Terminal device

Abstract

To provide a terminal device that performs connection processing to a base station on the basis of a response to an inquiry about whether connection to the base station is possible.SOLUTION: A terminal device includes a first communication unit that communicates with a base station and a control unit that controls the first communication unit, and when the first communication unit receives notification information about the base station from the base station, the terminal device inquires whether it is possible to connect to the base station, and performs connection processing with the base station on the basis of the response to the inquiry.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] Local 5G (5th Generation) has been gaining popularity in recent years. Local 5G is a 5G network built by companies or local governments within a specific area, such as a factory site or building.

[0003] A technique is known in which, based on sensor information and communication information, it is determined whether to switch to another communication network from among a plurality of communication networks, and communication is performed by selectively connecting to the plurality of communication networks (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 038961 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, if a user with a company's terminal moves from the coverage area of ​​the company's base station to the coverage area of ​​another company's base station, the terminal will send a connection request to the other company's base station, which is not connectable. In this way, emitting radio waves to request a connection to the other company's base station outside the coverage area of ​​the company's base station is undesirable, as it may violate the Radio Law.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a terminal device that performs connection processing to a base station based on a response to an inquiry about whether or not connection to the base station is possible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a terminal device comprising a first communication unit that communicates with a base station and a control unit that controls the first communication unit, and when the first communication unit receives notification information regarding the base station from the base station, the terminal device inquires whether or not it is possible to connect to the base station, and performs connection processing with the base station based on the response to the inquiry. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device to its own base station according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device to another base station according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device to its own base station according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0011] The communication system 100 includes a terminal device 101, a base station 201, another base station 202, a company's management server 301, another company's management server 302, and access points (AP) 401, 402.

[0012] The terminal device 101 is a communication terminal capable of communicating using 5G. The terminal device 101 is, for example, a smartphone. In the embodiment, the own base station 201 and the company's management server 301 belong to the company (Company A), and the other base station 202 and the other company's management server 302 belong to another company (Company B). The terminal device 101 is a terminal device that has a contract with the company (Company A) (has a SIM card from the company (Company A)), can connect to the own base station 201, and can communicate with the own base station 201 via 5G. The terminal device 101 cannot connect to the other base station 202 that belongs to another company. In addition, the terminal device 101 can communicate with APs 401 and 402, and the terminal device 101 can communicate with the company's management server 301 and the other company's management server 302 via the APs 401 and 402. The terminal device 101 communicates with the APs 401 and 402 using a wireless communication method other than 5G, such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is used for communication with the base station 201 itself.

[0013] The own base station 201 is a local 5G base station, and communicates by 5G with communication terminals 101 within a cell 211 within which the own base station 201 can communicate. The own base station 201 is connected to a core network 501, which is a backbone network. The own base station 201 broadcasts broadcast information related to the own base station 201. The broadcast information is, for example, an SIB (System Information Block). The SIB includes a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), which is information identifying the operator. The PLMN includes an MCC (Mobile Country Code), which indicates the operating area of ​​the telecommunications operator, and an MNC (Mobile Network Code), which identifies the telecommunications operator. The SIB also includes a cell ID, which is information identifying the own base station 201.

[0014] The other base station 202 is a local 5G base station, and cannot be connected to the communication terminal 101 within the cell 212, which is the range in which the other base station 202 can communicate. That is, when the other base station 202 receives a connection request from the communication terminal 101, it rejects the connection. The other base station 202 broadcasts broadcast information related to the other base station 202. The other base station 202 connects to the core network 501, which is a backbone network.

[0015] The company's management server 301 has information about terminal devices that can be connected to its own base station 201, and in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 101, determines whether the terminal device 101 can be connected to its own base station 201 and notifies the terminal device 101 of the determination result. The information about terminal devices that can be connected to its own base station 201 is, for example, a list of MSINs (Mobile Subscription Identification Numbers), which are identification numbers for subscribers in a mobile network. In an embodiment, the list of MSINs held by the company's management server 301 includes the MSIN of the terminal device 101. The information about terminal devices that can be connected to its own base station 201 may also be a list of IMEIs (International Mobile Equipment Identifiers), which are numbers that identify terminals. The company's management server 301 is connected to the AP 401 and the core network 501.

[0016] The other company's management server 302 has information about terminal devices that can connect to the other base station 202, and in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 101, determines whether the terminal device 101 can connect to the other base station 202 and notifies the terminal device 101 of the determination result. The information about terminal devices that can connect to the other base station 202 is, for example, a list of MSINs, which are identification numbers of subscribers in a mobile network. In the embodiment, the MSIN list held by the other company's management server 302 does not include the MSIN of the terminal device 101. The other company's management server 302 is connected to the AP 402 and the core network 501.

[0017] The APs 401 and 402 can communicate with the terminal device 101 via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The AP 401 connects to the company's management server 301 via a network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the AP 402 connects to the other company's management server 302 via a network such as a LAN or a WAN.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment.

[0019] The terminal device 101 includes a control unit 111 , a first communication unit 121 , a second communication unit 131 , a storage unit 141 , and a display unit 151 .

[0020] The control unit 111 controls the terminal device 101. The control unit 111 controls the first communication unit 121 and the second communication unit 131, and controls communications with the base station 201 and the APs 401 and 402, and the like.

[0021] Under the control of the control unit 111, the first communication unit 121 communicates with its own base station 201 using an antenna 122 provided in the first communication unit 121. The first communication unit 121 communicates using 5G. The first communication unit 121 receives broadcast information from the own base station 201 and other base stations 202.

[0022] Under the control of the control unit 111, the second communication unit 131 communicates with the APs 401 and 402 using the antenna 132 included in the second communication unit 131. The second communication unit 131 communicates with its own management server 301 via the AP 401. The second communication unit 131 communicates with another company's management server 302 via the AP 402. The second communication unit 131 communicates using a wireless communication method other than 5G used for communication with its own base station 201, such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are examples, and other wireless communication methods may also be used.

[0023] The storage unit 141 stores data, programs, etc. used by the terminal device 101. The storage unit 141 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory. The storage unit 141 stores the IMEI.

[0024] The display unit 151 displays various types of information. The display unit 151 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel. The display unit 151 also has a touch panel function, and the user can operate the terminal device 101 by touching the display unit 151 with a finger or the like.

[0025] The terminal device 101 also has a SIM card (not shown). The SIM card stores an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is information for identifying the terminal device 101. The IMSI includes an MMC, an MNC, and an MSIN. The control unit 111 reads out information from the SIM card and uses it for various processes, such as inquiring about the availability of connections to the own base station 201 and other base stations 202, and for communication with the own base station 201.

[0026] Next, a description will be given of the processing when the terminal device 101 connects to its own base station 201. Note that the terminal device 101 can connect to its own base station 201 as described above.

[0027] 3 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device 101 to its own base station according to an embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the terminal device 101 is located within a cell 211 within a range in which it can communicate with its own base station 201.

[0028] In step S301, the base station 201 broadcasts an SIB, and the first communication unit 121 receives the SIB from the base station 201.

[0029] In step S302, the control unit 111 uses the second communication unit 131 to inquire of its own management server 301 whether or not connection to its own base station 201 is possible, based on the received SIB. The inquiry about whether or not connection is possible includes the IMSI including the MSIN of the terminal device 101. The inquiry about whether or not connection is possible may also include the IMEI. Note that information about its own management server 301 (for example, an IP address, etc.) is set in advance in the terminal device 101.

[0030] In step S303, the company's management server 301 receives the inquiry about whether or not the connection is possible, and determines whether or not the connection between the terminal device 101 and its own base station 201 is possible based on the MSIN included in the inquiry. For example, the company's management server 301 determines to permit the connection if the MSIN received from the terminal device 101 is in a list of MSINs indicating terminal devices that can connect to its own base station 201. In the embodiment, the company's management server 301 determines to permit the connection because the MSIN of the terminal device 101 is in the list of MSINs held by the company's management server 301. Furthermore, the company's management server 301 may have a list of IMEIs of terminal devices that can connect to its own base station 201, and may determine to permit the connection if the IMEI is included in the inquiry about whether or not the connection is possible, and the IMEI received from the terminal device 101 is in the IMEI list.

[0031] In step S304, the company's management server 301 notifies the terminal device 101 of the result of the determination that connection is permitted.

[0032] In step S305, the second communication unit 131 receives a connection permission as a determination result.

[0033] In step S306, the control unit 111 performs connection processing (attach sequence) to the own base station 201 using the first communication unit 121. Specifically, for example, the control unit 111 performs processing such as transmitting a Registration Request to the own base station 201 using the first communication unit 121 and receiving an RRC Setup Request from the own base station 201.

[0034] In step S307, a communication connection is established between the terminal device 101 and its own base station 201 by the connection processing in step S306.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of processing when the terminal device 101 moves into a cell 212 within a range in which it can communicate with another base station 202. Note that the terminal device 101 cannot connect to the other base station 201 as described above.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device according to an embodiment to another base station.

[0037] In step S401, the other base station 202 broadcasts an SIB, and the first communication unit 121 receives the SIB from the other base station 202.

[0038] In step S402, the control unit 111 uses the second communication unit 131 to inquire of the other company's management server 302 whether or not connection to the other base station 202 is possible, based on the received SIB. The inquiry about whether or not connection is possible includes the IMSI including the MSIN of the terminal device 101. Note that information about the other company's management server 302 (for example, IP address, etc.) is set in advance in the terminal device 101.

[0039] In step S403, the other company's management server 302 receives the inquiry about whether or not a connection is possible, and determines whether or not a connection between the terminal device 101 and the other base station 202 is possible based on the MSIN included in the inquiry. For example, the other company's management server 301 determines that the connection is permitted if the MSIN received from the terminal device 101 is present in a list of MSINs indicating terminal devices that can connect to the other base station 202. The other company's management server 301 determines that the connection is not possible if the MSIN received from the terminal device 101 is not present in the list of MSINs. In this embodiment, the other company's management server 302 determines that the connection is not possible because the MSIN of the terminal device 101 is not present in the list of MSINs held by the other company's management server 321.

[0040] In step S404, the other company's management server 302 notifies the terminal device 101 of the determination result that connection is not possible.

[0041] In step S405, the second communication unit 131 receives the determination result that connection is not possible.

[0042] If the determination result indicates that connection is not possible, the control unit 111 does not perform connection processing with the other base station 202 using the first communication unit 121. In other words, the terminal device 101 does not output radio waves for connection processing to the other base station 202.

[0043] According to the terminal device of the embodiment, a connection process to a base station can be performed based on a response to an inquiry about whether or not a connection to the base station is possible. This allows the terminal device to check whether a connection to the base station is possible before performing the connection process to the base station, thereby avoiding outputting radio waves for connection process to a base station of another company outside the coverage area of ​​the terminal device's own base station.

[0044] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the second communication unit 131 is used to inquire of the management server as to whether or not a connection to a base station is possible, but as will be described below, the user may determine whether or not a connection to a base station is possible.

[0045] 5 is a sequence diagram of a process of connecting a terminal device 101 to its own base station according to another embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the terminal device 101 is located within a cell 211 within a range in which it can communicate with its own base station 201.

[0046] In step S501, the base station 201 broadcasts the SIB, and the first communication unit 121 receives the SIB from the base station 201.

[0047] In step S502, the control unit 111 inquires of the user whether or not to connect to the own base station 201. Specifically, for example, the control unit 111 displays a screen on the display unit 151 that prompts the user to select whether or not to connect to the own base station 201. For example, the control unit 111 displays a pop-up on the display unit 151 that prompts the user to select whether or not to connect to the own base station 201. The control unit 111 may also execute an application that prompts the user to select whether or not to connect to the own base station 201, and inquire of the user whether or not to connect. Here, it is assumed that the user selects to allow the connection.

[0048] In step S503, the control unit 111 performs connection processing (attach sequence) to the own base station 201 using the first communication unit 121. Specifically, for example, the control unit 111 performs processing such as transmitting a Registration Request to the own base station 201 using the first communication unit 121 and receiving an RRC Setup Request from the own base station 201.

[0049] In step S504, a communication connection is established between the terminal device 101 and its own base station 201 by the connection processing in step S503.

[0050] Note that, when the user selects "connection not possible" in response to an inquiry about whether or not to connect to a base station, the control unit 111 does not perform connection processing to the base station using the first communication unit 121. That is, the terminal device 101 does not output radio waves for connection processing to the base station. For example, when the terminal device 101 is within a cell 212 within a range in which it can communicate with another base station 202, and a screen for selecting whether or not to connect to the other base station 202 is displayed on the display unit 151, the user selects "connection not possible" because the terminal device 101 cannot connect to the other base station 202. As a result, the control unit 111 does not perform connection processing to the other base station 202 using the first communication unit 121. That is, the terminal device 101 does not output radio waves for connection processing to the other base station 202.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device can perform a connection process to a base station based on a user's response to an inquiry about whether or not the terminal device can connect to the base station. This allows the terminal device to check whether or not the terminal device can connect to the base station before performing the connection process to the base station, thereby avoiding the terminal device from outputting radio waves for connection process to another company's base station outside the coverage area of ​​the terminal device's own base station.

[0052] Furthermore, the terminal device 101 may further include a GPS unit that acquires location information of the terminal device 101 using a GPS (Global Positioning System), and the control unit 111 may determine whether or not connection to a base station is possible based on the location information acquired by the GPS unit. Specifically, for example, the terminal device 101 may have area information indicating a range of the location of the terminal device 101 that can connect to a base station, and when the location information of the terminal device 101 is included in the range indicated by the area information, the control unit 111 may determine that connection to the base station is possible and perform connection processing with the base station.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified, and the above configurations can be replaced with substantially the same configurations, configurations that achieve the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same purpose. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100 Communication Systems 101 Terminal equipment 111 Control Unit 121 First Communications Department 131 Second Communications Department 141 Storage section 151 Display section 201 Own base station 202 Other base stations 301 In-house managed server 302 Third-party management server 401, 402 AP

Claims

1. a first communication unit that communicates with a base station; a control unit that controls the first communication unit; A terminal device comprising: When the first communication unit receives notification information regarding the base station from the base station, the terminal device inquires whether it is possible to connect to the base station, and performs connection processing with the base station based on the response to the inquiry.

2. further comprising a second communication unit that communicates with the management server; A terminal device as described in claim 1, wherein when the first communication unit receives the notification information, the control unit inquires of the management server via the second communication unit whether or not it is possible to connect to the base station, and performs connection processing with the base station based on the response from the management server.

3. If the response is a connection permission, the control unit performs a connection process with the base station, The terminal device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the response indicates that connection is not possible, the control unit does not perform connection processing with the base station.

4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the first communication unit receives the notification information, the control unit inquires of the user whether or not it is possible to connect to the base station, and performs connection processing with the base station based on the response from the user.

5. Further comprising a display unit, The terminal device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the first communication unit receives the notification information, the display unit displays a screen for prompting the user to select whether or not to connect to the base station.

Images