Communication control device, communication system, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication control device and the like that can contribute to stable communication by avoiding radio wave interference even in a communication terminal compatible with a plurality of communication carriers.SOLUTION: A communication control device is configured to control communication between a plurality of communication terminals present in a communication overlapping area and a plurality of radio base stations so as to avoid interference of radio waves used by the plurality of radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlapping area. The communication overlapping area is an area where the communication possible areas of the plurality of radio base stations that are compatible with different communication carriers overlap. Each of the plurality of communication terminals is configured to be able to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there are communication terminals (for example, smartphones, mobile routers, etc.) that can support multiple communication carriers by installing multiple SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards in one terminal, or communication terminals that can support multiple communication carriers by installing one multi-profile SIM card, or communication terminals that can support multiple communication carriers by writing contract information of multiple communication carriers to a SIM (eSIM; embedded Subscriber Identity Module) embedded in the terminal in advance via a network. In such communication terminals, there are those (for example, DSDA: Dual SIM Dual Active) that can use multiple communication carriers simultaneously without switching the SIM. Along with this, there are those that can automatically select the communication carrier to be used according to communication conditions (data volume, presence or absence of delay conditions, throughput, security requirements, etc.) and communication fees (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The following analysis is provided by the inventor of the present application.

[0005] In areas where the communication areas of wireless base stations belonging to multiple telecommunications carriers overlap (communication overlap areas), the frequencies of radio waves used by the wireless base stations may be close. Even if a communication terminal that can support multiple telecommunications carriers automatically selects the communication carrier to use according to communication conditions and communication charges, interference between the radio waves used by the selected communication carrier's wireless base station and the radio waves used by another communication carrier's wireless base station can lead to unstable communication and a deterioration in communication performance and quality.

[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a communication control device, a communication system, a communication control method, and a program that can contribute to stable communication while avoiding radio interference, even in a communication terminal that can support multiple communication carriers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The communication control device relating to the first viewpoint is configured to control communication between a plurality of communication terminals located in a communication overlap area and the plurality of radio base stations in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by the plurality of radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, the communication overlap area is an area in which the communicationable areas of the plurality of radio base stations, whose corresponding communication carriers are different from each other, overlap, and each of the plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations.

[0008] The communication system relating to the second viewpoint comprises a plurality of radio base stations whose corresponding communication carriers are different from each other, a plurality of communication terminals configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations, and the communication control device relating to the first viewpoint.

[0009] A third-party communication control method includes the step of a communication control device controlling communication between a plurality of communication terminals located in a communication overlap area and the plurality of radio base stations in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by the plurality of radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, wherein the communication overlap area is an area where the communicationable areas of the plurality of radio base stations, whose corresponding communication carriers are different from each other, overlap, and each of the plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations.

[0010] The program relating to the fourth perspective causes a communication control device to execute a process to control communication between multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area and the multiple radio base stations in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by the multiple radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, the communication overlap area is an area in which the communicationable areas of the multiple radio base stations, whose corresponding communication carriers are different from each other, overlap, and each of the multiple communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the multiple radio base stations.

[0011] The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transitory medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk, magnetic recording medium, or optical recording medium. Furthermore, in this disclosure, it is also possible to embody the program as a computer program product. The program is input to the computer device via an input device or an external communication interface, stored in a storage device, drives the processor according to predetermined steps or processes, and can display the processing results, including intermediate states, at each stage via a display device as needed, or can communicate with the outside via a communication interface. For example, a computer device for this purpose typically comprises a processor, storage device, input device, communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device, all of which can communicate with each other via a bus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the first to fourth perspectives described above, even communication terminals that can support multiple communication carriers can contribute to stable communication by avoiding radio interference. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram schematically showing a first example of the configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of radio interference information used in the first example of the communication system configuration related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of communicable carrier information used in the first example of the communication system configuration related to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This flowchart schematically shows an example of the operation of the first example of the configuration of the communication control device of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram schematically showing a second example of the configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of radio interference information used in the second example of the communication system configuration related to this disclosure. [Figure 7] This flowchart schematically shows an example of the operation of a second example of the configuration of a communication control device for a communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication control device related to this disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram that schematically shows the configuration of hardware resources. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this application, reference numerals are used solely to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are merely illustrative and do not limit the invention. The connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and other diagrams referenced in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically represent the flow of the main signal (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. In addition, although not explicitly shown, input ports and output ports exist at the input and output ends of each connecting line in the circuit diagrams, block diagrams, internal configuration diagrams, and connection diagrams disclosed in this application. The same applies to input / output interfaces. The program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, storage device, input device, communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. The computer device is configured to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless.

[0015] [Form 1] The communication system relating to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the communication system relating to this disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of radio interference information used in the first example of the configuration of the communication system relating to this disclosure. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of communicable carrier information used in the first example of the configuration of the communication system relating to this disclosure.

[0016] The communication system 1 is a system in which communication terminals (10A and 10B in FIG. 1) communicate via a network 30 including radio base stations 31 to 33 for a plurality of communication carriers (line carriers; carriers A to C in FIG. 1) (see FIG. 1). The communication system 1 is configured to be able to simultaneously use the radio waves of the plurality of radio base stations 31 to 33 corresponding to a communication overlapping area 3 where the communicable areas of the plurality of radio base stations 31 to 33 overlap. The communication system 1 has a function of avoiding radio wave interference by switching the communication between the communication terminals 10A and 10B existing in the communication overlapping area 3 and the radio base stations 31 to 33. The switching of the communication between the communication terminals 10A and 10B and the radio base stations 31 to 33 can be performed by the communication control device 20 by controlling the selection of the SIMs 13 to 16 to be used. Examples of communication carriers include NTT Docomo (registered trademark), SoftBank (registered trademark), au (registered trademark), etc. In the case of overseas, examples of communication carriers include Vodafone (registered trademark), AT&T (registered trademark), T-Mobile (registered trademark), Verizon (registered trademark), China Mobile (registered trademark), etc. The main components of the communication system 1 include the communication terminals 10A and 10B, the communication control device 20, the network 30, and the carrier servers 41 to 43.

[0017] The communication terminals 10A and 10B are communication-capable terminals used by a user (a contractee with a telecommunications carrier, a subscriber, etc.) (see FIG. 1). As the communication terminals 10A and 10B, communication terminals capable of corresponding to a plurality of communication carriers are used. For example, communication terminals capable of mounting a plurality of SIM cards, communication terminals capable of mounting a multi-profile SIM card, communication terminals capable of writing contract information of a plurality of communication carriers to a SIM embedded in the terminal in advance via a network, etc. can be used. As the form of the communication terminals 10A and 10B, terminals having computer functions, such as smartphones, mobile routers, etc. can be used. As the communication method of the communication terminals 10A and 10B, a method capable of simultaneously using a plurality of communication carriers, for example, DSDA can be used. In FIG. 1, the communication terminals 10A and 10B are present in the communication overlapping area 3 and are capable of communicating with a plurality of radio base stations 31 to 33 in the network 30. The communication terminals 10A and 10B are configured to be able to be used even under conditions where interference of radio waves used by the radio base stations 31 to 33 occurs. The communication terminals 10A and 10B can be configured to virtually include a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and SIMs 13 to 16 by storing a predetermined program and executing the predetermined program. Note that the communication terminal 10A includes a plurality of SIMs 13 and 14 corresponding to different communication carriers (carriers A and B in FIG. 1), and the communication terminal 10B includes a plurality of SIMs 15 and 16 corresponding to different communication carriers (carriers B and C in FIG. 1).

[0018] The communication unit 11 is a functional unit that communicates with the radio base stations 31 to 33 corresponding to the SIMs 13 to 16 (see FIG. 1). The communication unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 12.

[0019] The control unit 12 is a functional unit that controls the communication unit 11 and the SIMs 13 to 16 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 12 selects the SIMs 13 to 16 to be used by receiving control from the communication control device 20.

[0020] SIMs 13-16 are functional units that store information to identify the user (e.g., mobile phone number, data communication identification information) (see Figure 1). SIMs 13-16 are controlled by the control unit 12. In Figure 1, SIM 13 is a SIM for carrier A, SIM 14 is a SIM for carrier B, SIM 15 is a SIM for carrier B, and SIM 16 is a SIM for carrier C.

[0021] The communication control device 20 is a device that controls communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 by monitoring the communication carriers related to radio base stations 31 to 33 that are able to communicate with communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3 (communication-enabled carriers), and the communication carriers related to radio base stations 31 to 33 that are currently being used by communication terminals 10A and 10B (carriers in use) (see Figure 1). In controlling communication, for example, it may be possible to control only data communication, only voice call communication, or both data communication and voice call communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33. The communication control device 20 is connected to radio base stations 31 to 33 in a communication-enabled manner. The communication control device 20 has a function to control the switching of SIMs 13 to 16 used by communication terminals 10A and 10B in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by multiple radio base stations 31 to 33 corresponding to the communication overlap area 3. For example, a computer, a server, etc., can be used as the communication control device 20. The communication control device 20 can store a predetermined program and, by executing the predetermined program, virtually be configured to include an information acquisition unit 21, an information holding unit 22, and a communication control unit 23.

[0022] The information acquisition unit 21 is a functional unit that acquires predetermined information from communication terminals 10A and 10B (or wireless base stations 31-33) (see Figure 1). The information acquisition unit 21 acquires information about the communication carriers (communication-enabled carrier information) related to wireless base stations 31-33 that are able to communicate with communication terminals 10A and 10B from communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3. The information acquisition unit 21 also acquires information about the communication carriers (currently used carrier information) related to wireless base stations 31-33 that are currently being used by communication terminals 10A and 10B.

[0023] The information holding unit 22 is a functional unit that holds (stores) predetermined information (see Figure 1). The information holding unit 22 holds radio interference information 22a and communicable carrier information 22b. Radio interference information 22a is information regarding radio interference confirmed from the antenna configuration of communication terminals 10A and 10B and the combination of communication carriers used by communication terminals 10A and 10B, and is pre-set information. Radio interference information 22a specifies the combination of communication carriers (carrier A and B in Figure 1) related to radio base stations (31 and 32 in Figure 1) that use radio waves known to cause interference in the communication overlap area 3 (see Figure 2). Communicable carrier information 22b is information on the communication carriers (carrier A and B for communication terminal 10A, and carrier B and C for communication terminal 10B) related to radio base stations 31 to 33 that are able to communicate with communication terminals 10A and 10B, which are located in the communication overlap area 3. The available carrier information 22b is updated to the latest state depending on the presence of communication terminals 10A and 10B within the overlapping communication area 3.

[0024] The communication control unit 23 is a functional unit that controls communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3 and radio base stations 31 to 33 (see Figure 1). Based on the communicationable carrier information 22b in the information holding unit 22 (or communicationable carrier information acquired by the information acquisition unit 21), the communication control unit 23 determines whether there are multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B in the communication overlap area 3. If there are multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B in the communication overlap area 3, the communication control unit 23 determines, based on the carrier information currently in use acquired by the information acquisition unit 21, whether the communication carrier in the carrier information currently in use corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a of the information holding unit 22. If the communication carrier in the carrier information currently in use corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a of the information holding unit 22, the communication control unit 23 determines whether a change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 is necessary. In determining whether a change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and wireless base stations 31-33 is necessary, for example, it is possible to determine whether the communication carriers related to wireless base stations 31-33 that communication terminals 10A and 10B located in communication overlap area 3 can communicate with overlap (full overlap, partial overlap), or, if communication carriers overlap, whether at least one of the communication terminals 10A and 10B located in communication overlap area 3 is currently unused. If a change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and wireless base stations 31-33 is necessary, the communication control unit 23 performs a communication change process between communication terminals 10A and 10B located in communication overlap area 3 and wireless base stations 31-33. In the communication change process, for example, the communication carrier related to a radio base station that is connected to an unused communication terminal (e.g., 10B in Figure 1) can be changed to a communication carrier (e.g., Carrier C) related to a radio base station (e.g., 33 in Figure 1) that does not interfere with the radio waves of a radio base station (e.g., 31 in Figure 1) that is connected to a communication terminal in use (e.g., 10A in Figure 1).

[0025] Network 30 is an information and communication network that is able to communicate with communication terminals 10A and 10B and carrier servers 41 to 43 (see Figure 1). Network 30 has multiple radio base stations 31 to 33 corresponding to communication overlap area 3. The multiple radio base stations 31 to 33 correspond to different communication carriers. In Figure 1, radio base station 31 is a radio base station for carrier A, radio base station 32 is a radio base station for carrier B, and radio base station 33 is a radio base station for carrier C.

[0026] Carrier servers 41-43 are servers for the communication carriers (carriers A-C in Figure 1) (see Figure 1). Carrier servers 41-43 are connected to network 30 in a communication-enabled manner. Carrier servers 41-43 manage information regarding the communication of wireless base stations 31-33 corresponding to their respective communication carriers, and communication terminals 10A and 10B that have SIM cards 13-16 corresponding to their respective communication carriers, within network 30.

[0027] Next, the operation of the communication system according to Embodiment 1 will be explained using drawings. Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the operation of the first example of the configuration of the communication control device of the communication system according to this disclosure. Please refer to Figure 1 for the configuration of the communication system.

[0028] First, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires information about the communication carriers (communication-enabled carrier information) related to the wireless base stations 31-33 that are able to communicate with the communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3, and stores it in the information holding unit 22 (step A1).

[0029] Next, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires information about the communication carriers (carrier information in use) related to the wireless base stations 31-33 that are being used by the communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3 (step A2).

[0030] Next, the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines whether or not multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B exist in the communication overlap area 3 based on the communicationable carrier information 22b in the information holding unit 22 (step A3). If multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B do not exist in the communication overlap area 3 (NO in step A3), the process ends and then returns to the start.

[0031] If multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B exist in communication overlap area 3 (YES in step A3), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines, based on the carrier information in use acquired by the information acquisition unit 21, whether the communication carrier in the carrier information in use corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a of the information holding unit 22 (step A4). If the communication carrier in the carrier information in use does not correspond to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a (NO in step A4), the process terminates and then returns to the start.

[0032] If the communication carrier in the currently used carrier information corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a (YES in step A4), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines whether a change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 is necessary (step A5). In determining whether a change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 is necessary, for example, it can determine whether the communication carriers related to radio base stations 31 to 33 that communication terminals 10A and 10B in the communication overlap area 3 can communicate with overlap (full overlap, partial overlap), or if the communication carriers overlap, it can determine whether at least one of the communication terminals 10A and 10B in the communication overlap area 3 is currently unused. If no change in communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 is necessary (NO in step A5), the process ends, and then returns to the start.

[0033] If a change in communication is required between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31-33 (YES in step A5), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 performs a communication change process between communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3 and radio base stations 31-33 (step A6), then terminates and returns to the start. In the communication change process, for example, the communication carrier related to the radio base station that is connected to an unused communication terminal (for example, 10B in Figure 1) is changed to the communication carrier (for example, carrier C) related to a radio base station (for example, 33 in Figure 1) that does not interfere with the radio waves of the radio base station (for example, 31 in Figure 1) that is connected to an unused communication terminal (for example, 10A in Figure 1). That is, the SIM selected by the unused communication terminal 10B is switched from SIM 15 for carrier B to SIM 16 for carrier C.

[0034] According to Form 1, the available carriers and currently used carriers of communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3 are monitored, and communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and wireless base stations 31-33 is controlled. Therefore, even communication terminals 10A and 10B that can support multiple communication carriers (carriers A-C in Figure 1) can contribute to stable communication while avoiding radio interference.

[0035] Furthermore, according to Form 1, since communication between the communication terminals 10A and 10B and the wireless base stations 31 to 33 is switched to avoid interference with the radio waves used by the wireless base stations 31 to 33, there is no need to restrict the use of radio waves from the wireless base stations 31 to 33 that are connected to the communication terminals 10A and 10B in a communication-enabled manner, and communication can be stabilized.

[0036] [Form 2] The communication system relating to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to drawings. Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the communication system relating to this disclosure. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of radio interference information used in the second example of the configuration of the communication system relating to this disclosure.

[0037] Embodiment 2 is a modification of Embodiment 1, in which the wireless base stations 31-33 and the communication control device 20 are connected to each other via the network 30. Furthermore, Embodiment 2 is designed to avoid radio interference even in multiple overlapping communication areas 3A-3N. Accordingly, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires available carrier information and currently used carrier information from the communication terminals 10A and 10B (or wireless base stations 31-33) via the network 30. In addition, it acquires location information of the communication terminals 10A and 10B via the network 30 so that it can identify which overlapping communication area 3A-3N each terminal belongs to. As location information for communication terminals 10A and 10B, for example, location information identified by the GPS (Global Positioning System) of communication terminals 10A and 10B, location information identified based on the location information of radio base stations 31-33 that are communicably connected to communication terminals 10A and 10B and the reception level between radio base stations 31-33 and communication terminals 10A and 10B, etc., can be used. The communication control device 20 controls communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31-33 via the network 30. A network other than the network 30 (not shown) may be used for communication between radio base stations 31-33 and the communication control device 20. The other configurations are the same as those in the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0038] Next, the operation of the communication system according to Embodiment 2 will be explained using drawings. Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the operation of a second example of the configuration of the communication control device of the communication system according to this disclosure. For the configuration of the communication system, please refer to Figure 5.

[0039] First, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires information about communication carriers (communication-enabled carrier information) related to wireless base stations 31-33 that are able to communicate with communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3A-3N, via the network 30, and stores it in the information holding unit 22 (step B1).

[0040] Next, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires information about the communication carriers (carrier information in use) related to the wireless base stations 31 to 33 that are being used by the communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3A to 3N, via the network 30 (step B2).

[0041] Next, the information acquisition unit 21 of the communication control device 20 acquires the location information of communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap areas 3A to 3N via the network 30 (step B3). If the location information of communication terminals 10A and 10B is included in the available carrier information or the carrier information currently in use, step B3 may be omitted or skipped.

[0042] Next, the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines whether multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B exist in a communication overlap area (any one of areas 3A to 3N) based on the communicationable carrier information 22b in the information holding unit 22 and the location information of communication terminals 10A and 10B acquired by the information acquisition unit 21 (step B4). If multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B do not exist in a communication overlap area (any one of areas 3A to 3N) (NO in step B4), the process ends and then returns to the start.

[0043] If multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B exist in a communication overlap area (any one of areas 3A to 3N) (YES in step B4), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines, based on the carrier information in use acquired by the information acquisition unit 21, whether the communication carrier in the carrier information in use corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a of the information holding unit 22 (step B5). If the communication carrier in the carrier information in use does not correspond to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a (NO in step B5), the process terminates and then returns to the start.

[0044] If the communication carrier in the currently used carrier information corresponds to a communication carrier specified in the radio interference information 22a (YES in step B5), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 determines whether a change in communication between the communication terminals 10A and 10B and the radio base stations 31 to 33 is necessary (step B6). If a change in communication between the communication terminals 10A and 10B and the radio base stations 31 to 33 is not necessary (NO in step B6), the process ends and then returns to start.

[0045] If a change in communication is required between communication terminals 10A and 10B and radio base stations 31 to 33 (YES in step B6), the communication control unit 23 of the communication control device 20 performs a communication change process between communication terminals 10A and 10B located in the communication overlap area 3A to 3N and radio base stations 31 to 33 via the network 30 (step B7), then terminates and returns to the start. In the communication change process, for example, the communication carrier related to a radio base station that is connected to an unused communication terminal (e.g., 10B in Figure 5) can be changed to a communication carrier (e.g., carrier C) related to a radio base station (e.g., 33 in Figure 5) that does not interfere with radio waves from a radio base station (e.g., 31 in Figure 5) that is connected to a communication terminal in use (e.g., 10A in Figure 5).

[0046] [effect] According to Form 2, similar to Form 1, communication terminals 10A and 10B that can support multiple communication carriers (carriers A to C in Figure 1) can also contribute to stable communication by avoiding radio interference. Furthermore, since the communication control device 20 is connected to wireless base stations 31 to 33 that support multiple overlapping communication areas 3A to 3N via the network 30, stable communication can be achieved by avoiding radio interference in each overlapping communication area 3A to 3N.

[0047] [Form 3] A communication control device relating to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to drawings. Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication control device relating to this disclosure.

[0048] The communication control device 20 is configured to control communication between multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B (or more than three) located in the communication overlap area 3 and multiple radio base stations 31 to 33 (or more than four) in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by multiple radio base stations 31 to 33 (or more than four) corresponding to the communication overlap area 3. The communication overlap area 3 is an area where the communication areas of multiple radio base stations 31 to 33, each with different corresponding communication carriers (carriers A to C in Figure 8), overlap. Each of the multiple communication terminals 10A and 10B can communicate with at least two of the multiple radio base stations 31 to 33.

[0049] According to Form 3, communication between communication terminals 10A and 10B located in communication overlap area 3 and wireless base stations 31-33 is controlled to avoid radio wave interference in communication overlap area 3. Therefore, even communication terminals 10A and 10B that can support multiple communication carriers can avoid radio wave interference and contribute to stable communication.

[0050] Furthermore, the communication control devices according to forms 1 to 3 can be composed of so-called hardware resources (information processing devices, computers), and a configuration as illustrated in Figure 9 can be used. For example, the hardware resources 100 include a processor 101, memory 102, network interface 103, etc., which are interconnected by an internal bus 104.

[0051] The configuration shown in Figure 9 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resource 100. The hardware resource 100 may include hardware not shown (e.g., input / output interfaces). Similarly, the number of units such as processors 101 included in the device is not limited to the example shown in Figure 9; for example, multiple processors 101 may be included in the hardware resource 100. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processor Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc., can be used for the processor 101.

[0052] Memory 102 can be, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0053] The network interface 103 can use, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, etc.

[0054] The functions of the hardware resource 100 are realized by the processing module described above. This processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 101 executing a program stored in memory 102. Furthermore, this program can be downloaded via a network or updated using a storage medium containing the program. Moreover, the processing module may be implemented by a semiconductor chip. In other words, the functions performed by the processing module can be realized by the execution of software on some hardware.

[0055] Some or all of the above forms may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0056] [Note 1] It is configured to control communication between multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area and the multiple wireless base stations in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by multiple wireless base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area. The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. Communication control device. [Note 2] The plurality of communication terminals are equipped with a plurality of SIMs, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, and are configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations according to the plurality of SIMs. The communication control device is configured to switch the SIM selected by one of the communication terminals when controlling communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area. The communication control device described in Appendix 1. [Note 3] An information acquisition unit configured to acquire communicationable carrier information of the communication carriers related to the multiple wireless base stations that are able to communicate with the multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area, and to acquire in-use carrier information of the communication carriers related to the wireless base stations that are being used by the multiple communication terminals, An information holding unit configured to hold radio interference information that defines a combination of communication carriers relating to any of the plurality of wireless base stations that use radio waves known to cause interference in the aforementioned communication overlap area, A communication control unit is configured to control communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations located in the communication overlap area by switching the SIM selected in any of the multiple communication terminals in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by the multiple radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, based on the communication-enabled carrier information, the carrier information in use, and the radio wave interference information. Equipped with, The communication control device described in Appendix 2. [Note 4] The communication control unit, A process to determine whether the multiple communication terminals exist in the communication overlap area based on the communication-enabled carrier information, If multiple communication terminals exist in the aforementioned communication overlap area, a process is performed to determine whether the communication carrier in the currently used carrier information corresponds to the communication carrier specified in the radio interference information, based on the currently used carrier information. If the communication carrier in the carrier information currently in use corresponds to the communication carrier specified in the radio interference information, the process determines whether a change in communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations is necessary. If a change in communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations is required, the process includes performing a communication change operation between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area. It is configured to do, The communication control device described in Appendix 3. [Note 5] The communication control unit is configured to determine whether a change in communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of radio base stations is necessary, to determine whether the communication carriers of the plurality of radio base stations that can communicate with the plurality of communication terminals located in the communication overlap area overlap, and if the communication carriers overlap, to determine whether at least one of the plurality of communication terminals located in the communication overlap area is currently unused. The communication control device described in Appendix 4. [Note 6] The communication control unit is configured such that, when performing the communication change processing, the communication carrier relating to the radio base station that is to be connected to the unused communication terminal in a communicative manner becomes the communication carrier relating to the radio base station that does not interfere with the radio waves of the radio base station that is currently connected to the communication terminal in use. A communication control device as described in Appendix 4 or 5. [Note 7] The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire location information for each of the multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area. The communication control unit is configured to determine whether or not the multiple communication terminals exist in the communication overlap area based on the available carrier information and the location information. A communication control device as described in any one of the appendices 4 to 6. [Note 8] The communication control device is configured to switch the SIM selected by one of the multiple communication terminals when switching the SIM selected by one of the multiple communication terminals that is not currently in use. A communication control device as described in any one of Appendix 2 to 7. [Note 9] The communication control device is configured to control at least one of data communication and voice call communication when controlling communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations. A communication control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 8. [Note 10] The communication control device is connected to communicate directly with the plurality of wireless base stations. A communication control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 9. [Note 11] The communication control device is connected to the plurality of wireless base stations via a network in a manner that enables communication. A communication control device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10. [Note 12] Multiple wireless base stations with different corresponding communication carriers, Multiple communication terminals configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned multiple wireless base stations, A communication control device described in any one of the appendices 1 to 11, A communication system equipped with these features. [Note 13] The communication control device includes the step of controlling communication between a plurality of communication terminals located in a communication overlap area and the plurality of radio base stations in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by the plurality of radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. Communication control method. [Note 14] In order to avoid interference from radio waves used by multiple wireless base stations corresponding to a communication overlap area, the communication control device is instructed to perform a process that controls communication between multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area and the multiple wireless base stations. The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. program.

[0057] Furthermore, the disclosures in the above-mentioned patent documents are incorporated into this document by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention as necessary. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims and drawings), further modifications and adjustments to the form or embodiment are possible based on the basic technical concept. Also, within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (or non-selection as necessary) of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each form or embodiment, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims and drawings, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. Furthermore, regarding the numerical values ​​and numerical ranges described in this application, any intermediate values, lower values, and smaller ranges shall be deemed to be described even if not explicitly stated. Moreover, each disclosure item of the above-mentioned cited documents may, as necessary, be used in part or in whole as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, in combination with the matters described in this document, and these items shall also be deemed to be included in (belong to) the disclosure items of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Communication System 3, 3A~3N Communication overlap area 10A, 10B communication terminals 11 Communications Department 12 Control Unit 13-16 SIM 20 Communication control device 21 Information Acquisition Department 22 Information Holding Department 22a Radio interference information 22b Information on available carriers 23 Communication Control Unit 30 Networks 31-33 Wireless base stations 41-43 Carrier Servers 100 hardware resources 101 Processors 102 memory 103 Network Interface 104 Internal Bus

Claims

1. It is configured to control communication between multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area and the multiple wireless base stations in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by multiple wireless base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area. The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. A communication control device, The plurality of communication terminals are equipped with a plurality of SIMs, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, and are configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations according to the plurality of SIMs. The communication control device is configured to switch the SIM selected by one of the communication terminals when controlling communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area. An information acquisition unit configured to acquire communicationable carrier information of the communication carriers related to the multiple wireless base stations that are able to communicate with the multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area, and to acquire in-use carrier information of the communication carriers related to the wireless base stations that are being used by the multiple communication terminals, An information holding unit configured to hold radio interference information that defines a combination of communication carriers relating to any of the plurality of wireless base stations that use radio waves known to cause interference in the aforementioned communication overlap area, A communication control unit is configured to control communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations located in the communication overlap area by switching the SIM selected in any of the multiple communication terminals in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by the multiple radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, based on the communication-enabled carrier information, the carrier information in use, and the radio wave interference information. Equipped with, Communication control device.

2. The communication control unit, A process to determine whether the multiple communication terminals exist in the communication overlap area based on the communication-enabled carrier information, If multiple communication terminals exist in the aforementioned communication overlap area, a process is performed to determine whether the communication carrier in the currently used carrier information corresponds to the communication carrier specified in the radio interference information, based on the currently used carrier information. If the communication carrier in the carrier information currently in use corresponds to the communication carrier specified in the radio interference information, a process is performed to determine whether a change in communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations is necessary. If a change in communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations is required, the process includes performing a communication change operation between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area. It is configured to do, The communication control device according to claim 1.

3. The communication control unit is configured to determine whether a change in communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of radio base stations is necessary, to determine whether the communication carriers of the plurality of radio base stations that can communicate with the plurality of communication terminals located in the communication overlap area overlap, and if the communication carriers overlap, to determine whether at least one of the plurality of communication terminals located in the communication overlap area is currently unused. The communication control device according to claim 2.

4. The communication control unit is configured such that, when performing the communication change processing, the communication carrier relating to the radio base station that is to be connected to the unused communication terminal in a communicative manner becomes the communication carrier relating to the radio base station that does not interfere with the radio waves of the radio base station that is currently connected to the communication terminal in use. The communication control device according to claim 2.

5. The communication control device is connected to the plurality of wireless base stations via a network in a manner that enables communication. The communication control device according to claim 1.

6. Multiple wireless base stations with different corresponding communication carriers, Multiple communication terminals configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned multiple wireless base stations, A communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A communication system equipped with these features.

7. The communication control device includes the step of controlling communication between a plurality of communication terminals located in a communication overlap area and the plurality of radio base stations in order to avoid interference of radio waves used by the plurality of radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. A communication control method, The plurality of communication terminals are equipped with a plurality of SIMs, each corresponding to a different communication carrier, and are configured to communicate with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations according to the plurality of SIMs. The communication control device, when controlling communication between the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area, includes the step of switching the SIM selected by one of the plurality of communication terminals, The steps include: obtaining communication available carrier information for the communication carriers relating to the multiple wireless base stations that are able to communicate with the multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area, and obtaining in-use carrier information for the communication carriers relating to the wireless base stations that are being used by the multiple communication terminals; A step of holding radio interference information that defines the combination of communication carriers relating to any of the plurality of radio base stations that use radio waves known to cause interference in the aforementioned communication overlap area, A step of controlling communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations located in the communication overlap area by switching the SIM selected in any of the multiple communication terminals in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by the multiple radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, based on the communication-enabled carrier information, the carrier information in use, and the radio wave interference information. Equipped with, Communication control method.

8. In order to avoid interference from radio waves used by multiple wireless base stations corresponding to a communication overlap area, the communication control device is instructed to perform a process that controls communication between multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area and the multiple wireless base stations. The aforementioned communication overlap area is an area where the communication areas of the multiple wireless base stations, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, overlap. Each of the aforementioned plurality of communication terminals is configured to communicate with at least two of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations. A program, wherein the communication control device, The plurality of communication terminals are equipped with a plurality of SIMs, each with a different corresponding communication carrier, and are configured to enable communication with at least two of the plurality of radio base stations according to the plurality of SIMs. The communication control device controls communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple wireless base stations located in the communication overlap area, and performs a process to switch the SIM selected by one of the multiple communication terminals. The process involves obtaining communication available carrier information for the communication carriers related to the multiple wireless base stations that are able to communicate with the multiple communication terminals located in the communication overlap area, and obtaining in-use carrier information for the communication carriers related to the wireless base stations that are currently being used by the multiple communication terminals. A process for holding radio interference information that defines the combination of communication carriers relating to any of the multiple radio base stations that use radio waves known to cause interference in the aforementioned communication overlap area, A process to control communication between the multiple communication terminals and the multiple radio base stations located in the communication overlap area by switching the SIM selected in any of the multiple communication terminals in order to avoid interference from radio waves used by the multiple radio base stations corresponding to the communication overlap area, based on the communication-enabled carrier information, the carrier information in use, and the radio wave interference information. To execute program.

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