JP2013121109A - Electronic apparatus, and control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that the radio waves output from respective wireless communication means influence each other when two wireless communication means are in active state simultaneously, and an electronic apparatus minimizing mutual interference by two wireless communication means is desired.SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus includes a first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminal by a first wireless system, a second wireless communication unit capable of communicating with an access point by a second wireless system, and a control unit which reduces power of a radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit, based on an evaluation value indicating the communication quality between other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit when the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit are both in active state.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic device including a plurality of wireless communication means, a control method thereof, and a program.

  Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet PCs (Personal Computers) may include a plurality of wireless communication means. Furthermore, the spread of a function called tethering that allows these electronic devices to operate as modems for other electronic devices has begun.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the tethering function. 2 is provided with two or more wireless communication means. For example, the base terminal 1 includes two wireless communication means of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) communication and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication. The base terminal 1 can be connected to the Internet 4 via the access point 3 by WiMAX communication.

  On the other hand, the handset terminal 2 includes wireless communication means using WLAN communication. The tethering function is a function in which the parent terminal 1 operates as a modem for connecting the child terminal 2 to the Internet 4. That is, the master terminal 1 and the slave terminal 2 are connected by WLAN, and the connection of the master terminal 1 and the Internet 4 is connected by WiMAX.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system that performs handoff at an appropriate timing for each application when communication quality deteriorates regardless of the type of wireless communication system or the application being executed. Patent Document 1 discloses that an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value is used as communication quality.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a system that determines the proximity between a wireless terminal and its access point, and transmits a beacon signal that assists handoff of the access point according to the proximity of both.

JP 2008-278078 A Special table 2011-514078 gazette

  Each disclosure of the above prior art document is incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis has been made from the viewpoint of the present invention.

  As described above, a tethering function for operating an electronic device including a plurality of wireless communication means as a modem has become widespread. However, in order to realize such a tethering function, it is necessary to simultaneously activate two wireless communication units in the master terminal 1 of FIG. At this time, if the frequency bands used by the two wireless communication units are close to each other, there arises a problem that radio waves output from the respective wireless communication units affect each other.

  For example, the WiMAX communication may use the 2.5 GHz band, and the WLAN communication may use the 2.4 GHz band. In such a case, since the frequency bands used by the wireless communication units are close to each other, a part of the transmission wave of one of the wireless communication units (unnecessary transmission power outside the band or reception band noise within the band) Affects the frequency band used by the other wireless communication means. As a result, the RF (Radio Frequency) characteristics of both wireless communication means deteriorate.

  Therefore, when using the tethering function, the transmission power of WLAN communication is reduced to reduce mutual interference between the two wireless communication means. However, in such a method, while the tethering function is enabled, the transmission power is reduced uniformly, so that the connection between the two is cut off depending on the distance between the master terminal 1 and the slave terminal 2. It is possible. Therefore, an electronic device that minimizes mutual interference between the two wireless communication means, a control method thereof, and a program are desired.

  Note that neither of Patent Documents 1 and 2 discloses a technique for minimizing mutual interference between two wireless communication means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method, and the second wireless communication capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method. And when the first and second wireless communication units are both activated, based on an evaluation value representing communication quality between the other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit There is provided an electronic device including a control unit that reduces power of a radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method, and the second wireless communication capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method. A first step of activating both the first and second wireless communication units, and the other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit, And a second step of reducing the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit based on an evaluation value representing the communication quality between the first and second wireless communication units.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method, and the second wireless communication capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method. A first process for activating both the first and second wireless communication units, and the first wireless communication unit to obtain the program. A program is provided for executing a second process for reducing the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit based on an evaluation value representing the communication quality with another wireless terminal. This program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. That is, the present invention can be embodied as a computer program product. The storage medium can be non-transient.

  According to each aspect of the present invention, an electronic device that minimizes mutual interference between two wireless communication means, a control method thereof, and a program are provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a tethering function. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the electronic device 5 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the use frequency band and transmission power at the time of WiMAX communication and WLAN communication. It is a figure which shows another example of the use frequency band and transmission power at the time of WiMAX communication and WLAN communication.

  First, an outline of an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the reference numerals of the drawings attached to this summary are attached to the respective elements for convenience as an example for facilitating understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated embodiment.

  As described above, when the two wireless communication means are in the active state at the same time, there arises a problem that radio waves output from the respective wireless communication means affect each other. Therefore, an electronic device that minimizes mutual interference between the two wireless communication means is desired.

  Therefore, an electronic device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 is provided as an example. An electronic device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a first wireless communication unit 301 that can communicate with another wireless terminal using a first wireless method, and a second wireless communication unit that can communicate with an access point using a second wireless method. 302 represents the communication quality between the first wireless communication unit 301 and another wireless terminal obtained when the first wireless communication unit 301 and the second wireless communication unit 302 are both activated. And a control unit 303 that reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 301 based on the evaluation value.

  The electronic device 300 provides a tethering function to other wireless terminals using the first and second wireless methods. Here, the access point is usually installed outdoors, and the access point and the electronic device 300 are often separated from each other. However, the distance between the electronic device 300 and another wireless terminal is often extremely short, and in particular, when using the tethering function, both are often placed in the same room indoors.

  Therefore, when the first wireless communication unit 301 and the second wireless communication unit 302 are activated at the same time (when the tethering function is valid), the communication quality between the electronic device 300 and another wireless terminal is set to the RSSI value. Evaluation is based on such evaluation values. If the control unit 303 determines from this evaluation value that the distance between the electronic device 300 and another wireless terminal is short, the control unit 303 reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit 301. That is, in the electronic device 300, when both the first wireless communication unit 301 and the second wireless communication unit 302 are activated, the first wireless communication unit 301 depends on the communication quality of the first wireless communication unit 301. Transmission power is determined, and the influence on the second wireless communication unit 302 is minimized.

  In the present invention, the following modes are possible.

  [Mode 1] As in the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect.

  [Mode 2] Preferably, the control unit gradually reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined set values.

  [Mode 3] Preferably, the control unit uses received signal strength as the evaluation value.

  [Mode 4] As in the electronic apparatus control method according to the second aspect.

  [Mode 5] Preferably, in the second step, the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit is gradually reduced by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined set values.

  [Mode 6] The program according to the third aspect.

  [Mode 7] In the second process, it is preferable that the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit is gradually reduced by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined set values.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the electronic apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, only the modules related to the electronic device 5 according to the present embodiment are shown for simplicity.

  The electronic device 5 is a mobile terminal that can perform wireless communication using a plurality of different frequency bands. The electronic device 5 includes a WiMAX communication unit 10, a WLAN communication unit 20, antennas 30 to 32, a control unit 40, and a storage unit 50.

  The WiMAX communication unit 10 performs data communication using the WiMAX band. An example of the WiMAX band is 2.595 GHz to 2.625 GHz, and the electronic device 5 according to the present embodiment uses this frequency band for transmission and reception. The WiMAX communication unit 10 corresponds to the second wireless communication unit 302 described above.

  The WiMAX communication unit 10 includes switches 101 to 103, filters 104 to 106, WiMAX reception units 107 and 108, a WiMAX transmission unit 109, and a WiMAX control unit 110.

  Each of the switches 101 to 103 includes first to third terminals. A first terminal of the switch 101 is connected to the antenna 30. The second terminal is connected to the WiMAX receiving unit 107 via the filter 104. The third terminal is connected to the first terminal of the switch 102. The switch 101 switches between a state in which the first terminal and the second terminal are connected and a state in which the first terminal and the third terminal are connected in accordance with a switching signal output from the WiMAX control unit 110. I do.

  A second terminal of the switch 102 is connected to the WiMAX transmission unit 109 via the filter 105. The third terminal is connected to the second terminal of the switch 103. The switch 102 switches between a state in which the first terminal and the second terminal are connected and a state in which the second terminal and the third terminal are connected in accordance with a switching signal output from the WiMAX control unit 110. I do.

  A first terminal of the switch 103 is connected to the antenna 31. The third terminal is connected to the WiMAX receiving unit 108 via the filter 106. The switch 103 switches between a state in which the first terminal and the second terminal are connected and a state in which the first terminal and the third terminal are connected in accordance with a switching signal output from the WiMAX control unit 110. I do.

  Each of the filters 104 to 106 has a characteristic of allowing the above-described WiMAX band to pass and blocking the other bands.

  The WiMAX receiving unit 107 receives the RF signal from the antenna 30 via the switch 101 and the filter 104. Similarly, the WiMAX receiving unit 108 receives the RF signal from the antenna 31 via the switch 103 and the filter 106.

  The WiMAX transmission unit 109 performs data transmission. A transmission signal output from the WiMAX transmission unit 109 is output from the antenna 30 or 31.

  The WLAN communication unit 20 performs data communication using the WLAN band. As an example of the WLAN band, 2.412 GHz to 2.472 GHz can be considered, and the electronic device 5 according to the present embodiment uses this frequency band for transmission and reception. Note that the WLAN communication unit 20 corresponds to the first wireless communication unit 301 described above.

  The WLAN communication unit 20 includes a filter 201, a switch 202, a WLAN reception unit 203, a WLAN transmission unit 204, and a WLAN control unit 205.

  The filter 201 has a characteristic of allowing the above-described WLAN band to pass and blocking the other bands.

  The switch 202 has first to third terminals. A first terminal of the switch 202 is connected to the antenna 32 via the filter 201. The second terminal is connected to the WLAN transmission unit 204. The third terminal is connected to the WLAN receiving unit 203. The switch 202 switches between a state in which the first terminal and the third terminal are connected and a state in which the second terminal and the third terminal are connected in accordance with a switching signal output from the WLAN control unit 205. I do.

  The WLAN receiver 203 receives the RF signal from the antenna 32 via the filter 201 and the switch 202.

  The WLAN transmission unit 204 performs data transmission. A transmission signal output from the WLAN transmission unit 204 is output from the antenna 32 via the filter 201 and the switch 202.

  The WLAN control unit 205 sets the switch 202 to the first state when receiving a signal using the antenna 32. The WLAN control unit 205 sets the switch 202 to the second state when the antenna 32 is used to output a transmission signal.

  Note that the WLAN band used by the electronic device 5 according to the present embodiment is divided into a plurality of frequency bands of the channels, and the WLAN communication unit 20 outputs the instruction signal from the WLAN control unit 205, thereby Can be changed. Further, the WLAN communication unit 20 can output the RSSI value from the WLAN control unit 205 to the control unit 40 when performing communication using the WLAN band.

  The control unit 40 controls the entire electronic device 5. More specifically, not only the WiMAX communication unit 10 and the WLAN communication unit 20 but also activation of applications, display of contents, and the like are performed. The control unit 40 is connected to the storage unit 50 and stores the C / N value (carrier-to-noise level ratio) and RSSI value of the WiMAX communication unit 10 and the WLAN communication unit 20 for each wireless communication unit. For example, the storage unit 50 stores the RSSI value and identification information of each wireless communication unit in association with each other. The storage unit 50 may be configured by a part of the control unit 40. That is, if the control unit 40 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the storage unit 50 can be an internal memory thereof.

  Here, the control unit 40 refers to the RSSI value of each wireless communication unit stored in the storage unit 50 and determines the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 so that the influence on the communication of the WiMAX communication unit 10 is reduced. Perform access control.

  Details will be described below. In the description of the operation of the electronic device 5, the case where the electronic device 5 is operated as the parent terminal 1 in FIG. 2 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic device 5.

  In step S <b> 01, the control unit 40 activates the WiMAX communication unit 10 and the WLAN communication unit 20 according to an operation performed by the user on the electronic device 5. By transitioning the WiMAX communication unit 10 and the WLAN communication unit 20 to the active state, the tethering function of the electronic device 5 becomes effective.

  In step S02, the control unit 40 causes the electronic device 5 to operate as the parent terminal 1 in FIG. That is, the master terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the slave terminal 2 are connected by WLAN communication, and the master terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the access point 3 are connected by WiMAX communication.

  In step S03, the control unit 40 acquires an RSSI value for WLAN communication. The control unit 40 stores the acquired RSSI value in the storage unit 50.

  In step S04, the control unit 40 evaluates the RSSI value acquired in step S03. More specifically, the acquired RSSI value is compared with the set value A stored in advance in the storage unit 50. When the acquired RSSI value is smaller than the set value A, the process proceeds to step S05. If the acquired RSSI value is greater than or equal to the set value A, the process proceeds to step S07.

  Here, the RSSI value varies depending on the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2. That is, when both are separated, the RSSI value is small. On the other hand, when the distance between the two is short, the RSSI value increases. If the setting value A used in this step is a small value such as -80 dB, for example, and the acquired RSSI value is smaller than the setting value A, the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal It can be determined that the distance of 2 is extremely long.

  In step S05, the control unit 40 instructs the WLAN control unit 205 to decrease the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 by a value corresponding to a predetermined setting value G.

  Here, executing this step means that it can be determined that the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is extremely long, so a value such as 0 dB is adopted as the setting value G. There may be cases. That is, in this step, the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 may not be reduced.

  In step S06, it is determined whether or not tethering between base unit terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and handset terminal 2 is continued. If the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued, the process returns to step S03 and the processing is continued. When the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is not continued, the process is terminated.

  In step S07, the control unit 40 evaluates again the RSSI value of the WLAN communication unit 20 acquired in step S03. More specifically, the acquired RSSI value is compared with setting values A and B stored in advance in the storage unit 50. When the acquired RSSI value is greater than or equal to the set value A and smaller than the set value B, the process proceeds to step S08. If the acquired RSSI value does not satisfy the above condition, the process proceeds to step S10.

  For example, a value of −60 dB is used as the setting value B used in this step. That is, in this step, it is determined whether or not they are closer than the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 determined in step S04.

  In step S08, the control unit 40 instructs the WLAN control unit 205 to reduce the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 by a value corresponding to a predetermined setting value F.

  Here, executing this step means that the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is close to some extent, and therefore the setting value F is 5 dB. Adopt value. That is, in this step, the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 is slightly reduced.

  In step S09, it is determined whether or not tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued. If the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued, the process returns to step S03 and the processing is continued. When the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is not continued, the process is terminated.

  In step S10, the control unit 40 evaluates again the RSSI value of the WLAN communication unit 20 acquired in step S03. More specifically, the acquired RSSI value is compared with the set values B and C stored in advance in the storage unit 50. When the acquired RSSI value is equal to or larger than the set value B and smaller than the set value C, the process proceeds to step S11. If the acquired RSSI value does not satisfy the above condition, the process proceeds to step S13.

  For example, a value of −40 dB is used as the setting value C used in this step. That is, in this step, it is determined whether or not both are closer than the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 determined in step S07.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 40 instructs the WLAN control unit 205 to reduce the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 by a value corresponding to a predetermined setting value E. Here, executing this step means that the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is closer to each other. Adopt value. That is, in this step, the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 is increased to a certain extent and reduced.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued. If the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued, the process returns to step S03 and the processing is continued. When the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is not continued, the process is terminated.

  In step S <b> 13, the control unit 40 instructs the WLAN control unit 205 to reduce the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 by a value corresponding to a preset setting value D.

  Here, executing this step means that the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is very close, so the setting value D is a value such as 15 dB. Is adopted. That is, in this step, the transmission power of the WLAN communication unit 20 is greatly reduced.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued. If the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is continued, the process returns to step S03 and the processing is continued. When the tethering between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is not continued, the process is terminated.

  The set values A to G described above are appropriately changed according to the specifications and applications of the electronic device 5.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a used frequency band and transmission power during WiMAX communication and WLAN communication. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a used frequency band and transmission power during WiMAX communication and WLAN communication.

  In FIG. 5, the transmission power at the time of WLAN communication is strong, and a part of the transmission power outside the WLAN band and the transmission power within the WLAN band affect the communication using the WiMAX band. That is, as the transmission power outside the WLAN band of the WLAN communication unit 20 included in the electronic device 5 is larger, the influence on the WiMAX band is larger.

  On the other hand, in the electronic device 5 according to the present embodiment, when the tethering function is activated, the transmission power of the electronic device 5 by the WLAN communication depends on the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2. Is controlled to gradually decrease. That is, when tethering using WLAN communication and WiMAX communication at the same time, it is assumed that the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 are close to each other. Therefore, when the distance between the two is short, the transmission power of the WLAN communication is reduced, the influence on the WiMAX communication is reduced, and the influence of deterioration such as throughput is reduced (see FIG. 6).

  Therefore, when the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 are close to each other, it is possible to prevent deterioration in reception sensitivity of WiMAX communication. Furthermore, even if the distance between the parent device terminal 1 (electronic device 5) and the child device terminal 2 is long, the connection between the two can be maintained. That is, when the distance between the two is long, the transmission power of the WLAN communication is not reduced, and the communication (tethering) is maintained.

  The electronic device 5 only needs to have a tethering function, and corresponds to a mobile phone, a smartphone, a game machine, a PC (notebook type or desktop type), and the like. Further, the slave terminal 2 only needs to use the master terminal 1 as a modem. Therefore, the main | base station terminal 1 and the subunit | mobile_unit terminal 2 do not need to be portable terminals, respectively.

  In addition, each disclosure of the cited patent document is incorporated herein by reference. Within the scope of the entire disclosure (including claims) of the present invention, the embodiments and examples can be changed and adjusted based on the basic technical concept. Various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) within the scope of the claims of the present invention, Selection is possible. That is, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the entire disclosure including the claims and the technical idea.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base terminal 2 Slave terminal 3 Access point 4 Internet 5, 300 Electronic device 10 WiMAX communication part 20 WLAN communication part 30-32 Antenna 40, 303 Control part 50 Storage part 101-103, 202 Switch 104-106, 201 107, 108 WiMAX reception unit 109 WiMAX transmission unit 110 WiMAX control unit 203 WLAN reception unit 204 WLAN transmission unit 205 WLAN control unit 301 first wireless communication unit 302 second wireless communication unit

Claims (7)

A first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method;
A second wireless communication unit capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method;
When both the first and second wireless communication units are activated, the first wireless communication unit is based on an evaluation value representing communication quality with the other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit. A control unit for reducing the power of radio waves transmitted from one wireless communication unit;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit gradually reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined setting values.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit uses received signal strength as the evaluation value. A first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method;
A second wireless communication unit capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method;
An electronic device control method comprising:
A first step of activating both the first and second wireless communication units;
A second step of reducing the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit based on an evaluation value representing the communication quality with the other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit;
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:   The electronic device control method according to claim 4, wherein the second step gradually reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined setting values. A first wireless communication unit capable of communicating with other wireless terminals by the first wireless method;
A second wireless communication unit capable of communicating with the access point by the second wireless method;
A program for causing a computer to control an electronic device comprising:
A first process for activating both the first and second wireless communication units;
A second process for reducing the power of radio waves transmitted from the first wireless communication unit based on an evaluation value representing communication quality with the other wireless terminal obtained from the first wireless communication unit;
A program that executes.   The program according to claim 6, wherein the second process gradually reduces the power of the radio wave transmitted from the first wireless communication unit by comparing the evaluation value with a plurality of predetermined setting values.

Images