Wireless terminal, wireless communication method and program

Abstract

To switch a connectable communication carrier in a shorter time than before.SOLUTION: A wireless terminal includes an identification card interface that stores information for multiple carriers, and a control unit, and executes transmitting a connection request to a second carrier's base station on the basis of first carrier's information obtained from the identification card, entering a connection request rejection notification on the identification card when a connection request is rejected by the base station, causing a time required for setting in the identification card for providing the control unit to correspond to the information of the second carrier as the information of a valid carrier instead of the information of the first carrier by inputting the notification, controlling when a confirmation process is performed to confirm the completion of the setting, and requesting acquisition of valid carrier information from the identification card for which the setting has been completed when the completion of the setting has been confirmed by the confirmation process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is installed in wireless terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones. The SIM stores a profile, which is the information necessary for the wireless terminal to connect to the base station of a telecommunications carrier. Hereinafter, the SIM is also called a SIM card or an identification card.

[0003] Among SIMs, a Dual Profile SIM has two profiles within the SIM. Here, of the two profiles, for example, one is a profile for a private network and the other is a profile for a public network. When a wireless terminal having a Dual Profile SIM is in range of a private network, the profile to be used is set to the profile for the private network. On the other hand, when the wireless terminal is out of range of the private network, the profile to be used can be switched to the profile for the public network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 08 / 007512 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2019-506787 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, assume that a wireless terminal is set to be connectable to a base station of a first telecommunications carrier using an ID card, and then moves out of the range of the base station of the first telecommunications carrier and into the range of a base station of a second telecommunications carrier. In such a case, the wireless terminal cannot wirelessly connect to the base station of the second telecommunications carrier until the setting of the wireless terminal is changed to be connectable to the base station of the second telecommunications carrier using the ID card.

[0006] However, in conventional wireless terminals, switching between available communication carriers has not always been performed quickly. In one aspect, the disclosed embodiment assumes a case in which a wireless terminal enters and leaves a connectable range (communication zone, also called a cell) of base stations of different communication carriers. In such a case, an object of the disclosed embodiment is to provide a wireless communication technology that can switch between available communication carriers in a shorter time than in the past. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed embodiment is exemplified by a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal includes an interface for an identification card that stores information of a plurality of communication carriers, and a control unit, the control unit transmits a connection request to a base station of the second communication carrier based on information of a first communication carrier acquired from an identification card connected to the interface, and when the connection request is rejected by the base station, inputs a notification of the connection request being rejected into the identification card, and controls a time point at which a confirmation process for confirming completion of the setting is executed in correspondence with a time required for setting in the identification card to provide the control unit with information of the second communication carrier instead of information of the first communication carrier as information of a valid communication carrier by inputting the notification, and when the completion of the setting is confirmed by the confirmation process, controls the time point at which the confirmation process is executed to confirm completion of the setting. The method includes requesting the acquisition of valid carrier information from an identification card that has been configured. Effect of the Invention

[0008] This wireless terminal can switch between connectable carriers in a shorter time than before. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a terminal and a SIM card attached to the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process until a presetting process for profile switching in a SIM inserted in a terminal of a comparative example is started. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process in which a terminal of the comparative example executes rereading of a SIM. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a process in which a STATUS command is periodically transmitted after a terminal of the comparative example transmits an arbitrary command to a SIM. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process performed when a terminal of a comparative example transmits an arbitrary first command to a SIM and then transmits a different second command before transmitting a STATUS command. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of profile switching when a STATUS command is transmitted at 30 second intervals in a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of profile switching in a comparative example in which the transmission of a STATUS command exceeds 30 seconds due to the occurrence of another command. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of the terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transmission process of a STATUS command in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a polling timer setting process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the EVENT notification process. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of the terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the first timer setting process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the second timer setting process. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a timer expiration process. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a command transmission process. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the event notification process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the wireless terminal will be simply referred to as a terminal 10.

[0011] <First embodiment>

[0012] (composition) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a terminal 10 according to a first embodiment and a SIM card (hereinafter, simply referred to as SIM 20) attached to the terminal 10. The SIM 20 is called a dual profile SIM or a multi-profile SIM. The SIM 20 is a SIM having two or more profiles therein as shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the SIM 20 has, for example, two profiles. The first profile is a profile for a private network, and the second profile is a profile for a public network. The SIM 20 enables the terminal 10 to switch between a profile for the private network when in range of the private network and a profile for the public network when outside the range of the private network. It can be said that the SIM 20 stores information of a plurality of carriers.

[0013] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal 10. The terminal 10 has a CPU 11, a main memory unit 12, and external devices connected through an interface (I / F), and executes communication processing and information processing by a program. The CPU 11 is also called a processor. Examples of the external devices include an external memory unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a SIM interface (hereinafter referred to as SIMIF 18).

[0014] The CPU 11 executes a computer program deployed in an executable manner in the main memory unit 12, and provides functions of the terminal 10. The main memory unit 12 stores the computer program executed by the CPU 11, data processed by the CPU 11, etc. The main memory unit 12 is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), etc. The CPU 11 and the main memory unit 12 are an example of a control unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the external storage unit 13 is used, for example, as a storage area that supplements the main storage unit 12, and stores computer programs executed by the CPU 11, data processed by the CPU 11, etc. The external storage unit 13 is, for example, a flash memory, a ROM, etc.

[0016] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescence panel, etc. The operation unit 15 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. In this embodiment, a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 14 is exemplified as the pointing device. The communication unit 16 accesses a base station forming a wireless network of a telecommunications carrier through the antenna 17. The CPU 11 transmits and receives data, voice, etc. to and from other devices through the base station by the communication unit 16. In addition, the CPU 11 acquires a computer program to be executed by the CPU 11 through the communication unit 16, and stores the program in the main memory unit 12, the external memory unit 13, etc.

[0017] The SIMIF 18 is connected to the SIM 20. The SIMIF 18 is an example of an interface for an identification card. The SIM 20 is also an example of an identification card.

[0018] In the exchange of information between the terminal 10 and the SIM 20, the terminal 10 checks the setting status of the SIM 20 by polling with a STATUS command. If the response from the SIM 20 to the STATUS command (STATUS response) indicates that the pre-settings for switching the profile in the SIM 20 are complete, the CPU 11 uses a FETCH command to request the SIM 20 to issue a REFRESH command. The REFRESH command is one of the commands called proactive commands that are issued from the SIM 20 to the terminal 10. When a proactive command is executed, the SIM 20 becomes the master and controls the terminal 10. Among these, the REFRESH command updates the information cached in the main memory unit 12 of the terminal 10 according to the profile that is valid in the SIM 20.

[0019] (Comparative Example) First, a terminal 510 according to a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 8. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are diagrams illustrating a process in which the terminal 510 rereads a profile from the SIM 520. Of these, Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process until a presetting process for profile switching in the SIM 520 attached to the terminal 510 is started.

[0020] Assume now that a profile for Network 1 (Profile 1) is active in SIM 520, and terminal 510 moves out of the range of Network 1 and enters the range of Network 2 (S1). Terminal 510 then searches for an accessible network (S2). When terminal 510 finds an accessible base station for Network 2, terminal 510 sends an Attach Request to the base station using Profile 1 information. The terminal 510 receives the Attach Reject message and accesses Network 2 (arrow A1). However, Network 2 does not permit access using Profile 1. For this reason, the access from the terminal 510 is rejected by an Attach Reject message (arrow A2).

[0021] The terminal 510 notifies the SIM 520 that access to Network 2 has been rejected by sending an EVENT notification called Network Rejection (arrow A3). The SIM 520 then recognizes that it has been rejected by Network 2 and changes the valid profile from Profile 1 for Network 1 to Profile 2 for Network 2. Then, pre-settings for switching to Profile 2 for Network 2 are started (S3). Specifically, SIM 520 executes processing such as setting Profile 2 in the main storage area. Profile 2 includes contract information related to communication with Network 2. This processing is a setting for enabling terminal 510 to access Network 2.

[0022] 4 is a diagram illustrating a process in which terminal 510 rereads SIM 520. The rereading of SIM 520 itself is executed after the completion of presettings for profile switching. In this process, first, the fact that the profile of SIM 520 can be switched is notified to the terminal as follows. Terminal 510 executes polling to detect the status of SIM 520. That is, terminal 510 periodically transmits a STATUS command to SIM 520 (arrow A4).

[0023] When the SIM 520 completes the presettings for S3 profile switching, it notifies the terminal 510 of the presence of a Proactive command in the response to the STATUS command (arrow A5). The terminal 510 then goes to receive a Proactive (Refresh) command with a FETCH command (arrow A6). When the SIM 520 receives the FETCH command, it issues a Proactive (Refresh) command to the terminal 510 (arrow A7) and tells the terminal 510 to reread the profile.

[0024] The terminal 510 rereads the profile (S5) and obtains the new profile (Profile 2). At this time, the SIM 520 switches the valid profile to the new profile (Profile 2) (S4). In this way, the execution of the STATUS command serves as a trigger for the terminal 510 to recognize the completion of the pre-setting for profile switching, and the new profile becomes available.

[0025] In order to have the terminal 510 notified of the status of the SIM 520, the 3GPP standard requires that a STATUS command be issued within a certain period of time after the last notification or last STATUS command between the SIM 520 and the terminal 510 (CPU). However, in order to reduce power consumption, it has become customary to issue STATUS commands at relatively long intervals of about 30 seconds. Figure 5 shows an example of a process in which the terminal 510 (CPU) transmits an arbitrary command to the SIM 520, and then transmits a STATUS command periodically (at 30-second intervals).

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process when terminal 510 (CPU) transmits an arbitrary first command to SIM 520, and then transmits another second command before transmitting a STATUS command. This is an example in which the transmission interval of the STATUS commands exceeds 30 seconds. That is, after a first command is transmitted from terminal 510 to SIM 520, a STATUS command is transmitted from terminal 510 to SIM 520 at intervals of, for example, 30 seconds. However, if transmission of a second command from terminal 510 to SIM 520 occurs midway, the next STATUS command will be transmitted 30 seconds after the transmission of the second command. If the transmission interval of the STATUS commands is longer than 30 seconds from the transmission of the previous STATUS command to the transmission of the second command, There is a delay of the time it takes to receive the signal.

[0027] Therefore, in the procedure of the comparative example, the detection of the profile switching may take 30 seconds or more from the EVENT notification. Therefore, in the procedure of the comparative example, there is a problem that the profile switching is delayed, and the user of the terminal 510 has to wait for connection to the network. FIG. 7 is an example of profile switching when a STATUS command is transmitted at 30-second intervals. That is, in FIG. 7, a STATUS command (arrow A4) is transmitted from the terminal 510 to the SIM 520 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 seconds) from the EVENT notification (arrow A3). As a result, even if the presetting of the profile switching is completed in the SIM 520, the time until the transmission of the FTETCH command (arrow A6) is extended by a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 seconds). As a result, the execution of the profile reread (S5) is delayed. The predetermined time interval is also called a default polling time interval.

[0028] Fig. 8 is an example of profile switching when the transmission of a STATUS command exceeds 30 seconds due to the occurrence of another command. In Fig. 8, after an EVENT notification (arrow A3), a new command transmission (arrow D1) and a response (arrow D2) occur. After this new command transmission (arrow D1), a STATUS command (arrow A4) is transmitted from terminal 510 to SIM 520 at a predetermined time interval (e.g., 30 seconds). As a result, the time until the transmission of the FTETCH command (arrow A6) is further extended, and the execution of the profile reread (S5) is further delayed.

[0029] (Processing of the terminal 10 in the first embodiment) Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the terminal 10 of the first embodiment. In Fig. 9, first, the SIM 20 operates in a state in which Profile 1 for Network 1 is valid. Here, the processing of S1 and S2 and the notifications of arrows A1 to A3 are similar to those in Fig. 3 of the comparative example, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] The process of arrow A1, i.e., terminal 10 transmitting an Attach Request to a base station using information of Profile 1 and accessing Network 2, is an example of transmitting a connection request to a base station of a second telecommunications carrier based on information of a first telecommunications carrier. Also, the process of arrow A2, i.e., the access from terminal 10 being rejected by Attach Reject, is an example of the connection request being rejected by the base station. Furthermore, the process of arrow A3, i.e., terminal 10 notifying SIM 20 that access to Network 2 has been rejected by an EVENT notification called Network Rejection, is an example of inputting a notification that the connection request has been rejected into the identification card.

[0031] In this embodiment, when a specific EVENT notification (Network Rejection) is made, the terminal 10 issues a STATUS command at a preset timing (arrow B4). The terminal 10 may predefine "Network Rejection" as a specific EVENT notification. The preset timing is a time equivalent to a pre-set profile switching setting, and an experimentally measured value or an empirical value is used. Issuing a STATUS command at a preset timing is an example of controlling the time point at which a confirmation process is executed to confirm the completion of the setting.

[0032] Issuing a STATUS command at a preset timing can be considered as an example of making it correspond to the time required for setting in the identification card for providing the control unit with information of the second communication carrier as valid communication carrier information instead of information of the first communication carrier. Therefore, the presetting of profile switching (S3) is the presetting of the identification card for providing the control unit with information of the second communication carrier as valid communication carrier information instead of information of the first communication carrier. This is an example of setting up another card. Issuing a STATUS command is an example of a confirmation process for confirming that the setting has been completed.

[0033] In response to the STATUS command, the SIM 20 returns information indicating that a "Profile command was sent" to the terminal 10 (arrow B5). The process indicated by arrow B5 is an example of confirmation that the settings have been completed.

[0034] As a result, the terminal 10 issues a FETCH command to the SIM 20 and goes to receive a Proactive (Refresh) command (arrow B6). The process of the arrow B6 is an example of a request to obtain information of a valid carrier from an identification card whose setting has been completed. When the SIM 20 receives the FETCH command, it transmits a Proactive command (Refresh) to the terminal 20 and notifies the terminal 10 of a request to reread the profile (arrow B7). In accordance with the Proactive command (Refresh), the terminal 10 rereads the profile (S5A) and caches the new profile (Profile 2) in the main storage unit 12. At this time, the SIM 20 also switches the valid profile to the new profile (Profile 2) (S4). In this way, the terminal 10 can know the profile switching earlier than the predetermined time interval (30 seconds in the example of this embodiment) at which the STATUS command is transmitted, compared to the process of the terminal 510 of the comparative example. Therefore, the terminal 10 finally executes the profile reread at a timing that is earlier than this time interval and is assumed to be when the presetting of the profile switching is completed. As a result, the terminal 10 can access the Network 2 earlier than the terminal 510 of the comparative example.

[0035] 10 to 12 are flowcharts of the processing executed by the CPU 11 of the terminal 10. FIG.

[0036] 10 is a diagram illustrating a STATUS command transmission process. This process is also called a polling process. In this process, the CPU 11 first performs a polling timer setting process (S11). This causes the timer to monitor the passage of time and notify the CPU 11 of the timer expiration. In other words, when the timer started in the polling timer setting process (FIG. 11) detects the passage of the timer expiration time, the timer expiration is notified to the STATUS command transmission process.

[0037] The CPU 11 waits for the timer to expire and determines whether or not the timer has expired (S12). When the timer expires (YES in S12), the CPU 11 issues a STATUS command to the SIM 20 (S13). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the timer value in the shared memory is the preset time for profile switching (S14). The profile switching preset time is a time shorter than the default polling time, and is the time that the SIM 20 is expected to require to preset the profile switching.

[0038] If the current timer expiration value is not the profile switching preset time (NO in S14), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S11 and sets the next polling timer. On the other hand, if the current timer expiration value is the profile switching preset time (YES in S14), the CPU 11 sets the timer expiration value to the default polling time (S15). Then, the CPU 11 returns to the process of S11 and sets the next polling timer.

[0039] As a result, the timer expiration at the preset time for profile switching is measured only once. In other words, a STATUS command is issued to SIM 20 only once at a short time interval. Also, normally, a STATUS command is issued to SIM 20 at the default polling time interval. The fact that a STATUS command is issued to SIM 20 only once at a short time interval due to the timer expiration at the preset time for profile switching means that the time required for setting Issuing a STATUS command to the SIM 20 at a default polling time interval is an example of repeatedly executing a status check process on the identification card at a predetermined time interval under normal conditions.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a polling timer setting process started in the process of S11 in FIG. 10. In this process, CPU 11 first stops the timer (S21). The timer is stopped in order to reset it. Next, CPU 11 sets a timer expiration value in the timer (S22). The timer expiration value is set in, for example, a shared memory in main memory 12. The shared memory is an area in main memory 12 to which multiple processes executed by CPU 11 can read and write. Then, CPU 11 starts the timer (S23). Then, CPU 11 ends the process. When the timer started in S23 times up to the timer expiration value, for example, a timer interrupt occurs in CPU 11, and in S12 in FIG. 10, it is determined that the timer has expired with YES.

[0041] 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an EVENT notification process. This process is a process in which the CPU 11 notifies the SIM 20 of an event. This process is executed in a situation in which the CPU 11 notifies the SIM 20 of an event. The situation in which an event is notified is, for example, a case in which a reject is returned from a base station of a telecommunications carrier's network when the terminal 10 accesses the network.

[0042] In this process, the CPU 11 first notifies the SIM 20 of an EVENT (S31). Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the notified event is a specific event or not (S32). A specific event is, for example, "Network Rejection." A specific event is notified when a connection request is rejected by a base station. "Network Rejection" is an event that notifies the SIM 20 that a rejection has been returned from the base station when the terminal 10 accesses a network, for example.

[0043] If the notified event is a specific event, the CPU 11 sets the timer expiration value of the shared memory to the preset time for profile switching (S33). Then, the CPU ends the process. The timer counts according to the preset time for profile switching, and the detection of the timer expiration is an example of the time required for setting elapses from the time when the notification of the specific event is input to the ID card when the connection request is rejected by the base station.

[0044] (Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, when the terminal 10 of this embodiment notifies the SIM 20 of the specific event "Network Rejection" according to the wireless communication method described above, it sets the timer expiration value to the profile switching preset time. As a result, when the profile switching preset time has elapsed since the notification of the specific event to the SIM 20, the terminal 10 issues a STATUS command to the SIM 20 and executes polling. The profile switching preset time is a time shorter than the time interval for issuing a normal STATUS command. In addition, the profile switching preset time is the time assumed to be required for the SIM 20 to preset the profile switching after receiving the specific event "Network Rejection".

[0045] Therefore, the terminal 10 can issue a STATUS command at a time shorter than the default polling time interval for issuing a normal STATUS command and at a timing when the SIM 20 is assumed to have completed the pre-setting for profile switching. As a result, the terminal 10 can recognize that a Proactive command (Refresh) is prepared in the SIM 20 at the timing when the SIM 20 has completed preparation for profile switching. Therefore, the terminal 10 can issue a FETCH command to the SIM 20 early and notify the SIM 20 of the Proactive command (Refresh). The terminal 10 can issue a tive command (Refresh). This allows the terminal 10 to quickly re-read the profile from the SIM 20 when a reject is returned during access to the network. Therefore, when using a SIM 20 having a dual profile or multiple profiles, the terminal 10 can switch profiles with good response. As a result, the time that the user of the terminal 10 has to wait for the profile to be re-read is shortened, and usability is improved when using multiple wireless carrier networks.

[0046] In addition, the terminal 10 issues a STATUS command when the time equivalent to the profile switching pre-set time has elapsed since the terminal 10 notified the SIM 20 of the specific event "Network Rejection," so that the SIM 20 can recognize the completion of the pre-setting at a desired timing. Therefore, there is no waste in the process.

[0047] <Second embodiment> The processing of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 13 to 18. In the above first embodiment, when a specific event "Network Rejection" is notified to the SIM 20, the processing is exemplified in which the timer expiration value is set to a preset time for profile switching. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 of the terminal 10 uses two timers appropriately to execute the same processing as in the first embodiment. Apart from using two timers appropriately, the terminal 10 of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the terminal 10 of the first embodiment and executes the same processing.

[0048] That is, in a normal state, the terminal 10 uses a first timer that expires at a default time interval. On the other hand, when the terminal 10 is rejected for access to Network 2, it notifies EVENT (Network Rejection) and starts a second timer, as in the first embodiment. The second timer expires at a profile switching preset time that is shorter than the default time interval. The profile switching preset time is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and is the time when the SIM 20 is expected to complete the profile switching preset.

[0049] Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing of the terminal 10 of the second embodiment. In Fig. 13, first, the SIM 20 operates in a state in which Profile 1 for Network 1 is enabled. Here, the processing of S1 and S2 and the notifications of arrows A1 and A2 are similar to those in Fig. 3 of the comparative example, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] In this embodiment, when the terminal is rejected from accessing Network 2, the terminal notifies the SIM 20 by an EVENT notification (Network Rejection) in the same manner as in the first embodiment (arrow A3). At this time, the terminal 10 sets a first timer to expire in 30 seconds and starts it. Furthermore, since a specific EVENT notification has been sent, the terminal 10 sets a second timer to expire at a preset timing (a time corresponding to the preset setting for profile switching) and starts it. Here, the EVENT notification (Network Rejection) is defined as a specific EVENT notification, as in the first embodiment.

[0051] Then, the SIM 20 performs presetting for profile switching (S3). However, in this embodiment, the terminal 10 does not reset the second timer even if another command for the SIM 20 is executed (for example, arrows D1 and D2). Therefore, the second timer expires at the timing required for the SIM 20 to perform presetting for profile switching. As a result, the terminal 10 issues a STATUS command (arrow C4) at the timing when the SIM 20 is expected to complete the presetting for profile switching.

[0052] The SIM 20 returns a STATUS response (with Proactive command) to the STATUS command (arrow C5). The subsequent processing of arrows C6 and C7 is the same as that of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the terminal 20 can recognize the profile switch earlier than the passage of a normal predetermined polling time interval (e.g., 30 seconds). Also, as shown in FIG. 13, even if the terminal 10 executes commands such as those indicated by arrows D1 and D2 during the process, the execution of the commands does not affect the time until the profile is reread (S5A).

[0053] 14 to 18 are flowcharts of the processing executed by the CPU 11 of the terminal 10. FIG.

[0054] 14 is a diagram illustrating a first timer setting process. In the first timer setting process, the setting and starting of the first timer are executed. The first timer is a timer used for transmitting a STATUS command after a predetermined polling time interval (e.g., 30 seconds) from the issuance of the last command from the CPU 11 to the SIM 20. The first timer is reset every time a command is transmitted.

[0055] The process of FIG. 14 is similar to the polling timer setting process (FIG. 11) of the first embodiment. In this process, the CPU 11 first stops the first timer (S41). Next, the CPU 11 sets the first timer expiration value in the first timer (S42). The first timer expiration value is set, for example, in the shared memory of the main storage unit 12. The first timer expiration value is a time corresponding to the issuance time interval of a STATUS command in a normal state (for example, 30 seconds), similar to the default polling time interval of the first embodiment. Then, the CPU 11 starts the first timer (S43).

[0056] 15 is a diagram illustrating a second timer setting process. In the second timer setting process, the setting and start of a second timer are executed. The second timer is a timer that is set when a specific EVENT notification is performed. The second timer is reset every time a command is transmitted.

[0057] The process of FIG. 15 is similar to the polling timer setting process (FIG. 11) of the first embodiment. In this process, the CPU 11 first stops the second timer (S51). Next, the CPU 11 sets the second timer expiration value in the second timer (S52). The second timer expiration value is set, for example, in the shared memory of the main storage unit 12. As in the first embodiment, the second timer expiration value is a time corresponding to the time interval for issuing a STATUS command when a specific event is notified (pre-set time for profile switching). Then, the CPU 11 starts the second timer again (S53).

[0058] 16 illustrates the timer expiration process. The timer expiration process is a process that is performed when the "first timer" or the "second timer" expires. In this process, the CPU 11 transmits a STATUS command (S61).

[0059] Sending a STATUS command upon expiration of a first timer is an example of repeatedly executing a verification process for the ID card at a predetermined time interval measured by a first timer, and sending a STATUS command upon expiration of a second timer is an example of measuring the time required for setting by a second timer different from the first timer.

[0060] FIG. 17 illustrates a command transmission process. In the command transmission process, the CPU 11 transmits an arbitrary command to the SIM 20 and receives a response from the SIM. When the command is transmitted, a first timer setting is executed, and a predetermined polling time interval ( A first timer is set so as to transmit a STATUS command after a certain time (for example, 30 seconds) (S72). Then, the CPU 11 receives a response from the SIM 20 (S73).

[0061] 18 illustrates an example of an event notification process. The event notification process is a process in which the CPU 11 notifies the SIM 20 of an event. In this process, the CPU 11 first issues an event to the SIM 20 (S81). If the issued event is a specific event (e.g., "Network Rejection") (YES in S82), the CPU 11 sets a time equivalent to the preset setting for profile switching in the second timer, and sets the second timer (S83).

[0062] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a case is assumed in FIG. 13 where the SIM 20 is operating in Profile 1 and the terminal 10 moves out of the range of Network 1. The terminal 10 then discovers Network 2 and accesses Network 2. However, at this time, the SIM 20 is operating in Profile 1 for Network 1. Therefore, the terminal 10 does not have information for accessing Network 2, and access is rejected from Network 2.

[0063] The terminal 10 notifies the SIM 20 of an EVENT that access to Network 2 has been rejected, using the "EVENT notification process" in FIG. 18. The EVENT at this time is, for example, a specific EVENT called "Network Rejection". Therefore, the "second timer setting process" in FIG. 15 is called, and the second timer is started. Moreover, since this EVENT is a command for the SIM 20, the "command transmission process" in FIG. 17 is called, and the command is sent to the SIM 20. At this time, the "first timer setting process" in FIG. 14 is also called, and the first timer is also set so that it will expire after a predetermined time interval (for example, 30 seconds).

[0064] Unlike the first timer, the second timer does not reset the period until the second timer expires even if another command is sent to the SIM 20. Therefore, the second timer expires at a preset timing after a specific EVENT is notified. When the second timer expires, the "timer expiration process" in FIG. 16 is called, and the CPU 11 sends a STATUS command to the SIM 20. The CPU 11 then receives a STATUS response from the SIM 20. The response includes information on whether or not a Proactive command is present. In other words, if the pre-settings for profile switching have been completed in the SIM 20, the SIM 20 returns information to the CPU 11 that "a Proactive command is present."

[0065] If there is a Proactive command, the CPU 11 issues a FETCH command and receives the Proactive command, as shown in Fig. 13. If profile switching has been preset, a Proactive command called Refresh is issued from the SIM 20 to the CPU 11. In response to this Refresh command, the CPU 11 performs a Refresh process, thereby switching the profile of the SIM 20, and the CPU 11 reads out the Profile 2 to which the SIM 20 has been switched. The read Profile 2 is cached in the main memory unit 12, and the terminal 10 becomes able to connect to the Network 2.

[0066] By the above process, the terminal 10 can shorten the time until the start of communication using a new profile after a search from outside the service area. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 uses the first timer and the second timer in combination, so that the influence of the command issued by the CPU 11 to the SIM 20 can be reduced with simple control. This reduces the delay in issuing the STATUS command.

[0067] <Computer-readable recording medium> A program for causing a computer or other machine or device (hereinafter, referred to as a computer, etc.) to realize any of the above functions can be recorded on a recording medium readable by the computer, etc. Then, the computer, etc. can provide the function by reading and executing the program from the recording medium.

[0068] Here, a computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs through electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical action and can be read by a computer. Examples of such recording media that can be removed from a computer include flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-R / Ws, DVDs, Blu-ray disks, DATs, 8mm tapes, and memory cards such as flash memory. Examples of recording media that are fixed to a computer include hard disks and ROMs (read-only memories). Furthermore, SSDs (Solid State Drives) are also recording media that can be removed from a computer, and can be read by a computer. The present invention can also be used as a recording medium fixed to a computer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10 Terminal 11 CPU 12 Main memory 13 External memory unit 14 Display section 15 Control section 16 Communications Department 17 Antenna 18 SIMIF 20 SIM

Claims

1. an interface for an identification card storing information for multiple carriers; A control unit, sending a connection request to a base station of the second carrier based on information of the first carrier obtained from an identification card connected to the interface; when the connection request is rejected by the base station, inputting a notification of the connection request being rejected into the identification card; controlling a time point at which a confirmation process for confirming completion of the setting is executed in correspondence with a time required for setting in the identification card to provide the control unit with information of a second telecommunications carrier as valid information of a telecommunications carrier instead of information of a first telecommunications carrier upon input of the notification; When the completion of the setting is confirmed by the confirmation process, the wireless terminal executes a request to acquire information of a valid communication carrier from the identification card for which the setting has been completed.

2. The control unit, in a normal state, repeatedly executes a state confirmation process on the identification card at a predetermined time interval, The wireless terminal according to claim 1 , wherein controlling the time point includes executing the confirmation process when a time required for the setting has elapsed since the notification was input to the identification card.

3. 3. The wireless terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, in a normal state, repeatedly executes a confirmation process for the identification card at a predetermined time interval measured by a first timer, and when the connection request is rejected by the base station, measures the time required for the setting by a second timer different from the first timer.

4. A control unit of a wireless terminal having an interface for an identification card that stores information of a plurality of communication carriers, sending a connection request to a base station of the second carrier based on information of the first carrier obtained from an identification card connected to the interface; when the connection request is rejected by the base station, inputting a notification of the connection request being rejected into the identification card; controlling a time point at which a confirmation process for confirming completion of the setting is executed in correspondence with a time required for setting in the identification card to provide the control unit with information of a second telecommunications carrier as valid information of a telecommunications carrier instead of information of a first telecommunications carrier upon input of the notification; A wireless communication method which executes, when the completion of the setting is confirmed by the confirmation process, a request for acquisition of valid communication carrier information from the identification card for which the setting has been completed.

5. A control unit of a wireless terminal having an interface for an identification card that stores information of a plurality of communication carriers, sending a connection request to a base station of the second carrier based on information of the first carrier obtained from an identification card connected to the interface; when the connection request is rejected by the base station, inputting a notification of the connection request being rejected into the identification card; controlling a time point at which a confirmation process for confirming completion of the setting is executed in correspondence with a time required for setting in the identification card to provide the control unit with information of a second telecommunications carrier as valid information of a telecommunications carrier instead of information of a first telecommunications carrier upon input of the notification; When the completion of the setting is confirmed by the confirmation process, the identification card for which the setting is completed is and requesting the acquisition of valid carrier information from the mobile phone.

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