Wireless base stations, wireless relay equipment, mobile devices, wireless communication systems, wireless communication methods, and programs

Abstract

Provided is a wireless relay device which relays communication between a terminal device and a wireless base station and comprises a control unit which acquires a result of measuring communication quality in the wireless relay device and a communication unit which transmits measured information indicating the result of measuring the communication quality to the wireless base station. The communication unit further receives configuration information relating to a configuration of the wireless relay device from the wireless base station in response to the transmission of the measured information to the wireless base station. The control unit further controls the operation of the wireless relay device on the basis of the configuration information received from the wireless base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio base station, a radio relay device, a mobile body, a radio communication system, a radio communication method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Technologies related to mobile communication are described in Patent Documents 1 to 5. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent No. 6207397 Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent No. 5365738 Patent Document 3 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-099032 Patent Document 4 Japanese Patent No. 7119215 Patent Document 5 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-169197 Problems to be Solved

[0003] By the way, in a radio relay device that relays communication between a terminal device and a radio base station, it is an issue to perform appropriate control as a radio relay device according to the communication quality in the radio relay device. The present application can solve the above issue and improve the communication stability in a mobile body equipped with a radio relay device. And, by extension, it can further improve traffic safety and contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system. General Disclosure

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, a radio relay device is provided. The radio relay device relays communication between a terminal device and a radio base station. The radio relay device includes a control unit that acquires a measurement result of communication quality in the radio relay device. The radio relay device includes a communication unit that transmits measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality to the radio base station. The communication unit further receives setting information regarding the setting of the radio relay device from the radio base station in response to the transmission of the measurement information to the radio base station. The control unit further controls the operation of the radio relay device based on the setting information received from the radio base station.

[0005] In the above-described wireless relay device, the control unit may, upon receiving the setting information from the wireless base station, generate first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on the setting information. The communication unit may further transmit the first setting information to the terminal device.

[0006] In any of the above wireless relay devices, the communication unit may further receive measurement information from the terminal device indicating the measurement result of the communication quality at the terminal device. The control unit may further generate second setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on the measurement information received from the terminal device. The communication unit may further transmit the second setting information to the terminal device.

[0007] In any of the above-described wireless relay devices, the control unit may further generate third configuration information relating to the settings of the terminal device. The communication unit may further transmit the third configuration information to the terminal device. The third configuration information may include at least one of the following: configuration information for causing the terminal device to be within range of the wireless relay device, and configuration information for causing the terminal device to prioritize communication with the wireless relay device.

[0008] In a second embodiment, a mobile body is provided, comprising one of the wireless relay devices described above.

[0009] In a third embodiment, a program is provided which causes a computer to function as one of the wireless relay devices described above.

[0010] In a fourth embodiment, a wireless communication system is provided. The wireless communication system comprises one of the wireless relay devices described above and the wireless base station.

[0011] In a fifth embodiment, a wireless base station is provided. The wireless base station communicates with a terminal device via a wireless relay device. The wireless base station includes a communication unit that receives first measurement information indicating the result of measuring the communication quality at the terminal device. The wireless base station includes a control unit that generates first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device and second setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the first measurement information. The communication unit further transmits the first setting information to the terminal device and the second setting information to the wireless relay device.

[0012] In the above-mentioned wireless base station, the communication unit may further receive second measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the wireless relay device. The control unit may further generate third setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the second measurement information. The communication unit may further transmit the third setting information to the wireless relay device.

[0013] In any of the above-mentioned wireless base stations, the control unit may further generate fourth setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on at least one of the second measurement information and the third setting information. The communication unit may further transmit the fourth setting information to the terminal device.

[0014] In a sixth embodiment, a wireless communication system is provided. The wireless communication system comprises one of the above-mentioned wireless base stations and the wireless relay device.

[0015] In a seventh embodiment, a program is provided which causes a computer to function as one of the above-described wireless base stations.

[0016] In an eighth embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided. The wireless communication method is performed by a wireless relay device that relays communication between a terminal device and a wireless base station. The wireless communication method includes a step of acquiring a measurement result of the communication quality in the wireless relay device. The wireless communication method includes a step of transmitting measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality to the wireless base station. In response to the transmission of the measurement information to the wireless base station, the wireless communication method includes a step of receiving setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device from the wireless base station. The wireless communication method includes a step of controlling the operation of the wireless relay device based on the setting information received from the wireless base station.

[0017] In a ninth embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided. The wireless communication method is performed by a wireless base station that communicates with a terminal device via a wireless relay device. The wireless communication method includes a step of receiving first measurement information indicating the result of measuring the communication quality at the terminal device. The wireless communication method includes a step of generating first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device and second setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the first measurement information. The wireless communication method includes a step of transmitting the first setting information to the terminal device and transmitting the second setting information to the wireless relay device.

[0018] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all of its features. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the configuration of a wireless communication system 5 according to one embodiment is shown below. [Figure 2] An example of the system configuration of the wireless relay device 110 is shown. [Figure 3] An example of the system configuration of wireless base station 120 is shown. [Figure 4] An example of a sequence related to the wireless communication method performed in the wireless communication system 5 is shown. [Figure 5] An example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method executed in the wireless communication system 5 is shown. [Figure 6] An example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method executed in the wireless communication system 5 is shown. [Figure 7] An example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method executed in the wireless communication system 5 is shown. [Figure 8] An example of a computer 2000 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in whole or in part is shown.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a wireless communication system 5 according to an embodiment. The wireless communication system 5 includes a radio base station 120a, a radio base station 120b, and a radio base station 120c, radio relay devices 110a and 110b, mobile bodies 100a and 100b, and terminal devices 140a, 140b, and 140c.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the radio base stations 120a, 120b, and 120c may sometimes be collectively referred to as "radio base station 120" by omitting the endings of the symbols. Similarly, the radio relay devices 110a and 110b may sometimes be collectively referred to as "radio relay device 110" by omitting the endings of the symbols. Similarly, the mobile bodies 100a and 100b may sometimes be collectively referred to as "mobile body 100" by omitting the endings of the symbols. Similarly, the terminal devices 140a, 140b, and 140c may sometimes be collectively referred to as "terminal device 140" by omitting the endings of the symbols.

[0023] The wireless base station 120 is a mobile communication base station that supports one or more mobile communication schemes. Similarly, the wireless relay device 110 and the terminal device 140 are wireless communication devices that support one or more mobile communication schemes. In this embodiment, the mobile communication schemes supported by the wireless base station 120, the wireless relay device 110, and the terminal device 140 may be, for example, mobile communication schemes used in mobile communication systems such as fourth-generation mobile communication systems (4G) and fifth-generation mobile communication systems (5G).

[0024] The wireless base station 120 is a base station fixed at a specific location. Each of the wireless base stations 120 forms a cell, and by forming a cell, it communicates wirelessly with the wireless relay device 110 and the terminal device 140. For example, cell 180a is a cell formed by wireless base station 120a, cell 180b is a cell formed by wireless base station 120b, and cell 180c is a cell formed by wireless base station 120c. In this embodiment, cells 180a, cell 180b, and cell 180c may be collectively referred to as "cell 180" by omitting the last suffix of the code.

[0025] The wireless relay device 110 has the function of providing services to the terminal device 140 as a wireless base station, and also has the function of receiving services from the wireless base station 120 as a terminal device. The wireless relay device 110 relays communication between the terminal device 140 and the wireless base station 120. The terminal device 140 can access the core network via the wireless base station 120. Even if the terminal device 140 cannot communicate wirelessly with the wireless base station 120 directly, it may still be able to access the core network via the wireless relay device 110 and the wireless base station 120.

[0026] Mobile unit 100 is a movable device. Mobile unit 100 is, for example, a vehicle such as a bus or a train. A vehicle is an example of a transportation device. Mobile unit 100 may be various aircraft including unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial satellites, ships, etc. Mobile unit 100a is equipped with a wireless relay device 110a. Mobile unit 100b is equipped with a wireless relay device 110b. Therefore, the wireless relay device 110a is movable together with mobile unit 100a, and the wireless relay device 110b is movable together with mobile unit 100b.

[0027] When mobile device 100a is located within cell 180a of wireless base station 120a, wireless relay device 110a relays communication between terminal device 140a, which is carried by the user on mobile device 100a, and wireless base station 120a. Furthermore, wireless relay device 110a relays communication between terminal device 140c, which is located near wireless relay device 110a, and wireless base station 120a. When mobile device 100b is located within cell 180b of wireless base station 120b, wireless relay device 110b relays communication between terminal device 140b, which is carried by the user on mobile device 100b, and wireless base station 120b.

[0028] In the wireless communication system 5 of this embodiment, the wireless relay device 110 measures the communication quality of the wireless communication in the wireless relay device 110 and transmits the measurement result to the wireless base station 120. Furthermore, the wireless relay device 110 controls its operation based on the setting information regarding the settings of the wireless relay device 110 received from the wireless base station 120. For example, the wireless relay device 110 performs processing related to handover, processing related to setting changes for the terminal device 140, and processing related to roaming. As a result, the wireless relay device 110 has the function of providing services to the terminal device 140 as a wireless base station, while also being able to receive appropriate services from the wireless base station 120 as a terminal device.

[0029] Figure 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the wireless relay device 110. The wireless relay device 110 relays communication between the wireless base station 120 and the terminal device 140. The wireless relay device 110 comprises a control unit 200, a storage unit 210, and a communication unit 220.

[0030] The control unit 200 controls the entire wireless relay device 110. The communication unit 220 is responsible for wireless communication between the wireless base station 120 and the terminal device 140. The control unit 200 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The storage unit 210 is implemented with a non-volatile storage medium. The control unit 200 performs processing using the information stored in the storage unit 210. The control unit 200 may be implemented by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and bus, etc. The wireless relay device 110 may be implemented by a computer. The wireless relay device 110 may be implemented by a single computer. The wireless relay device 110 may be implemented by multiple computers. The functions of the wireless relay device 110 may be implemented by a virtual system implemented using virtualization technology.

[0031] The control unit 200 acquires the measurement results of the communication quality in the wireless relay device 110. The communication unit 220 transmits the measurement information indicating the measurement results of the communication quality to the wireless base station 120. The communication unit 220 further receives setting information regarding the settings of the wireless relay device 110 from the wireless base station 120 in response to the transmission of the measurement information to the wireless base station 120. The control unit 200 further controls the operation of the wireless relay device 110 based on the setting information received from the wireless base station 120.

[0032] Furthermore, when the control unit 200 receives configuration information from the wireless base station 120, it generates first configuration information regarding the settings of the terminal device 140 based on the configuration information. The communication unit 220 then transmits the first configuration information to the terminal device 140.

[0033] The communication unit 220 further receives measurement information from the terminal device 140 indicating the measurement results of the communication quality in the terminal device 140. The control unit 200 further generates second setting information regarding the settings of the terminal device 140 based on the measurement information received from the terminal device 140. The communication unit 220 further transmits the second setting information to the terminal device 140.

[0034] The control unit 200 may further generate third configuration information relating to the settings of the terminal device 140. The communication unit 220 may further transmit the third configuration information to the terminal device 140. The third configuration information may include at least one of the following: configuration information for causing the terminal device 140 to be within range of the wireless relay device 110, and configuration information for causing the terminal device 140 to prioritize communication with the wireless relay device 110.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of the system configuration of the wireless base station 120. The wireless base station 120, which communicates with terminal devices via the wireless relay device 110, comprises a control unit 300, a storage unit 310, and a communication unit 320.

[0036] The control unit 300 controls the entire wireless base station 120. The communication unit 320 is responsible for wireless communication between the wireless relay device 110 and the terminal device 140. The control unit 300 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The storage unit 310 is implemented with a non-volatile storage medium. The control unit 300 performs processing using the information stored in the storage unit 310. The control unit 300 may be implemented by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and bus, etc. The wireless base station 120 may be implemented by a computer. The wireless base station 120 may be implemented by a single computer. The wireless base station 120 may be implemented by multiple computers. The functions of the wireless base station 120 may be implemented by a virtual system implemented using virtualization technology.

[0037] The communication unit 320 receives first measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the terminal device 140. Based on the first measurement information, the control unit 300 generates first setting information regarding the settings of the terminal device and second setting information regarding the settings of the wireless relay device 110. The communication unit 320 further transmits the first setting information to the terminal device and the second setting information to the wireless relay device 110.

[0038] The communication unit 320 further receives second measurement information indicating the measurement results of the communication quality in the wireless relay device 110. The control unit 300 further generates third setting information regarding the settings of the wireless relay device 110 based on the second measurement information. The communication unit 320 further transmits the third setting information to the wireless relay device 110.

[0039] The control unit 300 further generates fourth setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device 140 based on at least one of the second measurement information and the third setting information. The communication unit 320 further transmits the fourth setting information to the terminal device.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method performed in the wireless communication system 5. In S11, the control unit 200 of the wireless relay device 110 generates measurement information indicating the measurement result based on the measurement result of the communication quality in the wireless relay device 110, if it is determined that the communication quality meets predetermined determination conditions, and the communication unit 220 transmits the measurement information to the wireless base station 120. The measurement information may include information indicating the communication quality of the cell in the area and the communication quality of adjacent cells, as measured by the wireless relay device 110.

[0041] In S12, the control unit 300 of the wireless base station 120 generates setting information for the wireless relay device 110 based on the measurement information received in S11, and the communication unit 320 transmits this setting information to the wireless relay device 110.

[0042] In S13, the control unit 200 of the wireless relay device 110 generates setting information for the terminal device 140 based on the setting information received in S12, and the communication unit 220 transmits the setting information to the terminal device 140.

[0043] As an example, the configuration information transmitted in S12 may be information for changing the settings of the wireless repeater 110 in response to a change in communication quality in the wireless repeater 110 or a handover of the wireless repeater 110. For example, the configuration information transmitted in S12 may be information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the wireless repeater 110 in response to the change in communication quality or handover. The configuration information transmitted to the terminal device 140 in S13 may be information for changing the settings of the terminal device 140 in response to a change in communication quality in the wireless repeater 110 or a handover of the wireless repeater 110. For example, the configuration information transmitted in S13 may be information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the terminal device 140. The configuration information transmitted in S13 may include cell identification information of the cell to which the wireless repeater 110 will be handed over.

[0044] Next, the transmission and reception of measurement information and setting information between the terminal device 140 and the wireless relay device 110 will be described. In S21, the terminal device 140 generates measurement information indicating the measurement results and transmits the measurement information to the wireless relay device 110 if it determines that the communication quality meets predetermined criteria based on the measurement results of the communication quality at the terminal device 140. The measurement information may include information indicating the communication quality of the cell in the service area and the communication quality of adjacent cells, as measured at the terminal device 140.

[0045] In S22, the control unit 200 of the wireless relay device 110 generates setting information for the terminal device 140 based on the measurement information received in S21, and the communication unit 220 transmits this setting information to the terminal device 140. The setting information transmitted to the terminal device 140 in S22 may be information for changing the settings of the terminal device 140 in response to a change in communication quality in the terminal device 140 or a handover of the terminal device 140. For example, the setting information transmitted in S22 may be information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the terminal device 140.

[0046] The measurement information transmitted in S11 and S21 may be Measurement Report messages. The configuration information transmitted in S12, S13, and S22 may be RRC_Connection_Reconfiguration messages. The measurement information transmitted in S11 and S21 and the configuration information transmitted in S12, S13, and S22 may be transmitted using a U-Plane instead of a C-Plane. According to the sequence shown in Figure 4, even when the radio wave conditions in the wireless relay device 110 change due to the movement of the mobile device 100, appropriate procedures can be provided for the wireless relay device 110 to maintain its function as a relay device.

[0047] Note that the case in which the wireless relay device 110 transmits configuration information, as in S13, is not limited to the case in which the wireless relay device 110 receives configuration information from the wireless base station 120, as shown in Figure 4. For example, the control unit 200 of the wireless relay device 110 may generate configuration information to allow the terminal device 140 located at the wireless relay device 110 to stay at the wireless relay device 110 for a longer period of time, and the communication unit 220 may transmit this configuration information to the terminal device 140. Specifically, the control unit 200 may determine a higher determination criterion to reduce the likelihood of handover, and the communication unit 220 may include this determination criterion in the configuration information and transmit it to the terminal device 140. Alternatively, the control unit 200 may generate configuration information to set the priority of being at the wireless relay device 110 to "high," and the communication unit 220 may transmit this configuration information to the terminal device 140. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may generate configuration information to prioritize communication with the wireless relay device 110. For example, the control unit 200 may generate configuration information to set a higher QoS priority for the content provided to the terminal device 140 when it is within range of the wireless relay device 110, and the communication unit 220 may transmit this configuration information to the terminal device 140.

[0048] Figure 5 shows an example of a sequence related to the wireless communication method performed in the wireless communication system 5. Unlike the sequence in Figure 4, the sequence in Figure 5 is a sequence where the wireless base station 120 is primarily responsible for control.

[0049] In S31, the control unit 200 of the wireless relay device 110 determines, based on the measurement results of the communication quality in the wireless relay device 110, that the communication quality meets predetermined criteria, and generates measurement information indicating the measurement results. The communication unit 220 then transmits the measurement information to the wireless base station 120. The measurement information may include information indicating the communication quality of the cell in the area and the communication quality of adjacent cells, as measured by the wireless relay device 110.

[0050] In S32, the control unit 300 of the wireless base station 120 generates setting information for the wireless relay device 110 based on the measurement information received in S31, and the communication unit 320 transmits this setting information to the wireless relay device 110. The processing in S31 and S32 is the same as the processing in S11 and S12.

[0051] Unlike the sequence in Figure 4, in the sequence in Figure 5, in S33, the control unit 300 of the wireless base station 120 generates setting information for the terminal device 140 based on at least one of the measurement information received in S31 or the setting information transmitted in S32, and the communication unit 320 transmits the setting information to the terminal device 140.

[0052] Next, the transmission and reception of measurement information and setting information between the terminal device 140 and the wireless relay device 110 and the wireless base station 120 will be explained. In S41, the terminal device 140 generates measurement information indicating the measurement result and transmits it to the wireless base station 120 if it determines that the communication quality meets predetermined criteria based on the measurement result of the communication quality in the terminal device 140. The measurement information may include information indicating the communication quality of the cell in the service area and the communication quality of adjacent cells, as measured by the terminal device 140.

[0053] In S42, the control unit 300 of the wireless base station 120 generates setting information for the wireless relay device 110 based on the measurement information received in S41, and the communication unit 320 transmits this setting information to the wireless relay device 110. Furthermore, in S43, the control unit 300 generates setting information for the terminal device 140, and the communication unit 320 transmits this setting information to the terminal device 140. The setting information transmitted to the wireless relay device 110 in S42 may be information for changing the settings of the wireless relay device 110 in response to a change in communication quality in the terminal device 140 or a handover of the terminal device 140. For example, the setting information transmitted in S42 may be information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the wireless relay device 110. The setting information transmitted in S42 may also include information indicating the terminal identification information of the terminal device 140 where a change in communication quality or handover has occurred.

[0054] The measurement information transmitted in S31 and S41 may be a Measurement Report message. The configuration information transmitted in S32, S33, S42, and S43 may be an RRC_Connection_Reconfiguration message. The measurement information transmitted in S31 and S41 and the configuration information transmitted in S32, S33, S42, and S43 may be transmitted using a U-Plane instead of a C-Plane. According to the sequence shown in Figure 5, even when the radio wave conditions at the wireless relay device 110 change due to the movement of the mobile device 100, a procedure can be provided that the wireless base station 120 will take the lead in executing to maintain the functionality of the wireless relay device 110 as a relay device.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method performed in the wireless communication system 5. The sequence in Figure 6 shows the sequence when roaming occurs in response to a change in communication quality in the wireless relay device 110. When roaming occurs, the wireless base station 120 takes the lead in control. Therefore, in S51, S52, and S53 in Figure 6, the same processing as in S31, S32, and S33 in Figure 5 is performed, and roaming processing is performed in S54. However, the configuration information transmitted in S52 and S53 may include information indicating the roaming source and roaming destination.

[0056] Figure 7 shows an example of a sequence related to a wireless communication method executed in the wireless communication system 5. The sequence in Figure 7 shows the sequence when roaming occurs in response to a change in communication quality in the terminal device 140. When roaming occurs, the wireless base station 120 takes the lead in control. Therefore, in S61, S62, and S63 in Figure 7, the same processing as in S41, S42, and S43 in Figure 5 is performed, and roaming processing is performed in S64. However, the configuration information transmitted in S62 and S63 may include information indicating the roaming source and roaming destination.

[0057] According to the wireless communication system 5 described above, even if the radio wave conditions at the wireless relay device 110 change due to the movement of the mobile body 100, appropriate procedures can be provided for the wireless relay device 110 to maintain its function as a relay device. Furthermore, even if the radio wave conditions change at the terminal device 140 where the wireless relay device 110 is providing services as a base station, appropriate procedures can be provided for the wireless relay device 110 to continue functioning as a base station. As a result, the stability of communication by the wireless relay device 110 can be improved, and consequently, traffic safety for the mobile body 100 can be enhanced.

[0058] Figure 8 shows an example of a computer 2000 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2000 can cause the computer 2000 to function as a system or parts of a system according to an embodiment, or as various devices such as a wireless base station and a wireless relay device or parts of such devices, to perform operations associated with such system or parts of a system or such devices or parts of such devices, and / or to perform a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2012 to cause the computer 2000 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the processing procedures and blocks of the block diagram described herein.

[0059] The computer 2000 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2012 and RAM 2014, which are interconnected by a host controller 2010. The computer 2000 also includes a ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, communication interface 2022, and input / output chip 2040. The ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, communication interface 2022, and input / output chip 2040 are connected to the host controller 2010 via an input / output controller 2020.

[0060] CPU2012 operates according to the programs stored in ROM2026 and RAM2014, thereby controlling each unit.

[0061] The communication interface 2022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The flash memory 2024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2012 in the computer 2000. The ROM 2026 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 2000, such as those executed by the computer 2000 upon activation. The input / output chip 2040 may also connect various input / output units, such as keyboards, mice, and monitors, to the input / output controller 2020 via input / output ports such as serial ports, parallel ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, monitor ports, USB ports, and HDMI® ports.

[0062] The program is provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or memory card, or via a network. RAM2014, ROM2026, or flash memory 2024 are examples of computer-readable storage media. The program is installed in flash memory 2024, RAM2014, or ROM2026 and executed by CPU2012. The information processing described within these programs is read by computer 2000, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of computer 2000.

[0063] For example, when communication is performed between computer 2000 and an external device, CPU 2012 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2014 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2022 to perform communication processing. Under the control of CPU 2012, the communication interface 2022 reads the transmission data stored in the transmit buffer processing area provided in the recording medium such as RAM 2014 and flash memory 2024, sends the read transmission data to the network, and writes the received data received from the network to the receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0064] Furthermore, CPU2012 may read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on a recording medium such as flash memory 2024 into RAM2014, and perform various types of processing on the data in RAM2014. CPU2012 then writes the processed data back to the recording medium.

[0065] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU2012 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM2014, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described herein and specified by the program's instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM2014. The CPU2012 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU2012 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0066] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer-readable storage media on computer 2000. Recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable storage media. Programs stored on computer-readable storage media may be provided to computer 2000 via the network.

[0067] A program installed on computer 2000, which causes computer 2000 to function as a wireless relay device 110, may interact with CPU 2012, etc., to cause computer 2000 to function as each part of the wireless relay device 110. The information processing described in these programs is read by computer 2000 and functions as each part of the wireless relay device 110, which is a concrete means of cooperation between software and the various hardware resources described above. Then, by realizing the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, a wireless relay device 110 specific to the purpose of use is constructed.

[0068] A program installed on computer 2000, which causes computer 2000 to function as a wireless base station 120, may interact with CPU 2012 and other components to cause computer 2000 to function as various parts of the wireless base station 120. The information processing described in these programs is read by computer 2000 and functions as various parts of the wireless base station 120, which are concrete means of cooperation between software and the various hardware resources described above. Then, by realizing the calculation or processing of information according to the purpose of use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, a specific wireless base station 120 suited to the purpose of use is constructed.

[0069] Various embodiments have been described with reference to block diagrams, etc. In a block diagram, each block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed, or (2) a part of a device that has the role of performing an operation. A particular stage and part may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logic AND, logic OR, logic XOR, logic NAND, logic NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0070] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, and as a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein constitutes at least part of a product containing instructions that can be executed to provide a means for performing an operation specified in a processing procedure or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0071] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0072] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN), such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet, to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, and may be executed to provide a means for performing the described processing procedure or the operation specified in the block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and the like.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that it is mandatory to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 5 Wireless communication systems 100 Mobile Units 110 Wireless relay device 120 wireless base stations 140 Terminal devices 180 cells 200 Control Unit 210 Storage section 220 Communications Department 300 Control Unit 310 Storage section 320 Communications Department 2000 Computer 2010 Host Controller 2012 CPU 2014 RAM 2020 Input / Output Controller 2022 Communication Interface 2024 Flash Memory 2026 ROM 2040 Input / Output Chip

Claims

1. A wireless relay device that relays communication between a terminal device and a wireless base station, A control unit that acquires the measurement results of the communication quality in the wireless relay device, A communication unit that transmits measurement information indicating the measurement results of the communication quality to the wireless base station. Equipped with, The communication unit further receives setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device from the wireless base station in response to the transmission of the measurement information to the wireless base station. The control unit further controls the operation of the wireless relay device based on the setting information received from the wireless base station, The aforementioned setting information includes information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the wireless relay device. The communication unit further receives measurement information from the terminal device indicating the measurement results of the communication quality in the terminal device. The control unit further generates second setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on the measurement information received from the terminal device. The communication unit further transmits the second setting information to the terminal device. The second setting information includes information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the terminal device. Wireless relay device.

2. The control unit further generates first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on the setting information when it receives the setting information from the wireless base station. The communication unit further transmits the first setting information to the terminal device. The wireless relay device according to claim 1.

3. The first setting information includes information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the terminal device. The wireless relay device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit further generates a third setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device, The communication unit further transmits the third setting information to the terminal device. The third configuration information includes at least one of the following: configuration information for causing the terminal device to be within range of the wireless relay device, and configuration information for causing the terminal device to prioritize communication with the wireless relay device. A wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A mobile body comprising a wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as a wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned wireless base station and A wireless communication system equipped with [the following features].

8. A wireless base station that communicates with a terminal device via a wireless relay device, A communication unit that receives first measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the terminal device, A control unit generates first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device and second setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the first measurement information. Equipped with, The communication unit further transmits the first setting information to the terminal device and the second setting information to the wireless relay device. The communication unit further receives second measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the wireless relay device. The control unit further generates third setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the second measurement information. The communication unit further transmits the third setting information to the wireless relay device. The control unit further generates a fourth setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on at least one of the second measurement information and the third setting information. The communication unit further transmits the fourth setting information to the terminal device. Wireless base station.

9. The wireless base station described in claim 8, The wireless relay device and A wireless communication system equipped with [the following features].

10. A program for causing a computer to function as a wireless base station as described in claim 8.

11. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless relay device that relays communication between a terminal device and a wireless base station, The steps include: obtaining the measurement results of the communication quality in the aforementioned wireless relay device; The step of transmitting measurement information indicating the measurement results of the communication quality to the wireless base station, In response to the transmission of the measurement information to the wireless base station, the step of receiving setting information regarding the settings of the wireless relay device from the wireless base station, A step of controlling the operation of the wireless relay device based on the setting information received from the wireless base station. Equipped with, The aforementioned setting information includes information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the wireless relay device. The aforementioned wireless communication method is The steps include receiving measurement information from the terminal device that indicates the measurement results of the communication quality in the terminal device, A step of generating second setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on measurement information received from the terminal device, The step of transmitting the second setting information to the terminal device Furthermore, The second setting information includes information for changing the determination conditions for determining whether or not to perform subsequent communication quality measurement and reporting in the terminal device. Wireless communication method.

12. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless base station that communicates with a terminal device via a wireless relay device, The steps include receiving first measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the terminal device, A step of generating first setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device and second setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the first measurement information, The steps include transmitting the first setting information to the terminal device and transmitting the second setting information to the wireless relay device, The steps include receiving second measurement information indicating the measurement result of the communication quality in the wireless relay device, A step of generating a third setting information relating to the settings of the wireless relay device based on the second measurement information, The step of transmitting the third setting information to the wireless relay device, A step of generating a fourth setting information relating to the settings of the terminal device based on at least one of the second measurement information and the third setting information, The step of transmitting the fourth setting information to the terminal device A wireless communication method that includes the following features.

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