JP2014137782A - Communication device and method for shifting operation states of communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem in a communication device which recovers from a standby mode in response to reception of an activation signal, that the device unnecessarily consumes power against intention of a proper user when a person other than the proper user transmits the activation signal or the proper user transmits the activation signal by performing an erroneous operation.SOLUTION: A communication device comprises: activation communication means for receiving an activation signal from a terminal; LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal; timer means for measuring a predetermined time; and power supply management means for controlling power supply to the respective pieces of means. While the communication device is in a standby mode which supplies power to the activation communication means but stops power supply to the LAN communication means, when the activation communication means receives the activation signal, the power supply management means starts power supply to the LAN communication means. Also, at the same time, the timer means starts time measurement operation, and when the predetermined time is measured and also the LAN communication means does not perform LAN communication, the communication device shifts into the standby mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication device operation state transition method, and more particularly to a communication device and a communication device operation configured to return to a standby mode when LAN communication with a terminal has not started after a predetermined time has elapsed. It relates to the state transition method.

  In recent years, portable information terminals such as portable personal computers and smart phones with built-in wireless LAN (abbreviation of “Local Area Network”) communication devices have become widespread, and it is possible to connect to the Internet even outdoors using these portable information terminals. Can be done.

  In order to connect these portable information terminals to the Internet, a device called a router is generally used. Such a router has a WAN (abbreviation for “Wide Area Network”) side communication means for performing wireless communication or wired communication with the Internet, and a LAN side communication means for performing wireless communication or wired communication with the portable information terminal side.

  In the above router, the WAN side communication means using wireless communication adopts a wireless communication system based on communication standards such as WiMAX (abbreviation of “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access”) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), for example. Moreover, the LAN side communication means using wireless communication employs wireless communication means based on a communication standard such as WiFi, for example.

  An example of the configuration of such a router is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the router 90 includes a control unit 91 including a power management unit 911 that manages supply of power to each unit constituting the router 90 and Bluetooth (registered trademark, hereinafter referred to as “Bluetooth”). ), A wireless LAN communication unit 92 including a Bluetooth communication unit 921 and a wireless LAN communication unit 922 that perform communication based on the communication standard, and a WiMAX communication unit 93 that performs communication using WiMAX. The wireless LAN communication means 92 performs wireless LAN communication with the portable information terminal 94, and the WiMAX communication means 93 communicates with the Internet via a WiMAX base station (not shown).

  That is, the terminal 94 is connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN communication unit 922, the WiMAX communication unit 93, and the WiMAX base station.

  Here, the router 90 shifts from the wireless LAN communication mode to the standby mode when there is no communication between the terminal 94 and the wireless LAN communication unit 922 for a certain period of time.

  In the standby mode state, the power supply to each unit of the router 90 other than the Bluetooth communication unit 921 and the power management unit 911 which is a part of the control means 91 is stopped. The power consumption can be reduced by 90.

  When the router 90 is in the standby mode and the terminal 94 tries to connect to the Internet, the terminal 94 performs an inquiry operation (an “inquiry” operation in the Bluetooth communication standard) and selects a Bluetooth device existing in the vicinity. The user of the terminal 94 selects the desired router 90 on the terminal 94 from the searched at least one Bluetooth device, and in response to the selection, the terminal 94 performs a call operation ( "Page" operation in the Bluetooth communication project). Hereinafter, the signal transmitted by the terminal 94 to perform the calling operation of the specific device is referred to as a “connection signal”.

  The Bluetooth communication unit 921 of the router 90 that has received the connection signal notifies the power management unit 911 that the signal has been received, and the power management unit 911 supplies power to each unit of the router 90 including the wireless LAN communication unit 922. The router 90 shifts to the wireless LAN communication mode, and then the terminal 94 is connected to the Internet via the WiMAX communication means 93 by wireless LAN communication.

  As a related technique, in Patent Document 1, in an information processing apparatus with a built-in wireless communication unit, the wireless communication unit transmits a specific signal in a state where power supply to each unit other than the wireless communication unit is stopped. It describes a wake-up operation of restarting power supply to each unit when received.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, in a HUB having a plurality of ports, a plurality of operating ports among the ports are connected to one system among a plurality of communication control LSIs via a port connection switching unit, Other technologies that reduce power consumption by stopping the operation of communication control LSIs in unused systems, and circuits that detect data input to each port when all data input / output to all ports of the HUB is lost It describes a technique for reducing power consumption by stopping power supply to all other components.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-038295 JP 2000-253035 PR

  However, even when the Bluetooth communication unit 921 of the router 90 receives a connection signal from another portable information terminal of a third party, the power management unit 911 notifies the power management unit 911 that the connection signal has been received. 90 is shifted from the standby mode to the wireless LAN communication mode, and there is a problem that unintended useless power consumption occurs in the router 90.

  In Patent Document 1, there is a description of the point of determining whether or not the specific signal for performing the wake-up operation is intended and what kind of control is performed when it is not intended. It has not been.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when data input to a port that has not been input / output of data for a certain period of time and operation has been stopped in the HUB is resumed, the transmission source of the input data is the owner or administrator of the HUB However, there is no description about whether or not the transmission source is an unintended transmission source, and that the operation of the port is stopped when the HUB owner or administrator is an unintended transmission source.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device and a communication device operation state transition method that can solve the above-described problems.

The communication device of the present invention
An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
In the standby mode state, at least power supply to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least power is supplied to the activation communication unit. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least to the LAN communication unit. Power management means for supplying the power of
In the standby mode state, when the activation communication means receives the activation signal, the timer means starts a time counting operation and times a predetermined time;
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state, it shifts to the terminal communication mode,
Means for transitioning from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode if the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the timer means measures the predetermined time.

Furthermore, the communication device of the present invention
An activation signal including a terminal address for identifying a terminal, which is based on a first communication standard and receives from the terminal an activation communication unit;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
In the standby mode state, at least power supply to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least power is supplied to the activation communication unit. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least to the LAN communication unit. Power management means for supplying the power of
Temporary storage means for storing the terminal address included in the activation signal upon reception of the activation signal;
Storage means for storing in advance a terminal address of at least one terminal;
In the standby mode state, when the activation communication means receives the activation signal, the timer means starts a time counting operation and times a predetermined time;
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state, it shifts to the terminal communication mode,
If the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the timer means measures the predetermined time, a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is stored in the storage means. And when the matching terminal address is stored in the storage means, the timer means starts a time measuring operation, while when the matching terminal address is not stored in the storage means, Means for shifting from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode.

Furthermore, the communication device of the present invention
An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
Internet communication means for connecting the terminal to the Internet via the LAN communication means;
In the standby mode state, at least supply of power to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least supply of power to the activation communication unit is performed. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least the LAN communication unit and Power management means for supplying power to the Internet communication means;
In the standby mode state, when the activation communication means receives the activation signal, the timer means starts a time counting operation and times a predetermined time;
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal in the standby mode state, the power management means supplies at least power to the LAN communication means and at least supplies power to the Internet communication means. Without
When the timer means measures the predetermined time, if the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication, the timer means shifts from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode, and the timer means measures the predetermined time. By the time, when the LAN communication means starts the LAN communication, there is provided means for shifting from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode.

In addition, the communication device operation state transition method of the present invention includes:
Power management for controlling the supply of power to the communication means for activation that receives an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal and the LAN communication means that performs LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal A means for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means, and at least a standby step for stopping power supply to the LAN communication means;
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal receiving step, the power management unit supplies power to at least the LAN communication unit; and
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
A standby state transition step for transitioning to the standby step when the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the predetermined time is counted in the timer count step.

Furthermore, the communication apparatus operation state transition method of the present invention is:
An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal including a terminal address for identifying a terminal based on the first communication standard from the terminal, and a LAN communication means for performing LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal A power management means for controlling the supply of power to and a standby step for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means and stopping power supply to at least the LAN communication means;
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal receiving step, the power management unit supplies power to at least the LAN communication unit; and
A temporary storage step of storing the terminal address included in the activation signal in a temporary storage means for storing the terminal address when the activation signal is received in the activation signal reception step;
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
If the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the predetermined time is counted in the timer counting step, a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is at least one A terminal address confirmation step for examining whether or not the terminal address is stored in a storage means that has been stored in advance;
In the terminal address confirmation step, when a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is stored in the storage means, the timer means starts a timing operation, while the matching terminal address is When not stored in the storage unit, a standby state transition step for transitioning to the standby step is included.

Furthermore, the communication apparatus operation state transition method of the present invention is:
An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal, a LAN communication means for performing LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal, and the terminal via the LAN communication means. The power management means for controlling the supply of power to the Internet communication means connected to the standby means for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means and at least stopping the supply of power to the LAN communication means Steps,
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal reception step, the power management means supplies at least power to the LAN communication means and at least first power supply that does not supply power to the Internet communication means Steps,
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
When the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when measuring a predetermined time in the timer count step, a standby state transition step for transitioning to the standby step;
When the LAN communication unit starts the LAN communication before the predetermined time is counted in the timer counting step, the power management unit supplies at least power to the Internet communication unit. And a power supply step.

  In the present invention, when a person other than the authorized user of the communication device sends an activation signal from the terminal, and when the authorized user unintentionally sends an activation signal due to an erroneous operation However, there is an effect that the power consumption can be reduced by shifting the communication apparatus to the standby mode after a predetermined time has elapsed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the transition process from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode of the router 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the transition process from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode of the router 20 in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a router having WAN side communication means and LAN side communication means.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes a router 10 and a terminal 14.

  The router 10 includes a control unit 11 including a power management unit 111, a timer unit 112, and a communication information storage unit 113, a terminal communication unit 12 including an activation communication unit 121 and a LAN communication unit 122, and the Internet connected to the Internet. And communication means 13.

  The power management unit 111 manages the supply of power to each unit configuring the router 10.

  The timer unit 112 performs a time counting operation for a predetermined time set in advance.

  The in-communication information storage unit 113 holds in-communication information indicating that the router 10 and the terminal 14 are communicating.

  When the terminal 14 is a start signal (for example, the start communication unit 121 performs communication based on the Bluetooth communication standard) with respect to the start communication unit 121 (for example, performs communication based on the Bluetooth communication standard). , A connection signal) and a LAN communication unit 122 (for example, performing communication based on the WiFi communication standard) and a function for performing wireless or wired LAN communication.

  Here, the terminal 14 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a portable personal computer and a smartphone with a built-in wireless LAN communication means, but is not limited thereto.

  The startup communication unit 121 receives the connection signal from the terminal 14 and notifies the power management unit 111 of the reception of the signal.

  The LAN communication unit 122 performs wired or wireless communication with the terminal 14 and notifies the control unit 11 of information indicating that the connection with the terminal 14 has been completed.

  Internet communication means 13 (for example, communication based on the WiMAX communication standard) is connected to the Internet by wire or wireless to perform communication.

  The terminal 14 is connected to the Internet via the LAN communication unit 122 of the terminal communication unit 12 and the Internet communication unit 13.

  In addition, when the LAN communication between the terminal 14 and the LAN communication unit 122 does not exist for a certain period of time, the router 10 shifts from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode and is in communication held in the communication information storage unit 113. Information is deleted.

  In the standby mode state, power supply to each part of the router 10 other than the startup communication unit 121 and the power management unit 111 that consumes less power than the LAN communication unit 122 is stopped, and the power consumption of the router 10 is reduced. It is done.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overview of the transition process from the standby mode of the router 10 to the terminal communication mode.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the activation communication unit 121 communicates with the terminal 14 based on the Bluetooth communication standard, and the LAN communication unit 122 performs wireless LAN communication with the terminal 14 based on the WiFi communication standard. Further, the internet communication means 13 will be described as being connected to the internet based on the WiMAX communication standard.

  Here, the user previously stores information on the SSID (abbreviation of “Service Set Identifier”) for starting wireless LAN communication with the LAN communication unit 122 and information on the encryption key for encrypting the communication. 14 is set so that it is not necessary to manually input the SSID and the encryption key when starting wireless LAN communication.

  First, when the router 10 is in the standby mode (step S101), when the user tries to connect to the Internet using the terminal 14, the user sends a connection signal from the terminal 14. That is, the user activates the Bluetooth function of the terminal 14, searches for Bluetooth devices existing in the vicinity, and selects a device indicating the router 10 from the searched devices, thereby transmitting the connection signal. I do.

  The activation communication unit 121 that has received the connection signal notifies the power supply management unit 111 of the reception of the signal (in the case of YES in step S102). Upon receiving the reception notification, the power management unit 111 resumes power supply to each unit of the router 10 including the LAN communication unit 122 (step S103), and the router 10 shifts to the terminal communication mode.

  As a result, the LAN communication unit 122 is activated and wireless LAN communication with the terminal 14 is enabled, and the Internet communication means 13 is also activated, and Internet connection via a WiMAX base station (not shown) is enabled.

  Note that the router 10 waits in the standby mode until the startup communication unit 121 receives the connection signal (NO in step S102).

Next, in step S103, the timer unit 112 that has received power supply from the power management unit 111 starts a time counting operation, and performs the time counting operation until a predetermined time elapses. (Step S104)
During this timing operation, the user starts wireless LAN communication with the LAN communication unit 122 from the terminal 14. In other words, the user activates the wireless LAN function of the terminal 14, searches for wireless LAN devices existing in the vicinity, and selects a device indicating the router 10 from the searched devices, so that the LAN communication unit Wireless LAN communication with 122 is started.

  When the terminal 14 starts communication with the LAN communication unit 122, the LAN communication unit 122 notifies the control unit 11 that communication is in progress with the terminal 14, and the control unit 11 transmits the information. The information is stored in the communication information storage unit 113.

  Next, the control means 11 determines whether or not the LAN communication unit 122 is communicating with the terminal 14 after the timing operation in step S104 is completed, and whether or not the communication information storage unit 113 holds the communication information. (Step S105). When the communication information storage unit 113 holds the communication information (YES in step S105), the control unit 11 continues the current state of the router 10 (that is, the terminal communication mode) (step S107). ), The transition process from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode is terminated. Then, the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value.

  However, if the communication information is not stored in the communication information storage unit 113 (NO in step S105), the control unit 11 transfers to each unit of the router 10 other than the activation communication unit 121 and the power management unit 111. And the router 10 shifts to the standby mode (step S106). Then, the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value.

  In the present embodiment, since the connection signal sent from the terminal 14 is used to shift the router 10 from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode, the signal used for such a purpose is also called an activation signal. .

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the terminal 14 and the router 10 are performing wireless LAN communication after the timekeeping operation of the timer unit 112 is completed. When the start is detected, the timing operation of the timer unit 112 is terminated and the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value. On the other hand, even if the timer unit 112 measures a predetermined time, wireless LAN communication is still started. If not, the timer unit 112 may be reset to the initial value and the router 10 may be shifted to the standby mode.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a person other than the authorized user of the router 10 sends a connection signal from the terminal, and when the authorized user performs an incorrect operation on the terminal 14. When the connection signal is sent unintentionally, there is an effect that the router 10 is returned to the standby mode after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the power consumption of the router 10 can be reduced.

  The reason is that after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the connection signal, the control unit 11 checks whether the LAN communication unit 122 and the terminal 14 are communicating, and if not communicating, the router 10 communicates with the terminal. This is because the mode shifts from the mode to the standby mode.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the following description of the present embodiment, the description of the components of the present embodiment that are the same as those of the first embodiment will be simplified or omitted. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components of the present embodiment as those of the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, when the router 10 shifts from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode and wireless LAN communication cannot be started with the terminal 14 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the router 10 shifts to the standby mode again. However, for example, even though the user is trying to perform wireless LAN communication from the terminal 14, an error in the wireless LAN connection sequence or the like occurs due to deterioration of surrounding radio wave conditions and the like, and the wireless LAN communication is started. When the timer unit 112 takes a time longer than a predetermined time until the timer operation is completed, the router 10 shifts to the standby mode even though the user wants to perform wireless LAN communication. May occur.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, when wireless LAN communication with a terminal has not started after the predetermined time has elapsed, the router is referred to as a terminal address (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal address”) that is information for identifying the terminal. To solve the above problem.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the present embodiment includes a terminal 24 and a router 20.

  The router 20 includes a control unit 21, a terminal communication unit 22, and an internet communication unit 13.

  The control unit 21 includes a power management unit 111, a timer unit 112, a communicating information storage unit 113, a temporary storage unit 214, and a storage unit 215.

  The terminal communication unit 22 includes an activation communication unit 221 and a LAN communication unit 122.

  Here, in the activation signal transmitted by the terminal 24 (for example, the connection signal when the activation communication unit 221 performs communication based on the Bluetooth communication standard), the terminal address assigned to the terminal 24 is included. including.

  The temporary storage unit 214 temporarily holds the terminal address included in the connection signal, and only one terminal address is held in the storage unit 214. When a new terminal address arrives, the temporary storage unit 214 holds the terminal address. The old terminal address is replaced with the new terminal address.

  The storage unit 215 holds terminal addresses of terminals that have performed wireless LAN communication with the LAN communication unit 122 so far, and can hold a plurality of terminal addresses.

  In this embodiment, as an example, as in the first embodiment, the activation communication unit 221 communicates with the terminal 24 based on the Bluetooth communication standard, and the LAN communication unit 122 is based on the WiFi communication standard. In the following description, wireless LAN communication is performed with the terminal 24, and the Internet communication means 13 is connected to the Internet based on the WiMAX communication standard.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In this embodiment, a connection signal is sent from the terminal 24 to the router 20 in the standby mode (step S201), and the router 20 that has received the signal shifts to the terminal communication mode (step S203) and supplies power. The operation until the control means 21 confirms whether the wireless LAN communication with the terminal 24 is started (step S205) after the received timer unit 112 completes the timing operation (step S204) is the first embodiment. Is almost the same.

  In the present embodiment, the activation communication unit 221 that has received the connection signal from the terminal 24 in step S202 notifies the power management unit 111 that the connection signal has been received from the terminal 24, in addition to the control means. 21 is notified of the terminal address of the terminal 24 included in the connection signal. Then, the control means 21 stores the terminal address in the temporary storage unit 214 after shifting to the terminal communication mode.

  In the present embodiment, after the timer unit 112 completes the timing operation (step S204), if the LAN communication unit 122 of the router 20 has not started wireless LAN communication with the terminal 24 (NO in step S205), the control is performed. The means 21 compares the terminal address held in the temporary storage unit 214 with a plurality of terminal addresses held in the storage unit 215, and confirms whether there is a matching address (step S207).

  If there is a matching address (YES in step S208), the control unit 21 resets the timer unit 112 to the initial value, returns to step S204 again, and starts the time counting operation of the timer unit 212.

  If there is no matching address (NO in step S208), the control unit 21 stops supplying power to each part of the router 20 other than the start communication unit 221 and the power management unit 111, and the router 20 Transition to the standby mode (step S209). Then, the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value.

  In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the terminal 24 and the router 20 are performing wireless LAN communication after the timekeeping operation of the timer unit 112 is completed. When the start of the timer is detected, the timing operation of the timer unit 112 is terminated and the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value. On the other hand, even if the timer unit 112 measures a predetermined time, wireless LAN communication is still started. If not, the process may proceed to step S207 for confirming the terminal address.

  If the start of wireless LAN communication between the router 20 and the terminal 24 is confirmed in step S205 (YES in step S205), the control unit 21 continues the current state of the router 20 (ie, terminal communication mode). If the same terminal address as the terminal address held in the temporary storage unit 214 is not stored in the storage unit 215, the terminal address held in the temporary storage unit 214 is stored in the storage unit 215 ( Step S206), the transition process from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode is terminated. Then, the timer unit 212 is reset to the initial value.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the timer unit 112 measures the time until wireless LAN communication is started for some reason, even though the user is attempting wireless LAN communication from the terminal 24 to the router 20. Even when it takes more than a predetermined time to complete the process, the router 20 can wait for the start of wireless LAN communication with the terminal 24 in the terminal communication mode.

  The reason is that if the wireless LAN communication with the terminal 24 has not started after the predetermined time has elapsed, the control means 21 is held in the temporary storage unit 214 and the storage unit 215. This is because the router 20 does not shift to the standby mode, resets the timer unit 112 to the initial value, and starts the timing operation again if there is a match with a plurality of terminal addresses.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the following description of the present embodiment, the description of the same components and operations as those of the first and second embodiments is omitted.

  The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, when the power management unit 111 receives a notification that the connection signal from the terminal 14 has been received from the activation communication unit 121, the power management unit 111 resumes power supply only to the LAN communication unit 122 and the timer unit 112. Thereafter, power is supplied to the remaining portions of the router 10 including the Internet communication means 13 only when wireless LAN communication between the router 10 and the terminal 14 is actually started.

  That is, when a connection signal is received from the terminal 14, the power management unit 111 resumes supplying power only to the LAN communication unit 122 and the timer unit 112 (step S303).

  Then, after the timekeeping operation of the timer unit 112 in step S304 ends, communication information indicating that the LAN communication unit 122 and the terminal 14 are performing wireless LAN communication is held in the communication information storage unit 113. If the power is present (YES in step S 305), the power management unit 111 supplies power to the remaining units of the router 10 including the Internet communication unit 13.

  Also in this embodiment, after completion of the timing operation of the timer unit 112, it is determined whether or not the terminal 14 and the router 10 are performing wireless LAN communication. When the start of communication is detected, the timing operation of the timer unit 112 is terminated and the timer unit 112 is reset to the initial value. On the other hand, even if the timer unit 112 measures a predetermined time, wireless LAN communication is still not performed. If not started, the timer unit 112 may be reset to the initial value and the router 10 may be shifted to the standby mode.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the activation communication unit 121 receives a connection signal from the terminal 14 and the control unit 11 confirms whether or not the wireless LAN communication with the terminal 14 is started. Meanwhile, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption due to power being supplied even though the Internet communication means 13 is not used.

  The reason is that when the power management unit 111 receives a notification that the connection signal from the terminal 14 has been received from the activation communication unit 121, it resumes supplying power only to the LAN communication unit 122 and the timer unit 112. Then, after confirming that the wireless LAN communication with the terminal 14 has actually started, the supply of power to the remaining components of the router 10 including the Internet communication means 13 is resumed.

  In each of the embodiments described above, Bluetooth, WiFi, and WiMAX have been described as examples of communication standards, but the communication standards to be used are not limited to these.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Router 11 Control means 12 Terminal communication means 13 Internet communication means 14 Terminal 20 Router 21 Control means 22 Terminal communication means 24 Terminal 90 Router 91 Control means 92 Wireless LAN communication means 93 WiMAX communication means 94 Terminal 111 Power supply management part 112 Timer part 113 In-communication information storage unit 121 Start-up communication unit 122 LAN communication unit 214 Temporary storage unit 215 Storage unit 221 Start-up communication unit 911 Power management unit 921 Bluetooth communication unit 922 Wireless LAN communication unit

Claims (8)

An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
In the standby mode state, at least power supply to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least power is supplied to the activation communication unit. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least to the LAN communication unit. Power management means for supplying the power of
A timer means for starting a time measuring operation and measuring a predetermined time when the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state; and
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state, it shifts to the terminal communication mode,
When the timer means measures the predetermined time, if the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication, the communication apparatus is shifted from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode. An activation signal including a terminal address for identifying a terminal, which is based on a first communication standard and receives from the terminal an activation communication unit;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
In the standby mode state, at least power supply to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least power is supplied to the activation communication unit. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least to the LAN communication unit. Power management means for supplying the power of
Temporary storage means for storing the terminal address included in the activation signal upon reception of the activation signal;
Storage means for storing in advance a terminal address of at least one terminal;
A timer means for starting a time measuring operation and measuring a predetermined time when the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state; and
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state, it shifts to the terminal communication mode,
If the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the timer means measures the predetermined time, a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is stored in the storage means. And when the matching terminal address is stored in the storage means, the timer means starts a time measuring operation, while when the matching terminal address is not stored in the storage means, The communication apparatus is shifted from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode. An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal;
LAN communication means for performing LAN communication with the terminal based on a second communication standard;
Internet communication means for connecting the terminal to the Internet via the LAN communication means;
In the standby mode state, at least supply of power to the LAN communication unit is stopped and at least supply of power to the activation communication unit is performed. On the other hand, in the terminal communication mode state, at least the LAN communication unit and Power management means for supplying power to the Internet communication means;
A timer means for starting a time measuring operation and measuring a predetermined time when the activation communication means receives the activation signal when in the standby mode state; and
When the activation communication means receives the activation signal in the standby mode state, the power management means supplies at least power to the LAN communication means and at least supplies power to the Internet communication means. Without
When the timer means measures the predetermined time, if the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication, the timer means shifts from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode, and the timer means measures the predetermined time. In the meantime, when the LAN communication means starts the LAN communication, the communication device shifts from the standby mode to the terminal communication mode. The LAN communication means shifts from the terminal communication mode to the standby mode when the LAN communication is not performed for a predetermined time. 4. Communication device. Power management for controlling the supply of power to the communication means for activation that receives an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal and the LAN communication means that performs LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal A means for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means, and at least a standby step for stopping power supply to the LAN communication means;
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal receiving step, the power management unit supplies power to at least the LAN communication unit; and
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
A standby state transition step for transitioning to the standby step when the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the predetermined time is counted in the timer count step. Operating state transition method. An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal including a terminal address for identifying a terminal based on the first communication standard from the terminal, and a LAN communication means for performing LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal A power management means for controlling the supply of power to and a standby step for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means and stopping power supply to at least the LAN communication means;
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal receiving step, the power management unit supplies power to at least the LAN communication unit; and
A temporary storage step of storing the terminal address included in the activation signal in a temporary storage means for storing the terminal address when the activation signal is received in the activation signal reception step;
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
If the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when the predetermined time is counted in the timer counting step, a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is at least one A terminal address confirmation step for examining whether or not the terminal address is stored in a storage means that has been stored in advance;
In the terminal address confirmation step, when a terminal address that matches the terminal address stored in the temporary storage means is stored in the storage means, the timer means starts a timing operation, while the matching terminal address is And a standby state transition step of transitioning to the standby step when not stored in the storage unit. An activation communication means for receiving an activation signal based on the first communication standard from the terminal, a LAN communication means for performing LAN communication based on the second communication standard with the terminal, and the terminal via the LAN communication means. The power management means for controlling the supply of power to the Internet communication means connected to the standby means for supplying power to at least the start-up communication means and at least stopping the supply of power to the LAN communication means Steps,
An activation signal receiving step in which the activation communication means receives the activation signal from the terminal when in the state of the standby step;
When the activation signal is received in the activation signal reception step, the power management means supplies at least power to the LAN communication means and at least first power supply that does not supply power to the Internet communication means Steps,
When the start signal is received in the start signal receiving step, the timer means starts a time measuring operation and measures a predetermined time, and a timer count step,
When the LAN communication means is not performing the LAN communication when measuring a predetermined time in the timer count step, a standby state transition step for transitioning to the standby step;
When the LAN communication unit starts the LAN communication before the predetermined time is counted in the timer counting step, the power management unit supplies at least power to the Internet communication unit. A communication apparatus operating state transition method comprising: a power supply step. The communication device operation according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein, in the LAN communication means, when the LAN communication is not performed for a predetermined time, the state transits to the standby step state. State transition method.

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