Terminal program, terminal, and information processing method

Abstract

To improve user convenience. [Solution] Before the terminal device 10 is connected to the wireless base station 20, the determination unit 112 determines which candidate base station is recommended for the terminal device to connect to, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal device 10 can connect. The display control unit 113 displays two or more candidate base stations on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified. The connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the selected base station selected by the user U from among the two or more candidate base stations.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a program for a terminal, a terminal, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increase in the speed of mobile wireless communication, the number of wireless base stations has increased, and it is desirable for a mobile terminal to appropriately select a connection destination from among many wireless base stations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mobile wireless communication system in which a wireless base station determines the accommodation priority of a communication channel based on the usage rate of the communication channel at the current time, and then broadcasts the result to a mobile terminal using a control channel assigned to its own station, and the mobile terminal selects a wireless base station with the lowest accommodation priority of the communication channel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] <C

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=3U]] However, in the mobile wireless communication system of Patent Document 1, the wireless base station to be connected to the mobile terminal is determined by the accommodation priority of the wireless base station. Therefore, the distance between the wireless base station and the mobile terminal and the purpose of the user's communication are not considered, and problems such as the communication being disconnected due to interference or the video being interrupted during video playback may occur. As described above, in the case of Patent Document 1, the convenience of the user cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a program for a terminal, a terminal, and an information processing method that can improve the convenience of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A terminal program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention causes a terminal processing unit held by a user to function as follows: a determination unit that determines, before the terminal is connected to a base station, a candidate base station from among the two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can be connected is recommended based on the attributes of the two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can be connected; a display control unit that displays the two or more candidate base stations on a display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified; and a connection unit that connects the terminal to a first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations.

[0007] A terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is possessed by a user and comprises: a determination unit that determines, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can connect, which candidate base station is recommended to be connected to the terminal, before the terminal is connected to a base station; a display control unit that displays the two or more candidate base stations on a display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified; and a connection unit that connects the terminal to a first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is an information processing method performed by a terminal owned by a user, wherein, before the terminal is connected to a base station, the terminal determines, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can connect, which candidate base station is recommended to be connected from among the two or more candidate base stations; the two or more candidate base stations are displayed on a display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified; and the terminal is connected to a first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The terminal program, terminal, and information processing method according to the present invention can improve user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the overall configuration of a wireless communication system including a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the attributes, indicators, and evaluation values ​​of a candidate base station. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the relationship between communication applications and weighting coefficients. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the overall evaluation values ​​for each communication application of candidate base stations #1 to #3. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of how recommended base stations are displayed. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a wireless base station configuration. [Figure 8] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the control base station shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a switching center, as shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the processing unit of a terminal device. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of a handover operation by a processing unit. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the display method for the recommended base station according to Modification 1. [Figure 13] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a terminal device related to Modification Example 2. [Figure 14] This is an example of second-hand information stored in the memory of a terminal device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 1. First Embodiment The configuration of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

[0012] 1.1. Configuration of the First Embodiment 1.1.1. Overall Structure FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a wireless communication system 1 including a terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment. The wireless communication system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a radio base station 20, and a core network CN.

[0013] The terminal device 10 includes a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a smartwatch, etc. The user U uses the terminal device 10 to utilize the wireless communication service provided by the wireless communication system 1.

[0014] The radio base station 20 includes three radio base stations 20[1], 20[2], and 20[3]. The radio base station 20 is any one of a third-generation radio base station, a fourth-generation radio base station, and a fifth-generation radio base station. The radio base station 20 is an example of a base station.

[0015] The core network CN is a network composed of a control base station 30, a switching station 40, etc. The core network CN includes a subscriber information management device (not shown). The terminal device 10 communicates with the core network CN via a radio access network including the radio base station 20. The core network CN includes a third-generation core network, a fourth-generation core network, and a fifth-generation core network. The core network CN is connected to an external network EN via the Internet.

[0016] In FIG. 1, only one terminal device 10 is illustrated, but there may be a plurality of terminal devices 10. Also, the three radio base stations 20[1], 20[2], and 20[3] are merely examples, and the number of radio base stations 20 is not limited to three.

[0017] 1.1.2. Configuration of Terminal Device Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the terminal device 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 10 comprises a processing unit 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. Each element of the terminal device 10 is interconnected by one or more buses for communicating information. The terminal device 10 is an example of a terminal.

[0018] The processing unit 11 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing unit 11 is configured using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes, for example, interfaces with peripheral devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the processing unit 11 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing unit 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0019] The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0020] The storage device 12 stores multiple programs, including the control program PR1, which is executed by the processing unit 11. The storage device 12 also functions as a work area for the processing unit 11. The control program PR1 is a program that controls the entire processing unit 11.

[0021] The communication device 13 is hardware that acts as a transmitting and receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, network controller, network card, or communication module. The communication device 13 may be equipped with a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also be equipped with a wireless communication interface. Examples of connectors and interface circuits for wired connection include products compliant with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of wireless communication interfaces include products compliant with wireless LAN and Bluetooth®.

[0022] The display device 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 14 displays various images based on control by the processing device 11. For example, various display panels such as liquid crystal panels and organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panels are preferably used as the display device 14.

[0023] The input device 15 accepts operations from user U[1]. For example, the input device 15 is configured to include a pointing device such as a keyboard, touchpad, touch panel, or mouse. If the input device 15 is configured to include a touch panel, it may also function as the display device 14.

[0024] The processing unit 11 functions as a receiving unit 111, a determination unit 112, a display control unit 113, a judgment unit 114, a connection unit 115, and an acquisition unit 116, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR1 from the storage device 12.

[0025] The reception unit 111 accepts various operations from user U via the input device 15. For example, an operation by user U is to select the wireless base station 20 to connect to.

[0026] The determination unit 112 determines a recommended base station based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal device 10 can connect, before the terminal device 10 is connected to a base station. In this embodiment, the candidate base station and the recommended base station are any of the three radio base stations 20[1], 20[2], and 20[3]. The recommended base station is the candidate base station among the two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal device 10 is recommended to connect. The attributes include several indicators relating to the communication quality between the two or more candidate base stations and the terminal device 10. The attributes include the radio frequency band, delay amount, presence or absence of speed compensation, received signal strength, interference wave level, radio resource utilization rate, and generation.

[0027] The term "generation" refers to the generation of the mobile phone system. Currently available generations are 3G (third generation), 4G (fourth generation), and 5G (fifth generation). Therefore, there are three indicators related to generations: 3G, 4G, and 5G. Newer generations tend to have improved communication quality. In this embodiment, the indicators related to generations are "5G," "4G," and "3G." Mobile phone systems are generally updated every 10 years, and the sixth generation, i.e., 6G, is expected to be put into practical use around 2030. Compared to 5G, 6G will have even faster communication speeds and lower latency, and it is expected that communication performance will continue to improve with each subsequent generation. Therefore, the indicators related to generations are not limited to "5G," "4G," and "3G," but may also include "6G" and generations after 6G.

[0028] The frequency bands used for wireless communication differ with each generation of mobile phone systems. 3G is allocated the 800MHz band, 2.1GHz band, etc. 4G is allocated the 700-900MHz band, known as the "platinum band," and the 1.5-3.5GHz band, known as the main band. 5G is allocated the 3.7GHz and 4.5GHz bands, known as "sub-6," and the 28GHz band, known as "millimeter wave." In this embodiment, the indicators for frequency bands are defined as "28GHz band," "4.5GHz band," "3.7GHz band," and "below 3.7GHz band."

[0029] In 5G, a latency of less than 10ms is considered good. Latency is measured in the terminal device 10 as the time from when a test packet is sent to a specific server until a response is received from that server. In this embodiment, there are two indicators for latency: "less than 10ms" and "10ms or more".

[0030] There are two types of 5G systems: the standalone (SA) system, which uses dedicated 5G core equipment, and the non-standalone (NSA) system, which repurposes 4G core equipment. While the NSA system cannot utilize network slicing, one of the key features of 5G, the SA system can because it uses dedicated 5G core equipment. The SA system has the characteristic of ultra-low latency, and can therefore be considered a speed-compensated system. On the other hand, the NSA system can be considered a speed-uncompensated system. In this embodiment, the speed compensation indicators are limited to "NSA" and "SA".

[0031] The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is the signal strength when the terminal device 10 receives a radio signal transmitted from a candidate base station. The lower the received signal strength, the more the communication quality tends to deteriorate. For example, if the received signal strength is -80 dBm or higher, the communication condition is good. If the received signal strength is in the range of -100 dBm or higher but less than -80 dBm, the communication condition is somewhat good. If the received signal strength is less than -100 dBm, the communication condition is not good. The received signal strength is measured by the terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the indices for received signal strength are set to three: "-80 dBm or higher", "-100 dBm or higher but less than -80 dBm", and "less than -100 dBm".

[0032] The higher the interference level, the more likely the communication quality is to deteriorate. For example, if the interference level is less than -110 dBm, the communication condition is good. If the interference level is in the range of -110 dBm or more but less than -90 dBm, the communication condition is somewhat good. If the interference level is -90 dBm or more, the communication condition is not good. The interference level is measured at the terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the indicators for the interference level are defined as "less than -110 dBm", "-110 dBm or more but less than -90 dBm", and "-90 dBm or more".

[0033] Wireless resource utilization refers, for example, to the frequency channel utilization rate at each candidate base station. Higher wireless resource utilization tends to result in degraded communication quality. Wireless resource utilization is measured at each candidate base station. In this embodiment, there are two indicators for wireless resource utilization: "less than 50%" and "50% or more".

[0034] The attributes are not limited to frequency band, latency, speed compensation, received signal strength, interference level, radio resource utilization, and generation. Attributes may also include error rate, throughput, packet loss rate, energy efficiency, etc. Furthermore, attributes may include at least one of frequency band, latency, speed compensation, received signal strength, interference level, radio resource utilization, and generation. The specific values ​​for each indicator set for each attribute are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific values ​​of the above indicators.

[0035] The decision unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value for each of the two or more candidate base stations. The overall evaluation value is a value based on multiple evaluation values ​​that correspond one-to-one with multiple indicators. The decision unit 112 determines the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value among the two or more candidate base stations as the recommended base station. More specifically, the decision unit 112 determines the overall evaluation value by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient according to the communication application and then summing the results. That is, the decision unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value for each of the multiple communication applications. The evaluation values, weighting coefficients, and overall evaluation values ​​will be explained below.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of the attributes, indicators, and evaluation values ​​of a candidate base station. As shown in Figure 3, the frequency band indicator "28GHz band" corresponds to an evaluation value of "3", the indicator "4.5GHz band" corresponds to an evaluation value of "2", the indicator "3.7GHz band" corresponds to an evaluation value of "1", and the indicator "less than 3.7GHz band" corresponds to an evaluation value of "0". The latency indicator "less than 1ms" corresponds to an evaluation value of "2", and the indicator "1ms or more" corresponds to an evaluation value of "0". The speed compensation indicator "SA" corresponds to an evaluation value of "2", and the indicator "NSA" corresponds to an evaluation value of "0".

[0037] Note that the evaluation values ​​for each frequency band indicator, each delay indicator, and each speed compensation indicator are not limited to the evaluation values ​​shown in Figure 3. The evaluation values ​​for each frequency band indicator should be set so that they increase as the frequency band increases. The evaluation values ​​for each delay indicator should be set so that they increase as the delay decreases. The evaluation values ​​for each speed compensation indicator should be set so that the evaluation value for "SA" is higher than the evaluation value for "NSA".

[0038] For the received signal strength index, a rating of "3" corresponds to "-80dBm or higher," a rating of "1" corresponds to "-100dBm or higher but less than -80dBm," and a rating of "0" corresponds to "less than -100dBm." For the interference wave level index, a rating of "3" corresponds to "less than -110dBm," a rating of "1" corresponds to "-110dBm or higher but less than -90dBm," and a rating of "0" corresponds to "-90dBm or higher." For the wireless resource utilization index, a rating of "2" corresponds to "less than 50%," and a rating of "1" corresponds to "50% or higher." For the generation index, a rating of "3" corresponds to "5G," a rating of "2" corresponds to "4G," and a rating of "1" corresponds to "3G."

[0039] Note that the evaluation values ​​for each indicator of received signal strength, each indicator of interference wave level, each indicator of wireless resource utilization, and each indicator of generation are not limited to the evaluation values ​​shown in Figure 3. The evaluation values ​​for each indicator of received signal strength should be set higher as the received signal strength increases. The evaluation values ​​for each indicator of interference wave level should be set higher as the interference wave level decreases. The evaluation values ​​for each indicator of wireless resource utilization should be set higher as the wireless resource utilization decreases. The evaluation values ​​for each indicator of generation should be set higher as the generation progresses.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an example of the relationship between communication applications and weighting coefficients. As shown in Figure 4, communication applications include, for example, online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email / chat, and code payments.

[0041] In online meetings, multiple users share videos they have recorded themselves using web conferencing applications. Because online meetings require real-time interaction, high-speed and low-latency communication quality is desirable. In video streaming, videos are streamed from video sharing and distribution sites. The better the communication quality, the higher the image quality of the content. Therefore, high-speed and low-latency communication quality is also desirable for video streaming. Consequently, for online meetings and video streaming applications, attributes related to high speed and low latency—such as frequency band, latency, speed compensation, and generation weighting—are set higher than other attributes.

[0042] For voice calls, high speed is not a major requirement, but relatively high connection stability is desirable. For voice call applications, the weighting coefficients for latency and interference level are set higher than for other attributes.

[0043] Email and chat do not require the same level of communication quality as other communication applications. Therefore, for email and chat applications, the weighting coefficients for frequency band, latency, speed compensation, and generation—attributes related to high speed and low latency—are set lower than those for other attributes.

[0044] Code payment is an electronic payment method that uses a payment code. Payment codes include one-dimensional codes and two-dimensional codes. An example of a two-dimensional code is the QR code (registered trademark). While high speed is not a major requirement for code payment, higher-than-usual communication quality is desired because a degraded communication quality environment may prevent successful payment. Therefore, in code payment applications, the weighting coefficients for frequency band, latency, speed compensation, and generation, which are attributes related to high speed and low latency, are set lower than other attributes, while the weighting coefficients for received signal strength and interference wave level are set higher than other attributes.

[0045] For example, if a candidate base station #1 has a frequency band index of "4.5GHz", a latency index of "less than 1ms", a speed compensation index of "NSA", a received signal strength index of "-80dBm or higher", an interference wave level index of "less than -110dBm", a radio resource utilization index of "50% or higher", and a generation index of "5G", then the evaluation values ​​corresponding to the above indicators are "2", "2", "0", "3", "3", "1", and "3", respectively.

[0046] The overall evaluation value for candidate base station #1 for online conferencing is obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient for online conferencing and then summing the results. The weighting coefficients for online conferencing for the above indicators are "2", "2", "2", "1", "1", "1", and "2" respectively. Therefore, in this example, the overall evaluation value is calculated as 2×2+2×2+0×2+3×1+3×1+1×1+3×2=4+4+0+3+3+1+6=21. Note that the values ​​of the weighting coefficients shown in Figure 4 are merely examples, and this disclosure is not limited to these values.

[0047] The determination unit 112 similarly determines the overall evaluation value for candidate base station #1 for video streaming, voice call, email / chat, and code payment applications.

[0048] The determination unit 112 determines the overall evaluation value for candidate base station #2 for online conferencing, video streaming, voice calls, email / chat, and code payment. The determination unit 112 also determines the overall evaluation value for candidate base station #3 for online conferencing, video streaming, voice calls, email / chat, and code payment.

[0049] Figure 5 shows an example of the overall evaluation values ​​for each communication application of candidate base stations #1 to #3. As shown in Figure 5, among candidate base stations #1, #2, and #3, the base station with the highest overall evaluation value for online conferencing is candidate base station #1. The base station with the highest overall evaluation value for video streaming is candidate base station #1. The base station with the highest overall evaluation value for voice calls, email / chat, and code payments is candidate base station #3.

[0050] The decision unit 112 determines, for each of the multiple communication applications, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value from among candidate base stations #1 to #3 as the recommended base station. Note that the number of recommended base stations determined for each communication application does not necessarily have to be one. Multiple recommended base stations may be determined for each communication application. Furthermore, the communication applications are not limited to online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email / chat, and code payments. For example, communication applications may include applications such as games and SNS (Social Network Service), or they may include at least one of online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email / chat, and code payments.

[0051] Referring again to Figure 2, the display control unit 113 displays candidate base stations #1 to #3 on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended base station to be identified.

[0052] Figure 6 shows an example of how recommended base stations are displayed. Here, "Minato-ku 4 Station" indicates the name of candidate base station #1. "Minato-ku 3 Station 1" indicates the name of candidate base station #3. "Minato-ku 3 Station 2" indicates the name of candidate base station #2. As mentioned above, candidate base station #1, i.e., "Minato-ku 4 Station," has the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations #1 to #3 for online conferencing and video streaming. Therefore, it is recommended that users who intend to use online conferencing and video streaming connect their terminal device 10 to "Minato-ku 4 Station." Accordingly, the column for "Minato-ku 4 Station" displays "Recommended for online conferencing!" and "Recommended for watching videos!".

[0053] Candidate base station #3, or "Minato-ku 3-station 1," has the highest overall rating among candidate base stations #1 to #3 for voice calls, email or chat, and code payments. Therefore, it is recommended that users who intend to use voice calls, email or chat, and code payments connect their terminal device 10 to "Minato-ku 3-station 1." Accordingly, the "Minato-ku 3-station 1" column will display "Recommended for voice calls!", "Recommended for email and chat!", and "Recommended for code payments!".

[0054] Candidate base station #2, namely "Minato-ku 3-station 2," does not have the highest overall evaluation value among candidate base stations #1 to #3 for any of its attributes. Therefore, nothing is displayed in the "Minato-ku 3-station 2" column.

[0055] Referring again to Figure 2, the determination unit 114 determines whether the terminal device 10 is connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations. For example, immediately after the terminal device 10 is powered on and the processing unit 11 starts up, it is not connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations.

[0056] When not connected to any candidate base stations, the communication device 13 receives broadcast information from nearby candidate base stations. In this state, no radio waves are emitted from the terminal device 10. On the other hand, when connected to any candidate base station, radio waves are emitted from the terminal device 10.

[0057] Therefore, the determination unit 114 may determine whether or not a connection is in progress based on the reception status of broadcast information from surrounding candidate base stations, or it may determine whether or not a connection is in progress based on the output status of radio waves from the terminal device 10.

[0058] The connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the selected base station chosen by user U from among candidate base stations #1 to #3. The selected base station is an example of a first base station. The connection unit 115 can hand over the terminal device 10 from the selected base station to another base station.

[0059] When handing over terminal device 10 from a selected base station to another base station, the connection unit 115 first compares the overall evaluation values ​​corresponding to the selected base station for each of several communication uses to identify the communication use corresponding to the highest overall evaluation value. For example, if the selected base station is candidate base station #1, as shown in Figure 5, the communication use corresponding to the highest overall evaluation value is online conferencing. Therefore, in this case, the connection unit 115 identifies the communication use as "online conferencing".

[0060] Next, the connection unit 115 determines the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient according to the specified communication use for each of the two or more base stations subject to handover. For example, if the selected base station is candidate base station #1 and the two or more base stations subject to handover are candidate base station #2 and candidate base station #3, the connection unit 115 determines the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient according to the use of online conferencing for each of candidate base station #2 and candidate base station #3. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the sum for candidate base station #2 is 15, and the sum for candidate base station #3 is 18.

[0061] Next, the connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the base station with the highest determined total value among the two or more base stations subject to the handover. For example, if the two or more base stations subject to the handover are candidate base station #2 and candidate base station #3, the base station with the highest determined total value is candidate base station #3. Therefore, the connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to candidate base station #3. More specifically, the connection unit 115 requests candidate base station #1, which is currently connected, to hand over to candidate base station #3.

[0062] The acquisition unit 116 acquires first information. The first information includes information showing the relationship between multiple indicators and multiple evaluation values. The first information includes information on the attributes, indicators, and evaluation values ​​of the candidate base stations shown in Figure 3. More specifically, some of the first information is transmitted to the terminal device 10 from one of the candidate base stations #1 to #3 before the terminal device 10 is connected to the selected base station. For example, information on frequency band, speed compensation, radio resource utilization, and generation is transmitted from candidate base stations #1 to #3 along with the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) signal. The delay amount, received signal strength, and interference wave level are measured in the terminal device 10.

[0063] The first information is stored in the storage device 12. The first information stored in the storage device 12 is updated each time the acquisition unit 116 acquires the first information. Note that the first information may be transmitted not only before the terminal device 10 is connected to the selected base station, but also after the terminal device 10 is connected to the selected base station. For example, the first information may be transmitted to the terminal device 10 periodically.

[0064] 1.1.3. Wireless Base Station Configuration Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the wireless base station 20[1] shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the wireless base station 20[1] comprises a control device 21, a storage device 22, a wireless communication device 23, and a wired communication device 24. Each element of the wireless base station 20 is interconnected by one or more buses for communicating information.

[0065] The control device 21 is a processor that controls the entire wireless base station 20[1], and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The control device 21 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the control device 21 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc. The control device 21 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0066] The storage device 22 is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the control device 21. The storage device 22 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. Volatile memory is, for example, RAM.

[0067] The storage device 22 stores multiple programs, including the control program PR2, which is executed by the control device 21. The storage device 22 also functions as the work area for the control device 21. The control program PR2 is a program that controls the entire control device 21.

[0068] The wireless communication device 23 is an element for performing wireless communication with the terminal device 10, and includes a transmitting and receiving antenna, a receiving circuit, and a transmitting circuit.

[0069] The wired communication device 24 is an element for performing wired communication with other nodes in the core network CN, including other wireless base stations 20 and control base stations 30, and transmits and receives signals with other nodes.

[0070] The control device 21 functions as a transmission unit 211, a reception unit 212, a usage rate determination unit 213, and a handover processing unit 214, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR2 from the storage device 22.

[0071] Before connecting with the terminal device 10, the transmitting unit 211 transmits a PLMN signal and a portion of the first information to the terminal device 10. As described above, the portion of the first information includes information regarding the generation of the wireless base station 20[1], the frequency band used, and whether or not speed compensation is provided. The transmitting unit 211 also transmits various content data to the terminal device 10.

[0072] The receiving unit 212 receives second information, handover requests, and various content data from the terminal device 10.

[0073] The utilization rate determination unit 213 determines the wireless resource utilization rate. The wireless resource utilization rate indicates the percentage of the frequency band allocated to the wireless base station that is actually being used. For example, if the bandwidth allocated to the wireless base station 20 is 100 MHz, and the bandwidth actually being used is 50 MHz, the wireless resource utilization rate is determined to be 50%.

[0074] The handover processing unit 214 performs various processes necessary to execute the handover. For example, if a handover request is made from the terminal device 10 to the wireless base station 20[3], the handover processing unit 214 may decide to hand over the terminal device 10 to the wireless base station 20[3] if the difference obtained by subtracting the received signal strength of the radio waves received by the terminal device 10 from the received signal strength of the radio waves received by the terminal device 10 from the wireless base station 20[3] is non-negative and greater than the handover start criterion value.

[0075] When the handover processing unit 214 of the wireless base station 20[1] decides to hand over the terminal device 10 to the wireless base station 20[3], it sends a handover request (HO request) to the wireless base station 20[3]. The handover processing unit 214 then receives a response to the handover request (HO request Ack) from the wireless base station 20[3].

[0076] 1.1.4. Configuration of the control base station Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the control base station 30 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 8, the control base station 30 comprises a control device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33. Each element of the control base station 30 is interconnected by one or more buses for communicating information.

[0077] The control device 31 is a processor that controls the entire control base station 30, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The control device 31 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the control device 31 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc. The control device 31 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0078] The storage device 32 is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the control device 41. The storage device 32 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. Volatile memory is, for example, RAM.

[0079] The storage device 32 stores multiple programs, including the control program PR3, which is executed by the control device 31. The storage device 32 also functions as a work area for the control device 31. The control program PR3 is a program that controls the entire control device 31.

[0080] The communication device 33 is an element for performing communication with other nodes in the core network CN, including the exchange 40, and the radio base station 20, and transmits and receives signals with the other nodes and the radio base station 20.

[0081] The control device 31 functions as a device that performs the following processes, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR3 from the storage device 32.

[0082] The control device 31 is a device that manages multiple radio base stations 20 and functions to ensure the efficient operation of the radio access network. Functions of the control device 31 include, for example, radio resource management, power control, channel management, frequency management, traffic control, call processing, error processing, network management, and management of multiple radio base stations 20.

[0083] 1.1.5. Switching Station Configuration Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the exchange 40 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, the exchange 40 comprises a control device 41, a storage device 42, and a communication device 43. Each element of the exchange 40 is interconnected by one or more buses for communicating information.

[0084] The control device 41 is a processor that controls the entire exchange 40, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The control device 41 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the control device 41 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc. The control device 41 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0085] The storage device 42 is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the control device 41. The storage device 42 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM, EPROM, and EEPROM. Volatile memory is, for example, RAM.

[0086] The storage device 42 stores multiple programs, including the control program PR4, which is executed by the control device 41. The storage device 42 also functions as the work area for the control device 41. The control program PR4 is a program that controls the entire control device 41.

[0087] The communication device 43 is an element for performing communication with other nodes in the core network CN, including the control base station 30, and with the external network EN, and transmits and receives signals with other nodes and the external network EN.

[0088] The control device 41 functions as a device that performs the following processes, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR4 from the storage device 42.

[0089] The control device 41 functions as a relay point for the entire core network CN. The control device 41 routes voice or data communications. The control device 41 can manage communications between different networks.

[0090] 1.2. Operation of the terminal device according to the first embodiment 1.2.1. Operation of the processing unit 11 Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the processing unit 11 of the terminal device 10. The operation of the processing unit 11 will be explained below with reference to Figure 10. The routine in Figure 10 is started, for example, when the processing unit 11 is powered on, and is executed at regular intervals.

[0091] In step S11, the processing unit 11 acquires first information by functioning as an acquisition unit 116. As described above, of the first information, information regarding the frequency band, speed compensation, radio resource utilization rate, and generation is transmitted from one of candidate base stations #1 to #3 to the terminal device 10, while the delay amount, received signal strength, and interference wave level are measured in the terminal device 10.

[0092] In step S12, the processing unit 11, acting as a determination unit 112, determines an overall evaluation value for each candidate base station around the terminal device 10 based on the acquired first information.

[0093] In step S13, the processing unit 11 functions as a determination unit 114 to determine whether the terminal device 10 is connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations.

[0094] If the processing unit 11 has just started up, the terminal device 10 is not yet connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the terminal device 10 is not connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations. That is, if the determination result in step S13 is negative, the processing unit 11, in step S14, functions as a determination unit 112 and determines a recommended base station based on the overall evaluation value.

[0095] In step S15, the processing unit 11 functions as a display control unit 113 and displays candidate base stations #1 to #3 on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended base station to be identified.

[0096] In step S16, the processing unit 11 functions as a connection unit 115 to connect with the selected base station chosen by user U, and then terminates this routine.

[0097] On the other hand, if the terminal device 10 is connected to any of the surrounding candidate base stations, that is, if the determination result in step S13 is positive, the processing unit 11, in step S17, functions as a connection unit 115 to determine whether or not a handover is necessary.

[0098] If it is determined that a handover is necessary, that is, if the determination result in step S17 is positive, the processing unit 11, in step S18, functions as a connection unit 115 to perform a handover and terminate this routine. Here, performing a handover means requesting a handover from the selected base station.

[0099] On the other hand, if it is determined that a handover is not necessary, that is, if the determination result in step S17 is negative, the processing unit 11 terminates this routine. In this case, the processing unit 11 maintains the current connection state without executing the process in step S18.

[0100] 1.2.2. Handover operation by the processing unit 11 Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the handover operation by the processing unit 11. The operation of the processing unit 11 will be explained below with reference to Figure 11. This routine is a subroutine of step S18 in Figure 10.

[0101] In step S21, the processing unit 11, by functioning as a connection unit 115, identifies the communication application corresponding to the highest overall evaluation value by comparing the overall evaluation values ​​corresponding to the selected base station for each of the multiple communication applications.

[0102] In step S22, the processing unit 11, functioning as a connection unit 115, determines the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the communication use identified in step S21 for each of the two or more candidate base stations to be handovered.

[0103] In step S23, the processing unit 11, by functioning as a connection unit 115, connects the terminal device 10 to the candidate base station with the highest determined total value among the two or more candidate base stations subject to handover, and then terminates this routine.

[0104] 1.3. Effects of the First Embodiment As described above, the control program PR1 of the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment causes the processing unit 11 of the terminal device 10, which is owned by user U, to function as a determination unit 112, a display control unit 113, and a connection unit 115. Before the terminal device 10 is connected to the wireless base station 20, the determination unit 112 determines which candidate base station is recommended for the terminal device 10 to connect to, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal device 10 can connect. The display control unit 113 displays two or more candidate base stations on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified. The connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the selected base station selected by user U's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations.

[0105] According to this embodiment, two or more candidate base stations and a recommended candidate base station from among the two or more candidate base stations are presented to the user U, and the user can select the wireless base station they wish to connect to from among the two or more candidate base stations, thereby improving the convenience and satisfaction of the user U.

[0106] Furthermore, the attributes include multiple indicators related to the communication quality between two or more candidate base stations and the terminal device 10. The determination unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value for each of the two or more candidate base stations based on multiple evaluation values ​​that correspond one-to-one with the multiple indicators. The determination unit 112 determines the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value among the two or more candidate base stations as the recommended candidate base station.

[0107] According to this embodiment, each of several indicators related to communication quality is evaluated, and based on an overall evaluation value obtained by summing the evaluation values ​​assigned to each indicator, a wireless base station recommended for connection is objectively selected and presented to the user U.

[0108] Furthermore, the determination unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value by summing the results of multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the communication application.

[0109] According to this embodiment, weighting is performed according to the communication application, so that a candidate base station suitable for the communication application is presented as a recommended candidate base station from among two or more candidate base stations. Therefore, user U can select a base station suitable for the communication application.

[0110] Furthermore, the determination unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value for each of the multiple communication applications. For each of the multiple communication applications, the determination unit 112 selects the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value from among two or more candidate base stations as the recommended candidate base station. The display control unit 113 displays two or more candidate base stations on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified for each of the multiple communication applications.

[0111] In this embodiment, multiple recommended candidate base stations may be presented for each communication application, allowing user U to select a base station suitable for their intended communication application.

[0112] Furthermore, communication uses include at least one of the following: online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email, and code payments.

[0113] According to this embodiment, the uses of communication include online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email, and code payments.

[0114] Furthermore, when the connection unit 115 hands over the terminal device 10 from the selected base station to another candidate base station, it compares the overall evaluation values ​​corresponding to the selected base station for each of the multiple communication uses to identify the communication use with the highest overall evaluation value. For each of the two or more candidate base stations to be handed over, the connection unit 115 determines the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the identified communication use. The connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the candidate base station with the highest determined sum among the two or more candidate base stations to be handed over.

[0115] According to this configuration, during a handover, another wireless base station can be automatically selected without user intervention, while ensuring the same communication quality as before the handover.

[0116] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment further includes an acquisition unit 116. The acquisition unit 116 acquires first information showing the relationship between a plurality of indicators and a plurality of evaluation values. The determination unit 112 determines an overall evaluation value based on the first information stored in the storage device 12 of the terminal device 10. The first information is transmitted to the terminal device 10 from one of two or more candidate base stations before the terminal device 10 is connected to the selected base station. Each time the acquisition unit 116 acquires the first information, the first information stored in the storage device 12 is updated.

[0117] According to this configuration, information showing the relationship between multiple indicators and multiple evaluation values ​​is updated regularly, thereby further improving user convenience and satisfaction.

[0118] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment is held by user U and comprises a determination unit 112, a display control unit 113, and a connection unit 115. Before its own terminal device 10 is connected to the wireless base station 20, the determination unit 112 determines, from among two or more candidate base stations, which is recommended for connection to the terminal device 10, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal device 10 can connect. The display control unit 113 displays two or more candidate base stations on the display device 14 in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base station to be identified. The connection unit 115 connects its own terminal device 10 to the selected base station selected by user U from among the two or more candidate base stations.

[0119] According to this embodiment, two or more candidate base stations and a recommended candidate base station from among the two or more candidate base stations are presented to the user, and the user can select the base station they wish to connect to from among the two or more candidate base stations, thereby improving user convenience and satisfaction.

[0120] Furthermore, the first implementation of the mobile device is a method performed by a terminal device 10 held by user U, wherein, before the terminal device 10 is connected to the wireless base station 20, the terminal device 10 determines, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which it can connect, which candidate base station is recommended to be connected from among the two or more candidate base stations, displays the two or more candidate base stations on the display device 14 in a manner that allows identification of the recommended candidate base station, and connects the terminal device 10 to the selected base station selected by user U's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations.

[0121] According to this embodiment, two or more candidate base stations and a recommended candidate base station from among the two or more candidate base stations are presented to the user, and the user can select the base station they wish to connect to from among the two or more candidate base stations, thereby improving user convenience and satisfaction.

[0122] 2. Variations This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments illustrated above. Specific variations are illustrated below. Two or more embodiments may be arbitrarily selected from the following examples and combined. Furthermore, the embodiments described above and the variations described below can be combined arbitrarily as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0123] 2.1. Variation 1 In the first embodiment, recommendations for each communication application were displayed based on the overall evaluation value. However, depending on the communication application, a single candidate base station may not allow overlap with other communication applications and may be given priority in the recommendation display.

[0124] For example, for users with corporate contracts, if the use of online meetings overlaps with other recommended uses for a given base station, that base station will be prioritized and displayed as "Recommended." In other words, since online meetings are primarily for business use, base stations with better communication quality are prioritized for recommendation over other uses. The recommendation display for online meetings does not overlap with the display of other uses for a given base station.

[0125] Video streaming is primarily for recreational use and consumes large amounts of data, therefore it does not take priority over other uses. The recommended display of video streaming is permitted to overlap with the display of other uses at a single candidate base station.

[0126] For voice call applications, to ensure call quality, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations #1 to #3 is recommended as suitable for voice call applications. The recommendation for voice call applications may overlap with the recommendation for other applications for a single candidate base station.

[0127] Since email / chat applications do not require high communication quality, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations that are not recommended for other applications will be recommended as suitable for email / chat applications. If there are no candidate base stations that are not recommended for other applications, the recommendation for email / chat applications may overlap with the recommendation for other applications for a single candidate base station.

[0128] For QR code payments, to ensure the display of payment codes, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations #1 to #3 (excluding users with corporate contracts) is recommended as suitable for QR code payments. The recommended display for QR code payments may overlap with the display for other uses on a single candidate base station.

[0129] Figure 12 shows an example of the display configuration for recommended base stations according to Modification 1. As mentioned above, "Minato-ku 4-station" has the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations #1 to #3 for both online conferencing and video streaming. However, in Modification 1, online conferencing takes priority, and overlap with other uses is not permitted. Therefore, online conferencing is displayed as "Recommended" in the "Minato-ku 4-station" column, similar to the display configuration in the first embodiment, and video streaming is displayed as "Recommended" in the "Minato-ku 3-station 1" column, which has the next highest overall evaluation score after "Minato-ku 4-station".

[0130] Furthermore, in this example, the only candidate base station that is not recommended for other uses is "Minato-ku 3-station 2". Therefore, the email / chat use is displayed as "Recommended" in the "Minato-ku 3-station 2" column.

[0131] For voice calls and code payments, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation score among candidate base stations #1 to #3 will be recommended, and will be displayed as "Recommended" in the "Minato Ward 3 Station 1" column, similar to the configuration in the first embodiment.

[0132] 2.2. Variation Example 2 Furthermore, the weighting coefficients may be changed based on the trends of communication applications frequently used by user U. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of terminal device 10A according to Modification 2. As shown in Figure 13, terminal device 10A includes a processing unit 11A, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. Each element of terminal device 10A is interconnected by one or more buses for communicating information. Terminal device 10 is an example of a terminal.

[0133] The processing unit 11A is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10A, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing unit 11A is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. Some or all of the functions of the processing unit 11 may be implemented by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, FPGA, etc. The processing unit 11A executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0134] The storage device 12A is a recording medium that can be read from and written to by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 includes, for example, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0135] The storage device 12A stores multiple programs, including the control program PR1A, which is executed by the processing unit 11A. The storage device 12A also functions as a work area for the processing unit 11A. The control program PR1A is a program that controls the entire processing unit 11A.

[0136] Since the communication device 13, display device 14, and input device 15 are the same as those in the first implementation, their descriptions are omitted.

[0137] The processing unit 11A functions as a receiving unit 111, a determination unit 112, a display control unit 113, a judgment unit 114, a connection unit 115, an acquisition unit 116, and a modification unit 117, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR1A from the storage device 12A. In other words, in addition to the functions of the processing unit 11 of the first embodiment, the processing unit 11A also functions as a modification unit 117.

[0138] The receiving unit 111, the determination unit 112, the display control unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the connection unit 115, and the acquisition unit 116 have the same configuration as the receiving unit 111, the determination unit 112, the display control unit 113, the judgment unit 114, the connection unit 115, and the acquisition unit 116 according to the first embodiment, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0139] The modification unit 117 changes the weighting coefficient. Each time user U selects a base station, second information is stored in the storage device 12A of the terminal device 10A. The second information is information indicating the relationship between the selected base station and the communication application corresponding to the selected base station.

[0140] Figure 14 shows an example of the second information stored in the storage device 12A of the terminal device 10A. As shown in Figure 14, the second information includes multiple combinations of connection date and time, selected base station, and communication purpose. The connection date and time is the date and time when the terminal device 10A connected to the selected base station. The communication purpose is the communication purpose recommended by the selected base station. In other words, the second information is log information regarding the connection date and time, selected base station, and communication purpose.

[0141] For example, at 7:00 AM on October 20, 2024, it is understood that user U selected candidate base station #1, terminal device 10 was connected to candidate base station #1, and candidate base station #1 was recommended for online conferencing. According to Figure 14, it is understood that user U frequently selects candidate base station #1 for online conferencing.

[0142] The modification unit 117 determines the selection frequency of each of the multiple communication applications selected by user U based on the multiple second pieces of information stored in the storage device 12A. The selection frequency is determined, for example, as the ratio of the number of times each of the multiple communication applications is selected by user U out of a predetermined number of connection attempts. If the predetermined number of connection attempts is set to N, and out of N attempts, the candidate base station recommended by user U for online conferencing is selected M times, the selection frequency is M / N. Here, N and M are positive integers.

[0143] The modification unit 117 changes the weighting coefficient according to the selection frequency. More specifically, the modification unit 117 sets the weighting coefficient for communication applications with a high selection frequency to a value greater than the standard value, and sets the weighting coefficient for communication applications with a low selection frequency to a value less than the standard value. For example, the modification unit 117 multiplies the weighting coefficient by twice the selection frequency, i.e., 2M / N. If the standard weighting coefficient is α0, the weighting coefficient α1, which changes according to the selection frequency, is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0144] α1 = α0 × 2M / N ···(1)

[0145] For example, if the selection frequency M / N is 0.5, the weighting coefficient α1, which is changed according to the selection frequency, remains the same as the standard weighting coefficient α0.

[0146] The weighting coefficients are changed for each terminal device 10.

[0147] According to this embodiment, the weighting coefficient is changed according to the frequency of use for each communication purpose of user U.

[0148] 2.3. Variation 3 Furthermore, in the first embodiment, if the terminal device 10 cannot connect to the selected base station, the terminal device 10 may be connected to another base station. If, for any reason, the terminal device 10 cannot connect to the selected base station, the connection unit 115 identifies the communication application corresponding to the highest overall evaluation value by comparing the overall evaluation values ​​corresponding to the selected base station for each of the multiple communication applications. For each of the two or more candidate base stations other than the selected base station, the connection unit 115 determines the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the identified communication application. The connection unit 115 connects the terminal device 10 to the base station with the highest determined sum among the two or more candidate base stations other than the selected base station.

[0149] According to this configuration, even if a connection to the first base station cannot be established, another base station can be automatically selected without user intervention, while ensuring a certain level of communication quality.

[0150] 2.4. Variation 4 In the above embodiments and modifications, weighting coefficients were set for each communication application, but it is not necessary to set weighting coefficients. This disclosure is not limited to embodiments in which weighting coefficients are set.

[0151] 3. Others (1) In the embodiments described above, the storage devices 12, 22, 32, and 42 are exemplified by ROM and RAM, but can also be flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital multipurpose disks, Blu-ray® disks), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy® disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, and other suitable storage media. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line. The program may also be transmitted from a communication network NET via a telecommunications line.

[0152] (2) In the embodiments described above, the information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0153] (3) In the embodiments described above, the input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0154] (4) In the embodiments described above, the determination may be made by a value represented using 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0155] (5) The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., exemplified in the embodiments described above may be rearranged in order, as long as they do not contradict each other. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present various step elements using an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0156] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 1 to 14 is implemented by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of implementing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be implemented using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be implemented using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be implemented by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0157] (7) The programs illustrated in the embodiments described above should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages ​​or by other names.

[0158] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0159] (8) In each of the above-mentioned forms, the terms “system” and “network” shall be used interchangeably.

[0160] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information.

[0161] (10) In the embodiments described above, the terminal devices 10, 10A may be mobile stations (MS). A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms. In this disclosure, terms such as “mobile station,” “user terminal,” “user equipment (UE),” and “terminal” may be used interchangeably.

[0162] (11) In the embodiments described above, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0163] (12) In the embodiments described above, the phrase “based on” does not mean “based solely on” unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase “based on” means both “based solely on” and “based at least on.”

[0164] (13) The terms “determining” and “determining” as used in this disclosure may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0165] (14) Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in the embodiments described above, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to be exclusive OR.

[0166] (15) In the present disclosure, if articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0167] (16) In this disclosure, the term “A and B are different” may mean “A and B are different from each other.” The term may also mean “A and B are each different from C.” Terms such as “separate” and “combine” may be interpreted in the same way as “different.”

[0168] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed in practice. Furthermore, notification of certain information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0169] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Accordingly, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not restrictive in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0170] 1... Wireless communication system, 10, 10A... Terminal device, 12... Storage device, 14... Display device, 20... Wireless base station, 112... Decision unit, 113... Display control unit, 115... Connection unit, 116... Acquisition unit, 117... Change unit, M / N... Selection frequency, U... User, α0, α1... Weighting coefficients.

Claims

1. The processing unit of a device owned by the user, Before the terminal is connected to a base station, a determination unit determines, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can connect, which candidate base station is recommended for the terminal to connect. A display control unit that displays the two or more candidate base stations on a display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base stations to be identified, A connection unit that connects the terminal to the first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations, A program for a terminal that enables it to function.

2. The aforementioned attributes include a plurality of indicators relating to the communication quality between the two or more candidate base stations and the terminal, The aforementioned determination unit, For each of the two or more candidate base stations, a comprehensive evaluation value is determined based on multiple evaluation values ​​that correspond one-to-one with the multiple indicators. Of the two or more candidate base stations mentioned above, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value is selected as the recommended candidate base station. The terminal program according to claim 1.

3. The determination unit determines the overall evaluation value by summing the results of multiplying each of the plurality of evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the communication application. The terminal program according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned determination unit, For each of the multiple communication applications, the aforementioned overall evaluation value is determined. For each of the aforementioned multiple communication applications, the candidate base station with the highest overall evaluation value among the two or more candidate base stations is determined to be the recommended candidate base station. The display control unit displays two or more candidate base stations on the display device in a manner that allows identification of the recommended candidate base stations for each of the plurality of communication applications. The terminal program described in claim 3.

5. The aforementioned communication use includes at least one of the following: online meetings, video streaming, voice calls, email, and code payments. The terminal program according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned connection part is When the aforementioned terminal is to be handed over from the first base station to another base station, For each of the aforementioned multiple communication applications, the overall evaluation value corresponding to the first base station is compared to identify the communication application corresponding to the highest overall evaluation value. For each of the two or more base stations subject to the handover, the sum of the results obtained by multiplying each of the multiple evaluation values ​​by a weighting coefficient corresponding to the specified communication use is determined. Of the two or more base stations subject to the handover, the terminal is connected to the base station with the highest determined total value. The terminal program according to claim 4.

7. The system further includes an acquisition unit that acquires first information showing the relationship between the plurality of indicators and the plurality of evaluation values. The determination unit determines the overall evaluation value based on the first information stored in the terminal's storage device. The first information is transmitted to the terminal from one of the two or more candidate base stations before the terminal is connected to the first base station. Each time the acquisition unit acquires the first information, the first information stored in the storage device is updated. The terminal program according to claim 2.

8. The system further includes a modification unit for changing the weighting coefficient, Each time the user selects the first base station, second information indicating the relationship between the first base station and the communication application corresponding to the first base station is stored in the terminal's storage device. The aforementioned modified part is, Based on the plurality of second pieces of information stored in the memory device, the selection frequency of each of the plurality of communication applications selected by the user is determined. The weighting coefficient is changed according to the selection frequency. The terminal program according to claim 4.

9. Owned by the user, Before the terminal is connected to a base station, a determination unit determines, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can connect, which candidate base station is recommended for the terminal to connect. A display control unit that displays the two or more candidate base stations on a display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base stations to be identified, A connection unit that connects the user's terminal to the first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations, A terminal equipped with the following features.

10. A method performed by a device owned by the user, Before the terminal is connected to a base station, based on the attributes of two or more candidate base stations to which the terminal can connect, a candidate base station to which the terminal is recommended is determined from among the two or more candidate base stations. The two or more candidate base stations are displayed on the display device in a manner that allows the recommended candidate base stations to be identified. The terminal is connected to the first base station selected by the user's operation from among the two or more candidate base stations. Information processing methods.

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