Communication device, control method and program

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus, a control method, and a program that facilitate appropriate selection of services provided by a connection destination cellular communication network.SOLUTION: In a communication system having a communication apparatus, a public cellular communication network, a local cellular communication network, and a server, the communication apparatus 100 includes: a communication interface that can communicate with at least one of the public cellular communication network and the local cellular communication network; and a controller that obtains network-related information from a detected cellular communication network detected by the communication interface via the communication interface. The controller identifies a provided service type which is a type of a service provided by the detected cellular communication network to its own apparatus, based on the network-related information, displays the identified provided service type on a display, calculates a connection recommendation level for recommending connection to the detected cellular communication network based on the identified provided service type, and displays the calculated connection recommendation level on the display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, cellular communication systems that comply with the fifth generation (5G) cellular communication standard have been attracting attention. In such cellular communication systems, it is expected that not only public cellular communication networks operated by telecommunications carriers but also local cellular communication networks operated by general companies, organizations, and individuals will be constructed. Note that local cellular communication networks are sometimes called private cellular communication networks or non-public cellular communication networks.

[0003] Local cellular communication networks can be flexibly constructed and used by various entities according to the needs of the region and the individual needs of the industry. In addition, local cellular communication networks are less congested and have a better propagation environment than public cellular communication networks, and are therefore expected to provide better services to communication devices.

[0004] In a situation where public and local cellular networks coexist, a communication device has the option of selecting a connection destination from these two types of cellular networks. In general, a communication device preferentially selects a home network, which is a cellular network with which the device has a contract, or selects a cellular network that provides the highest reception power at the device. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP Technical Report “3GPP TR 23.734 V16.2.0: Study on enhancement of 5G System (5GS) for vertical and Local Area Network (LAN) services (Release 16)”, June 2019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a local cellular communication network is constructed for the purpose of providing a specific service, the types of services provided by the local cellular communication network may be limited, whereas a public cellular communication network may provide general-purpose services but may not provide special services that meet the needs of a region or an individual industry.

[0007] Therefore, in a situation where public cellular communication networks and local cellular communication networks are mixed, if the general connection destination selection method described above is applied, a situation may arise in which the service that the user of the communication device wants to use is not provided in the destination cellular communication network.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a controller and a control method that facilitates appropriate selection of a service provided by a connected cellular communication network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A controller in one embodiment acquires an identifier assigned to each of a plurality of slices from a cellular communication network, which is theoretically divided into a plurality of slices according to service types, via a communication interface, and notifies a notification unit of at least one of the provided service types, which are the types of services provided by the cellular communication network to the device, based on the identifier.

[0010] A controller in one embodiment acquires an identifier assigned to each of a plurality of slices from a cellular communication network, which is theoretically divided into a plurality of slices according to service types, via a communication interface, and notifies a notification unit of at least one unprovided service type, which is a type of service that the cellular communication network does not provide to the device, based on the identifier.

[0011] A control method in one embodiment is a control method for an electronic device having a communication interface and a notification unit, which obtains an identifier assigned to each of a plurality of slices from a cellular communication network theoretically divided into the plurality of slices according to service types via the communication interface, and notifies the notification unit of at least one of the provided service types, which are the types of services provided by the cellular communication network to the device, based on the identifier.

[0012] A control method in one embodiment is a control method for an electronic device equipped with a communication interface and a notification unit, which obtains an identifier assigned to each of a plurality of slices from a cellular communication network theoretically divided into the plurality of slices according to service types via the communication interface, and notifies the notification unit of at least one unprovided service type, which is a type of service that the cellular communication network does not provide to the device, based on the identifier. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specified operation of a type of service provided according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a calculation operation of a connection recommendation level according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0015] (Communication System Configuration) First, a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system according to an embodiment is a cellular communication system that complies with the 3GPP standard for the fifth generation (5G).

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to one embodiment includes a communication device 100, a public cellular communication network 210, a local cellular communication network 220, and a server 300.

[0017] The communication device 100 is a device having a function of performing cellular communication with a cellular communication network. The communication device 100 may be any device that has a function of performing cellular communication and has a UI (User Interface), and may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, or a mobile router. In the 3GPP standard, the communication device 100 is called UE (User Equipment).

[0018] The public cellular communication network 210 is a cellular communication network operated by a telecommunications carrier. The public cellular communication network 210 may be called public 5G. A license is issued nationwide to the telecommunications carrier that operates the public cellular communication network 210.

[0019] The local cellular communication network 220 is a cellular communication network that can be flexibly constructed and used by various entities according to local needs and individual needs of industrial fields. The local cellular communication network 220 is sometimes called local 5G. For example, a general company, organization, or individual can receive frequency allocation and operate the local cellular communication network 220 by themselves. The local cellular communication network 220 is licensed only for a local area such as within the facilities of a general company.

[0020] The public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220 are compliant with the 5G 3GPP standard. The public cellular communication network 210 has a base station 211, and the public cellular communication network 210 has a base station 221. In FIG. 1, each cellular communication network includes only one base station, but in reality, each cellular communication network may include multiple base stations. In the 5G 3GPP standard, the base station is called a gNB. The base station constitutes an NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network), which is a 5G radio access network.

[0021] Each of the public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220 further includes a 5G Core Network (5GC), which is a core network of 5G. 5G is premised on the premise that various communication devices are connected to the cellular communication network, and it is necessary to support various services with different requirements, such as high speed, large capacity, high reliability, and low delay. For this reason, the 5GC is theoretically divided into multiple slices according to different services (service requirements).

[0022] Here, each slice is assigned an identifier called S-NSSAI (Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information). Each slice is associated with one service type (SST). The service types specified in the standard are eMBB (high speed, large capacity), mIoT (multiple connections, low power consumption, low cost), and URLLC (low latency, high reliability), but service types not specified in the standard can also be used.

[0023] When the local cellular communication network 220 is constructed for the purpose of providing a specific service, the type of service (SST) provided by the local cellular communication network 220 may be limited. On the other hand, the public cellular communication network 210 may provide general-purpose services but may not provide special services that meet the needs of a region or individual needs of an industry. The "services provided by the cellular communication network" may also be considered as "functions supported by the cellular communication network."

[0024] The server 300 communicates with the communication device 100 via the public cellular communication network 210 or the local cellular communication network 220. The server 300 may be a server for managing the local cellular communication network 220.

[0025] At least one communication device 500 may be connected to the communication device 100 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication device 500 establishes, for example, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) connection with the communication device 100, and communicates with a cellular communication network to which the communication device 100 is connected via the communication device 100. This allows the communication device 500 to communicate with the cellular communication network via the communication device 100 even if the communication device 500 does not have a cellular communication function.

[0026] The extension device 400 may be connected to the communication device 100 in a wired or wireless manner. The extension device 400 establishes, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection with the communication device 100. The extension device 400 may have a function of supplying power to the communication device 100. The extension device 400 may be a cradle.

[0027] At least one communication device 600 may be connected to the extension device 400 in a wired or wireless manner. The communication device 600 establishes, for example, a WLAN connection with the extension device 400, and communicates with a cellular communication network to which the communication device 100 is connected via the extension device 400 and the communication device 100. This allows the communication device 600 to communicate with the cellular communication network via the extension device 400 and the communication device 100 even if the communication device 600 does not have a cellular communication function.

[0028] (Communication Equipment Configuration) Next, a configuration of a communication device 100 according to an embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication device 100 has a touch panel display 110, at least one physical button 113, a microphone 121a, and a speaker 122a. However, the configuration shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is not essential.

[0029] Touch panel display 110 is provided with its display surface exposed from housing 101 of communication device 100. Touch panel display 110 has a touch panel 111 and a display 112.

[0030] The touch panel 111 accepts an operation input (touch input) to the communication device 100. Methods for detecting a touch include, for example, a resistive film method or a capacitive method, but any method may be used. The display 112 outputs video.

[0031] Display 112 displays objects such as characters (including symbols), images, and figures on a screen. Display 112 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. In touch panel display 110, display 112 is provided so as to overlap touch panel 111, and the display area of ​​display 112 overlaps with touch panel 111.

[0032] The physical button 113 accepts an operation input (press) to the communication device 100. The physical button 113 is, for example, a home button, a power button, a volume adjustment button, and the like.

[0033] The microphone 121a receives audio input to the communication device 100. The microphone 121a also collects surrounding sounds.

[0034] The speaker 122a outputs audio, such as telephone calls and information about various programs.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 100 has a touch panel 111, a display 112, a physical button 113, an audio input unit 121, an audio output unit 122, a sensor 130, a storage 140, a communication interface 150, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) interface 160, a connection interface 170, a battery 180, and a controller 190.

[0037] Touch panel 111 inputs a signal corresponding to a touch operation to controller 190. Display 112 displays objects such as characters, images, and figures on the screen based on the signal input from controller 190.

[0038] The audio input unit 121 inputs a signal corresponding to the received audio to the controller 190. The audio input unit 121 may be the microphone 121a shown in Fig. 1, or may be an input interface to which an external microphone can be connected. The external microphone may be provided in the extension device 400.

[0039] The audio output unit 122 outputs audio based on a signal input from the controller 190. The audio output unit 122 may be the speaker 122a shown in Fig. 1, or may be an output interface to which an external speaker can be connected. The external speaker may be provided in the extension device 400.

[0040] The sensor 130 detects various physical quantities and data, and outputs the detection results to the controller 190. For example, the sensor 130 includes a position sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a temperature sensor. The position sensor detects the position of the device itself and outputs the position data to the controller 190. The position sensor may include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The GNSS receiver performs positioning based on GNSS satellite signals, and outputs GNSS position data indicating the geographical position (latitude and longitude) of the device itself to the controller 190. The acceleration sensor detects acceleration applied to the device itself and outputs the acceleration data to the controller 190. The acceleration sensor may be a multi-axis acceleration sensor including multiple acceleration sensors. The temperature sensor detects temperature and outputs the temperature data to the controller 190. At least one of these sensors may be provided in an external device (for example, the extension device 400).

[0041] The storage 140 includes at least one memory that stores programs and data. The storage 140 is also used as a working area that temporarily stores the processing results of the controller 190. The storage 140 may include any non-transitory storage medium, such as a semiconductor storage medium and a magnetic storage medium. The storage 140 may include multiple types of storage media. The storage 140 may include a combination of a portable storage medium, such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and a storage medium reader. The storage 140 may include a storage device, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), that is used as a temporary storage area.

[0042] The communication interface 150 communicates wirelessly. The communication interface 150 includes a cellular interface 151 and a WLAN interface 152. The cellular interface 151 is configured to comply with, for example, the 5G cellular communication standard. The WLAN interface 152 is configured to comply with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0043] A SIM (or a UIM (User Identity Module)) is attached to the SIM interface 160. The SIM interface 160 may be capable of taking in and removing a SIM. When the SIM interface 160 receives a command to read or write information from the controller 190, it reads information recorded in the SIM and writes the information to the SIM. The SIM may be an embedded eSIM (Embedded SIM). The SIM may be provided by a telecommunications carrier or may be obtained by other means.

[0044] In one embodiment, a SIM for the public cellular communication network 210 and a SIM for the local cellular communication network 220 may be prepared separately. When using a SIM for the public cellular communication network 210, the controller 190 uses the public cellular communication network 210 as a home network and the local cellular communication network 220 as a roaming network. On the other hand, when using a SIM for the local cellular communication network 220, the controller 190 uses the local cellular communication network 220 as a home network and the public cellular communication network 210 as a roaming network. Alternatively, the SIM interface 160 may be capable of receiving both a SIM for the public cellular communication network 210 and a SIM for the local cellular communication network 220.

[0045] The connection interface 170 is an interface that is electrically connected to the extension device 400. The connection interface 170 may be any interface that can be electrically connected to the extension device 400, and is, for example, a USB interface.

[0046] Battery 180 stores power for driving the device itself. Battery 180 may be any type of battery as long as it is a secondary battery, and is, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0047] The controller 190 is an arithmetic processing device. Examples of arithmetic processing devices include, but are not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a system-on-chip (SoC), a micro control unit (MCU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a coprocessor. The controller 190 also includes a graphics processing unit (GPU), a video RAM (VRAM), and the like, and draws various images on the display 112. The controller 190 may be composed of multiple arithmetic processing devices, and may execute various controls by cooperation of the multiple arithmetic processing devices.

[0048] The controller 190 realizes various functions by comprehensively controlling the operation of the communication device 100. The controller 190 executes various controls based on an operation input detected by the touch panel 111 and / or the physical button 113. The controller 190 may output according to the input operation signal via the audio output unit 122, the display 112, etc.

[0049] (Operation of communication devices) Next, a description will be given of the operation of the communication device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the communication device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, in step S1, the controller 190 controls the cellular interface 151 to perform a network search. The network search refers to an operation of detecting a connectable cellular communication network. For example, the cellular interface 151 attempts to receive a radio signal (e.g., a synchronization signal or a reference signal) transmitted by a base station of each cellular communication network (i.e., the public cellular communication network 210, the local cellular communication network 220). The controller 190 measures the received power of the radio signal, and when the received power exceeds a threshold, determines that the cellular communication network corresponding to the received power is connectable. In the following, the cellular communication network detected by the network search is referred to as a "detected cellular communication network."

[0051] There are three patterns of detected cellular communication networks: 1) only the public cellular communication network 210, 2) only the local cellular communication network 220, or 3) both the public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220. In the following, a pattern in which the detected cellular communication networks are both the public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220 will be mainly described, but the detected cellular communication network may be only one of the public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220.

[0052] In step S2, the controller 190 acquires network-related information from each detected cellular communication network via the cellular interface 151. The network-related information includes, for example, the following information a) to c).

[0053] a) Network Identifier: The network identifier is an identifier that identifies the detected cellular communication network.

[0054] b) Information indicating the type of service provided: The provided service type is the type of service provided by the detected cellular communication network to the communication device 100. As described above, each of the public cellular communication network 210 and the local cellular communication network 220 is logically divided into a plurality of slices corresponding to different service types. An identifier called S-NSSAI is assigned to each slice. The controller 190 acquires the S-NSSAI of each slice of the detected cellular communication network as information indicating the type of service provided by the detected cellular communication network. The controller 190 may also acquire information other than the S-NSSAI as information indicating the type of service provided.

[0055] c) Information indicating the network type: The network type is whether the detected cellular communication network is the public cellular communication network 210 or the local cellular communication network 220.

[0056] Furthermore, the controller 190 may obtain the received power measured during the network search in step S1 as the network-related information.

[0057] In step S3, the controller 190 identifies and calculates the following information a) to d) to be displayed on the display 112 based on the network-related information obtained in step S2.

[0058] a) Network Identifier (for display): The controller 190 identifies the network identifier of the detected cellular communication network. The controller 190 may identify the network identifier acquired in step S2 as the network identifier of the detected cellular communication network as it is, or may convert the network identifier acquired in step S2 into a more readable format.

[0059] b) Service type: 4, the controller 190 identifies the type of service provided from among the following candidates of service types No. 1 to No. 8 based on the information indicating the type of service provided acquired in step S2. When there are multiple detected cellular communication networks, the controller 190 identifies the type of service provided for each detected cellular communication network.

[0060] No.1: Data communication (Internet communication) The controller 190 determines whether communication with a specific device or server is possible through the detected cellular communication network, or whether a certain number of UL / DL packets are transmitted / received through the detected cellular communication network per unit time. If it is determined that communication with a specific device or server is possible through the detected cellular communication network, the controller 190 identifies data communication as one of the types of services provided by the detected cellular communication network. Alternatively, if it is determined that a certain number of uplink / downlink packets are transmitted / received through the detected cellular communication network per unit time, the controller 190 identifies data communication as one of the types of services provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0061] No.2: Voice communication The controller 190 determines whether communication with the SIP server is possible through the detected cellular communication network or the line (CS) status of the detected cellular communication network. If it is determined that communication with the SIP server is possible through the detected cellular communication network, the controller 190 specifies voice communication as one of the types of services provided by the detected cellular communication network. Alternatively, if it is determined that the line (CS) of the detected cellular communication network is available, the controller 190 specifies voice communication as one of the types of services provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0062] No.3: Power saving function (low Power Consumption) The controller 190 determines whether or not a power saving function has been set in the communication device 100 from the detected cellular communication network. The power saving function is set in the communication device 100 by, for example, an RRC Reconfiguration message, which is a type of RRC message. When it is determined that the power saving function has been set in the communication device 100 from the detected cellular communication network, the controller 190 identifies the power saving function as one of the service types provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0063] No.4: Temperature abnormality suppression function (overheating assistance) The controller 190 determines whether or not a temperature abnormality suppression function has been set in the communication device 100 from the detected cellular communication network. The temperature abnormality suppression function is set in the communication device 100 by, for example, an RRC Reconfiguration message, which is a type of RRC message. When it is determined that the temperature abnormality suppression function has been set in the communication device 100 from the detected cellular communication network, the controller 190 identifies the temperature abnormality suppression function as one of the service types provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0064] No.5: High speed and large capacity (eMBB) The controller 190 determines whether or not the S-NSSAI (slice / service type) acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "1" assigned to eMBB by the standard. The S-NSSAI is notified to the communication device 100 by, for example, a Registration Accept message, which is a type of NAS (Non-Access Stratum) message. If the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "1" assigned to eMBB by the standard, the controller 190 identifies eMBB as one of the service types provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0065] No.6: High reliability, low latency (URLLC) The controller 190 determines whether the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "2" assigned to URLLC in the standard. If the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "2" assigned to URLLC in the standard, the controller 190 identifies URLLC as one of the service types provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0066] No.7: Multi-connection (mIoT) The controller 190 determines whether the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "2" assigned to mIoT in the standard. If the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes the value "2" assigned to mIoT in the standard, the controller 190 identifies mIoT as one of the service types provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0067] No.8:Other services The controller 190 judges whether the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes a value assigned to each service by the unique specification. For example, SST "x" is assigned to Business, SST "y" is assigned to Factory, SST "z" is assigned to Transport, SST "xx" is assigned to Airport, SST "yy" is assigned to Drone, and SST "zz" is assigned to Train. If the SST of the S-NSSAI acquired from the detected cellular communication network includes a value assigned by the unique specification, the controller 190 identifies the service type corresponding to this value as the service type provided by the detected cellular communication network.

[0068] c) Connection recommendation level Based on the type of provided service identified as described above, the controller 190 calculates a connection recommendation level for recommending connection to the detected cellular communication network, as shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the controller 190 converts each type of provided service into a score, and calculates the connection recommendation level by summing the scores for the detected cellular communication networks. The connection recommendation level may be the sum of the scores, or may indicate whether the sum of the scores is equal to or greater than a threshold. Alternatively, the connection recommendation level may indicate a ranking of the detected cellular communication networks in descending order of the sum of the scores.

[0069] In calculating such a connection recommendation level, the controller 190 may calculate the connection recommendation level taking into consideration the past service usage record of the communication device 100. For example, the controller 190 manages the service usage record in which the service types used by the communication device 100 in the past are associated with the number of times the service was used (or the service usage time). The controller 190 adjusts the score of the corresponding provided service type so that the more the service usage record, the higher the score. As a specific example, if the detected cellular communication network provides a high-speed, large-capacity (eMBB) service and the communication device 100 frequently uses the high-speed, large-capacity (eMBB) service, the score corresponding to the high-speed, large-capacity (eMBB) service will be high, and as a result, the connection recommendation level corresponding to this detected cellular communication network will be high.

[0070] In addition, the controller 190 may calculate the connection recommendation level in consideration of information on other communication devices (communication devices 500 and 600 shown in FIG. 1) that are directly or indirectly connected to the communication device 100. For example, the controller 190 adjusts the score of a multi-connection (mIoT) service to be higher based on the number of other communication devices that are directly or indirectly connected to the communication device 100. As a specific example, if the detected cellular communication network provides a multi-connection (mIoT) service and the number of other communication devices that are directly or indirectly connected to the communication device 100 exceeds a threshold, the score corresponding to the multi-connection (mIoT) service becomes higher, and as a result, the connection recommendation level corresponding to the detected cellular communication network becomes higher. Alternatively, the controller 190 may obtain the service type desired to be provided from each of the other communication devices that are directly or indirectly connected to the communication device 100, and calculate the connection recommendation level based on the obtained service type.

[0071] Furthermore, the controller 190 may calculate the connection recommendation level in consideration of the reception power of the detected cellular communication network. For example, the controller 190 adjusts the connection recommendation level so that the higher the reception power is, the higher the connection recommendation level becomes.

[0072] d) Unavailable service types Based on the provided service types identified as described above, the controller 190 identifies unprovided service types that are not provided to the own device by the detected cellular communication network.

[0073] 3, in step S4, the controller 190 causes the display 112 to display the information a) to d) identified and calculated in step S3. When the number of detected cellular communication networks is two or more, the controller 190 causes the display 112 to display the information a) to d) for each of the two or more detected cellular communication networks.

[0074] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 190 causes the display 112 to display the display screen shown in FIG.

[0075] The display screen shown in FIG. 6 has a display area R1 corresponding to the local cellular communication network 220 and a display area R2 corresponding to the public cellular communication network 210, in addition to the character string “Search Result” indicating that it is the result of a network search.

[0076] The display area R1 includes a network identifier "AAA-5G" of the local cellular communication network 220, a network type "Local 5G" of the local cellular communication network 220, buttons B11 to B16 provided for each service type, and a connection recommendation level "Recommended" of the local cellular communication network 220. The controller 190 may display a calculated score together with the display of the connection recommendation level. The buttons B11 to B16 provided for each service type have a display mode that allows a provided service type to be distinguished from an unprovided service type. For example, the buttons B11, B12, and B14 corresponding to the unprovided service types are displayed in a grayed-out state, and the buttons B13, B15, and B16 corresponding to the provided service types are displayed in a highlighted state.

[0077] The display area R2 includes a network identifier "BBB-5G" of the public cellular communication network 210, a network type "Public 5G" of the public cellular communication network 210, buttons B21 to B26 provided for each service type, and a connection recommendation level "Not recommended" for the public cellular communication network 210. The controller 190 may display a calculated score together with the display of the connection recommendation level. The buttons B21 to B26 provided for each service type have a display mode that allows a provided service type to be distinguished from a non-provided service type. For example, the buttons B23, B25, and B26 corresponding to the non-provided service types are displayed in a grayed-out state, and the buttons B21, B22, and B24 corresponding to the provided service types are displayed in a highlighted state.

[0078] By displaying information such as that shown in FIG. 6, the user of the communication device 100 can grasp the details of each detected cellular communication network, particularly the types of services provided, and can therefore easily select an appropriate cellular communication network to connect to.

[0079] 3, in step S5, when touch panel 111 receives a user operation to select a detected cellular communication network displayed on display 112, controller 190 selects the detected cellular communication network selected by the user operation as a connection destination of the device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the user operates display area R1, controller 190 selects local cellular communication network 220 as a connection destination of the device.

[0080] Alternatively, the controller 190 may automatically select a cellular communication network to which the device is to be connected. For example, the controller 190 selects the detected cellular communication network that is most recommended for connection based on the connection recommendation level as the connection destination of the device.

[0081] In step S6, the controller 190 may send a request for providing a service of the unprovided service type to the connected cellular communication network. Specifically, when the unprovided service type displayed on the display 112 is selected by a user operation, the controller 190 transmits a request for providing a service of the selected unprovided service type to the detected cellular communication network (the connected cellular communication network) via the cellular interface 151.

[0082] Here, it is assumed that the touch panel 111 receives a user operation to select a button for an unprovided service type displayed in a grayed-out manner as shown in Fig. 8(a). In this case, the controller 190 requests the detected cellular communication network (the connected cellular communication network) to provide the service corresponding to this button. If this request is accepted by the detected cellular communication network, the controller 190 switches the display of the selected button for the unprovided service type to a provided service type (highlighted display) as shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0083] For example, the controller 190 requests the service provision by including a Requested NSSAI indicating a service type to be provided in a Registration Request message, which is a type of NAS message, to be transmitted to the detected cellular communication network. The controller 190 may transmit a UE Assistance Information message, which is a type of RRC message, to the detected cellular communication network as a service provision of the power saving function or the temperature abnormality suppression function.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 190 may display various buttons E for requesting the provision of a special service type (5G Extra Capabilities) among the 5G service types (5G Capabilities).

[0085] 9, a button B3 is a button for executing a maintenance mode. The maintenance mode is a mode for reporting to the server 300 the service provision status of the cellular communication network (particularly, the local cellular communication network 220).

[0086] In the maintenance mode, the controller 190 transmits a report message including a network identifier indicating the detected cellular communication network and a type of service provided by the detected cellular communication network to the server 300 via the cellular interface 151. The controller 190 may further include information on the reception power corresponding to the detected cellular communication network in the report message. The controller 190 may further include location information indicating the location of the device itself (i.e., location information detected by a location sensor) in the report message. By executing such a maintenance mode, the administrator can grasp the communication state (location information, reception status) and the type of service provided by the cellular communication network.

[0087] The controller 190 may automatically transmit a report message to the server 300 even if there is no user operation to execute the maintenance mode. For example, the controller 190 transmits a report message to the server 300 when the connection recommendation level satisfies a predetermined condition. Here, the predetermined condition may be a condition that the connection recommendation level is lower than a threshold value. This allows the administrator to grasp a cellular communication network with a low service contribution level. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be a condition that the connection recommendation level is higher than a threshold value. This allows the administrator to grasp a cellular communication network with a high service contribution level.

[0088] (Other embodiments) Next, other embodiments will be described. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be implemented in combination with at least a part of the above-described embodiments.

[0089] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 112 of the communication device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0090] Based on the detected cellular communication network, the communication device 100 according to an embodiment may display at least one of a first image (first object) corresponding to a connection recommendation level of a first network type and a second image (second object) corresponding to a connection recommendation level of a second network type on at least a part of the display 112. In Fig. 10, an example is shown in which each of the first object and the second object is an icon, but it is sufficient that each object is displayed in a distinguishable manner, and for example, each object may be any one of letters, numbers, figures, and symbols, or a combination of these.

[0091] 10(a), the controller 190 may display an icon X as a first image and an icon Y as a second image in the upper portion 114 (so-called pictogram area) of the display 112. The icon X includes a symbol "L" indicating the network type of the local cellular communication network 220 and a recommendation meter indicating the degree of recommendation for connection to the local cellular communication network 220. The icon Y includes a symbol "P" indicating the network type of the public cellular communication network 210 and a recommendation meter indicating the degree of recommendation for connection to the public cellular communication network 210.

[0092] The controller 190 may change the display mode of the recommended meter in the icons X and Y according to the connection recommendation level corresponding to the network type of the detected cellular communication network. The controller 190 may set the display mode of the recommended meter to one of the display modes Z11, Z12, and Z13 shown in FIG. 10(c) according to the connection recommendation level corresponding to the network type of the detected cellular communication network. The communication device 100 may have a condition set in advance for changing the display mode of the recommended meter. The condition is, for example, a threshold corresponding to the total value of each service type (for example, the service types shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The controller 190 changes the display mode of the recommended meter as shown in FIG. 10(c) so that if the connection recommendation level (in this description, the total score of each service type) corresponding to the network type of the detected cellular communication network is equal to or lower than threshold 1, the display mode Z11, if it is greater than threshold 1 and equal to or lower than threshold 2, the display mode Z12, and if it is greater than threshold 2, the display mode Z13. That is, icons X and Y in FIG. 10(a) indicate that the connection recommendation level of the first network type is higher than the connection recommendation level of the second network type.

[0093] However, instead of or in addition to expressing the connection recommendation level by a meter as shown in FIG. 10(c), the connection recommendation level may be expressed by changing at least one of the color, size, and blinking speed of an object (image).

[0094] In addition, when the detected cellular communication network becomes unavailable for connection (for example, when the received power of a radio signal transmitted by a base station corresponding to the detected cellular communication network falls below a predetermined threshold), the controller 190 may change the display mode of the recommended meter to mode Z14 as shown in FIG. 10(c).

[0095] With such a communication device 100, for example, even when a portion other than the upper portion 114 of the display 112 is being used to display an application screen (for example, an Internet browser screen), it is easy to check the state of a detected cellular communication network.

[0096] In the following example, it is assumed that the connection recommendation level of the first network type is higher than the connection recommendation level of the second network type.

[0097] The communication device 100 according to an embodiment may highlight an image corresponding to a network type having a higher connection recommendation level on at least a part of the display 112 based on the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication networks. For example, the controller 190 may display only one of the icon X and the icon Y corresponding to the network type having a higher connection recommendation level on the upper part 114 of the display 112 based on the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication networks. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the controller 190 may display the icon X corresponding to the connection recommendation level of the first network type on the upper part 114 of the display 112. Note that when the connection recommendation level of the second network type becomes higher than the connection recommendation level of the first network type, the controller 190 may display the icon Y corresponding to the connection recommendation level of the second network type on the upper part 114 of the display 112 instead of the icon X.

[0098] Furthermore, when only one of icon X and icon Y, which corresponds to a network type with a higher connection recommendation level, is displayed on upper portion 114 of display 112, controller 190 may change the display mode of that one icon to indicate that the other icon is not being displayed. For example, controller 190 may change the display mode of that one icon by flashing it or by changing the color of that one icon.

[0099] In response to a first operation, the communications device 100 according to one embodiment may display details of each detected cellular network corresponding to at least one of the first image (first object) and the second image (second object).

[0100] For example, as shown in FIG. 12(a), in the case where a first image (first object) corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a first network type and a second image (second object) corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a second network type are displayed on at least a part of the display 112 based on the detected cellular communication networks (for example, in the case where an icon X and an icon Y are displayed according to the connection recommendation levels of the detected cellular communication networks), when the controller 190 accepts a first operation on the upper part 114 of the display 112 (for example, a so-called flick operation in which a finger is touched on an area of ​​the upper part 114 and then swiped downward), the controller 190 displays details of each detected cellular communication network corresponding to the icon X and the icon Y on the display 112 as shown in FIG. 12(b) (here, as details, the same display as the area R1 and the area R2 of FIG. 6 is exemplified).

[0101] For example, as shown in Fig. 13(a), in the case where an image corresponding to a network type with a higher connection recommendation level is highlighted based on the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication networks and displayed on at least a part of the display 112 (for example, in the case where only icon X of icon X and icon Y is displayed according to the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication networks), when the controller 190 receives a first operation on the upper part 114 of the display 112 (for example, a so-called flick operation in which a finger is touched on the area of ​​the upper part 114 and then swiped downward), the controller 190 displays details of the detected cellular communication networks corresponding to icon X and icon Y on the display 112 as shown in Fig. 13(b) (here, the same display as the area R1 and area R2 in Fig. 6 is exemplified as the details). In other words, when the controller 190 receives the first operation, it displays details of the hidden icon Y together with details of icon X on the display 112.

[0102] In response to the second operation, the communications device 100 according to an embodiment may display details of the detected cellular network corresponding to one of the first image (first object) and the second image (second object).

[0103] For example, as shown in Fig. 14(a), in the case where a first image corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a first network type and a second image corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a second network type are displayed on at least a part of the display 112 based on the detected cellular communication network (for example, in the case where an icon X and an icon Y are displayed according to the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication network), when the controller 190 receives a second operation on the icon X (for example, a so-called tap operation in which the icon X is touched with a finger and the finger is removed from the display 112 after a predetermined time), the controller 190 displays details of the detected cellular communication network corresponding to the icon X on the display 112 as shown in Fig. 14(b) (here, as the details, the same display as the region R1 in Fig. 6 is illustrated as an example). Also, when displaying details of the detected cellular communication network corresponding to the icon X on the display 112 as shown in Fig. 14(b), the controller 190 may hide the icon X in the upper part 114.

[0104] For example, as shown in Fig. 15(a), in the case where a first image corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a first network type and a second image corresponding to the connection recommendation level of a second network type are displayed on at least a part of the display 112 based on the detected cellular communication network (for example, in the case where an icon X and an icon Y are displayed according to the connection recommendation level of the detected cellular communication network), the controller 190, upon receiving a second operation on the icon Y (for example, a so-called tap operation in which the icon Y is touched with a finger and the finger is removed from the display 112 after a predetermined time), displays details of the detected cellular communication network corresponding to the icon Y on the display 112 as shown in Fig. 15(b) (here, as the details, the same display as the region R2 in Fig. 6 is illustrated as an example). Also, when displaying details of the detected cellular communication network corresponding to the icon Y on the display 112 as shown in Fig. 15(b), the controller 190 may hide the icon Y in the upper part 114.

[0105] In one embodiment, when displaying details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to one of the first image (first object) and the second image (second object), the communication device 100 may, in response to a third operation, display details of the detected cellular communication network corresponding to the other.

[0106] For example, as shown in FIG. 16(a), when displaying details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to one of the first image and the second image (for example, when displaying details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to icon X on display 112), upon receiving a third operation (for example, a flick operation of touching a predetermined area with a finger and then swiping the finger to the left), controller 190 displays details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to icon Y on display 112 as shown in FIG. 16(b). Also, as shown in FIG. 16(a), when displaying details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to icon X on display 112, controller 190 may hide icon X on the upper portion 114. Also, as shown in FIG. 16(b), when displaying details of a detected cellular communication network corresponding to icon Y on display 112, controller 190 may hide icon Y on the upper portion 114.

[0107] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the communication device 100. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, it is possible to install the program in the computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0108] Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes, etc. are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 100: Communication equipment 101: Housing 110: Touch panel display 111: Touch panel 112: Display 113: Physical button 121: Audio input section 121a:Mike 122: Audio output section 122a: Speaker 130: Sensor 140: Storage 150: Communication interface 151: Cellular Interface 152: WLAN interface 160: SIM interface 170: Connection interface 180: Battery 190: Controller 210: Public cellular network 211:Base station 220: Local cellular network 221:Base station 300 :Server 400: Expansion equipment 500: Communication equipment 600: Communication equipment

Claims

1. a communication interface capable of communicating with at least one of a public cellular network and a local cellular network; a controller for acquiring network-related information from a detected cellular communication network detected by the communication interface via the communication interface; The controller: Identifying a service type, which is a type of service provided to the device by the detected cellular communication network, based on the network-related information; Displaying the specified type of provided service on a display; calculating a connection recommendation level for recommending a connection to the detected cellular communication network based on the identified type of provided service; displaying the calculated connection recommendation degree on the display; Communication equipment.

2. The controller: The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection recommendation level is calculated based on a past service usage record of the communication device itself and the identified type of provided service.

3. The controller: The connection recommendation level is calculated based on information about other communication devices connected to the own device and the specified type of provided service.

2. The communication device according to claim 1.

4. The controller: Based on the calculated connection recommendation level, it is determined whether or not to select the detected cellular communication network as a connection destination of the own device. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method for controlling a communication device having a display and a communication interface compatible with cellular communication, comprising: obtaining network related information from the detected cellular communication network via the communication interface; Identifying a service type, which is a type of service provided to the device by the detected cellular communication network, based on the network-related information; displaying the identified type of provided service on the display; and displaying, on the display, a connection recommendation level that recommends connection to the detected cellular communication network based on the identified type of provided service. Control methods.

6. A communication device having a display and a communication interface compatible with cellular communication, obtaining network-related information from the detected cellular communication network via the communication interface; Identifying a service type, which is a type of service provided to the device by the detected cellular communication network, based on the network-related information; A process of displaying the specified type of provided service on the display; and displaying, on the display, a connection recommendation level that recommends connection to the detected cellular communication network based on the identified type of provided service. program.

7. a processor for controlling a display and a communication interface for cellular communication, obtaining network-related information from the detected cellular communication network via the communication interface; Identifying a service type, which is a type of service provided to the device by the detected cellular communication network, based on the network-related information; A process of displaying the specified type of provided service on the display; and displaying, on the display, a connection recommendation level that recommends connection to the detected cellular communication network based on the identified type of provided service. Processor.

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