JP2004320328A - Communication apparatus, communication control method, communication control program, and computer-readable recording medium with record of the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus which prevents the reproducing of received data from being temporarily interrupted when switching a channel during reproducing the data in real time. <P>SOLUTION: The communication apparatus enabling data communication utilizing at least two channels comprises a memory controller 303 for storing first and second data received by first and second communication units 101, 102 in a memory 20, respectively; and a reproducer 30 for reading and reproducing data stored in the memory 20. The reproducer 30 comprises a data comparator 304b for comparing the first and second data stored in the memory 20 to recognize a mutual corresponding relation while the first and the second communication units 101, 102 receive data of the same contents in parallel, and a reproduction controller 304a for switching read data from one of the first and second data to the other so as to hold the continuity of the data based on the recognition results. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication device capable of performing data communication using at least two communication paths, a communication control method for the communication device, a communication control program for causing a computer to execute the communication control method, and recording the communication control program. And a computer-readable recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a communication system in which one communication terminal transmits audio data or video data and the other communication terminal continuously reproduces received data in real time, such as a mobile phone communication system. Some of such communication systems can transmit data by selecting a communication path to be used from a plurality of communication paths.
[0003]
In such a communication device that can select a communication path, when data transmission is started using a certain communication path and switched to another communication path in the middle, the communication path being used is once disconnected. Therefore, it is necessary to connect a newly used communication path and restart data transmission. In this case, the reproduction of the transmitted data is temporarily interrupted when the communication path is disconnected.
[0004]
Here, heretofore, the following techniques have conventionally been used as techniques in consideration of data continuity and the like when transmitting data via a communication channel.
[0005]
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which information can be transmitted and received between transmission / reception devices without interruption even when a communication path is switched.
[0006]
In this technique, when information is exchanged between information transmitting and receiving apparatuses via a PHS communication path, when the communication state of the communication path deteriorates and it becomes necessary to change the communication path, one of the information transmitting and receiving apparatuses is changed. A communication channel switching request signal is transmitted from the device to the other information transmitting / receiving device via the PHS communication channel. At this time, information specifying data and packet specifying data indicating the transmission start position are added to the communication path switching request signal and transmitted. The other information transmitting / receiving device that has received this signal generates transmission information in accordance with the information specifying data and the packet specifying data, and transmits this information to the one information transmitting / receiving device via the cellular communication path.
[0007]
Patent Document 2 discloses a first type of data that is transmitted at a fixed transmission bit rate and is required to be continuously reproduced in a receiving order immediately after reception on a receiving side, and is specified at a specified time. In a data transmission method for multiplexing and transmitting a second type of data which is required to be continuously reproduced in synchronization with a first type of data in a sequence, a transmission start caused by the transmission of the second type of data is started. A technique has been disclosed which minimizes the time from playback to the start of playback and enables data transmission and synchronous playback independent of the transmission bit rate of the network.
[0008]
In this technology, the total available transmission bit rate, the transmission bit rate required for the transmission of the first type of data, and the amount of data of the second type of data, the second transmission during the transmission of the first type of data If the data of the first kind is not sufficient for transmitting the second kind of data to be reproduced in synchronization with the first kind of data on the receiving side, the second kind of data must be transmitted prior to the transmission of the first kind of data. A data transmission start time of each of the first type data and the second type data and a transmission bit rate of the second type data are determined so that two types of data are transmitted. In this technology, the transmitting side temporarily stores the first type of data by adding an identifier for identifying the type and its transmission start time information, and temporarily stores the second type of data. , An identifier for identifying the type, a transmission start time, and a reproduction start time and a reproduction end time on the receiving side, which are temporarily stored, and the transmission start time added to the stored data is temporarily stored. The transmission of the data is started. The receiving side determines whether the received data is the first type of data or the second type of data based on the identifier added to the received data. Reproduction is performed on the seed data according to the reproduction start time and the reproduction end time given to the data.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-313305 (Published November 24, 1998)
[0010]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-228786 (Published August 15, 2000)
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With the recent development of communication technology, various communication forms are appearing. For example, a situation may be considered in which one mobile phone terminal can automatically select the most advantageous communication path from a plurality of communication paths during a call. As the plurality of communication paths, for example, a communication path using a normal mobile phone line, a communication path using VoIP (Voice over IP) that performs communication through a hot spot (registered trademark), and the like are conceivable.
[0012]
In such a situation, when switching the communication path during a call, the synchronization between the audio data transmitted before the switching and the audio data transmitted after the switching cannot be maintained, and the reproduced audio is interrupted. Problems can occur. That is, in order to reproduce audio data in real time, the audio data must be transmitted at a constant speed (constant bit rate). However, the transmission of the audio data is temporarily interrupted by switching the communication path. Therefore, a period during which reproduction cannot be performed occurs.
[0013]
The above problem is difficult to solve even with the technique of Patent Document 1. This is because the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is for preventing a part of a series of information from being lost when a communication path is switched, and cannot guarantee even temporal continuity of information. is there.
[0014]
On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is conceivable to apply the technique of Patent Document 2 described above. However, in this technique, since data to be transmitted is transmitted with synchronization data such as a reproduction start time and a reproduction end time, the data transfer efficiency is reduced.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for real-time reproduction of received data, which is performed when switching a communication path while temporarily preventing reproduction from being interrupted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device or the like that can prevent the efficiency without lowering the efficiency.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A communication device according to the present invention is a communication device capable of performing data communication using at least two communication paths. In order to solve the above-described problem, a first device that performs first data communication using a first communication path is provided. A communication unit, a second communication unit that performs second data communication using a second communication path, a first data received by the first communication unit, and a second data received by the second communication unit are stored. And a reproducing unit that reads and reproduces data stored in the storage unit, wherein the reproducing unit performs the same data in parallel by the first and second communication units. A data comparing unit that recognizes a mutual relationship by comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit when receiving the data, based on a recognition result of the data comparing unit. To maintain data continuity It is characterized by comprising a reproduction controller for switching the read data from one of the first and second data to the other.
[0017]
For example, during the first data communication using the first communication channel, the second data having the same content as the first data received by the first data communication is transmitted by the second data communication using the second communication channel. In general, the first data and the second data to be received are not completely synchronized, and a time lag occurs. Therefore, when the received data is being reproduced in real time, when switching between the first data communication and the second data communication, the reproduced audio or video is temporarily interrupted due to the time lag. I will.
[0018]
On the other hand, in the above configuration, the received first data and second data are temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the data is read out from the storage unit and reproduced. Then, when switching the data to be read for reproduction from the first data to the second data, first, the respective data are compared to recognize their correspondence, and based on the recognition result, the continuity of the data is determined. Is switched from the first data to the second data so as to maintain.
[0019]
As described above, the received first data and second data are temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the first data is read out from the storage unit and played back, and data continuity is maintained during the reproduction. By switching the data to be read from the first data to the second data, it is possible to absorb a time lag between the first data and the second data generated at the time of reception. As a result, it is possible to prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[0020]
That is, in the above configuration, when switching the communication path, the same content of data is temporarily received in parallel in the first communication path and the second communication path, and the above-described data read switching processing is performed. By doing so, it is possible to prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[0021]
Further, in the above configuration, there is no need to process received data, and there is no possibility that the data amount increases. Therefore, a decrease in data transmission efficiency can be prevented.
[0022]
In the communication device according to the present invention, in the communication device described above, the data comparison unit may store the same part of the first and second data as a correspondence between the first and second data. Recognizing the first and second addresses of the storage unit, and when the reproduction control unit switches the data to be read from the first data to the second data, based on the first and second addresses recognized by the data comparison unit. The address from which data is read from the storage unit may be switched.
[0023]
In the above configuration, by comparing the first data and the second data stored in the storage unit, the first address and the second address, which are the addresses where the same part of each data is stored, are recognized, and the reproduction is performed. Therefore, when reading data, the address for reading data is switched based on the first and second addresses.
[0024]
Specifically, for example, the received first data and the second data are stored in different areas of the storage unit such that the reproduction order matches the order of the stored addresses, and Real-time reproduction is performed while reading one data, and when reading the recognized first address, the second address may be read without reading the first address, and thereafter, the second data may be sequentially read.
[0025]
As a result, switching can be easily performed in a short time, and interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time can be more reliably prevented.
[0026]
The communication device of the present invention is the communication device described above, further comprising: a communication state determination unit that determines whether the second data communication is possible when the first data communication is performed. The unit starts the second data communication by determining that the second data communication is possible, and disconnects the first data communication after the data read by the reproduction control unit is switched from the first data to the second data. It is desirable to have a communication control unit that performs the communication.
[0027]
In the above configuration, when the communication device moves and enters the communicable area of the second data communication to perform the second data communication during the first data communication, the second data communication is started. Then, as described above, after switching the data to be read from the storage unit for reproduction from the first data to the second data, the first data communication is disconnected. Thus, when the second data communication becomes possible, the switching from the first data communication to the second data communication can be automatically performed.
[0028]
In the communication device according to the present invention, in the communication device described above, a condition as to whether the communication control unit performs a switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication is based on switching condition information registered in advance. Thus, it is desirable to determine whether to perform a switching process including the start of the second data communication and the disconnection of the first data communication.
[0029]
With the above configuration, it is possible to determine whether to perform switching based on a previously registered switching condition, instead of performing unconditional switching from the first data communication to the second data communication. As the switching condition, for example, a condition based on the communication quality between the first data communication and the second data communication can be considered. Thus, the switching can be automatically performed only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0030]
The communication device of the present invention is the communication device described above, wherein the communication state determination unit further determines whether it is difficult to continue the second data communication while performing the second data communication, The communication control unit further starts the first data communication when the communication state determination unit determines that the continuation of the second data communication is difficult, and the data read by the reproduction control unit is changed from the second data to the first data. It is desirable to disconnect the second data communication after the switching to the second data communication.
[0031]
In the above configuration, when performing the second data communication, if it becomes difficult to continue the second data communication due to the movement of the communication device and the coming out of the communicable area of the second data communication, for example, One data communication is started, and as described above, the data read from the storage unit for reproduction is switched from the second data to the first data, and then the second data communication is disconnected. This makes it possible to automatically switch from the second data communication to the first data communication when it becomes difficult to continue the second data communication.
[0032]
The communication device of the present invention, in the above communication device, further has a plurality of types of codecs for decompressing the data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit before storing it in the storage unit, When performing the first data communication or the second data communication, it is preferable to include a codec unit that selects a codec suitable for the data communication from the plurality of types of codecs and sets the codec to be used.
[0033]
With the above configuration, when the communication path is switched, a codec suitable for the data communication can be selected and used in the data communication with the other communication device. Therefore, when switching from the first data communication to the second data communication or the like, it is possible to change to a codec suitable for the data communication after the switching. Thus, for example, when audio data is received and reproduced, clear reproduction with little noise can be performed even after switching of data communication.
[0034]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a communication control method of a communication apparatus of a communication device capable of performing data communication using at least two communication paths is provided. Storing the first data received through the first communication path and the second data received through the second communication path in a storage unit while concurrently receiving A process of reading and reproducing data, a process of comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit so that the data comparison unit recognizes a mutual relationship, and a recognition result of the data comparison unit. , The reproduction control unit switches the data to be read for reproduction from one of the first and second data to the other so as to maintain the continuity of the data.
[0035]
According to the above-described method, when the communication path is switched, data having the same content is temporarily received in parallel in the first communication path and the second communication path, and the above-described data read switching processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[0036]
A communication control program according to the present invention is a communication control program for causing a computer to execute the above communication control method, and is characterized by causing a computer to execute each of the above processes. Further, a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is characterized in that the above-described communication control program is recorded.
[0037]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0038]
The configuration of the communication device 1 of the present embodiment will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. The communication device 1 is a communication terminal device as a portable telephone for making a voice call. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone for making a voice call is assumed as the communication device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, streaming may be performed in real time while receiving audio data and video data. It can be suitably used for a communication device that performs reproduction.
[0039]
The communication device 1 includes the communication unit 10, the storage unit 20, the control unit 30, the speaker 40, and the microphone 50 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is not illustrated in FIG. Input unit, a display for displaying various information, and the like.
[0040]
The communication unit 10 includes a first communication unit 101 that performs first data communication using a first communication path, and a second communication unit 102 that performs second data communication using a second communication path. This allows the communication device 1 to perform data communication using two communication paths. Note that data transmitted and received by the first communication unit 101 is referred to as first data, and data transmitted and received by the second communication unit 102 is referred to as second data.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 101 has a function of performing mobile phone communication via a base station in a mobile phone communication network, and the second communication unit 102 has a function of a hot spot (wireless area network) using a wireless LAN (local area network). It is assumed that the device has a function of making an Internet connection via a registered trademark (registered trademark) access point.
[0042]
The control unit 30 includes a compression / decompression unit 301, a codec unit 302, a storage control unit 303, a reproduction unit 304, a communication state determination unit 305, and a communication control unit 306. These functional blocks will be described.
[0043]
The compression / decompression unit 301 and the codec unit 302 use the same codec as the partner terminal based on the codec information used by the partner terminal from the partner terminal information negotiated when communicating with the partner terminal. It performs compression and decompresses compressed data received from the partner terminal using the same codec. At the time of a telephone call, the audio signal generated by the microphone 50 is extracted by the compression / decompression unit 301 from the codec unit and compressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 to generate transmission data. The created data is transmitted from the communication unit 10. Further, at the time of communication, the data received by the communication unit 10 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 from the codec unit 302 using the same codec as that used at the time of compression at the partner terminal, and then the storage control unit Sent to
[0044]
Note that the codec unit 302 includes a plurality of types of codecs. In communication with a communication device on the other end, codec information is mutually confirmed, and a codec most suitable for communication with the communication device is selected and used. It is set as a codec. Thereby, when switching between the first data communication and the second data communication is performed, the codec can be changed to a codec suitable for the data communication after the switching. Also, clear reproduction with less noise is possible.
[0045]
The storage control unit 303 causes the storage unit 20 to store the first data received by the first communication unit 101 and the second data received by the second communication unit 102. In the storage unit 20, a first storage area 201 for storing first data and a second storage area 202 for storing second data are preset as different areas. The storage control unit 303 continuously stores the first and second data in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 such that the reproduction order and the order of the stored addresses match, respectively. Next, address control in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 is performed.
[0046]
Note that, as described above, the first and second data are decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 before being stored in the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 301. Therefore, although the data before and after the compression / decompression unit 301 are data in different forms, they are referred to as first data and second data without distinction here.
[0047]
The reproducing unit 304 reads out and reproduces the data stored in the storage unit 20. That is, the reproducing unit 304 reads data from the storage unit 20, converts the data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 40. This audio signal is converted to audio by the speaker 40. The reproduction unit 304 includes a reproduction control unit 304a and a data comparison unit 304b. The functions of the reproduction control unit 304a and the data comparison unit 304b will be described later.
[0048]
The communication state determination unit 305 determines the communication state of the communication unit 10. Since the communication performed by the communication unit 10 is wireless communication, the communication state may be deteriorated or communication may be disabled depending on the radio wave condition. The communication state determination unit 305 determines such a communication state. In addition to whether communication is possible, the communication state determination unit 305 also determines whether the communication state is good. Further, if the communication state is not good, It is also determined whether communication can be continued. The communication state determination unit 305 determines the communication state of each of the first and second communication units 101 and 102 individually.
[0049]
The communication control unit 306 controls communication in the communication unit 10. Specifically, the communication control unit 306 individually controls start and end of communication by the first communication unit 101 and start and end of communication by the second communication unit 102.
[0050]
Note that each functional block of the control unit 30 described above can be configured by hardware such as an IC (integrated circuit). Further, a computer having a CPU (central processing unit), a RAM (random access memory), an input / output device, a bus, and the like is used. By executing, the computer can be operated as the control unit 30. Further, a part of each of the above-described functional blocks may be configured by hardware, and the other part may be configured by software.
[0051]
In this case, when the communication control program is read and executed by the computer, each function block included in the control unit 30 in FIG. 1 is realized in the computer. The storage unit 20 may be a storage unit inside the computer or an external storage device of the computer.
[0052]
The communication control program may be supplied to a computer from a recording medium on which the communication control program is recorded. May be supplied to the computer.
[0053]
The recording medium for recording the communication control program may be configured to be separable from the computer, or may be incorporated in the computer. This recording medium can be read via a program reading device connected to the computer as an external storage device, even if the recording medium is mounted on the computer so that the computer can directly read the recorded program code. It may be attached to the.
[0054]
Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk / hard disk, a disk system including an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R, and an IC card. A card system (including a memory card) / an optical card or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM can be used.
[0055]
The storage unit 20 is a memory such as a RAM in which data can be freely rewritten and data writing and reading times are fast. In addition, the storage unit 20 may be configured by one memory, or may be configured by a plurality of memories.
[0056]
As described above, in the storage unit 20, the first and second data are stored in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 by the storage control unit 303, and the data stored in the storage unit 20 is reproduced. It is read by the unit 304.
[0057]
Switching between the first data communication and the second data communication in the communication using the communication device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0058]
Here, it is assumed that communication is performed between the communication device 1A and the communication device 1B having the same configuration as the communication device 1. In addition, here, the communication device 1B is described as a transmission side and the communication device 1A is described as a reception side, but actually, bidirectional communication is performed between the communication device 1A and the communication device 1B.
[0059]
In addition, here, there are a service area of a mobile phone communication network (mobile phone service area) and a hot spot by a wireless LAN, and the mobile phone service area includes the hot spot and is a wider area.
[0060]
FIG. 2 shows a case where both the communication devices 1A and 1B are located inside the mobile phone service area and outside the hot spot, and communicate with each other using the mobile phone communication network.
[0061]
In this case, when the sound "Ah Ae Ue" is input to the microphone 50 of the communication device 1B, the sound signal is converted into first data "AAAiUeO" by the compression / decompression unit 301 of the communication device 1B. .
[0062]
The first data is transmitted from the first communication unit 101 of the communication device 1B, and is received by the first communication unit 101 of the communication device 1A via the base station 61 of the mobile phone communication network.
[0063]
It should be noted that when communication is performed through a mobile phone communication network, the communication is actually performed via an exchange or the like. However, for simplification of the description, it is assumed that the communication is performed only via the base station 61.
[0064]
FIG. 3 shows a case where the communication device 1A moves from the state shown in FIG. 2 to be located in the mobile phone service area and in the hot spot. Communication device 1B is still located within the mobile phone service area and outside the hot spot.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the communication device 1A is performing the first data communication, the communication state determination unit 305 of the communication device 1A determines whether the second data communication is possible, that is, the wireless communication with the access point 62 is not possible. The determination as to whether it is possible is repeated. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, when the communication device 1A enters the hot spot and the communication state determination unit 305 determines that the second data communication is possible, the communication control unit 306 starts the second data communication. Thus, the communication device 1A and the communication device 1B perform communication via the Internet 63 in addition to the communication using the first communication path.
[0066]
In this case, when the sound “Ah Aeio” is input to the microphone 50 of the communication device 1B, the sound signal is converted into the first data “AAAiUeO” by the compression / decompression unit 301 of the communication device 1B. . Here, it is assumed that the communication via the Internet 63 is started in the middle of the input of the above-mentioned "Oh Aio", and that the input after the start of the communication via the Internet 63 is the "Aio" portion. In this case, the audio signal corresponding to “Aioe” is converted into the second data “AiUeO” by the compression / decompression unit 301 of the communication device 1B.
[0067]
The first and second data are transmitted from the first and second communication units 101 and 102 of the communication device 1B, respectively. Among them, the first data is received by the first communication unit 101 of the communication device 1A via the base station 61 of the mobile phone communication network. On the other hand, the second data is transmitted to the Internet 63 via the base station 61 of the mobile phone communication network, and received by the second communication unit 102 of the communication device 1A via the hot spot access point 62.
[0068]
The communication path through which the first data is transmitted, that is, the communication path using only the mobile phone communication network is defined as the first communication path, and the communication path through which the second data is transmitted, that is, the mobile phone communication network, the Internet 63 , And a communication path using a wireless LAN is referred to as a second communication path.
[0069]
In this state, the communication device 1A is receiving data of the same content in parallel by the first and second communication units 101 and 102. Then, the received first and second data are decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 of the communication device 1A, and are stored in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 of the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 303, respectively. . FIG. 4 shows a state where the first and second data are stored in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202. In the first and second storage areas 201 and 202, first and second data are respectively stored continuously.
[0070]
In this state, the data comparison unit 304b of the reproduction unit 304 recognizes the mutual relationship by comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit 20. Specifically, the reproducing unit 304 associates the second half “AiUeO” of the first data “AAAiUeO” with the second data “AiUeO”, that is, the same part of a series of data. Recognize that
[0071]
An example of a specific method for recognizing the correspondence between the first and second data by the data comparing unit 304b is as follows. The data comparison unit 304b uses data stored in a predetermined number of blocks from the first block of the second storage area 202 as a comparison target, and shifts the data stored in the first storage area 201 by one block. While comparing / mismatching with the comparison object is determined. If the first match is found, the next block following the matched block in the first and second data is also checked for match / mismatch. If the match is found in this block as well, the first and second data in these blocks are checked. It recognizes that the second data corresponds.
[0072]
Further, the reproducing unit 304 recognizes an address of the storage unit 20 in which the same part of the first data and the second data is stored. In FIG. 4, the address “xxxx” (first address) of the first storage area 201 and the address “yyyy” of the second storage area 202 are the first addresses of the same part of the first data and the second data. (The second address), it is recognized that the same part of the first data and the second data is stored, and these are associated with each other.
[0073]
Such processing by the data comparison unit 304b will be referred to as “matching processing”.
[0074]
Then, the reproduction control unit 304a switches the data to be read from the first data to the second data based on the recognition result of the data comparison unit 304b so as to maintain the continuity of the data. In other words, while reading the first data stored in the first storage area 201 in order of address, when reaching the first address associated with the data comparison unit 304b, the reproduction control unit 304a changes the read address to the second address. After switching to the second address of the storage area 202, the second data is read out sequentially from the second address.
[0075]
When the data to be read is switched from the first data to the second data by the reproduction control unit 304a in this way, the communication control unit 306 disconnects the first data communication, and thereafter, continues only the second data communication.
[0076]
When data having the same content is received in parallel in the first data communication and the second data communication, generally, the first data and the second data to be received are not completely synchronized, and a time lag occurs. . Therefore, when the received data is being reproduced in real time, when switching between the first data communication and the second data communication, the reproduced sound is temporarily interrupted due to the time lag.
[0077]
On the other hand, in the communication device 1, the received first data and second data are temporarily stored in the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 303, and the first data is first stored in the storage unit 20 by the reproduction unit 304. Reproduction is performed while reading, and the data to be read is switched from the first data to the second data by the reproduction control unit 304a so that the continuity of the data is maintained in the middle. This makes it possible to absorb a time lag between the first data and the second data generated at the time of reception. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sound reproduced in real time from being interrupted.
[0078]
Further, according to this, there is no need to perform processing on the received data, and there is no possibility that the data amount increases. Therefore, a decrease in data transmission efficiency can be prevented.
[0079]
The first and second storage areas 201 and 202 of the storage unit 20 have a necessary and sufficient capacity to perform the process of switching the data read by the reproduction unit 304 from the first data to the second data as described above. , Addresses that do not overlap with each other. The capacities of the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 are based on the capacity of data corresponding to a time lag that may occur between the first data and the second data to be received. Should be set to.
[0080]
Switching from the second data communication to the first data communication is performed according to substantially the same procedure as described above. That is, when the communication device 1A is performing the second data communication, the communication state determination unit 305 of the communication device 1A repeatedly determines whether it is difficult to continue the second data communication. If it is determined that the continuation of the second data communication is difficult, the communication control unit 306 starts the first data communication, and after the data read by the reproduction control unit 304a is switched from the second data to the first data, the second data communication. To be cut.
[0081]
In the above description, switching from the first data communication to the second data communication is performed unconditionally when the communication device 1A enters the hot spot. The switching is not limited to this, and the switching may be performed only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0082]
For that purpose, the communication control unit 306 may determine whether to perform the switching process based on the switching condition information. Here, the switching condition information is information in which a condition as to whether or not to perform a switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication is registered in advance, such as a storage area in the control unit 30 or the storage unit 20. Is stored in advance. The switching process indicates a series of processes including the start of the second data communication and the disconnection of the first data communication.
[0083]
Various conditions can be considered as the switching condition. For example, (1) each time the communication device 1A enters the hot spot, the user is individually confirmed and the switching is performed only when the user performs a switching execution operation; (2) hot spot communication Conditions based on charges, (3) conditions based on whether a new service can be used, (4) conditions that switching is performed only when communication quality or response is better than the currently used communication path, (5) ▼ Conditions based on priorities specified in advance by the user are possible.
[0084]
Regarding the switching from the second data communication to the first data communication, it may be similarly determined whether to perform the switching process based on the switching condition information.
[0085]
The flow of processing in the communication device 1A will be described based on the flowchart in FIG.
[0086]
First, in the communication device 1A, the first data communication by the first communication unit 101 with the communication device 1B is started (S1).
[0087]
Next, the communication state determination unit 305 determines whether or not the second data communication by the second communication unit 102 is possible, that is, whether or not the communication device 1A has entered a hot spot (S2). When the communication state determination unit 305 determines that the second data communication is not possible, the process proceeds to step S6 described below.
[0088]
Note that the determination method by the communication state determination unit 305 is, for example, to periodically try to connect to a server on the Internet that can be connected via the second communication unit 102 and to make the second data A method of determining that communication is possible is conceivable. Alternatively, in a wireless LAN or a wired LAN, it is possible to detect whether communication is possible by a network I / F. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the second data communication is possible / impossible using the function. .
[0089]
When the communication state determination unit 305 determines that the second data communication is possible in step S2, the communication device 1 acquires, via the first data communication, partner information necessary for performing the connection of the second data communication (S3).
[0090]
This partner information is information such as the IP address of the communication device 1B to be connected. The communication unit 10 may acquire the partner information from the communication device 1B. For example, an address management server or the like may exist on the Internet, and the communication unit 10 may acquire the partner information from the address management server.
[0091]
Then, the second communication unit 102 performs a connection process of the second data communication with the communication device 1B (S4), and checks whether the connection is successful (S5). If the connection has failed, the first data communication must be continued, so the process proceeds to step S6.
[0092]
In step S6, the first communication unit 101 performs data transmission and reception by the first data communication. At this time, the first data received by the first communication unit 101 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 and stored in the first storage area 201 of the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 303.
[0093]
Subsequently, the received data is reproduced in real time (S7). At this time, the reproducing unit 304 sequentially reads out the first data stored in the first storage area 201, converts the first data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 40.
[0094]
When it is determined in step S5 that the connection is successful, the communication control unit 306 determines whether to perform the switching process based on the switching condition information (S8). If it is determined that the switching process is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0095]
If it is determined in step S8 that the switching process is to be performed, the second communication unit 102 starts the second data communication (S9). Then, the second data is received and transmitted by the second communication unit 102 in parallel with the transmission and reception of the first data by the first communication unit 101 (S10). At this time, the received first and second data are decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 and stored in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202 of the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 303.
[0096]
Then, the data comparison unit 304b performs a matching process (S11). That is, the data comparison unit 304b recognizes the correspondence between the first and second data stored in the first and second storage areas 201 and 202, respectively, and determines the same part of the first and second data. Are recognized in the storage unit 20 in which are stored.
[0097]
Then, the reproduction control unit 304a switches the data read from the storage unit 20 from the first data to the second data based on the address recognized by the data comparison unit 304b (S12). Thereafter, the communication control unit 306 disconnects the first data communication (S13).
[0098]
Subsequently, the codec unit 302 performs negotiation with the communication device 1B by the second data communication, determines whether the currently used codec is optimal (S14), and if it is optimal, proceeds to step S16. If the currently used codec is not optimal and there is another optimal codec, the codec used by the codec unit 302 is switched to the optimal codec (S15).
[0099]
In step S16, the second communication unit 102 receives and transmits data by the second data communication. At this time, the second data received by the second communication unit 102 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 301 and stored in the second storage area 202 of the storage unit 20 by the storage control unit 303.
[0100]
Subsequently, the received data is reproduced in real time (S17). At this time, the reproducing unit 304 sequentially reads out the second data stored in the second storage area 202, converts the second data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal to the speaker 40.
[0101]
Then, the communication state determination unit 305 determines whether it is difficult to continue the second data communication by the second communication unit 102 (S18). When it is determined that the continuation of the second data communication is not difficult, the process proceeds to step S16.
[0102]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the continuation of the second data communication is difficult due to the deterioration of the radio wave condition or the like, a switching process to the first data communication is performed (S19). In this process, the switching from the second data communication to the first data communication is performed in the same manner as in steps S9 to S17 described above, and therefore, detailed description is omitted. Upon completion of the switching process, the process shifts to step S2.
[0103]
As described above, the communication device 1 of the present embodiment is a communication device capable of performing data communication using at least two communication paths, and has the following configuration. That is, the communication device 1 includes a first communication unit 101 that performs first data communication using a first communication path, a second communication unit 102 that performs second data communication using a second communication path, and a first communication unit. A storage control unit 303 for storing the first data received by the unit 101 and the second data received by the second communication unit 102 in the storage unit 20, and a reproduction for reading and reproducing the data stored in the storage unit 20 Unit 304.
[0104]
Then, the reproducing unit 304 compares the first and second data stored in the storage unit 20 when the data of the same content is received in parallel by the first and second communication units 101 and 102. A data comparing unit 304b for recognizing the correspondence between the first and second data based on the recognition result of the data comparing unit 304b so that the continuity of the data can be maintained. And a reproduction control unit 304a.
[0105]
In this configuration, the received first data and second data are temporarily stored in the storage unit 20, and the data is read out from the storage unit 20 and reproduced. Then, when switching the data to be read for reproduction from the first data to the second data, first, the respective data are compared to recognize their correspondence, and based on the recognition result, the continuity of the data is determined. Is switched from the first data to the second data so as to maintain.
[0106]
As described above, the received first data and second data are temporarily stored in the storage unit 20, and the first data is read out from the storage unit 20 and played back, and the continuity of the data is maintained in the middle. By switching the data to be read out from the first data to the second data, it is possible to absorb a time lag between the first data and the second data generated at the time of reception. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sound reproduced in real time from being interrupted.
[0107]
That is, in the above configuration, when switching the communication path, the first communication unit 101 and the second communication unit 102 temporarily receive the same data in parallel, and perform the switching of the data reading described above. By performing the processing, it is possible to prevent the sound reproduced in real time from being interrupted.
[0108]
Further, in the above configuration, there is no need to process received data, and there is no possibility that the data amount increases. Therefore, a decrease in data transmission efficiency can be prevented.
[0109]
Here, the data comparison unit 304b recognizes the first and second addresses of the storage unit 20 in which the same portions of the first and second data are stored, respectively, as the correspondence between the first and second data. When switching the data to be read from the first data to the second data, the reproduction control unit 304a switches the address from which the data is read from the storage unit 20 based on the first and second addresses recognized by the data comparison unit 304b. What should I do?
[0110]
As a result, switching can be easily performed in a short time, and interruption of audio to be reproduced in real time can be more reliably prevented.
[0111]
Further, the communication device 1 is configured to determine whether or not the second data communication is possible when the first data communication is being performed, and that the communication state determining unit 305 determines that the second data communication is possible. And a communication control unit 306 for disconnecting the first data communication after the data read by the reproduction control unit 304a is switched from the first data to the second data while the second data communication is started by the determination. desirable.
[0112]
With this configuration, when the second data communication becomes possible, the switching from the first data communication to the second data communication can be automatically performed.
[0113]
Further, the communication control unit 306 starts the second data communication based on the switching condition information registered in advance as to whether or not to perform the switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication, and performs the first data communication. It is desirable to determine whether to perform a switching process including disconnection of data communication.
[0114]
With this configuration, switching can be automatically performed only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0115]
Further, the communication state determination unit 305 further determines whether it is difficult to continue the second data communication during the second data communication, and the communication control unit 306 further determines the communication state determination unit 305. Determines that it is difficult to continue the second data communication, starts the first data communication, and disconnects the second data communication after the data read by the reproduction control unit 304a is switched from the second data to the first data. Is desirable.
[0116]
With this configuration, when it becomes difficult to continue the second data communication, the switching from the second data communication to the first data communication can be automatically performed.
[0117]
Further, the communication device 1 has a plurality of types of codecs for decompressing the data received by the first communication unit 101 or the second communication unit 102 before storing the data in the storage unit 20, and the first data communication or the second data When performing communication, it is preferable to include a codec unit 302 that selects a codec suitable for the data communication from a plurality of types of codecs and sets the codec to be used.
[0118]
With this configuration, clear voice with little noise can be reproduced even after switching of data communication.
[0119]
In the present embodiment, the communication control method for controlling the communication device 1 includes the first data received in the first communication path and the first data received in the first communication path while receiving the same data in parallel through the first and second communication paths. 2, a process of storing the second data received through the communication channel in the storage unit 20, a process of reading and reproducing the data stored in the storage unit 20, and a process of storing the first and second data stored in the storage unit 20. By comparing the data, the data comparison unit 304b recognizes the correspondence between the data, and based on the recognition result of the data comparison unit 304b, based on the recognition result, the data to be read out for reproduction is maintained so as to maintain the continuity of the data. The process includes a process in which the reproduction control unit 304a switches from one of the first and second data to the other.
[0120]
Further, the control unit 30 may be realized by causing a computer to execute the communication control method. For that purpose, a communication control program that causes a computer to execute the above-described processes may be used.
[0121]
In the present embodiment, the first communication path is a communication path using only a mobile phone communication network, and the second communication path is a communication path using a mobile phone communication network, the Internet, and a wireless LAN. However, the communication paths used in the present invention are not limited to these communication paths. For example, one or both communication paths may be wired communication paths.
[0122]
Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which switching is performed between two communication paths, but switching may be performed between three or more communication paths.
[0123]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the communication device of the present invention causes the storage unit to store the first and second communication units, the first data received by the first communication unit, and the second data received by the second communication unit. A storage control unit; and a reproduction unit that reads and reproduces data stored in the storage unit. The reproduction unit is configured to receive data of the same content in parallel by the first and second communication units. A data comparing unit for recognizing a mutual relationship by comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit, and a continuity of data based on a recognition result of the data comparing unit. A reproduction control unit that switches the data to be read from one of the first and second data to the other.
[0124]
In the above configuration, when the communication path is switched, data of the same content is temporarily received in parallel in the first communication path and the second communication path, and the above-described data read switching processing is performed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[0125]
Further, in the above configuration, there is no need to process received data, and there is no possibility that the data amount increases. Therefore, a decrease in data transmission efficiency can be prevented.
[0126]
In the communication device according to the present invention, in the above communication device, the data comparison unit may store the same part of the first and second data as a correspondence between the first and second data. Recognizing the first and second addresses, and when the reproduction control unit switches the data to be read from the first data to the second data, reads the data from the storage unit based on the first and second addresses recognized by the data comparison unit. The address may be switched.
[0127]
In the above configuration, switching can be easily performed in a short time, and it is possible to more reliably prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[0128]
The communication device of the present invention is the communication device described above, further comprising: a communication state determination unit that determines whether the second data communication is possible while performing the first data communication; The second data communication is started by determining that the second data communication is possible, and the communication control unit that disconnects the first data communication after the data to be read by the reproduction control unit is switched from the first data to the second data. It is desirable to have.
[0129]
In the above configuration, when the second data communication becomes possible, the switching from the first data communication to the second data communication can be automatically performed.
[0130]
In the communication device according to the present invention, in the communication device described above, the communication control unit determines whether or not to perform a switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication based on switching condition information registered in advance. It is desirable to determine whether to perform a switching process including the start of the second data communication and the disconnection of the first data communication.
[0131]
In the above configuration, switching can be automatically performed only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
[0132]
In the communication device of the present invention, in the above communication device, the communication state determination unit may further determine whether continuation of the second data communication is difficult when performing the second data communication, However, when the communication state determination unit determines that the continuation of the second data communication is difficult, the first data communication is started, and after the data to be read by the reproduction control unit is switched from the second data to the first data, 2 It is desirable to disconnect data communication.
[0133]
According to the above configuration, when it becomes difficult to continue the second data communication, the switching from the second data communication to the first data communication can be automatically performed.
[0134]
The communication device of the present invention further includes a plurality of types of codecs for decompressing data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit before storing the data in the storage unit. When performing communication or second data communication, it is desirable to include a codec unit that selects a codec suitable for the data communication from a plurality of types of codecs and sets the codec to be used.
[0135]
In the above configuration, for example, when audio data is received and reproduced, clear reproduction with little noise can be performed even after switching of data communication.
[0136]
According to the communication control method of the present invention, the first data received by the first communication path and the second data received by the second communication path are received while the data of the same content are received in parallel by the first and second communication paths. By comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit, the process of reading and reproducing the data stored in the storage unit, and the process of reading and reproducing the data stored in the storage unit, Based on the processing recognized by the data comparison unit and the recognition result of the data comparison unit, the reproduction control unit transfers the data to be read for reproduction from one of the first and second data to the other so that data continuity can be maintained. And a switching process.
[0137]
According to the above-described method, when the communication path is switched, data having the same content is temporarily received in parallel in the first communication path and the second communication path, and the above-described data read switching processing is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent interruption of audio and video reproduced in real time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining one form of communication by the communication device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining another form of communication by the communication device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state where data received by the communication device of FIG. 1 is stored in a storage unit of the communication device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication in the communication device of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Communication device
1A communication device
1B Communication device
10 Communication unit
20 storage unit
30 control unit
40 speakers
50 microphone
61 base station
62 Access Point
63 Internet
101 first communication unit
102 second communication unit
201 first storage area
202 Second storage area
301 Compression / decompression unit
301 Storage control unit
302 Codec section
303 Storage control unit
304 Playback unit
304a playback control unit
304b Data comparison unit
305 Communication status judgment unit
306 Communication control unit

Claims (9)

In a communication device capable of data communication using at least two communication paths,
A first communication unit for performing first data communication using the first communication path;
A second communication unit that performs a second data communication using the second communication path;
A storage control unit that stores first data received by the first communication unit and second data received by the second communication unit in a storage unit;
A reproducing unit that reads and reproduces data stored in the storage unit,
The playback unit includes:
When data of the same content is received in parallel by the first and second communication units, the first and second data stored in the storage unit are compared to recognize the correspondence between each other. A data comparison unit,
A communication device comprising: a reproduction control unit that switches data to be read from one of the first and second data to the other so as to maintain continuity of data based on a recognition result of the data comparison unit. The data comparison unit recognizes, as a correspondence between the first and second data, first and second addresses of the storage unit in which the same portions of the first and second data are stored, respectively.
When switching the data to be read from the first data to the second data, the reproduction control unit switches an address to read data from the storage unit based on the first and second addresses recognized by the data comparison unit. The communication device according to claim 1. A communication state determination unit that determines whether the second data communication is possible while performing the first data communication;
The second data communication is started by the communication state determination unit determining that the second data communication is possible, and after the data read by the reproduction control unit is switched from the first data to the second data, the first data communication is started. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication control unit configured to disconnect data communication. The communication control unit is configured to start the second data communication based on switching condition information registered in advance as to whether or not a switching process from the first data communication to the second data communication is to be performed. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether to perform a switching process including disconnection of one data communication. The communication state determination unit further determines whether it is difficult to continue the second data communication while performing the second data communication,
The communication control unit further starts the first data communication by the communication state determination unit determining that continuation of the second data communication is difficult, and the data read by the reproduction control unit is changed from the second data to the first data. 4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the second data communication is disconnected after switching to the second data communication. It has a plurality of codecs for decompressing the data received by the first communication unit or the second communication unit before storing the data in the storage unit, and performs the first data communication or the second data communication when performing the first data communication or the second data communication. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a codec unit that selects a codec suitable for communication from the plurality of types of codecs and sets the codec to be used. In a communication control method of a communication device capable of performing data communication using at least two communication paths,
While receiving data of the same content in parallel through the first and second communication paths, the first data received through the first communication path and the second data received through the second communication path are stored in a storage unit. Processing,
A process of reading and reproducing data stored in the storage unit;
Comparing the first and second data stored in the storage unit so that the data comparison unit recognizes the correspondence between the first and second data;
A process in which a reproduction control unit switches data to be read out for reproduction from one of the first and second data to the other so as to maintain continuity of data based on a recognition result of the data comparison unit. Communication control method. A communication control program for causing a computer to execute the communication control method according to claim 7, wherein the communication control program causes the computer to execute each of the processes. A computer-readable recording medium recording the communication control program according to claim 8.

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