Mobile communication terminal device

• US 20040162109A1
• Filed: 07/24/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Mori, Naoki, Shimoda, Shinichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal device which includes a plurality of different communication interfaces that are automatically switched for making a communication. The stable connection is ensured whether the terminal device remains at rest or is moving by monitoring positional information on the terminal device for a moving situation thereof to control a selection from a plurality of physical interfaces. This selection control involves selecting a connection to a narrow range communication such as wireless LAN which is inexpensive and stable when the terminal device remains at rest, and selecting a connection for a communication through a portable telephone which provides a connection over a wider range when the terminal device is moving. Also, a connection for a communication is automatically selected from the positional information, thereby permitting an automatic selection of a connection intended by the user.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal device having a first physical interface for making a communication to the outside, a second physical interface different in scheme from said first physical interface, and a selection switching determination unit for selecting one from said first and second physical interfaces to switch to a selected physical interface, said mobile communication terminal device comprising:

a communication determination unit for determining whether or not each of said first and second physical interfaces is available for a communication;

a movement determination unit for determining a moving speed of said mobile communication terminal device; and

a position detection unit for detecting a position of said mobile communication terminal device,

wherein said selection switching determination unit makes a selection switching based on the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit, the moving speed determined by said movement determination unit, and the position detected by said position detection unit.

2. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said selection switching determination unit waits a longer time until switching of said physical interface when said movement determination unit determines the moving speed being faster.

6. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said selection switching determination unit selects one of a plurality of priorities for said first or second physical interface in accordance with the moving speed determined by said movement determination unit.

7. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a priority setting unit for setting a priority of said selection switching determination of said first or second physical interface in said selection switching determination unit.

8. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an output unit for notifying a user of said first or second physical interface which is in use.

9. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an output unit for notifying a user of the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit.

10. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory for storing the position detected by said position detection unit, and a physical interface used at said position,

wherein said selection switching determination unit makes the selection and switching based on the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit, the position detected by said position detection unit, and the position and the used physical interface stored in said memory.

11. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said position detection unit acquires information on the position from outside.

3. A mobile communication terminal device having a first physical interface for making a communication to the outside, a second physical interface different in scheme from said first physical interface, and a selection switching determination unit for selecting one from said first and second physical interfaces to switch to the selected physical interface, said mobile communication terminal device comprising:

a communication determination unit for determining whether or not each of said first and second physical interfaces is available for a communication; and

a position detection unit for detecting the position of said mobile communication terminal device,

wherein said selection switching determination unit makes a selection switching based on the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit, and the position detected by said position detection unit.

4. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a memory for storing the position detected by said position detection unit, and a physical interface used at said position,

wherein said selection switching determination unit makes the selection and switching based on the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit, the position detected by said position detection unit, and the position and the used physical interface stored in said memory.

5. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 3, wherein said position detection unit acquires information on the position from outside.

12. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an output unit for notifying a user of said first or second physical interface which is in use.

13. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 3, further comprising:

an output unit for notifying a user of the communication availability determined by said communication determination unit.