CN100542350C - Mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption of a mobile communication terminal having a wireless LAN connection function. In order to achieve this, the control unit judges whether a predetermined wireless LAN connection is available at the start of the data communication operation, and detects the remaining battery level of the battery unit when the wireless LAN is available. When the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, data communication is performed under the wireless LAN connection. Also, when the remaining battery power is less than the first threshold, a screen for recommending connection by cellular communication is displayed on the display unit. When the remaining battery level is less than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, a predetermined power saving operation is executed by the power control unit.

Description

mobile communication terminal

technical field

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a program, and particularly to a mobile communication terminal suitable for long-time driving among mobile communication terminals compatible with wireless LAN connections.

Background technique

In mobile communication such as a mobile phone, a data communication function such as an Internet connection is added in addition to a basic function of a voice call function. Conventionally, when data communication is performed in a mobile communication terminal, it is generally performed via a mobile communication network (cellular network) using a public line network or the like. Recently, a connection method via a public wireless LAN service (so-called hotspot (trademark)) or the like has been put into practical use by adding a connection function to a wireless LAN to a mobile communication terminal.

In such a mobile communication terminal, a cellular communication function (mobile communication function) is also always activated in order to perform a basic function such as a voice call function via a cellular network. Therefore, in the case of using a wireless LAN, a wireless LAN connection operation is performed in addition to a normal mobile communication operation. Therefore, if the wireless LAN function is always activated, the power consumption of the mobile communication terminal will increase more than necessary, and the drivable time will be shortened. Conventionally, in order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-86451 discloses a method of reducing power consumption of a mobile communication terminal having a wireless LAN connection function.

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the server notifies whether or not the wireless LAN is available, and suppresses the wireless LAN connection operation for area search, thereby reducing the power consumption of the mobile communication terminal.

However, in such a conventional technique, the power consumption before the start of communication can be reduced, but the power consumption after the start of communication cannot be considered. Therefore, for example, a problem such as a power outage in the Internet connection occurs.

Contents of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal that can more effectively reduce power consumption of a mobile communication terminal having a wireless LAN connection function.

In order to achieve the above object, the mobile communication terminal related to the first aspect of the present invention has a wireless LAN connection function, and is characterized in that:

The communication method judging unit judges whether the wireless LAN communication can be used when the data communication action is started to be executed; and

The communication method selection unit selects the communication method used in the data communication operation according to the remaining battery level of the mobile communication terminal when the communication method judging unit determines that the wireless LAN communication is available:

The communication method selection unit selects a communication method used in the data communication operation by comparing the remaining battery level with a predetermined first threshold value.

In addition, in the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal, it may also be,

The above-mentioned communication mode selection unit

When the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, wireless LAN is selected as the communication method for the data communication operation,

When the remaining battery level is less than the first threshold value, mobile communication is selected as the communication method for the data communication operation.

In addition, the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal may further have an output unit for performing an output for causing a user of the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal to select a communication method;

The above-mentioned communication mode selection unit

When the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, wireless LAN is selected as the communication method for the data communication operation,

When the remaining battery level is less than the first threshold value, the output unit is caused to output for the user to select a communication method, and the method selected by the user is selected as the communication method.

In addition, in the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal, it may also be,

The output unit displays a screen for causing a user of the mobile communication terminal to select a communication method.

In addition, it may also be that the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal also has:

an output unit notifying a user of the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal of a warning; and

The control unit is configured to cause the output unit to output a power-off warning to the user when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined second threshold and the second threshold is less than the first threshold, and to stop the movement after a predetermined time elapses. Power supply for communication terminals.

In addition, in the above-mentioned mobile communication terminal, it may also be,

The output unit displays a screen for notifying a user of the mobile communication terminal of the warning.

According to the present invention, since it is possible to switch from the wireless LAN to the mobile network when the remaining battery power is low, the power consumption of the mobile communication terminal can be effectively reduced.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an example of information stored in the storage unit shown in FIG. 2 , showing an example of information stored in an access information storage area.

3B is a schematic diagram of an example of information stored in the storage unit shown in FIG. 2 , showing an example of information stored in a power saving setting storage area.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by a control unit shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating data communication processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen output in the data communication process shown in FIG. 5 , showing a display example of a recommended connection screen.

6B is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen output in the data communication process shown in FIG. 5 , showing a display example of a warning screen.

Detailed ways

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . As shown in the figure, a mobile communication system 1 according to the present invention is a system for realizing at least data communication of a mobile communication terminal 100 via the Internet 10 . System 1 includes a communication method of cellular communication (mobile communication) and a communication method of wireless LAN (Local Area Network: local area network) connection. The mobile communication system 1 has a cellular communication system 20 and a cellular communication base station 25 as a structure for cellular communication. Furthermore, the system 1 has a wireless LAN access point (AP: Access Point) 30 as a configuration for wireless LAN connection.

The cellular communication system 20 is a communication system provided by a mobile communication provider (so-called carrier). For example, it has an operation center, and a public line network and communication network connecting multiple cellular communication base stations 25 and the operation center. The cellular communication base station 25 is a communication device for wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal 100, and is installed in a plurality of places within the service provision range. The mobile communication terminal 100 communicates with other mobile communication terminals 100 and the like via the cellular communication system 20 by wirelessly communicating with the nearby cellular communication base station 25 .

The wireless LAN access point 30 is an access point for providing a so-called hotspot (trademark) public wireless LAN service, and is installed in public facilities, stores, etc. in service provision areas. The wireless LAN access point 30 has, for example, a wireless communication device based on wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11, and is wirelessly connected to the mobile communication terminal 100 . The wireless LAN access point 30 is operated by a public wireless LAN service provider (hereinafter referred to as "provider"), and always transmits identification information specified by the provider. At this time, for example, a beacon signal indicating ESSID (Extended Service Set Identifier: Extended Service Set Identifier) as identification information is transmitted at any time. In addition, the wireless LAN access point 30 is connected to the Internet 10 via, for example, the provider's main line (IP network).

Next, the mobile communication terminal 100 will be described. The mobile communication terminal 100 related to the present invention is, for example, a terminal device (telephone) for mobile communication such as a portable phone or a PHS (Personal Handyhone System: Little Smart), and in addition to a basic voice communication function, it also has The communication network performs data communication and accesses a data communication function of a website or the like. In addition, mobile communication terminal 100 according to the present embodiment has a wireless LAN connection function in addition to a normal mobile communication (cellular communication) connection function.

That is, mobile communication terminal 100 according to this embodiment can perform data communication such as Internet connection through cellular communication and wireless LAN connection, in addition to basic functions such as a voice call function through cellular communication.

In the case of Internet connection by cellular communication, the Internet 10 is connected via the cellular communication system 20 by wireless communication with the cellular communication base station 25 . At this time, for example, data communication is performed using a wireless communication method such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access: Code Division Multiple Access). Furthermore, data communication via the Internet 10 is realized by performing protocol conversion or the like using a gateway function of a carrier center or the like included in the cellular communication system 20 . In the case of such cellular communication, data communication is generally performed at a transmission rate of several hundreds of kbps.

On the other hand, when the Internet is connected by the wireless LAN connection function, the Internet 10 is connected by performing wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 30 . At this time, data communication via the Internet 10 is realized based on, for example, a communication protocol such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). In the case of such a wireless LAN connection, data communication is generally performed at a transmission speed of 10 Mbps or higher.

Devices for providing services and information, such as application servers, content servers, and ISP (Internet Service Provider: Internet Service Provider) servers, are connected to the Internet 10. The mobile communication terminal 10 is connected to the Internet 10 through cellular communication or a wireless LAN connection, so that it can communicate with these devices and enjoy various services and information.

The configuration of mobile communication terminal 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of mobile communication terminal 100 .

As shown in the figure, the mobile communication terminal 100 includes a control unit 110, a cellular communication unit 120, an antenna 122, a wireless LAN communication unit 130, an antenna 132, a display unit 140, an input unit 150, a call processing unit 160, a battery unit 170, a power control unit 180, storage unit 190, and the like.

The control unit 110 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit: Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory: Random Access Memory) as a work area, etc., and controls each unit of the mobile communication terminal 100 by executing a predetermined operation program. That is, each component of the mobile communication terminal 100 is controlled by the control unit 110 , and information transfer and the like between the components are performed via the control unit 110 .

The cellular communication unit 120 is constituted by, for example, wireless communication equipment for mobile communication. The cellular communication unit 120 controls the transmission and reception of radio waves by the antenna 122 for wireless communication with the cellular communication base station 25 , and performs voice calls and data communication by wireless communication with the cellular communication base station 25 .

The wireless LAN communication unit 130 is constituted by, for example, a wireless communication device or the like based on a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11. The wireless LAN communication unit 130 performs data communication by wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 30 by controlling transmission and reception of radio waves by the antenna 132 for wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 30 .

The display unit 140 is, for example, a display output device constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like. Under the control of the control unit 110 , the display unit 140 displays output images and the like.

Input unit 150 is composed of buttons, keys, etc. formed on the outer surface of mobile communication terminal 100 , and is operated by a user of mobile communication terminal 100 . The input unit 150 has an input circuit to which various buttons, keys, etc. are connected, generates an input signal corresponding to a user's operation, and inputs it to the control unit 110 .

The call processing unit 160 is composed of, for example, a microphone for voice input and output, a speaker, a codec circuit, and the like, and performs voice processing related to the call function of the mobile communication terminal 100 . That is, the call processing unit 160 performs operations of converting the digital voice data received by the cellular communication unit 120 into an analog voice signal and outputting it from the speaker, and converting the user's utterance input from the microphone into digital voice data and transmitting the signal. Call operation to the cellular communication unit 120 and the like.

Battery unit 170 is composed of, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion battery, a terminal for connecting mobile communication terminal 100 and the battery, and supplies electric power necessary to drive mobile communication terminal 100 .

The power control unit 180 is composed of a power circuit, a control chip, and the like. The power control unit 180 controls the operation of turning off the power of the mobile communication terminal 100 according to an instruction from the control unit 110 . For example, the power control unit 180 not only supplies power supplied by the battery unit 170 to each unit of the mobile communication terminal 100 , but also controls turning on/off the power of the mobile communication terminal 100 . Furthermore, based on an instruction from the control unit 110 , the power source control unit 180 detects a current value, a storage amount, and the like based on the electric power supplied from the battery unit 170 .

The storage unit 190 is constituted by, for example, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a flash memory. The storage unit 190 stores various data necessary for realizing the present invention, in addition to the operation program executed by the control unit 110 . In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of storage areas constitute the storage unit 190 , and predetermined data is stored in each storage area. As shown in the figure, storage areas such as an access information storage area 191 , a power saving setting storage area 192 , and a program storage area 193 are formed in the storage unit 190 .

The access information storage area 191 is a storage area for storing information necessary for data communication by the mobile communication terminal 100 . In this embodiment, for example, a wireless LAN connection information table as shown in FIG. 3 is created. Setting information required to connect to the wireless LAN access point 30 and use public wireless LAN services is stored in the wireless LAN connection information table.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that there is a public wireless LAN service that can be used using predetermined access information provided in advance from a provider. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, a record is made for each provider that provides public wireless LAN services, for example, in the wireless LAN connection information table. Information provided by the provider, information set by the user, and the like are recorded in each record. Here, for example, identification information (ESSID) transmitted by the wireless LAN access point 30 prescribed by each provider, an encryption key necessary for encryption of wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 30, and a log-in The login ID and password of the connection service provided by the provider.

Power saving setting storage area 192 is an area for storing information on power saving settings for reducing power consumption of mobile communication terminal 100 . In this embodiment, a power saving operation setting table as shown in FIG. 3B is created in the power saving setting storage area 192 , and the power saving operation settings are recorded. In this embodiment, at least the power saving operation setting related to the wireless LAN function and the cellular communication function is recorded. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B , a record is created for each function of the mobile communication terminal 100 in the power saving operation setting table. In each record, a plurality of conditions and actions executed corresponding to each condition are associated and recorded. In the present embodiment, a threshold value for the remaining battery level of the battery unit 170 is set as an execution condition of the power saving operation.

The program storage area 193 is an area for storing programs executed by the control unit 110 . The program storage area 193 stores basic software (so-called OS) for controlling the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal 100 , application software for realizing various functions of the mobile communication terminal 100 , and the like. In the present embodiment, the functional configuration for performing processing according to the present embodiment is realized by the control unit 110 executing the program stored in the program storage area 193 . The functional configuration realized by the control unit 110 is shown in FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration realized by the control unit 110 .

As shown in the figure, the control unit 110 functions as an application execution unit 111 , a data communication control unit 112 , a remaining battery level detection unit 113 , a communication method selection unit 114 , and the like.

The application execution unit 111 executes an application designated by the user in cooperation with the input unit 150 . That is, the application execution unit 111 loads and executes an application program for realizing an application selected by the user through the operation of the input unit 150 from the program storage area 193 to the work area. In the present embodiment, the application execution unit 111 executes a data communication program such as a so-called browser for connecting to the Internet and accessing a website.

The data communication control unit 112 controls the cellular communication unit 120 and the wireless LAN communication unit 130 . The data communication control unit 112 not only instructs the execution of operations related to the data communication function of the mobile communication terminal 100, but also determines the communication method that can be used when performing data communication. In this embodiment, the data communication control unit 112 judges whether a predetermined public wireless network can be used based on the identification information received by the wireless LAN communication unit 130 from the wireless LAN access point 30 and the information stored in the access information storage area 191 . LAN service. In the present embodiment, after the application execution unit 111 executes a data communication application (browser, etc.), the data communication control unit 112 determines whether or not a wireless LAN connection is possible.

The remaining battery level detection unit 113 cooperates with the power supply control unit 180 to detect the remaining battery level of the battery unit 170 based on the current value and the storage capacity detected by the battery control unit 180 . In the present embodiment, the remaining battery level detection unit 113 detects the remaining battery level of the battery unit 170 at any time when the data communication application (browser, etc.) is executed by the application execution unit 111 .

The communication method selection unit 114 performs an operation for selecting a communication method for data communication based on the remaining battery level detected by the battery remaining level detection unit 113 . In this embodiment, the communication method selection unit 114 selects a communication method based on the information stored in the power saving setting storage area 192 and based on the threshold value of the remaining battery level and the actual remaining battery level as conditions.

In the present embodiment, the above-described functional configuration is logically realized by the control unit 110 executing the program. However, these functions can be realized by a physical structure such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

In addition, each of the structures described above is the main structure required by the mobile communication terminal 100 to realize the present invention. Other structures required as a mobile communication terminal can be provided as needed.

Operations performed by mobile communication terminal 100 having the above configuration will be described below. Here, since the installation location of the wireless LAN access point 30 providing the public wireless LAN service is localized, the area where the public wireless LAN service can be used by the mobile communication terminal 100 is limited. Furthermore, in general, the range of the area covered by the wireless LAN access point 30 (wireless LAN area) is smaller than the range of the area covered by the cellular communication base station 25 (cellular communication area). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a wireless LAN area exists within the cellular communication area. At this time, if the mobile communication terminal 100 exists in the wireless LAN area, the mobile communication terminal 100 can perform data communication through either cellular communication or wireless LAN communication. The operation of mobile communication terminal 100 within the cellular communication area in this embodiment will be described below.

Here, data communication processing executed by mobile communication terminal 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 . The data communication process starts when the application execution unit 111 executes the data communication application (browser, etc.) based on the user's operation.

When the process is started, the application execution unit 111 notifies the data communication control unit 112 and the remaining battery level detection unit 113 of the start of execution of the data communication application. The data communication control unit 112 activates the wireless LAN communication unit 130 based on a notification from the application execution unit 111 . The wireless LAN communication unit 130 starts receiving the beacon signal transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 30 .

Here, when there is no mobile communication terminal 100 in the wireless LAN area, the wireless LAN communication unit does not receive the beacon signal. At this time, the data communication control unit 112 determines that the wireless LAN cannot be used (step S101: NO), and proceeds to the process of step S108.

On the other hand, when the wireless LAN communication unit 130 receives the beacon signal, the data communication control unit 112 accesses the access information storage area 191 of the storage unit 190 . In addition, the data communication control unit 112 judges whether the wireless LAN connection related to the public wireless LAN service available to the mobile communication terminal 100 can be connected by comparing whether the identification information notified by the beacon signal is recorded in the wireless LAN connection information table 191. The access point 30 communicates. At this time, if the acquired identification information is not recorded in the wireless LAN connection information table, the data communication control unit 112 determines that the wireless LAN is not available (step S101: NO), and proceeds to the process of step S108.

When the wireless LAN communication unit 130 receives a beacon signal from the wireless LAN access point 30 and records the identification information transmitted by the wireless LAN access point 30 in the wireless LAN connection information table, the data communication control unit 112 determines that the wireless LAN is available. Use (step S101: Yes). At this time, the data communication control unit 112 notifies the communication method selection unit 114 that the wireless LAN is available.

In parallel with this, upon receiving a notification from the application execution unit 111 to start executing the application, the remaining battery level detection unit 113 acquires information on the battery of the battery unit 170 from the power control unit 118 . Specifically, the remaining battery level detection unit 113 acquires information on the current remaining battery level of the battery unit 170 from the power supply control unit 118 , and notifies the information to the communication method selection unit 114 .

When the communication method selection unit 114 receives the notification of the remaining battery level from the remaining battery level detection unit 113, it accesses the power saving setting storage area 192 of the storage unit 190, and refers to the power saving operation setting table (refer to FIG. 3B ) and Setting information related to the wireless LAN function is used to determine whether the current remaining battery level is equal to or greater than threshold value 1 predetermined as a condition of the power saving operation (step S102). The threshold value 1 sets, for example, the minimum remaining battery level at which stable operation can be obtained even if the wireless LAN function is executed. In addition, a remaining battery level lower than the threshold 1 may be set as the threshold 2 (see FIG. 3B ).

The communication method selection unit 114 repeatedly executes steps S103 and S104 while the current remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the threshold value 1 (step S102: Yes). That is, first, the communication method selection unit 114 selects the wireless LAN as the communication method of the data communication to be performed, and notifies the data communication control unit 112 of this. The data communication control unit 112 accesses the access information storage area 191 of the storage unit 190 in response to the notification from the communication method selection unit 114, and acquires information on available public wireless LAN services from the wireless LAN connection information table. The data communication control unit 112 notifies the wireless LAN communication unit 130 of the acquired information, and instructs a wireless LAN connection operation using the information. As a result, the wireless LAN communication unit 130 connects to the wireless LAN access point 30, and starts data communication using the executed application (step S103).

The started data communication of the wireless LAN connection is executed until the application end action occurs due to a user's end instruction or the like (step S104: Yes), or the remaining battery power falls below threshold 1 (step S102: No). If the remaining battery power is less than the threshold value 1, the communication method selection unit 114 displays and outputs the recommended connection screen shown in FIG. 6A on the display unit 140 (step S105 ).

As described above, the remaining battery level at which stable operation can be obtained even when the wireless LAN function is executed is set as the threshold value 1 . When the remaining battery level is less than the threshold value 1 due to power consumption caused by data communication over the wireless LAN connection, there is a problem that stable operation cannot be performed or sufficient operation time cannot be obtained. At this time, power consumption can be suppressed by switching data communication from wireless LAN connection to cellular communication. Therefore, when the remaining battery power is less than the threshold value 1 during the wireless LAN connection, the communication method selection unit 114 recommends switching to cellular communication to the user, and displays on the display unit 140 a recommended connection screen ( FIG. 6A ) in which the communication method can be changed. to urge users to switch connections. Image data and the like of such a recommended connection screen are stored in the storage 190 in advance.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in this case, in addition to displaying a message recommending switching to cellular communication in order to perform data communication for a longer period of time, the recommended connection screen for selecting either wireless LAN connection or cellular communication is also displayed. button. As described above, power consumption increases when performing wireless LAN connection, but data communication at a higher speed than cellular communication is possible in wireless LAN connection. Therefore, the user selects whether or not a method is appropriate based on the content of the data communication currently being performed. That is, when high-speed transmission is more important than long-time driving, wireless LAN connection is selected, and when long-time driving is important even though transmission speed is low, cellular communication is selected.

The user selects a desired communication method by operating the input unit 150 and instructs the mobile communication terminal 100 . Based on the input from the input unit 150, the communication method selection unit 114 determines that the user has selected a certain communication method (step S106).

Here, when the user instructs to switch to cellular communication (step S106: Yes), communication method selection unit 114 selects cellular communication as the communication method of the current data communication, and notifies data communication control unit 112 of this. The data communication control unit 112 controls the wireless LAN communication unit 130 to end (disconnect) the data communication by the LAN communication that has started in step S103. Then, when it is determined that the data communication by the LAN communication has ended (step S107: Yes), the cellular communication by the cellular communication unit 120 is started (step S108), and the data communication is continued.

After switching to the cellular communication, the communication method selection unit 114 constantly monitors the remaining battery level until there is an instruction to end the data communication (step S109: "No"). And, when the remaining battery power is less than the threshold 2 (condition 2) set in the power saving operation setting table (see FIG. 3B ) of the power saving setting storage area 192 (step S110: Yes), the communication method selection unit 114 displays and outputs the warning screen shown in FIG. 6B on the display unit 140 (step S114).

Threshold 2 is set to have a battery level lower than threshold 1 , and is set to the lowest battery level at which stable operation of mobile communication terminal 100 as a whole can be obtained. Therefore, in this embodiment, as the power saving operation when the remaining battery power is less than the threshold value 2, for example, an operation of turning off the power of the mobile communication terminal 100 after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) is set (see FIG. 3B ). ). Therefore, when the remaining battery level is less than threshold value 2, communication method selection unit 114 prompts charging as shown in FIG. 6B and displays a warning screen indicating that the power supply will be turned off after a predetermined time. Image data of such a warning screen and the like are stored in advance in the storage unit 190 .

When the communication method selection unit 114 displays the warning screen, the measurement of the elapsed time is started by the operation of a predetermined timekeeping circuit, a timekeeping program, and the like. Then, as an operation corresponding to the threshold value 2, it is judged whether or not a predetermined time set in the power saving setting storage area 192 has elapsed (step S115).

When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S115 : Yes), the communication method selection unit 114 instructs the power control unit 180 to execute the power saving operation set corresponding to the threshold value 2 . Accordingly, the power control unit 180 executes the instructed power saving operation (step S116 ), and ends the processing. In the present embodiment, since the power off is set as the power saving operation, the power control unit 180 performs the operation of turning off the power of the mobile communication terminal 100 .

In this way, when performing data communication via an Internet connection, etc., when wireless LAN is available and the remaining battery power is sufficient, the wireless LAN connection is automatically selected, and data communication is performed at a high transmission speed. And, in response to a decrease in the remaining battery level, an operation to switch to cellular communication is performed.

On the other hand, when the wireless LAN cannot be used at the start of the data communication (step S101: No), the process proceeds to step S108, and the cellular communication connection is started, and the operations of steps S109-111, S114-116 are performed.

Even if the wireless LAN can be used, the communication method selection unit 114 compares the battery remaining power at the start of data communication with the predetermined threshold value 1, and when the battery remaining power is less than the threshold value 1 (step S102: No), it proceeds to step S105, and outputs the signal via the display. The same screen as the connection recommendation screen shown in FIG. 6A allows the user to select a communication method. At this time, if the wireless LAN connection is selected, the connection by wireless LAN communication is performed while the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the threshold value 2 (step S113: No) (step S111). On the other hand, when the remaining battery power is less than the threshold value 2 (step S113: Yes), a warning is displayed (step S144), and a power saving operation is performed (step S115: Yes, S116).

Also, during data communication, when an instruction to end the application is generated by a user operation or the like (step S104: No, S109: No, S112: No), the process ends.

As described above, by applying the present invention according to the above-mentioned embodiments, when there is sufficient remaining battery power, a wireless LAN connection with high communication performance can be selected, and when the remaining battery power drops, it is possible to switch to a wireless LAN connection that consumes less power. Low cellular communication. That is, by switching the communication method according to the remaining battery level, the power consumption of the mobile communication terminal having the wireless LAN communication function can be effectively reduced. In addition, since the user can select the switching of the communication method, an appropriate communication method can be performed according to the use situation at that time. In addition, even if the remaining battery level is further reduced and the power supply has to be turned off, a warning screen can be displayed, and the power supply can be turned off after a certain period of time. Therefore, the user can appropriately end data communication after saving data, for example, and can prevent data from being lost due to sudden power off during communication.

The above-mentioned embodiment is an example, and the application range of this invention is not limited to this. That is, various applications are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the user is asked to select the communication method when the remaining battery level is less than threshold 1 during wireless LAN connection, but mobile communication terminal 100 may automatically select and switch to cellular communication. That is, when the communication method selection unit 114 determines that the remaining battery power is less than the threshold value 1, the cellular communication is automatically selected without displaying the recommended connection screen, and the data communication control unit 112 is notified. After the wireless LAN connection by the wireless LAN communication unit 130 is reliably terminated (disconnected), the data communication control unit 112 controls the cellular communication unit 120 to continue the data communication of the cellular communication.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is judged whether or not wireless LAN can be used when data communication is started, but it is also possible to judge whether or not cellular communication can be used. At this time, if both wireless LAN and cellular communication are available, the processing shown in the above-mentioned embodiment is executed. Furthermore, if only cellular communication is available, data communication of cellular communication, for example, is automatically started. Also, when only wireless LAN can be used, if the remaining battery level at that time is sufficient (threshold value 1 or more), for example, wireless LAN data communication is automatically started. When only wireless LAN is available and the remaining battery power is low (less than the threshold value 1), for example, the user is allowed to select whether to perform wireless LAN data communication as it is or to terminate the operation. Furthermore, in a case where both wireless LAN and cellular communication are not available, for example, a message notifying that data communication cannot be performed.

additional part

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, even when there is no operation required for data communication with the application (for example, when browsing all displayed browser screens, etc.), the recommended Connection screen, but when the remaining battery level is less than the threshold 1 and the operation required for data communication is performed on the application (for example, when the send button is pressed in the browser, etc.), the recommended connection screen can be displayed to urge the user to switch communication Way. In this way, the user considers switching the communication method only when it is necessary to operate the application, and operability can be improved.

In the above-described embodiments, the use of local public wireless LAN services using wireless LANs such as IEEE802.11 and the use of cellular communications are switched, but communication using wide-area wireless LANs such as IEEE802.16a may also be switched according to the remaining battery level, for example. and cellular communications.

In addition, the various settings and display screens shown in the above-mentioned embodiments are examples, but are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and arbitrary settings and screen displays may be performed. In addition, the setting information stored in the storage unit 190 is set in advance by, for example, the manufacturer of the mobile communication terminal 100 , but is not limited thereto, and may be set or changed by the user of the mobile communication terminal 100 .

The above-mentioned mobile communication terminal 100 has functions for realizing the present invention in advance. However, it is also possible to function as a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention by applying the program to an existing mobile communication terminal or the like that does not have the function to realize the present invention. At this time, a program for executing each process of the mobile communication terminal 100 described above is applied to a mobile communication terminal having at least a data communication function of cellular communication and a wireless LAN connection function. And, when the computer (CPU, etc.) controlling the mobile communication terminal executes the program, it can function as the terminal device according to the present invention.

The application method of such a program is arbitrary. For example, the program can be applied to arbitrary devices by being provided via communication media such as the Internet, and can also be applied by storing and distributing the program in a predetermined recording medium (eg, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.).

Various embodiments and modifications can be made within the spirit and concept of the present invention. The embodiments described above are for describing the present invention, but do not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the embodiments. Various changes made to the claims of the present invention by means of equivalents are also considered to be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1, a kind of mobile communication terminal has the WLAN linkage function, it is characterized in that having:

The communication mode judging unit is an opportunity with the beginning data communication operation, judges whether to utilize the communication of WLAN; With

The communication mode selected cell when above-mentioned communication mode judgment unit judges goes out the communication that can utilize above-mentioned WLAN, according to the battery allowance of above-mentioned mobile communication terminal, is chosen in the communication mode that uses in the above-mentioned data communication action;

Above-mentioned communication mode selected cell compares by the first threshold with above-mentioned battery allowance and regulation, is chosen in the communication mode that uses in the above-mentioned data communication action.

2, mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Above-mentioned communication mode selected cell

Under above-mentioned battery allowance is situation more than the above-mentioned first threshold, select the communication mode of WLAN as above-mentioned data communication action,

Under the situation of the not enough above-mentioned first threshold of above-mentioned battery allowance, select the communication mode of mobile communicating as above-mentioned data communication action.

3, mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Above-mentioned mobile communication terminal also has output unit, and this output unit is used to make the user of above-mentioned mobile communication terminal to select the output of communication mode;

Above-mentioned communication mode selected cell

Under above-mentioned battery allowance is situation more than the above-mentioned first threshold, select the communication mode of WLAN as above-mentioned data communication action,

Under the situation of the not enough above-mentioned first threshold of above-mentioned battery allowance, make above-mentioned output unit be used to make above-mentioned user to select the output of communication mode, and select above-mentioned user-selected mode as communication mode.

4, mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that,

Above-mentioned output unit shows that the user who is used to make above-mentioned mobile communication terminal selects the picture of communication mode.

5, mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also has:

Output unit is to the user notification warning of above-mentioned mobile communication terminal; With

Control unit, at above-mentioned battery allowance less than predetermined second threshold value and this second threshold value under the situation less than above-mentioned first threshold, the warning that above-mentioned output unit is cut off the electricity supply to above-mentioned user's output through after the stipulated time, is cut off the power supply of above-mentioned mobile communication terminal.

6, mobile communication terminal as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that,

Above-mentioned output unit shows the picture to the above-mentioned warning of user notification of above-mentioned mobile communication terminal.

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