Communication quality analysis system, communication quality analysis method, and communication quality analysis program

Abstract

To provide information for selecting a telecommunications carrier with good communication quality according to the usage status of a user terminal.SOLUTION: A communication quality analysis system 2 includes data collection means 11 that collects and stores communication quality data recorded in chronological order for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals, including a first user terminal that uses a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal that uses a second telecommunications carrier, and presentation information generation means 12 that analyzes the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal. The presentation information generation means 12 includes a communication quality evaluation value (CQV) generation device that generates communication quality analysis information DO that allows the communication quality of the first telecommunications carrier to be compared with the communication quality of the second telecommunications carrier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication quality analysis system, a communication quality analysis method, and a communication quality analysis program. [Background technology]

[0002] In mobile networks, network congestion can occur, slowing down data communication speeds even when signal strength is strong. Because this congestion cannot be determined solely by the value of signal strength, it is difficult for a terminal to grasp the congestion. While it is difficult to determine a good communication environment solely by the value of signal strength, users desire to select a communication carrier that offers good communication quality. Patent Document 1 therefore discloses a technology for grasping the communication quality of each communication carrier.

[0003] In the communication system described in Patent Document 1, a user terminal transmits location information indicating the location where wireless communication is used to a management device and requests the management device to select a communication carrier for a wireless line to be used for wireless communication from among multiple different communication carriers.The management device then refers to a memory unit that stores line status information indicating the status of the wireless lines related to the multiple different communication carriers, location information indicating the location where the line status of the wireless line was measured, and carrier information indicating the communication carrier of the wireless line, in association with each other, obtains the line status information corresponding to the location information received from the user terminal for each of the communication carriers, selects a communication carrier whose line status information meets specified conditions, and notifies the user terminal of the selected communication carrier. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-219559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that although it can select a telecommunications carrier that has good communication conditions at the current location of the user terminal, it cannot select a telecommunications carrier that has good communication quality according to the usage status of the user terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure includes a data collection means for collecting and storing communication quality data recorded in chronological order for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals, including a first user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier, and a presentation information generation means for analyzing the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generating communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal, wherein the presentation information generation means generates the communication quality analysis information that allows the communication quality of the first telecommunications carrier to be compared with the communication quality of the second telecommunications carrier.

[0007] The communication quality analysis method according to the present disclosure uses a data collection means that executes a data collection program to collect communication quality data recorded in chronological order for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals, including a first user terminal that uses a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal that uses a second telecommunications carrier; uses a presentation information generation means that executes a presentation information generation program to analyze the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal to generate communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; and generates the communication quality analysis information in the presentation information generation means that enables a comparison between the communication quality of the first telecommunications carrier and the communication quality of the second telecommunications carrier.

[0008] The communication quality analysis program according to the present disclosure includes: a data collection program that is executed by a calculation unit on a data collection means and that collects communication quality data recorded in chronological order for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals, including a first user terminal that uses a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal that uses a second telecommunications carrier; and a presentation information generation program that is executed by a calculation unit on a presentation information generation means and that analyzes the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal, wherein the presentation information generation program generates the communication quality analysis information that allows the communication quality of the first telecommunications carrier to be compared with the communication quality of the second telecommunications carrier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The communication quality analysis system, communication quality analysis method, and communication quality analysis program according to the present disclosure make it possible to select a telecommunications carrier that has good communication quality according to the usage status of the user terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a data collection unit and a presentation information generation unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication quality data according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a user terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication observation application of a user terminal according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8]10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication observation application of a user terminal according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. Furthermore, each element shown in the drawings as a functional block performing various processes can be configured in hardware with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other circuits, and in software with a program loaded into memory, etc. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms using only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to any one of these. In addition, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals in each drawing, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] Furthermore, the above-described program includes a set of instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, causes the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0013] The components described as means in the claims can realize their functions in various forms, such as dedicated hardware, general-purpose hardware such as a computer whose functions can be changed depending on the program being executed, etc. In the following explanation, the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure will be described using an example in which the functions are realized by general-purpose hardware, and each component will be referred to as an apparatus.

[0014] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system 1 according to the present disclosure. The communication quality analysis system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a data collection means 11 and a presentation information generation means 12. The data collection means 11 collects and accumulates communication quality data recorded in chronological order for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier.

[0015] Possible user terminals include, for example, mobile phones, tablet terminals, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles such as drones.

[0016] The presentation information generation means 12 analyzes communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal. Here, the presentation information generation means 12 generates communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first telecommunications carrier and the communication quality of the second telecommunications carrier. Here, the communication quality analysis information is information generated based on a communication quality evaluation value, which will be described later, and is information that has been processed into a format that allows a user to easily compare the communication quality of each telecommunications carrier. There are no particular limitations on the format of the communication quality analysis information, as long as it allows a user to understand or compare the differences between the telecommunications carriers.

[0017] Here, we will explain one specific example of a hardware configuration that constitutes the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12. Note that, although the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12 are shown as separate devices in Fig. 1, the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12 may be realized on a single piece of hardware that executes a data collection program and a presentation information generation program.

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating the specific configuration of the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12 according to the present disclosure. The example shown in Fig. 2 is an example in which the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12 are realized by general-purpose hardware whose operations and functions are defined by a program executed by a calculation unit. When general-purpose hardware is used in this way, the data collection means 11 and the presentation information generation means 12 can be realized by the same hardware configuration, and therefore Fig. 2 shows only the hardware configuration that realizes the data collection means 11.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the data collection means 11 is general-purpose hardware having a calculation unit 30, a storage unit 31, a memory 32, a communication interface 33, and a user interface 34. The calculation unit 30 executes a data collection program to realize the functions of the data collection means 11, and executes a presentation information generation program to realize the functions of the presentation information generation means 12. When implementing the data collection means 11, the storage unit 31 stores the data collection program and accumulates communication quality data collected by the data collection means 11. When implementing the presentation information generation means 12, the storage unit 31 stores the presentation information generation program and stores communication quality analysis information that is currently being analyzed and has already been analyzed.

[0020] The memory 32 is a temporary storage device that temporarily stores data used by the program executed in the calculation unit 30. The communication interface 33 is an interface for communicating with a user terminal. The user interface 34 has an input unit that allows the administrator of the data collection means 11 to operate the data collection means 11, and a display unit that displays a user interface screen to the administrator. In the data collection means 11, the calculation unit 30, the storage unit 31, the memory 32, the communication interface 33, and the user interface 34 are connected to each other by a bus within the computer.

[0021] Next, information included in the communication quality data collected by the data collection means 11 will be described. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of communication quality data according to the present disclosure. The communication quality data illustrated in FIG. 3 is merely an example and may include other information not illustrated. The communication quality data is data linking the status of communication by a user terminal with information related to time. It can also be described as the observation results of a communication observation app. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication quality data is information identifying the app communicating at the time the user terminal acquires the information (the communication app column in FIG. 3), information identifying the telecommunications carrier used by the user terminal for communication (the telecommunications carrier in FIG. 3), terminal location information of the user terminal at the time of information acquisition, radio wave strength when the user terminal was communicating, and information on the communication speed measured when the user terminal communicated, all linked to the time of acquisition. Furthermore, the communication quality data may be data measured at multiple measurement times arranged in chronological order. The data collection means 11 increases the amount of communication quality data available for analysis by collecting communication quality data acquired from multiple user terminals.

[0022] Next, the operation of the communication quality analysis system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the communication quality analysis system 1 according to the present disclosure first collects communication quality data from a plurality of user terminals that use different communication carriers using the data collection means 11 (step S1). Next, the presentation information generation means 12 analyzes the plurality of communication quality data collected by the data collection means 11 (step S2).

[0023] In step S2, for example, a communication quality evaluation value is calculated to evaluate the communication quality of communication quality data in which the same communication carrier is shown in the communication carrier field. Possible communication quality evaluation values ​​include, for example, communication speed, radio wave strength, and congestion level, which indicates whether the communication speed is high or low relative to the radio wave strength. The analysis method can also employ various statistical analysis results, such as the average, weighted average, or deviation value of communication quality evaluation values ​​over a certain period of time. In step S2, a communication quality evaluation value may be calculated for each application program (e.g., a communication app) that is executed on the first user terminal and communicates via a network provided by the first communication carrier. Here, the communication quality evaluation value is, for example, a value generated by performing statistical processing on multiple pieces of communication quality data, and is a value that evaluates the quality of communication, such as communication speed, radio wave strength, and congestion level. The communication quality evaluation value may be a specific numerical value or a level indicator that indicates the level of communication quality in a certain scale.

[0024] Next, the presentation information generating means 12 generates communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier using the communication quality evaluation value calculated in step S2 (step S3).

[0025] As explained above, the communication quality analysis system 1 according to the present disclosure allows a user of a user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier to compare the communication quality of a user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier, thereby enabling the user to select a telecommunications carrier with good communication quality according to the usage status of the user terminal.

[0026] More specifically, it is difficult for a user to grasp the communication quality other than the one they experience when using their own user terminal, but by using the communication quality analysis system 1 disclosed herein, users can easily grasp the difference between the communication quality of other telecommunications carriers and the telecommunications carrier they use.

[0027] Furthermore, in mobile networks, congestion can occur on public networks, where signal strength is strong but communication speeds are slow. However, users have difficulty determining whether congestion has occurred, as this cannot be determined from signal strength alone. However, the communication quality analysis system 1 according to the present disclosure can analyze communication quality data that links communication speeds and signal strength, thereby presenting congestion level data indicating the degree of congestion to users in a manner that allows comparison between communication carriers. This allows users to select a communication carrier that is less likely to experience congestion in their own usage situation.

[0028] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, a communication quality analysis system 2 will be described, which is a modified example of the communication quality analysis system 1 described in the first embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, in the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure, a data collection means 11 includes a terminal information collection device 13, an environmental information collection device 14, and a storage device 15. The presentation information generation means 12 includes a communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 and a heat map generation device 17. FIG. 5 also shows user terminals 21 to 2x as multiple user terminals that provide communication quality data to the data collection means 11. Note that in FIG. 5, devices connected via wireless communication are connected by dotted lines, and devices connected using either wireless communication or wired communication, or both, are connected by ultra-dash lines.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, user terminals 21 to 2x include user terminals that perform data communication via public networks provided by different telecommunications carriers. Fig. 5 shows, as an example, a first user terminal (e.g., user terminal 21) that performs data communication via a first telecommunications carrier (e.g., carrier A), a second user terminal (e.g., user terminal 22) that performs data communication via a second telecommunications carrier (e.g., carrier B), and a third user terminal (e.g., user terminal 2x) that performs data communication via a third telecommunications carrier (e.g., carrier C).

[0031] The communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure analyzes the communication quality data collected by the user terminals 21 to 2x and presents the differences in communication quality between the telecommunications carriers to a requesting user terminal (user terminal 21 in the example of FIG. 1) in a manner that allows them to be compared. The communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5 etc.

[0032] 5, the terminal information collecting device 13 collects communication quality data UT1 to UTx recorded in time series from the user terminals 21 to 2x and stores it in the storage device 15. The environmental information collecting device 14 collects map information MI from a map server that can communicate via a public network, for example, and stores it in the storage device 15. Note that the map information MI can also be acquired from the map server by the presentation information generating means 12 as needed, without being stored in the storage device 15. The storage device 15 records the communication quality data collected by the terminal information collecting device 13 and the map information MI collected by the environmental information collecting device 14 in a state that can be referenced by the presentation information generating means 12.

[0033] The presentation information generation means 12 analyzes the communication quality data UT1 to UTx obtained from the user terminals 21 to 2x and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the user terminal 21. The presentation information generation means 12 includes a communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 and a heat map generation device 17. The communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 performs statistical processing on multiple pieces of communication quality data to generate a communication quality evaluation value CQV. The heat map generation device 17 uses the communication quality evaluation value CQV to create a heat map, as communication quality analysis information DO, in which the quality of communication quality for each telecommunications carrier can be distinguished by color. This allows the communication quality analysis system 2 to provide a visually easy-to-understand view of the communication quality in the area that the user of the user terminal 21 wants to view, and enables comparison between telecommunications carriers. The carriers that can be compared in the communication quality analysis information are not limited to carrier A and carrier B, but it is possible to configure it so that more carriers can be compared.

[0034] Furthermore, the presentation information generating means 12 can also include in the communication quality analysis information an estimated value of communication quality at a future time point based on past communication quality data.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, an application program is executed within a user terminal from which the data collection means 11 collects communication quality data UT1 to UTx. The application programs covered in this disclosure communicate via a public network provided by a telecommunications carrier used by each user terminal. These application programs include a communication observation program (hereinafter referred to as a communication observation app) and an observed program (hereinafter referred to as an observed app). Examples of observed apps include apps that send and receive short messages (e.g., social networking apps), video viewing apps that receive streaming video, game apps that send and receive still images, videos, and game control signals, and browser apps that combine text, still images, and videos. Many observed apps also have the ability to receive push messages from service providers. In recent years, apps other than those classified as social networking apps, video viewing apps, game apps, and browser apps that combine text, still images, and videos have also been increasingly used. In other words, the type of observed app is not limited as long as it sends and receives data via a public network.

[0036] The communication observation application monitors the communication speed of the data transmission and reception of the monitored application during a period when the monitored application, whose communication speed is to be monitored, is making a communication request, and acquires communication quality data. Meanwhile, during a period when the monitored application, whose communication speed is to be monitored, is not making a communication request, the communication observation application acquires communication quality data by performing packet communication for observation that is different from the monitored application. The communication observation application also acquires various information as communication quality data, such as the time when the communication speed of the monitored application was observed, the telecommunications carrier that provides the network used by the monitored application, radio wave intensity, information identifying the monitored application, and location information of the user terminal. This enables user terminals 21 to 2x to acquire communication quality data in which the user terminal associates various information with the communication speed, regardless of the usage status of the monitored application. Here, the communication quality data accumulated by the communication observation application is, for example, the communication quality data shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] Furthermore, the communication observation application accumulates the acquired communication quality data until a predetermined time comes, at which point the accumulated communication quality data is transmitted to the data collection means 11. The operation of the communication observation application will be described in detail later.

[0038] Next, Fig. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of a user terminal according to the present disclosure. Since the user terminals 21 to 2x can be realized by hardware having substantially the same configuration, Fig. 6 shows a representative example configuration of the user terminal 21. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the user terminal 21 has a calculation unit capable of executing various application programs. More specifically, the user terminal 21 has a calculation unit 40, a storage unit 41, a memory 42, a communication interface 43, a position information acquisition unit 44, and a user interface 45.

[0039] The calculation unit 40 executes application programs including a communication observation application and an observed application. The storage unit 41 stores application programs including a communication observation application and an observed application, and also accumulates communication quality data collected by the communication observation application.

[0040] The memory 42 is a temporary storage device that temporarily stores data used by the program executed in the calculation unit 40. The communication interface 43 is a wireless communication interface that enables the user terminal to use a network provided by a telecommunications carrier. The location information acquisition unit 44 acquires location information of the user terminal 21, for example, by receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal to acquire information indicating the location of the user terminal 21. The user interface 45 has an input unit that allows a user who uses the user terminal 21 to operate the user terminal 21, and a display unit that displays a user interface screen to the user. In the user terminal 21, the calculation unit 40, the storage unit 41, the memory 42, the communication interface 43, the location information acquisition unit 44, and the user interface 45 are assumed to be interconnected by a bus within the user terminal 21.

[0041] Next, the operation of the user terminal 21 to transmit the communication quality data UT1 to the data collection means 11 will be described. Although only the operation of the user terminal 21 related to the communication observation application has been described below, the user terminal 21 also performs other operations to allow other application programs, such as the application to be observed, to execute their respective functions. Figure 7 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication observation application of the user terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 7, a user terminal 21 executing a communication observation application observes the communication speed and other information of an observed application at a preset cycle. In the example shown in Fig. 7, when a communication observation time determined at a predetermined cycle is reached, the communication observation application acquires information about the telecommunications carrier used by the user terminal 21 for communication via the public network (steps S10 and S11). The telecommunications carrier information is information about the telecommunications carriers shown in Fig. 3, and is information that identifies the telecommunications carrier used by the user terminal 21 for communication via the public network. Next, the communication observation application checks whether the observed application has issued a data transmission / reception request to the public network (step S12).

[0043] If the observed application has issued a data transmission / reception request to the public network in step S12, the communication observation application acquires communication speed information of the data communication being performed by the observed application (step S13). On the other hand, if the observed application has not issued a data transmission / reception request to the public network in step S12, the communication observation application acquires communication speed information by performing packet communication for observation that is different from the observed program (step S15). The communication speed information is information about the communication speed shown in FIG. 3 and indicates the execution speed of data communication being performed by the observed application or the communication observation application to the public network. Furthermore, the information acquisition process in steps S13 and S15 may be performed by the communication observation application or may be obtained from the observed application, and there is no limitation on the acquisition method. Furthermore, the communication observation application acquires radio wave strength and location information at the time of acquiring the communication speed information (step S16). Thereafter, the communication observation application generates communication quality data by linking the telecommunications carrier acquired in step S11, the communication speed acquired in step S13 or step S15, and the radio wave strength and location information acquired in step S16 to the communication observation time, which is the time when the communication speed was acquired in step S13 or step S15, and stores the data in the storage device 15 (step S17).

[0044] Next, the communication observation application determines whether the time to provide data to the data collection means 11 has arrived (step S18). The data provision time may be a preset time, or may be set to a time period during which the observed application is less frequently used, as estimated from statistics on the usage time of the user terminal. Note that while FIG. 7 shows an example in which data is provided from the user terminal to the data collection means 11 in response to the arrival of the data provision time, the communication observation application may transmit communication quality data to the data collection means 11 in accordance with a data collection request issued based on processing within the data collection means 11.

[0045] In step S18, if the current time has not reached the data provision time, the communication observation application repeats the operation from step S10. On the other hand, if the current time has reached the data provision time in step S18, the communication observation application determines whether network congestion is occurring in the public network (step S19). Network congestion is determined to have occurred when the actual communication speed is lower than the communication speed estimated from the radio wave strength. This network congestion may be determined, for example, using an index called congestion level, which increases as the actual communication speed is lower than the communication speed estimated from the radio wave strength. If it is determined in step S19 that network congestion is not occurring, the communication observation application transmits the communication quality data UT1 to the data collection means 11 (step S20). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that network congestion is occurring, the communication observation application waits for the transmission of the communication quality data UT1 to the data collection means 11 and repeatedly executes the processing from step S10.

[0046] Next, Fig. 8 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, in the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure, the data collection means 11 collects communication quality data from a user terminal on which a communication observation application is installed (step S30). Next, in response to a request for analysis data from the user terminal to the presentation information generation means 12, the presentation information generation means 12 starts generating communication quality analysis information (step S31).

[0047] Steps S32 to S35 are an example of communication quality analysis information in the presentation information generation means 12. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the presentation information generation means 12 uses the communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 to generate multiple analysis data sets by aggregating communication quality data belonging to the same time period and the same region for each telecommunications carrier (step S32). Thereafter, the communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 calculates a communication quality evaluation value CQV indicating the level of communication quality for each analysis data set (step S33). Next, the presentation information generation means 12 uses the heat map generation device 17 to generate communication quality analysis information by linking the geographical location and time corresponding to the analysis data set from which the communication quality evaluation value CQV is derived (step S34). The communication quality analysis information generated in step S34 includes the geographical location and time, and by using this information, it is possible to express the level of communication quality at any point while changing the time, for example.

[0048] Then, the heat map generating device 17 generates a heat map indicating the level of communication quality for each telecommunications carrier using different colors as communication quality analysis information DO using the communication quality analysis information generated in step S34 (step S35).The heat map generating device 17 provides the generated heat map to the communication observation app of the user terminal that issued the request to provide the data received in step S31 (step S36).

[0049] As described above, the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure enables a user to compare the communication quality of different telecommunications carriers using a heat map. This allows a user who uses the communication quality analysis system 2 to compare the quality of communication between different telecommunications carriers while taking into account their own range of activity and time of activity.

[0050] Here, the communication quality (or communication index) that can be compared between telecommunications carriers in the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure includes a form that allows the communication quality of each application program (also referred to as an app) executed on a user terminal to be compared on a map. In recent years, the number of apps that are subject to observation that handle a combination of text, still images, and video has increased, and the ratio of text, still images, and video sent and received varies for each app, so the communication quality required for each app differs. Therefore, a function that compares the communication quality between telecommunications carriers for each app will lead to a diversification of factors that users use to select a telecommunications carrier.

[0051] Furthermore, in the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure, when the observed application is not transmitting or receiving data, the communication observation application transmits and receives packets unrelated to the observed application to and from the public network, making it possible to collect communication quality data even in areas where the user terminal 21 is not communicating. This makes it possible for the communication quality analysis system 2 to collect useful communication quality data over a long period of time and in a wide area, regardless of whether the observed application is being used or not. Furthermore, in the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure, when network congestion occurs, the communication quality analysis system 2 waits for the user terminal 21 to transmit communication quality data to the data collection means 11. This makes it possible for the communication quality analysis system 2 according to the present disclosure to prevent the network congestion state from worsening further.

[0052] Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, a communication quality analysis system 3 will be described, which is a modified example of the communication quality analysis system 2 described in the second embodiment. In the description of the third embodiment, the same components as those described in the first and second embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure includes a data collection means 11a instead of the data collection means 11. The data collection means 11a includes an environmental information collection device 14a instead of the environmental information collection device 14. The environmental information collection device 14a acquires not only map information MI but also meteorological information WI and event information EI from a server (not shown) that can communicate via a network. Weather conditions or event holdings are factors that affect pedestrian flow, and changes in pedestrian flow affect communication quality. The communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure improves the reliability of communication quality presented to users by using meteorological information WI and event information EI. Note that the information collected by the environmental information collection device 14a is not limited to meteorological information WI and event information EI, and may also collect information that is considered to be a factor that affects pedestrian flow.

[0054] Specifically, in the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the third embodiment, when the communication quality evaluation value generation device 16 of the presentation information generation means 12 generates a communication quality evaluation value CQV, the communication quality evaluation value CQV generated using weather information WI and event information EI is corrected. There are various correction methods, including the following examples. In a first example, the communication quality evaluation value generated from communication quality data is linked to weather information WI and event information EI of a temporally and geographically matching region, so that when a user refers to communication quality analysis information, the weather information WI and event information EI are also presented. In a second example, when an estimated value of communication quality at a future time point is generated as the communication quality evaluation value CQV based on past communication quality data, the communication quality evaluation value CQV is corrected based on future weather information WI and event information EI, and then the heat map generation device 17 generates communication quality analysis information DO. In the third example, an estimated value of communication quality at a future time point is generated as a communication quality evaluation value based on past communication quality data, and the generated communication quality evaluation value is linked to weather information WI and event information EI so that when a user refers to communication quality analysis information, the weather information WI and event information EI are also presented.

[0055] Next, the operation of the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure performs a correction process in step S50 between the calculation of the communication quality evaluation value CQV in step S33 and the generation process of communication quality analysis information DO in step S24. In step S50, the communication quality evaluation value CQV generated in step S23 is corrected using weather information WI and event information EI. This correction process is, for example, the correction process described in all paragraphs.

[0056] As explained above, in the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure, by utilizing the weather information WI and the event information EI, it becomes possible for a user who refers to the communication quality analysis information DO to consider a communication carrier that takes into account changes in communication quality that fluctuate based on changes in the weather and whether or not a gastroscopy valve is being held.

[0057] Furthermore, the communication quality analysis system 3 according to the present disclosure can also present the user with the quality of communication quality for each communication app. This allows the user to select an area where they can get a good communication environment for a streaming video app, taking into consideration not only the telecommunications carrier but also the effects of weather and events when using a streaming video app, for example, when an online meeting is planned.

[0058] Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, a communication quality analysis system 4 will be described, which is a modified example of the communication quality analysis system 3 described in the third embodiment. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same components as those described in the first to third embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of a communication quality analysis system 4 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, the communication quality analysis system 4 according to the present disclosure has a presentation information generation means 12b instead of the presentation information generation means 12. The presentation information generation means 12b is obtained by adding a recommendation information generation device 18 to the presentation information generation means 12.

[0060] The recommendation information generation device 18 generates communication quality analysis information (e.g., recommendation information RI) that presents to the user telecommunications carriers that provide good communication quality in a geographical range specified by the user terminal or in a geographical range that includes a range where the user terminal frequently travels based on past communication quality data. The recommendation information generation device 18 may take into account weather information WI and event information EI when generating the recommendation information RI to present to the user. The recommendation information generation device 18 may also present communication quality analysis information to the user in a heat map format by referring to map information MI. The recommendation information RI may include a time element. The recommendation information generation device 18 may also include a time element in the recommendation information RI based on communication quality data limited to a certain period of time.

[0061] 12 shows a flowchart illustrating the operation of the communication quality analysis system 4 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 12, the communication quality analysis system 4 according to the present disclosure first uses the data collection means 11 to collect communication quality data from user terminals on which a communication observation application is installed (step S60). Subsequently, in response to a request for analysis data from the user terminal, generation of communication quality analysis information (e.g., recommendation information) is started (step S61).

[0062] In generating recommendation information, the recommendation information generation device 18 acquires communication quality data of the user terminal or communication quality data of the range required for recommendation from the user ID from the data collection means 11 (step S62). In the data acquisition process of step S62, communication quality data having location information of a geographical range specified by the user terminal or a geographical range including a range where the user terminal frequently moves based on past communication quality data is acquired from the data collection means 11.

[0063] Next, the recommendation information generation device 18 analyzes the communication quality data acquired in step S62 and generates recommendation information RI to be presented to the user (step S63). Note that the generation process of the recommendation information RI in step S63 uses the communication quality evaluation value CQV generated by the communication quality evaluation value generation device 16. Then, the recommendation information generation device 18 provides the recommendation information RI generated in step S63 to the user (step S64).

[0064] The recommendation information generation device 18 may provide the recommendation information RI to the user terminal periodically from the recommendation information generation device 18 side, or may provide the recommendation information RI in response to a request from the user terminal.

[0065] As explained above, by using the communication quality analysis system 4 according to the fourth embodiment, the user can easily find out which communication carriers are statistically determined to have good communication quality.

[0066] Fifth embodiment In the fifth embodiment, a modified example of the operation of the communication observation application executed on the user terminal will be described. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same components as those described in the first to fourth embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first to fourth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] A flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication observation application of a user terminal according to the present disclosure is shown in Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 13, in the communication observation application described in the fifth embodiment, a network congestion notification process is added as step S70 between the process of accumulating communication quality data in step S17 of Fig. 7 and the process of determining the timing of transmitting the communication quality data to the data collection means 11 in step S18.

[0068] In the network congestion notification process of step S70, the communication observation application references the latest communication quality data accumulated in step S17 and calculates a congestion level indicating the degree to which the actually measured communication speed compares with the communication speed estimated from the signal strength. The congestion level decreases as the actually measured communication speed increases relative to the communication speed estimated from the signal strength, and increases as the actually measured communication speed decreases. The communication observation application then compares the congestion level with a preset congestion level threshold, and if the congestion level exceeds the congestion level threshold, notifies the user of the user terminal that the congestion level has increased. Possible notification methods include displaying a pop-up screen on the user terminal screen or changing the color of an indicator showing the strength of the signal strength.

[0069] As explained above, by using a communication observation application having the functions explained in the fifth embodiment, a user terminal in a state of poor communication quality notifies the user of the degradation of communication quality without communicating with the presentation information generating means 12. As a result, although it is difficult for a user terminal in a state of poor communication quality to communicate with a public network, by grasping the degradation of communication quality only through processing within the user terminal, it becomes possible to notify the user of the degradation of communication quality even in a state where communication is difficult.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0071] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0072] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0073] (Appendix 1) a data collection means for collecting and storing communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first communication carrier and a second user terminal using a second communication carrier; a presentation information generating means for analyzing the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal and generating communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; The presentation information generating means is a communication quality analysis system that generates the communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier.

[0074] (Appendix 2) The communication quality analysis system described in Appendix 1, wherein the presentation information generation means generates the communication quality analysis information that can be mapped on the map in a manner that allows comparisons to be made for each time period and each of the communication carriers by statistically processing communication quality data for the same time period and the same area for each of the communication carriers.

[0075] (Appendix 3) 2. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation information generating means includes in the communication quality analysis information an estimated value of the communication quality at a time point beyond the present time based on the past communication quality data.

[0076] (Appendix 4) 4. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 3, wherein the presentation information generating means corrects the estimated value of the communication quality at a time point beyond the present time based on at least one of weather information and event information.

[0077] (Appendix 5) The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation information generation means is executed on the first user terminal and generates the communication quality analysis information in a state in which information obtained by statistically processing communication quality data for each application program that communicates via the network provided by the first telecommunications carrier can be compared for each telecommunications carrier.

[0078] (Appendix 6) 2. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the communication quality analysis information is generated in a format that can be mapped on a map.

[0079] (Appendix 7) the first user terminal executes a communication observation program; The communication observation program A communication quality analysis system as described in Appendix 1, which acquires the communication quality data by performing observation packet communication other than that of the observed program during a period when the observed program, whose communication speed is to be observed, is not making a communication request.

[0080] (Appendix 8) each of the first user terminals executes a communication observation program; The communication observation program acquiring the communication quality data of the first user terminal; A communication quality analysis system as described in Appendix 1, which waits for transmission of the communication quality data to the data collection means when the communication quality calculated using the communication quality data acquired at a predetermined data provision time falls below a predetermined quality threshold.

[0081] (Appendix 9) The communication observation program A communication quality analysis system as described in Appendix 7, which notifies the user of the first user terminal that the congestion level has increased when the congestion level, which is a low value when the communication speed is fast relative to the strength of the radio wave strength and a high value when the communication speed is slow, in a first communication quality calculated from the acquired communication quality data, reaches or exceeds a predetermined congestion level threshold.

[0082] (Appendix 10) A communication quality analysis system as described in Appendix 1, wherein the communication quality analysis information includes a congestion level for each telecommunications carrier, which is low when the communication speed is fast and high when the communication speed is slow, relative to the strength of the radio wave intensity.

[0083] (Appendix 11) The communication quality analysis system described in Appendix 1, wherein the presentation information generation processing device has a recommendation information generation means that generates recommendation information to present to the first user terminal the telecommunications carrier that offers the highest communication quality within the movement range and usage time period of the first user terminal based on the communication quality data accumulated by the first user terminal.

[0084] (Appendix 12) using a data collection means on which a data collection program is executed, to collect communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier; using a presentation information generation means on which a presentation information generation program is executed, to analyze the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generate communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; The communication quality analysis method, wherein the presentation information generating means generates the communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier.

[0085] (Appendix 13) a data collection program executed by a calculation unit on the data collection means, which collects communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier; a presentation information generation program that is executed by a calculation unit on the presentation information generation means, and that analyzes the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; a communication quality analysis program for generating the communication quality analysis information that allows the presentation information generation program to compare the communication quality of the first communication carrier with the communication quality of the second communication carrier;

[0086] (Appendix 14) Executed by a computing unit on the first user terminal, storing communication quality data by linking the communication speed of the monitored program communicating via the public network in the first user terminal, information on the communication carrier used for the communication, and radio wave intensity during the communication with an observation time; transmitting the accumulated communication quality data to a predetermined data collection means at a predetermined data providing time; A communication observation program that acquires the communication quality data by having the communication observation program perform observation packet communication to the public network during a period when the observed program in the first user terminal is not making a communication request to the public network.

[0087] (Appendix 15) The communication observation program A communication observation program as described in Appendix 12, which waits for transmission of the communication quality data to the data collection means when the communication quality calculated using the communication quality data acquired at a predetermined data provision time falls below a predetermined quality threshold.

[0088] (Appendix 16) The communication observation program A communication observation program as described in Appendix 12, which notifies the user of the first user terminal that the congestion level has increased when the congestion level, which is a low value when the communication speed is fast relative to the strength of the radio wave strength and a high value when the communication speed is slow, in the first communication quality calculated using the acquired communication quality data, exceeds a predetermined congestion level threshold. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1~4 Communication quality analysis system 11 Data Collection Methods 12 Presentation information generation means 13 Terminal information collection device 14 Environmental information collection device 15 Storage device 16 Communication quality evaluation value generator 17 Heat map generator 18 Recommendation information generation device 20 Operator terminal 21~2x user terminals 30, 40 calculation section 31, 41 Storage section 32, 42 memory 33, 43 Communication Interface 34, 45 User Interface 44 Location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. a data collection means for collecting and storing communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first communication carrier and a second user terminal using a second communication carrier; a presentation information generating means for analyzing the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal and generating communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; The presentation information generating means generates the communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier.

2. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation information generation means generates the communication quality analysis information by statistically processing communication quality data for the same time period and the same area for each telecommunications carrier in a manner that allows comparisons to be made for each time period and for each telecommunications carrier.

3. 2. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation information generating means includes in the communication quality analysis information an estimated value of the communication quality at a time point beyond the present time based on the past communication quality data.

4. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the presentation information generation means is executed on the first user terminal and generates the communication quality analysis information in a state in which the communication quality of each application program that communicates via the network provided by the first telecommunications carrier can be compared with that of the second telecommunications carrier.

5. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication quality analysis information is generated in a format that can be mapped on a map.

6. the first user terminal executes a communication observation program; The communication observation program The communication quality analysis system of claim 1, wherein during a period when the monitored program whose communication speed is to be monitored is not making a communication request, the communication quality data is obtained by performing observation packet communication other than that of the monitored program.

7. The communication observation program The communication quality analysis system of claim 6, wherein the first communication quality calculated from the acquired communication quality data has a low value when the communication speed is fast relative to the strength of the radio wave strength and a high value when the communication speed is slow, and when the congestion level exceeds a predetermined congestion level threshold, the system notifies the user of the first user terminal that the congestion level has increased.

8. The communication quality analysis system according to claim 1 , wherein the communication quality analysis information includes a congestion level for each communication carrier, which is low when the communication speed is fast relative to the strength of the radio wave strength and high when the communication speed is slow.

9. Using a data collection means on which a data collection program is executed, communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal is collected from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first communication carrier and a second user terminal using a second communication carrier; using a presentation information generation means on which a presentation information generation program is executed, to analyze the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generate communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; The communication quality analysis method, wherein the presentation information generating means generates the communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier.

10. a data collection program executed by a calculation unit on the data collection means, which collects communication quality data recorded in time series for each user terminal from a plurality of user terminals including a first user terminal using a first telecommunications carrier and a second user terminal using a second telecommunications carrier; a presentation information generation program that is executed by a calculation unit on the presentation information generation means, and that analyzes the communication quality data obtained from both the first user terminal and the second user terminal, and generates communication quality analysis information to be presented to the first user terminal; The presentation information generation program generates the communication quality analysis information that allows a comparison between the communication quality of the first communication carrier and the communication quality of the second communication carrier.

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