JP2010178061A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus for favorably controlling the connecting state of a wireless LAN, while attaining low power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus includes: a wireless communication control means for controlling communication connection to exchange data through the use of the wireless LAN; a power supply means having a chargeable battery; a charging state determining means for determining whether the battery of the power supply means is being charged or not; and a mode control means for shifting the connecting state of the wireless communication control means into a second mode different from a first mode when it is determined that the battery is being charged by the charging state determining means in a case where the connecting state of the wireless communication control means is in the first mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a communication function using a wireless LAN.

  2. Description of the Related Art Today, many electronic devices such as mobile phones have a mobile communication function for performing data communication by transmitting and receiving data to and from a base station. There is also known an electronic device further provided with a wireless LAN function for performing data communication by connecting to a wireless LAN access point (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  A mobile phone uses a mobile communication function that does not select a connection location while moving, and at a certain point, uses a wireless LAN communication function that can transmit and receive a large amount of data at a high speed. Data communication suitable for the system can be performed.

JP 2008-118538 A

  As a connection form when an electronic device having a wireless LAN communication function using a wireless LAN connects to an access point, automatic connection or manual connection can be considered. The automatic connection is a connection form in which an access point is automatically searched periodically, and if it can be connected to the searched access point, the access point is connected. Manual connection is a connection form in which when a predetermined operation is received from a user, an access point is searched for and a connection is made to the searched access point.

  Here, when using manual connection, if it is desired to use wireless LAN communication, a user operation for establishing a connection is required, and data communication cannot be started promptly.

  On the other hand, when using automatic connection, there is an advantage that when the user wants to use wireless LAN communication, the user's operation for establishing the connection becomes unnecessary. However, an electronic device that is generally used by being carried, such as a cellular phone, is driven by a battery that can supply power even when it is moved. For this reason, when the electronic device uses automatic connection, the battery is quickly consumed, which affects the driving time of the electronic device.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that suitably controls the connection mode of a wireless LAN while reducing power consumption.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a wireless communication control unit that controls a communication connection for transmitting and receiving data using a wireless LAN, a power supply unit including a rechargeable battery, and the power supply unit. When the connection state between the charging state determination unit that determines whether or not the battery is being charged and the wireless communication control unit is in the first mode, the charging state determination unit determines that the battery is being charged. And a mode control unit that shifts the connection mode of the wireless communication control unit to a second mode that is different from the first mode.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to suitably control the wireless LAN connection mode while reducing power consumption.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a foldable mobile phone that is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another configuration of the appearance of a foldable mobile phone that is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the invention. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining wireless LAN connection control processing executed by the main control unit of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment. The table explaining the connection form (mode) when a mobile phone performs wireless LAN communication. The flowchart explaining the other wireless LAN connection control processing performed by the main control part of the mobile telephone in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a foldable mobile phone 1 which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) shows a configuration of an external appearance when viewed from the front when the cellular phone 1 is opened at about 180 degrees, and FIG. 1 (B) is a side view when the cellular phone 1 is opened. The structure of the external appearance seen from is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the mobile phone 1 includes a first casing 12 and a second casing 13 that are hinge-coupled with a central hinge portion 11 as a boundary. It is formed so as to be foldable in the direction of the arrow X via the part 11. A transmitting / receiving antenna (antennas 38 and 39 in FIG. 3 to be described later) is provided at a predetermined position inside the cellular phone 1, and a base station and an access point (both not shown) are provided via the built-in antenna. )

  An operation key 14 is provided on the surface of the first housing 12. The operation keys 14 are, in particular, a numeric key 15 that can input numbers from “0” to “9”, kana characters from “a” to “wa”, alphabets from “A” to “Z”, It comprises a cross key 16 with left and right direction keys, a confirmation key 17, a mail key 18, a power key 19, a left soft key 20, a right soft key 21, and the like.

  The cross key 16 can be operated in the up / down / left / right direction to move the cursor or the like displayed on the main display 23 in the up / down / left / right direction. In addition, when the confirmation key 17 is pressed, various process confirmation processes are executed. The confirmation key 17 is also assigned a process to be displayed on the confirmation key function display unit 23 a provided at the lower part of the main display 23.

  Further, a left soft key 20 and a right soft key 21 are provided above the cross key 16 and the confirmation key 17 of the first housing 12. Side keys 22 for operating the mobile phone 1 are provided on the side surface of the first housing 12. The left soft key 20, the right soft key 21, and the side key 22 are each assigned predetermined processing when pressed in the internal direction of the first housing 12. In particular, the left soft key 20 and the right soft key 21 are assigned processing displayed on the left soft key function display unit 23 b and the right soft key function display unit 23 c provided at the lower part of the main display 23. The mail key 18 is a key to which processing for displaying a menu screen when using the electronic mail function is assigned. When using the electronic mail function, the user first presses the mail key 18 to perform an operation for opening the menu screen.

  The first casing 12 is provided with a microphone 24 below the operation keys 14, and the microphone 24 collects the user's voice during a call.

  The first casing 12 has a battery (not shown) inserted on the back side. When the power key 19 is pressed and turned on, power is supplied from the battery to each circuit unit. Start in a safe state.

  On the other hand, the second housing 13 is provided with a main display 23 that occupies most of the area. The main display 23 displays the reception status of the radio wave, the remaining battery level, the contents of the e-mail, the contents of the homepage, and the like. The main display 23 is a display configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display.

  A receiver (receiver) 25 is provided at a predetermined position on the upper part of the main display 23 of the second casing 13, thereby enabling the user to make a voice call. Note that a speaker (not shown) as an audio output unit other than the receiver 25 is also provided at a predetermined position of the mobile phone 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another external configuration of a foldable mobile phone 1 which is an example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention. 2 constitutes a closed state in which the cellular phone 1 is rotated in the arrow X direction from the state of the cellular phone 1 in FIG. FIG. 2A shows an external configuration viewed from the front when the mobile phone 1 is closed, and FIG. 2B shows an external configuration viewed from the side when the mobile phone 1 is closed. Show.

  The second housing 13 is provided with a sub-display 28 made up of, for example, an LCD, an antenna picture showing the current antenna sensitivity level, a battery picture showing the current battery level of the mobile phone 1, The current time is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile phone 1 in the present embodiment. The mobile phone 1 includes a main control unit 30, a power supply circuit unit 31, an input control unit 32, a display control unit 33, a voice control unit 34, a communication control unit 35, a wireless LAN communication control unit 36, and a storage unit 37 that are connected to each other by a bus. It is configured to be communicable.

  The main control unit 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and operates based on various programs stored in the storage unit 37 to perform overall control of the mobile phone 1. The power supply circuit unit 31 includes an input interface for the power key 19. When it is detected that the power key 19 is pressed by the user, the power supply circuit unit 31 generates a signal indicating the fact and transmits the signal to the main control unit 30. The power supply circuit unit 31 includes a power supply source (battery), switches the power supply ON / OFF state of the mobile phone 1 based on an input via the power supply key 19, and supplies the power supply source when the power supply is in the ON state. Then, power is supplied to each unit to enable the mobile phone 1 to operate.

  The input control unit 32 includes an input interface for the operation key 14 and the side key 22. When it is detected that either the operation key 14 or the side key 22 is pressed, the input control unit 32 generates a signal indicating the pressed key and performs main control. To the unit 30. The display control unit 33 includes a display interface for the main display 23 and the sub display 28. The display control unit 33 displays document data, image data, and the like on the main display 23 and the sub display 28 based on the control of the main control unit 30. The display control unit 33 disables or enables display on the main display 23 and the sub display 28 based on the control of the main control unit 30.

  The sound control unit 34 generates an analog sound signal from the sound collected by the microphone 24 based on the control of the main control unit 30, and converts the analog sound signal into a digital sound signal. In addition, when acquiring the digital audio signal, the audio control unit 34 converts the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal based on the control of the main control unit 30 and outputs the analog audio signal as audio from the receiver 25.

  Based on the control of the main control unit 30, the communication control unit 35 performs a spectrum despreading process on the received signal received from the base station via the antenna 38 to restore the data. This data is transmitted to the voice control unit 34 and output from the receiver 25 according to an instruction from the main control unit 30, transmitted to the display control unit 33 and displayed on the main display 23, or recorded in the storage unit 37. Or In addition, the communication control unit 35 acquires voice data collected by the microphone 24, data input via the operation keys 14, and data stored in the storage unit 37 based on the control of the main control unit 30. These data are subjected to spread spectrum processing and transmitted to the base station via the antenna 38.

  The communication control unit 35 performs communication (hereinafter referred to as mobile communication) using the communication network of the mobile phone 1, which is different from the data communication using the wireless LAN realized by the wireless LAN communication control unit 36. .

  The wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for an access point (AP) (not shown) and connects to the searched AP via the wireless LAN antenna 39, for example, for data communication (hereinafter referred to as wireless LAN communication). Perform (voice communication may be performed). The AP searched by the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 is registered in advance by the user. Moreover, the priority is given to the registered AP, and the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 assigns to the AP having the highest priority among the searched APs (the AP that exists higher in the list of registered APs). Connection is to be made.

  The storage unit 37 performs processing performed by the main control unit 30 when a processing program, data necessary for processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, a database, and the main control unit 30 perform processing. RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data used in

  The mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment includes the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 so that it can connect to the searched access point (AP) and perform wireless LAN communication.

  As a connection form of wireless LAN communication, an automatic connection mode and a manual connection mode are prepared. The automatic connection mode is a mode in which connection processing is always executed. The manual connection mode is a mode in which connection processing is started when an instruction input is received from an input unit such as the operation key 14.

  The “connection process” in the present embodiment is a process of searching for a pre-registered AP and connecting to the AP with the highest priority if the radio wave state of the wireless LAN is within range. That is, in the automatic connection mode, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for APs that are automatically registered at regular intervals, and if the radio wave state of the wireless LAN is within range, Connect to the AP with the highest priority. In the manual connection mode, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for registered APs when receiving an instruction input. If the wireless LAN radio wave condition is within range, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 is the most searched AP. Connect to a higher priority AP. The “connection process” is an example, and other processes may be performed as the connection process.

  The mobile phone 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a charge connection mode that shifts to the automatic connection mode when the battery is charged and shifts to the manual mode when the battery is not charged, in addition to the connection forms of the automatic connection mode and the manual connection mode. . Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can control the connection form of the wireless LAN while reducing the power consumption. Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile phone 1 when the charge connection mode is set in the mobile phone 1 will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a wireless LAN connection control process executed by the main control unit 30 of the mobile phone 1 in the present embodiment. This wireless LAN connection control process is a process that is always executed when the mobile phone 1 is powered on. The automatic connection mode, manual connection mode, and charging connection mode described above can be arbitrarily set by a user operation, and when the wireless LAN connection control process is executed, any mode is selected and set. It shall be.

  In step S <b> 1, the main control unit 30 determines whether charging of the battery of the power supply circuit unit 31 has started. Charging of the battery is started when a charging adapter is connected to the mobile phone 1 or when the mobile phone 1 is installed in a charging holder (both not shown). If the main control unit 30 determines that charging of the mobile phone 1 has not been started, the main control unit 30 waits until charging is started. At this time, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 sets the currently set mode (automatic connection mode, manual connection mode, or charging connection mode (in this case, charging is not started and the manual connection mode is set)). The wireless LAN connection is controlled accordingly.

  When determining that charging of the battery has started, the main control unit 30 determines whether or not the charging connection mode is currently set in step S2. When the main control unit 30 determines that the currently set mode is the automatic connection mode or the manual connection mode, the main control unit 30 maintains the current mode and shifts to a normal charging state in step S3, and then performs wireless LAN connection control. The process ends.

  On the other hand, when the main control unit 30 determines that the currently set mode is the charging connection mode, in step S4, the main control unit 30 sets the connection mode of the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 to the automatic connection mode in which the connection process is always performed. Transition. The wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for automatically registered APs at regular intervals in accordance with the transition to the automatic connection mode. Connect to the AP with the highest priority.

  In step S <b> 5, the main control unit 30 determines whether charging of the battery of the power supply circuit unit 31 has been completed. The end of the charging of the battery corresponds to the case where the connection between the mobile phone 1 and the charging adapter is released or the case where the mobile phone 1 is removed from the charging holder. If the main control unit 30 determines that charging is continued and charging is not completed, the main control unit 30 waits for processing until charging is completed.

  On the other hand, if the main control unit 30 determines that the charging is finished, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 enters the manual connection mode in which the connection process is started when an instruction input is received from the operation key 14 in step S6. Migrate the connection form. The wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for the registered AP when the instruction input is accepted in accordance with the transition to the manual connection mode. Connect to the AP with the highest priority. This is the end of the description of the wireless LAN connection control process when the mobile phone 1 is set to the charging connection mode.

  According to the cellular phone 1, in addition to the automatic connection mode and the manual connection mode, a charging connection mode for controlling the mode according to whether charging is being performed or not charging is further provided. That is, the mobile phone 1 shifts to the automatic connection mode when charging without considering power consumption, and shifts to the manual connection mode when not charging.

  For this reason, at the time of charging, since the connection with the AP of the wireless LAN is automatically established, data communication can be performed without requiring any user operation. In addition, the mobile phone 1 can suppress unnecessary power consumption by shifting to the manual connection mode during non-charging.

  Furthermore, it is considered that the situation in which wireless LAN communication is used by a user is often used in an environment where charging is possible, such as at home. In such a rechargeable environment where there is a high possibility that wireless LAN communication will be used, the convenience of the wireless LAN to the user can be improved by performing control to switch to the automatic connection mode.

  Furthermore, since the mobile phone 1 is automatically switched to the manual connection mode when charging is completed, an increase in power consumption due to forgetting the switching operation from the automatic connection mode to the manual connection mode is suppressed. can do.

  In the mobile phone 1 described above, the control example of the connection mode in the charging connection mode that switches between the automatic connection mode and the manual connection mode according to the charging state has been particularly described. On the other hand, the mobile phone 1 may be configured to switch the mode selected by the user from among the connection modes composed of a plurality of modes according to charging and non-charging.

  FIG. 5 is a table for explaining a connection mode (mode) when the mobile phone 1 performs wireless LAN communication. Among these modes, the first mode searches for a registered AP when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of the service area at regular intervals, and if the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within the service area, This is a connection mode for connecting to the AP with the highest priority. The second mode searches all APs that can be searched when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of the service area at regular intervals. This is a connection form for connecting to the AP selected by. In the third mode, the registered AP is searched at regular intervals when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of the service area. If the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within the service area, the user selects from the list of searched APs. This is a connection form for connecting to a designated AP.

  In the fourth mode, the registered AP is searched at regular intervals when an instruction input is received from the user. If the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within a range, the AP having the highest priority among the searched APs. It is the connection form which connects to. The fifth mode searches all APs that can be searched when an instruction input is received by the user at regular intervals. If the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within range, the user can select from the list of searched APs by the user. This is a connection mode for connecting to a selected AP. In the sixth mode, the registered AP is searched at regular intervals when an instruction input is received by the user. If the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within a range, the AP is selected by the user from the searched AP list. This is a connection mode for connecting to a new AP.

  In the seventh mode, when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of range and the mobile phone 1 performs mobile communication, the registered AP is searched at regular intervals, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within range. For example, this is a connection mode for connecting to the AP with the highest priority among the searched APs. In the eighth mode, when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of range and the mobile phone 1 performs mobile communication, all APs that can be searched are searched at regular intervals, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within the range. If so, it is a connection form in which connection is made to the AP selected by the user from the list of searched APs. In the ninth mode, when the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is out of range and the mobile phone 1 performs mobile communication, the registered AP is searched at regular intervals, and the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN is within range. For example, it is a connection form in which connection is made to the AP selected by the user from the list of searched APs.

  In the third, sixth, and ninth modes, if there is one searched AP, the connection is automatically made to the searched one AP. Further, when the user selects the searched AP list from the list of searched APs, for example, the mobile phone 1 displays a list of searched APs on the main display 23 and operates any AP from the list. Selection is made via the key 14.

  The mobile phone 1 is configured such that one of the first to ninth modes can always be set. Furthermore, the mobile phone 1 can set a charging mode to be shifted when charging the battery. The charging mode is a preset one of the first to ninth modes, and can be arbitrarily selected by the user. Thereby, the mobile phone 1 can be controlled to any connection form by the user depending on whether charging or non-charging. Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile phone 1 when the charging mode is set will be specifically described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another wireless LAN connection control process executed by the main control unit 30 of the mobile phone 1 in the present embodiment. Note that the mobile phone 1 accepts selection of one of the first to ninth modes described above as the connection form of the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 in advance, and the wireless LAN according to the selected mode. Communication connection is controlled. In addition, when the charging mode is set by the user, the mobile phone 1 is assumed to accept in advance the selection of one mode to be shifted during charging.

  In step S <b> 11, the main control unit 30 determines whether or not charging of the battery of the power supply circuit unit 31 has started. If the main control unit 30 determines that charging has not started, the main control unit 30 waits until charging is started. At this time, the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 controls the wireless LAN communication connection according to the currently set mode among the first to ninth modes.

  When determining that the charging of the battery has started, the main control unit 30 determines whether or not the charging mode is set in step S12. If the main control unit 30 determines that the charging mode is not set, in step S13, the main control unit 30 maintains the current mode and charging state and ends the wireless LAN connection control process.

  On the other hand, when determining that the charging mode is set, the main control unit 30 stores the currently set mode in step S14. In step S15, the main control unit 30 shifts the connection mode of the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 to the mode set for the charging mode among the first to ninth modes. The wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for and connects to the AP according to the mode set for the charging mode.

  In step S <b> 16, the main control unit 30 determines whether charging of the battery of the power supply circuit unit 31 is completed. If the main control unit 30 determines that charging is continued and charging is not completed, the main control unit 30 waits for processing until charging is completed.

  On the other hand, if the main control unit 30 determines that the charging is finished, in step S17, the main control unit 30 refers to the mode information stored in the mode information storing step S14 and controls the wireless LAN communication control to the mode set before the start of charging. The connection form of the unit 36 is shifted. The wireless LAN communication control unit 36 searches for and connects to the AP according to the shifted mode. This is the end of the description of the wireless LAN connection control process when the mobile phone 1 is set to the charging mode.

  According to the cellular phone 1, the connection form by the wireless LAN communication control unit 36 can be selected from a plurality of modes, so that the user's usage environment can be selected depending on whether charging or non-charging. It is possible to perform mode control suitable for the above. In addition, the mobile phone 1 can be shifted to a mode having a desired connection form without requiring any user operation during charging without considering the influence of power consumption.

  The automatic connection mode, the manual connection mode, the charging connection mode, and the first to ninth modes described above are merely examples, and if they are configured to shift to different connection forms according to charging and non-charging. Further, modes having different connection forms may be further provided.

  The present invention can be applied to a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a portable game machine, a portable music player, a portable video player, and other portable terminal devices in addition to the cellular phone 1. Can do.

  The series of processes described in the embodiments of the present invention can be executed by software, but can also be executed by hardware.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the steps of the flowchart show an example of processing performed in time series in the order described, but parallel or individual execution is not necessarily performed in time series. The processing to be performed is also included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile telephone 11 Hinge part 12 1st housing | casing 13 2nd housing | casing 14 Operation key 23 Main display 24 Microphone 25 Receiver 28 Sub display 30 Main control part 31 Power supply circuit part 32 Operation input control part 33 Display control part 34 Audio | voice Control unit 35 Communication control unit 36 Wireless LAN communication control unit 37 Storage unit 38, 39 Antenna

Claims (5)

Wireless communication control means for controlling communication connection for transmitting and receiving data using a wireless LAN;
A power supply means comprising a rechargeable battery;
Charge state determination means for determining whether or not the battery of the power supply means is being charged;
If the connection state of the wireless communication control means is the first mode, and the charge state determination means determines that the battery is being charged, the connection form of the wireless communication control means is the first mode. An electronic device comprising: mode control means for shifting to a second mode different from the first mode. An input unit that receives an input of an instruction to start connection by the wireless communication control unit;
The first mode is a manual connection mode in which connection processing by the wireless communication control unit is started when an instruction input is received by the input unit;
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the second mode is an automatic connection mode in which connection processing by the wireless communication control unit is always executed. A mode setting means for setting the connection mode by the wireless communication control means by selecting one mode from a plurality of different modes;
The plurality of modes include the manual connection mode, the automatic connection mode, and the charge connection mode that shifts to the automatic connection mode when the battery is charged and shifts to the manual mode when the battery is not charged. There are three modes,
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the automatic connection mode is selected by the mode setting unit, the mode control unit performs control. A mode setting means for setting a connection form by the wireless communication control means at the time of charging the battery by selecting one mode from a plurality of different modes;
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the battery is being charged, the mode control unit stores the currently set mode and shifts to the mode set by the mode setting unit. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the mode control unit shifts again to the stored mode when it is determined that the battery is not being charged with the end of charging of the battery.

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