JP2009267882A - Communication system, communication method, wireless communication terminal and base station - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system and a communication method, capable of further suppressing power consumption of a wireless communication terminal, while surely processing call incoming from a call origination source, that is subscribed to a public telephone network to the wireless communication terminal, when the wireless communication terminal is connectable to a plurality of wireless communication systems, including a wireless LAN system, a cellular phone system and the like, and the wireless communication terminal and a base station which are to be used in the communication system. <P>SOLUTION: When a wireless communication terminal 1 is connected to a WLAN system 5, the wireless communication terminal sets an RF processing section for a cellular phone system 10 to a power suppression state, where power consumption is suppressed, rather than that in a normal state where a radio signal S2 can be transmitted/received. After the connection to the WLAN system 5, the wireless communication terminal 1 monitors whether a beacon signal can be received, and when the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time, the RF processing section for the cellular phone terminal 10 is recovered from the power suppressed state to the normal state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including a wireless communication terminal connectable to a plurality of wireless communication systems, a communication method, and a wireless communication terminal and a base station used in the communication system.

  In recent years, with the spread of high-speed wireless LAN systems (first wireless communication system) such as IEEE802.11g, when users of communication services meet certain requirements, they are installed in homes. There is provided a wireless communication terminal for selecting either connection to a wireless LAN system via a base station (WLAN AP) of the wireless LAN system or connection to a mobile phone system (second wireless communication system) ( For example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, in order to reduce power consumption by maintaining a state in which a wireless communication terminal can always be connected to both systems, a mobile phone system (specifically, a Personal Handyphone) Only when there is an incoming call to the wireless communication terminal via (System), the wireless communication unit used for connection with the wireless LAN system is activated. When the wireless communication terminal can connect to the wireless LAN system, the wireless communication terminal disconnects the incoming call and calls back the transmission source via the wireless LAN system.

By operating the wireless communication terminal in this manner, an inexpensive VoIP communication service provided via the wireless LAN system can be used efficiently.
JP-A-2004-515986 (pages 14-16, FIGS. 5-6)

  The above-described conventional wireless communication terminal suppresses power consumption by maintaining a state where it can be connected to both systems at all times. Therefore, in the normal state, that is, when there is no incoming call to the wireless communication terminal, The power supply to the used wireless communication unit is stopped.

  Here, from the viewpoint of efficiently suppressing power consumption, the mobile communication system generally requires higher transmission power than the wireless LAN system than the wireless communication unit used for connection with the wireless LAN system. It is preferable to stop power supply to the wireless communication unit used for connection.

  However, the wireless LAN system does not provide a function (protocol) that causes a wireless communication terminal as described above to receive an incoming call from a source that subscribes to the public telephone network via the wireless LAN system. For this reason, there has been a problem that the power supply to the wireless communication unit used for connection with the mobile phone system cannot be stopped in order to reliably process an incoming call from a caller who joins the public telephone network.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in the case where connection to a plurality of wireless communication systems such as a wireless LAN system and a mobile phone system is possible, the present invention wirelessly transmits from a source that joins the public telephone network. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a communication method, and a radio communication terminal and a base station used in the communication system that can further suppress power consumption of the radio communication terminal while reliably processing an incoming call to the communication terminal. .

  In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention has the following features. First, the first feature of the present invention is that a first wireless communication system (WLAN system 5) and a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than a connection with the first wireless communication system ( A wireless communication terminal (wireless communication terminal 1) connectable to the mobile phone system 10), a base station (WLANAP 20) that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal and forms part of the first wireless communication system; The wireless communication terminal transmits and receives a first wireless signal (wireless signal S1) to and from the base station based on a beacon signal transmitted from the base station, A first wireless communication unit (WLAN RF processing unit 100) connected to the first wireless communication system and a second wireless signal (wireless signal S2) are transmitted and received, and connected to the second wireless communication system and transmitted. Original ( A second wireless communication unit (mobile phone RF processing unit 101) that receives an incoming call from the communication terminal 3), and an operation control unit (control unit 102) that controls the operations of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit. ), And when the operation control unit is connected to the first radio communication system using the first radio communication unit, the power consumption is suppressed compared to a normal state in which the second radio signal can be transmitted and received. The second wireless communication unit is set to a power suppression state to be monitored, and after the connection with the first wireless communication system, whether or not the beacon signal can be received via the first wireless communication unit is monitored. When the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time (Twlst), the second wireless communication unit is returned from the power suppression state to the normal state, and the base station receives the second wireless communication system from the second wireless communication system. Incoming calls to the wireless communication terminal The gist is that a beacon signal control unit (control unit 201) that stops transmission of the beacon signal is provided.

  According to such a communication system, when the wireless communication terminal is connected to the first wireless communication system, the power consumption of the second wireless communication unit is suppressed compared to the normal state in which the second wireless signal can be transmitted and received. The power suppression state is set. For this reason, the power consumption of the 2nd radio | wireless communication part used for the connection with the 2nd radio | wireless communications system which requires higher power consumption than the connection with a 1st radio | wireless communications system is suppressed. That is, the power consumption of the wireless communication terminal can be effectively suppressed.

  Further, according to such a communication system, the wireless communication terminal monitors whether or not a beacon signal can be received even after connection to the first wireless communication system, and the beacon signal is received over a predetermined time. If reception is not possible, the second wireless communication unit is returned from the power suppression state to the normal state. For this reason, it is possible to reliably receive an incoming call from the caller while suppressing power consumption of the wireless communication terminal.

  A second feature of the present invention relates to the first feature of the present invention and further includes a gateway (APGW15) installed between the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system, The gist of the base station is to stop the transmission of the beacon signal when a communication path established between the base station and the gateway is opened by the gateway.

  A third feature of the present invention is a first wireless communication system and a wireless communication terminal connectable to a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than the connection to the first wireless communication system A communication method using a base station that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal and forms part of the first wireless communication system, wherein the wireless communication terminal is transmitted from the base station Based on a beacon signal, the first radio signal is transmitted / received to / from the base station, the first radio communication unit connected to the first radio communication system is transmitted / received, and the second radio signal is transmitted / received. And a second wireless communication unit that accepts incoming calls from a caller, and an operation control unit that controls operations of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit, and the wireless communication terminal includes: The first wireless communication unit And when connected to the first wireless communication system, setting the second wireless communication unit in a power suppression state in which power consumption is suppressed compared to a normal state in which the second wireless signal can be transmitted and received, A step of monitoring whether or not the wireless communication terminal can receive the beacon signal via the first wireless communication unit after connection to the first wireless communication system; and When receiving an incoming call from the wireless communication system to the wireless communication terminal, stopping the transmission of the beacon signal, and when the beacon signal cannot be received over a predetermined time, the second wireless communication unit is And a step of returning from the power suppression state to the normal state.

  A fourth feature of the present invention according to the third feature of the present invention is that, when the wireless communication terminal is connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit, the base station Further comprising the step of setting a gateway and a communication path installed between the first radio communication system and the second radio communication system, and in the step of stopping transmission of the beacon signal, the base station The transmission of the beacon signal is stopped when the communication path set between the gateway and the gateway is opened by the gateway.

  A fifth feature of the present invention is a first wireless communication system and a wireless communication terminal that can be connected to a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than the connection to the first wireless communication system. And based on the beacon signal transmitted from the base station which comprises a part of said 1st radio | wireless communications system, the said 1st radio signal is transmitted / received with the said base station, and it connects with the said 1st radio | wireless communications system A second wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a second wireless signal to and from the first wireless communication unit, connects to the second wireless communication system, and accepts an incoming call from a caller; the first wireless communication unit; An operation control unit that controls the operation of the two wireless communication units, and the operation control unit receives the second wireless signal when connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit. Normal state where transmission and reception are possible Is it possible to receive the beacon signal via the first wireless communication unit after the second wireless communication unit is set in a power-suppressed state in which power consumption is suppressed and connected to the first wireless communication system? The gist is to return the second wireless communication unit from the power suppression state to the normal state when the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first wireless communication system and a wireless communication terminal that can be connected to a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than the connection to the first wireless communication system. When a base station that performs wireless communication and constitutes a part of the first wireless communication system detects an incoming call from the second wireless communication system to the wireless communication terminal, transmission of the beacon signal The gist of the present invention is to provide a beacon signal controller that stops the operation.

  A seventh feature of the present invention relates to the sixth feature of the present invention, wherein a gateway (APGW15) installed between the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system, and the base station The communication path is set between the beacon signal and the beacon signal control unit stops transmitting the beacon signal when the communication path is opened by the gateway.

  An eighth feature of the present invention relates to the sixth or seventh feature of the present invention, wherein a first terminal address (for example, 192.168.0.30) assigned to the wireless communication terminal in the first wireless communication system, Holding a combination with a second terminal address (for example, 71.28.61.152) assigned to the wireless communication terminal in the second wireless communication system, and a local address (192.168.0.1) assigned to the base station and the A gist is provided with a notification unit (control unit 201 and external I / F 202) for notifying the location management device (HLR13) of the wireless communication terminal included in the second wireless communication system of the combination with the second terminal address. To do.

  A ninth feature of the present invention relates to the eighth feature of the present invention, wherein the wireless communication terminal is connectable to the second wireless communication system based on a MAC address assigned to the wireless communication terminal. A terminal determination unit (control unit 201) for determining whether or not the notification unit determines that the wireless communication terminal can be connected to the second wireless communication system by the terminal determination unit However, the gist is to notify the location management device of a combination of the local station address and the second terminal address.

  According to the feature of the present invention, when connection to a plurality of wireless communication systems such as a wireless LAN system and a mobile phone system is possible, an incoming call from a caller who joins the public telephone network to the wireless communication terminal is reliably processed. In addition, it is possible to provide a communication system, a communication method, and a radio communication terminal and a base station that can be used to further suppress power consumption of the radio communication terminal.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Specifically, (1) overall schematic configuration of communication system, (2) functional block configuration of communication system, (3) operation of communication system, (4) action / effect, and (5) other embodiments will be described. To do.

  In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones.

  Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

(1) Overall Schematic Configuration of Communication System FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a communication system 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a WLAN system 5 and a mobile phone system 10.

  The wireless LAN (WLAN) system 5 is a wireless communication system compliant with standards such as IEEE802.11g. In the present embodiment, the WLAN system 5 constitutes a first wireless communication system.

  The mobile phone system 10 is a wireless communication system compliant with cdma2000 1xEV-DO. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone system 10 constitutes a second wireless communication system.

  The wireless communication terminal 1 can be connected to the WLAN system 5 and the mobile phone system 10. The wireless communication terminal 1 transmits and receives a wireless signal S1 to and from a WLAN AP 20 that forms part of the WLAN system 5. In this embodiment, the WLAN AP 20 constitutes a base station. The radio communication terminal 1 transmits and receives a radio signal S2 to and from a mobile phone base station 11 that forms part of the mobile phone system 10.

  The WLAN AP 20 forms a WLAN service area 50. The WLAN AP 20 is installed in the user's home of the wireless communication terminal 1 or the like. The WLAN AP 20 is connected to a service provider 30 which is a wireless LAN service provider through a broadband access line. The service provider 30 includes a communication device (such as a router) installed by a wireless LAN service provider.

  The wireless communication terminal 1 can acquire content 31 (for example, moving image data) existing on the Internet 53 via the service provider 30 and the Internet 53. In the present embodiment, the WLAN AP 5 and the service provider 30 constitute a WLAN system 5.

  On the other hand, the mobile phone base station 11 forms a mobile phone service area 51. The mobile phone base station 11 is installed in the vicinity of the user's home of the wireless communication terminal 1. The mobile phone base station 11 is connected to the mobile phone network 52 via a dedicated communication line.

  Connected to the cellular phone network 52 are a PCF 12 that performs call control, an HLR 13 that manages the current location of the wireless communication terminal 1, and a PDSN 14 that provides an IP function. The PCF 12, HLR 13 and PDSN 14 are included in the mobile phone system 10. In the present embodiment, the HLR 13 constitutes a location management device. The HLR 13 manages the current position of the wireless communication terminal 1 so that an incoming call (call) can be made to the wireless communication terminal 1 regardless of the destination of the wireless communication terminal 1.

  The cellular phone network 52 is interconnected with a public telephone network (not shown) to which the communication terminal 3 (for example, a general subscriber phone) can be connected. The mobile phone network 52 is provided with an APGW 15 that provides connection from the Internet 53 to the mobile phone network 52 and connection from the mobile phone network 52 to the Internet 53. In the present embodiment, the APGW 15 constitutes a gateway.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where power supply to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 (not shown in FIG. 1, refer to FIG. 2) used for connection with the mobile phone base station 11 is stopped. When the communication terminal 3 (source) calls the wireless communication terminal 1, information indicating an incoming call to the wireless communication terminal 1 is notified to the wireless communication terminal 1 via the WLAN system 5.

(2) Functional Block Configuration of Communication System Next, a functional block configuration of the communication system 2 will be described. Specifically, the functional block configurations of the wireless communication terminal 1 and the WLAN AP 20 will be described.

(2.1) Wireless Communication Terminal FIG. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of the wireless communication terminal 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wireless communication terminal 1 includes a WLAN RF processing unit 100, a mobile phone RF processing unit 101, a control unit 102, a power management unit 103, and a terminal identification information storage unit 104. Hereinafter, portions related to the present invention will be mainly described. Therefore, it should be noted that the wireless communication terminal 1 and the WLAN AP 20 may include a function block (such as a power supply unit) that is not shown in the drawing or that is omitted in order to realize the function as the device.

  Based on the beacon signal transmitted from the WLAN AP 20, the WLAN RF processing unit 100 transmits and receives the wireless signal S 1 to and from the WLAN AP 20 and connects to the WLAN system 5. In the present embodiment, the WLAN RF processing unit 100 constitutes a first wireless communication unit.

  The mobile phone RF processing unit 101 transmits / receives a radio signal S2 to / from the mobile phone base station 11 and connects to the mobile phone system 10. In addition, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 receives an incoming call from the communication terminal 3 (source) via the mobile phone network 52 and the mobile phone base station 11. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 constitutes a second wireless communication unit.

  The cellular phone RF processing unit 101 generally requires higher power consumption than the WLAN RF processing unit 100. That is, the connection with the mobile phone system 10 requires higher power consumption than the connection with the WLAN system 5.

  The control unit 102 controls the operations of the WLAN RF processing unit 100 and the mobile phone RF processing unit 101. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 constitutes an operation control unit.

  The power management unit 103 manages the power supplied to the WLAN RF processing unit 100 and the mobile phone RF processing unit 101. Specifically, the power management unit 103 turns on / off the power supplied to the WLAN RF processing unit 100 and the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 based on control by the control unit 102.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 102 is connected to the WLAN system 5 (specifically, the WLAN AP 20) using the WLAN RF processing unit 100, the control unit 102 is more than the normal state in which the radio signal S2 can be transmitted and received. The mobile phone RF processing unit 101 is set in a power suppression state in which power consumption is suppressed. Specifically, when connected to the WLAN system 5 using the WLAN RF processing unit 100, the control unit 102 switches the power supplied to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 from the on state (normal state) to the off state. Switch to (Power suppression state).

  Further, the control unit 102 monitors whether or not a beacon signal can be received via the WLAN RF processing unit 100 after connection to the WLAN system 5. When the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time, the control unit 102 returns the power supplied to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 from the off state to the on state.

  The terminal identification information storage unit 104 stores information used when connecting to the WLAN system 5 and the mobile phone system 10. The terminal identification information storage unit 104 includes general data 105 that can be rewritten by the user of the wireless communication terminal 1 and protection data 106 that can be rewritten only by a communication carrier or a manufacturer.

  In addition, the wireless communication terminal 1 includes a display unit 107 configured by a liquid crystal display, an input unit 108 configured by a keypad, a microphone 109, and a speaker 110 as user interfaces.

(2.2) Base Station FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram of the WLAN AP 20 constituting the base station in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the WLAN AP 20 includes a WLAN RF processing unit 200, a control unit 201, an external I / F 202, and a connection information DB 203.

  The WLAN RF processing unit 200 transmits and receives a wireless signal S1 to and from the wireless communication terminal 1, and connects the wireless communication terminal 1 to the WLAN system 5.

  The WLAN RF processing unit 200 transmits a beacon signal toward the WLAN service area 50. The beacon signal includes connection information (for example, SSID) required when the wireless communication terminal 1 starts connection with the WLAN AP 20.

  The control unit 201 controls the operations of the WLAN RF processing unit 200 and the external I / F 202. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control unit 201 stops the transmission of the beacon signal when detecting an incoming call from the mobile phone system 10 to the wireless communication terminal 1. In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 constitutes a beacon signal control unit. Specifically, the control unit 201 stops the transmission of the beacon signal when the logical communication path set with the APGW 15 is opened by the APGW 15.

  In addition, the control unit 201 determines that the wireless communication terminal 1 is connected to the cellular phone system 10 based on the MAC address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1, specifically, the MAC address assigned to the RF processing unit 100 for WLAN. It is possible to determine whether or not it can be connected to. In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 constitutes a terminal determination unit.

  In determining whether or not the wireless communication terminal 1 can be connected to the mobile phone system 10, not only the MAC address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 is used, but an ID, a password, and the like are combined with the MAC address. All these information may be used.

  The control unit 201 also combines the IP address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the WLAN system 5 and the second terminal address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10 (for example, 192.168.0.30 and 71.28. 61.152).

  The external I / F 202 provides an interface for executing communication with the service provider 30 side, that is, the Internet 53 side. In particular, in the present embodiment, the external I / F 202, based on the control by the control unit 201, the own station address, that is, the IP address of the WLAN AP 20 and the IP address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10 ( The combination (for example, 192.168.0.1 and 71.28.61.152) is notified to the HLR 13. In the present embodiment, the notification unit is configured by the control unit 201 and the external I / F 202.

  Specifically, when the control unit 201 determines that the wireless communication terminal 1 can be connected to the mobile phone system 10, the external I / F 202 notifies the HLR 13 of the combination of the IP addresses.

  The connection information DB 203 is configured by information used for controlling a wireless communication terminal connected to the WLAN AP 20. Specifically, the connection information DB 203 includes a general terminal DB 204 and a protected terminal DB 205. The terminal information described in the general terminal DB 204 can be arbitrarily set by the user. On the other hand, the terminal information described in the protection terminal DB 205 cannot be freely rewritten by the user.

(3) Operation of Communication System Next, the operation of the communication system 2 described above will be described. Specifically, a communication sequence in the following four cases will be described.
・ Operation example 1: When the wireless communication terminal 1 is located outside the WLAN service area 50 and within the mobile phone service area 51 ・ Operation example 2: The wireless communication terminal 1 is within the WLAN service area 50 and within the mobile phone service area 51・ Operation example 3: When the wireless communication terminal 1 moves outside the WLAN service area 50 and into the mobile phone service area 51 ・ Operation example 4: The wireless communication terminal 1 moves within the WLAN service area 50 and the mobile phone When there is an incoming call to the wireless communication terminal 1 while in the service area 51

(3.1) Operation example 1
FIG. 4 shows a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 is located outside the WLAN service area 50 and inside the mobile phone service area 51.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 10, the WLAN AP 20 establishes an environment in which communication at the IP level can be performed by executing settings such as an IP address with the service provider 30.

  The WLAN AP 20 transmits a beacon signal at regular intervals after establishing an environment in which communication at the IP level can be performed. The beacon signal includes connection information necessary for starting a connection with the WLAN AP 20 and an incoming call notification to the wireless communication terminal 1. In the present embodiment, the beacon signal is information necessary for the wireless communication terminal 1 to first discover the WLAN AP 20 and in the power suppression state in which the power supply to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 is stopped. On the other hand, after the wireless communication terminal 1 is once connected to the WLAN system 5, the beacon signal is not essential information. That is, a normal wireless communication terminal that does not stop the power supply to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 does not use the beacon signal after the connection with the WLAN system 5 is completed.

  In step S20, the wireless communication terminal 1 acquires a beacon signal transmitted from the WLANAP 20. Specifically, after the power is turned on, the wireless communication terminal 1 operates the WLAN RF processing unit 100 and the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 to search the WLAN service area 50 or the mobile phone service area 51, and at regular intervals. To search for the radio signal S1 and the radio signal S2.

(3.2) Operation example 2
FIG. 5 shows a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 moves into the WLAN service area 50 and the mobile phone service area 51.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the wireless communication terminal 1 acquires a beacon signal transmitted from the WLAN AP 20, the wireless communication terminal 1 transmits a probe request and requests connection to the WLAN AP 20.

  In step S110, the WLAN AP 20 transmits a probe response to the wireless communication terminal 1 in response to the probe request received from the wireless communication terminal 1, and starts a connection process.

  In step S120, the WLAN AP 20 collates the information included in the probe request with the terminal information stored in the connection information DB 203, and determines whether the wireless communication terminal 1 that requested the connection is a normal wireless communication terminal or a mobile phone system. 10 is determined whether or not it is a special wireless communication terminal (HOME terminal) that can be connected to the terminal 10.

  When the WLAN AP 20 determines that the request is a connection request from the HOME terminal, the WLAN AP 20 determines whether the communication path to the mobile phone network 52 is normal. If the WLAN AP 20 determines that the communication path to the mobile phone network 52 is not normal, it cannot provide a connection with the mobile phone system 10 and therefore provides a connection only with the WLAN system 5 even for a HOME terminal.

  On the other hand, when the wireless communication terminal 1 receives the probe response from the WLAN AP 20, the wireless communication terminal 1 executes connection authentication of the WLAN system 5. Specifically, the wireless communication terminal 1 determines whether the WLAN AP 20 can be connected to the mobile phone system 10 based on the content of the beacon signal transmitted by the WLAN AP 20 or a general WLAN AP. .

  When the wireless communication terminal 1 determines that the WLANAP 20 is HOMEMAP, the wireless communication terminal 1 performs connection authentication using the protection data 106 of the terminal identification information storage unit 104. When the connection authentication fails or when it is determined that the WLAN AP 20 is not a HOME AP, the wireless communication terminal 1 executes connection authentication using the general data 105 of the terminal identification information storage unit 104.

  In addition, when the connection from the HOME terminal and the communication path to the mobile phone network 52 are normal, the WLAN AP 20 executes connection authentication of the wireless communication terminal 1 (HOME terminal) using the protection terminal DB 205. On the other hand, the WLAN AP 20 executes connection authentication with the wireless communication terminal by using the general terminal DB 204 except for such a condition.

  In step S130, the wireless communication terminal 1 and the WLAN AP 20 establish a physical layer setting according to the WLAN protocol.

  In step S140, the WLAN AP 20 completes the waiting process for the communication request from the wireless communication terminal 1 (HOME terminal) by establishing the physical layer setting according to the WLAN protocol.

  In step S150, the WLAN AP 20 establishes a communication path with the APGW 15 serving as an interface for connection with the mobile phone network 52. The communication path is encrypted by SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).

  In step S160, the WLAN AP 20 acquires a network address for the wireless communication terminal used in the mobile phone system 10.

  When the communication path with the WLAN AP 20 is established, the APGW 15 sends the wireless communication terminal 1 (HOME terminal) from the transmission source (for example, the communication terminal 3) to the HLR 13 that manages the current position of the wireless communication terminal 1 via the WLAN AP 20. Notify that you are waiting for an incoming call. The HLR 13 updates the position information of the wireless communication terminal 1 based on the notification.

  Further, the WLAN AP 20 assigns an IP address to the wireless communication terminal 1 when the connection authentication of the wireless communication terminal 1 is completed. Specifically, the WLAN AP 20 responds to the IP acquisition request (DHCP Discover) transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 1, and the IP address (192.168.0.10 to 192.168.0.50) pooled inside the WLAN AP 20, that is, The local IP address (first terminal address) is assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1. Here, it is assumed that 192.168.0.30 is assigned as the local IP address of the wireless communication terminal 1.

  In step S170, the wireless communication terminal 1 and the WLAN AP 20 establish an IP layer setting according to the WLAN protocol.

  In step S180, the WLAN AP 20 acquires the local IP address (192.168.0.30) assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 and the IP address (second terminal address) acquired from the mobile phone system 10 and assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1. Are managed in a one-to-one correspondence. Here, it is assumed that the IP address acquired from the mobile phone system 10 and assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 is 71.28.61.152.

  Further, the WLAN AP 20 notifies the HLR 13 of the combination of the local station address (192.168.0.1) and the IP address (71.28.61.152) assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10. The HLR 13 holds a combination (192.168.0.1 and 71.28.61.152) of the IP address of the WLAN AP 20 notified from the WLAN AP 20 and the IP address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10.

  When wireless communication terminal 1 succeeds in connection authentication with WLANAP 20 (HOMEEAP) and obtains a local IP address (192.168.0.30), power supply to mobile phone RF processing unit 101 is stopped in order to reduce power consumption. To do. Specifically, the wireless communication terminal 1 switches the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 (EVDO) from the dormant state to the power-off state.

(3.3) Operation example 3
FIG. 6 shows a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 moves out of the WLAN service area 50 and into the mobile phone service area 51.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the wireless communication terminal 1 is waiting for an incoming call from the caller via the mobile phone system 10 via the WLANAP 20, the wireless communication terminal 1 transmits the wireless data transmitted by the WLAN AP 20 during a period in which no data is transmitted / received. The signal S1 is not always received and only the beacon signal is received. The wireless communication terminal 1 receives the beacon signal transmitted by the WLAN AP 20 to determine whether or not the wireless communication terminal 1 exists in the WLAN service area 50 formed by the WLAN AP 20.

  In step S220, the wireless communication terminal 1 determines whether or not the beacon signal transmitted by the WLANAP 20 (HOMEMAP) has not been received for a predetermined time (Twlst).

  In step S230, if the wireless communication terminal 1 does not receive the beacon signal for a certain period (Twlst), the wireless communication terminal 1 resumes power supply to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 (EVDO) that has been set to the power-off state. . As a result, the cellular phone RF processing unit 101 enters a dormant state.

(3.4) Operation example 4
FIG. 7 shows a communication sequence when there is an incoming call to the wireless communication terminal 1 when the wireless communication terminal 1 exists in the WLAN service area 50 and in the cellular phone service area 51.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when a packet (data) for the wireless communication terminal 1 is transmitted while the wireless communication terminal 1 is waiting for an incoming call from the caller within the WLAN service area 50, the PDSN 14 Request the PCF 12 to secure a communication path to the wireless communication terminal 1.

  Based on the request, the PCF 12 inquires of the HLR 13 about the current location of the wireless communication terminal 1. The HLR 13 notifies the PCF 12 of information indicating the current position of the wireless communication terminal 1. Here, since the HLR 13 holds the IP address (71.28.61.152) assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10 in combination with the IP address (192.168.0.1) of the WLAN AP 20, the wireless communication terminal 1 Notifies the PCF 12 of information indicating that it is connected to the WLAN AP 20.

  When the PCF 12 confirms that the wireless communication terminal 1 is connected to the WLAN AP 20, that is, the HOMEAP, the PCF 12 transmits a communication interruption request (WLAN Interrupt Request) via the WLAN system 5 to the APGW 15 for a predetermined time ( Tevwake)

  After the elapse of Tevwake, the PCF 12 inquires the HLR 13 about the current position of the wireless communication terminal 1 again, and based on the information notified from the HLR 13, the wireless communication terminal is connected to the corresponding mobile phone base station (for example, the mobile phone base station 11). Direct the call of 1.

  In step S310, the APGW 15 releases the communication path set with the WLAN AP 20 based on the interruption request received from the PCF 12, and notifies the HLR 13 that the communication path has been opened.

  Based on the notification from the APGW 15, the HLR 13 cancels the combination of the IP address (71.28.61.152) assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10 and the IP address (192.168.0.1) of the WLAN AP 20. .

  In step S320, when the communication path set with the APGW 15 is released, the WLAN AP 20 transmits information necessary for communication with the wireless communication terminal 1 (local IP address and information assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10). IP address) is released. Further, the WLAN AP 20 stops transmitting the beacon signal for a predetermined time (Twinterval).

  In step S330, the wireless communication terminal 1 determines whether or not the beacon signal transmitted by the WLANAP 20 (HOMEEAP) is not received for a predetermined time (Twlst).

  In step S340, when the wireless communication terminal 1 does not receive the beacon signal for a certain period (Twlst), as in step S230 described above, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 (EVDO) that has been set to the power-off state is used. Restart the power supply to). As a result, the cellular phone RF processing unit 101 enters a dormant state.

  Here, since the mobile phone base station 11 is executing a call to the wireless communication terminal 1, when the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 enters the dormant state, the mobile phone base station 11 responds to the call.

  In step S350, the wireless communication terminal 1 establishes a communication path with the mobile phone base station 11 based on the call from the mobile phone base station 11, and starts communication with the transmission source (for example, the communication terminal 3).

(4) Operation / Effect According to the communication system 2, when the wireless communication terminal 1 is connected to the WLAN system 5, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 consumes more power than the normal state in which the wireless signal S2 can be transmitted and received. The power suppression state to be suppressed is set. Therefore, the power consumption of the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 used for connection with the mobile phone system 10 that requires higher power consumption than the connection with the WLAN system 5 is suppressed. That is, the power consumption of the wireless communication terminal 1 can be effectively suppressed.

  In addition, according to the communication system 2, the wireless communication terminal 1 monitors whether or not the beacon signal from the WLAN AP 20 can be received even after connection to the WLAN system 5, and over a predetermined time (Twlst). When the beacon signal cannot be received, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 is returned from the power suppression state to the normal state. For this reason, it is possible to reliably receive an incoming call from a transmission source (for example, the communication terminal 3) while suppressing power consumption of the wireless communication terminal 1.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 of the WLAN AP 20 stops transmitting the beacon signal when the communication path with the APGW 15 is opened by the APGW 15. For this reason, the transmission of the beacon signal from the WLAN AP 20 can be stopped without defining a new message transmitted / received between the APGW 15 and the WLAN AP 20.

  In this embodiment, the combination of the IP address (192.168.0.1) of the WLAN AP 20 to which the wireless communication terminal 1 is connected in the WLAN system 5 and the IP address (71.28.61.152) assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1 in the mobile phone system 10 Is notified from the WLAN AP 20 to the HLR 13. Therefore, an incoming call from the caller via the mobile phone system 10 to the radio communication terminal 1 can be reliably transmitted to the radio communication terminal 1 via the WLAN system 5.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, only when it is determined that the wireless communication terminal 1 can be connected to the mobile phone system 10 based on the MAC address assigned to the wireless communication terminal 1, the combination of the IP addresses is stored in the HLR 13. Be notified. For this reason, it is possible to suppress unnecessary traffic and processing load related to IP address registration in the HLR 13.

  In the present embodiment, the PCF 12 instructs the mobile phone base station 11 to call the wireless communication terminal 1 based on the information notified from the HLR 13 after the elapse of Tevwake. For this reason, the radio communication terminal 1 can be called after the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 of the radio communication terminal 1 has reliably returned from the power-off state to the dormant state.

(5) Other Embodiments As described above, the content of the present invention has been disclosed through one embodiment of the present invention. However, it is understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. should not do. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the WLAN RF processing unit 100 is used to connect to the WLAN system 5, the power supply to the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 is stopped, but the mobile phone RF processing is not necessarily performed. The power supply to the unit 101 may not be stopped. For example, the mobile phone RF processing unit 101 may be shifted to a state where the power consumption is lower than that in the normal standby state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication system compliant with standards such as IEEE802.11g and the wireless communication system compliant with cdma2000 1xEV-DO have been described as examples. However, the present invention is limited to such wireless communication systems. It does not apply. There is a difference in power consumption of the RF processing unit of the wireless communication terminal corresponding to each system, and the beacon signal is periodically transmitted from the base station (AP) that performs wireless communication with the RF processing unit with low power consumption. In this case, the present invention can be applied.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a communication system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram of a wireless communication terminal 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a functional block block diagram of WLAN AP20 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is located outside the WLAN service area 50 and inside the mobile phone service area 51. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention moves in a WLAN service area 50 and a mobile phone service area 51. 4 is a diagram showing a communication sequence when the wireless communication terminal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention moves outside the WLAN service area 50 and into the mobile phone service area 51. FIG. The figure which shows the communication sequence when there exists an incoming call to the radio | wireless communication terminal 1 when the radio | wireless communication terminal 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention exists in the WLAN service area 50 and the mobile telephone service area 51. It is.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless communication terminal, 2 ... Communication system, 3 ... Communication terminal, 5 ... WLAN system, 10 ... Mobile phone system, 11 ... Mobile phone base station, 12 ... PCF, 13 ... HLR, 14 ... PDSN, 15 ... APGW, 20 ... WLANAP, 30 ... service provider, 31 ... content, 50 ... WLAN service area, 51 ... mobile phone service area, 52 ... mobile phone network, 53 ... internet, 100 ... RF processing unit for WLAN, 101 ... RF for mobile phone Processing unit 102 ... Control unit 103 ... Power source management unit 104 ... Terminal identification information storage unit 105 ... General data 106 ... Protected data 107 ... Display unit 108 ... Input unit 109 ... Microphone 110 ... Speaker 200 ... RF processing unit for WLAN, 201 ... control unit, 202 ... external I / F, 203 ... connection information DB, 204 ... DB for general terminal, 205 ... DB for protection terminal, S1, S2 ... radio signal

Claims (9)

A first wireless communication system, a wireless communication terminal connectable to a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than a connection to the first wireless communication system, and wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal And a communication system including a base station that forms part of the first wireless communication system,
The wireless communication terminal is
Based on a beacon signal transmitted from the base station, a first wireless communication unit that transmits and receives the first wireless signal to and from the base station and connects to the first wireless communication system;
A second wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a second wireless signal, connects to the second wireless communication system, and receives an incoming call from a caller;
An operation control unit that controls operations of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit;
The operation controller is
When connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication is in a power suppression state in which power consumption is suppressed compared to a normal state in which the second wireless signal can be transmitted and received. Set the
After connecting with the first wireless communication system, monitor whether the beacon signal can be received via the first wireless communication unit,
When the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time, the second wireless communication unit is returned from the power suppression state to the normal state,
The base station is a communication system including a beacon signal control unit that stops transmission of the beacon signal when detecting an incoming call from the second wireless communication system to the wireless communication terminal. A gateway installed between the first radio communication system and the second radio communication system;
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the base station stops transmission of the beacon signal when a communication path set between the base station and the gateway is opened by the gateway. A first wireless communication system, a wireless communication terminal connectable to a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than a connection to the first wireless communication system, and wireless communication with the wireless communication terminal And a communication method using a base station that forms part of the first wireless communication system,
The wireless communication terminal is
Based on a beacon signal transmitted from the base station, a first wireless communication unit that transmits and receives the first wireless signal to and from the base station and connects to the first wireless communication system;
A second wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a second wireless signal, connects to the second wireless communication system, and receives an incoming call from a caller;
An operation control unit that controls operations of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit;
When the wireless communication terminal is connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit, a power suppression state in which power consumption is suppressed from a normal state in which the second wireless signal can be transmitted and received. Setting the second wireless communication unit to:
Monitoring whether the wireless communication terminal can receive the beacon signal via the first wireless communication unit after connection with the first wireless communication system;
When the base station detects an incoming call from the second wireless communication system to the wireless communication terminal, stopping the transmission of the beacon signal;
And a step of returning the second wireless communication unit from the power suppression state to the normal state when the beacon signal cannot be received over a predetermined time. When the wireless communication terminal is connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit, the base station performs communication between the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system. And further comprising a step of setting a communication path with a gateway installed between
The step of stopping the transmission of the beacon signal, when the communication path set between the base station and the gateway is opened by the gateway, the transmission of the beacon signal is stopped. Communication method. A wireless communication terminal connectable to a first wireless communication system and a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than a connection to the first wireless communication system,
A first radio that transmits / receives a first radio signal to / from the base station based on a beacon signal transmitted from a base station that forms part of the first radio communication system and connects to the first radio communication system A communication department;
A second wireless communication unit that transmits and receives a second wireless signal, connects to the second wireless communication system, and receives an incoming call from a caller;
An operation control unit that controls operations of the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit;
The operation controller is
When connected to the first wireless communication system using the first wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication is in a power suppression state in which power consumption is suppressed compared to a normal state in which the second wireless signal can be transmitted and received. Set the
After connecting with the first wireless communication system, monitor whether the beacon signal can be received via the first wireless communication unit,
A wireless communication terminal that returns the second wireless communication unit from the power suppression state to the normal state when the beacon signal cannot be received for a predetermined time. Performing wireless communication with a wireless communication terminal connectable to a first wireless communication system and a second wireless communication system that requires higher power consumption than a connection with the first wireless communication system; A base station constituting a part of the wireless communication system of
A base station comprising a beacon signal control unit that stops transmission of the beacon signal when an incoming call from the second wireless communication system to the wireless communication terminal is detected. A communication path is set between the base station and the gateway installed between the first wireless communication system and the second wireless communication system,
The base station according to claim 6, wherein the beacon signal control unit stops transmission of the beacon signal when the communication path is opened by the gateway.   Holding a combination of a first terminal address assigned to the wireless communication terminal in the first wireless communication system and a second terminal address assigned to the wireless communication terminal in the second wireless communication system; 8. The notification unit according to claim 6, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a position management apparatus of the wireless communication terminal included in the second wireless communication system of a combination of a local station address assigned to a station and the second terminal address. base station. A terminal determination unit that determines whether or not the wireless communication terminal can be connected to the second wireless communication system based on a MAC address assigned to the wireless communication terminal;
The notification unit determines the combination of the local address and the second terminal address only when the terminal determination unit determines that the wireless communication terminal is connectable to the second wireless communication system. The base station according to claim 8, which notifies the position management device.

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