Terminal device and method

Abstract

To provide a terminal device, an artificial satellite, a method, and a program that can notify communication failure information regarding the communication failure status regardless of the state in which a user can grasp the communication failure status.SOLUTION: A terminal device 10 includes a first communication unit 11 that communicates with a first communication network 20, a second communication unit 12 that receives a signal from an artificial satellite 40 or communicates with the second communication network 30, and a communication control unit 13 that detects a communication failure in the first communication network 20 and acquires communication failure information regarding the status of the communication failure in the first communication network 20 from the artificial satellite 40 or the second communication network 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to terminal devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that receives sub-meter level positioning augmentation signals (L1S signals) including information on natural disasters and information on civil protection from communication satellites and transmits the information to nearby wireless communication terminals. This makes it possible to transmit the information to wireless communication terminals that cannot directly receive the L1S signals, and to notify the information of natural disasters, etc. to people who were unable to directly confirm the information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-077901 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, terminal devices such as smartphones are widely used and are used daily. However, communication failures due to hardware or software problems in any of the devices that make up the communication network to which the terminal device is connected frequently occur. Once a communication failure occurs, the terminal device is disconnected from the communication network to which it is connected, or it becomes difficult to connect to the communication network.

[0005] When a communication failure occurs, the terminal device is disconnected from the communication network to which it was connected or becomes difficult to connect to that communication network, so the user of the terminal device cannot check the status of the failure in the communication network to which it was connected using the terminal device.

[0006] One of the objects of the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is to provide a terminal device, an artificial satellite, a method, and a program that allow a user to grasp the status of a communication failure.

[0007] It should be noted that this object is merely one of the objects to be achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein. Other objects or problems and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification or the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A terminal device according to the present disclosure includes a first communication unit that communicates with a first communication network, a second communication unit that receives a signal from a satellite or communicates with a second communication network, and a communication control unit that detects a communication failure in the first communication network and obtains communication failure information regarding the status of the communication failure in the first communication network from the satellite or the second communication network.

[0009] The artificial satellite according to the present disclosure receives communication failure information relating to the status of communication failure in a communication network to which a terminal device is connected from a management device, and broadcasts a signal including the communication failure information.

[0010] A method according to the present disclosure includes communicating with a first communications network, receiving a signal from a satellite or communicating with a second communications network, detecting a communications failure in the first communications network, and obtaining communications failure information from the satellite or the second communications network regarding the status of the communications failure in the first communications network. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal device, an artificial satellite, a method, and a program that enable a user to grasp the state of a communication failure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a communication system in a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an L1S signal including communication failure information in the second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an Oc field included in a Data Field in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an SOc field included in a Data Field in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a Ni field included in a Data Field in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a terminal device according to the second embodiment until the terminal device completes preparations for acquiring communication failure information. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process up to when a terminal device according to the second embodiment receives information indicating that a communication failure has occurred. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process until a terminal device according to the second embodiment receives information indicating that a communication failure has been restored. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration example of a terminal device or the like in each embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. Each element shown in Fig. 1 can be implemented, for example, as dedicated hardware, as software running on the dedicated hardware, or as a virtualization function instantiated on an application platform running on general-purpose hardware.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a first communication network 20, a second communication network 30, and an artificial satellite 40.

[0015] The terminal device 10 may be a communication terminal compatible with, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Of course, the above is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to these. The terminal device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the first communication network 20 and the second communication network 30. The terminal device 10 is configured to be able to receive a signal broadcast by an artificial satellite 40.

[0016] The first communication network 20 and the second communication network 30 are communication networks to which the terminal device 10 can connect. The first communication network 20 is a communication network corresponding to a first communication method. The second communication network 30 is a communication network corresponding to a second communication method. Note that the first communication method and the second communication method may be the same communication method or different communication methods.

[0017] The artificial satellite 40 transmits or notifies a signal to a plurality of terminal devices including the terminal device 10. The artificial satellite 40 may be an artificial satellite used for GNSS applications, or may be a quasi-zenith satellite used for the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The artificial satellite 40 may be capable of transmitting an L1S signal. Naturally, the above is merely an example, and is not limited thereto.

[0018] The terminal device 10 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, and a communication control unit 13.

[0019] The first communication unit 11 uses a first communication method to connect to and communicate with the first communication network 20. The first communication method may be, for example, a communication method defined in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), such as LTE or NR.

[0020] The second communication unit 12 is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication network 30 using a second communication method. The second communication method may be a wireless LAN method or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, the second communication method may be a communication method defined in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), such as LTE or NR.

[0021] Further, the second communication unit 12 is configured to be able to receive a signal from the artificial satellite 40. The second communication unit 12 communicates with the second communication network 30 or receives a signal transmitted or notified by the artificial satellite 40, according to the control of the communication control unit 13.

[0022] The communication control unit 13 controls the first communication unit 11 and the second communication unit 12. The communication control unit 13 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 20. When the first communication unit 11 cannot connect to the first communication network 20 and is out of range, the communication control unit 13 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 20. Alternatively, when the bit rate in the communication between the first communication unit 11 and the first communication network 20 is significantly low, the communication control unit 13 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 20.

[0023] When the communication control unit 13 detects a communication failure, it acquires communication failure information related to the state of the communication failure in the first communication network 20 from the second communication network 30 via the second communication unit 12. Alternatively, when the communication control unit 13 detects a communication failure, it acquires communication failure information related to the state of the communication failure in the first communication network 20 from the artificial satellite 40 via the second communication unit 12.

[0024] Next, an operation example of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] First, the communication control unit 13 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 20 (S101). When the first communication unit 11 cannot connect to the first communication network 20 and is out of range, the communication control unit 13 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 20. Alternatively, when the bit rate in the communication between the first communication unit 11 and the first communication network 20 is significantly low, the communication control unit 13 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 20.

[0026] Next, when the communication control unit 13 detects a communication failure, it acquires communication failure information relating to the state of the communication failure in the first communication network 20 from the artificial satellite 40 or the second communication network 30 (S102).

[0027] As described above, the terminal device 10 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 20, and acquires communication failure information related to the state of the communication failure in the first communication network 20 from the artificial satellite 40 or the second communication network 30. Therefore, according to the terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment, the user can grasp the state of the communication failure.

[0028] [Second embodiment] 3 shows an example of the configuration of a communication system 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system 2 includes a terminal device 50, a first communication network 60, a second communication network 70, an artificial satellite 80, and a management device 90.

[0029] The terminal device 50 corresponds to the terminal device 10 in the first embodiment. The terminal device 50 may be, for example, a communication terminal compatible with LTE, NR, wireless LAN, or GNSS. Of course, the above is an example, and the terminal device 50 is not limited to these.

[0030] The first communication network 60 is a communication network provided by a telecommunications carrier and may be called a cellular network. The first communication network 60 is a communication network compatible with a communication method defined by 3GPP, such as LTE or NR. In the following description, the communication method compatible with the first communication network 60 is described as LTE.

[0031] The second communication network 70 is, for example, a communication network compatible with a wireless LAN system. Note that the second communication network 70 may be, for example, compatible with Bluetooth, or a communication network compatible with a communication system defined by 3GPP, such as LTE or NR.

[0032] The artificial satellite 80 is, for example, a quasi-zenith satellite. The artificial satellite 80 receives communication failure information from a management device 90 that is external to the artificial satellite 80, and broadcasts a signal including the communication failure information to the terminal device 50. The artificial satellite 80 broadcasts, for example, an L1S signal.

[0033] The management device 90 is connected to government agencies that operate artificial satellites, companies that operate communication networks, etc. When a communication failure occurs in the first communication network 60, the management device 90 receives communication failure information from the company that operates the first communication network 60, and transmits the contents of a signal including the received communication failure information to the artificial satellite 80. The management device 90 may be connected to each government agency or company by a dedicated line or a wired line or a wireless line via the Internet.

[0034] Next, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of the terminal device 50. The terminal device 50 includes a first communication unit 51, a second communication unit 52, and a communication control unit 53.

[0035] The first communication unit 51 communicates with the first communication network 60. The first communication unit 51 communicates with the first communication network 60 using LTE.

[0036] The second communication unit 52 is configured to capture the artificial satellite 80 and to be able to receive a signal from the artificial satellite 80. The second communication unit 52 checks whether it can receive a signal from the artificial satellite 80. If the second communication unit 52 can receive a signal from the artificial satellite 80, it receives an L1S signal transmitted or notified by the artificial satellite 80. The second communication unit 52 is also configured to be able to communicate with the second communication network 70 using a wireless LAN system. The second communication unit 52 receives the L1S signal from the artificial satellite 80 or communicates with the second communication network 70 according to the control of the communication control unit 53.

[0037] The communication control unit 53 controls the first communication unit 51 and the second communication unit 52. The communication control unit 53 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 60. When the first communication unit 51 cannot connect to the first communication network 60 and is out of range, the communication control unit 53 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 60. Alternatively, when the bit rate in the communication between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60 is significantly low, the communication control unit 53 detects that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 60.

[0038] When the communication control unit 53 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 60, the communication control unit 53 determines whether or not the second communication unit 52 is disabled. The communication control unit 53 may determine whether or not the second communication unit 52 is disabled by determining whether or not the second communication unit 52 is in an unusable state in terms of hardware or software. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may determine whether or not the second communication unit 52 is disabled depending on whether or not the power supply of the second communication unit 52 is turned off.

[0039] When the communication control unit 53 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 60, and when the second communication unit 52 is disabled, the communication control unit 53 enables the second communication unit 52. The communication control unit 53 may enable the second communication unit 52 by transitioning the second communication unit 52 to a usable state in terms of hardware or software. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may enable the second communication unit 52 by changing the power supply of the second communication unit 52 from OFF to ON. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may enable the second communication unit 52 by changing the function of the second communication unit 52 from OFF to ON in terms of software.

[0040] When the communication control unit 53 enables the second communication unit 52 or when the second communication unit 52 is in an enabled state, the communication control unit 53 causes the second communication unit 52 to receive an L1S signal from the artificial satellite 80 or attempt to connect to the second communication network 70.

[0041] When the second communication unit 52 is enabled or when the second communication unit 52 is in an enabled state, the communication control unit 53 controls the second communication unit 52 to receive an L1S signal including communication failure information regarding the communication failure situation from the artificial satellite 80.

[0042] The communication failure information includes at least information indicating that a communication failure has occurred or information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered from. The communication failure information includes information indicating the communication carrier where the communication failure is occurring or the communication carrier where the communication failure has been recovered from, information indicating the date and time when the communication failure occurred or was recovered from, and information indicating the area where the communication failure occurred or was recovered from. The communication failure information includes information indicating the location where the communication failure occurred or was recovered from, and information indicating a message to be displayed on the terminal device. Note that the communication failure information may further include at least one of information other than the information indicating that a communication failure has occurred or the information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered from.

[0043] Here, a configuration example of an L1S signal including communication failure information will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 7. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an L1S signal including communication failure information in this embodiment.

[0044] Generally, the L1S signal is composed of 250 bits and includes a PAB field, an MT field, an RC field, a Data field, a Vn field, a Reserved field, and a CRC field.

[0045] The PAB field is a field in which the preamble of the L1S signal is set.

[0046] The MT field is, for example, 6 bits long, and is a field in which a message type is set. The MT field includes, for example, information indicating that the information is disaster information used by administrative agencies and companies other than the Japan Meteorological Agency. In the case of an L1S signal including communication failure information, 44 (DC Report - Other Organization) is set in the MT field. Note that a message type other than 44 may be set as the message type of an L1S signal including communication failure information.

[0047] The Data Field is, for example, 197 bits or 212 bits, and is a field in which specific data of the L1S signal is set. The Data Field includes an Oc field, an SOc field, and an Ni field. An example of detailed information set in each field will be described later.

[0048] The Vn field is a field in which a version number is set. The Reserved field is a reserved area. The CRC field is a field in which CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) parity is set.

[0049] Next, the Oc field of the Data field will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the Oc field included in the Data field in the L1S signal.

[0050] The Oc field is composed of, for example, 6 bits. Information indicating an organization code is set in the Oc field, and information specifying which organization or operator transmitted or notified the L1S signal is set. In the case of an L1S signal including communication failure information, one of codes 45 to 49 indicating a communication operator (Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) / Mobile Network Operator (MNO)) is set in the Oc field.

[0051] Next, the SOc field of the Data Field will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the SOc field included in the Data Field in the L1S signal.

[0052] The SOc field is composed of, for example, 6 bits. A code assigned to each communication carrier is set in the SOc field, and information for identifying which communication carrier transmitted or notified the L1S signal is set. Specifically, a code for identifying the communication carrier that transmits or notifies the communication failure information is set in the Oc field. More specifically, information indicating the communication carrier in which the communication failure is occurring or the communication carrier from which the communication failure has been restored is set in the Oc field, among the communication failure information. That is, a code that enables the communication control unit 53 to identify the communication carrier in which the communication failure occurred or the communication carrier from which the communication failure has been restored is set in the Oc field.

[0053] 6, for example, each mobile network operator (MNO) is assigned one of the codes 1 to 4, and each mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) is assigned one of the codes 5 to 49. In the case where the code 3 is assigned to the network operator providing the first communication network 60, if a communication failure occurs in the first communication network 60, an L1S signal with the code 3 set in the SOc field is transmitted or broadcast from the artificial satellite 80.

[0054] Next, the Ni field of the Data field will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the Ni field included in the Data field in the L1S signal.

[0055] The Ni field is composed of, for example, 185 bits, and includes a Flag field, a Date field, an Area field, and a Detail field.

[0056] The Flag field is composed of, for example, 1 bit. In the Flag field, information indicating that a communication failure has occurred or information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered from is set, among the communication failure information. When 0 is set in the Flag field, the L1S signal indicates that a communication failure has occurred, and when the value stored in the Flag field is 1, the L1S signal indicates that the communication failure has been recovered from. For example, in the first communication network 60, when a communication failure has occurred, 0 is set in the Flag field, and when the communication failure has been recovered from, 1 is set in the Flag field.

[0057] The Data field is configured, for example, of 20 bits. In the Data field, information indicating the date and time when the communication failure occurred or was recovered from among the communication failure information is set.

[0058] The Area field is, for example, composed of 8 bits. In the Area field, information indicating the area where the communication failure occurred or was recovered from among the communication failure information is set, and information capable of identifying which area the communication failure occurred or was recovered from is set.

[0059] The Detail field is composed of, for example, 156 bits. Information that allows detailed content of the communication failure to be understood, and various information related to the communication failure are set in the Detail field. Among the communication failure information, information indicating the location where the communication failure occurred or was recovered from may be set in the Detail field. The information indicating the location where the communication failure occurred or was recovered from may be information indicating a location in more detail than the area indicated in the Area field. Furthermore, the Detail field may be set with information indicating a message to be displayed on the terminal device 50.

[0060] Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the communication control unit 53 will be continued. When the communication control unit 53 cannot obtain communication failure information from the artificial satellite 80, it obtains the communication failure information from the second communication network 79. When the strength of the signal from the artificial satellite 80 is weak and reception fails, or when the signal from the artificial satellite 80 does not contain communication failure information, the communication control unit 53 controls the second communication unit 52 to obtain the communication failure information from the second communication network 70. In addition, the communication control unit 53 may automatically connect the second communication unit 52 to the second communication network 70 in response to the fact that the communication failure information cannot be obtained from the artificial satellite 80, or may display a message on the terminal device 50 and cause the second communication unit 52 to connect to the second communication network 70 in response to an operation by the user of the terminal device 50.

[0061] The communication control unit 53, for example, connects to a website of the communication carrier operating the first communication network 60 via the second communication unit 52, and acquires, from the communication failure information, information indicating that a communication failure has occurred or information indicating that the communication failure has been restored. The communication control unit 53 may acquire, from the website, information indicating that a communication failure has occurred or information indicating that the communication failure has been restored, by using, for example, RSS reading software.

[0062] When the communication control unit 53 acquires communication failure information including information indicating that a communication failure has occurred, the communication control unit 53 disables the first communication unit 51. When 0 is set in the Flag field of the L1S signal received by the second communication unit 52 from the artificial satellite 80, the communication control unit 53 disables the first communication unit 51. Furthermore, when the communication control unit 53 acquires information indicating that a communication failure has occurred from the website of the telecommunications carrier via the second communication unit 52, the communication control unit 53 disables the first communication unit 51.

[0063] The communication control unit 53 may disable the first communication unit 51 by transitioning the first communication unit 51 to an unusable state in terms of hardware or software. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may disable the first communication unit 51 by turning off the power supply of the first communication unit 51. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may disable the first communication unit 51 by turning off the function of the first communication unit 51 in terms of software.

[0064] When the communication control unit 53 acquires communication failure information including information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered, the communication control unit 53 enables the first communication unit 51. When the second communication unit 52 has set 1 in the Flag field of the L1S signal received from the artificial satellite 80, the communication control unit 53 enables the first communication unit 51. Furthermore, when the communication control unit 53 acquires information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered from the communication carrier's website via the second communication unit 52, the communication control unit 53 enables the first communication unit 51.

[0065] The communication control unit 53 may enable the first communication unit 51 by transitioning the first communication unit 51 to a usable state in terms of hardware or software. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may enable the first communication unit 51 by changing the power supply of the first communication unit 51 from OFF to ON. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may enable the first communication unit 51 by changing the function of the first communication unit 51 from OFF to ON in terms of software. In this way, the communication control unit 53 enables or disables the first communication unit 51 based on information on whether a communication failure has occurred or has been restored, and therefore, energy consumption of the terminal device 50 can be reduced.

[0066] When the communication control unit 53 acquires communication failure information including information indicating that the communication failure has been restored, it checks the communication status of the first communication unit 51. When the information indicating that the communication failure has been restored is acquired and the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally, the communication control unit 53 restarts the terminal device 50. In this way, when the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally, the communication control unit 53 can restore communication with the first communication network 60 to normal by restarting the terminal device 50.

[0067] The communication control unit 53 may determine that the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally when the first communication unit 51 cannot receive a signal from the first communication network 60. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may determine that the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally when the first communication unit 51 cannot connect to the first communication network 60 and is out of range. Alternatively, the communication control unit 53 may determine that the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally when the bit rate in communication between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60 is significantly low.

[0068] In addition, when the communication control unit 53 restarts the terminal device 50, the user of the terminal device 50 cannot know that the terminal device 50 is restarted. Therefore, the communication control unit 53 may display a message on the terminal device 50 to the effect that the terminal device 50 is to be restarted, and notify the user of the terminal device 50. In addition, it is also assumed that the first communication unit 51 temporarily falls into a state in which it is unable to communicate normally, and after a certain period of time has passed, it is restored to a state in which it is able to communicate normally. Therefore, the communication control unit 53 may display a message on the terminal device 50 to the effect that the terminal device 50 is to be restarted, and allow the user to select whether or not to restart the terminal device 50. If the user selects to restart the terminal device 50, the communication control unit 53 restarts the terminal device 50, and if the user selects not to restart the terminal device 50, the communication control unit 53 does not restart the terminal device 50.

[0069] When communication failure information is acquired using the second communication network 70 or the artificial satellite 80, the communication control unit 53 may display a message indicating that a communication failure has occurred or a message indicating that the communication failure has been restored on the terminal device 50. When communication failure information cannot be acquired using the second communication network 70 or the artificial satellite 80, the communication control unit 53 may display a message indicating that communication failure information could not be acquired on the terminal device 50. In this way, the user of the terminal device 50 can easily grasp the status of the communication failure based on the content displayed on the terminal device 50.

[0070] The communication control unit 53 may also acquire location information of the terminal device 50 using at least one of the first communication unit 51 and the second communication unit 52. The communication control unit 53 may then compare the location information of the terminal device 50 with at least one of information indicating the area where the communication failure has been restored or information indicating the location where the communication failure has been restored, which is included in the communication failure information, and determine whether or not to restart the terminal device 50. For example, if the location of the terminal device 50 is included in the area and location where the communication failure has been restored, the communication control unit 53 may determine to restart the terminal device 50. If it is determined that the terminal device 50 is to be restarted, the communication control unit 53 may display a message on the terminal device 50 to the effect that the terminal device 50 is to be restarted, and notify the user of the terminal device 50. The message may not only be displayed, but also allow the user to select whether or not to restart the terminal device 50. If the user selects to restart the terminal device 50, the communication control unit 53 restarts the terminal device 50, and if the user selects not to restart the terminal device 50, the communication control unit 53 does not restart the terminal device 50.

[0071] Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 10. Fig. 8 is a flowchart from detection of a communication failure to completion of preparation for the terminal device 50 to acquire communication failure information. Fig. 9 is a flowchart until the terminal device 50 receives information indicating that a communication failure has occurred from among the communication failure information. Fig. 10 is a flowchart until the terminal device 50 receives information indicating that the communication failure has been restored from among the communication failure information.

[0072] 8, first, the communication control unit 53 detects a communication failure in the first communication network 60 (S201). When the first communication unit 51 cannot connect to the first communication network 60 and is out of range, the communication control unit 53 determines that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 60. Alternatively, when the bit rate in the communication between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60 is significantly low, the communication control unit 53 determines that a communication failure has occurred in the first communication network 60.

[0073] Next, the communication control unit 53 determines whether the second communication unit 52 is enabled (S202). If the second communication unit 52 is disabled (NO in S202), the communication control unit 53 enables the second communication unit 52 (S203). In this way, the terminal device 50 completes preparations for acquiring communication failure information.

[0074] On the other hand, if the second communication unit 52 is enabled (YES in S202), the terminal device 50 does nothing and ends this flow. Note that the operation shown in Fig. 8 may be executed again after the operation shown in Fig. 9 is completed.

[0075] Next, Fig. 9 will be described. The operation shown in Fig. 9 is executed after the operation in Fig. 8. The operation shown in Fig. 9 is an operation for communication control unit 53 to obtain information indicating that a communication failure has occurred.

[0076] The communication control unit 53 checks whether or not it is possible to receive an L1S signal from the artificial satellite 80 using the second communication unit 52 (S204).

[0077] If the second communication unit 52 is able to receive the L1S signal from the artificial satellite 80 (YES in S204), the second communication unit 52 receives the L1S signal (S205).

[0078] On the other hand, if the second communication unit 52 cannot receive the L1S signal from the satellite 80 (NO in S204), the communication control unit 53 causes the second communication unit 52 to attempt to connect to the second communication network 70, and determines whether connection to the second communication network 70 is possible (S206). If the second communication unit 52 cannot capture the satellite 80 and is unable to receive the L1S signal, or if communication failure information cannot be obtained from the L1S signal, the communication control unit 53 causes the second communication unit 52 to attempt to connect to the second communication network 70. The communication control unit 53 determines whether the second communication unit 52 has been able to connect to the second communication network 70.

[0079] If the second communication unit 52 has succeeded in connecting to the second communication network 70 (YES in S206), the second communication unit 52 connects to the website of the communication carrier (S207).

[0080] On the other hand, if the second communication unit 52 fails to connect to the second communication network 70 (NO in S206), the communication control unit 53 displays a message on the terminal device 50 indicating that communication failure information cannot be obtained (S208), and ends this flow.

[0081] After S205 or S207, the communication control unit 53 attempts to obtain information indicating that a communication failure has occurred from the L1S signal or the website to which the second communication unit 52 is connected, and determines whether the information has been obtained (S209).

[0082] If the communication control unit 53 acquires information indicating that a communication failure has occurred (YES in S209), the communication control unit 53 displays a message indicating that a communication failure has occurred on the terminal device 50 (S210).

[0083] If the communication control unit 53 cannot acquire information indicating that a communication failure has occurred from the L1S signal or the website (NO in S209), the communication control unit 53 determines whether the first communication unit 51 can communicate normally with the first communication network 60 (S211). The communication control unit 53 checks the connection state between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60, and determines whether the first communication unit 51 can communicate normally based on the connection state of the first communication unit 51 or the bit rate in communication between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60.

[0084] If the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally (NO in S211), the terminal device 50 returns to S204 and executes S204 and subsequent steps. If the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally and continues to detect a communication failure, the communication control unit 53 re-executes S204 and subsequent steps after a lapse of an arbitrary time.

[0085] On the other hand, if the first communication unit 51 has been able to communicate normally (YES in S211), the terminal device 50 ends the process.

[0086] Next, Fig. 10 will be described. The operation described in Fig. 10 is executed after Fig. 8 or Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the terminal device 50 executes S212 to S217. Note that the operations executed in S212 to S217 are similar to the operations in S204 to S209 in Fig. 9, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] In S217, if the communication control unit 53 obtains information indicating that the communication failure has been recovered from the L1S signal or the website to which the second communication unit 52 connected (YES in S217), the communication control unit 53 displays a message indicating that the communication failure has been recovered on the terminal device 50 (S218).

[0088] If the communication control unit 53 cannot acquire information indicating that the communication failure has been restored from the L1S signal or the website (NO in S217), the terminal device 50 re-executes S212 and subsequent steps after a lapse of an arbitrary time.

[0089] After S218, the communication control unit 53 determines whether the first communication unit 51 can normally communicate with the first communication network 60 (S219). The communication control unit 53 checks whether the first communication unit 51 can normally communicate with the first communication network 60 based on the connection state of the first communication unit 51 or the bit rate of communication between the first communication unit 51 and the first communication network 60.

[0090] If the first communication unit 51 cannot communicate normally (NO in S219), the communication control unit 53 restarts the terminal device 50 (S220).

[0091] On the other hand, if the first communication unit 51 can communicate normally (YES in S219), the terminal device 50 ends the operation.

[0092] As described above, in this embodiment, the terminal device 50 acquires communication failure information from the artificial satellite 80 or the second communication network 70. Even in a situation where the first communication unit 51 cannot connect to the first communication network 60, the terminal device 50 can acquire communication failure information from the artificial satellite 80 or the second communication network 70. Therefore, according to the communication system 2 according to the second embodiment, the user can grasp the state of the communication failure.

[0093] [Other embodiments] The terminal devices 10 and 50, the first communication networks 20 and 60, the second communication networks 30 and 70, the artificial satellites 40 and 80, and the management device 90 (hereinafter referred to as terminal devices 10, etc.) according to the above-described embodiments may have the following hardware configuration. Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer (information processing device) capable of realizing the communication devices according to each embodiment.

[0094] 11, a terminal device 10 or the like includes a network interface 100, a processor 101, and a memory 102. The network interface 100 is used to communicate with other wireless communication devices including a plurality of terminal devices. The network interface 100 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series, the IEEE 802.3 series, or the like.

[0095] The processor 101 reads out and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 102 to perform the processes of the terminal device 10 and the like described using the flowcharts and sequence diagrams in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 101 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 101 may include multiple processors.

[0096] The memory 102 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 102 may include storage located remotely from the processor 101. In this case, the processor 101 may access the memory 102 via an I / O interface (not shown).

[0097] 11, the memory 102 is used to store a group of software modules. The processor 101 reads out and executes the group of software modules from the memory 102, thereby performing the processing of the terminal device 10 and the like described in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0098] As described with reference to FIG. 11, each of the processors included in the terminal device 10 or the like executes one or more programs including a group of instructions for causing a computer to execute the algorithm described with reference to the drawing.

[0099] In the above example, the program can be stored and provided to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable media includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives) and magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks). Further, examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, and CD-R / W. Further, examples of the non-transitory computer readable media include semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes, for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may also be provided to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0100] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective embodiments.

[0101] For example, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) a first communication unit that communicates with a first communication network; a second communication unit that receives a signal from a satellite or communicates with a second communication network; A terminal device comprising: a communication control unit that detects a communication failure in the first communication network and acquires communication failure information regarding a status of the communication failure in the first communication network from the artificial satellite or the second communication network. (Appendix 2) The terminal device described in Appendix 1, wherein when the communication control unit detects the communication failure and the second communication unit is disabled, the communication control unit enables the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to attempt to receive the signal from the satellite or connect to the second communication network. (Appendix 3) The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication control unit, when unable to acquire the communication fault information from the artificial satellite, acquires the communication fault information from the second communication network. (Appendix 4) the communication failure information includes first information indicating that the communication failure has been restored, The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the communication control unit restarts the terminal device if the first communication unit cannot normally communicate with the first communication network after acquiring the first information. (Appendix 5) the communication failure information includes second information indicating that the communication failure has occurred, The terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the communication control unit disables the first communication unit when the second information is acquired, and enables the first communication unit when the first information is acquired. (Appendix 6) 6. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication failure information includes identification information of a communication carrier that provides the first communication network. (Appendix 7) The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication failure information includes information on a date and time when the communication failure occurred, or information on a date and time when the communication failure was restored. (Appendix 8) The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, wherein the communication failure information includes information about an area where the communication failure has occurred or information about an area where the communication failure has been restored. (Appendix 9) The second communication unit acquires location information of the terminal device, The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the communication control unit determines whether or not to restart the terminal device based on the location information and information on a region where the communication failure has been restored. (Appendix 10) The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the communication control unit restarts the terminal device when the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is included in an area indicated by the communication failure restoration area information. (Appendix 11) The second communication unit acquires location information of the terminal device, When the communication failure information includes restoration location information that identifies a location where the communication failure has been restored, The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the communication control unit acquires location information of the terminal device, and determines whether to restart the terminal device based on the location information, the recovery location information, and the recovery area information of the communication failure. (Appendix 12) The terminal device described in Appendix 11, wherein the communication control unit restarts the terminal device when the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is included in a location identified from the recovery location information and the recovery area information of the communication failure. (Appendix 13) The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 12, wherein the communication failure information includes detailed information about the communication failure. (Appendix 14) The terminal device according to claim 13, wherein the detailed information includes occurrence location information that identifies a location where the communication failure occurred or restoration location information that identifies a location where the communication failure was restored. (Appendix 15) The second communication unit acquires location information of the terminal device, The terminal device described in Appendix 14, wherein, when the detailed information includes the recovery location information, the communication control unit determines whether to restart the terminal device based on the location information and the recovery location information. (Appendix 16) The terminal device according to claim 15, wherein the communication control unit restarts the terminal device when the location of the terminal device indicated by the location information is included in a location identified from the recovery location information. (Appendix 17) The terminal device according to any one of appendices 1 to 16, wherein the signal is an L1S signal, and the L1S signal includes the communication failure information. (Appendix 18) An artificial satellite that receives communication failure information relating to the status of communication failures in a communication network to which a terminal device is connected from a management device, and broadcasts a signal including the communication failure information. (Appendix 19) in communication with a first communications network; receiving a signal from a satellite or communicating with a second communications network; A method for detecting a communication failure in the first communication network, and obtaining communication failure information relating to the status of the communication failure in the first communication network from the satellite or the second communication network. (Appendix 20) in communication with a first communications network; receiving a signal from a satellite or communicating with a second communications network; A program that causes a computer to execute a process of detecting a communication failure in the first communication network, and acquiring communication failure information regarding the status of the communication failure in the first communication network from the artificial satellite or the second communication network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10 Terminal Equipment 11 First Communications Department 12 2nd Communications Department 13 Communication control section 20 First Communication Network 30 Second Communication Network 40 satellite 50 Terminal Equipment 51 First Communications Department 52 2nd Communications Department 53 Communication control section 60 First Communication Network 70 Second Communication Network 80 satellite 90 Management device 100 Network Interfaces 101 Processor 102 Memory

Claims

1. a first communication unit that performs a first communication; a second communication unit that performs a second communication including receiving a signal from the artificial satellite and communicating with a communication network; a communication control unit that detects a communication failure in the first communication and acquires communication failure information related to a state of the communication failure from the artificial satellite or the communication network, When the communication control unit cannot acquire the communication fault information from the artificial satellite, the communication control unit acquires the communication fault information from the communication network. Terminal device.

2. A first communication unit that performs a first communication; a second communication unit that performs a second communication including receiving a signal from the artificial satellite and communicating with a communication network; a communication control unit that detects a communication failure in the first communication and acquires communication failure information related to a state of the communication failure from the artificial satellite or the communication network, the communication failure information includes first information indicating that the communication failure has been restored, the communication control unit reboots the terminal device when the first communication unit cannot normally perform the first communication after acquiring the first information. Terminal device.

3. The communication failure information includes second information indicating that the communication failure has occurred, the communication control unit disables the first communication unit when the second information is acquired, and enables the first communication unit when the first information is acquired. The terminal device according to claim 2.

4. When the communication control unit detects the communication failure and the second communication unit is disabled, the communication control unit enables the second communication unit and causes the second communication unit to attempt to receive the signal from the artificial satellite or to connect to the communication network. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The communication failure information includes identification information of a communication carrier that provides a communication network used for the first communication. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The communication failure information includes information on the occurrence date and time of the communication failure or information on the recovery date and time of the communication failure. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The communication failure information includes information on an area where the communication failure occurs or information on an area where the communication failure is restored. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The first communication uses a first communication network; the communication network used for the second communication is a second communication network; The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. Conducting a first communication; performing a second communication including receiving a signal from the satellite and communicating with a communication network; A method for a terminal device, comprising: detecting a communication failure in the first communication; and acquiring communication failure information relating to a state of the communication failure from the artificial satellite or the communication network, the method comprising: When the communication fault information cannot be acquired from the artificial satellite, the communication fault information is acquired from the communication network. method.

10. A first communication is performed, performing a second communication including receiving a signal from the satellite and communicating with a communication network; A method for a terminal device, comprising: detecting a communication failure in the first communication; and acquiring communication failure information relating to a state of the communication failure from the artificial satellite or the communication network, the method comprising: the communication failure information includes first information indicating that the communication failure has been restored, if the first communication cannot be normally performed after acquiring the first information, rebooting the terminal device. method.

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