JP2000013305A - Digital radio telephone device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a digital radio telephone device in which a battery is replaced without interrupting the channel during the speech and the speech is continued after the replacement without loosing general-purpose performance of the device. SOLUTION: A slave set is provided with an inquiry responding means 117 that responds to an inquiry to a master set and a call state holding means 116 that holds a call connection state when the speech with the master set is started. The master set is provided with a call state holding means 106 that holds a call connecting state when the speech with the slave set is started, a state inquiry means 107 that inquiring repetitively a state of the slave set during the speech, a state discrimination means 107 that discriminates a residual amount of a battery of the slave set based on responded contents to the inquiry, and a channel holding function means 105 that holds a channel with a speech opposite party of the slave set depending on the discrimination result by the state discrimination means 107, and also the slave set is provided with a battery residual amount detection means 111 that detects that the battery residual amount of a built-in battery of the slave set is a specified value or below and the slave set responds the detected contents to the master set via the responding means 117.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a parent device connected to a general telephone line, and a wireless (cordless) communication with the parent device.
The present invention relates to a digital wireless telephone device including a child device connected via a line, and more particularly to a digital wireless telephone device capable of holding a line between a parent device and a child device when a battery of the child device is replaced.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a digital radio telephone of this type, when a battery of a child device is exhausted during a call by a child device, the line is temporarily disconnected, the battery is replaced, and then the telephone is re-established. In order to solve such a problem, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-93313, a confirmation signal and a response signal corresponding thereto are periodically transmitted between a parent device and a child device. A means having a function of determining whether or not a communication between the parent device and the child device is possible, and detecting a remaining battery level during a call by the child device to determine whether the remaining battery level is present. When the value becomes equal to or less than the value, a warning is given to the user by a predetermined message, and an alarm is also issued to the parent device. message Follow to exchange the battery, after the battery replacement, the digital radio telephone apparatus is known which call by the child apparatus parent device to re-establish the line before the replacement is to be continued.

The operation of a conventional digital radio telephone device is
This will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (operation flowchart). Now
When the battery of the slave device (2) is exhausted and the remaining battery level falls below a certain specified value, the battery remaining amount detecting means in the slave device (2) detects this (step S501) and activates the alarm means. Then, an alarm is issued to notify the user of the exhaustion of the battery and to the parent device (1) (step S502). The parent device (1) determines whether this warning has been issued (step S).
511) When a warning is issued, the connection state of the call is saved and the line with the child device (2) is held (step S51).
2). Then, in the next step, a message indicating that the battery of the child device (2) is being exchanged is sent to the call partner of the general subscriber line, and the call line with the call partner is held (step S513). A message is sent to the slave device (2) to the effect that the communication line with the communication partner has been suspended and a notification is sent (step S514). On the other hand, the child device (2) stores information necessary for line reconnection in the non-volatile memory (step S503), and receives a notification of the line hold of the communication partner from the parent device (1) (step S50).
4) In a subsequent step, it is determined whether the battery has been replaced (step S505). Then, after the battery replacement, the information stored in the nonvolatile memory previously stored is read out and returned to the original state (step S506), and in the next step, the battery is replaced with respect to the parent device (1). A notification to the effect is sent (step S507). The parent device (1) determines whether or not the notification of the battery replacement has come from the child device (2) (step S515). The hold of the call line is released (step S516), and the line before battery replacement is re-established to allow the child device (2) to continue the call. In the case where the battery replacement time comes in step S505 and the call is continued without replacing the battery despite the warning due to battery exhaustion, the line is forcibly disconnected after a predetermined time. Methods are also known.

[0004]

The above-mentioned conventional digital radio telephone apparatus has a problem in that when the battery of the child apparatus is replaced, the parent and the child are replaced.
Since the line between the child devices can be held and the call line of the other party can be held, it is possible to solve the problem of having to disconnect the line, replace the battery, and then make a call again. . However, in such a conventional digital radio telephone device, as is apparent from the operation flowchart of FIG. 5, a special procedure for exchanging between the parent and child devices and performing a predetermined operation of both the parent and child devices in a predetermined procedure. Means having functions and functions, and alarm means for detecting the remaining battery level and alerting the user and the parent device are required, so that a separate child device is required for the parent device. In the case of expansion, there is a problem that the number of child devices to be expanded is limited and the versatility of the digital radio telephone device is lacking. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to forcibly disconnect a line when replacing a battery of a child device during a call without losing the versatility of the digital wireless telephone device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a digital wireless telephone device capable of continuing a call after exchange.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a digital radio telephone comprising a parent device connected to a general telephone line and a child device connected to the parent device via a radio line. The child device comprises: an inquiry response means for responding to an inquiry from the parent device; and a call state holding means for storing a connection state of the call when the child device starts a call via the parent device. The parent device,
A call state holding unit for storing a connection state of a call when the child device starts a call through the parent device; and a call from the parent device to the child device while the child device is talking via the parent device. State inquiry means for repeatedly inquiring about the operation state of the child device, state determination means for determining the remaining battery level of the child device from a response to the inquiry about the operation state from the child device, and child device according to the determination result of the state determination means And line holding function means for holding the communication line with the other party.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the battery remaining amount of the child device has fallen below a predetermined value. It is characterized in that the fact that the value has become equal to or less than the value is returned to the parent device as the content of the response of the inquiry response means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the state determination means determines a dead battery state when there is no response to the inquiry about the operation state. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the state determining means determines that the remaining battery level of the child device is based on an error in the bit string returned in response to the inquiry about the operating state. State below the value, or
It is characterized in that an abnormal state of the child device due to other causes is determined.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a digital radio telephone according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 1A and 1B are functional block diagrams of a parent device and a child device, showing an embodiment of a digital wireless telephone device according to the present invention. The parent device (FIG. 1A) connects to the public network, and performs a line control unit 101 for controlling separation / multiplexing of B-channel data (voice data) and D-channel data (control data) to be transmitted / received, and a call. A call setting control unit 104 that performs connection / disconnection processing of the B-channel data input from the line control unit 101 based on the information of the call setting control unit 104 between the public network and the child device and between the child devices. An exchange control unit 102 for controlling connection of a data channel, a wireless control unit 103 for controlling connection of a circuit between a parent device and a child device,
It is composed of Then, the "call setting control unit 10"
"4" is a call state holding unit 106 for storing a connection state of a call and holding a line with the child apparatus when the child apparatus starts a call via the parent apparatus, and the child apparatus talks with the other party through the parent apparatus. During the operation, the operation status of the child device is periodically and repeatedly inquired to the child device, and the remaining battery level (“out of battery” or “battery”) of the child device is determined based on the response from the inquiry response section 117 of the child device. Inquiry unit 107 that makes a determination of “remaining amount is less than or equal to specified value”, and when the battery of the child device has to be replaced based on the determination of inquiry unit 107, the call line between the child device and the other party is held. And a hold function unit 105 for performing the operation. On the other hand, the child device (FIG. 1B)
A wireless control unit 113 that controls connection of a line between a child device and a parent device for B channel data (voice data) received from the parent device via the antenna 118 and D channel data, and B input from the wireless control unit 113. An audio processing unit 112 that performs audio processing of channel data (audio data) and audio input from the microphone 115, a call setting control unit 114 that performs connection / disconnection processing of a call, a built-in battery 110, and a depleted battery 110 It comprises a battery remaining amount detecting section 111 for detecting that the remaining amount has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. And
The "call setting control unit 114" includes a call state holding unit 116 for storing a call connection state and holding a line with the parent apparatus when the child apparatus starts a call via the parent apparatus, and a state inquiry unit 107 for the parent apparatus. In response to the inquiry about the operation state of the child device, the operation state of the child device, that is, the call state holding unit 116
And a query response unit 117 for responding to the parent device using the call control procedure defined in the standard specification with the information on the connection state of the call and the information on the remaining battery level of the remaining battery level detection unit 111.

The operation of the embodiment (FIG. 1) of the digital radio telephone apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. When the child device starts a call with the other party via the parent device, the call setting control unit 104 in the parent device determines “start of the call”, and the call state holding unit 106 holds the call connection state. At the same time, the status inquiry unit 107 in the call setting control unit 104 inquires about the call connection status of the child device (holding the line with the parent device) using a status inquiry message (see FIG. 3) (step S201). . Then, as a result of inquiring the connection state of the call to the child device, if there is a response from the child device (step S202), it is determined whether the response content is a "disconnect (DISConnect) message" including an "end message" (step S202). (S203) If the message is a disconnect message, the operation of the parent device ends as it is (step S204), but if the message is other than a "disconnect (DISConnect) message", the process proceeds to the next step. In the next step, it is determined whether or not the response is a "status display (STATus) message" (step S205). If the answer is affirmative, the process proceeds to the next step and the status display message information element (FIG. (See step S206), that is, if the call state is “communicating”, there is an information element “no battery level” from the battery level detection unit 111 of the child device. At the same time, the hold function unit 105 in the call setting control unit 104 holds the communication line between the child device and the other party (steps S207 and S208), and the call state is other than “communicating”. It is determined that the remaining capacity of the battery 110 of the child device is small and the operation is unstable or other abnormal state, and immediately the hold function unit 105 in the call setting control unit 104
Step S208 of holding the communication line between the child device and the other party is performed. In step S205, if the message is a message other than the "status display (STATus) message" indicating the response to the inquiry in step S201, the operation flow from step S202 is repeated, and in step S207, , If there is no battery display information element "battery remaining" in the information element of "Status display (STATus) message",
The operation flow after step S201 is repeated.

Next, when the parent device inquires of the child device about the call connection state (step S201), no response is received from the child device (NO in step S202).
Is in a state in which the inquiry response section 117 of the child device cannot respond due to the exhaustion of the battery 110, and in order to confirm such a state, asks whether a predetermined time has timed out (step S209). In this case, the hold function unit 105 in the call setting control unit 104 holds the communication line between the child device and the other party (step S210). If no timeout occurs, the process returns to the original step S202.

Here, an embodiment of the "message" information element in the status inquiry means 107 from the parent device to the child device and the response inquiry response means 117 from the child device to the parent device will be described. 3 and 4 show a “status inquiry message” information element and a “status display message” information element, respectively. First, when the parent device inquires the child device about the status of the child device, for example, the call control procedure "RCRSTD-28" defined in the second generation cordless (wireless) telephone system standard RCRSTD-28 as shown in FIG. Status inquiry message "can be used. Detailed description of each information element in this “status inquiry message” is omitted.

As for the response from the child device to the parent device in response to the inquiry from the parent device, a "status display message" can be used as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a “battery display” information element is added so that the inquiry response unit 117 can reply to the parent device that the remaining amount of the battery 110 of the child device has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. The “fixed shift” information element is an information element used to indicate a code group to be newly used. When a “battery display” information element is added, the code group identifier of the fixed shift information element is a code group 7: The user specific information element 111 (bit 3 2 1) will be used. After this fixed shift information element, a "battery display information element" which is a user-specific information element is added. Regarding the contents of the battery display information element, for example, an arbitrary 8-bit information element such as 00001000 indicating "no remaining battery power" is created, and a response is made as a status display message.

When the parent device makes an inquiry to the child device,
The following states (1) to (3) exist as operating states of the child device. Running out of battery During communication (call) and the remaining battery level is not lower than the specified value. Communication (call) and not detecting that the remaining battery level is lower than the specified value. ), When it is detected that the remaining battery level has become equal to or less than the specified value. The response means in each operation state will be described. In the case of "battery exhaustion" (FIG. 2, operation flowchart steps S202, S209) , Step S210) Even if the parent device inquires of the child device about the operation state of the child device, the child device cannot respond to the parent device due to battery exhaustion. In the parent device, the situation in which no response is returned from the child device is determined as "battery exhaustion in the child device",
The telephone line of the slave device with the other party is held. If communication is in progress and the battery level is not below a certain value (FIG. 2, step S20 of the operation flowchart)
6, NO in step S207) A bit string of “communicating”: 00000010 in the call status of the “status display message” in FIG. 4 is returned. The parent device that has received this reply repeatedly makes an inquiry to the child device while the child device is talking. In response to the repeated inquiry from the parent device, the child device replies with the bit string of “communicating”: 00000010 as described above. When communication is in progress and it is not detected that the remaining battery power is below a predetermined value (NO in step S206 in FIG. 2, operation flowchart). Normally, a bit string of “communicating”: 00000010 is returned. Cannot operate normally because the battery has run out and the battery has run out.
0000 where one bit is incorrect in the bit string of 001010
A bit string such as 1011 may be returned. In such a case, even if it is not possible to detect that the remaining battery power is below a certain value, the error in this bit string indicates that the remaining battery power of the child device has become less than the specified value or that the error is caused by another cause. Abnormal status of child device "
The telephone line of the slave device with the other party is held. When it is detected that the battery level is lower than a predetermined value during communication (FIG. 2, operation flowchart, step S206 to step S207 YES), using the battery display information element of the "status display message" in FIG. Reply "no battery" to parent device.

[0015]

As described above, according to the digital radio telephone apparatus of the present invention, the following operational effects can be obtained. (1) Using the “status inquiry message” defined in the standard, the parent device sends an inquiry about the status of the child device to the child device, and when no response is returned from the child device, the child device Of the battery of the child device can be determined without using any special procedure or function. Holds the line with the other party
Since it is possible to suspend, the versatility of the parent / child device can be ensured. Therefore, when another child device is added to the parent device, there is no lack of versatility that the additional child device is limited. The battery can be replaced without disconnecting the circuit, and immediately after the battery replacement, the call can be resumed at the parent device or another child device. (2) When detecting the remaining battery level, the parent device uses the “status inquiry message” defined in the above standard, and the child device uses the standard option. By adding a function of creating a "battery display" information element to the status response means, it is possible to detect the remaining battery level, so that the versatility of the parent device is ensured and the When the value becomes equal to or less than the value, the parent device holds the line between the child device and the communication partner side of the child device.
It can be put on hold. Therefore, even when the remaining battery level of the child device falls below the specified value as in the conventional device, the parent device can hold and hold the line between the child device and the communication partner of the child device. Immediately after the battery replacement, it is possible to resume a call with the parent device or another child device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a parent device and a child device in a digital wireless telephone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the parent device in the embodiment of the digital radio telephone device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information elements of a “status inquiry message”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing information elements of a “status display message” in the embodiment of the digital wireless telephone device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the parent / child device when the battery of the conventional child device runs out.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Parent apparatus / line control part 102 ... Exchange control part 103 ... Radio control part 104 ... Call setting control part 105 ... Hold function part 106 ... Call state holding part 107 ... State inquiry part 108 ... Antenna 110 ... Child apparatus / battery 111 ... Battery level detection unit 112 ... Sound processing unit 113 ... Wireless control unit 114 ... Call setting control unit 115 ... Microphone / speaker 116 ... Call state holding unit 117 ... Inquiry reply unit 118 ... Antenna

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 7/26 109N

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A digital wireless telephone device comprising a master device connected to a general telephone line and a slave device connected to the master device via a wireless line, wherein the slave device includes: Inquiry reply means for replying to the inquiry, and call state holding means for storing the connection state of the call when the child device starts a call via the parent device, wherein the parent device includes the child device A call state holding means for storing a connection state of a call when a call is started via the parent device, and a communication between the parent device and the child device while the child device is talking via the parent device. State inquiring means for repeatedly inquiring the operating state, state determining means for determining the remaining battery level of the child apparatus from a response to the inquiry about the operating state from the child apparatus, and a communication partner of the child apparatus in accordance with the determination result of the state determining means Side and Digital radio telephone apparatus characterized by comprising a line hold function means for holding the communication line. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting that a battery remaining amount of the slave device has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. 2. The digital wireless telephone device according to claim 1, wherein a response is made to the parent device as the content of the response. 3. The digital radio telephone device according to claim 1, wherein said state determination means determines the battery exhaustion state when there is no response to the inquiry about the operation state. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state determination means determines whether the battery level of the child device has fallen below a predetermined value or a child error caused by another cause, based on an error in the bit string returned in response to the inquiry about the operation state. 3. The digital radio telephone device according to claim 1, wherein an abnormal state of the device is determined.