JP2000216907A - Portable telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a superior user interface having a speech mode for operating speech as a communication mode and a data mode for operating data communication by sufficiently utilizing the characteristics of both modes. SOLUTION: This portable telephone set has a speech mode for operating speech as a communication mode and a data mode for operating data communication. This portable telephone set is provided with an instruction inputting part 14 for inputting the instruction of a user, a liquid crystal display 15 for displaying information to a user, a switching part 16a for switching the speech mode and the data mode, a data communicating situation monitoring part 16d for monitoring the situation of the data communication in the data mode, and a switching deciding part 16g for deciding whether or not the communication mode should be switched to the speech mode, based on the monitored result of the data communicating situation monitoring part 16d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone having a communication mode for performing a telephone call and a data mode for performing data communication as communication modes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of mobile data communication, a system in which an external processing device is connected to a portable telephone and a packet is transmitted / received via the portable telephone has been put to practical use. PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants) such as notebook-type or book-type computers and electronic organizers as external processing devices
Is mentioned. In this system, the mobile phone is controlled by an external processing device and functions as a mere communication path.

[0003] Also, a communication terminal having a mobile phone function mounted on a PDA has been developed. This type of communication terminal is usually
The operation mode includes a mode for performing a call and a mode for performing data communication, and the user of the communication terminal uses the operation mode as needed.

[0004]

In a system in which an external processing device is connected to a mobile phone, it is necessary to carry the external processing device in addition to the mobile phone, and there is a problem in portability. Further, in a normal telephone call, it is common to use a mobile phone alone, so that when performing data communication, the mobile phone must be connected to an external processing device. The labor involved in this connection is being simplified, but some work will still occur.

[0005] On the other hand, the above-mentioned inconvenience does not occur in a communication terminal having a mobile phone function in a PDA. However, in most of these types of communication terminals, a device that realizes a call and a device that realizes a data communication are simply integrated, and the user interface has a function required for the call and a data communication. The interface does not take into account the different required functions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a communication mode as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile phone that provides an excellent user interface by utilizing it.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable telephone having a communication mode for performing a telephone call and a data mode for performing a data communication. An instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user, an information presenting unit for presenting information to a user, a switching unit for switching between the call mode and the data mode, and a mobile phone. Data communication status monitoring means for monitoring the status of data communication in the mode, and switching determination means for determining whether to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result by the data communication status monitoring means. The switching unit switches the communication mode to the call mode based on a determination result by the switching determination unit. It is characterized. According to this configuration, the data mode is switched to the call mode based on the monitoring result by the data communication status monitoring unit.

Further, in the above configuration, a timer is provided, and the data communication status monitoring means uses the timer to measure a length of a non-communication period, which is a continuous period in which data communication is not performed, The switching determination unit uses the length of the non-communication period measured by the data communication state monitoring unit as the monitoring result, and switches the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result and a preset threshold. It may be determined whether or not (claim 2).

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a third aspect is provided.
Is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, wherein the instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, operation status monitoring means for monitoring the status of operation on the instruction input means in the data mode, and the operation Switching determination means for determining whether or not to switch the communication mode to the call mode based on the monitoring result by the status monitoring means, wherein the switching means switches the communication mode based on the determination result by the switching determination means. Switching to the call mode is characterized. According to this configuration, the data mode is switched to the call mode based on the monitoring result by the operation status monitoring unit.

Further, in the above configuration, a timer is provided, and the operation status monitoring means measures the length of a non-input period, which is a continuous period in which no data is input from the instruction input means, using the timer. The switching determination unit sets the length of the non-input period measured by the operation status monitoring unit as the monitoring result, and switches the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result and a preset threshold. It may be determined whether or not this is the case.

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a fifth aspect of the present invention is provided.
Is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, wherein the instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, and incoming request receiving means for receiving an incoming call request from a mobile communication network in the data mode. It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, in the data mode, a call termination request from the mobile communication network is received.

Further, in the above configuration, there may be provided an incoming request notifying means for notifying a user that the incoming request receiving means has received the incoming call request in the data mode. In this configuration, the information presenting unit includes a liquid crystal display, and the incoming call request notifying unit displays, by the liquid crystal display, an image indicating that the incoming call request receiving unit has received the call incoming request in the data mode. (Claim 7). Alternatively, the information presenting unit includes a lamp that can be turned on / off, and the incoming request notification unit turns on / off the lamp, and notifies that the incoming request receiving unit has received the incoming call request in the data mode. The user may be notified (claim 8). Alternatively, the information presenting means includes a sounding means capable of sounding, and the incoming call request notifying means emits a predetermined sound using the sounding means, so that the incoming call request receiving means responds to the incoming call request in the data mode. The reception may be notified to the user (claim 9). Alternatively, the information presenting means includes a vibrating device capable of vibrating, and the incoming call request notifying device uses the fact that the incoming call request receiving device has received the incoming call request in the data mode by vibrating the vibrating device. May be notified to the user (claim 10).

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a first aspect of the present invention is described.
The mobile phone described in 1 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, and in the data mode, the incoming call request receiving means receives an incoming call request, and Return information storage means for storing information in use as data mode return information when the instruction input from the instruction input means is a predetermined instruction; and call processing means for responding to the incoming call request in the call mode The switching unit switches the communication mode after the completion of storing the data mode return information by the return information storage unit. It is characterized in that switching the mode. According to this configuration, the communication mode is switched to the call mode after saving the data in use in the data mode.

Further, in the above configuration, the information in use may be information indicating a storage location of the information to be presented by the information presenting means. Alternatively, the information in use may be information to be presented by the information presenting means (claim 13). Alternatively, in a situation in which the return information storage unit stores the data mode return information, a switching automatic control unit that switches the communication mode to the call data mode by the switching unit when a call in the call mode ends. (Claim 14).

In the portable telephone according to the present invention, when the switching means switches the communication mode from the talking mode to the data mode, the information corresponding to the data mode return information is stored in the portable telephone. A continuation unit for presenting information by the information presenting unit may be provided. Further, in this configuration, the continuation means may cause the information presenting means to present information corresponding to the data mode return information only when a preset condition is satisfied (claim 16). . Further, in this configuration, a timer is provided, and the continuation unit measures the elapsed time from the occurrence of the specific event using the timer, and when the measured value of the timer is equal to or less than a preset threshold, Only the information corresponding to the data mode return information may be presented by the information presenting means (claim 17).

Further, in the configuration according to claim 17, the specific event is that the switching unit switches the communication mode to the communication mode after the completion of storage of the data mode return information by the return information storage unit. (Claim 18). Alternatively, in the configuration of claim 17, the specific event may be an end of the call in the call mode.
9).

[0017] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a second aspect is provided.
0 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for making a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and instruction input means for inputting a user's instruction, Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, the information presenting means comprises a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and a status of operation on the instruction input means Operation status monitoring means for monitoring the operation status monitoring means, a light-off determination means for determining whether to turn off the backlight of the liquid crystal display based on the monitoring result and the threshold value, and a determination result of the light-off determination means Turns off the backlight of the liquid crystal display when is the result of turning off the backlight of the liquid crystal display. And off means that is characterized by comprising a criterion switching means for switching said threshold value for each of the communication mode. According to this configuration, the condition for turning off the backlight of the liquid crystal display that is turned off in accordance with the operation state of the instruction input unit is switched for each communication mode.

Further, in the above configuration, the threshold value for the data mode may be different from the threshold value for the call mode. 22. The mobile phone according to claim 20, further comprising a timer, wherein the operation status monitoring unit uses the timer to indicate a continuous period in which no data input from the instruction input unit exists. The length of the input period is measured, the threshold is a value representing time, and the light-off determination means sets the monitoring result to the length of the non-input period measured by the operation status monitoring means, and the monitoring result It may be determined whether to turn off the backlight of the liquid crystal display based on the threshold value.
2). Further, in this configuration, the threshold value for the data mode may be a value representing a time longer than the threshold value for the call mode (claim 2).
3).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
4. The mobile phone described in 4 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; A liquid crystal display with a backlight for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, data receiving means for receiving data in the data mode, and reception of data by the data receiving means And a monitoring and lighting means for lighting a backlight of the liquid crystal display when the result of the monitoring is a result indicating that data reception by the data receiving means is completed. According to this configuration, the backlight of the liquid crystal display is turned on when data reception is completed.

[0020] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a second aspect is provided.
The mobile phone described in 5 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode, wireless intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of a wireless carrier, and a detection result by the wireless intensity detecting means. It is characterized in that it comprises communication availability determination means for determining the availability of communication based on a threshold value, and threshold value change means for changing the threshold value for each of the two modes of the call mode and the data mode. According to this configuration, the threshold value used for determining whether communication is possible is changed for each communication mode.

Further, in the above configuration, the information presenting means may present information according to two kinds of determination results obtained by the communication availability determining means by changing the threshold value by the threshold value changing means. Good (Claim 2
6). Alternatively, the information presenting means presents information according to a determination result obtained by the communication availability determination means based on the threshold value according to the call mode in the call mode, and in the data mode, Information according to a determination result obtained by the determination unit based on the threshold value according to a data mode may be presented (claim 27).

[0022] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a second aspect is provided.
The mobile phone described in 8 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information to a user, switching means for switching between the communication mode and the data mode, communication mode wireless intensity detection means for detecting the strength of a wireless carrier in the communication mode, and the data mode A data mode wireless strength detecting means for detecting the strength of the wireless carrier wave, and a call mode for determining whether or not a call in the call mode is possible based on a detection result by the call mode wireless strength detecting means and a threshold value corresponding to the call mode. Availability determination means, and a detection result by the data mode wireless strength detection means and a threshold value corresponding to the data mode. It is characterized by comprising a data mode determination means for determining whether communication in the data mode Zui. According to this configuration, the propriety of communication in each mode is determined based on a threshold value that differs for each communication mode.

Further, in the above configuration, the information presenting means may present information according to the determination result of the call mode availability determination means and the determination result of the data mode availability determination means (claim 29). . Alternatively, the information presenting means presents information according to the determination result of the communication mode availability determination means in the call mode, and presents information according to the determination result of the data mode availability determination means in the data mode. (Claim 30).

[0024] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
The mobile phone described in 1 is a mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, and an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Switching means for switching a communication mode based on an instruction input by the instruction input means and a communication state, and the switching means comprises:
When an instruction to switch the communication mode to the data mode is input from the instruction input unit, if communication is not being performed in the call mode, a process of switching the communication mode to the data mode is performed, and communication is performed in the call mode. In this case, the process of switching the communication mode to the data mode is not performed. According to this configuration, when communication is performed in the call mode, the communication mode cannot be switched.

In each of the above structures, the information presenting means may be shared by the call mode and the data mode (claim 32), and the instruction input means may be provided by the call mode and the data mode. It may be shared with the mode (claim 33).

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

A: Configuration of Embodiment First, a configuration of a mobile communication system using a mobile phone MS according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A-1: Configuration of Mobile Communication System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile communication system using a mobile phone MS according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, an MS is a mobile station that receives a packet communication service of a mobile packet communication network MPN. The mobile phone MS is connected to the mobile packet communication network MPN and the mobile phone network MTN shown in FIG. Mobile telephone network MT
Since N is a network that provides general mobile telephone services, the mobile station MS can receive the services.
The configuration of the mobile phone MS will be described later. The mobile telephone network MTN includes a base station BS to be described later and a digital mobile communication exchange MLS for providing a circuit switching service.

The mobile packet communication network MPN is composed of a base station BS, a packet subscriber processing unit PS, a gateway server GWS, and a communication line connecting these. The base station BS has a radius of 50
It is arranged at a predetermined interval divided in a range such as 0 m, and performs wireless communication with a mobile phone MS located in a wireless zone formed by each. The packet subscriber processing unit PS
A computer system provided in a packet exchange which accommodates a plurality of base stations BS.
And relays the packet exchange in the mobile packet communication network MPN.

The gateway server GWS is a computer system provided in a mobile packet gateway relay exchange for interconnecting the mobile packet communication network MPN and another network such as the Internet INET, and has different communication protocols between networks. Perform the conversion. Specifically, the transmission protocol for the mobile packet communication network that the mobile packet communication network MPN follows, and the Internet INET
TCP / IP (Transmissi
on Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Further, the gateway server GWS cooperates with the IP server W to control information distribution services and various applications.

The gateway server GWS has an IP registration information file. This IP registration information file contains, for each information provider (hereinafter, IP) contracted to receive a gateway service with the mobile packet communication network MPN, the name of the provider, the absolute name on the network. (For example, in the case of the Internet, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that specifies an information resource on the WWW (World Wide Web).
In this embodiment, the absolute address on the network is represented by U
This will be described as RL. ) Etc. are accumulated.

The IP server W is a server system operated by IP, and transmits information to be provided to the user in HTML (Hype).
r Text Markup Language) format data is sent to the network. The IP server W may be connected to the gateway server GWS via the Internet INET, or may be connected to the gateway server GWS via a dedicated line.
Some are provided inside the gateway server GWS and are provided by the operator of the mobile packet communication network MPN.

A-2: Configuration of Mobile Phone MS (1) Hardware Configuration FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone MS. As shown in FIG.
A transmitting / receiving unit (for example, having an antenna, a wireless unit, a transmitter, a receiver, etc.) 11 for performing wireless communication with the base station BS; a sound collecting unit (for example, a microphone) 12 for inputting sound; (For example, a speaker) 13, an instruction input unit (for example, a keypad) 14 for performing an instruction input operation such as numeral input and character input, a liquid crystal display 15 having a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, and a control unit 1 for controlling these units
6 built-in. The control unit 16 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161 for performing various controls,
161 storing an operation program to be executed in ROM 161
(Read Only Memory) 162 and an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) for storing user data such as telephone directory data.
mory) 163, and when a power supply (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 161 reads out and executes the program stored in the ROM 162, and executes the SRAM 163, the transmission / reception unit 11, the sound collection unit 12, the sound generation unit 13, The instruction input unit 14 and the liquid crystal display 15 are controlled.

The mobile phone MS has, as communication modes, a call mode for making a call and a data mode for making data communication. When the communication mode changes to the data mode, it is stored in the ROM 162. By reading out the document data browsing software (so-called browser) and executing the browser, a liquid crystal is displayed based on HTML format data (hereinafter referred to as HTML data) supplied from the IP via the mobile packet communication network MPN. An interactive screen is displayed on the display 15. Note that the mobile phone MS acquires HTML data by transmitting an acquisition request designating a URL of a resource and transmitting HTML data transmitted from the IP side in response to the request.
This is completed by storing the data in the work area 163. The instruction input unit 14 and the liquid crystal display 15 are shared between the call mode and the data mode.

(2) Functional Configuration As described above, the cellular phone MS realizes various functions by the CPU 161 executing various programs. Here, the features of the mobile phone MS having the above-described configuration will be described for the characteristic portions of the present invention. The other functions are provided in a general mobile phone, and are well known, and thus description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the portable telephone MS with respect to a characteristic portion of the present invention. In this figure, a wireless strength detector 11a for detecting the strength of a wireless carrier from the base station BS (hereinafter referred to as "wireless strength") in the transmitting / receiving section 11 always operates without depending on the operation program executed by the CPU 161. The obtained wireless strength is output to the control unit 16. In the present communication system, the radio channel used in the call mode and the radio channel used in the data mode are the same, and the radio intensity detector 11a detects and outputs only one radio intensity.

In the control section 16, the switching section 16a includes an instruction input section 14 and a switching automatic control section 16b to be described later.
Switches the communication mode (communication mode / data mode) of the mobile phone MS based on the instruction supplied from.

The data communication processing section 16c operates in cooperation with the transmission / reception section 11 in the data mode to perform transmission / reception processing of HTML data. Data communication status monitor 16d
Monitors the status of transmission / reception processing (data communication status) by the data communication processing unit 16c. Specifically, the data communication status monitoring unit 16d uses the output data of the timer e that outputs the current time, measures the elapsed time since the last transmission / reception processing by the data communication processing unit 16c, and If the elapsed time exceeds a first non-communication time set in advance, a switching request for switching the communication mode to the communication mode is output. In the data mode, the data communication processing unit 16 c
When a series of transmission / reception processing by 6c is completed, a lighting request for turning on the backlight of the liquid crystal display 15 is supplied to the lighting / off judging unit 16h. In this embodiment, in the data mode, the data communication processing unit 16
When the time during which the transmission / reception processing by c is not performed reaches the second non-communication time set in advance, it is determined that a series of transmission / reception processing is completed. The length of the specified time is an appropriate design item.

The operation status monitor 16f is provided with an instruction input unit 14
It monitors the input data from and outputs the monitoring result. Specifically, when the communication mode is the data mode, the operation status monitoring unit 16f uses the output data of the timer e and measures the elapsed time since the last data input from the instruction input unit 14 was performed. Measured, and this elapsed time is set to a first preset
When the non-operation time exceeds the non-operation time, the switching request for switching the communication mode from the data mode to the communication mode is supplied to a later-described switching determination unit 16g as a monitoring result. Is exceeded, a turn-off request for turning off the backlight is supplied to the turn-on / turn-off determination unit 16h. When the communication mode is the call mode, the operation status monitoring unit 16f issues a light-off request for turning off the backlight when the elapsed time exceeds the third non-operation time. This is supplied to the light-off determining unit 16h.

The switching determination unit 16g determines whether to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on data supplied from the data communication status monitoring unit 16d and data supplied from the operation status monitoring unit 16f in the data mode. However, when a determination result that the determination result should be switched is obtained, a switching request is output. Specifically, when both of the monitoring units 16g and 16f receive a switching request, the switching determination unit 16g determines that the communication mode should be switched to the communication mode, and outputs a switching request.

The call processing section 16i operates in cooperation with the transmission / reception section 11, and performs call processing including call connection / disconnection processing in a call mode in accordance with input data from the instruction input section 14. Further, the call processing unit 16i receives the incoming call request supplied via the base station BS, generates an acoustic signal indicating that the incoming call request is received, supplies the acoustic signal to the sound generating unit 13, and in the data mode. Then, information indicating that the incoming call request has been received (hereinafter, incoming call request receiving information) is supplied to the switching determination unit 16g. Note that the switching determination unit 16g
In the data mode, when a response instruction (for example, an instruction input by pressing a hook key) for responding to an incoming call is received by the instruction input unit 14 while the incoming request reception information is supplied from the call processing unit 16i. The switching and response request is supplied to the switching automatic control unit 16b, and the evacuation request is output.

Upon receiving a save request from the switching determining unit 16g in the data mode, the return information storage unit 16k receives the data in use in the data mode (eg, the last used URL or the HTML data being displayed).
Is saved in the save area on the SRAM 163 as data mode return information, and immediately after completion of the save processing, information indicating that the save processing is completed (save processing completion information) is switched to the automatic control unit 16b and the continuation processing unit 16j. Supply.

When the automatic control unit 16b receives the switching request from the switching determining unit 16g in the data mode, it supplies the switching unit 16a with an instruction to switch the communication mode to the talking mode. When the automatic control unit 16b receives the switching and response request from the switching determination unit 16g, the automatic control unit 16b waits for the supply of the save processing completion information from the return information storage unit 16k. An instruction to switch the communication mode to the call mode is supplied to 16a, and an instruction to respond to the incoming call request is supplied to the call processing unit 16i. Note that the call processing unit 16i
Automatic switching control unit 16b upon receiving a call incoming request
When the above-mentioned instruction is received from, a response process to the incoming request is performed.

When the data mode return information exists, the continuation processing unit 16j uses the output data of the timer 16e to measure the elapsed time from the time when the save processing completion information is received from the return information storage unit 16k. If the elapsed time at the time when the communication mode is switched from the call mode to the data mode does not exceed the preset duration, the data mode return information saved by the return information storage unit 16k ( For example, the URL or HTML data) is restored. Note that “return” here means that when the data is a URL, the resource specified by the URL is obtained, and when the data is not a URL (for example, in the case of HTML data), the data is returned. Is moved to a predetermined work area on the SRAM.

The communication availability determining unit 16m includes a wireless strength detected by the wireless strength detecting unit 11a, a first threshold value set in advance corresponding to the call mode, and a second threshold value set in advance in accordance with the data mode. Are compared with each other, and when the wireless strength exceeds the first threshold and the second threshold, a determination result indicating that communication in both modes is possible is performed. When the strength is higher than the threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the determination result that only communication in the call mode is possible is performed. When the strength is lower than the first threshold value and the second threshold value, it is out of service. The result of the determination is output. Here, for the purpose of ensuring communication quality in the data mode, the second threshold value corresponding to the data mode is set to be larger than the first threshold value corresponding to the call mode.

In the data mode, the image generator 16n generates an image based on the data in a predetermined area (for example, a predetermined work area) of the SRAM 163 and the result of the determination by the communication availability determiner 16m, and supplies the image to the liquid crystal display 15. I do.

The on / off judging unit 16h includes the supply data from the data communication status monitoring unit 16d and the operation status monitoring unit 16f.
Liquid crystal display 15 based on the supply data from
Of the backlight is turned on / off. Specifically, the lighting / off judging unit 16h includes the monitoring units 16g and 16f.
When a light-up request is received from at least one of the monitoring units 16g and 16f, a light-off instruction is output when a light-off request is received from at least one of the monitoring units 16g and 16f. When the lighting request and the lighting-off request are received at the same time, the lighting-off judging unit 16h outputs a lighting instruction.

The on / off control section 16 p
On / off of the backlight is controlled based on the instruction output from 6h and the current lighting state of the backlight of the liquid crystal display 15. Specifically, when a lighting instruction is received in a situation where the backlight is turned off, control to turn on the backlight is performed, and when a lighting instruction is received in a situation where the backlight is turned on, Control to turn off the backlight is performed, and in other cases, control for the backlight is not performed. The lighting timing of the backlight used in a general mobile phone is common to the mobile phone MS, but is not a characteristic part of the present invention, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

B: Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described communication system will be described.
However, description of operations other than the characteristic operations of the present invention will be omitted. B-1: Normal Mode Switching Operation In FIG. 3, when the user operates the instruction input unit 14 to input an instruction to switch the communication mode to the communication mode, the switching unit 16a switches the current communication mode to the data mode. If there is, the communication mode is switched to the communication mode, and if the current communication mode is the communication mode, nothing is performed. When the user operates the instruction input unit 14 and inputs an instruction to switch the communication mode to the data mode, the switching unit 16a switches the communication mode to the data mode if the current communication mode is the call mode, and switches the communication mode to the data mode. If the communication mode is data mode, nothing is performed. Switching unit 1
When the communication mode is switched to the data mode by 6a, the continuation processing unit 16j returns to the return information storage unit if the elapsed time from the time when the save processing completion information is received does not exceed the preset continuation time. The data mode return information saved by 16k is restored. Thus S
An image based on the data restored on the work area of the RAM 163 is generated by the image generation unit 16n and displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. If the elapsed time exceeds the duration, the liquid crystal display 15
Displays a preset image.

B-2: Mode Switching Operation Due to Timeout In FIG. 3, in the data mode, the data communication processing unit 1
6c exceeds the first non-communication time, and the time elapsed since the last data input from the instruction input unit 14 is the first time.
When the non-operation time exceeds the switching determination unit 16
The switching request is output from g. Upon receiving the switching request, the switching automatic control unit 16b switches the switching unit 1
By 6a, the communication mode is switched to the call mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication cost due to unnecessary connection in the data mode.

B-3: Mode Switching Operation by Incoming Call Request In FIG. 3, when a call incoming request is received in the data mode, a sound indicating that a call is being received is sounded by the sounding unit 13 and the call processing unit Incoming request reception information is supplied from 16i to the switching determination unit 16g. The switching determination unit 16g, which has received the incoming request reception information, sets the instruction input unit 14 while receiving the incoming request reception information.
When a response instruction is received from, the switching and response request are supplied to the switching automatic control unit 16b, and the evacuation request is supplied to the return information storage unit 16k. Then, the above-described save processing is performed in the return information storage section 16k, and the save completion information is supplied to the switching automatic control section 16b and the continuation processing section 16j. Next, the switching automatic control unit 16b, when the save completion information is supplied from the return information storage unit 16k,
The communication mode is switched to the call mode using the switching unit 16a, and a response instruction is supplied to the call processing unit 16i. Call processing unit 16 that has received this response instruction
i performs a response process to the incoming call request. In other words, the communication mode is changed to the call mode, a response process to the incoming call request is performed, and a call is made. Note that the continuation processing unit 16j measures the elapsed time after receiving the evacuation completion information.

B-4: Operation for Determining Communication Availability In FIG. 3, the communication availability determination unit 16m determines the communication availability for the wireless strength detected by the wireless strength detection unit 11a in any communication mode. Will be
As described above, the wireless strength indicates the strength of the wireless carrier common to the call mode and the data mode, and the communication availability determination unit 16m sets the wireless strength to the first threshold and the second threshold.
The available communication mode is determined by comparing with the threshold value. Then, an image corresponding to the determination result is generated by the image generation unit 16n and displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the liquid crystal display 15 in any communication mode,
The available communication modes can be known.

B-5: Automatic light-off In FIG. 3, in the data mode, if the elapsed time from the last data input from the instruction input unit 14 exceeds the second non-operation time, the light is turned on. Light-out determination unit 16h
Outputs a light-off request. The light-on / off control unit 16p that has received the light-off request performs control to turn off the backlight of the liquid crystal display 15 when the backlight is on. In the data mode, if the elapsed time since the last data input from the instruction input unit 14 exceeds the third non-operation time, a light-off / light-off determination unit 16h outputs a light-off request. . The light-on / off control unit 16p that has received the light-off request performs control to turn off the backlight of the liquid crystal display 15 when the backlight is on. Here, if the third non-operation time is set longer than the second non-operation time, the non-operation time until the backlight is turned off in the data mode in which the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is visually recognized by the user is set. Can be lengthened. That is, it is possible to reduce the probability of occurrence of a situation where the backlight is turned off because the user does not perform an operation despite watching the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 15.

B-6: Automatic Lighting In FIG. 3, in the data mode, the data communication processing unit 1
When a series of transmission / reception processing by 6c is completed, a lighting request for turning on the backlight of the liquid crystal display 15 is sent from the lighting / off judging unit 16h to the lighting / off control unit 16p.
Supplied to The light-on / off control unit 16p that has received the light-off request performs control to turn on the backlight when the light is off. That is, the liquid crystal display 1
It is guaranteed that the backlight will be turned on whenever the final image is displayed on 5. This means that the backlight may be turned off until a series of transmission / reception processing is completed. In other words, the backlight does not need to be turned on during the display of an intermediate image that is difficult to read, and power consumption can be reduced without lowering the quality of the user interface.

C: Supplement (1) The storage means in the control unit 16 is not limited to ROM or SRAM. For example, an EEPROM (Electrically E
rasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or EPRO
M (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), DR
An AM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like may be employed. (2) Means for notifying that the incoming call request in the data mode is being received is not limited to the sound generator. For example, by vibrating a vibration device, or by using an LED (Light Em
It may be possible to light up the itting diode or display that effect on the liquid crystal display.

(3) In the continuation processing unit 16j, the data mode return information has already been stored, and after the end of the call that triggered the switch to the talk mode, the mode was changed from the talk mode to the data mode within a predetermined time. In such a case, the data mode return information may be restored. (4) When transitioning from the data mode to the call mode, the information in use may always be saved. (5) The switching automatic control unit 16b may automatically switch the communication mode to the data mode at the end of the call made in response to the incoming call request that triggered the evacuation process. (6) In the continuation processing unit 16j, the condition for restoring the data mode restoration information is not limited to only the elapsed time. For example, when a predetermined instruction is input from the instruction input unit 14 in the call mode, the data mode return information may not be restored regardless of the timing at which the communication mode is switched to the data mode.

(7) In the operation status monitor 16f, the second threshold value corresponding to the data mode may not be larger than the first threshold value corresponding to the call mode. In short, various parameters may be set in consideration of the user's operation in each communication mode. (8) In the embodiment described above, the backlight lighting time in the data mode is set to be longer than the backlight lighting time in the talking mode, but the reverse is also possible. In short, what is necessary is just to set suitably according to the characteristic of each communication mode. (9) The turning-off timing of the backlight may be changed by the turning-on / off judging unit 16h in accordance with not only the non-input time but also the communication status and the like. (10) The switching determination unit 16g may determine whether to switch the communication mode based on only one of the non-communication time and the no-operation time.

(11) In the communication availability determination section 16m,
Although the determination as to whether or not communication is possible in two communication modes is made at once, the determination as to whether or not communication as to the currently used communication mode (or the currently unused communication mode) may be made. (12) The determination result of the communication availability in each communication mode may be used for processing other than display. For example, a transition to a communication mode in which communication is not possible may not be possible.

(13) Although various parameters are set in advance, setting means for setting these parameters may be provided. (14) Although the example in which the same radio carrier is used in the call mode and the data mode has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. (15) As an example of data transmitted and received in the data mode, H
Although TML data has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The data mode can be switched to the call mode based on the monitoring result by the data communication status monitoring means or the operation status monitoring means. If the monitoring result indicates, for example, a no-communication period or a no-input period, an increase in communication cost due to forgetting to disconnect in the data mode is prevented.

Further, according to the present invention, in the data mode, it is possible to receive a call termination request from a mobile communication network. In addition, the user can be notified that the incoming call request has been received.

According to the present invention, the communication mode is switched to the call mode after the data in use in the data mode is stored as the data mode return information. For this reason, data in use in the data mode can be used later. Further, when the data mode return information is information indicating the storage position of the information to be presented by the information presenting means, the storage area of the data in use can be reduced. Alternatively, when the data mode return information is not the data being displayed but the information to be presented by the information presenting means, it is easy to reuse the information later. Alternatively, the communication mode can be automatically switched to the data mode when the call in the call mode after saving the data mode return information ends. Further, after switching to the data mode, information according to the data mode return information can be presented by the information presenting means. In addition, only under certain conditions,
Information corresponding to the data mode return information can be presented by the information presenting means.

Further, according to the present invention, the condition for turning off the backlight of the liquid crystal display, which is turned off in accordance with the operation status of the instruction input means, can be switched for each communication mode. Therefore, it is possible to perform backlight extinguishing control suitable for the characteristics of each communication mode. In particular, in the data mode in which the non-input period tends to be long, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that the backlight is turned off while the display contents are not completely grasped.

Further, according to the present invention, the backlight of the liquid crystal display can be turned on when data reception is completed. That is, the backlight is turned on in an environment in which the user's ability can be maximized, and power consumption can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the threshold value used for determining whether or not communication is possible can be changed for each communication mode. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the communication is suitable for the characteristics of each communication mode. Further, according to the present invention, when communication is being performed in the call mode, the instruction to switch the communication mode is ignored. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the call is unexpectedly disconnected due to an unintended switching of the communication mode due to an erroneous operation.

In summary, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent user interface by making full use of the characteristics of the call mode and the data mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system using a mobile phone MS according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone MS.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile phone MS according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Transmission / reception part, 11a ... Wireless intensity detection part, 12 ... Sound collection part, 13 ... Sound generation part, 14 ... Instruction input part, 15 ... Liquid crystal display, 16 ... Control part, 16a ... Switching part, 16b
... Switching automatic control unit, 16c ... Data communication processing unit, 1
6d: data communication status monitor, 16e: timer, 16f
... Operation status monitoring unit, 16g ... Switching determination unit, 16h ...
ON / OFF determination unit, 16i: call processing unit, 16j: continuation processing unit, 16k: return information storage unit, 16m: communication availability determination unit, 16n: image generation unit, 16p: ON / OFF control unit, B
S: Base station, GWS: Gateway server, INET ...
Internet, MLS ... Exchange for digital mobile communication,
MPN: Mobile packet communication network, MS: Mobile phone, MT
N: Mobile telephone network, PS: Packet subscriber processing unit, W:
IP server

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keiichi Eno 2-10-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo NTT F-Term (in reference) 5K067 AA21 AA34 BB04 BB21 DD13 EE02 FF02 FF13 FF23 FF24 FF26 FF27 FF28 GG21 HH01 HH05 HH22 HH23 KK00 KK13 5K101 LL12 NN18 QQ01 QQ08

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone having a communication mode for making a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, comprising: an instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; data communication status monitoring means for monitoring the status of data communication in the data mode; and data communication status monitoring means. Switching determination means for determining whether to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on a monitoring result, wherein the switching means switches the communication mode to the communication mode based on a determination result by the switching determination means. A mobile phone characterized by switching. 2. A data communication status monitoring means, comprising: a timer for measuring a length of a non-communication period, which is a continuous period in which data communication is not performed, using the timer; Is the length of the non-communication period measured by the data communication state monitoring means as the monitoring result, and determines whether to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result and a preset threshold. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed. 3. A mobile phone having a communication mode for making a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, comprising: an instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; operation status monitoring means for monitoring the status of operation on the instruction input means in the data mode; and operation status monitoring Switching determination means for determining whether or not to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result by the means, wherein the switching means switches the communication mode based on the determination result by the switching determination means. A mobile phone characterized by switching to a mode. 4. An operation status monitoring means for measuring a length of a non-input period, which is a continuous period in which no data is input from the instruction input means, using the timer, The means sets the length of the non-input period measured by the operation status monitoring means as the monitoring result, and determines whether to switch the communication mode to the communication mode based on the monitoring result and a preset threshold. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the determination is performed. 5. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing a data communication, comprising: an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; and incoming call request receiving means for receiving an incoming call request from a mobile communication network in the data mode. A mobile phone characterized by the following. 6. The mobile phone according to claim 5, further comprising an incoming call request notifying unit for notifying a user that the incoming call request receiving unit has received the incoming call request in the data mode. 7. The information presenting means includes a liquid crystal display, and the incoming call request notifying means displays, by the liquid crystal display, an image indicating that the incoming call request receiving means has received the incoming call request in a data mode. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein 8. The information presenting unit includes a lamp that can be turned on and off, the incoming request notification unit turns on and off the lamp, and the incoming request receiving unit receives the incoming call request in the data mode. 7. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein the user is notified of the fact. 9. The information presenting means includes a sounding means capable of sounding, and the incoming call request notifying means performs predetermined sounding using the sounding means, so that the incoming call request receiving means in the data mode can receive the call. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein the user is notified that the incoming call request has been received. 10. The information presenting means includes a vibrating device capable of vibrating, and the incoming request notifying means vibrates the vibrating device, so that the incoming request receiving means receives the incoming call request in the data mode. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein the user is notified of the fact. 11. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, comprising: an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; in the data mode, the incoming call request receiving means receives the incoming call request of the call, and the instruction input Return information storage means for storing information in use as data mode return information when the instruction input from the means is a predetermined instruction; and call processing means for responding to the incoming call request in the call mode. The switching unit switches the communication mode to the call mode after the completion of storing the data mode return information by the return information storage unit. A mobile phone characterized by switching to a mobile phone. 12. The mobile phone according to claim 11, wherein the information in use is information indicating a storage position of information to be presented by the information presenting unit. 13. The mobile phone according to claim 11, wherein the information in use is information to be presented by the information presenting means. 14. A switch for switching the communication mode to the call data mode by the switching means when a call in the call mode is completed in a situation where the return information storage means stores the data mode return information. The mobile phone according to claim 11, further comprising an automatic control unit. 15. A continuation means for presenting information according to the data mode return information by the information presenting means when the switching means switches the communication mode from the call mode to the data mode. The mobile phone according to claim 11 or 14, wherein: 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the continuation means causes the information presenting means to present information corresponding to the data mode return information only when a preset condition is satisfied. Mobile phone. 17. A timer comprising a timer, wherein the continuation means measures an elapsed time from the occurrence of a specific event using the timer, and only when the measured value of the timer is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. 17. The mobile phone according to claim 16, wherein information according to the data mode return information is presented by the information presenting means. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the specific event is that the switching unit switches the communication mode to the communication mode after the completion of storing the data mode return information by the return information storage unit. The described mobile phone. 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the specific event is an end of the call in the call mode.
A mobile phone according to claim 1. 20. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing a data communication, comprising: an instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; and the information presenting means includes a liquid crystal display with a backlight, and monitors a status of operation on the instruction input means. Operation status monitoring means, light-off determination means for determining whether to turn off the backlight of the liquid crystal display based on a monitoring result by the operation status monitoring means and a threshold value, Turning off the backlight of the liquid crystal display if the result is to turn off the backlight of the display Mobile phone, characterized by comprising a lighting unit, and a determination reference switching means for switching said threshold value for each of the communication mode. 21. The mobile phone according to claim 20, wherein the threshold value for the data mode is different from the threshold value for the call mode. 22. A timer, wherein the operation status monitoring means uses the timer to measure the length of a non-input period, which is a continuous period in which there is no data input from the instruction input means, and Is a value representing time, and the light-off determination means sets the length of the non-input period measured by the operation status monitoring means as the monitoring result, and sets the back of the liquid crystal display on the basis of the monitoring result and the threshold. 22. The mobile phone according to claim 20, wherein it is determined whether to turn off the light. 23. The mobile phone according to claim 22, wherein the threshold value for the data mode is a value representing a time longer than the threshold value for the call mode. 24. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing a data communication, wherein the instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; A liquid crystal display with a backlight for presenting information; a switching unit for switching between the call mode and the data mode; a data receiving unit for receiving data in the data mode; and monitoring a data reception status of the data receiving unit. And
If the monitoring result is a result indicating that data reception by the data receiving means has been completed, a monitoring lighting means for lighting a backlight of the liquid crystal display is provided. 25. A mobile phone having a communication mode for making a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, comprising: an instruction input means for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the call mode and the data mode; wireless intensity detecting means for detecting the intensity of a wireless carrier; and a detection result and a threshold value by the wireless intensity detecting means. Communication availability determination means for determining availability of communication based on the communication mode and the data mode.
And a threshold changing means for changing the mode for each of the three modes. 26. The information presenting means according to claim 25, wherein the threshold changing means changes the threshold to present information according to two kinds of determination results obtained by the communication availability determining means. A mobile phone according to claim 1. 27. The information presenting means, in the call mode, presents information according to a determination result obtained by the communication availability determination means based on the threshold value according to the call mode, and in the data mode, 26. The mobile phone according to claim 25, wherein presenting information based on a determination result obtained by the determination unit based on the threshold according to the data mode. 28. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, comprising: an instruction input unit for inputting an instruction of a user; Information presenting means for presenting information; switching means for switching between the communication mode and the data mode; communication mode wireless intensity detection means for detecting the strength of the wireless carrier in the communication mode; and wireless carrier in the data mode Data mode wireless strength detection means for detecting the strength of the communication mode, and call mode availability determination means for determining whether or not a call in the call mode is possible based on a detection result by the call mode wireless strength detection means and a threshold value corresponding to the call mode. Based on a detection result by the data mode wireless strength detection means and a threshold value corresponding to the data mode. Mobile phone, characterized by comprising a data mode determination means for determining whether communication in the data mode Te. 29. The mobile phone according to claim 28, wherein said information presenting means presents information according to the determination result of said call mode availability determination means and the determination result of said data mode availability determination means. 30. The information presenting means presents information according to the determination result of the call mode availability determination means in the call mode, and responds to the determination result of the data mode availability determination means in the data mode. 29. The mobile phone according to claim 28, wherein information is presented. 31. A mobile phone having a communication mode for performing a call as a communication mode and a data mode for performing data communication, wherein the instruction input means for inputting a user instruction, and the instruction input Switching means for switching the communication mode based on the instruction input by the means and the communication state, wherein the switching means is configured to receive an instruction to switch the communication mode to the data mode from the instruction input means. Performing a process of switching the communication mode to the data mode when not communicating in the call mode, and not performing a process of switching the communication mode to the data mode when communicating in the call mode. Mobile phone. 32. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein said information presenting means is shared between said call mode and said data mode. 33. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein said instruction input means is shared between said call mode and said data mode.