JP2004274587A - Communication system for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for using the same portable wireless terminal (handset) as a communication terminal of an in-vehicle installed communication device. <P>SOLUTION: The communication system for vehicles is composed of a portable communication terminal such as a portable telephone and the in-vehicle installed communication device such as an automobile telephone supposed to be used in the vehicle. The portable communication terminal and the in-vehicle installed communication device can be communicated with each other by wireless. The communication system for the vehicles can communicate with the in-vehicle installed communication device by the portable communication terminal, by operating the portable communication terminal to be connected to a communication network of the in-vehicle installed communication device by using the wireless communication as a data transmitting, and receiving route between the portable communication terminal and the in-vehicle installed communication device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system for a vehicle such as a mobile phone and an automobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When making a voice call using a communication system, a dedicated handset is required for each system. For example, when making a voice call using an automobile telephone installed in a car, a handset (telephone) or a hands-free set previously installed in the vehicle must be used. Therefore, conventionally, a handset for voice communication is required for each communication system, and a user has to use a plurality of handsets having different usability, which is inconvenient.
[0003]
In order to solve this problem, a portable telephone (handset) is attached to a detachable communication terminal device, and a detachable communication terminal device is connected to a wireless communication system in the portable telephone according to an instruction from the communication terminal device. A method of switching to the wireless communication system on the side has been devised. (See Patent Document 1)
[0004]
Also, when the mobile phone is brought into the interior of the car and the mobile phone and the wireless communication device of the mobile phone approach, the mobile phone transmits the telephone number assigned to itself to the wireless communication device of the mobile phone, There is also a method in which a wireless communication device of an automobile telephone performs telephone communication based on a received telephone number assigned to a mobile telephone (see Patent Document 2). Even with this method, the handset can use the user's usual mobile phone even though the communication system (car phone) is different, and the same telephone number as the mobile phone can be used, which is convenient for the user. It has become something.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3123552 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-152840
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a mobile phone (handset) functions only as a handset of a detachable communication terminal device, so that a usable range is limited. In addition, since attachment / detachment is performed by a cable, portability may be restricted depending on the size of the communication terminal device to be attached / detached.
[0007]
In the cooperative system between a mobile phone and a car phone disclosed in Patent Document 2, the use location is limited to the car phone in the car and the phone number is different from that of the mobile phone. Cannot be used as a handset of a telephone network having the following numbering system.
[0008]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular communication system that enables the same portable communication terminal to be used as a communication terminal of a plurality of communication devices and improves user convenience. It is in.
[0009]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The present invention is a communication system for a vehicle for solving the above-mentioned problems, comprising: a first mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone which can be carried by a user; And the second mobile communication terminal.
[0010]
More specifically, the first mobile communication terminal can select a communication network of the first mobile communication terminal or a communication network of the second mobile communication terminal as a communication connection destination, and The mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal can directly communicate with each other by a short-range communication technology. At this time, when the first mobile communication terminal selects the communication network of the second mobile communication terminal as a communication connection destination, the first mobile communication terminal transmits the selected information to the second mobile communication terminal. The second mobile communication terminal is connected to a predetermined communication network based on the received selection information, and the first mobile communication terminal is connected to the second mobile communication terminal via the second mobile communication terminal. The mobile communication terminal is configured to be able to communicate with the predetermined communication network.
[0011]
Also, when connecting to the external communication network, the user does not select the external communication network but uses an LCR (Least Cost Routing: low-cost line selection function) for selecting the line with the lowest usage fee. The burden on users can be reduced.
[0012]
Further, the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal are a short-range wireless communication represented by Bluetooth, which is a wireless communication standard for wirelessly connecting a computer, a peripheral device, a mobile phone, and the like. It is characterized by performing communication using a system. If Bluetooth is adopted, speech quality is also ensured by its advantages of noise immunity and interference immunity.
[0013]
By performing device authentication and user authentication between the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal, unauthorized use can be prevented.
[0014]
When the present invention is applied to an automobile telephone, only the automobile telephone communication device needs to be mounted, so that the space inside the vehicle can be used effectively because the handset is not required.
[0015]
According to the present invention, since one mobile communication terminal can use a plurality of communication networks, even if one communication network cannot be used for some reason, another communication network can be used. It is especially useful in securing communication means in an emergency.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration diagram of a communication system as one embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a mobile phone 10, a mobile phone 30 as a wireless communication module connected by a LAN (Local Area Network), and a communication device 20 having a built-in wireless LAN device 50. Details of each part will be described later.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the mobile phone 10. The mobile phone 10 includes a telephone communication unit 13 that performs processing related to telephone communication, and a voice processing that performs voice processing (encoding processing, decoding processing, and the like) of a transmission voice input by the microphone 14 and a reception voice output by the speaker 15. Unit 16, a "call start" key for starting a call, a "call end" key for ending a call, a "numeric" key of "0" to "9" for inputting a telephone number, and other functions A keypad 17 composed of keys; a display 18 for displaying a caller's telephone number; a memory 19 for storing memory dial information and information necessary for control; a Bluetooth communication unit 11 for performing processing relating to wireless communication with the communication device 20 Consists of These are connected to the CPU 12.
[0018]
Further, the CPU 12 connects the ROM 120 and the RAM 121, and performs control according to programs and data stored in these. FIG. 6 shows these memory maps. As shown in FIG. 6A, the ROM 120 stores an OS (operating system) 120a and a mobile phone program 120b operating on the OS 120a. As shown in FIG. 6B, the mobile phone program 120b operates on the OS 120a with the work memory 121b for the mobile phone program as a work area. Further, a work memory 121a of the OS 120a is formed in the RAM 121.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 6C, the external memory 19 has an ID 19a of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 of the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2), a Bluetooth ID 19b of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 of the car telephone 30 (FIG. 3), and other information. The data required for the operation of the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) is stored in the other data storage area 19c.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows the details of the communication device 20. The CPU 35 of the mobile telephone 30 performs processing relating to wireless communication with the mobile telephone communication network, a LAN interface unit 38 having a LAN connection function, and processing relating to wireless communication with the mobile telephone 10 (FIG. 2). Bluetooth communication unit 39 to be connected.
[0021]
Further, the CPU 35 connects the ROM 36 and the RAM 37 and performs control according to programs and data stored in these. FIG. 7 shows these memory maps. As shown in FIG. 7A, the ROM 36 stores an OS (operating system) 36a and a car phone program 36b that operates on the OS 36a. As shown in FIG. 7B, the car phone program 36b operates on the OS 36a in such a manner that the work memory 37b for the car phone program is used as a work area. Further, a work memory 37a of the OS 36a is formed in the RAM 37.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 7 (c), the external memory 34 has an ID 34a of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 (FIG. 3) of the mobile phone 30, a Bluetooth ID 34b of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 (FIG. 2) of the mobile phone 10, and a mobile phone. 10 (FIG. 2), a PIN (Personal Idification) code 34 c for authenticating the user, network communication device information 34 d for storing information on other wireless communication modules existing on the network, and other mobile phone 30. Data necessary for the operation is stored in another data storage area 34e.
[0023]
The wireless LAN device 50 also has the same configuration as the mobile phone 30 except that the Bluetooth communication unit is not connected.
[0024]
The mobile phone 30 and the wireless LAN device 50 are connected to the network via LAN interface units 38 and 58, respectively.
[0025]
With such a configuration, when the power of the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) is turned on, the mobile phone program 120b (FIG. 6) is started by the CPU 12 (FIG. 2), and after performing necessary initialization processing, It operates as a normal mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as a mobile phone mode) and periodically checks whether the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) exists within the communicable range of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 (FIG. 2). .
[0026]
On the other hand, when the power of the communication device 20 is turned on, in the mobile telephone 30 (FIG. 3), the mobile telephone program 36b (FIG. 7) is started by the CPU 35 (FIG. 3), and after performing necessary initialization processing, The mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) is periodically checked to see if the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) exists within the communicable range of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 (FIG. 3). In addition, it periodically searches for a wireless communication module existing on the network, and stores the information in the memory 34 (34d in FIG. 7).
[0027]
If the data received by the Bluetooth communication unit 39 (FIG. 3) is addressed to the wireless LAN device 50 (FIG. 3), the data is relayed to the wireless LAN device 50, and the wireless LAN device 50 transmits the data addressed to the mobile phone 10. Is sent to the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2).
[0028]
In the wireless LAN device 50 (FIG. 3), after a predetermined program is started and necessary initialization processing is performed, the wireless LAN device 50 enters a communication standby state, and returns necessary data in response to an inquiry from the mobile phone 30.
[0029]
The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and a display example (FIG. 5) displayed on the display 18 (FIG. 2). The mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) normally operates in the mobile phone mode, and can make a voice call using the wireless device of the mobile phone (S401, FIG. 5A).
[0030]
When the user wants to use it as a handset of a communication device other than the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) (hereinafter referred to as a handset mode), the user operates the keypad 17 (FIG. 2) to issue a mode change request (S402). At this time, the mobile phone 10 checks whether or not the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) exists in the vicinity, and when the communication device 20 does not exist, displays a message to that effect (out of communication range) (FIG. 5C). Return to the telephone mode (S403: No).
[0031]
If the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) is present around the mobile phone 10 when the mode change request is made (S403: Yes), the handset mode is set (S404), and authentication of the communication device is performed as follows. . First, the ID (19a in FIG. 6) of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 stored in the memory 19 of the mobile phone 10 is transmitted to the communication device 20 (FIG. 3). The communication device 20 collates the ID with data (34b in FIG. 7) registered in the memory 34 of the mobile phone 30. If the ID matches, the ID of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 stored in the memory 34 (see FIG. 7). 7a) is transmitted to the mobile phone 10. Similarly, the ID of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 received by the mobile phone 10 is compared with the data registered in the memory 19 (19b in FIG. 6), and if they match, the fact is transmitted to the communication device 20 (S405: Yes).
[0032]
When the ID (19a in FIG. 6) of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 of the mobile phone 10 does not match the data (34b in FIG. 7) registered in the memory 34 of the mobile phone 30 as a result of collation by the communication device 20 (FIG. 3). Is sent to the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2). If the ID of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 (34a in FIG. 7) does not match the data registered in the memory 19 of the mobile phone 10 (19b in FIG. 6) as a result of the collation by the cellular phone 10, the collation mismatch information To the communication device 20. At this time, it is displayed on the display 18 (FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 5 (h) (S405: No).
[0033]
If the IDs do not match, a new ID can be registered (S413: described later).
[0034]
Next, a PIN (Personal Idification) code for authenticating the user is input from the keypad 17 (FIG. 2) and transmitted to the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) (S406, FIG. 5D). The communication device 20 collates the received PIN code with the PIN code (34c in FIG. 7) registered in the memory 34 of the mobile phone 30, and transmits the collation result to the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2).
[0035]
If the input of the PIN code is incorrect (S407: No), a warning display (FIG. 5E) is displayed, and if the PIN code is not input within a predetermined time or the PIN code is input a predetermined number of times. If you make a mistake, return to mobile phone mode.
[0036]
If the user authentication is correctly performed (S407: Yes), the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) sends a list of communications available in the communication device 20 to the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2). Is displayed on the display 18 (FIG. 2) (S408, FIG. 5 (f)). When a car phone desired to be connected is selected from the list display (S409: Yes), a display screen as shown in FIG. 5G is displayed, and thereafter, the mobile phone 10 functions as a car phone terminal (handset) (S411). ).
[0037]
When a list of available communications (FIG. 5 (f)) is displayed on the display 18 (FIG. 2) and the user does not select a desired communication within a predetermined time, the operation mode is changed. It returns to the mobile phone mode and operates as a normal mobile phone (S410: No).
[0038]
When the end of the call is detected by pressing the "end of call" key on the keypad 17 (FIG. 2), the operation mode is switched to the handset mode (S412: YES).
[0039]
The condition for shifting from the handset mode to the mobile phone mode may be a case where the user does not perform a call operation within a predetermined time or a case where the user operates the keypad 17 (FIG. 2) to issue a mode change request.
[0040]
Next, registration (ID registration) of data necessary for device authentication and user authentication will be described (S413). When the ID comparison result of the Bluetooth communication unit between the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2) and the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) does not match (S405: No, FIG. 5H), the keypad 17 of the mobile phone 10 (FIG. ) To shift to the registration screen of the communication device 20 to be registered (corresponding to the wireless communication device A in FIG. 5) (FIG. 5 (i)).
[0041]
Here, when the PIN code is input, the registration is completed (FIG. 5 (j)). At this time, the ID of the Bluetooth communication unit 39 (FIG. 3) of the mobile telephone 30 is stored in the memory 19 (FIG. 6) of the mobile telephone 10 as 19b in FIG. The ID and PIN code of the Bluetooth communication unit 11 (FIG. 2) of the mobile phone 10 are stored in 34b and 34c of FIG. 7C, respectively.
[0042]
In the above description, all the operations related to ID registration are performed on the mobile phone 10 (FIG. 2). Conversely, all operations related to ID registration are performed by providing operation keys and the like on the communication device 20 (FIG. 3). A method may be adopted, or a method implemented separately in the mobile phone 10 and the communication device 20 may be adopted. Also, a method of preparing application software for ID registration that operates on a personal computer and transferring each ID registered by the application software to the mobile phone 10 and the communication device 20 using a wired or wireless communication means. May be taken.
[0043]
In the above-described example, the mobile phone mode returns to the mobile phone mode after the registration is completed. However, the communication device 20 (FIG. 3) can be used immediately after the ID registration by continuing the handset mode (shifting from S413 to S408 in FIG. 4). Such a method may be adopted.
[0044]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, when making a telephone call at a facility having an access point capable of accessing the Internet using a wireless LAN, there are three types: a mobile phone, a car phone, and a wireless LAN IP (Internet Protocol) phone. Is available. At this time, if a program that can use the LCR function is operated in the control unit 12 (FIG. 2) of the mobile phone 10, a line with a low usage fee is selected according to the communication destination, so that a user operation is performed. Load and charge burden can be reduced.
[0045]
Further, a method of operating a program that can use the LCR function in the control unit 31 (FIG. 1) of the mobile phone 30 may be employed for the same function. In this case, the LCR function can be used only in the handset mode.
[0046]
The mode shifts from the mobile phone mode to the handset mode (S404). If there are a plurality of wireless communication devices registered with IDs within the communication range of the mobile phone, a screen for selecting the wireless communication device is displayed as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Here, when the wireless communication device is selected, a PIN code input screen is displayed (S406), and the same processing as described above is performed.
[0047]
The mobile communication terminal is not limited to a mobile phone, but may be any device capable of mounting a short-range wireless communication device such as a PDA (Personal Data Assistant) or a personal computer. In addition, a technique using a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) technique may be used.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, two wireless communication modules are built in the communication device 20, the mobile phone 30 and the wireless LAN device 50. However, the number of built-in wireless communication modules is limited. There is no. Although the Bluetooth communication unit is not connected to the wireless LAN device 50, since the Bluetooth communication range is about 10 m, the Bluetooth communication unit is connected to the wireless LAN device 50 when it is installed away from the car telephone 30 or the like. May be. Furthermore, although the network connection is described using a LAN, a connection method and protocol other than the LAN may be used.
[0049]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and may be understood by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims. Various modifications based on the above are possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an example of a display screen of a mobile phone as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a memory map of the mobile phone as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a mobile phone as one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Mobile phone 11 Bluetooth communication unit 12 CPU
13 Telephone communication unit 14 Microphone 15 Speaker 16 Voice processing unit 17 Keypad 18 Display 19 Memory 20 Wireless communication device 30 Car telephone 32 Wireless device 34 Memory 35 CPU
36 ROM
37 RAM
38 LAN interface unit 39 Bluetooth communication unit 50 Wireless LAN device 120 ROM
121 RAM

Claims (5)

A vehicular communication system including a first mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone that can be carried by a user and a second mobile communication terminal such as a car phone that is fixedly mounted on a vehicle. hand,
The first mobile communication terminal includes a selection unit for selecting either a communication network of the first mobile communication terminal or a communication network of the second mobile communication terminal as a communication connection destination; First communication means using a short-range communication technology for directly communicating with a mobile communication terminal of
The second mobile communication terminal includes a second communication unit using a short-range communication technology for directly communicating with the first mobile communication terminal,
When the first mobile communication terminal selects the communication network of the second mobile communication terminal as a communication connection destination by the selection means, the selection information is transmitted to the second mobile communication terminal by the first communication means. And the second mobile communication terminal connects to a predetermined communication network based on the selection information received by the second communication means, and the first mobile communication terminal connects the second mobile communication terminal. Control means for enabling communication of the second mobile communication terminal with the predetermined communication network via
A communication system for a vehicle, comprising: When the first mobile communication terminal selects the communication network of the second mobile communication terminal as a communication connection destination by the selection means, a communication between the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal is performed. 2. The authentication method according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication unit for permitting the second mobile communication terminal to connect to a predetermined communication network based on the selection information, provided that the authentication result is positive. Communication system for vehicles. When the first mobile communication terminal connects to either the communication network of the first mobile communication terminal or the communication network of the second mobile communication terminal, the first mobile communication terminal and the second mobile communication terminal are connected to each other. 3. A communication network selecting and connecting means for selecting and connecting to a communication network having the lowest communication fee in the case of the connection from among the communication networks of the mobile communication terminals. A communication system for a vehicle according to claim 1. Including a mobile phone connected to a mobile phone communication network and a car phone connected to a car phone communication network,
The mobile phone includes a mobile phone communication unit that communicates with the mobile phone communication network, and a mobile phone operation communication unit that performs short-range communication with the mobile phone in a vehicle and operates the mobile phone instead of the mobile phone. Have
The car phone has a car phone communication unit that communicates with the car phone communication network, and a mobile phone operated communication unit that performs short-range communication with the mobile phone in the car,
A vehicle communication system in which the mobile phone communicates with the mobile phone communication network via the mobile phone by communication between the mobile phone operation communication unit of the mobile phone and the mobile phone operated communication unit of the mobile phone. Sending the operation / communication with the mobile phone to the mobile phone, transmitting the mobile phone to the mobile phone communication network, and transmitting the content received by the mobile phone to the mobile phone and communicating with the mobile phone. The communication system for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein both or one of the above is implemented.

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