Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and wireless communication program

Abstract

This wireless communication system comprises: a priority communication detection unit 31 for detecting priority communication from a communication instrument 2 that performs wireless communication; a connection unit 33 for connecting the communication instrument 2 the priority communication of which has been detected by the priority communication detection unit 31 to a roaming network 1R that is different from a home network 1H under contract; a recording unit 34 for recording priority communication-related information that pertains to priority communication executed in the roaming network 1R by the communication instrument 2; and a notification unit 35 for notifying the home network 1H of the priority communication-related information recorded by the recording unit 34.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication technology. [Background technology]

[0002] The number, types, and uses of wireless communication devices, such as smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, are constantly increasing, and wireless communication standards are continually being expanded and improved. For example, commercial services for the fifth generation mobile communication system, known as "5G," began in 2018, and standards are still being developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-503199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When making an emergency call to an emergency call number using a communication device such as a smartphone, if there is a problem with communication via a contracted wireless communication network (hereinafter also referred to as a home network), the emergency call may be made by roaming to another wireless communication network (hereinafter also referred to as a roaming network). By switching the connection destination of the communication device to a roaming network, it is possible to make an emergency call even when the home network is unavailable. However, because the emergency call is made outside the home network, the home network cannot obtain sufficient information regarding the emergency call.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system capable of collecting information on prioritized communications executed outside a subscribed wireless communication network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a wireless communication system of one embodiment of the present invention includes a priority communication detection unit that detects priority communication from a communication device that communicates wirelessly, a connection unit that connects the communication device from which the priority communication has been detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract, and a recording unit that records priority communication-related information regarding the priority communication performed by the communication device on the second wireless communication network.

[0007] According to this aspect, information regarding prioritized communication executed in the second wireless communication network (roaming network) outside the first wireless communication network (home network) under contract can be collected by the recording unit.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication method, comprising: a prioritized communication detection step of detecting a prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates, a connection step of connecting the communication device from which the prioritized communication has been detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract, and a recording step of recording prioritized communication-related information regarding the prioritized communication that the communication device has executed on the second wireless communication network.

[0009] Any combination of the above components, and any transformation of the present invention into a method, device, system, recording medium, computer program, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, information can be collected regarding prioritized communications carried out outside a subscribed wireless communication network. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic overview of a wireless communication network in a wireless communication system. [Diagram 2] 4 shows a roaming aspect of a communication device. [Diagram 3] 1 is a functional block diagram of a priority communication processing device realized in a wireless communication system. [Figure 4] 13 shows an example of processing by the priority communication processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a wireless communication network 1 in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication network 1 is a home network for a communication device 2 that has a contract for a communication service of the carrier, and is a roaming network for a communication device 2 that has not a contract for a communication service of the carrier but is capable of roaming due to an alliance between the carriers. The wireless communication network 1 includes a 5G wireless communication network 11 that conforms to a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) that uses NR (New Radio) or 5G NR (Fifth Generation New Radio) as a radio access technology (RAT) and 5GC (Fifth Generation Core) as a core network, and a 4G wireless communication network 12 that conforms to a fourth generation mobile communication system (4G) that uses LTE (Long Term Evolution) or LTE-Advanced as a radio access technology and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) as a core network. Although not shown in the figure, the wireless communication network 1 may include a wireless communication network of a generation earlier than 4G, may include a wireless communication network of a generation later than 5G, or may include any wireless communication network that is not associated with a generation, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0013] The 5G wireless communication network 11 includes communication devices 2A, 2B, and 2C (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as communication devices 2) such as smartphones also called UE (User Equipment), and a plurality of 5G base stations 111A, 111B, and 111C (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as 5G base stations 111) capable of communicating by 5G NR. The base station 111 in 5G is also called gNodeB (gNB). The communication range or support range of each of the 5G base stations 111A, 111B, and 111C is called a cell, and is illustrated as 112A, 112B, and 112C (hereinafter, may be collectively referred to as cell 112), respectively.

[0014] The size of the cell 112 of each 5G base station 111 is arbitrary, but typically has a radius of several meters to tens of kilometers. Although there is no established definition, a cell with a radius of several meters to tens of meters is called a femtocell, a cell with a radius of tens to tens of meters is called a picocell, a cell with a radius of tens to hundreds of meters is called a microcell, and a cell with a radius of more than several hundred meters is called a macrocell. 5G often uses high-frequency radio waves such as millimeter waves, and because of their high directivity, the radio waves are blocked by obstacles and the communication distance is shortened. For this reason, 5G tends to use smaller cells than 4G and earlier generations.

[0015] In the illustrated example, the communication device 2B in the cells 112A and 112B can communicate with both the 5G base stations 111A and 111B by 5G NR. Also, the communication device 2C in the cell 112C can communicate with the 5G base station 111C by 5G NR. The communication device 2A is outside all of the 5G cells 112A, 112B, and 112C, and is therefore in a state in which it cannot communicate by 5G NR. The 5G communication by 5G NR between each communication device 2 and each 5G base station 111 is managed by the 5GC, which is a core network. For example, the 5GC performs data exchange with each 5G base station 111, data exchange with external networks such as EPC and the Internet, and mobility management of the communication device 2.

[0016] The 4G wireless communication network 12 includes a plurality of 4G base stations 121 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) that can communicate with the communication device 2 by LTE or LTE-Advanced. The base station 121 in 4G is also called an eNodeB (eNB). As with each 5G base station 111, the communication range or coverage area of ​​each 4G base station 121 is also called a cell and is illustrated as 122.

[0017] In the illustrated example, communication devices 2A and 2B in a cell 122 can communicate with a 4G base station 121 by LTE or LTE-Advanced. Communication device 2C is outside the cell 122 and is therefore in a state in which communication by LTE or LTE-Advanced is not possible. 4G communication by LTE or LTE-Advanced between each communication device 2 and each 4G base station 121 is managed by the EPC, which is a core network. For example, the EPC performs data exchange with each 4G base station 121, data exchange with external networks such as 5GC and the Internet, and mobility management of the communication device 2.

[0018] If the communication device 2 is in at least one of the multiple cells 112A, 112B, 112C, and 122 of the wireless communication network 1, the communication device 2 can communicate on the wireless communication network 1. In the specific example shown in the figure, the communication device 2A in the cell 122 is in a state where 4G communication with the 4G base station 121 is possible, the communication device 2B in the cells 112A, 112B, and 122 is in a state where 5G communication with the 5G base stations 111A and 111B and 4G communication with the 4G base station 121 is possible, and the communication device 2C in the cell 112C is in a state where 5G communication with the 5G base station 111C is possible. When there are multiple base stations (111A, 111B, and 121) that can communicate like the communication device 2B, one base station that is determined to be optimal in terms of communication quality and the like is selected under the management of the 5GC and / or EPC that are the core network, and communication with the communication device 2B is performed.

[0019] 2 shows a roaming mode of the communication device 2. The home network 1H is a first wireless communication network with which the communication device 2 has a contract for a communication service, and the roaming network 1R is a second wireless communication network with which the communication device 2 does not have a contract for a communication service but is capable of roaming due to an alliance between carriers. The home network 1H and the roaming network 1R are each configured in the same manner as the wireless communication network 1 shown in FIG. 1, but do not need to include both the 5G wireless communication network 11 and the 4G wireless communication network 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and may include either one of them, or may include any wireless communication network different from either of them.

[0020] In the roaming mode of FIG. 2(A), the communication device 2 is outside the service area (cells 112, 122) of the home network 1H, and therefore cannot communicate on the home network 1H. On the other hand, the communication device 2 is inside the service area (cells 112, 122) of the roaming network 1R, and therefore roams to the roaming network 1R to communicate. In the roaming mode of FIG. 2(B), the communication device 2 is inside the service areas (cells 112, 122) of both the home network 1H and the roaming network 1R. In this case, the communication device 2 communicates on the home network 1H in principle, but when there is a problem with communication on the home network 1H or when high communication quality is required for prioritized communication, which will be described later, the communication device 2 roams to the roaming network 1R, which has better communication quality than the home network 1H, to communicate.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the priority communication processing device 3 realized in the wireless communication system. The priority communication processing device 3 includes a priority communication detection unit 31, a judgment unit 32, a connection unit 33, a recording unit 34, and a notification unit 35. These functional blocks are realized by the cooperation of hardware resources such as a central processing unit of a computer, a memory, an input device, an output device, and peripheral devices connected to the computer, and software executed using them. Regardless of the type of computer or the installation location, each of the above functional blocks may be realized by the hardware resources of a single computer, or may be realized by combining hardware resources distributed among multiple computers. Specifically, some or all of the above functional blocks are realized by at least one of the hardware resources of the communication device 2, the base stations 111, 121 and core network in the home network 1H, the base stations 111, 121 and core network in the roaming network 1R, other components in the operation system of the wireless communication system, and any communication device capable of communicating with the wireless communication system.

[0022] 3 shows both the home network 1H and the roaming network 1R on either side of the communication device 2, but the communication device 2 during roaming may be outside the service area of ​​the home network 1H as shown in Fig. 2(A). Conversely, when the communication device 2 connected to the home network 1H notifies the home network 1H by the notification unit 35 as described later, the communication device 2 may be outside the service area of ​​the roaming network 1R.

[0023] The priority communication detection unit 31 detects a priority communication from the communication device 2 that wirelessly communicates. The function of the priority communication detection unit 31 can be realized by the communication device 2, but may be realized by the home network 1H if the communication device 2 is connected to the home network 1H when the priority communication starts, or may be realized by the roaming network 1R if the communication device 2 is connected to the roaming network 1R when the priority communication starts.

[0024] Priority communication is communication or a call that is set or given a higher priority, importance, urgency, etc. than normal communication, and includes, for example, a call to an emergency call number. In Japan, 110 is assigned to emergency calls to police agencies, 119 is assigned to emergency calls to fire agencies, and 118 is assigned to emergency calls to the Japan Coast Guard. Emergency calls by eCall, an emergency call system in Europe when a car accident occurs, are also an example of priority communication, and the communication device 2 shown in the figure corresponds to an in-vehicle communication unit that reports the occurrence of a car accident and the location of the car over a wireless communication network 1. Reports by Emergency Services Fallback (ES-FB) and Evolved Packet System Fallback (EPS Fallback) specified in the 5th generation mobile communication system are also examples of priority communication.

[0025] The judgment unit 32 judges whether or not prioritized communication can be performed in the home network 1H. As shown in Fig. 2(A), when the communication device 2 is outside the service provision range of the home network 1H, the judgment unit 32 judges not to perform prioritized communication on the home network 1H because prioritized communication cannot be performed on the home network 1H. As shown in Fig. 2(B), when the communication device 2 is inside the service provision range of the home network 1H, the judgment unit 32 judges whether or not prioritized communication can be performed on the home network 1H based on the communication quality of the home network 1H.

[0026] Specifically, the comparison unit 321 provided in the judgment unit 32 compares the communication quality of the roaming network 1R in which the communication device 2 can roam with the communication quality of the home network 1H. Any index can be used to compare the communication quality, but the communication quality of each wireless communication network can be evaluated based on, for example, signal strength, throughput, delay time, packet loss rate, packet error rate, etc. If the comparison unit 321 obtains a comparison result indicating that the communication quality of the roaming network 1R is superior to the communication quality of the home network 1H, the judgment unit 32 judges not to execute prioritized communication on the home network 1H. Conversely, if the comparison unit 321 obtains a comparison result indicating that the communication quality of the home network 1H is superior to the communication quality of the roaming network 1R or if there is no roaming network 1R in which the communication device 2 can roam, the judgment unit 32 judges to execute prioritized communication on the home network 1H.

[0027] The connection unit 33 connects the communication device 2, in which the prioritized communication has been detected by the prioritized communication detection unit 31, to a roaming network 1R different from the home network 1H under contract, according to the determination result by the determination unit 32 that the prioritized communication will not be executed on the home network 1H. As a result, the prioritized communication detected by the prioritized communication detection unit 31 is executed on the roaming network 1R.

[0028] The recording unit 34 records prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication performed by the communication device 2 in the roaming network 1R. The prioritized communication related information includes at least one of the location of the communication device 2 during prioritized communication, the time of the prioritized communication and other statistical information, the identification information of the roaming network 1R, and the identification information of the prioritized communication partner. The location of the communication device 2 during prioritized communication can be calculated by the communication device 2 based on radio waves received from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, for example. The time of the prioritized communication is, for example, the start time of the prioritized communication, the end time of the prioritized communication, and the duration of the prioritized communication. The identification information of the roaming network 1R is, for example, a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) number. The PLMN number is an identification number of the wireless communication network 1, and is composed of a combination of an MCC (Mobile Country Code) representing a country or region and an MNC (Mobile Network Code) representing a carrier. The identification information of the preferred communication partner is, for example, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) ​​or terminal identification number of the preferred communication partner, the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the preferred communication partner, or the telephone number of the preferred communication partner.

[0029] The notification unit 35 notifies the home network 1H of the prioritized communication related information recorded by the recording unit 34. The recording unit 34 and the notification unit 35 are provided, for example, in the communication device 2, and the communication device 2 that has reconnected to the home network 1H after prioritized communication in the roaming network 1R notifies the home network 1H of the recorded prioritized communication related information. The recording unit 34 and the notification unit 35 may be provided in the roaming network 1R, and the core network of the roaming network 1R notifies the core network of the home network 1H of the recorded prioritized communication related information via the Internet or the like.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of processing by the priority communication processing device 3. In this processing example, the recording unit 34 and the notification unit 35 are provided in the communication device 2. In this figure, "S" means a step or processing. In S1, the communication device 2 (UE) is connected to the home network 1H (NW#1). In S2, the communication device 2 starts the priority communication, and the priority communication detection unit 31 realized by the communication device 2 and the home network 1H detects the priority communication. In S3, the judgment unit 32 judges the network in which the priority communication is to be performed. As described above, when the communication device 2 is outside the service provision range of the home network 1H (FIG. 2(A)) or when the communication quality of the roaming network 1R is superior to that of the home network 1H (FIG. 2(B)), the judgment unit 32 judges that the priority communication is to be performed on the roaming network 1R. Conversely, when the communication quality of the home network 1H is superior to that of the roaming network 1R or when there is no roaming network 1R to which the communication device 2 can roam, the judgment unit 32 judges that the priority communication is to be performed on the home network 1H. The following describes a case where the roaming network 1R is selected as the network for performing prioritized communication in S3.

[0031] In S4, in preparation for connecting the communication device 2 to the roaming network 1R for prioritized communication according to the determination result in S3, the radio access technology (RAT) and the public land mobile network (PLMN) are changed from those of the home network 1H (NW#1) to those of the roaming network 1R (NW#2). For example, when the home network 1H is a 5G wireless communication network and the roaming network 1R is a 4G wireless communication network, the wireless access technology is changed from NR or 5G NR in 5G to LTE or LTE-Advanced in 4G. In S5, the connection unit 33 connects the communication device 2 to the roaming network 1R. In this way, prioritized communication with high priority can be performed in the roaming network 1R with high communication quality.

[0032] In S6, the recording unit 34 provided in the communication device 2 records prioritized communication related information regarding the prioritized communication performed on the roaming network 1R (the position of the communication device 2 during the prioritized communication, the time of the prioritized communication and other statistical information, the identification information of the roaming network 1R, the identification information of the prioritized communication partner, etc.). In S7, the prioritized communication on the roaming network 1R ends, and in S8, the communication device 2 reconnects to the home network 1H. If the communication device 2 is outside the service provision range of the home network 1H at the time of S7 (FIG. 2(A)), the process of S8 is executed when the communication device 2 returns to the inside of the service provision range of the home network 1H. In S9, the notification unit 35 in the communication device 2 that reconnected to the home network 1H in S8 notifies the home network 1H of the prioritized communication related information recorded in S6. This notification from the communication device 2 is transmitted to the home network 1H as a message on the Access Stratum (AS) or Non-Access Stratum (NAS), which are functional layers in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) protocol stack.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the recording unit 34 records information about prioritized communication performed in the roaming network 1R outside the home network 1H, and the notification unit 35 can notify the home network 1H. Therefore, the home network 1H can obtain sufficient information about prioritized communication such as emergency calls performed in the roaming network 1R. The prioritized communication related information shared in the home network 1H suggests that the communication quality of the roaming network 1R is superior to that of the home network 1H in performing the prioritized communication. Therefore, by analyzing the prioritized communication related information notified by the notification unit 35, the operator of the home network 1H can identify places and time periods where there is room for improvement in communication quality in the home network 1H, using the roaming network 1R as a benchmark.

[0034] Furthermore, the operator of the home network 1H can recognize whether or not the roaming network 1R can be used for prioritized communication in a specific location or time period, based on the prioritized communication related information notified by the notification unit 35. For example, information that neither the home network 1H nor the roaming network 1R can be used in a certain location or time period is extremely valuable information in network operation and business operation, since it can serve as a trigger for promoting the expansion of the operator's own home network 1H and collaboration with a new roaming network 1R as an issue that needs to be addressed early and with high priority.

[0035] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] The functional configuration of each device described in the embodiment can be realized by hardware resources, software resources, or by the cooperation of hardware resources and software resources. A processor, ROM, RAM, and other LSIs can be used as hardware resources. An operating system, an application, and other programs can be used as software resources. [Industrial Applicability]

[0037] The present invention relates to wireless communication technology. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 wireless communication network, 1H home network, 1R roaming network, 2 communication device, 3 priority communication processing device, 11 5G wireless communication network, 12 4G wireless communication network, 31 priority communication detection unit, 32 judgment unit, 33 connection unit, 34 recording unit, 35 notification unit, 111 5G base station, 112 5G cell, 121 4G base station, 122 4G cell, 321 comparison unit.

Claims

1. a prioritized communication detection unit that detects prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection unit that connects the communication device in which prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording unit configured to record prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication executed by the communication device on the second wireless communication network; a notification unit that notifies the first wireless communication network of the prioritized communication related information recorded by the recording unit; Equipped with the recording unit and the notification unit are provided in the communication device, and when the communication device is connected to the first wireless communication network, the communication device notifies the first wireless communication network of the recorded prioritized communication related information. Wireless communication system.

2. a prioritized communication detection unit that detects prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection unit that connects the communication device in which prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording unit configured to record prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication executed by the communication device on the second wireless communication network; a determination unit for determining whether or not prioritized communication can be performed in the first wireless communication network; Equipped with the connection unit, when it is determined that the prioritized communication cannot be executed in the first wireless communication network, connects the communication device in which the prioritized communication is detected to the second wireless communication network. Wireless communication system.

3. a prioritized communication detection unit that detects prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection unit that connects the communication device in which prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording unit configured to record prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication executed by the communication device on the second wireless communication network; a comparison unit that compares communication qualities of the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network; Equipped with the connection unit connects the communication device in which prioritized communication is detected to the second wireless communication network when the communication quality of the second wireless communication network is superior to the communication quality of the first wireless communication network. Wireless communication system.

4. a prioritized communication detection unit that detects prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection unit that connects the communication device in which prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording unit configured to record prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication executed by the communication device on the second wireless communication network; Equipped with the prioritized communication related information includes at least one of a location of the communication device during prioritized communication, a time of the prioritized communication, identification information of the second wireless communication network, and identification information of a prioritized communication partner; Wireless communication system.

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network uses NR as a radio access technology.

6. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network uses 5GC as a core network.

7. 7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the priority communication includes a call to an emergency number.

8. a prioritized communication detection step of detecting a prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection step of connecting the communication device in which the prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording step of recording prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication performed by the communication device in the second wireless communication network; a notification step of notifying the first wireless communication network of the prioritized communication related information recorded by the recording step; Equipped with the recording step and the notification step are executed by the communication device, and when the communication device is connected to the first wireless communication network, the recorded prioritized communication related information is notified from the communication device to the first wireless communication network. A wireless communication method.

9. a prioritized communication detection step of detecting a prioritized communication from a communication device that wirelessly communicates; a connection step of connecting the communication device in which the prioritized communication is detected to a second wireless communication network different from a first wireless communication network under contract; a recording step of recording prioritized communication related information regarding prioritized communication performed by the communication device in the second wireless communication network; a notification step of notifying the first wireless communication network of the prioritized communication related information recorded by the recording step; on the computer, the recording step and the notification step are executed by a computer provided in the communication device, and when the communication device is connected to the first wireless communication network, the recorded prioritized communication related information is notified from the communication device to the first wireless communication network. Wireless communication program.

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