Communication control device, terminal device, mobile object, communication control method, and program

Abstract

In order to provide a technology capable of quickly establishing a connection when moving from outside to inside a cell, the communication control device comprises: a determination unit (11) that determines whether a target terminal device (100) has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by a base station; and a communication control unit (12) that when the determination unit determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell, increases the frequency of cell search by the target terminal device for connecting to the cell.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a terminal device, a mobile object, a communication system, and a communication control method. law, and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a communication system in which communication is performed between a base station and a terminal device. In such a communication system, a spatial area (cell) covered by each of a plurality of base stations is set, and the base station communicates with the terminal device located in the cell (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, in order to realize the above-described communication, the terminal device is usually configured to perform a cell search under predetermined conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-199137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In general, a terminal device moves, and there are cases where the terminal device moves from an area not covered by any base station to a cell of a base station. In such a case, even if the technology described in Patent Document 1 is used, a problem occurs in that a connection with the base station cannot be quickly established.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and one example of its purpose is to provide a technology that can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A communication control device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell.

[0008] A terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a determination means for determining whether the terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell.

[0009] A mobile object according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a determination unit that determines whether the mobile object has approached a cell managed by a base station; and a communication control unit that, when the determination unit determines that the mobile object has approached the cell, increases the frequency of cell searches for connecting to the cell. 。

[0010] Book A communication control method according to one aspect of the invention is a communication control method executed by a communication control device, and includes determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and, when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell, increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell.

[0011] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a communication control device, and causes the computer to function as a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a connection can be quickly established when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in a communication control method according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of another communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of another communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the movement of a moving object during a determination process in a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram showing the movement of a moving object during a determination process in a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Exemplary Embodiment 1 A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described below.

[0015] (Configuration of communication system 1000) The configuration of a communication system 1000 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the communication system 1000. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1000 includes, as an example, a communication control device 1, a terminal device 100, and a base station 200. As shown in Fig. 1, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area that it manages.

[0016] In the communication system 1000, the communication control device 1 may be configured to be provided within the terminal device 100, within the base station 200, within another device, or may be configured to be realized separately from any device.

[0017] 1, the communication control device 1 includes a determination unit 11 and a communication control unit 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination unit 11 and the communication control unit 12 are configured to realize a determination means and a communication control means, respectively. The determination unit 11 determines whether a target terminal device 100 has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200.

[0018] When the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01), the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device 100 to connect to the cell.

[0019] As an example, in a configuration in which the communication control device 1 is provided in the terminal device 100, the communication control unit 12 controls a communication module of the terminal device 100 to increase the frequency of cell searches by the communication module.

[0020] As another example, when the communication control device 1 is configured to be provided separately from the terminal device 100, the communication control unit 12 communicates with the terminal device 100, and controls the communication module provided in the terminal device 100 via the communication, thereby increasing the frequency of cell searches by the communication module.

[0021] Note that the degree of increase in the frequency of cell searches by the communication control unit 12 does not limit this exemplary embodiment. However, as an example, if the cell search frequency when the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100 is not approaching the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 is expressed as F1, and the cell search frequency when the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 is expressed as F2, then: F2=α·F1 Here, the coefficient α is a real number greater than 1, and the symbol "·" represents a multiplication operation. For example, α may be set to 2, α may be set to 5, or α may be set to 10.

[0022] Furthermore, the specific threshold used by the determination unit 11 to determine whether or not the terminal device 100 has approached does not limit the present exemplary embodiment. As an example, the threshold may be set to the average value of the radii of cells provided by a plurality of base stations, and when the distance between the target terminal device 100 and the base station 200 is equal to or less than the threshold, the target terminal device 100 may be determined to have approached the cell (Cell01). Note that the phrase "increasing the frequency of cell search" does not limit the present exemplary embodiment, but as an example, the duration of cell search may be lengthened and the pause time shortened.

[0023] As an example, the determination unit 11 may be configured to determine whether the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) based on the result of comparing the location information of the target terminal device 100 or the location information of the mobile body on which the target terminal device 100 is installed with the location information associated with the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200.

[0024] The determination unit 11 may also be configured to determine that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) by receiving a notification from another device.

[0025] (Effects of communication system 1000) In the communication system 1000 configured as above, the communication control device 1 includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The communication control device 1 configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0026] (Flow of communication control method S1) Next, the flow of the communication control method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication control method S1.

[0027] (Step S11) First, in step S11, the determination unit 11 of the communication control device 1 determines whether or not the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200. If it is determined that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 (YES in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12; otherwise, the process in step S11 is repeated.

[0028] (Step S12) In step S11, if the judgment unit 11 judges that the target terminal device 100 has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200, in step S12, the communication control unit 12 of the communication control device 1 increases the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device 100 to connect to the cell (Cell01).

[0029] (Effect of communication control method S1) In the communication control method S1 configured as above, the communication control device 1 includes the above-mentioned determination step (step S11) and the above-mentioned communication control step (step S12). According to the communication control method S1 configured as above, a connection can be quickly established when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0030] (Configuration of communication system 2000) Next, the configuration of a communication system 2000, which is another communication system according to this exemplary embodiment, will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example configuration of the communication system 2000. As shown in Fig. 3, the communication system 2000 includes, as an example, a terminal device 100, a base station 200, and a roadside device 300. As shown in Fig. 3, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area that it manages.

[0031] Further, as an example, the roadside device 300 is arranged in the vicinity of the cell (Cell01). Here, the term "vicinity" does not limit the present exemplary embodiment, but as an example, the roadside device 300 can be arranged outside the boundary of the cell (Cell01) within a range of 10 m to 100 m from the boundary.

[0032] 3, the terminal device 100 includes a determination unit 11 and a communication control unit 12. The determination unit 11 determines whether the terminal device 100 has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200.

[0033] As an example, the roadside device 300 may notify the terminal device 100, and the determining unit 11 may determine that the terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) based on the notification.

[0034] When the determination unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01), the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell searches for connecting to the cell (Cell01).

[0035] As an example, the communication control unit 12 controls the communication module of the terminal device 100 to increase the frequency of cell searches by the communication module.

[0036] The degree to which the frequency of cell searches performed by the communication control unit 12 is increased does not limit this exemplary embodiment, and is the same as that described in the communication system 1000 as an exemplary process.

[0037] Further, a specific example of the determination by the determination unit 11 as to whether or not the device has approached is also as explained in the communication system 1000.

[0038] (Effects of Communication System 2000) In the communication system 2000 configured as above, the terminal device 100 includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The terminal device 100 configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0039] (Configuration of communication system 3000) Next, a configuration of a communication system 3000, which is another communication system according to this exemplary embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the communication system 3000. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the communication system 3000 includes, as an example, a first moving object 400, a second moving object 500, and a base station 200. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area that it manages. Note that the first moving object 400 and the second moving object 500 may be, as an example, two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicles, or may be other moving objects. Furthermore, these moving objects may or may not be controlled by autonomous driving.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, in the communication system 3000, the first moving object 400 includes the terminal device 100 described above.

[0041] As an example, the communication system 3000 may be configured such that the second moving body 500 notifies the terminal device 100, and the determination unit 11 of the terminal device 100 determines that the terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) based on the notification.

[0042] Then, the communication control unit 12 of the terminal device 100, for example, controls the communication module of the terminal device 100 to increase the frequency of cell searches by the communication module.

[0043] The degree to which the frequency of cell searches performed by the communication control unit 12 of the terminal device 100 is increased does not limit this exemplary embodiment, and is the same as that described in the communication system 1000 as an exemplary process.

[0044] Further, a specific example of the determination by the determination unit 11 as to whether or not the device has approached is also as explained in the communication system 1000.

[0045] (Effects of Communication System 3000) In the communication system 3000 configured as above, the terminal device 100 includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The terminal device 100 configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0046] Exemplary Embodiment 2 A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] (Configuration of communication system 1000a) Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1000a according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the communication system 1000a includes, as an example, a mobile unit 400a and a base station 200. As shown in Fig. 5, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area that it manages, similar to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0048] The moving body 400a may be, for example, a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle, or may be any other moving body. The moving body may or may not be controlled by automatic driving.

[0049] 5, the mobile object 400a includes a terminal device 100a, a position detection unit 410, and a communication unit 420. The position detection unit 410 is configured to include a receiving device that complies with the GPS (Global Positioning System), for example, and can detect the position of the mobile object 400a on Earth. The position detection unit 410 supplies position information indicating the detected position to the terminal device 100a.

[0050] The communication unit 420 is configured to communicate with the base station 200 in a cell (Cell01) provided by the base station 200, for example, and is configured to include a transceiver conforming to the 4G standard, a transceiver conforming to the 5G standard, or a transceiver conforming to another communication standard. These transceivers (also referred to as transceiver modules or communication modules) are controlled by the terminal device 100a, for example. Note that the configuration of the mobile object 400a shown in FIG. 5 is merely illustrative, and the terminal device 100a may be configured to include at least one of the position detection unit 410 and the communication unit 420, for example.

[0051] (Terminal device 100a) As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 100a includes a determination unit 11, a communication control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination unit 11 and the communication control unit 12 are configured to implement a determination means and a communication control means, respectively. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, cell information CI is stored in the storage unit 13. The cell information CI includes information about the base station 200 and a plurality of other base stations (not shown). As an example, the cell information CI includes location information about the base station 200 and a plurality of other base stations (not shown).

[0052] Similar to the determination unit described in exemplary embodiment 1, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the terminal device 100a (in other words, the mobile unit 400a) has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200. More specifically, the determination unit 11 may be configured to determine whether or not the terminal device 100a has approached the cell (Cell01) based on a comparison result between the location information of the mobile unit 400a (in other words, the location information of the terminal device 100a) detected by the location detection unit 410 and the location information included in the cell information CI and associated with the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200.

[0053] Similar to the communication control unit described in exemplary embodiment 1, when the judgment unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100a (in other words, the mobile body 400a) has approached the cell (Cell01), the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell searches by the communication unit 420 to connect to the cell (Cell01).

[0054] The configuration of the moving object 400a shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the components of the terminal device 100a described above may be directly included in the moving object 400a.

[0055] (Processing example 1 by communication control unit 12) The processing example by the communication control unit 12 is not limited to the above example. For example, the communication control unit 12 may be configured to change the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the mobile body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted.

[0056] Here, the communication control unit 12 can calculate the speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the moving object 400a from the change over time in the position information of the moving object 400a detected by the position detection unit 410, as an example.

[0057] In this processing example, the communication control unit 12 may be configured to advance the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches as the speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the mobile body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted increases.

[0058] for example, If the moving speed of the mobile unit 400a is 30 to 50 km per hour, the frequency of cell searches is increased when the distance from the cell boundary becomes 100 m. If the moving speed of the mobile unit 400a is 10 to 30 km per hour, the frequency of cell searches is increased when the distance from the cell boundary becomes 50 m. If the moving speed of the mobile unit 400a is 5 to 10 km per hour, the frequency of cell searches is increased when the distance from the cell boundary becomes 30 m. The above configuration may also be used.

[0059] In the above description, the "speed" of the moving body 400a may be read as "velocity." In such a configuration, the communication control unit 12 is configured to change the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the direction and speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the moving body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted. In such a configuration, it is also possible to perform the above-mentioned control when the moving body 400a is approaching the base station 200, and not change the frequency of cell searches when the moving body 400a is moving away from the base station 200.

[0060] (Processing example 2 by communication control unit 12) Furthermore, the communication control unit 12 may be configured to change the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the mobile object 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted.

[0061] As an example, the communication control unit 12 may be configured to increase the frequency of cell searches as the speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the mobile body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted increases.

[0062] For example, if the cell search frequency when the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100a is not approaching the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 is expressed as F1, and the cell search frequency when the determination unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100a has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 is expressed as F2, then using a coefficient α greater than 1, F2=α·F1 It can be expressed as:

[0063] In this processing example, If the moving speed of the moving body 400a is 30 to 50 km per hour, set α=10. If the moving speed of the moving object 400a is 10 to 30 km per hour, set α=5. If the moving speed of the moving object 400a is 5 to 10 km per hour, set α=2. The above configuration may also be used.

[0064] As in processing example 1, the "speed" of the mobile body 400a in the above description may be read as "velocity." In such a configuration, the communication control unit 12 is configured to change the frequency of cell search depending on the direction and speed of movement of the terminal device 100a or the mobile body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted. In such a configuration, when the mobile body 400a approaches the base station 200, the above-mentioned control is performed, and when the mobile body 400a moves away from the base station 200, the frequency of cell search is not changed.

[0065] (Processing example 3 by communication control unit 12) In addition, the communication control unit 12 may be configured to perform control such that the frequency of cell search is not changed when the terminal device 100a or the mobile body 400a on which the terminal device 100a is mounted is stopped outside the range of the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200.

[0066] (Effects of communication system 1000a) In the communication system 1000a configured as above, the terminal device 100a includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The terminal device 100a configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0067] Exemplary Embodiment 3 A third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0068] (Configuration of communication system 1000b) Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1000b according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the communication system 1000b includes, as an example, a mobile object 400b, a base station 200, and a roadside device 300b. As shown in Fig. 6, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area that it manages, similar to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0069] As an example, the roadside device 300b is arranged near the cell (Cell01). Here, the term "nearby" does not limit the present exemplary embodiment, but as an example, the roadside device 300b can be arranged outside the boundary of the cell (Cell01) within a range of 10 m to 100 m from the boundary.

[0070] 6, the roadside device 300b includes a notification signal generating unit 310 and a communication unit 320. The notification signal generating unit 310 is configured to generate a signal to notify the mobile object 400b, and the communication unit 320 is configured to communicate with a communication unit 420 included in the mobile object 400b.

[0071] For example, the moving body 400b may be a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle, or may be any other moving body. The moving body may or may not be controlled by automatic driving.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 6, the mobile object 400b includes a terminal device 100 and a communication unit 420. As an example, the communication unit 420 is configured to communicate with the communication unit 320 included in the roadside device 300b, and is configured to include a transceiver device compliant with the 4G standard, a transceiver device compliant with the 5G standard, or a transceiver device compliant with another communication standard. These transceivers (also referred to as transceiver modules or communication modules) are controlled by the terminal device 100, as an example. Note that the configuration of the mobile object 400b shown in Fig. 6 is merely exemplary, and the communication unit 420 may be included in the terminal device 100, for example.

[0073] (Terminal device 100) 6, the terminal device 100 includes a determination unit 11 and a communication control unit 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination unit 11 and the communication control unit 12 are configured to respectively realize a determination means and a communication control means.

[0074] Similar to the determination unit described in the exemplary embodiment 1, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the target terminal device 100 (in other words, the mobile unit 400b) has approached a cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200. More specifically, the determination unit 11 may be configured to determine that the terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200 based on a notification from a roadside device 300b provided in the vicinity of the cell (Cell01).

[0075] Similar to the communication control unit described in exemplary embodiment 1, when the judgment unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100 (in other words, the mobile unit 400b) has approached the cell (Cell01), the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell searches by the communication unit 420 to connect to the cell (Cell01).

[0076] The configuration of the moving object 400b shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the moving object 400b may be configured to directly include each of the units of the terminal device 100 described above.

[0077] (Example of processing by communication control unit 12) Here, an example of processing by the communication control unit 12 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the movement of a mobile unit 400b during a determination process in a communication system 1000b. More specifically, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing mobile units with different traveling directions in the vicinity of a base station 200. As shown in Fig. 7, the traveling direction of the mobile unit 400b is a direction toward the base station 200 (in other words, a direction approaching the cell (Cell01)). Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the traveling direction of the mobile unit 400b' is a direction other than a direction toward the base station 200 (in other words, a direction away from the cell (Cell01)).

[0078] For example, the roadside device 300b broadcasts a notification including a condition regarding the traveling direction of the mobile object 400b. Then, the determination unit 11 of the terminal device 100 receives the notification including the condition regarding the traveling direction of the mobile object 400b from the roadside device 300b. If the condition is satisfied, the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01).

[0079] More specifically, the notification signal generating unit 310 included in the roadside device 300b performs the following as an example: -Increase the frequency of cell searches when the moving direction of the mobile is in a specific direction The roadside device 300b generates a notification signal with the following condition. Here, the part "when the traveling direction of the mobile object is a predetermined direction" corresponds to the condition. Note that the term "predetermined direction" does not limit this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, it can be the direction from the position where the roadside device 300b is installed to the base station 200 (in other words, the direction where the cell (Cell01) is located).

[0080] The communication unit 320 included in the roadside device 300b notifies the communication unit 420 included in the mobile unit 400b of the notification signal generated by the notification signal generation unit 310.

[0081] The determination unit 11 determines whether or not the condition included in the notification signal is satisfied based on the notification received from the roadside device 300b. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, if the traveling direction of the moving object 400b is the direction toward the base station 200, the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the moving object 400b matches the predetermined direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 7, if the traveling direction of the moving object 400b' is different from the direction toward the base station 200, the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the moving object 400b' does not match the predetermined direction.

[0082] When the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the mobile unit 400b matches the predetermined direction, the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of the cell search. When the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the mobile unit 400b does not match the predetermined direction, the communication control unit 12 does not change the frequency of the cell search.

[0083] In the communication system 1000b of this exemplary embodiment, the mobile object 400b may be configured to further include a position detection unit 410, as in exemplary embodiment 2. When the mobile object 400b has such a configuration, the notification signal generation unit 310, for example, Location information of the base station 200 (in other words, location information associated with the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200) may be configured to generate the above as a communication signal.

[0084] The determination unit 11 determines whether or not the terminal device 100 has approached based on the notification received from the roadside device 300b. More specifically, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) based on a comparison result between the position information of the mobile object 400b detected by the position detection unit 410 (in other words, the position information of the terminal device 100) and the position information of the base station 200 received from the roadside device 300b (in other words, the position information associated with the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200).

[0085] The communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell search when the determination unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100 (in other words, the mobile unit 400b) has approached the cell (Cell01). Also, the communication control unit 12 does not change the frequency of cell search when the determination unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100a (in other words, the mobile unit 400a) is moving away from the cell (Cell01).

[0086] (Effects of communication system 1000b) In the communication system 1000b configured as above, the terminal device 100 includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The terminal device 100 configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0087] Exemplary Embodiment 4 A fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0088] (Configuration of communication system 1000c) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system 1000c according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication system 1000c includes, as an example, a first moving object 400c, a second moving object 500c, and a base station 200. As shown in FIG. 8, the base station 200 provides a cell (Cell01) as a communication area managed by the base station 200. Note that the first moving object 400c and the second moving object 500c may be, as an example, a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or four-wheeled vehicle, or may be other moving objects. Furthermore, these moving objects may or may not be controlled by autonomous driving.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 8, the second moving body 500c includes a terminal device 100c, a position detection unit 520, and a communication unit 530. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, the terminal device 100c includes a determination unit 511, a communication control unit 512, and a storage unit 513. Here, the terminal device 100c, the position detection unit 520, the communication unit 530, the determination unit 511, the communication control unit 512, and the storage unit 513 correspond to the terminal device 100a, the position detection unit 410, the communication unit 420, the determination unit 11, the communication control unit 12, and the storage unit 13 described in exemplary embodiment 2, respectively. In this exemplary embodiment, among the components included in the second moving body 500c, descriptions of components having the same functions as the components described in exemplary embodiment 2 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0090] Similar to the communication control unit described in exemplary embodiment 2, the communication control unit 512 included in the second mobile object 500c increases the frequency of cell searches by the communication unit 530 to connect to the cell (Cell01) when the determination unit 511 determines that the terminal device 100c (in other words, the second mobile object 500c) has approached the cell (Cell01). In addition, the communication control unit 512 generates a signal to notify other mobile objects (in other words, the first mobile object 400c).

[0091] The communication unit 530 included in the second mobile object 500c communicates with the base station 200 in the cell (Cell01) provided by the base station 200, similar to the communication unit described in exemplary embodiment 2. The communication unit 530 is also configured to communicate with the communication unit 420 included in the first mobile object 400c.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 8, the first moving body 400c includes a terminal device 100 and a communication unit 420. As an example, the communication unit 420 is configured to communicate with a communication unit 530 included in the second moving body 500c, and is configured to include a transceiver device compliant with the 4G standard, a transceiver device compliant with the 5G standard, or a transceiver device compliant with another communication standard. These transceivers (also referred to as transceiver modules or communication modules) are controlled by the terminal device 100, as an example. Note that the configuration of the first moving body 400c shown in FIG. 8 is merely exemplary, and the communication unit 420 may be included in the terminal device 100, for example.

[0093] (Terminal device 100) 8, the terminal device 100 includes a determination unit 11 and a communication control unit 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the determination unit 11 and the communication control unit 12 are configured to respectively realize a determination means and a communication control means.

[0094] Similar to the determination unit described in exemplary embodiment 2, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the target terminal device 100 (in other words, the first mobile object 400c) has approached the cell (Cell01) managed by the base station 200. More specifically, the determination unit 11 may be configured to determine that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01) based on a notification from another mobile object (second mobile object 500c) different from the mobile object (first mobile object 400c) in which the target terminal device 100 is installed.

[0095] Similar to the communication control unit described in exemplary embodiment 1, when the judgment unit 11 determines that the terminal device 100 (in other words, the first mobile body 400c) has approached the cell (Cell01), the communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of cell searches by the communication unit 420 to connect to the cell (Cell01).

[0096] The configuration of the first moving object 400c shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the first moving object 400c may be configured to directly include each unit of the terminal device 100 described above.

[0097] (Example of processing by communication control unit 12) Here, an example of processing by the communication control unit 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the movement of mobile objects during the determination processing in the communication system 1000c. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing mobile objects with different traveling directions in the vicinity of the base station 200. As shown in FIG. 9, the traveling direction of the first mobile object 400c is a direction toward the base station 200 (in other words, a direction approaching the cell (Cell01)). Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the traveling direction of the second mobile object 500c is a direction toward the base station 200 (in other words, a direction approaching the cell (Cell01)). Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the traveling direction of the third mobile object 400c' is a direction other than the direction toward the base station 200 (in other words, a direction away from the cell (Cell01)).

[0098] For example, the determination unit 11 receives a notification from the second moving body 500c that includes a condition regarding the traveling direction of the first moving body 400c. If the condition is satisfied, the determination unit 11 determines that the target terminal device 100 has approached the cell (Cell01).

[0099] More specifically, when the determination unit 511 included in the second moving object 500c increases the frequency of cell searches by the communication unit 530 included in the second moving object 500c, the communication control unit 512 included in the second moving object 500c performs the following, for example: -Increase the frequency of cell searches when the direction of other moving objects is a specified direction A conditional notification signal is generated. Here, the part "when the traveling direction of the other moving body is a predetermined direction" corresponds to the condition. Note that the term "predetermined direction" does not limit this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, it can be the traveling direction of the second moving body 500c (in other words, the direction in which the cell (Cell01) is located).

[0100] The communication unit 530 included in the second moving object 500c notifies the communication unit 420 included in the first moving object 400c of the notification signal generated by the communication control unit 512.

[0101] The determination unit 11 determines whether the condition included in the notification signal is satisfied based on the notification received from the second moving body 500c. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, if the traveling direction of the first moving body 400c matches the traveling direction of the second moving body 500c, the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the moving body 400b matches the predetermined direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, if the traveling direction of the third moving body 400c' differs from the traveling direction of the second moving body 500c, the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the third moving body 400c' does not match the predetermined direction.

[0102] The communication control unit 12 increases the frequency of the cell search when the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the first moving object 400c matches the predetermined direction. On the other hand, the communication control unit 12 does not change the frequency of the cell search when the determination unit 11 determines that the traveling direction of the first moving object 400c does not match the predetermined direction.

[0103] (Effects of communication system 1000c) In the communication system 1000c configured as above, the terminal device 100 includes the above-described determination unit 11 and communication control unit 12. The terminal device 100 configured as above can quickly establish a connection when moving from outside a cell to inside the cell.

[0104] [Software implementation example] Some or all of the functions of the communication control device 1, the terminal devices 100, 100a, 100c, and the roadside devices 300, 300b may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or by software.

[0105] In the latter case, the communication control device 1, the terminal devices 100, 100a, and 100c, and the roadside devices 300 and 300b are realized by, for example, a computer that executes program instructions, which are software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in FIG. 10. The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for causing the computer C to operate as the communication control device 1, the terminal devices 100, 100a, and 100c, and the roadside devices 300 and 300b. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing each function of the communication control device 1, the terminal devices 100, 100a, and 100c, and the roadside devices 300 and 300b.

[0106] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0107] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may also include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may also include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, display, and printer.

[0108] Furthermore, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. The program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0109] [Appendix 1] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. As an example, the present invention may be configured to use at least two or more of the determination processes described in exemplary embodiments 1 to 4 in combination when a determination unit determines whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station.

[0110] [Appendix 2] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can also be described as follows: However, the present invention is not limited to the following described aspects.

[0111] (Appendix 1) A communication control device comprising: a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station; and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell.

[0112] (Appendix 2) The communication control device described in Appendix 1, wherein the determination process by the determination means includes a process of determining whether the target terminal device has approached the cell based on a comparison result between location information of the target terminal device or location information of a mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted and location information associated with a cell managed by the base station.

[0113] (Appendix 3) The communication control device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the determination process by the determination means includes a process of determining that the target terminal device has approached the cell based on a notification from a roadside device installed near the cell managed by the base station.

[0114] (Appendix 4) A communication control device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the determination process by the determination means includes a process of determining that the target terminal device has approached the cell based on a notification from another mobile body other than the mobile body in which the target terminal device is installed.

[0115] (Appendix 5) A communication control device as described in Appendix 3 or 4, wherein the notification includes a condition regarding the direction of travel of the moving body, and the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell if the condition is satisfied.

[0116] (Appendix 6) The communication control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the communication control means changes the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the target terminal device or a mobile body on which the target terminal device is installed.

[0117] (Appendix 7) The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication control means advances the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches as the speed of movement of the target terminal device or the mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted increases.

[0118] (Appendix 8) The communication control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, wherein the communication control means changes the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the target terminal device or a mobile body on which the target terminal device is installed.

[0119] (Appendix 9) 9. The communication control device according to claim 8, wherein the communication control means increases the frequency of cell searches as the speed of movement of the target terminal device or a mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted increases.

[0120] (Appendix 10) A terminal device comprising: a determination means for determining whether the terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station; and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell.

[0121] (Appendix 11) A mobile body comprising: a determination means for determining whether the mobile body has approached a cell managed by a base station; and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the mobile body has approached the cell.

[0122] (Appendix 12) A communication system including a terminal device and a roadside device, wherein the terminal device is equipped with a determination means for determining whether the terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell, and the roadside device notifies the terminal device, and the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell based on the notification.

[0123] (Appendix 13) A communication system including a terminal device and another mobile body different from the mobile body in which the terminal device is installed, wherein the terminal device is equipped with a determination means for determining whether the terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell, and the other mobile body notifies the terminal device, and the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell based on the notification.

[0124] (Appendix 14) A communication control method executed by a communication control device, comprising: determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station; and, when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell, increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell.

[0125] (Appendix 15) A program for causing a computer to function as a communication control device, the program causing the computer to function as: a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station; and a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell.

[0126] [Appendix 3] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can also be expressed as follows.

[0127] A communication control device comprising at least one processor, the processor performing a determination process for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by a base station, and a communication control process for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell when the determination process determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell.

[0128] The communication control device may further include a memory that stores a program for causing the processor to execute the determination process and the communication control process. The program may also be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory, tangible recording medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1. Communication control device 11 Judgment section 12 Communication control section 100, 100a Terminal equipment 200 base stations 300, 300b roadside equipment 400, 400a, 400b Mobile body (first mobile body) 500 Mobile Unit (Second Mobile Unit) 1000, 1000a, 1000b, 1000c, 2000, 3000 communication systems Cell01 cell

Claims

1. a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by the base station; a communication control means for increasing a frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device for connecting to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell; Equipped with the communication control means changes the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the target terminal device or the mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted; Communications control device.

2. The determination process by the determination means includes: The method includes a process of determining whether the target terminal device has approached the cell based on a comparison result between location information of the target terminal device or location information of a mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted and location information associated with a cell managed by the base station. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

3. The determination process by the determination means includes: The method includes a process of determining that the target terminal device has approached the cell based on a notification from a mobile body other than the mobile body on which the target terminal device is installed. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The notification includes a condition regarding the direction of travel of the moving object, The determining means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell when the condition is satisfied. The communication control device according to claim 3 .

5. The communication control means changes the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the target terminal device or the mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted. The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a determination means for determining whether a terminal device has approached a cell managed by the base station; a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches for connecting to the cell when the determination means determines that the terminal device has approached the cell; Equipped with the communication control means changes the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of movement of the terminal device or the mobile body on which the terminal device is mounted; Terminal device.

7. a determination means for determining whether a mobile object has approached a cell managed by the base station; a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches for connecting to the cell when the determination means determines that the mobile object has approached the cell; Equipped with the communication control means changes the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches depending on the speed of a terminal device mounted on the mobile body or the speed of movement of the mobile body; Mobile object.

8. A communication control method executed by a communication control device, determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by the base station; When it is determined that the target terminal device has approached the cell by the determination, increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device to connect to the cell; Varying the timing for increasing the frequency of cell searches according to the speed of movement of the target terminal device or the mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted; A communication control method including:

9. A program for causing a computer to function as a communication control device, the program comprising: a determination means for determining whether a target terminal device has approached a cell managed by the base station; a communication control means for increasing the frequency of cell searches by the target terminal device for connecting to the cell when the determination means determines that the target terminal device has approached the cell, and for changing the timing of increasing the frequency of cell searches according to the speed of movement of the target terminal device or a mobile body on which the target terminal device is mounted; A program that functions as a

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