from the base station 3 to a destination address. An ePDG (evolved Packet Data Gateway) 25 is a gateway to which the terminal device 1 connects via untrusted Wi-Fi, and a TWAG (Trusted Wireless Access Gateway) 26 is a terminal device that connects via the trusted Wi-Fi. The gateway to connect to.

  The authentication server 27 is a server that performs authentication when connecting the terminal device 1 to the wireless LAN, and is, for example, an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) server. Further, an MME / SGSN (Mobility Management Entity / Serving GPRS Support Node) 28 is a facility for managing the mobility of the terminal device 1 and controlling the transfer route of the IP packet.

  An HSS / HLR (Home Subscriber Server / Home Location Register) 29 is a database that manages the location of the terminal device 1, its telephone number, and contract information with the user.

A PGW (PDN Gate Way) 30 is a gateway at the boundary between the EPC 22 and the Internet 2, and transfers IP packets between the EPC 22 and the Internet 2.
[Configuration of terminal device]
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

  The terminal device 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is a terminal that can be connected to both the wireless LAN and the wireless WAN. For example, any one of a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook computer, a mobile phone, and a smartphone is used as the terminal device 1 Can be used.

  Hereinafter, a case where a smartphone is used as the terminal device 1 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 1 has a rectangular casing 42, and the casing 42 has a touch panel display unit 43, first and second mounting units 45 and 46, Is provided.

  Then, a first SIM card 47 and a second SIM card 48 are mounted on the first mounting section 45 and the second mounting section 46, respectively.

  Among them, the first SIM card 47 is issued by a first business operator that provides the first communication network N1, and is used to connect the terminal device 1 to the first communication network N1. You.

  On the other hand, the second SIM card 48 is issued by a second operator that provides the second communication network N2, and is used to connect the terminal device 1 to the second communication network N2. .

  Note that the number of SIM cards is not limited to two, and three or four SIM cards may be attached to the terminal device 1.

  These SIM cards 47 and 48 store an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). IMSI is a unique identification number uniquely assigned to the subscriber of these SIM cards 47 and 48.

  Note that the IMSI of the first SIM card 47 is an example of first information, and the IMSI of the second SIM card 48 is an example of second information.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining IMSI.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the IMSI includes a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a Mobile Network Code (MNC), and a Mobile Station Identification Number (MSIN).

  MCC is the country code. MSIN is an identification number of a user who is a subscriber.

  The MNC is an identification number of a provider that provides a communication network connectable by the SIM. In the present embodiment, the MNC of the first SIM card 47 indicates an operator providing the first communication network N1, and the MNC of the second SIM card 48 indicates an operator providing the second communication network N2. .

  Accordingly, the terminal device 1 can specify a communication network operator to which the terminal device 1 can connect by referring to the MNC.

In this example, the IMSI is stored in each of the plurality of SIM cards, but these IMSIs may be stored in the terminal device 1 itself.
[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device 1.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the terminal device 1 includes a communication unit 51, a processor 52, a selection unit 53, an input / output unit 54, and a storage unit 55, in addition to the display unit 43 described above.

  The communication unit 51 includes a first antenna 51a for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a wireless WAN, and a second antenna 51b for transmitting and receiving radio waves of a wireless LAN. Wireless WAN standards include, for example, W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) such as 3G and LTE. Further, as a standard of the wireless LAN, for example, there is IEEE 802.11.

  The processor 52 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a communication program described below in cooperation with the storage unit 55.

  The selection unit 53 is a switch that selects one of the first SIM card 47 and the second SIM card 48 and allows the processor 52 to refer to the selected SIM card. The structure of the selection unit 53 is not particularly limited. The selection unit 53 may be a mechanical switch or a software switch.

  As described above, the selection unit 53 selects one of the SIMs 47 and 48, so that the terminal device 1 can be wirelessly connected to either the first communication network N1 or the second communication network N2.

  The input / output unit 54 provides an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 to an external device.

  Further, the storage unit 55 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 55a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 55b.

  Among them, the ROM 55a stores a communication program described later. Note that the communication program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium 59, and the processor 52 may read the communication program in the recording medium 59.

  Examples of such a recording medium 59 include a physical portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive may be used as the storage medium 59. These storage media 59 are not temporary media such as carrier waves having no physical form.

  Further, the communication program may be stored in a device connected to a public line, the Internet, a LAN, or the like, and the processor 52 may read and execute the communication program.

On the other hand, the RAM 55b stores the above-described first access point information 8 and second access point information 9 obtained via the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2.
[Function configuration]
FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram showing functions of the terminal device 1 realized by the hardware configuration of FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the same elements as those described in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 1 includes a control unit 60 in addition to the display unit 43, the communication unit 51, the selection unit 53, the input / output unit 54, and the storage unit 55 described above.

  The first storage area 56a and the second storage area 56b are allocated to the RAM 55b of the storage unit 55. First access point information 8 is stored in the first storage area 56a, and second access point information 9 is stored in the second storage area 56b.

  On the other hand, the control unit 60 is a function realized by the processor 52 and the RAM 55b executing the communication program developed in the RAM 55b in cooperation with each other, and includes a connection unit 61, an acquisition unit 62, a monitoring unit 63, and a determination unit. 64 and an instruction unit 65.

  The connection unit 61 uses the IMSI (see FIG. 4) of the first SIM card 47 and the second SIM card 48, which is selected by the selection unit 53, as authentication information. The apparatus is connected to one of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 via the communication unit 51.

  The acquisition unit 62 acquires the first access point information 8 and the second access point information 9 via the Internet via the communication unit 51, and stores them in the RAM 55b.

  Thus, even if the number of access points 4 in each of the communication networks N1 and N2 increases or decreases or the SSID of the access point 4 is changed, the latest SSID list is stored as the access point information 8 and 9 in the RAM 55b. Will be stored.

  After storing the first access point information 8 and the second access point information 9 in the storage unit 55 as described above, the obtaining unit 62 obtains the access point information 8 and 9 from the storage unit 55. It also has functions.

  Then, the monitoring unit 63 refers to the second access point information 9 acquired by the acquiring unit 62, and thereby each of the access points 4 of the second communication network N2 specified by the second access point information 9 The state of the radio wave is monitored via the communication unit 51.

  Further, the monitoring unit 63 has a function of monitoring the state of radio waves of each of the base station 3 and the access point 4 of the first communication network N1 via the communication unit 51.

  In addition, the determination unit 64 determines which of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 has a better radio wave condition based on the radio wave condition obtained by the monitoring unit 63.

  The determining unit 64 also has a function of determining whether or not radio waves of the wireless WAN and the wireless LAN of each of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 can be detected.

Then, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select one of the first SIM card 47 and the second SIM card 48. For example, when the determination unit 64 determines that the radio wave condition of the first communication network N1 is better than the radio wave condition of the second communication network N2, the instruction unit 65 sends the first signal to the selection unit 53. The user is instructed to select the SIM card 47.
[Operation description]
Next, an operation of the terminal device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

<Operation of Selection Unit 53>
7 and 8 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the selection unit 53 of the terminal device 1.

  As described above, the selection unit 53 switches according to the state of the radio wave of each of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where the radio wave condition of the access point 4 of the first communication network N1 is better than the radio wave condition of the access point 4 of the second communication network N2.

  In this case, the selection unit 53 selects the first SIM card 47, and the terminal device 1 connects to the first communication network N1.

  The index for determining the state of the radio wave is not particularly limited. For example, there are RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) and RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) as indicators of the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN. On the other hand, as an index of the radio wave state of the wireless LAN, for example, there is an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

  The units of the RSSP, RSRQ, and RSSI indices are different from each other. Therefore, when comparing different indices, it is only necessary to multiply each of the indices by an appropriate coefficient so that the indices indicating the same radio wave state have the same value.

  On the other hand, FIG. 8 shows a case where the state of the radio wave is reversed from the example of FIG.

  In this case, since the radio wave condition of the access point 4 of the second communication network N2 is better than that of the first communication network N1, the selection unit 53 selects the second SIM card 48 and The device 1 is connected to the second communication network N2.

<Initial operation>
Next, an initial operation immediately after the activation of the terminal device 1 will be described.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating the initial operation of the terminal device 1. 11 to 14 are schematic diagrams illustrating states of the terminal device 1.

  First, in step S10 of FIG. 9, the user turns on the power of the terminal device 1.

  At this stage, the selection unit 53 may select either the first SIM card 47 or the second SIM card 48, but in the following, it is assumed that the selection unit 53 has selected the first SIM card 47. I do.

  The subsequent steps are performed by the control unit 60 executing the above-described communication program.

  First, in step S11, the obtaining unit 62 reads the IMSI of the first SIM card 47 to recognize the MNC included in the IMSI. The MNC is, as described above, an identification number that identifies a first operator that provides the first communication network N1. Therefore, the control unit 62 can recognize that the own device can be connected to the first communication network N1 provided by the first provider by using the first SIM card 47.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state of the terminal device 1 at this stage.

  As shown in FIG. 11, at this stage, each of the first storage area 56a and the second storage area 56b allocated to the RAM 55b is empty.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 9, and the connection unit 61 wirelessly connects the own device to the first communication network N1. The connection destination may be the base station 3 of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 or the access point 4 of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S13, where the determination unit 64 determines whether the own device has wirelessly connected to the first communication network N1.

  If it is determined that the connection is not made (NO), step S12 is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection has been made (YES), the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the acquisition unit 62 acquires the first access point information 8 from the first server 5 (see FIG. 1) on the Internet and stores it in the RAM 55b of the storage unit 55.

  As described above, the first access point information 8 is the SSID of each of the plurality of access points 4 provided in the first communication network N1.

  The execution method of this step is not particularly limited, and the application installed in the terminal device 1 refers to the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the first server 5 and performs the first access from the URL according to a predetermined procedure. The point information 8 can be obtained.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state of the terminal device 1 at this stage.

  As shown in FIG. 12, at this stage, the first access point information 8 is stored in the first storage area 56a allocated to the RAM 55b.

  Next, proceeding to step S15 in FIG. 10, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the second SIM card 48.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S16, where the acquiring unit 62 reads the IMSI of the second SIM card 48, thereby recognizing the MNC included in the IMMS. Thereby, the control unit 62 can recognize that the own device can be connected to the second communication network N2 provided by the second operator by using the MNC.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S17, where the connection unit 61 wirelessly connects the own device to the second communication network N2. The connection destination may be the base station 3 of the wireless WAN of the second communication network N2 or the access point 4 of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

  Then, proceeding to step S18, the determination unit 64 determines whether or not the own device has wirelessly connected to the second communication network N2.

  Here, if it is determined that the connection is not established (NO), step S17 is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection has been made (YES), the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the acquiring unit 62 acquires the second access point information 9 from the second server 6 (see FIG. 1) on the Internet, and stores it in the storage unit 55.

  As described above, the second access point information 9 is the SSID of each of the plurality of access points 4 provided in the second communication network N2.

  The method of executing this step is not particularly limited, and the application installed on the terminal device 1 refers to the URL of the second server 6 and obtains the second access point information 9 from the URL according to a predetermined procedure. I can do it.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state of the terminal device 1 at this stage.

  As shown in FIG. 13, at this stage, the second access point information 9 is stored in the second storage area 56b allocated to the RAM 55b.

  Next, proceeding to step S20 in FIG. 10, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the first SIM card 47 again.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram of the terminal device 1 in a state where the selection unit 53 selects the first SIM card 47 in this way.

  Thus, the basic steps of the initial operation of the terminal device 1 are completed.

  In this example, the terminal device 1 acquires the first access point information 8 via the first communication network N1, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the terminal device 1 may acquire the first access point 8 via the second communication network N2.

  Similarly, the terminal device 1 may acquire the second access point information 9 via the first communication network N1.

  Further, instead of acquiring the respective access point information 8 and 9 from the Internet 2 as described above, each operator may store the access point information 8 and 9 in the storage unit 55 in advance. In this case, it is preferable that the application of each business entity is installed in the terminal device 1 and the access point information 8, 9 is updated when the application is updated.

[Roaming method]
Next, a roaming method according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the following, it is assumed that the user has contracted to receive both wireless WAN and wireless LAN services from respective operators of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2. However, in this agreement, each business shall provide the contractor with a wireless WAN for a fee, and let the contractor use the wireless LAN free of charge.

  In the present embodiment, by roaming the terminal device 1 to these free wireless LANs as described below, the economic burden on the user who owns the terminal device 1 is reduced.

<Outline of roaming method>
(First example)
First, the outline of the roaming method according to the first example will be described while following the time change of the state of the terminal device 1.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams showing how the states t1 to t8 of the terminal device 1 change over time.

  In these figures, radio waves received by the terminal device 1 are indicated by arrows. Among these arrows, solid arrows indicate radio waves that the terminal device 1 is currently using for communication. On the other hand, arrows indicated by dotted lines indicate radio waves that are received by the terminal device 1 but are not used for communication.

  The thickness of each arrow indicates the quality of the radio wave, and the thicker the arrow, the better the radio wave condition.

  In the following description, FIG. 17 to FIG. 17 to 20 are network diagrams corresponding to states of the terminal device 1.

  First, the first state t1 shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

  In the state t1, the terminal device 1 is connected to the first communication network N1 using a radio WAN radio wave of the first communication network N1 having the best state among a plurality of radio waves.

  In addition to the connection, the terminal device 1 monitors the state of radio waves around the terminal device. This also applies to each of the states t2 to t8.

  Radio waves to be monitored include radio WAN radio waves of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 and radio LAN radio waves of these communication networks N1 and N2. Each radio wave of the wireless WAN and the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is an example of a first radio wave, and the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is an example of a second radio wave.

  The wireless LAN radio wave is emitted from the access point 4 (see FIG. 1). The access point 4 broadcasts its own SSID together with the radio wave of the wireless LAN, and the terminal device 1 receives the SSID.

  At this time, the terminal device 1 collates the received SSID with the access point information 8 and 9 stored in the terminal device 1.

  Since the access point information 8 and 9 store the SSID of the access point 4 of each of the communication networks N1 and N2, the terminal device 1 can collate the communication networks N1 and N2 around its own device by performing the collation in this manner. Can be confirmed whether or not there is an access point 4.

  As a result, the terminal device 1 can monitor only the wireless LAN radio waves from the access point 4 existing in the access point information 8 and 9 as described above. The terminal device 1 ignores the wireless LAN radio waves emitted from the access points 4 that do not exist in the access point information 8 and 9.

  FIG. 17 is a network diagram in this state.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the terminal device 1 is wirelessly connected to the base station 3 of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 using the first SIM card 47.

  In the next state t2 of FIG. 15, the radio wave condition of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 becomes worse because the terminal device 1 has moved, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 becomes the best instead. . However, at this stage, since the authentication for connecting to the wireless LAN has not been performed, the terminal device 1 is continuously connected to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1.

  FIG. 18 is a network diagram in this state.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in this state, although the terminal device 1 is connected to the first communication network N1 as described above, the terminal device 1 also monitors the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2. are doing.

  In the next state t3 of FIG. 15, the connection unit 61 of the terminal device 1 notifies the authentication server 27 of the first communication network N1 of the authentication request via the access point 4. The authentication request includes the IMSI stored in the first SIM card 47 as authentication information.

  Then, based on the notified IMIS, the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN contract. Returns an authentication response to the effect that authentication was successful to the terminal device 1.

  As a result, in the state t4, the terminal device 1 can connect to the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  As described above, the automatic roaming from the wireless WAN to the wireless LAN is completed in the first communication network N1 provided by the same carrier (first operator).

  Thereafter, roaming from wireless LAN to wireless LAN is performed between different carriers as follows.

  First, in the state t5 in FIG. 16, the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is deteriorated due to the movement of the terminal device 1, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is changed instead. It will be the best.

  However, at this stage, since authentication for connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 has not been performed, the terminal device 1 continues to connect to the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  In the next state t6, the determination unit 64 determines that the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is the best. Then, in response to this determination, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the second SIM card 48, and finally the terminal device 1 selects the second SIM card 48.

  Then, in the next state t7, the connection unit 61 of the terminal device 1 notifies the authentication server 27 of the second communication network N2 via the access point 4 of an authentication request. The authentication request includes the IMSI stored in the second SIM card 48 as authentication information.

  Then, based on the notified IMIS, the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN contract. Returns an authentication response to the effect that authentication was successful to the terminal device 1.

  FIG. 19 is a network diagram in this state.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the above-described authentication request from the terminal device 1 to the access point 4, the IMSI stored in the second SIM card 48 is used as authentication information.

  Thus, in the state t8 in FIG. 16, the terminal device 1 can connect to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

  FIG. 20 is a network diagram in a state where the terminal device 1 is thus connected to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

  As described above, automatic roaming between wireless LANs between different carriers is completed.

  According to this method, the terminal device 1 stores the first access point information 8 and the second access point information 9 as described above, so that the first communication network N1 and the second It is possible to constantly monitor whether or not there is a radio wave of each wireless LAN of the communication network N2. Then, the terminal device 1 monitors the state of the radio wave of each wireless LAN, so that it is possible to roam to a wireless LAN that emits a radio wave whose state is good.

(Second example)
In the first example described above, it is assumed that the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is detected by the terminal device 1 in the state t2 of FIG.

  However, when the terminal device 1 exists outside the range of the radio wave, the terminal device 1 cannot detect the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1. This case will be described below while following the time change of the state of the terminal device 1.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the roaming method according to the second example.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the radio wave in the best state in the first state t9 is a radio WAN radio wave of the first communication network N1. Therefore, in this case, the terminal device 1 is connected to the first communication network N1 via the wireless WAN.

  Note that, unlike the first example, at this stage, the terminal device 1 has not been able to detect the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  In the next state t10, the radio wave condition of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 is degraded due to the movement of the terminal device 1, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is instead considered to be the best. Become.

  However, at this stage, since the terminal device 1 has not performed authentication for connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2, the terminal device 1 continues to connect to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1. .

  In the next state t11, the determination unit 64 determines that the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is the best. Then, in response to this determination, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the second SIM card 48, and finally the terminal device 1 selects the second SIM card 48.

  In the next state t12, the connection unit 61 of the terminal device 1 notifies the authentication server 27 of the second communication network N2 of the authentication request via the access point 4. The authentication request includes the IMSI stored in the second SIM card 48 as authentication information.

  Then, based on the notified IMIS, the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN contract. Returns an authentication response to the effect that authentication was successful to the terminal device 1.

  As a result, in the next state t13, the terminal device 1 can connect to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

<Details of communication method>
(First example)
Next, a communication method for realizing the roaming method according to the first example described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 will be described.

  FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are flowcharts for explaining the communication method according to the present embodiment.

  Each step of the flowchart is performed by the control unit 60 executing the above-described communication program.

  First, in step S30 in FIG. 22, the acquisition unit 62 (see FIG. 6) refers to the first storage area 56a and the second storage area 56b of the RAM 55b, and stores the first storage area 56a and the second storage area 56b in these areas. And the second access point information 9 are obtained.

  Next, the process moves to step S31. In this step, the terminal device 1 wirelessly connects to either the first communication network N1 or the second communication network N2.

  In the following, a case where the terminal device 1 is connected to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 by using the IMSI (see FIG. 4) of the first SIM card 47 as authentication information by the connection unit 61 will be described as an example. explain. In this case, the HSS / HLR 29 of the first communication network N1 (see FIG. 2) confirms the authentication information notified from the terminal device 1, so that the terminal device 1 connects to the first communication network N1. Allow

  Next, the process proceeds to step S32, where the monitoring unit 63 monitors the state of the radio wave of each of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2.

  Radio waves to be monitored include radio WAN radio waves of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 and radio LAN radio waves of these communication networks N1 and N2.

  However, for the wireless LAN, the monitoring unit 63 refers to the access point information 8 and 9 obtained in step S30, and monitors the radio waves emitted only from the access point 4 specified by the access point information 8 and 9. The unit 63 monitors.

  The monitoring unit 63 ignores radio waves emitted from the access point 4 that do not exist in either the first access point information 8 or the second access point information 9.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S33, where the determination unit 64 determines whether or not radio waves of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 can be detected. The radio wave to be determined is only a radio wave emitted from the access point 4 specified by the SSID present in the first access point information 8.

  Here, if it is determined that detection is not possible (NO), the process proceeds to the connection process of step S43 described in the second example.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that detection can be performed (YES), the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S34, the determination unit 64 determines whether the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is better than the radio wave condition of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1.

  Indices indicating the state of radio waves in the wireless WAN include, for example, RSRP and RSRQ. An index indicating the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN is, for example, RSSI. As described above, since each of these indices has a different unit, it is preferable to multiply each of the indices by an appropriate coefficient so that the indices indicating the same radio wave state have the same value.

  Then, when the index indicating the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN is larger than the index indicating the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN, the judgment unit 64 judges that the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN is better than that of the wireless WAN. I do.

  If it is determined that the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is not better than that of the wireless WAN (NO), the process returns to step S32, and the terminal device 1 connects to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1. Maintain the state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN (YES), the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S35, the authentication is performed between the authentication server 27 of the first communication network N1 and the terminal device 1, as in the state t3 of FIG.

  In this authentication, the connection unit 61 notifies the authentication server 27 of the authentication request via the access point 4. The authentication request includes the IMSI stored in the first SIM card 47 as authentication information.

  Then, based on the notified IMIS, the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN contract. Returns an authentication response to the effect that authentication was successful to the terminal device 1.

  If the authentication is successful, the process moves to step S36, and the device is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  By this step S36, the roaming from the wireless WAN to the wireless LAN within the same carrier (first operator) is completed as in the state t4 in FIG.

  After this, roaming of the wireless LAN between carriers is performed.

  First, it is assumed that the terminal device 1 has moved to another place in step S37 of FIG.

  Then, proceeding to step S38, the monitoring unit 63 monitors the state of the radio wave of each of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2.

  As in step S32 described above, the radio waves to be monitored in this step include the radio waves of each wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2, and the wireless LAN of these communication networks N1 and N2. There is a radio wave of.

  However, for the wireless LAN, the monitoring unit 63 refers to the access point information 8 and 9 obtained in step S30, and monitors the radio waves emitted only from the access point 4 specified by the access point information 8 and 9. The unit 63 monitors.

  The monitoring unit 63 ignores radio waves emitted from the access point 4 that do not exist in either the first access point information 8 or the second access point information 9.

  Next, the process moves to step S39.

  In step S39, the determination unit 64 determines whether the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  Note that, for example, RSSI may be used as an index indicating the state of the radio wave of each wireless LAN. If the RSSI of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is larger than that of the first communication network N1, the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is higher than that of the first communication network N1. Is also determined to be good.

  Here, if it is determined that the state is not better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 (NO), the process returns to step S38, and the terminal device 1 is connected to the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1. Maintain the connected state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than that of the first communication network N1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the second SIM card 48.

  As a result, the selection unit 53 selects the second SIM card 48, similarly to the state t6 in FIG.

  Next, the process moves to step S41.

  In step S41, the authentication is performed between the authentication server 27 of the second communication network N2 and the terminal device 1 as in the state t7 of FIG.

  In this authentication, the connection unit 61 notifies the authentication server 27 of the authentication request via the access point 4. The authentication request includes the IMSI stored in the second SIM card 48 as authentication information.

  Then, based on the notified IMIS, the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN contract. Returns an authentication response to the effect that authentication was successful to the terminal device 1.

  When the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S42, where the connection unit 61 wirelessly connects the own device to the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  By this step S42, similar to the state t8 in FIG. 16, the automatic roaming between wireless LANs between different carriers is completed.

  According to the communication method described above, the terminal device 1 has previously obtained the first access point information 8 and the second access point information 9 in step S30. Therefore, the terminal device 1 can specify the access point 4 specified by the access point information 8, 9 as a roaming destination, and can roam the terminal device 1 to a free wireless LAN attached to the wireless WAN. .

  If the terminal device 1 is located within the range of a plurality of wireless LANs, the wireless LAN of the best radio wave is selected in step S39, and the SIM card corresponding to the wireless LAN is selected in step S40. select. As a result, the terminal device 1 can be connected to the wireless LAN having the best radio wave condition using the SIM card, and the communication quality of the terminal device 1 can be secured.

(Second example)
Next, a communication method for realizing the communication method according to the second example described with reference to FIG. 21 will be described.

  As described with reference to FIG. 21, this example is a process in a case where the terminal device 1 cannot detect the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1. This process is a connection process S43 when it is determined in step S33 (see FIG. 22) that the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 cannot be detected (NO).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the connection processing S43.

  Each step in this flowchart is performed by the control unit 60 executing the above-described communication program.

  First, in step S50, the monitoring unit 63 monitors the state of the radio wave of each of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2.

  The electric waves monitored in this step are electric waves of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 and electric waves of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2. Of these radio waves, only radio waves emitted from the access point 4 specified by the second access point information 9 acquired in step S30 are to be monitored.

  At this stage, as described in step S31 of FIG. 22, it is assumed that the terminal device 1 is connected to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1.

  Next, proceeding to step S51, the determination unit 64 determines whether the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1. .

  Here, if it is determined that the state is not better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 (NO), the process returns to step S50, and the terminal device 1 is connected to the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1. Maintain the connected state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 (YES), the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the instruction unit 65 instructs the selection unit 53 to select the second SIM card 48.

  Next, in step S53, the connection unit 61 performs authentication with the authentication server 27 of the second communication network N2 via the access point 4. In this authentication, the connection unit 61 transmits the IMSI stored in the second SIM card 48 to the authentication server 27, and the authentication server 27 determines whether or not the terminal device 1 is authorized to connect to the wireless LAN. This is done by making a determination based on

  When the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S54, where the connection unit 61 wirelessly connects the own device to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

  As described above, the automatic roaming from the wireless WAN of the first communication network N1 to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is completed.

  Also in the communication method according to the above-described example, similarly to the first example, the terminal device 1 can specify the access point 4 specified by the second access point information 9 as a roaming destination, and the free access accompanying the wireless WAN can be performed. The terminal device 1 can roam to the wireless LAN.

(2nd Embodiment)
In the determination processing of step S39 (see FIG. 23) of the first embodiment, in order to determine which of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 has a better radio wave condition, The magnitude of RSSI, which is an index of radio waves of each wireless LAN, was determined.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by multiplying the index of the radio wave by the weighting factor as described below, the user's preference is incorporated in the determination criteria when roaming between different operators.

(First example)
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the determination processing in step S39 in this example.

  In FIG. 25, the same step numbers as those described in FIGS. 22 and 23 of the first embodiment denote the same step numbers, and a description thereof will be omitted below.

  Each step of the flowchart is performed by the control unit 60 executing the above-described communication program.

  In this example, first, in step S61, the determination unit 64 multiplies the RSSI of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 by a weight coefficient α.

  The value of the weight coefficient α is not particularly limited. In this example, a value larger than 1 (for example, 3) is used as the weight coefficient α.

  Next, proceeding to step S62, the judgment unit 64 compares the RSSI of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 multiplied by the weighting factor α with the RSSI of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2. . When the former is larger than the latter, the determination unit 64 determines that the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1. to decide.

  According to the present example described above, the RSSI of the wireless LAN is multiplied by the weight coefficient α in step S62, so that the state of the radio wave of one wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 is higher than that of the other. Is also easily determined to be good.

  For example, if α is larger than 1, as described above, even if the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is somewhat poor, the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 becomes the second state. The communication network N2 is determined to be better than that of the second communication network N2, and the first communication network N1 is continuously used.

  As a result, when there is a preference of the user who prefers to use one of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2, roaming can be performed by reflecting the preference.

  In the above description, only the RSSI of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is multiplied by the weight coefficient α, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, only the RSSI of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 may be multiplied by the weighting factor, or the RSSI of each of the wireless LANs of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 may have different values. One weighting factor may be multiplied.

(Second example)
FIG. 26 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a network configuration to which terminal devices are connected in the present example.

  In FIG. 26, the same elements as those described in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  As shown in FIG. 26, in this example, the location server 9 is connected to the Internet 2.

Location server 9, by the terminal apparatus 1 notifies the position of the own apparatus via the Internet 2, and returns the weighting factor beta ₁ below corresponding to the position, the beta ₂ to the terminal apparatus 1.

  FIG. 27 is a functional configuration diagram of the terminal device 1 according to the present example. In FIG. 27, the same elements as those described in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted below.

  As shown in FIG. 27, in this example, the terminal device 1 is provided with a position acquisition unit 70.

  The position acquisition unit 70 is realized by, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and has a function of acquiring the current position of the terminal device 1.

  Next, a communication method according to the present example will be described.

  FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are flowcharts for explaining the communication method according to this example.

  28 and 29, the same step numbers as those described in FIGS. 22 and 23 of the first embodiment denote the same step numbers, and a description thereof will be omitted below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 28, after performing step S30 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, the position acquisition unit 70 of the terminal device 1 acquires the position of the own device, and notifies the position server 9 of the position. Then, the location server 9 having received the notification returns the weighting factors β ₁ and β ₂ corresponding to the location to the terminal device 1.

The weight coefficients β ₁ and β ₂ are not particularly limited. For example, when the position is Kanto, β ₁ = 3 and β ₂ = 1, and when the position is Kansai, β ₁ = 1 and β ₂ = 3.

  Next, after performing steps S31 to S38 described in the first embodiment, step S39 in FIG. 29 is performed.

  In step S39, the determination unit 64 determines whether the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1.

  The index indicating the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN used in the determination is not particularly limited, but in this example, RSSI is used as the index.

Then, when the value obtained by multiplying a weighting factor beta ₂ on the RSSI of the second communication network N2 is greater than the first value obtained by multiplying a weighting factor beta ₁ on the RSSI of the communication network N1, the second communication network N2 The determination unit 64 determines that the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN is better than that of the first communication network N1.

  In this determination, when it is determined that the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 is better than that of the first communication network N1, the process proceeds to step S40, and the second SIM card 48 Select

  Thereafter, by performing steps S41 and S42 described in the first embodiment, the terminal device 1 is connected to the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2.

According to the present example described above, the values of the weighting factors β ₁ and β ₂ used in step S39 are changed according to the area where the terminal device 1 is located, so that the first communication network N1 and the second communication network Which of N2 the terminal device 1 is preferentially connected to can be changed according to the region.

For example, if β ₁ = 3 and β ₂ = 1 when the position of the terminal device 1 is in the Kanto region as described above, even if the state of the radio wave of the wireless LAN of the first communication network N1 is somewhat poor, the process proceeds to step S39. Is determined to be NO, and the first communication network N1 is continuously used.

Also, when the terminal device 1 moves and is located in Kansai, the magnitudes of the two weighting factors are reversed and β ₁ = 1 and β ₂ = 3, so that the wireless LAN of the second communication network N2 Even if the state of the radio wave is somewhat poor, the second communication network N2 will continue to be used.

  As a result, when there is a preference of the user who prefers to use one of the first communication network N1 and the second communication network N2 similarly to the first example, roaming is performed by reflecting the preference. be able to.

  Regarding each embodiment described above, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed.

(Supplementary Note 1) A first card storing first information for connecting to the first communication network and a second card storing second information for connecting to the second communication network The attached terminal device obtains access point information that specifies a plurality of access points of the wireless LAN provided in the second communication network,
The terminal device wirelessly connects to the first communication network using the first information of the first card,
The state of the first radio wave currently used by the terminal device to connect to the first communication network, and the state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points specified by the access point information And monitor
The terminal device determines which of the state of the first radio wave and the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring is better,
According to the determination, when the state of the second radio wave is also good in the state of the first radio wave, the terminal device uses the second information of the second card, A communication method comprising connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network via the access point.

  (Supplementary Note 2) The comparison is performed in a state in which at least one of the index indicating the state of the first radio wave and the index indicating the state of the second radio wave is multiplied by a weighting coefficient. The communication method according to supplementary note 1.

  (Supplementary note 3) The communication method according to supplementary note 2, wherein the weight coefficient is changed depending on an area where the terminal device is located.

  (Supplementary note 4) Any of the supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein the first communication network includes a wireless WAN and a wireless LAN, and the terminal device wirelessly connects to the wireless WAN or the wireless LAN. The communication method described.

(Supplementary Note 5) The first communication network is provided by a first operator,
The communication method according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein the second communication network is provided by a second operator different from the first operator.

(Supplementary Note 6) A communication unit that wirelessly communicates with one of the first communication network and the second communication network,
A first card storing first information for connecting to the first communication network;
A second card storing second information for connecting to the second communication network;
A selection unit that selects one of the first card and the second card;
By using the one of the first information and the second information that is stored in the first card or the second card selected by the selection unit, the first communication network A connection unit that connects the own device to any of the second communication networks via the communication unit;
An acquisition unit that acquires access point information that specifies a plurality of access points of the wireless LAN provided in the second communication network via the communication unit
Monitoring for monitoring a state of a first radio wave currently used for connection with the first communication network and a second radio wave state of each of the plurality of access points specified by the access point information Department and
A determining unit that determines which of the state of the first radio wave and the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring unit is better when the own device is connected to the first communication network; When,
An instruction unit that instructs the selection unit to select the second card when the state of the second radio wave is also determined to be good by the determination unit;
A terminal device comprising:

(Supplementary Note 7) A first card storing first information for connecting to the first communication network and a second card storing second information for connecting to the second communication network A process in which the attached terminal device obtains access point information for specifying a plurality of wireless LAN access points provided in the second communication network;
A process in which the terminal device wirelessly connects to the first communication network using the first information of the first card;
The state of the first radio wave currently used by the terminal device to connect to the first communication network, and the state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points specified by the access point information And a process of monitoring
A process in which the terminal device determines which of the state of the first radio wave and the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring is better;
According to the determination, when the state of the second radio wave is also good in the state of the first radio wave, the terminal device uses the second information of the second card, Connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network via the access point;
Communication program that causes a computer to execute.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal device, 2 ... Internet, 3 ... Base station, 4 ... Access point, 5 ... First server, 6 ... Second server, 8 ... First access point information, 9 ... Second access point information , 22 ... EPC, 24 ... SGW, 25 ... ePDG, 26 ... TWAG, 27 ... Authentication server, 28 ... MME / SGSN, 29 ... HSS / HLR, 30 ... PGW, 42 ... Housing, 43 ... Display unit, 45 ... 1st mounting part, 46 ... 2nd mounting part, 47 ... 1st SIM card, 48 ... 2nd SIM card, 51 ... communication part, 51a ... 1st antenna, 51b ... 2nd antenna, 52 ... Processor, 53 ... Selection unit, 54 ... Input / output unit, 55 ... Storage unit, 56a ... First storage area, 56b ... Second storage area, 59 ... Recording medium, 60 ... Control unit, 61 ... Connection unit, 62 acquisition unit, 63 monitoring unit, 64 determination unit, 65 instruction unit.

Claims (3)

Terminal device equipped with a first card storing first information for connecting to a first communication network and a second card storing second information for connecting to a second communication network Acquires access point information specifying a plurality of access points of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) provided in the second communication network,
The terminal device wirelessly connects to the first communication network using the first information of the first card,
The state of the first radio wave currently used by the terminal device to connect to the first communication network, and the state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points specified by the access point information And monitor
The terminal device determines whether the state of the first radio wave or the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring is better, an index indicating the state of the first radio wave, and the second At least one of the index indicating the state of the radio wave is determined by multiplying the weight coefficient changed by the area where the terminal device is located ,
When the terminal device determines that the state of the second radio wave is better than the state of the first radio wave, the terminal device uses the second information of the second card. Connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network via the access point. A communication unit that wirelessly communicates with one of the first communication network and the second communication network;
A first card storing first information for connecting to the first communication network;
A second card storing second information for connecting to the second communication network;
A selection unit that selects one of the first card and the second card;
By using the one of the first information and the second information, which is stored in the first card or the second card selected by the selection unit, the first communication network A connection unit that connects the own device to any of the second communication networks via the communication unit;
An acquisition unit that acquires access point information that specifies a plurality of access points of a wireless LAN provided in the second communication network via the communication unit;
Monitoring for monitoring the state of the first radio wave currently used for connection with the first communication network and the state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points specified by the access point information Department and
When the own device is connected to the first communication network, it is determined whether the state of the first radio wave or the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring unit is better . A determination unit that determines in a state in which at least one of the index indicating the state of the radio wave and the index indicating the state of the second radio wave is multiplied by a weight coefficient changed according to an area where the terminal device is located ;
An instruction unit that instructs the selection unit to select the second card when the state of the second radio wave is determined to be better than the state of the first radio wave by the determination unit; ,
A terminal device comprising: Terminal device equipped with a first card storing first information for connecting to a first communication network and a second card storing second information for connecting to a second communication network Acquiring access point information specifying a plurality of access points of the wireless LAN provided in the second communication network;
A process in which the terminal device wirelessly connects to the first communication network using the first information of the first card;
A state of a first radio wave currently used by the terminal device to connect to the first communication network;
Monitoring the state of the second radio wave of each of the plurality of access points identified by the access point information;
The terminal device determines whether the state of the first radio wave or the state of the second radio wave obtained by the monitoring is better, an index indicating the state of the first radio wave, and the second A process of determining in a state where at least one of the index indicating the state of the radio wave is multiplied by a weighting factor changed by an area where the terminal device is located ,
When the terminal device determines that the state of the second radio wave is better than the state of the first radio wave, the terminal device uses the second information of the second card. Connecting to the wireless LAN of the second communication network via the access point;
Communication program that causes a computer to execute.

Images