Mobile communication terminal

• US 6,400,962 B1
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamada, Yoshiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Nguyen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): APPIAH, CHARLES NANA
• Application Number:
  US09/421,294
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426, 455/427, 455/428, 455/430, 455/12.1, 455/512, 455/513, 455/552, 455/553, 455/566, 455/140, 455/143
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• 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 threshold value acting as a standard for switching a satellite communication mode and a cellular communication mode is adapted to use preset fixed threshold value. Thus the problem has arisen that a communication mode is switched in response to a signal level and a threshold value and not with reference to the requirements of a terminal user.

A menu screen allowing a terminal user to select a communication mode prioritizing use of a satellite communication mode or an earth-based communication mode is displayed. A communication mode input means and a threshold value variation means are provided. The communication mode input means receives input of a desired communication mode selected by a terminal user. The threshold value variation means varies a switching sensitivity of a communication mode with reference to a communication quality of a received signal by varying a threshold value in order to evaluate a communication quality of a received signal in response to a desired communication mode input from the communication mode input means.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal device comprising

a control means which evaluates a communication quality of a received signal by comparing a reception level of a signal transmitted by a satellite and a base station with a fixed threshold value and which switches selectively between a satellite communication mode which performs signal transmission and reception with a satellite and an earth communication mode which performs signal transmission and reception with a base station controlling a cell in a given region,

a communication mode input means which displays a menu screen as allowing selection of said communication modes by a user, said satellite communication mode and said earth communication mode being prioritized and used out of said communication modes, and said communication mode input means receiving input of a desired communication mode selected by a user, and

a threshold value variation means which varies a switching sensitivity of a communication mode with respect to a communication quality of a received signal by varying a threshold value in order to evaluate a communication quality of a received signal in response to a desired communication mode input from said communication mode input means.

2. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1 wherein said threshold value variation means comprises a threshold value storage means which stores a plurality of threshold values divided into communication modes, a suitable threshold value from among said plurality of threshold values being selected in response to a communication mode input through said communication mode input means and output to said control means.

3. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1 wherein said communication mode input means displays a communication mode selection screen, said communication selection screen displaying communication modes selectable by a terminal user, said selectable communication modes being a satellite system priority mode mainly performing communication with a satellite and an earth system communication mode performing communication using a satellite as little as possible, alternatively said communication mode input means displays a communication mode selection screen displaying a mode prioritizing a low call rate mode or a high quality communication mode prioritizing communication quality.

4. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 3 wherein when a communication mode selected by a terminal user is a mode which prioritizes the use of a low call rate mode, said threshold value variation means determines that an earth system priority mode has been selected and varies a threshold value and when a communication mode is selected which prioritizes a high communication quality, said threshold value variation means determines that a satellite communication mode is selected and varies a threshold value.

5. A mobile communication terminal device according to claim 1 wherein said control means evaluates a communication quality of a received signal by comparing a fixed threshold value with one of an average value for a received signal value in a unit time, a bit error rate of a received signal or an out-of-synch frequency.