JP2015142159A - Radio communication device and communication setting method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication device and a communication setting method thereof capable of avoiding sound interruption when reproducing data obtained by Bluetooth.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device 1 includes: two antennas 84 and 86 installed at mutually different positions; a wireless LAN/BT module 80 for communicating with a mobile terminal device 110 or the like using a Bluetooth system, and communicating with a mobile router 100 or the like using a wireless LAN system; a change-over switch 82 for changing connection of each of the two antennas 84 and 86 and the wireless LAN/BT module 80; a communication state monitoring section 63 for monitoring communication state of the Bluetooth system when each of the antennas 84 and 86 is connected to the wireless LAN/BT module 80 sequentially, according to connection state change by the change-over switch 82; and a connection setting section 64 for setting connection state of the antennas 84 and 86 according to the monitoring result.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus that transmits and receives data using both Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication methods, and a communication setting method thereof.

  Conventionally, a wireless communication device having both Bluetooth and wireless LAN functions is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this wireless communication device, the presence or absence of radio wave interference between Bluetooth and wireless LAN is determined based on the data error rate. If interference occurs, switch to an alternative device that does not cause interference between them. In addition, if necessary, Bluetooth and wireless LAN are controlled in a time-sharing manner to operate alternately to perform data communication.

JP 2012-191593 A

  By the way, there are cases where it is desired to use Bluetooth and wireless LAN functions in an in-vehicle device and to use data communication by these functions together. For example, there may be a case where an operation of acquiring audio data in a Bluetooth streaming format from a mobile terminal device and performing audio reproduction and an operation of connecting to the Internet via a mobile router by a wireless LAN are performed in parallel. Assuming such a case, since the vehicle interior is small, when using Bluetooth and wireless LAN at the same time, radio wave interference occurs to some extent in almost all areas of the vehicle interior. In addition, there is usually no alternative in-vehicle device that does not cause radio wave interference just because radio wave interference occurs in the in-vehicle device in use. As described above, when a usage method such as an in-vehicle device is assumed, the wireless communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied as it is, and is suitable for an in-vehicle device or a similar use environment. A wireless communication device is desired. Specifically, even when there is radio wave interference, it is possible to prevent sound interruption that occurs when audio is played in the Bluetooth streaming format, and to improve the throughput of the wireless LAN as much as possible. A wireless communication device that can be used is desired.

  The present invention was created in view of the above points, and its purpose is to prevent occurrence of sound interruption when reproducing data acquired by Bluetooth and to acquire data by wireless LAN. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of improving throughput and a communication setting method thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a wireless communication device of the present invention communicates with a first external device using a first wireless communication method, and is different from the first wireless communication method. A wireless communication device that communicates with a second external device using radio waves in the same frequency band, the first and second antennas installed at different positions; Communicating between the first communication means that communicates with the first external device using the first wireless communication method and the second external device using the second wireless communication method A second communication means, a connection switching means for connecting each of the first and second antennas and each of the first and second communication means in a one-to-one relationship and switching a mutual connection state; and a connection switching means By switching the connection state, the first and second amplifiers A communication state monitoring means for monitoring the communication state between the first external device and the first communication means when each of the two is connected to the first communication means in turn, and monitoring by the communication state monitoring means Connection setting means for setting which of the first and second antennas is connected to the first communication means based on the result.

  Further, based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring unit described above, the time division control necessity determination unit that determines whether the time division control is necessary and the time division control necessity determination unit determine that the time division control is necessary. When performed, it is desirable to further include time-division control means for performing time-division control for performing communication by alternately operating the first and second communication means.

  The communication setting method in the wireless communication apparatus of the present invention includes a first communication means for communicating with a first external device using the first wireless communication system, and a first wireless communication system. A communication setting method in a wireless communication apparatus having a second communication means that communicates with a second external apparatus using radio waves in the same frequency band in different second wireless communication systems, wherein connection switching is performed A connection switching step of connecting each of the first and second antennas and each of the first and second communication means, which are installed at different positions by the means, in a one-to-one relationship and switching the mutual connection state; Communication state between the first external device and the first communication means when each of the first and second antennas is connected to the first communication means in turn by switching the connection state by the switching means. Communicate A communication state monitoring step monitored by the state monitoring means, and a connection setting means for setting which of the first and second antennas is connected to the first communication means based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring means Setting step.

  Further, based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring unit described above, the time division control determination step for determining whether the time division control is necessary by the time division necessity determination unit and the time division control by the time division necessity determination unit are necessary. It is desirable to further include a time division control step in which time division control is performed by the time division control means for performing communication by operating the first and second communication means alternately when the determination to the effect is made .

  In particular, it is desirable that the first wireless communication method described above is a Bluetooth method, and the second wireless communication method described above is a wireless LAN method.

  As a result, the antenna closer to the first external device that communicates with the Bluetooth system can be used for Bluetooth, so it is possible to perform Bluetooth communication in a good communication environment, and data acquired by Bluetooth It is possible to prevent the occurrence of sound interruptions when playing back. In addition, time division control is not always performed to prevent sound interruption, but time division control can be performed only when it is really necessary, so that the throughput when acquiring data by wireless LAN at other times is reduced. Can be improved.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the communication state monitoring means described above monitors the error rate and electric field strength as the communication state. By using the error rate and the electric field strength, it is possible to reliably grasp the communication state.

  The same frequency band described above is preferably an ISM band of 2.4 GHz. As a result, it is possible to reduce the influence of radio wave interference that occurs when radio waves in the same ISM band of 2.4 GHz are used.

  Further, it is desirable that the communication performed between the first external device and the first communication means using the first wireless communication method described above is non-storage type data communication. Specifically, the non-storage type data communication described above is preferably audio data transmission / reception performed in a streaming format. Alternatively, it is desirable that the non-storage type data communication described above is audio data transmission / reception performed with the first external device when a hands-free telephone is realized using the first external device. As a result, it is possible to prevent sound interruption caused by a decrease in the throughput of Bluetooth communication caused by radio wave interference.

  The operations of the communication state monitoring unit, the connection setting unit, the time division necessity determination unit, and the time division control unit described above are preferably performed on the first external device that has been paired with Bluetooth. . The operations of the communication status monitoring unit, connection setting unit, time division necessity determination unit, and time division control unit described above are performed at the end of pairing, when the data communication in the streaming format is completed, the electric field strength, and the error rate. It is desirable to be performed at any point in time when at least one of the above becomes worse. This makes it possible to perform necessary settings without affecting the Bluetooth communication.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus of one Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the non-interference area which does not interfere with the interference area which the radio wave of Bluetooth and the radio wave of wireless LAN interfere in a vehicle interior space. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the electric field strength of Bluetooth detected in a vehicle-mounted apparatus, and BER, when a portable terminal device is put in a vehicle interior. It is a figure which shows the relationship between area A1 where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a figure which shows the relationship between area A2 where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a figure which shows the relationship between area B1 where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a figure which shows the relationship between area B2 where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the area C where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the area D where a portable terminal device is contained, electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure which performs the connection switching of two antennas, and the setting of time division control.

  Hereinafter, an in-vehicle device of an embodiment to which a wireless communication device of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 includes an operation unit 10, a touch panel 12, an input control unit 14, a display processing unit 20, a display device 22, a digital-analog converter (D / A) 30, a speaker 32, and a microphone 40. , An analog-digital converter (A / D) 42, a control unit 50, a wireless LAN / BT (Bluetooth) module 80, a changeover switch (SW) 82, and antennas 84 and 86.

  The operation unit 10 is for receiving an operation by the user on the in-vehicle device 1 and includes various operation keys, operation switches, operation knobs, and the like arranged around the display device 22. In addition, when various operation screens and input screens are displayed on the display device 22, the display items of the operation screens and input screens can be obtained by directly pointing a part of these operation screens and input screens with a finger or the like. The touch panel 12 for detecting the position of the pointed finger or the like is provided in order to enable an operation using such an operation screen or an input screen. Instead of using the touch panel, a part of the operation screen or the input screen may be selected according to a user instruction using a remote control unit or the like. The input control unit 14 monitors the operation unit 10 and the touch panel 12 and determines the operation content thereof.

  The display processing unit 20 outputs video signals for displaying various operation screens, input screens, and the like, displays these screens on the display device 22, and also displays video screens corresponding to Internet screens and moving images. Are displayed on the display device 22. The display device 22 is installed in front of the center of the driver seat and the passenger seat, and is configured using, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD).

  The digital-analog converter 30 converts audio data generated along with moving image reproduction or music reproduction into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from the speaker 32. In practice, an amplifier for amplifying a signal is connected between the digital-analog converter 30 and the speaker 32, but this amplifier is omitted in FIG. Further, the combination of the digital-analog converter 30 and the speaker 32 is provided for the number of reproduction channels, but only one set is shown in FIG.

  The microphone 40 collects sound generated by the driver. The analog-digital converter 42 converts the audio signal collected by the microphone 40 into digital data. In practice, an amplifier that amplifies an audio signal is connected between the microphone 40 and the analog-digital converter 42, and the amplified audio signal is converted into digital data. The amplifier is omitted.

  The control unit 50 controls the entire vehicle-mounted device 1 and performs various processes such as Internet connection, mail transmission / reception, and audio reproduction, and a predetermined application (program) stored in a ROM, a RAM, or the like. Various processing units are realized by execution by the CPU.

  The wireless LAN / BT module 80 performs data transmission / reception by wireless LAN and Bluetooth using a 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific and Medical) band. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN / BT module 80 in which the wireless LAN module and the Bluetooth module are integrated is used. However, the wireless LAN module and the Bluetooth module may be provided separately. The wireless LAN / BT module 80 includes an antenna terminal A for wireless LAN and an antenna terminal B for Bluetooth.

  The changeover switch 82 connects the two antenna terminals A and B of the wireless LAN / BT module 80 with the two antennas 84 and 86 in a one-to-one correspondence, and switches the connection state. That is, by passing the changeover switch 82, the wireless LAN antenna terminal A is connected to the antenna 84, the Bluetooth antenna terminal B is connected to the antenna 86, and the wireless LAN antenna terminal A is connected to the antenna 86. The connection state in which the antenna terminal B is connected to the antenna 84 can be switched between each other.

  The two antennas 84 and 86 are arranged in the vicinity of the left and right end portions of the front surface of the housing of the in-vehicle device 1 with a predetermined interval. In addition, although connection and attachment become complicated, you may make it attach the antennas 84 and 86 in the state which left | separated right and left at the predetermined | prescribed space | interval outside the housing | casing of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1. FIG.

  The control unit 50 described above includes an Internet processing unit 51, a mail processing unit 52, a navigation processing unit 53, an audio processing unit 54, a hands-free processing unit 55, a wireless LAN processing unit 61, a Bluetooth (BT) processing unit 62, a communication. It has a state monitoring unit 63, a connection setting unit 64, a time division necessity determination unit 65, and a time division control unit 66.

  The internet processing unit 51 is realized by executing an internet connection application. The Internet processing unit 51 has a web browser function, performs Internet connection by wireless LAN via the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and transmits / receives data to / from various servers. In addition, the case where the internet connection by wireless LAN is performed via the mobile router 100 which the user is carrying, for example, or via the access point installed in the predetermined place can be considered.

  The mail processing unit 52 is realized by executing a mail processing application. The mail processing unit 52 creates a mail or performs a process of transmitting / receiving mail by connecting to a mail server via the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN / BT module 80.

  The navigation processing unit 53 is realized by executing a navigation application. For example, the navigation processing unit 53 acquires map data necessary for displaying a map image around the vehicle position from the server via the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN / BT module 80 and displays the map image on the display device 22. .

  The audio processing unit 54 receives, for example, data transmitted in a streaming format by Bluetooth from the mobile terminal device 110 by the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and generates (reproduces) audio data. For example, audio data sent from the mobile terminal device 110 is acquired in accordance with a general audio / video distribution profile (GAVDP), and converted into an analog audio signal by the digital-analog converter 30. And output from the speaker 32.

  The hands-free processing unit 55 performs a voice input using the microphone 40 provided in the in-vehicle device 1 and uses a telephone function of the mobile terminal device 100 to perform a series of hands-free processing on the in-vehicle device 1 side that makes a call with the other party. I do. For example, audio data sent from the mobile terminal device 110 is acquired in accordance with a Bluetooth hands-free profile (HFP), converted into an analog audio signal by the digital-analog converter 30, and the speaker 32. Is output from.

  The wireless LAN processing unit 61 performs settings necessary for transmitting / receiving data via the wireless LAN to / from the mobile router 100, for example, password settings. The Bluetooth processing unit 62 performs settings necessary for performing data transmission / reception by Bluetooth with the mobile terminal device 110 and the like, for example, pairing settings.

  The communication state monitoring unit 63 monitors the communication state for the portable terminal device 100 and the like that have been paired before and after switching by the changeover switch 82. For example, as a specific example of the communication state, electric field strength and BER (Bit Error Rate) are detected. Note that other error rates may be used instead of BER.

  The connection setting unit 64 determines the connection state (the antennas 84 and 8 and the antenna terminals A and B between the antennas 84 and 86 and the wireless LAN / BT module 80 based on the communication state monitoring result by the communication state monitoring unit 63. Set the combination when connecting).

  The time division necessity determination unit 65 determines whether or not time division (TDM: Time Division Multiplexing) control should be performed based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring unit 63. This time division control is a function of suppressing radio wave interference called “Co-existence”, and data communication by wireless LAN and data communication by Bluetooth are alternately performed. The time division control unit 66 performs the time division control when the time division necessity determination unit 65 determines that the time division control needs to be performed.

  The wireless LAN / BT module 80 described above is the first and second communication means, the mobile terminal device 110 is the first external device, the mobile router 100 is the second external device, the changeover switch 82, and the connection setting unit 64. Is a connection switching unit, a communication state monitoring unit 63 is a communication state monitoring unit, a connection setting unit 64 is a connection setting unit, a time division necessity determination unit 65 is a time division necessity determination unit, and a time division control unit 66 is Each corresponds to a time division control means.

  The in-vehicle device 1 of the present embodiment has such a configuration, and the operation thereof will be described next. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an interference area where a Bluetooth radio wave and a wireless LAN radio wave interfere with each other in a vehicle interior space, and a non-interference area where the interference does not occur. In addition, since the vehicle interior space is small, radio wave interference actually occurs in almost all areas thereof, but the portable terminal device 110 that performs data communication with the in-vehicle device 1 in a streaming format using Bluetooth and the Bluetooth device It is known that the influence of radio wave interference is small when the distance to the other antenna 84 (or 86) is short and there is a relatively large difference from the distance to the other antenna. Therefore, in this embodiment, the case where the difference in the distance between the mobile terminal device 110 and the two antennas 84 and 86 is large is described as a “non-interference area”, and the case where the difference in the distance is small is described as an “interference area”. And

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle interior space is divided into two non-interference areas A (A1, A2) and B (B1, B2) and two interference areas C and D.

  The non-interference area A is an area close to the two antennas 84 and 86 but having a difference in distance from each of the two antennas 84 and 86. The area A1 close to the antenna 84 and the area A2 close to the antenna 86 Is included.

  The non-interference area B is an area that is far from the two antennas 84 and 86 and has a difference in distance from each of the two antennas 84 and 86. The area B1 that is close to the antenna 84 and the area that is close to the antenna 86 B2 is included.

  The interference area C is an area close to the two antennas 84 and 86 and having no difference in distance from each of the two antennas 84 and 86. The interference area D is an area that is far from the two antennas 84 and 86 and has no difference in distance from each of the two antennas 84 and 86.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the Bluetooth electric field strength detected by the in-vehicle device 1 and the BER when the mobile terminal device 110 is placed in the vehicle interior.

  In the interference area, the electric field strength is E2 or higher and there is no error (BER = 0), and the error increases when the electric field strength is lower than E2. However, in practice, even if the electric field strength is E2 or higher, if it is close to E2 (when E1 (> E2) or lower), audio data is received in the streaming format by Bluetooth and audio playback is performed. Cutting may occur. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the interference area and the electric field strength is between E1 and E2, time division control is performed.

  Similarly, in the non-interference area, the electric field strength is E4 or higher and there is no error (BER = 0), and the error increases when the electric field strength is lower than E4. However, in practice, even if the electric field strength is E4 or higher, if it is close to E4 (when E3 (> E4) or lower), audio data is received in the streaming format by Bluetooth and audio playback is performed. Cutting may occur. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area and the electric field strength is between E3 and E4, time division control is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the connection state is switched by the changeover switch 82, and the Bluetooth electric field strength and BER are detected before and after the switching. Based on the detection results before and after the switching, the mobile terminal device 110 detects which one shown in FIG. It is determined whether it is included in the area. Further, based on the determination result, it is determined which of the antennas 82 and 84 is used for Bluetooth, and whether or not the time division control is to be performed.

  Next, a specific method for determining an area including the mobile terminal device 110 will be described. 4 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the relationship between the area including the mobile terminal device 110, the electric field strength, and the presence or absence of an error.

(Case 1) When Included in Non-Interference Area A As shown in FIG. 4A, the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area A1, and the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 84. If it is, the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 becomes short. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E3 (FIG. 3) or more and no error (BER = 0).

  Further, when the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 4B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, so that the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 86 and the portable terminal device 110 is increased. Will be far away. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E3 or less, and there is no error or there is an error (when the electric field strength is E4 or less).

  If the combination of the electric field strength and the error becomes before and after the switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area A1. In this case, connection switching is performed so that the antenna 84 is used for Bluetooth, and even if playback operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed without performing time-division control, the sound breaks out. Since it does not occur, time division control is not performed. In addition, since time-sharing control is not performed, high throughput can be ensured in communication using a wireless LAN performed in parallel.

  The same procedure can be used when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area A2. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area A2 and the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 84, the Bluetooth terminal is used. The distance between the antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 is increased. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E3 or less, and there is no error or there is an error (when the electric field strength is E4 or less).

  Further, when the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, so that the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 86 and the mobile terminal device 110 is increased. Is close. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E3 or more and no error (BER = 0).

  If the combination of the electric field strength and the error becomes before and after the switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area A2. In this case, connection switching is performed so that the antenna 86 is used for Bluetooth, and even if playback operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed without performing time-division control, sound interruptions occur. Since it does not occur, time division control is not performed. In addition, since time-sharing control is not performed, high throughput can be ensured in communication using a wireless LAN performed in parallel.

  In the above-described example, the Bluetooth antenna terminal B is connected to the antenna 84 before switching, but may be connected to the antenna 86. In that case, the order of switching and the relationship between the electric field strength and the error may be reversed.

(Case 2) When included in the non-interference area B As shown in FIG. 6A, the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area B1, and the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 84. If it is, the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 is increased. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is error-free (BER = 0) between E4 and E3 (FIG. 3).

  When the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, so that the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 86 and the mobile terminal device 110 is increased. Is farther away. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E4 or less, and an error occurs.

  If the combination of the electric field intensity and the error becomes before and after the switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area B1. In this case, connection switching for using the antenna 84 for Bluetooth is performed, and playback operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed by performing time-sharing control, so that the audio playback can be performed. The occurrence of sound interruption can be prevented.

  The same procedure can be used when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area B2. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area B2 and the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 84, the Bluetooth terminal is used. The distance between the antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 is further increased. Therefore, in this case, the electric field strength is E4 or less, and an error occurs.

  When the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 7B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, so that the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 86 and the mobile terminal device 110 is increased. Will be far away. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is error-free between E4 and E3.

  If the combination of the electric field strength and the error becomes before and after the switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference area B2. In this case, connection switching for using the antenna 86 for Bluetooth is performed, and reproduction operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed by performing time-division control, thereby performing audio reproduction. The occurrence of sound interruption can be prevented.

  In the above-described example, the Bluetooth antenna terminal B is connected to the antenna 84 before switching, but may be connected to the antenna 86. In that case, the order of switching and the relationship between the electric field strength and the error may be reversed.

(Case 3) When included in the interference area C As shown in FIG. 8A, the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the interference area C, and the Bluetooth antenna terminal B of the antenna 84 is connected. If it is, the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 becomes very short. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is E1 (FIG. 3) or more and no error occurs.

  When the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, but the distance between the antenna 86 for Bluetooth and the mobile terminal device 110 is short. Maintains a very close value as before switching. Therefore, in this case, the electric field intensity is E1 or more and no error occurs.

  If the combination of the electric field strength and the error becomes like this before and after switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the interference area C. In this case, connection switching is performed so that the antenna 84 (or 86) is used for Bluetooth, and a reproduction operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed without performing time-division control. Since no sound interruption occurs, time-division control is not performed. In addition, since time-sharing control is not performed, high throughput can be ensured in communication using a wireless LAN performed in parallel.

(Case 4) When included in the interference area D As shown in FIG. 9A, the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the interference area D, and the Bluetooth antenna terminal B of the antenna 84 is connected. If it is, the distance between the Bluetooth antenna 84 and the mobile terminal device 110 is slightly increased. Therefore, the electric field strength in this case is error-free between E2 and E1 (FIG. 3).

  When the changeover switch 82 is switched in this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the antenna terminal B for Bluetooth is connected to the antenna 86, but the distance between the antenna 86 for Bluetooth and the mobile terminal device 110 is short. Maintains a slightly distant value as before switching. Accordingly, the electric field strength in this case is error-free between E2 and E1.

  If the combination of the electric field strength and the error becomes like this before and after switching, it can be determined that the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the interference area D. In this case, connection switching is performed so that the antenna 84 (or 86) is used for Bluetooth, and playback operation using audio data sent in a streaming format is performed by performing time division control. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of sound interruption during audio playback.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for performing connection switching of the antennas 84 and 86 and setting of time division control. The communication state monitoring unit 63 determines whether it is time to set connection switching and time division control (step 100). For example, when the pairing by the Bluetooth processing unit 62 is finished, when the pairing is finished, when the data communication in the streaming format with the portable terminal device 110 is finished, the portable terminal device The time when at least one of the electric field intensity with respect to 110 and / or BER deteriorates is considered as the timing for setting. If the setting timing has not arrived, a negative determination is made in the determination of step 100, and this determination is repeated.

  Further, when the setting timing comes, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 100. Next, the connection setting unit 64 sends an instruction to the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and the Bluetooth antenna terminal B of the wireless LAN / BT module 80 is set as one antenna 84 and the wireless LAN antenna terminal A is set as the other. Are connected to the antenna 86 (step 102). The communication state monitoring unit 63 detects the electric field strength and BER of the Bluetooth terminal (mobile terminal device 110) in this connection state (step 104). The Bluetooth electric field strength and BER are detected by the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and the communication state monitoring unit 63 acquires the detection result, thereby performing the operation of step 104 (the operation of step 108 described later is also the same). Do.

  Next, the connection setting unit 64 sends an instruction to the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and the Bluetooth antenna terminal B of the wireless LAN / BT module 80 is connected to the other antenna 86 for wireless LAN. Is switched to connect the antenna terminal A to one antenna 84 (step 106). The communication state monitoring unit 63 detects the electric field strength and the BER of the Bluetooth terminal (mobile terminal device 110) in this connection state (step 108).

  Next, the connection setting unit 64 connects the two antenna terminals A and B of the wireless LAN / BT module 80 and the antennas 84 and 86 based on the electric field strength before and after switching and the BER detected in steps 104 and 108. A state is set (step 110). Specifically, in accordance with the contents described in the above-described cases 1 to 4, it is determined whether the mobile terminal device 110 is included in the non-interference areas A and B and the interference areas C and D, and the antennas 84 and 86. The connection status of is set.

  In addition, the connection setting unit 64 sends an instruction according to the setting contents to the wireless LAN / BT module 80, and the connection state between the two antenna terminals A and B of the wireless LAN / BT module 80 and the antennas 84 and 86. (Step 112). If the previous connection state is the same as the connection state set in step 110, the switching operation in step 112 is omitted.

  Further, the time division necessity determination unit 65 determines whether or not the time division control needs to be performed based on the electric field strength before and after the switching and the BER detected in Steps 104 and 108 (Step 114). Specifically, time-sharing control is required when included in any one of the non-interference area B and the interference area D corresponding to the cases 2 and 4 described above, and when included in other areas, the time Division control becomes unnecessary. If it is necessary to perform time-sharing control, an affirmative determination is made in step 114, and the time-sharing control unit 66 sends an instruction to the wireless LAN / BT module 80 to start time-sharing control (step 116). . If time-sharing control is not necessary, a negative determination is made in step 114, and the series of setting processes ends without starting time-sharing control.

  As described above, in the in-vehicle device 1 of the present embodiment, the antenna 84 or 86 on the side close to the mobile terminal device 110 that performs the communication by the Bluetooth method can be used for Bluetooth. Therefore, the communication of the Bluetooth method can be performed in a favorable communication environment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of sound interruption when data acquired by Bluetooth is reproduced. In addition, time division control is not always performed to prevent sound interruption, but time division control can be performed only when it is really necessary, so that the throughput when acquiring data by wireless LAN at other times is reduced. Can be improved.

  In particular, by using the error rate and the electric field strength as the communication state, it is possible to reliably grasp the communication state. In addition, it is possible to reduce the influence of radio wave interference that occurs when using 2.4 GHz radio waves in the same ISM band.

  In addition, by making the communication using the Bluetooth method non-storage type data communication (specifically, audio data transmission / reception performed in a streaming format, etc.), the sound caused by the reduction in the throughput of the Bluetooth communication caused by radio wave interference. It becomes possible to prevent cutting.

  In addition, various settings in the present invention are applied to the mobile terminal device 110 that has been paired with Bluetooth, at the end of pairing, when the data communication in the streaming format ends, at least the electric field strength and the error rate. By performing at any time when one of them deteriorates, it becomes possible to make necessary settings without affecting the Bluetooth communication.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, transmission / reception of audio data performed in a streaming format as communication performed by the Bluetooth method has been considered. However, when realizing a hands-free telephone using the mobile terminal device 110, the hands-free processing unit 55, or the like. The present invention may be applied to transmission / reception of audio data performed with the mobile terminal device 110 to prevent sound interruption of received speech and received speech.

  In the above-described embodiment, communication with the mobile router 100 is performed by wireless LAN and communication with the mobile terminal device 110 is performed by Bluetooth. However, communication with other devices is not performed. You may make it perform.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the in-vehicle device 1. However, the present invention may be applied to a wireless communication device used outside the vehicle, for example, indoors or outdoors.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the antenna on the side close to the first external device that performs communication by Bluetooth can be used for Bluetooth, it is possible to perform Bluetooth communication in a good communication environment. It becomes possible, and it is possible to prevent occurrence of sound interruption when reproducing data acquired by Bluetooth.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 In-vehicle apparatus 10 Operation part 12 Touch panel 22 Display apparatus 50 Control part 51 Internet processing part 52 Mail processing part 53 Navigation processing part 54 Audio processing part 55 Hands-free processing part 61 Wireless LAN processing part 62 Bluetooth (BT) processing part 63 Communication state Monitoring unit 64 Connection setting unit 65 Time division necessity determination unit 66 Time division control unit 80 Wireless LAN / BT module 82 Changeover switch (SW)
84, 86 Antenna 100 Mobile router 110 Mobile terminal device

Claims (13)

The first wireless communication method is used to communicate with the first external device, and the second wireless communication method is different from the first wireless communication method and uses radio waves in the same frequency band. A wireless communication device that communicates with a second external device,
First and second antennas installed at different positions;
First communication means for communicating with the first external device using the first wireless communication method;
Second communication means for communicating with the second external device using the second wireless communication method;
Connection switching means for connecting each of the first and second antennas and each of the first and second communication means in a one-to-one relationship and switching a mutual connection state;
When each of the first and second antennas is sequentially connected to the first communication means by switching the connection state by the connection switching means, the first external device and the first communication means Communication status monitoring means for monitoring the communication status between
Connection setting means for setting which of the first and second antennas is connected to the first communication means based on a monitoring result by the communication state monitoring means;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: In claim 1,
Based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring means, time division necessity determination means for determining whether or not time division control is necessary;
Time division for performing time division control for performing communication by alternately operating the first and second communication means when the time division necessity determination means determines that time division control is necessary. Control means;
A wireless communication apparatus, further comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the first wireless communication system is a Bluetooth system. In claim 3,
The wireless communication apparatus, wherein the second wireless communication system is a wireless LAN system. In claim 3 or 4,
The communication state monitoring means monitors an error rate and electric field strength as a communication state. In any one of Claims 3-5,
The same frequency band is a 2.4 GHz ISM band. In any one of Claims 3-6,
The wireless communication device, wherein communication performed between the first external device and the first communication means using the first wireless communication method is non-storage type data communication. In claim 7,
The non-storage type data communication is audio data transmission / reception performed in a streaming format. In claim 7,
The non-storage type data communication is wireless transmission / reception of voice data performed with the first external device when a hands-free telephone is realized by using the first external device. Communication device. In any one of Claims 3-9,
The operations of the communication state monitoring unit, the connection setting unit, the time division necessity determination unit, and the time division control unit are performed on the first external device that has been paired with Bluetooth. A wireless communication device. In claim 10,
The operations of the communication state monitoring means, the connection setting means, the time division necessity determination means, and the time division control means are as follows: pairing end time, streaming data communication end time, electric field strength and error rate A wireless communication apparatus, which is performed at any time when at least one of the above deteriorates. A first communication unit that communicates with a first external device using a first wireless communication method, and a second wireless communication method that is different from the first wireless communication method and has the same frequency band A communication setting method in a wireless communication device having a second communication means for communicating with a second external device using a radio wave of
A connection switching step of connecting the first and second antennas installed at different positions to each other and the first and second communication units in a one-to-one relationship and switching the mutual connection state by the connection switching unit. When,
When each of the first and second antennas is sequentially connected to the first communication means by switching the connection state by the connection switching means, the first external device and the first communication means A communication state monitoring step of monitoring a communication state between the communication state and the communication state by means of communication state monitoring means;
A connection setting step for setting, by a connection setting means, which of the first and second antennas is connected to the first communication means based on a monitoring result by the communication state monitoring means;
A communication setting method in a wireless communication apparatus. In claim 12,
A time-sharing control determination step for determining whether or not time-sharing control is necessary by a time-sharing necessity determining means based on the monitoring result by the communication state monitoring means;
Time-division control for performing time-division control for performing communication by alternately operating the first and second communication means when the time-division necessity determination means determines that time-division control is necessary A time-sharing control step performed by the control means;
A communication setting method in a wireless communication apparatus, further comprising:

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