Communication terminal out of range determination method, wireless communication system switching method and communication terminal

• US 8,145,204 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2010
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Saito, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US12/826,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20100311423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 455/421, 455/436, 455/442, 455/522, 455/69, 455/67.11, 455/423
• US Class Current: 455/421
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/326 by proximity to another entity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/36 by user or terminal equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/362 Conditional handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections

Abstract

There is provided a communication terminal out of range determination method, a wireless communication system switching method and a communication terminal, capable of determining accurately whether or not a communication terminal is out of range. Determining whether or not the communication terminal is out of range is based on a transmission level of a transmission signal from the communication terminal to a base station.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system switching method in a communication terminal capable of connecting to a plurality of different wireless communication systems comprising:

determining whether or not the communication terminal is out of range based on a transmission level of the communication terminal and a received instruction; and

beginning preparation for switching to a different wireless communication system from the wireless communication system to which the communication terminal is connected according to a determination that the communication terminal is out of range.

2. The wireless communication system switching method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission level is a transmission power level.

3. The wireless communication system switching method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether or not the communication terminal is out of range further comprises determining whether or not the communication terminal is out of range based on a reception level when the communication terminal receives from a base station.

4. A communication terminal comprising:

a communication unit capable of connecting to a plurality of different wireless communication systems;

a detection unit which detects a transmission level of the communication terminal;

a determination unit which determines whether or not the communication terminal is out of range based on the transmission level and a received instruction; and

a switching unit which begins preparation for switching to a different wireless communication system from the wireless communication system to which the communication terminal is connected according to a determination by the determination unit that the communication terminal is out of range.

5. The communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein the transmission level is a transmission power level.

6. The communication terminal according to claim 4, further comprising:

a reception unit which receives from a base station, wherein

the detection unit detects a reception level on the reception unit, and

the determination unit determines whether or not the communication terminal is out of range based on the transmission level and the reception level.